Sweat terrorised Merlin's brow as he swung at another bandit. Whack! He fell to the floor with a thud and Merlin raced toward Arthur and Leon who were fighting three bandits each and completely flanked.
"Every time!" Leon exclaimed smiling. "Every time we leave the castle, bandits creep up bloody everywhere." The blonde knight parried a blow and struck the bandit in the stomach. Merlin didn't like the killing but he couldn't stop it, especially after Arthur found out the Cloak disliked it.
"Well, maybe they're trying to rid us of Merlin's smell." Arthur shouted, laughing as he twirled his sword and sliced a bandit's throat with ease. Merlin had been going on excursions like these with Arthur and his knights for about six months now. He couldn't before then because of is nightly activities. He'd had to make excuses. But things had died down since Gwen's kidnapping which allowed him more time to be Merlin.
"Hey, I bathed today clotpole. They're probably trying to get to the next kingdom but your fat head is in the way," Merlin retorted as he took down another two men. All the knights he could handle a staff but none would ever assume he was The Cloak.
"I do not have a fat head, Merlin!" Arthur huffed as the knights finished off the last remaining bandits. "Tie them up and cart them back to Camelot." The knights bowed and set off to do as he asked.
"Good job out there, Merlin. Reminds me why Arthur keeps you around," Leon complimented. He strolled past and scraped the blood off his sword against a nearby rock.
Merlin grinned. He and Leon weren't friends as such but they enjoyed each other's company, much like he and Arthur. Merlin always wondered what things would be like without The Cloak. Would he be closer to the Prince? Would Gwen be dead? Would the kingdom still be standing? It was too much to ponder right now.
"Let's go, Merlin!" Arthur called him. "Wouldn't want to forget and leave you here." He Merlin turned and mounted the horse next to Arthur's. Ajax had been given to him as he was the Prince's personal manservant.
"Sorry sire, after you." Merlin moved over to make room for the Prince, who took the lead. Leon followed on with Merlin behind him.
The travel back to Camelot was quiet and peaceful. Merlin allowed himself the pleasure of smelling the sweet air seeing the green hills and white tops of the mountains. Things he took for granted in the bustling city.
They soon arrived inside the castle gates. Everyone dismounted and gave their reins to the stable boy. Across the training field, Merlin noticed Morgana and Gwen smiling at them. He gave them a quick wave which they returned while Arthur nodded.
"You should be more affectionate, I think it would make you a better person," Merlin quipped.
"Shut up, Merlin." Arthur retorted.
"Shutting up, sire." Merlin replied, still grinning happily to himself.
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, Merlin worked tirelessly through his chores. He remembered when he first came to Camelot and how difficult everything had been. Not just balancing The Cloak with Merlin but also doing his chores, especially after a bad run in with Agravaine's goons. But now Merlin had grown strong for a boy his age. He got better food than he had in Ealdor and with both his night time and day time activities he'd built up quite a bit of muscle. His fitness drew some attention from the opposite sex. That made him a tad uncomfortable so he pleasantly thanked their interests but declined them all the same.
Later in the evening, Arthur sat doing paperwork as usual. It was probably on the bandit attack Merlin thought as he trundled about the Prince's quarters finishing off his last chores.
"Merlin," Arthur called for him to come over.
"Yes Arthur, is there something you need?" Arthur only allowed him to use his first name when they were alone, or with someone they knew would be okay with the friendship between them.
"Yes, erm, thank you for being my servant for so long, Merlin. It's the longest time I've ever had one." Merlin didn't like the way this sounded. "But, I've spoken to Agravaine, begrudgingly of course." He mumbled something that sounded like 'traitorous scumbag' but Merlin didn't focus on that. He focused on the fact that he was being fired!
"Sire, please, if you're going to relieve me of my duties, just say it." Merlin did see the upside to this. It meant he could spend more time as The Cloak but he knew he would miss working for Arthur. Not that he'd tell the Prince.
"Relieve you of your what?" Arthur questioned, staring at Merlin like he was an imbecile. That was becoming more common as time passed. "No idiot, you are no longer here under compulsory service. Under the eyes of Camelot law you are now employed by me." Arthur smiled as Merlin finally took in what had been said to him.
