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. There most likely will be a sequel if you all want.
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.
Okay. New A/N: So the story is getting darker. Sorry. Can't help it. I like the dark sexy stuff. It will most likely get more intense.
Common people give me some love and review. 3
I hope you enjoy...
Chapter 21 prt3
A Plan is a Plan. Right?
The morning came quicker than Merlin would have liked and yet still the hours dragged on and on. The healing water helped heal him but it could not replenish the blood he lost. He was exhausted and feeling weaker than ever. He groaned and rolled over in the small cot Cedric had set up for him next to the healing water. Merlin could hear the army amassing. The bellowed orders and shouted replies were what had woken him.
Cedric looked up from his spot on the bench when he heard Merlin stir. He had stayed up all night to ensure Emrys lived. It was touch and go there for a while and Cedric had to put him in the tub intermittently throughout the night to be sure he had enough healing from the water and healing from sleep. Unfortunately, Cedric was unable to get any rest. He stood up and walked over to Merlin.
Merlin rubbed his face and covered his eyes with his hand. His head was pounding painfully inside his head. What he wouldn't do for one of Gaius's headache potions.
"Hello Emrys." Cedric greeted. Merlin uncovered his eyes and glared up at him.
Merlin grunted his annoyance. "Merlin." He corrected.
Cedric's eyebrows drew together. "But...you're Emrys."
"Yes. I am Emrys." Merlin sighed and sat up swinging his legs over the side of the cot. " But my name is Merlin." Merlin insisted.
"Then Merlin you should know that Morgana has assembled the army and is waiting for you to meet with the sorcerers in the armory. You are to meet Morgana and Mordred in the courtyard to ride out with them."
"Am I?" Merlin asked sardonically. He ignored Cedric probing gaze as he stood and stretched. His shoulder and back ached from Morgana's damned dagger in his back and his lungs twinged slightly with each breath but it was nothing he couldn't manage.
"Well yeah. If you want those kid sorcerers to stay breathing. Morgana has given orders that if you so much as attempt to rebel one or both will be executed on the spot."
"No she wont." Merlin said confidently.
"What you have a plan." Cedric scoffed as he fallowed Merlin from the healing waters. They turned left and headed towards the armory.
"Yeah, I have a plan." Merlin said solemnly.
"Is it a good one?" Cedric asked skeptically.
"I have a plan." Merlin hedged.
Merlin got ready in the armory with the rest of the sorcerers in a state of anticipation. Merlin's heart raced and terror clung to his heart the more he contemplated his choices in the next part of this twisted destiny.
Cedric stood by the door waiting to lead them to meet Morgana. They all dressed in the same black leather and chain mail armor weather they were male or female but instead of the white deformed dragon insignia on their shoulder, it was blood red.
After fastening the last of his armor he left Cedric to guide the mass of sorcerer to the court yard. Merlin would make his way there on his own. He needed a moment alone. He walked out of the barracks and out into the training field. He paced back and forth warring the grass down into a trampled mess. He ran his hands through his hair. He was still reeling from yesterday.
Five kids. Five kids dead. Murdered. Damn Morgana. Damn the culling. Damn Mordred. Merlin seethed. The anger growing inside him with no way to stanch the rage.
Merlin tried to save the kids, every last one of them but he didn't think Mordred would be so cruel to kids. After all he was just a kid when Merlin first saved him. Theses kids were in need of his help not his wrath. But Merlin was wrong, so very wrong. With one sweep of his hand Mordred had decimated five innocent sorcerers.
Morgana wanted to talk to Merlin. See where his head was at. She needed to remind him she had his pets James and Darrin and should he act up they would pay the price. She saw Merlin pacing in the training field and made her way over.
"Merlin?" Morgana interrupted softly.
Merlin looked over at Morgana but ignored her and kept pacing. He had nothing to say to the woman. Back and forth, back and forth he paced between the table full of weapons and the fighting dummy's. On his next pass he came face to face with Morgana. She stood adorned in her battle armor. The white silver armor blended into the chain mail making her gleam like a newly cut diamond.
"Look, I know you are upset with me." She reasoned. Merlin snorted in derision. He started to walk around her but he stopped him with a hand on his bicep. She scowled at him.
"Hey we need to work together on this." She reasoned.
Merlin looked at her incredulously. He tore his arm from her grip and turned on her. He looked her up and down disgusted by what she has let herself become.
"Its so much more than 'being upset with you.'" Merlin mocked resentfully. "What you made me do to my mother and what you did to me... what you let Mordred do to William and those kids?" He shook his head. "That is unforgivable. You betrayed my trust. Again."
"Yeah, I lied." Morgana confessed. "You believed me. Who's fault is that?" She accused.
"Your right. I had a modicum of trust in you," Merlin recognize solemnly.
"Then you can't exactly blame me, can you?" Morgana smiled. "That was your mistake."
"Indeed it was." Merlin murmured. He watched her with narrow eyes. She turned around in a wide arch. Her armor glinting harshly in the sun.
