Chapter Two

It was that very same night that Ulric attacked the castle. It wasn't just a pack of rebel Ancient Ones as first thought; it was also a large army of sorcerers who were promised an attack against the magic hating Uther Pendragon if Ulric gained the Lunar throne.

The attack took everyone by surprised and Ulric quickly had the upper hand.

Merlin was rudely awoken during the middle of the night by the alarm bells ringing. As he stole a quick glance out his chamber window Merlin could see the approaching army, the faint glow of their torches shone in the clear night. Without a second thought Merlin got quickly changed and grabbed his sword in record time.

By the time he had reached the courtyard the army had already arrived and were fighting strong against the Lunar knights. Merlin fought bravely alongside his fellow Ancient Ones, sorcerers and knights all trying to defend their homes and king.

Back inside the castle the king walked down the corridor towards the losing battle prepared to fight as he did so he passed Randell, who was helping more citizens to the safety of the castle walls.

"Randell. Ulric plans on ending the Ambrosius reign. That means killing Merlin and I cannot bare to lose him as I did Hunith. We are losing this battle; please take Merlin away from here to some where safe. I beg of you Randell do whatever it takes to get Merlin somewhere safe."

"Of course sire. I love Merlin as a younger brother and I would do anything to keep him safe, but where should we go?"

"Somewhere close, perhaps Camelot. I could send word to an old friend, Gaius, he could watch over Merlin. That way when the time comes we can call for him to come home and if he gets into trouble we can easily rescue him." Said the king trying to lighten the mood.

"Of course sire, would you like me to say with him?" Asked Randell.

"As much as it pains me to say it but no. We must keep Merlin out of sight and the best way to do that is to try and not draw attention to him, if he has knights with him it will do the complete opposite."

"I understand. I'll grab him a pack and get him out straight away, my lord." Randell said in a strong voice, even though the thought of leaving Merlin saddened him deeply.

As the king and knight started to part ways, the king turned back and said in confidence to the knight "Remember Randell we may lose this battle but we won't lose this war." Then he turned and went to fight in the battle raging outside.

Shortly after, Randell found Merlin in the Great Hall, which had been temporally turned in to a hospital wing for those injured in the battle raging outside. As he spotted the bandage tied around the prince's arm he quickened his pace towards the boy.

"Merlin, what happened?" Asked Randell slightly worried for his friend.

"Nothing Randell. Just a scratch, I wouldn't even be here if Edon didn't drag me here" replied Merlin already getting up to go back to the battle.

"Sire wait. At least let me get you a draught for the pain before you go back" Rafe said as he went over to a bench full of foul concoctions.

"Merlin we need to get you out of the city, it's just too dangerous." Randell told the prince in a soft voice.

"What! No my people need me to stay here and fight."

"Merlin it's not safe, please you're father told me to get you out."

"I don't care Randell I need to stay here and fight."

Without another word Randell turned to around and walked over to Rafe, who was still looking for the right potion.

"Rafe, could you do me a favor and slip Merlin a sleeping draught?"

"Why would I need to do that?" Asked the physician.

"Because the king has asked me to get Merlin away from the battle and we both know he won't go willingly"

"Of course Randell. Keep him safe." With that said the knight and the physician made their way over to the prince.

"Drink this Merlin, it's for the pain." Rafe told the prince as he eyed up the green, lumpy looking potion.

Promptly after downing the potion Merlin's eyes began to droop with exhaustion.

It was the early hours of the next day that Merlin finally began to wake in the forest outside of the city walls.

"Erg, what happened?" Inquired Merlin, who was still not entirely awake.

"I had to get you away from the city." replied Randell simply, poking the embers of the small fire with the end of a moldy stick.

"What! You had to get me out the city, so you drugged me!" Shouted Merlin whose voice was slowly rising.

"Yes Merlin. It's too late to go back now, so you might as well go to Camelot. And when it's safe we will call for you again." The words slowly sunk in and Merlin's shoulders sunk in defeat.

"You must promise me Randell that you will protect my father and call me as soon as I can return or if things get any worse."

"Merlin loo..." Started Randell who was quickly interrupted by the prince.

"No Randell you must promise me."

"Fine I promise." the knight said with a sigh.

There was a moment of silence before Merlin asked "Where do I go?"

"You are to go to Camelot. You're father has sent a letter to Gaius, an old friend of his. You must stay out of sight Merlin, no one is to know of who you are. I presume I don't have to tell you Camelot's views on magic ether."

"Fine, I will head there now, if I'm lucky I'll make it there by the evening of the third day. You take the horse back to Lunar, keep safe and please Randell protect my kingdom."

"Of course sire. Don't worry Merlin you will return, I will make sure of it even if I have to drag you back to Lunar myself."

With a small smile they parted ways, both not knowing when they would see each other again.