I know it's been forever, but I've now nearly finished the story (only have to type it =D) and maybe write a bit more, but I promise that the next chapter will be up in about two hours and then maybe another one after that!
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Hope you'll like this chapter and sorry for any mistakes.
Enjoy!
Chapter 12
As so often in his life Merlin wondered what he'd gotten himself into now. Since the future people had arrived he'd barely had any time to rest. As it was he hadn't yet 'recovered' from his recent venture into the enemy's camp when the royal prat demanded his undivided attention.
Minutes later and reigned into another of his master's ingenious plots the young warlock now found himself heading towards the training fields instead of his comfy bed. But then again who needed rest anyway as long as there was some fool's errand to pursue? Not him of course nah...blessed be that Arthur got to feast and sleep, while he was positively starving and dead on his feet. This whole situation just screamed for revenge. At first Merlin had decided to carry out this 'mission' as slowly as humanly possible, but then he'd realised that the more time it took, the less he would have to rest. Therefore he would postpone that to a later time.
Anyway, so here he was 'sneaking' up on an unaware future knight to 'steal' some of those armguards.
"Hey Galahad," Merlin shouted across the field to get the knight's attention. Hearing his name the blonde turned to look and upon seeing Merlin he jogged over to join him. All the while the knight had an eager smile on his face, which made Merlin think that this was going to be too easy.
"Merlin, what's up," questioned Galahad.
"I was just wondering if you could get me a pair of those fancy armguards you guys have. You know, I'd just really like to study them a bit, for future reference."
Obviously hesitant to help Gal touched his own and slowly answered, "I don't think that's such a good idea. We're not supposed to help you with that."
At that moment Merlin realised a weakness in the future people's arguments and seized it immediately. "Yah, but what if I only came up with the idea for those things because I was able to study them right now?" Quite satisfied with his reasoning Merlin looked at the knight expectantly.
"That's not really possible as you're not going to remember any- oh shit-" Galahad slapped his right hand over his mouth momentarily, before he hastily tried to cover his slip-up.
"I mean erm that er..."
Eyes narrowed in contemplation Merlin continued his former sentence, "that you're going to erase our memories!"
"No, no don't know what you're talking about." The knight did his best to steer the servant's thoughts into a different direction, but Merlin was reluctant to let go of this new insight. Then, apparently enraged at the prospect of being manipulated by a sorcerer, even if it just happened to be himself, Merlin made to leave to confront King Arthur or his older self. However, Galahad intercepted him swiftly and more or less begged him not to reveal his slip-up to his father-figure. Although Merlin knew that Emrys wouldn't be angry with his charge, he decided not to mention that to the man.
Sensing victory the raven-head proposed an exchange, a pair of those armguards for his silence and after much groaning the other accepted the deal. And reluctantly told Merlin where he could find a spare pair.
Smiling in triumph Merlin dropped his charade of righteous anger, thanked Gal heartily and left to get his spoils. He hadn't enjoyed using the knight in such a way, but on the other hand he reasoned no harm would befall the blonde for his help.
Also, while he wasn't looking forward to being manipulated he understood his own arguments. It was better to leave the future unknown, no matter the desire one had to catch a glimpse of the outcome. Of course, it would be nice to know that he would succeed in his endeavour to protect Arthur and help him become a great king, but it would be even better to live through it. One step at a time, untainted by the probably hindering knowledge.
Still contemplating that Merlin dropped off the armguards in Arthur's chambers and finally hurried to his room to get at least snack in and nap a little, before the prat ran off to do something stupid...again.
In the meantime, one of the bigger outlying villages was still under attack. Its inhabitants were doing everything in their power to fend off their attackers till their lonely scout could reach help. However, despite their desperate struggle, it was more than clear that they would in all likelihood not survive the day. Not only were there sorcerers battling, or at the moment rather playing, with them, mythical beasts had also joined the skirmish with their claws and fangs.
The villagers had long ago abandoned their huts, in fear of being burnt with them, and instead gathered at an easily defensible 'fort'. This structure had been hurriedly built with upturned carts and wooden boxes by the few battle-hardened villagers. They had once been a part of the royal army, before giving up their stations to retire in these villages with their families. Among them little doubts was left of the fate of the village, many were even surprised that they'd survived this long. Especially, against those sorcerers with their bloody spells. But for whatever reason they were holding back and so were the creatures. There was something else going on and while none of them knew what exactly, they all hoped it would save their lives.
Suddenly a bright red light flared up at the edge of the village and shortly afterwards a brisk wind manifested. Squinting the men could just make out the figure of a man appearing in the middle of the wind, before just as sudden the light enveloped him. Seemingly surprised the man moved jerkily to find a way out of the cocoon of light, but he was quickly consumed by its sheer mass.
A scream of agony rang over the sounds of battle and a tense silence lay itself over the enemy. Until, one by one, cheers of victory sounded among them, as no one reappeared from within the now shrinking light. From among the army then came a figure clad in black and approached the site carefully. After another tense moment the person lifted her hood to reveal a beautiful woman. Dark hair contrasting ivory skin and a cruel smirk on her lips, she was a daunting sight. And over the returned, oppressive silence her voice rang mockingly, "Goodbye Emrys, my dear old friend."
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