The Dragon and The Lion
Chapter 2 - Revenge
In a dungeon under Cenred's castle, Arthur was slowly starting to wake up. He was chained to the wall. Heavy, iron chains were clasped around is wrists and ankles, bounding him. As Arthur started to wake up more, he noticed that he was all alone in this cell. The knights; Gwaine and Lancelot included were in a cell across from him, unconscious and chained in the same manner as Arthur. Next to the knights' cell was the Druids, who were also unconscious and chained, but what was different was the fact that each Druid had silver bands tied around their wrists. Arthur guessed that they were supposed to stop the Druids releasing magic.
A noise of footsteps brought Arthur to slightly turn his head towards the cell door. Arthur looked up to see Cenred walk in, Nimueh by his side. Arthur growled.
"The great Crown Prince of Camelot! Welcome Arthur Pendragon." Cenred smiled smugly at Arthur's tired and bruised body.
"What have you done to my knights and the Druids?" Arthur growled, staring up at Cenred.
"Don't worry, Arthur. My dear friend Nimueh here put them under a sleeping charm." Cenred smiled again, looking at Nimueh, who smiled grimly in return.
"Why are you doing this Cenred?! Why draw an alliance with Nimueh? No good will come of it," Arthur yelled, in which a magical slap was given to him by Nimueh.
"Calm down, Nimueh. The boy has a right to ask," Cenred laughed. "Revenge, Arthur."
"Against me or Uther?" Arthur questioned.
"Neither. I want revenge against that Druid boy, Mordred." Arthur visibly tensed at the mention of the Druid.
"How do I fit into this then?"
"Like this." Nimueh stepped forward in front of Cenred. "I want revenge on your manservant, Merlin."
"Why Merlin?" Arthur now looked very interested.
"Because he turned his back on the Old Religion, he fought against us when we tried to kill your traitor of a father, to try and let magic return to this land." Nimueh's voice got louder with each passing word. "I know for a fact that he cares very much for you Arthur. Some might even say that he is in love with you," Nimueh said disgusted, turning her head.
"So you and Cenred have made a trap to bring Merlin and Mordred here. Also my Lord, you haven't told me what Mordred did."
"He killed my knights! Most of my army!"
"Why?" Arthur didn't honestly think Mordred would do such a thing.
"We entered the Druid Camp a few weeks ago, to take some supplies, promising that if they gave us all the supplies that were required I would let them live, but they were short so I was going to carry out my threat. But that boy had immense power and threw my knights deep into the forest killing the lot and almost myself. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Nimueh." Arthur looked horrified at Cenred, it reminded him of when Ealdor was attacked by Kanan, who was doing the same thing. That was the day he found out about Merlin's magic. 'God I miss him.'
Arthur saw that Cenred was telling Nimueh to release the sleeping spell on the knights and Druids. As Arthur saw his knights awaken he turned to Cenred.
"What are you going to do to us then? Wait until Merlin and Mordred show up?" Arthur acted bravely, but on the inside he was screaming.
"Of course not, you will still suffer, but not by my hand. Nimeuh." Cenred turned and gestured Nimueh forward. "Have fun, Prince Arthur." Cenred laughed, then he turned and left Arthur to the hands of Nimueh.
Midnight soon came. Merlin climbed out of bed, got dressed then packed his magic book. He opened his door very slowly and poked his head out into Gaius' chambers to make sure that Gaius was fast asleep. When he saw that the old man was snoring, Merlin quickly rushed across the room and out of the other door.
He crept through the alleyways that were around the courtyard and headed for the stables. When Merlin arrived at the stables, Morgana and Mordred were both already there waiting beside the horses. Both of them wore their green cloaks. Morgana wearing some hunting clothing; boots, tight trousers, shirt and a woolen jacket.
Merlin walked up behind them.
"Morgana," Merlin whispered. Morgana turned around quickly, clutching Mordred's hand.
"Merlin?" Morgana looked around.
"Yeah it's me." Merlin walked up so he was stood next to her. Their silhouettes high-lighted in the moonlight.
"Is everything ready?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, the horses are ready, Gwen is just making sure we have everything, Sophie is helping her, Leon and Elyan know the plan. They're knocking out the guards for us and seeing which way we're heading."
"That's great. Hopefully we're not too late." Merlin had a deep frown on his face.
"Don't think like that, Emrys." Both Merlin and Morgana looked down at Mordred, both surprised that he had chosen to speak with his mouth and not magically.
"Mordred is right, Merlin. Arthur will be alright, as well as the knights and Druids." Morgana put a hand on Merlin's shoulder comforting him.
"You're both right he'll be fine. I just really miss him."
"Well that makes a change." Merlin and Morgana turned to see Gwen and Sophie coming towards them, both dressed in similar clothing to Morgana.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked.
"This morning you were saying that Arthur being away for a week would be great because you could relax and do whatever you wanted.
"Well, that was before he was captured and knowing he was in danger." Merlin looked even more sad now. So Gwen decided to break the awkwardness.
"We should get going."
"You're right, Gwen." Morgana walked over and planted a kiss on Gwen's cheek. "If we have any chance of saving Arthur, standing here won't help."
Merlin climbed depressingly on to his horse, back-pack with his magic book on his back. Morgana placed Mordred on to her horse then climbed on behind, holding him tightly. Gwen placed the packs and weapons on to her and Sophie's horses and both girls jumped up on their horses.
"Ready?" Sophie asked.
"Ready," Morgana and Gwen said in unison. Sophie looked at Merlin.
"Merlin?" Merlin looked up at the mention of his name, then gave a small smile. "Ready."
All five of them safely passed through the gates of the citadel - with the help from Leon and Elyan - and set off into the forest. Determined to only return with Arthur and the rest of the hostages free and safe.
2 chapters in one day! That won't happen often I'll tell you that. I know there hasn't been much Merthur yet, but there was a little bit in this chapter. Review :D