A/N: Happy Easter, and may you all have nice satisfying stomachaches xD
Gwen hadn't stopped crying since Merlin (dragged back into camp by the practical Tristan) announced that Arthur had been captured. Merlin wanted to comfort her, but he wanted to rescue Arthur more, so he let someone else do that for once.
He'd wanted to storm into the castle and take Arthur back, but Tristan hadn't let him. He'd insisted Merlin would just get himself killed.
"You don't understand," Merlin had said, desperate. "I have magic!"
It was rare for Merlin to actually come out and say it, but he thought the situation called for it, and if Tristan gave him trouble, Merlin could defeat him without too much trouble. Tristan, however, was not angry, and he wasn't impressed either.
"So does Morgana," he pointed out. "And she's got a castle—and Camelot. We regroup and decide."
And so he dragged Merlin back to camp and was cruel enough to make the manservant break the news to everyone.
The people were horrified at losing their chance to get Camelot back, but Merlin assured everyone that they'd get Arthur back soon, and not to worry.
"Leon, Percival," he said, "And Tristan, we need to plan." He thought about including Isolde, but looking over at the trees, he saw her bending over and patting Gwen's shoulder. There was a time, once, when knights of Camelot would not dream of taking order's from the king's manservant. But Percival did not take command; he took orders. And Leon, who was supposed to be in charge now that Arthur was gone, seemed content to listen to Merlin, whom he respected.
They nodded and detached themselves from everyone else, following Merlin farther into the trees. Merlin stopped, though, and looked at Percival.
"Must she come along?"
Percival looked up. Sitting on his shoulders, looking quite content, was a little girl of about five years. She'd been clinging to him for about a day now. "Alicia will be quiet," Percival promised. "Won't you?"
She nodded, looking at him adoringly.
Percival had a sort of – talent. It was something Merlin hadn't really appreciated until recently. If there was a hurt or distressed woman or child within a mile of Percival, he could find them. Even when no one else could see the problem, Percival could see through a brick wall when it came to upholding chivalry.
Percival had disappeared when he was being chased towards Ealdor—the same time they lost Elyan. A day later, Leon had found him, being clung to by a frightened and newly orphaned – her parents died when Camelot was burned – little girl. He had simply walked right into the refugee camp, and when Leon asked, he said that Elyan had been taken, but Merlin and Arthur had gotten away. He wouldn't say how he got away. He wouldn't say how he found Alicia. He wouldn't say where he had been for a full twenty-four hours. But he had hardly moved away from Alicia since.
"Fine," Merlin said, and the men moved away to the side. "Now. Rescuing Arthur. Suggestions?"
"Secret tunnel?" said Leon.
"No longer a secret."
"Scale the walls?" Percival suggested.
"With what, our bare hands?"
"Arthur does it," Percival pointed out.
"Yeah, but if someone fell off, we'd alert everyone to our presence. We'll save that one."
"Wait until darkness," Tristan said.
"A little overused, but good idea," Merlin responded. "Do you think cloaks?"
"No dresses," Leon said suddenly, and everyone looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.
"I… wasn't going to suggest dresses," Merlin said slowly. Leon looked embarrassed—he actually blushed. "I think cloaks will be disguise enough. We could pretend to have business there."
Tristan shrugged. "I know people willing to buy goods in Camelot."
Leon looked at the smuggler. "I bet you do," he said.
"But we can't arrest them," Tristan said, looking ready to fight.
"Of course not," Merlin said. "We wouldn't have time anyway. If anyone asks, we can say that's our business. But… without the smuggling part. So then we break into the castle…"
"Can we scale the walls?"
"Let's try walking in. If that doesn't work, we'll scale the walls." Percival nodded willingly enough. "But," Merlin added, "Alicia can't come."
Alicia put her arms around Percival's neck and clutched him for all she was worth.
"But who will take care of her?" Percival said.
"Gwen and Isolde can."
Percival looked up at the girl. She looked down at him and shook her head forcefully. Percival looked back at Merlin and shook his head in the same manner.
"Let her come, Merlin," Tristan warned.
"We can't bring a little girl on a rescue mission!"
"I'll keep her safe," Percival said.
"Let her come," Tristan said, sounding urgent.
"Why?" Merlin snapped.
But it was Alicia who gave him his answer. She immediately burst into heartfelt sobs such as only a little girl could pull off.
Merlin closed his eyes as Percival pulled her down to hug her and glared at Merlin. The warlock sighed. "Fine," he said. "Let her come."
The tears ceased at once. Merlin got the feeling he was being manipulated.
