Arthur and Merlin walked back towards the library. Arthur thought Merlin would be most effective there.
Merlin on the other hand was deep in thought. He needed to bring his magic back. Morgana needed something of the old religion, it must have been very old and powerful. He would need something older and more powerful.
They opened the door, and saw that Gaius was spread out. He, Gwaine and Gwen had books everywhere.
Gaius was standing next too Gwaine. "No, no that is not it."
Gaius seemed frustrated. When they finally noticed Arthur and Merlin, they smiled slightly.
No one wanted to make a big deal about Merlin. They all thought it would hurt him.
Merlin was so touched; his friends and family were trying to help him. He hated himself for overreacting. He needed to stay calm and collected form now on.
"Merlin, do you have any idea what type of creäture it was?" Gwen asked; she thought Merlin had a chance to think, he might have the answer already.
Merlin shook his head. "I would focus on a time even older than the great purge. This creäture would have to be ancient and extremely powerful."
Gaius sighed; "there are not that many records from that long ago."
The purge Arthur thought bitterly.
"Arthur you should go talk to the war council. I would be more useful here." Merlin said; he tried to sound enthusiastic, but failed. Arthur just nodded as he left the room.
Merlin grabbed one of the books and began to flip. There was no way he could have forgotten the creäture. Merlin was afraid that even if he found the creäture, he would not be able to reverse the spell.
"Merlin, mate are you sure your magic is really gone?" Gwaine asked out loud.
Merlin nodded.
"You said that you weren't used to trying, perhaps..." Gwaine trailed off; he wanted to help but he didn't want to make Merlin feel worse.
Merlin thought about what Gwaine had just said. He didn't think that Gwaine was right. There was no harm in trying though. Maybe, just maybe a simple spell would work.
Gwaine, Gwen and Gaius were focused on the books. There was no pressure here, no one would even notice. Merlin thought. A simple spell for light. Merlin tried, and tried. He shouted the spell.
All eyes were on him. Merlin slammed his hand down on the table. He was so angry.
"I am sure my magic is gone." Merlin spit out towards Gwaine. He hadn't meant to be rude. He wasn't angry at Gwaine. But Merlin hadn't felt so frustrated in a long time.
"It will be OK." Gaius said; he went back to reading.
Gwaine decided to head back to the council room, he needed to do something he was good at. He wasn't helping Merlin. He seemed to make things worse.
Gwaine exited the library, he saw Leon and Percival returning as well. They were sweating and covered in mud. They must have had a productive training session.
"Mates." Gwaine said.
"How is Merlin?" Percival asked.
"He has gone from being scared, to giving up, to anger." Gwaine said.
"Is there anything we can do?" Leon asked.
Gwaine shook his head. "We need to help Arthur, I think Merlin is the only one who can help himself."
Leon sighed; "It is time we focus on the other threat than. Morgana is a greater danger than we thought."
"Saxons are making progress. Morgana was ready for an attack." Percival said; he couldn't lie to Gwaine. Mordred was just the final piece.
"It was like she was waiting for Mordred." Gwaine thought out loud. He just provided her with the only information she required.
"Do you think Mordred intended to betray us all along?" Leon asked sadly.
Percival shook his head. "He saved Arthur's life, but now I think he wants blood."
"Well boys lets prepare for war." Gwaine said; he wanted to fight. He needed to do something. Morgana had crossed the line so many times. Someone needed to stop her. Gwaine knew he may not be able to stop her himself, but he was sure going to try like hell.
Arthur had headed back to his chambers; he needed maps. He had to see where Camelot was most vulnerable. He would be ready. Morgana needed at least a week to prepare an army.
"Sire!" Sir Thomas yelled.
Arthur turned around.
"Saxons are attacking towns on the outskirts. I am told it has been happening for days."
Arthur immediately knew it was Morgana. Arthur frowned; how could Morgana have been ready so quickly.
"Call the Lords back" Arthur said quickly.
"Already ready."
Arthur followed his fellow Knight."I would like you to have at least two guards watching Merlin at all times."
"Sire?" Sir Thomas; asked utterly confused.
"Just do it." Arthur said; he knew that Merlin had never been in greater danger. He had a feeling that Morgana was not done.
Sir Thomas nodded; the King had never asked to keep an eye on Merlin before. Sir Thomas had always assumed that Merlin was one of the most trusted men in Camelot. Everyone had seen the friendship between the King and Merlin. But at the meeting, Merlin wasn't the same. He had assumed it was due to the charade he was putting on, but now. Could the King suspect something. He normally wasn't one to make jokes. Did the King think Merlin was a threat, or traitor? Either way Sir Thomas thought; he had orders to follow.
The council had assembled.
"Sire saxons are already attacking. Morgana has been ready for war for a long time, it seems." Leon stated; he was not going to stand for anything but the harsh truth.
Arthur realized Morgana expected Mordred to betray him. She was only waiting to find out who Merlin was, he was the only thing standing in her way. She wasn't going to give Merlin time to find a cure.
"We must slow her armies, if they come to Camelot she will slaughter our people." Arthur declared; he would protect his Kingdom, no matter the cost. He had let Merlin fight their battles for too long. He may not be able to defeat two all-powerful sorcerers, but he did understand battle strategy and war. He was a warrior at heart. He would give Camelot a chance.
"I had a plan waiting if this ever happened." Arthur said; he moved to his seat at the front of the room.
He signalled a servant to come," in my chambers there are several maps, bring them, hurry."
The servant ran off.
"We are sure that we are out numbered." Arthur said; Morgana never attacked without having superior numbers. "We must cut them off. We need to get them an a narrow plain, in which our armies will not be disadvantaged."
The council nodded; they were uncomfortable with leaving the safety of Camelot, but no one questioned Arthur's choices. They had faith in their King. If anyone could defeat an army of that size it was Arthur. They had seen Arthur grow up as a soldier, he would never hurt or harm his own men. He was different from Uther, who saw lives as chess pieces. Arthur saw soldiers as living breathing people.
The servant re-entered the room. Carrying a pile of maps.
Arthur grabbed one from the top. He nodded in thanks to the servant.
"This is the route Morgana will most likely take to reach Camelot." Arthur pointed out on the map. "In these valleys our armies will lay in wait, the moment she comes through these two mountains we shall fight."
Everyone knew that meant, Arthur himself would be in the battle. He never abandoned his troops.
"That is Mount Badon." Percival said.
Arthur nodded. "And it is at Mount Badon that we make our stand."
Two chapters in one day, I am so proud. I wouldn't expect this. But I had time.
I hope you like it, Happy Reading
Peacelight :)