Hola! so i finally finished this chapter! sorry it took so long to update i was working on What Happens! :D soon that'll be done and i'll be working on the sequel! but here we go for now! :D
Disclaimer; IDOM...if i did...i would do some stuff to it...:D
Enjoy!
Arthur woke up by a loud knock at his door, and then the sound of the heavy obstacle swinging open before he could ask who's there. Merlin?
"Arthur?" The voice said loudly. Nope, not Merlin.
Arthur tried to shake his head but found it buried underneath his arm. Uh, he'd had a long night. The memories of his and Merlin's friendship still rang through his mind, taunting him, keeping him awake.
"Arthur, you're still asleep?" Gwaine's accent broke through the haze as he rubbed his eyes.
"Not anymore," he replied.
Gwaine laughed. "Come on Princess, Merlin's already at the training field."
What? Arthur thought. Then he remembered the party last night; Merlin had said he'd had to train some new sorcerers. Right...well, that should be interesting.
Arthur reluctantly braced himself with his arms, lifting himself off the bed. He ran his hand through his golden hair, yawning as he let his hand fall. "Alright, I'm up."
Gwaine grinned. "Well, let's go. I wouldn't mind seeing Merlin train someone...that's gotta be interesting."
Arthur threw his legs over the edge of the large bed, launching himself off it. "He's had six months to learn, remember," Arthur said sadly.
Gwaine looked at him with sympathy in his brown eyes as a sad pang of the reminder that Merlin had lost his memory hit him. That's what caused him to stay here, in Terryn. That was why he was...
"Arthur...he's still the same Merlin, just...-"
"Different?" Arthur suggested. Because that's what Merlin was now...more...and less. He was more grown up, mature. And there was just something that wasn't there...his Merlin. That little immature spark in his eye that meant him and Gwaine had a prank planned, or that little irresponsible irk that meant he was always getting himself into trouble, usually in a noble effort to save his friends. He felt a twang of jealousy as he remembered how Merlin had interacted with Rowan, it was like how they'd been...before.
"Yeah," Gwaine said softly. He was the same Merlin...but different. If that made sense. This Merlin had an air of confidence surrounding him, he was more sure of himself. Could that because he was able to use his magic freely here? Gwaine wasn't sure.
"Come on, the rest of the Knight's said they'd meet us there," Gwaine put in.
Arthur walked over to the wardrobe and threw a deep blue shirt over his torso, rolling the sleeves up to his elbow. "Well, let's go then. I assume you know the way?"
Gwaine nodded, turning on his heel and opening the door again. Arthur quickly slipped on his boots before following the knight out the door.
"Gwaine," Arthur started as they walked down the sunlit corridor, "I was thinking..."
Gwaine gave him a confused look. "What?"
Arthur took a deep breath. "I've been thinking that we should probably return to Camelot soon."
Gwaine gave Arthur a slight nod; he'd know this was coming; it had only been a matter of time. Gwaine knew why too; Merlin. Seeing him here, but him hardly knowing who they were...hurt. But was it better to stay with him? Or to leave?
"And what about Merlin?" Gwaine asked tight lipped.
Arthur looked at the ground and shook his head to clear it before looking at Gwaine again. "It'll be his decision; to stay here or to come with us." A stone of sadness burned in his gut as he said it with just the thought of Merlin choosing to stay in Terryn.
Gwaine cleared his throat and nodded slowly. "Um...when were you planning on leaving?"
"I was, uh, thinking we stay a few days more, two maybe...see if anything...changes." Arthur explained. Gwaine knew what 'changes' meant...
"If Merlin gets his memory back," he translated.
Arthur nodded.
"Well, we'll see." Gwaine said.
Suddenly they stepped out of the castle and into the bright sunlight, and into the courtyard. People were bustling about as usual, pushing carts, guiding animals, herding children through the stone covered courtyard.
They walked past this all, saying hello to some in passing. They walked outside of the main castle walls and onto a grassy plain. To their right were knights of Terryn, normal people sparring in pairs. To their left was Merlin's group; three rows of people with five people in each row and Merlin pacing in the front of the group giving instructions. He was wearing brown trousers, a red tunic, and then the green cloak that he'd worn when they'd first seen him. Everyone else had on red cloaks.
