The Truth about Merlin

Waking Up

A few hours later the knights were preparing to leave even though they still didn't have a plan. Gwaine walked over to Merlin who remained unconscious.

"Do you think he's going to be alright?" he asked worriedly. Arthur looked over at him, nodded and then looked down at the ground again.

A few minutes later, Arthur stood up and said "I've thoughtabout it and...you're right." He turned to face Gwaine. "Magic or no magic Merlinis still weak, unprotected. Over these last few years he's always been at ourside, who knows how many times he has saved us by using sorcery. I cannot forgive him for his betrayal yet but, I honour his loyalty."

"What's the plan then Sire?" said Leon.

Arthur cleared his throat and announced "we leave as quicklyas we can. I thought Merlin would be awake by now but he's not so he will have to stay here; he can't move in his condition. This means one of us will have tostay behind whilst the rest of us face Morgana, like Gwaine said." Gwaine smiled proudly with the mention of his name.

All of the knights, apart from Gwaine, jumped onto their horses and rode off. Although he wanted to be there to get revenge on Morgana, he decide he would rather keep Merlin company. They had always been close friends and it didn't matter whether he had magic or not.

A while later, Merlin slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight was beaming down and shining through the trees, onto the ground beside him. He took a deep breath and lifted himself up so he was propped up against the tree stump. He felt a sharp pain sting his back and he struggled to support his body for long. Where am I? He thought. What happened? He tried to remember what he had done but he was still unsure as to how he got there. Ok, so I was fighting off Morgana's men in the clearing ...then I washit by an arrow from behind! He sighed again and suddenly remembered himself falling to the ground and the shouting coming from the knights. He wasn't sure if he did hear them or not; it was very faint and his vision had gone blurry before closing his eyes.

Merlin looked at his surroundings and saw the remains of a familiar fire. Where is everyone? He continued to look around but he only saw a small rabbit hopping around. He watched it, smiling to himself. Then a twig snapped. The rabbit was motionless, eyes wide with fear and Merlin looked cautiously in the direction it had come from. He squinted and saw a figure appear from the shadows in the trees.

"Gwaine" Merlin gasped, smiling. He smiled too and almost dropped the pile of wood he was holding.

"Merlin" he shouted back. Gwaine ran towards him, put the logs down and hugged his friend. "How are you feeling?" he asked, patting him on the shoulder.

"Um, ok I suppose" he replied as he thought about the pain from his wound. His eyes met with Gwaine's and he noticed something different about him. Gwaine seemed...uncomfortable. It looked like there was something wrong and it was as though he was hiding his discomfort from Merlin byconstantly smiling. He's probably been worried, Merlin assumed. "Where is everyone?"

"They've gone after Morgana" he replied.

"What?" Merlin shouted in horror. He tried to get up but Gwaine was already pushing him back down and telling him to relax. "How can I when Arthur's in trouble?"

"He'll be alright Merlin. He is not alone, he has the knights after all."

"Yes but that won't be enough, Morgana is too strong" Merlin said as he attempted to get up again.

"Well in that case you shouldn't be going at all. You are far too weak mate and you'll be vulnerable out there."

"But I have to try" Merlin stated. Gwaine backed off and allowed Merlin to move and stand himself up. Then he leaned in and helped support his friend.

"Ok, let's go. Are you sure you're up to it?"

Merlin nodded.