A/N – Here's Chapter 1. Arthur will be included in the knights so whenever they are in a group, I will refer to them all as "The Knights"
This chapter will introduce a new character.
Disclaimer: Forgot to do this in the first chapter. I do not own Merlin or any of its characters or plots. I am not making a profit from this.
"Speech"
'Thought'
Flashbacks/Dreams
The Girl
They had been hunting all day, and when night fell, they had a fairly impressive catch of 3 deer, 2 large hares and a small boar.
The knights, tired from their day of hunting, were laying out all the bedrolls to have a nap before they ate their dinner (a lovely rabbit stew, using the days catch), when they heard it.
It was faint and sounded a ways off from their camp, but they identified the laughter as loud, raucous and mocking, almost sinister or evil. There was no humour in this laugh, only victory and it sounded vile in all their ears.
This was enough prompt for the Arthur and his Knights to grab their weapons and leave Gwen and Morgana to watch over the camp. Merlin set off with the Knights, next to Arthur and Gwaine, as they went to investigate what all the commotion.
Unknown PoV
'I feel absolutely retched' was my first thought as I back to the world of the living. I was tied to a horribly splintered wooden pole in the centre of a circle of 4 tents, with heavy iron shackles and desperately frayed ropes which were cutting into my wrists while I gained splinters deep into the skin of my back. I was facing the fire a little ways away from me, which was surrounded by the vile men who captured me and keep giving me creepy looks that make me think that if someone doesn't find us, I will find out what disgusting fantasies are floating through their heads are.
My second thought was, naturally, 'Ouch'
My body is hurting all over and my head is pounding like a prisoner in a jail cell. It usually takes more than a knock to the head to knock me out like they did, but I think these guys used magic or something to make the heavy metal object they used heavy and more devastating. I was fighting six on one, when the sneaky seventh guy crept up behind and – BAM! – I was thwacked on the head and out cold in seconds. That hit left a nice big and painful gash on the back of my head that even now was still slowly dripping blood down my back and shoulders.
'What the hell did they do to me? I have the worst migraine ever right now and I'm thinking they got in a few shots while they could, because they had barely touched me and now I feel like I've been repeatedly trampled by a big heavy horse, carrying 3 people with several bags full of pure gold.'
I could tell that escape was nigh on impossible as I have no energy whatsoever even though I've been sleeping and I have no power. I am also pretty sure I'm caked in mud and blood from several deep cuts and slashes and I'm positive that I can feel 1 or 2 broken ribs.
'Great looks I was a punch bag for a few days while I was out.'
Turing my head to the side I can see black and purple bruises coating both my arms, while simultaneously discovering a very stiff and sore neck.
That's when I realised that I needed to get out of there. If I stay I know for certain that they will violate me in ways I don't even want to think about. So trying to make as little noise as possible, I start to move, but I can't hold back the pained groan that escapes from my lips. They all turn to look at me and release a loud bark of laughter that leaves nothing to imagination.
All I can do is continue to pull and struggle against the ropes and chains holding me in place, further damaging my already fragile and bloodied wrists, and giving myself more splinters, frantic to get free. I was about to release a scream when I heard a noise like armoured men moving quickly. That's when all hell broke loose…
Merlin PoV
We were walking for about 10 minute when we came upon the camp we heard the laughter from.
There were 4 dirty, ragged, and uncared for tents in a wide circle around a campfire, around which sat 7 filthy, ragged and scarred men, in tattered clothes, with swords at their sides. They were all big and burly and looked like they had been through many fights. They had a deer roasting over the fire and were obviously waiting for it to be cooked so they could eat it. They had mean-looking faces and more than 3 had broken noses that were crooked.
'I wonder what the hell they were laughing at' thought Merlin, looking around for what could possibly produce such a malicious sound from the bunch of thugs…
…. That's when he saw her. She would've been hard to miss if she had been facing the other way.
She was tied to a pole that looked like someone had violently attacked it with an axe that had left it splintered, and looked painful to be leaning against. The pole was strategically placed in the shadows, so that from this angle it was hard to catch sight of her.
So Merlin moved around a little to be able to see her face and her injuries, only to have his jaw hit the floor in a comical way in awe and astonishment.
