Author's Note/Disclaimer: I'd like to thank my readers for the nice reviews and apologize for the late update. Working on three other stories that I want to get finished before posting any new ones.
I do not own any Merlin characters. Ashely is my own creation. I do not profit from this.
Sweet Revenge
Chapter Ten
"What ever happened to staying below the radar?" Merlin asked. Arthur groaned in despair.
"That changed when Kragen recognized me," he said.
"How does he know you anyway?" Morgana asked. They were all gathered in Delmar's study discussing their latest plan to catch the spy.
"There was a scrimmage in the Northern borders of Camelot a year ago," Arthur said. "Kragen was responsible. Father sent me to deal with it."
"This still doesn't change things," Ashley said. "The spy is still out there and now we no longer have the element of surprise. The spy knows that Artie DuBois is Arthur Pendragon."
"I'm sorry, Arthur," Delmar said for the first time. "I didn't think Kragen would come to the village today."
"It's all right, Delmar," he said. "Only goes to show you that the spy probably sent word as soon as we arrived."
"Yes, but it was, what, fifteen minutes after we arrived?" Gwen suggested. "He would have had to send a carrier pigeon or hawk for that kind of response."
"She's right," Lancelot said. "It's the only way."
"Who has access to the carrier pigeons and hawks?" Arthur asked.
"Everyone does," Delmar said. "It's how the students send messages to their parents."
"The hawks are another story though," Lancelot said. "With them being stronger and faster, only the nobility have access to those."
"So that narrows down the list," Arthur said. "For the time being, we should just act like nothing is wrong. Merlin, see if you can get some people together to help with the bridge pulley system. Work your magic on it."
"Sure thing, Arthur," Merlin said catching the inside joke in the last statement.
"Lancelot, I want a trusted lookout in the bell tower to keep an eye out for any bandits or even hawks flying in and out of the towers of the school."
"I'll get on it personally," Lancelot said.
"Ashley," Arthur said.
"Not leaving your side, Arthur," Ashley said. "With your true identity out, you're in more danger."
"She's right," Morgana said. "You shouldn't be alone. The spy might try something."
"Well, I guess it'll be just like Camelot, Ashley," Arthur said. "You always at my side."
"And if not me than someone else," Ashley said.
After Arthur set out duties to everyone, he and Ashley walked about the school. Arthur didn't know where she packed it, but Ashley had her binder with her. They had papers that Delmar had given her for Arthur to go through. Things that the school needed. Plans to rebuild the school somewhere else. "Where would we rebuild it?" Ashley asked.
"Camelot," Arthur said.
"Would your father go for that?" she asked.
"Of course he would," he said. "Camelot is the safest place and will be safer when I'm king."
"How so?" she asked.
"I'll lift the ban on magic, as long as it's used for good," Arthur said. "Merlin can help protect the kingdom with magic and I predict a very prosperous time."
"You've been talking to the dragon again, haven't you?" she asked.
"Maybe," he said causing her to giggle. "You know that Merlin has a crush on you, right?"
"It's not a crush," she said. "He's in love with me."
"Oh, is it that serious?" Arthur asked as they entered the school, passes former tormentors.
"He's been in love with me since school," she said.
"Really?" Arthur asked. Ashley sighed as she came to a stop and looked around. She saw Lady Vivian and knew she would know.
"Lady Vivian," she said as they approached her.
"Ashley," Vivian said.
"Was Merlin in love with me in school?"
"It was a crush first, then love," Vivian answered.
"See?" Ashley asked as Arthur sighed.
"Did everybody know?" he asked her.
"Everybody knew," Vivian said.
"Except you," Ashley added.
"All right," Arthur said. "He's in love with you. Do you want me to talk with him?"
"No!" they both said catching him off guard.
"Last thing you want to do is scare the poor boy off," Vivian said. "He wants Ashley to know, he'll tell her himself."
"Right," Ashley said.
"Well, why don't you talk to him?" Arthur asked Ashley and she and Vivian giggled.
"The boy has to make the first move," Vivian said. "That is how is always works."
"Fine. I won't say anything," Arthur said and Vivian turned to a surprised Ashley.
"I was wondering if you could help me something," she said. Ashley looked over at Arthur who gestured it would be okay.
"I'll be fine by myself," he said. Ashley consented and went with Vivian. Arthur chuckled as Vivian rambled on and on with Ashley. Some things never changed. Vivian was the only noble girl who talked to the lower kids. She was only popular cause she blossomed quite early in her years. Arthur looked over to see a suspicious sight. Marcus was trolling up the steps to the messenger bird tower. "What are you doing?" he asked before following him up.
He followed Marcus up to the bird tower and hid behind the door when he entered the room with doves and hawks. Marcus had a piece of parchment in his hand and was muttering to himself as he read it over. Arthur really couldn't make anything out, but he did hear the name Kragen and a question on what he should do about Arthur, him. He watched him attach it to a black hawk before sending it out the window. Arthur pressed himself against the wall and waited for Marcus to exit the tower. He followed him down the steps and to the hall, but lost sight of him.
