Author's Note: This is the second installment, hope you enjoy!
PS: The next updates will not be happening so rapid fire next time round.
They had been walking through the forest for about fifteen minutes before they reached their destination. Arthur had agreed to go with them, of course he did. He wouldn't just watch as she killed Lancelot, despite his recent suspicious behavior.
Arthur had noticed on the walk to the hideout, during which the woman kept her dagger (where did she even get that from?) at Lancelot's throat, only moving it once when she turned her head to whisper in Lancelot's ear. Arthur noticed idly that she was tall for a girl and beautiful too. Arthur mentally shook his head to rid himself of all such thoughts. He needed to focus on how to get them out of this mess.
For a moment, he started to think that maybe they had something to do with the torn up deer and the wolf tracks, but before he could work through that line of thinking, the woman spoke again, "However small consolation it might be, you are all safe here in this camp from outside forces. Well, as safe as you can be. We will protect you to our deaths if need be. Is that understood?" The knights nodded at her uncertainly. She still held her dagger to their comrade's neck.
She saw where they were looking and released Lancelot. He stumbled a little for a second and she grinned at him when he turned. It was a shark's grin. Lancelot just tipped his head slightly and looked at her.
She spoke again, "There are rules here. You trespassed on our lands and attempted to hunt our game. The punishment for that is death. Unfortunately for us and fortunately for you, you are more than our average trespasser. Therefore, we cannot kill you as is normal. Our solution: we will hold you hostage until someone arrives to rescue you, or in other words, pay for your release. If no one comes for you on a shining horse before two months has passed, you will all be killed and we will forgo the consequences.
"So, what happens next? I would like you to know that we will not be restraining you; however, you cannot leave the sanctuary of our humble abode. My men will treat you with as much respect as you treat them. You will be provided with good food three times a day and a place to sleep. There is a system for bathrooms, but I will let one of my men explain that to you. Do you have any questions?"
Arthur practically growled at her, "You're a witch!"
Her gaze went flat and cold and Arthur actually felt his heart stutter in fear. When she spoke, her voice was hard as steel, "I am not a witch. I do admit that I have practiced witchcraft, but I am not a witch. I am a warlock, a sorceress, and a mage. I will give you no more than that."
This was just getting worse and worse for Arthur. Not only had he been kidnapped and was likely to stay in this place for the next two months with no chance of escape and imminent death, but also he was captured by a sorceress.
Leon narrowed his eyes at the sorceress and matched Arthur's tone, "Do you work with Morgana?"
The woman's pitch black eyebrows knotted together and she stared at them uncomprehendingly, "I'm sorry, who?"
Gwaine hurriedly covered for Leon and said, "Never you mind, I have a question. What's your name? If we're going to be spending the next two months together, we might as well know each other's names. I'm-,"
He was cut off by her saying, "I know who you are. You are Gwaine and with you are Arthur, Leon, Percival, Lancelot, Elyan, and Mordred. But I see your point. My name is Merlin, pleasure to meet you."
