The castle was cold and covered with cobwebs, the furniture was sparse and there were very few candles, however it was a welcome change from the cave. Merlin couldn't figure out why they hadn't come here in the first place. They set about lighting the fires and candles to give the dank place light and warmth, there was nothing they could do about the cobwebs though, so they stayed. Percival and Gwaine managed to find abandoned weapons, as expected and soon the group were sorting through them, trying to find ones that complimented them to use.
"Here!" Arthur called, indicating to a table he had just uncovered, "Come and join me"
The table was ornate, beautiful and strangely familiar to Merlin. He was sur ehe had seen it in one of his books. They all sat down, there was a place for each of them, Merlin and Gwen sat either side of Arthur.
"This table, belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot" Arthur explained, "A round table made it so no one man was more important than any other. They believed in equality, so it only seems fit, we revive this tradition, now"
"Without each of you, we would not be here" Arthur continued, "Tomorrow, I am going to take back Camelot, and free my father. Are there any around thi table who will join me?"
Lancelot was first to stand.
"You taught me that being nobel isn't your blood" He said, "It's about who you are. I believe in the world you will build"
"You saved my sister" Elyan stood, "Your a good man"
"I've fought alongside you many times" Sir Leon stood, "And I'll fight with you many more"
"I think, we haven't got a chance" Gwaine said, before grinning and getting to his feet, "But I wouldn't miss it for the world"
"Your enemies are my enemies" Percival said simply as he also stood, "That makes you my friend"
"If you need an old man" Gaius sighed pushing himself out of the chair.
"You know the answer" Gwen whispered, leaving all members of the table, save Merlin.
"Well brother?" Arthur asked
"Nah, don't really fancy it" Merlin jibed
"You don't have a choice" Arthur pointed out
"Yeah, ok" Merlin jumped to his feet, turning serious and nodding at Arthur. He knew he'd follow him into hell and back.
"I want to thank you all" Arthur said sincerely, unsheathing his sword, "And now, it's time to do something my father wont approve of"
Merlin looked on proudly as Arthur knighted Lancelot, Gwaine, Elyan and Percival. He could see the excitement in Lancelot's eyes, this was something he had always wanted. Tomorrow they would fight, this small band of the most unlikely people.
The crown prince.
His brother the warlock raised as a peasant.
The servant girl, who loved the prince.
The now knighted nobel hater.
The quiet giant.
The noblest of all commoners.
The blacksmith.
The physician.
The knight.
A small group of unlikely warriors and even though Morgana had an immortal army. They had immortal spirit.
...
Arthur and Merlin laid on the ground side by side near one of the fires, covered by thin blankets they had managed to find in the depths of the castle. It was late and everybody was doing their best to rest for the huge day ahead, a day that could be their last.
"Arthur, are you worried?" Asked Merlin finally.
"I'm worried for father and Gwen" Arthur admitted after a few moments, "And you"
"Here" Merlin handed him a small pouch, "I carved it when I was stuck in the cave a few days ago, I never got around to giving it to you"
Arthur emptied the pouch to find a small, but very well carved stone bear. It's face and front paws, the bottom was just smooth stone, in a way it looked unfinished but Arthur liked it that way, it was attached to some simple string to be worn around the neck.
"I though it might bring you luck" Merlin blushed, For a moment Arthur was back in Merlin's room, laying on the rug as he explained the meaning on his name in the language of magic.
Stone Bear.
"Thankyou" Arthur breathed placing it around his neck, "When this whole mess is over, I'll carve a falcon"
"You can't carve" Merlin snickered, Arthur reached out and batted at him, though he was too far away to really hit.
"I'll do it" Arthur replied sternly, "You'll see"
"What just cause your the future king you think you can be good at everything?" Merlin jibed
"Yes actually"
They both laughed, falling asleep was suddenly much easier.
...
When he had fallen asleep he had been lighthearted, full of hope. ow that morning was here, Arthur was tense. In a few minutes they would all leave, save Gaius and Gwen who were staying behind. He wouldn't put her in danger again, she was too precious to him. In a way he wished he could make Merlin stay as well, but he also needed his brother at his side.
"I want you to make bandages" He told Gwen, "There will be casualties..."
"Alright" She nodded, walking to the side to help Gaius but he stopped her.
"They'll see" She whispered
"I don't care" Arthur insisted, he really didn't anymore.
"If...I never see you again" He started
"You will" Gwen insisted placing a hand on his cheek, "I watched you last night, you gave us hope, something to believe in. I saw the king you will become"
They kissed, it could of been an hour or a minute Arthur really couldn't tell, all he knew is he would fight harder than he ever had in his life in order to get back to her.
...
Merlin stood watching his brother, he could see Excalibur shining in it's sheath, they would be leaving any moment. Gaius came and stood before him.
"You will be careful?" He insisted
"Of course Gaius" Merlin replied, "Everything will be fine"
"I remember" Gaius mused, "That bumbling idiot who came into my chambers all those years ago. Who'd of thought, that he'd become a prince?"
...
Merlin had been in many battles, but never, had he been trying to infiltrate his own castle. For the first time, the huge stone walls were menacing, though not nearly as much as the guards on it's walls of course. The small iron door that lead into the dungeons was in sight, taking a deep breath, Merlin lead the group out of the tree cover and over to the still overflowing moat, it was thin here, just thin enough to slide a nearby log across to climb over. Percival kicked the log back into the swirling grey waters once they were all safely across to hide any signs they were here. Then, it was into the belly of the castle.
FINALLY! I CAN START MY HALF AU BATTLE! It's about time! For some reason, my email alerts are not coming through and from the lack of reviews on the last chapter I'd say I'm not the only one and that SUCKS. I hope they fix it soon.