We're nearing the decisive battle for Camelot. Thanks to everyone for the reviews. Just to let you we're just over half of the story yet, so there's plenty of chapters to come. Hope you enjoy the next one!

So here we go!

Chapter 12: Ealdor

Late the following evening, Merlin, Arthur, Tristan and Isolde reached Camelot's border.

"Ealdor lies at the far side of that valley. Maybe half a day on foot" Merlin said pointing north.
Arthur nodded: "We'll rest here for the night. There's no way Agravaine could've tracked us through those mountains."

"I'll make a fire, we must keep Isolde warm" Merlin dashed off to collect fire wood while Tristan who had been supporting Isolde, put her down gently. She smiled at him gratefully and kissed his cheek.

Arthur watched them with a guilty conscience. He knew Tristan was right, if it hadn't been for him, Isolde wouldn't have been injured and both of them would be on their way. Also they reminded him of Gwen and how he didn't know if she was safe. Exhaling deeply, he stepped up to them and offered his water flask to Tristan.

"Here, you should drink up."

Tristan just contemptuously raised an eyebrow as he stood up and walked past him.

"I'll get my own."

Sometime later, Merlin had managed to get a lively fire going. Tristan sat with his back against a tree trunk, Isolde wrapped tightly in his arms, both slumbering off. Merlin and Arthur sat opposite them closer by the fire. They remained silent for a long time.

Out of the blue, Arthur said: "I feel like such a fool. I put such trust in Agravaine. All this time I was blind to his treachery as I was to Morgana's. Because they are my family..."

Merlin could sense how distressed he was. Although he had thought the same many times, he knew his role was to console him. "You were deceived, Arthur. That could happen to anyone."

Arthur snorted at that, however. "Yet it keeps happening to me. I cared about these people. I...don't understand. What have I done wrong? Why do they hate me?"

"No, they don't hate you. They just...crave your power for themselves."
"Perhaps. Would they still want that power if I was the king my people deserve? Maybe Tristan's right—"

Merlin knew where this was going and he knew that he had to pull all registers to restore Arthur's self-confidence.

"Tristan was angry and afraid. He needed to blame someone, but it's not you that's to blame." And he will see you in a different light soon, he added mentally.
"You seem very sure about all this" Arthur was still not convinced.
"All I know is that, for your many faults, you are honest and brave and kind-hearted, and one day you will be the greatest king this land has ever known."
He finally succeeded in making Arthur smile. A little bit at least.

"Well...good to know I have the support of my servant at least."

"I'm not alone. Believe me" Merlin said emphatically.

The sun was well over its zenith when the four of them entered the village, Tristan still supporting Isolde. Hunith was digging over the patch in front of her house, when she caught sight of Merlin. A huge smile that expressed both joy and worry broke out on her face as she ran to hug him.

"Mother!" Merlin embraced her lovingly. He had missed her very much and he had to fight back the tears that were building up behind his eyes. Hunith let go of him and stepped back to examine him closely. The trails of their eventful flight were clearly visible as was their exhaustion.

"Welcome home, Merlin" she said softly.
Hunith led them inside her house, where Tristan laid Isolde down on the bed.

"Go and rest yourselves. She's in good hands. Merlin and I will tend to her" Hunith said.

"Thank you, Hunith" Tristan replied and reluctantly he left together with Arthur.

The two of them sat down at the table in the house's main room. They sat opposite avoiding each other's gaze and not saying a thing. Then after what had seemed like a small eternity, Merlin came in from the bed room.
"We've cleaned the wound. There's no sign of infection. So as long as she gets plenty of rest, she'll be fine" he said as he walked up to them.

Tristan's face lit up. "Thank you, Merlin, you and your mother for everything you've done for her."
Merlin nodded and then went to see if his mother needed him.

After another silence, Arthur finally steeled himself to say out loud what had troubled him the whole day: "I'm sorry I brought this...misfortune upon you."
"Well, I may have lost my cargo, but I still have my beloved Isolde."

Thinking of Gwen, Arthur replied: "Then you're richer than you know."

The whole time, Merlin was anxious. Agravaine and his men would be upon them very soon. And although he really tried to enjoy the company of his mother, he wasn't really there, his thoughts were going round in circles. And of course, his mother noticed.

"What is it, Merlin?" she asked quietly.

