Wild Winter Stars 15/?
Title: Wild Winter Stars
Fandom: Merlin
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, Morgana, Gwaine, Percival, Mordred, OMC
Rated: PG-13
Word Count: 1,435
Summary: “That Arthur has not always existed seems odd to me. Like the wind on the moors and the wild winter stars, surely he has always lived . . . and always will.” ― Stephen R. Lawhead, Arthur A man tortured by Morgana is left outside Camelot to taunt Arthur. Merlin, Gwaine and Percival along with the recovered man go to spy on Morgana.
Author's Note: This is a sequel to A Word for Forgotten Songs. The original character is from one of my series and I kinda place him in lots of fandoms. His original series starts here. The story is set in series 5, somewhat early on. It's unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own.
One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen
Alan was walking around the village with Merlin for exercise. He was beginning to feel exhausted but was determined to finish without assistance. He was enjoying his time outside after being confined to Hunith’s since they arrived.
Merlin stopped, listening. “Horses.”
“It’s too early for the others.”
“I know.”
Alan watched as Merlin seemed to look into the distance and wondered if that’s what he looked like when he did long-distance telepathy.
“It’s Morgana! We have to clear the village so no one gets hurt.” He turned back at a quick pace.
“She must have realized we’d come here instead of Camelot.” Alan followed.
“We’ve used it too often as an escape.” He called out to the villagers. “Leave now! You have to go before the Saxons get here!”
The villagers immediately stopped what they were doing and fled toward the barn.
“Take the tunnels so you’re not seen!”
Okay, that explains it.
Percival and Gwaine hurried up to them. “She found us, eh?” commented Gwaine.
The four of them grabbed makeshift weapons and found the best defensive positions possible as the army got closer. Alan yearned for a laser pistol or even his Colt Peacemaker - anything to even the field.
“I’ll take the ones on the left. Percival, you get the ones on the right. You,” Gwaine pointed at Alan, “get Morgana.”
“What about me?” questioned Merlin.
“You get the stragglers.”
“Great.”
[You can help me] Alan told him. [Lord knows I’ll need it]
At that moment, a group of warriors charged towards the village shouting at the top of their lungs. Gwaine and Percival were the first line of defence, killing or wounding each Saxon they faced. Those that made it past them came up against Alan and Merlin with swords - and a little magical assistance from Merlin.
The second wave came through - ten this time. If Morgana kept this up, they’d tire before she even came near them. They needed to do something big, something to take out a large chunk of them.
[Merlin, we need a giant fireball. We have to keep them from advancing]
[It has to appear to come from you] He came close to Alan and “bumped” into him, sending a burst of energy coursing through him.
Acting quickly, Alan produced a giant fireball. “Forbærne! Ácwele.” The flaming orb appeared in his hands and he threw it towards Morgana’s army. It grew as it sailed in the air. It seemed that everyone stopped fighting and watched. When the fireball landed, it took out a number of soldiers and sent others in disarray. Alan thought of going to Morgana while there was a lapse of concentration but that passed rather quickly. They needed to move.
“This way!”
Merlin lead them to one of the outlying houses. Inside, Percival and Gwaine moved heavy furniture to block the door while Merlin and Alan fastened the shutters. When that was done, they took in their surroundings. It was agreed that a fire was out of the question as the smoke would give away their position. There wasn’t much in the room aside from furniture and cooking utensils.
“We just cornered ourselves in a place with only one door and no weapons to defend it.” Gwaine shook his head.
“We just have to hold out until the others get here,” Merlin told them.
”And if they’re not here before the Saxons break down the door?” Alan motioned with his hands to encompass the room.
“You’ll think of something.”
[Now that Gwaine knows you have magic, he thinks you can do everything]
Percival cracked open a shutter. “They’re going house-by-house. They’ll be here soon.”
