His Majesty and His Knights

The Coming of Arthur: Part 1

Merlin and Arthur walked- or limped, in Arthur's case- through the forest. They had failed in retrieving the Cup of Life. King Cenred had gotten to it before they had a chance and on their way back they were attacked. "Merlin!"

Arthur and Merlin turned to see Gwaine running towards them. "Lancelot sent me to find you while he is going to find an old friend of his. He said we'll need all the help we can get."

"What do you mean?"

"Cenred's army attacked. The men will not die."

Arthur turned to Merlin. "The cup."

"I'm afraid so, sire." 

Arthur sighed. "Let's go to Camelot and see what we can do about it. We'll stop by Guinevere's house on the way and make sure she's alright." He began limping towards the city. "Yes, Gwaine, you can come too."

Merlin stage whispered to Gwaine, "he only wants to stop by Gwen's because he looooves her."

"I heard that!"

They got to Gwen's college and Arthur tried to kick down the door, but he was too injured. "Allow me," Gwaine interjected.

Gwaine kicked down the door and the trio went inside. "Hello?" Arthur called.

Out of nowhere, Elyan popped up and lunged at Arthur with a sword. Arthur just barely blocked it. "I'm sorry," Elyan apologized.

"Where is everyone?" Arthur asked.

"They came out of nowhere," Elyan told them. "A mighty army. Weapons were useless against them. They were men, Sire, but not men. Nothing could kill them. Nothing."

They sat in silence for a few seconds, letting his words sink in. "Where's your sister? Where's Guinevere?"

"She was in the citadel when they attacked."

"There's still hope."

"Sire. The citadel's been taken."

"Let's go," Arthur said. He led the three men out of Elyan and Guinevere's home, towards the citadel. There were bodies all along the streets. Carts were overturned and belongings littered the road. It was a gruesome sight and would surely be worse in the morning light. 

They snuck into the castle and up the stairs, but Arthur couldn't go on for much longer after hours upon hours of walking on a wounded leg and nearly fainted.  "Elyan, do you know the way too the dungeons?" Merlin asked.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Go with Gwaine. See if you can find Gaius, Guinevere and Uther." The two of them nodded and made their way to the stairs.

"I'm going with them," Arthur said, barely conscious.

"No, you're not," Merlin replied.

"That's an order."

"You're order can die in a pit full of poisonous rabbits. You're coming with me." Merlin carried Arthur to Gaius' chambers and set him down on the table. 

"You're disobeying orders, Merlin. I'll have you in the stocks for this."

"Fine. Now stay put and try not to move that leg."

As Merlin searched for something to help Arthur, he heard a clattering coming from the closet. He grabbed Arthur's sword and carefully opened the door to find... "Gaius!"

"Merlin!"

"Are you alright?"

"All the better for seeing you!" Then he noticed Arthur. 

"I tried to heal him using magic, but it didn't work."

With an eyebrow raised, Gaius looked at Arthur's leg. "The wound's infected. I'll have to redress the leg to reduce the inflammati-"

"No! No no no. We don't have enough time! Just give me something to keep going."

"Yes, Sire."

While Gaius treated Arthur, Merlin ran to his room and grabbed his bag. He turned through his spell book to find a charm that would allow it to fit an infinite amount of things and not be too heavy. Finding it, he cast the charm and put the spell book inside. Then, he pulled up a few floor boards. He pulled out his cloak, circlet, sword and ceremonial book and put it inside. He couldn't risk anything happening to them. Then, he moved to his closet and got the Sidhe staff and the water from the Fisher King. 

Merlin came out of his room just as Gaius gave Arthur the potion. As Arthur finished the potion, Elyan and Gwaine ran into the chambers.

"The king, Sire, he's alive!" Elyan exclaimed.

"Where is he?"

"They're taking him to the throne room as we speak," Gwain said.

"This may be my last chance."

"Arthur, there's too many of them. You won't make it," Merlin protested.

"I won't leave my father to die here alone. Gwaine, Elyan, take Gaius and make your way to the woods beyond the castle." Gwaine looked to Merlin for permission. Merlin nodded. "I hope we met again. Merlin, you should go with them."

"Nah, I've seen the woods already." Arthur clapped Merlin on the shoulder and they all went their separate ways.

Arthur and Merlin stealthily made their way to the balcony overlooking the throne room, avoiding immortal guards at every turn. They watched as two guards forced Uther to his knees in front of Morgause. "Well, Uther," she said, "how the mighty have fallen."

At that point, Arthur wanted to kill her and rescue his father, but Merlin stopped him. "The guards are immortal. They'll cut you to ribbons. What use are you dead?" He whispered sharply.

"I don't think you'll be needing this anymore," Morgause said, removing Uther's crown.

"This is unlawful. You cannot do this. You have no right to the throne!" Uther bellowed.

"I don't need another throne, Uther. I already have two. You're correct, of course. I have no right to the throne."

"But I do." Morgana stepped out from behind the throne, dressed in a shimmering white gown. Morgause stepped out of the way and Morgana moved in front of the throne. "I am your daughter, afterall," she spat.

Merlin glanced at Arthur. He was shaking in anger.

"Don't look so surprised," Morgana sneered. "I've known for some time." She sat on the throne. Morgause motioned for Geoffery of Monmouth to step forth. The guards pushed him to stand by Morgana's side.

"By the power vested in me, I crown thee Morgana Pendragon. Queen of Camelot." He placed a jeweled crown on her head.

Knowing there was little they could do now, Merlin grabbed Arthur and they ran to the forest in hopes of finding someplace safe where they could create a plan.