Merlin FanFic

Idiots

- 15 years later -

Merlin stepped out of the small hut he shared with Morgana, breathed in the open air and smiled. Merlin had never been so happy since he had left Camelot. He had made a new life with Morgana, and they had two children, a girl called Isolde, who was nine and a boy named Tristan, who was ten. Both of their children had magic, and between Morgana and Merlin, they taught them how to use it for good. Merlin had also gotten married to Morgana, and he was proud to call her his wife. Morgana was now on the good side and had promised him no more evil and to be good. Merlin stood there looking around him, smiling, and then set off towards the woods, where he would collect the firewood. Merlin walked in the sunshine and walked and walked not realizing where he was going, he was too interested in being in the sun and the warmth for he had always preferred the summer than the winter. Merlin finally stopped in a clearing, bent down and started picking up some fallen branches. Merlin didn't mind doing the chores as he had worked for Arthur for a few years, and he had grown used to it, and it was second nature. Morgana had tried the chores but Merlin wouldn't let her. Merlin suddenly heard a noise and stood up straight. He looked around himself and frowned, he saw nothing. Merlin shrugged and bent down to collect more branches, thinking it was probably an animal. He then heard the noise again, and this time, Merlin knew that something was there. He dropped the branches and straightened up and looked around, again he saw nothing. His heart started to race. 

"Show yourself!" Merlin yelled. Nothing moved, and he couldn't see anything. He looked around again and then found that these trees seemed familiar from somewhere. Merlin gasped when he realized that he was on Camelot ground. Merlin turned and then ran for the safety of the border. He heard people shout for him to stop, and he knew that they were chasing after him, but Merlin carried on running. He didn't know whether or not Uther was still in rein, and if so, he was dead meat. He suddenly thought about Morgana and his children; he didn't want to leave them alone. He ran faster, hoping to lose the pursers. Merlin then saw an arrow fly by his head, and he looked back to see the red capes chasing him. Camelot knights. Merlin was breathless but kept running; he had to escape, and the border was close. If he crossed the border, he would be safe if he could reach the border. He then suddenly felt a sharp pain in his leg and felt his body buckle.

Merlin fell to the ground hard and he then knew that he had been hit with an arrow. He had to get away and fast. Merlin pulled himself to a nearby tree and hid behind it, trying not to breathe too hard, hoping it would be enough to save his neck. Merlin heard footsteps run past, but he knew he wasn't out of the woods yet. Literally. Time passed and Merlin was growing drowsy from the amount of blood he had lost from his leg, he knew that he had to go now or he would surely be caught. He took off his scarf and wrapped it around his leg to help the bleeding. Merlin pushed himself off the floor, leaned on the tree for support and peered around. The clearing was empty, but that meant nothing. Merlin knew the knights could be hiding and waiting for him but it was a chance he was willing to take. Merlin took a deep breath and decided to run for it. He wouldn't leave his family alone any longer. Merlin ran as fast as his leg could take him and gritted his teeth through the pain. Arrows flew past his head, and he was right. They had been waiting for him to move so they could take him down. Merlin used his magic to deflect the arrows, but he was growing weaker by the second and knew he couldn't keep it up much longer. He just had to get over the border where he would be safe. Merlin felt the magic drain out of him, and then he was hit again with another arrow, and Merlin fell hard to the ground. Merlin hit the ground and knew he wouldn't be getting back up. He was too exhausted and just wanted to sleep. The red capes came closer and Merlin used the last of his magic to push them away but it wasn't enough, they kept on coming back. He finally gave up and rolled onto his side, giving in. The knights sensed that the threat had given up, and they approached carefully, knowing that the threat had magic. They reached the threat and turned him over; being the new knights of Camelot, they didn't recognize him and thought Merlin might be trying to kill the king. The knights gathered round and decided it would be best if they took him back to King Arthur, where he would decide the fate of the threat. Merlin heard them talking while the two kept guard, but he couldn't understand what they were saying. Merlin knew he must have passed out for a second as the knights lifted him onto a horse and began to ride in the other direction of his home. Merlin panicked, knowing he would die if he returned to Camelot, but he didn't have the strength to fight. He finally gave in and fell unconscious.

