~Joknotor Corner~
Hi Guys! Here it is! Enjoy!
Altered destiny
Chapter Six: The tale of Merlin and Sir Leon
"Stupid dollop-head" Merlin grumbled, as he trudged through the building snow and biting cold that had coated the forest surrounding Camelot. Arthur had, once again, found a way to make Merlin's life a living hell. Still eager to get his servant back for the indignant joke about his belt, the crafty prince had finally found a suitable punishment; retrieval of the Greystone Flower. It was said to grow only at the peak of winter, and specifically around the Owl Lake. At least, that's how the legends were told, but Merlin was coming to realize just how furious legends made him. Oh, and Destinies; especially Destinies. The poor warlock had been looking for the damned plant for over an hour now, and had made little progress. "As soon as his royal clotpole-ness decides to reveal my secret, I am never, ever doing this sort of thing for him again" Merlin murmured, trying to expel the images of sitting with Morgana in front of her fireplace, with a nice tankard of mead…ARGH! Get yourself together, you stupid idiot!
"What the hell?!" Merlin roared furiously, after wandering around the forest for another three hours, his nose ready to fall off. I'm beginning to think this flower doesn't even fucking exist! No sooner had these thoughts crossed his mind, than he saw a spectacular pillar of ice that stood in the center of the snow-covered lake, and atop it was wedged…Son of a bitch. It was the Greystone Flower. Why does it have to be in the very center? Merlin recalled his conversation with Gaius, and how the old man had warned Merlin of the magic-nullifying properties of the gorgeous flower. "That's probably why Arthur chose it; you won't be able to retrieve it with magic." Resigning himself to his fate, Merlin took a step onto the ice, only to feel something like the butt of a sword hitting him over the back of his head, and then he went down, blood oozing from the back of his neck and into the snow. The last thing he could make out before he lost consciousness was the blurred form of a dark-skinned man, who ordered the one who had hit him to pick Merlin up so they could depart.
Gwen stood in the corner of the Great Hall (as she was posing as Merlin's temporary aid for Arthur) as the council meeting droned on and on, observing a rather distracted Prince Arthur, who paid little attention to the meeting, giving quick, short answers to any questions he was asked. Gaius, ever the perceptive one, proposed that the meeting be postponed, as the young man was obviously distracted. When the rest of the nobility had filtered out of the massive room, Gaius gave the royal a nod, and turned to leave, closing the doors behind him.
Alone at last, Gwen turned to the man she loved, and knew it was up to her to find out what in the name of God was distracting the usually devoted Prince. "Okay, what's going on?" she said, giving Arthur her 'spill-it-or –I –will-make-you-spill-it' look, and Arthur decided that it wasn't worth the effort of lying to her. "It's Merlin," he said, rubbing his eyes, "I sent him on a…task about three days ago. He hasn't returned." Gwen thought for a moment, and then said in a don't-worry-so-much tone, "Perhaps he's avoiding you. What was the task?" Arthur looked hastily back at her, knowing she wouldn't like the answer, and cautiously replied "I sent him to retrieve a Greystone Flower." Upon hearing his answer, Gwen and Arthur got into a very intense conversation:
G - You did what?
A - I did it to get him back for the comment he made about my belt the other day! I just wanted to put him through the same humiliating Hell as me when he would come back empty-handed! I mean, even if he did manage to find it, there would be no way for him to actually get the damn thing!
G - And why is that?
A - Because, the Greystone Flower is protected by a magical charm to ward off the curious. Only a Sorcerer with considerable power could…oh shit. (Arthur was still not quite used to thinking of his servant as the most powerful Warlock of the millennium, so it tended to slip his mind).
G - Did you tell Morgana about this?
A - Uh…No.
G - Oh, for the love of GOD!
A - Gwen, where are you going?
Gwen had, at this point, gotten up and was moving toward the door, when she twirled around, giving Arthur a perturbed glare, and said "I am going to get Sir Leon, and to tell Morgana that it's your fault her boyfriend is missing!" As she left the room, Gaius came in, and asked Arthur "Can I get you anything, sire?" Arthur looked wearily at the Court Physician, and replied "How about a really strong drink?" Gaius gave Arthur a mysterious look, and said smirking "Sire, as your physician, I can only recommend one thing to help you delay your inevitable confrontation with Lady Morgana; a good blow to the head."
Morgana was furious. She had just left Arthur's quarters, after doing her best to blow both his eardrums, and was in a mood to be reckoned with. She was going to go to Sir Leon herself, and make it perfectly clear that Merlin was a HERO, damnit, and that finding him was to be Leon's top priority. She found the Knight on the training grounds, as he had been recuperating from a leg injury, and as such his patrol duties had been postponed. "Sir Leon" she began, pulling him to the side of the medical tent, "I have a favor to ask of you." Bowing at first, and tilting his head at her comment, Leon asked "Of course, Lady Morgana. What is it you need of me?" Morgana looked around, to make sure they couldn't be overheard (as this WOULD be a bit embarrassing for Merlin), then answered "Merlin has gone missing. He was on his way to collect the Greystone Flower, but he has yet to return. Now, he embarked on his task three days ago, taking the route directly to the Owl Lake. Your task will be finding him. He is a hero, Leon; and therefore he deserves the same respect as any other Knight." Leon nodded, and said "Of course, milady. I will ensure he is found." Morgana smiled, thanked him, and then returned to the castle, praying that Merlin COULD be found.
As soon as he could, Leon dashed back to his quarters, grabbing his armor, cape, sword, shield and crossbow from his room. He then got a squire to prepare his horse and gather supplies for him to take. Once all was in readiness, Leon departed the walls of Camelot, and entered the mouth of the forest, determined to complete his mission as quickly as possible. Leon scanned the floor of the forest as he went, but the snow had covered up a lot of the tracks that led to the lake. Still, eventually Leon found his way to the lake bed, the frozen water shining in the sun. However, it was a much different shine that caught the Knight's attention. Bending down, Leon picked up a shard of what appeared to be red ice. Upon closer examination, he discovered that it was blood! Strange, Leon thought to himself, how did it crystalize so easily? He looked at the odd specimen for a while, but soon his eyes saw something equally as curious. Moving over, Leon brushed away the snow, and saw a line of tracks leading into the far side of the forest. Wait, why did these tracks stay imbedded in the ice-! Leon thought, then he whispered out loud "Merlin."
"Wakey Wakey, Emrys." A sickeningly sweet voice said, and Merlin felt the cool metal of a dagger press against his throat. Jerking awake, the sorcerer looked around, his vision blurry, the back of his head throbbing. "Come come now, Merlin" the voice said, "I think it's time you woke up." Merlin focused in on a hooded character standing in front of him, and he realized his arms were bound by a pair of chains extending from the ceiling. "Who—Who are you?" he asked weakly, trying to ignore the pain in the back of his head. "Oh, you don't remember me?" the hooded individual said, removing her hood. Merlin recognized that hair anywhere. "Morgause!" The blonde sorceress smiled, and gave Merlin a cold look. "I thought you might've forgotten who I was, silly me!" She taunted, removing her cloak. Merlin tried not to panic, muttering a spell under his breath. Nothing. He tried again, but still, nothing happened. "Those chains are quite special, Merlin" she said, grinning, "You won't be able to do ANY magic, I am afraid." Merlin realized then that he was in for a world of hurt, and prepared himself for the inevitable torture that was to come.
Leon followed the tracks east, towards the notorious bandit lands that lay on the border of Camelot. He knew that stopping could mean losing the tracks, so he sped on, coming to the realization that there was only one bandit leader who would have the audacity to kidnap someone from Camelot in what must have been broad daylight: Helios. The tall, muscular, dark-skinned man was wanted for murder in over four kingdoms, but he had always steered clear of Camelot. However, as he neared the edge of Helios' territory, Leon had to accept that the criminal was behind Merlin's disappearance, or, at the very least, was holding the sorcerer hostage. Leaving his horse behind a cluster of trees, Leon grabbed his sword and crossbow, as his shield would only slow him down, and began to use the cover of the forest to sneak past the enemy patrols, stopping once to take out a few that were to close for comfort. Eventually, however, Leon ran into a problem. Helios' fort, a massive structure built from thick timber and clay, was guarded by at least 20 men, all armed to the teeth. Hmm, Leon started to think to himself, they wouldn't be such a problem if they weren't bunched together so much. If only I could cause a rift-! The Knight remembered that he had his trusty crossbow with him, and scolded himself for being such a fool. Using the forest's thick bushes and large tree trunks for cover, Leon began to let loose a spray of crossbow bolts, taking out six of the bandit guards. Then, he let the remaining guards go into chaos, and dropped three more. This time, however, he had no time to move away to another firing position, as the remaining nine bandits approached the forest. Thinking on his feet, Leon threw the ranged weapon at another bush, the rustling attracting the guards away from him. While the enemy darted toward the bush, Leon sprinted from the tree he had taken cover behind, diving behind a cluster of mead barrels that had been stacked outside the fort. Leon knew that it was now or never, and slipped inside the fort, after a set of fresh troops had been dispatched to see what the commotion was about. Leon moved stealthily through the fort's interior, being as cautious as possible, when he rounded a corner, coming face to face with Helios himself.
"ARGH!" Merlin roared, as Morgause used her powers as a High Priestess to inflict great pain upon the sorcerer who had thwarted her plans. "This pain, Merlin? This agony? This is NOTHING compared to what else I am capable of."
"Is that so?" Merlin retorted, "Well, don't hold back on MY account, witch." Morgauses eyes turned gold, as she made Merlin howl in pain. "Not to worry, I WON'T." This had been going on for hours, and Merlin was at breaking point. He had tried everything he could, but no luck. Wait a second. Merlin thought to himself, what about-? Merlin looked at Morgause, and smiled. "Well, this is new. Finally cracked, have we?"
"Not at all."
"Oh?"
"Oh, Dragon! Imala!" He began, and Morgause smirked.
"Your Dragon friend cannot help you, Merlin."
"What?"
"See this?" the sorceress pointed to a poultice hanging above Merlin's head "It prevents you from calling your Dragon, as long you are in this room."
"How did you find such an item?"
"I have my ways, Merlin. Portucuat!" she finished, making Merlin's blood boil.
This continued for the next two hours, but Morgause quickly lost interest when she saw he was not going to break. "I am sorry, Merlin, but I grow tired of this. I think I'll just…" she said, pulling out the dagger she had used to wake him, "…Kill you now."
"Not today, scum." Leon said, as he stabbed the sorceress through her side, using a blade not his own.
"Sir Leon!" Merlin said weakly, as the Knight began to free the warlock.
"Hello, Merlin." Leon said, grinning. His blonde hair was a mess, his face was covered in blood from a gash that originated from his right cheek. "Nice to see you." Merlin collapsed onto the ground, but was helped up by Leon, who said, "Come on. We need to leave. NOW." The Knight picked up the sword he had stabbed Morgause with, and rushed back out of the fort, taking down anyone stupid enough to get in his way. They made it outside, but Leon's face turned white when he saw his horse's corpse strewn on the ground in front of the fort. "Leaving so soon, you son of a bitch?" a deep voice called, and Leon whirled around, to see Helios emerging from the entrance, followed by about 100 enemy soldiers, who surrounded the duo. "Damn it." Leon muttered, holding his ground. Merlin started to mutter something, but Helios' booming voice drowned out the warlock's dialogue. "Give up! You are completely surrounded! If you surrender now, I swear to make your death quick!" Leon simply stood in place, refusing to show weakness. "Fine." Helios grunted "Archers! On my mark!"
However, before Helios could give the order, a sea of fire engulfed the bulk of his men, as Kilgharrah swooped in, forcing the bandits to retreat. Once he had ensured that there were no stragglers left, the mighty dragon turned to face the duo, bowing his head towards Sir Leon. Leon fell to his knees, letting out a relieved sigh. Then, noticing the unconscious Merlin, begged "Please! I must get him to Gaius!" The dragon looked curiously at him, and then bent down to allow the Knight and Merlin to climb onto his back.
Merlin awoke two days later, in a comfortable bed he KNEW wasn't his. "Merlin!" Morgana cried out, rushing to his side. The young woman began to cry, but Merlin picked her head up, and kissed her. "Shh. I'm okay, Morgana, I'm okay." He said soothingly, holding her. "What happened?"
"Sir Leon and the dragon rescued you."
"Really? Kilgharrah didn't EAT Leon as well? Wow, he really IS getting old."
Morgana looked up, but burst into laughter when she saw the goofy smile on his face. "Well, it's nice to know you can still crack a bad joke."
"Oh, you injure me, my lady!" He teased, tickling her.
"NO!" she squealed, giggling uncontrollably. Of course, Arthur chose that moment to walk in. Morgana was about to say something, but Merlin held her back. "Let ME talk to him, beautiful." He whispered in her ear, and she reluctantly left the room, giving her half-brother a dirty look. "You are going to be in trouble for a LONG time, y'know." Merlin said, as Arthur sat in the chair beside the bed.
"I'm sorry"
"For what?"
"For sending you on that task."
"You bloody clot-pole."
"What?"
"Arthur, you were getting your own back."
"Yes, but look what happened!"
"How were ANY of us supposed to know Morgause and Helios formed an alliance?"
"Still."
"Oh, for the love of-!" Merlin said using his magic to send a gust of air into his face.
"Whoa!" Arthur said, as he fell, startled, out of his chair.
"Am I dead?"
"Well, no."
"Then I forgive you!"
"Fine…" Arthur said, getting up to leave.
"Oh, Arthur?"
"Hm?"
"Could you send Leon to see me?"
"Sure."
Sir Leon had been admiring Helios' sword when Arthur told him Merlin wanted to see the Knight. The battle between him and the bandit leader had been short, but grueling. Helios fought with much power, but Leon's speed and quick thinking had won him the duel. Leon greeted Merlin with a handshake, and the two began to talk for a while. After around an hour, Merlin and Leon made their way to the forest, going to the Owl Lake. With a little teamwork, the duo managed to retrieve the Greystone Flower, and Merlin called to his dragon ally. Kilgharrah had told Leon about how the flower was SUPPOSED to look, and the pair had thought: What the Hell. They placed the mysterious rock-like plant on the ground, and the Great Dragon unleashed a torrent of magical flame upon it.
That night, a feast was held in the heroic pair's honor. However, they came in with Aithusa, a small White Dragon that Merlin had rescued shortly before the incident. In its mouth, the tiny dragon carried a rainbow-colored flower, which it handed to Gwen. Arthur looked at his Knight, and his friend, a smile on his face. It was one of Camelot's most amazing celebrations, and Merlin took his seat beside Morgana, handing her a small package. She opened it, and found that it was a necklace, with one of the plant's petals crystalized and strung on the gold chain.
"Camelot…..at last" a voice said in the night, as a mysterious hooded rider and his horse stood overlooking the magnificent castle. "Emrys…..I have come."
Hi guys! If you enjoyed this little Tale, leave a review please! I know you have questions concerning the jump between chapters 5 and 6 (Like how Leon knew Merlin had Magic and why Aithusa was there). Truth is, there is a bit of a time jump here. Maybe...a year. THIS is actually not the first tale (Time wise). I just thought it would be the coolest one to give ya. =D
The next one, The Tale of Merlin and Sir Gwaine, will be the inter-rim. Yes, Merlin WILL make another Belt Joke. Sorry for the confusion, but I had to do it. So, Merlin and Gwaine actually go on TWO adventures. One is a sort of flashback, and the other is AFTER this part.
