Gwaine stood up; Merlin had surprised him once again. He and Percival were supposed to be saving Merlin, but it turned out that they were the ones that needed rescuing.
"So let's go back to Camelot." Gwaine said.
Percival agreed. He walked over to the trees, where the horses were.
Merlin didn't move. "I have to do something first, on my own."
"What are you talking about Merlin?" Gwaine asked.
"Mordred has plans; he is attempting to get the Druids on his side, so I have to convince them to join our cause instead."
"Are they a threat?" Gwaine asked; he was trying to understand the situation.
Merlin nodded; "Mordred wants Camelot to be fighting a war on two fronts. He wants magic to be the reason Camelot loses."
"So let's go find the Druids" Gwaine decided.
"I am assuming that the Knights of Camelot would make them uncomfortable." Percival piped in.
Gwaine realized that might be a problem.
Merlin nodded; "I will go get the Druids. Then I will be at the battle, I promise."
"Merlin we don't doubt you one bit." Gwaine said. "Don't worry about us."
Merlin laughed; his whole life revolved around worrying about people. He wouldn't know what to do if he stopped worrying.
Gwaine mounted his horse. "It really is funny how deeply connected you and Arthur are, he knew you were in trouble."
Merlin was surprised; but then he remembered when he screamed in the cave. He wanted help. And help had come. The universe actually listened to him. It was surprised, but Merlin was grateful.
"Tell him thank you," Merlin said sincerely. For once Arthur saved him. It was a change of pace. Merlin decided he liked being the hero better; there was less of a chance of being killed.
"Sure, where are you going?" Gwaine said.
"I will be going to find a camp and visit some of my old Druid..." Merlin was unaware of what to call them. He wasn't sure if they were friends, or associates, or maybe they were just the Druids. "Friends," Merlin decided on, he wanted the Knights to be more comfortable with the idea of the Druids, he was afraid that they wouldn't trust them.
Gwaine nodded; he was looking forward to meeting some of Merlin's magical friends. Merlin had told them all these stories about him being powerful and extraordinary, but he hadn't told any humiliating stories. Gwaine had a feeling there were a few out there.
Percival on the other hand was worried; if the Druids showed up in the battle, the soldiers would attack.
"What do we tell Arthur?"
Merlin realized that some Druids were going to attack. "Tell Arthur that there will be Druids on the mountains, you don't need to worry about the rest. I will come with a plan."
Gwaine was reluctant to leave Merlin on his own, but he had a feeling that the Knights of Camelot would make the situation harder.
Percival wanted to know if Merlin thought they stood a good chance, Merlin didn't seem to be a person to ask for help very often. Hell they had to force there help on him. "Merlin, are you worried?"
Merlin knew that the honest answer to the question was yes, but he saw that both Gwaine and Percival were worried. No matter what; magic still made them slightly uncomfortable. "Morgana has greater numbers, but we have greater skill. We have Arthur."
Merlin turned around and began to walk towards his horse, within seconds he mounted and rode of in the opposite direction of Camelot. Merlin knew that he had a limited time to locate the Druids, and he had very little idea of where to find them. Gwaine and Percival were over estimating his relationship with the Druids. He only ran into them a few times, mostly due to accidents. Druids were masters at hiding. It would take him days to find the correct location. He had to get started. He had no time to lose.
Percival was satisfied with the answer. He had a feeling that Merlin was keeping things to himself, but Merlin was secretive by nature. His answer was an honest. Merlin believed in them, and he believed in Arthur.
Gwaine knew his friend, he trusted Arthur, but he had his own plan. Merlin was going to do something spectacular. Gwaine was sure of it.
Gwaine and Percival rode back to Camelot. It was clear that the city was preparing for war. You could see soldiers left and right, marching and practicing. The citizens were preparing as well. They were getting water, barricading their homes, and watching the soldiers. Arthur was among the soldiers as usual. He was leading them through basic sword drills. Gwen was walking with Gaius; he was teaching ordinary citizens on how to treat wounds, because they had volunteered to help treat wounded soldiers. You could see the horses being lined up. The army looked like it was hours away from leaving the city. In-fact Percival was surprised that he hadn't left yet.
