Amelia's POV
Merlin's mother suddenly arrives in Camelot one day. Amelia knows what this means from her notes, this is the episode where they go to Merlin's Village to protect it.
Merlin had taken his mother to Arthur who had arranged an audience with his father so that she could ask him for help.
Soon enough Hunith stands in front of Uther and Arthur in the Throne room with the rest of them scattered around the room. Morgana, her, Gwen and Anne stand in a line on Hunith's right.
"The winters are harsh in Ealdor, and there are many children. Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is, and if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please, we need your help." She begs.
"Ealdor's in Cenred's Kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility." Uther says from his seat.
"We've appealed to our King, but he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope."
"I have the deepest sympathy for you," which means he probably doesn't, "and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth."
"You'll help us?"
"I wish I could."
"Surely we can spare a few men?" Arthur asks from where he stands on Uther's left.
"Resources are not the problem."
"Then what is?" Morgana asks.
"Ealdor lies beyond the Ridge of Essetir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war."
Hunith drops to her knees. "I know you're a good King, a caring man. I'm begging you, help us, please."
"The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one Village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help." Morgana glares at Uther and escorts Hunith out. Amelia trails after them.
—
After learning Merlin is going to go home to help his mother, Amelia decides that he is not to go alone and recruits Morgana, Anne and Gwen as well in her plan to also go and help.
Her and Morgana walk towards Gwen's house where they know Merlin is along with Gwen and Anne, who are preparing the armour that they need. They are both dressed in trousers and corseted tunics.
Amelia hears Merlin say, "I won't be able to carry all that."
Amelia enters the house along with Morgana, "You won't have to. We're coming with you."
"What do you mean?" Merlin asks, looking at all of them in confusion.
"You're going to need all the help you can get. Anne and I can mend armour and sharpen swords." Gwen explains.
"And Amelia and I know how to fight." Morgana says.
"But y-y-you can't. I mean, why would you?"
"If it was the other way around, you'd help us." Anne says.
"You already have. You saved my life." Gwen says.
"And you helped us get the Druid boy out of Camelot." Amelia nods to Morgana and herself. "We owe it to you. All of us."
—
Soon enough Amelia is riding for Ealdor along with Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, Anne and Hunith. When night falls, they decide to make camp for the night.
Amelia falls asleep but is soon awakened by Merlin talking with his mother by the campfire. She can see that the others are still asleep.
"They shouldn't be here." She hears Hunith say. "Especially the Lady Morgana and the Lady Amelia. Aren't they the King's wards?" She does not turn over in the hope they will not notice she is awake.
"Not that you'd know it. They are the only people I know who isn't frightened of him."
"It won't make any difference to Kanen that they're women."
"I know. But I couldn't talk them out of coming." Too right you couldn't!
"I want to make him pay for what he did to you." He must be looking at the bruise that had blossomed on her face after Kanen had apparently hit her.
"Promise me you'll be careful. No one can find out about you."
"They won't. They never do." Uuhhh… she does and Anne as well.
"Get some rest." She hears Hunith move closer to her to lay down. Amelia tenses hoping she does not realise that she is awake.
"Draca." She hears Merlin murmur. She turns over to see the glowing flecks on a stick Merlin holds take the shape of the Pendragon Dragon. She smiles at the sight.
—
She is once again woken by Merlin getting up and going to search in the dark carrying a sword in his hand. He clearly had heard something. She decides to move to sit by the campfire and wait for him to return.
He soon returns with Arthur trailing after him. She can see them do a double take when they spot her stoking a new fire she had just lit.
"What are you doing up?" Merlin asks.
"You woke me up. Need to work on your stealth Merlin." Amelia says. Merlin looks down in embarrassment.
Arthur chuckles before sitting on her left and Merlin joins them and sits on her right.
"How much further is it?" Arthur asks.
"Er, maybe a few hours."
"How many men does Kanen have?"
"Erm, I'm not sure. I think, from what my mother said, maybe as many as forty."
