Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter One:
In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man. His name... Merlin.
)o(
Gwen walked through a darkened corridor, being careful to keep to the shadows. She was just about to leave the castle when Percival saw her from where he was standing guard.
"You there!" Percival called out. "Show yourself."
Gwen turned around and faced him much to Percival's surprise it was the queen.
"Your Highness," Percival bowed. "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"
"No, no," Gwen smile. "All is well."
"It's dangerous to be out at such an hour," Percival informed her.
"I am grateful you are so scrupulous in your duties," Gwen replied, with a kind smile.
"It's not where I thought to have found you, Your Highness," Percival explained.
"One does not always wish to be 'Your Highness', Percival," Gwen sighed. "I miss the old town, its streets, its people, so I go back sometimes."
"Is that wise?" Percival asked with concern.
"Well," Gwen answered. "People only see a Queen when they expect to."
"All the same-" Percival began to say, but was cut off.
"And it reminds me of my father," Gwen said. "And I need that sometimes."
"Of course," Percival nodded. "I understand."
"I'm not sure Arthur would," Gwen sighed.
"I won't mention it," Percival promised.
"Thank you," Gwen smiled.
And Gwen continued on her way. It didn't take long to reach the clearing where she was meeting Morgana.
"You're late," Morgana said.
"I'm sorry," Gwen apologised.
"Was there a problem?" Morgana demanded.
"Nothing I could not handle," Gwen explained.
"Did you get what I asked for?" Morgana questioned.
Gwen handed Morgana a scroll.
"It wasn't easy," Gwen said. "It details the route the levy collection will take, the names of the knights, their arms, and the day they depart."
"You've done well, Gwen," Morgana smirked as she examined the scroll.
"How can it further our cause?" Gwen asked.
But unknown to Gwen or Morgana, Arthur and Merlin were watching them talk from nearby. Arthur unsheathed his sword and made to move forward, but Merlin was quickly to stop him.
"No, my lord!" Merlin whispered. "Morgana's too powerful. Now is not the time."
"How could she do this?" Arthur asked, sounding defeated.
"She's not the Gwen you love," Merlin explained. "She has fallen prey to a dark and powerful magic."
Arthur thought back to the stone King Sarrum had given him and how it had glowed.
"If I lose her," Arthur said. "I lose everything."
"We'll find a way to bring her back, Arthur," Merlin sounded determined. "I promise."
)o(
Arthur and Gwen were sat at the table in their chamber. Arthur simply stared at Gwen, trying to work about how he had been fooled so easily. He had hardly touched his food, while Gwen was eating quite normally.
"I thought I might ride this morning," Gwen said, as she picked up a piece of fruit.
"Yes?" Arthur answered, half-heartedly.
"Would you like to join me?" Gwen offered.
"That won't be possible," Arthur shook his head.
"Oh," Gwen sounded disappointed. "Perhaps this afternoon then?"
"Perhaps," Arthur nodded.
"Arthur, is everything all right?" Gwen questioned, sounding concerned.
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.
"You seem distracted," Gwen answered.
"Not at all," Arthur replied. "Pressing matters of state, that's all. I'm sorry."
"I understand," Gwen smiled. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"That won't be necessary," Arthur shook his head.
Arthur suddenly got to his feet and headed towards the door.
"You've hardly eaten!" Gwen called after him.
"I have a training session I must attend to," Arthur didn't stop or turn round.
"Well, perhaps I will see you later?" Gwen called out again.
Arthur walked through the castle until he reached the entrance to a private room. He stepped inside and locked the door behind him. In the centre of the room was a table with a map laid across it. Leon and Mordred were waiting for him.
"Gentlemen," Arthur greeted them. "This is the new route to collect the levy. Commit it to memory."
"My Lord?" Mordred asked.
"You are to tell no one that we have changed the plans until the patrol is on its way," Arthur stared at both of them. "Is that understood?"
"Yes, Sire," Leon nodded.
"Mordred?" Arthur prompted.
"Of course," Mordred nodded. "But may I ask why we're changing the route, my lord? It's another day's ride."
"I can't tell you that," Arthur said. "I just ask you trust me."
Both Mordred and Leon nodded.
"Good," Arthur said. "You leave in three days."
Arthur picked up the map and burned it.
)o(
"Why did I promise to help Gwen?" Merlin muttered to himself as he searched though his spell book. "I have no idea what to do. Is there really no remedy?"
"If Gwen has suffered what I suspect then no, I fear not," Gaius said from where he was also searching.
"You know what happened to her?" Merlin asked, looking up.
Had Gaius finally remembered what had taken place before Queen Mab had cursed them?
"When I was young," Gaius explained. "I heard about an ancient ritual of the Old Religion called the Teine Diaga."
"Teine Diaga?" Merlin questioned, trying to hide his disappointment.
"The sacred fire," Gaius said. "The ritual used the mandrake root to bring unimaginable terror to the victim. Their screams could be heard twenty leagues away. When it was finally over, their will was no longer their own. They were slaves of the high priestesses for eternity."
"Who performed this ritual?" Merlin asked. "Where?"
"I've told you all I know," Gaius said. "Such mysteries were revealed only to a handful of female initiates. As a boy, I was privy only to rumours."
"There must be someone who can help," Merlin pressed.
"I can only think of two people who truly know the Old Ways," Gaius replied. "One is Morgana Pendragon... The other is the Dochraid. But be warned, Merlin. The Dochraid cannot be trusted. She must never know your true identity."
"Emrys," Mordred's voice suddenly echoed through Merlin's head. "The King has changed the levy route. Last night was successful?"
"It was," Merlin answered. "But we are still no closer to helping Gwen… But Gaius knows someone who might."
"Who?" Mordred asked.
"The Dochraid," Merlin replied.
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed the start of this story. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.