Merlin: Sorceress Extraordinaire!

by Lady Blade WarAngel

How would things change if Merlin were a girl! Find out here. AU! Eventually Arthur/Fem Merlin, Gwen/Lancelot, Morgana/OC, and other possible pairings.

10. The Moment of Truth

Episode ten where Merlin's childhood, emo friend, Will, is played by Joseph Dempsie, who played Chris from Skins. I loved Skins. He was also in... Doctor Who! Yeap another Merlin guest star that has been involved with Doctor Who. Now he's playing Gendry in Game of Thrones. How comes he looks so much hotter in Game of Thrones then in anything else I've ever seen him in? Does anyone have any ideas? It could be all the shirtless, muscled, forging swords scenes that he does (nods and drools). I even have weekly Gendry Sightings along with Ghost sightings when I watch Game of Thrones. But he wasn't even in season 4 (cries)

Also, just to be clear, when Mordred speaks to Merlin with his mind it will look like this

'Emrys!'

But normal talking will just be as it always is. I just don't want to have to keep saying they're talking telepathically.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin: Sorceress Extraordinaire.

Chapter Ten – The Moment of Truth.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin was visiting her mother. She tried to keep her rare days off together, so that she could come and help her mother and Will with Mordred, as she had promised. She was stood with Mordred outside their home, when suddenly a band of men rode into the village. Merlin grabbed hold of Mordred, as she saw one woman pull her daughter out of the way of the stampeding horses, and some of the village women screamed in fright and ran off the dirt road. Merlin saw her mother open the door to their small home and come out, standing in the doorway.

"Search the place!" A harsh looking, bearded man growled out to the other men, as they got down from their horses. Will was near their home in moments, having just come from the fields with some of the other men. "Find him!" The man yelled again. Merlin stroked Mordred's hair, hoping to calm him, but he seemed relatively unfazed.

'Mordred, has this happened before?' Merlin asked him mentally.

'Yes Emrys. They were here last month too. Your mother and Will didn't want to worry you.' Mordred replied.

'Who are they?' Merlin asked.

'I don't know. But the leader is called Kanen.' Mordred replied. Hunith came and stood next to Merlin as they saw the bandits kicking in people's doors. Merlin made to move forward.

"No Merlin." Hunith whispered as she grabbed hold of her daughter's arm. A woman was thrown bodily into the dirt by her hair, as a man dragged her from her home. That was when Merlin saw two men dragging Matthew from one of the barns. He was holding on to baskets of food, food that Merlin knew the villagers desperately needed to survive the winter. The two men threw Matthew to the ground, toppling the baskets of corn, carrots and potatoes into the dirt. Hunith's grip on Merlin's arm grew tighter.

"It's harvest time!" Kanen exclaimed. He seemed almost cheerful. Merlin could see the evil smirk on his face. Matthew was kneeling in the dirt picking up the spilled vegetables. One of the men took a large bag of grain that Matthew had been holding and handed it to Kanen. "What's this? Where's the rest of it?" Kanen sneered.

"I only kept back what we need to survive." Matthew replied. Kanen looked down on Matthew with something akin to amusement on his face.

"Survive? I'll be back in one week farmer and I want to see all of it." Kanen said coldly. Merlin wrenched her arm from her mother's grip as she rushed forward.

"Merlin!" Hunith called fearfully, as she made to run after her. Will rushed forward and grabbed hold of Hunith's arm.

"You can't take our food! What kind of man lets children starve?" Merlin exclaimed angrily. "I won't let you do this! You're not taking any of it!" Merlin yelled, as she made to grasp at the bags of grain that were already on Kanen's horse. Kanen just smirked and backhanded Merlin across the face. She yelped in pain as she fell to the ground, and Kanen jumped to the ground beside her.

"No!" Hunith cried out fearfully, Will still had hold of her, and Merlin was thankful that he held her back.

"Merlin!" Ivan, a friend of her mother's, called out, as footsteps ran towards them. Merlin didn't see, but she heard when the crossbow was fired, she heard the arrow sink into flesh and she heard Ivan fall to the ground. At that moment, Merlin knew Ivan was dead and he had died trying to protect her. A single tear fell from her eye in that moment. Merlin heard gasps of horror and women and children crying as Kanen grabbed her by her side braid, yanking her up to her feet. Merlin yelled in pain and kicked at Kanen, but he didn't seem too bothered by this. He grabbed hold of her throat with his free hand, his fingers splayed under her jaw and his thumb and fore finger grasped painfully tight on the joints of her jaw, turning her face upwards to look at him. Merlin tried to yank his hands away from her throat and jaw, but she didn't have the same grip as he did. He looked at Matthew, as he held on to Merlin's throat.

"I will give you a week, don't you dare disappoint me." Kanen said coldly. Then he looked at Merlin, who was still struggling to break free, he pulled out his knife and held it to her neck. "I'll see you later, sweetheart." Kanen said, smiling at her, and then he used his knife to nick at the skin where her jawbone met her throat. Merlin yelped, as Kanen threw her backwards into Matthew, who was now standing. Matthew caught hold of her, and held on to her shoulders. The bandits rode out of the village, as Hunith ran over.

"Merlin! Oh Merlin, are you alright? Merlin?" Hunith pleaded, as she looked Merlin over. Merlin was shaking as she watched them leave the village. She felt a small hand squeezing hers and she squeezed back. She knew it was Mordred. "Merlin?" Hunith pleaded with her eyes for a response.

"I'm alright Mother." Merlin uttered. She was still shaking but she was trying to think.

"What are we going to do?" Matthew asked sadly. He didn't seem to be asking anyone in particular. Merlin could only think of so many things to do in this situation.

"We need help. If we give them the food everyone will starve. If we don't then they'll slaughter us all, without help." Merlin said stiffly. She looked at her mother, who was mopping at the trail of blood that leaked down from her nicked skin with a piece of cloth.

"It's pointless going to King Cenred for help. He doesn't care what happens to the border villages." Matthew said sadly.

"Why don't we try Camelot? Prince Arthur seemed like a decent enough man. There's a chance he might be able to help us now." Will said. Merlin hadn't realised that he was standing next to her, just behind Mordred, until he spoke. Mordred didn't like seeing Merlin hurt.

'Are you really alright Emrys?' Mordred asked Merlin.

'I'll be fine Mordred.' Merlin replied. She looked at Will and her mother.

"It might be our only option." Merlin said softly. She knew of King Cenred, and she knew he wouldn't help them. Just as Matthew had said, Cenred didn't care about the border villages and Ealdor was little more than a patch of mud to him. However, there was no guarantee that Uther would help them either. But it was worth a try. Anything was worth a try. It was better than just waiting to die.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Gwen was fetching some water from the well, when she saw Merlin, walking towards her, with another woman. Gwen grinned.

"Merlin! You're back!" Gwen called out, and rushed over. She gasped in horror as she saw a horrible purple, blue and black bruise marring Merlin's face, and a fresh wound marked her jaw line. "Oh my God! Merlin! Who did that to you?" Gwen exclaimed in horror. That was when Lancelot arrived.

"Who did what?" Lancelot asked. He had yet to see Merlin's face, as he had arrived from behind them.

"I'll explain everything in a few moments Gwen. Let's just go inside." Merlin replied softly. Then she gestured to the woman beside her. "This is my mother, Hunith. Mother, this is Gwen and you know Lancelot of course." Merlin introduced.

"It's nice to meet you Hunith." Gwen said politely. Hunith gave a weak smile. That was when Lancelot took a real look at Merlin.

"Merlin? What kind of animal did this to you?" Lancelot asked angrily. He didn't like seeing Merlin hurt, she was like a little sister to him, and he wouldn't allow someone to hurt her.

"I'm alright Lancelot. Can we just... go inside? Please?" Merlin pleaded. Lancelot nodded and then he looked at Gwen.

"Gwen, go and tell Arthur and Morgana that Merlin is back." Lancelot said softly. Merlin made to stop her, but Gwen nodded and was soon gone. Lancelot looked from Hunith to Merlin a few times. "It's good to see you again Hunith." Lancelot said kindly. Hunith nodded but she kept looking at Merlin. "Let's go to Gaius' chambers. I'm sure he'll have something to put on that bruise." Lancelot added. Merlin and Hunith nodded and followed him inside.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

"My Lord?" Arthur and Morgana looked up to see Gwen standing quietly at the open doorway.

"What's wrong Gwen?" Morgana asked. Gwen looked at Morgana and Arthur nervously.

"Merlin is back." Gwen said. Morgana and Arthur were both confused.

"I'm surprised you aren't leaping for joy. I know you've missed her." Arthur replied. Gwen still looked nervous.

"What's wrong Gwen? Is Merlin alright?" Morgana asked. Gwen shook her head.

"She came back with her mother. She has a horrendous bruise marking her face, and some sort of wound on her jaw. It looks like the type of mark made by a knife edge. She said she would explain once we were in Gaius' chambers, Lancelot came along and sent me to fetch you." Gwen told them. Arthur and Morgana looked horrified. Arthur stood up from where he was sat, looking furious.

"Did she say who hurt her? I'll string him up!" Arthur exclaimed furiously. Morgana and Gwen looked at each other quickly, as though conveying some secret information, and then they followed Arthur as he left the room. The trio all went to Gaius' chambers and saw Lancelot, standing to the side as they opened the door. Merlin was sat on a chair, not facing the doorway, but Gaius seemed to be hovering and dabbing at Merlin's face with something. Arthur recognised Hunith, sitting next to Merlin, straight away.

"What happened?" Morgana asked. Merlin stood up from the chair and looked at the trio in shock. Arthur then saw what Gwen had been telling them. The awful bruise, marring Merlin's face, made a black eye, and spread over Merlin's cheek. Arthur also noticed a cut on Merlin's jaw line, as well as some light, finger shaped bruises around Merlin's jaw and throat. "Merlin! What happened?" Morgana asked again. Merlin looked at them sadly. Then she related her tale. Arthur felt a fiery anger licking under his skin, just waiting for a way to burst out and singe this Kanen to ash.

"I know that we're not equipped to fight. The village is small, and most of the villagers who live there don't know how to fight." Hunith said softly.

"Our only chance is... is..." Merlin stopped. She didn't want to drag Arthur into this mess.

