Gwaine had been stood by the doorway, looking around for Merlin as he heard the scream. He pulled his sword as he dived forward, the other three followed hot on his heels. Morgana carried her own sword. Gwen and Gaius had nothing as they ran with her. They honed in on the sound of Merlin's frantic screams. Although he had tried to run, he hadn't got very far. Another cat had leapt out of the undergrowth onto the pathway herding Merlin back and Merlin had, for safety, wriggled under the bramble bush. One of the cats took an experimental swipe at him and Merlin screamed again. The three circling cats hissed as the group ran onto the scene, looking around in shock. The cat nearest to Merlin suddenly yelped spinning slightly under the impact and making everyone jump as an arrow suddenly embedded itself in its haunches.
Arthur came tearing out of nowhere. The nearest cat pounced only to be whacked hard with the crossbow sending it flying. Arthur discarded the bow, flinging it after the stunned cat and he drew his sword, advancing on the injured cat. It backed up, dragging its leg, blood flowing from the wound, pumping out from around the shaft of the bolt. Gwaine moved closer, aiming to take on the third cat. Morgana pushed Gaius and Gwen back, staying with them. They had no protection, and as Leon ran up behind Arthur it meant that there was more than enough to take on the animals.
Leon did the most efficient thing he could. Running up to the cat that had been belted by the crossbow he plunged his sword into the animal's side, forcing it through the ribs. The creature roared in pain and Leon recoiled as the cat's eyes flashed like fire and a gold light streaked out of the eyes. The light streaked away over their heads, shooting through the forest. Arthur saw it out of the corner of his eye, and he advanced on the injured cat, and saw the glimmer in its eyes.
"They're enchanted," he snarled.
The cat snarled back, it bunched its muscles, looking like it was about to pounce but it realised one back leg couldn't take the weight. Arthur dived forward, dropping down and he sliced into the cat's neck. It tried to take a swipe at him, which made Merlin yelp and start to cry. The cat's legs seemed to go out from under it and Arthur did the same thing as Leon and stabbed the cat in the ribs. Its paws flailed for a few seconds before it lay still.
Gwaine and Leon slowly advanced on the third cat. The eyes moved from one to the other, before they shimmered gold and the iridescent light shot away from the animal. They watched it blink and shake its head before looking around, glaring up at the two men, and the humans that suddenly seemed like a great threat. The cats ears flattened down and it hissed as it backed up into the trees. Gwaine yelled at it and it turned and fled, streaking off into the forest in search of easier prey, its primitive mind not comprehending what had happened and why it was taking on such a big pack of animals.
"What just happened?" Arthur asked, looking around. He turned and everyone's attention focused on Merlin, getting out from under the bramble, snagging his clothes and scratching his skin. Before Arthur could step towards him Merlin was free, on his feet and he latched himself onto Arthur's leg. Merlin clung on tightly, burying his face against Arthur's knee.
"Er… Merlin." Arthur tried to pull his leg away but Merlin clung harder. Arthur bit down on his lip, clearly Merlin was glad to see him. Since everyone was watching that scene, no one saw Gwaine's jaw tighten a little. Merlin gave several muffled little whimpers as he clung to Arthur.
"They must have been what we saw last night," Morgana said. She glanced at Gwaine.
"I guess so."
"When last night?" Gwen asked. Arthur started to scowl.
"Something was out there, just watching. If they came too close they disturbed the horses a little, but since they were keeping their distance it seemed safe enough to just leave it be until the morning," Gwaine said.
"They certainly weren't keeping their distance then," Arthur snapped. He couldn't really risk returning his sword to his belt, without the possibility of taking Merlin's head off. Instead he thrust the point into the ground and took Merlin's arms, trying to detach him. Merlin clung, whimpering harder.
"It confirms the suspicion, they weren't going to make a move if they knew where we were, safely contained. There was no point in risking anyone, or anything just for the sake of it."
"Until you lost Merlin," Arthur said accusingly.
"We didn't lose him, Arthur," Gwen objected. "He wandered off, without telling us. He was told not to."
"The whole point is to keep an eye on him."
"Why did he wander off?" Leon said. Arthur finally pulled Merlin off, taking his wrists and lifting his hands to look at the stains all over his fingers and palms. There were still traces around his mouth, and his shirt was filthy. Arthur knew the answer before even seeing that, having seen the shiny berries on the rough thorny bush.
"Blackberries," Arthur said. "Very good at attracting small birds, including Merlins. I take it you travelled up this track?"
"There is a hunters lodge just a small distance up," Gwaine said. "We took the track to reach it."
"How do you know he likes blackberries?" Gaius asked. Arthur gently lifted Merlin up, seeing the glassy eyes and hands clenching and unclenching in the unspoken demand. He settled Merlin on his hip and tried not to grimace at how sticky he looked. Gaius came forward, pushing up the now ragged sleeves to look at the scratches. Arthur winced. Some of them were deep, oozing blood, which mingled with the berry juice.
