Chapter 1
"Did you pack enough food?"
"Yes Mum. I packed enough food for three days." Artur answered his anxious mother. He and his little brother were going on an overnight camping trip. They had been planning it for weeks, and their mother had finally given them permission to go.
"Did you remember Myrddin's jacket? You know how easily he gets sick."
"Yes Mum. I packed it myself."
"Did you…"
"Mum, we have everything we need. We'll be fine." Artur interrupted. The brothers had planned on leaving at first light, but Ygraine had insisted that they have every little thing.
"I know, it's just…"
"You're worried about Myrddin." It was a statement, not a question. Ygraine nodded. "He's never been away from home before."
"I promise you, I will keep him safe, and I will bring him home." Ygraine nodded again, and pulled her fifteen-year-old son into an embrace. She hated it when Balinor took him on trips, and now her thirteen-year-old baby was going alone with his brother.
Just then, Balinor and Myrddin walked in. They'd been saddling the two horses for the trip. "Are we ready to go Myr?"
"Yeah! Da showed me how to prepare the horses!" His eyes were bright with excitement. Balinor ruffled his hair affectionately. "Now mind your big brother."
"Don't worry Da. If he doesn't, I'll put him in a headlock." Artur chuckled when a slightly terrified look flashed in Myrddin's eyes.
The family went out to the horses. They had four horses total, and all of them were Gypsy Vanner stallions. One was pure white, named Alexander; another was a black and white pinto, named Gypsy(so original, I know); the third was a chestnut, named Calypso; and the final one was a chestnut and white pinto, named Nicholas. Myrddin was going to ride Calypso, and Artur had Gypsy. Ygraine gave the boys one last hug, then they mounted up. "Now remember, there have been reports of slavers in the area. Be extra careful where you go and where you sleep." Balinor warned.
"Yes Da." Artur responded. The boys waved one last time, then they trotted their horses down the lane. When their family's potato farm was behind them, they pushed their horses into a canter. The beautiful Irish countryside flew by as they sped up.
Around noon, they rested in a field of wildflowers. The woods they would be spending the night in were less than a mile away. They filled their water skins in a nearby stream, then watered their horses. After eating some bread and an apple, they mounted up and continued on.
When they reached the woods, they started hunting around. By sunset they had caught four rabbits. Being the better cook, Myrddin made rabbit stew. While Artur went to collect more firewood, Myrddin went to look for one more herb for the stew. When they returned, everything appeared the same as when they'd left. Myrddin finished the stew the stew, and he served it with some bread.
As he was eating, Artur reflected on his brother. Artur had expected him to be more anxious about being away from home. Instead, he'd been full of energy and excitement; Artur himself was excited. If this trip went well, maybe their mum would let them go off more often.
After they'd finished, they went to a stream close by to clean their plates. For some weird reason, they started to feel really sleepy. They put down their bedroll, and slept back to back. Little did they know that someone was lurking in the forest.
A.N. Look! A new story! I started this last year, and am finally posting it here. I will update it as soon as I can:) Love y'all!