Merlin pulled a chair over to the eaves opposite the fireplace. He climbed up and reached to the beams and brought down a bow and arrow. “Jack Tully does a bit of poaching on occasion and hides his bow and thinks it’s a big secret.” He looked at the others as he jumped off the chair. “Who’s the best shot?”
“Perfect! I’ll do it,” volunteered Percival.
“Are you crazy? You’ll break it,” Gwaine argued. “I’ll do it.”
“Have either of you won tournaments for your skill?” The men were silent. “I thought so. Merlin, may I?”
Merlin passed him the weapon, “Are you sure?”
Alan just smiled at teleported to the roof. He secured a spot that provided a vantage point. He then waited until the Saxons got closer, having a limited number of arrows.
* * *
Merlin was unsure of what to do. He couldn’t truly help without Gwaine or Percival finding out about his magic. Even though his skills at fighting had improved over the years, he was no match for the army outside. If he could get up on the roof as well, any magic he used would be attributed to Alan.
While the two knights watched and waited for the imminent attack, Merlin slipped away to the back and whispered a spell to help him reach the roof.
“I wondered when you’d get here,” Alan whispered as Merlin crouched next to him.
“I had to wait until they wouldn’t notice me leave.” Merlin looked out at the Saxons as they approached the hut. He knew a shield would delay them breaking through. He only hoped he could maintain it against Morgana until Leon and the others arrived.
“Why are they just standing there? They’re not even trying to attack. It’s more like a siege.” Alan looked at Merlin. “You put up a shield, didn’t you?”
“No. I was just thinking about it.” Merlin closed his eyes and drew on the natural energy around him to make it stronger. It shimmered briefly before becoming invisible.
A few of the men moved forward at a wave from Morgana but Alan felled them both with an arrow to the leg.
Merlin glanced at the man next to him to see a broad grin. “That should make them think,” Alan commented.
Morgana’s second-in-command pointed at them. She looked up and gave a crooked smile, the one that Merlin had come to fear. He ducked back as she raised her hand. Her spell was dispersed by the shield.
“It held,” he whispered.
“You mean you didn’t know if it would?”
“Not against Morgana.”
She conjured up another fireball and threw it at the shield. It flickered but held. Merlin felt the energy course through him, making him light-headed.
Alan put a steadying hand on him. “You felt that?”
“Yeah. Another couple of blasts like that and I’ll be unconscious.”
“Okay, so we need a distraction of some kind.”
“You can’t turn into a dragon or anything, can you?”
“To be honest, I’ve never tried. My twin brother can turn into a wolf, though.”
Merlin looked at him, surprised. His brother could what? How did he not know about this? “Could you get him, you know, maybe have him rush the men?”
“I’ll keep it in mind but there has to be something else.”
“We need to concentrate on her soldiers, scare them enough to make them run,” he thought aloud. “Fire, wind, or storm, she can do away with.”
“Earth. You named the elements except earth.”
“I can open the ground, make them fall. But I’ll need to lower the shield.”
“If you’re quick enough, they won’t have time to notice.”
Merlin saw the confidence on Alan’s face before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He went through the spells he knew to find he best for the situation, Once decided, he redirected his energy back towards the ground. “Ic þe bebiecle þæt þu abifest nu.”
The ground began to shake and the horses pulled on their reins and nervously paced, fear warring with their training. Morgana’s horse reared but she kept her seat and brought the animal back under control. The foot soldiers staggered and some fell to their knees. The quake intensified and cracks opened in the ground causing men to fall in. Those who didn’t started to run away. They halted only when a fireball burst in front of them.
“You will turn around and fight!” Morgana ordered.
“My lady…” one began to plead.
“I do not pay for cowardice. They are only four. If you die in battle, your families will be cared for.”
“Alan, I can’t--” Merlin collapsed to the roof, nearly falling through with the force.
“Merlin, are you okay?”
He weakly raised a hand, too drained to do much more.
Assured, Alan picked up the bow once more and began to fire on the besiegers. The arrows, unfortunately were limited. Relief had to come soon or they would all be dead - or worse.
