Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, this is an alternate universe fan fiction, in which I have used the characters, places, quotes and story from the BBC TV show which I do not own.
A/N: It's been a while hasn't it...I fell that my whole life has been turned upside down since I last updated. Ok, that might be a little too dramatic.
No-One Knew
Percival had woken during the night. He had just lay there, unmoving, enjoying the warmth of the fire in the silence of the night. When he opened his eyes, he saw Merlin and Arthur sitting together by the fire, both lost in their own thoughts, neither noticing him.
He stared at Arthur. The man had been through a lot the past few days which had lead to his precarious state of mind. They all were worried, but one could hardly imagine how the King must be feeling throughout it all. However now, that had gone. He wasn't smiling, per se, but there a a sort of glow to his face. He seemed more self-assured, more relaxed, more content.
He must have talked to Merlin.
Percival thought, and fell back to sleep with a smile on his face.
It was just a little after dawn, when they all set off, back towards Camelot; they had reasoned that anyone who had survived the battle would be hiding in the Forest of Essetir. They had been walking a while, when they all heard the sound of impending footsteps coming for them.
"Agravaine. He's found us."
"Go! Run! I'lll cover our tracks, you keep going!"
"Merli-"
"No! We don't have time for this! Move!"
The others didn't give Arthur the chance to watch Merlin run in the opposite direction to them straight toward the enemy as they whisked him away to the safely of the caves.
"O drakon, fthengomai au se kalon su katerkheo dear!"
The Great Dragon swooped over the Southrons, releasing a long breath of fire while doing so.
"Take cover!" Agravaine cried as most of the army fled, narrowly escaping being burnt alive. He suspected that most of them had taken the chance to run away to safety, not wanting to be under Morgana's command anymore.
Merlin caught up with the others in the cave. He immediately caught sight of Isolde clutching her arm which was getting stained at an alarming rate with dark red, heavily leaning on Tristan. It reminded him of Freya. He swallowed down the memory which threatened to make tears spring to his eyes.
"What happened!?" he asked frantically, with a touch of hysteria.
"It was one of the arrows. It was a good thing that Gwain noticed it and pulled her away as much as possible...otherwise it may have..." Arthur trailed off, glancing at Tristan, who was looking distraught as he stared as Isolde, holding her tenderly in his arms.
"Did you lose them?" Arthur asked, mainly to change the topic.
"It's safe."
"You sure?"
"Do I look like an idiot?"
"Yes." Arthur scoffed, making Merlin crack a smile.
"Doesn't change, does it?"
"And never will. Which way now?"
Merlin looked around uncertainly.
"I thought you said you grew up in these tunnels."
"I did. Just- it could be that way."
"Or it could be that way."
"Yes."
"That's very reassuring."
"Come on, you clot-pole, we can go that way - there is a place where we can tend to Isolde before making out way through.
"Bu-"
"Don't worry, we have enough time. They won't find us."
"Fine."
Aside, Lancelot whispered to Gwain and Percival: "Did you see that?"
The two nodded in response. "It seems that Arthur has gone back on his words - what was it he said in training?"
"Never ever have blind faith in someone, no matter how much you trust them, no matter how well you know them. You should not have trust as such in anybody, not your closest friend, your family, not even me, least of all me." Percival quoted
"Yep- that's it. I am never going to let that go. You know, when we get out of this mess." Gwain replied in his usual jolly tone.
The other two knights smirked, knowing that their high-spirited friend would keep to his words.
"There you go. I have cleaned it best I can, and there is no sign of infection right now. She needs as much rest as possible. I wish I could do more but I don't have the herbs or.."
"Thank you Merlin, for everything you have done for her." Tristan said, his words sincere and heartfelt, as went to where Merlin was knelling a moment ago, where Isolde lay sleeping.
Merlin shut his eyes momentarily, feeling the guilt wash over him. If he hadn't messed up, if he was still here as Emrys, he could have healed Isolde easily. He had used a little magic to prevent any infections, and to give her some much needed energy, but he daren't do anymore in front of the knights and Arthur, just in case.
I am a coward.
"We should get moving as soon as she wakes."
"Did you hear that?" Lancelot asked, pausing in his steps, making the rest copy him.
"I thought that we had lost them." Arthur moaned.
"So did I." Merlin added.
"It won't take long for them to catch us." Tristan said in concern for Isolde, and rightfully too - it was a surprise to all of them that she had so much energy to spare and they were all very thankful for it, but she was still very weak.
"I'll go back." Merlin said suddenly, turning around.
"What are you going to do?" Arthur asked incredulously.
"Create a diversion."
"It's too risky."
"I know these tunnels and Agravaine doesn't. You all keep going. Make sure Isolde its to the other side safely." Merlin said, earring a grateful look from Tristan.
"Merlin...don't do anything stupid." Arthur said, taking Merlin's torch.
Merlin gave a wide grin.
"Me?"
A/N: My absolute favourite teacher, who was so fantastic and amazing and kind and funny announced that he has chosen to leave the school at the end of the year! I was mildly surprised that I didn't burst into tears in the lesson; every time I think of it I feel so hopeless and sad. I know it is a while till the end of the year, but just the thought of loosing a mentor that you...(overwhelmingly sad sigh). I tried to distract myself by drowning myself in work, in endless hours of homework, baking a six tier cake (which failed), tracing a photo of an incredibly complicated castle building (which I plan to paint and give to him as a goodbye present(sob)), art, reading fan fiction, but none of it worked. So there I am letting my emotions flow. I actually can't believe that I wrote so much because I kept getting so distracted.. I hope the chapter isn't too muddled, and I hope that none of you ever had or will have the misfortune of having your hear broken by loosing a person in this way.