Author's Note - Thank you very much for the reviews!
I'm quite proud of myself because no one got the answer to the last riddle! Yay! Which probably isn't surprising as I found it randomly on the internet; the answer fit well though :D Well done to everyone who got the first two correct.
Arthur hadn't really considered the consequences of them not actually being able to answer the riddles but he did now as he had no idea what on earth any of them could be. His blood pulsed a little faster through his veins as he thought about how easily the Sphinx had knocked him off his feet. If she wanted to eat them then she certainly could. Why on earth had he agreed to this?
Worry mounting in his stomach, he looked around at his knights and hoped that those blank faces did not signal incomprehension, just….thinking – very deep thinking. However, he'd already discovered how ill-educated they were, much like him, could they really be expected to know the answers to the questions?
He flexed his fingers experimentally on his sword hilt, readying himself for the inevitable. He thought about his home and his father, even about Morgana. How long would it be before they realised that his absence actually meant he would never return? They would probably never know that he'd been eaten by a bloody great cat with the face of a woman.
"Sire! Sire!" The voice shocked him out of his thoughts and he looked over at Sir Tristram who stared back at him with excited blue eyes. His face was so young and unblemished, Arthur felt bad for bringing him along to his death.
"Yes, Tristram?"
"Sire, I have the answer for the first one. I studied Greek as a child, see, and those sisters, well; they don't actually mean sisters at all but day and night. The words for day and night in Greek are feminine and they birth into one another repeatedly. It fits." There was so much joy in his voice that Arthur took a second to comprehend what he was saying.
"Day and night…gives birth to one another…." he muttered to himself, fitting Tristram's answer to the riddle. It did make sense, in a way. Then again, what would he know? He was just a knight. "I think you could be correct, Tristram." He gave a strained smile.
Then he turned to the Sphinx and looked her straight in the eye. Hopefully, this would be right otherwise he didn't know what she would do to them.
"Sphinx, we think the answer to the first one is day and night."
"And you would be correct," the magical creature answered, sagely.
Tristram actually let out a strangled whoop of happiness and punched the air. He couldn't believe that he'd actually been clever enough to work that out. When he'd been cooped up in his stuffy study room with that boring slug of tutor, he would never have believed that his knowledge of Greek would ever help him in the future. If he'd told his former self that Prince Arthur would need his intelligence of the language then he certainly wouldn't have believed it. He wasn't completely useless after all, not like Sir Morholt always told him!
"Well done, Tristram!" Arthur grinned at the boy who glowed with pride. "Now, on to the next one."
Spurred on by the right answer to one of the riddles, the prince cast aside his pessimism and imagined that, perhaps, they could get out of this predicament alive. Maybe, his knights were more intelligent than he gave them credit for – especially young Tristram with his baby looks, blue eyes and white-blond hair. Who would have thought that he had a decent knowledge of Greek?
He even put his own mind to working out the second riddle; sifting through old things that he'd learnt and never thought were any use. He tried to work it out logically but he soon decided that logic was pointless when trying to figure out a riddle. You needed to think outside of the box. Be lateral thinking.
Which creature in the morning goes on four legs, at mid-day on two, and in the evening upon three, and the more legs it has, the weaker it be? What on earth could that be construed to mean? Obviously, it was metaphorical but in what sense?
His mind reeled at the impossibilities of working this out and he desperately tried to come up with something - anything - that would give him an inkling of what the answer could be. Was it some magical being, one that he would never have even heard of or fathomed? That would be unfair of the Sphinx to set such a task but if she was borne of sorcery then what could be expected?
He stared up at her with her willowy featured face and wild, untamed lion half. There was no way he could ever trust such a thing as magic, not if it created such abnormalities.
Suddenly, an inspirational thought came to him, what if the morning meant the beginning of life? As a child you crawled on all fours before you could walk, didn't you? He remembered being told that he was a terror as a toddler, zooming around his nursery on his hands and knees. And then midday could be in the middle of your life: as an adult who walked on two feet. And the twilight years….with a cane! His father was always on about how old he was getting and soon he would need a cane to help him get around with his knee problems. And the weakest of the three had the most legs: the baby. It was completely helpless.
"Its man!" he shouted at the Sphinx. All those around him jumped, astonished by his outburst. He was surprised himself but for some reason he felt absolutely sure of himself. This answer could not be wrong.
"Congratulations, you have correctly answered the second riddle. Man—who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then walks with a cane in old age. Just one left now." She gave them all a curl of her lip, as if she knew exactly how difficult the last riddle was.
Arthur had no idea where to start. It was just so vague. There wasn't even an obvious place to start. He glanced around at his men once more but this time they looked completely at a loss. Sir Erec offered him a tight smile of encouragement that looked more like a grimace. Usually, he could count on the oldest knight – he was the wisest and most mature of them all – but it was obvious that this task had scuppered him just as much as the others.
Feeling completely hopeless, the prince looked back at the Sphinx. He could tell that she knew very well that he had no idea of this last answer. It was most likely very evident in his eyes.
"Have you an answer for me, young man?"
"No, but as a prince, I demand that you allow us safe passage," he stated, with more bravado than he felt. "And if you harm a single one of my men…I will have your head."
The Sphinx visibly scoffed at this, her pretty almond eyes full of condescension, as she flexed her claws, experimentally. Casually, she inspected one to see if it was sharp enough to do the job. It was not usual that she would have to take on such a large party and it would not be without its war wounds – she could tell by the young man's sword skills – but it was a risk she was willing to take in order to feast upon their tasty bodies.
Licking her lips, she smiled.
"Unfortunately, I cannot change the tradition which has been carried out here for hundreds of years. I am bound to this spot as the guardian of the lower region. And if you can't answer the final riddle then you will be my supper."
"So be it," Arthur frowned, bracing himself. The knights around him held their blades upright; ready to parry the blows which would undoubtedly rain down on them. He felt his heart slam against his ribs.
"Sire, wait!" He felt a halting hand on his arm and found that Merlin was standing beside him, a determined expression on his face. "I think I know what it is."
"You do?" Arthur couldn't help the fact that his voice sounded surprised and he felt immediately guilty when he saw the twitch of his manservant's lips. It probably looked like he had no faith in him at all. And he did! He really did.
Silently, he watched the young ash-haired man take a deep breath and stepped up to face the Sphinx. She surveyed him with interested eyes but Arthur couldn't help but think that she was just looking upon him as a snack. There wasn't much meat on Merlin after all – he was skin and bone. Hardly filling.
He was quiet for a moment, aware that this was their only chance and then…
"A secret," Merlin whispered. The Sphinx turned its feminine head and stared at him for a great length of time. Its cat-like eyes seemed…knowing. Slowly, her bow-lips curved into an amused smile.
"And of course," she paused, "You would know about that, wouldn't you, Emrys?"
Arthur observed the boy visibly tense, as if rigid with shock, and his hands clenched by his sides. Why had she called Merlin…Emrys? That wasn't his name. It didn't make sense. He wondered if Merlin knew what the creature was on about; it seemed as though he did, judging by his stance. He would have to quiz the young man about that later, if they survived. The sphinx still hadn't told them whether the answer was correct.
"Am I right?" Merlin asked, boldly, seeming to ignore her previous words.
"Yes, you are, Emrys," the sphinx smiled, "Well done, you have granted yourself and your party passage across the river. It is unfortunate for me, I was looking forward to sinking my teeth into your soft limbs, but those are the rules."
The great creature nodded at them and then jumped back below to vanish from sight. Every single person breathed a collective sigh of relief and the knights could finally sheath their blades. Arthur held his sword up for a few more seconds, just in case the Sphinx was not being truthful. However, when she did not reappear, he knew that had succeeded.
Swivelling on the spot, he turned to outright stare at his manservant. The young man offered him a weak smile in return.
"How the hell did you work that out, Merlin?"
"Oh, you know, I have got quite a lot of experience with secrets," the boy shrugged. "Anyway, shall we go?"
They had set up camp for the night: the horses were securely tethered to a makeshift wooden crossbar, their heads drooping with fatigue and their forelocks flopping down their noses; the roll mats were cast out on the uneven ground, softened by the musty leaf litter; a flickering fire shimmered in the centre of the circle that had been formed from logs, bits of ash and sparks of flame leaping and jumping into the cold air.
Merlin warmed his hands on the flames, enjoying the heat that seeped into him. It was like drinking a warm beverage, the kind that his mother used to prepare for him as a youngster when he'd been out playing in the snow with Will. The toasty feeling began in his stomach and spread outwards so his fingers and toes tingled. He smiled softly to himself.
The smile widened as the warm presence of Arthur sat down beside him on the log.
"Cor, these logs aren't half uncomfortable; how you manage to sit on here without any padding whatsoever is beyond me."
"What?" Merlin laughed, puzzled.
"You know, with your bony backside," Arthur replied, matter-of-factly.
Merlin arched an eyebrow and shook his head. Sometimes, his master did, honestly, astound him. "I'm used to it."
"Hmm…." Arthur murmured closing his eyes as the heat surrounded him.
"Why don't you go to sleep, my lord? You look exhausted."
"I could say the same about you," the prince retorted, his eyes still shut.
"I can hardly go to sleep before my master," Merlin said, sleepily, "Against servant etiquette and all that."
Arthur snorted. "That's ridiculous. You can go to bed when you please."
"Hardly."
"Well, if it makes things easier for you, I'll go now," the prince said, standing up. He paused. "Thanks, by the way, for working out the last riddle. I didn't really say before. You're not as stupid as you look."
"You've told me that before."
"I only just realised again, you hide it so well. Anyway, goodnight." He left the log and headed to his bed roll. He slipped easily between the covers.
Merlin followed suit.
With the morning came an unexpected sunshine and so the travelling group's spirits were lifted like the leaves in the wind which had buffeted them the previous day. Although the actual temperature was still on the cold side, the occasional glance of sunshine helped to warm the blood.
The sound of birds twittering and singing filled the air as several larks and a swallow graced the skies. Their multitude of fluttering wings outlined against the pastel blue sky and their necks arched elegantly as they flew among one another. Gently, one single skylark nuzzled another's downy shoulder as they soared; a sign of undying affection.
Merlin watched them with enraptured eyes and wished that he too could travel so freely and sing so sweetly. He wished he shared such love as the skylark did with someone; Arthur always seemed to have all these suitors and sweethearts but who did he have? It remained to be seen. Besides, who on earth could he trust with his secret? He wasn't a normal man and it saddened him that, perhaps, he would never know such companionship and happiness. Surely, after all he'd been through, he deserved something?
"Merlin!"
He turned, instinctively, at the sound of his voice and caught sight of his master who was trotting up to him quickly. The prince looked to be in pain and he wondered what could be the matter. No doubt something he would be expected to sort out.
"Yes, sire?" he replied, his tone suggesting helpfulness; his eyes betraying his actual feelings.
"Don't look at me like that," Arthur said, immediately. He always could tell when his manservant wasn't being entirely sincere. Well, most of the time. "I need to ask you a favour."
"When don't you?" Merlin smirked.
Arthur quirked an eyebrow. "Excuse me, but I think its part of your job to do things for me considering I am your master. You should start behaving like a proper servant for a change."
"The shock would kill you, sire," the boy quipped, his cerulean eyes sparkling like they were studded with diamonds.
"Too right. Anyway, I have a problem."
Merlin's lip twitched. He was intrigued. "Yes?"
"Not that kind of problem!" the blond prince yelped when he noticed the manservant's change in tone and knowing smile. "Merlin, you really aren't as innocent as you make out, are you?"
The boy shrugged.
"Anyway, as I was saying, I have a problem. It's to do with my teeth. Well, one tooth to be exact. It's giving me a lot of pain."
"I can tell. Your face is all screwed up like you're having trouble going to the toilet."
Arthur snorted. "What a pleasant description, Merlin. I want you to pull it out for me."
"Me?" Merlin exclaimed, surprised, "Surely, you would rather one of the knights do it? They would be stronger and probably a great deal less clumsy."
"I trust you to do it, Merlin, not them," the man replied, honestly. Then he paused. "But if you mess it up, trust me when I say that I will knock every single tooth from your head."
"No pressure then."
It was a short time later when they stopped and Arthur and his manservant moved a small distance away from where the rest of the knights were resting. They watched them suspiciously. Once they were out of earshot, Arthur handed Merlin a small knife which he'd sterilised with some alcohol and hot water. His hand was only trembling very slightly as he passed it over. It wasn't that he didn't trust Merlin….he was just worried about the pain.
Bracing himself, the prince opened his mouth as wide as he could and closed his eyes. Merlin stared at him for a moment, pondering the vulnerability of Arthur's position and the power of his own. He could have a lot of fun with this….but he wouldn't because he was good and kind and not sadistic in any way. Well, maybe a little bit. He had to admit it caused him the tiniest amount of satisfaction when he dug the point of the blade into Arthur's gum and heard him yell out. It was kind of like revenge for all the times he'd been hit, shoved and stabbed at by his master.
Perhaps, he shouldn't admit to that though.
With one last wrenching twist and a very unmanly scream, the tooth loosed from its canal and flew out of Arthur's mouth. The rotten, blackened remains of it lay on the leafy floor.
The two boys gazed at it for a moment as Arthur wiped a few tears that had somehow dribbled from his eyes.
"I don't think we should talk about this again. Not if you value your tongue."
"And I don't think you should eat so many sweet things but we can't all get what we want, can we?" Merlin laughed.
