A/N: Another long chapter and sleepless night (I think I'm turning nocturnal) but here's chapter 24! Omg 24 chapters, I'd only planned for 10 lol :D Thanks for all your supportive and encouraging reviews! I really lack confidence when it comes to battle scenes, they're really difficult to get right, but I'm glad I don't seem to be as bad as I think!
Enjoy! :D
Chapter 24-Shields and Sorcerers
Arthur knew this would be one hell of a day.
After he had turned his back on Merlin, he looked out over the battlefield. Seeing Camelot and the land around it so destroyed and desolate tugged painfully at his heart. This was his home. Seeing it so...ruined...
The city walls, that had always seemed so powerful, strong and stable, just emphasised the trouble they were in. If something that strong could fall, what did that mean for them? These walls had always symbolised safety, and now...
Arthur took in a deep breath, and directed his mind away from these thoughts, thinking about this wouldn't help. He had to focus on the now, the hundreds of enemies stretched out in front of them. He couldn't erase what had already happened, he couldn't continue to blame himself for the destruction of Camelot. He simply had to ensure, no more would happen. He had to protect what was left; he would die trying if he had to. He would willingly die for his people.
He took up his position with the warriors side by side with Morgana. His heart wrenched at the sight of her ready to fight, ready to kill. He knew it was pointless to try and argue with her now. She was determined. As was he.
He clutched the hilt of his sword harder, holding it close to him. It was his lifeline. As he clutched harder all his fears and worries seemed to melt away. He was now a soldier. He didn't know fear. He had to forget everything if he was to survive this. Stay in the moment. He had never been in such a battle before, but he refused to think of the gargantuan task ahead of him. One step at a time.
Lyft, standing behind the ranks of the warriors with the Druids who would be attacking the shields, raised his hand, and brought it down swiftly through the air.
At that moment, the Druids let out a blood-curdling yell and let loose such an onslaught of magic Arthur had never seen. Great blasts of energy went streaming down the hillside and crashed into the shields held by the sorcerers. The shields seemed to waver and shimmer in mid-air and the soldiers behind them looked around fearfully as their defences began to lower. But still, the Druid attack did not cease. The continuous magic pummelled their shields.
Then, Brim raised his hand along with several other Druids, and a glimmer fell over Arthur's eyes and the sounds from all around him were muffled slightly. He recognised the effects of a magical shield.
This was the time.
He looked along the ranks of the Druid warriors, eager to fight, looking as ferocious as ever, their skin painted blue, their hair dyed a frightening colour. They were once his enemies, he was glad they weren't now.
He lifted his sword high above his head, pointing it up to the red sky and yelled with all his might.
"Forward!"
The warriors yelled fierce war cries, screaming out their souls and hearts, and pelted down the hillside, Arthur along with them.
They ran fast, streaking down the hill, like a great onslaught of water down a waterfall. A torrent of warriors.
Arthur grasped his sword tighter than ever, he blocked out everything other than the training he had had all his life.
He felt the adrenaline coursing through him, clearing his mind. He felt the blood rushing in his head.
Cendred's soldiers quailed at the sight of them, and cast around in panic. Many looked ready to run.
The Druids still continued hammering their shields with multi-coloured blasts of magic. Eventually, they fell. The way was clear for them.
Arthur and the warriors surged forwards, and finally made contact, breaking on them like a wave on the sand.
He lashed out with his gleaming sword and immediately decapitated one of the soldiers, sending rivers of blood through the air, but he didn't stop. Who knew when their shields would once again be raised.
The soldiers got over the shock of this attack almost immediately and retaliated fiercely, their faces set in a look of fury and blood-lust. But the Druid shields were holding, they could not be touched.
The warriors made their way through the soldiers as though through water, striking out here the and everywhere, making contact with flesh and bone, the ground was slowly being stained red with blood. Limbs and dead bodies began to litter the earth. Arthur didn't consider them, he just kept going.
Soldiers struck out at him in a furious rage, screaming bloody murder, but none even came close to touching them. He ducked and darted around them, quick as lightning, releasing a flurry of blows with his sword. He parried their own blows and drove his blade deep into their exposed skin and weak spots of armour. He knew the Druid shield prevented them from harming him, but he didn't drop his guard, choosing the traditional methods he had always learned. It wasn't that he didn't trust the Druid's shielding abilities, it was that he couldn't afford to alter his method in any way, lest his attack change effectiveness.
The Druid magic still continued, surging over his head, presumably attacking the shields on the soldiers closer to Camelot to help the Camelot troops. The sky became a flood of colour as these blasts of energy soared overheard.
Suddenly, a great green light rushed towards him, blocking out anything other than this light, so bright it pained his eyes. It was magic, directed right at him. He tried to duck, to move away, but the magic was moving too fast for him. It was going to hit him.
Then, a great reverberating noise rang out, as the green light hit against his shield, exploding in a shower of sparks which then fell on to the ground. Arthur gasped in shock, the magic had been little more than an inch away from hitting him, if it wasn't for that shield...
He glanced around, and saw many other similar lights bouncing off of the warrior's own shields, creating an explosion of light. The blinding glare burned his eyes, and he had to look away.
He looked past the soldiers in front of him, and saw several sorcerers, their hands outstretched, cruel grins contorting their features as their eyes flashed. Instead of trying to recover the shields around the soldiers, they had chosen instead to attack the Druid shields, to allow their soldiers a chance at defeating them. It must require less energy than trying to sustain many shields.
And it was working.
The Druid shields were wavering, flickering and shimmering in front of them. And they couldn't continue attacking the soldiers, the light from the sorcerers, evidently modified from the original spell, was making it impossible for them to see, or do anything over than avert their eyes. They could do nothing other than sit there while their shields were being slowly eroded away.
Cendred's soldiers had ceased their attacks, they were avoiding the magic flying through the air. They just watched, and waited until the shields were down. Then they could attack.
They had to do something...but what?
Arthur saw his own shield stuttering away, barely holding under the endless blasts that were crashing against it. He tried to look up, but once again found it impossible. He could only look down at the ground.