"Is what, Merlin?" Arthur asked.

"We had hoped that King Uther might help. I know it's not a guarantee, and there is every chance he will say no, but we have no other options." Hunith finished. Arthur looked at Merlin, and then at Hunith.

"I will arrange an audience with my father." Arthur said softly.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

"The Winters are harsh in Ealdor and there are many children." Hunith said sadly. The court was gathered, and Arthur stood next to his father's throne. Merlin stood just behind her mother, next to Gaius. Morgana stood near the throne, with Gwen at her side. Lancelot stood with the other Knights. "Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive." Hunith continued. It had been decided between Merlin and Hunith that Hunith would speak. Hunith was older, more experienced with such matters and Merlin was more apt to lose her temper just thinking about the situation. "We barely have enough food as it is, and, if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please we need your help." Hunith finished. Uther had listened intently to Hunith's testimony and Merlin could see the King seemed to actually be saddened by the tale.

"Ealdor is in Cenred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility." Uther stated seriously.

"We've appealed to our King many times. But he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope." Hunith replied. Uther seemed troubled as everyone waited with baited breath for Uther's decision. He leaned forward on his throne and looked at Hunith directly.

"I have the deepest sympathy for you, and would have this... barbarian wiped off the face of the earth." Uther said.

"You'll help us?" Hunith asked. But Merlin had the awful feeling that King Uther would not be helping them.

"I wish I could." Uther replied sadly.

"Surely we could spare a few men?" Arthur asked.

"Resources are not the problem." Uther replied.

"Then what is?" Morgana asked coldly. Merlin could see that Morgana wanted Uther to reconsider.

"Ealdor lies beyond the border of Escetia. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war." Uther said sternly. Merlin clenched her fists tightly. She could understand the King's position immediately. The King could not bring Camelot to war over one village that wasn't even a part of his kingdom. Hunith fell to her knees.

"I know you're a good King, a caring man, I'm begging you, help us please." Hunith pleaded.

"The accord we struck with Cenred was years in the making." Uther replied. He seemed honestly saddened to be unable to help. "I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help." Uther finished. Morgana walked forward to help Hunith to her feet. Merlin didn't know what to do in that moment. Everything felt so wrong. The only thing that she could do, that was right to do, was to go back to Ealdor and help her mother. She didn't know if she would return, but her mother was her foremost priority. There was no other way to deal with this situation except to fight, and she would fight to her last breath.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur found himself on the castle battlements later that day. He had truly hoped his father would send some help for Merlin's village. But he knew why Uther couldn't. He understood the reasons. He heard footsteps heading towards him. He knew it was Merlin before she stopped at his side and waited for his acknowledgement. He looked at her, as she placed her hands on the edge of the wall in front of them.

"I'm sorry." Arthur began. He could still see the bruising on Merlin's face, and the idea that this man might escape having murdered a whole village of people and having hurt Merlin made Arthur's blood boil. "If it were up to me, we'd be on our way there now." Arthur said. Merlin looked at him a half smile graced her lips.

"You did what you could. Thank you for getting us an audience with the King. I understand why he said no. If I were in his position I might have said the same thing." Merlin said sadly. Arthur looked at Merlin as though for the first time. Sometimes she would display this wisdom that he never could explain.

"I wish that Camelot was able to help people no matter how far away they lived." Arthur said. It was a thought that had made a home in his mind for a while now, but he'd never expressed it to anyone before. Merlin smiled at him then.

"Maybe, someday, that will be a reality." Merlin told Arthur seriously. Then she got a serious look on her face. "I'm going back to Ealdor." Merlin said seriously. Arthur felt a coiled knot of dread in that moment, but he understood. Merlin needed to protect her mother.

"Of course." Arthur said softly.

"It's been an honour serving you." Merlin said. Arthur felt that knot grow even tighter.

"You'll be coming back?" Arthur questioned.

"Well, she's my mother. I have to take care of her before anyone else. You understand?" Merlin replied. Arthur nodded, even though he felt like his guts were twisting inside his stomach.

"I'd do exactly the same thing." Arthur replied. He looked at Merlin closely. "Well, you've been terrible. I mean it, really, the worst servant I've ever had." Arthur stated. Merlin laughed and Arthur couldn't help smiling back.

"Thank you Sire." Merlin replied, a grin on her face. She turned and began to walk away. Arthur looked over his shoulder at her.

"Merlin?" He called her back. Merlin turned back to look at him. "Good luck." Arthur said softly. Merlin nodded and left. Arthur didn't want to tell her not to die. He felt that wasn't necessary. He had wanted to argue with her to stay where she was safe, but how could he when, if the situations were reversed, he would do the same thing. Many thoughts were running through his head, even as he heard Merlin's footsteps echo down the stone stairs away from the battlements.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Lancelot?" Lancelot turned to see Morgana heading towards him. She wasn't dressed in one of her many flowing gowns, but in pants and a tunic and chainmail.

"You're intending to go with Merlin." Lancelot said. It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"I'm surprised you're not." Morgana replied. Lancelot grinned, as he revealed the pack he was carrying. It was then Morgana noticed he wasn't wearing any of Camelot's colours, just an old cloak and his chainmail. "I never doubted you for a minute." Morgana said cheerfully.

"What about Gwen?" Lancelot asked. He felt nervous at the idea of Gwen being near danger, but just as he had the right to protect and help his friend, so did she.

"Gwen is already packing. She's gone to her father to ask for some chainmail and weapons, to help the village." Morgana replied. Lancelot nodded his understanding.

"Do you think we should be talking to Arthur about this?" Lancelot asked. Morgana smiled, almost angelically.

"No. He'll make his way to us all by himself. He won't let Merlin face this alone." Morgana replied. Then the pair were off down the corridor, ready to start their own quest.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin closed her pack, looking around her room sadly. She had grown to love living in Camelot, and she would miss Gaius terribly. Gwen was with her, shoving some chainmail in a sack. Gwen passed Merlin a sword.

"Here, tell me how it feels." Gwen told Merlin. Merlin took the sword and moved her arm around in awkward circles and motions, as she looked at the sword.

"Yeah that feels really good..." Merlin trailed off. "Very... swordy." Merlin added, knocking on the metal blade for good measure. Gwen laughed. Then she stuffed some more chainmail in the sack, which was full to bursting.

"I've packed some armour for you." Gwen said softly. Merlin looked at Gwen in confusion.

"I won't be able to carry all that." Merlin replied questioningly.

"You won't have to." Merlin spun round to look at Morgana, who had just entered the room. "We're coming with you." Morgana added.

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked.

"You're going to need all the help you can get." Gwen stated. "I can mend armour and sharpen swords." Gwen added.

"And I know how to fight." Morgana quipped, a smile graced her face.

"But you can't. You'd be in terrible danger, both of you. If anything happened I'd never forgive myself." Merlin pleaded. She didn't want her friends to be put in any danger. She feared for their safety.

"Merlin if it was the other way around, you'd help us. You already have, so many times. You saved my life and my father's." Gwen replied.

"And you saved my life and Arthur's." Morgana added.

"Not to mention the whole of Camelot." Gwen stated.

"You also gave me the chance to meet my cousin and helped me to become a Knight." Merlin, Morgana and Gwen all looked at Lancelot, who had just opened the door.

"Oh no! Not you too Lancelot! I don't want you all risking your lives for me." Merlin pleaded.

"You've already risked your life for us Merlin. It's time for us to return the favour." Gwen stated.

"We're going and that's that." Morgana added.

"Sorry Merlin, but it's three against one." Lancelot finished. Merlin sighed and shook her head at her three friends.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Uther looked at his son curiously, as Arthur stood before him.

"Father if I take a select few men with me and we don't wear the colours of Camelot, then we can't be spotted by Cenred's troops and it won't affect the peace treaty." Arthur pleaded.

"Arthur it's a risky venture. It took years to strike a peace treaty with Cenred and the man would look for any excuse to break it." Uther replied. He did feel badly about the situation. He could see that this woman was honest and that Ealdor was in desperate need of help. He didn't like the idea that good people would die any more than his son did.

"But it can be done father. If I just take Lancelot and Leon with me then we can hopefully train up the villagers to fight for themselves. Three men can't be considered an army." Arthur pleaded. Uther sighed as he looked at his only son.

"Do you really believe that you can train some villagers to fight for themselves? Do you believe that three men are enough for this mission?" Uther asked. He didn't doubt his son could probably wipe out this barbarian with a small amount of men. It was the skill they possessed that would make the difference. Arthur nodded his head.

"I believe that we can help. If we can teach them how to fight, it will hopefully help should any other bandit try to attack their village." Arthur replied. Uther didn't want to send Arthur off with only two men and the risk of death. But then again, Arthur was perfectly capable of taking on a number of men by himself and surviving. He'd proved that time and time again. He also thought of the girl, Merlin, Gaius' niece. The girl had saved his son's life more than once, and Gaius loved her as a daughter. How could he not wish to bring some peace to them, in spite of any misgivings he had?

"I will allow it, but you must not be caught by Cenred's men and you most certainly must be careful." Uther consented. Arthur grinned and Uther felt as though he'd given his son an important gift, almost, though what it could be, Uther had no idea.

"Thank you father. We'll leave as soon as possible. Hopefully we'll be back before two weeks have passed." Arthur said. Then he was gone and Uther couldn't help wondering if a treaty with Cenred was really worth all this trouble.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

"You've got the food I prepared for you?" Gaius asked Merlin later that day, as he fussed around her like a mother hen. Merlin smiled at Gaius.

"Yes Uncle Gaius." Merlin replied sarcastically.

"Be careful with the wine, you know what you're like. One sniff of a barmaid's apron and you're singing like a sailor." Gaius told his niece sternly. Merlin laughed, as she took a book that Gaius passed to her.

"I hardly drink at all Uncle." Merlin replied.

"I know that. I'm just making sure." Gaius replied.

"I'll be fine Uncle Gaius." Merlin assured.

"Are you sure you don't want an extra blanket? It's getting colder at night now." Gaius asked.

"No really, I'll be alright Uncle Gaius." Merlin replied as she pulled her pack onto her back. She was wearing her breeches and blue tunic, along with her red neckerchief and her old brown jacket.

