Thanks once again for all of the reviews etc.- I'm so happy that you guys are enjoying this story :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Chapter 4

They reached the city about an hour before sunset, riding quickly through the lower town. Merlin looked around warily as they went. There was something wrong- a strange, tense, atmosphere in the air, and the market was lacking it's usual hustle and bustle. Arthur seemed to notice it too- he had a worried expression in his eyes, and his jaw was tight.

The evidence of unrest was greater once they reached the castle courtyard- the servants who ran up to take the group's horses from them were twitchy, and there were practically no other people in sight.

Arthur faced his Knights.

"Sir Caridoc. Sir Vidor. I am entrusting you two to ensure that Amyas is seen safely to Gaius' chambers. The rest of you are dismissed- I have no doubt you are all in need of a rest. Merlin." He looked at his manservant. "You come with me."

"Yes sire."

The group split up, Merlin following Arthur as he stormed briskly through the corridors. He was glad that the Prince hadn't ordered him to go along with Amyas- there was something awfully wrong in Camelot, and he had no doubt that Arthur had had the same thoughts as him- that Merlin would be able to work out what he would be capable of doing a lot faster if he was present when Arthur met with his father.

His trepidation only grew as they walked through the castle. People were rushing around with harried looks on their faces, the servants only acknowledging their Prince out of sheer force of habit. Just what had happened in the time they had been away?

Someone had obviously noticed their arrival in the courtyard and gone ahead to tell the king, as they were met half-way by Sir Leon, the older Knight quickly falling into step with Arthur.

"Arthur. We were not expecting you back for several days."

"We ran into some trouble. Where is my father?"

"In the council chambers. An emergency meeting was called earlier today."

Arthur frowned, but refrained from questioning Leon further. It was far wiser to collect all the information at once, rather than listening to a quick explanation, and his father would only repeat what Sir Leon would have said anyway.

They reached the council chambers just minutes later to find the room in orderly chaos. Some people were rushing about with papers, others writing furiously, others arguing. The King was intently surveying a map of the kingdom, only looking towards Arthur when a nearby noble whispered in his ear that his son had arrived.

He gestured for Arthur to join him, the Prince marching across the room with Merlin hot on his heels. Arthur wasted no time, speaking almost before he even reached the king.

"Father what has happened? This morning we came across a village apparently destroyed in a matter of minutes- I come to report to you and find the entire city on tenterhooks. What is going on?"

Uther took a deep breath, turning his attention once again to the map before him.

"I fear the kingdom is under attack. The village you mentioned was not the only one- there have been three other reports today- entire villages wiped out at various points throughout the kingdom."

Arthur couldn't prevent the look of horror which flitted across his face. "Three?" That would make four villages in total- how many people dead?

Uther nodded. "And this in only one night. I have sent out riders-"

The doors burst open, a solitary Knight rushing over to where the two royals stood. He gave a small bow and spoke to the king.

"My Lord. We have just received reports that two more villages were attacked mere hours ago. A patrol saw one of the attacks happen." The man's voice caught slightly, as though he could barely believe what he had heard.

"What happened?" Demanded Uther.

"Apparently sire, it was a group of sorcerers. Over fifty of them at once. It appears that several bands of renegades have joined forces." He paused, taking in the anger on the King's face. "And that is not all sire…"

Arthur stepped in. His father could be unreasonable towards magic at the best of times. With such news, who knew how he would react.

"What is it?"

The Knight turned towards Arthur.

"The villages are less than a days walk away. The sorcerers are heading towards Camelot. And, they are being led…" His eyes darted towards the King, flicking back to Arthur apprehensively. "By Alvarr."

Heads turned, the entire room now focused on the Knight's news. Alvarr was a dangerous foe. He had escaped once already (although the only two in the room who knew the truth behind that matter were the Prince and his manservant) and had a fearsome reputation as a brilliant leader and strategist.

There was silence for several moments, both Arthur and Merlin realising something at the same time. Arthur spoke.

"That's not all though. If so many villages were attacked last night in such different locations, it means that there is more than one group."

Uther looked at him, horrified realisation dawning on many faces.

"Then that means," said Uther, "that we have what is effectively a small army of sorcerers heading for Camelot."

"And," went on Arthur, "that they will likely arrive tomorrow."

Silence fell, many people looking round in despair. How were they supposed to defend the city against a band of sorcerers who were capable of such destruction?

Finally, Uther took charge of the situation. He turned to his son.

"Arthur- I want you to warn your men. When the sorcerers reach they city, they will find the army of Camelot awaiting them." He raised his voice, addressing all those in the room. "This is what we have fought against for so many years. The evils of magic now threaten our great kingdom. But we will not back down. We will fight back, and we will win!"

