"She is a knight,
polishing her own armour,
carrying her own sword,
fighting her own battles,
making her own glory."
Merlin had been sleeping soundly until he was woken up by the unheavenly sound of Camelot's warning bells ringing throughout the whole citadel. He quickly blinked the sleep out of his eyes, staggering to his feet. He'd fallen asleep with his clothes still on - the day before the warlock had done more chores than he ever remembered doing, to both Arthur and Gaius. It had been three weeks since the battle of Camlann, and the life at Camelot had finally begun to get back to the way it used to be.
But what was this? The warning bells?
Great. Just when I thought that I would get some rest from the troubles that seem to be plaguing this cursed kingdom.
The warlock stumbled outside, passing Gaius who was sitting up in his bed, looking tired and baffled.
"What's happening?" he heard the old man ask, but he was out the door before he had a chance to answer.
Outside, guards were running around, and even some of the knights were up and about, swords unsheathed and apparently ready to kill.
"What's going on?" Merlin asked from Percival, who had just appeared from behind the corner.
"Lord Ashthorne is dead", the tall knight answered with a quiet, serious tone. "He was murdered in his room."
Merlin's heart ran cold. Lord Ashtorne had arrived just a week ago from his home in the northern part of Camelot. He'd spent his time supporting Arthur with the war-exhausted land, given out support and compensations to the people who had lost their family members in the war. He was an honourable man, who was respected by the people.
Why would anyone kill him?
"Get back inside", Percival urged. "We'll deal with this."
With that said, the knight hurried away. Merlin blinked nervously - he didn't look kindly upon the fact that someone had managed to slip into Camelot's citadel and assassinate a person of such high status. It could have been Arthur.
The warlock sighed, deciding there was nothing he could do for now. Just as he was about to take Percival's advice and head back into the physician's chambers, he saw something move in the shadows. As Merlin squinted harder, he saw a skinny figure walk through the darkness. He was sure they hadn't seen him and was even more certain that this was the killer.
He felt rage inside of him - killing lord Ashthorne was something he couldn't just allow to go unpunished. And from what it looked like, this person was almost a master of escape.
Almost.
Merlin narrowed his eyes, stepping into the shadows. This person would pay. He probably should have just called for help, but the warlock knew he'd be just fine on his own.
"You", he said, tone cold and harsh. "Show yourself."
The figure had frozen still. Merlin walked closer, noticing that this was a woman - she had short, skinny legs covered in black leather, and a long-sleeved black shirt made of the same material. Her head was shrouded with a black hood, and as she turned around, he saw her face covered with a scarf. The assassin had big, green eyes and exceptionally pale skin, which were the only things he saw from behind the cloth that was covering the woman's face.
Then she spoke - and Merlin froze still.
"Merlin", the woman said, lowering the cover from her face. "I can explain everythin', I swear."
No one else rolled the 'r' like that. No one else's eyes were that big and that green.
"Lilith?"
Merlin's emotions were a big bundle of fury, confusion and a terrible sense of deception. Lilith, the woman he'd met while returning to Camelot, the woman he'd spent several nights in the tavern with, the peculiar person who'd become his friend… had just assassinated lord Ashthorne?
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't give you to the guards right now", Merlin said, voice so low it sounded unfamiliar even in his own ears. Lilith flinched, staring him in the eye.
"Ye don't understand, Merlin", she said with a hushed tone, nervously glancing around. "Let me explain, and you'll see."
The servant had to use every inch of his willpower to push aside the fury he was feeling. Despite the fact that Lilith was guilty of assassinating an ally of Camelot, he knew she owed her an explanation. He could grant her that, and if her answer weren't satisfying enough, he would haul her arse to the guards within a second.
Merlin glanced over his shoulder, then tugged the woman's sleeve. "In there", he grunted, leading her behind a stack of hay and barrels. It was a temporary cover, but it would do.
"Start explaining", he said, staring her coldly in the eye. "Fast."
Lilith swallowed. "Lord Ashthorne is the reason I came to Camelot in the first place."