He saw a body lying there, one of Cendred's men. His armour was still shining brightly, reflecting the magic. Arthur focused on this. The dullness of the metal, dimmed the light slightly. The faces of the Druids around him, distorted and vague, were reflected in it. It wasn't a perfect reflection, but perhaps...
He glanced down at his own gauntlets and angled them away from the light, and turned them in every angle until he saw what he was looking for; the sorcerer attacking his, and the other Druid's shields around him.
He crept closer to to sorcerer, inching his way towards him, his eyes fixed on his armour, watching the faint reflection intently. The sorcerer couldn't guess Arthur knew where he was, he was hiding behind the bright light, they assumed the Druids were completely blind. He must think Arthur was as blind as the rest.
Arthur's heart pumped furiously. If he got close enough to the sorcerer...
He couldn't waste any time, his shield could fall at any moment, then he'd be exposed. The other warriors could hurriedly conjure up their own shields once the uniform protection given by Brim and the other Druids on top of the hill had worn out, but Arthur had no way of protecting himself without magic.
He crept closer and closer, bent almost double, ignoring the blinding light that continued to hit his shield, still watching the sorcerers shadowy reflection. A black-robed sorcerer.
Would he be shielded? Arthur sincerely hoped not. He had only one chance at this.
As his shield began to fail completely, he seized his chance.
He leapt towards the sorcerer, his eyes clenched tightly shut, and swung out with his blade, at where he thought the sorcerer was.
He felt his blade slice through flesh, and he heard a soft thump. The lights stopped immediately.
He cracked open his eyelids and looked before him. The head of the sorcerer was lying on the ground in front of him. He heaved a sigh of relief. The attacks on those surrounding him had finished.
He looked around, and saw seven or eight Druid warriors, released from this attack, and already resuming their fighting with the soldiers. Some had dropped their weapons, and were attacking the other sorcerers with magic, trying to halt their attacks on the Druid shields.
Arthur looked back at the sorcerer's body. He felt a small feeling of elation at actually killing a sorcerer although this was marred slightly as he thought about the stupidity of this particular sorcerer. Was he really so arrogant as to forget to shield himself? Still, no one had to know that. He could just let them believe he had dramatically fought said sorcerer and overpowered him easily, without having to tell them this one was especially thick.
The yells of the soldiers hurriedly brought him back to reality and he resumed his fighting.
The few warriors whom Arthur had managed to free from their relentless attacking, were now releasing huge amount of magic towards the sorcerers who were still attacking the majority of the warriors. This distracted them long enough for the warriors to regroup and, judging by the shimmering of the air in front of them, strengthen their shields. One warrior saw an advantage and, like Arthur, leapt forward and decapitated a sorcerer. A yell of fury erupted from a sorcerer nearby as he saw his fallen companion and began assailing the warrior who had killed him, great globes of light streaming from his palms. This warrior stumbled backwards as the full strength of the assault hit him, his shield held for a few moments, but the concentration of magic upon it prevailed, and the warrior was thrown off backwards several feet by a spell. He lay on the ground, unmoving. Arthur saw, the force of the spell had left a huge scorch mark on his chest, and the fabric around the mark smoked.
The smell of burnt flesh was overwhelming.
Another warrior, female, seized this opportunity while the sorcerer's attention was grabbed, and sprang towards him and ran him through with her sword from behind.
The sorcerer fell to his knees, blood coming rushing out of his mouth, before falling on his side, twitching, then remaining still.
Arthur's heart leapt. Two down.
The Druid warrior gazed mournfully down at the dead Druid, tears springing to her eyes, before she turned, and with a scream of anguish, threw herself at Cendred's troops, brandishing her blade furiously. She managed to cut down five in less than a minute.
The sorcerers seemed to have learnt their lesson, and retreated behind the soldiers, out of the line of fire. Now all they were fighting were the normal, unshielded soldiers.
This was how Arthur preferred it, honest face-to-face fighting, without the complications of magic and sorcery. That was what truly defined a man.
He ran forwards and began his attack, swiping out, slicing limbs from bodies and heads from necks.
These soldiers were no match for him.
He felt their blood splatter his face, he heard their screams ringing in his ears. He didn't stop.
However this did not last long.
Arthur struck out with his stained sword, and felt it hit an invisible barrier. The soldier, who before had looked terrified at the sight of the oncoming blade, grinned as he realised what had happened.
The sorcerers had managed to raise the shields again.
Just then, Arthur saw the air in front of him change again, as his shield was returned to its original strength after the attack.
Arthur ducked the retaliatory blow from the soldier, even though he kept forgetting he didn't need to, and attacked once more. They carried on this way in a while, neither making any contact.
Arthur felt the sweat running down his face. They couldn't keep this up. It was hopeless. If both shields stayed strong, neither could make any headway. It was a stalemate. Neither could win.
The other soldier seemed to realise this, his face red with the effort of keeping up the strenuous attack. Eventually, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Arthur looked down at him. The soldier wasn't afraid.
He didn't have the time for this. It was futile.
Arthur backed off from the soldier. There was no use in attacking them when they were shielded. He would just exhaust himself.
He stopped for a moment and looked around. They had made considerable ground, pushing their way forward. He couldn't see the soldiers from Camelot, but if those messages were being relayed to them, they must also be in a fairly good position.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the walls of Camelot, gleam and glow, as- presumably- they were having defensive spells and shields put on them.
He felt a little hope. At least the other Druids had managed to gain access to the city. His thoughts drifted to Merlin for a moment, hoping he was all right, but he forced his mind away from that, he would not allow himself to be distracted. He had to focus on what was happening here.
But he didn't see any option. The other warriors were still fighting fruitlessly.
Then he heard one of those strange mental voices in his head.
"Arthur?"
Arthur knew it was one of the Elders, but for the life of him he didn't know which. Their voices sounded so familiar.
"Arthur? Are you all right?"
"Yes," responded Arthur, rather foolishly, as he realised the Elder couldn't possibly hear him.
"Arthur, just think your responses, think them loud and clear in your mind and I'll be able to hear them."