"Well just make sure that you are. Do whatever it takes." Gaius said seriously as Merlin turned to face him. Her side braid still hung next to her face, but she'd pulled the rest of her long hair into a messy bun for the journey. Her fringe was a little overlong and she would surely need to trim it soon, but for now she was fine. She looked at Gaius sadly. She knew she'd miss him desperately. Gaius pulled her into a hug and squeezed her tight, as Merlin hugged him back.

"I'll miss you so much Uncle Gaius." Merlin whispered to her Uncle.

"And I you my girl." Gaius replied. Merlin nodded, trying her best to make sure she didn't cry, she turned away from her uncle and left the room, not wanting to look back and see Gaius all alone.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur had been looking for Lancelot everywhere when he came to the stables and saw that Lancelot's horse was missing. Arthur looked at the stable boy.

"Have you seen Sir Lancelot?" Arthur asked the boy. He nodded vigorously.

"Yes Sire, he rode out with Lady Morgana, Gwen, Merlin and a woman that I don't know. Merlin called her mother." The boy replied honestly. Arthur smirked inwardly. Lancelot had planned to go all along, whether or not Arthur would let him. Arthur thanked the boy and went to get Leon. They had already lost time and needed to catch up with the others.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin rode on a horse, leading the way, while Morgana, Gwen, Hunith and Lancelot followed behind her. When they stopped for the night, everyone set up camp in silence, and Merlin used her magic to light the fire. Morgana, Gwen and Lancelot were still amazed by how powerful Merlin's magic actually was. They told Merlin's mother about all that had been happening since Merlin had taken Mordred to Ealdor, and Hunith couldn't help but feel grateful that Merlin had friends that she could share her gift with. Soon, everyone had eaten and fallen asleep. It was just Hunith and Merlin still awake as Merlin watched over the fire.

"They shouldn't be here." Hunith whispered softly. "Especially the Lady Morgana. Isn't she the King's ward?" Hunith asked.

"Not that you'd know it." Merlin replied, a grin on her face. "She's the only person I know who isn't frightened of him." Merlin added. Hunith smiled gently.

"No one is frightened of the one that gives them food and shelter." Hunith said earnestly. Merlin nodded, thinking of Gaius then.

"We need all the help we can get mother." Merlin said gently. "I'm frightened for them. But they're strong women and they make their own decisions." Merlin told her mother gently.

"It won't make a difference to Kanen if they're women." Hunith said sadly.

"I know that." Merlin replied, as she brought her hand up to her face and felt the tender skin under her fingertips. She knew all too well that Kanen wouldn't care whether Morgana and Gwen were women. "But I couldn't talk them out of coming. They insisted that they come and help me." Merlin added. "I won't let Kanen destroy our home. I won't let him take everything we care about." Merlin said.

"Promise me that you'll be careful." Hunith pleaded. She traced her own fingers over the bruise on Merlin's face. It wasn't as bad now, but it was still visible, and it was a reminder that Merlin was more concerned with the lives of others, then with her own. It scared her that her daughter would throw herself headfirst into danger to protect others. "No one can find out about you." Hunith whispered. Another fear that had been eating away at Hunith was that Merlin would use her magic to stop Kanen. Once the villagers knew Merlin's secret, there was no guarantee that Merlin would ever be safe to come home again.

"They won't." Merlin replied. She had been about to say 'they never do' but she stopped herself. For Lancelot, Morgana and Gwen had all found out her secret. She knew how careful she had to be in Ealdor. Hunith smiled at Merlin gently, and then placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Get some rest Merlin." Hunith told her daughter gently. Then she walked over to her own bedroll and covered herself up. As she looked at Merlin, she heard an arcane word tumble from her lips, after she blew onto the burning end of a stick. The sparks that blew off from the end formed into a golden dragon. As Hunith smiled and watched, the dragon let out a silent roar of flame and flew around the fire before disappearing.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Later that night, the fire had gone out. Something woke Merlin from her sleep. She wasn't sure what it was, but she could've sworn she heard something. She grabbed her sword from by her side and pulled it from the sheath as gently and quietly as she knew how. She crept from her bedroll and towards where she'd heard the sound. She walked into a clearing feeling awkward holding the sword, as she looked around her for the source of the sound. Suddenly, she felt the point of a sword at her back. She froze in expectation of an attack.

"I'd ask you for money but I know you don't have any." Merlin's eyes went wide.

"Arthur!" She yelled excitedly. She spun around and the sword she held nearly swiped Arthur's head off. Arthur ducked at the last second. Arthur glared just slightly. Merlin was grinning widely.

"Merlin put the sword down, you look ridiculous." Arthur stated firmly. Then he started walking. Merlin rolled her eyes but was still smiling as she ran after him.

"If I'm so terrible with a sword then why do you make me practise with you?" Merlin asked cheekily. Arthur rolled his eyes then as he allowed Merlin to lead him to their campsite.

"I'm hoping you'll improve. Somehow I've become hopeless over the months you've been my servant." Arthur replied. Merlin raised a brow, just as Gaius would do.

"Well then if I ever come back to Camelot you won't want to train with me again, will you?" Merlin commented. Then she sat down and started to relight the fire.

"Sir Leon should be here in a few moments. We got off of our horses and I scouted ahead. I'll just go back and get him." Arthur told Merlin. Merlin nodded.

"I'll just get the fire started as usual." Merlin quipped. Arthur nodded and walked back to get Leon. Merlin waited until Arthur was far enough away, and then she relit the fire with her magic again. She waited until Arthur came back with Leon, both leading their horses, and then she moved away to let them sit near the newly lit fire. After all, she'd been curled up under a blanket, and Gaius was right, as he usually was, the nights were now colder. She couldn't help but smile as she saw Arthur and Leon both rubbing their hands together by the fire. Merlin felt a lot more hopeful now that Arthur had arrived.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur was sat next to Merlin later on that night. Leon had fallen asleep and Merlin was sat next to Arthur by the fire. She poked it every so often with a stick to keep it from dying out.

"How many men does this Kanen have?" Arthur asked.

"Maybe as many as forty. I didn't get much chance to count." Merlin replied. Arthur nodded.

"You should get some rest Merlin. We've got a long day tomorrow." Arthur said. Merlin smiled.

"Thank you Arthur, you didn't have to come, but you did, so... thank you." Merlin said to Arthur. Arthur smiled a little as he turned away from Merlin to stand.

"Get some sleep Merlin." Arthur replied. He went over to his own bedroll to take his own advice. He saw Merlin drift off and couldn't help feeling glad that he'd managed to convince his father to let him help. He wouldn't have forgiven himself if Merlin had died and he'd been unable to even help her. He drifted into sleep hoping that training these villagers wasn't going to be an impossible task.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The next day, as Merlin rode into Ealdor with the others, she heard the screams of the women, and the sounds of things being broken and searched through. She saw the bandits raiding through people's homes, and suddenly she saw Kanen about to kill Matthew. His sword was raised high above his head and he was about to bring it down, when she saw a sword fly past Kanen and strike a wooden post. It took seconds for Merlin to realise that it was Arthur's sword that was now stuck in the wooden post. Arthur jumped down from his horse and started fighting men off. Merlin leapt from her own horse and grabbed her own sword.

"Kill them!" She heard Kanen yell. Merlin found herself facing someone twice her size. She didn't hesitate as he swung his sword at her. She bought up her own to defend herself. She blocked two blows and dodged one as the brute bore down upon her. Soon she found herself pinned down near a doorway. She was holding up her sword as a defensive barrier, but she wasn't sure how long she would last with the strength of the other man bearing down on her sword and her arms. Before she had to decide to use her magic or not, she felt another sword get between her own and her opponent's sword. Merlin was separated from her opponent, and when she looked at the interloper, she realised it was Will. Will looked fiercely angry as he fought Merlin's opponent and ran him through. Merlin turned to see Arthur finish off one opponent, only for another to appear from behind him. Before Merlin could yell out a warning, Morgana appeared from seemingly nowhere and blocked the strike meant for Arthur. She then slashed the bandit across his stomach before smirking and looking at Arthur.

"Does that bring back memories of when I used to beat you?" Morgana quipped cheekily. Merlin let out a laugh as Arthur glared.

"That never happened." Arthur said confidently. Merlin would've bet her entire wages for a year that it had indeed happened.

"You'll pay for this! With your lives! All of you!" Kanen yelled. Merlin noticed that he had gotten onto his own horse. Merlin glared at the head bandit angrily.

"Not if I can help it." Merlin thought to herself angrily as the bandits rode away from the village. Will grabbed hold of Merlin and hugged her tightly.

"Are you alright?" He asked her sincerely. Merlin nodded.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks to you." Merlin replied.

"You didn't need my help. You have your own talents." Will said softly, knowing that Arthur wouldn't hear. Merlin laughed. She looked at Will's sword.

"Was that?" Merlin wanted to ask, but found she couldn't quite question the appearance of the sword.

"Yeah. It belonged to my father. I always said I wouldn't use it, but... it turns out I'm more like him then I thought. I didn't want to stand by and watch them tear our village to pieces. I've been sharpening it and practising for the last week since you left with Hunith." Will replied. That was when Merlin felt a pair of arms around her waist. She looked down at Mordred.

'Are you alright Emrys?' Mordred asked.

'I'm fine Mordred. Go and say hello to the others. I know you've missed them, especially Morgana.' Merlin replied. Mordred smiled and ran over to hug Morgana.

"Merlin, gather up the villagers, I need to talk to them. We have little time to do what we have to do." Arthur told Merlin. Merlin looked at him and nodded. She looked at Will.

"Want to help me gather everyone together?" Merlin asked. Will nodded and the pair set off in different directions, looking for every villager they could find.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Once Merlin and Will had gathered the villagers, Arthur took a place, standing on a crate in front of them. He looked at all of them in turn and he saw frightened women and children, and resigned looking men. They all seemed desperate and lost, and Arthur wanted to help them.

"I know Kanen's kind." Arthur started. He saw Merlin stood with Will, Morgana and Gwen, as Leon and Lancelot stood nearer to him, facing the crowd. Hunith stood the other side of Merlin, while Mordred stayed close to Morgana, who hugged him even while they listened to Arthur speak. Arthur knew she had missed Mordred. "He'll be back, and when he is, we must be ready for him." Arthur continued. Everyone was listening to what he was saying. "We must prepare defences around the village, and those who-" Before Arthur could finish another man stepped forward. Arthur recognised him as Tad. One of the village men that didn't seem to like Merlin very much.

