The Beginning of The End (Part 1)

(MERLIN'S POV)

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"Wonder what's going on?" I murmured, watching in confusion as guards rushed past shouting at each other. There seems to be a lot of excitement going on today. Anyway best get to the armoury and clean the prats armor. I was just passing a unattended fruit cart when a soft sniffling sound caught my attention.  Frowning I paused listening to see if I can hear it again. Sure enough my patience paid off. Curious I followed the sound to find a young boy with dark brown hair cowering behind the cart. His little body trembled as he clutched desperately to the cart. His sky blue eyes locked on a group of guards dragging a man away. I grimace already guessing who that man is to the boy. Focusing on the boy once more. I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, drawing his attention.

"Hey are you ok." His gaze immediately snapped to me his terrified eyes blown wide at my presence, but than it changed. His once horrified face became calm and a sense of aee lit up his eyes. Letting go of the cart he reached for me. His lips never moving as he spoke in my mind.

"Emrys help me." 

"Emrys but my..." I started only for him to leap into my arms. Cutting me off midsentence as he wrapped his little arms around my neck. His face buried into my shoulder. I felt my heart break at his quiet sniffling and terrified trembling. Questions can wait until later. First I need to get him out of here. So making sure no one was looking this way. I quietly scurried inside the castle. I could hear the sounds of the guards barging into peoples homes around us. No doubt looking for this little one.

Chewing my bottom lip, I frantically searched my brain for where to go. I can't go home. They will no doubt look there. I need somewhere the guards won't possibly by pass. Somewhere that... I got it. Racing down the hall, I stopped infront of a large oaken door. Panting slightly from the run I barged my way inside. Ignoring the disapprovaing protests from Gwen and Morgana.  Slamming the door shut I leaned against it. My arms clutching tightly to the whimpering child. Staring hopefully up at the confused princess. I begged her for help.

"I didn't know where else to go. The guards are looking for him." Morgana opened her mouth no doubt to ask a question when suddenly Arthurs insistent voice appeared outside the door.

"Morgana open up." Panicked I silently pleaded Morgana not to give us up. After a moment of contemplation and Arthur's constant banging she nodded.

"Quickly behind the curtain." She whispered waving me over. Relieved I quickly followed her instructions.  Hiding behind the curtain I waited. Listenimg as she opened the door and let the prince in.

"Sorry Morgana but the king has ordered every room checked." Arthur explained as sounds of the guards clinking armour entered the room. She scoffed at that. I could just see the scowl on her face as she glared him down.

"And what do you expect to find. Don't you think I would know if a druid were in my chambers." She scoffed sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"I'm just following orders. I don't like this anymore than you." Arthur palacated which no doubt earned him an eyeroll.

"Well don't bother I'll save you the time. He's behind my curtain." I felt my heart drop at that. Did she really just sell us out. Mordered whimpered fearfully at that burying deeper into my shoulder. Well if they want the boy they are going to have to go through me first. I thought clutching him tightly against me glaring at the curtain as if daring it to move. Thankfully Arthur took her comment as more sarcarsm because he quickly left after that. It wasn't long after he left that a worried Morgana and Gwen burst through the curtain. Crowding around us and firing off a million questions at once. Finally after the kids next whimper i couldn't take it anymore.

"ENOUGH!" They stared at me stunned at my outburst. Obviously they weren't expecting that.

"Now I know you have questions,  and I would love to anwser them. Unfortunately we don't have the time for that. Just because they didn't look this time doesn't mean the guards won't eventually circle back. We need a way to get him out of here and back to his people. Preferably before the guards find him." Morgana nods a thoughtful look on her face as she thinks of a plan. After a moment of silence its Gwen who finally speaks up.

"Well there are tunnels under the castle leading out of Camelot. They aren't really guarded very well so it would be easy to sneak him out through there." My face lights up at that. Its perfect. We can sneak him out and... wait a moment.  I groan as I remember the lock on the doors leading to the tunnels, and only Arthur and the king have a key. At my groan they both look at me a question on their lips. Sighing I break the news.

"Thats a great idea but how are we supposed to get the key?" Both of their faces fall at that.

"Not to mention the location of the druid camps." Morgana agrees grimacing as our plan falls apart. Its than that we are reminded of Mordereds presence as he shifts in my arms. Looking up at me with tear filled eyes.

"Am I going to die?" He pitifully whimpers, bottom lip trembling. My heart froze at that. There was no way I was going to let this boy die. Especially after his dad was already captured. I was just about to say there was no way was ever letting him die when a commotion outside catches our attention. Racing to the window we all peek out. Only to gasp in horror and cover Mordereds eyes. For standing atop a pile of wood, strapped to a pole, was Mordereds dad.

I felt my heart plummet within me as I watched a guard light the pile a blaze. Sealing the mans fate. It was at that moment when all was lost that the mans eyes found their way to us. Upon seeing his son curled against my chest. Surrounded by the princess and her maid in the window he smiled. It was a sad, grief stricken one, but still a smile. His lips never moved, nor did his eyes flash gold, but his voice was loud as it echoed in my head.

"Keep him safe Emrys." With that he vanished beneath the flames. His screams of agony filling the air. Pulling Mordred from the scene, Morgana shut and locked the window as I attempted to comfort the sobbing child. After what just happened I was a thousand times more certain. There is no way I am giving this child up to the flames.

"Ok this is what we are going to do."