xxx Hey everyone, so this is an introduction to "Sympathy For A Witch" but i wanted to see what you guys thought of it before i continued. its set six months after the end of series four, enjoy xxx
The search for Morgana was beginning to turn out just like the first time she had gone missing, long and tiring. New journeys lead to dead ends and dead ends lead to traps, and the motivation to continue seamed lost, because to be honest Merlin didn't think she was alive anyway, and that was most likely the reason they had spent the last six months searching, and found nothing. Arthur's constant pining for his new wife that he had left straight after their honeymoon was beginning to drive him insane, and if that didn't do it, then Gwaine's non-stop drabble would. It was times like this that made him miss Lancelot the most, for he always knew what to say and how to cheer Merlin up.
The new lead they were following led them to a cave deep within the mountains of Isgard. The scenery surrounding the cave was beautiful, wild flowers covered the path leading to its entrance, and the day was so hot it forced the jacket from Merlin back. This was the time when Merlin was more than happy that he wasn't a knight, for the thought of walking around in heat like this covered in armour, was not appealing. As they slowly entered the cave, Arthur at the head followed by a dozen knights with swords drawn, the light around them was swiftly replaced with a mysterious darkness that sent shivers up Merlin's sweaty back. When Percival handed out torches to light the way, a labyrinth of tunnels was revealed.
"Arthur, perhaps we should turn back, it doesn't look safe in there." Merlin stated when he caught up with him.
"If your too scared Merlin then you can wait outside with the horses and send the other servant in to help, I'm sure she isn't afraid of the dark." Arthur replied with a snigger.
Trying to ignore that insult since he knew now was not the time for playful banter, he tried again. "There could be anything in here!" he whispered desperately.
"Exactly Merlin, no one in their right mind would want to come in here, which is why it's the perfect hideout for a witch on the run. Split up! Don't leave any tunnel un-checked!"
With Arthur's last words the knights began to disperse and change their pace to a gentle trot as they entered the tunnels. Merlin's stomach churned with the thoughts of what they might find lurking in the darkness, Wilddeoren, bandit's maybe, or even, Morgana.
For what seemed like hours Merlin had wondered aimlessly around the cave, separated from the others and feeling completely lost.
"This was hopeless," he thought as he slid down one of the walls of the cave and pulled his knees into his chest. His body screamed for food, drink, and a well-deserved good night's sleep, one that he hadn't had since they departed from Camelot a few weeks ago after a week visit to check up on things, even though he knew Arthur's intentions were clearly aimed at seeing Gwen again. As his eyelids fluttered in and out consciousness, an ear piercing scream shocked him out of his tired state and onto his feet. When another scream echoed down the tunnels to Merlin's ears he began to run, following the bone chilling cries of pain. When he reached the source of the screams he never expected to find what he did; the tall figure of a knight with a sword drawn standing over a quivering body of a woman, in her night dress complete with blood stains from the large gash embedded in her flesh down the length of her left arm, looking up with tearful pleading eyes.
"Please…" Morgana begged her attacker as he raised the sword above her body.
Merlin stood and watched, unsure of what to do. For a moment he only saw a girl curled up tight against the wall of the cave in protection, defenceless from any attacks against her and in need of help, instead of the evil witch who had betrayed him and all of Camelot for her own selfish means.
"No!" Merlin shouted to the young knight about to plunge his sword into her heart.
He turned his sword to the voice that had stopped him quicker that it would have taken him to think about it. On seeing Merlin he breathed out a sign of relief and re-treated his sword. Morgana's head slowly rose from being buried in her arms, the glint of hope in her tear filled eyes quickly lost again on seeing Merlin stand before her and her attacker.
"Why not?" the young knight asked in a manner that reminded him so much of the arrogant prince Arthur used to be.
"I think Arthur would prefer to see her alive." Merlin replied in his authoritative voice that many of the newer or younger knights feared, (which Merlin did find quite amusing.)
"Of course," the knight sighed before bellowing at the top of his voice "Arthur! I've found her!"
Morgana continued her sobbing again, before flinching and retreating further into the wall. "Merlin look out!" She cried, fear evident across her face.
