Chapter 24
Guns
Once he was awake, Merlin couldn't go back to sleep. There was no way he was going to. He stayed still on the ground. His eyes open, good ear facing up as he lay on his right side. One hand under his head and the other on the ground. He pulled his knees up and sighed into the leaf strewn ground that his bedroll lay on.
It was mid-day. They hadn't stopped during the night. They had pushed the horses at first at a gallop then a trot. But then Merlin had collapsed so they couldn't have gone any faster. He cursed himself for being so weak, they might have made a greater distance if it weren't for him.
No, they would have had to slow down to save the horses anyway. No point blaming himself.
His thoughts wandered to his dream. There was something familiar about it. Like De-ja-vu or something. He just couldn't place it. Keeping a thousand and half years worth of memories is a hard job. Although he doubted this happened in the Tudor age. It had been more like the place where he studied while training to be a doctor in the 1880's. Or was it 1890's?
He wished he had his journals. He could just flip through one and find his answer.
"Well," He muttered into the ground, "I was home from America, definitely. And it was before the 20th century,"
"What was?"
Merlin jumped and lifted his head. Percival frowned back at him. He was sitting on a log on the edge of the clearing. Machine gun propped up against his body. He was wearing jeans and T-shirt. His arms bare as always.
"Oh, nothing," Merlin shrugged and dropped his head again. "Are you keeping watch?"
"Yes," There was a pause, then, "Are you alright, Merlin?"
Merlin sighed and sat up. "I think so,"
Percival nodded. Merlin stood and wrapped his blanket around his thin frame. He sat next to Percival and stuck his long legs out in front of him. Percival smiled at him then scanned the woods around them with his eyes. "We should be leaving soon. Any idea where we should go?"
Merlin shrugged and bit his lip, "I want to go home. Back to my cottage,"
Percival nodded again, considering before he spoke, "I would have thought you would be eager to return to our Friends hideout,"
"I need my journals. I feel like I'm missing something,"
"Something that happened a hundred years ago?"
"Yeah,"
Percival shifted his position and moved his machine gun to lean against his other leg. Merlin looked down at the gun and frowned.
"It's strange seeing you and the other Knights with guns and not swords,"
Percival looked down at it and frowned. "It took some getting used to," His lip twitched up, "Sometimes I catch Arthur reaching towards his belt for his sword then fumbling about until he remembers,"
Merlin grinned, "Gwaine does that too,"
"Do not," Gwaine's voice grumbled from a heap of blankets next to them. His head appeared, hair a tangled mess. "Gods, I wish the world wasn't ending - I could get some ale then,"
Percival and Merlin snickered at their friend.
"Back to the subject of swords," Gwaine huffed, "I want mine back. It's difficult keeping these things loaded. They're like crossbows - used only for hunting and long-range fighting. Close range fighting is for swords!"
"I doubt you can slice a bullet in half," Merlin smirked. Then his eyes softened, "I suppose you do need them back,"
"Are we getting swords?" Elyan sat up opposite them, rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
"I might be handy in this conversation," Gwion threw back his blankets and looked up at Merlin.
"And me," Peter grinned.
"I'll just listen," Daniel said timidly.
"Why doesn't everyone just join in the conversation," Merlin said in exasperation.
"Thanks, Merlin," Arthur propped himself up on his elbow and grinned, "I think I will,"
"Anyone else?" Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Me," Rhys yawned.
"Leave me out," Gwen said out of her blankets and rolled over, fast asleep.
"Leon isn't waking up," Gwaine looked at the snoring man next to him and grinned.
"Gwaine, no," Arthur warned.
"Just a little one," Gwaine pleaded. He carefully rolled back his blankets and got to his feet slowly. He tip-toed over to his saddlebags and pulled out a bottle of something.
Merlin grinned when he saw it, "How long have you been saving this one?"
"Since I saw the prank on a TV in the town," Gwaine grinned, "Just been waiting for the perfect moment,"
"Three years then?" Elyan smirked.
Gwaine crouched down next to Leon and held the bottle of shaving cream at the ready. He squirted some on the sleeping Knight's hand and then pulled a feather out of his pocket. He reached towards Leon's nose with the feather quivering slightly. He was just about to touch Leon's nose -
"Gah!" Gwaine jumped as Leon's eyes flew open and his shaving cream covered hand smacked Gwaine full on the face.
The clearing erupted with laughter. Even Gwen snorted under the blankets she had been peeking under. Gwaine glared at them all, but the effect of it was lost behind his white cream coated face.
"You idiot," Leon laughed.