Arthur and Gwaine walked over to their group consisting of Leon, Perce, Elyan, and Rowan who were standing by the wall near the entrance to the field where they could clearly see Merlin.
"So, what's he been doing?" Arthur asked.
"Well, first he worked on their stance, and then something magic, but I didn't understand a word of it. Now, we're waiting to see what he does next," Leon answered.
As if on cue, Merlin spoke up. "Next, we'll work on shields."
"I guess he's doing shields next," Gwaine smiled sarcastically.
Arthur rolled his blue eyes but grinned.
"You all know how to create small shields, today we'll work on stronger ones. The trick is, when you create a shield, you subconsciously tie it to yourself, therefore the shield is only as strong as its creator. When you tie it to something stronger, you're shield increases in strength and durability," Merlin explained, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Simon."
They all watched as said servant stood up from the bench he'd been sitting on and grab a medium size box of the bench. He started walking up and down the aisles, handing each sorcerer something.
Arthur couldn't believe how different Merlin was in this setting. He was more confident, a leader. Arthur always knew he could be, but had never seen it. Merlin was in complete control and it only made him sadder to see how much his friend had changed.
Merlin, aware that the group watching wouldn't know what they are, explained, "Simon is giving you each a shard of crystal, the hardest substance known. Try tying your shield to this and it will make it stronger. Now, pair off and try it, shooting light spells, then getting stronger. Remember to switch off. Eric, you're with me."
"Eric's his best student," Rowan explained.
They saw the student's pair off and then wander further into the field, giving each other room to practice on their own. Shouts of 'scutum' filled the air as different colored shields were erected. Merlin had Eric go first and they watched as he easily erected his own glowing green shield.
"Ready?" Merlin asked him. Eric nodded so Merlin took his first shot. They all watched with surprise as, with only a slight flick of his wrist, Merlin was able to conjure a glowing ball of energy.
"Other sorcerer's would need spells to do that, Merlin doesn't, it was one of the things I noticed when we first met; his magic is mainly elemental, he doesn't need words to do a lot of things," Rowan commented.
Arthur raised his eyebrows as Gwaine snickered. "So he really is powerful then?"
Rowan nodded, a proud glint in his eye, and once again Arthur's heart hurt at his and Merlin's lost past.
Merlin threw the ball of magic at Eric's shield, which only wavered slightly as they made contact.
"Good!" Merlin called. "Now I'm going to throw a stronger one, alright?"
"Stronger one?" Leon said astounded. "He can make a stronger one?"
"Oh, yeah." Rowan answered nonchalantly.
Arthur and Gwaine exchanged a wary look, both wondering how much Merlin had had to keep from them...powerful magic amongst it.
They watched as Merlin flicked his wrist again, this time a glowing ball of fire erupted in his hand, twice the size of the last one. "Remember to focus your energy on the shield through the crystal," Merlin advised.
A servant came up behind them and started whispering fervently to Rowan, only distracting then for a second. Eric nodded and Merlin unleashed the sphere. It struck the shield head on and wavered more violently, but held long enough for the ball of fire to dissipate.
"Very good." Merlin praised, a bright smile on his face. Eric grinned proudly, though tired from the practice.
"Merlin!" Rowan shouted.
Merlin snapped his head over to look at him as Rowan waved him over. Merlin jogged over to them, his cloak billowing out behind him until he was standing in front of them. He smiled and nodded saying hello, they did the same to him as Rowan began speaking.
"Listen Merlin, we've got a convoy south of here." Rowan explained.
Merlin's smile instantly dropped as a serious look overcame his features; his cerulean eyes hardening as his mouth set itself in a thin line. "Let's go then."
"Wait, wait," Arthur interjected, "what convoy?"
Merlin and Rowan exchanged looks before Merlin answered him. "Slave convoy. They still have to pass through these lands to get to their employer in the north. We try to intercept any that we can."
