The moment of truth
It was a calm and beautiful day in the village of Ealdor. People went about doing their chores, and children played amongst the houses.
But the calm was shattered when bandits entered the village.
"Search the place!" The head bandit ordered as the rest of the bandits fanned out through the village, kicking down doors and causing chaos. "Find him!"
Bandits dragged one of the villagers out of one buildings and shove him to the ground in front of their leader, the food in his arms scattering across the ground. He looked fairly ordinary, with dark brown hair and all brown clothing. He looked up at the bandits with dark loathing before they picked him up off of the ground
"It's harvest time." The bandit leader on the horse exclaimed enthusiastically. The bandits hand him a couple of the bags Matthew were carrying. "What's this? Where's the rest of it?" He asked angrily.
"I only kept back what we need to survive." Matthew replied angrily as he began to gather the scattered food.
"Survive?" The bandit leader scoffed. "I'll be back in one week, farmer, and I want to see all of it."
"You can't take our food!" Hunith exclaimed, running up to the leader's horse. "Our children will starve! I won't let you do this!" Hunith tried to grab the bags that were taken, yelling, "You're not taking any of it!"
The bandit backhanded Hunith, who fell to the ground holding her head.
"Hunith!" One of the villagers yelled as he ran to help Hunith. Without blinking, the bandit leader shot him with a crossbow. The villagers looked on, terrified.
From high atop his horse, the man looked down at Matthew with a cold expression. "I will give you a week. Don't you dare disappoint me." He looked down at Hunith and added with a wicked grin, "I'll see you later, sweetheart."
With a yell, the leader left, the bandits right behind him. Matthew helped Hunith get up, and they all watched the bandits go with differing expressions.
In Camelot, Alexia was walking in the town, when suddenly, sir Edward came infront of her.
" Alexia!" He greeted.
" Sir Edward." Alexia courtisied.
" How may I help you?" She asked.
" Uh, I was thinking if you would like to have lunch with me?" He asked.
Alexia looked at him with a forced smile.
" Uh..." Alexia started.
Merlin looked at them while drawing water from the well. Alexia glanced at him. He quickly turned his head the other way. Doing that he saw a woman entering. He looked at her. Alexia followed the gaze, to see a woman entering the town. Merlin ran to her.
" Excuse me sir Edward." Alexia said leaving the noble.
"Mother?" Merlin called in a surprised tone. Alexia arrived behind him.
"Merlin!" Hunith exclaimed. She went to hug him, but he noticed her bruise.
"What happened?" Merlin asked worriedly. When Hunith failed to reply, he gently grabbed her by the shoulders and asked loudly, "Who did this to you?"
" Merlin, let her enter." Alexia said.
Merlin looked at her and nodded.
Hunith looked at Alexia.
Merlin noticed her gaze.
" Mother, she is Alexia. Alexia, she is my mother. Hunith." He introduced.
Alexia nodded and smiled at the lady.
Hunith smiled back.
In the court of Camelot, Hunith stood before Uther and the rest of the court. Merlin was standing near his mother, at the bottom of the steps, with Alexia, Gwen and Morgana. Arthur was standing to the right and behind the king's throne. "The winters are harsh in Ealdor, and there are many children." She began to explain in a slightly shaky, but strong voice. "Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is, and if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please, we need your help."
Uther looked thoughtful as he replied, "Ealdor's in Cenred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility."
"We've appealed to our King, but he cares little for the outlying regions." Hunith replied. "You're our only hope."
Everyone looked on as Uther thought for a moment. He looked toward the ground for a moment, and then met her eyes as he said, "I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth."
"You'll help us?" Hunith questioned, sounding hopeful.
"I wish I could."
"Surely we can spare a few men?" Arthur interjected.
Uther shook his head. "Resources are not the problem."
"Then what is?" Morgana questioned.
"Ealdor lies beyond the Ridge of Essetir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war."
Hunith dropped to her knees in front of the throne, and Merlin looked over at her, hating the thought of his mother on her knees in front of anyone, let alone Uther. "I know you're a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please."
"The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making." Uther gave her a regretful look. "I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help."
Alexia glared at Uther before helping Hunith up and escorting her out.
Up on the battlements, Arthur looked out over Camelot, and Merlin joined him.
"I'm sorry." Arthur offered. "If it were up to me, we'd be on our way there now."
"You tried. And thank you for getting an audience with the King." Merlin replied.
"I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they lived." Arthur said despondently.
Merlin was quiet for a moment, and then revealed, "I'm going back to Ealdor."
"Of course."
"It's been an honor serving you."
Arthur gave him a look. "You'll be coming back." He said resolutely.
Merlin smiled slightly. "Well, she's my mother. I have got to look after her before anyone else." Arthur nodded slightly in response. "You understand?"
"I'd do exactly the same." Arthur replied certainly. " Well, you've been terrible. Really, I mean it. The worst servant I've ever had."
Merlin laughed. "Thank you, Sire." He and Arthur exchanged one last look before Merlin turned to walk away.
"Merlin." Arthur called after him, causing Merlin to stop and turn back. "Good luck."
In her house, Gwen helped Merlin pack for his trip. Turning to the bed, she unsheathed a sword and held it out to him. "Here." When Merlin started to reach for the blade and she sucked in a nervous breath as he nearly grabbed the blade. Merlin managed to grab the hilt of the sword. "Tell me how it feels?" Gwen asked.