"Arsehole!" Gwaine tackled him and they rolled about wrestling. Arthur watched them, chuckling, for a minute before giving a look to Percival. The big man stood and with Arthur's and Elyan's help - pulled the two men apart. Leon and Gwaine were laughing. Gwaine laughing the hardest as Percival picked him off the ground with one hand.
Merlin watched the whole thing with a thoughtful smile on his face. He frowned at the scene in front of him and scratched his neck.
Once Gwaine and Leon had made up - Gwaine trying to kiss Leon on the cheek to get shaving cream on him - they all sat in a circle, Arthur beside Merlin on the log.
"The ammunition is running low," Arthur started. "Gwion, do you think we will get more supplies from the Friends?"
"We've got Brynmor now," Gwion answered, "We should be returning to base. It would be pointless to try and contact them now,"
Arthur nodded and turned to Leon, "How many rounds do we have?"
"Not enough to get us through another attack like last night," Leon frowned as he thought, "If we're not attacked again, I expect it will last until we get back,"
"Gwion, Rhys, Peter - how are you holding up with the Grief?" Merlin asked before Arthur could continue.
"Not as bad as yourself, Emrys," Gwion dipped his head respectively.
"I'm doing alright," Rhys smiled, "I'm not as powerful as you lot,"
"Fine," Peter dropped his gaze quickly. He clenched his fists and shifted about. Merlin pursed his lips and frowned at him.
"Talk to me later," Merlin said kindly. Peter glanced up and smiled gratefully.
Arthur glanced between the sorcerers and warlock quickly before focusing his gaze on Merlin who lifted his eyebrow and waited.
"How are you holding up Merlin?"
The question made Merlin pause. Then he grinned, "Thought you were going to ask about your sword?"
"I was, after you answer the first question," Arthur gave him a very unwavering look.
"If you start mothering me like Aithusa..." Merlin trailed off with a shake of his head. Arthur glared, "Alright! I'm fine!" Merlin held up his arms in defence then grinned goofily.
Arthur was bemused but he let it drop, "So where are our swords?"
Percival and Leon both glanced at Merlin at the same time. Merlin smiled nervously and admitted bluntly, "It's in the Lake,"
Arthur blinked.
"Or at least - yours is. The knights will have to find new ones,"
"And how do you expect me to use a rusted sword, Merlin?" Arthur glared at him.
"Freya's looking after it," Merlin explained as if it was completely simple.
"Who's Freya?" Arthur asked in exasperation.
Merlin went quiet, his eyes dropping to the dry brown earth.
Merlin, Aithusa's voice vibrated in his mind, we have company.
Merlin's head snapped up, "We need to move," He stood up and quickly bunched up his blanket.
"Wait, Merlin!" Arthur grabbed his arm, "Who's Freya?"
"Tell you later," Merlin shrugged off his grip. "Aithusa's spotted someone,"
The camp erupted into activity. Saddles thrown on shifting horses - supplies stuffed into saddlebags - bedrolls tied on saddles. In less then five minute's everyone was on their horses and galloping away.
They've surrounded you, Aithusa spoke again.
"Arthur!" Merlin shouted. "We're surrounded!"
Arthur turned in his saddle and nodded. He began shouting out commands. Leon and Gwaine taking up positions on both sides of Arthur and Gwen falling in behind Arthur with Elyan. The rest of the men galloping behind them. Merlin and Percival taking up the rear.
The plan was to punch through the Destroyer's line, then getting away as fast as possible. If it came to it, they would fight.
Too late, Merlin realised he was on the wrong side. His good ear facing Percival next to him and not the open forest on his right. He cursed under his breath and scanned the woods next to him. His hands automatically letting the reins go and pushing the last bullets into his handgun. He reached for his magic again but it shrunk back. He gritted his teeth and grasped the reins again.
Merlin! Take a right!
"What?!" Merlin looked up at the sky.
Take a right! NOW!
"Arthur! Right!" Merlin yanked his horses head round, the animal's body turning sharply and shooting off through the trees. There was shouts of alarm behind him - then the thundering of hooves following him.
"Where are you going?!" Arthur caught up with him.
"Aithusa!" Was Merlin's only answer. Arthur didn't question it.
A sudden blaze of gunfire rocketed through the trees. Merlin's horse screamed in alarm. Merlin dug his heel into the animal's side - pushing it on.
There was a yell and a man leapt out in front of them brandished a machine gun. Merlin brought his gun up and fired it at the man before he could aim. He crumbled into a heap - a pea-sized hole in his forehead.
