Camelot

November, 507 AD

Merlin and I's little stunt with Excalibur had the desired effect to some extent. At the very least, Arthur is now convinced that we should try to take back Camelot and he no longer wants to run away to America. So we're calling it a win.

"What about the drawbridge?" Arthur asked Percival and Leon, who have been keeping an eye on the castle from a distance and scouting the enemy soldiers' routines.

"Well-manned," Leon responded.

"As are the northern gates," Percival added.

"The battlements on the south side?"

The tall blond sighed. "Arthur, even if we can get inside, she has an army."

"We have a Hulk," I blurted out without thinking and my eyes widened. Look, I'm sorry, but they can't just say stuff like that and expect me not to react instinctively.

Merlin chuckled under his breath and he shook his head at me.

Arthur stared at me for a second with a raised eyebrow, then he looked back at the knights. "And we have, what? A few hundred?" he inquired as he glanced around at what remains of Camelot's army and citizens.

"And they still outnumber us," Percival responded gravely.

"Yeah... but only three to one," the King replied with a cute grin that caused my heart to skip a beat.

Leon snorted at the comment.

"Guys, c'mon, we're Camelot's mightiest heroes. We can take 'em," I stated while linking my arm with Arthur's. He smiled down at me and removed his arm just to place it around my waist and pull me closer to his side.

Isolde appeared beside Percival as she asked, "And do you think they will fight?" while motioning towards a group of civilian men who were sitting around an unlit campfire, working on repairing some armour.

"Well, they will fight for Arthur," Leon responded.

Arthur shook his head. "It is not me they have to fight for. It is for Camelot."

"No, Arthur. It is you that people love," Leon told him sternly, "and you that they will lay down their lives for. I know that I would ride into the mouth of hell for you."

The King seemed unsure as he averted his gaze from the curly blond.

"And I," Percival stated.

"And I," Merlin piped in.

"And I," Gwen added.

Arthur's eyes landed on me. I let out a playful scoff, "Well, I wouldn't ride into the mouth of hell 'cause I wouldn't wanna risk Dal." He rolled his eyes as he chuckled. "But I'd run to the tenth circle of it for you."

He kissed my forehead before using his free arm to draw out Excalibur, which (whom?) he's now keeping in a holster attached to his belt. "Into the mouth of hell it is," he stated with a smile.

I was happily singing 'In My Dreams' by R.E.O Speedwagon while I groomed Dallas, until Merlin's voice interrupted me–

"It has been a while since you have done that," he commented from beside Falcon.

I looked up at him while keeping half of my attention on the soft movements I was making against Dallas's coat, not wanting to disturb his peace, and I quirked an eyebrow. "The singing part, or the grooming my horse part?"

"The part that annoys me."

A chuckle left me and I playfully rolled my eyes. "Well, I'm stress-free now that I have my best boy back," I responded with a nonchalant shrug.

"Camelot is still flooded with Morgana's evil minions," he reminded me.

"Sure, but not for long. We're gonna take it back," I pointed out with a grin.

"You sound too certain."

"That's 'cause we've got you on our side. You're like Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch rolled up in one."

A smile formed on Merlin's lips and he was about to respond, but he was distracted by something behind me. I followed his line of sight and noticed a lonely Arthur walking across the forest, a troubled look weighing upon his handsome features once more. My brother and I nodded at each other before setting down our brushes and sprinting up to the King.

"Hey, handsome!" I greeted while slipping my hand into his and I lifted it to press a kiss to the back of it.

"Are you all right?" Merlin asked him.

He seemed startled for a few moments as he eyed us, then he dropped his head and kept walking as he muttered, "Yes."

My brother and I shared a puzzled glance. "Do you think there are too many of them?" he asked the King.

Arthur sighed. "Southrons are men like you and me. Men we can fight. But Morgana..." he trailed off with a shake of his head. "Her power is so great, and we have got nothing to answer it with."

