A/N: Hello everyone. Hope you have all been well, got to this as soon as i could but work and well...Tomb Raider nabbed my attention (am an Avid girl gamer hehe)

Merlin Chapter 5:The Return of the king

The sun had yet to rise on this new dawn, but it was not far off. A river snaked through the scarred land, black and corrupt in its presence. The dust filled wind caressed the water, causing ripples to carry over its surface almost making the water seem alive, as if it was some dark beast breathing and waiting to rise up and devour anyone who came near its rippling surface. Time passed as it has for hundreds of years, no remaining animal came near the foul water, no plant grew from the taint in the vile liquid. Then...as if the world had released a collective sigh the ripples changed direction, they flowed out in great circles against the wind as if a large stone, or drop of water, had fallen into the centre of the river. They rippled out catching the rising sun turning the black waters to liquid gold. Mist began to form in the centre of the ripples, becoming thicker and thicker before swirling round in a magical wind. The mist left as quickly as it formed leaving behind an ornate boat with four men sitting inside.

"Where are we?" Arthur whispered as he looked round at the remains of the world.

"I don't know sire" Leon replied, he looked at the ruins in the distance, a great structure half in the water, it seemed to once have had a round surface, strange markings circled around its edge. It must have stood tall to the skies though quite how that was possible escaped them.

The boat tapped the barren shore and one by one they disembarked from its surface, soon as the boat was empty it shimmered away as if it never exsisted, the magic not now enough to sustain it on this plane. They watched it go then turned back to the wasteland, here and there ruins spiked upwards now covered in sand as no plants grew to stop the erosion. In the distance they could see a huge crater, the water at the bottom the same corrupted black as the river.

"Well this is pretty" Gwaine commented as he bent down to grab a handful of dirt, letting the bone dry particles flow through his fingers to be carried in the wind as fine dust. "So, which way?"

"There is some smoke in the distance" Percival finally spoke, his face was drawn and sad as if this was effecting him greatly. They all looked to the distance, seeing the smoke rising from little huts.

"Well, that's a good a place to start as any." Arthur sighed and began to walk towards the huts, Percival stood, dusting himself off ,and began to follow the rest, soon coming into step behind.

As they got closer they could see some rudimentary defences, like sharpened spikes stuck in to the ground. A lookout tower stood in the centre of the huts, though it looked like a strong gust of wind would knock it down. Arthur could see that these defences wouldn't hold up to much if they were attacked. As they got closer someone in the watch tower began to bang against a large piece of metal, this could only be an alarm of some kind. Soon enough a group of men came out wielding whatever weapon they could find. Most carried bars of steel, long since rusted by time and weather. They eyed Arthur and his men with fear as they came closer.

"Stay away! Your kind is not wanted here!" One shouted, he seemed to be the leader of this rabble but fear was making him quake as he spoke. His was a mess, hair wild, eyes just the same.

"Peace friend, we mean you no harm. We just wanted to know where we are" Arthur held his hand up in a peaceful gesture, trying to calm them down.

"What do you mean "Where we are?" " the man mimicked Arthurs tone in a snide voice. "you are in the ruins of Londdon"

"Loddon? You mean Londinium?" Arthur looked back at the ruins. It looked like a far greater town then he had heard, even bigger than camalot had been.

"what crazy names are you speaking. Its Londdon" the man snapped as if Arthur had somehow insulted him.

"Okay, okay easy. If you say its Londdon then its Londdon. Which means, we are a long way from home." Arthur spoke as he looked back at his men with a sigh.

"Well they did say that it might we might appear a little way off. They couldn't guarantee where we would appear." Leon added as he too looked around.

"Well, could have been worse. Could have landed us in another country" Gwaine laughed.

"Don't ignore us!" the man shouted. He swung forward with his steel bar trying to hit Arthur

Arthur neatly sidestepped, trying to disarm the man without causing too much harm. But the damage was done the entire group were just itching for a fight and the catalyst had been lit. The others started to pile in. Percival grabbed two and picked them up by the scruff of their neck as if they were children and just held them there. Gwaine Meanwhile was laughing as he danced away from the men, ducking each swipe with ease. Leon had knocked one out with a sharp punch to the gut and was just watching the others fight. It was nice to get the blood pumping but enough was enough. Arthur pushed the first man away and slowly drew Excalibur. The Sword sung as it caught the light of the sun. All gasped at the sight, weapons such as this had not been seen in hundreads of years.

"Enough!"

Everyone stopped at the shout, an old man was walking towards them and young boy at his side. He came to the group, Percival had let his two go and the others slunk beside them. Percival, Gwaine and Leon went to stand beside Arthur who still had Excalibur signing in his grasp. The elder came forward, his beard nearly touched the floor and his hair was just as long, both were grey with age.. He was using a large metal pole as a walking stick which at the top was an orb with what looked to be a lit candle inside. He reminded Arthur of Gaius in his presence. The old man eyed Arthur then looked closely at Excalibur.

"Tell me strangers, what are your names?"

