Disclaimer: The ownership to BBC Merlin is not in my possession. But my OCs are.
Warnings: Just T-rated violence and some adult themes. Nothing graphic though! Just suggestive as per the rating guidelines. If enough people think I should move it to M, I will, but I don't think it'll be a problem.
Thanks to xwerewolfgirlx, DragonflyonBreak, where the wind blows, godsdaughter77, TheMadSister, ForIHaveOvercomeTheWorld, Kitty O, Hiding in the Shadow, Zagreb-girl, brezy bri, MamzelleHermy, and Drakan722 for reviewing :D
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Merlin swallowed tensely as he and the knights followed the druid in front of them. She picked her way gracefully through the forest, in the way only someone who had lived their entire lives in one could do. Merlin held Tilly's and Aldeib's reins in a tight grip as his eyes searched ahead and around him for any sign of more druids. In front of him, Arthur strode after Kiara with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The dragonlord looked behind to see all of the knights in a similar posture to the prince while leading their own horses. Birdsong filled the silence amongst the crunch of everyone's footsteps over the leaves and twigs on the ground, trying to cheer the atmosphere with the sunlight crawling through the winding trees.
"We only have a little ways to go," the druid said before Arthur could open his mouth and ask. The prince looked disconcerted but kept his silence, exchanging a backward glance with Merlin. Percival's horse gave a snort when the when the knight prevented him from trying to eat a reaching fern. They walked for a few more minutes before the trees suddenly parted to reveal a small clearing, dotted with colourful flowers and even some herbs which Merlin took notice of. He recognized the clearing from previous foraging trips.
Arthur came to a halt and looked at Kiara walking to a group of eight druids, all wearing faded robes. She turned, and another woman, wearing a burgundy cloak came forward. The knights all clustered close together, still holding the reigns of their horses. Merlin did not have to look at Gwaine beside him to know that he perked up upon seeing the pretty young woman who looked to be Arthur's age. She was almost pale, with luminous umber eyes and chestnut hair tied into a braid that that was tossed over her shoulder, reaching to her hip. For the prince's part, he scanned the face of each druid before settling on the young woman who stopped several paces in front of him.
A miniscule frown pulled down her lips but her voice was clear. "Thank you for coming," she said and eyed the newcomers warily with a piercing dark eyed stare. Her voice was clear and smooth like the chime of a bell.
Arthur nodded. "Well, you offered to help us?" He stated rather than asked to the chagrin of Merlin and Lancelot. Gwaine and Percival were like Arthur and could care less for courtesy when people's lives were in danger.
"My name is Ragnell," she said stiffly and crossed her arms, "and you must be Prince Arthur."
Gwaine stepped forward and gave a bow with not a bit of flourish in it. "I am Sir Gwaine," he grinned and gestured to his companions, "and this is Merlin, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Percival."
Ragnell studied Gwaine for a moment before analysing Merlin and the knights again. She nodded to them and turned back to Arthur. "Before we discuss the fate of your kingdom, I would like to know if you have any idea where Firran is."
Arthur tensed his jaw at the mention of the druid that escaped from Camelot and he sent a small glare to Merlin, reminding the dragonlord that his discussion with the man was not forgotten. "The last we saw of him was before he escaped our dungeons," Arthur said and did not elaborate.
The druid's brow furrowed and she nodded. Arthur tensed when her hand moved but she only reached out to grip her braid. The chattering of squirrels broke the brief silence until one of the men spoke up. "I think we have to fear the worst Ragnell." Her only reaction was a slight tug on her braid.
"Well, we must continue," she said strongly and looked at Arthur. "Will you accept our help to defeat the curse upon Camelot?"
"How are you going to help us? You can stop the curse?" The prince asked and straightened his back.
"Not us, but we can help you there," Ragnell replied. Merlin could practically feel Arthur's stomach drop and his own did for quite a different reason than the prince's.
