Ancient Help (A Harry Potter and Merlin Crossover)

Chapter Twenty: Morgana's Reign

"Arthur, wake up!"

The Prince groaned and shifted on his bed, blindly raising a hand and successfully smacking the face away of whomever was disturbing his peaceful sleep.

Merlin, who turned out to be the disturber, bristled beside his bed and tried his very best to contain his magic. A loud blast from outside rang in his ears and he cringed, scowling darkly at the slumbering lump. He was in disbelief that even though outside the castle was in chaos, Arthur was still able to sleep.

Desperate, he leaned on the Prince's bed once again and smacked him awake. That did the trick for Arthur yelped and quickly shot up from his bed.

"MERLIN!" he thundered, grabbing a fistful of Merlin's hair to get his revenge. A loud blast from outside had startled him, though, and he stared outside his window, jaw dropping and eyes widening.

"I tried to wake you up sooner, sire," Merlin said, stepping away from his slack grip. He took a deep breath and followed his line of vision. "Cenred and his knights attacked Camelot. I'm afraid Morgause is one of them."

Wordlessly, Arthur stood up from his bed. He grabbed his armour and Merlin dutifully helped him.

"Round up as many knights as you can see," Arthur hastily said under his breath while buckling his belt. He grabbed his sword and inserted it inside his sheath and turned around at his grave manservant. "Tell them to bring as many civilians as they could inside the castle first before anything else. You understand me?"

Merlin nodded. He opened his mouth, meaning to talk, but no words came from his mouth. The only thing that he had managed to utter was the Prince's name.

"Save your idiotic words for later, Merlin," Arthur exclaimed, although his usual condescending tone was missing. Merlin was struck how formidable Arthur looked like now. If he were afraid, then the young warlock did not know. Arthur seemed to look so determined and brave right now that the fear that he might be feeling was buried deep inside his mind.

"Go now," the Prince then snapped, waving his hand in dismissal.

Merlin then shot out of the room. At the same time, Arthur's doors burst open. A distressed Guinevere shakily came inside, her hands pressed tightly against her mouth while her wide eyes were glossy with uncontrollable tears. Merlin was torn whether to comfort her or follow Arthur's orders. One brief look at the Prince's expression was his deciding factor. He then shot into the deserted corridor, the distinctive cries and shouts now overwhelming his senses.

Meanwhile, Arthur had gone to Guinevere's side hastily as soon as Merlin disappeared from his room.

"Arthur," she mournfully cried. His heart twisted with how much emotion was heard from the sound of her voice. He lifted his hand and wiped away her tears, prompting her to close her eyes in distress. "Arthur, K-King Uther is dead."

His hand froze on her cheek. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened as his hand slowly fell limply back at his side, Gwen's words ringing loudly in his ears. "No," he uttered breathlessly, his heart clenching more painfully. "No."

Gwen's eyes softened in compassion. "Listen to me," she softly cried, raising her hands but he recoiled from her touch. Arthur brushed past her and ran towards his father's bedchambers with all of his might. He could hear Guinevere's footsteps behind him, he could hear the clanging of the swords outside, he could hear the shouts of pain and cries of anguish from his people. But the loudest thing that he could hear was the beating of his heart.

They finally arrived and Arthur hastily burst inside. Gaius and Hermione were already bent over King Uther's form. The Court Physician turned his grave face towards his direction while Hermione's tearstained face hesitantly met his eyes.