Around a year ago, Merlin had been sentenced to work for Arthur for as long as both Agravaine and Arthur deemed necessary. Now he was actually hired as part of the castle staff. He remembered when he first began working at the castle, many of the staff gave looked on him a criminal - which he technically was but they weren't nice all the same. Now though everyone knew him and almost everyone liked him.
Suddenly the door swung open and Lancelot, Gwen, and Morgana all came through and enveloped him in a group hug. He was pretty sure Morgana pulled Arthur into it as well.
"You guys knew about this!" Merlin exclaimed. They all smiled guiltily.
"Of course they did, Merlin. We aren't all idiots," Arthur interrupted. Merlin knew he was trying not to look too happy; he did have an image to keep up.
"Just you then?" Merlin threw back before running out of the chamber. Arthur got up from his chair and raced toward him.
"Merlin!" he heard from down the hallway. He sped past servants who were all too accustomed to the manservant running around the castle.
Later that evening, Merlin entered the physicians' chambers quietly, as he noticed Gaius's sleeping form. He really should get a new bed for his mentor but he didn't have enough money right now. Forgetting that, he found his leather tunic, staff and cloak then teleported to the bell tower.
Merlin only went out by himself these days. He and Lancelot decided that because crime seemed to be dying down significantly since their little trip with the Prince. Happily, that small excursion ended in saving many lives and the eventual imprisonment of a big part of Agravaine's arsenal. That meant there was no point in both of them searching every night. Instead Merlin did it by himself every other night and most nights were quiet, just like this one.
But Merlin couldn't stop thinking about how Agravaine probably wanted the two of them to drop their guard. He'd tried so many ways to stop them but maybe he was trying patience, something he didn't seem to have much of. All thoughts fled his mind as he saw a familiar face leave the tavern with a couple of bodyguards by his side. Hengist.
Merlin followed him to a dark alleyway and smiled as he dropped silently to the ground. "Swefe nu." The two guards fell to the floor with a thud and Hengist jumped around in surprise. He nearly yelled out but Merlin pushed him back with his magic before he picked him up and threw him against a wall.
"What are you doing so out in the open? What is Agravaine planning?" Merlin grit his teeth.
"Who, me? I was just out for a walk. As far as Agravaine is concerned, I'm sure he wouldn't bother with a common man such as myself." Merlin had seen plenty of people play this game before. Hengist wasn't worth his time right now.
"I'm watching you, Hengist." The Cloak warned but before he was able to leave, Hengist spoke.
"Oh no, Merlin, we're watching you. I think you'll find Agravaine isn't planning anything anymore." He smiled and moved into the shadows leaving Merlin confused and worried.
Merlin teleported back into his room and took off his cloak, unbuttoned his tunic and hid his things under his bed. Merlin felt rather hungry; in his hurry he hadn't stopped to have dinner. He opened the door to the main chamber and saw Gaius still sleeping. Merlin turned, and being a clumsy idiot, knocked over a glass bottle. But as he turned he saw Gaius hadn't even stirred. Merlin took a few slices of bread and cheese and went back to his room to eat and hopefully not wake Gaius in the process.
That night Merlin slept with his eyes open, thinking about what Hengist had said to him. He couldn't begin to fathom what it could be but he could talk it out with Gaius tomorrow; he'd know. He'd probably call over Lance and Gwen too. This could be Agravaine's final plan to rid Camelot of The Cloak, Knight Blade and their associates.
The next morning, Merlin woke up as he always did and changed into his regular attire before leaving to the main chamber. Oddly, Gaius still lay in bed. Merlin also noticed that his robes were still folded from yesterday morning after they'd been washed. He tip-toed over to his mentor's bed and shook it only to find Gaius missing. Under the blanket he found a stack of pillows and blankets in a human-like shape. Gaius had been taken.
Merlin sped out of the chamber and ran toward The Rising Sun; Lancelot would know what to do. He barged in, not knocking as per usual.
"Merlin-"
"Gaius has been taken, Lancelot, we need to find him!" Merlin interrupted.
"What do you mean he's been taken?" Lancelot questioned, confused.
"I mean Gaius was sleeping when I woke up, which never happens, and when I went to wake him he wasn't there. It was just pillows and blankets." Merlin was frantic; he had no idea what to do.