"You can't defeat the curse?" Arthur asked aghast and quickly angered. "Then why did you waste our time?" Ragnell's eyes flashed and the druids behind her all muttered discontentedly with the exception of Kiara who waited patiently.
"I believe we should hear what they have to say Arthur," Lancelot spoke softly. The prince did not look back at Lancelot but tilted his head higher.
Ragnell's lips parted slightly as she gazed at Lancelot and the knight shifted at the weight of her measuring stare. Her deep eyes then slid back to the prince and her next words were clipped short. "We can help you get there but you will need aid from the warlock whose destiny lies with Camelot's."
Merlin looked around uneasily and met Lancelot's gaze- his troubled cobalt eyes confirming the question in the knight's dark orbs. Arthur bristled at the young woman's words. "What is that supposed to mean? And what is a warlock?" His tone was harsh but it did not seem to intimidate Ragnell which was quite impressive considering that her head did not reach above Arthur's shoulder.
"A warlock is one born with magic. The one I speak of is named Emrys and he is Camelot's protector," she replied, looking at the knights again and lingering on Merlin when he could not clear the grave resignation from his face.
"What?" Arthur barked, "One cannot be born with magic. And I hardly think a sorcerer would protect a Pendragon."
Merlin shared a glance with Lancelot and had to hide his sombre smile.
"A warlock," Ragnell corrected, "whose destiny is to protect Camelot. He is the only one who can help."
"And how can he help us if the nine of you cannot?" Arthur scoffed.
Kiara was the one who answered him. "He is Emrys."
"What makes him so different then?" Gwaine asked curiously before Arthur could demand the same thing. The knight was looking into Ragnell's eyes and she was the one who spoke.
"The magic we have, the magic that you know, is but an imitation of the gift Emrys has. His magic if you call it, is of the earth itself. He is a creature of the ancient magic."
"What?" Merlin asked quietly, not realizing the fear that crept into his voice. Merlin knew he was powerful, but to hear magic being referred to in that manner in comparison with his own powers was not a bit unsettling. Gwaine reacted to it and stepped a tiny pace closer to the dragonlord. Arthur glanced back at him before turning back to Ragnell for an explanation.
She licked her lips and her tone became placating. "He is a warlock, not just any warlock, but Emrys... Let me put it this way Prince Arthur, sorcerers possess magic like you would a sword or shield, but Emrys possesses magic like you do blood."
"That's impossible," Arthur said loudly, "we don't need to hear this." He turned his back on the druids and started to reach for Aldieb's reins but was stopped from walking further by Merlin's desperate voice.
"But wouldn't it be wise to hear about some magical ally?"
"There is no such thing as a magical ally," Arthur snapped without thinking.
"Well according to them there is!" Merlin shot back loudly, unable to conceal the hurt in his voice.
"Come on Arthur," Gwaine growled. He was supported by Lancelot's firm gaze and Percival who spoke quietly to the prince.
"This looks like the only option Arthur."
The prince regent glanced at them and Merlin who was grinding his jaw before hesitating and turning back to Ragnell and the druids.
"Alright, we'll stay. But only because we need to know how to defeat the curse."
"Gee, sound like you're doing them a favour why don't you?"
Arthur shot Merlin a glare to let him know he heard the quietly uttered comment.
"You should be more grateful Pendragon," Ragnell said sharply, tugging angrily on her braid. "Emrys has sacrificed so much for your sake, and your sake alone."
Behind Arthur, Merlin shifted uncomfortably and Lancelot nodded in agreement, earning many stares from the druids.
"And how do you know that?" The prince demanded.
"There are many prophecies about Emrys. And about yourself," she said to Arthur's surprise. "And there are prophecies of this day Arthur Pendragon, when Emrys accepts his duty."
Merlin began to make an offended cry but managed to change it into a cough. He had already accepted his duty! His eyes bored into Ragnell's but the druid did not look away from Arthur.
"And that duty is to protect Camelot?" Arthur guessed with a bit of hostility.
"Yes. To give his life to save your kingdom."