Arthur grimaced. Despite its usefulness, he hated mental conversation.
"Uh...yes. I'm all right...uh...Brim?"
"No, Lyft," he sounded slightly put-out. Arthur winced as he realised his mistake, and desperately tried to memorise the voice and commit its sound to memory, to prevent it happening again.
"Yeah, sorry."
Arthur could almost sense his annoyance, but it soon drifted away.
"It matters not. I have information for you. The shields have once again been raised."
Arthur felt a stab of annoyance. He might not know much about magic, but even he could have realised that.
"Yeah, funnily enough I did notice. What are you doing about it?"
"The sorcerers are expecting our attacks, and have prepared themselves against it. We need to attack randomly if we are going to break them down. It's no more use in this section. We've began to attack further down the line, take whatever warriors are around you and attack down there. If you push through, you can drive them away from Camelot itself. You will be more safe with your backs to the wall. From there you can rejoin the Camelot soldiers."
"How's the rest of the battle going?"
"Fairly well. You have managed to drive them back a good distance, and cut right through their ranks. So far we have lost only one Druid, although his loss is not easy for us, we should be grateful it is not more."
"Yeah, I saw that. He had just managed to take down one of the sorcerers."
"Yes, his sacrifice was not for nothing. He was brave to the end. You also were brave and quick thinking Arthur; you also have managed to kill one."
"How do you know that?"
Arthur sensed a soft laugh.
"I have been in constant contact with the warriors Arthur, I know everything that's happening. It's just taken me a while to try and isolate your mind from the others since as of yet I am still fairly unfamiliar with it."
"So that's two sorcerers down?"
"Three. One of the men from Camelot killed one before we arrived."
"Good. At least we're making progress. At least we can defeat them."
"Yes, but all this magic is exhausting both sides, this cannot go on forever."
"Agreed. Have you had any contact from the Druids inside of Camelot?"
"Yes, Fyrmest contacted me just a moment ago. Emrys led them in all right. Some are helping to repair some of the damage done to the city, some are on the defences, and the rest are in the Infirmary. Emrys has just left there on his way to the defences, apparently he has made contact with one of the Knights."
"Good, hopefully he's convinced him that the Druids are not his enemies."
"I hope this also."
There was silence for a moment, before Lyft spoke again.
"The shields further down, have now fallen. Go there immediately."
Arthur obliged. Several Druids around him, obviously having heard some sort of mental message, followed him as he ran to the place Lyft had told him was weak. He leapt over bodies and discarded armour and weapons as he went. The soldiers at his section tried to stop him going, but, as both sides were equally well shielded, they could do nothing to prevent it.
He regrouped with the Druids, further down the ranks, and began to attack again, the surprise evident in the soldiers faces that their shields were down. They cowered in fear at the mere sight of the Druid warriors. Arthur didn't blame them. Covered in blood and gore and with a fiery rage in their eyes, Arthur knew if he'd been facing them, his courage would also have faltered. They were truly terrifying.
They pushed their way through, mowing down the soldiers, impervious to their blows. Slowly more and more Druids joined their attack. They were being pushed backwards and away from the city.
Arthur could see the red-tunics of the Camelot soldiers through the mass of blue-tunics in front of them; if they continued pushing through, they would soon join them.
At that moment, Arthur saw the shield in front of his eyes fall and fade out of sight. He felt alarmed for a moment at the abrupt ceasing of the defence, before he heard a hurried explanation in his head from Lyft, as he told him the energy was needed to protect some of Camelot's troops from a magical attack.
Arthur shook his head. It didn't matter. He had fought hundreds of times before without a magical shield, he could do it now easily. Now both sides were equal.
The fight went on with increased vigour. Now that the soldiers realised that both sets of shields were down, their attacks worsened. Arthur managed to hold them off easily.
The other Druids were struggling. The absence of the shields made them more cautious. Arthur doubted they had ever fought without them. It seemed they could not conjure their own shields, it would distract them too much when they were fighting, trying to sustain it.
Arthur fought in a relentless fury, fighting his way forward and forward. Then he heard an agonising scream.
He chanced a glance behind him, and saw one of the warriors writhing on the ground in agony, a great slash across his bare torso, gasping for breath. Slowly, his breathing stuttered, and faded away.
Arthur's despair at another Druid's death was short-lived. In battle you couldn't afford to dwell on the loss of one single person, many more might die if you lost your head over it. But still the death hung over him like a heavy cloud. If these Druids, who were so powerful, could die as easily as that, what did that mean for Camelot's troops?
Still, Arthur tried to remind himself, what kind of warrior goes into battle half-naked, with only magical symbols scrawled over your body to protect you? At least he knew Camelot's soldiers were sensible enough to wear full armour, at least-unlike the Druids-they had access to armour.
Two Druids were dead already, Arthur felt a stab of worry as he considered this. The Druid numbers were already low when they entered the fight, but, at least there were also three dead sorcerers. That gave the soldiers of Camelot a fair chance.
He was closer to them now. Only a few more of Cendred's troops separated them. Arthur fought desperately to reach them. He needed to know everything that had happened in Camelot, and they needed to see their prince, to know he had not abandoned them.
Then, one of the black-robed sorcerers appeared, his pock-marked skin a waxy yellow, stretched tightly over a gaunt face. He was coming straight towards Arthur. Arthur felt his heart clench; he didn't have a chance against sorcerer unshielded.
Then, before Arthur could do anything, one of the warriors yelled and jumped in front of him, abandoning his weapons and attacking purely with magic. The sorcerer faltered, quickly raising a shield around him, frowning in a look of deep concentration as he fought against the warrior.
The warrior's attack was fierce and unrelenting, and the sorcerer's defences were slipping. The warrior continued bombarding him with various spells, sending rushes of light towards him. Arthur could feel the sheer heat on his skin.
The sorcerer's defence finally fell, a look of shock and fear crossed his face, as the warrior finished the job.
Arthur stared for a moment at the body on the ground. Four down.
The warrior wiped the sweat from his face, smearing the blue paint and grinned at Arthur.
"Never thought I'd see the day when a Druid saved a Pendragon. Did you?"