I barely held back an excited 'Yes we do!' as I glanced towards Merlin with a knowing look. He discreetly shook his head at me before returning his attention to Arthur, who'd since kept on walking. We caught up to him.

"I never finished Gaius's story," Merlin stated.

The King halted and turned to face him with an eye-roll. "Not now, Merlin! Please!"

I nudged his side and shot him a disapproving look.

"Will you just listen?" my brother requested.

"It's worth it, I promise," I threw in with a sweet smile.

Arthur relented and shuffled closer. He threw an arm over my shoulders and gestured for Merlin to speak, and so our partly made-up story continued…

"When the sword was thrust into the stone, the ancient king foretold that one day it would be freed again at a time when Camelot needed it most." Arthur tilted his head. "The man who freed it would unite the land of Albion and rule over the greatest kingdom the world has ever known." I nodded along with my brother's words in support. "That man is you, Arthur."

"True story," I piped in with a grin.

Arthur recoiled slightly and he narrowed his gaze as it darted between Merlin and I for a few moments, then he scoffed and accused, "You are making this up."

Oops. He got us!

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Why would we do that? Your head is already as big as your waist."

I choked back a laugh and slapped a hand over my mouth. Arthur gave me a momentary playful glare before his sceptical look returned.

"I believe it, though," my brother continued gently. "And I believe in you. I always have." He gave the King a small smile and a quick nod before walking away.

Arthur let out a sigh and he looked down at Excalibur as he pursed his lips. Then his eyes travelled towards mine and he inquired, "Do you believe this?"

"I believe in you," I responded promptly. "Legend or no legend."

"So you do not think the story is real," he stated while raising a sceptical eyebrow again.

"Oh, no. I know it's real," I answered. "I just mean that, even if it wasn't, I'd still stick by your side 'cause I'm following you. Not an ages-old legend."

"How do you know it is real?"

"'Cause I've heard it before," I responded with a nonchalant shrug. He frowned at me. "You people might not know anything about America, but we sure know a lot about you," I added with a wink.

He let out a puff and wrapped his arms around me, bringing me close to his chest and tucking my head under his chin.

"You seriously have to stop doubtin' yourself, Artie," I whispered and I pressed a kiss over his heart. "You already are a great king. And, more important than that, you're a good man."

"You keep saying that," he mumbled.

"And you'll keep hearing it 'til you get it through your thick skull, mister."

Merlin pulled me down into an uneven stretch of land just in time for a small party of guards to miss us. They marched by none-the-wiser, their torches creating shadows on the ground before us, and then they were gone as quickly as they came, disappearing into the darkened forest.

"You did not have to come, Astra," my brother whispered as he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards something. A partly hidden door, I noticed.

"I'm with ya' 'til the end of the line, pal," I responded with a smirk, causing him to snort.

He whispered a quick spell that caused the door to fly open and we went inside a tunnel before he closed it again. I took in a shaky breath as we wandered through the darkness with nothing but a faint light that he magically emitted from his hand to guide us. And his memory, of course.

The constraint I already felt from the heavy armour I wore only worsened as my lungs cowered from the lack of space around me, but I didn't let that hinder me as I powered through the claustrophobic sensations and followed after my brother.

We exchanged a relieved look when we found that the armoury was completely empty. We'd both been prepared for a fight, operating under the assumption that Morgana remembers that there's a secret passage in the room from when she tried to sneak little Mordred out of Camelot; but I guess that her memory's not as great as Merlin's.

I peeked out of the room and noticed a guard at the end of one side of the corridor. I loaded my bow, ready to take him out, but one of my brother's arms shot out and lowered mine. Then he held a finger to his lips and stepped out of the room, heading in the opposite direction to where the man stood. I gave him a wary look, but followed anyway.

Despite my initial doubts, I wasn't too surprised when his decision to be discreet worked and we reached Gaius's apartment undetected. Lucky for us, it and its immediate surroundings were deserted. You could hear a cotton ball drop. It's almost as if Madame Mim wants us to ruin her plans!