Merlin tilted his head as she continued.
"I knew he'd leave to meet the king soon enough", she spoke quietly. "It was obvious, that efter the war he would glue 'imself to 'is Majesty's royal backside."
A pair of guards ran past them, and both flinched.
"Look, lord Ashthorne wasn't all that he seemed", she said with a low tone. "He was a monster. A cruel, manipulative, ruthless, sadistic little shitstack."
There was genuine, pure hatred in her voice, and the look in her eyes was hard as diamond.
"He's been secretly workin' with the biggest slave trade ring currently active in the five kingdoms", Lilith said, swallowing hard. "He was puttin' up a performance to show Arthur that he genuinely cares about people. All this nonsense about doin' what's best for the people", she scoffed, "is just an act. He didn't give a rat's arse about what the people think. To him, people were objects that he can mindlessly rule over and use as he will."
Merlin took a moment to process her words. How did she know this much? And from where did she gain this information?
"How can you tell?" he asked with a deep frown. It took Lilith a few moments to phrase her answer, and she bit her bottom lip with hesitation in her eyes.
"Well", she started slowly. "I haven't exactly been honest about my intentions either. Ye were under the impression I was some drunken lollygagger with a strange accent."
Merlin's fists clenched. "Indeed."
"Well, I'm not", she said sharply. "I'm an assassin, trained to kill since I was a wee lass. When I found out about Ashthorne's business, I took ma'ers into me own 'ands."
Lilith glanced at him, vibrant eyes staring into his. "Now, if ye 'ave changed yer mind about turnin' me in…" she gulped. "I must be on me way."
The woman slowly raised the cloth back to cover her face, turning her back on Merlin and then disappearing into the shadows.
Merlin swallowed - was he doing the right thing, letting her go? If what she was saying was true… then Ashthorne had deserved everything he got. The warlock had seen the look on Lilith's eyes. No one could lie that well. She had to be telling the truth.
Merlin's original intentions were to find Lilith from the tavern the very next morning, but he was given the task to go and fill up Gaius' herb collection. Since Arthur was busy dealing with the aftermath of last night's gruesome assassination, his servant had the luxury of actually doing something else than tailing behind him and carry out his every wish.
The servant was more than grumpy - he was going to pick plants instead of talk about the matter that was actually pressing at the moment.
The only good thing was that Lancelot was coming with him. The knight had been relieved of his duty to recover from an infection he'd gotten through his battle wounds he'd gained in Camlann.
Merlin liked spending time with Lancelot. With him, the warlock could truly relax and just be himself. He could still remember meeting the man, all those years ago. He was still one of the noblest and bravest people he'd ever met - that part of him had not changed.
"So", the knight started looking around the forest. "What exactly are we looking for?"
"First, we must find fennel", he sighed. "Most of the herbs we need can be grown in the citadel gardens, but there are a few that we need to gather from the forest… now that some of them can still be found."
Lancelot nodded. "The winter takes away the possibilities of gathering herbs here."
"Indeed."
"Merlin, can I ask you something?" the knight asked after they'd spent about an hour looking for fennel. The servant frowned, not raising his gaze.
"Of course."
"Why did you put on that disguise again back in Camlann?"
Merlin froze, frowning. "You know why."
Lancelot had stopped and had his hand on his hip. "You had a perfect chance to show everyone who you really are. The right moment."
The warlock looked into his deep brown eyes and swallowed. "I…"
He wasn't quite sure how to answer. Was he a coward? Because that was the only thing that made sense to him about it.
"And you've lied to Arthur about what you were doing and who you were with", Lancelot added. "You're living a life of two personalities, now."
Merlin didn't answer. The knight was right - partially, at least. One personality was a clumsy servant boy with a big gob - the other was Emrys, the last dragonlord, an old sorcerer living hidden from the world.
"Not exactly", he said slowly. "I am Emrys, and Emrys is me. It's not just my name. It's my magic."
Lancelot nodded. "I know what you mean, but why not just tell him? I can see that the king is starting to question the laws about magic."
