Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter One: Attack on Nemeth.
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In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man, his name… Merlin.
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The castle of Nemeth was under attack, the city surrounding the castle was already been lain to ruins. The bodies of Nemeth knights and soldiers covered the roads, alongside the citizens who had tried to flee. To anyone who didn't know better, this would appear to be the work of Saxons. But it wasn't.
Morgana and a man dressed in armour head towards the castle, walking side by through the carnage. Neither seemed bothered by the dead they were walking over, whilst crows and ravens feared upon the dead. The two of them enter the castle and head for the main hall, which was home to a beautiful domed ceiling. It was the pride and joy of Nemeth castle, but Morgana cared little for it, she was only here for one reason.
In the centre of the hall King Rodor and Princess Mithian had been forced to their knees and were under armed guard. Mithian snapped something at one of her guards and she was kicked forward, she forced herself to sit up straight once more as Morgana and her accomplice approached.
"King Rodor." The man alongside Morgana greets with false cheer. "Princess Mithian. You are as beautiful as they say."
"You, Odin," Mithian sneers, pulling her face free of his hand. "Are a cold blooded murderer."
"Why have you done this?" Rodor demands, getting to his feet and shaking off the grip of his guards.
"You should choose your allies more carefully." Morgana answers with a smirk. "Any friend of Camelot is an enemy of mine."
Morgana nodes to the guards and Rodor and his daughter are dragged away. Mithian glares at Morgana as she passes, but Morgana pays her no attention. Once they are taken from the room, Morgana approaches the throne.
"So," Odin speaks up. "We divide the spoils as agreed."
"Take whatever you wish." Morgana answers, as she circles the throne.
Then, what is your business here?" Odin questions. "Morgana?"
"I seek what's rightfully mine." Morgana walks and stops in front of Odin. "I seek the throne of Camelot. And for that I need an army."
"My army?" Odin asks.
"I believe they've showed their mettle today." Morgana answers.
Odin nodes slightly. "And what do I receive in return for this service?"
"Arthur," Morgana answers, walking forward and standing beside Odin's shoulder. "To do with as you wish."
Morgana then turns and walks away and Odin watches her go. Morgana was no means his friend, she was simply a means to and end. He would let her use his army and in return he got to kill Arthur. His many previous attempts had failed, but this time Arthur would finally die by his hand. As the doors shut behind Morgana, Odin smiles to himself. Camelot's king would soon fall by his hand.
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The sun had long since set when two horse rider enter Camelot head straight for the castle. A group of knights with Leon at the lead, run down the steps as thunder rumbles overhead. The two rider quickly get down from their horses and approach the main steps.
"Show yourselves!" Sir Leon demands.
"Sir Leon." Mithian greets. "It gladdens my heart to see you."
"Princess Mithian." Leon answers, suddenly Mithian falls to the side in a faint.
"My Lady!" The maid with her calls, rushing forward to catch her.
"Quickly!" Leon orders as he picks up Mithian, taking her from the maid. "We must get her to Gaius!"
Leon quickly moves through the castle heading towards Gaius chambers, while the maid is left to follow on her own. Alice who was just returning from collecting herbs sees them and quickly directs them towards one of the guest chambers, before going to alert Gaius.
Leon rests Mithian down on the bed just as Gaius and Alice arrive.
"Leon, bring blankets and build a fire." Gaius orders, as he begins to check Mithian over with Alice. "Hurry now! We must keep her warm at all costs."
"Is she going be alright?" Leon questions, as he quickly hands some blankets to Alice and begins working on the fire."
"I fear it's too early to say." Alice answers him. "Thank you, Leon. You've done all you can."
"Of course." Leon nodes taking the hint to leave.
"I'll have someone show you to your room." Leon offers turning to Mithian's maid.
"I will not leave my mistress." The maid answers.
"She's in safe hands," Leon replies. "I assure you."
The maid shakes her head. "She means everything to me."
"If it were up to me..." Leon begins.
"Please…" The maid pleads, cutting Leon off.
Leon shoots a hopeless look towards Alice and Gaius.
"Gaius?" He asks. "Alice?"
"Very well." Gaius answers. "Make yourself comfortable."
"Gaius, dear," Alice mutters, pointing towards a blanket near Gaius. "Give me that blanket."
Alice quickly cover Mithian, who eyelids flutter slightly but she doesn't wake.
Gaius turns towards Mithian's maid. "If her condition gets any worse, you will have to leave."
The maid quickly nodes in agreement. "Of course, physician."
"I didn't catch your name." Alice suddenly speak up, giving the maid an odd look.
"Hilda." The maid answers. "And who are you? I don't mean to be rude but the last time I was in Camelot, there was only one physician and he had a boy in training."
"My name is Alice," Alice answers. "And I am Gaius' wife. I have only lived here for a few years, it was unsafe for me to return while magic was outlawed. As for Merlin… He has duties to attend to elsewhere."
Hilda nodes, before turning to Mithian, a slight smile twitching at her lips.
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Arthur was sitting at the table in his quarters, twisting a quill in his hand as he waited for news on Princess Mithian. Gwen was still asleep, Arthur hadn't wanted to disturb her. He would inform her about the events that had taken place in the morning.
A tap on the door snaps Arthur out of his musing.
"Yes." Arthur calls.
The door opens and Gaius walks in, his face impassive.
"How is she?" Arthur asks, getting to his feet.
"She is weak and she is clearly exhausted," Gaius answers. "But she will live."
"Good." Arthur sighs with relief. "I'll speak to her at once."
"That would not be wise, sire." Gaius quickly stops him.
Arthur stares at Gaius. "Excuse me?"
"She's not to be disturbed until morning." Gaius orders.
"This is important." Arthur argues.
"And so is the health of the princess." Gaius replies, refusing to let Arthur cause further stress to his patient.
"Did you just give me an order?" Arthur asks, finally realising what Gaius had said.
"You could say so, sire." Gaius answers with eye brow raise.
Arthur sat back down, admitting defeat. Even Merlin didn't go against what Gaius said and he was the most powerful sorcerer of all time.
"Feel good, does it?" Arthur questions.
"It's not… Unpleasant." Gaius answers with a slight smile.
Arthur leans forward and rests his elbows on the table and rests his head in his hands.
"Sire?" Gaius asks, approaching the king.
Arthur suddenly sits back and rubs a hand over his face.
"To ride all through the night," Arthur mutters. "Something must have happened."
"We'll know more in the morning, sire." Gaius offers.
Arthur shakes his head slightly. "What could have caused this? Nemeth has no quarrel with any of the other kingdoms and no Saxons have been reported traveling that far."
"King Rodor and King Odin have never seen eye to eye," Gaius speaks up suddenly. "Even when your father was alive, there was no love between the two kingdoms. But Odin could never afford to go to war, Nemeth has many powerful allies… It is possible Odin has deemed it the right time to declare war."
Arthur nodes. "I have never believed Odin to be that foolish. Nemeth is part of the united Albion, to declare war on Nemeth is to declare war on all of Albion bar King Sarrum and his kingdom."
"Only Princess Mithian can tell you what has really happened, sire." Gaius answers. "And that must wait until morning."
"Send word to Merlin," Arthur suddenly speaks up as Gaius goes to leave the room. "I want him there at the meeting tomorrow."
"I shall do my best, sire." Gaius answers.
"Good night, Gaius and thank you."
Gaius bows. "Good night, sire."
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Hello, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.