Merlin took the sword and began swinging it wildly back and forth. "Yeah. Yeah that feel...that feels really good. It's very, erm, you know," He knocked on the sword a couple of times. "...swordy."
Gwen simply raised her eyebrows before turning back to the bag she was packing. "I've packed some armor for you."
"I won't be able to carry all that." Merlin protested.
" O Merlin!" He heard Alexia's voice in a sing song tone.
He turned to the door to see Alexia and Morgana standing there.
"You won't have to. We're coming with you." Morgana said.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, looking between the three women.
"You're going to need all the help you can get." Gwen reminded him. "I can mend armor and sharpen swords."
Morgana and Alexia looked smug as Alexia offered, "I know Merlin, what wonders you do with sword. And I can't risk that."
Merlin looked between the three women again. "But y-y- you can't. I mean, why would you?"
"If it was the other way around, you'd help us. You already have. You saved my life." Gwen reminded him softly.
"And you helped us get the druid boy out of Camelot. We owe it to you. Both of us."
Morgana said, pointing at herself and Alexia.
" And you don't know how much you did for me. You saved me. You gave me shelter. You kept my secret. And helped with everything you can. I can't let you go and face the dangers alone. Now can I?" Alexia asked.
Merlin stared at them shocked. He looked at Alexia, who nodded.
Back in Gaius's quarters, the physician was helping Merlin and Alexia to finish packing their supplies. "You got the food I prepared for you?"
"Yes." Merlin replied in a long suffering voice.
"Be careful with the wine. You know what you're like. One whiff of a barmaid's apron and you're singing like a sailor." He handed the container to Merlin, who put it in his pack. Alexia chuckled at Merlin's reaction.
"I'll be fine."
"Are you sure you don't want an extra blanket?" Gaius pressed.
"It's okay, really. I'll be alright."
"Well, make sure you are." Gaius said seriously. "Do whatever it takes." Merlin clapped him on the shoulder before Gaius pulled him into a hug. He turned to Alexia.
" God bless you dear. You are very kind." He said bringing her to hug. Alexia was shocked. Memories of her father flooding in. How he used to ignore her, his yellings when he was drunk. This was the first time she remembered reeling father's love since a long time. A lone tear made its way down her cheek. She quickly wiped it.
" I will take care of myself, as well as this idiot. After all somebody has to bring him back in a single piece." Alexia said smirking at Merlin, who glared at her in a mocking way.
At night, after a day's travel, Merlin sat at the campfire with his mother, while the others were asleep. Well Alexia was pretending to sleep.
"They shouldn't be here. Especially the Lady Morgana. Isn't she the King's ward?" Hunith whispered.
Merlin smiled, and murmured, "Not that you'd know it. She's the only person I know who isn't frightened of him."
"It won't make any difference to Kanen that they're women."
"I know." Merlin acknowledged. "But I couldn't talk them out of coming." Merlin looked at the healing bruise on his mother's face before reaching up to touch it lightly. "I want to make him pay for what he did to you."
"Promise me you'll be careful." Hunith whispered earnestly. "No one can find out about you."
"They won't. They never do."
Hunith smiled, and kissed him on the forehead before saying, "Get some rest."
Hunith went to lay down.
Alexia got up and sat beside Merlin.
"Don't worry, we will beat that man. He will definitely pay." She said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Merlin smiled at her. He took a burning stick from the fire and blew some sparks into the air.
On his whisper of "Draca" the glowing sparks took the shape of the Pendragon dragon.
Merlin and Alexia smiled while Hunith watched shocked as her son just displayed his magic infront of anyone.
" You know you never taught me that." Alexia said pouting.
Merlin chuckled.
" Just whisper draca!" He said.
Alexia followed the norm and soon a dragon appeared in front of them.
Alexia smiled brightly as the sparks flew back.
Hunith saw this, in surprise.
" You must sleep." She said.
" So shall you." He said.
" I don't want to wake you all, screaming like maniac." She said, while laughing sadly at her own joke. Merlin looked at her worried.
Finally he laid on the ground, trying to sleep. Merlin shifted uncomfortably on the hard ground and heard a horse nearby in the woods. Alexia too heard that and quickly stood up, unsheathing her sword. Merlin too got up to investigate, he drew his sword and they both searched through the dark, flinching different directions at every little sound.
He stiffened immediately when someone put a sword against his back.
"I'd ask you for money, but I know you don't have any."
"Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed joyously, whipping around and nearly taking Arthur's head off with his sword. Luckily Arthur ducked in time. Alexia turned to the pair, with a happy smile.
"Put the sword down, Merlin. You look ridiculous." Arthur scoffed before snatching the sword away and walking towards the camp. Alexia looked at Merlin, who couldn't stop grinning. He waited for a moment before jogging to catch up.
Alexia following behind.
Arthur, Alexia and Merlin sat at the newly stoked campfire while the other slept in the background.
"How much further is it?" Arthur asked, swinging around the stick that Merlin had used earlier to stir the fire.
"Er, maybe a few hours." Merlin replied, rubbing his hands together.
Arthur looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "How many men does Kanen have?"
"Erm, I'm not sure. I think, from what my mother said, maybe as many as forty."
Looking deep in thought, Arthur swung the stick around a few times. "You should get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
"Thank you." Merlin offered. "Erm, I know you didn't have to come."
