Chapter 3
The darkness had descended and at long last the sounds of battle had ceased. As Arthur looked around him death and destruction lay everywhere. Arthur watched Lancelot finish off a Saxon, which was as much about putting the man out of his misery. The battle had been won but at what cost he wondered.
How many men lay butchered around where they stood? How many children would be fatherless? Mothers forced into hardships? They never told you these facts when you learnt to become a Knight. But such thoughts troubled him greatly whenever he was forced into the aftermath of a battle.
He wondered if his father ever had these thoughts. He doubted that Uther would think about it, as he would see it as a sign of weakness. But Arthur was a very different animal; he constantly worried about doing the right thing, about showing compassion when it was needed; and being resolute when the situation warranted it.
But it was never easy to find the right balance and he fought a private battle inside his head; forever questioning and wondering, if he had done the right thing. He had brought his beloved Kingdom to a war against a ruthless foe, and he would have to face the reckoning.
"The Saxons have disappeared sire." Lancelot's voice broke into Arthur's thoughts
"Did you lose any other men Lancelot?" Arthur asked, rubbing his sword on the side of a rock.
"The mood for battle seemed to desert the Saxons. They disappeared very promptly. There is no sign of Morgana either." Lancelot reported.
"No that is what I am afraid of Lancelot. We must keep our eyes open for her. My sister is never more dangerous than when she has taken a set-back. Let's get back to camp." Arthur ordered.
"I will get the rest of my men." Lancelot said, running back towards a cave.
Arthur waited for Lancelot to join him he sat on a rock, keeping his ears open for any strange sounds. He felt anxious to get back to the cover of their base. At least they would have more men and provisions should his sister attack. He wondered yet again why Morgana had not shown her face, it wasn't like her not to be the centre of attention. From her early days as a Princess to her moronic days as a High Priestess, Morgana had always known how to make an entrance. He knew they would have to keep watch over the next few days.
Arthur got back on his feet, as Lancelot arrived back with his men, and they began their trek back to their camp. He had sent Percival and Leon back ahead of them, anxious that an immediate watch could be arranged. They were joined by Gwaine and his men who had been on a search around the battleground, for any remaining Saxons.
"You led the men with distinction Lancelot." Gwaine said, patting his shoulder.
"Everyone played their part today Gwaine." Lancelot acknowledged, with a weary smile.
"That is true Lancelot this was a huge battle we won today for the future of Albion, and for peace in the Five Kingdoms." Arthur agreed, keeping his voice low and his eyes observant. "We must make sure we keep the peace, and that could be even trickier than the battle."
Lancelot and Gwaine exchanged looks, as they took in Arthur's words. Arthur knew his words had made an impact on the Knights. But he was determined that they would not underestimate the task which lay ahead of them. The journey had only just begun and he knew everyone must be ready for what could happen in the future.
As they made their way into camp Arthur could see Elyan and Leon keeping watch. Leon came over to greet the King, and reported his findings over their losses. As Arthur took in the grim news of the number of dead, he knew he was heading a depleted army. Arthur knew they would need to be diligent in how they managed their situation.
"We must arrange looks out on all sides of the camp Leon. My sister could be here at any time. She will not take this defeat lying down." Arthur commanded.
"Yes sire I have already organised look outs on the far side of the camp, I will make sure everywhere else is covered also." Leon said, "How are you feeling?"
"Tired but pleased we have won but obviously there will a cost to all this. I also doubt it is the end of the war." Arthur replied. "Where's Merlin?"
"Last time I saw him he was washing down the horses, that was some hours ago though." Leon reported.
"He is probably sleeping against some tree." Arthur remarked, a light smile on his face.
He had missed his friend even if he would not admit it, to anyone. He headed into his tent, pausing for a second before sitting down behind his table. It had only been hours since he had been writing to Guinevere; and worrying about what would happen to her, should they lose. All of a sudden he just longed to leave Camlann and be back in Camelot, where he could lose himself in her embrace; and put this battle into the back of his mind.
He began to undo his armour, but exhaustion took him over. He felt his head sliding back and his eyes beginning to close. A sudden noise alerted him and he stood up grabbing his sword from the table. But instead of his sister, the lob sided grin of Merlin greeted him. Merlin had a bucket full of water in his hand.
