Growth of the magic
Hey ya readers, sorry this took so long. Problems with computer and youtube so it took some time to watch this. Anyway some points aren't what happen in Merlin's past as i have written it in this story. Like the fact Hunith didn't get angry with Merlin when she found out Will knew. I've kept it the same so Huntih got angry after everything had happen but Arthur didn't see that and Ealdor had basically forgotten Merlin's magic.
I was suprised to see that people like the ideas of Sir Leon as a cat. I was in such a rush that i said the first thing that came to my head. I didn't think it was that funny. Maybe i should do a spin of but i'm not sure. Maybe one of you guys should do it?
Anyway why are you still here? Start reading!
10. The moment of truth
Merlin was busy working, Arthur following him around the town. He wished he could help out but nothing would notice him even a object as if he tried to lift anything it would be like trying to put air into a jar with your hands. So he just watched and thought about the days that had past.
Like that druid boy that he helped release turned out to be someone who would want to kill him in the future. Now, that was defiantly something to look forward to.
Arthur couldn't escape the image of the dragon breath forging a powerful sword. Now he wished that his father hadn't used it as it could come in handy. But he couldn't change the past even if he had to watch it.
"Mother?"
Arthur spun around to see Hunith.
"Merlin!" Hunith cried as she went to embrace her son. She looked different from when Arthur saw her last, a little bit older and wearier...and her right eye had turned purple.
"What happen?" Merlin said as he gently stroked the bruise, worry creasing into a frown, "Who did this to you?"
The stood in the court room, Hunith standing in front of Uther. She stood there humbly, but courage filling her. Just like her son.
"The winters are harsh in Ealdor and there are many children. Some of them won't be strong enough to survive. 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 you help."
"Ealdor is in Sendrith's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility." Uther said but there was some reluctant in his usual firm voice.
"We appealed to our king but he cares little about the outline regions. You are only hope."
Uther frowned as he rested his mouth on his knuckles, deep in thought. Merlin, Morgana, Gwen and both Arthurs looked at him hopefully.
"I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped out.
"You'll help us?" Hunith's voice roused in hope.
"I wish I could."
"Surely we could spare a few men?" Past Arthur asked his father.
"Resources are not the problem."
"Then what is?" Morgana asked, strong willed as always. She too wanted to help.
"Ealdor lies beyond the ridge of Estertear. For an army of Camelot to enter would be an act of war."
Hunith slid to her knees, "I know you are a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us please."
Arthur now saw a different scene than what he saw when he stood next to the throne. Then it was his friend's mother simply crying for help. Now he saw what those words really meant. Uther held Merlin's life in his very palms and all he had to do was squash him once he realised he was there. Hunith knew this and she still was pleading, hoping that there was some good in the king.
Uther sighed, pity rising in his features. Nothing else, "The court struck with Sendrith was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help."
As Hunith looked down, Morgana and Merlin weren't the only ones now glaring at Uther. Now Arthur was as well.
Gwen helped Merlin pack for his trip to Ealdor.
"Here." she said as she brought out a sword for Merlin, now I know who to blame of Merlin getting a sword of his own that he cannot even use.
"Tell me how it feels."
"Yeah...yeah that feels good...um very...swordy." Merlin said as he tapped the sword, Oh dear, Merlin it feels swordy does it? You twit it's a sword it's supposed to feel swordy!
"I've pack some armour for you." Gwen said as she raised her eyebrows at him.
"I won't be able to carry all that." Frowned Merlin and as if by magic there was a knock at the door. Morgana entered.
She wore a purple top and some black trousers, a belt flattening her chest so no one mistook her for a man. She had worn such items in the past when she and Arthur had play battles. Arthur wondered how she got hold of those clothes now as she had to borrow them in the past.
"You won't have to." She said grinning at Merlin, "We're coming with you."
Gwen nodded, smiling at Merlin as he stared at them with an open mouth, "What do you mean?"
