Two chapters in one day, am I the best writer ever or what? Told you guys I would have this one up quickly. Enjoy!
This chapter goes to: DinosaursgoRawr101
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin :(
Arthur walked into the throne room where his father had summoned him.
"Father" he said to announce himself as he bowed.
"Arthur" the King said "your patrol returned a few minutes ago"
"And did they find the army of sorcerers?"
The king sat down in his throne "Yes, they did. Sir Leon estimates about 700 men, like the sorcerer said. But also reports that most of them seemed too ill to fight."
"Ill sire?" Arthur asked "How could that happen?"
"I don't know Arthur. Hopefully the sorcerer will have some answers. I'm having her brought up from the dungeons now."
A moment later the doors opened and Ayra walked into the room in chains guided by Sir Gawaine and Sir Elyan, who were guarding the dungeons. No matter how hard Arthur tried to persuade his father, Uther would not overlook the fact that Gawaine, Elyan, Lancelot, and Percival were commoners and only allowed them to have lowly jobs such as guarding the dungeons. Arthur wanted to take them all on all of his missions, especially Lancelot, but his father would not allow it. Uther only allowed the four to keep their knighthood because they fought off the immortal army with his son.
"Hello my lord" Ayra said "I see that your men have confirmed the fact that an army is indeed headed for Camelot?"
"Yes they have" Uther replied "But my men also tell me that most of them are too sick to fight"
Ayra smiled "Still? That means they haven't found the source yet, which gives us more time to prepare Camelot for their attack" when Ayra saw Arthur and Uther's uncomprehending expressions she continued "My men poisoned their water supply so that they anyone who drank it would become sick to buy more time. Otherwise the army would already be here."
"That was smart" Arthur said
"Well I can't take credit for it; it was my man's idea. I sent them to check on the army and they give me an extra few weeks to prepare" Ayra said
"Well we best make use of this extra time then" Uther said "Sorcerer I will accept your help and the help of your men for the defense of Camelot. But all of you have still committed treason by practicing magic, so after we have defeated this army I will prosecute you all."
Ayra thought for a moment before agreeing "All right"
Uther nodded "I wish to speak to all of your men. Bring them back here in an hour's time. Release her" he ordered.
Ayra bowed "My lord" and walked out of the throne room.
"Leave us" Uther said after the sorcerer had left to Gawaine and Percival. The two men bowed and left the King and Arthur alone.
The king rubbed his temples "700 sorcerers, how could have I missed 700 sorcerers?"
"Father you can't blame yourself, I'm sure most of these sorcerers are from outside the kingdoms borders."
"Yes, I'm sure you're right Arthur. But I hate to stoop so low as to accept the help of sorcerers."
"I know how you feel Father, but Ayra was right, we couldn't defend ourselves against their magic."
Uther nodded "I know. After this all over I will burn all the members of this Amddiffyn at the stake and we will have killed all of the other sorcerers and Camelot will once again be free of magic."
"Actually Father I was thinking, couldn't we give the members of the Amddiffyn a lighter sentence such as banishment? I mean they are fighting for Camelot and they might not fight as hard if they only have death to look forward to if they win this battle." Arthur said
Uther shook his head "No Arthur. There are no exceptions to the law, they all must die."
Arthur saw that his father would not change his mind "As you say sire" Arthur said with a bow.
:
Arthur stood next to his father's throne an hour later as ten cloaked figures entered the room. One stepped forward and pulled off her hood and Arthur recognized Ayra.
"My lord" Ayra said as she and the Amddiffyn bowed "I brought my men as you requested"
"Yes I see. Remove your hoods" Uther ordered to the other members of the Amddiffyn.
None of the cloaked figures moved.
"I'm sorry My Lord but we wish to keep their identities a secret, it is the only way they will fight."
"This is ridiculous; remove your hoods by order of your king!" Uther yelled
Ayra shook her head "I'm sorry sire, but they will not."
"Then I will make them!" Uther declared "Guards take off their hoods!"
Before the guards could get to the cloaked members though, one of the figures stepped forward and put his arm out
"gadael i neb fynd drwy" he said as a sphere surround the Amddiffyn so that the guards could not reach them.
Ayra crossed her arms "I'm sorry my lord but their identities will remain secret"
"They will reveal themselves or I will not accept your help!"
Arthur saw that Ayra was angry, and their seemed to be something dangerous about her when she was angry. He wasn't sure if it wasn't a trick of the light but it seemed like her eyes were slowly turning red.
"That would be Camelot's loss not ours!" She said in a strong voice
Before the king could respond the figure who had produced the shield walked up to Ayra and put a hand on her shoulder
"Ayra calm down" he said in a deep voice.
Ayra glared at the hooded figure
"Ayra you're losing control. Calm down" he commanded
Ayra continued to glare for a moment before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and once again faced the king and the prince. Arthur noticed that her eyes were no longer red.
"I'm ok, I have it under control" she told the figure still holding her shoulder.
The figure let go of Ayra and stood back in the line of hooded figures. Arthur tried to see beyond the hood but he could not see anything on the man's face.
"My lord" Arthur shifted his attention back to Ayra "Many of these people are completely normal except for their magic. They have families, jobs and lives which they do not want to risk. I'm afraid that they will only fight for Camelot if their identities remain secret."
Uther glared at Ayra but finally consented "Fine, they can hide their faces." He said
Ayra bowed "Thank you my Lord"
"But let me remind you all, that after we have defeated this army I will hunt you down and burn you at the stake."
"We didn't expect anything less my Lord" Ayra said
"Good" Uther said "The council will meet in half an hour; I will expect you all to be there"
"My lord, if it is all right with you, I will represent all of my men in the war council." Ayra said
"Fine. Now leave me" Uther commanded
Everyone bowed to the king and walked out of the throne room.
Arthur jogged to catch up to Ayra, who was walking away with the rest of the Amddiffyn. "Ayra, can we talk for a minute?" he asked
"Of course my lord" she said.
But when she didn't move Arthur asked
"Alone?"
"Oh of course sire"
Arthur pulled her into a deserted hallway.
"Look Ayra, I know that my father had decided that he will kill you all after the army had attacked, but my father and I disagree on this matter. Because we do not know the rest of your men I doubt we will be able to find them, which is probably the real reason you don't want us knowing their identities. But my father knows who you are and where to find you. So what I'm saying is that… after this is all over I'm willing to help you escape my father's persecution if you promise to keep protecting Camelot." Arthur said
Ayra looked at Arthur for a moment before saying "My lord you have yourself a deal"
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