Secretly Betrothed P3
Previously: That was when Arthur realised, he was in love with Merlin, and he never wanted to let him go, never wanted to see him get hurt. Wanted to marry the dark haired Prince and have a family with him. And he was going to make sure it happened.
Everyone left with soft smiles on their faces, except Lancelot and Arthur. Arthur had never seen anyone or anything more beautiful than Merlin did in the dim light of the room. "Sire." Lancelot whispered. Arthur turned to his voice. "Come on, it's late and we're going on a hunt early tomorrow morning." Arthur nods he's head and goes to bed, for tomorrow he finally got to see Merlin in action during a hunt.
The next day Arthur awoke, got dress and went to Alex's chambers to wake Merlin, but the only person he found in the room was Alex still fast asleep. Arthur was confused and quite worried, he went down stairs and quickly had his breakfast to find Merlin wasn't there either. So he went outside to the training field were he normally met up with the knights, and he sure his knights all huddled around the training ground, so Arthur went forward to see what all the fuss was about to find Merlin and Gwaine in the middle fighting. They both had smiles on their faces, clearly fighting because they were board, then Merlin sure Arthur. He knocked the sward out of Gwaine's hand and caught it and smiled, Gwaine smiled back happily excepting defeat.
Merlin gives Gwaine his sword and gives Lancelot the one he was using. "It's about time you got here sleeping beauty." Merlin teased, the knights laughing at the joke.
"Sleeping beauty. Why didn't I think of that?" Gwaine stated thinking that it was a very good, new nickname for Arthur.
"Because you are not Merlin, and don't poses the bond those two clearly share." Percival told the shorter man.
"I should have known you'd be up first, you were always like that, even when we were children. I must ask, have you ever heard of sleeping in?" Arthur asked with a half-smile.
"No, I can't say that I have." Merlin smiled at his friend.
"Merlin!" Alex proclaimed with a big grin as he jumped up at his brother, who caught him with ease. "King and Queen told me you were going hunting, can I come? PPPPLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE!" He begged.
"No, you're not yet old enough. You must stay here where it's safe. I'll be back by lunch." Merlin told his little brother.
"Ok, but if anything goes wrong then-" Alex was cut off.
"Then I'll send my butterfly to come after you, I know Alex." Alex smiled at his older brother, happy with the reply. Soon they were all on their horses and rode into the forest, Alex waving goodbye to everyone as they left.
Once in the forest they descended from their horses, but when Merlin's feet touched the floor he got a bad feeling, like something bad was going to happen. I challenge you Emrys. Merlin heard a very formally voice in his head. "Wait!" He told everyone who stopped walking immediately, and turned to face the Prince. "We're no alone." He stated looking around, as did the knights and Arthur.
"Gninthgil tlob!" Came a voice from the shadows. A lightning bolt came flying at them and Merlin reacted quickly.
"Dleihs!" Merlin's eyes turn gold, and he shields everyone letting out a small cry of pain. The spell was quite powerful, so as it hits Merlin's shield it hurt a bit.
"It's so good to see you again Emrys." He said coming out of the shadows.
"Kaleavo, when are you going to stop this madness? Killing me won't bring you any satisfaction." Merlin told him, with gentile but saddened eyes.
"That's what you think!" He struck again, and Merlin dogged the blow. The knight and Arthur went to intervene so they could help Merlin.
"No! He's too strong! You must stay ba-" Merlin wasn't able to finish his sentence as he was hit and was sent to the ground. "Ah!" Merlin cried out as he got struck.
"Merlin!" The knights and Arthur yell, feeling useless as they couldn't do anything.
"You took everything from me! So I shall do the same to you." Kaleavo proclaimed with anger.
"I did not kill your family, I was framed. You should know that I would never hurt another." Merlin told Kaleavo, hoping to get some sense into him.
"That is why you are week. Why you don't deserve to be Emrys. Why those who are your friends deserve to suffer by your side! Starting with the blonde Prince!" He went to strike at Arthur but Merlin wouldn't allow that.
"NO!" He screamed. Merlin ran out in front of them, he brought his arms up which put up the biggest shield he's ever made. One bolt of lightning deeply slashed his left side just before he could fully shield himself, but he didn't care. He then throws his arms out exploding the shield out and hitting Kaleavo into a tree. Then a branch grabbed onto both his wrists forcing his arms up in a 'Y' shape, one wrapping around his waist and another holding his head in place, and a ring of fire surrounds Kaleavo's pinned body.
"Emrys please, please have mercy." Kaleavo begged, tears coming down his face in fear. Merlin walked right up to him and Kaleavo shut his eyes, believing this was the end.
"Open your eyes." Merlin whispered and Kaleavo did. When he did he sure the spirits of his parents because they couldn't watch their son do this anymore.
"The Prince is innocent. He didn't harm us in any way, shape or form. It was a thief who possessed magic, he took the form of Prince Merlin when he heard you coming. Please stop this and go home, by going after the man to kill him, you become no better than him." And they disappeared.
"I'm…I'm so sorry." Kaleavo whispered, then he felt himself being released.
"Go home Kaleavo and get your life back." Merlin smiled.
"Your letting me go? After everything I've done to you." Kaleavo was stunned.
"Why harm an innocent man." Merlin asked, and Kaleavo thanked Merlin before leaving.
"Wow." Arthur stated in amazement. "That was incredible."
Merlin smiled. "Not my best though." Then he grabbed his side, and grimaced at the pain.
"Are you all right Merlin?" Lancelot asked in concern. Merlin palled his shaking hand away from his side and it was covered in blood, Merlin vision got blurry and he collapsed.
"MERLIN!" Arthur screamed and quickly caught him.
Percival looked at the wound carefully. "It must have happened when Kaleavo struck his lightning at us and Merlin jumped in front of it to protect up. If we don't get him to Guise quickly we may lose him." He informed Arthur.
"Help me get him on my horse." Arthur ordered and they did without hesitation. Percival made sure to tell Arthur that he must be careful otherwise the wound might get worse. Arthur was going to get Merlin back, no matter what it took.
To Be Continued
