Chapter 9: Will Merlin be able to save the King this time?
The forest grew darker and colder as Obi Wan and Daegal sat close by, silently and nervously watching Merlin, it seemed that the remedy Daegal had was slowly working. They watched Merlin turn slightly before he then began to lift his head noticing a small falling item moving to the ground, Daegal looks up at him in relief
"You've alive" he breathes in relief. Merlin remains quiet, raising one hand to his head, still not speaking, he only then starts to pull himself up into a sitting position hearing Daegal go on "You have to believe me" Daegal tries to tell him "I did not know what Morgause intended" he insists just as Obi Wan spoke up
"He's telling the truth Merlin" he assures him "At first I was wary of him but he is sincere about not knowing what Morgause was planning" he explains however Merlin still couldn't get over what he had caused
"You betrayed me" he only replies ignoring Obi Wan and glaring back at Daegal. Obi Wan lowered his head, as he listened to Daegal go on
"She offered me money" he informs him "You've seen what it's like" he points out however Merlin shook his head. Because of this false story, Merlin had been taken away from his friends back in Camelot. He should be watching Padme but instead he was here
"Do you know what Morgause is planning?" he asks him seeing Daegal shake his head
"No" he quickly replies as both Obi Wan and Merlin stare back at him hearing him explain further "I met Morgause and the Queen only once" he promises him, Obi Wan wanted to believe him but Merlin had doubts
"I don't believe you" he tells him. Daegal is quiet as he looks away before Obi Wan places one hand on his shoulder
"Please, whatever you know..." he begins to say as Daegal fidgets with his hands as he looks between both of them, swallowing the lump in his throat
"I think they mean to kill the king" he finally admits. Obi Wan looks back at Merlin, a worried look in his face. They needed to get back to Camelot and soon! Merlin was already attempting to stand, Obi Wan moved over to help him
"What are you doing?" he asks them as Merlin, holding onto Obi Wan for support, looks down at him
"I need to warn Anakin before it's too late" Merlin only replies brushing past Daegal with Obi Wan following him leaving Daegal still sitting there. Startled by Merlin's change and having seen him limping away, Daegal didn't want to remain alone and hurried after them, hoping to help them more.
Merlin, Obi Wan and Daegal continued on through the forests, climbing up the small hillsides, no one said a word and all they wanted was to focus on the journey back to Camelot before morning. Merlin, though in the lead, tried to hide his pain, stumbling slightly, before they hear him groan and move to help him
Though, quick to retain his balance, Merlin presses on, climbing the small mountain top before they all kneel down, to avoid being seen by the group of bandits that appeared to be camping out ahead of them.
"Bandits" Merlin whispered to them as Daegal looked over nervously at him
"They won't see us?" he asks as Merlin shakes his head
"No, we'll edge round the outside" he informs him as Obi Wan looks back at him as Daegal then points out
"They'll have lookouts" he cautioned him right as Obi Wan shook his head, glancing over at the young boy
"We don't have a choice" he tells him "We need to get back to Camelot" he reminds him before following Merlin along the edge with trailing behind Obi Wan as they attempted to move around the edge of the bandits' campsite. They were almost in the clear when Merlin lost his balance and tumbled down the hillside, groaning.
Obi Wan and Daegal were instantly by his side to help him unfortunately for them, the bandits had been alerted to their presence and were now moving towards them, flamed torches in hand. Merlin stood in the middle of Obi Wan and Daegal, he knew he could take them, he just needed to get his friends moving
"Go!" he snaps to Obi Wan and Daegal however both of them shook their heads
"No!" Daegal replies as Merlin, Obi Wan and Daegal all watch the bandits encircle them. Merlin then goes on
"I can handle myself" he assures them. Obi Wan shakes his head
"I know you can Merlin but we need you to help save Anakin and you need us to help make it back to Camelot" he reminds him however it was Daegal that then spoke up
"We're not going to leave you this time" he assures him however Merlin remained strong and defensive
"Get to safety" he only replies seeing the bandits glaring back at them, inching towards them. Obi Wan and Daegal kept silent looking around the bandits as Merlin kept strong, "If you value your lives" he spoke out "You won't take another step" he warns them seeing them suddenly halt in their steps. Daegal look worriedly back at him
"What are you doing?" he asks as Obi Wan smirks slightly as Merlin simply replied
"Trust me" he tells him but Daegal didn't trust the bandits and fumbles for the small coin bag Morgause had given to him
"Here, it's all the money we have" he tells them tossing the bag of coins towards the bandits leader. Merlin and Obi Wan were surprised, he had just given his reward money in a flash. The bandit leader then looked over at Obi Wan and Merlin,
"You two" he snarls, lifting his sword at them "Empty your pockets" he growls however Merlin and Obi Wan only exchange glances with each other before Merlin turns back towards him
"Last chance" he warns him. Daegal appears more nervous, eyes darting back and forth as the leader laughed
"You don't even have swords!" he scoffs seeing Merlin and Obi Wan just shrug
"We don't need them" he only replies and with that Merlin's eyes flashed and using his magic, he hurled the leader meters back off his feet right at the same time Obi Wan sent another two men hurling back towards him. They then all look around at the others watching them scurry away, frightened of what could happen to them.
