The Thousandth Year || Merlin fanfic

Merlin- The Attack

To be honest, we could have taken the quads. Arthur could have ridden on mine- it would have been quicker, but I couldn't resist temptation. To be riding across the moors, on a quest where we were most likely all going to die, making camp underneath the open sky. I can almost believe that nothing had changed, that the years had taken nothing at all.

It will take about a day to ride to the cave where the silence dwells, but I am unashamedly eager to draw out our journey. The first night, we only travel around 30 miles before the descending shadows force us to make camp. I try to keep watch, but Alaric insists, his endless courage restored. I made him promise to wake me though, before falling into a dreamless sleep.

I wake at the first crack of dawn, mostly from habit. The first thing I register is anger. I get to my feet, glancing around as I do for Alaric. I see him, sitting, still alert, by the spring.

"Why didn't you wake me?" I hiss, as not to wake Arthur.

The infuriating werewolf glances up; cracks a grin.

"Morning, Em!" He calls cheerfully. I cannot help but feel like Gaius as I stand before him, arms crossed over my chest, one eyebrow raised.

Indifferent to my frustration, Alaric tosses me a breakfast bar and a smile, stretching as he does.

"Oops. Think I forgot."

"Idiot." I say, my annoyance fading as I sit beside him. "How'r you doing?" The question is tentative, and he knows it is more than an offhand enquiry about his health. He sighs.

"Considering in the space of 24 hours, my best friend has showed up with a not dead body, discovered the freaking listener, announced that he's actually Merlin- you know, bloody Merlin, before revealing the tag-along is actually Arthur freaking Pendragon, nearly burnt my entire hand off, before dragging us off on an adventure to lose our souls on horseback- seriously man, what is with the horses?- and hunt some demon spawn? Yeah. I'm just dandy."

I breathe out, half a laugh, half a cry. "I'm sorry, Alaric, I really am. I should have told you, I know. But I- I..." I try to find words for the emotion roiling within, some way to express the weight bearing down on my back, but there no words. "I'm just... sorry." I trail off lamely.

Alaric gives me a chastising shake of his head, as if I'd just just said the stupidest thing he'd ever heard. I pull my knees up to my chest, guilt tearing at me, and bracing myself for Alaric's departure. All the words, all the explanations I can provide, they're not enough. They would never be enough.

"Em, you idiot." He says softly. My eyes snap up to meet his, confusion making it hard to think. "Do you remember, hmm, when was it... 1700's, I think, when we'd known each other a century or so, during our tirade against the Easy India Trading Company: I saved your life. You saved mine. Twice, I think. Then, with Jack and Nickolai we did make that vow. Do you remember, Em?" His voice slips lower, into the quietest murmur. "A brothers blood is my own, as are their failures and their joys. And as yet others fade into the night, we few shall endure. We band of brothers. For he who sheds his blood with me today..."

"Shall be as my brother." I finish softly, quickly wiping the solitary tear from my cheek. He gives me gentle punch on the arm, letting out a soft laugh as he does.

"And back in 1812, when, you know, you started a bloody war-"

"Why must you always bring that up?"

"I fought with you there, not even knowing the reason you're such a stubborn prick... and I fight with you here. No questions asked, brother mine. No questions asked." I get to my feet, my smile wobbling only slightly.