Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.


Chapter 2 – Escape from Camelot


Merlin crept into the dungeon unnoticed having put a sleeping spell on the guards and approached the cell he knew Guinevere occupied. She was lying on the thin straw mattress, facing away from the door and though she appeared to be sleeping, Merlin knew better.

"Gwen!" He hissed and she turned when he first spoke, proving him right that she had been awake the whole time.

"Merlin!" She whispered back as she scrambled towards the cell door. "What are you doing here?"

"Getting you out."

"But how? The guards-"

"Are asleep. Arthur and Leon are getting the horses ready and are waiting for us at the western gate.

"Arthur and Sir Leon?" Merlin laughed at her shocked expression.

"Don't be so surprised."

"I'm touched more than anything. I know how hard he worked to become First Knight, and to throw it all away for me…"

"As he told Arthur and I, you are his oldest friend. You are well loved, Gwen. Don't forget it."

"Thank you, Merlin." She gave him a watery smile as tears came to her eyes. "Now how are you getting me out of here? Do you have the key?"

"Ah…about that." He seemed a bit hesitant now, which confused her. "Just…promise not to scream alright?" Before she could ask what he meant he had raised his hand towards the lock and muttered a couple words. His eyes flashed gold and the next thing Guinevere knew the door to her cell swung open. Guinevere looked to Merlin in surprise, though he noted the lack of complete shock on her face that had been on Arthur's, and he had to remind himself that Guinevere was much more observant than Arthur; if she had not still looked surprised he'd have thought that she had known.

"I knew you were special, Merlin." She said after a moment, taking his hand and giving it a comforting squeeze. "I get the feeling I don't even know how special you are yet."

"You don't hate me?" He had to ask. "You don't think magic is an abomination and those who practice it evil?"

"I cannot deny that magic has caused much harm to Camelot, and even to myself. But I am not so ignorant like Uther to paint magic and everyone who uses it with one brush. There are many forms of good and evil in this world, and I believe that magic is only one of them." Merlin smiled, happy to hear her words and gave her a quick hug.

"Now just try to convince Arthur of that." He said as he began to lead her out.

"I've not doubt he's already reached that conclusion. But he's still Arthur, so it will take some time for him to admit it." They made it to the western gate without any trouble thanks to Merlin's sleeping spell. As Arthur pulled Guinevere into his embrace, Merlin noted the look Leon was sending him. It was one of interest, though thankfully not fear or mistrust. Clearly Arthur had told Leon about his magic and like Arthur himself, Camelot's now former First Knight was reserving judgement.

"We should leave while we have the chance." Merlin said after giving the two lovebirds a moment. No complaints were heard and the four mounted up and rode throughout the night. They made it to the border and made camp off the road to allow themselves and their horses some rest.

"We sleep for three hours, no more." Arthur instructed. "I want to put as much distance between us and Camelot as we can. I shall take first watch. Leon, you can relieve me in an hour and a half." Leon nodded and removed his sword, placing it next to the spot of grass where he would bunk down for little more than an hour.

"Do we even know where we're going?" Merlin asked as he started a fire.

"Not further north into Meredor I should think." Said Leon. "Even if Odin's kingdom is technically an ally his hatred of Uther is well known. It's far too risky, he'd recognize Arthur on sight, and who knows what he'd do."

"The trouble is that that applies to any of the neighbouring kingdoms." Arthur replied. "Regardless that we will not be marching up to the castle gates or making a spectacle of ourselves, any interactions with the nobility is dangerous."

"So we don't interact with them." Merlin said simply. "We find a small village out of the way and settle there."

"But what will we do there?" Asked Guinevere. "I meant what I said, I cannot see you as a farmer." She said to Arthur.

"I may not have a choice, love." He murmured back, kissing her hand lovingly and silently telling her he didn't regret his decision in the least. A snigger from the side drew his attention. "Besides, I'll let Merlin do all the work."

"So no change there then." He quipped back.

"No." Arthur's serious tone drew the warlock's attention. "No, nothing has changed." There was too much meaning in his words for him to merely be referring to Merlin working in Arthur's stead. Upon realizing what Arthur was referring to, Merlin broke out into the brightest smile any of them had ever seen. Guinevere too was smiling at Arthur's quick acceptance, while Leon looked entirely unsurprised and even a bit happy himself; clearly he'd reached the same conclusion as Arthur. Seeing the look in his friend's eyes, Arthur's raised a finger in warning.

"So help me, Merlin, if you hug me…" he let the threat hang and Merlin snorted, getting back to trying to light the fire.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Sire."

