Thanks once again for all the reviews guys- they really make my day. The latest chapters have been proving quite tough to write, and all you comments have helped to spur me on, as well as all of those lovely e-mails telling me that people have alerted or even favourited this story. Thank you all soooooooo much! Here's today's chapter for you :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin (However awesome that would be...)

Chapter 7

Merlin ran out of the city gates as fast as he could, heading towards the battle just in time to see a familiar blond haired man pulled from the fray.

"Arthur!"

The Prince span around at his yell, immediately sprinting towards him.

"Merlin!"

The two met half-way, the elder of them breathing hard as he spoke.

"What is it? Did you find something? Can you stop the medallions' power?"

Merlin shook his head. "No. Not quite. I couldn't find a way to stop the magic's flow without physically going to the caster, but I did manage to find something which could help."

"What is it?"

"Like I said, I can't break the magic's flow. But I can divert it- point it in another direction." Merlin could see the Prince's confusion. He needed to make sure Arthur understood what he meant. And also understood that this was their only option. No matter what it cost.

He took a deep breath.

"I can change the power's direction once it exits the medallions. In other words, any spells cast by someone wielding one of them will be sent in a different direction…"

"Where will they be sent?"

Merlin paused before answering.

"They'll be sent towards me."

Arthur blinked heavily, staring at his manservant like he had just grown another arm.

"Are you crazy? What do you mean they'll be-"

"Exactly what I said," interrupted Merlin. "The spells will be sent towards me. As long as you get your men to leave enough space around me, I can try and deflect them so that they don't harm anyone. Without the sorcerers having any control over where they send their magic, you'll be free to rush in without fear. They'll have no choice but to either fight back with regular weapons or surrender. Even if they realise what it is I'm doing, which is unlikely, they'd only be able to get rid of the medallions and fight back at their normal strength. They could still prove difficult like that, but it won't be impossible for you to defeat them."

Arthur was staring at him like he couldn't understand a word coming from the warlock's mouth.

"Merlin- do you realise what you're saying? If you do this, it won't just be me. The entire army will see you using magic."

"I know."

"Merlin my father will be told about everything that happens here today- he may well be keeping an eye out from the castle. He is going to find out if you do this."

"I know."

"Merlin- if you do this, there's no going back. If you do this, chances are my father will have you executed!"

"I know!" Merlin practically glared at Arthur. He was terrified enough already. He'd been trying his hardest not to focus on that particular piece of information. "Do you honestly believe I didn't think of that? I don't need you to tell me!"

"Then why?"

"Because this is our only chance Arthur! If I don't do this, then we'll lose!" Merlin could see the truth of his words beginning to sink in. "Arthur, they have killed so many innocent people. I can't just stand by and watch them destroy everything and everyone I care about."

"But-"

"Arthur please." Merlin looked his friend straight in the eye. He could almost see every moment of Arthur's internal struggle. But it was either Merlin or Camelot. And the young warlock was not about to let him make the wrong decision. "This is our only option. You know it is."

A few seconds passed, the two of them silent. Finally Arthur gave a single nod, his gaze dropping.

Merlin took control.

"I need you to get everyone to leave me as big a space as possible- I can try and deflect the attacks from actually hitting me, but against so much magic at once I'll have very little control over where I send it. That means I won't be able to attack in return- you'll have to do that."

Another nod. There was an awkward pause, neither man able to think of the right words. Eventually, Arthur looked his friend in the face. His expression was so anguished that Merlin couldn't take it. The strength he had forced himself to cling to so far slipped away from him, and tears began to prick at his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I really am."

And that was it. Not another word was passed between them. Instead, Arthur ran back towards the fray, barking orders that his men withdraw and move as far to the sides as they could. Merlin simply stood where he was, marvelling at how quickly the Prince's orders were heard and obeyed. He had no doubt in his mind that Arthur would be a brilliant king.

It was a surprisingly short time later that found the army split into two sections- both as far from the young manservant as possible.

The barrage of magical attacks had temporarily ceased, the sorcerers instead staring in bemused amazement. Most could hardly believe their eyes. The renowned Arthur Pendragon, crowned Prince of the mighty kingdom of Camelot, was forcing his men to stand to stand as far to the side of the battlefield as was feasible with so many people. This was ridiculous- the sorcerers had known they were winning, but was the Prince just giving up? Or was this some strange new strategy- was he trying to get them to come forward so that his army could surround them? If so, it would never work. With the power the medallions gave them, it didn't matter what strategy Prince Arthur used- his army would be annihilated.

Then they noticed the young servant boy standing alone in the centre of the battlefield. And their amusement only grew.

The sorcerers' confusion was mirrored in the expressions and words of every member of the army. Had their Prince gone mad? What was he thinking? And why was his manservant the only one allowed to remain on the field of battle?

Sirs Leon and Mordon had found each other, and were now making their way towards their Prince, sure that there must be some form of explanation for this seemingly irrational behaviour. Leon was the first to speak once they reached him.

"Sire?"

Arthur faced him, but only momentarily. "What is it?"

"What is going on sire? Why have you ordered a retreat?"

"I haven't"

The two knights shared a confused look, Mordon venturing forward to speak next.

"But sire-"

"This is not a retreat. I merely want to keep a safe distance until I can see how much room we'll have to manoeuvre."

"Sire?"

Arthur's voice was rough. Strained. "You'll see soon enough."

"But Arthur," insisted Sir Leon, "we had room to manoeuvre before. What is going on? And why on earth is Merlin standing out there?"

Arthur looked at the two of them, his expression guarded, his jaw tight.

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course sire."

"You believe in my judgement?"

"Yes."

"Then trust me now. And spread the word among the men- I want them ready to move at my command."

The two of them bowed, Mordon departing once again into the crowd of men while Leon ran as fast as he could around behind Merlin and towards those on the other side of the field. Arthur's orders were spread within moments, the entire army waiting with baited breath for the moment their Prince's plan would be revealed.

Arthur found himself hardly able to look at Merlin, his gaze instead finding it's way around every other part of the battlefield- anywhere but towards his friend. He knew that what Merlin had said was true. He knew that this was their only option. And he, like Merlin, was determined not to allow these sorcerers to cause any more innocent deaths while he had breath in his body.

He knew this.

So why did it hurt so much?

Every time his wandering gaze flickered to his manservant, he couldn't hold back the horrendous feeling that he was betraying Merlin. When, just a fortnight or so ago, he had found out all that Merlin had done for him- for Camelot- and all that he had suffered during his years in the city, Arthur had made a vow to himself. That he would spend the rest of his life repaying the clumsy oaf. That he would make up for everything Merlin had been through. For all he had sacrificed.

And now, such a short time later, he was turning his back on that vow. It was all he could do not to run to his friend- force him to go back to the city. To just leave Arthur to try and find a solution.

But it was hopeless, and he knew it.

And so, barely half a minute after his orders had been spread throughout the men, he faced the enemy with determination. This was what Merlin wanted- he had to do it. The sorcerers were stirring now- Arthur could see Alvarr opening his mouth to give the order to attack again.

But Arthur got there first.

"Merlin! NOW!"

Eep! *Runs away to hide in a corner* I'm sorry! Please don't kill me! I know I'm evil, but if you kill me then I'll never be able to reveal the rest of my plan!