"You should get some rest. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
"Thank you. Erm, I know you didn't have to come." Merlin says to Arthur.
Amelia can see that Arthur has gotten uncomfortable at this and he confirms her thoughts when he says, "Get some sleep." Before moving to set up his own blankets.
She and Merlin follow soon after.
—
The next morning Anne, Gwen, Morgana and Hunith do not look shocked at Arthur's sudden appearance and they are soon set to ride the rest of the way to Ealdor.
When they arrive at Ealdor, Amelia sees that they have arrived in the midst of a raid as Kanen's men are all over the Village. Kanen is in the middle about to strike a man with his axe but before he can deliver the final blow, Arthur throws a sword into the post behind Kanen, rides up, dismounts, begins to fight the bandits. The rest of them also dismount.
"Kill them!" Kanen cries. Amelia immediately draws her sword and joins the battle with the bandits.
After killing one of the bandits, she spots a bandit coming up to attack Arthur from behind, but Amelia runs over and begins to parry with him before slashing him across the stomach.
She spins round to look at a stunned Arthur. "Bring back memories of when Morgana and I used to beat you?" She cheerfully says, running past him to continue fighting.
"That never happened." Arthur denies pouting.
Her attention is diverted when Kanen yells, "You'll pay for this with your lives! All of you!" He mounts and rides away with his men.
Amelia then sees Merlin talking to an unknown male off the side and walks over to them.
"You still up to the same old magic tricks again?" She hears the man say. She frowns at him. "Look, I thought I told you I didn't want your kind around here?"
Amelia tenses but then sees the man smile and Merlin grin back.
"I miss you, too, Will." They hug.
"It's good to see you again," Merlin says, drawing back.
"Who's this?" Amelia asks Merlin. She sees Will frown at her from the corner of her eye but she decides to ignore it.
"This is Will. My best friend."
"Nice to meet you," Amelia says to Will, who ignores her and turns to Merlin instead.
"How've you been? I, er, hear you're skivvying for some prince." Amelia is beginning to dislike him.
"No. I wouldn't say I'm a skivvy."
As if he wanted to prove Merlin wrong, Arthur calls, "Merlin! Gather the Villagers, I need to talk to them."
"Yeah, in a minute. I'm just talking..."
"Now, Merlin. There isn't much time." Arthur says, walking away.
"Yes, Sire." Will does not look pleased.
—
Arthur stands on a platform and addresses the Villagers. "I know Kanen's kind. He'll be back. And when he is, you must be ready for him. First of all, we have to prepare for..."
"Am I the only one wondering who the hell this is?" Will rudely interrupts, pushing through the crowd to the front.
"I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot," Arthur says.
Will scoffs. "Yeah, and, er, I'm Prince William of Ealdor."
"Keep quiet. He's here to help us." Hunith hurriedly tells him.
"But he's made things worse. Kanen will be back, and when he is, he'll be looking for revenge. You've just signed our death warrants." Will says accusingly. And how was life so much better before?
"He saved Matthew's life!" Hunith says.
"That's alright, Hunith. This is his Village. What would you have us do?" Arthur says politely.
"We can't fight against Kanen. He has too many men." Will says.
"So what's the alternative?" Amelia asks him.
"Give him what he wants." Again how is that better? The Villagers seem to agree with her as they shake their heads.
"Then what? Those of you who don't starve to death will face him again next harvest! And the harvest after that." Arthur says logically.
"We'll manage. We'll survive." Will says stubbornly.
"How?" One of the Villagers ask.
"The only way he can be stopped is if you stand up to him," Arthur says.
"No. You just want the honour and glory of battle! That's what drives men like you! Look, if you want to fight, then go home and risk the lives of your own people, not ours!"
"Will." Merlin tries to say but Will just walks away.
"I'll follow you. If I'm to die, then I want to go out fighting." Hunith says.
"That goes for me, too." Matthew, the one Arthur had stopped Kanen from killing with an axe, says.
This begins a chorus of, "You can count me in." "I'm in." "Me too!" "Yeah!" "You can count me in!"