"Merlin, why don't you use magic to light the fire?" Leon asked after several moments of watching the warlock struggle. Merlin stopped and dropped the flint, looking up at the Knight a bit sheepishly.

"Habit, I suppose. I'm so used to hiding my magic and using it only when necessary that it no longer occurs to me to use it for such trivial matters."

"Well, you do not need to hide who you are from us, not anymore." Guinevere said, bending to give Merlin a kiss on the cheek as she passed him. "I'm going to fetch some water." She informed them. Watching her go, Merlin smiled after the first friend he'd made in Camelot and quietly said a few words to get the fire going. His smile died on his lips upon turning and seeing the glare Arthur was sending him.

"I'm quite sure you have nothing to worry about." Merlin said of the kiss.

"Oh I know I have nothing to worry about where Guinevere is concerned. Least of all from you of all people."

"Perhaps we should discuss where we will go and what we shall do now that we've left Camelot." Leon interrupted, stopping the brewing argument. Agreeing that they needed an answer to those questions the three men settled in to do just that, Guinevere offering her opinion when she re-joined them. It was decided that they would settle in Caerleon, far from the capital and near the sea, this being Guinevere's request for she'd never seen the sea before. As to what they would do upon arrival they were still unsure. Guinevere and Merlin had skills as servants while Guinevere could earn a living as a seamstress or blacksmith's apprentice, having studied under her father, while Merlin was not a half bad physician after years following Gaius around, even though he had nowhere near the old man's brilliance. Leon and Arthur, however, did not really have any marketable skills that would be useful in a small village. Arthur was adamant that he could become a farmer if necessary, but the other three were doubtful; even Leon admitted that he didn't think he himself could be a farmer, let alone for Arthur to be one. As they crossed the border into Caerleon shortly after dawn some hours later, they were nowhere closer to sorting out a plan of action upon their arrival at whatever destination they chose.

"Arthur look!" Guinevere cried happily. They had just crested a hill and come upon a cliff from which she got her first glimpse of the sea. The smile the three men shared was missed in her jubilance or she would have known that they had purposefully taken this path for this very reason. "It's so vast…I've never seen anything so beautiful." She murmured.

"I have." Arthur replied, his gaze never leaving her. Guinevere turned to face him and blushed, though she rolled her eyes.

"Flirt." She admonished.

"Only for you." Before the two could get anymore sickeningly lovey dovey, Merlin interrupted.

"Alright, that's enough you two. There's an inn at the village we passed not long ago. I think we can rest the night there…actually sleep in a bed."

"A splendid idea, Merlin!" Arthur said before quickly backtracking. "One of the few you've ever had." With the promise that they would return to see the vast ocean before departing tomorrow, Arthur led the way back down the path towards the village.

"If I may, Sire." Leon said, though continued without waiting. "Tonight, and every night on this journey, you will stay in your own room, with no night time wandering, and if you lay one inappropriate hand upon Guinevere before you are properly married, I will gut you." It was said almost casually though the seriousness in his voice said otherwise. Arthur pulled his horse up short, gaping at Leon while Merlin burst out laughing and Guinevere let out a mortified gasp.

"Leon!" She scolded, completely embarrassed.

"No, Gwen." He said, giving her a look she remembered well that said he was not to be tried on this. "I said nothing last night when you two laid far too closely together as we were out of doors and Merlin and I were naught but five feet away. Tonight we will be at an inn in separate rooms."

"I hardly think-" Arthur started but was cut off.

"In fact I think the three of us can share a room and allow Gwen her own. It will let me keep an eye on you." He glared at his Prince.

"I'll definitely help keep him in line." Merlin offered between chuckles. Although no less serious, Leon's gaze softened some as he offered an explanation.

"She may not be my sister by blood, but we were raised together and you know I think of you as such." He said to Guinevere who smiled softly at him. "As such, I will protect her as if she were my sister, and that includes ensuring she is properly married before any babes are born."

"It might be a good idea to claim her as your sister in the village." Merlin suggested as he and Leon now led the way down the hill, leaving their two blushing friends behind. "It's far more appropriate for a woman to be travelling with her brother, even an adopted one."

"And you two?" Leon asked.

"Well Arthur's her fiancée naturally, and I suppose I'll be your servant. No one will pay me any mind then."

"You know I would never…ask anything of you." Arthur said awkwardly, as Merlin and Leon's voices faded away, the two having moved far enough ahead. "Especially not before we are wed."

