*********Sometimes stress seems to be a useful motivator. But just sometimes. Finally I have continued, so I can present you a few lines more on this story - As always: thanks for reading, thanks for reviewing, and thanks for waiting!*********
Eighth chapter
Where should he go from here? Again he was uncertain if he should return to Camelot or to what at least was left of the royal court or if he should betake himself for a place where he may find former allies. But of course there were none left of them. He had to avoid those areas which now were centers of struggles between Britons and Saxons. In his indecision Merlin made his way southwards passing fields of the old Dummonian territories. Maybe he just would have to go home. On the other hand, once there, he easily could travel forth into Kernow. The most western reign of Britain, now belonging to Constantine of Cornwall, had been the place where Mab had forged her plans about Mordred becoming the High King. He had no idea if the castle of Dun Tagell would still be empty, but he doubted it.
The summer was moving to its end. And soon the countrymen would bring in their harvest and prepare for the colder months of the year. But already it seemed as if there were coldness and uneasiness in the air. Maybe he only was exaggerating things in an overstressed mind. Lost in his thoughts Merlin didn't give further attention to his surroundings trusting Rupert to find the right way. By noon they were reaching the settlement of Twyverton. Here he would usually turn north heading for the little wood surrounded village of Barum, where he had his little hut. But he could also continue on the old Roman road from Cryditon to Dun Tagell. He was curious what changes he would find there now that Mordred and Morgan had gone. Without a real destination it wouldn't be that much of a long way round he thought. He still could return to his hut in the next days. Of course it was a great advantage having a magical horse on his site, for Sir Rupert was much stronger, more persistent and faster than any horse in this world – even being of such an old age by now. Tugging Mab a bit closer and rearranging the blanket on her to protect her body against the wind he gave his horse the command to move on. Passing Cryditon he noticed, how rural and wild the countryside still was. The area consisted of wide areas full of lush green rushes and moorland. Only small forests could be found aside the rivers. These parts were still much more bound to its old Celtic inhabitants. Rom's influence just had reached to Caer-wysg, which they had called Isca Dumnoniorum – city of the Dummonians. So the more western areas Merlin now was traveling through seemed still wild and untouched. Next to the road Merlin could see the old Standing Stones. The maen hir belonged to the ancient Pagan folks. But already these old cult places were deserted and abandoned. Actually he had seen several stone crosses in the villages.
The sun was slowly setting. They would not make it to Tintagel this evening, so he decided it would be the best to find a resting place for the night. He kept looking around the countryside, seeing not much but open land. Not very protective against the wind, he thought. He already began to scold himself for not earlier having thought about the distance, when he saw the stones. An ancient place, once it had been a tomb for a chieftain – the empty kistvaen held now enough space for the two travelers. He stopped Rupert. Got off and placed Mab against the capstone. Then he prepared some blankets inside the cist to pad it out. From the corner of his eye he saw a flicker. Watching closely as he approached Mab, he waited. Nothing happened; there was nothing, perhaps just his imagination. He carried her down into the cist and laid her softly onto the blankets – then he made a small fire in front of the entrance. Roasting himself some ham he watched the darker growing sky.
Mab fell. With increasingly speed rocks and water seemed to come closer. She prepared for the impact, but it came sooner than she thought. Not on the rocks but on an invisible barrier her fall stopped immediately. She felt like being torn apart and pressed together the same time, when her vision became blurry and faded into dark. She couldn't see, couldn't hear, couldn't breathe and everything hurt suddenly – like there were thousand needles on her whole body. She tried to writhe but managed nothing but a moan bursting out into heavy coughs.
Merlin startled up, when he heard Mabs hard coughing. He turned and quickly he bent down to her, taking her by the shoulders trying to comfort her. He couldn't believe it. After all those weeks finally she gave a life sign.
Mab panted for air. When she felt the cold oxygen in her lungs again, her body calmed down again. Somewhere there were strong hands supporting her weight. She could not hold herself up. Mab heard a concerned voice in the distance. But quickly strength left her again. It seemed to her that all energy had left her body. She felt heavy and tiered and before she could think more about it, her consciousness slipped away, leaving her fast asleep.