Merlin swallowed - he wasn't so sure. True, Arthur was a great and just king, but he still saw magic as a tool for that corrupted people with its power, as he had said. The king had also mentioned how Emrys seemed to be a rare exception in this matter, and that the particular sorcerer wasn't exactly evil.
"I think", said Lancelot slowly, "that magic cannot become legal without you showing Arthur who you really are."
Merlin had, of course, imagined a hundred different scenarios where his magic was revealed - in the heat of the moment, during a battle perhaps; someone important to him getting injured and him healing them with his special skills; Arthur accidentally overhearing him or seeing him practice magic; someone finding out about the book of spells he has in his room and telling Arthur...
Even more, he had thought about the aftermath of that reveal.
"I've been hiding for so long now", he said quietly. "I don't know how Arthur will react. He will be upset, he will yell at me, he will call me a deceptive liar and a traitor."
He flinched. Just the thought of the hypothetical hurt in Arthur's eyes was a terrifying thought.
"He would have to execute me. Burn me at the stake", Merlin murmured. "Or banish me. And I don't want to put him in that position."
"Arthur would never have you burned at the stake", the knight said, walking closer.
Lancelot placed his hand on the servant's bony shoulder. There was compassion in his eyes.
"Sometimes what you are most afraid of doing, is the very thing that will set you free", he said softly. Merlin didn't look him in the eye.
By the time Merlin finally made it to the inn where Lilith was staying, it was later afternoon. He stepped into the lively, warm building that was full of people. They were having fun - drinking their mead and cider and ale and wine, joking around, laughing out loud - and all the commotion seemed to be focusing on a particular corner at the back of the tavern.
Merlin raised his eyebrows, walking towards the group of people. He could see them all cheering over some competition, putting in their bets.
He elbowed his way through the drunken people, making visual contact with whatever was causing the commotion.
Well, of course. It was Lilith, sitting opposite of some poor sod, who had a very red face and watery eyes. They were in the middle of arm wrestling. The short-haired woman had a smug smirk on her face. Her bare arms were thin and short, but Merlin could see the muscles that hid under the skin. Especially her shoulders had a sort of muscular build.
Whoever Lilith was wrestling against was having a hard time to breathe. The woman's thin arm just wouldn't move, no matter how hard the tried to push.
"Come on, Lils, finish him off!" someone shouted. The woman smirked brightly, obeying the wishes of the crowd. Without even showing any sign of actual effort, Lilith slowly pushed the man's arm to the table.
"Ow!" he screeched, rubbing his tired hand. The woman reached out hers and opened her palm.
"Pay up."
After the crowd started to scatter, Merlin stood still, his eyes drilling into Lilith. After a moment, the woman raised her gaze, noticing the servant.
"Oh", he breathed, face darkening. "Come."
Merlin was glad she wasn't wasting time.
Lilith lead him to the room she was renting and gestured her to take a seat. The servant sat down on a chair that was at the end of her bed. She was wearing a sleeveless shirt, which was something that Merlin had never seen a lady wear.
Then again, Lilith was no ordinary lady.
"So", the warlock started slowly. "What I would like to know is how you came to know about Ashthorne's crimes."
Lilith was looking way less on edge than earlier when she'd been on the run.
"And I hope you've taken into consideration the fact that the whole city is looking for you", Merlin said, tone a bit harsher than he'd intended.
"Not me, per se", she answered. "The assassin."
The servant sighed, shaking his head. "I just hope you didn't leave anything that they might trace back to you."
Lilith's face was easy to read. Oh, honey. I'm a professional, her expression said.
"I've been doin' this for a long time, don't worry."
Merlin narrowed his eyes. "Long time, eh?"
"I know what you're thinking." A shadow crossed over her face. That you're a merciless killer, who murders for money? "I'm not a sellsword. I only seek vengeance."
"Vengeance?" Merlin repeated. "What do you mean?"
Lilith sighed, changing into a more comfortable position. "I was born into the slave ring", she explained quietly. "The first ten years of me life consisted of sufferin' people, workin' till ye passed oot, and the chains of captivity. I 'ad never seen sunlight in me life."