Merlin's gasp cut through the clearing.
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Several miles away rode another group of knights, their horses' hooves beating a swift rhythm on the uneven ground. The forest stood imposingly behind them, growing ever smaller at their backs.
Leon pulled his horse to a halt as the land started to decline, a ways from the small valley. The Mountains of Isgard loomed a day's ride in front of them, the jagged grey peaks nudging the clear sky. All of the horses hurtled to a stop and heaved in loud breaths of air while the five knights strained their ears for any sounds of an ambush. It was too quiet; not one call of a bird or buzz of an insect could be heard. The silence was eerie in the grassy plain.
"We really could use some of your woman's intuition right now Winny," Gerrick's voice sighed casually. The taller knight flicked his dark eyes toward Gerrick, a slight frown pulling at his lips which twitched with desire to speak. Aldwin kept a dignified silence though, in rebellion towards Gerrick's nickname for him and being called a woman.
Leon thought for a moment before pulling on his reigns to turn his bay horse to face the rest of them. "We'll need to send a scout forward," he declared and swept his arm to point towards the mountains. The land was uneven, rising and falling in subtle curves and scattered with a smattering of trees before the swift depression of the valley. "Along the ridge. It is the best cover for any ambush that may be waiting."
He turned his light grey eyes to Gerrick who straightened. "You are our best scout Gerrick. If anyone can move forward without alerting suspicion, it is you. And be wary of the curse."
Gerrick smirked and nodded. "I think you mean Sunny," the lean knight said, patting his horse's neck. The palomino lifted her head smugly, seemingly at the compliment. Gerrick nodded to them all and gave them a grin before turning his tall horse around, and making for the valley. Sunny's hooves were quiet on the ground, due as much to the long hours Gerrick spent training with it than the soft grass.
The knights watched and their horses snorted and prodded the ground at the departing of a member; Pellias' dark bay thought to follow Sunny but was stopped by the knight's quick pull. It was as Gerrick strode past the half way point from them to the valley did Leon stiffen. The first knight felt the familiar tension of an ambush flood the air, and Aldwin, Elyan and Pellias reacted to him.
"Gerrick!" Aldwin yelled at the same time Gerrick tensed on his horse and wrenched the reigns back. A swarm of rugged men flooded out of the valley, yelling wordlessly and brandishing steel weapons that glinted in the late afternoon sun. Their number might have been a match for the five knights but one knight alone could not defeat them. Gerrick hurriedly turned Sunny around and began racing back to the knights who were charging toward him. Aldwin was in the lead, followed by Elyan, Pellias, and Leon.
Gerrick's head flicked back to the gaining mercenaries and bent lower in the saddle when an arrow whistled by his shoulder. A wordless snarl escaped the knight's lips when it grazed Sunny's neck, causing the horse to give a terrified whinny and nearly trip. The horse's muscles rippled under her glistening coat and Leon kicked his own mount's ribs hard. But they were too late, they were not faster than a fired bow. An unheard twang of a bolt being fired was added to the yells on the plane and it plunged into the palomino's leg, sending it crashing to the ground. Gerrick vaulted off in the manoeuvre all knights were schooled in, not a moment too late. They both hit the ground and Gerrick's leg only just avoided being crushed.
He sprang up and drew his sword, standing in a firm stance in front of the flailing horse. A knight's mount was a fellow soldier and Gerrick would never abandon his horse. The knights galloped harder as the first two mercenaries caught up with Gerrick, their swords meeting in a loud ring that pierced the air. And two more mercenaries joined their allies, forcing Gerrick back. The knight stepped swiftly like a bounding cat, but when Sunny's pained whinnies came to an abrupt halt, Gerrick stiffened. He looked to find his horse unmoving on the ground and a mercenary pulling a bloodied sword from her flesh. Gerrick was still for a second, like thunder before the boom.