Daegal, amazed at what he had just seen, only looks over at Obi Wan and Merlin. They then start to start moving off once again, not before Merlin looks back at him
"Let's go" he simply insists before they hurried off. Their focus Camelot and to Anakin and Arthur.
As Obi Wan, Merlin and Daegal made their way back to Camelot, knowing it was taking them into the early hours of the dawn and seeing the sun rising above the forests, not knowing that back in Camelot, the Sarrum was preparing his own plot to take Camelot.
He silently moved down the corridor in his armour, as he sees the Queen Padme dressed in her gorgeous purple long sleeved dress and hair in long brown curls down her back, moving towards him smirking.
"My lady, how good to see you" he grins taking her hand in his, giving her hand a kiss as Padme smiles back at him
"I trust you passed a pleasant night" she speaks as he replied
"Most agreeable" he assures her before they both moved on in the opposite directions, the Sarrum, now held a small key in his hands. He smirks as he begins to think of his own plot.
"Anakin will dead by sundown" he explains to his best soldier Albin as they moved down another hallway, one hour later. He then continues "And then...all that stands in our way, is an ambassador who plays at being a queen" he sneers.
The Sarrum then stops at the entrance of a stairwell, Albin then looks up at him, one thought on his mind
"And what about Prince Arthur and the Lady Morgana?" he reminds him seeing the Sarrum smirk even more
"If they do not bow down to us, they will die alongside the King and his ambassador wife" he explains handing him the key then moving up the stairs as Albin takes the key and continues down the corridor to prepare for his role in killing the king.
At the same time, still making their way through the forest, Merlin, Obi Wan and Daegal never stopped moving, determined to make it back to save Camelot. Daegal was still surprised at how they had gotten away from the bandits. They briefly stopped at a tree, to allow Merlin to rest as Daegal spoke up
"You two have magic, don't you?" he asks them as Merlin looks around the tree to ensure the way is clear. Obi Wan nods
"Yes" he replies as Daegal goes on
"And you live in Camelot?" he asks them knowing that magic was banned in that city
"Does anyone know?" he asks them seeing Merlin move to sit down for a moment, and his next response surprised him
"Actually, everyone knows, the king, the queen, Prince Arthur, Lady Morgana and Gaius know about our magic" he informs him, Merlin clutches onto his side as Obi Wan moves to help him
Daegal stared at them in surprise, "And they didn't hang you?" he asks as Obi Wan takes over
"Anakin and Arthur defended us to their father at the time and we only used our magic to save them. Padme and Morgana seconded them, insisting that if it hadn't been for us and our magic, Anakin and Arthur would be dead" he explains. Daegal then points out
"And you still help to protect them?" he asks as Merlin nods
"I have to, it's my job. I may be their friend but I am still their servant" he explains "In my heart, I know they are good men, not like their father and we both know that one day Anakin will bring about a world we dream of" he promises him. Merlin starts to get to his feet with Obi Wan's help, not before Daegal speaks out,
"Merlin, you may be a warlock but you need that treated" he insists "I'll help you, please" he pleads. Obi Wan looks between Merlin and Daegal, he sensed this boy was still desperate to show he was good
"I think we can spare a moment to let him help you" he assures him. Merlin slowly sits back down, he stares back at Daegal, still cautious of him but with Obi Wan by his side, he knew he was still well looked after.