"You're going to need all the help you can get. I can mend armour and sharpen swords." Gwen promoted.
"And I can fight."
"But...you can't. I mean...why would you?"
"If it was the other way round you would help us. You've already have. You've save my life." Gwen said.
"And you help me get the Druid boy out of Camelot. We owe you, both of us."
The two girls nodded grinning at Merlin. Arthur smiled too, it wasn't the only thing he had done for them.
"They shouldn't be here." Hunith whispered as she and Merlin sat on the log by the fire that night as the girls slept, "Especially the Lady Morgana. Isn't she the king's ward?"
"Not that he knows it; she is the only person who isn't frightened of him."
Oy, I'm not frightened of him! Just a little...cautious...but that doesn't mean I'm scare!
Hunith bit her lip frowning, "It won't make any different to Kanen, other woman."
"I know." Merlin said biting his lip too, "But I couldn't talk them out of coming."
Hunith nodded as she looked over to the sleeping figures, her bruise catching the light of the flames. It was still colourful but had calm down a bit. Merlin tenderly stroked it.
"I'm going to make him pay for what he did to you." He whispered, his voice filled with determination. If it had been someone else saying those lines, they would have sounded dangerous and brutal. Yet Merlin still sounded the same protective and gentle boy Arthur knew.
"Promise me, you will be careful. No one can find out about you."
"Don't worry. They never do."
Hunith smiled and kissed Merlin's forehead, "Get's some rest." She whispered as she headed to her blankets. Arthur turned away when she kissed Merlin as it still brought a lump in his throat. He still wished that he had a mother to kiss his forehead.
Merlin picked up one of the burning pieces of wood. He smiled at the embers and blew on them, "Draagon."
The embers that had flown in the air hovered forming a picture of a dragon. As Merlin smiled, Arthur had noticed Hunith quiet gloomy sigh as she watched him, smiling sadly.
As Merlin tossed and turned in his blankets, trying to get some sleep, hooves were heard. Arthur grabbed the hilt of his sword, remembered he couldn't use and sigh as he watch Merlin fumble for his sword, by now you would of been stabbed Merlin.
They tiptoed the campsite, Merlin clutching the sword in one hand. I really need to teach him how to hold a sword probably.
Suddenly a sword was put to Merlin's back. Arthur jumped but he quickly recognised the blade.
"I'll ask you for money but I know you don't have any."
"Arthur!" Merlin cried, spinning around along with his sword. God, you nearly took his, well mine, head off, Merlin.
"Put the sword down Merlin, you look ridiculous." Past Arthur moaned as he walked over to the fire, Merlin running after him like an excited puppy.
The two started the fire again and Arthur sat and watched them.
"How much further is it?" Arthur asked.
"A few hours at the most." Merlin replied as he warmed his hands.
"And how many men do Kanen have?"
"I don't know...about from what my mother said...forty?"
Well, that really helps us out, doesn't it?
"You should get some rest; it's going to be a long day." Arthur said as he got up.
"Thank you...um...I knew you didn't have to come."
"Get some sleep." Arthur firmly said. Arthur sighed at himself; he still wasn't admitting that Merlin was his friend?
Bandits flung the barns' doors open. Arthur blinked in surprised then horror as he recognised that he was now in Ealdor. The bandits threw open doors to houses and turned over every stone to find food.
"If you're hiding anything from me." Kanen said coolly as he watched one of his men knock over a old man that was hiding the food. How I wish I could punch him in the nuts!
"Please, we have to eat." The farmer, Matthew said, "And we sow the fields for next year! We only kept the fair minimum! Everything else you can take."
Kanen paused, "That sounds fair."
Matthew nodded, hopefully.
To Arthur's horror, Kanen struck Matthew down to his feet. He was just about to strike with his axe, Arthur trying in vain to charge at Kanen when a sword whistles through the air.
Never was Arthur so glad to see himself.
Past Arthur jumped of his horse and was met by a masked bandit. He easily won that battle.
