A/N:
Late but on scheduled if that makes sense! Thanks reviewers I'd just like to say that this is kinda the scene that started the entire story for me. It started out as a cliché and cheesy mess but I hope I've managed to straighten it out.
Enjoy!
Ilandrae
Disclaimer: I own a hyperactive imagination and that's about it. Zero Merlin ownership.
CHAPTER 6 – THE GREATEST WARLOCK TO EVER WALK THE EARTH
Outside Camelot
"What in the Gods was I thinking?" Merlin muttered to himself as he stared at the hulking walls of Camelot before him, "I can't do this".
He sat astride his horse at the last rise before Camelot, trying to talk himself into entering. He could see the carnage before him, hear the clashing of swords and heart wrenching screams of pain and terror.
But he could not move.
Flames, stark against the night sky, eagerly licked at houses and the bodies that littered the ground were uncountable. But still Merlin was torn.
In his heart Merlin's fear and self-hatred battled with his instinct to protect and serve. Both so equally matched that it was all Merlin could do to look and fear and hope.
His hands were again shaking, and his breaths came in sharp gasps. Coated in a sheen of sweat he could no more take another step forward than he could turn and leave.
Suddenly a feeling of peace filled him, a calm that stilled his racing heart for but a moment and he felt the spirits prepare to whisper. But they were roughly pushed aside by an urgent voice. A voice desperate to protect those he loves: MERLIN! Arthur's voice was sharp with fear and urgency He's going to kill them! Save my family! Save Gwen! Save him!
Arthur's desperate voice was enough to snap Merlin from his frozen panic as an idea sprang into being. He turned and pulled from his saddle bags a cloak with a deeply hooded cowl. If he was unable to go in as himself, he would go in as another.
The warlock urged his horse into a gallop and thundered down the hill, hooves leaving great ruts in the soft earth. Still galloping he flung the cloak on and pulled the hood up, concealing his features in shadows.
He reached the road and his horses hooves clattered on the cobblestones as he rode through entrance to the city.
For the first time in ten years, Merlin was in Camelot City.
As Bay clattered into the courtyard of the main castle Merlin flung himself out of the saddle. Breaking into a run he sprinted through the shattered front gates and tried to forget all that he had seen as he had ridden through the city. Tried not to think about the lives that might have been saved had he come earlier. Had he not spent those precious moments of indecision atop the rise before Camelot.
Even as he made his way through the castle, he tried to not think about the fallen knights that littered the corridors. So many red cloaks to so few unclaimed enemy bodies. Casting his awareness out he sensed a magical presence in the throne room, he quickened his pace.
He reached the great doors, which seemed to be the only ones in the castle that were not broken down or shattered to pieces.
"- well then your highness" a youthful voice mocked "if you will not bow to my master. You will share the fate of the other five kingdoms, and this will be the end of the Pendragon line"
"No! Gwen!" at this collective cry from what must have been the remaining Camelotian people Merlin was spurred into action.
He held up his hand and released the magic that had been building inside him. No words, he let his instinctive power free. The doors shattered, splinters flying everywhere and impaling several enemy soldiers while the Camelot knights remained unharmed.
Merlin strode into the room, his face in the shadow of his cowl. He saw Gwen, sword to her throat by what Merlin realized was the magical presence he has sensed. Only a handful of knights remained clustered around several civilians, Merlin even saw a small child hidden protectively behind them… and was that Princess Mithian?
Merlin breathed a sigh of relief when he recognized Leon and Percival in the small red cloaked crowd. And his heart pained him when he saw Gaius being supported by Percival, it seemed the past years had not been too kind. Enemy soldiers lined the walls, all armed to the teeth. All this, Merlin took in in an instant.
The man holding the sword to Gwen had whirled around at the sound of the door shattering open, his eyes widening as Merlin strode into the room. The warlock smiled at him, realizing he must have been the youthful voice he had heard from behind the door, he was really only a boy. His inexperience revealing itself when he let Gwen go to face Merlin.
Gwen scrambled back to the knights who once again clustered protectively around her. Merlin's smile died when he saw the boys hand tighten on his sword "I wouldn't do that if I were you" Merlin said quietly, taking another moment to glance around. He saw, with a small amount of satisfaction, that everyone in the room was staring at him with amazement from his dramatic entrance.
A look of puzzlement and anger followed by indignance crossed the boy's face "How dare you!" he demanded, "Do you know who I am?"
"Can't say that I do" Merlin said grimly "and can't say that I really care either"
This only seemed enrage the boy even further, "I am Ceador" he said as if that should have some impact. When it didn't he continued, "I am one of the three apprentices to the Black Sorcerer and you should leave now if you know what's best for you"
When Merlin made no move to leave the apprentice scowled and flicked his hand. The enemy soldiers lining the room surged forward and Ceador smiled.
When the soldiers when no more than a meter from him Merlin again let his instinctive magic flare out. Keeping eye contact with Ceador, his eyes flared gold. Every single soldier in the room was flung back into the walls. With a clatter of armour, they all fell to the ground and didn't rise.
The apprentice Ceador's eyes widened and face paled at the flippant use of such powerful magic. Merlin could see his unease, but the boy managed to stutter out "W-Who are you?"
Again, Merlin smiled "My name is Emrys, my friend" he gestured to Gwen "Now I think this nice lady would greatly appreciate it if you and your uninvited guests get out of her house"
At Merlin's true name he saw Leon and Percival stare at him with awe. Then mentally cursed as he saw Gaius struggle to his feet from where he had been sitting. So much for no one knowing who he really was.