"How are you going to help us? Kanen has way too many men, now that you've made him angry he'll be back for our blood." Tad hissed out.

"Shut up Tad, he's trying to help us." Will hissed at Tad. Tad glared at Will and then at Merlin.

"Yeah, he's going to help us alright. Right into our graves he'll help us." Tad shot back.

"Oh and what would you have us do Tad?" Merlin shot out. Arthur watched as Merlin stepped forward, glaring at Tad viciously. Tad seemed to be considering his answer. "Well? Come on! You know everything right? What should we do if we don't accept Prince Arthur's help?" Merlin added. Arthur felt a smirk trying to make it's way onto his face at Merlin giving him his title in front of everyone.

"We could run." The man Arthur knew was called Joel stated.

"Oh? Where would we go Joel? Where would we run to?" Merlin asked.

"Escetia's capital. We wouldn't have to put up with bandits then." Tad replied.

"Oh. That's a brilliant idea Tad. Fantastic. Where do I go to pitch in?" Merlin quipped sarcastically. Joel didn't seem to realise that Merlin was being sarcastic and smiled.

"Well you could-" Joel started, but Merlin cut him off.

"Did you think I was being serious just now? Really? We should just leave our homes and everything we've ever held dear to us, travel for miles through bandit infested territory, maybe make it to Escetia's capital without being caught by Kanen and his men, or more of his ilk. Oh and when we finally make it to the capital, if any of us make it at all, where will we live? Where will we find the money to feed and clothe ourselves Joel? The capital is nothing like Ealdor. In the capital, the King wants to make money. Trading isn't the same as it is here. Here we eat what we grow, we trade for things we need and we live in peace for the most part. Money, land, food, we split everything equally. In the capital we'd have to find homes somewhere. Who's to say what kind of homes we would find? Probably rat infested little rooms to house whole families. What about jobs? Here we all work in the fields and tend our own crops so that we can eat. In the capital we'd have to find some form of job to earn money so we could eat and there are not many fields to care for in the capital. So where would all the farmers here find employment to support themselves and their families? Running is not an option. It's the coward's way out, and a miserable way it is as well." Merlin stated. Inwardly Arthur smirked. He wouldn't allow it to show, but he was impressed by Merlin's knowledge and her willingness to speak up. She was far more intelligent than she ever let on to anyone else.

"How about giving Kanen what he asked for in the first place?" Tad hissed. Arthur decided to step in at this point.

"And then what? Those of you who don't starve this winter will have to face him again next harvest. Is it worth it?" Arthur asked. Tad glared. Hunith stepped forward.

"If I am to die, I would rather go out fighting." Hunith stated.

"Me too." Matthew agreed. Merlin smiled as the villagers all came out with similar answers and Arthur felt a sense of victory well up within him. Now they needed to find out who could hold a sword and who couldn't, and train everyone who was willing and probably those who weren't. Arthur knew it was going to be a long day ahead.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur poked Merlin gently with one of the training sticks, as Merlin made up the bedrolls on the floor. She was going to sleep beside Arthur, Leon and Lancelot, while Gwen and Morgana shared Hunith's bed and Hunith took Will's bed. Will was going to share with Mordred, just about. Lancelot and Leon were helping Will to find any weapons that were usable in the village and helping Gwen to sharpen swords and fit chainmail to villagers.

"You are going to be helping out at training tomorrow Merlin." Arthur stated.

"I think you'd be much better off without me. Besides you said it yourself, I look ridiculous with a sword." Merlin replied quickly.

"Well we need someone with a minimal amount of skill for practise Merlin. Besides, I saw you handle yourself today. You shouldn't hide away, no matter what idiots are around." Arthur replied. Merlin sighed. She knew this was a bad idea from the start. She couldn't tell Arthur that. How could she tell him that the young men wouldn't accept her training with them without revealing a part of herself that she kept hidden?

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Morgana was helping Gwen to sharpen swords.

"Do you think we can do this?" Gwen asked Morgana softly. Morgana nodded.

"We have Arthur with us. He won't let us down. Besides, I don't intend to die here. So we'll have to win this battle." Morgana replied. Gwen smiled, she couldn't help but feel more positive when Morgana seemed so confident, and Morgana was right, with Arthur there, they were sure to give the bandits a run for their money.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Have you always slept on the floor?" Arthur asked Merlin, as everyone else slept. Merlin grinned, as she saw Arthur's feet near her head. She sat up and looked at Arthur, who seemed to be waiting for an answer.

"Yeah. The bed I've got back in Camelot is luxury by comparison." Merlin replied honestly.

"It must've been hard." Arthur said. Merlin smiled, knowing what Arthur was trying to say, but pretending not to.

"Yeah, it was, like a rock." Merlin said cheerfully.

"I didn't mean the ground. I meant here, it must have been difficult." Arthur grouched. Merlin smiled again.

"It wasn't. Not really. I didn't know any different. Life's simpler here. You eat what you grow and everyone pitches in. So long as you've got food on the table and a roof over your head you're happy." Merlin told Arthur honestly.

"It sounds... nice." Arthur said. Merlin let out a half bark of laughter, trying to keep quiet and not wake anyone up.

"You'd hate it." Merlin said, a hint of amusement made its way into her voice.

"No doubt." Arthur replied honestly. "So why'd you leave?" Arthur asked. Merlin felt a wave of sadness rush over her at that statement.

"Things just... changed." Merlin answered.

"How?" Arthur asked. Merlin paused, trying to think about what to say. There were a few very good reasons why she had to leave and telling Arthur any one of them would be difficult. She wasn't sure she really could talk about her reasons for leaving her home. "Come on, stop pretending to be interesting and tell me." Arthur added. He tried to shove his foot into Merlin's face but she yelped and shoved his foot far away.

"Don't ever do that again." Merlin stated seriously. Arthur smirked up at her. Then he raised a brow at her, almost like her Uncle Gaius, but not quite. Very few could pull off Gaius' eyebrow. "I just... I didn't fit in anymore and I wanted to find somewhere that I did." Merlin told Arthur. Arthur looked at Merlin curiously.

"Had any luck?" Arthur asked flatly. Merlin smiled to herself.

"I'm not sure yet." Merlin replied. Arthur shifted for a moment, and then turned over to lie on his side.

"We start training the men tomorrow. It's going to be a long day. Get the candle." Arthur said. Merlin smiled and blew out the candle. Then she laid on her own side and tried to fall asleep. Her mind filled with thoughts of all the things that could possibly go wrong tomorrow.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The next morning found Merlin helping Arthur to dress as always. Morgana smirked as she pulled on her own arm braces.

"Have you still not learned how to dress yourself?" Morgana asked cheekily.

"Morgana, you don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself. No offence Merlin." Arthur said as he looked at his maidservant, who had just helped him put on his jacket.

"None taken Arthur." Merlin replied. Hunith walked in to the room with a bowl of food.

"Arthur you didn't finish your breakfast." Hunith said kindly. She passed him a bowl of porridge.

"Didn't I?" Arthur asked. Merlin wanted to laugh. She knew Arthur couldn't stand porridge, but that was all there really was to eat at the moment, so Merlin wasn't going to comment.

"Come on Arthur, eat up." Morgana said. A smirk graced her face. Of course Merlin knew Morgana would take the opportunity to mock Arthur's pain, so Merlin didn't need to. Arthur made exaggerated ummm noises as he picked up a nice spoonful of the porridge. Then when Hunith turned away, Arthur passed the bowl to Gwen and Gwen blinked as Arthur looked at Merlin.

"Come on then, we'd better get going. We're going to need wood and lots of it." Arthur stated. Merlin just nodded at Gwen, who passed the food to Will, who ate it rather quickly, as Arthur, Morgana, Leon and Lancelot left the house. Gwen followed after them and Will gave the now empty bowl to Hunith.

"We'll be back later." Will told Hunith kindly and gave her kiss on the cheek. Hunith smiled at Will in a motherly fashion as he ran out of the door. Merlin grabbed her jacket and threw it on.

"He must care for you a great deal." Hunith said to Merlin. Merlin looked at her mother as she tied her hair up tightly into a bun. She still kept her side braid hanging by her face. It got longer as her hair did, and Merlin quite liked keeping it that way.

"Who Arthur? He'd do the same for any village." Merlin brushed it off as she brushed imaginary dirt from her clothes.

"It's more than that." Hunith said sternly. "He's here for you." Hunith added.

"I'm just his servant." Merlin replied.

"Give him more credit than that. He likes you." Hunith said.

"That's because he doesn't know me. If he did, I'd probably be dead by now." Merlin replied. She suddenly felt lost. She knew she couldn't let Arthur know her secrets. At least not yet.

"You don't really believe that do you?" Hunith asked Merlin. Merlin looked at Hunith sadly.

"I don't know Mother. There are so many things I wish I never had to talk about again. But I know sooner or later they will all know and then..." Merlin trailed off. She knew how easily friendships could be broken apart or prevented. She'd seen it often enough as a child, and now that life had started to come right for her, even with her messy destiny and having to hide her magic all the time, Merlin didn't want anything to destroy the life she'd built for herself in Camelot. All her fears were bubbling away just beneath the surface and Hunith could see that Merlin was so unsure of her own role in everything.

"I think when the time is right, Arthur won't care that you have magic. I don't think he'd care about anything else either. You've become his friend and the fact that he's here shows that he cares a great deal about you and what happens to you. Have some faith in yourself, and maybe, just have some faith in Arthur." Hunith told Merlin. Merlin gave her mother a weak smile and left the house, thinking on her mother's words. Mordred had been listening to everything, whilst sat on his bed, with a book that Merlin had brought with her from Camelot for him to read.

"Auntie Hunith?" Mordred asked. Hunith turned to look at Mordred as she finished cleaning the clay bowls.

"What's wrong Mordred?" Hunith asked.

"Merlin will be alright won't she? And Morgana, Will and Gwen? And everyone else? They will all be alright won't they?" Mordred asked. Hunith wiped her hands on her apron and sat in a chair. She beckoned Mordred to her and Mordred got up from his seat on his bed and walked over to her. She pulled the eight year old onto her lap.