Gaius, meanwhile, knew that Padme wasn't going to inform Anakin or Arthur about Merlin and he was still worried because not even Obi Wan had returned. He moved out of Merlin's room and headed straight for Anakin and Padme's quarters. He was surprised to find Arthur there.
Padme stood in front of the mirror, fixing her hair up as she listens to Gaius talking to both brothers about Merlin's whereabouts.
"His bed has not been slept in" he informs them "I fear he's in danger" he admits as Anakin turned back to him, confused and worried
"What do you mean?" he asks him as Gaius then goes on
"I think we need to send out a search party" he insists as Arthur nods in agreement
"I agree with Gaius, Anakin" he speaks up "I know that today is important and we need most of the knights here, but Merlin is our friend, he's always been there for us and if Gaius is worried for him, then something must be wrong" he points out. Anakin listens quietly, knowing very well they were right, however he did not see stop touching her hair, staring at them through the mirror
She knew Gaius wanted to send out a search party as of last night, but didn't think he'd pressed the matter. Keeping innocent, she turns around and moves away from the mirror,
"What's happened?" she asks them seeing Anakin, Arthur and Gaius all look over at him
"Merlin's gone missing" Anakin informed her. Padme, knowing very well, Merlin is by now dead, needs to keep up appearances. She sighs
"Oh, I knew I should have something" she confesses seeing them all look at him wondering what she is talking about "Anakin, I feel terrible" she admits "This is my fault, I know where Merlin is" she adds. Arthur studies her curiously
"You do?" he asks ahead of Anakin "Then where is he?" he goes on "And it better be a good reason" he points out as Anakin places one hand on his brother's shoulder
"Arthur" he mutters allowing her to go on
"I shouldn't say" she tells them "I promised him I wouldn't, but..." her voice trails off as Gaius, wondering what she was about to say and Anakin and Arthur hear her go on "He's gone to visit someone" she lies
Anakin looks straight back at her "Who?" he asks seeing her quickly re assure them
"He's not in danger" she promises them "He's seeing a girl" she lies. Gaius remains silent as Anakin and Arthur's eyes widen in surprise
"Merlin!?" both Anakin and Arthur exclaim in disbelief as Padme looks over at Gaius
"Gaius, I'm sorry but there is no reason to worry" she re assures him as Arthur rolls his eyes
"Except for the poor girl" he mutters hearing Anakin slightly snigger as Padme then went on
"I should have told you, but I don't think he wanted anyone to know" she finishes. Gaius, doing his best to keep his composer on the matter, not believe one word that came from Padme, simply smiles back at her
"Thank you my lady" he simply replies as Anakin and Arthur continue on with their work, having believed Padme's 'story' about Merlin
"Good" Anakin speaks up "Now, we can get on with the signing" he informs him moving past Gaius, clapping a hand on the old man's shoulder, "Gaius, you can help me get dressed" he insists hearing Arthur laugh, taking a seat on the bed
"This should be fun" he grins cheekily. Gaius looks back at Padme who simply smiles pleasantly back at him, whilst he can only stare back at her. Knowing what was happening to Padme, didn't believe any word of that and only hoped Merlin and Obi Wan got back here as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Obi Wan stood leaning against the tree watching as Daegal attended to Merlin's wound on his leg. He was now wrapping it up in a bandage. Merlin silently watched him, he didn't say anything because all he wanted was to get back home. Though neither Obi Wan or Merlin could deny that Daegal was doing his best.
"You've done well" Merlin speaks up after a few minutes of silence taking Daegal by surprise
"Really?" he asks in disbelief continuing to wrap Merlin's injury "I don't think I've done many good things in my life" he confesses referring to his part in Morgause's plot. Merlin looks back at him,
"Well, you've done something good now, see?" he points out referring to the job Daegal had just done on tending to Merlin's injury. Merlin checks over the bandage "See" he smiles "It's better" he assures him.