Arthur laughed.
"No, to be honest with you. Thanks."
The warrior nodded.
"Just as well. That's five down now."
Arthur frowned.
"Five?"
The Druid nodded again.
"Lyft found out. Byrne killed Fylgan for failing to get at us in Ealdor. Then there's the one you killed, the one Cyrm killed, one a Camelot soldier named Eadwyn managed to reach, and this one."
Arthur felt a bit better. The sorcerers were being eradicated, slowly, but steadily.
"I'll need to find this Eadwyn and thank him," he murmured.
The warrior grimaced.
"That might be difficult."
Arthur understood and felt a surge of anger. The thought that these sorcerers were killing Camelot soldiers made him angrier than ever. These were his people, the ones he would rule one day, they were defenceless when it came to magic. How dare these sorcerers kill them!
The warrior gave him a curt nod and rushed off again. Arthur pushed aside these thoughts, and once again concentrated on the moment.
It was then he noticed several Camelot soldiers and one of his Knights, Sir Bryce observing him.
They looked wary.
He stepped forward, preparing himself for an onslaught of question and suspicion.
He made his way towards Sir Bryce, who was regarding him carefully.
"Sir Bryce," Arthur tried to sound confident.
"Sire," his eyes were still wary. "Did you...have you...are you really here with the Druids?"
Arthur readied himself.
"Yes I am. They are prepared to fight and die for us." He spoke without any doubt, firmly and resolutely. He had to make this clear once and for all.
"Yes, I know. I saw how that Druid jumped in front of you when that sorcerer was about to attack you." Sir Bryce seemed confused. "But why sire? Why are they fighting for us?
"Because they recognise that the only way to bring peace between us and them, is to take a stand, for a better future."
Sir Bryce nodded.
"But, sire, can we trust them? They are sorcerers."
"Yes, we can trust them completely. The sorcerers on Cendred's side were once a part of the same Druid village as these ones, they turned their back on their peaceful ways. These ones have not. If they tell you where to attack you must trust them; they know where the shields are weak."
Sir Bryce still looked astonished.
"Is...is Merlin here as well, my lord?"
"Yes, he is. And you must trust him as well."
Sir Bryce glanced around at the men on either side, who all looked rather shocked and confused.
"Sire, why-"
"There's no time! Everything will be explained in due course. For now, you are to work with the Druid warriors and trust their advice. That's an order. And, if you...uh, hear Merlin's voice in your mind telling you something, do what he says."
"Why would I hear Merlin's voice in my mind?"
"You'll see. Just trust him. I do."
Sir Bryce and the half-dozen soldiers around him bowed slightly, indicating their compliance, and Arthur turned to rejoin the fight.
"Sire!"
Arthur turned back to his Knight, who now looked slightly amused.
"Your father is not going to like this."
Arthur winced.
"Don't I know it."
The Knight smiled, and Arthur turned back to the fight. Now, even though he was on the ground and couldn't see properly, Arthur could tell they were beginning to win. The soldiers were being pushed back a considerable amount, and the attacks on Camelot's walls had stopped.
The Druids and Camelot soldiers were now fighting side by side, facing the entire army, with their backs to Camelot, where the catapults were firing away at the soldiers.
Several of the soldiers stopped in amazement at the sight of Arthur, many looked wary and slightly frightened. Arthur tried to reassure them, but he supposed seeing their prince ride out of Camelot on the eve of battle after publicly declaring his trust in a known sorcerer may have perturbed them a little.
After a while, Arthur could tell by the mist over his eyes, that he was being shielded once again. He glanced up at the walls, towering above him, and saw Druid figures on the battlements.
The fighting once again became much easier. The Camelot soldiers were also shielded and their attack was furious.
Then:
"ARTHUR!"
Arthur almost jumped out of his skin, and if it hadn't been for the magical shield, he would surely have been decapitated by an oncoming blade.
"Merlin? You absolute idiot! You don't have to shout, I can hear you perfectly! You could have got me killed!"
"Oh, did I scare you? Poor little Prince Arthur...anyway, sorry. I've never used mental communication over a distance before. Wasn't sure how it worked."
"Liar, you knew perfectly well! You must have been in contact with the other Druids!"
"Yeah, well. I wanted to check your reflexes. You've got it soft down there; you're being shielded. It's not a real fight."
"Well it's not exactly easy either. And how do you know I'm being shielded?"
"Because I'm the one shielding you."
Arthur stopped, and turned slowly on the spot. He looked up at the walls, and on the battlements, a small black-haired figure waved.
"Have you got nothing better to do than try and scare me half to death?"
He heard Merlin laughing, and he turned back around to the fight. But Merlin wasn't finished.
"I'm just trying to keep you on top of things. So far, seven dead sorcerers and three dead Druids. Camelot's armies suffered heavy losses, but since we turned up it's gotten better. Sir Leon and Sir Alden are attacking the right flank. They're doing well, together they managed to kill a sorcerer. Sir Drefan...isn't too happy, I think he went away to find Uther. Sir Bryce is down there with you obviously, Sir Cadman is here on the defences, Sir Edgar is attacking with the Druids somewhere around the middle and Sir Dreogan...well, he's dead."
Arthur sighed.
"What about the rest?"
"I haven't managed to find them yet. But so far, Sir Drefan is the only one causing any trouble. The rest of them have accepted our help."
"I never liked him anyway. Always so full of himself...and don't you DARE say anything sarcastic about that."
"I wasn't going to." Merlin's mental voice sounded amused. "But at least you recognised your own faults now."
Arthur shook his head.
"Just watch out for my father, who knows what he'll do. And don't talk to me like this unless it's important, it's distracting."
"Right you are. By the way Gwen is veerry worried about you."
Arthur's heart leapt, and ignoring the fact he had just told Merlin to end the conversation he couldn't resist adding:
"You've seen her? Is she all right?"
"Oh, yes perfectly fine. She gave me a big hug and everythi-"
"Good bye Merlin."
Arthur could almost see Merlin's smug smile, as his presence faded from his mind, leaving his head buzzing. These mental conversations were not good for him. They were beginning to give him a massive headache.