"What were you doing?" Arthur asked, amazed not the first time at his servant's sense of timing.
He noticed Merlin looking at the bucket sarcastically his servant's eyes connecting to Arthur's.
"Merlin I warn you I have just finished fighting off a horde of Saxons I could just as easily finish off you, should you give me an insolent reply."
"Oh well in that case I will give you the boring answer I was washing down the horses." Merlin replied, putting the bucket down and moving over to Arthur. He started to take off Arthur's armour.
"You were washing down the horses at this time of night? Why didn't you do it during the day?" Arthur asked, rolling his eyes. Only Merlin could possibly do something as daft as this. His sister was out there somewhere and there was Merlin making himself a sitting target for her, would he ever learn?
"I had a lot of other things to do during the day. "Merlin replied.
"Merlin, Morgana is out there somewhere, have you any idea how dangerous she can be?" Arthur said, appalled once more at the almost recklessness with which his friend displayed with his safety.
"Oh I will be fine." Merlin scoffed, helping Arthur off with the last bit of armour.
"She is a High Priestess Merlin, what could you possibly do against her?" Arthur asked raising his eyebrow in irritation.
"You sound almost worried for me." Merlin said, suddenly.
Arthur was about to answer sarcastically but then watching his friend, he couldn't help but notice how Merlin's eyes shined, as if longing for Arthur to admit the thought.
"Yes I suppose I was." Arthur admitted
"Really?" Merlin asked.
Arthur stared at Merlin, and saw how his face had transformed itself into a huge delightful grin, as if it meant the world to him. Arthur paused and not for the first time was in two minds how to respond.
On the one hand Merlin was still his servant; and yet Arthur knew he was much more than that. He was someone whom he had come to depend on, someone who was always there when he needed a shoulder. Would it really hurt to give Merlin the one thing he so craved in this moment, an acknowledgment of what they had become? On the other hand it would probably go to his head, and he was already quite cheeky enough, so he decided to compromise instead. So he made a joke of it.
"Don't be ridiculous, I just don't want to have to find another servant." Arthur replied.
But Arthur had smiled, letting his look speak for him far more than any words could. He was always useless at expressing his emotions, even though at times he was paralysed by them. At least he was starting to get better with Guinevere, thanks to her quiet influence. He could tell by the look Merlin returned that he had been told just what he needed to hear. Arthur felt pleased inside to see his friend so happy. He knew though he must get them back into reality.
"I will tell you what I have told the Knights Merlin." Arthur said, "My sister is a real danger still, and she will not take this defeat lying down. We must all be responsible in our actions."
"Yes and I am sorry for taking the risk." Merlin replied. "It was a great victory, and one that will go down in the realms of history."
"It was one battle Merlin we still have to win the war. I suggest you get some rest now, we need to prepare to get back to Camelot tomorrow." Arthur said.
"Okay. Good night sire." Merlin replied.
"Good night Merlin." Arthur watched him go, aware suddenly of the silence of the night, after the constant noise of the battle. It was an eerie silence which somehow had Arthur on edge. But he was grateful that his men had showed their courage today. He had to prove himself as someone who was capable of keeping the peace. He watched the moon for a few seconds, before a yawn persuaded him to try and get some sleep.
Merlin moved over to where Gwaine was keeping watch. The night was quiet with the moon shining down on the battered plain. Merlin wished he could revel in the quietness, but it was a tense silence and one that kept him feeling restless. This type of situation would be too Morgana's advantage, a battered army recovering from its physical efforts. He lightly touched his friend on the shoulder.
"All quiet?" Merlin asked, shivering at the breeze which blew around them.
"Merlin!"Gwaine said, smiling. "Yes so far. It is a very still night, no tree moving; even the wolves are suddenly quiet."
Merlin looked around, as if to prove Gwaine wrong, a sudden breeze blew across them, making them smile nervously at one another. The trees on the horizon blew around as if in a hypnotic dance, making ghostly shapes, and making Merlin's heart beat faster.
"Ah nights like these remind me of my home." Gwaine said, looking into the distance.
"It is not like you to be nostalgic about your home Gwaine." Merlin replied, curious. "I have hardly ever heard you mention it."
"Once my mother died I couldn't wait to leave. As you know, my sister and I did not see eye to eye."
"One day you will have to tell me why." Merlin smiled.