Daegal gives him a small smile "The gift..." he begins to reply "Must be from my mother" he explains as Merlin looks back at him, whilst rolling back down his pant over the bandage
"So that bit was true?" he asks him seeing Daegal slowly nod
"It was all true, except about my sister" he confesses, his voice low. Obi Wan looked from Daegal to Merlin, keeping silent as he heard Merlin then ask
"She isn't sick?" he asks as Daegal keeps his head low, shaking his head
"I don't have a sister" he replies. Merlin glances back up at Obi Wan, there is silence once more between the three before Merlin starts to slowly get up, with Daegal and Obi Wan's help
"And your mother, she wasn't a druid?" Merlin asks him. Once Merlin is stable on his feet, they then hear Daegal reply
"No, but she was like you" he explains, he avoids looking at Merlin and Obi Wan as he continues "She had magic...and Uther killed her for it" there was sadness in his voice as Merlin felt sorrow for this boy, knowing what it was like to lose one parent. It was Obi Wan who spoke
"We're sorry" he told him as Daegal remained quiet but felt comfort in having their sympathy. Merlin looks down at his leg,
"It feels good" he tells Daegal giving him some praise before he resumes the lead once again "Come on" he tells them both moving on, with a smile and this time Merlin was slightly able to pick up his pace.
Unaware of Merlin making his way frantically back to the city, Anakin, all dressed in his silver chainmail, red Camelot cape over his attire and crown on top of his blond hair, leads Padme, dressed in her gorgeous red golden weaved strapless long flowing dress and small gold headband with red jewel down the steps. She has one arm linked through his as Arthur in his chainmail and cape leads Morgana in her long purple velvet dress. They both hear Anakin speak up,
"What a momentous day this is for Camelot" Anakin tells them as Padme smiles
"Indeed, my lord" she agrees "It marks the beginning of a new era" she insists feeling him place his other hand on top of her hands, smiling as he continues on just as Arthur looks across at Morgana. Arthur couldn't hide the pride he had for his brother
"I must admit, I didn't think that even my brother would be able to agree to a treaty with the Sarrum, but he has made our father proud and he is looking out for Camelot's future" he points out as Morgana notices Arthur's beaming smile
"I don't believe I've ever seen you smile, except when you win a tournament" she grins with a snigger before she then admits "But yes, this is the beginning of a new era for Camelot and I couldn't be more prouder of our brother" she insists as they moved down the next hallway after Anakin and Padme.
However, they were not aware of the Sarrum's man Albin, readying his crossbow, securing it was sturdy and strong, arrow ready in its place before he steps back into the hallway behind him.
Camelot was finally in sight! Merlin, Obi Wan and Daegal all hurried up the small hill towards the majestic castle, Merlin slightly stumbles as Daegal and Obi Wan were quickly beside him to help him before they all pressed on, they couldn't stop now, they knew they needed to save the King.
The doors to the throne room opened up, revealing the round table. Anakin and the Sarrum standing beside each other, then led everyone into the room. Padme behind her husband. Arthur and Morgana behind her and the knights behind them, opposite the Sarrum's men. There was silence between everyone as they entered the throne room
Right at the moment, Merlin burst into Anakin and Padme's chambers hoping to catch Anakin, unfortunately for them, the room was completely empty. It was then Obi Wan speaks up
"We need to spilt up" he tells them, "I'll go find Gaius while you go with Daegal to find Anakin or Arthur" he instructs them taking off out of the room shortly before Merlin is quick to follow suit with a silent Daegal hurrying after him.
However Albin is now moving down the hallway, crossbow in hand towards his position at the same time Anakin leads everyone towards the table. He doesn't see the Sarrum glance over at Padme who says nothing but looks back at him, looking back to Anakin, a small smirk across her face. Unfortunately their little glances at each other did not go unnoticed by Morgana, who said nothing but just cautiously stared at her friend.
Merlin quickens his pace but then stumbles once again, Daegal moves to help him but he is soon on his feet. Daegal watches him reach into a room and picks up a long wooden staff then relying on it as a walking stick, hobbles on with Daegal still following him
Albin, key in hand, unlocks the door and moves up the curved stairwell unaware that two figures, Merlin and Daegal are now hurrying down the hallway at the moment, Anakin, Padme, Arthur and Morgana move around one side of the table as the Sarrum and his men move around the other side of the table.
The knights, Gaius and the Sarrum's men continue moving down the room, whilst Padme, Arthur and Morgana stand meters behind Anakin who is now beside the Sarrum stopping at the head of the table, in front of the treaty.