"Looking for me?" Arthur whipped around in time to duck to miss Marcus swinging at him with his sword. He unsheathed Excalibur and began to block the frenzy strokes coming at him. "You think I'm stupid not hear you following me?" Marcus asked. People scattered, screaming as the two battled their way outside.
Ashley was helping Vivian was some place settings for dinner when they heard the screaming. Then Ashley heard two swords clashing and she hurried out of the hall with Vivian and some of the courtier ladies behind her.
"What did he promise you, Marcus?" Arthur asked blocking a shot. "Money? You're father left you the family fortune."
"Yes, he did, but I gambled it all away," Marcus said before attacking high. Arthur blocked again and then pushed him back. "I would've lost the manor if Kragen hadn't promised me part of the riches."
"You sold out the school for money," Arthur said. "You're not worthy of your title." Marcus shouted before attacking wildly at Arthur. Excalibur was knocked out of Arthur's hands, but Arthur managed to hold his own. Merlin went to rush to Arthur's aid, but Lancelot held him back.
"I have to help him!" Merlin shouted.
"You'll be killed trying to intervene," Lancelot said. Arthur knocked Marcus' sword out of his hand but the nobleman drew a dagger and slashed at Arthur's right side. Arthur went down to the ground in pain, clutching his side.
"Some prince you are," Marcus said picking up his sword. "Can't even hold your own against me. Kragen will be glad I got rid of you before the duel," he said before raising his sword for the strike.
"Arthur!" Merlin shouted as the sword started down.
Suddenly, an arrow came soaring through the air striking Marcus in his belly. He dropped the sword and looked to the school. Everyone looked where he was looking to see Ashley perfectly poised with her empty bow. Marcus collapsed to the ground and Sir Delmar went over to him as Ashley walked over to them.
"Ashley," Arthur said. "I'm so glad you liked those archery lessons I set you up with."
"Me, too," Ashley said as Delmar called a physician over to tend to Marcus, even though there was no hope.
"Why?" Marcus asked in a strained voice.
"I promised King Uther I would bring his son home alive," she said before kneeling down next to Arthur. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, thanks to you," he said. They looked over when Marcus drew in a sharp breath before breathing his last. "Well, at least now Kragen doesn't have his spy anymore."
"Let's get you inside," Ashley said and she and Merlin picked him up and helped him inside the school.
Merlin was pacing back and forth as Ashley, Gwen and Morgana worked on patching up Arthur's wound. "At least Kragen won't know you're injured," he said as Gwen gently cleaned the wound, Arthur's arm resting on her head.
"Who's to say he won't?" Lancelot asked glancing at the others in the room. He leaned closer to Arthur. "There could still be someone else."
"I know," Arthur said as Gwen got ready to disinfect the wound. Morgana handed her a cloth with something on it and she pressed it against the wound. "Ow, Gwen!" he protested. "That stung!"
"Good. It means it's working," Morgana said. Arthur huffed before wincing again when Gwen put the cloth back on.
"I just wish he had done the slash on the other side," Merlin said. "Your right side is your strongest."
"I know," the prince answered. "I'll compensate."
"Arthur, I've seen you fight injured before. You're better off with a weak left side," Ashley said. Lancelot looked at Arthur and then the slash that Marcus had given him.
"Just say the word, Arthur and I'll fight in your stead," he said causing his former classmates and fellow courtiers to gasp.
"Lancelot," Gwyn said, but her ex ignored her.
"Lancelot, you know as well as I that Kragen won't fight anyone but me," Arthur said. "But I would be honored for you to be my second."
"As would I, my lord."
"Okay, I'm going to stitch you up," Gwen said taking the curved looking needle with suture line from Morgana. "Ashley, hold his arm so I can look closer." Ashley took Arthur's arm and held it up so her friend could look closer at the wound.
"We can put extra padding on that side," Morgana said.
"And the physician can give you something for pain before hand," Merlin said.
"I'll be fine," Arthur said.
"Just promise you'll come out in one piece," Merlin said. "The only reason your father let you come here was that Ashley and I kept you safe. We can't do that if you accept a duel challenge."
"We never did agree on terms," Arthur said before inhaling when Gwen began to sew.
"Sorry," she apologized and kept on sewing.
"It's simple. You win, Kragen and his goons pick on someone else," Ashley said.
"And if I lose?" Arthur asked.
"He and his goons keep on picking the school," she said.
"And Uther hangs us for not protecting him," Merlin said.
"Merlin, relax," Ashley said. Gwen finished stitching and Ashley put Arthur's arm back onto her head.
"How can I relax?" Merlin asked. "This is going to be disastrous," he said.
"Honestly, Merlin. I'd think you should have a little more faith in Arthur."
"Yes, he should," Arthur said. "You'd think I'd let my father hang my two best friends for not protecting me you've got another thing coming," he said. "Relax, Merlin. Two days time, we'll be back in Camelot having supper and all will be right in the world."