"Get some sleep." Arthur replied gruffly, getting up to grab his blanket while Merlin merely smiled. Alexia smiled at the duo. Her smile didn't go unnoticed by Arthur and Merlin.
" What?" He asked.
" Aren't you two cutest duo ever!" She exclaimed.
Both Merlin and Alexia looked at each other before frowning and shuddering.
" Are you serious?" Arthur said.
" It's ridiculous!" He exclaimed and laid to sleep.
Arthur, Merlin, Alexia, Morgana, Gwen, and Hunith ride for Ealdor the next morning.
In Ealdor, bandits had began to tear through the village in search of food, screaming women and children in the background.
"Wait." Matthew tried.
"What's in here? What's there?" Some of the bandits questioned the villagers in the background.
"If you're hiding anything from me..." Kanen threatened.
As one of Kanen's men searched, he noticed an old man raking hay over a section of ground. Jumping the small fence, he pushed the man away and raked back the hay to discover a hidden stash of food. "Kanen!" the bandit yelled, holding up the bags of hidden food.
"Please, we have to eat." Matthew said tiredly.
"Oh."
"And re-sow the fields for next year! We only kept the bare minimum! Everything else you can take." Matthew told him bitterly.
"That sounds fair." Kanen mocked, before he striked Matthew to the ground, and raised his axe for a final blow.
"No!"
A sword flied from nowhere right in front of Kanen's face to lodge itself in a post. Kanen turned to see Arthur ride up and dismounted, a bewildered look on his face.
A bandit tried to attack Arthur, and he quickly set to work fighting. Merlin showed up a moment later and dismounted as well.
"Kill them!" Kanen ordered.
A bandit quickly set on Merlin, who took out his sword. The girls arrived and dismounted while Merlin was fighting. After exchanging a few blows, Merlin got caught against the doorway. He set his eyes on the bandit's sword, and murmured "Hætende".
The bandit's sword began to glow red hot, and the bandit looked down at his hand in shock. An older boy watched from the background. As the sword became even hotter, the bandit yelled in pain and dropped sword. Taking advantage of the bandit's preoccupation, Merlin quickly killed him.
A bandit went to attack Arthur from behind, but Morgana parred and killed him.
"Bring back memories of when I used to beat you?" Morgana taunted as she sauntered away.
"That never happened."
Alexia too fought with one of them, killing him.
She was a bit shocked. She killed a man.
But quickly recomposed herself.
Kanen mounted his horse. "You'll pay for this with your lives! All of you!" He yelled before turning and riding away.
One of the young men met eyes with Merlin. "You still up to the same old magic tricks again? Look, I thought I told you I didn't want your kind around here?" He mocked.
Then he suddenly smiled and Merlin grinned back. "I missed you, too, Will." He said before they hugged "It's good to see you again."
"How've you been?" Will asked nonchalantly. "I, er, hear you're skivvying for some prince."
"No. I wouldn't say I'm a skivvy."
Arthur interrupted with a yell, "Merlin! Gather the villagers; I need to talk to them."
"Yeah, in a minute. I'm just talking..."
"Now, Merlin. There isn't much time." Arthur ordered.
"Yes, Sire."
In the middle of the village, Arthur stood on top of a box and addressed the gathered villagers. "I know Kanen's kind. He'll be back. And when he is, you must be ready for him. First of all, we have to prepare for..."
"Am I the only one wondering who the hell this is?" Will interrupted.
"I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot."
"Yeah, and, er, I'm Prince William of Ealdor." Will scoffed. Alexia couldn't help but look amused. The man just mocked the prince. Well she did all the time, so she shrugged it.
"Keep quiet. He's here to help us." Hunith tried to quiet him
"But he's made things worse." Will argued. "Kanen will be back, and when he is, he'll be looking for revenge. You've just signed our death warrants."
"He saved Matthew's life!" Hunith argued.
"That's alright, Hunith. This is his village. What would you have us do?" Arthur asked.
"We can't fight against Kanen. He has too many men."
"So what's the alternative?"
"Give him what he wants." Will stated.
" That will never satisfy him." Alexia interjected. Everyone turned to her and she blushed a bit at the attention.
The villagers yelled and shook their heads, agreeing with Alexia.
"Then what?" Arthur asked, motioning to the exclamations of the villagers. "Those of you who don't starve to death will face him again next harvest! And the harvest after that."
"We'll manage. We'll survive."
"How?"
"The only way he can be stopped is if you stand up to him." Arthur reminded them.
"No." Will scoffed. "You just want the honor and glory of battle! That's what drives men like you! Look, if you want to fight, then go home and risk the lives of your own people, not ours!" Will walked off.
"Will." Merlin called after him before following him.
"I'll follow you. If I'm to die, then I want to go out fighting." Hunith said bravely.
The other villagers began to echo her sentiments. "That goes for me, too."
"You can count me in."
In Will's house, he began to tidy up and pick up furniture from where the bandits had ransacked everything.
Merlin entered behind Will. "He knows what he's doing. You've got to trust him. Look, when I first met Arthur, I was exactly like you. I hated him. I thought he was pompous and arrogant." Merlin began to help pick up as he talked.
Will picked a stand that has a chainmail shirt and tabard on it. "Well, nothing's changed there, then."
"But, in time, I came to respect him for what he stands for, what he does."
"Yeah, I know what he stands for: princes, kings, all men like him." Will argued.
"Will, don't bring what happened to your father into this." Merlin told him quietly.