"Well only if you tell me some of your secrets Merlin." Gwaine said, hitting Merlin's shoulder.
"My secrets?" Merlin asked innocently, "I don't have any secrets."
"For a second I almost believed you my friend." Gwaine said, a twinkle in his eye. "There are times when I think I know just about everything about you, and then you behave in a way that totally surprises me."
"I am not sure what you are getting at Gwaine." Merlin replied, as he looked off in the distance.
"I just mean you have unexpected qualities, you are not an open book." Gwaine smiled, poking Merlin's elbow. "Unlike me!"
"I don't think you are an open book either Gwaine. I know there are things you still haven't told me even now." Merlin said, rolling a stone in his hand.
"With good reason believe me, some things you don't want to know." Gwaine laughed.
"Well I want to know even more now!" Merlin laughed back.
"I think this conversation is for another night." Gwaine grinned.
Their conversation was interrupted by a young Knight who breathlessly arrived with a message.
"Sorry sir, one of the patrols has arrived back with some news." He panted.
"Thanks I will be with you. Ah well duty calls Merlin." Gwaine laughed.
"Saved by the bell." Merlin smiled, "take care Gwaine."
"We will finish this conversation another night." The Knight remarked before disappearing into the darkness, leaving Merlin alone.
The darkness had definitely set in and the blackness made Merlin wary. He stood up as another breeze blew around him, stamping his feet and staring at the moon which was at its fullest. Despite that the moon's glow did not seem to be especially strong. Merlin felt like something was wrong, but he still had no clue what it was. The feeling that had plagued him for three nights, and he still could not understand what was at the heart of it. He remembered similar nights like these back in Ealdor; and something always seemed to happen after one of these feelings, and it was rarely good.
He stared off into the horizon searching for any clue that could stop his suspicious frame of mind. A sign he thought, something to reassure him, but there was nothing, just darkness blanketed everywhere around him. Like he where trapped in the middle of a dark hole isolated from the world. On nights like these his magical senses could trip him up, make him imagine things that went actually there. He tried to talk his way out of the feeling, three nights and nothing had actually happened so why should it happen tonight either? But still the feeling persisted; he kicked at a stone in frustration.
"Merlin I thought I had told you to go and get some rest."
Merlin smiled as Arthur joined him, hearing his voice gave Merlin some security, against the suffocating state of his own mind.
"What are you doing out here, I thought you would be resting after all the fighting." Merlin said, wearily.
"I must still do my duty Merlin. I promised I would do a couple of hours watch tonight. I can't sleep anyway." Arthur replied, clearing a piece of grass off his sword.
"You mean because of the battle?" Merlin asked, curiously watching him.
" Yes and other things." Arthur said, his eyes trained into the distance ahead.
"What other things? Anything you want to talk about?" Merlin asked, fighting his tiredness.
"Merlin you can barely stand up, why are you reluctant to get some rest." Arthur asked staring at him, before looking about them.
"Like you I am restless, though I think for different reasons." Merlin mused sitting down.
"That's a bit profound for you Merlin." Arthur said, slightly grinning.
"Yes it was, wasn't it?" laughed Merlin, "I wonder what came over me?"
"This could be an awful long conversation that I have no intention of starting tonight." Arthur said, his eyebrows rising.
"Maybe there is more to me than you think." Merlin grinned, his eyes meeting Arthur and connecting, before Arthur's broke away.
"I don't doubt that for a second Merlin." Arthur laughed. "I only have to think back to the first day we met to know that."
"When you were acting like a prat you mean?"
Arthur laughed, "Get some rest Merlin, it will be an early start tomorrow, I need you to be able to walk in a straight line."
Merlin stared at Arthur for a second before realising he was losing the fight with his tiredness, and regretfully accepted the inevitable. "Okay I will try and get some rest. Nothing I can get you before I go?"
"No." Arthur replied, "thank you. Go on before I have to roll you back to your tent."
"Don't get scared out here on your own." Merlin replied, with a mischievous grin on his face.
Arthur looked sternly at Merlin's retreating figure, before laughing to himself. The howl of a distant wolf brought Arthur back to the present. He knew he must set the example, to both his men and his Kingdom. As the trees blew from side to side, Arthur once more became the warrior and leader, ready for whatever may lay ahead.
To be continued.