Authors Note
Hi, this is my first fanfiction. It is an alternate season five of Merlin. I should mention that this is technically the 14th episode of season 4. If I continue this fanfiction after I've finished this episode, I will be writing the first episode of season five, however I need this episode for it to make sense and I wish for there to be a large time gape in-between this episode and the next. I hope you enjoy it :-)
This contains no slash.
I would be grateful if you reviewed, as I wish to improve my writing. I will correct any mistakes and learn from my errors if you do take the time to give me constructive criticism. Thank you!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, however much I wish I did:-)
The Trust of a King
"Merlin, you imbecile!" Arthur stumbled over a protruding tree root as his idiot of a servant bashed into him, causing him to fall flat on his face. "What are you doing down there, my lord? Looking for a new type of prey perhaps? Merlin inquired, as he turned around to meet Gwaine's equally amused gaze. Both held back a fit of laughter. "Well if I didn't have such an oaf of servant, I'm sure my life would be much easier," Arthur huffed as he pushed himself of the ground and dusted himself off. "True, but how would you dress yourself sire? Merlin retorted. "You're right for once Merlin. I'm getting bored of deer and rabbits. A new kind of prey is exactly what we need. Start running!" Arthur ordered. All the knights chuckled, even Gwaine. "Traitor," he scowled under his breath before flashing his trademark, sarcastic smile.
They continued to hunt and surrounded a young male deer. He was lapping up water in an idyllic opening in the forest. The sun seemed to kiss the nature and as it shone, it turned the stream into a galaxy of tiny stars. Merlin gasped at the beauty of such a site. Without warning a bolt of lightning struck the ground and left a scorch mark in the small piece of heaven. The deer bolted, fleeing from the hunting partly who were every bit as shaken. "By gods, what was that!" exclaimed Elyan. Gradually, tall, dark figures stepped out from the trees.
They were all clad in dark, forest green cloaks. They hung their heads low so that their faces weren't visible. Around their necks hung ancient pendants with symbols from the old religion. One of them marched confidently towards Arthur and Merlin, stopping around twelve feet from where they stood. He threw off his hood revealing his scarred and worn face. His head was shaven and in-between the bloody scars and battle wounds, symbols of the old religion were etched into his face. He strongly resembled someone Merlin knew, but he couldn't quite put his finger on who. Underneath his cloak his muscles were bursting out of his leather armour. It wasn't just his strength that frightened Merlin, the knights and even Arthur; there was powerful wisdom raging behind his eyes. He was much more than just a warrior.
"You have betrayed us!" he spat. "How dare you address your king like that!" Sir Leon drew his sword. The man flinched his head sightly to the side while his eyes flashed topaz. Leon flew backwards thirty feet, crashing into the upper-branches of a tree. He plunged to the ground where his lifeless body lay, broken, against the tree trunk. "Leon!" Elyan rushed to the injured knight's side. Arthur turned to look back at the lead sorcerer. "How have I betrayed you?" Arthur questioned the warrior. "What wrong have I done you? I have no quarrel with the druids. I have never met you before. I do not even know your name and yet you attack my knight with sorcery." He hissed as he said the word, as if it were a curse. "My name is Triantor. I was not speaking to you," the man scorned. He glared at Merlin. All of a sudden Merlin's mind was bombarded with voices. "Traitor!" "Liar!" "Deceiver!" "How could you do this Emrys?" "How could you let us be hunted?" "How could let children die, while you enjoyed a life of luxury with our enemies, hiding who you are to save your skin!"
Merlin grabbed the sides of his head and crumpled up his face with agony. "What are you doing to him? He hasn't done anything. Release your spell! It's me you want, I am Arthur; the King of Camelot," Arthur demanded. Triantor turned to face the other figures. "Cease!" The voices died out, along with the immense pain. "I know who you are, Pendragon!" Triantor spat. "I have not come for you, as it is not I who shall be your doom. Your fate lies in the hands of another. No matter how much you disgust me, it is he who has deserted us. He who has the power to save his people. And it is he who chooses to ignore his destiny to save his own skin. We are meant to protect him, yet why should we aid a man who watches his people die and refuses to help." He sneered with rage. Arthur was both puzzled and angry. "Merlin? You've got the wrong man. He may be an idiot, but he wouldn't desert anyone. He's the most loyal and brave man I know. He doesn't even have any people to desert," explained Arthur.
Meanwhile Merlin had just figured out who they were. "We are meant to protect him..." That's who Triantor reminded him of: Alator. They weren't druids, they must be other members of the Catha, or at least they used to be. His face filled with sorrow. Had he deserted them? He had always tried his hardest and done what he believed to be right. He would die for them, however these things took time and although much had changed during Arthurs rule, the time had not come to bring magic back to Camelot. Arthur had lost many to magic these past years and his hatred of magic was stronger than ever.
"We will not watch by anymore!" stated Traintor. "The time has come to take destiny into our own hands," Arthur reached for his sword. "Wyrgan," Triantor's eyes flashed golden. All of the members of the hunting party clutched their throats as an invisible hand grasped at their necks, strangling them. All except Merlin. His eyes twitched back and forth. This was it there was no other way. It was him or his friends, and that was a decision he had made a long time ago. He closed his eyes; harnessing all of his strength. When he opened them, they were ablaze. He marched towards the warriors as he thundered: "Æledfyr! Hiersume min bebodrædenna! Læce se andsaca beinnan hringe ond forbiernan him cwice!" He surrounded the fallen members of the Catha with ring of enchanted flames. They licked the ground, edging closer and closer to the sorcerers. The sorcerers fumbled for each others hands and created a circle. All of them looked up at the sky and cried out: "Forbweg!" They spoke in sync with the exact same voice. It was as if they were one. With a whirlwind they vanished and with them the choking spell.