A cheer rose up around the room, Arthur bowing before immediately setting off to do as commanded.

Once they were in an empty corridor Merlin turned to him.

"I'm going to go and talk to Gaius. There must be something I can do."

And he was gone before Arthur could say a single word.

Arthur cursed silently. This would be a dangerous time for Merlin. But he couldn't go after him and warn him to be careful- he had orders to fulfil, a city to prepare. He could only hope that Merlin wouldn't do anything stupid.

As Merlin neared Gaius' chambers, he heard voices coming from within. He pressed his ear up against the door, listening hard. The first voice was Gaius, and the second seemed to be Amyas.

"…with a poultice. You'll have to apply it to the burns twice daily. And I'll be keeping you in here for the next few days, just so I can be certain of the extent of damage the smoke may have done to your lungs. We'll have to see how things go with your leg, but hopefully with some work you should be able to move around normally in a few months."

The reply was gruff. "Thank you."

There was silence for several seconds, Merlin deciding it would probably be fine for him to enter. He was about to do so when the old Physician's voice rang out once again.

"Is there… anything you can remember about what happened? Did you see one the attackers? Notice anything at all which may be of use?" No reply seemed to be forthcoming, so Gaius continued. "Listen, Amyas. I know this is hard for you, but any information you could give may well assist in bringing those who did this to justice. We cannot allow them to roam free, destroying more innocent lives."

Another silence, and then what sounded like Gaius sighing. "I see." It took Merlin a second to realise- Amyas must have shaken his head. Sometimes the young warlock found himself wishing he knew of a spell which would make him able to see through things- it could be so strange listening to a conversation when he had no idea what the participants were doing.

Then… a mutter.

"No…wait a minute."

Merlin pressed himself further against the door, finding himself imagining Gaius' head whipping around to face the injured man. The Physician spoke with barely restrained urgency.

"What is it?"

"I remember… a man. Just before the roof fell. I looked back outside, because I could hear someone laughing. There was a man there…"

"Go on."

"He had a strange wooden medallion around his neck. For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off of it."

"Did this medallion have anything on it? Any markings?"

"Yes." Amyas sounded almost dazed, as though he were lost in the memory of a dream.

"Do you think you could draw it for me?"

"Yes."

Merlin strained to hear what was going on, but no sound reached him. He could only assume that Gaius had presented his patient with a quill and some parchment. It was about a minute later before the old man spoke again.

"Thank you- I'm sure this will prove most useful. Now take this- it will help you to sleep. You need plenty of rest."

Merlin waited a few minutes before entering quietly, wandering over to the Physician. He looked down at the diagram spread across the table- a bare tree with swirling lines radiating from the branches, each one ending in a small orb.

"Is that what was on the medallion?"

"You-" For a moment, Gaius looked as though he was going to scold his ward for eavesdropping once again, but instead he just heaved a weary sigh and nodded his head.

"It is. Unfortunately, it is a symbol I have never seen before. I do, however, have a suspicion about the medallion itself."

"What about it?"

The Physician leaned forward, resting his chin on clasped hands.

"There is a rowan tree on the isle of the blessed. Many magical artefacts have been created from it's branches in the past- staffs, pendants, and many other trinkets- each one wielding the power of the old religion. Uses varied dependant upon the design."

"You think this rowan tree is what's being shown in this diagram?"

Gaius nodded. "I'm certain of it. The question is what the rest of the diagram represents."

Merlin breathed out, looking around at the piles of books spread around the room.

"In that case, I better get started on some research."

"I'll help."

"No." He paused, looking at the questioning look on Gaius' face, the old man having half-risen from his chair. "There are likely going to be a lot of injured people tomorrow- you're going to need as much rest as you can get if you want to be able to help them."

"But Merlin-"

"Gaius. Trust me- I can do this. If it makes you feel better, I promise to wake you if I find anything."

The old man hesitated for a moment, before giving a slow nod of his head.

"Very well. The books most likely to provide any useful information are up there on the far right." He gestured to the bookcases at the top of the stairs which led up the wall.

Merlin, with a flash of gold in his eyes, immediately made the whole shelf full of books fly into his room. It would be easier to have them all in there so that he wouldn't need to walk in and out all night. Grabbing the hunk of bread Gaius offered to him, as well as the diagram itself, he quickly followed the books, only pausing to turn around when the Physician spoke once more.

"Make sure you do tell me. If you do find something."

The young Warlock nodded. "Of course."

Then he entered his room, closed the door, and settled down for a sleepless night.

Soooo... (attempts a casual tone, but ends up sounding pleading)... Review?