Here's the forth chapter. I found this very funny to write
Enjoy.
Of course, everyone else found out the hard way... The slightly more painful; losing your pride and having Gwaine prove you right way.
Gwaine stirred in his sleep before jolting and sitting up. Sunlight came through the barred window that leads to the courtyard. He rubbed his head – maybe he had had a few too many drinks with Merlin – but he wasn't drunk enough to make up Merlin being possessed! The clatter of horse shoes rung from the courtyard and he scrambled to his feet to look out the barred windows. The knights were preparing for a hunt. Gwaine watched as Merlin brushed Arthur's horses and then – with no one looking – produced a small knife from his pocket and loosened the stitching on his saddle. If Arthur went too fast, he would fall off his horse, break several bones and do who knows what other damage to himself.
"Hey," shouted Gwaine at the guards, running at the bars and making them rattle. "H-e-e-e-e-e-y!" he shouted at the guards again and one finally came over.
"What, you drunk?" the guard said.
"The king's in danger," shouted Gwaine, but the guard laughed. "I am a knight of Camelot!" Gwaine roared.
"So am I," replied the guard, "So that don't make you more high and mighty than me."
Gwaine tried not to laugh, but failed. The guard was only around five feet tall and was seriously fat. "You are kidding right? You sure you're not playing dress up for your drunken mate by taking his post for the day?" taunted Gwaine. Furious, the guard hit the bars making Gwaine flinch backwards.
"The king said he'd deal with you after the hunt," said the guard, before then walking back to his mate and they resumed their card game. Gwaine kicked the bars hard.
"Merlin, Arthur," Gaius said whilst walking over. "Please mind the Druid camp for now… I'm still looking into it," the old man pleaded.
"Of course Gaius, we'll just go after deer and other wildlife today," the king replied, smiling. Gaius bowed then walked towards Merlin
"That book you took –"
"We're leaving, see you when I get back," Merlin said jumping on his horse and riding off. Not, he thought. Last thing he needed was for the old man to be suspicious of him.
They galloped through the city and then out of the city gates. Riding in the opposite direction to the Druid camp, Merlin was excited about the trouble that would unfold. It would be more than funny. After about half an hour of pointless riding, they slowed down as a deer came in sight. Merlin became as silent as the dead, as being quiet was all in could do.
Leon tapped his shoulder. Turning to him, Merlin looked completely normal, and smiled cheerily. He pointed to Arthur who told Merlin in sign language to flush the deer out towards the east. Looking slightly scared and upset Merlin nodded. Leon, understanding that Merlin hated killing any living thing, patted him on the back. However, walking away round the trees, a grin of evil grew on Merlin's face. Jogging round the bushed, the noise he made was enough to startle the deer and start the full on chase. The deer ran wildly and the knights rode after it. As Arthur lifted his bow for the kill, Merlin's eyes flashed red and the spell he had placed earlier took effect.
Elyan and Percival's horses both stopped suddenly. Elyan's horse went suddenly up onto its hind legs and threw him off backwards, whereas Percival's stopped so suddenly, he went flying forward over the horse's head. In a panic as to what had happened, Leon turned back to see. Flashing his eyes red, Merlin caused a tree branch to stretch out and as Leon turned to call to Arthur, his face smacked straight into it. As the horses rode further away, Merlin decided to climb a tree and was impressed that he then got a better view.
The deer suddenly turned and did a long loop back to where the knights lay hurt on the ground. Arthur was so fixed on the deer that it was only when as it jumped over Leon and then his horse, that Arthur realized that if he didn't stop, he was most likely going to trample and kill one of his own knights. He pulled back on his horse and it rose onto its hind legs. Merlin flashed his eyes red again and the horse stayed up.. Then the horse went down suddenly, but Arthur stayed on. Without warning, the horse became a wild bull in its own form. Arthur tried to keep control but then ended up chasing the deer that ran past him. The deer then looped back again and Arthur forced his horse onto its hind legs to stop it from trampling Percival. The horse walked backwards and knocked Arthur against a tree. The horse then fell forward onto all fours and Arthur, in slow motion, slid off sideways.
