We're All Nomads Here

[Arthur Pendragon]

It was the day of the battle, though they did not yet know it. They were getting nearer and while everyone was busy, there was a strong tension in the air. Fear. It was pure fear. Despite Arthur's little speech last night to raise spirits and morale, he was well aware of the small chance of success. They were villagers, about to face a small army of raiders. They were ruthless killers and would show no hesitation in killing them. But these villagers . . . Arthur didn't know what was going to happen come tomorrow. What he did know was that no matter what they faced, he would be there facing it with them, and just pray that somehow a miracle came about that would save them all. It was unlikely. He was heavily relying on the strategy since combat strength was not their forte. They could draw in Kanen's men and strike them all at once . . . of course, that was the difficult part. But it was all they had.

Arthur's mind rested on many things, including the future of Camelot if he were to die but he would never regret coming here, for Merlin. Then of course there was the fact that an entire village and all its inhabitants lives were in danger. He had encouraged them to fight for their rights . . . would it have been safer to follow Will's suggestion to just flee? It was not that easy to run away from a life that they created from scratch. From the farm they worked; from the homes they built; from everything they knew. There was just so much to consider and while on the outside Arthur was confident and spreading encouragement, inside, he was so uncertain and quite fearful of what tomorrow would bring. It would claim the lives of the people . . . and those he cared about. A great deal was at stake. Too much.

Everyone was taking a break from the training Arthur was giving them. They had been at it since the early morning and it was now early afternoon. But, it was essential that they learn how to carry a weapon and use it. All he could teach them was the basics, of how to land a mortal blow for that would be what mattered. They would not have time to spar or dance around; they had to strike once and strike hard. Kanen and his men would show no reservations when it came to fighting them, so neither could they. Three people that Arthur had come with were not present during the training. They were busy preparing weapons and getting everything else set in place. But that did not mean they were far from his mind. He saw Guinevère talking to Will, and Merlin close by. He did not need to seek out Morgana as well for he knew she was well trained enough. But the other two, he was worried about. He had given Guinevère a short little lesson the day before, but this would be the last opportunity he would have to give them each a bit of one on one training.

Still clad in only half his armor [one around his neck and the shoulder plates on his upper arms], void of the chainmail, with his sword at his side, he began approached them. The others could take a break, but if he did . . . it would be wasted time and a wasted opportunity when he could be showing them how to defend themselves as best he could in a couple days time. At a bit of a distance, he picked up two swords with his gloved hands, one for Merlin and one for Guinevère. Merlin could somewhat handle a sword -- better than he could when they first met -- but he could still use a bit of formal training, especially when there was so much at stake. Guinevère, was someone Arthur was greatly worried for. She had been so reluctant to strike him, even with a stick. Perhaps tomorrow when she was directly in the face of danger, it would be different. With the adrenaline rushing and realizing she had no other choice, maybe she would be able to strike. But, he had to make sure. "Merlin, Guinevère. Come with me please," he told them. It was not an order but a request. He waited a few moments, holding the two swords in his hand before seeing that they would follow, and began to walk towards the woods surrounding Ealdor.


_{Setting: In the village of Ealdor
Time of Day: Early afternoon
Timeline: During the Moment of Truth; the day before the battle
Tag: Guinevère and Merlin
Notes: Lets get this threesome started!}

[Guinevère]

Everything had turned around from how she thought it would. When Morgana and her had first set out on this trip, Guinevère had hoped to find a way to avoid a fight. Part of her even wondered if Uther would not send an army after her, and in the process smite down the evil men stealing food from this village. She'd been afraid, and completely unsure of what they were going to do, or even how a whole village would trust two women and a young man! Their first night together however, changed everything . . .

The prince of Camelot showed up! Guinevère had awoken to Merlin and the prince talking, and hope swelled in her! Arthur knew battles and odds and would make sure nothing happened to him! He was used to fighting and keeping everyone alive! She didn't even think he'd ever lost a fight! Yes! Everything would be alright! Arthur was here!! . . . . .

However she came to see just how arrogant he could be. He looked down on the people and then told them what to do, and worse . . . he completely ignored her and the woman's willingness to fight for their home! Morgana had him had been talking, and when she spoke, he did not even look at her, much less give credit to her words.Looks like the battle's already fought and lost. They'll toughen up. They need to. How are we doing for weapons? He asked right after she had, and looked at Morgana, as if a servant should not have spoken? There isn't much, but we should be able to scrape together what you need. It's not the weapons that worry us. It's having enough people to use them. We think the women should be allowed to fight. She had tried again, but Arthur had not even looked at her again; so Morgana tried. You haven't enough men. If they were trained soldiers, maybe you'd stand a chance, but they're not. It's too dangerous. He told them, looking right at Morgana but not at her!