"We should get going. Its nearing midday." Morgana sighed looking up at the sun.
"The last time I said yes to you a lot of people died."
"And who's fault is that?" She snapped.
Merlin looked at her blankly for a few tense moments. "How do I know you wont kill me in the middle of battle?" Merlin asked for the hell of it. He knew there was no guarantee.
"Oh please, I stabbed you one time. I knew you would live."
"And if I hadn't?"
"At least one of my problems would have fixed themselves." The thought of him dying by her hand made a bitter taste in her mouth bloom. She shrugged it off. He had to die so she could live, right? Least she could do is use him while he was still around.
"You know...that's not what an apology sounds like."
"Bite me, Merlin." Morgana growled.
Merlin laughed. she shouldn't tempt him, he just might. He didn't care. Not any more. Besides, even if she tried anything he planned on leaving and finding Arthur as soon as he could. Merlin knew the fool was searching for him even if he expressly warned him not to.
Merlin wasn't going to let Morgana hold anything over him any longer. Including James and Darrin lives. Merlin was leaving and taking Darrin and James with him. He would do what ever he needed to get free this time. And if he couldn't get the boys free he will kill them to spare them the wrath of both Mordred and Morgana.
"You know there was a time I once thought that you would make me a better man." Merlin said impersonally. Or a monster, Merlin finished silently. "I was wrong."
"Be careful Merlin. I still have James and Darrin." Morgana growled.
Merlin tensed and looked at Morgana murderously. "Where are they?" Merlin demanded. His rage spiked again an unbalanced volcano about to erupt. Morgana was right. Everyone has a breaking point. Merlin has reached his.
"They will be riding out with us," She said vaguely. To keep you in line. It wasn't spoken but implied.
"Mm." Merlin murmured. Good. It will make keeping track of them easier. Merlin swallowed the lump in his throat.
Morgana turned and left. Merlin followed her towards the court yard where the main troops waited. Merlin spotted Cedric first. He was standing beside five horses. Three of them already had riders on them. Mordred was on a horse already off to the side glaring at Merlin as if his gaze alone would burn him to the ground.
James and Darrin sat atop the other horses hands bound to the saddles. Merlin shuttered and focused on something else, any thing else, which happened to be the warriors behind them who'll be marching on foot beside them. They were to surround and protect the Army's most needed assets. Emrys, Morgana and Mordred. Morgana mounted her horse while Merlin jumped into the saddle of his own. As one they started to march on.
For ten minutes Merlin let the sound of the marching army drown out his thoughts and it worked...for a while. But Merlin couldn't help as he looked back at James and Darrin. His mind was filled with the desperation.
Merlin went through dozens of different ways to try to escape with James and Darrin alive without risking them all being caught, killed or worse. He could leave without them but who knew what would happen to them once he was gone and he would never do that to anyone. The only other option was inconceivable but he had contemplated it and turned it down even if he found some logic in it. He could kill them himself quietly, painlessly, and save everyone a whole lot of trouble. But he couldn't do that unless he had no other choice.
Merlin's only hope of a successful escape was to bide his time and try to survive long enough to try to escape. He may be the most powerful warlock to ever walk the earth but he could die. One well aimed arrow or blade and he was done for.
Merlin tensed. What would Arthur think of him now? What would he say if he knew what he had just been contemplating? Would Arthur hate him if he knew what Merlin had planned. Damn it, Merlin hated himself for contemplating any of it.
Merlin felt odd marching beside Morgana. He didn't fit in with the renegades of this army. He didn't belong here. He shouldn't be here. Merlin felt a strange panic well up within him. He was terrified granted, but the panic was so out of place it sent Merlin's instincts spiraling out of control. Automatically his magic started to probe the woods around him. Seeking out what set him on edge.
Got it, Merlin thought. His magic cocooning it in a iridescent golden glow. His magic pressed closer and Merlin felt a familiar warmth.
Arthur? Merlin's head snapped in Arthur's direction. Merlin was thankful that no one paid him any attention. Well... no one but Mordred. He seemed to have a special hard on for him. The loathing was plan and clear for all to see, but there was something more sinister lurking underneath.
Sometimes Merlin forgot that Mordred was Arthur's bane. Or rather Arthur was Arthur's bane. Merlin looked back to the path before him. He didn't want to draw attention to Arthur who lurked behind a tree. The terror Merlin suddenly felt left him feeling cold. With Arthur so close, James and Darrin in need of Merlin's cooperation, and Morgana and Mordred in hearing distance... Mordred, the druid Knight, was definitely more than he seemed and he feared he would know Arthur as near.
Merlin kept a tight lid on his emotions as they marched on ignoring Arthur as best he could. Merlin knew Morgana had a time line she wanted to keep. They had at least eighty kilometers left to go before making camp. That would be at least an eight to twelve hours of travel. Merlin had best get comfortable. It was going to be a long ride.