Will abruptly turned on him. "I'm not. Why are you defending him so much? You're just his servant."
"He's also my friend." Merlin exclaimed.
"Friends don't lord it over one another." Will scoffed.
Merlin shook his head. "He isn't like that."
"Really? Well, let's wait until the fighting begins and see who he sends in to die first. I guarantee you, it won't be him."
"I trust Arthur with my life."
"Is that so? So he knows your secret, then?" Merlin's face fell slightly at that. "Look, face it, Merlin. You're living a lie. Just like you were here. You're Arthur's servant, nothing more. Otherwise you'd tell him the truth." Merlin looked over at him, but had no response for that.
Merlin left the house. Alexia met him outside, helping a kid.
" Merlin!" She called and ran to him.
" Who was he?" She asked, referring to Will, even if she knew.
" He is Will. My only friend from Ealdor." He said.
" Ohh! He didn't seem to like Arthur very much." She said.
" Even we didn't at first. He will come around. I am sure." Merlin said giving her a reassuring smile.
As he left, Alexia sighed.
"I wish you knew what would happen with him. Don't worry I will try my best to save him." She said to herself before leaving.
That night, the Camelot party slept in Merlin's house. Alexia, Gwen and Morgana were sleeping on the spare bed, while Arthur and Merlin laid on the floor.
"Have you always slept on the floor?" Arthur muttered.
"Yeah." Merlin agreed. "The bed I've got in Camelot's luxury by comparison."
"Must've been hard." Arthur said thoughtfully.
"Mmm." Merlin agreed. "It's like rock."
"I didn't mean the ground. I meant, for you. It must've been difficult."
"Mmm. Not really. I didn't know any different. Life's simple out here. You eat what you grow and everyone pitches in together. As long as you've got food on the table and a roof over your head, you're happy." Merlin explained softly.
"Sounds...nice." Arthur replied flatly.
Merlin laughed lightly. "You'd hate it."
"No doubt." Arthur quickly agreed. "Why'd you leave?"
"Things just... changed."
"How?" When Merlin didn't answer quickly, Arthur pushed his foot in Merlin's face. "Come on, stop pretending to be interesting. Tell me."
Merlin knocked the foot aside and replied, "I just didn't fit in anymore. I wanted to find somewhere that I did."
"Had any luck?" Arthur asked.
Merlin looked thoughtful. "I'm not sure yet."
"We'll start training the men tomorrow. It's gonna be a long day. Get the candle." Merlin blew out the candle.
Alexia was standing there, her eyes wide as she saw Will taking the arrow and dying. Alexia screamed and woke up. Waking everyone.
Merlin quickly rushed to her.
" Alexia, it was just a dream." He murmured.
Alexia panted and nodded.
She glanced around and saw Arthur and Gwen looking at her a bit shocked and concerned, while Morgana was looking at her with sympathy and pity. Alexia knew she understood this feeling better.
" I will just.. take some fresh air." She said and quickly stood up, leaving.
Merlin's looked at her retreating figure.
" Does this happen every night?" Morgana asked.
Merlin looked at them for a moment, before nodding slightly.
" That's the reason she never sleep, whenever we are not in our chambers." He said quietly.
Next morning, Merlin helped Arthur put
his jacket.
"You still not learned how to dress yourself?" Morgana laughed.
"You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself. No offense, Merlin." Arthur added as an afterthought.
"None taken." Merlin piped up. Alexia raised a brow.
"Prince Arthur, you didn't finish your breakfast." Hunith said, coming over with a small wooden bowl.
"Didn't I?"
"Come on, eat up." Morgana teased.
Arthur pretended to eat it the food, adding an "Mmmmm," for effect before handing the bowl off to Gwen.
Alexia narrowed her eyes at the prince's behaviour.
"Right. Let's get going." Arthur clapped Merlin on the back on his way out. "We need wood, and lots of it."
"Of course." Merlin replied easily.
Gwen finished Arthur's breakfast and handed the bowl to Hunith. "Arthur said it was lovely." She said before following Morgana and Arthur out. Alexia too exited, giving Merlin his personal moment. Merlin grabbed his coat.
"He must care for you a great deal." Hunith told him.
"Arthur'd do the same for any village. That's just the way he is." Merlin replied, slipping his coat on.
"It's more than that. He's here for you."
"I'm just his servant." Merlin argued.
"Give him more credit than that. He likes you."
"That's because he doesn't know me. And if he did, I'd probably be dead by now." Merlin tried to joke, laughing lightly.
"You don't really believe that, do you?" Hunith asked quietly.
When Merlin didn't answer she cleared her throat.
" I never knew Alexia shared your gifts." Hunith said.
Merlin smiled a bit.
" Yeah! Even I was shocked when I found out." He said with a fond smile as he remembered the day.
Merlin and Alexia walked toward the woods with an axe.
"Merlin! Where are you going with that thing?" Will called, jogging after him.
"What does it look like?" Merlin laughed, hefting the axe. "We need wood."
" I am Alexia." Alexia introduced, raising her hand to shake.
" Will." Will said shaking it.
He looked between Merlin and Alexia. Alexia knew he wanted to talk to Merlin alone.
" Ah Merlin! I forgot something. I will be back soon." She said.
" Excuse me." She excused herself from the two boys.
Will looked at Merlin, "We both know that you don't need an axe to fell a tree."
