Like always, I don't own Merlin...just the story of my crappy life.
In The Line Of Duty
Chapter 8
"Hi There." Merlin said cautiously, subtly trying to get away from the river bank and towards the forest without crossing paths with the bandit standing in front of him with his sword drawn. But the cranky old man only gave a battle cry and charged straight at him.
Merlin stumbled to the side and used his magic to make the bandit go flying straight into the stream. Then Merlin ran towards camp, dodging and disarming a few bandits on the way with his magic.
As he emerged in the clearing, he saw the knights all fighting with their swords clanging and swishing. Merlin spotted Arthur and ran to him, who put himself between Merlin and the oncoming onslaught of bandits.
"Merlin! There you are! I thought the bandits got you." Arthur shouted as he slashed at one bandit and parried the blow from another.
"Don't worry. I got away."
Merlin shouted back, ducking to avoid Arthur's sword as it came in a wide circle to hit a particularly big and grubby bandit.
"Grab some of our supplies, Merlin. We should retreat." Arthur said as he slowly moved towards where their horses were. Merlin picked up his medicine bag and got his own bag onto his shoulders from their spot beside the horses. Then he moved to Arthur's horse and plucked his main supplies. He moved to pick all the knights' bags too as Arthur guarded him.
"Got as much as I can carry." Merlin shouted to Arthur as they moved again.
"Then come on, stay behind me, Merlin."
This time the knights and Arthur came to stand in a circle with Merlin in the middle.
"We have to retreat! Maintain the circle and move to the edge of the clearing slowly."
Arthur yelled at the knights as two bandits charged at him. He drove his sword into one's guts and turned to find the other one falling backwards. He shook his head, thinking how much like Merlin some of these bandits were at fighting and slashed and ripped through all who came in his way. But there were too many and they seemed to keep coming.
As they finally reached the edge of the clearing, Arthur yelled at their shabby group to run, keeping an eye out for Merlin. Within minutes, they had outrun the bandits and were panting with exhaustion as they all sat down in a circle.
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"-Who are you?"
"Oh, I am your worst nightmare. The only other warlock with mighty enough power to defeat the great Emrys. His only equal in the magical realm, is what I am fated to be. His evil counterpart, if you will."
The man finished with a mocking bow of his head. Merlin looked on in stunned silence, his eyes wide in surprise and fear.
"Now come."