The knights rode into Camelot with the threat on their horses. Once they discovered he was injured, he would need attention immediately. They finally reached the castle; two of the knights went to the chambers of King Arthur to inform him of their findings, while the others took him to Gaius' chambers, where he could be treated. They climbed the steps quickly and knocked on Gaius' door. He yelled for them to come in, so they carried him into the room, placed him on the table and then stood guard outside the door where they would await King Arthur's orders. Gaius had been mixing a potion when the knights ad came in, a knight had already rode ahead and informed Gaius that they were bringing in an intruder so he should be on guard. Gaius turned around to see who he had got and dropped the potion. The potion shattered, and Gaius was in shock. He couldn't believe that Merlin was lying unconscious on his table.

Gaius pinched himself to see if he was dreaming and was ecstatic when he found that he wasn't. He looked Merlin up and down and was glad to see that he was looking good and healthy. He then noticed Merlin's scarf around his leg. Gaius rushed over and took it off to find that Merlin was bleeding heavily. Gaius got to work patching up Merlin. He cleaned and bandaged his leg and the other scratches he must have gotten during the struggle. He used a balm that would help with the pain. He then stepped back once he had finished and stroked Merlin's hair. Gaius had missed him so much that it hurt at times. He was just so glad to see Merlin again after all this time. He didn't want him to leave; he hoped he wouldn't know that Arthur was king and was slowly coming around to magic. Gaius always looked forward to Merlin's letters and loved to hear from him, but he knew that Merlin was never to Camelot again, and Gaius knew that he couldn't leave Camelot, so they could never see each other. Gaius was so overwhelmed to see Merlin and felt a tear fall. He could not believe that he had Merlin back. Gaius then heard the door open, and Gaius turned to see Arthur stride into the room. Gaius met him halfway and Arthur looked down fondly at Gaius.
"Is it someone you recognize Gaius?" Arthur asked and he could see that Gaius looked excited. Arthur was shocked as Gaius didn't want to talk to anyone or be happy since Merlin left. Arthur knew that Gaius' life was empty without Merlin and Gaius was always happy every so often when he received a letter from Merlin. Arthur had searched everywhere for Merlin, hoping to take back everything he did, but he knew that he had crossed the border into Cenrad's kingdom and he could be anywhere. Arthur also knew that he wouldn't be able to cross the border. 
"Why do you look so happy Gaius?" Arthur asked the old man, and Gaius couldn't contain the excitement.
"See for yourself." Gaius said and stepped aside. Arthur looked, and his heart stopped momentarily before picking up in double time. Merlin lay on Gaius' table in front of him. Arthur couldn't believe it. Merlin was here. Arthur took a step forward towards him, full of joy. He had missed Merlin so much. He had often wished that he could see Merlin again. Arthur then turned back to the knights.
"So, where is this intruder you claim to have brought in?" Arthur asked, and the knights looked confused and pointed at Merlin.
"Right there sire." Arthur then began to laugh, and the knights became even more confused.
"This is no intruder. It's Merlin." Arthur laughed, and then the knights felt uneasy. They had just injured the king's closest friend. They had heard stories about Merlin and how fond Arthur was of him. Arthur laughed some more and stopped when he turned around and realized that Merlin was out cold and he had bandages. Arthur took a deep breath and turned to face the knights. 
"What happened?" He asked, hoping to sound calm. The knights shifted uneasily, glancing at each other. 
"What happened?" Arthur demanded, and one of the knights spoke.
"We didn't know who he was, sire, and when we saw him in the woods, we thought he was an intruder. When we made our presence known, he ran. We took off after him and shot him with arrows and brought him down; he then hid, so we waited. We were about to give up when he finally ran, so we shot again, and then he fell to the ground. He also used magic, so we thought you would want to decide his fate. We then brought him here. We swear that we didn't know who he was, sire." Arthur took a deep breath and pinched his nose. He knew that was the last thing he needed. Merlin, to be brought back unwillingly. Merlin was going to hate him even more now. Arthur turned back to the knights.
"Get out of my sight and stay out of my sight." Most guards cleared the room quickly, but Arthur's most trusted knights stayed behind. Gwaine stepped forward.
"Is it really Merlin, Arthur?" Arthur nodded and the knights looked as if they could break into a happy dance. Arthur smiled and then turned to Gaius.
"Watch over him and ensure he is okay when he wakes up." Gaius nodded and happily went back to Merlin's side. Arthur then turned to the knights, sighing. 
"Gwaine, Percival. I want you to stand guard of this door, and if Merlin tries to escape, grab him and make sure that he doesn't leave until l I have spoken to him." Arthur watched them nod and stand by the door. He turned and looked back at Merlin once again and sighed. He just hoped that Merlin would forgive him when he woke up and that Merlin would stay here and be by his side where Merlin could guide him and be the idiot that Arthur had missed.