Merlin and Gwaine trekked through the forest, tracking Arthur's trail, doing their best to keep up. At one point they found themselves hiding from Odin's men. It was at this point, that Gwaine managed to get a good look at Merlin. The younger man still seemed pale and looked like he was ready to collapse all over again. The knight would have to make sure Gaius looked him over again when they got back to camp.
Merlin had noticed Gwaine's worried expression but said nothing. He was fine, more or less. Sure his head felt like it was splitting in two and his throat still hurt, but that was to be expected after nearly dying at the hands of Morgana. After a good night's rest, he'd be fine. Right now though, he had to get to Arthur. Even though the prat knew about Morgana and Odin, he was still clueless about what he was walking into.
Arthur, Mithian and the knights finally reached the tomb.
"My father and Odin are in the burial chamber," Mithian directed. "Just at the end of the tunnels."
The king looked at his men. "Elyan, Percival, you're with me. The rest of you stand guard. Remember we know this a trap so stay alert."
Arthur, Elyan and Percival drew their swords and followed Mithina into the tunnels.
As they navigated the twisting tunnels, Mithian became more and more nervous about what was about to happen. She was glad they knew about trap, but she wished they had never come. Odin will still try killing Arthur. The young princess was also feeling immense guilt for the harm she had caused. Merlin was injured and possibly dying because she sent him to the creek. Arthur's looking back constantly did not go unnoticed. She knew he was waiting for his servant, no, friend, to show up at any moment with that goofy grin of his.
As the four entered the chamber they were quickly ambushed by several of Odin's men. Mithian moved away from the fighting and watched as the three men fought until they were overpowered by the numerous warriors.
Merlin and Gwaine hid behind a set of bushes and trees and watched as the knights were surrounded and forced to drop their swords.
"They're outnumbered," Gwaine pointed out.
"Let's even up the odds then," Merlin suggested. "You help them and I'll go find Arthur."
Merlin quickly navigated his way through the tunnels, hiding back when he saw that Odin's men surrounded Arthur, Percival and Elyan. He also saw who was assumed to be Rodor and Mithian standing behind Odin. He needed to find a way to give his friends a fair chance to get out.
"Camelot is nothing without its king," Odin taunted.
He heard Arthur laugh. "Then you don't know my knights. They will hunt you. And they will find you. And they will not rest until they're done."
"I will deal with your knights soon enough," the warlord promised. "But now your time has come."
"Ic the bebode thaet thu abifiast nu!" Merlin incanted as he knelt down and slammed his hand against the ground.
The earth began to violently shake, giving everyone the opportunity they needed to break free and get the upper hand. Merlin ran into the chambers to guide everyone out. He picked up a sword and stabbed one of the men trying to fight Arthur.
The king watched as the man collapsed to the ground then looked up to see, "Merlin!?" Shock was hardly the right word to use to describe what he was feeling upon seeing that his friend finally showed up. Always did like waiting until the last moment, he thought.
Merlin just gave him a one-sided shrug, before waving his motioning for everyone to get a move on. "Hurry this way!"
Everyone followed the man through the tunnels, barely keeping ahead of the collapse. Once everyone was out, they took a second to breathe before they took off running again. They just had to make it to the border then they'd be safe. Odin might be a brute, but he wasn't an idiot. He'd never attempt to cross over into Camelot with so few men.
As they ran and fought, Arthur let his thoughts wander, which wasn't a smart move, but it couldn't be helped. That earthquake happened at a very convenient time and just as Merlin showed up. That couldn't be a coincidence, could it? And what about all the fallen tree branches or enemies tripping at the right moment, and the other earthquakes and rockfalls? Surely they couldn't all be coincidences. What he saw hadn't been a trick of the light or a hallucination. Merlin had magic.
"Leave me," Rodor pleaded, pulling Arthur away from his realization.
Arthur shook his head and turned back to look at the elderly king, leaning up against a tree. "Well, that's not going to happen. You're the reason we're here."
"Leave me," Rodor repeated. "Save Mithian."
Arthur looked around, grounding himself in the present, trying to push his thoughts aside. He looked around. Odin's men were right behind them. They couldn't carry on with two people unable to fight. He looked past a clearing that was free of the enemy.
"Follow the ridge line," the king suggested. ""
"What about you?" Rodor asked as Percival threw his arm over his shoulders, ready to aid him to the camp.
"We'll lead them the other way"
"No," Mithina cried out guilt overwhelming her once more.
"This is between me and Odin," Arthur stated. "You need no further part in this."
Arthur and Merlin took a second to make sure they were safe, before running off in the opposite direction. Arthur wanted to tell Merlin to go with them, but he couldn't bring himself to. Something inside him told him he needed Merlin regardless if he had magic or not. He was essential to this moment. His presence would determine the outcome of this fight.
Together they ran until they came to an embankment with no way out. They took a second to catch their breath as they listened for Odin and his men. Their rest was short-lived as they were quickly surrounded. Odin stepped forward, sword drawn. "No, I want to do this myself."
His men took a step back but kept their swords ready to step in case they needed to avenge their leader. The warlord thrust his sword in the battle first, but Arthur quickly blocked it, managing to gain the upper hand throughout the fight. In no time at all Odin was disarmed and on the ground with Arthur's sword to his next.
"Arthur, stop," Merlin urged. "Think about what you're doing. What good will this achieve? How many times have you talked about uniting this land? Will killing this man make that dream any closer?"
The king hesitated for a second. Did he really want to take advice from a man who's lied to him for ten years? Yes. Yes, he did. "He's right. This is no answer."
"Finish it," Odin seethed. "Finish it and be done."
"And what then?" Arthur asked, glancing up at the warriors watching them. "Your people will seek their revenge. A war without an end."
"There is no other way," Odin stated.
"There is another way. In return for your life, you must restore Rodor to the throne of Nemeth," Arthur said.
"Even if I agreed it solves nothing," Odin retorted. "What about us, Pendragon?"
"A truce," the young king offered. "Binding our kingdoms to peace."
"Never," Odin spat. The very idea that peace was possible was vile.
"Is this what you want?" Arthur shouted. "To die here, now know you condemn this land to war. Odin, you cannot let it end like this. The blood will never wash off.
"You killed my son," the warlord mentioned. Why would he make peace with his only child's killer?
"You killed my father!" Arthur argued. "We have both lost much at the other's hand. Let us lose no more, I am offering you the chance to end this. Take it!" He threw him into the ground and held out his hand. "Take it."
Odin hesitated for a moment before taking Arthur's hand. Peace was better than dying. "So be it. A truce it is."
Merlin and Arthur watched as Odin and his cleared out, back to Nemeth's castle to clear out their warriors. Once they were gone, Merlin sat down, hanging his head to his chest, breathing heavily.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked, stepping toward the younger man.
"Just dizzy," Merlin answered. "Head still hurts, running for our lives didn't help."
Arthur, unable to stop the words before he could stop himself. "Why not use magic to make yourself better?"
Author's Note: I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. I think I can squeeze one or two more chapters after this one, so stay tuned.
As always thanks again for reading. Pease don't forget to follow, share and review. I love hearing what you guys think of my stories.