She had beauty that would be associated with that of a goddess, and the fact she could look that beautiful injured showed that she had a beauty unheard of. She was regal and refined, which indicated clearly at nobility or even royalty. She was dressed in simple yet expensive looking riding clothes; with a white silk shirt and sturdy (which had a few patches of blood on it), well-tailored black leather breeches, fine boots and a fur cloak which was discarded to the side but yet was clearly hers. There was a fine mare tied close to her, which was well groomed and had an unusual colour of pure white fur with a deep, midnight black mane and tail. It was still saddled, with all of her bags still attached and untouched.
The girl herself had similarly black hair, deep and pure, like a moon and star-less night, that shone in the ethereal beauty of the light of the full moon directly above the camp, and reached to just below her knees. Her face held features so beautiful they made Morgana seem plain. Full lips that were a deep, enchanting cherry red, a slight elfish nose and barely visible ears which were similarly elfish, perfectly shaped dark eyebrows that were slim and well cared for, that rested just above her closed eyes. She looked to be about 19 or 20 years old.
Her body had a slight yet powerful build, with a well-developed chest that was in perfect proportion to her size and shape and matched her features, and curvy well defined hips that were wide to give her body shaped curved but small enough to make her still look slim. You could tell she had a great deal of strength that showed in her slight yet well-muscled arms, which were chained above her head with frayed rope and shackles that looked slightly to tight. There were small trails of blood running down her arms from the cuts that must have been on her wrist and there was blood on her shoulders that could be from a head wound.
The Knights, who were focusing on the bandits, were looking around and still hadn't spotted her. Merlin was about to point her out when Arthur caught sight of her and informed the others. The knight had similar looks of shock and awe on their faces that Merlin had when he first noticed her, when she opened her eyes.
They were quite literally shocking. They were such a bright, crackling blue that you couldn't help but compare it to lightning. They were quite a clear and solid colour, which was quite unusual, and showed a hint of wisdom far beyond her years. They were clouded with what was quite clearly pain, and at first had a dazed look, as if she was trying to figure out where she was. She soon shook herself out of that however and gave the bandits a look of disgust and distaste that showed what their intentions were. She gave a slight groan as she tried to move; obviously trying to stay as silent as possible, but they heard her. They all turned their attention to her and the bandits let out another roar of mocking laughter that sent shivers down everyone's spine at the malicious intent that was laced throughout it.
The Knights all let out a gasp as they saw more blood flow down her wrists but realised she didn't want to go through what they obviously had planned for her. So they pounced on the unsuspecting men while Merlin went over to the girl to try and get her down. However, as he neared her, she struggle more, obviously not realising at first that he was trying to help her.
"Whoa, easy, easy, I'm trying to help you. I'm going to try and get you down okay?" he said hands held up in an "I Surrender" notion.
She regarded me for a minute and then slowly nodded; still weary, but willing to trust that I really was helping, not wanting the other fate that waited for her. She still looked uncertain, so when he started forward he did so slowly and softly, arms still held up. As he started to untie the rope, the girl lost consciousness, obviously exhausted from having no food and her body trying to heal.
The shackles however, were a problem. He couldn't use magic to unlock them, because that would cause the others to become suspicious, so he settled for just removing the ropes.
Luckily he didn't have to wait long for the others. They took out all the bandits in record time and slowly approached Merlin as he finished with the ropes.
"I need a key for these shackles Arthur; otherwise we won't be able to get her down."
"Okay, everyone start searching for a key, Gwaine, stay with the girl in case she wakes up again."
We all set out to do our tasks. Elyan found the key on who was the leader, judging by the fact he was better dressed than the others and had the better sword.
Together they soon had the girl down from the pole, and took out the splinters in her shirt, and, considering the ends were coated in blood, the skin on her back.
They all turned to me. "I didn't get a name if that's what you're wondering. I was about to ask her when I realised she had fainted again. She's exhausted. I believe the horse is also hers, considering it's the only one here and the fine breed and saddle and well groomed mane and fur."
"Okay we take the horse with us then. We could put her on it and tie her on to make her feel less threated should she wake up."
Gwaine carried her over to the horse, but when he had her in place the horse nibbled his shirt, indicating that he should get on too.
"Um should I get on or not?"
"Yes, you can keep her upright and she can rest against you."
After that was sorted they guided the horse carrying Gwaine and the girl back to their camp. Gwen and Morgana were very surprised by the appearance of The Knights, especially the new horse with and unfamiliar girl on it.
It was surprisingly Gwen who spoke first. "We need to get her back to Camelot to Gaius."
"She's right. Pack everything up."
They were galloping towards Camelot 15 minutes later, the horses sensing the urgency. The girls' horse following willingly…