Fandom: Merlin
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, Morgana, Gwaine, Percival, Mordred, OMC
Rated: PG-13
Word Count: 1,435
Summary: “That Arthur has not always existed seems odd to me. Like the wind on the moors and the wild winter stars, surely he has always lived . . . and always will.” ― Stephen R. Lawhead, Arthur A man tortured by Morgana is left outside Camelot to taunt Arthur. Merlin, Gwaine and Percival along with the recovered man go to spy on Morgana.
Author's Note: This is a sequel to A Word for Forgotten Songs. The original character is from one of my series and I kinda place him in lots of fandoms. His original series starts here. The story is set in series 5, somewhat early on. It's unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own.
One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen
Alan was walking around the village with Merlin for exercise. He was beginning to feel exhausted but was determined to finish without assistance. He was enjoying his time outside after being confined to Hunith’s since they arrived.
Merlin stopped, listening. “Horses.”
“It’s too early for the others.”
“I know.”
Alan watched as Merlin seemed to look into the distance and wondered if that’s what he looked like when he did long-distance telepathy.
“It’s Morgana! We have to clear the village so no one gets hurt.” He turned back at a quick pace.
“She must have realized we’d come here instead of Camelot.” Alan followed.
“We’ve used it too often as an escape.” He called out to the villagers. “Leave now! You have to go before the Saxons get here!”
The villagers immediately stopped what they were doing and fled toward the barn.
“Take the tunnels so you’re not seen!”
Okay, that explains it.
Percival and Gwaine hurried up to them. “She found us, eh?” commented Gwaine.
The four of them grabbed makeshift weapons and found the best defensive positions possible as the army got closer. Alan yearned for a laser pistol or even his Colt Peacemaker - anything to even the field.
“I’ll take the ones on the left. Percival, you get the ones on the right. You,” Gwaine pointed at Alan, “get Morgana.”
“What about me?” questioned Merlin.
“You get the stragglers.”
“Great.”
[You can help me] Alan told him. [Lord knows I’ll need it]
At that moment, a group of warriors charged towards the village shouting at the top of their lungs. Gwaine and Percival were the first line of defence, killing or wounding each Saxon they faced. Those that made it past them came up against Alan and Merlin with swords - and a little magical assistance from Merlin.
The second wave came through - ten this time. If Morgana kept this up, they’d tire before she even came near them. They needed to do something big, something to take out a large chunk of them.
[Merlin, we need a giant fireball. We have to keep them from advancing]
[It has to appear to come from you] He came close to Alan and “bumped” into him, sending a burst of energy coursing through him.
Acting quickly, Alan produced a giant fireball. “Forbærne! Ácwele.” The flaming orb appeared in his hands and he threw it towards Morgana’s army. It grew as it sailed in the air. It seemed that everyone stopped fighting and watched. When the fireball landed, it took out a number of soldiers and sent others in disarray. Alan thought of going to Morgana while there was a lapse of concentration but that passed rather quickly. They needed to move.
“This way!”
Merlin lead them to one of the outlying houses. Inside, Percival and Gwaine moved heavy furniture to block the door while Merlin and Alan fastened the shutters. When that was done, they took in their surroundings. It was agreed that a fire was out of the question as the smoke would give away their position. There wasn’t much in the room aside from furniture and cooking utensils.
“We just cornered ourselves in a place with only one door and no weapons to defend it.” Gwaine shook his head.
“We just have to hold out until the others get here,” Merlin told them.
”And if they’re not here before the Saxons break down the door?” Alan motioned with his hands to encompass the room.
“You’ll think of something.”
[Now that Gwaine knows you have magic, he thinks you can do everything]
Percival cracked open a shutter. “They’re going house-by-house. They’ll be here soon.”
Merlin pulled a chair over to the eaves opposite the fireplace. He climbed up and reached to the beams and brought down a bow and arrow. “Jack Tully does a bit of poaching on occasion and hides his bow and thinks it’s a big secret.” He looked at the others as he jumped off the chair. “Who’s the best shot?”