—
Amelia, Anne, Gwen, Morgana, Merlin and Arthur stay in Hunith's house for the night.
The next morning, Amelia notices that while her and Morgana are dressing themselves, Merlin is still helping Arthur dress like he always does.
Morgana notices too and makes a comment as Merlin helps Arthur put his jacket on. "You still not learned how to dress yourself?"
"You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself. No offence, Merlin." Arthur responds.
"None taken," Merlin mutters.
"Prince Arthur, you didn't finish your breakfast," Hunith says, walking over with a bowl of some sort of mush that she had given to all of them that morning.
"Didn't I?" The look on Arthur's face clearly shows that not finishing had been intentional on his part.
"Come on, eat up," Morgana says sarcastically.
Arthur pretends to eat it. "Mmmmm." Before hurriedly handing off the bowl to Gwen, who looks surprised.
"Right. Let's get going. We need wood, and lots of it." Arthur says, rushing off.
"Of course," Merlin says.
Amelia, Anne and Morgana all follow Arthur leaving Gwen and Merlin in the house. Amelia knows that they will catch up in a moment.
—
Morgana, Amelia, Anne and Gwen watch Arthur train the Village men as they sharpen swords.
"I won't be able to teach you everything there is to know about fighting with a sword, but you can learn the basics: the stance, how to parry a blow, how to land your own." Arthur says. The men get into position and begin once Arthur starts counting. "On my count! One! Two! Three! Four! Now, you may have to watch for the feint. So, keep your feet moving, and only stay in range long enough to land your blow. And again. One! Two! Three! Four!"
"There is no way they're going to be able to hold Kanen off," Morgana says.
"Men aren't the only ones who can fight," Anne says. Amelia smiles knowingly at her.
—
They all walk over to Arthur, who is drawing water from the well to drink, when they see he has given the men a break.
"Looks like the battle's already fought and lost." Morgana remarks.
"They'll toughen up," Arthur says. Amelia is not so sure as she looks at all the men sitting down looking exhausted.
"They need to," Gwen says.
"How are we doing for weapons?" Arthur asks.
"There isn't much, but we should be able to scrape together what you need," Amelia says.
"It's not the weapons that worry us. It's having enough people to use them. We think the women should be allowed to fight." Anne says.
"You haven't enough men. If they were trained Soldiers, maybe you'd stand a chance, but they're not." Morgana argues.
"It's too dangerous." Arthur walks towards the resting men. "Right! Back on your feet! Come on, let's go!"
—
Amelia lays awake that night next to Morgana, Anne and Gwen while everyone is still asleep.
"We don't stand a chance," Gwen murmurs.
"Arthur can't see that. He's too stubborn." Morgana quietly responds.
"Why do you think he came here?" Anne asks.
"The same reason we did. Merlin." Amelia says.
"Arthur may act like he doesn't care, but he wouldn't be here if he didn't," Morgana says agreeing.
"Well let's see whether we'll succeed," Anne says.
—
Anne's POV
Anne wakes before the others and decides to step outside for a bit before everyone else begins moving.
Stepping outside she sees Matthew, who Arthur asked to be the lookout, reading a horse to set out to keep watch.
"Matthew!" She calls to him.
He turns. "Ah, Anne. How are you?" He smiles politely.
"I'm good. Heading out are you?" She asks.
"Yes, I am."
"Would it be alright if I joined you?" She asks.
Matthew frowns confused. "Would that be safe?"
"I know how to defend myself do not worry and a pair of extra eyes would not hurt."
"I suppose." He says. "Prince Arthur did say to return immediately if I saw anything so we will not be actually fighting them."
"That's the spirit. Well, shall we go?" They mount the horse and head out towards the edge of the forest near Ealdor.
They are there for most of the day before Anne hears something. She turns and sees a man aiming an arrow at Matthew's back.
"Matthew!" She cries. He turns and sees what she had seen.
"Let's go." He says and they both mount the horse to quickly return to Ealdor. But before they can get out of the shooter's range, she hears the whistle of an arrow. She then feels a great pain in her thigh. She cries out in pain.
