Soo, this is the last chapter for today, will try to update again in the next few days! (Sorry for any mistakes.) Hope you enjoyed the last two and you'll like this one as well.
Enjoy! :D
Chapter 14
All the while, a tottery old man hobbled through a vastly destroyed village with a gleeful smile on his face, which stood in sharp contrast to the miserable expressions on the villagers faces. The village had been under attack till a few minutes earlier, when all of a sudden the enemy had disappeared, apparently having achieved their objective. Some people the old man thought just never learned their lesson. Dragoon the Great, as some had called him, was at the same time rather content with his own inspiring performance.
No one doubted that he was actually surprised by that silly little spell Morgana and her allies had placed to kill him. He'd already guessed that there would be some kind of trap waiting for him the moment he'd found out that the villages were under attack. Please even he wasn't careless enough not to check for magical pitfalls before he manifested somewhere. That was one of the first things Gaius taught him as soon as he'd mastered the transportation spell. Never go in blind and if you do it anyway at least throw up a shield around you. Had been his guardian's sound advice, who was all too familiar with Merlin's reckless behaviour.
In any case the warlock had felt the spell even from Camelot. It was quite surprising that Morgana was so careless, as she usually covered all her bases, but then again maybe she'd just thought Merlin didn't have the predisposition to feel magical imprints. True enough it had taken him quite some time to grasp that particular power, which had cost them dearly on several occasions. Had he always been able to feel the magic hidden within objects or places, he could have averted many disasters. Caught in memories the old man nearly forgot about his splendid performance, but he soon chased away his depressing thoughts and replayed it instead.
Throughout all that Dragoon was busy preparing for what he now called the final act, which had so successfully started with his own 'death'. He started to lay his own net of traps around Camelot from where he was, laying each one slowly and masking it before he even finished it. He was so careful as to not raise any suspicion by the sorcerers currently besieging the castle.
Soon thereafter his king's voice was calling for him, but as much as he hated to let him stew and wait...- huh then again wasn't that one of the things he was especially good at? To be honest, he loved it! Of course, if he was ever asked where he'd been so long, he would have a perfectly reasonable explanation why his immediate appearance would have jeopardised the plan.
So, for now he stayed where he was and played his first role, appropriately named Dragoon the Great, from afar.
Back in Camelot
"Morgana!" echoed Prince Arthur loudly. "What's the meaning of this? We have to get her inside, before they hurt her -quick." When still no one mover Arthur bellowed "What are you waiting for?" When Arthur himself tried to get to Morgana King Arthur said quietly. "Merlin." Receiving no answer Arthur glanced pointedly at the present warlock and repeated, "Merlin."
A little confused Merlin stared at the king quizzically until finally he realised that the other was talking to him this time.
"Oh, you meant me. Sorry." Not even bothered by Merlin's obliviousness Arthur continued.
"Put them to sleep."
Now really confused the servant replied "Put whom to sleep? And I don't really think there's time to sleep right now..."
Forgoing any discretion the older blonde pointed at Arthur and the other residents of past- Camelot and repeated quietly. "Use your magic and put them all to sleep."
"This is ridiculous, he doesn't have any magic yet. Merlin tell him-" Prince Arthur stopped talking upon seeing the guilt-stricken expression on his servant's face. "M-Merlin please tell me he's wrong." Even though he already knew it was true Arthur didn't want to believe it, heck the evidence had been right in front of them every time Emrys did magic. Still some part of him hoped that it was a simple misunderstanding. The answer to his question however took away all remaining doubts.
"I -I'm sorry, Arthur. I'll explain later, okay? Please just don't freak out now." Smiling uncertainly Merlin composed himself best he could and cast the spell. "ic i geswefe" The very second his eyes changed to their usual golden colour Arthur looked so betrayed that Merlin had to close his eyes against it. Several moments later as he finally opened them again, his master was already slumped against the balustrade - fast asleep; just like everyone else in Camelot. Seeing his precarious position Merlin hurried forward to gently reposition him, though two guards beat him to it. They gently picked him up and carried him off towards his chambers, where he would be more comfortable.
"Why did you do that?" Merlin stared at King Arthur accusingly. "And why did I have to bewitch them?"
"Mainly because the more they all witness the harder it is to erase and redo their memories of the last couple of days. Also, I didn't really want to deal with them right now, just image the ruckus Uther alone would cause."
"You're planning to leave after today's fight." Merlin glanced at the assembled opposing force and continued. "How do you know you'll win? Emrys isn't even here."
Leaning over to Merlin as if sharing a big secret Arthur stage-whispered. "He'll be here. He always likes to have a dramatic, last-minute entrance. Pain in the arse if you ask me, he loves it though."
"Helloo," Morgana shouted impatiently. "Sorry, to disrupt your little chat ladies, but could we get on with it. I'm planning to redecorate the throne room once we're done today, so I haven't got time for your babbling."
Arthur only rolled his eyes and taunted her, much like his younger self had mocked him earlier. "Please, as if you and your little band of followers have enough power to scratch the mere surface of Emrys' barrier.
As a response Morgana bared her teeth and told her minions to charge.
And so the battle for Camelot began...
Review please =) and let me know what you thought!