“Perfect! I’ll do it,” volunteered Percival.
“Are you crazy? You’ll break it,” Gwaine argued. “I’ll do it.”
“Have either of you won tournaments for your skill?” The men were silent. “I thought so. Merlin, may I?”
Merlin passed him the weapon, “Are you sure?”
Alan just smiled at teleported to the roof. He secured a spot that provided a vantage point. He then waited until the Saxons got closer, having a limited number of arrows.
* * *
Merlin was unsure of what to do. He couldn’t truly help without Gwaine or Percival finding out about his magic. Even though his skills at fighting had improved over the years, he was no match for the army outside. If he could get up on the roof as well, any magic he used would be attributed to Alan.
While the two knights watched and waited for the imminent attack, Merlin slipped away to the back and whispered a spell to help him reach the roof.
“I wondered when you’d get here,” Alan whispered as Merlin crouched next to him.
“I had to wait until they wouldn’t notice me leave.” Merlin looked out at the Saxons as they approached the hut. He knew a shield would delay them breaking through. He only hoped he could maintain it against Morgana until Leon and the others arrived.
“Why are they just standing there? They’re not even trying to attack. It’s more like a siege.” Alan looked at Merlin. “You put up a shield, didn’t you?”
“No. I was just thinking about it.” Merlin closed his eyes and drew on the natural energy around him to make it stronger. It shimmered briefly before becoming invisible.
A few of the men moved forward at a wave from Morgana but Alan felled them both with an arrow to the leg.
Merlin glanced at the man next to him to see a broad grin. “That should make them think,” Alan commented.
Morgana’s second-in-command pointed at them. She looked up and gave a crooked smile, the one that Merlin had come to fear. He ducked back as she raised her hand. Her spell was dispersed by the shield.
“It held,” he whispered.
“You mean you didn’t know if it would?”
“Not against Morgana.”
She conjured up another fireball and threw it at the shield. It flickered but held. Merlin felt the energy course through him, making him light-headed.
Alan put a steadying hand on him. “You felt that?”
“Yeah. Another couple of blasts like that and I’ll be unconscious.”
“Okay, so we need a distraction of some kind.”
“You can’t turn into a dragon or anything, can you?”
“To be honest, I’ve never tried. My twin brother can turn into a wolf, though.”
Merlin looked at him, surprised. His brother could what? How did he not know about this? “Could you get him, you know, maybe have him rush the men?”
“I’ll keep it in mind but there has to be something else.”
“We need to concentrate on her soldiers, scare them enough to make them run,” he thought aloud. “Fire, wind, or storm, she can do away with.”
“Earth. You named the elements except earth.”
“I can open the ground, make them fall. But I’ll need to lower the shield.”
“If you’re quick enough, they won’t have time to notice.”
Merlin saw the confidence on Alan’s face before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He went through the spells he knew to find he best for the situation, Once decided, he redirected his energy back towards the ground. “Ic þe bebiecle þæt þu abifest nu.”
The ground began to shake and the horses pulled on their reins and nervously paced, fear warring with their training. Morgana’s horse reared but she kept her seat and brought the animal back under control. The foot soldiers staggered and some fell to their knees. The quake intensified and cracks opened in the ground causing men to fall in. Those who didn’t started to run away. They halted only when a fireball burst in front of them.
“You will turn around and fight!” Morgana ordered.
“My lady…” one began to plead.
“I do not pay for cowardice. They are only four. If you die in battle, your families will be cared for.”
“Alan, I can’t--” Merlin collapsed to the roof, nearly falling through with the force.
“Merlin, are you okay?”
He weakly raised a hand, too drained to do much more.
Assured, Alan picked up the bow once more and began to fire on the besiegers. The arrows, unfortunately were limited. Relief had to come soon or they would all be dead - or worse.