Merlin FanFic

Leaving Camelot

Merlin was heartbroken. He returned to the chambers he shared with Gaius and tried not to cry. He wouldn't cry in front of Gaius. He deserved more than that. Merlin took in everything around him as if it was the first time and savoured everything and everyone. Merlin watched the servants hurry from place to place, and he felt sad that he would no longer be a part of that. He finally made it back to the chambers and felt his sorrow deepen. He would no longer share his chambers with Gaius. Merlin would have no one. He opened the door with a heavy heart and stepped inside. He found Gaius working on a potion and felt his heart break again. Gaius was the closest thing that he had to a father, and he now had to part with him. Gaius looked up from his potion as it was too early for Merlin to return. He took one look at Merlin and his worst fears had come true. Arthur hadn't accepted Merlin's gift. He took a step towards Merlin and felt his heart break; Merlin was the closest thing he had to a son. He watched a tear fall down Merlin's face and he went to him and pulled him into an embrace.
"Oh, Merlin. I am so sorry." Gaius whispered and wondered if there was anything he could do.
"What happened?" Gaius asked quietly. Merlin held on tight to the old man for dear life and felt the tears flow.
"He said that I had to leave within the hour as he would inform Uther and he wants me gone. He said he knew that I wasn't evil and that he didn't want me to die." Gaius felt a small bit of hope, maybe when Arthur is king Merlin could return. Gaius let go of Merlin and took him in. He looked at him from head to toe, missing nothing, and wished that there was something he could do. Merlin looked Gaius up and down and took him in as it was the last time that he would see him.
"I have to pack Gaius." Gaius nodded and watched Merlin jog up to his room and shut the door. He was going to miss him so much and miss his company. He knew Merlin would be alright as he had his gifts and intelligence. Gaius paced the floor waiting for Merlin to come out so he could help him escape. It was the least that he could do. Finally Merlin emerged and he went to him. Merlin's eyes were red from crying and Gaius felt helpless.
"Come on then." Merlin looked confused.
"Where are we going?"
"I am helping you escape." Gaius said simply. Merlin felt his heart break once again.
"You can't help me Gaius; you will already be a suspect as I was close to you. I will use magic to get away." Gaius knew he was right, stepping back and grasping Merlin's arm.
"Promise me that you will write to me." Merlin nodded and hugged Gaius for the very last time. He then reluctantly let go and headed to the door. He paused at the door and glanced at Gaius who looked as if he was going to cry.
"Until we meet again Gaius." Merlin said trying to smile.
"Until we meet again Merlin." Gaius replied watching Merlin go through the door. The door closed, and Gaius felt a tear run down his face. It had been many years since he had shed a tear. Merlin walked quickly through the corridors and towards the stables where he would take his horse. He had to pass the main hall and bumped into Gwen. Gwen looked scared for a moment and then ran down the hall. Merlin felt sad and gathered that she knew. He wished that they would meet again when magic was accepted. Merlin heard voices from the hall and stopped to listen for a moment. He could hear Arthur, Uther and the council.
"Are you sure?" Uther asked.
"I am certain farther. He used magic to save our lives and now he on the run." Arthur stayed true to his word and was informing Uther of his magic. Merlin backed away from the door and hurried down the hall. He heard the guards then shout. He turned around and found them running towards him. They were under orders to kill him. Merlin broke out to a run and raced for the stables with the guards at his heels. He ran into the courtyard and found more guards. They looked around and ran towards Merlin; he glanced back and saw the other guards approaching him. He was trapped. Merlin glanced around and found the people of Camelot were watching in disbelief. The guards were closing in fast, and Merlin knew that he had no choice. He felt the magic rise up inside him and then felt his eyes glow golden and he shouted a spell. The guards flew back and fell unconscious. Merlin heard the people gasp as he raced towards the stables. Once inside, he quickly saddled up his horse and tied his bags. He heard people enter the stables and froze. He turned and found that it was Arthur. Arthur looked at him and frowned.
"What are you still doing here Merlin? I told you to run." Merlin almost smiled knowing that Arthur cared deep down.
"I am working on it." Merlin said sarcastically and then mounted his horse. He looked down at Arthur.
"Aren't you going to chase me and make it look real?" Merlin asked and tried to think of it as a game. Arthur nodded and mounted a horse. Merlin pushed the horse into a gallop and headed out of the stables. He could feel Arthur close behind. Merlin pushed faster and broke out into the courtyard. There were more guards this time and the knights stood there is disbelief. Merlin galloped across and glanced at them. They all looked sad, and he hoped they would meet again one day. Merlin then looked up and found Gaius watching from a window. Merlin nodded and Gaius returned the nod. Merlin then focused on getting out of Camelot and galloped through the kingdom. He was aware that Arthur was in pursuit. He glanced behind and found that the knights of Camelot were close behind him. Merlin looked forward and raced towards the woods, focusing on losing them. If he lost them, then Arthur wouldn't have to lie to his father. Merlin pushed harder and used his magic to bring down a tree to block the knights path. Merlin glanced back and found no one behind him. He smiled a sad smile and raced through the woods to the border. He would ride through Ealdor to tell his mother goodbye before riding on and finding a new home. 

Arthur watched as Merlin rode into the distance. Merlin had used his magic to bring down a tree and put it in their path. It was very clever. Arthur watched him go and felt sad. He liked Merlin and hoped that one day they would meet again on better terms. The knights stayed by Arthur's side and were sad to watch Merlin go. They knew that they had just lost a good person and that it would be hard to replace him. Merlin was growing tired but kept going to Ealdor as he wasn't sure whether the knights would follow. Ealdor wasn't far now, and Merlin wanted to get there by nightfall at least. He pushed his horse faster and he then had time to think. Things had happened so quickly. He would have thought that Arthur may have been more understanding about his magic and kept it a secret, but deep down, he knew that Arthur was loyal to his father and would never betray him. Merlin couldn't shake the small sense that Arthur had betrayed him. Merlin sighed and wondered how he was going to start a new life. With that, he broke through the trees and stopped atop the hill. He looked down and smiled. Ealdor looked as busy as ever and watched the people bustling about for a moment before heading down into the village to tell his mother goodbye.