Merlin flinched - he knew exactly what she was talking about. "I understand", he said quietly. "I've never really told anyone about this, but…" the warlock hesitated, but saw the curious look in Lilith's green eyes. She would be the only person who understood.
"When I was thirteen, I was taken by slavers from my home village", he said quietly. "I was one of their captives for a year."
Merlin lowered his gaze, sinking into his memories.
The air smelled like sweat, metal and rust. Merlin could taste something rusty and salty in his mouth, and he licked his cracked lips, touching the scratch on his lip. There was dried blood and dirt smudging his face, and it itched and stung his skin.
"Hey, you're awake!" a girl's voice, quiet and hoarse, called out. Merlin's eyes fluttered open with effort, and he squinted in the dim light.
"Where am I?" he murmured. His return to consciousness brought a throbbing pain along with it, and he grunted, touching his head.
"They must have hit you quite hard", the girl whispered back. The boy had started to sit up, fighting against nausea that hit him. He blinked a few times, looking around.
They were in a cage. On a carriage. There wasn't very much room to move. Some big and brute-looking men passed them now and then, throwing a vicious glance in their direction.
"Where are we?" Merlin asked again, fear now starting to seep into his bones.
"We're doomed, is what we are", the girl answered darkly. "Those are really bad people. They want to sell us somewhere."
"Sell us?" Merlin repeated, horrified. "Like… like slaves?"
"Precisely."
"Bollocks. We've got to get out of here."
Merlin felt his magic swim under his skin nervously. He had always used it instinctively, and had never broken a lock before - but was still frustrated when he couldn't make the bloody thing open.
"I'm Rowena, by the way", the girl said, swiping her ginger locks off of her face.
The boy looked at him, smileless. "I'm Merlin."
"So, ye understand", said Lilith, eyes drilling into his skin. "Ye've been there. Ye know how bad it can be."
"I do", Merlin whispered, looking up at her. "And I understand your hatred."
The woman leaned back, giving a relieved sigh. "So…" she seemed to hesitate. "We're still mates?"
The warlock gave her a small laugh. "Of course."
Lilith's face lit up. "Ameezing."
"Also… does this have something to do with the fact you avoided meeting my friends?" Merlin asked, frowning. The woman had been in Camelot for three weeks, and every time the warlock had suggested meeting up with Gwaine, Arthur or the other knights, she had made up some reason why she was occupied.
Lilith looked down at her small hands. "Aye", she stated. "I knew I could get oot of the citadel and sneak away. However…" the woman raised her gaze, looking straight into Merlin's. "There is always a risk. An' I needed ye to be able to deny ever knowin' me."
The warlock stared at her - was she for real? She was refusing to meet Merlin's friends because she thought she was protecting him?
"Wow", he breathed. "Um. That's… nice. Thank you."
"But", Lilith's face widened to a smirk. "Nothin's stoppin' me from meeting 'em now."
"We're going for a hunting trip tomorrow", Arthur stated as he was getting ready for bed. It had been three days since lord Ashthorne's murder - the political matters had been dealt with, he'd been given a glamorous funeral, and life was seemingly returning to normal.
"Yay", Merlin said, without a drop of enthusiasm.
"Come on, it's amazing, and you know it", the king yawned, changing into a tunic.
"Sure", his servant stated, cleaning up his table. "If you like murdering innocent animals for fun."
Arthur sighed, glancing at him with mischief. "Besides, you scare off half of the prey anyway."
Merlin didn't answer - the king had always thought it was just because of his clumsiness, but in actuality he did it on purpose. And his clumsiness had saved several of the so-called prey's lives.
"Cheer up", Arthur grinned, patting him on the shoulder. "You'll love it."
That's when a sudden idea jumped to his mind. "You know what?" Merlin turned around, thoughtful. The king raised his gaze in surprise. "Yes?"
"Could I bring a friend of mine along?" he asked, as innocently as possible.