Shaking his head, he replied: "It's complicated. I'm not sure I did the right thing bringing them all here."

"Whatever it is that worries you, it's good to have you home, Merlin."

"I'm so sorry it's been so long."
"I understand how it is, your life in Camelot. I worry about you sometimes. The dangers you must face."

Merlin looked at her and smiled sadly: "Mother, I don't want you to worry."

Hunith returned his smile: "I can't help it. It's what mothers do."

They fell silent as they walked back to their home.
"Merlin, I know you'd rather not talk of it, but is there a chance I can help?" Hunith turned to her son as they reached the door.

Merlin was about to say no out of habit, but then he thought better of it.

"I fear that Arthur and I are being followed. They'll probably come here and I don't want anyone to get hurt. Do you think you could get everyone to hide for tonight somewhere safe?"

"Don't worry, Merlin. I think I'll manage. You know, your mother's word has some weight in this village. Leave it to me" she said happily. Then she turned and went to talk to the others while Merlin entered the house where he grew up.

Hunith was back an hour later. She smiled at Merlin as she entered but she didn't say anything. But from the sparkle in her eyes Merlin could tell that she had been successful.

One thing less I need to worry about then, he thought. Arthur and Tristan were sitting at the table, saying nothing to each other. Isolde was sitting close by the fire wrapped in a warm blanket. Her cheeks had regained their natural rosy colour and she was recovering very well. Hunith sat down next to her and inquired after her condition. Merlin smiled as he took the scene in. It was all so peaceful – too peaceful to last, as he had to find. He looked out of the small window. And then he saw the Southrons' torches surrounding the village. He stood up hastily.

"Agravaine. He's found us!" he said turning to the others trying to sound surprised.

The others jumped to their feet and joined Merlin at the window. Together they watched as Agravaine and his men entered the village. They went from house to house but nobody was there which seemed to confuse them.

"We need to get out of here quickly" Arthur whispered.

"Any suggestions?" Tristan asked, casting a worried glance to Isolde.

"'Round the back" Merlin said while leading them out of the house. He waited for them to leave, then he turned to his mother.

"Go and hide with the others. It's going to get dangerous and I want you to be safe."

"You know that is actually my part" Hunith replied with a forced smile as she hugged him good-bye. "Be careful, my son." Then she hurried away towards the forest.

Merlin watched as she disappeared in the darkness, then he turned his attention towards Agravaine again. With a flash of gold in his eyes, he set a cart rolling toward him.
"Bæl on bryne!" he whispered. His eyes glowed again and the cart burst into flames. Then he ran to follow the others, knowing that Agravaine and the Southrons would be at their heels soon enough.

He caught up with them just as they were approaching the mouth of cave tunnels.
"I'll cover our tracks, you keep going!" Merlin said and turned around. Then he waited until the others were out of ear shot. Then he threw his head back and called out in dragon tongue: "O drakon, fthengomai au se kalon; su katerkheo deuro!"
Without waiting for Kilgharrah, he headed for the caves. Just as he entered, he could hear the great dragon swooping down on Agravaine and his men.

"Did you lose them?" Arthur greeted him. The worry in his voice was clearly audible.
"It's safe" he replied confidently.

But Arthur was not really convinced: "You sure?"

"Do I look like an idiot?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't change, does it?"

"Can you two leave your banter for later when we have more time for it?" Tristan cut in. He was supporting Isolde who leaned heavily on him

"Right. Which way now, Merlin?" Arthur asked as they reached the point where the tunnel split into two.

Merlin hesitated as he tried to remember which tunnel he chose the last time. Arthur noticed and shot him a worried look.

"I thought you said you grew up in these tunnels" he said sceptically.

"I did. Just- it could be that way."

"Or it could be that way."

"No, it's definitely this one" Merlin said and walked on purposefully.

Arthur rolled his eyes and muttered: "That's very reassuring."

Arthur and Merlin led their party through the caves. Then Isolde tripped and would have fallen if Tristan and Merlin hadn't caught her. She gave them a thankful smile and leaning on both of them they carried on with Arthur taking the lead.
"So you're Arthur's servant?" Tristan asked quietly as they continued walking.

"Yes, I saved his life and this kind of was my reward" Merlin replied with a smile.

"And does he always treat you like this? I mean, not showing any appreciation at all?"