Merlin jumped down from his tree and walked onto the path, the deer happily skipping past him. He chuckled as the real Merlin would and looked at the sore and pained knights.
"Please," he shouted, "tell me you did not just get beaten up! By a deer," he howled a laugh. "Now that's priceless, just priceless," he put a hand to his mouth to calm himself. Arthur looked up dizzy and dazed. Mentally cursing, he got to his feet and so did the knights, all sore.
"Merlin," Arthur said between his teeth.
"Yes Sire, is there something you need?" Merlin said, he had stopped laughing and was stood to attention. Arthur stared at his servant, trying desperately to work him out. His servant had been a little off lately, his mood going from laughing-his-head-off to dead serious in under a second. Arthur had also noticed how short he had suddenly cut his hair.
"Grab your horses, we're heading back to Camelot," the King declared, staring at his servant, who kept eye contact with his master until he turned away. Arthur didn't question how dark Merlin's blue eyes had become; it must have just been trick of the light.
The courtroom had everyone present apart from Gwaine. When Arthur said he was going to 'deal' with what happened, he meant it. He couldn't have one of his knights drunk and attacking people, and he couldn't let someone get away with attacking Merlin. He doesn't admit it much, but he is his best friend.
Gwaine walked in with Elyan and Percival behind him. They did not force him to walk, or drag him, he simply walked in and they walked behind him. He knew what he had done and they knew he wouldn't run. Gwaine stopped walking and the court was then silent as the dead. Silent as Merlin would have been if Leon and the others hadn't shown up.
"Gwaine, I cannot have one of my knights attacking people. I'd like to hear what you have to say for yourself on this matter," the King said calmly, crossing his arms around his chest.
"He's been possessed I tell you!" Gwaine said again and half the court laughed. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Why do you keep saying the same story over and over again Gwaine?" the King asked.
"Yah Gwaine?" Merlin asked, shooting daggers at him via his eyes.
"Maybe, oh I don't know – Because it's true!" he said calmly and then roared.
"Merlin has been perfectly normal Gwaine… For Merlin that is," Elyan laughed and so did the court. Everyone knew what the young Warlock was like. Merlin didn't laugh and when Gwaine saw this, he then smiled along with the joke.
Gwaine was seriously getting fed up with everyone thinking he was wrong. He knew, the guy even told him! He just needed to prove it… But how? Gwaine needed to think of something - and before he got put in the stocks for an afternoon. The guy might have Merlin's memories so no personal questions. Then an idea hit Gwaine
He started to laugh. "Yep, silly me, perfectly weird no point to him Merlin. Of course, there's nothing off about him. Typical, can't get a girl Merlin," Gwaine said loud enough for the whole court to hear him. He received a few glances from people.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Merlin snapped angrily. Gwaine could see that he was trying not to lose his cool. He'd got him.
"You couldn't get a girl to look at you let alone anything else," Gwaine mocked.
To be honest with himself, he couldn't believe that his plan was working. However, he'd remembered when Merlin had been flirting with those serving maids. He'd planned to get him to boast about how he had gotten some girls attention, but him getting mad is just as good. As long as he exposes him, what the hell does it matter?
"You take that back," Merlin spat, his anger all over his face on show. Arthur looked from Gwaine to Merlin wearily.
"Merlin," he said uneasily. "Come on, calm down now."
"Not till he takes it back," was the Warlock's sharp reply.
"Never," Gwaine shook his head. Then, without warning, Gwaine flew backwards. No one had touched him, no one had said anything, he just flew backwards and skidded down the hall towards the doors on his back. When he stopped, he breathed in deeply, all the air had been knocked out of lungs.