Arthur frowned. "A friend of yours? Another servant? Or a drunk from the tavern?"
The servant thought about it - was Lilith a drunk? Not exactly…
"No", he answered with a smile. "I promise they won't be any trouble. Just one friend."
The king seemed to consider his words. "Well, it was going to be just me, you and the knights, but…" his expression seemed to turn into an oh-well-why-not -one. "Sure. If it makes you feel better."
Merlin's face lit up. "Great, thanks, Arthur!"
The sun was still low when the hunting patrol started getting ready. Arthur was all saddled up by the time his lazy knights had found the decency to drag their good-for-nothing arses out of bed.
Except for Leon, of course. Leon was always on time.
Gwaine turned up from the castle, chainmail dirty and hair sticking up in every direction. He had a stubble and judging by the bag under his eyes and the reek of alcohol he had an ungodly hangover. The knight yawned and grabbed the first horse he found.
"Long night?" Arthur asked, raising his eyebrows.
"You have no idea, princess", Gwaine murmured, holding his head.
Soon enough, the rest of the knights turned up. They didn't look much better than Gwaine - except for Lancelot, who threw resentful looks towards his fellow knights.
"What the hell did you do?" Merlin's bright voice asked. Arthur turned around, seeing the servant turn up from behind the corner. He had brought a friend, as promised-
A girl.
Merlin had brought a girl.
Her features were thin, beautiful, delicate and fragile - she reminded Arthur of a doll. She had cut her raven-black hair shorter than Gwaine's, which was something the king hadn't seen on a lady before. It wasn't that uncommon for older people, but definitely not for women her age… to be honest, Arthur couldn't tell what age she was. Eighteen? Twenty? Twenty-five? She had a certain childlike look to her - she was very short, delicate, and to be honest, sort of flat.
As Arthur recovered from the original shock, he realised that this must have been the girl that Merlin had talked about a few weeks earlier.
"Lilith, if I'm not mistaken?" he said hurriedly, reaching out his leather-gloved hand.
"Indeed", the girl smirked. "Pleasure to meet ye, Yer Majesty."
The king raised her eyebrows at the peculiar way she talked, then glanced at Merlin. The servant grinned smugly.
"An' knights of the Round Table, em I correct?" Lilith turned her attention to the knights, who kept staring at her dumbly.
"I 'eard ye'll be goin' huntin'?" She continued.
"Yes", Arthur admitted and kept looking intensively at Merlin. What was he thinking? Bringing a girl to a hunting trip? Where she could get hurt?
"Have you, um…" Leon started, clearing his throat. "Ever hunted before?"
"Me? Oh, yes, don't ye worry, I won't be in yer way", she said with a mischievous smirk. She then glanced at the rest of the knights with a frown. "Bugger, ye all look 'ammered. Are ye sure ye can hunt?"
"A knight of Camelot is capable of hunting, even if a little hammered", answered Elyan, raising his chin.
"Pleasure to meet you, my lady", Gwaine said with a charming grin, grabbing Lilith's hand to press a kiss on it - but the woman wouldn't have any of it and instead, grabbed his hand and squeezed it firmly, not giving him a chance.
"Likewise", she answered. "I've heard aboot ye. Ye're the one that Camelot's taverns all talk aboot."
Gwaine looked smug. "Indeed."
"Yes, may I ask somethin'?" Lilith looked him in the eye, not waiting for an answer. "Who is the prettiest woman in this city?"
All the knights were staring at her, mouths slightly cracked open. Merlin hid his smile.
"Um, well", Gwaine was the first one to recover. "If not counting in our gorgeous queen, I would say the prettiest free lady is Clairette."
Lilith clicked her tongue. "Clairette. Wha' a pretty name."
"Yes, everything about that woman is pretty, I'm telling you", Gwaine said, eyes turning dreamy. "She's a waitress at the Winking Wyrm."
"Thank ye. I'll keep that in mind", the woman said brightly, turning away.
The king took a step towards Merlin, drilling his eyes into the servant's skin.