Matthew begins to turn around to her but she says, "Keep going." And they continue to sprint to safety.
She looks down and sees an arrow in her leg with a piece of paper attached. She pulls it off the arrow but keeps the arrow in as she does not want to bleed out before they even reach the Village.
Once they get back, Anne already begins to feel droopy and almost falls off but Matthew quickly rights her. She hears a scream and when they stop she feels herself being pulled off and someone yells her name.
Once off the horse, she realises she is hanging in Matthew's arms and Amelia is leaning over her cradling her face in concern. This causes her to wake up a bit and try to sit up.
"No, no, Anne. You must rest." Amelia says, concern in her blue eyes, but Anne shakes her head and Matthew reluctantly sets her upright. She tries to not rest on her injured leg.
She turns to Arthur. "Here. This was attached to the arrow." He takes it and she sees the whole Village had wandered out to see what the commotion was.
"What does it say?" Merlin asks.
""Make the most of this day, it will be your last."" Arthur says. Anne can almost feel the shudder goes through the crowd. She begins to lean heavily on Amelia who holds her upright on her other side.
She sees Will push through the crowd. "You did this! Look what you've done! You could've killed them!"
"It wasn't his fault." Matthew insists.
"If he hadn't been strutting around, treating us like his own personal army, this would never have happened! Look at her!" Will says. Anne can tell by Amelia's face that she does not look good.
"These men are brave enough to fight for what they believe in, even if you aren't!" Arthur says.
"You're sending them to their graves! You almost killed two people. One of them is injured. How many more lives need to be risked before you realise this a battle that can't be won? When Kanen comes, you haven't got a chance. You're gonna be slaughtered." Will walks away leaving everybody in silence.
"Well this is lovely and everything but Anne needs medical attention," Amelia says and begins to, along with Matthew, direct Anne towards Hunith's house so that she can sit down and get treated.
—
Amelia's POV
That night everybody, even Anne who sits on one of the bales, stand in the common building as Arthur addresses them.
"Tomorrow morning, the women and children should gather what belongings they can carry and go to the woods," Arthur says.
"We're not going anywhere!" Gwen says, stepping forward.
"I know you want to help. The women can't stay here. It's too dangerous."
"The women have as much right to fight for their lives as the men do!" Anne argues.
"But none of you know how to fight."
"And who's fault is that?" Amelia asks sarcastically.
"The more of us there are, the better chance we stand!" Gwen says.
"It'll maximise our chances," Anne adds. All the women step forward.
"This is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. I'd be honoured to stand alongside you." Arthur concedes. "Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he will never defeat us. Look around. In this circle, we're all equals. You're not fighting because someone's ordering you to, you're fighting for so much more than that. You fight for your homes. You fight for your family. You fight for your friends. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes: fighting for your very right to survive! And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day, and you'll know you earned the right to live every day in between! So you fight! For your family! For your friends! For Ealdor!"
The Villagers stand with swords raised. "For Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor! Ealdor!"
Amelia shares smiles with Gwen, Morgana and Anne.
—
The next day is battle day. Everyone has whatever can be used as weapons in their hands and are waiting for Kanen to arrive.
Once he is spotted, Amelia goes to get Arthur and Merlin, who are preparing in Hunith's house. "Arthur." They turn to look at her. "They've crossed the river." Arthur walks past her but Amelia does not follow as she notices an agitated look on Merlin's face.
"Are you okay?" She asks before realising how stupid the question was.
"I'll be fine," Merlin says before walking past her.
Amelia shakes her head and takes her hiding position with Arthur, and Merlin. Kanen and his men ride out of the woods and into the Village.
"Hold. No one moves until they give the signal." Arthur murmurs to the Villagers hiding behind them. Kanen and his men stop and look around the empty Village.
"Hold," Arthur says.
"Come out, come out wherever you are," Kanen calls.
It is at this moment that the hidden gates they had placed gets pulled up, trapping the riders inside. They wait for Morgana to light a fire but after a few moments, nothing happens.