"Merlin and the others are all strong people Mordred. They're good people. I'm sure they will be alright." Hunith told Mordred.

"My father was strong, and he was good, and he's dead now." Mordred said sadly. Hunith, hugged Mordred tightly. She stroked his hair and he seemed much calmer after sitting with Hunith for a while. Then he stood up and pulled on his green cloak.

"Where are you off to little one?" Hunith asked gently. Mordred smiled at Hunith as he opened the door.

"I'm going to watch them train. I might learn something." Mordred replied. Then he left the house and Hunith went back to her daily routine, hoping to calm herself after the thoughts that had rushed through her mind at Mordred's questions and words, and the sad look in his eyes when he'd spoken of his father.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

"We're going to start off with staffs. I don't want anyone to get seriously injured during practise." Arthur told the men. Merlin sighed as she grabbed a staff and Arthur paired her off to spar with Tad. He glared at her.

"Arthur, let me work with Merlin." Merlin heard Will say.

"Merlin is a capable sword fighter. I need her to pass on what she knows." Arthur replied.

"Well then let me work with Tad and let Merlin work with someone else." Will almost pleaded. Arthur seemed confused.

"It's alright Will." Merlin said. She didn't want to cause trouble for Will or Arthur, and the fact was that Tad was an idiot and needed to learn more about weapons. They needed all the able bodied men to gain some superiority over a weapon to survive the upcoming battle. Merlin looked at Tad, who picked up a staff himself. He glared at Merlin as though she'd just told him he had to eat a snail.

"I ain't working with you." Tad hissed.

"You don't have much choice." Merlin hissed back. She didn't want Arthur to hear them arguing. It would only cause problems.

"Fine, you asked for it." Tad sniped back. He swung his practise staff at Merlin. Merlin ducked and pulled up her own stick to meet the blow. The pieces of wood juddered as they met. The force of Tad's blow shook them both. Tad then swung around and caught Merlin straight in the side of the head. Merlin saw stars as the piece of wood broke about her temple, and things faded away to black. She was sure she caught sight of Will out of the corner of her eye before she lost consciousness.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur was shocked as he saw Merlin crumple to the floor. Mordred yelled angrily and ran over to kneel beside Merlin. The boy looked frightened as he shook Merlin, trying to wake her up. Tad stood over her, and for a moment, Arthur could've sworn that he was smiling.

"What happened?" Arthur asked angrily. Just like that, the smile was gone.

"It was an accident sire. Merlin never was any good at physical activities." Tad stated.

"You bloody liar! You belted her in the head full force and you did it on purpose!" Will yelled. He charged forward, ready to attack Tad. He'd practically begged Arthur to let him be the one to train with Merlin, but Arthur had seen that Will had some fighting skill, which meant he was better sparring with someone else to try and improve their skills. Arthur stopped Will from launching himself at Tad. Mordred was gripping Merlin's hand, as he watched on fearfully.

"I'm sure it was an accident Will." Arthur said calmly.

"It wasn't." Arthur looked at Mordred. "I saw it. He was trying from the start to hit her so hard because he didn't want to work with her. I was listening." Mordred added. Arthur frowned angrily.

"You don't know that git. You don't know what he's like, what he's capable of. He's always picked on Merlin." Will hissed.

"Serves her right. She shouldn't be here in the first place." Another boy shot out. Will glared at him fiercely.

"Oh? And why not?" Arthur asked the boy.

"She's a bastard. No father and a loose mother. A bastard shouldn't be around respectable people." A girl replied. She'd been watching with Gwen and Morgana. Will growled at her.

"Shut your filthy mouth Kayla!" Will wrenched himself out of Arthur's grip. "I hear anyone, and I mean anyone, call Merlin a bastard again and I promise that you won't be waiting for Kanen to come and get you." Will hissed as he walked over to Merlin. He picked her up, her head lolling to the side as he cradled her in his arms.

"Ain't no dishonesty in saying a dog without a pedigree is a mutt." Tad commented, a smirk on his face. Will's face went red from anger but he didn't bother putting Merlin down to hit Tad. He was more worried about his surrogate sister's health. Arthur was not pleased as he watched Merlin carried off to her home by Will. Mordred ran with him and Morgana and Gwen followed after them.

"Get on with practise and I'll be back in a minute!" Arthur yelled. He turned around to go and check on Merlin.

"Why bother checking on her. She isn't worth the effort." A girl muttered as Arthur walked past. He heard girls and boys alike laughing at Merlin's expense.

"No wonder she left Ealdor if this is how she was treated by everyone her own age." Arthur thought sadly to himself as he walked towards Hunith's home.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Hunith was shocked when she saw Will come into the house carrying Merlin, with Mordred at his side. Morgana and Gwen followed a few moments later.

"What happened?" Hunith asked.

"Tad broke a staff around her head during practise. The little git." Will hissed angrily. Hunith looked down at Merlin's pale face, as Will laid Merlin down on Mordred's bed. Mordred sat by her side and held her hand again.

"Oh why did she have to be practising with Tad? He's an evil little so and so." Hunith said sadly. Morgana and Gwen looked at Hunith, curiosity on their faces. Will still looked angry.

"Arthur paired her up with him." Will hissed.

"Arthur didn't know what Tad is like Will. You can't blame him for that." Hunith said gently. Will deflated a little. Arthur walked in then.

"Is there something that someone isn't telling us?" Arthur asked. Hunith sighed.

"I don't think it's a good idea for Merlin to be sparring with any of the boys here." Hunith told Arthur frankly. Lancelot walked into the house then.

"Is Merlin alright?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.

"She will be." Hunith replied. She picked up a rag and soaked it, then rung it out and started to bathe Merlin's forehead with it.

"What kind of problem do they have with Merlin?" Morgana asked.

"Merlin is so sweet. Who would have a problem with her?" Gwen added.

"I noticed that some people spent time being rude to her when I came here with Lancelot and Merlin to bring Mordred. I never knew it was this bad." Arthur commented.

"They have a problem with Merlin because she doesn't have a father." Hunith replied bluntly.

"Why? Did he die?" Morgana asked.

"No. He left before he even knew about Merlin's existence." Hunith replied.

"So he walked out on his pregnant wife?" Arthur asked.

"They called her a bastard because her mother and father weren't married. Of course if that makes a huge difference to you, your highness, feel free to get lost." Will shot out at Arthur.

"Why did he leave, if you don't mind my asking?" Arthur questioned. He ignored Will's temper, after all, it was a trait that Merlin had warned him about on several occasions.

"He was a hunted man. He was trying to protect me. I'm sure if he had known about Merlin he would've married me. He was a good man. I don't know if he's alive or dead. All I know is that there are few people in this village that let Merlin forget that she was born out of wedlock. They hate her for it. There are few in this village that ever treated Merlin and I like we were people. Will's father was one of them." Hunith said softly.

"When he died, I was ten. I've lived with Hunith and Merlin since, and Merlin is like my sister. She left Ealdor for a reason." Will said sadly.

"What do you mean?" Gwen asked. Will looked at Hunith, who was still bathing Merlin's brow. Hunith bit down on her lip, her hands trembling.

"What I say here doesn't leave this hut, ever, I want whatever oath or word of honour any of you have." Hunith said sharply. The group made their promises. They knew the information was serious. "People called me loose after I gave birth to Merlin out of wedlock. I was propositioned quite often by land barons here, because they just thought of me as a whore for having a child without being married. I'm strong enough to say no. I'm clever enough to carry a weapon in case of a bad reaction. The problem was I never thought that anyone would ever think to proposition my daughter the way they had me. But they thought 'like mother like daughter' and started following her around. She was barely sixteen when she came running into this hut, her clothes torn. I was so terrified for her. It turns out Merlin was more like me then I thought. She carried a weapon with her also." Hunith stated. The group waited with baited breath for Hunith to continue. "It turns out an Earl had tried to abduct her from the woods where she was cutting wood. We'd seen him many times in our village, he had a boy killed when Merlin was eight. He tore at her clothes, but before he could... do anymore damage, she used her knife on him. She drew the knife across his face three times, to get him away from her. He carries the scars still. We've all seen him come through here. He vowed revenge. He promised he would kill my Merlin for what she did. For a while we kept her safe because Will went with her everywhere she needed to go. But there's only so much a young girl can be followed around. So I sent her to Camelot. Gaius is my brother, and the only other family I have in the world, so I knew I could trust him to take care of Merlin when I could not. The rest you know." Hunith finished her tale.

"Why tell us this?" Morgana asked gently.

"You're her friends. You can help her. You can make her feel like a normal young girl, instead of dirt on people's shoes. She acts tough and brave. I'm not saying she isn't any of those things. But she needs to have people who care for her. I know how dark her feelings travel through her sometimes. I just... I want her to be happy. I don't want her to carry the stigma for the mistake that I and her father made by not marrying. She's the most precious gift I have ever received in this world." Hunith replied. She stroked Merlin's face gently and the dark haired girl stirred but didn't wake.

"I don't see that there's any difference in Merlin now that we know this." Morgana said. Gwen nodded her agreement.

"I don't think there is a difference. Merlin is still Merlin whether her parents were married or not." Gwen stated. Arthur nodded.

"I don't understand how people can be so... cruel as to hate Merlin for something she couldn't control. I've never seen such a thing happen in Camelot." Arthur started. Merlin woke up then. Her eyes fluttered and she looked dazed.

"Alright, we should all clear out of here and let Merlin get some rest for a little while." Morgana said. Everyone made to leave, except for Arthur.

"I'd like to speak to Merlin for a minute." Arthur said gently. No one argued. Even Mordred left to play outside the house for a little while. Merlin looked at Arthur in confusion.

"What's wrong?" Merlin asked. Arthur sighed.

"You could've told me about all of this you know. I wouldn't think any differently of you." Arthur stated. Merlin sighed.

"My mother told you didn't she?" Merlin questioned.