"Kill them!" Kanen shouted as Merlin jumped of his horse. The bandit that had attacked the old man rushed over to kill him.
Merlin brought out his sword without fumbling, thank goodness, and started preventing the on coming swords attacks.
Just as Merlin was cornered and Arthur was growing frantic, Merlin muttered under his breath and his eyes flash gold. The bandit's sword burned his hand and Merlin stabbed his sword into the enemy. Not bad...for a buffoon.
Just as past Arthur had finished his battle and man snuck up behind him. As Arthur turned the man raised his sword... and Morgana stepped in. She killed him also very quickly.
"Brings back memories when I use to beat you." Morgana smirked.
"That never happened!" Arthur replied. It was when I had broken my arm!
"You'll pay this with your lives!" Kanen shouted as he and his men retreated, "All of you!"
They watched them go, Arthur still cursing that he couldn't knock Kanen's jaw out. A man standing near Merlin spoke to him.
"You still up to those old magic tricks again?" Arthur scowled as he turned to the man, "I thought I told you that we didn't want you kind around here.
Arthur looked probably at the man and grinned just as Merlin did as well, "Miss you too Will!" Merlin said as he pulled his friend into a hug.
Will had definitely change from the last time Arthur saw him, back then he was still a kid. Apart from the size, Will's face had also gone rounded and his mop of hair had been cut.
"It's good to see you again!" Merlin grinned.
"How have you been? I've heard that you have been skivying for a prince?" Will said and Arthur paused, his mind full of the image of six year old, broken down, Will.
"No, I wouldn't say him as skivvy."
"Merlin." Past Arthur said as if right on cue, "gather the villages, I need to talk to them."
"Yeah, in a sec, I'm just talking-"
"Now, Merlin!"
Well that definitely proves that I am not skivvy.
Merlin raised his eyebrows at Will and hurried of after the prince. Will frowned.
Arthur watch himself stand on the steps next to a well. He bit his lip nervously as himself prepared for a speech.
"I know Kanen kind." Wow, great way to start a speech, just great! "He will be coming back and when he is we have to be ready for him. First we have to prepare-"
"Why isn't anyone wondering who this is?" Will spat as he made his way forward.
"I am prince Arthur of Camelot."
"Yeah and I'm prince William of Ealdor." Will scoffed.
"Keep quiet, he's here to help us!" Hunith hissed at Will.
"He's making things worse! Kanen will be back and when he is, he'll be looking for revenge! You've just sign our death warren!" Will shouted, turning to Arthur at the last remark.
"He saved Matthew's life!"
"It's alright Hunith." Arthur said, "This is his village. What would you have us do?"
Will bit his lip. He wasn't expecting to be asked that!
"We can't fight against Kanen, he has too many men!"
"So what's the alterative?"
"Gives him what he wants."
"Then what? Those of you that don't starve to death, face him again next harvest! And the harvest after that."
"We'll manage, we'll survive." Will said, stubbornly. He hasn't change a bit.
"How?" The villagers threw back at him.
"The only way he can be stopped if you stand up to him." Arthur said.
"No, you just want the honour and glory of battle, that what drive men like you! If you want to fight, then go home and do it with your own people, not ours!" And with that Will stormed of.
"Will, wait!" Merlin cried as he rushed after his friend. Present Arthur followed as well.
"He knows what he's doing you've got to trust him!" Merlin said as he entered Will's house. Will scowled and carried on fumbling around.
"Look, when I first met Arthur, I was exactly like you, I hated him as he was always pompous and arrogant."
Gee, Merlin, I really love the compliments you give me, really!
"No change there then!" Will spat.
"But, in time, I came to respected him for what he stands for, what he does!" Merlin continued and Arthur became slightly uncomfortable. Merlin was so loyal and yet...
"I know what he stands for! Princes, kings, all men like him!" Will shouted as he brushed down some armour. Will's father's armour.