"If he spots a bush when we're out hunting, or patrolling, he finds an excuse to raid it. Although he seems to eat more than he actually collects."
Merlin said nothing. He grasped Arthur's jerkin in his fists and pressed his face against Arthur's shoulder, and he started to cry. Arthur frowned, looking confused and pained, but he very gently patted Merlin's back. Merlin wriggled against him.
"All right, its okay, Merlin. They've gone now."
Merlin said something very muffled, that sounded like an apology. Arthur felt like pointing out it wasn't really him Merlin needed to apologise to, but he left it, still trying not to think how much berry juice and flesh was getting smeared all over his clothes. He really felt like holding Merlin at arms length, but he doubted Merlin would react well to that.
"Let's get him back to the lodge and clean him up," Gaius said. There were general mumbles of consent. Leon retrieved the crossbow and the bolt from the dead animal. He looked at the cats carefully, taking in the features and colouring of the animals.
"Mountain cats, they sometimes venture into the forest for food," Gwaine said, as he idly collected Arthur's sword. "At least we know we are heading in the right direction. They'll have come down from the area around the cave."
Leon said nothing; he just followed the group as they walked back to the lodge, with Arthur in the middle, Morgana walking next to him, trying to reassure Merlin. Merlin didn't bring his head up, he just clung onto Arthur, refusing to let go. Arthur wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that. Merlin had been so clingy around him, he was now only two, but he still seemed very like Merlin usually was. Maybe Merlin had just imprinted on him, in those first confusing minutes after he had become a child. Arthur felt secretly pleased, but couldn't help being embarrassed when there were other people witnessing it.
When they reached the lodge Arthur stood Merlin on the table and pulled him out of the ruined top. Juice had seeped through to stain his chest and Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Have we got anything else he can wear?" Arthur asked. Merlin chewed his lower lip looking embarrassed. Gwen took the little tunic and examined it.
"I'll get some water, see if I can clean it up a little."
"And some to wash him with please Gwen. Honestly Merlin, look at the state of you. You look cleaner after you've finished scrubbing the leech tank," Gaius chastised gently.
"Or mucking out my stables, I've never known anyone manage to get so messy. I think he just stands in there and attracts the dirt by power of thought."
Merlin giggled, holding out his arms to Gaius as he started to dab at the scratches. Arthur turned Merlin a little, wincing at a vicious cut down his back. He took another small piece of cloth and started to dab at it gently. Merlin sniffed. Gwen came back with the water and they started trying to clean him up. Gaius worked on Merlin, Gwen worked on the little shirt and Arthur spent a minute or so wiping down his jerkin. Morgana and Gwaine started tidying up the bedrolls. Leon stepped forward to help Morgana.
"Are you all right My Lady?"
"Perfectly, Sir Leon. Why wouldn't I be?"
"I'll sort the horses," Gwaine said. "I don't think we've got much time to waste now. They also know we are aware of them. One thing we do know, I think they want Merlin alive, it looked like he had tried to run, those cats were pacing round him with a good deal of control. Whoever it was had a handle on them."
"The magic of the spell is still within him. It is possible they know a way to use it, or retrieve it," Gaius said.
"That doesn't sound too good for Merlin," Arthur said, wiping Merlin's chest with a damp cloth. Gwen squeezed the excess water out of Merlin's shirt, holding it up to the light to check how clean it was. There was no way of getting rid of the stains but she tried to take the worst of it off.
"We may be able to leave this to dry, it's not cold but maybe we can just wrap him up in a small blanket for now."
"When we get nearer it might be a good idea to split up," Morgana said. "We may need someone to act as a distraction. While Arthur and Gaius get Merlin into the cave."
"I do not want to risk your safety, My Lady," Leon said. Morgana looked furious. "The King has decreed that if anything happens to you, Merlin will be executed."
Arthur turned, looking at him just as furiously as Morgana had done. Before he could say anything someone else voiced their distress.
Gwaine came hurtling back at the sudden noise in the room next door, as Merlin wailed, bursting into even more frantic tears. Gwaine returned to find Merlin sobbing, while everyone yelled at Leon.
"What did you say that for?" Morgana bellowed at him. Merlin cried, and Arthur sighed as he picked Merlin up again, holding the little boy against his chest.
"Honestly Leon," Arthur snapped above the chorus of disapproval, while he rocked Merlin in his arms. "Do you really think that was the moment to bring that up?"
Leon backed up a little, looking rather surprised by the chorus of disapproval. None of them looked the least bit pleased by the information. Least of all Merlin, who Arthur was still holding to his chest, letting Merlin sob onto him, having seen the damage done to his back Arthur didn't dare risk touching that, so while he propped Merlin against him with one arm, he ran his fingers through Merlin's hair with the hand of the other. Merlin clung on, while Arthur murmured at him gently.