But the apprentice's reaction to his name was worth it, he gaped like a fish, speechless.
"N-not Em-" he stuttered "Em-Emrys… th-the…the"
We'll be here all night if I let him say it all Merlin thought with exasperation
He sighed, "Emrys King of the Druids and the most powerful sorcerer to ever walk this earth? The warlock who defeated Nimueh a high priestess of the old religion while also harnessing the powers of life and death themselves? Who aided in the saving of Camelot from the Great Dragon Kilgara and served King Arthur in the uniting of Albion into one land? Emrys who defeated and killed the Lady Morgana, also a priestess of the old religion, with the sword Excalibur which was forged in the breath of the Great Dragon himself? Yes, yeah I'm pretty sure that's me" he heard a small chuckled from the remaining knights of Camelot, but he kept his eyes focussed on the apprentice.
If it was possible the boy had blanched even further, "But your dead" Ceador said as he faced off with Merlin.
"He told us that the Great Emrys was dead" he seemed to reassure himself as Merlin saw some colour return to the boy's face as a new fire burned in his eyes.
"Really?" Merlin said deadpan "Sorry to disappoint"
"It is of no consequence anyway" the apprentice sheathed his sword and started muttering a spell under his breath. His eyes flared, only briefly, barely even a flicker. A fire ball formed in his hand the orange petals folding in on themselves, he hurled it at Merlin. As a shout sprung from the Camelot crowd Merlin merely held up his hand and captured the flaming missile. He studied it for a moment, you could learn much from a sorcerer's spell. The poor boy, while having a decent affinity for magic, was anything but strong. The fire was weak, uncontrolled, unprotected from outside manipulation and Merlin simply absorbed its power into himself.
Ceador paled once again at realizing how hopelessly outmatched he was. And rightly so because it was then that Merlin got mad.
He let his magic flood throughout his body, calling upon the power imbued in the stones of Camelot itself and the magic from his own bones. How dare this boy threatened the city of those he loved, the city which he had served and protected again and again. How dare he and his master attack and slaughter the innocents of Camelot. No, not just Camelot but all of Albion.
The magic was infusing his blood, it pounded through his veins. He felt his eyes flare pure gold as an unnatural wind gust throughout the room. "GET. OUT!" he roared, his voice deepening "I WILL NOT WARN YOU AGAIN!"
The wind strengthened until it was as if a cyclone had formed in the room. The apprentice was hurled back and out the shattered doors. Though he could not see him Merlin knew that the boy was flung through doorways and around corners. Him and any of his forces within the city walls. But as the apprentice and his forces were expelled from the city his voice echoed back through the corridors, "My master is infinitely more powerful. He wants this Kingdom and not even the Great Emrys can stop him!"
The words reminded Merlin of something someone else had once told him. But Merlin just shook his head, "Amateur" he grunted.
He then turned back to Guinevere the Queen of Camelot and the remaining knights. Then because he couldn't help himself - when did he ever pass up the chance to make fun of the knights? - he gave them a flourished bow making sure his face remained in shadow.
"You asked for aid your Majesty? My apologies for the less than hospitable welcome Sir Percival, Sir Leon. I was a little preoccupied with my inner turmoil", but his wicked grin died as the adrenaline wore off and he realized where he was, who he was talking to. His guilt return with full force almost causing him to stagger. He whirled around and started to walk out the door. "Don't follow me" he said his voice breaking. He took a deep breath "If he or his master comes back. I'll find you" but he should have known escape would not have been that easy. Not when Gwen was around.
"But sir" she said, and Merlin heard the clattering of her footsteps behind him, along with the warnings from the knights.
Before he could make his escape, he felt a hand grab his elbow and turn him around, "How can we ever tha-" Gwen's voice died as she caught a glimpse of his face under his hood. She released his arm like it was hot coals. She staggered back a couple of steps and her face paled the knights surging to protect their Queen, but she shooed them away.
"We-" she whispered "We thought you were dead" there was a murmur of unease from the knights. But Percival and Leon stepped forwards as if sensing that it was not a foe coming back from the dead.
Merlin gave a sigh of resignation, then with a sad smile he removed his hood.
Whispers spread throughout the room. Though it had been ten years there was no mistaking who he was.
"Merlin" Gwen whispered deathly quiet.
"Hello Gwen" Merlin said, "Leon. Percival" he nodded to the knights. He gave a small smile to Gaius who returned it with one of his own. Again, Merlin's heart clenched.
He turned back to Gwen "You weren't meant to know it was me" he said sadly. He turned around again and headed for the door "like I said, please don't follow me".
Voices sprang into being as he began to walk away.
"Merlin! Wait!"
"Please just stay a moment!"
"Where have you been?"
"He's a sorcerer! Best let him leave"
At that last one Merlin gave a little smile. Some things never change. But then one voice cut through all the others. Because it sounded so much like another. And just like the other voice had spurred him into action, this voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Mother. Is this the Merlin that everybody always talks about?"
Slowly Merlin turned around. He saw Gwen walking towards the boy he had seen earlier. The boy, who looked to be about nine or ten, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He had the bearing that Merlin had come to recognize as one with responsibilities. But few as young as him had that weight. His suspicions were confirmed when Gwen spoke again. Though she wasn't talking to him, she looked straight into Merlin's eyes.
"Yes Art" she said as she put her arm affectionately around the boy "This is Merlin. He was your father's best friend".
So that's that.
Til next time!
I ;)