"What", he started slowly, tone low, "are you thinking?"
"Huh? Bringing a friend along", the man answered with the most innocent look in his sapphire-coloured eyes. "You said it was okay."
"You're bringing a girl. She could get hurt. Is she your mistress or something?" the king asked, glancing at the woman.
"Gods no", Merlin answered with an amused scoff. "She's my friend, and trust me when I say this", his eyes turned very serious. "She is more than capable of taking care of herself. Just bring her along and forget about the fact she's a woman."
Arthur narrowed his eyes, biting his lip. Could he really allow this? It was true that Morgana and Gwen had both been capable with swords back in the day, and he had allowed the women of Ealdor fight for their homes.
"Fine", he stated finally, flashing a smile towards the girl. "Shall we then?"
Deer tracks had led the hunting patrol towards a clearing. There was, indeed, a beautifully big stag right in the middle, stuffing itself with the autumn's delicacies.
Arthur threw a warning glance towards Merlin. Don't you dare scare it away.
The king brought the crossbow up, exhaling deeply. And right when he was about to fire the bolt, he realised that the stag was already falling tumbling down.
Had someone already shot it?
It wasn't Gwaine, not Leon, not even Lilith who'd been given her own crossbow. No, because right then a group of raggedly-clothed, dirty and brutish men appeared from the treeline, laughing loudly.
"You know, I find it stupid that we need to bring boss fresh meat", one of them complained. "Just because he's our leader doesn't mean he's royalty. We all eat the same shit."
"Yeah, the stuff we took from that caravan apparently wasn't enough for his Highness", the other continued.
"Bandits?" Merlin whispered, glancing at Arthur.
"Yeah."
Suddenly the king's heart jumped to his throat, when one of the brutes turned around, squinting at their direction.
"That's weird", he stated to his friends. "I thought I saw something glimmer in that treeline."
"Come on", the other one answered. "We need to get back to Ansel before he gets his knickers in a knot."
It took a moment for the bandit to follow, but he eventually turned around, and Arthur sighed in relief. The hunting party waited in the bushes for a while until the king slowly stood up.
"Interesting", he said with a frown.
"Shouldn't we… I don't know, check 'em oot?" asked Lilith quietly. "Wha' if they've got prisoners?"
"She's right", said Gwaine.
"We have six highly skilled knights on board", Merlin stated. "But there's still a possibility of getting overpowered. From the sound of that, I'd say there at least ten of them. Probably way more."
Arthur was about to answer, but Percival spoke before him.
"Way more", the big knight answered, pointing towards a small path, which was smudged with tens of footprints.
"Oh dear", the king sighed. "We need to go back and gather a proper attack team."
"Why?" Gwaine complained. "We've been against thirty bandits, just the six of us, and we're all still alive."
"The one in the Valley of the Fallen Kings?" frowned Lancelot.
"Yeah, we were alive, but we ended up scattering, and Merlin almost died", Leon answered Gwaine. Arthur threw a dark glance towards his manservant, who flinched at the memory.
"Even though we could fight them, I don't think it's worth the risk", the king stated. "We're heading home."
Arthur had a feeling in his gut that something like this might happen, but he had just dismissed it as useless negativity.
The bandits were smarter than he'd thought. Even though it had seemed that the brutish hunters had just dismissed the glimmer of their armour as nothing, apparently that hadn't been the case.
Because now they had the whole bandit clan on them. Arthur could roughly count maybe twenty of them. And they probably could have been able to fight their way out if the bandits hadn't surrounded them and then made a surprise attack. It had startled the horses, and after they had been ripped from their saddles to the ground, there was just no way they'd be able to escape.
The only bright side was that when the horses would reach Camelot, Guinevere would immediately send search parties to look for them.
But it would take hours and hours before they'd be here. And Arthur couldn't help but to feel dread for the lady in their company - she was nowhere to be seen. The criminals had immediately separated her from the rest of them. Luckily they were all mostly unharmed, not including Elyan who had a nasty wound on his leg, which had been pierced by an arrow.
