This is a continuation of Walking the Path Alone, and Reaping the Harvest, but it can be read by itself.
Notes: Lancelot is alive, Arthur is king, Arthur and Gwen are not married, nor seem to be making any moves in that department. Arthur knows about Merlin's magic.
Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to BBC

Arthur wasn't ready; he had all the troops set up, genius plans of attack, and even his almighty Warlock by his side, but that didn't mean that anything would go as planned. in fact, something was going wrong right at that moment.

"Merlin!" Arthur's voice echoed down the empty halls of his castle, making said man grimace.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Merlin waved his hand as he skidded into Arthur's room.

"You are the one who said you wanted to help me with my armor," Arthur was only a bit annoyed, he needed the normalcy of Merlin being late, he needed anything that would distract him from what he was about to do.

Merlin sensed his mood and a sad smile crossed his face, "Come on you prat, it won't take me that long to get this stuff on you, I'm actual really good at it by now!"

"You mean your magic is good at it," Arthur replied with the beginnings of a grin as he watched the pieces of armor begin to flit about and fit themselves to him.

"I am my magic you know, " Merlin said with a huff, " Where is Excalibur, don't tell me you lost it again!"

"I didn't lose it last time! It was in the corner where I left it!" Arthur replied, his face flushing a bit.

"Oh, you mean of that old dilapidated castle that you sent me back to to get you your sword," Merlin finished the last strap by hand and patted Arthur on his armored shoulder, "There we go, perfect!"

Arthur looked over to Merlin and his smile completely disappeared, "Merlin, I have a request."

Merlin straightened at Arthur's tone, and his gaze was level and strong.

"If I die, I want you to become chief advisor, I trust you the most out of every person in this castle. You can call yourself regent, or King if you want, or if you can find someone else who will be able to run my kingdom, then give them this," Arthur placed his signet ring into Merlin's hand, "and whatever you do don't let her win."

Merlin stared at the ring and looked back up at Arthur, " You are not going to die."

If it had been years ago, Arthur would have seen the glint of determination in Merlin's eye and smirked and joked about it, but now he knew just how loyal and powerful his friend was, and he would be lying if what had just been said did not make him feel even a little bit better.

"Well, they won't know what hit them when you show up, huh Merlin."

Arthur had found out around seven months ago that Merlin had magic, vast magic. It had been a bit annoying for the first few weeks because every day someone would come and ask him a completely ridiculous question. Merlin had been training Arthur and his knights about magic, and was happy to say that Arthur realized that if he met some kind of large magical creature, the best thing to do was to look menacing while Merlin destroyed it. A month after Arthur had found out, he had slowly started new rules to life the ban on magic, and now nearly all of the magic practitioners were free to live in Camelot and practice again. However, no one knew ( besides the knights and Arthur) who had been the one helping the King in his understanding of magic. No one knew that his manservant-turned advisor was the one responsible for the sudden bloom of crops, the sweet flowers and fruits, the beautiful weather, and many other strange phenomenon that just seemed to happen because Merlin was there.

"You and the druids are our biggest defense against Morgana and her army," Arthur left the room with Merlin stumbling after him. Merlin paused to call the old sidhe staff to him, then continued after Arthur, "You know you've said that every other minute right?"

"Merlin?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up"

The two's smiles faded as they walked out into the courtyard and mounted their horses. Arthur's closest knights, Gwaine, Percival, Elyan, Leon, and Lancelot pulled up their horses behind his and Merlin's. They left the citadel and preceded down to the battle grounds. The troops were all laid out, tents springing up closer to the town. The women and children had been hidden in the depths of the castle, but the most important part of this battle was their hidden weapons. Arthur scanned the trees and saw signs of activity, the druids were also ready. Arthur had been wary of using the normally peaceable people, but the druids had come to him saying that they would aid Emrys and the Once and Future King until the day they died.

As Arthur rode past, a rush went over the crowd, and the soldier, farmers, craftsmen, and druids began to gather their weapons and to walk to their horse if they owned one. One farmer walked straight over to the king's right hand man and Merlin nodded at Arthur to go talk to him.

"Arden, how are things down here?"

The man shifted on his feet, then looked Merlin straight in the eye, "Could be worse, boy, they are nervous enough but cause the great and mighty king has told them that we have the druids and the most powerful sorcerer of all time on our side, they are not to scared."

"It's warlock, " Merlin said with a lifted eyebrow, " and do you know where Gauis is?"

"That old man? He sent up a bunch of tents in the left back of the field, he's got a bunch of druids with him, and he is scaring everybody with his crazy orders!" The old man laughed as he delivered the last line, but it was hollow and harsh, showing a lot more then what he was saying.

"Gaius always has reason's for what he does," Merlin replied, then as he heard Arthur calling him, he turned his horse around and called back, " thank you Arden, see you at the end of all things!"

Arthur was standing before the entirety of the camp, and as Merlin came up to him he performed a spell so that everyone could hear Arthur speak.

"I have a very important announcement to make to you all, " Arthur's voice rang through every person's mind, and they all stiffened and looked up.

"Anyone who has magic, or is a sorcerer, besides the druids, will be lead by Merlin."

Gasps were heard throughout the crowd, but Merlin soon walked forward.

"I know you may be surprised, but I am a warlock, we have needed to keep this a secret, but now is the time when everyone needs to know who exactly is on their side."

"So, " Arthur continued, "I need all sorcerers to join with Merlin, follow his orders and know that I completely agree with whatever he tells you, we face an enemy that has once overpowered us, but this time we are prepared, this time we are not caught in the dark, and this time, we are not alone," Arthur ended his speech and turned towards his tent, wondering when the sun would rise and the battle would commence. Merlin walked beside him, the area he needed to go to to explain the plans to the sorcerers in the same direction.

"Merlin, what about the dragon?" Arthur looked over his shoulder at the quiet man behind him.

"He says that it might be best to see if we need him, because he does not want to cause panic amongst the people that have seen him before, but if we need him he will answer my call, " Merlin stumbled forward and grasped Arthur's arm, "Good luck, your highness." He bowed and began to walk away. A strong hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him on the spot, "Good luck, Lord Emrys."

Merlin smiled as he turned around again and headed forwards towards the group of growing sorcerers.

...

It was less then an hour later when the sun began to rise, and banners were seen on the distant side of the plain.

"The war has begun," Arthur looked out and moved to the front of the columns of waiting men, " and this is one that I will not let us lose."

"Let's go then, prat," a voice rung through his mind, and he smiled as he lowered his visor. "Let's go."

Hope you enjoyed it, next chapter will come when it can; I'm a busy little beaver.~not necessarily in between