A/N: Hey all. Quite a quick update for me if i do say so. Been reading some lovely stories of late. Really inspiring. Anyway Enjoy and of course R&R where possible. Story starts to pick up some pace hopefully now.
Chapter 8
"Merlin, its time" Arthur gently shook his friends shoulder, waking him. Merlin groaned and tried to roll over but failed.
He hurt, all over. And he felt like he could sleep for a month at this rate. He flickered his eyes open to meet Arthurs once again.
"You really do need to stop waking me like this" He whinged.
The King shook his head, taking out a small cup he filled it with water and then dripped 4 drops from the vial hidden in his tunic. "It's time for your tincture" He held out the drink for his servant to take and Merlin didn't refuse gulping the liquid down in a flash and waiting for the soothing effect on his aching muscles and burning shoulder wound.
By the time the warlock stood up Arthur had disappeared and returned with two horses. Merlin was surprised that any had actually escaped the taking of Camelot. Even with though they weren't their normal steeds they were tracked with the ornate garb of Camelot. Seemed fitting.
"Merlin" The servant turned to find the physician standing just back from him.
"If your going to say I'm not well enough to go you know what I'm going to say don't you?"
Gaius nodded and looked sullen. His eyes met his wards and he half smiled. "Just promise me you'll look after yourself my boy" He took Merlin into an embrace and held him tightly. "you know how my heart can't take it when you're in trouble"
"Oh, you know me" Merlin broke from the embrace and held him at arms length, the drug was beginning to take effect. "trouble's my middle name." He gleamed. And with that he turned and slowly mounted his horse next to Arthurs pulling the reins up so the animal listened to his next command. He smiled and then diverting his steed to head and meet the small group of noble knights on the edge of the encampment.
"Look after him Sire" Gaius cried as the warlock was just out of earshot.
"I'll do my best" Arthur smirked, "but we both know Merlin all too well"
Within moments the group had left the camp at a slow trot. There were about 20 or so loyal knights with them. Gwaine, Percival, Leon and Elyan were in tow, not far behind their leader and his servant who took the head of the group. Little was said on the way towards the city walls, only hushed whispers between one or two knights and the rhythmical beats of the horses hooves on dirt could be heard in the darkening woods. Finally just before the break in the trees before the city walls one certain knight spoke up.
"So whats the plan Princess?" Gwaine's usual chirpy tone didn't seem so chirpy right now, his eyes were set like stones on the city walls ahead.
"Well..." Arthur hesitated. "Not exactly one" He frowned. "George, Henry" The King pointed to two knights sat close together. "I want you two to loop around by the other side of the gate and create a distraction. Once the gates are opened we storm the castle. The main aim is to take out Morgana but i know it will not be easy"
"For death and glory eh?" Gwaine smiled and joked. "I'm up for that, and i tell you now. If i get my hands on that witch then i'll give her more than a piece of my mind" No one answered. And the two knights quickly made there way towards the other side of the clearing, staying to the shadows.
It was not long before the knights did as told, and the gates were opened taking the bait. The group took there opportunity, racing for the city gates they took them by surprise, striking the guards down with ease.
It seemed like forever, but the gang galloped full speed through the lower town with little hinderance except a few stray crossbow bolts and guards. It surprised Arthur but also worried him. Once they reached the gates of the upper town it was a different story, the warning bell began to ring out in the darkness. They soon reached a large company of bandits surround the gateway. Swords clashed together, shouts were exchanged and full blown battle began. The bandits seemed numberless but the knights of Camelot were well trained and they slowly edged their way through the gates and into the citadel. Arthur's eye was half trained on Merlin, struggling along with his own acquired blade. The King had yet to see him use any form of magic in the melee which surprised him. His friend struggled on with his sword, getting along just fine for now, but Arthur knew he would not keep it up for long, he could see his friends body beginning to sag in the saddle.
"Merlin come on!" He shouted the order to his servant and spurred his horse onward and away from the crowded battle. The warlock followed and the pair broke free, galloping at full pace to the main halls of Camelot and with no doubt to the Lady Morgana herself. Arthur wanted to finish this one. Once and for all.
They met more guards and servants on the way, striking many down as they went. Little had changed about the city in the few days the King had been absent. It was as though all had been left in place and the citizens gone replaced by Morgana's ruffians.
A hollow oomph came from next to Arthur and he turned to see his servant knocked from his steed, hitting the concrete of the courtyard with a thud.
"Merlin!" He drew his horse to a halt and dismounted himself, knocking the first bandit which came close to the ground in anger.
"I'm fine Arthur" the warlock struggled with his blade, struggling to block his own attacker from gutting him alive. "Just carry on. I'll catch up"
The king struck Merlin's attacker down with ease and he held a hand out to help his man servant up. "You really do have to make thing difficult don't you now" He huffed and continued on. Abandoning the horses in the courtyard he made his way up into the main building, his friend in close pursuit. By now, he was sure Morgana would know they were there. The warning bell continued to toll like a countdown to their meeting.
Arthur darted up the many steps, taking several at a time he made it to the top of the flights with ease. Merlin was not faring so well and the king did wonder how it was even possible the poor boy was managing to keep up.
As they rounded a corridor they were met by an order of guards racing up the stairs toward them. Too many to take together. They were outnumbered, 10 to 1. Arthur started running but he soon skidded to a stop as he noticed Merlin not doing the same. Before he had chance to yell his friends eyes focused on the oncoming barrage and his eyes flashed golden. The torches on the walls of the stairwell clattered to the ground and burst into a single fireball, engulfing the oncoming men.
Arthur stood for a moment, mouth agape, eyes wide in wonder at his servants sudden outburst. Merlin was... powerful.
His brain snapped back to reality as he saw his friend lean heavily on the stone wall. His magic seemed to take some sort of strength from him. Arthur wasn't surprised, he wasn't yet healed, Gaius had warned him of this already.
"What are you waiting for" Merlin breathed heavily, "run you idiot" They both ran, and for a moment they seemed to encounter little trouble until the King rang straight into several burly men. He swung his sword with precision and speed, stabbing one and slashing another he took the third with a fighting stance and he was gone too. He jumped to continue on when a muffled cry came from behind him.
"Arth..." The King turned quickly, suddenly completely overwhelmed by what his gaze met.
Morgana stood, cold and calculated on the spot, Merlin was tightly in her grasp, arm wrapped around him and the hilt of a dagger was in her hand. Arthur gulped. He knew that dagger anywhere, one he had once so lovingly bought his sister as a present. Its blade was laid precisely onto the pale skin of his servants throat. The warlocks eyes were wide with both fear and what Arthur could on describe as defiance
"One more step dear brother and your delightful little servant will be mincemeat" she smirked and pressed on the blade causing a small trickle of blood to ooze down Merlin's neck. "And i don't think you want that now, do you?"