Merlin One-Shots

Bandit Attack Part 2

Belladonna let out a laugh that filled the air. Unlike her usual laugh that was cruel and cold-hearted, this laugh was joyful and happy. She took a step towards Mordred, who stepped back in return. The others looked at the two, slightly confused. Belladonna ceased laughing when she noticed what Mordred was wearing. Her smile turned into a look of disgust. 

"Mordred, how could you be a knight of Camelot?" Belladonna asked, growling at her nephew. "To fight for the Pendragons?"

"It is my choice, Auntie," Mordred replied, his voice still cold. "I'd rather fight for Arthur than for you."

This made Belladonna's eyes flash with rage and she shouted a spell. Mordred was thrown against his friends, making them all fall to the floor. Merlin was the first to recover, and he stuck out his hand towards Belladonna. His eyes flashed gold, and she was thrown against a wall, a loud crack making them know that she broke her skull. The others looked at the crumpled form of Belladonna, before standing up.

"L-Let's get out of here," Leon finally stammered.

The others nodded in agreement and fled the castle.

***

Mordred sat on a log, staring into the fire, deep in thought. The other knights were fast asleep, the snores filling the air. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Merlin taking a seat next to him. 

"Something's wrong, Mordred," Merlin said, startling Mordred. "What is it?"

"What did Belladonna want with you?" Mordred asked, turning towards his friend.

"She wanted me to turn against Arthur," Merlin grimaced, looking at his arm that was now in a sling that Arthur made. "Of course, I wouldn't." He turned his gaze to Mordred. "is she really your aunt?"

Mordred stiffened, but then nodded his head. "As you know, most Druids are peaceful. However, there are some who are no longer peaceful because of what Uther did. My aunt was one of them. When my parents were killed by Uther, she tried to take me with her. The other Druids in my camp kept me away from her, and she was banished from our camp. I never liked her. I always knew that she used her powers for evil."

Merlin nodded, and the two sat in silence, before Mordred turned back to Merlin. 

"How's your arm?" Mordred asked.

"I won't know until we get back to Camelot and Gauis," Merlin replied. "Arthur tried his best, but he's no physician."

Mordred let out a small laugh at this, and soon stood up. 

"My watch is done," Mordred said, yawning. "I have to wake up Gwaine for his turn."

"That's easier said than done," Merlin chuckled, standing up with him. "He sleeps like a rock."

"That's true," Mordred sighed. "You should get some sleep Merlin. You need it."

Merlin nodded, and laid down uncomfortably on his bedroll, and was soon fast asleep. After waking up a very grumpy Gwaine, Mordred soon fell asleep on his own bedroll, drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

***

In about a week, they arrived in Camelot to see a worried looking Gwen run down the stairs, Nila, Freya, and Morgana running behind her. They all visibly relaxed when they realized that everyone was accounted for. As soon as Arthur lowered himself to the ground, Gwen ran to him and gave him a bone crushing hug. 

"You've been gone for three weeks!" Gwen said, letting her husband go. "You had me worried sick."

"Sorry, Guinevere," Arthur chuckled. "We came across a problem, like always."

"Yeah, very funny."

All four women turned to see Percival gently help Merlin off his horse. Freya let out a little gasp and ran towards Merlin's side.

"Merlin! What happened to your arm?" Freya asked, worriedly looking at his arm. 

"We were ambushed by bandits, and he was taken captive," Mordred replied, walking up to them. "When we found him, he had burn marks on his wrists and his arm was broken."

"I made him a sling myself," Arthur stated proudly.

"Then I'm surprised that it held for this long," Morgana said, rolling her eyes.

Arthur glared at her before turning his attention back to Merlin. Freya had taken his unbroken arm and led him towards Gauis'. Everyone soon followed, worried for their friend.

***

It had been five hours before Arthur knocked on Gauis' door.

"Come in."

Arthur opened the door to see Merlin sitting on the cot, Freya sitting by his side while Gauis fixed his arm.

"How is it?" Arthur asked, joining them.

"He won't be able to work for a week, but he will heal quickly," Gauis explained.

"That's good," Arthur nodded.

Giving Merlin a squeeze on his shoulder, he turned and walked out of the room. 

"How is Merlin?"

Arthur stopped and turned to see Mordred approaching him.

"Gauis says that he will heal quickly," Arthur said.

Mordred nodded and turned to leave, but Arthur stopped him.

"Mordred," Arthur began. "I wanted to say thank you."

Mordred turned towards Arthur, confused. "What for?"

"If it wasn't for you, then we would not have found Merlin when we did," Arthur explained. 

"It was my pleasure," Mordred smiled. "It was to help our friend."

Arthur nodded, and soon both men went their separate ways.