"Now, Morgana. What are you waiting for? Something's gone wrong." Arthur realises. Merlin suddenly rushes off.
"Merlin!" Arthur calls but it is too late and Kanen spots Merlin yelling out, "There's one. Get him!" Merlin dodges the arrow shot at him. "Kill him!"
Merlin must have successfully gotten to Morgana as the prepared line flames up, trapping the riders.
"Come back! Don't run away!" Kanen calls. Kanen's men ride back into the Village.
"Now!" Arthur yells and the Villagers give a battle cry as they spring out of hiding to fight.
Amelia immediately flings herself into battle, fighting side by side with Morgana and Gwen. They had not let Anne join due to her leg, no matter how much she insisted.
However, it is not long before they start losing. Then out of nowhere a windstorm appears giving the Villagers the upper hand. Merlin, she thinks with a smile before continuing fighting.
The remaining bandits begin to flee. Amelia rushes over to Gwen and Morgana give both of them a hug.
But it is not over as she hears Kanen yell, "Pendragon!"
She looks over and sees Arthur and Kanen engage in battle. It is short and Arthur wins by running him through. Then he marches angrily towards Merlin and Will, who stand side by side.
"Who did that?" Arthur asks. Arthur must have seen them. This is not good. But her notes had said nothing about Arthur finding out about Merlin's magic. So they are safe, right?
"What?" Merlin tries to innocently ask.
"Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere. I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen."
"Arthur..." Merlin begins but before he can finish, Kanen picks up a crossbow and aims it at Arthur.
Will is the first to react yelling, "Look out!" He pushes Arthur out of the way and gets hit himself. Kanen dies.
"Will!" Merlin cries, catching him. Everyone rushes over.
"You just saved my life," Arthur says in surprise.
"Yeah. Don't know what I was thinking." This made Amelia smile slightly. Typical Will.
"Come on! Get him inside!" Arthur yells and more people walk forward and help Merlin and Arthur carry Will inside his home.
—
"That's twice I've saved you." Will gasps after he is placed on a table. Amelia loiters by the door along with Gwen, Morgana and Hunith.
"Twice?" Arthur asks.
"Yeah, it was me. I'm the one that used the magic." Oh, he's taking the fall for Merlin. Amelia cannot help but feel slightly teary.
"Will, don't," Merlin says. Arthur looks at Merlin.
"It's alright, Merlin. I won't be alive long enough for anyone to do anything to me. I did it. I saw how desperate things were becoming and I had to do something." Will says.
"You're a sorcerer?"
"Yeah. What are you gonna do? Kill me?" Sarcastic to the end.
"No. Of course not. Do what you can for him." Merlin nods. Arthur puts his hand on Will's shoulder and then leads the rest of them out.
It is not long before Merlin walks out sobbing. Amelia rushes over to him to give him a hug. Anne, who had been resting this entire time, hobbles over to them and joins in with the hug. Merlin clings to the two of them. Amelia notices Hunith has walked over and is rubbing Merlin's back.
—
Everyone stands at Will's funeral pyre. Amelia stands off the side with Gwen, Morgana and Anne while Merlin and Arthur stand together in front of the pyre.
After a few moments, Arthur walks over to them. "We should be leaving soon." He says.
"Leave it till the morning Arthur," Amelia says. "He's got to say his goodbyes."
Arthur nods. "Fine, the morning." He says before walking away. She supposes that he does not want to be at a "Sorcerer's" funeral.
It is the next morning when they are doing the final touches to their horses before they head off that Amelia is able to talk to Merlin privately.
"How are you?" She asks.
"I'll be alright." He mutters sadly. Amelia rubs his arm in comfort.
"What was happening between you and Arthur before I interrupted? Before the fight?"
"Oh," Merlin says, recognising what she means. "I was going to tell him about my magic. It was stupid really. It was good that you interrupted."
"Oh alright. Your welcome?" She says awkwardly causing Merlin to let out a small laugh. He'll be alright.