The way clear - they shot through the trees and out. The woods disappearing behind them. Moorland stretched before them. Rolling mounds of brown grass rose up and flattened out. Merlin's eyes raked across the space. This was bad. They shouldn't be in the open.
Keep going! Trust me!
Merlin looked up to see two dragons - one white, one green - soaring above them. "You better be right," He muttered.
There was a dip in the ground in front of them. They couldn't see what was below it. Merlin dared a glance over his shoulder - he really wished he hadn't.
Two quad-bikes were roaring towards them. Two men on each - one driving, the other holding a gun.
"Shit!" Gwaine shouted from behind him.
"My thoughts exactly," Merlin said - just loud enough for Arthur to hear.
Looking in the front again - the dip was nearer. The roaring of the quad-bikes was getting louder. Merlin bit his lip and willed his horse to go faster.
They thundered over the crest of the dip just as the quads got in shooting range. Bullets ripped the air around them apart. Merlin ducked his head into his horse's mane.
"Come on!" He shouted.
His horse screamed. But it wasn't panic this time. The noise coming from her was a painful one. She's been shot.
With a sickening lurch - his mare began to fall. Her forelegs getting tangled and she tripped. The ground rushed towards him. They hit the ground and rolled. Merlin desperately trying to get his foot out of the stirrup. But he couldn't - every roll and impact with the ground was prolonged by the steep slope they were falling down.
Everything was a blur of motion. He dully noticed a gut clenching snap and crack of bones breaking. Pain flared up in his arm and he screamed.
They finally stopped at the bottom of the slope. Merlin a few feet away from his horse. The creature was flaying pitifully - screaming in pain. Merlin withered in pain himself - clutching a broken arm to his stomach and rolling onto his knees. He crawled to his poor horse and stroked her neck with his good hand. Grimacing in pain, Merlin looked up to see both her forelegs were broken.
Keeping back tears - Merlin walked on his knees to her rear end. All the while, stroking her sides and saying nothing meaningful. Odd calming phrases. The horse stilled her flaying and Merlin picked out his spare gun from his saddlebag.
It was quick. One bullet in her skull, putting her out of her misery.
Only then did he look up to see Arthur and the other's hurrying down the slope. The quads had reached the top.
Turn around!
Merlin spun around - only to freeze. Pain in his arm forgotten as he saw it. A stone circle. The prehistoric rocks standing - some fallen - in tight formation.
Merlin turned back to his dead horse and pulled the saddlebags off of her. He swung them over his shoulder - grunting in pain - before standing and running towards the circle. Bullets zipping through the air around him.
Every step towards the circle sent a wave of an electric buzz through his body. He noticed how the grass was getting greener the closer to the circle it was. The air felt lighter. The sky a little bit less brown.
Magic!
He heard hooves thundering over the ground behind him - just as he passed through the stones.
It was like being doused in water. It washed over him like a waterfall. The magic thrumming defiantly within the circle. His own Magic leapt up in joy. He almost laughed as it filled his being and cast away the Grief. The pain in his arm disappeared as his magic flowed through his veins. Healing and rejoicing. His bone clicked back into place and the two pieces welded together. He could feel his body getting heavier as it gained weight. His muscles filled out and his stomach extended - rips becoming less prominent.
All this happened in a matter of seconds - then Arthur and the other's came into the circle behind Merlin.
"Merlin!" Arthur jumped off his horse and ran to the man, "Are you alright?!"
Merlin grinned and shrugged. Arthur paused as he quickly glanced up and down Merlin's healed and healthy body.
"Wha -" Arthur didn't have time to ask as the quad's roaring engines reached its loudest volume.
"Stand back!" Merlin pushed Arthur out of the way and turned to face the centre of the circle. His eyes blazed an amazing gold. He smiled.
A portal ripped open the air in front of him. Spinning and distorted.
"Everyone in!" Merlin stepped back and pointed into the portal.
"Whoa!" Gwaine began to protest before bullets started to rocket past them again. "Alright! Let's go!"
They all kicked their horses forward into the portal. Each disappearing - Gwen leading Arthur's horse - until it was only Merlin and Arthur left. Arthur was firing at the quad's. Merlin making sure everyone went through the portal.
"Right - Arthur!" Merlin yelled, once everyone was gone. He grabbed Arthur's arm, "IN!" He half-shoved, half-threw the man through the portal. He glanced up at the sky, sending a message up to Aithusa, Home.
He glared at the enemies before leaping through the portal himself.
The rip in the air snapping shut as soon as he was gone.
AN: Whoa! What just happened there? :D That was pretty quick! I hope you liked it!
Please review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin!