So glad to have InkWoven back on board. I missed reading your reviews! I'm glad you like what you're reading so far and thank you for pointing all of my errors out to me. I am trying harder to double check before I post, but, this weekend is hectic and I haven't found the time. I write like a speed demon and post as quickly as I can to get to things around the house. Anywho, thank you. Your imput is always appreciated. 3
P.S. I know, it's been TWO DAYS since I updated. I had a very busy and hectic weekend. But, I am here now with a new chapter. Hopefully it was worth the wait!
Now, on to the story!
-Monty
"I saw her."
"But no one has reported her being here in the castle."
"I don't care if they've reported it or not. Arthur, I know what I saw!"
"Alright, I believe you." Arthur said, holding up a hand to silence Merlin. His gaze was soft, telling his friend that he truly did believe him and, to show him, he turned to Leon. "Alert the guards. Search every inch of the castle. Report back here if you find anything." he ordered. Leon gave a nod of his head and hurried straight away to get those he could to help him search the castle. They all knew the severity of the situation. If Morgana was in the castle, then more than likely she would be coming for Arthur and everyone wanted to keep their King safe. Arthur, however, wasn't thinking about himself. He looked over at his friend. Leon had reported not seeing a trace of Morgana when he had found Merlin, shouting like a wild man. Was it possible that Merlin was seeing things? There was no way that Morgana could have gotten into the castle. Every inch of it was guarded and protected. He had made sure security was stepped up after they had ran Morgana out of the castle the last time.
So far the extra security had worked.
Not to mention, on the side, he even had some of the Druids keeping watch. They were scouting in the woods, keeping a watch on the roads. They always reported back that things were fine. Arthur looked Merlin over. His friend seemed fine, other than the fact that he was worried that Morgana had somehow gotten into the castle. Maybe, somehow, some way, she had gotten in. If that was the case, then he wanted to get to Guenivere and make sure she was alright.
"Walk with me." Arthur said, making his way out of the throne room.
Merlin fell into step beside him and together the two of them made their way down the corridors of the castle. Already Merlin knew where they were going. Arthur and Gwen's room. Of course Arthur's main concern would be for Gwen. Knowing Morgana, she would use her to get to him. They had to make sure she was alright.
With the quickened pace that they used, they got to the room in no time at all.
Arthur gave a knock, to alert Gwen that they were coming in, then opened the door.
Gwen, who was with her hand maid, having her hair braided, looked over at them in confusion. "Is something the matter?" she asked.
"Merlin saw Morgana in the castle." Arthur told her right away.
Gwen's face paled some and she turned to her hand maid. "Go back to the servant quarters, tell the others to be watchful and to get somewhere safe until the search is over with." Her maid gave a nod of her head, fear clearly on her face. Gwen stood and placed her hand on her face for comfort. "It will be alright. You must move quickly to let the others know." Even though her maid looked like she was going to shake to pieces at the mention of Morgana being around, she gave a nod, bowed her head to her and Arthur, then rushed from the room to do as the Queen had instructed. Once she was gone, Gwen turned back to her husband and Merlin. "When was she seen? How did she get into the castle?"
"It was about twenty or so minutes ago. Merlin came and told me as soon as he could. Leon was with him, however, Leon didn't see Morgana." Arthur replied, coming over to her. He took her hands in his own and gave her a stern look. "You will stay here. I am going to post guards at the door. I don't want you wandering around. If Morgana is in the castle, she may come for you."
"I want to stay with you," Gwen said, shaking her head, "I am not going to stay cooped up in this room. Wherever you go, I am going as well."
Arthur sighed heavily and looked to Merlin for advice.
Merlin gave a nod of his head.
He believed that Gwen should stay with them as well. If Morgana did come for her, guards at the door wouldn't stop her.
"Alright," Arthur said, turning back to Gwen, "but you stay with me at all times."
"I will."
LOWER TOWN -
The story had been told.
Elaine looked to Gwaine as he sat there, taking it all in.
He was the first person in years, besides Merlin, to hear her and Galahad's story.
She wondered what was going through his mind. She wondered if he was alright or if he was just trying to figure out when it would be a good time to run away. So far, he hadn't said a word. He hadn't moved. He just sat there, looking very contemplative. Elaine wanted to speak up and ask him what he thought, but, she decided it would be best to leave him alone. The information needed to process. It was a lot for him to take in.
She tried to focus on something else for the time being.
Her eyes drifted to her bow.
It needed more arrows. She would need to go into the woods and find the right branches to use and to shape. Something strong so it wouldn't break after just one kill. Perhaps she would go and do that later in the evening. She would also need to get some stones to sharpen to put on the ends. They would need to be smooth, sharp, affective.
Wasn't there a creek nearby?
She would probably find the stones she needed in there.
It was a good ways off though, so, she would need to at least bring Galahad with her, or Gwaine.
Gwaine...
How was he doing with all of this?
Why wasn't he saying anything yet?
Shouldn't he at least be pacing around or running his fingers through his hair or something?
Elaine stopped herself. Her train of thought had gone right back to where she was trying to steer it clear from. She couldn't help it though. She needed to know what he was thinking and what he was going to do now that he knew about her.
"Your silence is killing me." Elaine confessed finally, getting to her feet. "If you're not going to say anything and you're just wondering when would be a good time to get up and leave, I suggest you do it now. I can't stand another moment of you just sitting there."
She didn't mean to sound snappish if she did.
She was just on edge.
Gwaine looked up at her and tilted his head to the side, almost like a puppy would in curiousity. "I was thinking." he let her know.
"What about?" Elaine asked, crossing her arms over her chest. It was what she did when she felt like she needed to protect herself from whatever harsh words might come her way. It helped her feel tough, like if she did this, then nothing anyone said would ever harm her.
However, that was a lie.
If Gwaine were to say anything negative to her, she would more than likely find herself crumbling in defeat.
As Gwaine got to his feet, Elaine took a step back. He didn't seem to notice though.
"We need to find a way to break whatever spell your father put on you." Gwaine said. "That way you and Galahad can live normal lives."
Elaine's brow rose. "We can't."
"Why not? Because your father wants Galahad to take the throne? Fine. Let him! Your father's lands are just sitting there and the castle is going to ruin. Why can't Galahad go ahead and take the throne?"
"The lands must be united." Elaine explained. "Albion must be in harmony with all around it. Without that, then our father's lands will remain a barren waste land and will be no good to use. Galahad will be ruling over a dead land and that is not what father meant for him to do."
"So, you're just going to keep living and living until Albion is restored?"
Elaine nodded. "Yes."
"That's not fair to you or Galahad. What if it is never restored? Think of all of the life you will miss out on! Growing old is apart of life, getting married, having children, being surrounded by those you love while you're on your death bed. It might not sound appealing, but it's I can bet it's damn near better than what you've had to go through." Gwaine argued.
He was right.
She wanted all of that.
Even death...
But she and Galahad had made a promise to their father. They would rule over their kingdom once more and only when Albion had been restored. It had yet to happen, but Galahad told her that it was going to be soon now, considering Emrys had revealed himself to Arthur and now that Arthur was considering letting magic back into Camelot.
If he did that, then, Albion might be a step closer to coming back fully.
They couldn't get up now.
Not when they were so close.
"I'm sorry, but this is the way things have to be." Elaine said, hoping that Gwaine could understand. From the look he was giving her, he didn't understand. He wanted to break the spell on her so that they could have a life together and if he couldn't do that, then, the two of them would never be able to have that with one another. "I wish, more than anything, that I could let you find a way, but you must understand. Restoring Albion is important. It is for the good of all."
All-of-a-sudden someone shouted Gwaine's name.
Why was it, when they were spending important time together, that someone always ended up coming around and ruining it?
"Gwaine!" The person shouted again.
Elaine's brow creased deeply. "That sounds like Elyan."
"We're not finished here." Gwaine let her know. "When I'm done with whatever they need me for, I am coming back here and we are going to finish talking about this."
"What is there to talk about? You know where I stand-"
Gwaine reached out and grabbed her, bringing her to him. A second later his lips met with her's and Elaine was silenced. He didn't want to hear her talk anymore. He didn't want to hear her tell him there was basically no hope for a future with her. No hope, no future? He didn't believe in that. He was going to find a solution to this, some way or another.
Pulling from the kiss, he looked down at her.
Elaine seemed to understand what he was thinking and, though she didn't want him to do it, she knew she had no choice. He would do what he wanted, with or without her blessing. Giving a nod of her head, Gwaine returned the gesture. They knew where the other stood on the matter.
"Gwaine!" Elyan called out for him once more, urgency in his voice.
"Go." Elaine said, pulling out of his arms. "You are needed."
"I will come back."
"I know."
Their gaze lingered for another moment or two, then, grudgingly, Gwaine made his leave, hurrying from the tent and going out just in time to meet with Elyan who was coming down the aisle of tents to look for him.
"What's the matter?" Gwaine asked once they reached one another.
"Morgana has been seen in the castle." Elyan answered. "Arthur wants all of us searching for her."
Gwaine did not hestitate. If Morgana was around, this didn't bode well for anyone.
THE CASTLE -
"And you're certain you saw Morgana?"
"Yes, Gaius, I saw her." Merlin huffed. He was getting frustrated with everyone questioning whether or not he had seen her. He knew what he saw! She was right there! He even heard her laughing at him as he chased after her!
"Leon says he saw no one there-"
"He came around the corner just moments after I did and I didn't even see her the last time. But she was there, Gaius. She was there, just as plain as day." Merlin paced back and forth at the thought of her. So far, the guards had found no one. They were almost done searching most of the castle. If she wasn't found, then that meant either she had already done what she had came to do or she had left, waiting to come back another day when she wouldn't be caught.
"Last time you were around her, five months ago, you felt her presence - correct?" Gaius asked.
Merlin nodded, continuing to pace.
"Did you feel her presence this time?"
Merlin went to nod again, but stopped himself.
He turned to Gaius, "I didn't feel her here. When we were in the woods, I felt her presence even from miles away, yet here...I didn't feel her here at all. She just, appeared. Out of no where."
Gaius gave a 'hmmm', then got up and went over to his bookshelf. He said nothing as his weathered hands trailed along the book bindings, then, finally, he stopped and pulled one of the books from amongst the others and brought it over to Merlin. "I believe I may know what was going on."
"What?"
"During the time of the Great Purge, many witches and sorcerers used a certain spell to lure soldiers into traps." Gaius flipped through the pages of the book. After a few turns here and there, he finally stopped on one page. "Ah, here it is. It's an Illusion spell."
Merlin took the book from Gaius and let his eyes scan over the wording. It said that this particular illusion spell allowed the magic user to make certain victims see life like illusions of people, places, or things. Usually the illusion was used in battle, when the enemy wanted to make the other walk into a seemingly fine field, when, in reality, they would be walking right off of a cliff. Others used the spell for personal reasons, like Morgana, to twist the mind of a enemy - to lure them out into the open to be dealt with alone.
"Why would she come after me?" Merlin looked over at Gaius. "If she was going to use this spell then why wouldn't she use it on Arthur?"
"Did you say anything the last time you were around her? Anything to make her think that getting to you would be more to her gain than getting rid of Arthur?"
Merlin searched his memory.
Was there something he had done?
Something he had said?
~FLASHBACK~
"I warned you, Morgana." Merlin said, finally finding a stopping point that was a good ways from them. "But you wouldn't listen."
Suddenly, thunder roared through the skies.
Arthur looked up.
The sky was clear.
Night stars were starting to form overhead.
He saw not a sign of storm clouds anywhere.
Yet, there it was again!
Closer now!
Morgana and her men glanced up at the sky. They too had noticed that there were no storm clouds, that everything looked perfectly normal.
Then the sound came again.
Again...
"What is that?!" Morgana hissed, looking back at Merlin. "What is that noise?!"
Merlin kinked a brow. "Emrys is sending Arthur a weapon to use." he noted how the anger drained from her face and was replaced with pure horror. "You should have ran while you had the chance."
~END~
"Unless..."
"Unless what?" Gaius asked.
Merlin took a deep breath, looking very displeased, but mainly at himself. "When I faced Morgana, I spoke of Emrys." he looked over at Gaius and instantly saw the older man's expression turn into shock. "I didn't tell her I was Emrys! I just told her that Emrys was coming after her!"
"She probably thinks you know who Emrys is!" Gaius snapped. "You stupid boy! I can't believe you would be the careless! You know how dangerous that information is!"
"I know! I just...I wasn't thinking." Merlin wanted to shrink out of sight. Gaius was giving him that angry, disappointed, father look that he gave him every time he screwed something up. It was the worse look in the world. Even for someone as powerful as him, he found that with one look from Gaius, he was willing to run away and hide.
Gaius gave a frustrated growl. "You must tell Arthur."
"Tell him what? That Morgana is targeting me to find Emrys?"
"Yes! Exactly that! If Morgana gets into your mind, Merlin, she can lure you out to her and once she has you in her grasp, if she thinks you know who Emrys is, she will do nothing short of killing you to get the answers she wants. Arthur needs to know. The two of you need to come up with a plan to keep her from getting to you."
"There must be a blocking spell or something." Merlin said, looking back down into the book. He read along the page, reading over the description again, but all it did was tell about the spell itself. It didn't say of any way to block it. But there had to be something.
There was always something!
"Merlin," Gaius's tone commanded attention. Merlin looked over at him and the older man gave a nod. "Go to Arthur. Tell him what is happening. He will want to know."
He didn't want to.
Arthur would call him a idiot.
Then everyone would realize that he's put them at risk again. If Morgana gets her hands on him and finds out that he's Emrys, all of Camelot - all of Albion - could be in danger.
'How could you be so stupid?' Merlin thought angrily to himself.
"Merlin, go."
Giving a nod, Merlin handed the book back over to Gaius. "I'm sorry-"
"I know you are. Just make this right. Arthur has enough on his shoulders right now with Bayard on the way. The last thing he needs to be worrying about is Morgana coming for you." Gaius replied. "Work together on this. You may be able to fix it before it becomes something more serious."
"We'll do what we can." Merlin promised, then left, heading out to find Arthur, even though that was the last thing he wanted to do.
