Chapter 5

Chapter 5

All through their two day journey Merlin and George decided to share all their work. George was more than pleased to be working directly for the King, Merlin was dreading every moment he would have to spend near Arthur.

"Merlin!" Gwaine called out. Merlin's head snapped up. It had been weeks since Gwaine had called to him. A bubble of hope formed in Merlin, and he quickly rushed towards him.

"Yes G...Sire? Yes sire?" he said, catching himself mid way. Gwaine looked up and looked as if he realized he was doing something illegal. He shook his head and just threw his boots towards Merlin. Merlin's face fell, and he left taking the boots with him. Merlin had realized that no matter how much he works, no matter whatever he does they are not going to be his friend. "A lowly servant" is what he had called himself, he had hoped that if they were his friends they would contradicted. No one. No one had said anything. Well no one except Gaius, who had given him a whole speech on how he is a powerful sorcerer and how he is like he is a son to him. 

Now he had given up. He had accepted that he was a just a servant. A lowly servant.

They reached the village and Merlin and Gaius immediately set out help the injured. 

"What is this?" said Merlin while examining the wound on a man's shoulder.  "Poison. From what I see, all of their swords are coated with poison." replied Gaius. "Merlin, get my bag. I think I have left it where we first stopped." 

Merlin obediently left. He reached there and inside the Knights and Arthur were talking...

"This was not supposed to happen! Have you seen him?" said Elyan. " I have. He is not his usual self." replied Gwaine.

"Arthur, we need to to stop. You saw what happened that day..." started Percival when he spotted Merlin near the door. 

"I am sorry Sires. I was just here to get Gaius's bag. So sorry Sires." Merlin bowed and left. He rushed back to Gaius. He had a lot of questions. Who is not like himself? What is it that Arthur is doing? Could it be that....that they were talking about him?

He shook his head. Whatever they were talking about is not of his concern. 

Chapter 7 (part 1)

It was the day of the challenge. It was to be held at the edge of the village which looked out to a valley. As soon as the day dawned the challenge began. Elijah had chosen giants of men from his army. Elijah’s men may be strong but the knights were agile and quick. After some time Percival was wounded, and Gaius went up to Merlin.

“What did you do? The swords were poisoned, Percival should have dropped dead by now." said Gaius. "Last night I had gone to their camp to change the swords. I removed the poison but they are forged of magic." replied Merlin. "Forged of magic?" questioned Gaius, dread settling in. "Weapons capable of killing the most powerful of sorcerers." answered Merlin.

The battle continued till eve but none had fallen. Injured but not dead. Darkness started creeping around the village but they continued the battle. In the clang of the swords something clicked and Merlin's head snapped up. He sensed something and put his entire focus on it. Another click. A bolt being fitting in a crossbow.  There was only one death today that would matter the most. Merlin knew what he had to do. He had known this is what they would try to do.  He knew, so he ran. 

The bolt was fired for one person, Arthur. Everyone heard the swoosh of the arrow but it never hit Arthur. Merlin wanted to call out to Arthur or Gaius but when he opened his mouth, "Gw...Gwaine!"  He called out to his friend. 

To hell with his injuries, Gwaine ran with the speed of wind and was immediately by his side.  "Merlin...keep your eyes open. Merlin! EYES OPEN!!" he said.  Percival reached and gently lifted him.  "Merlin!" he heard Arthur. 

"The challenge shall continue tomorrow." said Elijah starting to go away. "no!" said Merlin.  "Eh...boy? Why not?" sneered Elijah.  "Be...because if not dead one...man is dying." replied Merlin. The smile vanished from Elijah's face and Gaius stepped in. "You said it yourself, "One man from all". And he...he is..." 

Gwaine's anger took the best of him. He took out his sword, turned and plunged his sword in his opponent.  "Well, if you wanted someone who was in the challenge, there you go." 

Elijah started to raise his hand to signal attack when he heard Merlin in his head. "Elijah...don't do this. You just killed one of your own kind, how many more must die?"  Elijah lowered his hand immediately.  "My apologies, Your Majesty." he said and retreated with his troops apologizing to Merlin through their connection. 

Whatever you do don't imagine the Hargreeves siblings after Five disappeared.

Don't imagine Ben sleeping in Five's bed for weeks after he left because it still smells like him

Don't imagine Vanya playing his favourite songs night after night because he'd always come into her room when she did

Don't imagine Klaus hoping he doesn't randomly appear in front of him and that's when the drugs started so that even if he does appear Klaus won't have to see him

Don't imagine Diego researching everything about time travel and pestering Pogo to find any way to get him to go behind Five

Don't imagine Luther sneaking into Reginald's office and trying to find proof that this was all his doing and that Five will return

Don't imagine all the others dragging Allison in front of Five's picture while they cry and she softly whispers

"I heard a rumour that you came back"

Chapter 2

Arthur was sitting alone by the window. As soon as he entered Merlin knew he was sad. 

"So, how has your day been?" He asked trying to make him talk. He was sure Arthur heard him. He wasn't too far away and neither was his voice low but Arthur didn't respond. Merlin went about his daily routines. Arthur hadn't moved an inch in the past hour and Merlin was worried. 

"What's troubling you? You can tell me. You know that." "Why would you think that? How can you even understand my problems? I am a King, Merlin! The answer to my problems will not be with my servant. Now get out and make yourself useful! Tell the knights to come to the council room. If you'd be able to, that is!" he snapped.  Merlin would never get used to Arthur snapping at him. Neither the knights. Something had changed and Merlin couldn't figure out what exactly. Arthur had been angry with him in the past but not like this. Never like this. But Gwaine? Elyan? They were his friends, and it was not as if he had done something extreme. He was being snapped at by all of them. Even the usually calm and composed Sir Leon. He felt as he didn't belong here anymore.

Yo-

This only makes a little sense but what if

Klaus Hargreeves has the ability to talk to the dead right?? So what if he is dead?

Died like ages ago i know i know he can't but what if

And because his powers were talking to the dead but because now he himself is dead his powers like reversed and now despite being dead he can talk to the living

That would explain suddenly being able to channel other spirits through him you know-