Title: The legend of a Warlock who Served the Once and Future King
Author: Lamiabellascrittore
Rating: T+
Warnings: Violence, sexual content, adult situations and more- Deal with it. There is more to come.
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, or any of the characters. If I did there would be a season six, seven, eight, and so on, and a movie, of course.
Spoilers: Possibly.
Summary: Merlin and Arthur go on a mission that was supposed to be strictly reconnaissance. However, nothing ever goes as planned, and they get separated. Merlin is kidnapped by Morgana and Arthur must find a way to rescue his ever loyal servant. But, will Arthur still save Merlin after he learns Merlin has magic? This story is building up to the battle of Camlann. The might be a sequel.
A/N: Okay, so this is my first Published Fan Fiction. Please read and review.
If you liked it I will continue. Please be kind. ;) The more you review the more likely it is that I will continue this story and more. Sorry for any errors, it becomes difficult after editing it so many times. It becomes a lot like a word repeated over and over again until it no longer makes any sense.
Sorry for the long wait. I got caught up in life. I hope you enjoy...
Chapter 15
Waste not Want not
Arthur and his knights made it to the Valley of the Fallen Kings in comparatively good time. It took roughly a day and a half before they reached the border, and another day before they came across a group of travelers. Nothing about them suggested innocent intentions out here in The Valley of the Fallen Kings.
Slave traders, Arthur hissed.
Arthur and the Knights dismounted. The smell of burning wood and cooking food hung in the air. They muzzled their horses and tied them to a low hanging branch. They were easily disguised by the coming twilight as Arthur stealthily stalked through the brush towards the voices with Leon and Gwain by his side. The others stayed to guard the horses. They couldn't affords to lose them now.
He peeked through a bush and saw six men talking and drinking around a fire. Arthur surveyed the group and noticed with some dismay that they had a large cage they traveled with. Not just slavers, but witch hunters.
The closer they got the louder and more clumsy the voices became. They were drunk. Words like The Witch Morgana. Prisoners. Sorcerers. Winners. Auctioned. All stood out but one sentence that most disturbed him was the words army and Emrys.
Morgana must have found him, and swayed him to her cause. Arthur was too late in gaining any aid from him now.
Arthur nodded at Leon to fallow him and they went back to meet the group. Arthur had an idea.
"What do you think?" Sir Garret asked once they got back to the others.
"Six men. Slave traders for sure." Gwain said as he picked up a water skin, took a big swig and tossed it at Leon, who then proceeded to throw it to Arthur. He nodded his thanks.
"From what we could piece together is that they're heading to Morgana's palace. There is to be a competition of sorts."
"I heard the name Emrys." Leon said cutting in. "I think Morgana has him leading her army. Does that not concern you, Sire?" He sat down on the ground for a small rest.
Arthur looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Of course it bothered him. But Merlin was there, and he was going to go rescue the idiot weather or not there was an a all powerful Warlock brainwashed to Morgana's side.
"Do we wait for night fall?" Sir Ranoue asked.
"Nah, mate. I think we can take 'em now." Gwain said lifting his chin proudly and flexing. Percival parked out a laugh at Gwain showing off his muscles.
"Gwain is right." Percival agreed. Smiling at his friend amused.
"Lets get this done then." Gwain exclaimed excitedly. He rubbed his hands together. Arthur nodded in agreement. Its been to long without any action and they could use a bit of violence filled fun to help keep their anger and fear for Merlin in check.
"Keep one alive. We'll need a guide that knows how to reach Morgana's castle." Arthur led the way tot he drunken witch hunters.
Quietly they made there way through the trees and brush. The shadows grew longer and it became more difficult to see but it gave Arthur and his knights the advantage. They spread out circling them.
They watched and waited as the men joked and laughed completely ignorant of the death that loomed over them.
Garret attacked first, Leon on his heel. They pounced from the tree line and took down those nearest with deadly accuracy before anyone could raise a sword in defense. Arthur followed with the rest of the Knights on his heel. The men weren't much of a fight, they were clumsy and sluggish, and barely able to comprehend that this was real and not some drunken mirage. Garret surprised a man sneaking up on Ranoue. Arthur noted with some interest how Garret always seemed to be looking after the kid.
In a matter of moments the camp went silent. The knights gathered around the bodies. Ranoue, the youngest of the knights shoved a man into the center of them.
"Thank you Sir Ranoue." Gwain said. "But how do you know this scrawny little thing knows where Morgana's lair is." He teased. Ranoue looked genuinely worried as he looked down at the man, well boy really, and frowned.
"Its fine Ranoue." Arthur said clapping the young knight on his shoulder. The young Knight reminded Arthur of Mordred. The boy druid who warmed his way into Arthur's heart. He shook it off and glared at Gwain. "That's enough Gawain. You've been picking on the lad for days." Arthur tuned from his Knights and faced the man kneeling before him. He looked at him quietly for a while.
