The Sorcerer's Secret (a Merlin story)

23

     "It was Leon." Celeste cried unable to hide her sadness brought about by the news, tears streamed down her cheeks. "When he came back... I thought he was going to be mine again. I never thought..." Merlin hugged Celeste.

"Leon is in the dungeon right now." Sir Drew said satisfied with himself for slamming the door on Sir Leon.

"Arthur, I'm so sorry I didn't see it." Arthur shook his head, embarrassed he didn't see it as well.

"I missed it too."

"Merlin," Celeste grabbed his hands. "I'm so sorry I didn't believe you! I'm so sorry I doubted you. Never again! Never again!" Celeste repeated, Merlin raised her hands to his lips.

"I am just glad you are safe. Glad you know how to wield a weapon as well." Merlin said with a chuckle.

"How is my father's condition? Do I need to have a talk with Leon?" Arthur glared at the door.

"Have you found Rau?" Merlin questioned, he was too focused on Celeste standing over Leon's unconscious body previously to follow after Rau's footsteps.

"He is somewhere in the castle." Arthur said forlorn. His shoulders sagged. If Uther was conscious right now, he would surely have taken care of Rau and his men by now but Arthur felt like a child. He was worried about his father, he was distraught about his Leon, there was nothing he could do right.

"I can help." Celeste said. "I feel like such a fool, I need to be helpful." Arthur shook his head. "Please, Arthur. He is like a father to me as well." Celeste pleaded. "I can't just sit around idly anymore, please let me help."

"We could use her training." Gawaine said placing a warm cloth on Uther's clammy head.

"She is a better swordswoman than I, that is for certain." Merlin said.

"A cat is a better swordsman than you." Arthur teased.

"I don't know about that."

"Boys, not is not the time for bickering. Camelot is under attack. We need to be vigil." Celeste told them and Arthur wiped the grin off his face.

"You are right. Of course you are. Come on, lets get you ready for battle." Arthur extended an arm and Celeste took it. "Let's take Camelot back."

"Be careful." Merlin warned. "I will be there as soon as I can."

"Help the king, protect him. Keep trying." Celeste said hopefully knowing Merlin would keep trying new spells to bring the king back to life.

"Just promise me," Merlin said as he finished clasping her armor on her back.

"I promise I will try to be careful." Celeste got up on her tip toes and pressed a soft kiss to Merlin's cheek before heading out to join Arthur and the knights. She had a dagger strapped to her thigh and a sword held loosely in her small hands.

"Maybe you need a helmet as well," Merlin moved to grab her one but she was already gone.

"Go save the king!" She called back to him as the knight's swords began clattering against Rau's men's weapons.

"He is going to kill me for saving him." Merlin declared.

"But Celeste is most certainly going to love you for the three minutes you are alive after saving him." Gawaine said with a smirk.

"Stop trying to make me feel better. Did you find anything?"

"I found lots of things, but I don't think any of them will do us any good I'm afraid." Gawaine informed him. "Try this one." Gawaine put a tonic over the king's hairy chest and nodded for Merlin to begin.