Chapter 3

AN: This chapter is the battle in the lower town between Merlin and the sorcerer. It's in Merlin's POV. There will be minor whumping.

Thank you for all the people who reviewed, pressed favourite, followed and just plain read this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or the BBC. I do however own my knight Sir Liam.

Merlin was having one of those days. He kept thinking that someone was watching him but every time he turned to look there was nothing that indicating anyone wishing him harm. He shrugged it off continuing with his potion making. While he was mixing the herbs together he felt the presence once more, again he looked and again he saw nothing.

It's just me, no one's out to get me. He thought. It's just my imagination. Sighing he heard the clocks bell tolling in the morning hour. At least I managed to get George to look after Arthur today. Not that it took too much for George to agree, the man seemed to worship the king a little too much, in my opinion and what was up with all the jokes about brass anyway, I mean it not normal . Serves Arthur right for the prank he pulled last week.

Shaking his head at the thought he went back to work grinding the herbs down to the right consistency, he was almost there when he spied a cloaked figure out the corner of his left eye. In a second the figure vanished as if it wasn't there at all. This was starting to freak Merlin out, as far as he knows it isn't a druid trying to get his attention because he would have used the ability to speak mind to mind.

He opened his mind, searching for anyone in range with any form of magic, there was a glimmer of it to the far left of the courtyard but it dissipated as did the presence. Sighing in relief he added the herbs to the liquid already prepared and mixed it till they combined. Merlin poured the liquid into the empty vials set aside, upon completing the task he gathered the vials and headed towards where the physician was treating the sick.

After Merlin handed over the vials the physician indicated to help with keeping the sick cool wet cloth's on their forehead. Two hours later the physician asked him to check the group of children to see if they have any symptoms of the sickness, agreeing he went out into the sunny courtyard to where the children were waiting.

Exiting the physician's house he walked towards the group of children playing around the fountain in the centre of the courtyard. He was spotted by the one of children, who shouted his name alerting all the others that he was there. They came running up to him with smiles on their faces, shouting his name in greeting. He smiled back greeting all of them by their names one by one. A young girl named Samantha tugged on his sleeve to get his attention, as he turned towards her she presented a pretty pale pick flower to him. Taking the flower from Samantha, he thanked her and attached it to the front of his jacket.

Getting down to work he went over every child for any sign of sickness or problems. Merlin was halfway through examining the children when he felt the malicious presence near him. This is just what I need when there are children about. How am I supposed to protect and fight at the same time? And there are so many people that will see me, maybe I can lure the sorcerer away from them. He thought.

Turning to the children Merlin asked. "I need to go get some more herbs from the forest could one of you go and tell the physician that there is none left?"

Agreeing as one the children rushed off to do as Merlin asked. Now hopefully the sorcerer will follow me into the forest and then I can deal with him. Merlin thought hopefully, just as a flaming ball flew past his head. Or maybe not.

Screams echoed though out the courtyard as the sorcerer continued to throw fireballs around at anyone that was near. Spotting the children trapped in the corner with no place to go and the advancing sorcerer. Merlin rushed forward to try and gain the sorcerers attention away from the trapped children. It worked well because the next thing Merlin was dodging and weaving trying to avoid the fireballs and whatever the sorcerer could throw at him.

Letting out little bursts of magic Merlin managed to throw things back or get signs or posts to try and hit the sorcerer all the while hiding the fact that he was doing magic in front of a few people left in the courtyard. That was the good thing about not having to incant a spell. He could see that the sorcerer was beginning to tire. So all he had to do was keep him busy until the guards or knights come along. He could hear the sound of marching boots coming towards his position.

Momentary distracted Merlin missed seeing the flying bucket until it crashed into his chest throwing him back into the wall of a house hitting his head in the process. Gasping in pain he brought his hand up to his head to assess the damage, wincing as he touched the sore spot. Bringing his hand back down he looked at it and noticed it was covered in blood. Great that's just what I need. Merlin thought.

Sensing something coming strait towards him he rolled to the right side out of the way of the fireball as it hit the house behind. Dizzily Merlin managed to get to his feet just as a horse and cart came charging towards him panicking at the magic explosion the fireballs have caused. Unable to get out of the way in time he gets clipped in the left shoulder by the cart as it goes by.

Giving a shout of pain Merlin ends up on the ground clutching at his odd angled shoulder. Opening his eyes he sees the sorcerer come stalking towards him with a triumphant look on his face and his hands at the ready.

"Well, well, well what do we have here?" The sorcerer said smirking. "Did you think that you could win boy?"

"What's your business here?" Merlin asked, completely ignoring the questions.

"Aren't you the tough guy." The sorcerer cackled lifting Merlin up by his neckerchief to stare into his face as if the find something hidden.

"Tougher then the guy attacking innocent people." Merlin shot back.

The Sorcerer went to say something but was interrupted by the arrival of Sir Leon and the other knights. Griping the neckerchief in both hands he ripped it off of Merlins neck, slamming his head back down on the stone street with force.

Gasping in pain Merlin clung to consciousness long enough to see the whirlwind exit of the sorcerer and the knights gathering around him shouting his name, but it was all in vain as he fell in to total blackness of unconsciousness.

AN: Sorry it took so long, I've been busy with parties and what not, plus it has been too hot to write anything without my laptop dying on me. I've also been worrying for my relative's in Queensland's flooding. Anyway that my ranting finished. See you next time. Please review.

Mushushy.