"We pressured her." Arthur replied. Merlin looked down at her hands sadly. "Don't look like that Merlin. To me, you're still Merlin. You're not different whether or not you were born out of wedlock. After all there are many men who've joined the army in Camelot, whose parents weren't married. If we ostracised everyone who was born out of wedlock we would hardly have any soldiers. Some people can't afford the marriage taxes in other lands, so they don't bother marrying. It's a more common practise then you might think." Arthur tried to console Merlin. Merlin looked at Arthur as though he had grown two heads. "I'm trying to say that it doesn't matter whether or not your parents are married Merlin. Would you think differently of me if my parents weren't married?" Arthur asked. Merlin shook her head. "Exactly. You're still the worst servant I ever had, as well as the most loyal servant I've ever had. Nothing will ever change that, and I don't think I could ever look at you differently." Arthur said kindly. Merlin smiled up at Arthur from where she was on the bed.

"Thanks Arthur. For everything." Merlin said gently.

"Well... when you're ready, come back out. I'll put you with someone else for training and I won't be allowing snide comments." Arthur stated. Merlin just grinned as Arthur walked out of the hut. She couldn't help but feel as though one great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. The fact that Merlin was an illegitimate child had haunted her for most of her life, it was nice to know the stigma didn't extend to everywhere.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Later that day, Morgana and Gwen approached Arthur.

"You shouldn't just be training the men." Morgana stated. Arthur blinked.

"Women can fight, and we should have the choice to do so." Gwen added. Arthur sighed.

"I don't want to put defenceless women in danger. It's hard enough training men with no experience." Arthur shot back.

"With the men you have now we don't have enough to fight Kanen." Morgana quipped.

"I know that!" Arthur exclaimed. That was when Arthur saw Merlin come out of her home with Mordred, who hadn't left her side since Arthur had left the hut a few hours before. "Talk to the women, see who, if any, want to fight." Arthur said. Morgana and Gwen both nodded as they started walking around looking for female volunteers. He walked over to Matthew.

"Matthew, I want you to organise sentry duty to keep an eye out for Kanen and his men. Do you think you'll be able to do that?" Arthur asked. The man nodded.

"I'll go myself." Matthew replied.

"If there's any sign, I want you to ride straight back here. I don't want you or anyone else taking on those bandits by themselves." Arthur told Matthew solemnly. Matthew nodded his understanding and left. Arthur went back to training the men.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Later that evening, Merlin sat next to Will as everyone ran around making preparations.

"Do you really think we're going to survive this?" Will asked Merlin. Merlin smiled.

"We will. No matter what has to happen. We are going to survive this Will. I have faith in Arthur." Merlin replied.

"Is your head still hurting?" Will asked. Merlin shook her head.

"Not really. It'll be fine by tomorrow. A good night's rest and I'll be fine." Merlin replied. Merlin looked at Will's worried expression. "What's bothering you?" Merlin asked.

"My father died fighting for Cenred. I want to know that if I die fighting, it's not going to be for glory. This is my home and I want it to stay peaceful and happy. I don't want Cenred coming here trying to recruit us. I just... I just want everything to be alright. Is that so wrong?" Will asked Merlin. Merlin shook her head.

"It's not wrong Will. Once Kanen is gone, we'll all be able to go back to living in peace." Merlin replied.

"And where will you be living Merlin?" Will asked.

"I don't know. I'm worried that neither of you told me about all of this beforehand. I had to find out from Mordred that Kanen was coming here threatening our home. I don't know if I can leave and not know whether or not you're in danger." Merlin replied. Will didn't have an answer for Merlin, so the pair sat in silence watching what was going on around them.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Morgana and Gwen were lying in Hunith's bed, trying to sleep.

"We need more women volunteers or we don't stand a chance." Gwen said to Morgana.

"Arthur can't see it. He's too stubborn." Morgana replied.

"Why do you think he came here?" Gwen asked.

"The same reason we did. For Merlin. Arthur may act like he doesn't care about her, but he wouldn't be here if he didn't." Morgana replied.

Neither Morgana nor Gwen noticed that Merlin was awake and had heard every word.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The next morning the villagers had gathered and Arthur was speaking to them.

"We're not going to be able to defend Ealdor with sword and sinew alone." Arthur stated as he spoke to the villagers. "We need a plan. We need to find some way of limiting their mobility and drawing them into a trap. If we fight them on their terms then-" Arthur was cut off by the scream of a woman. The villagers ran out of the barn where they were meeting and Arthur saw a woman still screaming as a horse rode further into the village. Arthur was horrified to see a body draped over the horse.

"It's Matthew." Merlin uttered, horrified. Arthur saw the look of utter sadness on Merlin's face.

"Get him down from there!" Arthur called. He saw two men gently lift Matthew from the horse and lower him to the ground. His glassy eyes were open, and an arrow was stuck in his back with a piece of parchment attached to it. Arthur tore the parchment from the arrow and looked at it. When he read the words, his blood ran cold.

"What does it say?" Arthur heard Merlin ask.

"Make the most of this day. It will be your last." Arthur read out blankly. He looked up at Merlin, who looked at him and then at Matthew.

"We'd better prepare." Will said. That was when another woman ran through the crowd. Arthur didn't know who she was.

"Matthew! No!" She screamed. She dropped to her knees next to Matthew's body and Arthur stood and stepped back. He had no right to kneel next to this man's wife as she mourned her husband. She was sobbing hysterically over Matthew's body.

"Look what you've done. You've killed him! We should've left when we had the chance!" Tad exclaimed loudly.

"This isn't his fault Tad!" Merlin yelled back.

"No it's yours! You, insisting that we fight because you're so sure that it's the right thing to do! Fat lot of good it did Matthew!" Tad yelled back at Merlin. Arthur wanted to hit him, but he didn't.

"These people are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you're not! Obviously Merlin has more courage than you do!" Arthur exclaimed angrily. Tad spat in the dirt at Merlin's feet and glared at Arthur.

"It doesn't matter how much courage anyone's got. When Kanen comes none of you have a chance. If you're smart, you'll get out while you still can. That's what I'm doing." Tad hissed. Then he stalked off angrily, followed by Joel. Arthur felt doubt eating away at his insides.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin saw Arthur sharpening his sword later that day.

"Don't pay any attention to what Tad said. He's an idiot. He doesn't know anything but his father's home and land and what that brings him." Merlin told Arthur firmly.

"Do you think the villagers believed him?" Arthur asked.

"No. They know better than to take his word for anything." Merlin said.

"But what if he's right?" Arthur asked.

"He isn't." Merlin stated.

"But what if he is? I'm treating these men like soldiers and they're not. You've seen them fight. They haven't got a clue what they're doing." Arthur replied. "We need to tell them to leave before Kanen gets here and wipes them out." Arthur said sadly. Merlin looked at Arthur carefully, gauging his mood and considering the best way to approach it.

"No. We're going to stay and we're going to fight Arthur, and we're going to win." Merlin told Arthur firmly.

"Merlin, it can't be done. The odds are too great." Arthur replied. Merlin could see the sadness, the self doubt in Arthur's eyes.

"It can Arthur. We're going to make Kanen rue the day he came to this village. All you need to do is get the men and women ready for battle. The rest will take care of itself." Merlin told Arthur seriously. Arthur looked at Merlin as though seeing her for the first time.

"How?" Arthur asked. He wanted to believe Merlin desperately.

"You just have to believe in them Arthur. They could be the best soldiers in the world, but that won't help if you don't believe in them. If you don't believe in them, they'll sense it and then the battle will be lost before it's even begun. If you believe in them they'll know, and they'll have a greater chance." Merlin replied. Arthur looked at Merlin then and smiled. He could always count on her to say the right thing to give him hope.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

That evening, everyone gathered in the barn again to discuss what would happen the next day. Arthur looked around at the people and thought about what Merlin had said to him.

"I can understand that you're all frightened. Everything that has happened today would frighten anyone. If you wanted to leave the village, I would understand that." Arthur began. "However, this is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. In fact, I would be honoured to fight alongside you. Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he will never defeat us. Look around. In this circle we are all equals. You're not fighting because someone's ordering you to, you're fighting for so much more than that." Arthur carried on. "You fight for your homes. You fight for your families. You fight for your friends. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace." Arthur pointed out. The villagers were listening to Arthur's words, as Merlin watched the whole proceedings. "And if you fall, you fall fighting the noblest of causes, fighting for your very right to survive. And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day and you'll know that you earned the right to live every day in between. So you fight for your friends, and you fight for your families, and you fight for Ealdor!" Arthur exclaimed. He raised his sword in the air. All the villagers got to their feet and started cheering.

"Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor!" Arthur stood in the middle and looked at Merlin, who was cheering loudest of all, a big grin on her face as she raised her own sword in the air along with her fellow villagers.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Later that night, Merlin found her mother sitting by the fire. Worry played across her face, making her frown as Merlin walked into the hut and pulled off her jacket.

"Come here." Hunith called to Merlin. Merlin sat beside her warily. "I do love you my girl." Hunith said sadly, as she stroked Merlin's face.

"What's wrong Mother?" Merlin asked.

"I should've made you stay in Camelot. I shouldn't have let you do this. I should have just sent you back when I had the chance." Hunith said sadly. She looked at the fire as she said this.

"I wouldn't have stayed in Camelot knowing you were in danger." Merlin replied.

"I've ruined everything for you." Hunith said.

"You haven't. Why would you say that?" Merlin asked.

"I know you better than anyone in this world Merlin. I know what you're planning to do." Hunith replied. Merlin sighed as she looked at her mother.

"If it comes to a choice between saving people's lives and revealing who I really am, then there really is no choice." Merlin said sincerely.

"You can't let Arthur know about your gift." Hunith pleaded.

"Why not?" Merlin asked. Hunith stayed silent. "Maybe it's meant to be this way. And if he doesn't accept me for who I truly am, then he's not the friend I hoped he was." Merlin added. Hunith could only pray that Merlin was right as they carried on staring at the fire.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur watched as the old women and children were sent to the woods to hide. Will was taking them, and then returning to the battle. Mordred was with the children. An older woman, that Arthur had heard Merlin call Marjorie, was holding on to Mordred's hand. She'd made a promise to Hunith, Will and Merlin that she would take care of Mordred until one of them came for him. He hoped that all of them would be alive to go and fetch Mordred. The boy seemed lost as Merlin straightened his green cloak and seemed to be telling him to behave. Arthur had the thought that Merlin could almost be Mordred's mother. Then he dismissed it and shook his head to free it of anymore thoughts. They still had much preparation to get done. Arthur had no time to daydream about Merlin.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The next morning, Merlin picked up Arthur's armour.

