Chapter 13

Merlin breathed out as his magic was released and Arthur's hands sprung to life, years and years of battle training behind him as he quickly punched Mordaith, who lurched forward as Arthur moved away before stealthily straightening up. Seething with rage, he unsheathed his sword from his belt and took a long stride towards Arthur. His breaths came out of his nostrils like a wild animal's and trapped veins sprung to life in the leader's forehead. Sayodin moved up from behind Mordaith, coming next to the leader, both ignoring Merlin who stood tied to the tree. Sayodin moved forward in attack.

Like a lightning bolt, Mordaith shot out his arm pushing Sayodin back a few feet before grounding out, "He's mine."

Mordaith lashed out taking a sharp swing from his left, but Arthur was ready for him. He quickly went under the blades path, not surprised when his hair on his head bristled from the proximity. With no weapon and no shield, Arthur needed to rely on his quickness if he hoped to survive this.

With fire in his eyes, Mordaith brought his sword rearing around for a back swing and Arthur hastily backed up, but not fast enough as the point of the blade tore into his leather riding clothes, leaving a faint scratch underneath. Arthur looked down, surprised at the closeness of the strike and then did a sharp turn to avoid another heated swing from his opponent when he noticed Mordaith had a second blade, fastened to his belt. It was a short sword, but it would do the job for Arthur. With speed that would do his knights proud, Arthur turned to the side as Mordaith changed his tactic and jabbed his sword at him in a harsh stabbing motion. Mordaith's blade slid past his torso in full view and Arthur reached out and pushed the hand holding the sword up with his left. Using the small distraction, Arthur snatched the spare sword from the leader's belt out of its scabbard, taking it in his right hand and pushing Mordaith away from him.

Arthur's breaths came out heavily from the quick maneuver but now with a blade in his hand, he felt more confident. He could face this, as long as Sayodin didn't enter the battle. Magic was something that Arthur time and time again had been out done by. Magic was hard to face.

He shook his head to refocus his mind on the present and Mordaith, whose face was scrunched in scornful, contempt-filled lines; obviously hating himself for allowing his seemingly defenseless prey to gain a foot in the fight. Deciding it was time to take the offensive, Arthur swung at the leader's midsection, only to have his swing stopped quickly by a strong block. He backed up to reevaluate the situation, swinging his sword vertically in his right hand in preparation but this time, Mordaith was the one to strike first. His blow came from down low and arched high, Arthur choosing to back out of the way instead of trying to stop it. He returned a blow of his own, which was hastily blocked by the leader, putting Mordaith off balance, too far back on his feet. Stealthily, Arthur swung quickly and couldn't stop a smug smirk from appearing as his blade slightly pierced Mordaith's side before the Prince kicked him, and he fell to the ground.

Not wasting a second, Arthur moved away from Mordaith, knowing he would be up soon and got to Merlin. He brought up his sword, cutting the bounds that held Merlin there before shuffling to his left a few feet from his servant, eyes on Mordaith who was making his way over to Arthur once again. Not turning to his servant, but with all the authority he had, he spoke, "Merlin, get out of here."

Merlin turned his head to the Prince who stood in a battle pose, waiting for Mordaith to get in close range from where Arthur had kicked him to the ground in the center of the camp. The warlock's eyes wondered out into the forest, which stood ominously close behind them and shook his head. "No, I'm not leaving you here."

"Listen to me, Merlin. Leave, now." He said, seriously low and threatening. For the Prince, there was too much at stake.

"No." Merlin said, firmly. This was not a time for an argument. He wasn't abandoning Arthur when he needed him most, even if the Prince was endlessly stubborn. He had allowed too much to happen the last few days, he had let this go on long enough. How could he grow to be the man that was prophesized about when he didn't stop something that he clearly could of, just because it might come back badly for him? No. He wasn't leaving.

"Idiot!" Arthur grunted out exasperatedly at Merlin. He didn't have time to elaborate on that though as Mordaith reached him and flung his sword between the two, barely missing Arthur. Merlin's eyes widened as the two exchanged blows, clanging metal echoing loudly. Arthur was a skilled warrior; he knew that, but it was so heated, so quick, and he hoped he didn't have to use his magic to blast into there. He might hit Arthur.

Suddenly things shifted in the battle, Arthur was forcing Mordaith back, gaining footing and his blade was hovering ever-close to Mordaith's body. And then the Prince whirled around, sliced a deep wound in Mordaith's sword wielding arm and grabbed the weapon from him, all in one smooth motion. Arthur got a solid grip on both swords and pointed them at Mordaith, who was panting, his eyes bulging out with surprise and contempt at the Prince. Merlin watched as Arthur's eyes leveled Mordaith, keeping contact as he forced the leader on his knees, and Merlin let out a sigh of relief. Arthur had won. It would be over.

Without warning, his magic pricked beneath his skin and his eyes caught sight of Sayodin, uttering the last syllable of a spell before green lightning grew out of his fingers. His hand was in a rigid line, pointed sharply towards… Arthur.

Merlin eyes widened in terror as the blinding light streaked in slow motion across his vision to Arthur and Mordaith, like a long twisted hand.

His senses numbed and he almost didn't hear himself utter the words that he had used so long ago to protect Arthur when they had first entered the forest. Time still passed slowly and Merlin witnessed the magical protection wrap itself around the Prince. Merlin's eyes involuntarily faded back to their original blue as his magic ended and time sped forward in full force once again.

He stared unblinkingly at Arthur as the green lightning hit him and Mordaith, sending them both to the ground in a great whirl of light and sound before dissipating into nothingness. Merlin sprinted over to Arthur, hoping that his spell was strong enough, just hoping.

Eh… Cliffhanger..? I just need to thank you guys for the reviews you have submitted, especially hpenchantress, WitchyWeasel, ruby890, Catindahat, Darkenwood, FireChildSlytherin5, writing-at-random, wla fan, and Oreal770 for the many wonderful reviews that you gave me! They literally make my day. I'm very excited for the next chapters… review?