Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 11, Part 12
Merlin didn’t have a lot of regrets in his life. Sure, he wished he could spend more time with his friends and do more with his magic than what he was doing, but he understood the constraints of his life. He accepted it through and through. What he did regret however was not eating back at the hideout when he got the chance.
Okay, maybe he was a little loopy from pain and blood loss, but that didn’t stop his stomach from rumbling. Merlin half excepted the noise to echo off the walls.
Merlin: *mumbling a little deliriously* Hey, Mr. Witchfinder, sir! You wouldn’t by chance have a sliver of bread or a sweet meat I can have? I would be forever grateful and I may even forgive you for the whole nasty torture business for a sausage.
Aredian: I have tortured hundreds of sorcerers to the point of madness. I have interrogated thousands of people for very important information. Never once have I ever wished for someone to be silent rather than be subjected the utter rubbish you have spewed to me and I still know absolutely nothing. You are either the most intelligent person in all of Albion or the craziest idiot I have ever met.
Merlin: Hey, I only allow one person to call me an idiot and he is currently busy retrieving a mythical sword from a lake.
Aredian: How do I even respond to something like that?
Merlin: *thinking with a determined look on his face* I mean you could ask me who the person is or why they are retrieving the sword.
Aredian: Who is the person and why are they retrieving this mythical sword?
Merlin: *smiling* The once and future king is retrieving the sword because a forest druid friend of mine told him he needed to in order to be able to follow a beacon of magic which is connected by the strings of destiny.
Aredian: *regretting every life decision he has made that brought him to this point* I really don’t know whether to let you go to put an end to your madness or kill you for wasting my time, but either way I would be going against the king’s orders.
Merlin: *sympathizing* King Uther is really picky about orders. Found that out the hard way when I ruined his favorite shirt but I couldn’t exactly offer to clean it with magic at the time. Do you think he would be mad if I broke in and fixed it now? No, don’t answer I know its too risky for something unimportant. Its still gonna bother me though.
Aredian: *storming out of the dark room* DO YOU EVER SHUT UP?!
Merlin: *alone now* I think that may have been rhetorical.
Merlin shrugs his shoulders and closes his eyes.
Meanwhile, Leon is pacing where he is stationed at the front of the castle. He helped Arthur sneak out hours ago when they returned and Arthur learned of his father’s plans. Uther expected Arthur to be thrilled that their problem would finally be put to an end and Arthur played the part well, but Leon knew Arthur. He had known him since they started training to be knights together. Leon would even go as far as to say he was the one who taught Arthur how to lie when they stayed out too late at the tavern or when he disagreed with his father.
Leon saw the signs in Arthur. He saw the tightening of his fist, the crinkle of his brow and the locked in focus of his gaze. He knew Arthur was going to leave the castle and warn Merlin. What Leon didn’t know was why.
Arthur was a very smart and talented warrior and hunter. He should have tracked Merlin down years ago, but he didn’t. Leon has never understood it. However, Leon came to the conclusion that when it comes time to pick sides between Arthur and the king, Leon will support his best friend. He’s seen the good in Arthur and he decided he doesn’t always need to understand his friend to support him. All of that doesn’t mean he is any less frustrated about being left in the dark.
A couple of shadows approaching pull Leon out of his thoughts.
Gwen: *smiling* Hi, Leon.
Leon: Hello, Gwen. What has you out so late? Surely, Morgana doesn’t keep you that busy to work dusk to dawn.
Lancelot: Sorry, that would be my fault. I offered to buy Gwen a drink at the tavern and we lost track of time.
Leon: *narrowing his eyes a little* Have we met before?
Gwen: Lance here is from a neighboring village so you might have seen him around.
Leon: *unsure* yeah, maybe…
Lancelot: Well, Gwen I’d better be on my way back home. *he leans down to kiss her hand*
Gwen: *embarrassed* That’s really not necessary!
Lancelot: For you, the world, Guinevere! *Lancelot takes off back through the courtyard to the forest*
Leon: *clears his throat*
Gwen: *blushes* Sorry about that, Leon. I’d better get inside to help the Lady Morgana to bed.
Leon clears the way for Gwen to pass through, thoughts going back to Arthur. Where was that friend of his?
In the woods, just outside the clearing with the lake, Arthur was trying to traverse very quietly. His companion didn’t seem to get the memo.
Arthur: Could you be any louder?
Gwaine: Depends, what kind of noise making tools you got?
Arthur: *turning around and approaching Gwaine angrily* I’m already worried about making it to my friend in time before something really bad happens to him which will most definitely happen if the person keeping him hears us coming. So quiet down before I make you!
Gwaine: *whistles sarcastically* hey you’re the one who threatened me for help. I’m the one trusting you to keep your word, your majesty.
Arthur: *under his breath* its actually your highness.
The two continue walking in silence until Gwaine steps on a loud branch.
Gwaine: Okay so that was actually on accident, I swear.
Arthur holds up a hand to silence Gwaine. Gwaine scrunches his face in disbelief but stays still. The wait for a minute and nothing happens
Arthur: Sorry, I thought I heard-
Arthur is cut off by five bandits emerging from the trees, weapons drawn. Gwaine and Arthur immediately close ranks and stand back to back like they have fought together many times.
Bandit 1: Gwaine, fancy seeing you here. If I remember correctly, you owe me and my friends here a round. Care to pay up?
Arthur: *whispering angrily* You know these guys?!
Gwaine: *to Arthur* Unfortunately *to the bandits* You apparently don’t remember correctly. I believe I was forced to empty you and your friends cups when I knocked your sorry behind over the table for insulting a lass. I’m happy to clear up the confusion for you though.
Bandit 2: Where’s your little crew, Gwaine? They get fed up with you yet? Word on the street is you mess up everything eventually and have to leave town.
Gwaine breaks rank to attack Bandit 2, leaving Arthur to deal with the others for a moment. Arthur being the advanced warrior he is, barely breaks a sweat incapacitating Bandit 1. Excalibur moves in fast graceful arcs as he works through the bandits.
Gwaine, similarly dispatches his bandit easily and closes back in with Arthur to watch his back. They fight like a well-oiled machine and make quick work of the remaining bandits.
Arthur: *laughing and pushing Gwaine’s arm in familiarity* Where did you learn to fight? I wish some of my men were have as good as you.
Gwaine: *laughing with Arthur* Oh, here and there. You aren’t so bad yourself. Wait, what do you mean your men?
Gwaine: *smile dropping* Your knights as in they serve you.
Arthur: *realizing that Gwaine is peicing together that he is the prince and getting serious* Yes.
Gwaine: The person you care greatly about, it’s Merlin.
Arthur: *drawing his sword suddenly* How do you know, Merlin? Where is he?
Gwaine: Well, princess, I have good news and bad news.