When Merlin's dear sweet mother made him food, using what little they had he had just passed it off! Not caring of their feelings! She had covered for him, to spare Merlin's mother any hurt feelings, but it annoyed her that he would do such a thing! She knew he wasn't used to this type of life but he did not need to look down on it so! Nor not even give the woman credit!

Last night he was giving orders, and jobs when she could stay silent no more; Tomorrow morning, the women and children should gather what belongings they can carry and go to the woods. We're not going anywhere! I know you want to help. The women can't stay here. It's too dangerous. Unable to ignore her here, surrounded by people he finally looked at her, and spoke to her! The women have as much right to fight for their lives as the men do! But none of you know how to fight. A valid point, but she wasn't giving in!! The more of us there are, the better chance we stand! The woman of the town closed in around her, letting him know they were HERE and READY to fight no matter what he thought of them, not what he said! Arthur however, seemed to know when he'd lost the battle: This is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. I'd be honored to stand alongside you. Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is why he will never defeat us. Look around. In this circle, we're all equals. You're not fighting because someone's ordering you to, you're fighting for so much more than that. You fight for your homes. You fight for your family. You fight for your friends. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes: fighting for your very right to survive! And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day, and you'll know you earned the right to live every day in between! So you fight! For your family! For your friends! For Ealdor!

Everyone had stood and cheered! Hope had filled the town and Arthur Pendragon had given them that. Not a prince from another kingdom, but a man with hope in his heart! The next morning she would bring him food, and her anger would get the better of her. Yet, he did not seem to mind but to welcome it. It confused her.

She was standing, talking to Merlin and some of his friends. She was enjoying their light conversion and the ease of the mood, even while there was an dangerous undertone to it. Everyone seemed to know that in a matter of hours that everything would change. That there would be some who would not stand among them tonight or tomorrow. That there would be lives lost. A voice of command broke thought their talking; "Merlin, Guinevère. Come with me please,"

Her heart skipped a beat, wondering what he could want with her after she'd yelled at him this morning. She reached up to touch Merlin's arm in comfort, as they walked over to where he was with his swords. What was Arthur planning?

[em]

Merlin had been run off of his feet non-stop since the group’s arrival in Ealdor. Arthur seemed determined that they would fight till the end – which Merlin was flattered by, but the prince had said it so himself, these men were not soldiers. None of them could handle their weapons well. But what did that matter anyway? It wasn’t all about the physical side, but also of the heart. The amount of men that Arthur had trained showed just how far everyone was determined to go to protect their village. The women especially, as last night they’d stood up and said that they wanted to be involved to.

The only person who seemed to have very little faith was Will. Merlin was now beginning to think that his best friend had little faith in him as well. For a start he disliked Arthur (which wasn’t hard upon the first meeting). It was as though he didn’t want to be any part of it. This had made Merlin feel a little let down. Will was his best friend and had been since they could talk. Now he seemed to be turning his back on the whole idea.
Merlin wondered whether it was out of jealousy or resentment. He had just left with hardly any goodbye and was now serving a prince after all.

Arthur’s speech the previous evening had made Merlin realise that he wasn’t exactly the prat that he was when they’d first met. He’d spoken like a solider, a man of determination. Like a King.
He wasn’t about to tell Arthur that though, his ego was already big enough. But Merlin couldn’t help but feel that one day it could happen. That Arthur would reign and show strength and guidance to all – just like he had done with the people of Ealdor.

Now it was the day before Kanan and his men were due to strike, and it seemed as though everyone had their guard up. Merlin especially. Should he have to use his magic at any point then he would. At least it would be for the good. He could sort of use a sword now. Better than before he’d met Arthur – he’d never even held one, so at least he had some form of weaponry to use.
He was talking with Guinevère and Will (not that he was making any conversation, just being moody as usual). At least Gwen was there to fight for what she believed in – then again Gwen was so pure of heart that he wasn’t surprised when she’d come along.