Arthur spotted the two of them. He breathed a sigh of relief that was until he saw that Gwaine and Percival were alone. His heart started to race, where was Merlin? Percival and Gwaine jumped off their horses, they didn't want to make Arthur worry needlessly.
"He is fine." Gwaine stated; "hell he is better than fine."
"So he is safe?" Arthur asked; he couldn't believe he was worried. He shouldn't have been so paranoid.
Gwaine could see the doubt crossing Arthurs face. He thought he had acted like a fool, Arthur was easy to read.
Gaius saw the Knights and motioned Gwen over. Both of them knew that they brought news of Merlin.
"Where is Merlin?" Gwen ran up and asked.
Gwaine and Percival were waiting for Gaius to catch up.
"Please keep talking" Gaius declared.
"Well you were right, Merlin was in trouble. He had been trapped by mercenaries." Gwaine started.
Arthur couldn't believe that his instincts were right. But he was confused; where was Merlin?
"Who sent the mercenaries?" Gaius asked; not that he had any doubts. He wanted to hear the words. He should have listened to Merlin; he shouldn't have ever told Merlin to give Mordred a chance. Gaius felt responsible. He had believed in the good in people, he had believed in the nobility of the Knights of Camelot. And look at where it got them. Merlin was right Mordred was a threat.
"It seems that Mordred and Morgana are not done with Merlin." Percival said gravely.
Arthur felt such rage build; he had never thought that Mordred would betray him so deeply. He had risked so much for him.
"Where is Merlin?" Gwen asked; her nerves couldn't take the anticipation.
"He got his magic back" Gwaine said with enthusiasm.
Gaius breathed a sigh of relief that meant his boy was going to be ok.
"But where is he?" Gwen persisted; Merlin would have come back with Gwaine and Percival if everything was ok. But he wasn't here. He would never leave Camelot, when it was in trouble, unless something worse was going to happen.
"Merlin came out of the cave, saying he felt better than ever." Gwaine emphasized; he thought the worry was for Merlin's well being. He didn't realize that his absence was disturbing everyone.
Percival on the other hand did. "Merlin said that the Druids were being persuaded by Mordred to join Morgana's cause, and that Camelot would be fighting a war on both sides. The Druids would be on the mount and pick off our soldiers."
Arthur sighed; this was not going to end well. Morgana had been a force to be reckoned with, when she only had men, but know she had magic as well. But where was Merlin?
Gaius realized Merlin had gone to convince the Druids to join his cause. "Is he going to try to connect with the Druids?"
Gwaine nodded. "He called them friends, and said that he would take care of the sorcerers, he only wants us to be prepared. Arthur he seemed confident in his abilities."
Arthur wondered how much sway Merlin truly had over the Druids. "Can Merlin convince them? After all I am no friend to the magical community."
Gaius nodded; "Merlin is known by many names, and by many people. The Druids have a deep bond with him, though they have not always been allies, Merlin has many friends that would gladly lay down their lives for him."
Arthur wanted to say he wasn't shocked, but he was. Arthur understood the loyalty that Merlin could inspire, but it was still so strange to hear. He wondered how much he didn't know about his friend. "Why has he never called on them before?" Camelot had been in many dire circumstances before.
Gaius chuckled. "He would never ask someone to help him. He has always been hell bent on doing things on his own. He doesn't want others to die for him."
Arthur understood that perfectly, that was why he went into every battle. He wanted his Knights and soldiers to know that his life was worth as much as theirs.
Gwen smiled slightly; it warmed her heart to know how similar Arthur and Merlin truly were.
"What should be we do know?" Gwen asked; should they wait for Merlin or should the army begin to march?
"Merlin said he would see us there." Gwaine stated.
Arthur nodded; this was his decision. He had faith that Merlin would arrive, with help.
"I will go address the soldiers. Gwaine, Percival join the knights. Gaius and Gwen finish the preparations."
The soldiers and citizens looked towards there King and Queen, they all knew the inner workings of Camelot well enough to know, that something of grave importance was being discussed. Many of the soldiers noticed that one thing was missing; Merlin. He was always with; Arthur, Gaius, the Knights or the Queen. It was part of the fabric of Camelot to see him. Merlin was one of the most well known people in the Kingdom. Yet the boy was a riddle to everyone who had ever met him. He spoke with such confidence, and yet he acted as a fool on many occasions. And yet the King valued the servant's opinion above all others. So they all wondered where Merlin was.