It was Lilith they were all worried about. The bandits had tied them up in a tent, taken their swords away and then left a few guards to keep constant watch over them.
But what are they planning to do with us? Ransom, perhaps? It seemed like the most probable answer.
Sure enough, they were soon joined by a short man, whose clothes were dirty and slightly ripped, but who carried himself with a certain solemnity.
"Are you the leader?" Arthur asked, narrowing his eyes.
"What do you think?" the bandit answered, staring back at him, unblinking.
"Based on the way you pinch your nose on those guards, I'd say yes", the king answered. The bandit leader's eyelid twitched, but he didn't answer. He got up, looking down at the defeated knights.
"I'm sure queen Guinevere wants his king back. You'll fetch a nice price", he said with a short snicker. "Business has been booming ever since I became a leader. Don't you agree, Ricky?"
The knights turned their attention towards the tall guard that the leader was talking to.
"Sure has", Ricky answered with a stiff smile. With that, the leader - Ansel, Arthur suddenly remembered his name - disappeared outside the tent.
It was getting dark outside. Merlin was very uncomfortable, lying in a pile with the knights. Leon's elbow was poking his ribs, and Gwaine's knee was pressing on his back, and his neck was getting sore.
It was nigh impossible to use magic unnoticed in a situation like this. But, like whenever they got captured, he knew that if it came down to it… he would use it. If it were choosing between revealing his magic and saving their lives, he would do it. Lancelot kept glancing at him from time to time, and Merlin tried hard to ignore his looks.
In addition, a growing dread for Lilith's safety kept creeping into his heart. The warlock knew that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but these men were savages - they wouldn't hesitate to lay their dirty paws on her.
Merlin shuddered with the thought.
His growing desperation was interrupted when he heard a quick yell from the outside the tent. Then frantic running, battle cries, cursing, screams, clanking of swords.
There was a fight outside.
"What's going on?" Gwaine hissed, trying to desperately peek outside. Their guards suddenly abandoned their spots and ran out of the tent, apparently to help their friends.
Leon suddenly let out a groan, then a troubled exhale, before pulling out his hand and waving it in the air.
"You got free!" Elyan exclaimed.
"Leon, mate, I love you", said Gwaine with a soft smile. The experienced knight rolled his eyes, struggling to freedom. Leon started working on opening the knots on Arthur's wrists. They were bound tight, so it would take a while.
"Hurry up", Arthur hissed, glancing nervously to the tent's entrance. The sounds of the battle could still be heard, although they were a bit further away than before.
After Arthur was free, Leon started working on Gwaine, and the king turned to Merlin.
"Let's get out of here", he murmured, doing his best in opening the knots on his servant's thin wrists.
"Ow", the raven-haired man complained, frowning when the ropes burned his skin.
"Don't be such a girl", the king muttered back.
It didn't take long for them to finally free everyone.
"Merlin, you help Elyan", Arthur ordered. The dark-skinned knight couldn't really walk on his own.
"Okay, let's go", the servant exhaled, grabbing Elyan's arm.
"Thanks, Merlin", the knight said, flashing him a grateful smile that turned into a pained grimace, as they started moving. The servant wasn't physically very strong, and Elyan was both muscular and all armoured up, which made the warlock's task a little challenging.
The knight grunted and winced, having to put weight on his injury, but after a while they managed to reach an accord with their pace.
The knights surged outside, frantically looking for something to use as a weapon. Gwaine found one and started running towards the commotion.
"Go, go, I want to see", Elyan breathed, and the two tried to tighten the pace - didn't matter, though, the knights were running.
It took them a little while to reach them, but Merlin frowned as he saw that they had all stopped in a row, and kept staring at something, thus blocking the view. The warlock and the knight made it to their side, and their eyes immediately widened.
There were bodies all over the camp; mostly their throats had been neatly slashed with something sharp. Some were writhing in pain; some were already dead. In the middle of it all, out of breath and covered in her enemies' blood, stood Lilith.
Blood stains accompanied the freckles on her face, and the fire of battle was still visible in her vibrant eyes. Lilith sniffed, wiping her mouth with her sleeve.