"Merlin, Guinevère. Come with me please," Arthur’s voice broke the conversation. Merlin looked to Guinevère who touched his arm, before following her and the Prince.
Merlin couldn’t decide whether this conversation was for the good or the bad. Obviously Arthur had something up his sleeve – he hoped.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When both quietly complied, Arthur silently led them. He did not say anything as they followed, his mind filled with so many various thoughts and trying to remain calm and composed on the eve of battle. He did not know what would happen in the next few hours. Had he condemned these people by killing some of the men the moment he had arrived? What if Will was right, and it was safe for them to just had fled? Arthur did not believe in that . . . running from fighting what was rightfully theirs. But he also knew that being a knight, trained from birth, gave one a strong confidence . . . and each life lost today, would be blood on his hands. Whether anyone was willing to admit it or not. He was already responsible for one man's death when he had sent him to keep watch -- for Arthur should have known better. He should have known that Kanen was no where near civility and that he would kill, even a watchman. Who knows what would happen. Arthur hoped for the best but feared for the worst.

When they reached a small clearing, Arthur's pace slowed, taking a few more steps before fully stopping. It was a clearing well concealed by trees, but still close enough to be able to hear any commotion that may arise in the heart of the village. He paused to look the two in front of him. A man who was becoming a brother in heart, and a woman who . . . who Arthur's heart did not yet known how to define for there was something about her that set her apart from everyone else. Whether it was her brutal honesty, or her unwavering faith. Just, something. "In a few hours time, Kanen will be here and the final battle for Ealdor will commence." They had been fighting for the village for days . . . but this would be the determining fight. Kanen would not be the last raider, but Ealdor would be setting an example. "It will not be an easy fight," he continued. He knew that they were both already well aware of this and that they need no reminder, but it was leading up to why he had brought the two of them out here.

Because they had not had a chance to partake in the proper training . . . the few tips that Arthur could give the others. "Which is why it is imperative that each man," Arthur paused, his gaze resting on Guinevère specifically with a slightly softer and understanding look, as he spoke the next part to his words. "And woman," he said before going back to looking between the two of them. It had been her after all who had defended the woman's right to fight, and he was not going to soon forget that. "Be able to hold their own," he finished. He held out the swords in his hands for them to take. "And if you will permit me to, I would like to help each of you to achieve this." By giving them additional training. To help them be able to stand their ground, hold their fight. But at the same time, he was not going to demand it. He was not a prince here. He was just a man. He was an equal among other villagers so would not use his authority . . . only offer his expertise.

[Guinevère]

"And if you will permit me to, I would like to help each of you to achieve this." Guinevère had walked slowly over to him, when he had called them and was surprised by how he had included her. She wished had had not spoken her full name, for she had been Gwen for so long that her full name came so rarely. It sounded . . . different, when he spoke it and she wasn't sure why. Not bad, just not . . . . just different.

She didn't speak, but her eyes went from Arthur's the Merlin's. She wasn't sure if she should be honored to be tough by Arthur (for it was known he was the best in kingdom and even the ones around it), or be afraid that he felt the need to take them two aside.

Guinevère gave a soft and quick nod of her head, hoping she did not look as uncertain about being trained by him as she felt. It seemed easy to have courage last night, but in the light she was finding that he might be right. She might know everything about armor and swords; might know all the styles and names of every part; even know how to make them--but she knew nothing of how to use them.

Her eyes moved from Merlin and back to the prin--Arthur. She wasn't sure what he had in mind, but she knew that she could not back out now. Merlin's home and all these people depended on every person to do their part! It was time to be strong!

[/quote]

[em]

Merlin followed Gwen and Arthur, a little curious as to why he was leading them away from the village. Obviously this was a very private discussion. He could sense it, as Arthur had a look on his face that Merlin had come to recognise as that of a serious one.
Finally they came to a stop and he listened as Arthur explained to them both about what he wanted to achieve.

Merlin had never picked up a sword in his life, except to pass it to Arthur to use, and for cleaning. That was just as much contact as he’d come into with a weapon, however it seemed they needed all the help they could get, and Arthur wanted them to be part of that. Merlin was prepared for anything that could be thrown at him right now. This was his village and his whole life as he knew it at stake. And if they were to go down, then he would do so, with them.

He looked to Gwen and then back at Arthur. “Ealdor is my home” his eyes darted to Arthur’s, “I’ve grown up with these people. I can’t lose them all now” he didn’t like the idea of his mother fighting against Kanen’s men, but she was strong and Merlin knew that she wouldn’t back down.

“I should warn you, you might lose a thumb or a hand when you give me a sword though” he grinned at Arthur.

OOC: SORRY IM SO LATE!!! BAD MERLIN!! *slaps hand*