"I am King Arthur Pendragon, these are my knights . Sir Leon, Sir Percival and Sir Gwaine."

"Yeah right, THE king Arthur? Pull another one." The wild man snarled.

"Silence Richard. " The elder shouted. The young boy at his side had a tight grip on the old mans robes, but his eyes were transfixed on the blade and Arthur. "If you are who you say you are. Then the sword you wield will be called Excalibur and will be able to cut through anything."

"How do you know this swords name? I only just named it!" Arthur asked, looking at his blade.

"It is said that the great Wizard Merlin forged the sword in a dragons breath, the blade told him that its name would be Excalibur."

"See, he can't be the real Arthur. He didn't even know that!" the man shouted again but went quiet once more from the glare he received.

"Merlin forged this for me? He never told me that." Arthur looked at the blade with more revrance now, a gift from a friend.

"I have had enough of this!" The man raced forward, metal pole held high as he swung once more for Arthur. Arthur brought up Excalibur to parry the blow, the blade sang in anger as if insulted that it was in doubt and cleanly cut through the pole as if it wasn't there.

Everyone gasped and watched the now half pole drop to the ground with a clang. Then their eyes returned to Arthur and the blade Excalibur.

The old man smiled, then began to laugh low before looking back to Arthur "To think I would be alive to see this day. Forgive us sire, your arrival is most welcome. If a little later than your people would have liked. It was said you would return to us in our greatest time of need, some would say that time was long past but you bring hope with you."

"Thank you.." Arthur paused, as he still did not know this elders name.

"Garut of Loddon Sire" The elder bowed as much as he could with his old frame.

"Garut of Loddon, but I must ask, how are you so sure?. True my blade is sharper than I would ever have imagined " Arthur looked at Excalibur a moment before placing it back in it scabbard " but we could be anyone. From what I can see I have been gone for longer than any man could fathom."

"This is true Sire, but there have been signs. Some of us still know how to look for them. Some say the first of us was taught these lessons by Merlin himself, though how that can be I am not sure. He had been lost long before i can see. But the fact remains the signs were told. A New star would shine in the constalation of Draco. It would burn bright outshining all but the stars that nestled it. All other constilations would grow dim as the Dragon holds the light of hope. This will be the herald of the Pendragon, who will return to the realm of men when his subjects need him the most. He will free the one who he most needs and unite the land once more. But come, this is not the place to continue this, come to my home" The old man turned to walk away but gasped as he saw a dust cloud coming over the horizon just as the watchman began to beat on the piece of metal again.

"Black Banners, Om my God...They have Black Banners. Its Red Crow!" the watchman all but screamed, fear of death tainting his voice.

The village men began to panic, gone was the rabble threatening four men and in their place were men quivering with fear, they could not fight Red Crow's men, they were too well trained. They looked to the river, maybe they could escape there.

"We have to try" A small voice shouted all turned to the young boy still clinging to the elders robes. Arthur looked at him then kneeled down to his level.

"What's your name?"

"N-n-nathan sire"

"Well Nathan you are right." Arthur smiled then stood to talk to the men" Gather what weapons you can. Percival, Gwaine. Take a group each and flank from the sides, find a place you can hide then attack when they are in the centre of the village."

"Sire" both nodded and started dividing the men,

"Leon, protect the boy and elder then get the women and children to the hut there" He indicated the larger hut to the side.

"As you command sire" Leon turned and carefully lead the old man and boy towards the hut. The elder began calling to the women and children to follow.

Arthur looked to the horizon seeing the oncoming attackers, some were on horseback from what he could see while others were running on foot. He turned to the men beside him and looked them over. He could see they were not trained to fight. There were desperate farmers nothing more. But he had taught farmers to fight before. "But then you had more time and Merlin with you" his mind whispered.

"Ok, follow me and stay close. Each watch the man beside them. If they need your help then help them. You win by standing together." Arthur turned to the oncoming men as he pulled Excalibur and placed it point down into the ground "watch out for me Merlin" He whispered to the dry breeze.

The men on horseback rode to the fore, eger for blood and women. They screamed their battle cries and waived their crude weapons as the horses kicked up clouds of ash and dust. As they got ever closer Arthur brought his blade up at the ready, point poised forward towards the oncoming men elbow high over his head. The lead horse came close and he swung, neatly knocking and killing the man atop it. Beside him one horse ran through knocking one of the villagers to the ground while another reared in fear depositing the rider heavily into the dry earth. He was swiftly dealt with by the villagers. The riders that had ridden wide were circling round from the rear, Arthur turned, Excalibur catching the sun glinting and blinding one rider, as the rider raised his hand to block the light the villagers pulled him to the ground.

"Sire look out" Arthur whirled seeing one rider bearing down on him, he knew he wouldn't bring the blade up in time. But then a breeze blew past his ear, carrying words he could not hear and the horse began to buck and rear before turning to trample its once rider. It stopped once the man was dead and turned, totting away as if nothing had happened. He turned to see the Villagers dispatching the last rider, the once dry sand now turning crimson and Arthur felt a shudder run through as a flash of Camlan entered his mind.