Two men fell in one arc of his blade and a vicious snarl escaped his lips when the other mercenary blocked his strike. The hairy man could not ward away death for long before Gerrick was flying past his falling form to the man who killed his horse. He too fell quickly with a pained cry, and Gerrick was left to face the next swarm of mercenaries. The lithe knight was striking and parrying furiously, but received a slash to the shin from a short sword. He did not fall but managed to block a heavy axe swing which sent his weight too far to one side.
Leon roared as a strike Gerrick was unprepared for shot toward his chest. Grey eyes the colour of river stones centered on the gleaming blade meant to deliver the death blow. But in a flurry of movement, Aldwin vaulted off a galloping Mandarb and tackled the mercenary threatening his friend. A glint of silver flashed blindingly in the sun as Aldwin's sword went flying as he hit the ground. The mercenary's weapon was lost as well and he struggled to use his fists. Aldwin silenced him with a heavy punch that connected in a loud smack, and then rapidly rolled to the side to avoid a sword swing.
Then Gerrick sprang in front of him, swinging his sword in a wide sweep to repel the offending mercenary before stepping forward and running the man through. The rest of the mercenaries- four in number and outnumbered by one crashed to a standstill, watching the knights warily.
Aldwin laid a hand on Gerrick's shoulder and pulled, effectively keeping his friend in place. Leon, Elyan, and Pellias surrounded the two knights on their restless horses. The mercenaries did not even look at them before turning tail and sprinting away.
Elyan drew his sword, purposely dragging it along the sheath so the steel would ring loudly after them. They did not get far and were quickly overrun by the horsemen, all of them falling to the knights. Leon let out a sigh and turned back toward Aldwin and Gerrick- and hid a wince of sympathy. Gerrick was kneeling beside his fallen horse- his eyes were scrunched tightly together and he was breathing heavily through his nose as he closed Sunny's eyes for the last time. Sunny did not move, and would not again. Leon could not resist patting his own horse and experience the relief of feeling warm flesh.
"I'm sorry Gerrick." Aldwin's utterance quietly rippled the silence. The knight just shook his bowed head and everyone pretended not to hear his shaky breath. They all exchanged grave looks while Gerrick stroked Sunny's head. Every time he was going to pull his hands away, he hesitated before continuing the motion.
"We have to leave her here?" Gerrick meant to state but faltered into asking. No one had heard his voice be so small before.
"I am sorry Gerrick," Leon said solemnly, "but we cannot linger. The prince is expecting us."
The grey eyed knight nodded and his hands came to rest between Sunny's ears. "She hates being alone," he whispered, "always was a big baby." Gerrick looked toward the saddle bag but made no effort to get it. Aldwin walked forward and carefully untied it, and then unbuckled the saddle, freeing the horse from the straps. He put the bag in front of Gerrick who reached inside it. Aldwin then walked to meet his own horse who was walking toward him and grabbed the reins while patting Mandarb's nose.
Gerrick pulled out three apples from the pack and two carrots, placing them beside Sunny's head. After that he dug out the horse's favourite patchwork blanket, which was really a glorified rag. The knight underwent the task of lifting Sunny's still head to tie it around her neck. With a final pat, he stood up and turned toward Aldwin, Leon, Elyan, and Pellias.
Each step looked like it was tearing at him, only his grieving eyes revealing the sorrow he felt for his face was smooth. He stopped before Mandarb and tore a strip of cloth from his cape and tied it around his shin, pulling tight to stem the bleeding. Aldwin silently offered a hand which Gerrick took, and he climbed on behind him.
Leon nodded to himself and led the way back to the forest without a word. Gerrick could not resist sending a backward glance. The last image he received of Sunny, was the palomino lying still on the ground. He wrenched his head forward and his eyes hardened- wishing he could have dealt out more vengeance.
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Merlin gasped but he was not the only one- Lancelot and Gwaine did as well. Arthur just blinked at Ragnell, and looked as if he hadn't heard right. Lancelot was the first to speak and his question was asked harshly. "What do you mean?" Merlin looked from his friend's flashing eyes to Ragnell's considering ones.