"Will...don't bring what happened to your father into this." Merlin mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
"I'm not! Why are you defending him so much, you're just his servant??!!"
"He is also my friend!" Merlin fired back.
"Friends don't lord each other..."
"He isn't like that!"
"Really? Let's see when the fighting begins and who he sends into battle first because it won't be him!"
"I trust Arthur with my life."
"Is that so? So he knows your secret then?"
Merlin bit his lip and he wasn't the only one. Arthur too was avoiding looking at Will.
"Face it, Merlin, you're living a lie."
And he was. Arthur knew now. Before this time travel, Arthur never knew the real Merlin. to him Merlin was just an clumsy friend. Yet he was more than that, he was a loyal friend, a trusty friend that Arthur was raise to not trust. And he was a strong sorcerer no matter how Arthur said he couldn't even lift a sword.
Arthur blinked and soon he was standing by the woods, Merlin walking to them with an axe.
"Merlin!" Will called as he hurried after him. he seemed to forgotten about earlier or the day before, "Where are you going with that thing?"
"What does it look like, we need wood!"
"We both know that you don't need an axe to fell a tree." Will smirked and Merlin grinned.
"And remember the trouble it got me into, it nearly flattened old man Simmons!" Merlin cried and Arthur laughed. He wished he had seen that.
"Well he deserves it, the stupid old groan." Will laughed.
"Yeah, he never did like me anyway."
"Well even less after that."
Merlin grinned and Arthur chuckled. He remembered watching their quirks as they grew up. It was fun seeing that Will Arthur had watched then, back again.
As if being to read Arthur's thoughts let alone see him Merlin spoke up, "Why are you being like this?"
"You know why!" Will spat as he sat down on the log next to Merlin. Merlin sat down as well.
"Why did you leave?" Will asked soberly.
"It wasn't what I wanted, mother was so worried when she found out you knew she was so angry."
"I wouldn't have told anyone!"
"I knew you would-" Merlin paused remembering the ghost and Will's reaction.
"You would be able to defeat Kanen on your own, wouldn't you?"
Nice way to send your friend to death, Will, even if Merlin does have magic!
"I'm not sure, maybe." Merlin muttered his cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"So what's stopping you, so what if Arthur finds out??!!"
"I don't expect you to understand!" Merlin replied as he stood up.
"Try me!" Will said as he stood up as well.
"One day Arthur will be a great king but he needs my help and if anyone ever found out my powers I'll have to leave Camelot for good!"
"Are you telling me that you rather keep your magic a secret for Arthur's sake than to save your friends and family??!!"
Both Arthur paced the house through for different reasons. Past Arthur was planning a strategy while present Arthur was being plagued by Will's word. Would Merlin react to them? What would happen?
Suddenly they were both cut of by a scream. As they rushed out they saw Matthew, on the back of his horse with an arrow in his back.
"Get him down from there!" Both Arthur's shouted as they rushed to the horse. The man that got there first did as he said.
Through Arthur had seen the face before, it now haunted him. The lids half close, the opened part weak yet determined. While his past self had stared at Matthew, Arthur bowed his head sadly, something he forgot to do.
Arthur pulled out the note that was stuck on Matthew's back with the arrow; "Make the most of this day, it'll be your last."
As Matthew's wife barged past to see her husband, her sobs weren't the only voice that broke the silence.
"You did this, you kill him!" Will shouted as he too barged through the villagers.
"It wasn't his fault!" Merlin fired back but Will ignored his friend.
"If he hadn't been strutting around treating us like his own men, none of this wouldn't of happen!"
Both Arthur's bit their lips guilt consuming them. The past for someone feeling that he killed Matthew, the present this and the fact that he knew Will wouldn't believe this if Arthur wasn't a prince.
"These men are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you don't!" Past Arthur shouted at Will.
"You're sending them to their graves! You've killed one man, how many more men do you have to see die before you realise this is a battle that can't be won!"
Arthur found himself in Will's house again, Merlin storming in.