"Well, at least ye got free on yer own", she stated, walking closer. She was holding a pair of daggers in her hands, examining them.
"You… killed the bandits on your own?" Gwaine was the first to speak up.
"Come now, lads", Lilith gave him a smile. "Don't beat yerselves up. I never could've taken 'em all head on. It's all aboot stealth."
"Stealth", Leon repeated. Merlin could see the awe and respect in his friends' eyes.
"Aye", Lilith licked her lips. "It was dark, and I'm very quiet, so it wasn't all that difficult in the beginning."
She looked up at Merlin, who flashed a dry smile at her. "It did get a bit challenging when they realised somethin' was up, and there was five guys comin' straight at me."
"You slaughtered a whole bandit camp on your own", said Gwaine slowly, still trying to process the whole thing. Arthur had remained dangerously quiet.
"I wouldn't say slaughtered", Lilith said slowly. "I'm cleaner than that."
"Yes", the king's voice was hoarse as he looked coldly into the woman's eyes. "Yes, you are. Now tell me", Merlin's heart sank to his feet when Arthur took a step towards the short, fragile-looking young woman, "Why do all these slashes look exactly identical to the one that was on lord Ashthorne's throat?"
Lilith blinked a few times, quickly glancing at Merlin.
She gulped. "Oh yeah, about that."
Wow, you do seem to have a lot of feelings about Lilith… doubters, give her a chance :3 Don't judge before you get to know her. There are many layers to her character, and you'll get to know her better every chapter. The reason I made her was that this fic needs another strong woman character now that Morgana is dead.
I also notice how badly you're waiting for the magic reveal… don't worry it's coming xD However, before the reveal is made some stuff needs to happen (the events that eventually lead to the reveal still haven't taken place). I've planned everything. Hopefully you don't have to wait for more than a few more chapters for the reveal :^) It's going to be a big thing, anyway, and afterwards nothing will be the same… So if you have requests for these few chapters before the reveal (for example, do you want to see a scar fic where Merlin's numerous scars are noticed by the knights and they be like what who hurt you ((this can be done after the reveal, too, but if I'm going to make one I'd say it should be before that happens)), or if you'd like to see other kind of Merlin whump ((injury/sickness?)), where the knights still think he's a poor little puppy who needs protection from the cruelties of this world?), just let me know. Don't be shy to ask for little things you'd like to see (the reveal request is noted and was going to come anyway, just be patient xD
fireicewriter42: Thank you for your kindness :3 I'm so happy that you liked it!
mersan123: Oh yeah, I was very mad about Morgana's fate anyway, so I thought this would better serve her character. And yes, Merlin is still hiding for now, but you won't have to wait for long. The reveal is on its way in the near future.
Vaelaa: Thank you :)And yeah, many people tend to be a little reserved when it comes to OC's... but don't worry, she's so not a Mary Sue x)
Taz: Hm, interesting theory, but I'm afraid Morgana is dead and has no connection to Lilith... and from the future? Now that would be interesting x3 But no, even though she is very much not like the other women of her time, with her short hair and weirdly revealing (Oh my god, I saw her ankles!) clothing, it's just a part of her character. She's meant to be a little out of place. Lilith is quirky for sure - and just like everyone, just looking for her place in this world. I thought she would bring along some Game of Thronesey feeling to the story... but I'm glad if you like her nonetheless :3
Also, I know I promised less angsty, but I never said there wouldn't be angst at all.
This chapter was a filler, it may have been boring idk? And it turned out much longer than I thought it would… but yeah, I hope you like (or at least don't hate!) Lilith. The next chapter will be less OC-centric, and I also apologize this took me so long xD I hope you were all fine with the whole slavery-thing in Merlin's childhood… there will be more flashbacks about that in the next chapter :^) But anyway, I would like to hear your thoughts and requests and if you don't have any, I have a good idea of my own… you're gonna love it ;)
I'm gonna stop blabbing now. Toodles, see you in the next one!