Sorry for the long hiatus! Don't know if anyone is still interested in reading this but here is a chapter. Please review.
Arthur's horse sped out of the kingdom in an otherwise bustling town going about in their everyday business. Few people noticed his rather determined expressions and the odd absence of Merlin by his side, something they had to get used to.
Arthurs heart raced quicker than his horse as he head out towards the east side of the kingdom in search for Sir Kay, Fallon, Maguire, the three knights he sent over to the east side to look out for Morgana. His gut ached in disappointment with regards to what he learned about Merlin. How could any of it be true? How could Merlin side with Morgana in her vengeance to Camelot? Why was Camelot safety the cost of him turning Merlin away?
His horse was pulled to a stop and it obeyed when reaching the three men looking around frantically.
"Have you seen anything?" Arthur called out to the three knights, hopping off his horse and scanning around the lofty forest that allowed the bright sun to peek through the leafy branches.
"No sir!"Sir Maguire replied with the highest regard, approaching Arthur. "Everything seems to be in order sire. Is there anything you would like us to do?"
"What is going on! Is what Gawaine saying true?" Sir Kay asked, approaching Arthur boldly with opposing attitude, causing the other knights to watch stunned.
"It's quite possible what he says is true," Arthur said rather frustrated, avoiding eye contact with Sir Kay. "I need you all to tell me something. Have you seen a field of flowers of some sort? A yellow color?"
Puzzled looks seemed to overcome the knight's expressions.
"Flowers?" Sir Kay spat out, seemingly angered.
"There's a secret tunnel beneath a rock near it," Arthur said glaring at Sir Kay furiously as he marched away. "Morgana plans to use it to reach Camelot."
As the knights followed, Sir Kay lashed out.
"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't exiled Merlin!"
Arthur turned around furiously and marched up to Sir Kay.
"Do not challenge me Kay," Arthur commanded heatedly. "I am your leader and your behavior will send you out too."
Sir Kay gave Arthur an icy stare.
"I think you've made enough enemies," Sir Kay commented quietly to Arthur. Arthur, almost numb from disappointment, fumed at him before turning around in search for the field of flowers. Kay stood and stared as the knights walked on. After some thought and annoyance with himself, he began following them.
The reflection of Merlin's face rippled in the water as Merlin dipped his hands below to rinse his face. His heart felt numb with disappointment and looked up at the morning sky in hope as the wind cooled his damp skin.
A sudden crunching sound caused him to turn back and stand, staring at the tall blades of grass bordering the lake he was at. Puzzled, he saw a figure leave quickly. Curious, Merlin tried to follow the figure by walking through the tall grass.
"Hello!" Merlin called out, without answer. By the time he reached Morgana's land, he realized he found no one.
"There you are," Morgana said approaching him in her emerald green dress with a coy smile. "I've been looking for you."
Merlin watched Morgana. "I was just washing up."
"You didn't meet me for dinner last night," Morgana commented to Merlin inquisitively. She was referring to last night after Merlin 'killed' Gawaine. "I trust you are not having second thoughts?"
"Not at all," Merlin replied. "I just wasn't feeling well."
To Merlin's surprise, Morgana looked at him in genuine concern. "You know Merlin," she began. "It can be hard to do what may seem as wrong. But it's the only way magic will prevail. We will show them. Now come on, let's eat breakfast. It is a lot better than what you were fed in the castle."
Merlin followed Morgana back to the cave to join her for breakfast.
Sir Kay closed the door to his room and walked over to the window. He looked out at the land of Camelot and out towards the forest recalling the afternoon. After a hard day of searching, Arthur and the knights found the field of flowers and a few big boulders that were impossible to budge. Arthur dismissed the knights for the day after announcing that they would try again when Gawaine was awake.
Sir Kay whipped away from the window and walked out his room and down the stairs. Marching down the halls in search for physician's room, he felt his heart pumping. As he knocked on the door, Luned opened the door in surprise.
"Sir Kay! Well, how are you?"
"Is Gawaine awake?" Sir Kay asked immediately.
"Well, no. I am watching over him while Gaius is out. Gaius said I should make sure he gets his rest."
