So I was planning to wait until I'd finished this story before uploading it but then I realised that there's not much point writing it all if when I upload it no one actually likes it :P so let me know what you think of the prologue-y bit and whether it's worth continuing
Prologue
"Get out." The man that stood before him was nothing like the king that Merlin knew. That cold, hard stare was certainly something new.
"Arthur I-"
"I said GO Merlin! Get out of my site. Leave Camelot, if I ever see you again I will kill you."
"If you just let me-"
"You have until sunrise to gather your belongings and say your goodbyes."
Merlin gave Arthur a searching look for moment before exiting his chambers.
3 years later
"RETREAT!" The king yelled to his troops as they were forced back by Morgana's army.
The knights followed the order and took refuge in the castle.
"Sire," Sir Leon approached Arthur, "We need to evacuate the castle, it's not going to hold them out for much longer."
Arthur looked around the makeshift infirmary. He hated to admit it but the knight was right.
He nodded. "Start leading people out through the tunnels that run beneath the citadel; women, children and the injured first. Those that can still fight are to remain until last. We regroup in the darkling woods."
"Yes sire." Leon said and rounded up some other knights to help him.
"Gwen!" Arthur called to his wife, "I want you to go with them."
"No, I'm going to stay here. To fight." She argued.
"No one's fighting, it's just a matter of who goes first. I need you to lead the people to safety."
"I don't want to leave you." She said quietly.
"You'll see me again soon enough."
"But where are we going to go?"
"You remember where we had our first picnic together?" Arthur said after a moment of contemplation.
Gwen nodded.
"I'll meet you there, try and keep all the people together."
She turned to leave but he grabbed he wrist and pulled her back into a kiss. When they broke apart Gwen left to lead the first group of people to safety.
XXX
"There's got to be something we can do." Arthur said to the group in general.
It was three days since they'd evacuated Camelot. The remaining people had managed to meet up without any trouble and from there they made their way to the old castle they had previously used to hide in.
The room with the round table in it had been cleared out so Arthur could hold a meeting with his most trusted advisors.
"Arthur, Morgana has a whole army at her disposal not to mention magic. I'm not sure if there is anything we can do." Elyan said honestly.
Arthur gave the group a pleading look. Gathered there was everyone that had been there four years ago, except for...
Well there were two empty seats around the table.
"Well sire there is one option that we haven't considered yet." Gaius said earning him questioning looks from the rest of the group, "Magic."
"No, absolutely not. Magic is the reason that we have this problem. Besides, who would help us when they could live in Morgana's Camelot?"
"I don't believe that Morgana is regarded to highly in the magical community, I may know of someone that would be willing to help if we could find him."
"Why would anyone help us?"
"Morgana is a tyrant. Not just to those without magic but those with it too."
"Who is this person then?"
"Druidic legends talk of a warlock with unrivalled power, he said to be a protector of Camelot. I believe he would help us."
"Who is this so called protector then?" asked Gwaine, "He's not been doing a very good job has he?"
"I don't know where he is anymore, he hasn't been seen for years."
"Great, so we don't even know if he's alive." Arthur said.
"I think that it's unlikely that he's dead, it would take a pretty formidable foe to get rid of him."
"Ok," said Arthur, "Who is he and how do we track him down?"
"You should start in the forest of escetir, that's where your most likely to find the Druids. They will probably be able to lead you to him."
"But what's he called Gaius?"
"Emrys."