Merlin didn't waste any time as he started to prepare the magical potion he needs to turn old. Actually, he was preparing two potions, I realised. I tilted my head in confusion and gave him a questioning look.

"We need a way to communicate and you cannot speak without revealing your identity," he stated in a whisper. I raised an eyebrow, still not getting what he's doing. "I found a spell that will create a telepathic connection between us for a few hours."

"Oh. Cool. Cool, cool, cool," I said as I nodded rapidly, my heart beating slightly faster than usual.

Is it really a good idea to let him into my mind!? It's bonkers in here! But his plan makes sense, so I didn't argue against it.

About a minute later, I hesitantly drank the potion that my brother gave me at the same time as he did and then we both paused all movement while staring into each other's eyes. I tilted my head, wondering if the magic tea really worked, or if it's just a scam.

'A scam? You doubt me?' I heard Merlin's voice, but his lips didn't move aside from producing a smirk.

My eyes widened. Oh, fork! It worked! Are we like mutants now, or something?!

'We are still just us, Astra,' he said (or thought, I guess) as a grin formed on his lips.

'That's lit!' I thought back with a smile.

With that out of the way, he performed the other spell – the one that turns him into an old man – and he threw on one of Gaius's robes, a red one, to mask his usual clothing; which Morgana would surely recognise otherwise.

About a minute later we exited the room – not caring who saw us this time, for we're no longer Merlin and Astraea, but Captain Emrys and the Winter Shadow. It only makes sense, given that Merlin has decided that we're like Steve and Bucky, y'know? His words, not mine.

I wish we would've gotten more Steve and Bucky content in the MCU. We were robbed! I mean, how cool would a TV show with the two of them, plus Sam, have been?! 'Cause 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier' was honestly a bummer.

'Astra – focus!' Merlin's voice rang in my mind as we made our way down a dark corridor.

'I am focused! Thinking about other stuff helps!' I consciously thought back.

He let out a huff as he turned to look at me for a second.

'Shush it, grumpy. You're the one who wanted to get into my brain,' I reminded him and a picture of Grumpy the dwarf from Disney's 'Snow White' showed up in my mind at the accidental connection.

'I am already regretting it,' he responded before sending me a quick glare and speeding up. I narrowed my eyes at him and clutched my sword tighter as I also picked up my pace to catch up with him. I kinda felt like when I tried to keep up with Oliver on the strange occasions when he took me to the mall as a kid.

'How does it work, anyway? Like a walkie-talkie? Do we have to maintain a certain distance to stay in range? Or could I swim to the US and still hear you?' I asked in my mind. Maybe this is how the Avengers are always able to communicate perfectly while fighting aliens from other dimensions!

'I am going to put you on a boat to the US and pray it's the former if you do not stop putting movie scenes in my mind.'

I swallowed a laugh.

'That spell affects more than just your body, huh? You've turned into a grumpy old man!' I teased with a grin. His demeanour kinda reminds me of Mr. Fredricksen from 'Up'.

He clenched his jaw and shook his head at me while thinking that I'm more annoying than he'd anticipated. I pouted.

I heard faint voices echoing through the dimly lit corridor, which caused my interest to perk up as I tried to make out what they were saying, or who they were.

My brain began to sing an altered version of 'Hotel California' by Eagles where it's 'Hotel Camelot' instead.

'Astra – shut up!'

'Sorry, I'll try!'

Don't think, just walk. Don't think, just walk. Don't think, just walk. Don't think, just walk.

'Astra!'

'You can hear that, too, aye?'

He glared at me again. 'Is your mind always like this?!'

'Yup. When it's in a good mood, at least. You're lucky it's not in a bad one. You'd probably be crying by now.'

He turned to me with a raised eyebrow and I shrugged. I can filter out words that come out of my mouth, not my thoughts. So he asked for that revelation, disturbing as it may be.

'Come to me the next time it is in a bad mood. You're never alone,' he told me. Thought me? No that doesn't sound right.

'Thanks, buddy.'

A sharp gasp shook the halls as we crossed in front of an archway, and we turned for a moment to find Morgana staring straight at us from a perpendicular stretch of corridor. Merlin grabbed my arm and took off running.

"It is them! It is Emrys and the Shadow! They are here!" the (former?) Lady exclaimed. Then a man called out for some guards to come after us.

She seemed horrified! Well, I'd say it's a good thing that Morgana still has emotions, even if they're bad ones, y'know? It means she's not completely soulless. Like not-Lancelot… Or like Sam in season six of 'Supernatural'. He was hilarious, though!

'Astra!'

'Sorry.'

Merlin pulled me into another corridor that runs perpendicular to the main one, and he instructed me to press against the wall as he did the same. Our figures were shielded by a column and the guards marched by without ever thinking to take a more careful look around. What a bunch of idiots!

'I cannot imagine they get paid enough to do more than the bare minimum,' my brother thought.

'True... If they get paid at all,' I mused. 'What do you think she's got over them? Or are they loyal 'cause they're evil, too?'

'I have no idea. Let us keep going.'

'Lead the way, homie!'

He gave me a weird look, but said nothing as he began to walk down the corridor again, his strides full of purpose and determination. Honestly, he looks incredibly mighty and badass. I can only imagine I look like a child trying to play knight next to him, considering the generic armour that I borrowed from the camp.

'You look badass, too, Astra.'

'I'll take your word for it, Captain Emrys!'

My brain began to sing 'Magic' by Pilot.

'Astra!'

'Sorry, it just happens!'

How is he able to keep a blank mind?! It's insane. Is he into, like, yoga or something? I could never! My brain's way too entertaining to try to shut it up, in any case.

Two guards peeked out of a room and, before I could even react with my sword, Merlin raised a hand and sent them flying backwards, which effectively knocked them out.

I offered a high-five and he returned it with a playful eye-roll.

The warning bells began to ring, sending vibrations through the castle walls. But that didn't hinder our mission. The whole point of our disguises is that we can keep going despite hiccups like this one, you see.

Moments later, we finally made it into Morgana's chambers. I was only slightly surprised to find that she took her old room. I would've taken Arthur's 'cause it's, like, twice the size. And, also, his bedsheets keep his scent, which would be a nice thing to have close so that I could be reminded of him at all times.

'I do not think Morgana cares about that part,' Merlin pointed out through the mind link.

'Right.'

Being mindful of the artificially old man accompanying me, I grabbed one of the small straw dummies he'd made before we left the camp out of his satchel bag and crouched down to hang it under the bed. It's similar to what Morgana used on Uther once to make him go crazy. Time for her to get a taste of her own medicine! Or, y'know, enchantment.

'Sounds about right,' Merlin stated with a small grin before speaking the magic words needed to activate the spell aloud.

A spark jumped out of the dummy, startling me, and then its head caught fire. Like Hades in Disney's 'Hercules'. But this is way more awesome because it was caused by my brother's superpowers. Who doesn't want a brother with superpowers? I'm so lucky!

'You are very sweet, Astra. But we have to hurry. Now,' he thought while offering me a hand.

I nodded and grabbed his hand, and we took off running down the corridor again in search of Thanata's room. It wasn't hard to find, for she appears to be staying in the spare one right next to Morgana's (a leap of faith judging by the items in it), and Merlin rushed to repeat the same spell (with a little more considerate help from yours truly) before we left and kept going.

He pulled me into the room where the guards he'd knocked out lay and he closed the door before casting the spell that turns him back to his normal self.

'What? Why?' I inquired.

'Their minds are set on trying to find Emrys. They will not notice me if I keep my head low,' he responded as he took off the red robe. Then he removed one of the guards' hoods and put it on. 'Leave the armour and take the other one,' he instructed me.

I let out a shaky sigh. This isn't risky at all.

'Trust me,' he added, then he gave me a small smile.

'You know I do,' I responded before complying with his request and taking off the armour I borrowed. Then I threw the second guard's hood on top of my black hoodie and pulled both hoods over my head. That's a lot of 'hood' in one sentence.

'Yes, funny. Let's go now!' Merlin said mentally.

'Ya' borin',' I replied and latched onto his hand again as we flew out of the room and down the corridor towards one of the secondary staircases.

My brain began to sing 'Stairway To Heaven' by Led Zeppelin.

'Astra!'

'So this is just regular you and not an older grumpy version, huh? You've got everyone fooled with the friendly front you put on, buddy.'

'Sorry. I was not expecting your mind to be so...'

'Annoying?'

'Yes.'

'Fair enough. Even I can't stand it half the time.'

'I thought you said it is way too entertaining to shut it up.'

'That's the other half of the time.'

We shared a small, reconciliatory smile as we began to climb down the staircase, then we lowered our heads as we passed by some guards. Against all odds, they didn't even bother to turn to us and check why we were going in the opposite direction to them.

'I told you it would work,' Merlin told me through the mind link.

'Good for you. Want a cookie?'

He scoffed and shook his head before whispering a spell to open a door that leads to the tunnels below the castle.

I smirked in triumph from how perfectly my plan is working out. I mean, did Steve really think that he could storm into a HYDRA camp without me?! And to rescue freaking Bucky, of all people?! Nope. There's no way I'm gonna let him do this alone. I'd cross hell for them.

"Wow, you really are a crazy fanatic." A whisper beside me caused my heart to almost leap out of my chest and my eyes widened as I turned my head to find Merlin's face very close to mine. I recoiled and hit my head against the wall.

Worried that we'd been heard, I peeked out of my hiding spot atop the overhead storage of the small plane. Lucky for me, Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter and Howard Stark were still engaged in their conversation, oblivious to our presence.

"What the heck are you doin' here?!" I asked my brother in a yelled whisper, my heart still beating rapidly.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "The telepathy seems to have extended into our sleep and I was pulled into your dream."

My lips parted and I checked on our companions again before returning my attention to my brother. "So this is really you you? Or a conjured-up version that my mind decided to include to spice things up this time?"

"It is really me."

"Well, this should be a lot of fun," I noted in a mumble before focusing on the other superheroes again.

"So... you two... do you fondue?" Steve asked as his eyes nervously darted between Peggy in front of him and Howard's general direction in the pilot's seat.

I had to hold back a giggle as Peggy raised an eyebrow at the blond before slightly shaking her head and reaching into a duffel bag. "This is your transponder. Activate it when you're ready and the signal will lead us straight to you," she instructed while handing Steve a... stone tablet?!

I turned to Merlin with a frown and noted, "I think that your being here is altering stuff," before turning back to the first Avenger.

Steve held up the tablet and turned to speak to Howard, raising his voice a little, "Are you sure this thing works?"

"It's been tested more than you, pal," Howard replied. I grinned.

Suddenly, purple blasts and sparks started lighting up the dark night sky outside. I swallowed a gasp as I clutched Merlin's arm while mentally praying that we wouldn't fall off the overhead storage compartment due to Howard's brusque movements in trying to keep the plane safe from the attack.

Without hesitation, Steve opened the plane's door and he double-checked the parachute backpack that was clasped around his torso. I moved around Merlin and creeped closer to the edge. "Don't you dare follow me," I hissed before readying to perform my great acrobat move.

"Even in your dreams you're crazy," my brother stated. I nodded with a smirk.

"As soon as I'm clear, you turn this thing around and get the hell out of here!" Steve commanded as he stood on the edge, one hand clutching the threshold.

"You can't give me orders!" Peggy protested.

I got ready to jump.

"The hell I can't! I'm a Captain!" Steve responded with a smirk.

"Steve!" I exclaimed as I jumped on top of him and tackled him out of the plane, wrapping myself around him as we fell through the sky.

Only, it wasn't dark anymore, but sunny and warm. And there were multicoloured butterflies flying around. Still, we were falling rapidly and screaming as the superhero fumbled with the parachute with one hand while keeping his other arm tightly wrapped around my torso.

Finally, he pulled on the cord and a violent tug upwards almost caused me to lose my grip as the parachute opened. Steve and I were both panting and I looked up at him with a sheepish smile. "Fancy meeting ya' here," I said.

"What the hell was that?!" he asked in exasperation.

"Oh, come on! I couldn't let you have all the fun! Plus, this is Bucky we're talkin' about!"

"Also, she is crazy," Merlin suddenly appeared beside us, floating inside a bubble while Steve and I continued the slow descent.

"Merls! I told you not to follow me! This is my dream!" I scolded.

"Sorry, it just happened," he responded with a nonchalant shrug. I narrowed my eyes at him.

In the blink of an eye, Steve disappeared and I was left floating in the air along with my brother. I clenched my jaw. "You caused Steve to disappear, you jerk!"

We finally landed on a very Dutch-looking field of tulips that had a bunch of Pit Bull puppies running around, for some reason.

"Come on, maybe we can still get back to the movie," Merlin said as he grabbed my arm and tugged me in a random direction while shooting me an amused look.

I smiled when I saw a purple blast in the distance and began running towards it. Lucky for me, dreamland rules dictate that I can randomly acquire superpowers if I want them – which includes super-speed!

Merlin followed while chuckling and, soon enough, we were outside the HYDRA camp and crouching next to Steve behind a big pine tree. The scene was finally looking like it's supposed to – the sky dark and slightly smoky, the forest eerie and cunning, and the military cars that were about to drive by us actually looked like military cars.

"Follow me!" Captain America instructed my brother and I before racing after the last of the cars and quickly leaping into its trunk.

I followed suit, and so did Merlin, who now looked slightly entertained.

As expected, we found two soldiers inside.

"Fellas," Steve greeted with a concerned look.

The men charged at us and I drew my sword from its holster on my hip, then I quickly stabbed one of them, causing him to disappear; while the blond superhero grabbed the other one and kicked him off the car. I huffed as I looked down at my weapon. I was not expecting it to have that effect!

Also I was now wearing chainmail (luckily, dreamland made it not uncomfortable) and a pale blue cape (luckily, dreamland made it not dumb).

The car effectively drove us into the maximum security camp and it parked right outside a building. Steve motioned for Merlin and I to get behind him and we obeyed. My heart raced in anticipation as a soldier moved to the back of the vehicle and, as soon as he opened the flap, Captain America knocked him out with a swift swing of his shield.

My brother and I followed him as he jumped out of the car and he ran towards a large assembly of war tanks, which provided the perfect hiding spots to help us sneak towards the big building where I know Bucky is being kept.

I shared a grin with Merlin as we followed the blond superhero onto a rooftop, which gave us a straight path towards the ugly functionalist structure.

"Wakey wakey!" A voice boomed seemingly from the sky and my body shook a little. My eyes widened as I turned to my brother when he, Steve, and I stopped beside a door to wait for the right moment to get through. The movie's going wrong again!

"Arthur," Merlin whispered.

"Who?" Steve asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, who?" I echoed with a sheepish grin.

"Come on, love. Wake up!" the voice boomed again.

The door swung open and Steve quickly knocked out whoever had pushed it, allowing us to slip inside a big room that was filled with creepy machines and weapons.

My brother gave me a pointed look. "We have to wake up, or he will think something is wrong."

"But we haven't found Bucky yet!" I protested with a pout.

"Astra? Come on, wake up!" There was desperation in the booming voice's tone this time.

Merlin raised an eyebrow at me.

"Okay, fine."

A/N: Yes, that little scene with Captain America is absolutely unnecessary, but I loved writing it, so I don't care.