Chapter Three

Merlin opened the door into Arthur's chambers and found Gaius there with Arthur.

"Merlin, good," said Arthur, "Gaius was telling me about the girl you found this morning."

"How is she?" asked Merlin.

"Better," said Gaius, "but still weak."

"Does she remember anything?" asked Merlin.

"She remembers a creature rising up from the ground and attacking her and that's it," said Gaius.

"Did she give a description of what attacked her?" asked Merlin.

"It was some kind of rock creature," said Gaius.

"And she said it just rose up out of the ground without warning?" asked Arthur.

"Indeed sire," said Gaius.

"Gaius, have you ever heard of a creature such as this?" asked Arthur.

"I believe so sire, from her description it sounds like a golem."

"And what is that?"

"A creature made of random materials, like rocks or clay, fashioned in the form of a man."

"So it's sorcery," said Arthur.

"Yes," said Gaius, "very powerful. I haven't seen a golem since years before the great purge and even then it was just small dolls animated to entertain children."

"Well I fear this golem will be used for a more nefarious purpose," said Arthur, "We should search the trail where the girl was found, see if we can pick up any tracks left by the sorcerer."

"I'll prepare the horses and some supplies, when do you want to leave?" asked Merlin stepping towards the door.

"In the morning, and let the others know as well," said Arthur meaning the knights.

"Right," said Merlin and left the room.

After preparing Arthur's and his own horses, Merlin sent a stable boy to inform, Leon, Gwaine, Percival, Lancelot and Elyan that they were to leave first thing in the morning. Then he made his way quickly to the chambers of The Doctor and River.

They weren't there, and Merlin was just about to panic when he ran into them in the corridor outside the throne room.

"There you are Merlin!" said the Doctor grinning, "Did you know you have a dungeon in here? This place is fantastic!"

"Oh, erm, yeah great," said Merlin a little confused, "I was looking for you too, Arthur wants to go to the woods where I found the girl to find the sorcerer that conjured the golem."

"Golem?" asked River.

"The creature in the forest Gaius thinks it's a golem, conjured from stone," said Merlin.

"Yes, I suppose that would make the most sense to you," said the Doctor, "I'd call it a terra-pathic humanoid formed within a telepathic field."

"You just made that up," said River.

"Yeah, but it sounded good," said the Doctor.

"You're very strange, but I don't want either of you to get into trouble, so since we're going to be in that area I wanted to make sure that you've hidden your blue box," said Merlin.

"Oh, no one notices the box," said the Doctor dismissively, "besides we parked her in a safe place down in the lower town." Merlin looked shocked, "Don't worry it's hidden."

"So you're going after the person that created the golem?" asked River.

"Yes, we're leaving first thing in the morning," said Merlin, "Right now though you should be preparing for dinner with Arthur and I need to get to Arthur to help him dress too."

"We'll see you there," said The Doctor.

"I must say you have a most interesting palace," said River eating some of the meat on her plate, "We've been doing a little exploring, it's much bigger than any of the places we've been, outside of Tardis that is." She smiled at The Doctor.

"Yes," said The Doctor, "Most impressive. Though I hear you've had some trouble, with attacks?"

"Yes," said Arthur, "we've had reports of a creature in the woods, but do not worry Camelot's defenses are strong they will not come here."

"But what about when we leave?" River asked.

"We're riding out to take care of the creature in the morning," said Arthur confidently, "I expect to be back before nightfall with another victory for Camelot, and the assurance of safety for all who travel here."

"You think a lot of yourself don't you?" said River, and Merlin who was stood by to serve them coughed to cover a laugh at Arthur's expression. He moved to fill Arthur's cup and stepped back behind him now.

"What River means is you're very confident you can fight this creature," said The Doctor, "Have you faced one before?"

"A Golem, no," said Arthur, "But after you've slain a dragon, well there's very little that can really measure up." Merlin stood behind Arthur rolling his eyes at this, and River smiled knowingly at him.

Author's notes: Ah thank you for your support oh kind and faithful few.

May your stories be interesting and your muse always walk by your side.

Cynic