"And I remember the trouble it got me into. I nearly flattened Old Man Simmons." He exclaimed, using the axe to point at the house of the old man.
"Ha. Yeah, well, he deserved it, stupid old crow." Will muttered.
"Mmm. He never did like me anyway."
"Well, even less after that." Will reminded him, and both boys fell into their memories.
Merlin chuckled before asking seriously, "Why are you being like this?"
"You know why." Will stepped into the woods and sat on a fallen tree next to Merlin. "Why did you leave?"
"It wasn't what I wanted. My mother was worried. When she found out you knew, she was so angry."
"I wouldn't 've told anyone." Will muttered.
"Well, I know you wouldn't." Merlin shrugged.
"You'd be able to defeat Kanen on your own, wouldn't you?" Will questioned.
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"Well, so what's stopping you? So what if Arthur finds out?"
"I don't expect you to understand." Merlin exclaimed, standing up.
"Try me."
Merlin turned to him, face deathly serious. "One day Arthur will be a great king, but he needs my help. And if anyone ever found out about my powers, I'd have to leave Camelot for good.
Will shook his head. "Are you telling me you'd rather keep your magic a secret for Arthur's sake than use it to protect your friends and family?" Both boys looked over at the village.
In the village center, Arthur and Alexia trained the men, and Morgana and Gwen watched the training as they sharpen swords.
"There is no way they're going to be able to hold Kanen off." Morgana muttered, turning the stone.
"Men aren't the only ones who can fight." Gwen said determinedly. The two girls shared a smile.
Alexia came to them with a sigh.
" It's not going to work." She said looking at them.
" Yeah, we know. We think women too shall fight." Morgana said.
Alexia smiled at them.
"Again. One! Two! Three!" Arthur noticed Matthew faltering on his strikes and walked towards him. He took Matthew's wooden sword and told him, "Matthew. I want you to organize sentry duty to keep an eye out for Kanen and his men."
"Be glad to." Matthew grinned.
"If there's any sign of attack, I want you to ride straight back here. I don't want you fighting all on your own."
"Ha-ha." Matthew smiled and nodded.
Arthur drew water from the well to drink while the men were lounging around, looking beaten up and exhausted.
"Looks like the battle's already fought and lost." Morgana commented.
Arthur took a look around at the straggly group of men and said. "They'll toughen up."
"They need to." Gwen added.
"How are we doing for weapons?" Arthur said, abruptly changing the subject.
"There isn't much, but we should be able to scrape together what you need." Morgana informed him.
"It's not the weapons that worry us. It's having enough people to use them." Alexia said. The three girls shared a look before Gwen said, "We think the women should be allowed to fight."
Arthur shook his head while Morgana added, "You haven't enough men. If they were trained soldiers, maybe you'd stand a chance, but they're not."
"It's too dangerous." Arthur said before walking away, abruptly ending the discussion. "Right! Back on your feet! Come on, let's go!"
"He is way too stubborn." Alexia said in anger.
In evening Alexia was carrying a bucket of water. It was for Hunith, she needed a bit help for dinner and Alexia volunteered. As she moved on her way, her eyes fell on the kids who were sitting in a corner. A dull look on their faces. Alexia frowned a bit but looked around.
Her eyes fell on something.
The kids were startled when an apple dropped from above in a boy's lap. They raised their heads to look at sky and found Alexia standing behind. Alexia smiled at them and moved forward.
"What happened? Why are you kids sad?" She asked holding hands of one of the girl, while sitting on her knees to be on their level.
The kids shared a look.
"That evil man is going to take everything from us. We won't get anything for food for few days." One of them muttered sadly and the elder ones threw him a glare.
Alexia sighed. She turned to that boy who was smallest in the group.
"You know what? It's always good that wins over bad, not the other way round. There is a lord sitting above in heavens." At this she pointed at the sky which had some golden and orange hue due to setting sun.".. and the lord ensures that no evil man wins. And now see. We have got our own prince to fight with the evil men." Alexia said last part cheering.
"But Will says that prince is going to send us to our graves. What does that mean?" Another girl who was not older than the earlier boy, asked.
"What Will said is not important. He is just a bit scared. But that doesn't means he is not a good person." Alexia said with a sigh. She turned to look at all the kids again.
"You know prince Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, they are all very strong. Very very strong. That is the reason that king Uther didn't send an army. He sent his most trusted prince, ward and their servants. They are very powerful. They will surely end the rule of terror. And then there will be no starving." Alexia promised. The kids shared a hopeful look.
"That is why king Uther didn't send an army?" One of them asked.
Alexia nodded.
"So we will win?" Another chimed up.
Alexia gave a huge smile.
"When such cute kids are on our side, how can't we win? God always loves his Little Champs." Alexia told them.
The children smiled.
"Soon you will have much more food than now. We promise." Alexia said opening her arms. The kids rushed in her embrace. Alexia delightfully wrapper her arms around them, unaware of the four pair of eyes watching her.
That night, the Camelot party slept in Merlin's house. Alexia on the other hand was not sleeping.
"We don't stand a chance." Gwen murmured.
"Arthur can't see that. He's too stubborn." Morgana commented softly. Merlin woke at the sounds of the girl's voices.
"Why do you think he came here?" Gwen asked.
"The same reason we did:" the two girls shared a look, "Merlin. Arthur may act like he doesn't care, but he wouldn't be here if he didn't."