"Not today Merlin. Today you put on your own." Arthur said. Merlin nodded, her face serious, as she strapped on her arm braces. As she had trouble with one of them, she saw a hand come into her vision. She looked at Arthur who strapped the arm brace for her. "Are you ready?" He asked, as he clapped a hand on her shoulder.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Merlin replied.

"Me too." Arthur said. Merlin smiled, as Arthur held a hand out. Merlin clasped his arm and they shook. "It's been an honour." Arthur said to Merlin. Merlin nodded. She wanted to give Arthur some kind of warning. Ideally, she wanted to tell him the truth about her magic. He'd accepted the fact that she was born out of wedlock, but she still couldn't be sure about his feelings towards magic.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked. Arthur looked at her then. "Whatever happens out there today, please don't think of me any differently." Merlin pleaded. She so wanted to believe that he wouldn't think differently of her. She wanted to believe he'd accept her magic, but Merlin knew that there was a long history of prejudice and persecution to get through before Arthur could ever accept her gifts. Arthur gave Merlin a soft smile.

"I won't. It's alright to be scared Merlin." Arthur replied.

"That's not what I meant." Merlin said. She wanted to tell him so desperately.

"Then what is it? If you've got something to say, now's the time to say it." Arthur stated. Merlin felt her secret burning at the tip of her tongue to be released. Arthur gave her a look, both eyebrows raised. Merlin opened her mouth to speak.

"Arthur." Merlin stopped and she and Arthur looked at Morgana, who'd just come in the door. "They've crossed the river." Morgana finished. She turned around and walked out of the door, followed by Arthur. Merlin watched them leave, and for a moment she just looked around the old hut that had been her home throughout the most part of her life. She unsheathed her sword and walked out of the hut after Arthur and Morgana.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Mordred hid behind a barrel outside the hut. He was supposed to be with the other children, and those who were unable to fight, but he couldn't just abandon the people he cared for so dearly now. His whole new family were about to go in to battle. The least he could do was be there for them. He saw Arthur walking along the line of men who waited for Kanen's men to arrive. Morgana had run off somewhere else. Mordred watched as Merlin stood beside Arthur. His only thoughts at that moment were to do what he could to save the people he cared for.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin watched from her position at Arthur's side, as Kanen's men broke the cover of the trees, riding towards the village full speed on their horses. She heard the battle cries issued from their throats and hoped that their defensive strategy worked. Arthur and Merlin backed off to another position with the others not far behind them.

"No one moves until I give the signal." Arthur said softly. Merlin listened and nodded and she heard the murmurs of agreement among the others. The bandits were making their way into the village, knocking over crates and barrels with their swords.

"Come out come out wherever you are." Kanen called out mockingly. Suddenly, Merlin saw their defensive fence go up. Gwen had set her part of the plan into action. It had been well covered by straw, if Merlin hadn't helped cover it she wouldn't have known it was there. A bandit's horse reared up in fright at the sudden obstacle.

"Now Morgana. What are you waiting for?" Arthur hissed to himself. Merlin was worried. Where was the fire that Morgana was supposed to have lit by now? "Something's gone wrong." Arthur whispered to himself worriedly, but Merlin heard him. She ran off down the line of men, and barely heard the sound of Arthur calling after her, though he was trying to be quiet himself. Merlin saw a clear space in front of her. She had too much room to be shot at if she ran across, but there was no time for fear. Hopefully she would serve as a distraction for a few moments at any rate. She started running. She heard the whirring of an arrow flying, and leaned backwards just in time to avoid being hit. More arrows shot past her as she ran, but none hit her, by some sort of luck, as she managed to make it to the cover of another house.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur saw Merlin run across.

"Merlin what the hell are you thinking?" Arthur thought to himself as he saw Kanen spot Merlin.

"There's one!" Arthur heard Kanen call out. "Kill her!" The bandit added. Arthur's heart almost stopped as he heard and saw arrows whizz past her in a blur. It seemed Merlin was lucky, as she wasn't hit. Arthur took a breath as Merlin disappeared around a corner.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin ran to where Morgana was crouched over with the flints.

"What's wrong?" Merlin asked.

"They're not working!" Morgana exclaimed. Merlin nodded and extended a hand over the brush. A whispered spell, and soon there was a roaring fire, that spread along a line of brush that had been set up to wall the bandits off. "You're handy to have around Merlin." Morgana whispered.

"Uncle Gaius has said that too. I'm a regular pair of flints, I am." Merlin whispered back. Suddenly everything happened so quickly.

"Now!" Arthur yelled. Merlin didn't hesitate, her sword was already in her hand and she rushed out with Morgana behind her. She saw all around her that people were fighting. She saw her mother hit one bandit over the head with her broom handle, and saw two of the men drag a bandit from his horse. She dodged as a bandit swung a sword at her and raised her sword to meet his blows. She tried to concentrate on what was happening in front of her rather than what was going on around her. She saw a bandit sneaking up on Gwen as she hit another bandit with a shovel. Then suddenly, the man seemed to trip. Merlin's eyes widened as she saw Mordred behind a barrel, hand outstretched as her own would usually be. She whipped herself out of the way of a downswing from her opponent and swung her sword round, slicing across her opponent's chest. She saw him fall and then Merlin looked to see if anyone needed her help. Lancelot was taking on two men at once, and Leon had just jumped in to save one of the village women from another bandit. She saw Morgana holding her own, as she slashed through two opponents. Will was nowhere to be seen.

"Please let him be alright." Merlin thought to herself as she heard the whirr of a sword whistling through the air, heading towards her. She jumped backwards just in time to avoid being sliced in half through her head. It was a blur as she fought her latest opponent and ran him through. Then she saw her mother pinned against a wall, a bandit about to carve her in two, when Gwen appeared from behind and smacked him in the head with the shovel that she seemed to have adopted as a makeshift weapon for now. She had surely lost her sword at some point in the fray. Then Merlin heard a horse heading towards her and spun around. Her eyes widened as she saw two horses heading her way. One swung a sword round, the other a mace. Just as Merlin raised her arms to shield herself she saw someone dive from the roof of the house she stood next to, barrelling into the man who held a sword and knocking him from his horse. She then saw the rider of the other horse fall from his saddle, almost as if he'd been knocked off by an invisible force. Merlin didn't need to look to know it was Mordred. She saw her saviour use a hammer to smash in the face of the bandit and take his sword, and Merlin realised, with relief, that it was Will.

"Will!" Merlin exclaimed.

"You didn't think I'd let that bastard cut you into bits did you? You're so much more fun when you're all in one piece." Will quipped. Merlin laughed as the two stood back to back fighting off other opponents. Merlin saw that no one had unhorsed Kanen, and he was chopping at people with a sturdy looking axe. Merlin felt a chill go through her blood as she saw two men fall. Will and Merlin finished off their opponents and Merlin ran over to the barrel where she had seen Mordred. Mordred looked up at Merlin quizzically.

"Mordred what are you doing here? You could be killed!" Merlin exclaimed.

"I couldn't just leave. I left my father and..." Mordred trailed off. Merlin knew that Cerdan had sent Mordred off, and had fought Camelot's guards, giving Mordred the chance to escape, but it was at the cost of his own life, as Cerdan was captured and executed by Uther. That was when the trio looked around. The fight was going badly and people were getting hurt.

"There's too many of them." Will said. Merlin took a deep breath and stood straighter.

"Not for me there isn't." Merlin replied. She stretched out a hand after looking around her quickly to make sure no one was watching them. She saw that Gwen had managed to retrieve a sword from someone, and was fighting by Morgana's side. She saw Lancelot across from them, fighting someone else. Leon and Arthur were surely behind her somewhere, but she didn't have time to see how close they were. She said a spell and suddenly, a dusty looking twister started to appear, then it surged upwards and forwards, growing larger and driving back the bandits. It spun round and round.

"You're bloody amazing Merlin." Will whispered. Mordred was cuddled into Merlin's side, watching the tornado spinning round.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Arthur's eyes went wide as he saw the twisting tornado appear out of nowhere. It started next to Merlin, Will and Mordred. Arthur shielded his eyes as the wind grew rough and strong all around him, and wished he knew who had created this miracle twister. He saw Morgana and Gwen shielding their eyes, and Leon had grabbed a barrel lid and was using it for protection against the violent wind. Arthur lifted up a shield and used it to protect himself. He saw some villagers were blown over, but were mostly unharmed, but the bandits were violently thrown around. One man was thrown from his horse, but his foot was caught on the stirrup, and as the horse ran in fright, it dragged its unfortunate rider along the ground.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin grinned as she saw the wind had frightened the bandits enough that they were starting to run. The villagers were gaining the upper hand.

"That was brilliant!" Mordred exclaimed. He looked amazingly calm as the twister died down slowly and disappeared completely. The villagers started cheering, and Morgana and Gwen hugged each other as they realised that the bandits were retreating.

"Pendragon!" Merlin and Will spun around, along with Mordred, to see that Kanen hadn't run. He threw off his cloak and headed towards Arthur who was a little way behind them. Merlin saw Arthur turn round to face Kanen. Merlin held her breath as Kanen took the first swing. Arthur dodged it and shoved Kanen to the side with the shield he was holding. Then he swung at Kanen and Kanen dodged. The two men exchanged blows while Merlin felt as though the whole world was watching this moment. Merlin winced as Kanen lost his axe and pulled a sword from the body of one of his own men. Then he shouldered Arthur in the face, sending Arthur flying backwards, but Arthur didn't fall. Merlin took in another breath as Arthur went on the attack. She felt Mordred squeezing her hand as everyone looked on. Then suddenly, mercifully, Arthur ran Kanen through. The man let out a gasp and slumped to the ground after Arthur removed his sword from Kanen's gut. Then he walked towards them.

"Who did that?" Arthur asked. Mordred looked up at Merlin and she squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"What?" Merlin asked, trying to play stupid. It was her talent. But this time Arthur wasn't fooled.

"Wind like that, doesn't just appear from nowhere." Arthur said. He stood in front of the trio now. "I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen." Arthur finished.

"Arthur?" Merlin began, she was going to tell him, this was the moment, but before she could she was interrupted.

