Pendragon Fan fiction
Disclaimer: I do not own Pendragon, nor do I own any of it's characters.
Apprentice of the Saint
The night seemed to shift with unease under the light of the waxing moon. It would be full in only a day's time. In the still cavern, hidden beneath a lake of dark waters, a jumble of unrecognizable notes played. The black waters gained a white haze as a light began to seep from its uncharted depths, breaking the surface with a magnificent glow to rival that of the celestial moon's. The light disappeared behind the curtain of black, and the world seemed to stand still. The only movement for that brief pause was the leaves in the gentle wind stirring through the strange forest around.
Suddenly, the surface began to ripple smoothly under the night sky. The black waters swirled as creatures unseen slid beneath the surface, an ominous feel tainting the air. All at once, the light from the moon, the shadows around, the air caressing and the feel of the world seemed to blend into one, then fade away as a song arose, softly at first. The sweet voices that joined in chorus complemented each other, growing stronger with each note. They sang in a language unnotable, their song both luring and foreboding. Male voices joined the choir, their deeper tones pulling away any attention not gained before. It seemed that even the trees and the wind longed to visit the song, deep beneath the black, cold water.
Amidst the forests, a figure stood, waiting in the shadows. The breeze carried the deadly song towards the figure's ears, causing a pause within their mind. At once, the form took off through the night, slipping from shadow to shadow and out of sight. They came upon the lake, seeing the cliff of stones above, and the murky waters stirring. They seemed to be lured closer. Closer still, until their sleek form showed in the celestial light.
The girl who stood could be no older than 16, yet her deep blue eyes held wisdom beyond most. She slipped closer to the waters, closing her eyes as she felt the song, welcoming her, pulling her closer. Her form was hidden beneath a traveling cloak, which she slipped away to show pale shoulders and long, sleek platinum hair. She wore a hunter's outfit, adorned in leather, furs at her shoulders. She listened to the song, then slowly pulled away from the water, recognition forming in her eyes as they slowly turned green. She took a long, deep breath, then dived into the black, black lake.
When she emerged, slashes reached across her face and she gasped for air, swimming violently to the edge only to push a soaked form onto the shore. She was about to say something, but a pale, translucent hand snaked around her throat and pulled her under. The lake slowly calmed, and the song began to die away. The figure upon the shore lay breathlessly, the silver light reflecting from it. It took moments. The air chilled and circled the lake, tossing the waters from side to side, as if searching.
Out she came, a dagger at hand. The girl slashed at hands that reached through the waters, and fought to reach the shore. Her eyes blazed gold as she kicked and struggled. She turned and crawled onto shore, pushing the form she'd brought up away from the waters, a desperate look in her gaze. Hands snaked around her ankles, drawing back. The beings began to hum again, drawing her halfway into a trance. She relaxed and let them pull her, but the second she felt the cold waters again, she grabbed one of the boulders, swinging her other arm to it as well and heaved herself out of the waters. The hands fell away as ear-splitting screeches filled the night.
The girl gasped, laying beside the form and looking up at the sky. Her eyes slowly turned to a dull blue as she caught her breath, black blood falling from wounds that had been wrought by the creatures of the lake. She rolled her head to the motionless form beside her, realization striking. At once, she rolled to her knees and sprung to one of the trees. It held the marking of a crudely cut star. She reached to the branches, feeling for something. At once she pulled a light, yellow bag from its depths, pulling a vile from within it. She moved to the form, rolling him over, seeing his silver hair strewn across his face. She recognized him. Quickly, she uncapped the vile and propped his head on her knee, brushing aside his silver locks away and pressing the vile of dark liquid against his lips.
"Please, M'lord…" She whispered softly in a smooth, dark tone. She tipped the vile up just slightly and poured it into his mouth, little bits at a time. Her deep gaze turned dark blue with worry as she watched him. "Come back.." She whispered in her entrancing tone, tipping more into his mouth. She leaned away as he began to caugh and open his icy blue eyes. She watched him, a slight smirk winding its way across her full, burgundy lips. "Welcome back." She said, allowing him up. Her wounds were almost completely healed. He looked to her, then to the cuts over her body.
"Tend to your wounds, I have a quest for you." He said, his gaze serious, yet playful all the same. Without question, she took another vile, this one green, and wiped it over her cuts. They broke open again, but the blood then turned silver under them, and healed with ease. She stood and bowed to the man as he brushed away the water from his clothes. She looked up, her eyes shinning deep green.
"You've a task?" She asked softly, the eagerness shown in her eyes not leaking into her patient voice. She listened carefully for his words, hanging on his every breath.
"You've read my journals, I trust?" He asked, taking her simple nod as answer enough. "Then you are caught up. It is your turn at last. I'll send a ring to Renu, but you… For you, I bring this." He took a silver chain from his neck and placed it around hers, backing away as she fixed it beneath the folds of her dress. From there, the two disappeared into the forest to discuss her first Teritory.