Albin moves down the hallway, which is overlooking the throne room and slides behind one of the thick pillars, looking down at the knights in place at the moment Merlin pauses at the corner of the hallway, he feels something was out of place.
Daegal looks up at him "What's wrong?" he asks him as Merlin then notices the door Albin had just unlocked, was opened
"This should be locked" he tells Daegal moving over towards it and rushes through and up the staircase. He doesn't know that he is inches from saving his friend's life.
The treaty is now positioned in front of the Sarrum and Anakin, who watches him study and read it. He smiles across at Anakin before glancing up at Albin, who's fingers are inches on the crossbow's trigger watching his leader leaning down to the sign the treaty.
Padme is silent beside Arthur, watching her husband as Sarrum begins to sign just as Daegal and Merlin step out at the end of the hallway seeing Albin ready to fire his fatal arrow. Distracted by the surprise arrival of the two boys, Albin pulls away and aims the crossbow at them!
Merlin steps out in front of Daegal, right as Albin fires the arrow towards them however Merlin is able to use his magic to divert the arrow from them seeing it fly past them. Annoyed at his failure to strike them down, Albin lowers his crossbow and pulls out a small dagger from his belt, hurling it towards them seeing them duck to the ground, Merlin on his back and Daegal against the wall
The Sarrum had the quill on the parchment not knowing what was going on above them, but Padme was. Her heart beating, feeling the moment as she watched Albin reload his crossbow and turn back towards the room. He moves his crossbow over his leader towards Anakin. Merlin knows this is his chance and sees the wooden staff beside him. Slowly lifting it up, he aims it towards Albin, his eyes flash as he sends it straight into Albin throwing him off guard firing the arrow sending it straight for not Anakin, but the Sarrum!
The arrow pierced straight for the Sarrum's chest, causing him to cry out "Argh!" as Padme's eyes widen at the same time Anakin, Arthur and Morgana moved over towards the fallen Sarrum. Albin then slumps down the pillar.
Clutching his chest, the Sarrum slumps to his side on the table as Anakin springs into action turning towards his brother, "Arthur!" he cries pointing up to the overhead walkway instructing him to get up there to investigate at the moment Gaius hurries over towards them. Anakin looks over at his wife who is at a loss for words, she was shocked and speechless because this wasn't supposed to happen. Morgana moves over beside him as Anakin turns back to Gaius.
Gaius was looking over the Sarrum, looking up at where the arrow had came from as Anakin watched him, at the same time Arthur took some of the knights and headed up for the walkway, no one saw Padme still appearing flustered and stunned. Morgana wrapped an arm around her friend,
"Anakin will find out what happened Padme, and let's be thankful they're both not dead" she tells him as Padme only smiles
"Yes, at least I still have Anakin" she breathes though she didn't know how she would explain this to Morgause.
Whilst...
Back up on the balcony, Merlin, breathing in relief, slowly gets to his feet, seeing Albin slumped against the pillar, eyes closed. He moves over towards him staring down at this man, he had done it. He had saved his friend. Merlin then turns to look down into the throne room, seeing Gaius beside the dead Sarrum, Anakin beside him and Morgana with Padme.
It is at that moment, Gaius looks up seeing Merlin standing at the balcony-he was here and alive.
Merlin breathes, smiling "We did it" he tells Daegal looking back at the young boy except his joy turns to sadness as he sees the young boy struggling to move and it was then that Merlin had seen Daegal now had the dagger stuck in his side. He rushes back to his new friend's side, hearing him gasping for breath
"Did...I save Anakin?" he asks as Merlin places his hand over the wound, he smiles up at his friend, nodding
"Yes" Merlin replies as Daegal then asks
"Did I do something good?" Merlin, attempting to hold pressure to Daegal's wound, as Daegal gives a small chuckle "Finally, eh?" he points out trying to make light on the situation. Merlin gives him a small smile hoping he can have him hold on but sadly, Merlin felt Daegal stop moving and he went still.
Merlin lowered his head in sadness, despite what trouble he had created and nearly killed Merlin, he felt that this boy really didn't want to kill Anakin despite what Uther had done to his mother. Merlin stared at this boy, one hand at the back of Daegal's hand as he slumps forward, eyes closed
"Yeah, you did" he assures him wanting to know that the last thing he did, was heroic and he died a hero, someone who was guilty of what he had done and redeemed himself.