Just at that moment, the shields around Cendred's troops rose again.
Arthur cursed. What now?
But then, just as he thought that, the shields suddenly dropped again, and Arthur could see, all along the ranks of Cendred's troops, the shields were also falling. Their faces said it all; something was wrong.
What was happening? Why were all the shields stopping?
Then a sudden barrage of magical attack began to be directed at the walls. The shields shone in the daylight, easily repelling the magic, but the attacks kept coming.
What was going on? Why would they abandon shielding their men to attack the walls?
"Arthur!"
Arthur thought for the briefest of moments.
"Lyft?"
"Yes. We have a problem. All of the sorcerers have abandoned the men completely. They're no longer protecting them anywhere!"
"But why would they do that?"
"There's only one reason. Byrne's grown tired of this. He was never loyal to Cendred, I suspect he was only using him. He's realised he no longer needs the soldiers. He's now only focused on destroying Camelot itself."
"But that's good isn't it? The men will now be easier to defeat."
"The men aren't the problem. The magic being directed at Camelot is also being used against the Druids. Our shields will not last forever."
Lyft withdrew from his mind and Arthur analysed the situation. They had to somehow get to the sorcerers, but they were nowhere to be seen.
He continued with the attack against the shield-less soldiers who were still confused and frightened at being abandoned. It wasn't a difficult fight. Cendred may have had large numbers, but Arthur doubted if any of them had been properly trained. Cendred must have been relying on the magic to see them through.
But that didn't matter now, Cendred was useless now, perhaps even dead. Byrne was the real threat. They had to stop those sorcerers.
But that was not happening.
The huge torrent of magical energy was forcing them back, hitting against the shields on Camelot and its soldiers. The shields failed, and wavered, here and there. None of them were holding. Except Arthur's, and the ones around him. It seemed Merlin's magic was more powerful.
Druids and soldiers were falling on either side, many badly injured with the sheer power of the spells. This was hopeless.
Now that these sorcerers were released from the obligation of stretching their magic so thinly to protect the soldiers, it was infinitely more powerful.
Then Arthur saw his own shield begin to drop.
"Arthur!"
Merlin's voice filled his head once again, not amused or smug this time, but panicked, afraid.
"What?" Arthur himself was alarmed now.
"I can't hold this shield much longer. It's falling! There's too much magic being used against it, I can't defend you and the walls at the same time! The other Druids here agree with me, you have to fall back!"
"What? Fall back? You mean run back into the city?"
"Don't let your pride get the better of you! You'll be utterly defenceless very soon against the magic! You'll all be slaughtered! You all have to retreat now! I'm sending messages to all the Knights as well. If you don't come back into Camelot now, where the shields are stronger, you'll all die!"
Arthur heard the sincerity and genuine concern in his voice. He looked around him. Shields were indeed falling everywhere. Soldiers were collapsing as they were hit by magic. The Druids fared better, having their own shields, but those too were beginning to fail.
Arthur realised what had to be done.
"RETREAT! Everyone, fall back to the castle! Everyone fall back! Retreat!"
Soldiers and Druids all around him looked at him in fear, before they hurriedly turned on their tails and made for the city. Arthur could hear his Knights shouting similar orders further away.
Cendred's men jeered and laughed as they ran, but Arthur took Merlin's advice and swallowed his pride. It wasn't worth it.
He followed the steady stream of soldiers and warriors into the city, and past the defences. Everyone was either assembling behind the walls, or heading off immediately to seek Healers. The magic was still blasting the walls; Arthur came very close to being crushed by a falling piece of stone.
The true extent of the battle dawned on him there. There were so many injuries, so much blood, so many dead bodies.
The streets surrounding the entrance to the city were in ruins, several houses still smoking, debris scattered everywhere. Arthur hoped most of the civilians had had the sense to leave the city.
Arthur saw his Knights, standing among the wreckage and made his way over to them. They started when they saw him.
"Sire. There was nothing we could do, the magic stopped us. It-"
Arthur held up his hand.
"I know. We had the upper-hand, but when the magic increased, we didn't have a chance."
"What do we do now, Sire?" Sir Leon asked him, his shoulder heavily bandaged.
Arthur wished he knew.
"We have to wait here, strengthen the defences, regroup, and the Druids will deal with the sorcerers."
Arthur jumped at the sound of Merlin's voice.
The boy himself came into view, addressing the Knights directly. Arthur was momentarily shocked. His lip was bloody, his jaw bruised and he was walking with a slight limp. Arthur also saw blood staining his shirt underneath his cloak.
"Merlin! What happened to you?"
Merlin turned to look at him.
"You don't exactly look as fresh as roses yourself Arthur. The force of the first spell against the walls knocked me backwards off the battlements. I'm all right. What's important is what to do now."
Arthur nodded, though he was still concerned. He had also noticed a large bump on Merlin's head, forming under his dark hair. He really should see Gaius.
Sir Alden spoke:
"What do you mean about the Druids?"
Merlin spoke in a rush.
"Brim, Lyft and some of the other Druids are still out there on the hillside. While us in the city are still regrouping and strengthening the defences, they will be attacking the sorcerers with magic. Hopefully, they will be able to draw them away, distract them enough so we can go back out again."
"And if they're unsuccessful?" Sir Cadman asked, looking distinctly ruffled and dusty, as though he'd also being thrown from the battlements.
Merlin bit his already bleeding lip.
"It's our only hope. It's suicide trying to go out there again, we can't sustain this many shields. Our only hope now, is to just trust them, hope they can break through. You have to use this time to recover as best you can, treat your injuries, sharpen your swords, regroup, get some food, build up the defences, anything...there's nothing else you can do at the moment. You have to trust us."
The Knights exchanged glances. Arthur knew the conflict they were feeling. It was not long since he would have had second thoughts about trusting a sorcerer.
Sir Leon spoke up.
"I trust you Merlin. I have faith in our Prince's judgement."
"As do I, " Sir Alden added.
"And I," said Sir Edgar.
