Emrys: Magic Unleashed

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Chapter 5: The Road to Camelot


It was a sweltering day, the midday sun hung overhead like a giant sponge, soaking up all the moisture in the air. Virol had sent Merlin off on his journey with a sword on his belt, a shield on his arm, a fan in his pocket, and a rug sack to his back, and told him to walk all the way to Camelot. If he made good distance, he would be there in three days.

It wasn't that bad.

Oh who was he kidding! It was the first day and already his feet were aching. The tournament had officially started but the first three days were for the riff-raffs who couldn't afford to pay the three gold pieces. They had the option to pay a smaller fee but risk their chances with the preliminary elimination fight. That meant all of the young farmers and peasants would duke it out until the wheat is separated from the chaff.

Money did make living easier. The contestants that could not afford to pay three gold had to compete for three days to advance and keep their place while those who paid had an advantage of less competition and more stamina.

Merlin pointed out that the stamina was debatable on his end but Virol merely gave him a shrug and told him to suck it up. "Three days of travel is nothing. Right now I'm breaking you in for the future when you will have to track creatures for a week or longer without sleep."

Merlin took off his boots with a content sigh, dipping his feet into the cool river water. He snapped open the fan, made from the griffin feathers and started a small breeze to cool off.

Merlin was so engrossed in the comfort of the breeze, he failed to notice that he was not the only one at the river's edge.

"Oh lords have mercy. Why are you so inconsiderate to those who drink from the river? I just drank some cool sparkling fresh water from the river and said 'this is the best water I ever had' and then I look up and see your feet flavoring the water!"

Merlin hastily withdrew the guilty appendages and bowed in apology to the lanky haired teen slightly downstream from his position. "I apologize my friend. I can only assume that the river water is made fresher from all the tired feet put in prior to mine." Merlin extended his hand forward for a greeting. "I am Merlin."

The lanky hair youth grinned at Merlin's joke. "I'm Gwaine. True, I don't know how many more feet have been dipped in the river upstream prior to yours but the water is damn fresh!"

Merlin shared a laugh with Gwaine. The stranger appeared to be slightly older than he was, fifteen or sixteen of age. He had a chainmail vest on and equipped with two swords. Gwaine noticed Merlin's interest in his two swords and answered his unspoken question.

"I fight best with two swords, I can use one for shielding and one for offense, if the situation calls for it, I can use both blades at once to attack."

"Fascinating", Merlin murmured. It had never occurred to him that dual swordplay was possible. The standard fighting requires a weapon in one hand and a shield in the other. "Is it possible for me to examine the blade? I'm an apprentice blacksmith, I may not be able to forge a blade yet but my master has me examining his work for flaws."

Without any hesitation, Gwaine handed over his blades. "Of course my friend, let me know if these blades are worth the metal it's forged from."

Merlin examined the blades, it was made of folded iron, the blade sharp but weaker than steel. It was more or an ornamental sword. "It is sharp and was made from folded iron. It is weaker than steel but as a result, lighter and sharper. The design is simple but elegant. These practical blades that will last you a while with proper care."

Gwaine clapped his hands, impressed with Merlin's diagnosis. "It is as you say. I had the blacksmith make these swords for me with my fighting style in mind. I fight fast, sharp, and unpredictable. I can't be wielding a heavy broadsword, stuck on my feet with that heavy slab of metal."

Merlin handed the blades back with an easy smile, "Are you by any chance participating in the tournament in Camelot?"

Gwaine nodded, "You appear to be a competitor yourself. That's some fine equipment you got there." Merlin smiled proudly, "The shield and sword was made by my master, It's as high quality as equipment goes with the material he had."

They chatted for a few more moments, getting to know each other better before they decided to continue the journey.

And thus, Merlin found a companion for his trip to Camelot.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin and Gwaine were chatting about various topics: girls, food, and politics, when the topic of magic came up.

"So what do you think about Uther's ban on magic?" Merlin asked Gwaine as they continued their journey through the leafy forest. Gwaine was pleasant and easygoing as a person, he was friendly and a great guy, it would be interesting to find out his view on magic.

Gwaine gave Merlin a shrug. "The man is an idiot."

Disbelief colored Merlin's vision. "Idiot? He rules Camelot with an iron fist! Sure, his methods might be extreme but you cannot deny that Camelot has the strongest army and the most prosperous trade!"

Gwaine countered by pointing out a few things Merlin failed to take into account. "Uther is an idiot because of his irrational fear of magic. He bans all forms of enchantment that causes harm to other. This means any sort of combat sorcery is prohibited, even to his own knights! He allows sorcery to be used for scrying, medicinal purposes, and defensive purposes but never for combat. In fact, the only sentence he has is death! If he had permitted the usage of battle magic, Camelot would have ruled Albion by now."

"Magic shouldn't be used to hurt people." Merlin said quietly. "Magic should only be used to help people."

Gwaine stopped in his tracks and turned to confront Merlin. "There is no good or bad, just power. You have to understand that aside from humans, there are creatures and monsters out there that cannot be slain with mortal weapons. There are whispers of magical forces threatening our realm, the human realm and we do not have the means to fight back. I'm just waiting for Uther to kick the bucket and wait for the sorcerers to reveal themselves."

Merlin wanted to protest but he could not bring himself to argue against Gwaine's reasoning. The incident with the Griffin had proven that magic was necessary. The power itself cannot be classified as good or bad, it is defined by its wielder.

"You know, for someone so laidback, you bring up wise thoughts."

Gwaine smirked at the compliment. "Story of my life. People always see what they want to see on the surface, I'm deeper than you think."

Merlin shoved Gwaine playfully, "Save that line for the ladies, I'm not interested." Then he ran ahead, laughing the entire way.