"Was there any signs of a struggle?" Lancelot asked, still sceptical.
"No I don't think so but his robes were still folded neatly from yesterday morning which means he hasn't been in Camelot for an entire day." Merlin had no idea how Lance could be so calm. His only father figure had been taken from right under his nose.
"Okay, let's go." Merlin used magic to teleport out, knowing Lance would meet him outside the castle. He collected his things, donned his cloak and grabbed his staff before teleporting into the stable. He rode out using a perception filter on himself and his horse to go unnoticed.
As the two rode out into the woods to find Gaius, Arthur and Morgana stood by the training field talking about this and that. They generally didn't have much time together what with the hectic royal schedules they must complete. At this moment though, Agravaine decided that he needed to talk to them. Luckily, they'd been able to keep the truth from him that they knew who he really was.
"Ah, good morning, Arthur, and hello to you too Morgana, you look as radiant as always." His false kindness dripped through his dry lips like poison.
"Good morning, Uncle." Arthur smiled falsely but Agravaine hadn't caught on to his dishonesty.
"Thank you, Lord Agravaine." Morgana tried to smile as sweetly as possible; she was well versed at faking her emotions. As a princess she'd had more than a few encounters with ardent Princes who weren't even worth her gaze.
"Uther wishes to speak with you both in ten minutes in the council chambers. He expects you promptly. Apparently, it's important." Agravaine left as quickly as he'd come and the siblings turned to each other.
"What do we do, Arthur?" Morgana exclaimed. "We can't go - it's clearly a trap!" Arthur led her into the castle and into one of the spare chambers.
"Would you shut it Morgana? You'll get us found out and he'll definitely kill us," Arthur whispered, clearly frustrated. "We have to go anyway; if we don't he'll know we suspect something is off."
"How do we know he isn't already fully aware of that fact?" Morgana brought up a good but annoying point. They had to go; it might be something important and not a trap.
In the council chambers, Agravaine smiled as he sprawled on the King's throne. He looked over at Hengist who had a smirk of his own. This would be his moment.
"Hengist," Agravaine called.
"Yes sir," he replied formally, adding a salute for good measure.
"Are the men ready?" At Hengist's nod, he grinned. "Arthur will wish he had pushed that idea about the guards further all those months ago…and so will The Cloak." Hengist left and Agravaine waited. He prepared himself to forget all of what had occurred due to the pesky vigilantes; they would be dealt with today.
Back in the woods, Merlin and Lance had discovered a trail and pushed their horses to the limit in order to get to the end as fast as possible. Both had the feeling this could be part of a bigger plan. They hadn't forgotten a year of fighting just because things got quieter in Camelot.
They suddenly came to a clearing. Gaius was tied to a post in the middle, bleeding but clearly breathing. He appeared unguarded and as far as Merlin could see – which was far because of his magic – no one was near them.
"It's completely clear." Merlin turned to Lance warily.
"How can they set a trap if there's no one to fetch us?" Agravaine would want them both brought to him for the satisfaction of killing them himself.
"I don't know, Lancelot, but we need to free Gaius and get back. Something isn't right here." Both Lancelot and Merlin slowly treaded out of the brush and into the clearing.
Little did they know something else was watching them...
In the castle, the siblings took one last look at each other before taking deep breath and stepping into the council chambers. They strode in with every regal grace and confidence afforded to them and they barely raised an eyebrow at Agravaine, who was sprawled across the King's throne.
The room was silent and still. Agravaine smirked and they knew then he'd always known from the moment they were captured almost four months ago - he had been made. Arthur unsheathed his sword and ran at Agravaine, who didn't even look his way. However, he did wave his arm in a gesturing motion making Arthur stop in his tracks. Knights Arthur had trained with for about five years, marched into the room.
They all held crossbows and Arthur knew he had no choice but to surrender. He dropped his sword and as it clattered to the floor, Arthur prayed for The Cloak.
"Well, that was very anti-climactic," Agravaine stated obviously, chuckling away to himself. "I thought you would have figured I would have some form of protection."
"You would, you were always a coward. Didn't even have the guts to do what Tristan had all those years ago, although he was a better fighter than you and look what happened-"
SMACK! Agravaine backhanded Morgana round the side of the cheek.