The next morning, Arthur spoke to the men. "We're not going to be able to defend Ealdor with sword and sinew alone. We're going to need a plan. We need to find some way of limiting their mobility and drawing them into a trap. If we fight them on their terms, then..."
Outside the house , a village woman screamed. Arthur and the men rushed outside to investigate to find Matthew slung over a horse.
"Get him down from there!" Arthur ordered.
The village men took Matthew down as villagers gathered around. Arthur read the note that's on the arrow in his back.
"What does it say?" Merlin asked.
"'Make the most of this day, it will be your last.'" Arthur sighed, and dropped the note.
"Matthew!" A woman screamed, forcing her way through the crowd. She dropped to Matthew side and began screaming, "No! No! No!"
"You did this! Look what you've done! You've killed him!" Will yelled.
"It wasn't his fault." Merlin tried to defend Arthur.
"If he hadn't been strutting around, treating us like his own personal army, this would never have happened!" Will exclaimed.
Arthur, although clearly shaken, pointed at the crowd and reminded him, "These men are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you aren't!"
"You're sending them to their graves!" Arthur looked down at Matthew's body and the woman crying over him with a haunted expression. "You killed one man. How many more need to die before you realise this a battle that can't be won? When Kanen comes, you haven't got a chance. You're gonna be slaughtered." With that grave announcement, Will walked off.
Merlin followed Will into Will's house.
"Don't bother, Merlin. I'm not interested." Will told him gruffly.
"You should be. Because tomorrow Kanen attacks, and whether you like it or not, we'll have to fight."
"Not if I'm not here." Will reminded him, bringing things to the table to put into his pack.
"Well, that's up to you, but the rest of us are staying." When Will ignored him, Merlin took a step closer and entreated him, "Join us, Will! This isn't about Arthur, this is about your friends. Are you really going to abandon them?"
"What, like you did?" Will pointed out.
"I'm here now." Merlin reminded him.
"Yeah. Yeah, you are. And you could end this. If you used your magic, then no one else would have to die."
"You know I can't." Merlin said softly, looking slightly defeated.
"Can't or won't? I'm not the one abandoning these people, Merlin. You are."
Outside Merlin's house, Arthur sharpened his sword. Merlin and Alexia approached and sat down next to him.
The three were silent for a moment before Merlin felt the need to explain Will's actions. "William's father was killed fighting for King Cenred, so he doesn't trust anyone of nobility."
"Do you think the villagers believed him?" Arthur asked quietly.
"No." Merlin grinned. "He's always been a troublemaker. They're used to ignoring him."
Arthur hefted the sword a couple of times."And if he's right?"
"He isn't."
Hunith overheard them from inside her house.
"I'm treating these men like soldiers, and they're not. You've seen them fight. They...they haven't got a clue!" Arthur looked away, worried, before telling Merlin, "You need to tell them all to leave the village before Kanen returns."
"No, we're going to stay. We're going to fight, and we're going to win." Merlin replied passionately.
Arthur shook his head at Merlin's apparent naiveté. "Merlin, it can't be done. The odds are too great."
"It can. We're going to make Kanen rue the day he ever came to this village." Merlin told him fiercely. "All you need to do is get the men ready for battle, and the rest will take care of itself." He said sharing a look with Alexia.
"How?"
Hunith listened in, realising what her son was thinking. "You've just got to believe in them. Because if you don't, they'll sense it, and the battle'll be lost before it's even begun."
" Arthur, they are not following you because you are prince. They are following you because they want to defend themselves. And when they want to do this, who are you to stop them. If Camelot is under attack, and no help is there, chances are odd, won't you try to protect your home? Even if you are all alone?" Alexia asked.
Arthur looked at her.
"I know you will Arthur. Give them a chance. Allow women to fight. They all want to protect their homes." She said and stood up, leaving.
Arthur shared a look with Merlin.
"She believes you Arthur, didn't you see how she handled those children?" Merlin pointed. Arthur looked thoughtful.
At night, Arthur addressed the villagers. "Tomorrow morning, the women and children should gather what belongings they can carry and go to the woods."
"We're not going anywhere!" Gwen argued.
Arthur gave a half smile. "I know you want to help. The women can't stay here. It's too dangerous."
"The women have as much right to fight for their lives as the men do!" Alexia argued fiercely.
"But none of you know how to fight." Arthur reminded them.
"The more of us there are, the better chance we stand!" The women all step forward.
Arthur looked around the room proudly. "This is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. I'd be honoured to stand alongside you. Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he will never defeat us. Look around. In this circle, we're all equals. You're not fighting because someone's ordering you to, you're fighting for so much more than that. You fight for your homes. You fight for your family. You fight for your friends. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes: fighting for your very right to survive! And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day, and you'll know you earned the right to live every day in between! So you fight! For your family! For your friends! For Ealdor!"
The villagers stood with swords raised, and began chanting, "For Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor!"
Hunith sat pensively in her home when Merlin entered and swung up his jacket.
"Come here." Hunith said, patting the spot beside her. Merlin sat down beside her and she stroked his face. "I do love you, my boy."
"What's wrong?" Merlin asked lightly.
Hunith dropped her hand. "I should never have gone to Camelot. I've ruined everything for you."
"You haven't. Why would you say that?" Merlin replied, looking confused.
Hunith looked him straight in the eye. "I know what you're planning to do."
