AN: A lot of things are mine, but Merlin is not one of them.
So I meant to post this yesterday, but it was shorter than I liked. Enjoy. Also, read the note at the bottom.
Arthur glanced back at his servant. Merlin had been silent ever since they left, and he now appeared to be staring aimlessly into space.
He didn't know that Merlin was going over the map again and again in his head. Gaius had shown Arthur the longest route to take, which avoided the pretend perils Gaius had informed him of. Merlin was to take a shortcut when Arthur was asleep. He wasn't sure if he could get back by the time, but he had to try.
"Merlin, I thought I'd like it when you finally shut up, but I've gotten so used to your pointless rambling that now silence is worse." Arthur's drawling voice broke into the warlock's contemplation.
"What? Uh, well then stop yelling at me to be quiet next time then," Merlin said distractedly.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "I don't yell at you, Merlin, I simply point out that you talk rubbish."
Merlin snorted. "If by 'point out' you mean counter with other rubbish, then yes, I suppose you do."
They continued their banter until Arthur finally suggested that they set up camp. The sky was darkening and he couldn't risk them getting lost.
Merlin set up camp ass quickly as possible, hoping to speed up Arthur falling asleep. Arthur sat on a log and watched him throw ingredients into the pot for their supper.
"You in a hurry?"
Merlin jumped slightly when Arthur spoke, he had been lost in his thoughts again.
"No...just hungry," Merlin said quickly. "Here's your food. Eat it while it's warm."
Arthur stared as Merlin shoved a bowl into his hands. "If I didn't know better, Merlin, I'd think you wanted me dead," he said.
Merlin rolled his eyes. "Just eat," he said. "You'll need your strength."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Merlin, you don't seriously think I have a chance at beating a fighter created from sorcery?"
Merlin paused. He'd actually been talking about the journey ahead, but that was a good cover.
"You never know," he said.
Arthur sighed. "Merlin, they are made of magic. It's a fight to the death."
"You can still win the duel, just not kill him. Maybe that will be enough," Merlin tried.
Arthur shook his head. "Gaius said a fight to the death."
Merlin just looked at the sky. It was dark now, he would have to leave soon.
"Get some rest," he told the king.
Merlin waited until Arthur's breathing became slow and deep. Slipping out from under his blanket, he stood and crept silently away from the camp.
He trudged through the forest, using his magic to give him light. He tried to hurry, but he was as clumsy as ever, and constantly had to look out for roots.
Hours later, he stood before the mouth of a wide cave. Nervously, he pulled out the worn map from inside hs jacket and checked it. He didn't want to get it wrong and waste precious time.
He thought he'd gone the right way, and the cave appeared to be similar to the drawing on the map. Then something caught his eye. On the side of the cave was a tiny, carved symbol...the same that had been on the chest. This was it.
Merlin straightened up and prepared to walk to his death.
0o0
He wasn't sure how long he walked through the tunnel. All he knew was that his feet were aching when he got to a wider opening leading into an open cavern, into which he caught a glimpse of flickering candles. He peered inside and almost jumped a foot when he saw face shrouded in a hood peering back at him.
"You have come to see Theali?" The owner of the face, a sandy-haired man, inquired on seeing Merlin standing just inside.
Merlin nodded. "I have come to offer my life to end her curse."
The man inclined his head in respect. "I am her servant. Follow me."
Merlin ducked in through the opening and straightened up to see a cavernous cavity in the rock. Candles were set wherever there was a somewhat level surface. At the end was a carved, wooden, almost throne-like chair.
Merlin assumed the woman sitting in that chair was Theali. Her skin was pale, which was probably related to the fact that she lived underground. Her hair was pale as well, lightly blond and falling down to her elbows. Her silver eyes honed in on Merlin, and he could see that they looked haunted and older than her.
"Emrys..." she murmured. "So you have come. When I heard it was the Pendragon king who opened my chest, I feared you would come."
A small noise of impatience came from behind her. Merlin looked closer and realized there was a man shrouded in shadows behind her chair, and wearing dark clothes so that he could hardly be seen.
Theali visibly tensed at the sound. Her eyes flashed, and Merlin got the feeling she was not on good terms with the man.
He saw Merlin staring at him and smiled. It wasn't a pleasant smile, though, it was more of a smirk. That, along with his dark hair and eyes, reminded Merlin forcefully of Agravaine.
"Hello...Emrys, was it?" His voice was oily, and Merlin disliked him instantly. "Welcome. My name is Kogan."
"Yes, Kogan is the one who cursed me," Theali said tightly.
Kogan didn't even blink, just gave another cruel smile that sent shivers down Merlin's spine.
Theali leaned forward. "I assume you have come to end the curse?"
"Yes," Merlin said firmly.
Theali's eyes pierced his. "And are you prepared to pay the price?"
Merlin held her gaze and delivered his answer without a trace of doubt in his voice.
"I am."
It might seem kinda random that I stuck Kogan in there, but there IS a reason, I swear!