The Sorcerer's Secret (a Merlin story)

15

    Just because Celeste knew Merlin's secret didn't mean that he could go around using magic to get Arthur and Leon out.

"Merlin, you look ridiculous." Arthur spat taking the sword from Merlin's hands.

"I thought it made me look quite tough." Merlin whispered.

"You look like a child trying to be a man."
"Glad to see you are back to insulting me, Sire." Merlin replied as he peered around the corner checking for guards. Leon remained quiet, watching and listening to Merlin and Arthur bicker. Leon had been here, in Rau's palace under his control for so long, he felt a sense of duty to both Rau and Arthur. Although Rau took Leon, made him fight, made him kill his friends, Leon was valued in Rau's kingdom, Leon was Rau's champion. Leon was well fed, invited to parties, he had his own room in the palace. He rarely stayed in the dungeon's anymore. Afterall he had stopped trying to escape.

"Oh, Merlin don't be such a girl." Arthur whispered, walking around Merlin and rushing past the hallway.

"Don't be such a prat." Merlin snapped back as he followed Arthur, stumbling into Arthur.
"A prat?" Arthur questioned, with narrow eyes.

"Arthur," Leon interrupted. Arthur's eyes shot to Leon. "What's your plan? We can't just walk out the front doors."

"I did, I mean I suppose I'm a better man that you that's means." Merlin said, thinking back to how he got back into the palace. Leon only stifled a laugh, not taking Merlin seriously.

"Merlin," Arthur swat at him. "Your comments are not helping."
"And the tunnels I got Celeste out of are not safe anymore." Merlin informed them.

"I'm thinking." Arthur told them as he leaned against the wall, waiting for a stroke of genius to strike. Merlin bit at his lip as he waited anxiously for Arthurs instruction.

"Arthur."
"Merlin, I'm thinking. Gosh just give me a minute." Arthur snapped.

"We don't have a minute." Merlin informed them. Arthurs head snapped up and he saw Rau's men coming closer. Sneer's on their crooked faces.
"GET THEM!" The largest of the men yelled in a deep, gruff voice.

"Arthur?" Merlin questioned as they were closed in on. Soon to be trapped. "Make a decision."
"I'm thinking."
"We don't have time for you to think Sire. We need to move." Merlin barked. He put his hands out in front of him and took a deep breath trying to stabilize his fears. He would have to use magic if Arthur didn't act soon. If he used magic, he would be killed by Uther eventually, but Arthur and Leon would be free. Maybe Merlin could escape he considered as he debated risking revealing his powers to safe them and then running away into the woods, never to be seen again.

"Arthur?" Leon questioned.
"I got it." Arthur replied taking a few steps towards the guards.
"Sire, don't be an idiot." Merlin told him, but Merlin followed him anyways. Merlin would always follow him, it was his job to protect Camelot, to protect the prince. "If you die..." Merlin warned.
"Have some faith Merlin." Arthur said with a smirk.

"I have faith in the fact that those men are huge and will crush you like a bug." Merlin told him.

"Merlin, it will be fine." Arthur said unconvincingly.

Arthur ducked and weaved, jabbed and fell. His bravery was short lasted.

"Sire!" Merlin called out, he dropped to his knees and tried to pull Arthur away from the men.

"Markel. What are you doing?" Merlin dropped Arthur's arm and froze. "Markel?"

"Merlin, take Arthur. Get him out of here." Leon instructed. Merlin looked between them, unmoving. "Now." Leon said authoritatively. Merlin took Arthur by the shoulders, he hooked his hand under his armpits and yanked him backwards.
"What are you doing boy? You don't take orders from the fighter."
"I do today." Merlin said as he heaved Arthur back.
"Stop them." The guard said dully. He waved a hand mindlessly, not worried that Merlin would get very far.
"We are leaving." Leon told them.
"Kill them." The guard said definitely. Leon waved his sword high, it swished through the air with precision.