Merlin's Son: A Tale old as Time • Merthur

15 - The Storm Passes

Leo and Alfred ran upstairs to Vivian and Hunith, who looked to be shocked at the children as they hugged each of them. "Leo, darling. What is it?" Hunith asked and Leo bit his lip worriedly. "I think something has happened. I'm worried about Pa and Arthur!" Leo spoke and just as he said that, there was a bang downstairs, as if something was knocked over.

"Shh. We need to hide!" Vivian whispered and dragged Alfred to a wardrobe. Before Hunith could do the same, Leo ran away back downstairs. "Leo!" Hunith whisper shouted and Alfred let go of the hold Vivian had and ran after his best friend.

"Leo! Don't!" Alfred shouted as he saw Leo ready with a sword and Leo turned his head, shocked when he saw Alfred with watery eyes, scared for the both of them. "Al, why didn't you stay upstairs?" Leo questioned and while Leo was distracted, the creature charged forward.

"Because you would have got yourself killed!" Alfred shouted, moving Leo to the side, guessing where the creature was from the stomping of feet. The door to the house opened and there revealed Merlin and Arthur, along with Lancelot and Gwaine. "Son! Move!" Arthur shouted as the creature wanted another go. Alfred moved Leo out of the way once more, as Leo seemed to be frozen, not knowing what to do.

Merlin tried to get a good look at the creature, it was nothing like he'd ever seen before. Would Magic even kill it? "Merls, get Leo and Alfred out of here! Hunith and Vivian will be safe upstairs. We'll try and get the beast out of here!" Arthur ordered and Merlin nodded, running to where his son was, holding both their hands and leading them out of the house.

"I'm sorry, Pa. I froze. I panicked. I couldn't do anything," Leo complained with tears in his eyes. Merlin sighed as he got them to the Tavern, where the rest of the villagers were hiding. "Leo, I'm so proud of you. You and Alfred were so brave. That's all I could ask for." Merlin said, kissing Leo's forehead.

"I need to protect Arthur. Will you be okay here?" Leo nodded once, looking to the floor. Merlin smiled sadly and glanced at Alfred. "Look after him. Well done, you did well in there." Merlin said which made Alfred smile, nodding. "I will." He said, glancing a worried look towards his best friend.

Merlin, satisfied with the pair of them, sprinted back to Arthur and the Knights, who seemed to be leading the creature back to the woods. He joined Arthur's side. "Have you tried killing it?" Merlin asked and Arthur rolled his eyes, grinning. "No, you know. We were just playing fetch with the creature. Nothing to do with trying to kill it at all..." Arthur said sarcastically and Merlin gave Arthur a look. Arthur chuckled, getting his crossbow at the ready.

"I want to try and use magic, Merls. I want to use my magic," Arthur whispered and Merlin nodded in understanding. "We could split up, surround the beast?" Merlin suggested and Arthur breathed a sigh of relief, happy that Merlin was fine with it.

"Gwaine, Leon, go behind. Elyan and Lancelot..."

"We are on it, Sire!" Eylan said and Merlin stuck with Arthur. "What were you thinking?" Merlin asked him and Arthur knew he was asking about his magic and Arthur smiled. "I was thinking along the lines of -" As he spoke, he let go. The arrow aiming to the creature burnt with fire, aiming for the body of the magical beast. They heard a screeching sound coming from the creature but Merlin was too busy focused on Arthur's beautiful golden eyes.

"What?" Arthur questioned softly and Merlin bit his lip, blushing. "I like your eyes better golden." Merlin whispered and Arthur blushed brightly.

"Sire! You did it! I think?" Gwaine shouted in a questionable way, breaking the trance Arthur and Merlin were in. Arthur looked to the creature and saw that Gwaine was right. Blood was bleeding from the creature and his breathing was getting slower and more painful. Merlin sighed deeply. It was over... No more people were hurt. Arthur did it. Thank Goodness.

•••

Morgana was loosing her mind trying to be someone she wasn't. There were still people who hadn't forgiven Uther. She tried her best to control them, to get the people to stand down, to try and see sense. They were planning something. A battle. She didn't know how, or when. People were loosing trust in her, noticing her change. Not telling her anything.

That was until one day, she was in her chambers when there was a knock on the door. "I thought I asked for no visitors?"

"My Lady Morgana, I knew we would meet again." She knew that voice. It couldn't possibly be. She turned around and held her breath, standing up and walking closely to the man in front of her. It was.

"Mordred!" She spoke softly, in disbelief. She hugged him tightly and invited him to sit down. "How did you get here?" Morgana asked and Mordred sighed.

"I was here the days before magic was allowed into Camelot. Is it true?" Mordred questioned and Morgana nodded. "It is. Who's side are you on, Mordred?" She asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Honestly? With the King of Camelot. I believe in him." Morgana nodded once, knowing she could trust Mordred. "And I do too, Mordred. What do you know of their plans? The Battle?"

As they spoke, the Once and Future King's fate was decided then and there. But who was telling the truth and who was born into a fate they could not change?