"I'm awake," Gawaine called out groggily.
"Oh dear!" Luned ran over to Gawaine by his side. "You mustn't wake up! You must rest!"
Gawaine stared at the blonde beauty dreamily.
"Well, hello there…"
Luned smiled bashfully, lifting her fingers to her lips as she giggled. "My name is Luned. Please to meet you."
"Pleasures all mine," Gawaine said staring at Luned, reaching out to kiss her hand with the little energy he had.
"Oh my!" giggled Luned. "No one told me you were charming as well as brave! Why, I heard you were quite a strong man out there by escaping death and finding a way to warn the king."
"Well, you know, it's just my nature," shrugged Gawaine with humbleness as real as Dagonet's position in the kingdom. "It is my responsibility to warn and ensure the safety of everyone. It does not matter how tired I am and how little I ate. I had to do it."
"Wow," sighed Luned. "You are quite fearless and so very strong!"
Gawaine gave Luned his most charming smile before being interrupted by Kay.
"As I said before, can I please speak to Gawaine?"
Jumping up nervously, Luned got to her feet and smoothed her dress as she turned red. "Of course!"
"Alone." Kay said staring at Luned impatiently.
As Luned walked out of the room, Gawaine turned to Kay with an embarrased smile. The last time Kay and Gawaine interacted was prior to Gawaine leaving knighthood in Camelot.
"Tell me Kay, what's on your mind," Gawaine asked gripping a cup of water laying on his side.
"Merlin's on my mind," Kay responded in deep thought. "What you say is true? Merlin has sided with Morgana?"
"Yes," Gawaine replied. "I'm sorry, but it is. I swear my life on it."
"What message did he have?" Kay asked keenly, coming closer to Gawaine. "Why did he say he sided with her?"
Gawaine sighed.
"There was no message Kay. I wish I understood all of that myself. Merlin has changed and that is all I know."
"I don't understand," Kay said more to himself.
Suddenly the door opened with Gaius coming in holding a few herbs.
"Kay? I thought all the knights were in the common room with Prince Arthur."
Kay slightly jumped from the reminder and dashed off abruptly to join the meeting leaving Gawaine and Gaius puzzled.
Ector tossed his helmet on the bed Kay was sitting on after a long day of meetings and guarding the kingdom.
"I am getting too old for this," Ector said bending backward to crack his back. He noticed his son pondering deeply on the bed. "You have been quiet son. Not your jovial self."
Kay lifted his head and stared at his father.
"How am I to be jovial? We learn Merlin has sided with Morgana and now Prince Arthur is calling them the enemy. Doesn't any of this strike you as odd?"
"Temper, son. Your behavior at the meeting was quite obvious," Ector said pulling off his chainmail, referring to the fuming looks Kay gave throughout the discussion on how to attack Morgana's forces and further guard Camelot.
"Well maybe I don't care about what Prince Arthur thinks," Kay said looking up.
Ector turned around and stared at his son quizzically. "He's our future king and our leader, Kay."
"No," Kay said standing up furiously, laughing slightly. "Don't you get it! You know very well that isn't true. Our leader is Merlin and if he's out there siding with Morgana, I am not sure what I am doing here siding with the enemy!"
"We don't know if what Gawaine said is true," Ector said seeming to struggle with the topic himself.
"We have magic father! And you saw how Arthur handled it with Merlin! What hope do we have for ourselves! We are on the wrong side! Maybe Merlin is trying to tell us that!"
"Killing a friend is not a side I want to be a part of. If you do remember, Prince Arthur spared Merlin's life. Merlin tried to kill Gawaine." Ector said wrapping his belt in a loop.
"He is our leader!" Kay spat out pointing out the window. "Whatever he does, I must support!"
"Enough!" Ector commanded, turning to his son angrily. "I understand very well the confusion you are going through, but I am smart enough to hide it. I am just as eager to find out what's going on as you are but I am not going to act rash and do something stupid. Now tomorrow is a long day. Get some rest!"
Kay was furious and stormed out the room.
"Don't do anything you will regret Kay!"