"Form back up on me. We still have them to worry about" The men on foot had seen what happened to their riders and had formed together, still running but in a formation. Behind was the last rider which could only be the leader of these men. The villagers with Arthur came to his side one more. He looked seeing Percival and Gwaine were in posision on the outskirts. The attacking force now jogged into the centre of the huts, the Mounted leader stopping behind his formed men.

"You have cost me men. Give up and I might not Slaughter you." He growled out. He was large, almost too large for the horse who was heaving breath with the strain.

"And here I was about to ask you to leave nicely" Arthur replied, Excalibur one again point down in the ground. "Can't we talk this over friend? There is no need for us to fight. You just go on your merry way and leave these villagers in peace."

"And who are you to tell me to do so? Their leader?""

"No, just passing though"

"He's our King! He will rule us all!" One of the villagers shouted at the mounted man.

"King?" the man laughed "King! This thing, be a king, that is even more laughable than the dog over there being a king. Your ruler is Balthazar! You will die for such traitorus words!"

"Balthazar is no king! He is a tyrant and a murderer!" Arthur looked over to see the Young Nathan shouting at the man, the man turned with a snear at the boy and murder in his eyes.

"Nathan get back inside" Arthur called " seems friend you have outstayed your welcome. I ask you kindly to leave before I make you."

"Ask me kindly?" The man sniggered " I ask you kindly to die. Kill them all, leave none alive!"

The men surged forward, battle cries drowning out all else as they sought to end the lives of all those that dwelt in the little village. Arthur brought Excalibur up and blocked the blow from the leader of the attacking men. He smirked at the man's shocked face, seems no one had been able to block a blow from him before. Though he had probably only battled weak villagers like these and had never dared to face up to someone on Arthurs level.

The man roared in anger at Arthurs smirk and began trying to land a blow with his crude weapon, Arthur blocked every blow, dancing round the man in a fighters dance. The man tried to run at Arthur to knock him to the ground but Arthur stepped to the side, swinging the flat side of Excalibur round to hit the man on his rear. The villagers were fighting the others beside him, standing together to protect their home Before long the man was red faced and breathing hard, the weapon heavy in his hand, he glared at Arthur and if looks could kill Arthur was sure he would be dead many times over.

Gwaine was having a whale of a time, he had slept too long and being in this fight made him feel alive. He was laughing as he ducked blows, playing with his foes as if this wasn't a life and death fight, he was brought back to the moment when one of the villagers cried out in pain. He had been hit across the back of the legs, falling to his needs the enemy was about to deliver the killing blow. Gwaine did not hesitate, he brought his blade round to clash with the down coming blade of the enemy flicking it away before driving the point of his blade home. The man grunted wide eyed for a moment before falling dead to the floor. No time to stop at the enemys passing Gwaine stepped up beside Percival to protect his back as the large man brought two of the enemy crashing together with his hands, they fell out cold.

Percival turned to Gwaine, they looked at each other a moment before they both turned to Leon with huge grins on their faces, causing Leon to role his eyes at the both of them but he could do nothing to hide the growing smile on his own at their antics. Time seems not to have changed any of them. They fought and all too soon the enemy could see they were on the losing side and some turned tail, all that was left was the leader that was still trying to lay a blow on Arthur. The villagers by this time had formed a semi circle round the two.

"We done? Arthur asked as he waited for the mans next move

"I will kill you" He yelled running towards Arthur sword over his head. Arthur moved on instinct dropping the blade low he stepped to the side and down to one knee, raking Excalibur across the man's midsection as he went past. He gasped before falling to the ground to move no more.

Arthur twisted Excalibur round once before wiping the blade clean on a piece of clothing from the fallen. He returned the blade to its sheath as the villagers erupted in shouts of euphora, they hugged and yelled at each other not quite able to believe they had beaten men from the black banner. Gwaine, Percival and Leon came to stand beside Arthur.

"Well that went well" Gwaine spoke.

"I have a feeling we had a little help" Arthur replied, as if in agreement the horse that had thrown his rider before, saving Arthurs life had returned and nudged Arthur in the back with a soft whinie. Beside that horse was three others.

" I think I Have to agree Sire" Leon walked up to pat one of the horses as he spoke, it sniffed at him before rubbing its head against his chest.

They turned to the villagers who had stopped shouting and where now on one knee before their king.

"LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Arthur Stood looking over these people, "his people" his mind surplied, and thought of those he had left behind. He had lost too many people, could he go through this again? He had no choice, Merlin was waiting and he could never let his friend down again. He looked up as he saw the Elder approaching from the hut and Arthur walked up to meet him one question on his lips.

"Tell me how to get to where Merlin is."

TBC

AN: Again sorry for the wait. My mind hasn't been in a good place and I tend to disappear in my gaming when it gets too bad and forget about the world. Sorry Also for the mistakes in this chapter. I wanted to get this too you as soon as, and haven't run this past my beta. (assuming they still want to beta for me after all this time) I will try to make sure you don't have to wait so long for the next chapter.