Worried Merlin had held her, calling her name, but she wasn't reacting. Gently he pulled her back down. Mab had fainted again. She was sleeping now, really sleeping. This was different than before; she didn't seem like dead anymore. Her cheeks were slightly flushed in red. Her breast was heaving steadily. He couldn't help but laying his arms around her, bending down brining his ear onto her chest. Tum tum tum.. he heard the heartbeat. Se sound of it gave him a strange feeling of relief. A tear rolled down his cheek.
Morning came and then came noon. The next day had come. Her head ached; this is how humans must feel after wassail, she thought. She blinked, dazzling light stung in her eyes. She gave a moan and tried to get up, unsuccessfully. When she finally managed to open her eyes, she only did it to meet some dark blue eyes piercing into hers – they belonged to Merlin. She winced back immediately. He is going to kill me. Instinct took over. She tried to struggle, but not having any strength. She could only cower and look fearful at Merlin.
"It's alright, don't be afraid!", Merlin tried calmingly. "Everything is okay, shhhh shhh you are safe." Gently he placed a hand under her neck, lifting her head slightly he said: "Here drink this." Skeptically she looked at him, pressing her lips hard together. Something wasn't right here. But she could not remember what it was. "It's just tea.", he said, raising the cup to her mouth. Reluctant she parted her lips unwillingly swallowing some of the warm liquid. It tasted bitter and left a strange starchy feeling on her tongue. Then she realized what it was, that was wrong. She never ever had drunk tea before. She never had drunk anything human-made before, least of all something simple like tea. A Fae as she was, she didn't need nourishment. So why was he giving tea to her. And why can't I move? And why was it Merlin, who gave her tea? Questions began storming into her mind. But all she could finally ask was: "What happened?" Her voice sounded weirdly thin. Silence. "Don't you remember?", Merlin asked. "What should I remember?", she returned. Pausing for a thought, she tried to recall the recent happenings. There was a battle. Mordred fell. She had wanted to destroy Merlin. Well that obviously didn't work, she thought sarcastically. But how did she end up like this? Weak and nursed by her enemy. For a few moments neither of them said a word. In both of their minds the thoughts seemed to follow in quick succession. Merlin wasn't sure what he was about to tell her now. She just had woken up again, how could he possibly tell her, that it had been him, who nearly had killed her? How could he explain his change of mind to her?
"Our battle is over, Mab.", he started. "You have been… let's say… a little bit indisposed for the last weeks." Mab looked questioning. But he continued. "This is the first time you are awake for months now." So something must have gone absolutely wrong, it dawned on her. She felt awful. Her head still was throbbing. The situation got no inch better. "So why am I with you?", she asked. He didn't answer immediately, so she tried to look around. "And where the heck am I?" Merlin decided that the latter question was the easier one to answer. So he meant: "We're on the road to Dun Tagell Castle." He continued: "Yesterday we passed Cryditon, and when nightfall came, I had to look for a resting place." Mab looked a bit irritated. "That's a tomb Merlin.", she stated. "Couldn't wait to lay me to rest, could you?" He looked at her quite perturbed, searching for the adequate answer. "Well .. you... know it is a little bit more complicated than that.", he said. Then more sincere he answered: "I feared all the last days and weeks, that I would have to find you a grave, that you .. you also.. would pass." They both gazed into each other's eyes. That was odd, how could Merlin be so concerned about her? He felt uncomfortable, too. He realized, that he never had thought ahead, about what he would do, when she would be back again. He remembered that it was time to get up now. Breaking their eye contact first he went, "But don't… don't let us agonise about this now." He got up, and began to gather up their luggage. Mab again noticed that something was really wrong about her. She couldn't get up. Even lifting an arm seemed an enormous exertion of strength. Another time she tried to lift her body, only to fall back exhausted. Merlin, who was already lading the stuff onto Sir Rupert, saw her efforts. Smirking he said: "Wait, I'll get you up."
"My weakness seems to please you, Merlin", she hissed looking quite offended. "No no, it's just good to see the old stubborn 'always fighting Queen Mab' again.", he said. Mab sighed. What have I done to deserve this?
Again he took her into his arms, tugged the blankets around her and lifted her into the saddle. Taking his place behind her he pulled his arms protectively around her. For a single moment Mab had the desire to protest, but in a swift second it was gone and she felt deadly tired again. Resting against Merlin's warm body she noticed half sleeping that the horse had set its hooves into motion. Not able to ponder anymore about it she just slept.