With her words Merlin immediately spun round on his heels, and ducked as a long, furry arm with claws took a swipe at his head, sending him rolling into the wall. The young knight charged at the beast with a loud yell of determination, its purpose to bring fear to its enemy. The beast knocked the knight out of his way with little effort, sending his sword flying towards Morgana.
"Arthur!" Merlin called desperately as the beast turned to face him.
The beast took his time as he walked on all fours towards Merlin, letting out an angry gurgle while saliva dripped from the sides of his mouth. Merlin felt his heart pump faster in fear.
Morgana reached out with her good arm towards the sword of the fallen knight. "Merlin!" she called.
When the witch was sure she had the boys attention, she slid the sword along the stone floor towards him. Merlin rolled along the dirt and grabbed the sword, coming to a stand in one swift movement and turned to the beast. He struck the beast many times before the sword was shattered by the toughness of the beast's skin. It lent over Merlin's fragile form and breathed hot and rotten breath into his face. As his back hit the wall behind him, his eyes took a quick glance down to Morgana, now a lifeless body sprawled out on the floor, her eyes closed as if she was sleeping. His eyes then searched for a weapon, and landed on the torch he had dropped before crashing to the ground. Summoning a spell from his mind Merlin shot out his arm towards the torch, and when his eyes flashed golden the flames consumed the beast's body making it cry out an earth shaking growl that brought rocks down from the ceiling of the cave.
"Uh oh…" Merlin thought whilst staring at the ceiling falling around him in horror. "That was defiantly not the smartest plan in the world."
Merlin quickly froze the scene around him and darted over to the young knight, placing two fingers on the side of his neck; no pulse. With a sigh he then knelt down next to Morgana and began to place two fingers on her neck, but the pain filled moan she gave out while struggling to bring her head up was enough evidence to tell she was alive. Merlin then noticed the large wound across her stomach, and remembered that he had heard two screams.
Scooping up the injured women in his arms he headed for the exit of the tunnel, dodging the frozen in mid-air pieces of rock. She wasn't unconscious or dead like he had thought originally and part of him was glad for that. After all, she had technically saved his life back there, not that he understood why, but it seemed only fair to return the favour and get her out of the kayos of falling rocks that he had caused, even if her life would be short lived afterwards. Her head flopped against his chest when they left the tunnel, and her hand gripped at his sleeve as she let out cries of pain that were almost impossible to hear, almost. The sound sent a wave of sympathy and guilt over him, for he was the one who relinquished her of her magic, leaving her defenceless from any form of attack.
As soon as he was as far away from the tunnel as possible, Merlin removed the spell from the cave and began running as quick as he could without causing the witch curled up in his arms any further damage.
"Where the hell have you been!" was the greeting Merlin got from an angry Arthur when exiting the cave. It was clear they had been waiting for him along time, (which Merlin was glad for considering that any minute now the whole cave might collapse.)
Arthur's expression changed from anger to shock upon seeing Morgana in his arms. "So you found her then?" Arthur said as he approached his friend.
"Actually it was Sir Eden." Merlin stated while he stared down at the now unconscious woman in his arms.
"Where is he?" Arthur asked, clearly concerned.
Merlin flinched at the sound of the cave collapsing behind him, and ignoring Arthur's question he headed to place Morgana on the ground. Merlin couldn't see how one so evil, so blinded by bitterness and hate, could look so innocent and make him feel guilty for the harm that had befallen her due to him. It took him months to get over poisoning her, and that wonderful day when he thought she was back safe and sound with good intentions and full of forgiveness was one of the best days of his life, only to be taken away shortly after. And now here he was again, hoping that her saving his life was a sign there was still goodness in her, scratching at the surface and begging to be let out to the world again. And maybe that slight hesitation in killing Arthur all those months ago was what started it off.
"Gwaine, can you manage her on your horse?" Arthur asked as he walked over to his side.
"Yes," Was the answer he got from a clearly not happy about it Gwaine.
"Good. Bind her hands in case she waked up." Turning to walk towards his horse Arthur said to no one in particular, "Were returning to Camelot."
Merlin watched as Gwaine tightly bound Morgana's wrists, flopped her over his left shoulder with no care what so ever, and headed for his horse.
xxx So what do you think? is it worth continuing? please review and let me know xxx