Merlin sighed. "If it comes to a choice between saving people's lives and revealing who I really am," he shrugged, "there is no choice."
"You can't let Arthur know about your gift." Hunith nearly begged him.
"Why not? Maybe it's meant to be this way." Merlin looked around for a moment. "And if he doesn't accept me for whom I really am, then he's not the friend I hoped he was."
The next morning, Arthur stood watching the woods near the village. Gwen brought him a bowl of Hunith's home cooking. "Arthur, Hunith made you some food." Gwen handed him the bowl.
"Thanks." When Gwen turned to leave, Arthur muttered. "I think."
Gwen stopped and turned back around. "Food is scarce for these people, you shouldn't turn your nose up at it!"
Arthur just stared at her, and she became embarrassed and started stuttering. "Oh, no. I-I shouldn't 've spoken to you like that. I'm sorry."
"Gwen." Arthur called after her.
Gwen started leaving. "I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. It won't happen again."
"Guinevere!" Arthur exclaimed.
Gwen turned to face him.
"Thank you." Arthur offered, to Gwen's stunned silence. "You're right. And you were right to speak up. I should've listened to you three."He muttered under his breath, "We're going to need all the help we can get."
Gwen took a few steps towards him. "We'll be fine."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I have faith in you." Arthur gave her a strange look, and she added, "I mean, we all do."
"Thank you."
In Merlin's hut, both Arthur and Merlin were wearing a set of chainmail. Merlin started to help Arthur with his other armor, but Arthur stopped him. "No, not today. Put on your own."
They dress for the coming battle. When Merlin struggled with the buckle on one of his bracers, Arthur helped him out.
Arthur put a hand on Merlin's shoulder."You ready?"
Merlin gave a soft chuckle. "My throat's dry."
Arthur smiled, trying to put him more at ease. "Me too."
Arthur held out his arm and Merlin grabbed it. "It's been an honor." Arthur said, letting go of Merlin's arm.
Merlin turned away. "Whatever happens out there today, please don't think any differently of me."
"I won't. It's alright to be scared, Merlin."
"That's not what I meant." Merlin replied.
"What is it?" Arthur questioned. "If you've got something to say, now's the time to say it."
Merlin looked nervous, and opens his mouth to tell Arthur when Alexia entered. "Arthur. They've crossed the river." Arthur followed Alexia out, and Merlin followed soon after, after unsheathing his sword.
Arthur went down the line of villagers, shaking hands.
"You ready?" He asked one villager.
"Ready."
"For Ealdor."
He reached Gwen and Alexia and shook her hand.
"Are you frightened?"
Gwen shook her head. "Not in the slightest."
Arthur turned to Alexia.
" Learnt from the best." She said cheekily.
Gwen, Arthur, Alexia and Merlin took their hiding positions. Alexia took a deep breath. This was the first time in her while life she was going to be in a battle. Which she never thought she would.
Kanen and his men ride out of the woods with a loud cry and entered into the village.
"Hold. No one moves until they give the signal." Arthur ordered softly.
Kanen and his men stopped and looked around the empty village.
"Hold." Arthur said.
"Come out, come out wherever you are." Kanen taunted.
"Now, pull!" Gwen said. She and a villager pulled up a hidden gate, trapping the riders inside. Morgana tried to light a fire with flint, but failed.
"Now, Morgana. What are you waiting for? Something's gone wrong." Arthur exclaimed. Merlin rushed off without a word, while Arthur and Alexia called after him, "Merlin!"
Kanen spotted Merlin running between houses. "There's one. Get him!"
Merlin dodged the arrow fired at him, and kept running.
"Kill him!" Kanen yelled. Alexia flinched a bit.
Merlin dodged again and finally reached Morgana, who was still desperately trying to light a fire.
"Give me the flint." Merlin said. Morgana handed them over and Merlin pretended to use them for a moment until Morgana looked away. Then he held his hand over the area and whispered, "Baerne."
The fire finally lighted and a prepared line flamed up, trapping the riders.
"Come back! Don't run away!" Kanen yelled at the bandits who start running off. At his yell, Kanen's men ride back into the village.
"Now!" Arthur yelled. The villagers gave a battle cry as they sprang out of hiding to fight. In the midst of the fight, a rider came up behind Merlin preparing to strike. Without warning, Will jumped off a roof in his father's armor to unmounted the rider. He punched the rider out and grabbed his sword.
"I didn't think you were coming." Merlin commented breathlessly.
"Neither did I." Will grinned. The duo started to fight back to back. Kanen and his men fought back fiercely, and the villagers started losing. When Merlin and Will stopped to assess the situation, they realised this.
"There's too many of them." Will realised.
"Not for me there isn't." Merlin said assuredly, taking a moment to look back at Arthur, who is still fighting. While Arthur was preoccupied, Merlin held his hand out and chanted, "Cume thoden."
Under Merlin's direction, a fierce windstorm popped up. Alexia stopped her fight and saw a whirlwind. She knew who did this and smiled a little before she felt a sharp pain in her arm. The bandit striked her in the arm. She quickly stabbed the bandit. Arthur, who had finished off the bandit he had been fighting, saw the windstorm and Merlin and Will standing nearby. With the aid of the sudden windstorm, the villagers started winning once more and the remaining bandits left. Some of the villagers gave them a chase. Gwen and Morgana hugged in ecstatic glee. Alexia panted due to the soaring pain in her arm. Kanen marched out from behind a fence to face Arthur.
