Royal in Hiding

Chapter 2- His Life Now

The young Prince jolted awake from his slumber, another nightmare plaguing his dreams. This time it wasn't Larean that he saw attacked, but Camelot. Merlin sighed and stood, dressing quickly and then grabbed his neckerchief, running his fingers along his royal seal that he had sewed on to the under side of the neckerchief, keeping it well enough hidden. He sighed looking out across the lower town, it was still dark but it was perfect for Merlin. 

Grinning Merlin grabbed his bow, quiver of arrows, and sword as he ran silently and stealthily through the halls and courtyards to the Lake of Avalon and smiling at the view before walking the short distance to the clearing on the Western  side of the lake where he had set up a training area for himself to practice. quickly and swiftly Merlin started losing arrow after arrow, embedding them into the targets set up nearly fifty yards away before taking out his sword and beheading every dummy in the yard until none were left. 

Looking to the dawning sky Merlin rushed off murmuring a cloaking spell as he went, hiding his weapons as he approached the castle of Camelot and running right up to Arthurs room's, passing by Gwaine as he went. "Run, Merlin, run!" Gwaine called and Merlin rolled his eyes before bursting into the Kings chambers right as Arthur and Guinevere leaned in to kiss. "Oh, uh. Sorry Gwen, Arthur." Merlin apologized and Arthur grabbed the apple on his plate, throwing it at the servant's head. 

Merlin's eye's widen but he gracefully snatched it from the air and took a bite. "Thank you Sire, this taste quite amazing." Merlin replied cheekily. Gwen began laughing and Arthur looked in a state of shock. "How did you do that?" Arthur asked and Merlin shrugged. "I don't know. Just did, I guess." He replied, stiffening slightly. Arthur got one thing right. Merlin was an idiot. "You... just did? You, Merlin? My clumsy manservant that can't walk five yards without falling can snatch an apple from the air, juggle, and be wise on occasion? What in God's name?" Arthur asked and Merlin shrugged then turned to leave, knocking over a bin and falling face first to the floor, successfully opening the dresser as he attempted to catch himself, making all the clothes fall on top of him. 

Silence was in the room when the King and Queen burst into laughter. "Ah, Merlin. Somethings never change do they?" Arthur asked and merlin sat up, clothes hanging from his body and he stared at Arthur for a moment before smirking. "I bet you never thought you'd see me cover in clothes suited for a king then ey?" Merlin asked and Gwen chuckled as a goblet went flying towards Merlins face who ducked out of the way quickly. "Missed sire." Merlin yelled just as a shoe hit him square in the head. 

"Now, clean this up Merlin. And then muck out my stables, polish my armor, wash my clothes, and prepare the horses, Gwen and I shall have a picnic today." Arthur told Merlin who groaned but got to work on the room before starting on the armor as Gwen and Arthur did some paper work. 

Everything was as it should be until Leon bursted in as Merlin was gathering the now polished armor to put away. "Sire, it is said that the Larean Army rides to Camelot as we speak. The King, Draegan Maleficum, rides in desire for the throne of Camelot." He said and Merlin's head shot up. "Larcean?" He questioned and all three heads turned towards him. "Yes merlin. Why?" Leon asked and Merlin went to deep thought. 

"I lived there once." Merlin spoke and Arthur furrowed his eye's. "I thought you grew up in Ealdor." He stated and Merlin shook his head. "Ealdor was after Mother and I were ran from our homes when the false king took the throne. We lived there during the time of the Ambrosius rule. They were amazing at what they did." Merlin said in reminencense. 

"Arthur, be careful with this army. The False King has magic, that's how he took the kingdom, a cloaking spell." Merlin told Arthur, fear in his eye's and Arthur was then truly terrified. "Yes, of course Merlin. We will proceed with caution." Arthur told Merlin but Merlin shook his head. "No, you don't understand. My father was said to be the best swordsman in all the land but when this army came they brutally killed him. They show no mercy towards their targets." Merlin told Arthur, his voice quivering and Arthur nodded as Gwen placed a hand on Merlins shoulder. "It's alright Merlin, we will be careful." Gwen stated. 