"You will not speak of me and my family with such disrespect!" he bellowed as Arthur tried to grab for him only to be pulled back by the guards. Morgana held back her tears well, unwilling to give Agravaine the satisfaction of seeing them.
"You sicken me, Agravaine, five years you were part of our family, five years!" Arthur shouted ferociously at the Lord.
"Yes, five years I managed to fool you idiots. Your father stands on the edge of the battlements, another word or move out of line and he will fall to his death," he stated.
"What is it you want from us, Agravaine?" Morgana managed to choke out, only losing a few tears from her emerald eyes. She watched in disgust as he moved over to the decanter.
"It is simple, my dear Morgana. I want you both to relinquish your titles and your claims to the throne," he said with an evil smirk, pouring himself a glass of red wine.
"If the King is alive, you still cannot claim, it doesn't matter whether we relinquish our titles or not," Arthur spoke in defiance as he looked Agravaine in the eyes.
"Oh didn't I mention? He has already relinquished his title to me. The council witnessed it not twenty minutes before you walked in." Agravaine smiled sadistically as he drank from his goblet. Arthur tried to get up and charge but he was hit on the head with the pommel of a sword and fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Merlin and Lancelot helped Gaius out of his bindings and released him from the gag. He told the story of how he was captured and taken here; he'd heard it was a diversion. The three looked at each other warily then back to the enormous castle behind them.
"Agravaine," Merlin spat through gritted teeth.
"Yes, young warlock, he has your friends and will surely kill the King as well." A familiar voice roared from the heavens and Merlin's eyes bulged as he spied a dragon flying towards them.
"Kilgharrah?" Merlin wondered. It had been months since he'd heard anything from the voice in his head, since he'd almost died. At least he knew now hy his voice was so deep.
"Yes, young warlock, I am a dragon." The bronze beast settled in the clearing and eyed the three of them. Not in a suspicious way, more interested in their movement and thought.
"But – but – you're all – you're all supposed to be extinct…" Lancelot stepped back with utter surprise.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, noble one; I see courage did not come with you that day, what a different future that would pan out to be." The large beast chuckled; the vibrations were almost powerful enough to move the ground. The three exchanged confused glances but quickly decided they didn't need to know what any of that meant.
"What do you suggest we do then, Kilgharrah? We cannot let Uther die or Arthur and Morgana be murdered by that maniac." The dragon seemed to have little regard for his plea but did not stop considering it anyhow.
"Let Uther die, young warlock, he poses a great threat to the future of Camelot. But the young witch has yet to solidify her destiny and Arthur is most important. Not just Camelot but all kingdoms. They both must be saved." Kilgharrah stared at Merlin as if subliminally suggesting him to take his advice.
"Why does Uther pose a threat?" Gaius spoke for the first time.
"He opposes magic and neither his children nor The Cloak will convince him otherwise. Once he stirs from the spell he has been put under then he will hit back at magic with a vigour that we haven't seen since the beginning of the great purge." Merlin turned to Gaius who seemed to look uncharacteristically terrified of that prospect.
"I will not let him die for things he may do; you do not know if that is what will happen." Merlin stepped forward summoning all the power he could into his voice against the towering, ancient dragon.
"Then what of the things he has done, young warlock? He has wiped out magic users with the swipe of his hand! He has drained the world of magic. Its most sacred places are nothing but rubble and dust, littered with those who practiced magic." Kilgharrah let out a mighty roar and filled the sky with fire in his extreme anger.
"If we kill him, Kilgharrah, we are no better than he. We must show compassion where he shows a cold heart, peace where he shows violence, and welcome where he shows banishment. I will save him and everyone in that castle and you will take us there." The two stared intensely at each other, neither wavering and neither Gaius nor Lance wanted to interrupt this fiery feud between two beings of magic.
"I, Arthur Pendragon, hereby relinquish any and all titles and claim I have to the throne of Camelot. I am no longer heir to the throne nor am I Prince of this realm," Arthur finished his sentence, dropped to the ground and stared angrily at Agravaine. Morgana could tell that if he ever had the chance Arthur would kill Agravaine with no second thought and she would do the same.
