Disclaimer-I own nothing. Nilch.
A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in while. I've been in a show all last week and have had literally no time to write.
As always, thanks to my amazing reviewers: Mel1592, ruby890, jayley, , OOjuniperberry, The Tuneless Siren, RandomPanda, Girl and BabyGlover and thanks to everyone who's added this to his or her story alert and favourite stories list. Finally thanks to my mum who very kindly proof-read this and saved me from my tragic spelling and grammar :D
Anyway, on with the plot!
Chapter 7
The armour felt heavier than usual. Merlin fiddled with the leather straps, trying to tie them. Uther had made it clear there was no way out of this, Camelot needed to be defended and Merlin would have to lead that defence.
He glanced at Arthur who was staring out of the window of his chambers at the setting sun. Was it really only two days ago he'd stared at this very view? It could have been two years. So much had changed for Arthur. The view had seemed so peaceful then, now it was full of fear. The beautiful sunset seemed to turn the sky blood red; the forest now seemed dark and sinister in comparison.
These would one day be his people; he'd die to protect them, yet here he was leaving it to Merlin to defend them. There was nothing else he could do.
Noticing Merlin struggling with his armour he wordlessly stepped in and tied the straps himself. Merlin just stared as if in a trance. Arthur could feel him shaking beneath his fingers. He finished and they both stood in silence for a minute. "Thank you." Arthur said finally. Merlin didn't say anything; he didn't need to.
-)-(-
It was twilight and everything was tinted in shadow. Merlin could make out the dark form of Cendred's army steadily growing more defined as they made their way past the tree line.
His heart hammered in his chest and he felt faint. Merlin had never been more terrified in his life, but it wasn't the fear of dying; it was the fear of being responsible for other people's deaths. The soldiers that surrounded him were very adept at hiding their fear, unlike him. It was a terrible prospect to go into battle knowing you might not come out. They needed leadership and Merlin knew he couldn't provide it. He had these soldier's lives in his inexperienced hands.
Arthur's armour seemed to double in weight. He ran his fingers over its cool surface that glinted in the suns dying rays.
Looking around at each and every soldier, he was saddened to see one that looked only fifteen. This was obviously the boy's first battle and his face was white with terror.
Who could cause this amount of fear in someone? No one should have enough power to do that. In his lust for power, Cendred was killing innocent people who were only trying to protect their homes and families. It was so wrong. These people had never done anything to deserve this. That was why Merlin knew he had to fight; to protect those he cared for and others.
If they were going to win this army needed a leader and Merlin vowed he's be that or die trying.
In one swift movement, he unsheathed his sword, lifting it into the air. "For Camelot!" he yelled. The motion was imitated by all 800 men surrounding him, and the battle cry rung throughout Camelot.
Merlin didn't know which words to use or which order to give first so he said the first thing that came into his head.
"Charge!"
The battle began.
-)-(-
Arthur heard the battle cry in his chambers. The words sent a wave of dread through him. He started pacing in frustration.
Everything was so wrong! It should be him out there, fighting. He knew what to do. Cendred would easily be defeated. Instead it was Merlin out there. The idiot could be killed…
Arthur froze. He couldn't let this happen. He had to find the vessel, fast!
-)-(-
The two armies collided. The fighting began.
The air was filled with the clanging of swords striking swords and the cries of over a thousand men; their blood splattered the dewy grass, their sweat running down their necks while their breath misted in the cold night air.
Merlin watched mesmerized. With wide eyes he took in the blood shed and pain. Sweat and blood mingling in a solution so horrific the devil himself would have spat it out in terror.
He had seen battles before, but not in this clarity, never from this point of view.
A bloodcurdling yell struck his ear and he turned to see one of Cendred's soldiers charging at him, sword in hand. The man reached him, swinging his sword in what would have been a fatal blow if Merlin's sword hadn't met it. The man prepared for another attack and Merlin knocked the sword aside again.
Adrenaline pumped through his veins and he felt his fighting instinct take over. Merlin knocked the man's sword aside again and once more his opponent prepared for a third blow. He took his chance and drove his sword through the soldier's torso.
There was a sickening moment as the blade pierced his skin, slicing through his flesh but then Merlin pulled it out and stepped over his corpse. There was no time for sadness; this was war.
-)-(-
Arthur sighed in annoyance. Morgana was still in her chambers! She hadn't left them all day, insisting her meals be brought there and refusing to go to the council sessions. This made Arthur sure that the vessel must be inside.
He leant back on the cold, stone wall. He needed just her out of there for ten minutes so he could find it and destroy it. A smile crept onto his face. He knew who could do that.
-)-(-
Gwen was helping Gaius in the makeshift infirmary, where Arthur found her tending to a soldiers wound. Arthur noted how tired she looked, deep concern written all over her face.
She finished binding the wound and smiled kindly at the young man. Arthur brushed away any feeling of envy at the sight and quietly walked to stand behind her. He lightly touched her arm. "Guinevere." He spoke gently.