"That's not going to happen Merlin, it's not your fault. You are not going to be executed." Arthur spoke with controlled anger, glaring at Leon, who looked slightly baffled. As he glanced at Merlin, his face flickered with embarrassment.
"Leon, give me a hand with the horses," Gwaine suggested. Leon nodded, looking glad to get away from the very odd scene of domesticity as Arthur paced up and down, trying to comfort Merlin, and the rest of them tidying up. Gaius tried to fuss over the rest of Merlin's scratches, Gwen hung the shirt near the remains of the fire while she helped Morgana tidy, and they continued with breakfast. It was probably going to get eaten in rather a hurry, and the porridge looked a little less than appetising now.
In the stable Leon and Gwaine worked in silence for a few minutes but eventually Gwaine, without ceasing concentrating on what he was doing said.
"That is what Uther has decreed is he?"
"Yes, unfortunately. I know it's not fair but he's the king."
Gwaine finished cinching the girth on Morgana's saddle, checking it carefully, and then he turned to look at Leon.
"Uther wouldn't know fair, or not, even if it landed on him from a great height. Do you think any of us are going to let him do that to Merlin?"
"If anything happens, then there won't be a choice, he'll have to return to face the king's judgement."
Gwaine regarded Leon for a moment, eyes narrowing a little as he assessed the knight.
"Let's get this clear now, if I think for one moment that Merlin going back to Camelot will result in that, then it doesn't matter what age he is, I am not letting him go back."
"And who are you to stop us?" Leon said. Gwaine's gaze never faltered, he stared at Leon, who frowned as the other man's eyes remained on him in an unnerving fashion.
"Let's hope you don't have to find out."
"Gwaine!" Gwen's voice floated out to the stable, making the two men break eye contact. "Breakfast if you want it!"
"On my way, I'll let you finish up," he said to Leon with a dismissive wave. Leon blinked, watching as Gwaine left, a little unsure as to what had just actually happened.
Gwaine gave nothing of it away as he walked into the room, taking a bowl off Gwen, looking at the porridge without much enthusiasm.
"I think it was simmering a little too long," she said in apology. Gwaine shrugged and started to eat, smiling at Merlin who was sat on Arthur's lap. Arthur was helping him eat the porridge, simply in the interests of preserving their clothing. Merlin's little shirt was still drying in front of the fire.
"We'd better re-lay the fire before we set off. It would be impolite not to," Gwaine said.
"We can't afford to waste time Gwaine," Arthur said spooning porridge into Merlin's mouth. Merlin screwed up his face. "Eat it Merlin!"
Merlin did, Arthur got another spoonful, and Merlin kept his mouth clamped shut. Arthur looked at him and then pinched Merlin's nose. It forced him to open his mouth and Arthur stuffed the spoon in. Merlin made a muffled noise that sounded like an insult.
"He's probably full anyway, considering the berries he ate," Gaius mused.
"I don't suppose it matters if we rush or not, they know we are coming, they know where we are and they know what we are capable of. We just gave them a damn good demonstration. And they now know that you're here. I don't really see what sort of counter plan we can put against them. Other than just walking in and seeing where it takes us."
"I'm sure we can do better than that," Arthur said, shovelling more porridge into Merlin's mouth. Merlin's little hand grappled for the spoon. Arthur moved it out of his reach. "All right, have you had enough?"
Merlin nodded. Arthur wrapped an arm around him and carefully set him down on the floor. Merlin latched his hands onto Arthur's trousers.
"Right, let's get packed up, Gwen can you sort the fire, please. And is that shirt dry?"
"Almost, it's not very good condition though," she said, holding it up. The light coloured material was stained red, from the blood and juice Merlin had covered himself with. Arthur held out his hand and Gwen passed him the shirt and Arthur started to put Merlin into it, being careful of the various cuts and grazes he had. Merlin let him and then pouted as Arthur passed him to Gaius.
"Just stay with Gaius a minute, I'll be right back."
He moved to the door, going towards Gwaine and glancing at Morgana in an indication she should follow. Arthur went outside and the two of them followed him to where Leon was leading out the horses.
"So what's your plan?" Morgana asked.
"Not sure of that yet, one thing though," he said looking at her. "I want you to stay with Leon."
Morgana looked angry. "I can look after myself."
"I'm not saying you can't, but someone watching your back is probably a good idea, considering what my father has said."
"What about you?" she snapped.
"I'm doing part of my duty. These people performed sorcery in Camelot. I'd be expected to do something about it. At least Merlin's condition means that I have a means to find them."
"I don't think Uther will believe that as a reason for you doing this," Gwaine said. Arthur shrugged.
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," Arthur sighed. He frowned as he watched Gwaine glower at Leon, almost daring him to tell Arthur what he had said. Leon didn't say a word, he looked at Gwaine and Gwaine looked back.
There was nothing to be said.