"It is your turn now, Princess." The devilish man smiled and Morgana felt ready to slap it off him. But if she didn't comply her father would surely die and maybe even her brother too. She couldn't let that happen.
"I, Morgana Pendragon, hereby relinquish any and all titles and claim I have to the throne of Camelot. I am no longer heir to the throne nor am I Princess of this realm." She too dropped to the floor and held onto her brother as streams of tears began to cascade down her cheeks.
"It only took me five years to get to this point. Now I'm here I may tear up." He grinned sarcastically as he beckoned for the doors to be opened. "Bring me Geoffrey of Monmouth." The two royals knew this would be the end of the Pendragon lineage.
The three landed just outside the gates of Camelot. It was late at night and the streets were empty of all life. As they got off Kilgharrah he snorted something which sounded something like 'I'm not a horse.' But they were still recovering from actually riding on a real live dragon.
"Listen to me, young warlock, if you still decide to save them all you may have to pay dire consequences yourself. Are you prepared for it?" The dragon's piercing gaze concentrated on the young boy in front of him.
"I am, Kilgharrah," Merlin replied. The dragon smiled and flew away, probably to wherever it was he dwelled. Some sort of cave, Merlin thought.
"So where are we going?" Gaius inquired, his eyebrow raised abnormally high.
"Get back to your chambers. I suspect there may be injured if this truly is Agravaine's final move. It would not surprise me if things got bloody." The physician nodded his head and moved toward the castle gates.
"What about us?" Lancelot asked. Merlin just chuckled before lifting his hood over his head. He grabbed hold of Lancelot, who pulled his visor down. Merlin whispered the familiar teleportation spell and wind gathered around them as they disappeared into thin air.
When the winds cleared, they were in the council chambers with Arthur, Morgana, Geoffrey the genealogist, Hengist and Agravaine. They also spotted many knights whom they assumed were traitors working for Agravaine.
"Oh look who it is. It's The Cloak and his sidekick, Knight Blade. Have you come to witness my crowning?" Agravaine teased. "Surround them." The knights surrounded them both, their swords out, and raised to their throats.
"Astríce!" All of them flew back the entire length of the room in every direction. "Please tell me you didn't expect that to work." The Cloak smiled form under his hood.
"No I didn't actually, which is why Uther is on the battlements ready to jump." Merlin could see from the distressed look on Arthur and Morgana's faces that he wasn't bluffing. "Come on, I know you won't risk his life. Just surrender." The Cloak and Knight Blade traded glances before dropping their weapons and holding their hands up above their head.
The Cloak, Knight Blade, Arthur and Morgana all knelt in front of Agravaine. The four took a moment to look at each other properly.
"Well look at this." Agravaine stood above them all, hands at his sides, smirking at their misfortune. "You all have given me trouble and now I have you. It would've been nice to get that young servant of yours, Morgana, and the physician but that's going to look awfully suspicious now. Oh well, I'll kill them later." The Cloak gritted his teeth together as his eyes glowed gold and the ropes that bound him loosened.
"The citadel will become the biggest base of slave trade operations in the five kingdoms," Hengist interrupted. By the following silence, Merlin figured that Agravaine wouldn't respond very well.
"Ah Hengist, about that small detail….ahaha…um how do I say this without hurting your feelings? Oh, kill him." A knight to his left stuck a sword through Hengist's chest and the four grimaced as the sword slid back out.
"That wasn't necessary," The Cloak whispered.
"Well...I guess you're going to hate this next bit then." Agravaine strolled back over to the throne and stared at them one by one. "In an hour three things will happen. I will be king, you will all be dead and my men will kill everyone in Camelot." Arthur and Morgana looked inquisitively at the two vigilantes. "This is my final hour!"
"Why in an hour, Agravaine?" Morgana asked. "Why not do all of that right now?" Arthur had gone bug-eyed and Merlin and Lance weren't too far behind.
"Secrets, my dear, let us just say that I like myself a prestigious audience." He chuckled and sipped once more from his goblet. "Anyway, while we're here we might as well unmask these two vigilantes." Agravaine stormed over to the two vigilantes. Arthur and Morgana stared at the Cloak and his compatriot both intrigued and scared to find them out. Lance took one hard look at Merlin.
Agravaine was three steps away… two steps away…one step away…