Update: 14/01 – So I have edited the many mistakes I found. And actually it doesn't read off as bad I thought it had.

A/N: Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Caledi had been keeping watch over the mercenaries with some of her best men for the better part of the day. Though unsure of their reason for lingering so near to her camp, she knew that no one under Morgana's camp would bear anything but ill intent to those that opposed them. She couldn't understand why there were here, in this part of the forest of all places. They weren't even doing anything, no camp had been set up, and they were just sitting about. She could only assume they were waiting for something or someone.

As if on cue, the men now seemed more alert, their eyes locking onto movement just east of their group. Something had caught their attentions. Straining her eyes in the same direction, Caledi too could make out the shapes of a few men atop horses.

An Ambush!

This had to be an ambush set up for the men trotting on their horses, unaware of the danger they were heading into. But why would Morgana send so many men to capture so few. Who was so important, or dangerous even, that Morgana would order so many of her now dwindling number of servants to capture these men.

They weren't mere men though; Caledi could tell that from the way these men were fighting. Probably knights, quiet likely due to how much armour was glinting in the setting sun.

Even outnumbered as they were, they had already managed to defeat a great deal more of their assailants than many in their stead would have. But she knew their upper hand would not last long. Even if she couldn't figure out who they were, and whether or not she should help them, Caledi felt the cowardice of the attack left her no choice. She had to help them. Signalling to her own men, they made their way down to the clearing where most of the fighting was now taking place.

Merlin had watched quietly for once, as the battle finished, with no doubt in his mind that it would have ended very different if the new group of people hadn't arrived in time to help them. The King and his few knights, skilled warriors as they were, may have eventually succumbed to the never ending onslaught of the mercenaries.

They had been taken completely by surprise. He had been in arguing with Arthur over one thing or another, when he or rather his magic sensed something was off. But before he could warn Arthur off any potential danger, they had been attacked with arrows flying first, followed by an overwhelming number of men charging towards them.

At first Merlin did what he could to maintain some sort of balance between the strength and skill of Camelot's men against their attackers, while still keeping an eye on Arthur and making sure he was still alive. But as the assault continued, Merlin has been finding it harder and harder to protect the King, especially as many of their assailants seemed to have made it their personal mission to be the one to take down the royal, known across the kingdoms for his skill in battle. The king had proved no less, often becoming encircled by as many as eight attackers and still emerging without any threatening injuries.

Though Merlin certainly wasn't looking forward to repairing the dents in Arthur's armour, or straightening the chainmail after the many hits it had taken.

The fight which has started in the forest had then moved to a clearing, further from the cover of trees from which branches could have conveniently fallen at opportune moments. There were also but a few roots that Merlin could upturn to their attacker's disadvantage. (Of course if Merlin had been free to use his magic, none of this would have been a problem. But since when was he so lucky?)

But hiding his eyes and sticking to the shadows had become more of a problem , well nearly impossible, as their assailants had somehow managed to herd himself, the King and the Knights who had not fallen, into a small circle penned in by the mercenaries. They were surrounded by too many, weapons challenging them from all angles. The King may be able to hold his own in unfavourable fights, but even he could not take on this many with only seven of his men.

Arthur couldn't. But Merlin could.

It might not come down to it. After all they could be taken and help for ransom. Or... they could be killed right now. That was not a risk he could take, Merlin would have to step in.

Though there would be no way for him to hide his magic. But what point was there in keeping his magic a secret, if he failed to protect Arthur? Even though a part of him feared the reaction of his friends, Merlin knew what he had to do. Because when it came down to it, his life was nothing in comparison, not really. If it ever came to it, he would give his life gladly for his King, for his friend.

As he began the spell, ready to use the instance anyone took a step towards them; he felt the tremors in the ground before he saw the confusion darting across the faces of the men surrounding him and the knights. Many of them now turning their backs to their captives and breaking their formations, preparing to fight an attack which seemed to be overcoming them from the outside.

"On me!" Arthur had shouted, as he and his knights made quick work of those men that still surrounded them, using their foe's confusion to their own advantage. Merlin even managed to dispatch of quite a few without endangering his secret.

Within what seemed like mere minutes, it was all over. Now it was the bodies of the mercenaries that littered the ground, like fallen leaves in autumn, in their hues, of orange, red and brown.

The men who had arrived stood facing Arthur and his knights, all weapons now lowered as their enemy was destroyed. One of them now stepped forward, lowering their hood to reveal their identity. Merlin wasn't shocked to find that it was a woman who was the leader, well less than Arthur anyway, judging by the royal's face. No, it was more the aura the woman seemed to radiate, suggesting there was more to her than what she appeared to be.

Merlin's suspicions were confirmed as her eyes flashed gold, and she muttered some words, - that very few would recognise but they were not strange to his own ears – stopping a dagger dead in its paths as it had been hurtling towards Arthur.

But as the man who threw the dagger dropped dead, Merlin knew it wasn't Arthur's life he should be worried about in this very moment. It was Arthurs anger he was concerned about, especially now as he saw the change in the King's demeanour at the sudden display of magic.

Arthur, raising his sword, the tone in his voice brimming with mistrust as he shouted, "You're a sorceress!"

Caledi's words had barely taken affect when she saw the man in front of her had taken up his sword once again. There was no doubt who he was. The crest of a gold dragon emblazoned on a cloth of red.

She turned slowly, the gold in her eyes diminishing. The King of Camelot stood with his sword out, pointing too close to her heart for her liking. The repulsion obvious in his eyes, "You're a sorceress!"

"Yes," Her answer was slow and deliberate as she saw the red cloaked knights who, following their King, had too drawn their swords. "One who has just saved your life as well as those of your men's.

Caledi was pleased to see, on at least one face, the look of hesitation at her words, and maybe even doubt at the turn their situation had taken.

Knowing her own men would match the actions of the knights and would already have taken their stances, Caledi had to get the situation under control.

She raised her hands slowly, not in a threatening way but to placate, "I mean you no harm, and I'll thank you to mean us none in return. So if you wouldn't mind…" she broke off now bringing her own eyes to the offending weapon in the hands of the King, which stood still defiantly as ever. That in turn only caused her own eyes to narrow. "A fine way for the King of Camelot to repay us for our help. Truly honourable."

Maybe it wasn't the best thing, given the current situation, to goad the King, but her own patience was running thin. Not that Caledi ever had a great deal when dealing with noblemen, particularly the royal variety.

The King never broke eye contact, and she also noticed that his stance did not waver. There was no manner of retreat in his eyes. She sighed, knowing what was to come if the King was to advance. Her own men would not hesitate for a second, but nor would the Knights of Camelot.

Why can Pendragons never solve anything amicably? Is their blood really so steeped in vengeance and violence?

A/N: So … I don't particularly like how this chapter has finished up. I'm not sure it fits with the first chapter (which was supposed to be an unrelated one shot). Feel free to point out any mistakes, I can't bear to read this another time. But I hope you guys enjoyed it!

Also was the switching of the P.O.V's okay and hopefully easy to follow?

Thanks for reading!