Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter eight: Surprise attack.
Merlin sat on a fallen log, watching the stream as it flowed in the moonlight. Behind him Arthur and the knights were laughing and joking, while enjoying their food. But Merlin couldn't force himself to join them. He couldn't force himself to smile and laugh with them, like he usually would, when he didn't want anyone to know how he was feeling.
He just couldn't shake the feeling he had. He knew he couldn't protect them all from Morgana and her men. He knew many were not going to return. No matter what spells or charms he cast, he wouldn't be able to save them all. He was going to fail them, even though they weren't his men. He felt helpless. Morgana was looking for something in Ismere and what ever it is, it can't be good.
As Arthur laughs and jokes with his men, he glances up and spots Merlin sitting, alone, by the stream. Frowning slightly, he turns as a knight returns with some fire wood. Getting to his feet he makes his way over to Merlin, who throws a pebble into the stream. Not even seeming to notice Arthur approach, Merlin glances upwards towards the sky.
"Merlin." Arthur greets.
Merlin turns slightly to look at him, before turning his attention back to the stream.
"How can they laugh and joke?" Merlin suddenly asks.
"Hmm?" Arthur replies, sitting down beside him.
Merlin turns to look at Arthur. "Don't they know what we will face in Ismere?"
"Yeah, of course." Arthur answers. "But a warrior learns to enjoy each day as it comes."
Merlin looks at Arthur for a moment before looking back at the stream.
"Because he knows it might be his last." Merlin finally answers, remembering the celebrations held in Peryglus before they went to war all those years ago.
Arthur studies Merlin for a moment, before shifting to get comfortable and moving slightly closer to his friend.
"Why are you so upset?" Arthur asks, knowing talking often helped.
"Morgana is powerful." Merlin answers, shaking his head slightly. "She is dangerous."
"I know." Arthur answers.
Merlin gaze snaps up to meet Arthur's. "And you don't care?"
"Only about my men." Arthur answers honestly, glancing over his shoulder. "They're are more than friends... More than brothers. No matter what lies ahead of me... I won't abandon them, as I know they wouldn't abandon me."
"I understand." Merlin nodes, looking back at the stream. He snorts slightly, before looking back at Arthur. "I wish I didn't, but I do."
"Come and have some food." Arthur offers, as he gets to his feet, but Merlin can tell it more like an order.
Glancing at the stream once more, Merlin gets to his feet and follows Arthur back to where the knights are sitting around the fire, still laughing and joking.
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Merlin woke as the first light of dawn lights the world around him. Shifting slightly, he sits up. Around him the world was white and cloudy. Blinking, Merlin wipes the heel of his hands over his eyes and looks around again. Scrabbling to his feet, he studies the mist, which had appeared over night. Sudden weather changes were not uncommon this far north.
But Merlin could sense magic. Pulling on his boots and grabbing his cloak, Merlin quietly leaves the camp and makes his way through the trees. The magic he could sense suddenly becomes stronger and Merlin glances round, trying to work out which direction its coming from. Kneeling down, Merlin places his palm to the forest floor, his eyes flash cold and he suddenly sees Morgana riding along side her men and the Saxons she had formed an alliance with.
Merlin snaps back to himself with a gasp. Morgana had found them. Pulling himself to his feet, Merlin listens he could hear the distant sound of marching. Spinning on his heels he runs, back towards the camp. To use magic to travel such a short distance would only use up energy, he would most likely need later. As Merlin hurries towards the camp, the sounds of the marching are drowned out by the sounds of the knights preparing to leave.
As the dawn sun rises higher, Arthur stands watching as his men prepare to leave. As the tents are pulled down and the cooking supplies washed and put away, bedrolls rolled up and saddle bags secured. Knights pull on their cloaks and ready themselves for travel, while water skins are being filled by the stream. The low burning fire in the middle of the camp is kicked and stamped out.
Turning Arthur studies the wood around them, a mist had settled during the night and visibility was limited. Leon steps up beside Arthur and follows his line of sight. Suddenly a branch snaps and the horses begin to shift uneasily. Spinning round Arthur draws his sword and his action is quickly copied by the knights. Through the mist, men can be seen creeping there way towards them, weapons ready.
"We're surrounded." Merlin announces, appearing out of the mist and making his way straight towards Arthur.