Sir Kay watched the intense discussion; he had watched the Prince mature, over the years. He knew that long ago he was an arrogant man. He had skill, but lacked leadership abilities, and then it all changed. Arthur had never had a real friend until Merlin. His previous servants never spoke back, never questioned and they did what they were told. Merlin challenged Arthur; he had witnessed it firsthand. It was shocking, and unheard off, but it was necessary. Sir Kay had stopped thinking about when he realized that the Prince had a friend at long last. Sir Kay came to the realization the Merlin was part of the reason Arthur transformed into the King he was today. Sir Kay had never thought much on Merlin, but his absence was a strange sight. He knew that Merlin was always at the centre of action. He had never once abandoned his King. It was common knowledge that wherever Arthur went, Merlin was sure to follow; whether it was a dangerous quest, or to face a dragon or into war. Merlin never once left Arthur side. Sir Kay realized it was a given to everyone Merlin should have been there. He was a man without any training or skill of any kind, but yet he could trust his life to Arthur, they should too. He was an unnoticed, unspoken symbol. Sir Kay wondered where Merlin was. He never thought he would see the day where the friendship he had seen between Arthur and Merlin would be questioned. He never thought he see the day when Arthur went into battle without Merlin at his side. And yet today seemed to be the day.
Arthur walked into the castle, and up the stairs. This path was so similar to him. He had watched his father go up the same stairs and address the people. He had always wanted to go up with him. Now Arthur understood the burden much better, he was not only talking to the people, he was responsible for the people. After all these years the steps were getting harder to walk up. The stakes kept going up. He had always felt pressure, but this battle felt different. He knew that he had the fate of not only his people, but Merlin's as well. He owed Merlin so much, he could not fail now. He had to defeat Morgana; he had to bring peace back to the land.
Arthur reached the top, he walked up. Within seconds the crowd was silent. All eyes were on their King. He looked confident and sure. It was a sight that the people had found comforting. Uther had always struck fear into their hearts. The people were always afraid that one day he would come for them. But now with Arthur everything was different. You knew that he fought for the people. He didn't care whether you were a commoner or a nobleman. His Queen was just as caring. This was a King that they would gladly follow.
"Soldiers, Knights and Citizens, in an hour's time our army will march to meet the forces of Morgana Pendragon." The words were expected, but oddly final.
People had come to the conclusion that this would be the last battle between the King and his sister.
"We have little to fear, for we are one. One Kingdom that shall not succumb to mercenaries and bandits. This is because we fight for something more. We fight not for gold or plunder, but for a cause, for our homes and our families. We fight for Camelot!"
The crowd cheered. Gwen was beaming with pride; she never got tired of Arthur's speeches. He never prepared, but when it was his time he spoke as the great King he was.
"So let us not fear, or worry, for we are a greater force. And to the people of Camelot, we fight for you. This battle will happen miles from Camelot as to insure your protection. And I make you a vow, we shall return victorious or we shall not return at all." Arthur stated with certainty. He would not return as a failure.
Arthur saw that his people looked up towards him with confidence. He smiled; all the doubts he had, did not matter. He had to bury them deep inside himself.
"For the love of Camelot!" Arthur shouted.
"For the love of Camelot!" The crowd chanted.
Arthur came down the stairs, and looked to his side; he had expected Merlin to be standing next to him. He should have either have been offering his rare words of wisdom, but more likely he would have been mocking him. Arthur wished he hadn't taken for granted Merlin's company. It was a greater comfort than he would ever admit.
He saw Gwen there smiling, and that lifted his sprites. He hugged, and held her tight.
"It will be OK
Arthur." She whispered; Gwen could always see the doubt.
"I know" Arthur whispered back.
It had to be OK.
Hey guys, I have finally posted; sorry for the delays, but I had a lot going on.
Anyhow, i hope you like this chapter, i tried to write an inspirational speech, I am not sure if it was good. Plus I hope that it was clear that because the knights helped Merlin, he is more open to asking for help. Other than that I tried to proof read as usual, but I make no promises that it is perfect
Happy Reading
Peacelight