Two hours later, Merlin found that not only Gaius was relieved to see him, but so was Anakin, Arthur and Morgana. Padme kept her distance because she thought he was dead and never expected to see him again. As Anakin, Padme and Arthur moved away, Morgana was left alone with Merlin
"It's so good to see you Merlin" she smiles "You missed a lot while you were gone" she teased as Merlin smiles
"I would have thought no one missed me" he confesses as Morgana grins,
"Well, you're wrong. Anakin and Arthur were lost without you" she admits seeing him grin cheekily. Couldn't even last a week without him he thought but then noticed Morgana go quiet, he tilts his head at her,
"Is something wrong?" he asks as Morgana looks up at him
"I'm scared Merlin" she confesses "I think something's happening to Padme and I fear something will happen to Anakin" she tells him. Merlin touched her arm softly
"I promise you Morgana, I won't let anything happen to Anakin, he's my friend and Padme's probably slowly readjusting to life outside of the dark tower" he assured her. He decided not tell her about what he knew about Padme being in league with Morgause. It was then they heard Arthur's voice
"Merlin!" he angrily snapped as Morgana only laughed, looking up at Merlin
"See, you've only been back for a few hours and already they need you" she points out as they both laugh hearing Arthur's voice again
"Merlin!" he shouts once more, Merlin shakes his head before he hurries off down the hallway to see what Arthur needed help with now, yes, he didn't miss this while he was gone.
After assisting Arthur, Merlin then headed up to Anakin and Padme's chamber, finding them both sitting at their table, awaiting their meals. Padme was still in her dress but Anakin had changed out of his chainmail and was wearing black pants and red over shirt. Merlin moved over towards the table to the side where he started fixing up their plates. As Merlin continued to set up their food, Anakin was still reflecting on this morning's events and how lucky he was he survived
"I still can't believe how lucky I was" he admits "I owe that boy my life and I don't know who he was or where he's from" he tells him before he looks over at Merlin "We need to make sure we give him a decent burial" he insists. Merlin picks up their plates, looking over at his friend
"I'll do that" he promises him moving over towards them "If you'd allow me the time" he adds. He places the plate down in front of Anakin, who is silent for a moment before he then remembers
"Oh, so you can go and visit that girl again" he tells him. Padme looks up over at Anakin, wondering what Merlin was going to say. He then places the second plate in front of her,
"What?" Merlin replies, confused. Anakin grins cheekily
"Girl" he tells him smirking watching Merlin move back over to the side table, he was slightly limping as he then denies this statement
"I don't have one" he tells them as Anakin shakes his head
"That's not what Padme tells me" he corrects him. Merlin picks up the jug, surprised by that response as Padme smiles back at Anakin then looking over at Merlin innocently. Merlin walks back over to them as Anakin goes on
"So, why don't you tell us all about her?" he asks as Merlin pours some wine into Anakin's cup. Quiet, Merlin looks from Anakin to Padme, who blinks sweetly, holding out her cup to him
"Right" he simply says moving to fill her cup, still limping as Anakin reaches for his drink
"And why you're walking with a limp" he observes taking a sip. Padme curiously stares up at Merlin waiting for him to answer as Merlin stares back at her. If only he could reveal what really happened and how Padme really wanted him dead instead of the Sarrum. If only Anakin knew.
Later that afternoon, Merlin, Gaius and Obi Wan left Camelot and moved out into the forest, to give Daegal a decent burial. Once they had buried the body, Merlin constructed a pile of small rocks together and made a small cross to place at the top. Obi Wan and Gaius watched as Merlin, now holding a small bunch of green leaves, kneel before his grave
"His life had hardly began" he tells them, sadness in his voice as he got back to his feet. He then began to move away with Obi Wan and Gaius, "It can't go on" he tells them as Obi Wan looks to Gaius. He was in agreement with Merlin
"Padme?" he asks as Merlin knows they need to do something
"We have to do something about her" he insists as Obi Wan looks between Merlin and Gaius, before he spoke
"Yes, but the question is what?" he asks them. Neither of them could answer but Merlin had a strong look on determination on his face. He would not let Morgause win, he will find a way to save Padme. He would not let Arthur or Morgana lose their brother and he will not let Anakin die and that was a promise to himself.