"Don't bother Merlin, I'm not interested." Will spat as he packed his bags.
"You should be Kanen attacks tomorrow and whether you like it or not, we'll have to fight!"
"Not if I'm not here."
"Look that is up to you but the rest of us is staying." Merlin tried but knew that tactic wouldn't do anything, "Join us Will! This isn't about Arthur, this is about your friends, are you really going to abandon them?"
"Like you did?"
"I'm here now!"
"Yeah and you can end this, use your magic and no one else will have to die!"
"You know I can't" Merlin pleaded.
"Can't...or won't? I'm not the one that is abandoning them, Merlin. You are!" Will hissed as he stormed out. Merlin stayed were he was, hurt lighting his face."
Merlin and Arthur put on their armour as they prepared for battle. Arthur watched them, wishing he could somehow fight as well even if he wasn't seen.
"Whatever happens out there today, please don't think differently of me." Merlin said as he turned away from Arthur.
"Merlin, what Will said isn't true! You're not abandoning them!" Arthur cried but of course wasn't heard.
"It's alright to be scared, Merlin." Past Arthur said.
"That's not what I meant." Merlin muttered.
"What is it? If you got something to say, now is the time to say it!" Arthur said.
Merlin paused. If he told Arthur now, there was no way out of it. He could cover it up out in the battle field but would Ealdor stand by him? They knew but had pushed it to one side as Arthur offered them help. Maybe they would turn on him once the battle was won, if it was won.
"Merlin, don't!" Arthur shouted as Merlin opened his mouth.
Morgana rushed in before Merlin could speak, "They've crossed the river." She said and they hurried out of the house, past Arthur forgetting about what Merlin was about to say.
They stood in their battle stations waiting. The two Arthur's and Merlin stood at the front as they crouched down, there eyes fix on the forest.
Kanen men came charging out, expecting to be greeted by screams. But the village was silent, Arthur only breaking the silence by telling his warriors to hold.
"Come out; come out, wherever you are." Kanen chuckled as he and his men crossed the barrier.
"Now pull!" Gwen voice was heard and the men got trapped on one side.
They waited for Morgana to start the fire, "Now Morgana, what are you waiting for??!!" Past Arthur hissed, "Something's gone wrong!"
Merlin didn't waste time. He hurried away from his position with present Arthur at his tail.
"There's one, get him!" Kanen yelled and arrows were shot. Merlin amazingly dodged them, while the arrows went through Arthur, now I know how it feels to be hunted.
Merlin quickly jumped down by Morgana who was striking the stones frantically.
"Give me the flints." Merlin said as he tried to light them. When Morgana wasn't looking he use magic to set the fire.
The fire followed its path, blocking the bandit's exits.
And then the battle started.
"Now!" Cried past Arthur and everyone charged at the bandits, flinging there swords.
Arthur stayed by Merlin's side, encouraging his blows to his opponent. Soon the opponent fell and Merlin hadn't even used magic to defeat him.
Just as Merlin was looking out for more opponents, a bandit horse rode behind him, armed with a mace.
"MERLIN, WATCH OUT!" Arthur cried. But he needn't of worried for Will threw himself onto the bandit, knocking him down and stabbing him.
"I didn't think you were coming!" Merlin said, grinning at his best friend.
"Neither did I!" replied Will and they both fought back to back through out the battle.
As they bet down their next opponents they watched the battle. The bandits were winning.
"They're too many of them!" Will cried.
"Not for me there isn't." Merlin smirked as he raised his hand and muttered some more magic.
His eyes flashed gold and the dust on the ground grew up in the air, turning into a tornado.
Kanen was the only the surviving bandit left. All the rest had fled or slaughter.
"Pendragon!" he shouted as he turned to the prince, angry burning in his eyes.
Kanen struck but Arthur dodged it. He disarmed Kanen but Kanen kicked his shield causing Arthur to fly back so he had time to grab sword. They parried each others sword rhythm in time. This wasn't a light dance however, one was going to die and neither of them wanted it to be them.
