Stronger [A Merlin fanfiction]

Stronger

Running down the halls, hearts racing, two men dove behind an alcove to hide.

"Arthur, how is it that we end up in messes like these?" The smaller male asked.

"Don't ask me. You'd think trouble would get bored after a while." Hearing the sound of heavy feet against stone tile Arthur swung his sword around the wall striking stone. A stone version of a serving girl who shattered. "We need to keep moving." The blond stated when he saw the pieces begin to reassemble themselves.

"We should get to Giaus. He might know something on how to defeat her."

"If he hasn't already been turned."

"He's smart, he would have found a way to stay hidden from them."

"Alright Merlin." The two then, as quickly and quietly as they could, made there way to the physician's quarters. It took nearly an hour to get there with nearly six encounters with friends turned stone cold killers, quite literally.

Opening the door they were met with the site of two stone knights trying to get through the door leading to Merlin's bedroom. Without hesitation Arthur charged at the stone men. Merlin standing back used a spell to inhibit the stone men. Once stattered the duo hastily opened the door, slamming it shut behind themselves. They were met with the odd sight of Giaus holding a chair over his head as the older man prepared to slam it over one of their heads.

"Giaus! It's only us! Merlin and Arthur." Relief caused his body to sag slightly as he smiled.

"Merlin!" He dropped the chair and pulled the young man who he had grown to view as a son into a hug. After a moment he released him and a grave look fell upon his face.

"Giaus," Arthur spoke up, "We are out of ideas. Merlin said you might know a way to stop the sorceress."

"Indeed." Giaus confirmed, but his voice was quiet and almost pained.

"What do we need to do?" Merlin asked hopefully.

"We need to have a person with magic stronger than the caster to go to the heart of the enchantment and cast the counter."

"That's impossible." Arthur slammed his fist against the wall in frustration. "Sorcery is banned in Camelot. And even if a sorcerer powerful enough to stop Kialí had somehow managed to hide out in Camelot why would they help us. Help me. My father has executed plenty of their kind. Never mind the fact we can't even leave the castle thanks to the barrier."

Merlin's fits clenched as realization of what he had to do fell upon him. "Is there really no other way?" He asked in a small voice. His shoulders hunched as he tried to bury his fear. If he did this, there would be no way to hide what he really was. Arthur would no and that thought terrified. He didn't want to lose the man he had grown to see as his closest friend, his brother, but if he didn't do this everyone would die.

"Merlin." The young king spoke getting the fearful boy's attention. "I want you to stay here and hide with Giaus. I'm going to go after Kialí. Maybe if I can kill her then this will all stop."

"That won't work. Yes it may stop the curse from affecting more people, but everyone already who has already been turned will die."

Arthur clenched his fists, "What other choice do we have. We can't cast the countercurse Merlin and I aren't sorcerers and you haven't performed any magic in decades. You aren't nearly powerful enough to stop her."

"Arthur," the pain and fear in the voice caused the other to pause. "You know I would never hurt or betray you or Camelot right?" The serving boy sounded near tears.

"Of course Merlin. Don't be stupid." The Pendragon said in an attempt to soothe the boy's fears not sure what brought them about in the first place.