"Appreciation is not his strongest point."

"So why do you stick with him?"

"He's my king." And my friend, he added mentally.

Tristan snorted contemptuously. "I can't say I've detected many kingly qualities so far."

Arthur flinched but walked on pretending not to have heard.

Merlin shook his head slowly. "Well, maybe you don't know him."

Merlin couldn't remember for how long they had been walking through this seemingly endless tunnel when they suddenly heard some noise behind them.

"I thought you said we'd lost them" Arthur whispered angrily.

Merlin shrugged his shoulders. "I thought I had."

"It won't take long for them to catch us" Tristan said.

"I'll go back. Create a diversion." Merlin said and headed back through the tunnel. But Arthur grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"It's too risky."

"I know these tunnels and Agravaine doesn't. You keep going, I'll catch up later."

"Merlin...don't do anything stupid."

"Me?" Merlin gave him a confident smile and then left. As he looked back, he caught Arthur's worried glance. Arthur nodded and then followed Tristan and Isolde further into the tunnels while Merlin hurried along the tunnel wall towards the Southrons. As he reached another side tunnel, he could hear them close by. So here we go again¸ he thought. He took a deep breath, then stepped around the corner to face them.

"OH, HELLO!" he said and rushed off into the other tunnel, followed closely by Agravaine and his men.

The tunnel was of course a dead end.

"Merlin. Merlin?" he could hear Agravaine's voice close. Slowly, he turned round to face the traitor who had brought so much suffering over Arthur and Camelot.

"Where's Arthur?" Agravaine asked confidently.

Merlin shook his head slightly.

"Be careful" Merlin said in a low, threatening voice. He could see that Agravaine was confused. He looked around the cave searching for a trap or something. As he could not find any, he turned to Merlin again.

"What are you talking about? Where's Arthur?"

Merlin shifted his weight, so that he had a more secure stand.

"Tell me. Now. Or I'll have to kill you" Agravaine's voice became more heated.

Merlin shook his head sadly. He knew where this had to end. But he simply said: "I don't think so."

Agravaine stepped towards Merlin. Merlin threw all of them back with a flash of his eyes. He didn't even need a spell for that. He just let his magic run free. As Agravaine came to his senses again, Merlin stepped forward and looked down. He really didn't want to do this, but he knew he had to. He had no choice. Then he raised his head nobly to look Agravaine in the eyes.
"You have magic" Agravaine gaped.

"I was born with it" Merlin replied defiantly.

Agravaine tried to get to his feet as he realised something.

"So it's you. You're Emrys." His expression was a mixture of disbelief and amusement, but also fears.

"That is what the druids call me."

"And you've been at court all this time, eh? At Arthur's side" Agravaine chuckled. "How you've managed to deceive him. I am impressed, Merlin. Perhaps we're more alike than you think."

"You and I are not alike, Agravaine. You have allied yourself with Morgana who only out of selfish motives and hurt pride wants to take the throne of Camelot for herself. I have seen what she and her hatred have done to the people. Innocent people have suffered. I want no part in this" Merlin said heatedly.

Then he raised his hand to strike with his magic. Agravaine's smug smile had faded during Merlin's speech. He held his hands up in submission, but Merlin knew better than to fall for it. He lowered his hand a little bit though.
That was the moment Agravaine had been waiting for. He whipped out a knife with his other hand to attack Merlin, but Merlin raised both hands and blasted Agravaine backwards, his eyes flashing golden. He was dead the moment he hit the ground. Merlin took a deep breath then hurried after the others.

He had reached the point where he had separated from the others when he heard noise coming from before him.

And then, out of the blue there was Arthur standing in front of him with his sword drawn, ready to attack. As he recognised Merlin, he lowered his sword and smiled briefly.

"Merlin! Where have you been?" he asked trying to mask his anxiety with briskness.

"Were you worried about me?"

"No. I was making sure we weren't being followed." Arthur always had been a bad liar.

"You came back to look for me."

"All right, it's true. I came back because you're the only friend I have and I couldn't bear to lose you."

"Really?" Merlin knew how hard it had been for Arthur to admit that, but he couldn't resist to tease.

Arthur turned around and walked off, mumbling: "Don't be stupid, Merlin."

Merlin smiled contentedly and followed him.

What do you think? Next chapter is already in the making. Hope to update soon!