A/N: This is not the super-long one I mentioned last drabble, that's still in the works but coming! This drabble is short and sort of dark, but just to tide you over… enjoy. (P.S. this was partially inspired by DragonReader99's prompt & I'll also likely return to a knight's reveal in the future since this drabble just hints at it).
Quick Info: Sort of an AU complement to "Another's Sorrow" (S5:E4). Arthur knows about Merlin's magic, but no one else does.
All the King's Men
Odin ran like he'd never run in his life. He'd be damned if he was going to let Arthur Pendragon get away from him this time- the king was so close he could taste victory on his tongue. To Odin's refined palate, victory had the coppery taste of blood.
Ignoring the painful stitch in his side, Odin focused instead on the steady drum of his knights behind him. Satisfaction tore through him. He had the advantage. Now all he needed was the king of Camelot.
Turning a corner, Odin drew short to a stop. Before him stood Arthur, his servant, and a handful of knights. Beyond them towered the steep sides of the ravine, closed in a dead end. Nature had delivered his enemy to him. All around him, Odin heard rather than saw his own knights fan out into an impenetrable shield, blocking any escape.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Odin knew his own smile was a bloodthirsty grin carved into his face, but he made no effort to remove it.
"You should run, Odin," Arthur said. His shoulders were back, posture perfect with pride, but his eyes were heavy. He wasn't bluffing. Just like a Pendragon to not know when he's beat, Odin thought bitterly.
"Yes, you and curly there look like quite a match for my fifty men," the king mocked, faking a sarcastic bow towards Arthur and one of his knights. "Please, my liege- mercy!" Odin's solders laughed behind him.
"Merlin," Arthur said, turning towards his servant. "I'm sorry to ask this of you."
"Don't worry Arthur, we'll protect you," said one dark haired knight, sending a furious look Odin's way and drawing his sword. "Merlin, you got a weapon?"
"Gwaine, stand down," Arthur ordered. The knight recoiled in surprise. "Merlin?" The king prompted again.
"The knights-" the servant said weakly. His already pale complexion was almost translucent with fear; the only reaction Odin privately thought was appropriate.
"One problem at a time," Arthur interrupted. "You know I wouldn't ask if it weren't so dire." Camelot's king seemed entirely focused on the servant, and ignored Odin entirely. The other king might have been angry, but it filled him with ugly pleasure to see Arthur practice such a futile attempt at distraction.
"Yes, servant," Odin taunted. "Bring me to my knees. Perhaps with a nice bowl of soup?" The men once again roared with laughter.
"I'm sorry," Arthur said, low and wretched. "But Merlin… this is an order."
For a moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath. Then:
"Yes, sire." The servant turned and took a step towards Odin, drawing in a deep, steady breath, eyes closed. When he opened them, they were steady, and fixed on Odin with a dangerous certainty.
"Run. Last offer," the servant said. Behind Merlin, Odin could see Camelot's own knights looking at each other in uncertainty. Odin wanted to laugh again, but something about Merlin's eyes…
"This has gone on long enough," he ordered savagely. "Kill them where they stand."
His men surged forward, and that was the end of everything. Merlin's hands flew up, and the attackers flew backwards before they could take another step. Most hit the ground hard and didn't rise again; the ones who survived stumbled away from the servant in fearful confusion, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events. Above, the sky darkened and Odin felt cold, despite his hard run and heavy chainmail.
"You, with magic," Odin cried. "You! In Camelot!"
"Merlin…" one of Arthur's knights said weakly.
"Run, Odin," the servant said again.
Odin drew his sword, the sharp shnick of metal heavy with his anger. He drew courage from the sound.
"Never," he snarled, lunging forward.
Then he saw gold.
And finally, black.