"Do you know the way to the Lady Morgana's castle?" Arthur finally asked.
The man was silent. Refusing to speak.
"Do you know the way to Morgana's castle." Arthur demanded. No answer. Just silence. Garrett lashed out and sliced the sword down the man back. The boy cried out and tried to pull away from the sharp blade.
"Oi." Gwain protested and grabbed Garrets shoulder to pull him back. Garret threw off Gwain's hand and bared his teeth challengingly. "Garrett." Gwain snapped. He took a step forward putting himself between Arthur and Garret. Garret grunted and took a step back but didn't sheath his sword.
Gwain knew that he had a problem with authority and was too much of a wild card. Gwain had originally advised Arthur not to Knight him, as well as Ranoue for that matter, and when Gwain had asked Arthur to leave the both of them in Camelot Arthur convinced him to give the young Knight's a chance. So this was him giving Garrett a chance by being the watchful guard dog. Something Merlin would have been better at had he been here. Gwain grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. He gave Garret one final warning glare. Gwain stepped back and then focused on the boy kneeling on his knees before Arthur.
Irritated, Arthur looked away from Gwain and Garrett and back to the boy that knelt on the ground. "Do you know the way to Morgana's Palace?" Arthur asked again.
The boy shook his head. "N-no, but we have a map. It-its in the pack by the fire." His voice wavered from pain.
"Thank you." Arthur said genially. "Percival? Could you find the map please?" Percival nodded and went to look.
Arthur opened his mouth to speak when a gasp followed by a wet gurgle came from behind him. He turned in time to see Garret's knife slice through the boys throat. He and the Knights watched quietly shocked as Garret calmly wiped his sword clean on the shirt of the boy he just murdered. Arthur shook himself and glowered. The new Knight would need to learn some control. Gwain was right. No control.
No control,Arthur frowned. Arthur own control was on a thin and short leash. He clenched his jaw and stared at Garret silently. The knights didn't dare speak or move, waiting to see what Arthur would do. Arthur had been grumpy and out of sorts the last few days. He has been experiencing moments of sever irritation and bursts of anger. He fought it well enough but he snapped to many times at his Knights for it to be just a bad day. Arthur fought back another sudden violent urge. This time to drive his sword into Garrets heart right then and there.
"Restrain yourself, Garret." Arthur snapped through grit teeth desperately trying to restrain his own.
"He's useless now. We got the map." Garrett shrugged as if it was no big deal. " He would just slow us down." Garret reasoned.
"And if Percival doesn't find the map?" Arthur demanded.
Garrett didn't answer. He knew Arthur was right.
"Find any spare clothes in their packs to change into." He ordered. "Hide your cloaks and anything that can identify you as belonging to Camelot."
Everyone nodded but none moved. Gwain coughed into a balled fist. "Arthur, I think it would be a waste to let this delicious food go to waste."
Arthur sighed. He wasn't thrilled with the idea, but Gwain was right. It would be a waste. They didn't know how much longer it would be before they had a proper meal.
Arthur nodded. "Okay. But first move the bodies far from here. Gather your supplies, water and feed your horses and then we eat." Arthur declared wearily.
The knights split up and did as he ordered. Arthur rubbed his eyes. He was beyond exhausted. He went to sit down by the trampled fire pit. He leaned against an old log used as a bench. He needed a second or two. The past weeks ride was catching up with him. Arthur dug through a pack that was closet to him. He found some well enough fitting clothes to wear underneath some worn black leather armor. Pretty poor protection but it was something. Arthur leaned back against the log. He noticed the food was safe. The pot of stew had been removed from the fire before they had started to battle. Arthur watched Gwain work to save the fire. With a victorious cry Gwain sat down besides him. A wide dimpled grin plastered across his rarely sober face.
"Merlin did it so effortlessly." Arthur murmured softly.
"Did what mate?" Gwain asked settling his elbows on his knees.
"Everything..." He murmured so low Gwain barely heard him. Arthur stared into the growing flames. On nights like this when it was just him and Merlin Arthur felt most at peace. Ever since Merlin has been Morgana's prisoner Arthur has not felt that peace once, only a growing anger and hatred. It swirled inside him rending and tearing through his insides like an emotional tsunami.
"-gic mate." Gwain laughed. Merlin was so casual with his magic sometimes Gwain could just throttle him. He remembered when Merlin and Arthur had come looking for him. They found him in the middle of a bar fight. Merlin had used magic to fling a bench and some plates. He was surprised no one noticed Merlin's careless use of magic that was so brashly used in front of the tyrant King Uther's son.
"Excuse me?" Arthur asked distractedly.
Gwain looked over at Arthur who wasn't even paying attention. Gwain laughed again. Wait until Arthur accepted that Merlin was more than just a loyal servant, but a loyal Warlock. One of very few. In fact Gwain had a very bad feeling that this Emrys character was Merlin and he was playing a very very dangerous game.