The Kingdoms (Prince Merlin Fanfic)

Chapter 11: The past comes back to haunt us

The walk down the mountain was easier than going up because the weather was warmer. Before we left, I saw something curious. On a rock just surrounding the cave we camped in was a letter, the letter 'M'. It had been burned into the rock a while ago, it seemed. I would've investigated but decided against it seeing as the last thing we needed now was a mystery. As I continued walking, I felt something cold hit my back. I turned to see Arthur smirking at me. Why does he always want to start a fight with me?

"Watchu looking at?" Sam asked from beside me.

I innocently picked up some snow to mould into a ball and replied, "having a snowball fight with Arthur."

A smile crept onto his face. "Can I help?"

"Yeah, get everyone to bombard Arthur with snow." I planned. Sam slowly slid towards Gwaine and Jon and told them what we were doing. When Arthur looked in the other direction, I sent a snowball flying toward his neck. I thought I would win by doing that, but it seemed Arthur had formed his own team against me. Ezy had a bunch of snowballs in her hand and started to throw them at me. "Why are you on Arthur's side?" I asked her incredulously. She shrugged.

Lancelot quietly snuck up behind her, motioning for me not to say anything. He then pushed her into the snow. "Lance!" She pulled him down with her leaving both of them covered with snow. It seemed that word had spread fast, because like Arthur, I had my own team. Everyone had picked a side -except Ethan- and we had a snowball fight all the way down the mountain.

Most of the snow had melted by the time we got to the bottom, Percival ended up holding the last snowball. He placed it in Ethan's hand and whispered something to him. Ethan took the snowball and looked around, trying to figure out who to throw the snowball at. Ezy ducked behind Lance to avoid being hit. Etan gave the smallest of smirks and hit me with the snowball like he would've done many years ago.

"Good choice," commented Arthur. I glared at him, shaking the snow off my head.

"I have a question, Arthur," started Gwaine, "why were you awake so early?"

Arthur looked at the ground, embarrassed. "I errr... I went to...relieve myself."

"Oh yes," I piped up, "Arthur has a strict bathroom schedule."

"Shut up, Merlin!"

How did you know it was not going to snow this morning?" Gwen asked, "it would've been a waste if no one came out of the cave."

"Sam has a special magic that lets him predict the weather," answered James.

"It's not exactly magic. It's a feeling I get. I just know what it's going to be like on the day," explained Sam.

"I imagine that's helpful," Mordred added.

"It is." We began walking past the fields of Ealdor, taking longer than we usually would because we had left our horses on the other side of the mountain. The horses would not have been able to climb the slippery, snowy mountain and fifteen horses at the top of a mountain would attract attention. By noon we had passed Ealdor and were looking for a place to stay the night. After a couple more hours of walking, we found some ruins that would keep us covered for the night.

"Lancelot, Merlin, Gwaine and I will go inside, and make sure it's safe. The rest of you, wait here, " ordered Arthur.

The four of us went in, walking forward. Suddenly, Lance yelled, "Guys wait!" But it was too late. There was a swooping sensation in my stomach as I felt myself fall. I must've hit my head and passed out because someone was slapping my cheek, waking me.

"Wassgoinon?" I mumbled.

"Get up, Merlin," said Arthur. I opened my eyes, and a nostalgic feeling overcame me. I'm in a hole in the ground with Arthur and Gwaine.

"Well, look at this! How the past comes back to haunt us," said Gwaine, poetically.

"I'm going to find something to get you out," announced Lance from above the hole and left.

"Now we know where we are," I murmured.

"This time, I don't have to fight Gwaine," added Arthur.

"You were struggling to fight me, Arthur, don't deny it," Gwaine teased, "I know you would never hurt a hair on my beautiful head." He flipped his hair back.

"No, I would behead you without having to touch your hair," Arthur sent back, "anyway, we were fighting with no plan to escape. It was the fire that helped us get away."

"The fire happened at the perfect time. I wonder if anyone meant for the fire to happen," I hinted.

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, "the fire spread, and we escaped."

"I get it!" Gwaine exclaimed, "it was you!" He pointed. I grinned back, and Arthur's eyes widened.

"How did I not notice!" He burst, "you did magic! Of course. How is it I'm finding out now? I thought you were good for nothing, but you're the reason we came out alive. I thought you would be boasting that you saved us, but you only mentioned it now."

Gwaine clapped me on the back, "nice one, Merlin."

"Climb up!" Lance had come back with a wooden ladder that he threw down for us.

"Lancelot! How would we ever live without you?" Gwaine shouted dramatically.

"I suppose that's why I'm the smart one of the group." One by one, we climbed out. "I just went around. It seems as though this place was deserted."

"We may have had something to do with that..." Arthur started.

"Of course," laughed Lance," let me guess, Gwaine was in the wrong place, at the wrong time and had the wrong drink?"

"That's not why these two got here," Gwaine pointed at Arthur and me.

"Well, let me get this story in short. The three of you got into trouble, and Merlin had to save you, correct?" Lance guessed.

"We never said we got into trouble and needed to be saved," Arthur objected.

"It's kind of obvious. So where are we?"

"Jarl's fortress. Or what's left of it," I replied.

"We should get back. They're waiting for us." We went and called everyone inside, telling them it was safe.

"Merlin, can we talk?" Ezy came up behind me.

Yeah, sure," I replied, "what about?

We separated ourselves from the others," I want to spend more time with James, Sam, Jon, Charlie and Ethan, but I can't because the others will find out that we're from Naeder."

"I know," I sighed, "but not for much longer. We'll be at Naeder soon."

"I wish we could get there sooner."

"There are not many people that don't know. It's just Arthur, Leon, Elyan and Gwen. We'll tell them when we get to Naeder if they don't find out by then."

"Well, you can subtract me because I know now." A voice came from behind us.

I feel so bad guys. I haven't updated in over a month. I've been trying to get into a routine of writing but it's hard. Hopefully, I update on time again. I'm sorry again. Love ya'll. Vote and Comment because they make my day!