Coming back from war
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. The BBC does.
Summary: Arthur went to war with a couple of dozens of his knights. Merlin, Gwen and the others were left to wait for him in Camelot, but will he return?
Merlin woke up early in the morning. It was practically dawn. He always had to wake up early, because that was the time Arthur used to start his day. But Arthur wasn't there right now. Arthur was sent to war with a couple of dozens of his knights. It wasn't even Camelot's war. The neighbor kingdom, Tameran, was at war against the kingdom of Polnard. Polnard and it's king, Ronald, were known as violent and cruel. Uther was afraid that if they conquered Tameran, they would have a border with Camelot and would soon try to conquer them as well. Therefore, Uther sent Arthur and a group of his knights to help Tameran win the war.
Merlin remembered how he asked Arthur to go with him, but Arthur said no.
"No Merlin, you can't come with me." Said Arthur.
"But why? You need me. How will you get into your armor without me? Who will watch after your back if I am not there?" Asked Merlin.
"Merlin, I am very capable of getting dressed by myself, and I am not going to be there alone." Reasoned Arthur.
"Moreover, you will just be a liability since I will have to make sure that you won't get hurt." Continued Arthur. "If I am worried about you, I can't really be totally focused on the fight."
Merlin was surprised and touched that Arthur said he would be worried about him, but he didn't back down.
"I am very capable of taking care of myself." Said Merlin.
"That may be. But I won't be there as Prince Arthur. I will be there as another knight fighting for freedom. I will be the same as the others, therefore, I can't take a servant with me."
"You still need me there." Merlin tried to reason. He could fell that he was loosing this argument.
"I need you here Merlin. I need you here to help Gaius in treating the ill. I need you here to be my eyes and ears in Camelot and to watch out for dangers. And most importantly, I need you to stay here and look after Guinevere." Arthur said harshly. "I need you to stay here, and if you don't want to, then I am ordering you."
"And what if I refuse to follow this order?" Merlin asked stubbornly.
"Then I am not ordering you to stay here as your master, but I am asking you to stay here as your friend."
Merlin was shocked that Arthur said that. It's not that they weren't friends; it's that Arthur never said so aloud. And Merlin knew that he had no choice but to stay.
It has been 6 weeks since Arthur left, and his absence was felt in every place in Camelot. Merlin could feel it when he walked in the castle, when he passed by the training arena, and whenever he saw Gwen. All the people in Camelot were worried about their Prince, but Gwen was anxious.
She was always sad and worried. Merlin tried to cheer her up, but he never succeeded. Maybe it was because he didn't feel much cheered himself.
This week the people of Camelot were even more worried and anxious than ever. The reason was that they didn't hear from their Prince in more than 2 weeks. Arthur used to send in a letter and a report about the progress of the war every week. Those papers were carried to Camelot by the knights who were injured and sent back to Camelot by Arthur. So far 10 of Camelot's knights were back. They were badly injured, but were all cured by Gaius. According to them and to Arthur's reports, none of Camelot's knights were killed. However, the atmosphere in Camelot was very anxious, and the fact that they didn't hear from their knights didn't helped.
Uther was extremely worried about his only son. Merlin could tell because Uther started doubting his choice in helping Tameran in their war, and because he didn't make stupid decisions in the last 6 weeks.
Merlin tried to convince everyone that in those cases, no news means good news, but he failed miserably. He just couldn't help but worry. Merlin knew that if something terrible had happened to Arthur, he would have felt it, but knowing that wasn't enough to calm his nerves.
Another week had passed and still there was no word from Arthur. When Uther almost lost his mind from worry and started to arrange a special party to ride to the war zone and see what was going on, a group of 10 of Camelot's knights returned. Apparently, all the knights were divided into 3 groups of 5. Each group fought in a different front. The enemy's warriors outnumbered them, and the fight was hard and long. That was why it took Arthur 3 weeks until he had the time to write his report. Although they were outnumbered, Arthur and his knights won the fight and none of them were killed, though they were injured. The 10 knights that were sent back were badly injured, and a few suffered from broken arms and legs. Only 5 of Camelot's knights, including Arthur, remained in the war zone. Merlin hoped that the war would soon be over. The returning knights told Uther that Arthur and the 4 knights were assigned to go on a mission under Sir Faulow commend to try and stop the enemy's supply delegation. Therefore, Arthur may not be able to send massages in quiet some time.
Great thought Merlin, from one unbearable wait to another. Merlin honestly didn't know how he would survive another wait.
Will Arthur return from this war? How will Merlin tolerate the endless wait?
To be continued…