Gradually, each of his Knights pledged their support. Arthur felt hope. Things weren't as hopeless as it seemed. He and the soldiers had done their bit, now it was time for the Druids to shine.
The attacks were still continuing. The shields on the walls were holding, but every time they were hit, the ground shook and the lights from the shields danced in the air.
Arthur looked at Merlin, who, although pale, seemed determined. Merlin looked back.
"Take my advice, do all you can while you're here. I have to go and help."
Arthur nodded.
"Just...be careful will you? I don't want to have to hire a new servant again."
Merlin grinned, and looked truly carefree for a moment.
"I can kill you with a single blink of my eyes, and you know it. Do you really think I'll be your servant any more?"
"You'd better be."
Merlin laughed, but then his face fell, his eyes widened and looked horrified.
"Uh oh."
Arthur spun around, and saw his father standing there in full battle armour, Sir Drefan alongside him.
Arthur felt Merlin's words could not have been more appropriate.
All the rehearsed conversations, all the practised excuses fell out of his head as he saw the rage on Uther's face. Arthur had never seen him so angry, his face was white and his lips thin. His eyes popped manically out of his head, and a vein throbbed on his temple.
He stood looking at Arthur for one long moment, breathing in deeply, too angry to say anything.
Arthur just waited for the explosion. The whole area around them fell silent. Knights, soldiers and Druids all looked on.
Uther didn't shout, but his soft voice was so full of repressed anger it was a thousand times worse.
"What on earth have you done?"
Arthur drew a deep breath; this wasn't going to be easy.
"I have done what you failed to do Father. I've thrown aside years of prejudice and unjust hate for the sake of our kingdom."
Uther's eyes flashed dangerously.
"By allying yourself with SORCERERS!" Uther practically screamed this last word, looking crazy.
"These sorcerers do not mean us harm Father!" Arthur desperately tried to convince him. "They've risked their lives today trying to help us! They've turned their backs on trying to seek revenge, they're doing all they can to ensure a better future for all of us! Why can't you see that?"
"They are sorcerers Arthur, they cannot be trusted. They lie, deceive, manipulate, coerce...I had not thought you would fall so easily under their spell. They are not trying to help us, they're seeking to destroy us from within! You put your trust so easily in them, you don't realising they're manipulating you!"
Arthur tried to stay calm, through the anger in his veins threatened to overcome him.
"They are not. I trust them completely."
"Then you are not my son! My son would never associate himself with sorcerers!"
Arthur took a step back, recoiling as though Uther had hit him. He tried to speak again.
"Father, they have-"
"Silence! These sorcerers have turned you against me! Either that or they've enchanted you, or they're using you! They're trying to destroy my kingdom, as they've always tried to do!"
"And why have they done that Father? Because over the last two decades you have hunted and slaughtered them like wild animals! They were peaceful until you turned them against you! It is no wonder the few that hate you do so! You were supposed to be their king, and you turned your back on them and made them outcasts! They have every reason to hate you! But, they're here, they're ready to die for this kingdom. They don't hold resentment, why should you?"
Uther remained silent, still fuming. Arthur could almost feel the anger radiating from him in waves. His hands shook in anger. Why couldn't he see?
Uther shook his head, and stepped back slowly from Arthur.
"I don't know you any more."
"Do you know me?"
Uther's head whipped round, and his eyes widened as Morgana approached him, her skin flecked with blood, and her sword in her hand.
Uther seemed lost for words.
Morgana was not.
"These people are here risking their lives for you! Without them, Camelot will already have fallen! How is this any way to repay those of them that have died today? Calling them evil and untrustworthy? You're so blind you can't see what's in front of you! If you reject their help, then you are dooming Camelot!"
Uther's face softened a little as he looked at Morgana, but then almost immediately, the iron mask was up again.
"So you have abandoned me too? Betrayal from within!"
"It is not betrayal, when the king had proven himself unfit to lead."
Uther's anger flared up again.
"I have been fighting half my life to eradicate sorcerers from this land! Without me it would be overrun!"
"Without you the Druids would still live peacefully in Camelot amongst your own people with no reason to hate you or rise up against you!"
Uther did not reply. He looked from Arthur to Morgana, his face set in cold composure.
"So this is how it will end? My son and my ward against me?"
He turned to the Knights.
"Take them both to the dungeons, they can rot there until they see the error of their ways. And then you can drive this, this vermin from the city!"
But none of the Knights moved. Uther shouted:
"Do it! NOW!"
Sir Leon stepped forward rather nervously, but determined.
"No, my lord."
Uther faltered, shock written on his face.
"No? What do you mean by that?"
Sir Leon sucked in a breath.
"I mean, my lord, that we will not do it."
Uther's expression was such a mixture of shock, anger and hysteria, in any other situation it would have looked rather amusing. But the air was so tense here, no one dared laugh.
Sir Leon continued, his voice getting stronger as he spoke.
"We have served you loyally for many years sire, and we respect and honour your decisions. But, I'm afraid, this one we cannot condone. The Lady Morgana speaks the truth; if it were not for the Druids and their magic, Camelot would have fallen a long time ago. Your armies would be slaughtered and your city in ruins. They have come to help, and we will not refuse it, such is our need. We trust them. We cannot resign this kingdom to despair, not when we can prevent it. We place our faith in Arthur, and in the Druids."
Arthur felt a surge of pride at his words, and was touched by their loyalty. Uther however goggled at him, not quite believing what he was saying. He shook his head, muttering to himself.
"And do you all...feel the same way?" He finally asked, faintly, looking at each of the Knights, and then around at his soldiers. And unanimously, they nodded.
Uther looked like a broken man.
"You have all betrayed me! You have all abandoned me! After all the years spent in service to you all!"
"I have not sire." Sir Drefan stepped forward, his eyes glinting as he glared at the Druids. "I will not ally myself with sorcerers if the lives of everyone here depended on it. I could not suffer the shame."
Morgana spoke fiercely:
"Then you are as foolish as I always believed Drefan!"
He cried out, drew his sword and charged towards her, but before he could take more than a few steps, a bright light rushed towards him, lifted him off his feet, sent him flying through the air, and left him sprawled on the ground.