"So we are to be wed, are we?" Guinevere said, a joking tone in her voice. "I do not seem to recall any sort of proposal." Although she was teasing, Guinevere still found herself suddenly hauled out of her saddle and draped across Arthur's, his arms wrapped securely around her.

"How terribly remiss of me." He said in a similar tone, though she could see some guilt in his eyes upon realizing that he had never actually asked her to marry him. "Guinevere, I cannot imagine my life without you. I willingly give up my right to the throne of Camelot, and relinquish my crown and all titles I once had for you, and will even happily settle as a farmer so long as we are together. All of this I do with no regrets." Seeing the truth in his eyes, tears came to hers. He gave up everything for her and she had secretly wondered if he would resent her for it; however, seeing the truth in his eyes now, she knew he meant every word. "I love you, Guinevere. Will you marry me?"

"Yes." She said with no hesitation. "Yes, with all my heart." Leaning down Arthur captured her lips in a kiss. Apparently the kiss lasted too long, for a pointed clearing of the throat interrupted them and the two pulled apart to see that Leon and Merlin had returned; one looking quite unimpressed, while the other was clearly amused.

"Did my words mean nothing?" Leon asked with a frown.

"Well I had to ask her to marry me didn't I?" Arthur defended. "Seems I forgot that part." Merlin burst out laughing and even Leon's lip twitched upwards, though he tried to hide it.

"Well now it is done, and your proximity ends."

"Very well." Arthur said with a roll of his eyes as he deposited Guinevere back on her own horse. The two then dutifully followed Leon and Merlin back to the village they had passed and towards the inn. The inn was large enough to have a stable – though their four horses filled the previously unoccupied stable to capacity – and they left their mounts with a stable boy along with a couple coins for his care of them. The inn was relatively busy with people sitting at tables all around the main room with a man behind the bar and a woman coming and going with food from the kitchen. Still they were able to acquire two rooms, allowing Leon to keep his promise of watching Arthur, for it seemed that everyone else were regulars who lived in the village rather than travellers seeking a bed for the night. The meal they were served was hot and tasteful, though it was simple, and after over a day of little to eat they were grateful for it. They were also grateful for the fact that no one paid them any particular attention. If no one noticed them, no one could remember them if Uther came looking for them. However, with Arthur around, it did not last for long. When the door opened again the very air became tense. Chatter stopped and eyes swivelled to face the newcomers who were looking far too smug and full of themselves for anyone's liking.

"I told you you weren't welcome here." The innkeeper said, trying his hardest to sound strong, and though his voice sounded it, his age, for he was no young man, belied that strength; it was doubtful he could do anything to make them leave, and the man in the front, who appeared to be the leader, knew that.

"And what are you going to do about it, eh?" He said tauntingly as he sauntered up to the bar and grabbed the bottle of rum the innkeeper had been holding, drinking directly from the bottle. His five companions seemed to find this funny for they laughed as they began to help themselves to whatever food and drink they wanted. No one stood up to help and the innkeeper himself kept quiet. The men's antics continued for several more minutes during which they began to make a mess of the place. Arthur's face during this time clearly spoke of his anger and did not go unnoticed by the others.

"Arthur don't draw attention to yourself." Merlin begged.

"Are you going to do anything about it?" He asked back, the implication clear that he asked if Merlin would use his magic.

"Anything I do will either start a fight, or draw even more attention, if not directly to us, then to this place. Magic may be accepted in Caerleon, but only just. It will draw much notice and we do not want to give Uther any trail to follow." He reasoned. Arthur, however, was having none of it.

"You are right that magic would draw my father's attention, but a man with a sword who stopped some thugs is not worth his notice, and I am not going to just sit around and let this happen." With that said, Arthur grabbed his sword and stood to face the six men, Leon following his lead not half a second behind him. "I believe you were told to leave." He called out, using his most commanding voice. The laughter and antics stopped immediately as all attention turned to Arthur and Leon who stood tall, their swords lowered but at the ready. The group's leader left the bar, taking the bottle of rum with him, and sauntered over.

"You sure you want to get involved, mate?" He asked, taking another swig of rum.

"Quite. Now I'm going to give you one chance to walk out of here, never to return, or we will make you."

"You think the two of you stand a chance against the six of us?" He laughed in Arthur's face, which became thoughtful at his words.

"You know, now that you mention it, six on two doesn't seem a fair fight," He said, turning to Leon. "Does it?"

"Not at all fair no." Leon agreed.

"So if you want to go get more men to back you up we'll wait." Arthur retorted. The amusement vanished from the man's face.