"Gwen, we were in the palace. Guarded by the Knights of Larcean and they still broke through no trouble. The only people said to have escaped from the Royal family was the Prince, his mother, and the unborn child she carried." Merlin told her gravely, realizing his mistake to late. "You were in the castle?" Leon asked and Merlin paused, thinking of a good excuse before nodding. "My father was the King's manservant." Merlin said and Leon nodded. "If you'd excuse me." Merlin muttered before leaving. 

His dream was coming true.  

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"Sire they are on us!" The sound of Gwaine's voice echoed. "Damnit! What the hell?!" Arthur yelled and Merlin pulled his sword, of which he revealed before they left from it's sheath. "Go to Lake Avalon and head to the west side, there should be a clearing there. I will meet you there." Merlin shouted and Arthur's eye's widened as he watched the men approaching with great speed. "Merlin! You can't take all those men! You'll die." Arthur exclaimed and Merlin turned, ferocity shinning in his eye's. This wasn't protecting Arthur, this was personal. "I said go!" He yelled and the knights and royalty ran off as Merlin swung the sword menacingly. Taking out three soldiers with his sword and even more through his magic. 

When Merlin was through he smirked then ran off, taking the Southern way to the meadow. 

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"Merlin should have been back by now." Arthur said in worry and Gwaine was pacing. "We should go back for him, he could be wounded." Gwaine said and the knights and Gwen nodded. About to leave the meadow a voice cut through the air. "Where are you lot going? The safe haven is this way." Merlin said and the group ran at him. "Merlin! How did you survive?" Arthur asked and Merlin looked insulted. "I have told you before Arthur, I have many, many talents you know not about. Surviving is one of them. This way." He stated and walked off, the group following behind him. 

"Hey, Merlin? What is this place?" Elyan asked and Merlin turned around. "My training place." He replied nonchalantly. "You train?" Arthur, Gwaine, Leon, and Percival asked in shock. "Yes. Now are we going to continue pestering me about my private life or are we going to go?" Merlin asked just as the cries of men sounded in the distance. "Go!" They all answered and so they were off running, following as Merlin swiftly made his way through the forest. "Merlin look out!" Arthur called as a solider came from the forest. Merlin swiftly threw out his arm and killed the man with his sword in seconds, becoming the true embodiment of the phrase. 'A sword should be an extension of your body.' 

Soon enough Merlin came to a halt. "They are here." He stated and Arthur looked around. "Merlin. I don't see anyone." He stated when a lone man approached from the trees. "Emrys, you have returned. With company." the Druid elder stated and Merlin bowed his head. "Please, Camelot has fallen to the hands of Draegan. We seek a safe haven until I can locate the true Queen." Merlin stated and Arthur thought upon the name Emrys, certain he had heard it before. "Of course Emrys, you know that you and your friends are welcomed anytime. You need only ask. Follow me. I believe we already have some allies of yours." The Elder stated and Merlin followed, waving his friends forward with him while all around whispers could be heard of the fact that Emrys had arrived in the camp. 

"You are friends with the Druids?" Arthur asked and Merlin nodded. "Yes, many of the Druids call me Emrys though." Merlin stated and Gwaine asked the obvious question. "Why?" Merlin smirked. "Because I am a powerful sorcerer and Prince that is destined to assist Arthur in the making of Albion." He stated and the Knights, Arthur and Gwen all chuckled. "But seriously, why?" Arthur asked and Merlin shrugged. "Ask them." He said and then the sight of the camp came to view. 

"It is so beautiful." Gwen gasped and the Knights along with Arthur nodded in agreeance. "Come on clot poles and Gwen, we'll stay in my tent." Merlin stated with a chuckled and lead the way to a beautiful tent. "Merlin. this is yours?" Arthur asked and Merlin nodded. "Yup, I know it is small for your taste but it will have to do." Merlin said and they all entered the tent to see the quiet simple but beautiful inside. "Well, figure out where you want to sleep I should go and see some of the children." Merlin said and walked until he bumped into someone. Or many someones. "Sire?" They gasped and then fell to their knees before him. Leaving many questioning stares and people to answer to. "Uh..."