"Come on Arthur what is taking you so long?" Merlin moaned, fiddling with his dagger, "It's the Feast of Beltane, we can't be late."
"Just...give me a moment." Arthur replied sounding stressed. Merlin quirked an eyebrow.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine!"
The answer came a little too quickly. Curious Merlin walked around to Arthur's changing screen to find the man straining to get into his belt, the prince laughed.
"Need some help?" He offered holding up his dagger.
"Tell no one of this!" Arthur said quickly handing the belt over reluctantly.
"Relax." Merlin grinned, "The belt is simply one hole short of perfection."
...
The feast was lively, with music and talking all around. Funnily enough Agrivaine was no where to be seen.
"Gaius have you seen my uncle?" Arthur asked as they sat down to eat.
"It's unusual for him to miss a meal." Merlin added.
"Sorry sires I haven't seen him since this morning." Gaius replied as he sat down at the table.
Merlin couldn't help but giggle as Arthur's eye lit up at a plate of roasted swallows, his brother really did love feasts.
"Excellent!" Arthur grinned grabbing a few and placing them on his plate.
"Careful Arthur, we wouldn't want anymore holes in your belt." Merlin winked. Arthur sulked.
Well he sulked for a while, he then opted to spend some time not very subtly watching Gwen as she worked. Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Honestly you're king, there is nothing stopping you from asking a servant to dance." Merlin whispered to him, "Practically the entire kingdom has guessed anyway."
"I know I just..." Arthur fumbled, Merlin sighed.
"Man up already."
"Oh you shut up, or I'll start reading your letters to Elena to the court."
Merlin was instantly quiet.
However the joyful scene came to an abrupt end when the warning bells began to ring and Gwaine raced into the room.
"Sire we're under attack!" He reported, "They're within the city walls."
Oh no...
"Merlin get everybody to safety." Arthur ordered removing his cape.
"Yes brother." Merlin nodded, "Everybody follow me!"
The prince lead the nobles to the back rooms of the castle before joining the knights, he could tell just by looking that the lower town was already lost. The intruders had set it ablaze and soon it would be little more than ash. Then he saw a familiar figure in the courtyard leading a wave of soldiers, Agravaine.
"That snake!" he hissed.
He had to find Arthur and tell him. He ran through the corridors, slicing through a few soldiers as he went. How had they managed to reach the citadel so quickly? A yell echoed from around the corridor, Merlin knew that voice.
He skidded to a halt just in time to grab Arthur as he weakly stumbled over, there was blood seeping through his back. He'd been struck, badly.
"We need to get out of here." Merlin hissed, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Arthur gasped, liar.
Eventually the king stopped to rest again the walls.
"Okay, maybe a broken rib...or two." he winced.
"Arthur there is something I need to tell you." Merlin started.
"Morgana!" Arthur interrupted pointing to the witch clothed in black leading yet another wave. The warlock should of known she was the real brains behind this. He felt his brother stiffen when Agravaine joined her.
"Uncle..."
It took only a few seconds for him to begin trembling with rage. Merlin caught him just in time to stop him running out and cutting down his traitorous uncle right there.
"You're injured." Merlin whispered, "We'll get him but not now."
Half carrying, half dragging Arthur they made their way to the banquet hall. It was the only place that Morgana's people had not yet taken but they were close, the prince could hear them coming.
"I can bind your ribcage but even then you run the risk of puncturing a lung." Gaius explained to the weakening Arthur.
"Do whatever it takes Gaius as long as I can swing a sword!" Arthur replied.
Merlin was about to tell Arthur to stop being stupid when Percival and Gwaine came through the doors and barely bolted them shut.
"Where do we stand?" He asked desperately.
"They have almost taken the citadel." Gwaine replied grimly, "We can't hold out much longer..."
"You and Arthur need to leave." Percival spoke up, "We have only minutes and if they find you, they'll kill you."
"We can't just leave you all." Merlin argued.
"Many of the people have fled to the forest with Leon, we'll be fine. Find a safe place for Arthur to heal." Gwaine ordered, "We'll find you."
"Alright, we'll be back." Merlin nodded.
Making his way over to Gaius he whispered his plan. He knew Arthur wouldn't listen to reason and leave, he'd have to result to magic. Gaius gave him a nod of approval before warning Arthur about the pain and pressing down on his wound.
The spell was simple but it had it's down sides. Arthur would basically do anything he said, not against his will but because he didn't know any better. He'd basically turned the king into a child. A very big child.
"Arthur we need to go." he urged.
"Yes of course." Arthur replied looking slightly dazed.
"Come on I've got him." Percival smiled looping Arthur's arm around his shoulder and helping the injured king to walk toward the back entrance.
...
Finally after what seemed like an age they were a safe distance from the city, Merlin glanced back at the castle. Fires were still burning in his city, biting his lip he turned and continued to flee. Leon and Elyan ran with them helping the still wounded king, the prince hoped his friends were safe back in the castle.
"They'll come after us." Leon panted, "They know you're both still alive."
"We need to cross the border, find sanctuary any way we can." Elyan replied.
"I know a place!" Merlin realized, "Ealdor, it's beyond the white mountains."
Merlin hadn't spoken of his old village in years, barely even a thought. The idea of going back to the village that rejected him made his gut tighten for some reason. He didn't have long to dwell on this however as his ears picked up a strange sound.
"Wait, stop!" He hissed, "Listen."
Hoof beats. They were on their trail.
"Run!" Percival hissed.
Merlin glanced over his shoulder as they ran, he could see the dark shapes of Morgana and her men approaching, were there any doubt he lost it when he felt himself flung through the air by magic.
Without thinking he picked himself up, going to his brothers side and helping him to his feet with the aid of Elyan.
"Where's Percival?" He asked glancing around.
"We have to go!" Elyan insisted, still running.
Regretting the action Merlin turned and ran, they simply didn't have time to find the other knight. Elyan lead the two royals down a path between the rocks handing Merlin Arthur's sword, he'd lost his own in the blast.
"Go." Elyan repeated.
"But what about you?" Merlin gasped.
"Don't worry about me, go!"
"Thank you."
Merlin spared the brave man one last glance before griping his brothers shoulder and pushing him forward.
"Come on Arthur, run!"