"Those are fighting words. Don't say things you can't follow through with." Arthur merely twirled his sword and held it slightly higher, silently indicating he had no problem following through if forced.

"Alright then." The man said, taking a slow, long drink of rum as he eyed Arthur. His companions came to stand next to him, their weapons already drawn. When he finished his drink, the man put the bottle of rum down and drew his own sword. "If that's the way you want to do it, fine. Don't say I didn't warn you." Arthur merely smirked.

"If you wouldn't mind getting the door." He threw over his shoulder to Merlin, purposefully not using his name; while he would not stand for this injustice, he would not draw more attention to them than necessary. "I would rather not break it when I throw this lout out."

"Right." Merlin said with a sigh, making a show of it, as if this was a common occurrence. Arthur's request did more than merely try to intimidate their opponents, it also sealed their victory, for it not only drew the gang's attention to Merlin, but also to Guinevere.

"That your girl?" Their leader asked, in his most lecherous voice. Arthur did not reply, but the hard set of his jaw confirmed it. "You might want to pick a real man, sweetheart, rather than a mere boy." He addressed Guinevere directly. "But don't worry, when I'm through with him I'll come back and show you what a real man can do for you, eh?" His words were meant to insult Arthur, who certainly took it as such, though they also were a thinly veiled threat against her, which meant Arthur's reaction was quite predictable. He surged forward so fast that the man had no time to react, shoving him up against the wall and holding his sword to the man's neck.

"That is my fiancée you speak to." Arthur growled, not even bothering to look to the men who'd flanked their leader for he knew Leon had moved to cover him. "I would say that you are to address her with respect, but you will never address her again." He said no more as he pulled the man around and kicked him through the door that Merlin had dutifully opened. Two more men quickly followed courtesy of Leon and it wasn't long until the other three found themselves outside as well. The fight wasn't long. The men were untrained and unorganized, having little actual skill. Clearly they relied on the fact that none around them could fight back, and so now when faced with opponents who could they did not stand a chance. The men were quickly disarmed and rounded up, Arthur and Leon's years of training as knights making short work of it, and with a little help from Merlin, who conjured a rope into their line of sight so they did not have to search for one, the six thugs soon found themselves bound together in a heap. Cheering arose from inside the inn; apparently these men were known well enough to warrant jubilation at their defeat.

"What should we do with them?" Leon asked, and Arthur shrugged, turning to those crowded in the doorway for an answer.

"Let them go." The innkeeper said. "They didn't cause any real harm, and they won't be showing their faces around here again."

"Doubt they'll show their faces in their own village once word of their easy defeat reaches there." One customer added, his intent to see that word reached their village clear.

"Alright." Arthur agreed readily enough. "But we'll be keeping these." He said, indicated to their swords. "And…" Reaching down, Arthur plucked a small bag that had been tied to the leader's belt. Shaking it, Arthur heard the tell tale jingling of coins and smiled. "And this, as payment to the innkeeper." With a nod to Leon, the Knight cut the rope tying the men together and gave them a shove to get going. Once they were out of sight, Arthur and Leon returned to the inn, Arthur tossing the innkeeper the bag of coins.

"I'm sorry about the mess." He said.

"Would have been a lot worse without you two." The innkeeper shot back, though Arthur merely smiled as he returned to Guinevere's side.

"Are you alright?" He asked, clearly concerned that the man's words had upset her.

"I'm fine. It is not the first time I have been on the receiving end of lewd comments." She said it as if it was nothing and Arthur pursed his lips. He knew that servants were treated differently than the ladies of the court, and whether lowborn or nobleman, few had any qualms about coming on to serving girls. Still, it rankled him that his Guinevere had been forced to endure such things. The rest of the night was spent quite pleasantly, the four being left alone save for the looks, and the sweet pie the innkeeper brought them, though they had not asked for. Eventually they grew weary and all retired to bed, Leon allowing for a short, supervised goodnight outside Guinevere's room before he shoved Arthur in theirs, locking the door behind him and keeping the key.

"You are taking this much too far." Arthur grumbled as he sought his bed.

"One can never be too careful, Sire." Leon replied from his own bed while a snigger came from the floor.

"Not one word, Merlin."


A/N - Writing this story I worked under the assumption that Arthur (and Guinevere and Leon for that matter) has zero doubts that Merlin is his friend and cannot be evil. As such, when Merlin tells him about his magic he accepts it pretty quickly knowing that Merlin would never hurt him or anyone he cares about. Just a little explanation for anyone thinking Arthur (and Guinevere and Leon) accepted Merlin's magic too quickly.

Review please!