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! Layout soon to come!}

[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?

[consultingwarlock]

Merlin stood slightly to one side, a soft smile on his face as he watched Will and Gwen talking animatedly to each other. He was especially glad to see Will; after their argument the previous day, he wasn't sure that his friend would still be in Ealdor. 'I'm not abandoning these people, Merlin. You are.' Will's words echoed in Merlin's ears, and he found his thoughts turning to the conversation he had with Hunith the previous night. 'And if he doesn't accept me for who I really am, then... he's not the friend I hoped he was.' Ever since Arthur had begun to put together a strategy, the subject of whether or not to use his magic had been at the forefront of Merlin's mind. But Will's words had made him realise that it didn't, no, shouldn't matter if Arthur found out or not. Because what good were his gifts if he couldn't use them to save the people he loved from harm? He'd made up his mind. If the fight looked like it was turning in Kanen's favour, then he wouldn't hesitate to use his magic. Regardless of the consequences.

But then, that had been his plan from the start. Before Arthur, before Gwen and Morgana. As soon as he saw the blossoming bruise underneath his mother's eye, he knew that he would get revenge on the savages that caused her harm. From the moment he made up his mind to return to Ealdor, even whilst standing on the parapet overlooking the city of Camelot speaking with Arthur, he knew that he would have to use magic to save his village. Because there was no other alternative. Uther had denied Hunith's request for help, and Arthur was bound by his father's word. Their situation seemed hopeless. When both Gwen and Morgana revealed that they would be joining Merlin, he felt conflicted over their decision. Of course, he was extremely grateful for their help, and felt honoured that they would choose to offer their services out of kindness towards him, but it made the choice to use magic all the more difficult. They both held positions in the castle, and had connections with Arthur - the Lady Morgana especially - so word of his gifts could easily reach the Prince, and through him, the King. But the night they had stopped to rest before reaching Ealdor, Merlin decided that didn't matter. He wouldn't stand and watch his home, his mother's home, slowly waste away due to the miserable conditions they were forced to live in.

Then Arthur had arrived. Well, by arrived, Merlin had nearly taken his head off when he was caught unawares by Arthur's appearance. All thoughts of magic were pushed to the back of his mind when he saw the Prince. Because if anyone could take control of the situation, it was Arthur. When he began questioning Merlin over the state of Kanen's forces over the campfire that night, Merlin felt the most confident he had felt since hearing of the situation from his mother. This confidence in the Prince had only wavered a few times since then; the truth about their lack of numbers and the brutal way in which Matthew was killed being the cases in which he'd thought 'They weren't going to be able to do this.' But then he'd had the argument with Will - who Merlin could always count on to be brutally honest - and the resolve to use his magic was once again alive. If it was a choice between revealing who he really was, and saving the people whom he'd grown up with, save his friends, save his mother... then there really was no choice.

And now the time of the battle was drawing nearer; the villagers taking a break from another last minute bout of training from Arthur. Everyone was just waiting for that pivotal moment in which the fate of Ealdor and those within its walls, would rest on the shoulders of the Prince, and unbeknownst to said Prince, his servant. Merlin's attention was brought back to the moment when he saw Will's jaw visibly tighten at something behind Merlin's shoulder. And as the voice rang out, he realised that it wasn't something, it was someone. Arthur. 'Merlin, Guinevère. Come with me please.' Merlin threw Will an apologetic look as he went to follow Arthur, noticing the flash of anger in his friend's eyes at the interruption by the Prince. But he'd have to talk to him later. Right now, he needed to find out what Arthur wanted. Will's grudge against royalty could wait.

Merlin felt Gwen's comforting hand on his arm as they walked over to where Arthur was standing on the outskirts of Ealdor. He was grateful for that little gesture, as although he would never admit it, nerves about the upcoming events were starting to make themselves known. He clenched and unclenched his fists in an effort to dispell some of the adrenaline that had started to pump through his veins, and stopped in front of the Prince, eyeing up the swords in his hand. He had a feeling he knew where this was headed. "Arthur? What is it?" He voiced the simple question, not wanting to waste any time in letting Arthur get to the point of his summons. Time was precious. Kanen could strike at any moment.

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