Arthur snapped his head around to see where it had come from, and saw Merlin standing just behind him, in a defensive stance, his hand outstretched and his eyes fading from gold to blue.
"Don't you even dare think about harming her."
Arthur had never heard Merlin's voice sound so dangerous and cold before.
Drefan lost no time. He picked himself up from the ground and, bellowing like a bull, charged instead towards Merlin, his sword held high.
Merlin's eyes glowed once again, and this time, a fiery red light erupted from his palm and struck Drefan in the centre of his chest. The light glowed as it hit him, and once again Drefan was thrown backwards, fell to the ground, and didn't move.
Everywhere there was silence.
Uther broke it.
"You see! These people aren't our friends or allies! They kill without a second thought!"
"Begging your pardon sire," came Merlin's mocking voice. "But hadn't you better check first to see if he actually is dead?"
Arthur looked closely, and, sure enough, Drefan's chest was still rising and falling slowly.
Merlin looked satisfied.
"That's where you and I differ Uther Pendragon. You kill without a second thought, executing people for who they are! I do not!"
Uther had no answer. He just continued to stare at Drefan's prone form.
Merlin continued.
"I will not allow you to stop us, sire. We will not abandon Camelot and the hundreds of innocent people inside it. We do not need your permission to help, we came regardless of what you would say. This is for all our futures, yours and ours. We have not come all this way to be turned back by a blind and paranoid king!"
Uther looked at him, pure hatred in his gaze.
"You are the worst of it all. You are the scum of the earth. Manipulating, deceiving scum. I will not fall for your lies. I wash my hands of you all. You will all be destroyed."
And with that, he turned and swept off, his scarlet cloak billowing behind him. The crowd parted for him like water. No one knew what to say. They were all afraid of him.
Merlin relaxed visibly beside Arthur.
"Well, it could've been worse."
Arthur sighed. "Yes I suppose."
"Where do you think he's gone?"
"Heaven only knows. Maybe to throw himself off the battlements? Or maybe he's just going to sulk in his chambers. I really don't care any more. I can't concern myself with him at the moment."
Merlin looked sympathetic.
"It must have been hard for you to stand up against your father like that Arthur."
"Yeah, well. It would've been a lot harder getting rid of the guilt of the deaths of everyone in Camelot in years to come if I'd just went along with him."
Morgana approached them at that point.
"Thanks Merlin. That was some quick magic."
"No problem," said Merlin, blushing.
Arthur frowned; was there something going on between those two? After all that teasing Arthur had given Merlin? But he cast these thoughts aside, there were more important things at hand.
He made his way through the crowd, doing what he could to help, while the whole time the magic continued battering the walls. Merlin hurried off to the battlements, ready for some more magic.
The sun had now reached its peak in the sky; had it really only been yesterday he had ridden out to find Merlin? Or was it yesterday? He couldn't remember how long had passed. When had he last slept? All of a sudden a huge upsurge in weariness overcame him. He had to find some rest before he collapsed.
The sky was lit up in many colours as the sorcerers attacked the city, as the Druids attacked the sorcerers, and the sorcerers attacked the Druids. He felt an urge to do something, anything to help, but he knew he would be less than useless. The best thing for him to do was to get some rest. He couldn't be much help if he was dead on his feet.
He found a place, still in sight of the walls where he could rest. He sat on the ground, his back up against bags of flour and wheat and felt himself drifting off.
It seemed almost immediately afterwards when he heard the voice:
"You know, even when you're sleeping outdoors you snore."
Arthur didn't even bother opening his eyes. He smiled wryly.
"Trust you to notice. I do not snore Merlin."
"And how should you know?" This was a typical cheeky Merlin reply, but something in the way he said it made Arthur open his eyes and look up at him.
Merlin had his usual grin plastered across his face, but something about it was false. His eyes were worried.
"What is it, what's happened?" Arthur sprang to his feet hurriedly.
Merlin looked troubled. Arthur noticed his injuries had been Healed, most definitely by a Druid.
Merlin glanced around.
"You'd better come. The attacks have worsened."
Arthur could tell.
Giant parts of the walls which had been standing before, were now rubble. A great cloud of dust filled the air. Soldiers and civilians rushed around avoiding falling debris, while Druids frantically tried to stop the giant stones from falling on anyone.
Arthur followed Merlin through the chaos to a small part separate from everyone else. Gathered there, were all his Knights, Fyrmest and Morgana.
Fyrmest smiled at the sight of him, though as with Merlin, Arthur could tell this smile was false.
"It's good you have rested Arthur. It seems we shall soon have need of you."
"Why? What's happened?"
Fyrmest looked grave as he spoke.
"Our counter attacks are not working. Every time we strike out, they strike back harder. My Druids are weak, the defences will fall very shortly."
Arthur felt alarm.
"But what about Brim and Lyft? Weren't they attacking?"
At his words, Fyrmest and Merlin looked especially sombre.
"That's the thing Arthur," Merlin spoke hesitantly. "We can't contact them."
"What? How can that be?"
Fyrmest spoke, his eyes full of sadness.
"The attacks on the Druids on the hill were severe. I fear their shields completely failed. We can no longer talk to them with our minds, we can no longer sense them. I fear that they are dead."
Arthur felt as though someone had dealt him a heavy blow.
"Dead? But-but they can't be!"
"It appears that way at present Arthur."
Arthur reeled in shock. If the Elders themselves could be killed, and they were supposed to be the most powerful...
Fyrmest continued.
"In addition, the attacks have increased. They are far too powerful now."
"Can this get any worse?"
"I'm afraid so. Most of the magic is being directed by Byrne himself. His magic is immensely strong, especially as he has been feeding off of Morgana's magic for months. We cannot not know just how powerful he is."
Morgana spat out bitterly.
"The cowardly snake! His magic is too powerful for us all. His attacks haven't stopped or decreased in strength in the last hour. His reserves are plentiful."
Fyrmest nodded.
"It is unlikely we can defeat him."
Arthur couldn't believe his ears.
"So what? Are you saying we should just give up?"
