Ok! Here it is! The first chapter and Sequel to "The Plant"- Twists and Turns!
Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of the characters from the show...just Mila and the other random characters that I made up...
"Come on, Merlin," Arthur called behind him, as he mounted his horse. "We should get back to the castle by sunset."
Merlin finished tying in provisions that were offered to them by the town they had visited.
A villager had travelled to Camelot in search of assistance for their town. They had an illness going around, and their physician had also taken ill.
Arthur had accompanied Merlin (since Gaius was needed back at the castle) to take care of it.
The people were amazed how much their King took on personally. Accompanying Merlin, talking to the people, getting to know them, and listening to their needs.
Merlin looked at his friend with admiration. This was the King he knew would come to unite Albion.
"Merlin," Arthur turned his horse to look at the younger man. "Are you going to walk back to Camelot by the side of your horse? Hurry up."
Merlin shook his head and gave a smile. And of course, leave it to Arthur to ruin the thoughts of admiration. He mounted his horse and they continued towards Camelot.
*M*
"Any word yet?" Gwen asked Mila, as she brought in her supper.
Mila set the tray down on the table and sat down at the chair next to her. It had become a ritual of them to do so when the Queen was not dining with the King.
The maidservant shook her head. "Leon said that some of the knights were heading out to go look for them. They can't be too far off. Perhaps the illness took more of the town and they were delayed there longer."
Gwen nodded and sat down portioning some of her food for Mila on a smaller plate. She would always offer the girl more, but be refused. The servant didn't really eat too much, she saw.
Mila picked up her bread and stopped as she looked at her queen.
"You know them..." She tried. Gwen gave her a look, which just made Mila give a sigh. "I know...that's what worries me too..."
Gwen almost chuckled.
It was so wonderful to have Mila with her. She was constantly with them, joking with them, being apart of the random shenanigans. It almost reminded Gwen of the days of her, the boys and Morgana.
So Mila knew exactly what she meant when she referred to their boys... even though Mila and Merlin were not a couple (though sometimes it almost appeared so, with the way they whispered and interacted).
"I just hope they are not far off," The young Queen said.
Her maidservant, and friend, just nodded.
*M*
"At this rate we'll be lucky if we get back before morning," Arthur stated, as the sun began to move behind the trees.
"I guess you miscalculated," Merlin said with raised eyebrows.
"I did not miscalculate," Arthur said in defense. "You slowed us down with your constant stopping."
"I'm not exactly feeling my best," He said. "Keep in mind, sire, I'm still taking doses of fernswag..."
Arthur kept his mouth shut at that. Then he held up his hand to stop Merlin.
Merlin paused and listened, hearing the cracking of leaves and twigs. Both men dropped off their horses and grabbed their swords from the saddles.
Arthur motioned for Merlin to be quiet as he tried to pinpoint where exactly the noise was coming from.
But he couldn't...which meant...
Men yelled as they streamed in from all sides.
Arthur and Merlin went into action, swords clanging.
Merlin looked down at some tree roots.
"Xerizono." His eyes flashed gold as a root lifted, tripped a man into his sword.
Suddenly he heard a weird crack, as everything seemed to pulse and go dark.
Arthur swung his sword, but found himself surrounded. He dropped his sword and put up his hands in surrender.
He glanced to see where Merlin was, and felt his heart jump to his throat as one man was dragging the unconscious servant by the back of his shirt.
"Merlin!" Arthur started to move forward, but a man just grabbed him and forced his hands forward to be tied. "Is he..?"
"He'll be fine," A man said with a very unattractive smile.
Arthur was pushed forward down the hill where a cart and horses waited. In the cart were two other men.
Arthur climbed into the cart, and immediately dropped to his knees as Merlin was thrown in behind him. Arthur placed his bound hands over Merlin's head, searching. He found a nice size lump on the back of his head.
"Such concern. Bringing the two of you to the ring will be most rewarded..." One of the men observed, as he shut the doors and set the lock.
"The ring?" Arthur looked to the two other men, who just looked at his with sadness in their eyes.
"They are taking us to Fisanden..."One man informed him.
"Where's that?"
"It's a place where they put Master against servant, friends against friends, even sometimes lovers..." The man continued. "You and your friend their will need to fight to the death...against each other."
Arthur felt his heart skip as he looked down at Merlin.
They needed to get out.
I know- it's a bit short- but I kinda wrote it quickly just to start it (it's always hard to get something started when you only know where you want it to lead to...
Anyway- please be kind and review!
Thank you!