Gwen jumped and spun around. "Merlin." She sighed in annoyance. "You scared me."
"I need to ask a favour of you."
Gwen turned away. "I'm sorry, Merlin, but I'm really busy. These men might die if there are not enough people to treat them. You should do the same." Arthur grasped her hand and turned her back to face him, much to Gwen's surprise. "You don't understand. This is important."
Gwen searched his face, curious to why he spoke so urgently. "What is it?'
Arthur took a deep breath and prayed she wouldn't ask questions. "I need you to get Morgana away from her chambers for ten minutes." Gwen frowned in confusion. "Why?" Arthur sighed. "I need to search for something." Seeing Gwen open her mouth to ask a question he quickly added. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you what, but it's extremely important. It'll help us win this."
Gwen shook her head. "But we're going to win anyway. You heard Arthur, we have more than enough men to defeat them."
"There're things you don't know about that and I haven't got time to explain. I just need to get into her chambers." She caught his eye and he held her gaze. "Trust me Guinevere."
She gazed back at him and the world seemed to slow down around them. Finally Gwen shook herself. Realizing she was still holding his hand she quickly let go.
"Why do you keep calling me Guinevere? You never call me that." It was true. The only person that usually called her that was Arthur.
Merlin's behaviour was confusing her. The way he was staring at her… Much to her dismay she felt herself blushing.
"Gwen?" Arthur corrected himself.
As for needing to get into Morgana's chambers, it was extremely odd. How could something hidden in her chambers possibly help them win this war? But then, Morgana… Gwen had her suspicions about her ever since she's seen her using magic. Could she be something to do with this? If she did, Merlin seemed to know what he was doing. "Alright. I know you wouldn't ask if it wasn't completely necessary."
Arthur smiled. "Great! Let's go."
-)-(-
"My lady." Gwen bowed her head appropriately.
"What is it, Gwen?" Gwen noticed she seemed rather jumpy and that made her suspicions increase.
"The king has requested to speak with you." Gwen improvised wondering what on earth she was going to do once Morgana realized this wasn't true.
Morgana was curious. Why would he wish to talk to her in the middle of a battle? "Tell him I'm busy."
Gwen tried again. "He said it was urgent."
A trickle of fear slid through her. Did he know about her? Surely he would have sent someone to arrest her if he did, and there was no way he could have found out, as she had been incredibly careful, unless that idiot servant of Arthur's had told… Curiosity got the better of her. "Fine." She strode out the door. Gwen sighed in relief and followed her, wondering how she was going to explain her way out of this.
When the clattering of Morgana's heels had faded, Arthur crept out from the alcove he's been hiding in and raced up the stairs leading to the entrance to her chambers.
Her rooms looked so…ordinary. It was hard to believe that the answer to all the problems could be hidden in such a place.
In the knowledge his newfound information, Arthur had almost expected it to look dark and sinister but in reality it looked like it always had done…like it belonged to Morgana, his Morgana, the Morgana that wasn't trying to kill him. Arthur reminded himself, that girl didn't exist, not anymore.
He needed to find this vessel. This was going to be a near-impossible task seeing as the vessel could be anything, anywhere.
Arthur sighed and moved towards her desk to rummage through the drawers. The first one contained mostly paperwork and books, however there was also a large rose-colored jewel.
Arthur picked it up and held it gently in his palms.
Could this be it? Should he destroy it?
While he pondered this question he heard a voice behind him.
"Well, it looks like you've finally figured it out, Arthur Pendragon."
-)-(-
The adrenaline pumped through his body as Merlin raced through the castle courtyard.
Cendred's army had managed to push through the city walls taking the raging battle closer to the castle.
Merlin had managed to survive by fighting only when absolutely necessary. He'd be no help to anyone dead. Men were still bravely fighting around him. Merlin noticed the young, fifteen-year-old soldier fighting an extremely well muscled soldier. Merlin was relieved to see he was doing well. However, as he watched the sword fell from the boys grasp, much to the delight of his opponent who prepared to land his fatal blow.
The breath caught in Merlin's throat and he raced forward, pushing the boy out of the way and interrupting the man's sword with his own.
The soldier, although irritated, quickly recovered and attacked Merlin. However, Merlin met every single blow with one of his own. He had no idea what was driving him. Usually he was a terrible fighter yet he was doing extremely well.
His confidence grew and fear slipped away, slither by slither, as the fight went on. That's where he made his first mistake. On the final blow Merlin wasn't quick enough and the man's sword sunk into his flesh, pain slicing through his body. An agony-filled cry escaped his lips and he crumpled to the cold floor. His opponent smiled to himself before running off.
It's just a scratch, Merlin told himself. You need to get up and fight.
He peeled his hand away from the wound finding it was wet with blood.
Merlin gave up trying to stand. He lay there feeling his life's-blood gushing onto the cobblestones as the battle raged on.
There you are, another chapter done.
Sorry again for the late update, the next chapter should be quicker.
Please review as always :D