Author's Note: Please let me know what you think! Big stuff is coming up!
Merlin felt Harvey's spell coming at him, and had seconds to react. He raised his hands, blocking the spell without a word. Harvey snarled in anger at the resistance.
"I'm more powerful than you are," Merlin said, voice strong. "You have no influence over me."
Harvey's fury turned to a look of great concentration. Everyone in the room was frozen in fear, as Harvey narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, don't I?" He turned, lightning fast, and spoke another spell, aiming it directly at Arthur.
Merlin pushed his hands out, and felt Harvey's spell hit against the shield. Whatever Harvey was doing, the spell was continuous, pulsing against Merlin's barrier incessantly. The power of the spell was moderate at best, Merlin was able to hold it off easily, protecting not only Arthur but also Gwen and the rest of the nobles. In all, Harvey certainly was not strong enough to take on Merlin.
Which lead everyone in the room to wonder… why was this mysterious sorcerer still smiling?
"Do you know what my spell will do to your precious Arthur and the rest of these nobles?"
"Nothing. I'm not letting you." Merlin's voice was tense – not with the effort of the shield, but with anger. The urge to lash out was overpowering – to hurt this man who dared to come here and threaten the people he loved.
"But if you were to lower your shield," Harvey said, his grin still in place.
Merlin grimaced. "They would burn." From the corner of his eye, he saw Lord Samuel take a nervous step back, but there was nowhere to go. He stared at Merlin with distrust plastered on his face. Merlin still had his hands up, keeping the shield in place like a wall separating Harvey and himself from the rest of the room. He wanted to roll his eyes at Samuel. He was saving that pompous man's life, and he couldn't even muster up a moment of gratitude.
"They would burn," Harvey echoed, the smile growing wider. "And you would never let that happen."
"Stop this," Arthur said suddenly, and his voice sounded terrified. Merlin looked at him, startled by the look of panic in his eyes.
"I'm not letting him through, Arthur," He said, trying to reassure him.
"No, you idiot! Don't you see what he's doing?" Arthur's voice was choked with fear.
"Emrys," Harvey began, solemn. "I do apologize for the way I must do this. But you must get out of Camelot while you still can, and this is the only way."
Merlin and Arthur made eye-contact, and perfect understanding passed between them. Merlin would keep the shield up, no matter what. Which left him undefended.
Harvey kept one hand directing his spell in Arthur's direction, bouncing feebly against Merlin's shield. Harvey's other hand turned to Merlin.
"Merlin," Arthur said, his voice pleading. "Don't."
"No choice," Merlin said, closing his eyes and Harvey began to speak. The spell was long, complex, and strong, and was clearly being channeled through someone or something much more powerful. Merlin didn't have time to wonder at this before the spell hit him.
Something icy spread through him and he lost his footing. His knees hit the ground, and he heard several voices call out his name. Darkness took him.
The second Merlin hit the ground, Harvey brought his hands together and whispered more ancient words. By the time Arthur and the other lords had rushed forward, the sorcerer had vanished.
The king changed tracks as soon as it was obvious that Harvey was gone, turning and rushing to Merlin's side.
Lord Samuel spoke, edging forward. "Be careful, my Lord! You heard what that sorcerer said! He was on Merlin's side!"
"Lord Samuel!" Orwick said, scandalized.
"Shut up," Arthur snarled in Samuel's general direction, not caring about propriety. He knelt by Merlin, placing a nervous hand against his friend's neck as Gaius had once taught him. He found the fluttering pulse immediately, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Gwen! Help me get him to Gaius." A couple of servants from the perimeter of the room rushed forward to assist, as well, including Corwin.
"But – my lord!" Samuel said again. Arthur ignored him, maneuvering Merlin into an upright position. The young sorcerer peeled his eyes open weakly.
"Merlin?" Gwen said anxiously. Merlin groaned lightly, and the entire awkward group shuffled forward, towards the door out of the hall. They left the hall with a grumbling Lord Samuel in the background.
"That ungrateful – utterly terrible Samuel," Arthur seethed, supporting Merlin heavily.
"'S okay, Arthur…" Merlin murmured.
"What did that man do to you?" Gwen asked anxiously.
Merlin's eyes rolled back in his head for a moment, and he slumped even more heavily into Arthur's side.
"Merlin!" the king said, shaking him by the shoulders until his eyes opened again.
"'M alright…"
"Clearly, you're not," Arthur said grimly, moving the group forward. It took them several minutes to reach Gaius's chambers. The physician swung the door open, to the sight of his young charge leaning against Arthur, barely conscious.
Author's Note: What do you think the sorcerer did to Merlin?