Gwaine was indignant, "I'm not attracted to you!"

"Keep telling yourself that!" Merlin teased , Gwaine running to keep up.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Gwaine jerked up, ready to yell until Merlin whispered to him. "Shhh. Don't make a noise. I think bandits are surrounding us. Nod if you have your sword with you."

Gwaine nodded, he had no idea how Merlin knew about the bandits' approach until he caught sight of his companion's eyes. Merlin continued glancing around, his eyes glowing slightly in the dark. Merlin had reflected on Gwaine's idea before about combat magic and there were spells that he did want to try out. Beside, this was to protect his life. He turned and address Gwaine, his eyes pleading empathy. "I'm going to light a fire, don't be surprised by my magic. Just focus on staying alive, there's about fifteen of them and two of us. Let's try not to die shall we?"

If he was surprised at the mention of magic, Gwaine didn't show any signs. Merlin undid his leather band, readying himself to utilize all of his gifts. Silently, he incanted the spell in his mind, willing the bright flame to burn the already extinguished campfire remains.

The flame roared into existence, almost as a solid pillar, lighting up the campsite for a good fifty feet, before dying down in intensity. It provided enough light for Merlin to make the first move, throwing five daggers in the air, looping unnaturally and sinking unerringly into the bandits' neck. They dropped to the ground, the crimson fluid jettisoning from their neck, creating bloody pools in the forest earth.

Gwaine had no time to be shocked by the level of lethality and precision of Merlin's kills. He had his own problem to worry about, namely the five bandits rushing at him with their swords drawn, eyes mad with rage and greed. He lashed out with both swords, fluidly slicing across unprotected torsos and deflecting their blades in a sweeping dance-like display of swordplay.

The remaining bandits were positioned in the tree branches where they fire crossbows from above. Merlin looked up, grabbing a hold of the arrows that were a few inches from his face. Despite having the natural advantage, it was a very close call for Merlin. He had never been more grateful than now to posses his gifts.

His eyes flashed gold as he stopped Gwaine from being used as target practice, the arrows dropping to the floor with it's momentum lost. Gwaine shot him a grateful look before resuming the fray.

By then, the bandits have been reduced to 1/3 of it's original attacking party. The rest gave up and ran for it, leaving Gwaine cursing at their retreating backs. Gwaine looked over to Merlin with exhaustion and gratitude, "Thanks for the save, I was about to be turned into a pincushion there."

Merlin gave Gwaine a cursory smile but his concerns remained, the bandits have seen him using magic. He did not want news to spread of his abilities, the last thing he wanted were rumors to reach Camelot where his magic would have him killed. He didn't want to kill them but he had to cover up all loose ends.

The fleeing bandits were still in his line of sight. He unstrapped his Griffin Feather Fan and spread it open, the razor sharp edge of the fan glinting in the moonlight.

Færblæd!


Spell Translation

Færblæd!- Void Wind


The wind spell did it's job perfectly, channeling it's power through the Fan, the Griffin Feathers elemental nature amplifying the spells effect. Now it cut along the wind, decreasing wind resistance while increasing it's cutting capabilities. Cool tendrils of blue wind wrapped around the fan, it's beautiful appearance camouflaging it's deadliness.

Merlin threw the fan out, spiraling like a grey circlet of death. His eyes directed it's flight path, similar to the daggers he had thrown earlier. It require so little energy to direct the projectile, his eyes retained it's normal blue hue. Gwaine watched in mute amazement and trepidation as the fan weaved between trees as if possessing a mind of it's own. It dispatched the bandits with cold precision, barely any resistance as the bandits were decapitated from behind.

The fan spun back to Merlin, blood already gone from the edge, and he pocketed the now ordinary looking fan. He snapped his armband back on, the vivid green hue was back in his eye.

Gwaine and Merlin shared a look of awkward silence.

"So... I'm glad they banned battle magic in the tournament. Wanna hit the bar?" Gwaine asked in a nonchalant matter, as if the display of magic didn't seem extraordinary.

Merlin casted an amused look. "I'm a bit to young to be at the bar." He turned and looked at the bodies, glassy eyed, the thick stench of blood in the air. "Hold that thought." Merlin walked behind a tree, grimaced and vomited out the contents of his stomach.

His haggard voice carried out weakly behind the tree, "Actually, I think I might take you up on that offer."

Gwaine couldn't help but roar in laughter. Merlin was still young, never killed, never drank. A sinister smile pulled at his lips. It was time to change that tonight, he is going to show Merlin how things worked with adults. Old enough to kill, old enough to drink.

Hopefully, Merlin would turn out... semi-normal after his corruption.

He cackled at the devious plots growing inside his head while Merlin stared at him.

It was quite an eventful trip for the both of them.

One more day until Camelot.


A/N: COMBAT MAGIC! GO MERLIN!

People might be a bit stunned by Merlin's lethalness and his ease with using magic to kill but merlin has killed before in the Tv Series. In this case, he is definitely more influenced by his upbringing as a hunter and his Dragon Lord heritage. Please note that I did show that he snapped a deer's neck with his bare hands.

Also, Merlin is more of a long range fighter as most sorcerers are. Some spells require incantations and concentration that cannot be performed while engaging in combat. His daggers and fan are perfect examples of his preferred method of attack.

Now Gwaine is in the story! He is a lot younger than in the series, by four or five years, but still the same mischievous and laid back Gwaine. He is very loyal to his friends, having considered Merlin as one already and Merlin trusting him with his secret.

R.R.R.W.

Review, Rant, Rave, Worship.

Enjoy today's episode of Merlin! I'll update in a few days, The tournament has me all excited!