Just as Kanen flung his sword and Arthur dodged it, Arthur sank his sword into Kanen's ribs. Kanen gasped and fell to the floor.
Arthur marched over to Merlin and Will, "Who did that?"
"What?" Merlin said but his heart skipped a beat. So did the present Arthur as he stared at his own angry face, worrying.
"Wind like that doesn't appear out of nowhere, I know magic when I see it, it was by one of you too."
Merlin bit his lip. It was now or never, "Arthur."
But before he could speak Will gasped, "Look out!" he cried as he pushed Arthur to the side. Kanen had pulled enough strength to grab a crossbow and had fired it at the prince. But it hit Will.
"Will!" Merlin cried as he and the present Arthur rushed to his side. Kanen fell into the darkness.
Past Arthur rushed to Will's side also, "You save my life."
"Yeah...don't know what I was thinking." Will joked back but the pain was too much.
"Get him inside!" Arthur shouted as they all picked Will up and led him into his hut.
As Will was lain on the table and the villagers left, Will spoke, "That's twice I've save you."
"Twice?"
"It was me! It was me who use magic!"
"Will, don't!" Merlin cried and Arthur felt a pang. When he first heard this he had thought Merlin just knew that his friend of a sorcerer. Now he knew...Will was covering for him.
"It's alright. There won't be a lifeline if he wants to do anything to me." Will gasped, smirking a little.
"You're a sorcerer?" Arthur asked, bewildered.
"Yeah, what you going to do? Kill me?"
Past Arthur shook his head and Arthur was glad he made that decision. Will was Merlin's closest friend despite the things Will had said. He had given up his life to cover Merlin.
Arthur wanted to leave with the rest to give Merlin and Will some time on his own. But he had done that before and he had watched most of Will's life. Even if Will didn't know, Arthur had come to like the boy.
Merlin wiped his eyes as he knelt by Will.
"I was right about him. I told you he was gonna get me killed!" Will teased through the pain was unbearable.
"You're not going to die!" Merlin said as he clutched Will's hand in one hand and stroke Will's head with the other to help ease the pain.
"You're a good friend, Merlin. A great man and one day you're going to be a great service to a great king. Now you can make that happen."
"Thanks to you."
Will smiled at his friend, "the place has been boring without you. It's good to see you again."
"Yeah, you too." Merlin said smiling back, fighting the tears.
The pain exploded in Will and he sputtered trying to keep talking. Then it died away...and so did Will.
Merlin sobbed and he wasn't the only one. Tears were dripping down Arthur's cheeks too.
They watched the flames flicker as the dead bodies were sent on there ways to heaven. Merlin eyes were dry now as he stared at the flames. Arthur eyes were too but he didn't feel cross when he watched himself scold Merlin for not telling him that Will was a sorcerer. All he did was place a arm on Merlin's shoulder through Merlin didn't feel it.
Hunith came closer as everyone left the fire. She gently held Merlin in her arms as they watched the flames, "You've better be going."
"I don't have to go." Merlin said.
"Yes, you do." Hunith said and Merlin turned to her.
"If anything happens to you..."
"I know where to find you. You have to go Merlin, you belong by Arthur's side. I've seen how much he needs you."
Gee whiz, does all of Merlin's family say stuff that sounds wrong? Arthur quirk but without the energy as he usually did.
"You're like two sides of the same coin."
Merlin smirked, "I've heard that before." Yeah has Hunith and the dragon been meeting up or something?
"I'm going to miss you." Merlin said as he hugged his mother. Arthur felt another pang as he wished he could have a mother hugging him.
"I'll miss you too." She whispered.
"When you left you were just a boy. And now look at you. I'm so proud of you. When the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone that way."
Arthur nodded. If he had found out now he wouldn't of hesitated on killing Merlin. But now he knew...Merlin was a powerful friend.
Keep you're lovely reviews coming people. I tried to hurry up with the next chapter.