Twins Eyes // Merlin Fanfic

Battle Plans - Chapter 9

Whilst Morgana and I were discussing our lives and how to live unscathed for the time that the soldiers were roaming the forest, Uther had returned to Camelot alongside his most favoured knights to form an attack plan.

Little did we know, battallions of Saxon warriors had also begun formations and armies, plotting to storm Camelot in the near future. The King of Camelot was having a rather tortuous time attempting to keep his fiery knight under control and actually creating a tactical de and offense.

Their troops were to approach the citadel through the Valley of the Fallen Kings, and it did not take long for word of their coming to reach Morgana's ears.

She just smiled, a cruel twist to the way her lips curved upwards menacingly.

"Would you be up to fighting for revenge against Uther and my puny brother, after what they did to you?" She asked defiantly, bold as brass.

I sighed, weighing up my options. I knew that opposing the King and his son, Arthur, would gravely endanger Merlin's position, and it was already foretold that the Land of Albion which Arthur would one day come to create would be a peaceful, prosperous kingdom that allowed the fascinating practice of magic.

"I am not so sure that it is wise to aid such temperamental forces," I countered carefully, watching her reaction and monitoring my next approach.

"If we allow the strong fortress and castle to fight it's own battles without aiding either side, we are leaving our options open. I do not wish to threatens my brother's job, for it is most certainly not my place to jeopardise his chances of living in Camelot as well as ours."

She cocked her head over slightly, as if thinking through my answer and almost agreeing. Trying to answer with a balanced argument to a power-hungry sorceress to tell her that we shouldn't fight for a kingdom that could potentially make a peaceful land ruled by magic is fairly difficult.

"I suppose. We can leave them be this time - I fear they will have little success against such forces anyway."

Morgana sighed lightly, turning her back to me in ignorance because she knew that I was right.

Well, this time anyway.

Night soon fell, and under the cover of darkness came the troops of Saxon warriors. They had prepared and were approaching the castle quickly, earlier than expected so as to take them unawares whilst some of the King's favoured knights were awaw from the city.

Not long before dawn, the heavy footsteps of common men and soldiers could be heard stomping through the valley at no particular speed, for they were laden with heavy shields, armour and weapons.

Their swords were heavy and blunt, slow and brutal. Better for charging with force than nimble one-to-one combat or outwitting the opponent.

This gave the army of Camelot a vital advantage.

They began to set up camp at the entrance to the valley, cutting off Camelot and it's few allies. The citadel was now alone and would need to be warned if they were to survive.

Without a second thought, I pulled my cloak around me and fastened it tightly at the front. The hood was drawn up over my head and I began to blend in to the darkness.

"I have to warn Merlin. Much as I know for certain that he will pass the news on to a higher authority, I cannot stand by and watch innocent citizens die. I feel like it will be at my hand, for I did not tell Camelot what I knew."

She just flicked a hand, signalling that there was nothing she was going to do. I sent her my silent gratitude and left, turning away from the direction of the Saxon camp and doubled back around to find the gates of Camelot.

As I was spritning through the dense forest, I failed to notice the light footsteps that were following me, hot on my heels.

I stopped to find my route, when a heavy breath plumed into the air behind me. I slipped a hand onto the hilt of my dagger, swinging around and holding it tight to my stalker's throat.

"State your name before I run you through," I whispered dangerously, afraid tht there would be more men nearby.

"Merlin."

I looked into the eyes of the runner, and stepped back slowly, replacing my dagger to my belt.

"You could've told me earlier, brother."

Before her could reply, the familiar feeling of a sharpened blade was jabbing into my back, and I whipped around to face my offender.

"I though I banished you from Camelot. Why do you still stay where you are not allowed?" Arthur asked me sharply.

"If you don't mind, I was fleeing from my residence to tell you about the army of Saxon warriors that are staying at the foot of the Valley of the Fallen King's, waiting to attack the citadel."

The prince removed the blade from my back, grabbing my wrist and pulling me towards the city.

"We already knew. As the laws of my father nad his forebears say, one who is banished must leave the realm. If not, he must be imprisoned."

I listened intently, smirking a little.

"You might wish to notice that I am not a he, my Lord."

Arthur just growled, not dropping his tight grip on my arm as I half-walked half-dragged through the forest as the first weak rays of pale sunlight began to flit through the gaps tin the leaves.

Before I could think a way out of my unfortunate predicament, I was locked in the cells of Camelot, lying helplessly on the straw.

I could not magic my way out for a high-profile knight stood guard aside my cell, facing me at all times. His stare was cold and grey, glaring into my soul.

"You're a friendly fellow, aren't you?" I asked tiredly with a sigh, but the man in the red cloak didn't even flinch. I began to wonder whether he was even human and not a creature of magic, but then I remembered that Uther was in charge of the city, and I had as much chance of just being 'let out easily' as he did being a creature of magic.

I flopped down onto the hay, twiddling it in my fingertips in boredom. Merlin had been down to see me once or twice, but never stayed for long as he had duties to attend to.

It was only then that I realised how lonely the life of a prisoner is, how boring and frustrating and tiring it is. Having nobody to converse with makes for litte energy, and it then dawned on me that loneliness was the reason for Morgana's hatred, for she must have been treated not dissimilarly to I.

Amongst my thoughts came footsteps down the stairs, and a familiar red neckerchief poked round the cell door.

He walked over to me and handed the guards the keys, sitting cross-legged beside me. I sat up, and he whispered very, very softly in my ear.

"I'm going to help you escape."

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Hiiiiii!

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