Arthur looked slightly proud and slightly startled. Proud that Merlin was trying to help people like that, but, of course, it was Merlin, he'd always done that. And startled that Merlin had to do anything anyway. Merlin was...used to be, a servant, he'd never had to do anything serious.
Well, Arthur thought grimly, thinking of the scars Merlin had acquired, that's not completely true.
"Merlin...," Rowan said. "Ronald is a part of the convoy."
Merlin's face dropped further as a small glint of fear passed through his eyes before he put up an impregnable mask before anyone could see it.
"Ronald?" Gwaine asked, completely aware of Merlin's reaction.
Rowan looked at Merlin with concern. "He's the guy that took Merlin."
Gwaine growled and everyone else looked mad too.
The reminder that Merlin was only here because he himself had been taken as a slave made a bubble of anger rise in Arthur. No, Ronald was the reason he's lost his best friend.
"We'd like to help," Arthur said strongly. The Knights all nodded glancing between Merlin and Rowan.
"No, it's too dangerous," Merlin stated folding his arms in front of his chest while in deep thought. "Roland has magic, you don't know him...it's too dangerous."
Arthur shot Rowan a questioning look when Merlin wouldn't explain further, but he only got a small shake of his head from Rowan.
"Merlin, there's no way we're not coming," Gwaine said, clapping Merlin on the shoulder. "You've always been there for us, now it's our turn."
Merlin eyes softened fractionally and he seemed to be at war with himself. "Fine! But stay close to me or a magic user. Seriously."
They each nodded and then Merlin looked to Rowan for further instructions. Rowan himself had a smile on his lips as he watched the interaction. Inwardly, he was tired, and worried. These men knew Merlin, had known him for so long. What life would Merlin choose? Either way, Rowan knew he'd support Merlin's decision, it was his life after all. But he would also make sure that they kept in touch if Merlin chose to return to Camelot.
"Right," Rowan said. "I'll get some more knights. Leon and Elyan you'll both go with Joshua and his group, Percival, you'll be with Lebre and her group, and then it'll be me, Merlin, Arthur, and Merlin in the last group. Sound good?"
They all nodded as Rowan went to get the other knights, Leon, Percival, and Elyan trailing behind him. Gwaine slung his arm across Merlin's shoulder, "Just like the good ol' times, eh Merlin?"
Merlin shook his head in exasperation and laughed, bringing a genuine smile to Arthur's face; he'd missed that laugh. Gwaine shot him a look that said the same thing.
"Eric!" Merlin called, walking back over to his group of trainees. "You'll be in charge until I get back alright? Practice a little more then just send everyone home."
Eric nodded and Merlin turned away just as Rowan returned to their group. "All's ready, we leave in ten."
Merlin nodded, "I'll be right back," he said, dashing off.
Arthur turned back to Rowan, who watched Merlin canter away with concern in his eye.
"So...what's with him and 'Ronald?' Arthur asked. Gwaine turned to Rowan as well; he hadn't missed the look of fear and anger in Merlin's eye when Rowan mentioned him.
Rowan took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "Well...Ronald isn't the nicest slave trader...he wasn't exactly nice to Merlin..."
Gwaine's eyebrows crowed together in anger. "What do you mean?"
Rowan looked hesitant while his eyes looked at the grass below them. "Well, Merlin doesn't remember...but he did lose his memory somehow remember...?"
Arthur's mouth was set in a deep and enraged frown as he nodded. Ronald was definitely the reason he'd lost his best friend; the reason Merlin had lost himself for heaven's sake. Oh, he was definitely ready to leave.
Merlin strolled back, looking the same with a slight frown on his face. Only he could face his fears with only a slight frown. Arthur knew Merlin was really the bravest of them all, but now it passed through his head again and Arthur felt a burst of pride that overtook the anger he was feeling.
"Ready?" Merlin asked nonchalantly.
"Let's go," Rowan answered, hiding the glint of worry in his eye.
So that was it, they were headed off to fight the man that had completely messed with Merlin's life.
So...a little more plot development...by the way...i think now there's going to be one or two more chapters..than the next one! :D depending on the length i might just post it as a story in itself because i think it's just going to be a one-shot! but we'll see! :D
Hope you liked it and plz reveiw!