Another rather mini chapter here, but I'm working on a rather complicated 8th chapter. Reviews welcome and very helpful!
The knights were on the move, outside the safety of Camelot. Arthur had to keep strong for the benefit of morale; a broken prince would do nothing for the knights' enthusiasm and faith. Inside though, he was broken. He could not bear to order his knights, his friends, into a battle they would surely lose. Commanding men into a suicidal fight was not the way of a brave leader; his father had taught him that. But what was he to do? Without anybody to hold off the attack, Camelot would be taken. And without a knowledgeable and able ruler, the kingdom Arthur had grown up in, the kingdom he had been taught to rule over would fall. And that is something that he would not let happen. There had to be another way, he could not force his men into a battle that they would lose their lives for.
"Wait." Arthur's voice was hesitant, but he knew what he must say. "My men, I cannot compel you to give up your lives. With the knowledge that you will not return from this battle, I give you permission to go back to Camelot. I will not think any less of you as a man, and I do not want any of you to lose your lives. If any man wishes to, he must leave now, and inform the king that I am fighting to my best ability with everyone willing."
There was silence. Forty or so men stood motionless, their eyes on their prince. And just as Arthur was about to move on, a man spoke up.
"Arthur, you are not only my prince, but my friend. I have always known that I will die sooner rather than later in my life, and I cannot think of anybody I'd rather die with or for. I will fight until my last breath to save Camelot." Percival's voice was steady, but it cracked as he added: "And anyway, who wants to grow old?" And then the knights were soundless, some biting their lips to stop themselves shedding a tear, but all nodding in agreement. These men were willing to die for their kingdom and their prince, and it was Percival's words that gave Arthur the strength to lead his men into battle.
Arthur had stationed the men around Camelot's walls, each group with a more experienced knight among them. And now Merlin was left at the main gate into Camelot, with just his prince and two other knights to fight. This was one of the only points in his life that Merlin was willing to reveal his magic, for he believed that although he would die for it, he could save Arthur's life, and that was worth dying for one hundred times over. Lost in his thoughts, Merlin felt incapable of protecting Arthur. With this in mind, he stopped thinking, but simply knew he would do anything he could to save his prince. If possible, he would try to save the other knights, but Arthur was his priority, he had always been.