"No, Arthur," Fyrmest spoke firmly. "What we are saying is that as present, we see no options. We shall never give in, but, neither do we know what to do either."
"So you're saying the situation's hopeless?"
"At present, yes. But remember Arthur, how it seemed in Ealdor. We could not see a way out of our predicament then, but we found one eventually did we not? Hope is not lost yet."
But Arthur could not see any hope. The situation seemed indeed hopeless.
Sir Leon burst out:
"There must be something we can do!"
Fyrmest shook his head.
"Only incredibly powerful magic can defeat him now."
Arthur saw Merlin raise his head at this, but he said nothing.
Fyrmest sighed heavily.
"I think we should begin to evacuate the city of all civilians and the sick. They can take the tunnel route, the sorcerers aren't watching it. They could easily flee."
"And then what?" Arthur scoffed. "Do you think they'll get far? Byrne won't allow them to escape he'll hunt every last one of them down. And anyway, they won't abandon Camelot like rats on a sinking ship. They'll stay till the bitter end."
Fyrmest sighed again.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
Sir Leon spoke up once again.
"It doesn't have to be like that. Me and my men, we could ride out, distract them. We could draw their fire away from the city, allowing you all a chance to reinforce the defences and try to get to the sorcerers. If we distract them long enough."
Morgana answered.
"They'd kill you before you went six feet. You wouldn't be a distraction, you'd be target practise."
"If we attacked from the back-if the Druids shielded us-"
"They'd still manage to kill you all in a matter of seconds."
They all fell silent, with only the echoing booms of the spells meeting their ears.
Then Merlin, who had so far remained silent, spoke.
"I'll do it."
Arthur jerked his head towards him.
"You'll do what?"
Merlin looked at him solemnly.
"I'll distract them."
"Emrys you can't possibly-"
"It's the only way Fyrmest! Byrne wants to get at me, he wants personal revenge. If I go out to meet him, he'll stop his attack on Camelot and focus on me. He'll want a proper duel, he'll be hell-bent on killing me. That'll give you a chance to strengthen the walls and attack the other sorcerers."
Arthur was in shock. How could Merlin even suggest such a thing?
"Merlin, you're crazy! You'll be killed!"
Merlin looked at him seriously.
"Yes, maybe. The ancient prophecies said that Emrys would do all in his power to save you, and ensure that you become king one day. If that means I have to die for it to happen, then so be it."
Arthur just stared at Merlin, his mouth gaping open. Merlin would really do that? He'd really sacrifice himself?
He drew a breath to say something but Merlin stopped him.
"Don't even think about arguing with me Arthur Pendragon. I've made up my mind and I'm as stubborn as a mule. I've always suspected something like this would happen. I'd gladly give my life for yours, I've tried to before."
Arthur had a fleeting image of Merlin offering his life to Nimueh in exchange for Arthur's in Merlin's memories. Of Merlin drinking from the poisoned goblet.
"If I go out there and I kill Byrne, then great. You'll only have to deal with the lesser sorcerers and their magic is more or less equal to our own. If I go out there and I'm killed, then...at least you've had a chance to recover. Maybe I'll keep him busy long enough for you to regain the upper-hand. Maybe I won't. But I'm going to try anyway."
Everyone just stared at him in shock. Fyrmest alone seemed to accept his decision.
"You have proven yourself a very brave man today Emrys. I wish I could dissuade you, but I see that it cannot be done. This is your decision."
Morgana looked at him in anger.
"How can you condone this? He'll be killed!"
"Glad you have so much faith in me," Merlin muttered. "You're all assuming I'm definitely going to die!"
Morgana turned back to him, no less angry.
"And so you will! Byrne is an exceptionally powerful sorcerer!"
"And so am I!"
"The prophecies only say that's what you're destined to become, not that you are already!"
"And who's to say I haven't already become it? You can't stop me Morgana! This is our only chance!"
Morgana breathed heavily, still glaring at him.
"You'll be killed," she said faintly.
Merlin held her gaze.
"It's our only chance," he repeated softly. He turned back to Arthur.
"What do you think?"
Arthur thought for a moment.
"I think you're a bloody idiot."
Merlin smiled weakly.
"But, I think you're a brave idiot." Arthur finished. "How can you go out there when you know it's more than likely you'll die?"
"Wouldn't you do the same, if you were in my position?"
Arthur considered this, before nodding. Yes, if he thought that his going out there would in any way benefit his people, he wouldn't hesitate.
Merlin nodded, understanding.
Morgana did not.
"Merlin, it's absolute suicide! We need you here!"
"I'm the only person who has a chance of defeating him Morgana. At least if I go out there you all have a chance. What's the point of me staying safe in the city? How long will this city stay safe? It's the only hope for all these people."
Morgana just stared at him, her eyes filling with tears, before she too, slowly nodded.
Merlin let out the breath he had been holding. He looked resigned.
"I suppose I'd better be going then."
He turned on his heel and walked off, his head held high towards the walls, where he could leave the city.
Arthur felt a rush of confusing emotions running through his mind, each one more painful than the last. The knowledge of what was happening crashed over him. Merlin was as good as sacrificing himself, for Camelot. He knew there was every possibility he could die.
Arthur closed his eyes for the briefest of moments, and every memory he had of Merlin flooded through his thoughts, both his own and the ones Mordred had shown him. The images of Merlin standing by his side through all his strife and trouble flashed before him, each pushing their way forward in his thoughts. All the times Merlin had risked his life for him, all the times Arthur had risked his for Merlin. Images of Merlin's undying loyalty sprang up, memories of Merlin's jokes smiles and unceasing ability to cheer Arthur up, despite the amount of teasing which went back and forth. He saw every time Merlin had been there for him.
Arthur opened his eyes abruptly and turned and headed after Merlin without a second thought.
He didn't know what he was going to do, but all he did know was that: if Merlin was going to face almost certain death, he wasn't going to do it alone.
Merlin had never abandoned Arthur, and Arthur was definitely not going to abandon him.
A/N: OMG 200 reviews! I love you guys! Keep them coming! :D