She took a small breath before speaking. "It is written that Emrys will give his life to defea-"
"Yes, you already said," Lancelot interrupted impatiently, earning a suspicious look from the prince. "But why? Why is his life needed?"
Merlin frowned, shedding his previous surprise and gaining resolve.
"I do not know the answer to that," Ragnell admitted, and looked like she wasn't happy about it. "I can only assume it may be due to the nature of the curse."
She was going to say more but Arthur stepped forward and cut her off. "Lancelot. It sounds as if you know this Emrys," he said with an edge. Arthur's chin was upturned and his lips were pressed together. The druids all turned their heads to the knight and Lancelot shifted uncomfortably, fixatedly not looking at Merlin but at Arthur.
"...I do," he answered quietly.
"You do?" Arthur repeated.
Ragnell swiftly stepped forward and appealed Lancelot. "Then will he come?"
Lancelot swallowed and skirted his eyes around the clearing to all who were looking at him, unable to resist lingering on Merlin before bowing his head. "I do not know his mind."
Ragnell seemed to accept it and nodded. "Then we can take you to the curse, and hope he shows up."
"That is unacceptable!" Arthur barked and rounded on Lancelot. "Will he or won't he?"
Lancelot drew himself up and glowered angrily to the surprise of the knights and Percival who took a small step forward. "He will come," Lancelot growled, contradicting his previous statement. "But you would expect him to give up his life at the drop of a hat? Where is the justice in that?" Arthur blinked and could only watch as Lancelot heatedly continued with a raised voice, turning to the druids. "He has sacrificed so much already, why must he give more? He has a life of his own, dreams of his own!" At this Merlin winced to nobody's notice.
"I will not accept it, I will not lead him to his death," Lancelot said quietly.
"It sounds to me mate, like you know this bloke well," Gwaine said with a frown tugging at his lips.
"What does it matter anyway?" Merlin cut in. Arthur looked to him, surprised that he hadn't already spoke up. He addressed Lancelot. "We have to save the kingdom, and if- if Emrys wants to save Camelot, he will."
"Merlin-" Lancelot began, only to be interrupted.
"It isn't up for discussion. He doesn't have a choice," Merlin stated.
"Do you know him too Merlin?" The prince demanded.
The dragonlord hesitated before answering. "Yes."
"And you've never told me of him?" Arthur's voice was significantly less heated since Lancelot's outburst but was gaining an edge once more. The knight had since gone quiet, but his eyes were almost frantic.
"Even if it was my place," Merlin began, "I worried of what you might think."
"What does that matter?" Arthur huffed.
"It matters a great deal," Ragnell said over Merlin's similarly phrased response. "And I thank you Merlin for not revealing him. You as well Sir Lancelot." She turned her warm eyes back to Arthur and only gave a minimal effort of keeping the sharpness out of her voice. "For if you were not ready to hear it, anger and ignorance would have clouded your judgement. Like it did before you were reminded that Emrys too is a human being."
The prince frowned at being talked to in such a manner and only got more offended when Ragnell continued unabashedly. "Will you let us help you Prince Arthur? To save your kingdom, and condemn the man who gives our kind hope?"
The prince's face turned hard and he took a moment to inhale the forest air. There were some birds overhead that were fluttering in the trees and the smell of elder rose carried faintly on the wind. Tree and stone, blade and leaf were listening for his answer.
"It would humble and honour me to accept your help," was his quiet response.
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Surprise! Did you expect there to be a Ragnell? Mwuaa haa haaa! Who saw that coming? So ya I based her heavily on Nynaeve al'Meara, a character from the Wheel of Time series.
And I got a line from LOTR yet again
Sorry for the shortness of the chapter. But I remember that this one was like pulling teeth to get out. It took me so long! Next one is longer though. You should brace yourselves now for the epic cliffhanger I have in store.
And please leave a review! Even if you don't like the chapter, I'd like to hear why if you could take a minute :)
*Next time- Chapter 11: The Last Piece*