"Watch out!" Will yelled. He shoved Arthur to the side and Merlin saw that Kanen was sitting up. A crossbow was in his hands. He'd fired it, before Merlin had even registered what had happened, she only knew that Will had shoved Arthur out of the way and she had heard the whirr of the arrow flying through the air. Then she looked at Will. The arrow was stuck in his chest.

"Will!" Merlin's anguished scream was torn from her throat. Kanen collapsed to the ground, this time never to move again, but that didn't matter anymore. Will was kneeling on the ground, his blood dripped from his mouth. He fell backwards, but Merlin was there to catch him. Mordred ran round and knelt on Will's other side.

"Will!" Mordred yelped as he jostled Will's shoulder. Merlin couldn't see, her eyes were blurry with tears. Arthur knelt in front of Will.

"You saved my life." Arthur said softly.

"Yeah. I don't know what I was thinking." Will uttered softly. Arthur looked horrified, and Merlin felt the tears dripping down her cheeks.

"Oh Will." Merlin sobbed out.

"Come on! Let's get him inside!" Arthur yelled. Merlin didn't get the chance to say anymore as Will was taken from her by six men, who carried him into the barn. Merlin made herself get to her feet and follow them. She had been training with Gaius, if there was anyone who could save Will it would have to be her. There were no other healers.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Morgana watched as Merlin followed the men inside. She and Gwen stood side by side as Lancelot came over to stand next to them.

"Do you think he'll be alright Lancelot?" Morgana asked. Lancelot shook his head.

"I don't know, but it doesn't look good." Lancelot replied sadly.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin watched as the men laid Will on a table. She ran round to hold his hand and saw Gwen, Morgana, Lancelot, Leon and her mother enter to see what was happening.

"Merlin?" Will whispered.

"It's alright Will. I'm here, so is Mother and Mordred." Merlin replied. Arthur looked on as Merlin squeezed Will's hand tightly. Mordred looked at the three adults.

"I made the wind Arthur." Mordred said.

'Mordred! Stop! You don't have to lie for me.' Merlin pleaded, but Mordred looked at her seriously.

'Yes I do. It's not time for Arthur to know about your magic yet and it's the duty of my people to protect you Emrys.' Mordred replied. Arthur looked at Mordred in shock.

"What are you talking about Mordred?" Arthur asked. He seemed confused at the idea that a small child could create such a phenomenon.

"We were losing. There were people dying. I had to do something Arthur. I lost my parents, I didn't want to see anyone else die." Mordred replied. Arthur took a deep breath as he nodded in understanding, never realising that Mordred was lying to protect Merlin. They looked over Will to see what could be done. Merlin realised in this moment that there was nothing she could do. She didn't even have enough knowledge for a healing spell.

"Do what you can for him." Arthur told Merlin gently. Merlin knew that what Arthur meant, was that she should make him as comfortable as possible before he died. Merlin nodded, her tears still falling. Her eyes stung as she desperately tried to hold them back. She heard the others leave the room.

'Emrys?' Merlin looked to see Mordred was still standing there.

'Mordred you should go outside with the others.' Merlin replied.

'I can heal him Emrys. Druids are taught healing spells from a young age. We're supposed to be peaceful before anything else.' Mordred told Merlin seriously. Merlin took a deep breath and nodded.

'What do I have to do?' Merlin asked.

'You need to pull out the arrow and let me hold your hand. I don't have the strength to heal him by myself but you do. If I use your strength then we can both save him. Just tell Arthur I did it.' Mordred replied. Merlin nodded. She looked at Will, who was gasping for breath.

"You know I missed you. It's been boring around here without you." Will gasped out.

"Well you're going to have plenty more boring days left to live. Mordred and I are going to heal you Will." Merlin told Will softly. Will gave a half smile, half grimace, as he nodded his understanding. He was still gasping and half choking in pain. "I have to pull the arrow out Will and it's going to hurt." Merlin told Will. Will nodded again. Merlin grabbed a leather glove and gestured to Will to open his mouth. "You can bite down on it." Merlin replied. Will opened his mouth as he was still gasping for air and Merlin waited for Will to bite down on the leather before she took hold of the arrow shaft. She took a deep breath. Any other arrow injury she would have to push the arrow through and break off the head, pulling out the shaft once that was done. This would avoid more damage being done to any arteries if the arrow head was yanked up through the body. However, this time, Merlin had to be quick, and hopefully magic would heal Will just fine, so that they wouldn't have to worry about any of the extra issues. "Are you ready Will?" Merlin asked. Will nodded and Merlin pulled. She did it quickly, and though the arrow was embedded quite deeply, Merlin managed to yank it out on her first try. Will grunted, letting out a muffled roar of pain as he bit down on the leather glove. Merlin took the leather glove out of Will's mouth so that he could breathe more freely. She looked at Mordred. "Mordred?" Merlin asked. Mordred took hold of Merlin's hand. He said a spell over Will and his hand was extended over Will's chest wound. Suddenly the golden glow of Mordred's magic filled the room. Merlin felt the drain on her own energy, but she didn't care so long as she could save Will's life. Soon, the golden glow faded and Merlin saw that Will was blinking slowly as though he were confused.

"I'm not in any pain." Will said softly. He was no longer gasping in pain. He pulled off the chainmail shirt that Merlin knew had belonged to his father. Merlin let out a breath she didn't know she was holding to see that Will's chest was unmarked. It was like Will had never been hit with an arrow at all. Merlin threw her arms around Will and started to sob. "Merlin come on. Don't cry. I'm still alive, you're supposed to cry if I'm dead." Will said gently.

"I'm just so glad you're alive." Merlin sobbed out. Will just hugged her tightly and stroked her hair as she sobbed into his shoulder. That was how Arthur, Morgana, Leon, Lancelot, Gwen and Hunith found them when they came in an hour later.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The next day, Merlin and Arthur stood with the other villagers, as they burned their dead. Will stood next to Hunith and Mordred stood next to him.

"Mordred saved us all. He even managed to heal Will from the brink of death. I should be glad he's on our side." Arthur said softly. Merlin's blood ran cold for a moment, before she forced the fear back. She wasn't sure if she would ever feel safe enough to reveal her magic to Arthur, and that frightened her more than she could ever admit. But she forced back the fear, choosing to replace it with hope that one day she wouldn't have to fear Arthur's reaction to her gifts.

"I suppose you should." Merlin replied. Merlin looked at Matthew's pyre as the smoke twirled its way up into the sky. "Matthew was a good man. How many good men have to die before evil men can be stopped?" Merlin uttered softly.

"I don't know Merlin. Hopefully there will come a time when such things aren't an issue." Arthur replied.

"You're leaving after this?" Merlin asked. Arthur nodded.

"We have to get back to Camelot." Arthur answered. Merlin nodded. She looked over at her Mother, Will and Mordred. She was worried about them. She made her way over to them slowly.

"Mother?" Merlin questioned gently.

"You'd better be going." Hunith said softly.

"I don't have to go Mother." Merlin said..

"Yes you do." Hunith replied.

"If anything had happened to you? Will was almost killed." Merlin questioned. Her pain was reflected in her eyes and Hunith knew, deep down, that it would take a long time to get the image of Will, with a crossbow bolt in his chest, out of her mind. Her good hearted daughter would very likely have many nightmares of that moment for years to come.

"We know where to find you Merlin." Hunith told Merlin gently.

"You have to go Merlin." Will said. Merlin looked at Will and Mordred.

"You belong at Arthur's side." Hunith added. Merlin gave a soft smile. "I've seen how he needs you. How much you need him. You're like... two sides of the same coin." Hunith concluded. Merlin grinned.

"I've heard that said about us before." Merlin told her mother gently, as she thought about the Great Dragon. "I'm going to miss you so much." Merlin added. She allowed her mother to envelop her in a hug, and she hugged her back.

"I'm going to miss you too my girl." Hunith whispered into her ear. They parted and Hunith took hold of Merlin's arm. "When you left, you were just a girl, now look at you. I'm so proud of you. No mother had a better daughter." Hunith assured Merlin. "When the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone." Hunith told Merlin seriously. Merlin nodded her understanding. She looked at Will.

"You'd better take care of yourself." Merlin told Will firmly. Will grinned at her.

"I will Merlin. You'll come back and check on us all at any rate." Will replied. He reached forward and pulled Merlin into a hug and Merlin hugged him back. "Stay safe Merlin." Will added.

"I will. I'll be back to visit soon. You'll see." Merlin whispered back. Will let go of her and Merlin knelt to Mordred's level and opened her arms. The boy wrapped his own arms around Merlin's neck.

"I'll miss you Merlin." Mordred whispered. Merlin squeezed the boy and then released him, but still held on to his shoulders.

"I will be back Mordred. Be good." Merlin said firmly. Mordred nodded. 'And you must keep practising. Make sure that Will takes you somewhere private so no one catches you. Like me, you must keep your magic hidden for a while.' Merlin added. Mordred smiled.

'I'll be very careful Emrys. I promise.' Mordred replied. Merlin stood and walked over to Arthur.

"I suppose we'd better be going." Merlin told Arthur. She could've sworn, that just for a moment, Arthur's eyes lit up. But then he seemed serious again.

"Yes, we should be, if we want to reach Camelot before the week is out." Arthur replied.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Merlin looked back as they rode off on their horses. She saw her mother standing with Mordred on one side, holding her hand, and Will on the other side, with a comforting hand on her shoulder. She smiled broadly and waved at them, as her horse took her forward, back to Camelot and her great destiny.

'See you soon Emrys.' Mordred said. Merlin looked at Mordred and smiled.

'Yes Mordred. I'll see you soon.' Merlin replied.

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

Okay that's the end of this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. I know I kept Will alive when he died originally, but think about it, with Mordred there, and Mordred being a Druid, he would know healing spells. After all, Druids are mainly healers and peacekeepers originally. The reason Arthur didn't react the same way to Mordred using magic is because he already knows that Mordred knows it. After all, that was the reason that Uther wanted to execute him in the first place, so Arthur's reaction was more laid back to it. Also I made my OC the antagonist to Arthur's plans, mainly because he's a very unlikeable character, and as others have had the jealous Will character in their fics, I wanted a more laid back Will, who takes a more brotherly approach to Merlin. Anywho, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask in reviews or private messages and I will get back to you. Please R&R and let me know what you thought.