"Percy" a soft voice called.
Percival continued to walk through the forest, he admired the flowers and the dressed as he walked passed them but he was trying to find her.
"Percy!" the soft voice called again.
Percival turned around and he looked around "Where are you?!" he yelled.
"I am by the lake!" the soft voice yelled back to him.
Percival did not know where the lake was but he followed his feet and they guided him through the forest. He walked for a few minutes until he arrived at the lake, he gazed out over it and he somehow knew what it was called "The lake of Avalon".
"Is it not beautiful?" the silky voice asked.
Percival turned around and he saw Malease "Why are we here? We need to get Merlin to Camelot so that he can be saved".
"Merlin will not survive the journey back to Camelot, he will die in the king's arms because the poison will reach his heart. The only way to save the warlock is to bring him here and the lady of the lake will heal him". Malease explained with a sad look on her face as she gazed out over the lake.
"Why should I believe you?" Percival asked.
"There are very few people that you can trust in this world, keep your friends close and your enemies closer" Malease turned her head and she looked at Percival.
"Percival! Percival, wake up!" a shout echoed through the air. "For the love of the gods, wake up!"
Percival jolted awake and he saw that Gwaine was sat next to him "What happened?"
"Merlin's been sick again, we need to get moving" Leon stated as he picked up the blankets.
"He vomited up some blood, he has also been struggling to sit up" Elyan sighed as he saddled up to leave for Camelot.
Arthur scooped Merlin up and he started to carry him over to the horse "I am not turning around, Merlin. Guias can save you".
"Guias does not possess the skills to be able to save me this time, we need to go to the lake of Avalon. Only the lady of the lake can save me" Merlin stated before he coughed.
"That lake is a two-day journey ride, I will not take that risk" Arthur spoke firmly as he went to put Merlin on the horse.
"He is right, he will not survive the journey back to Camelot" Percival spoke up.
Arthur looked at the muscular knight and he sighed "How do you know that? I am not taking any risks, my Warlock's life is at stake!"
"The lady of the lake has the powers to be able to heal Merlin's wound, she can save him" Percival stated.
"How do you know about Freya?" Merlin asked and he looked at Percival.
"I told him about her. My king, the lady of the lake is the only one that can save Emrys" Malease stated as she picked her bow and arrows up.
"How do you know this?" Arthur asked the elf, he was hesitant to trust anyone with Merlin's life because his warlock was his lifeline.
"She is the one that saved you when I could not after Morgana was defeated" Merlin hissed in pain.
Arthur looked at Merlin and he saw the fear in his warlock's light blue eyes, he could feel how ill Merlin had become and he could see the life slowly draining from his eyes. He knew what he had to do "We make for the Lake of Avalon! Do not stop until I say so!" he ordered the knights.
Everyone mounted their horses and Arthur put Merlin up on the saddle before jumped up, the king wrapped an arm around the warlock's shoulders and he held him close as he turned his horse around and he started to gallop towards the lake of Avalon with everyone behind him.
Merlin wrapped one arm around Arthur's waist and he placed his other hand on the king's chest, he closed his eyes to rest but he hissed in pain. He knew that he was running out of time.
The group managed to travel over 15 miles by galloping and trotting, everyone felt tired and they were hungry as well as thirsty. The horses were tired too and they needed to be fed, everyone stopped and they dismounted so that they could rest. Lancelot tended to the horses whilst everyone else had something to drink and eat. Arthur helped Merlin down and he helped the warlock walk over to sit next to a tree, he then walked back over to his horse to get some I to eat.
Arthur noticed how pale Merlin was so he walked over with an apple and he sat down next to the warlock "Are you hungry?"
Merlin shook his head "No".
Arthur sighed and he held the apple out in front of Merlin "You have to eat something. Please, Merlin?"
Merlin sighed but he grabbed the apple and he began to eat it. Even though it made him feel sick.
Arthur sighed and he wrapped his arms around Merlin's waist, he leaned his head against the warlocks shoulder and he sniffled "I am so sorry".
"You have already said sorry, you di not have to apologise for why has happened" Merlin stated and he turned his head to look at Arthur.
"I cannot help but feel responsible, I should have stayed with you. I should have protected you." Arthur let his tears fall as he admitted why he felt guilty.
Merlin wrapped his arm around Arthur and he kissed his head "Everything happens for a reason. I will be alright. Do not feel guilty for any of this, please, Arthur?" he sniffled.
"I will try. You truly are the wisest man to have ever lived" Arthur stated.
"And is still alive, thank you very much!" Merlin joked.
Arthur smiled and he lifted his head so that he could give Merlin a soft kiss "And is still alive" he whispered. 'Please stay that way' the prince thought as he gazed at his warlock.