"Pendragon!" Kanen yelled, gaining Arthur's attention.
Kanen dropped his cloak. Arthur spinned his sword in a quick circle, and then ducked under a head shot before smacking Kanen in the back with his shield. Kanen went to hit Arthur in the side with the axe, but Arthur blocked the shot and pinned the axe before hitting it out of the other man's hands. In retaliation, Kanen kicked at Arthur's shield and knocked him back several steps, before pulling a sword out of the hands of a nearby bandit's body.
The fight then began in earnest, with the two exchanging blow after blow. After a quick spin of both swords, Kanen managed to hit Arthur in the face and disorientate him slightly, but it doesn't knock him out. Instead, the two continue to fight until Arthur managed to run Kanen through, who then collapsed to the ground.
Arthur then marched angrily towards Merlin and Will. "Who did that?" He exclaimed furiously.
"What?" Merlin asked, trying to sound confused.
"Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere." He said furiously, still catching his breath. "I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen."
Alexia's eyes widened when she realised the scene.
Merlin took a step forward. "Arthur..." he began softly.
Kanen picked up a crossbow and aimed it at Arthur.
" Arthur!" Alexia screamed from behind.
Will noticed the crossbow. "Look out!" he yelled. Will pushed Arthur out of the way and he got hit instead. Kanen then collapsed again and died. Alexia stared in horror. She failed. Will still took the arrow.
"Will!" Merlin yelled.
"You just saved my life." Arthur said disbelievingly.
"Yeah. Don't know what I was thinking." Will bit through the pain.
"Come on! Get him inside!" Arthur yelled at some of the other villagers.
Merlin, Arthur, and a couple village men carried Will inside his house. Will was trembling and breathing harshly with the pain, but he still managed to smile and bite out, "That's twice I've saved you."
"Twice?" Arthur asked.
"Yeah, it was me. I'm the one that used the magic." Will confessed.
"Will, don't." Merlin told him.
Arthur looked at Merlin.
"It's alright, Merlin. I won't be alive long enough for anyone to do anything to me." He looked back at Arthur. "I did it. I saw how desperate things were becoming and I had to do something."
"You're a sorcerer?" Arthur asked incredulously.
"Yeah. What are you gonna do? Kill me?" Will replied sarcastically, still breathing harshly.
Merlin and Arthur's eyes met for a moment before he responded, "No. Of course not. Do what you can for him."
Merlin nodded in response. Arthur put his hand on Will's shoulder and then lead the women out. Merlin brushed tears away from his eyes.
Alexia quickly entered with a bag.
"Merlin! Get aside." She quickly called.
Merlin jumped aside.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Saving his life." She said.
Will looked at her.
"It will pain a bit." She said and pulled the arrow.
Will gasped in pain.
"Sh! Calm down." She said.
"Alexia, no medication can heal such wound." Merlin reminded her.
"Yes, but magic can." She said. Will stared at her shocked.
" Yo.. you told her?" He asked.
"I.. I can't." Merlin said in tears.
"What the hell am I here for?" Alexia asked irritated.
"And Will, keep your mouth shut." Alexia said.
"Merlin take his shirt off." She said and Merlin quickly complied.
She then placed her hand on his wound.
Taking a deep breath, she chanted, " vulnera sanat. firmum faciet illi! " Her eyes flashed gold and Will gasped again.
His wound flashing gold.
His breathing became stable and Merlin and Alexia sighed.
"Give me the bag." She said.
Merlin nodded.
She opened it and picked up a bottle. She applied the medicine on his wounds.
"Help me dressing him." She said and finally they completed the job.
Will was now asleep.
Alexia smiled.
Exiting the hut, she met many curious and worried villagers.
"He is fine." She said with a smile.
Everyone cheered.
Arthur came to her.
"You healed him." He said.
"I am Gaius's apprentice. Surely I can do that easily." She said giving a fake smug look.
Arthur looked at her and smiled a bit.
"What are you going to do?" She asked worried.
"What are you talking about?" Arthur asked with making a confused face, while Alexia could see a playful smirk underneath.
Alexia looked at him shocked.
"You..." She started.
"He saved my life. He must get a reward." Arthur said and left. Alexia broke into a huge smile.
Next morning, they the Camelot group decided to leave.
" This must be given to him, everyday. It will subside the pain. And redress his wounds after every two days. Here. Apply this on his wounds. It will be more than three weeks, before he will be back to normal." She told Hunith, who was going to take care of Will. He was still asleep, and Arthur didn't get a chance to thank him.
Finally they climbed the horses.
Merlin lingered a bit with his mother.
"You better be going." Hunith said quietly.
"I don't have to go."
"Yes, you do." Hunith urged.
Merlin turned towards her. "If anything were to happen to you..."
Hunith gave him a soft smile. "I know where to find you. You have to go, Merlin. You belong at Arthur's side, with Alexia. I've seen how much they need you. How much you need them. and and Arthur, you're like two sides of the same coin. You three are truly inseperable."
Merlin smiled, remembering the dragon's words. "I've heard someone say that about us before. I'm going to miss you." He hugged his mother.
"I'm going to miss you , too. When you left, you were just a boy. Now look at you. I'm so proud of you." Hunith said proudly.
Gwen, Morgana, Arthur,Merlin and Alexia ride for Camelot, and Merlin remembered his mother's words. "When the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then, you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone."