Part 7
Camelot's golden age was here, the castle stood tall and powerful as it casted long dark shadows across the land. Its height and stature instilling hope and power into its people, it was impossible to think that only a single building could raise the morale of the whole kingdom. However it wasn't the stone work that made people's hearts race, or the large stone glass windows; which captured the light of the sun for eternity. Instead it was what the castle held. For within its walls lived the golden age itself. Arthur.
Arthur was the once and future king. He was Camelot. Even if the castle walls were torn down, leaving a bloodied man in its place, in the eyes of the people; the kingdom would still be standing strong against the waves of evil.
That was why Arthur could not die. Not only because he was a king, lover, friend and soon to be father- But because he was Camelot.
Merlin stepped forwards through the hazy images, his eyes locking on himself instantly. He was kneeling on the ground, his hands reaching outwards for the king. Surrounding him was his friends and family of the king. Gwen was there, tears streaming down her face as she slowly clutched the small bump in her abdomen.
"Please Merlin" Gwen begged as she stumbled forwards, Merlin watched intently as his future self-glanced across to the Queen. "Please let my son have a father"
Merlin watched himself look down at his friend, slowly dying in his arms.
Gasping the warlock in question flung his eyes open, flinging his arms wide the man struggled as he pulled himself into a painful sitting position. Manacles clinging to his wrists as they slowly rubbed away at his skin causing them to blister and bleed. Blinking slowly Merlin recovered from what he had seen.
"Good morning sleeping beauty" Morgana crouched before the rusting bars which separated herself from the prisoner. "You had a lovely dream I see?"
Merlin pulled his head away from the witch, wincing as it shot a sharp pain through his temple. "I am not afraid of you Morgana"
The witch smirked as she rose graciously from the ground, her fingers entwining around the iron keys to the side of the cell gate and wrenching it open. "Oh Merlin" Morgana cooed as she wandered slowly into the room, her dark mangled dress flowing behind her as if it was the shadows itself. "I think you misunderstand my offer of kindness"
Closing his eyes Merlin leaned forwards. His eyes stung sharply, creating unfallen tears which made his vision blurry. Licking his lips the young man winced as the desire for water washed over him, his tongue sticking to the dried blood which rested on the side of his mouth. Crouching before him, Morgana pulled out an old waterskin her hands guiding it to the raven haired man's mouth as she slowly allowed him to drink. "I don't think you realise my true generosity"
"What do you want" Merlin sneered between gulping down the large amounts of water which was supplied to him. Morgana smirked slowly and pulled away his source of water. Slowly her fingers reached outwards and stroked his cheek, tracing the cuts and dried blood across his cheek.
"You know you look perfect for the part you are about to play" Morgana whispered her head leaning inwards slowly. Merlin leaned back just as much, his eyes narrowing as he watched her hand pull away from his face; covered in blood.
Remaining silent Merlin simply watched as she pulled away from his face, her cold pale fingers interlocking across her dress as she slowly rose to her feet once more. Turning around to face the cell door the witch cocked her head to the side abruptly, her cold features gleaming in the morning sun. "Perfect"
"PERFECT FOR WHAT!" Merlin snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Whatever you are planning Morgana-"
"I am not planning anything Merlin-" Morgana gasped sarcastically, her mouth wide as she shook her head slowly. "No, instead I am having my moment of clarity-". Raising her hand the witch's eyes burned a bright gold as she directed her magic towards Merlin.
Wincing Merlin leaned back into the cold stone, his eyes snapping open when he heard the metal clasps of his manacles fling open. Glancing down in confusion he shook his head slowly, "Wh-"
"Emrys" Morgana tutted as she slowly backed away from the bars, "I am giving you a chance, don't you see?"
Merlin frowned as he tried to calculate Morgana's moves. Standing slowly to his feet Merlin whimpered inwards as he stepped forwards. Glancing quickly the warlock noted the large wound on his left leg; dried blood caked his clothes from where it had clotted slowly. "I know you Morgana- your heart is as black as charcoal there is no room for generosity"
"I think you have me wrong Merlin" Morgana cooed as she slowly walked away from the cell, her fingers gracing cross the metal bars. "There is always room for improvement wouldn't you say?"
"Not for you Morgana" Merlin croaked as she slowly limped closer to the cell door, his hands wrapped tightly around his chest.
"Maybe Merlin, however you could be wrong" Morgana whispered as she slowly backed away down the corridor the darkness slowing her up whole. Merlin frowned as he slowly walked into the same dark corridor, his eyes taking in his surroundings; rows of cells lined the walls as moss clung into the gaps between the cracking stone. Staring at where Morgana had just stood the young man clutched to the side of his head, his vision blurring slightly as he struggled to steady himself. Perhaps he had imagined Morgana's presence; it was possible, but the size of the large swollen lump on his forehead he could at least deduce he had a concussion.
Shuffling backwards slowly the young man took a deep breathe. Either way, it was now or never to escape.
Spinning on his heel Merlin ran straight to the other end of the corridor.
"Shame" Morgana cooed as she slowly walked away from the seer fountain she had been staring in to, her eyes still holding the image of Merlin as he ran down the corridor. "Emrys is indeed quite pathetic"
Turning to her right the witch held out the waterskin she had given to the young warlock towards a man; his face hidden behind wraps of dark material. "Here- Take this and dispose of it, the poison has done its job"
Nodding the man took the leather pouch away and wandered towards a separate hall leaving a gleaming Morgana in his wake. "It is time Aithusa, time to let the legend begin"
Growling a gleaming white dragon limped forwards, its eyes mirroring the cold image which was held by Morgana.
