Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin (if I did it would have ended better!). I'm not making any profits from this story.
Author's notes: Everyone is still alive; some small spoilers for S4. Three original characters (four others are mentioned but play no part in the story). This is my first time writing and publishing fanfic so please be nice if you decide to review. Constructive criticism is always welcome. I would like to thank my betas better known as my three sisters. Thanks for reading! :)
Prologue
Clouds floated through his mind, framing fuzzy pictures of not-so-distant memories. A single thought snaked lazily around the clouds: He was right; I'm not going to make it back this time. A soft, sad sigh escaped his lips as he closed his eyes, welcoming the darkness.
Chapter 1:
"Promise me you won't tell him. He will think he needs to come with me. I can't allow that!"
Gaius looked up at the troubled face of the boy who was becoming a man right before his eyes. "I promise," he replied. Unless you don't return, he finished the sentence in his mind. The boys needed each other, no matter what they thought, but Gaius couldn't deny that this might be one quest that had to be ventured alone. Although, he thought, maybe he alone won't be enough. What then? If something goes wrong, how can I send the one after the other knowing that there might be dire consequences? Gaius was conflicted. Maybe he shouldn't have promised so quickly or easily.
Fastening the sword to his belt, the boy simply said, "Thank you" and left. He slipped stealthily down to the stables, readied his horse and, checking swiftly around to make sure he was alone, mounted and started off at an easy trot toward the gates.
He turned toward the rising sun after exiting the lower town and decided he needed to plan. How far away is this place? Can I get there in half a day or will the sun be low in the west before I arrive? Should I be bold and ride right up to the entrance or find a different way around? Should I wait for the advantage of darkness? So focused was he on his destination and planning that he didn't notice a horse and rider begin to glide through the forest behind him, silent as a gentle breeze.
He stopped twice to water his horse and the sun was just starting its descent when he reached the crest of a hill. The time to decide had come. Wait for darkness or go now? Ride right in or sneak around? He looked up at the forbidding structure that towered over the hill. Why do they like ruins so much? Almost everyone who is an enemy of Camelot runs off to hide in ruins. He dismissed the thought and went back to his decision. The hill circled halfway around the tower so he decided to follow the hilltop, keeping near the line of trees in order to view the other side without being discovered. At least he thought he wouldn't be discovered. The silent rider was still shadowing him, back far enough to avoid detection, but close enough to keep him in sight. Decision made, he began the trip from his side of the crescent to the other. Upon reaching the other side, he widened his eyes with surprise and, yes, a little bit of fear. He had expected the first thing he saw: Morgause, Morgana, Fleotis and Jaduan. The fear he felt stemmed not only from that sight, but also the view he hadn't expected: that of an endless army. It stretched from the tower to a distant place that he couldn't even see. He had not anticipated anything like this. This was bad; very bad. How was he going to stop THIS from entering Camelot? Even if he could somehow take out the first 50 men, there were hundreds, maybe even thousands more. If he could get rid of the four leaders, maybe the army would be confused and become chaotic. After all, an army without a captain is just a group of men with weapons, right? Maybe he could even get them to turn against each other. But three with magic and a mighty king…. Well, he didn't have time to just sit there and stare at them. He might already be missed and, knowing the others, they might decide to come after him. Also, there was the whole "endless army preparing to enter Camelot" thing.
He decided to wait for darkness. He might be able to take out more people if he did it quietly and spread the damage throughout the camp, as opposed to fighting a bunch of men in just one area. But how to get to the leaders…? Morgause and Morgana were dangerous enough by themselves but with the formidable witch Fleotis by their side he doubted anyone, even a powerful sorcerer, could stop them. Anyone except me, right? I can get to them one at a time, if they ever separate! Do they intend to sit there all night? I don't have time for this! His frustration was meeting new heights. Knocking people out one by one wasn't the best plan, but it was all he could think of with this new development. Where to start... At the back? He couldn't even see where the army ended! At the front? Too close to the fire; he would be noticed right away. As he was pondering the problem, he felt a shiver run up his back. He quickly turned and looked back, but saw nothing. He faced the tower once again. Just run through the front door and cut down the bad guys like trees. Easy, right? Nobody will expect… and his thought ended abruptly as his world went black.