"We can't stay here" Leon adds.
As the enemy draws closer, Arthur sees Morgana riding towards them, a smirk gracing her features.
"RUN!" Arthur yells.
As they run, they are quickly cut off by more of Morgana's men.
"What part of 'we're surrounded' didn't you understand?" Merlin demands, as he ducks behind a tree and his eyes flash gold.
Arthur turns to see three of Morgana's men thrown backwards, they land on the ground unmoving. But the enemy are upon them before Arthur can answer. Swirling his sword, Arthur dives straight into battle, cutting down all those in his path. Merlin quickly scan the battle field, taking out any who have magic, whilst trying to avoid being seen by Morgana.
Leon kills his opponent and comes face to face with Jared, who draws his sword. The two of them battle, but Leon is soon injured. Hearing Leon pained cry, Arthur spins and quickly locates him. Leon continues to fight, as Arthur makes his way towards him, killing opponent after opponent. Jared suddenly disarms Leon and kicks him back on to the ground.
Arthur dives between them, just as Jared about to land a fatal blow, blocking his sword with ease. Arthur ducks under Jared attack and punches him in the jaw, sending him stumbling back. But before Arthur has a chance to do anything else, more of Morgana's men surround him and Arthur is forced to turn his attention else where. As he continues to defend Leon, who's still on the ground, Arthur fails to notice Jared coming up behind him.
Merlin sensing a shift in magic around him, spins on his heels in time to dodge an attack from an enemy sorcerer. As his eyes burn gold, his opponent falls, giving Merlin a clear view of Jared slamming a club into Arthur's back. Merlin's running before Arthur even hits the ground. Not caring if Morgana sees him, Merlin throws up his hand, his eyes flash and Jared is sent crashing into a tree.
Meeting Leon's gaze, Merlin ducks under Arthur's arm, as he tries to get back up. Leon nodes and Merlin drags Arthur away from the battle field, casting one final spell over his shoulder, sending many of Morgana's men through the air. As the stumble through the trees, Merlin glances round. Spotting some of Morgana's men approaching on horseback, Merlin ducks behind a small ridge, dragging Arthur with him.
"Astige thu wyrm." Merlin mutters, his eyes flashing.
A snake appears from the undergrowth, further down the path, spooking the horses and sending their riders crashing to the ground.
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Merlin kneels next to a small fire and glances around the surrounding woods nervously. Arthur lay slumped against a tree stump, across from where Merlin is sitting, his sword beside him and Merlin's cloak laid across him. Groaning Arthur shifts and Merlin rolls his eyes slightly, he had healed Arthur's injury as soon as he's found a safe-ish place to stop. But then Arthur had always been a drama queen.
Arthur opens his eye and blinks a couple of time, until he's able to focus on Merlin, who's moved and kneeling before him. Arthur seeing Merlin half concerned, half amused gaze, glances round and almost rolls his eyes. He rests his head back against the tree stump, he really needed to stop getting knocked out on hunting trips! It seemed to be becoming quite a habit.
"What happened?" Arthur sighs, reaching up to run his back.
"You don't remember?" Merlin asks, his voice becoming serious and worried, his eyes filled on with concern.
Arthur shakes his head slightly and looks around again.
"Where are the others?" He asks, noticing he and Merlin are alone. "Elyan? Leon?"
"There was nothing I could do," Merlin answers, sitting back on his heels. "I had to get you to safety."
Arthur laughs slightly, thinking this was some kind of prank.
"What actually happened?" He asked, glancing round again.
"The usual," Merlin studying Arthur closely. "I saved your neck."
"You saved me?" Arthur asks, not looking convinced.
Merlin didn't look like he'd just battled an army of magical creature or been forced to fight bandits or any other threat which Arthur usually needed saving from. And Merlin most definitely didn't looked annoyed enough, there was no 'I told you so' or glares, which usually happened after Merlin had saved him... Arthur only ever needed saving, when he did something Merlin advised against.
"Yes. And I can preform magic for entertainment!" Merlin answers, somewhat bitterly, reaching forward and pulling Arthur to his feet. "As I keep telling you, I have many talents."
"So it would seem." Arthur answers, glancing round again, the morning events slowly coming back to him.
"Come on." Merlin mutters, picking up his cloak and putting out the fire.
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Hey, I hope you liked that chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.