He looked up, a smile was spread wide across Merlin's face, clearly satisfied with what he had done. Gwaine smiled back, satisfied with what he had done. A frown appeared on Merlin's face and then a look of pure annoyance. He'd realized what he'd done… and how much trouble he was in. Without a warning, every knight within the room (which was about only five including Arthur) drew their swords. The room became very still, no one willing to move. No one advanced to attack Merlin, in case they got the same treatment Gwaine had received.
Then, Merlin sighed and chucked to himself.
"Okay, I get it," he said, his voice not initially his own. His normal, carefree cheery voice was suddenly darker, slightly deeper. "I've taken your friend, you're ticked off, I get it. But really, " he said, turning on his heels so he looked round at everyone. "I'm not gonna do that much harm. I mean, you got to admit it Sire," he turned to Arthur. "Making you all fall off your horses was damn funny," he smirked, throwing his hands in his pockets.
"Leave my friend alone," Arthur snarled, sword still pointed at him. Merlin groaned.
"Fine, I won't throw Gwaine about anymore," he said like a wining child.
"I meant Merlin," Arthur said, moving to attack him. No one explained to Arthur too that if you attack the person possessed and kill him, you kill the host body.
"Oh, him… Nah, I like in here. Bit skinny and weak physically – big ears too! But, he's alright…. Easy to get around in, know what I mean? Haven't got any big muscles to drag around," he said, more talking to himself than anyone else.
Suddenly, Elyan ran forward and made a stab for Merlin. The knight moved so fast, no-one realized that he'd made his attack until he was face down on the floor. Merlin was quicker and jumped to the side, but left his left foot in the same place. Elyan tripped on Merlin's foot and flew to the floor face first. His armor clattered against the stone flooring.
"Elyan," Gaius snapped and the knight looked up to find that he was at the old man's feet. "Don't harm him, you'll harm Merlin too, it's his body remember. Harm it so much that this man dies, so will Merlin," he said sternly, and the message was clear to all.
"Doesn't mean we can't hurt him a little just to get him locked up," Percival said and he dropped his sword and ran at Merlin. Merlin wasn't ready for that attack and the size of a man such as Percival running at you is more than enough to freeze you to the spot. The knight rugby tackled the Warlock to the ground and the pair flew down to the ground. The fell so they were beside one another.
Everything that happened next happened far too quickly for anyone's liking.
Merlin rolled to the side away from Percival and leapt to his feet. Elyan was in his way. Merlin skidded forward and went low, straight under Elyan's open legs. Turning, Merlin then pulled the knight's trousers down. Then he turned to Arthur who grabbed his shoulder. Merlin then quickly grabbed the kings right shoulder pulled him forward and then pushed him back so he tripped backwards over the foot that he had cleverly placed behind him. He then ran for the doors. Arthur shouted and Leon and another guard both came running in, unaware of what was going on. Merlin dropped and skidded through the gap between the two knights, stopping just behind them. He then raised his legs and kicked both knights in the butt, causing them to fall forward, right into Percival who was running up after Merlin. All three knights went down. Merlin then kicked his feet together and rose off the floor like a vampire out of a coffin. Turning on his heels, he then saw the room and grinned at the mess he'd caused.
"I like how fast this one can move," he mused. "Oh!" he said and raised a finger. "Remember, I just beat you all up without magic. How brilliant is that!" Merlin turned to leave and his face met a metal jug. A clank echoed around the room as Merlin turned and fell to the floor. Gwen, looked quite amused at the state the knights were in. Arthur looked up and their eyes locked. She bit her lip.
"I thought something was a bit off with Merlin, so I'd thought I'd wait and discuss with you after the meeting," she said and Arthur nodded.
"Good thing you came along or we'd have him running about causing trouble," Arthur said and Gwen laughed.
"You bloody woman," Merlin said dizzily, on all fours trying to get back up again. "You utter –" Gwen hit him across the face with the jug again and knocked him out cold. The next time he awoke he'd be in chains.
I love the ending to this chapter.
Review please
