Author's note: Here's Chapter 10 at last! Sorry about the delay, I take a while checking before I post things up =) . I love feedback, so please drop me a comment on what your thoughts are about the story so far, and what you would like to see happen next! Thankyou.
Merlin was unconscious for a good chunk of the journey home after the wilddeoren infested caves.
Arthur gripped Merlin tightly around his waist; his head rested on Arthur's chest. Arthur urged his horse on to go faster, he was eager to reach Camelot another two days and they would be home; Arthur could finally forget this quest and move on.
"Merlin...Merlinn..." whispered the voice. Merlin blinked he couldn't see anything, he whispered a spell to illuminate the area. Nothing happened. He was defenseless.
"W...Who's there? What do you want?" Merlin answered boldly.
"My name is Joleus. And you are Merlin Emrys..." Replied the voice with a slight chuckle.
"What do you want?" Cried Merlin. "You better not harm my friends!" He added.
"Why would I want to harm anyone?" Questioned Joleus.
Merlin was confused and protested "But you created magical storms! Killed crops! And turned a WHOLE village into a living-dead army!"
"Oh Emrys... You accuse me of such things that you cannot prove, you blame these things upon me on the words of a greedy peasant?" Replied Joleus, hurt evident in his smooth silky voice.
Merlin sighed; the spirit did cure him.
"I apologize. But this doesn't mean I trust you!" Whispered Merlin sharply, looking at his feet that weren't there.
"I expected as much..." Noted Joleus.
Morgause stood in the forest, she inhaled deeply. The forest was so magical at this time, she felt at peace; she knew this peace would not last but she would enjoy the moment for as long as possible.
"Sister?" Came a soft voice from behind her. Morgause exhaled and turned to Morgana, she smiled.
"Sister. What goes on in Camelot?" Questioned Morgause. Morgana's face turned dark and serious.
"There has been no word from Arthur, Uther is growing worried." Morgana then smiled with somewhat pleasure.
"It fills me with such satisfaction to see Uther suffer..." added Morgana.
Morgause chuckled, "I have received word that Arthur is returning to Camelot. Soon we can finish this, can I count on you to see that the pendant will be taken from the vaults?" Questioned Morgause carefully.
"You can." Replied Morgana simply.
"Good, sister. But you must be careful, Arthur's servant even injured will try and stop you." Replied Morgause with concern.
A wicked smile spread across Morgana's face, "Leave him to me, I will retrieve the pendant and there will be nothing Merlin will be able to do about it."
Morgause looked curiously at her "How can you be so sure, he's like a cockroach he's survives just about anything!"
Morgana chuckled, "He can't stop me if he's dead."
Morgause laughed and the sisters disappeared into the darkness.
Merlin jumped awake. Arthur rested a hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eyes.
"Are you alright?" Arthur questioned concernedly.
"I...I was until I saw your face." Replied Merlin smugly.
Arthur rolled his eyes and returned to his place by the fire.
"Another days riding and we'll be back in Camelot." Announced Arthur, he smiled as he saw the relief on his knight's faces.
Merlin casually looked around, blinking the sleep from his eyes; those sleeping draughts the physician had given them certainly did the job. He noticed he had a blanket draped over him, it was thick and coarse also very warm and comfortable. He reluctantly pulled his arms free from beneath it, he was shaking slightly.
"Thirsty?"
Merlin jumped and snapped his head up to Arthur.
"When did you get there!?" Merlin said.
"Just now? You must have been miles away. I guess you were thinking of your bed back in Camelot." Chuckled Arthur crouching down to Merlin's level. "Well your not alone there." He added looking towards the exhausted knights sitting not to far away.
He offered the waterskin to Merlin, who took it still shaking slightly; he drank deeply. He then passed it back to Arthur and lent back against what he guessed was a tree. Arthur ruffled Merlin's hair fondly and crept up behind Sir Durhan and engaged in what he called horseplay.
Merlin shook his head, smiling at his ridiculous friend. He allowed the smile to fade and felt around his pockets, it wasn't there.
"Arthur?" Called Merlin.
Arthur looked up he was now sitting on sir Durhan, while the other knights were laughing at them.
"Where'd the pendant go?" Merlin questioned.
Arthur pushed Sir Durhan's head into the dirt and replied amusedly
"No need to worry Merlin, I've got it here." Arthur patted his satchel and continued his amusement, which was at Sir Durhan's expense.
Eventually Arthur tired of his game, successfully cheering up his knights and Merlin. Arthur knew Sir Durhan would be a good sport and punched him in the shoulder. He then walked over to Merlin and sat down.
"You can be a real prat at times can't you." Joked Merlin.
Arthur smiled looking briefly at the ground before looking at Merlin.
"It's all in good fun."
He pulled the pendant out from his satchel; he studied it for a while. He then saw that Merlin was trying to get a good look at it too.
"Here. Guard it with your life." Arthur said seriously, passing the pendant to Merlin. Merlin nodded in understanding. Arthur groaned; he was on first watch. He slowly got to his feet and walked over to his post.
Merlin studied the pendant carefully; he could hear whispers coming from it. The pendant itself was very beautiful. The pendant was a golden flat disk, which fitted snugly in the palm of his hand. There were different symbols of the old religion etched into the metal and filled with silver to make them stand out; they were on the outer ring on the disk. There were three more silver rings that lead in towards the center, where there was a small amber coloured stone embedded. Merlin guessed it must have been taken years to create this object. It was attached to a small silver chain with a golden clip to fasten the object around one's neck. He felt a sudden urge to put it on. His magic fought against it, screaming at him not to.
"Come on Merlin you know you want to..." Came that smooth, silky voice that belonged to Joleus. Without thinking or being in control, Merlin removed his neckerchief and fastened the pendant around his neck. His eyes burned molten gold as his magic cried out and tried to stop the dark magic taking control; but Merlin was too weak from his injury and from the strong sleeping draught. Joleus took control.
Arthur wandered over to Merlin, after kicking Sir Robert to take next watch. Merlin was fast asleep. Arthur looked around for the pendant; he cursed and reluctantly settled down for the night.
In the morning, Arthur woke his knights and then Merlin. Joleus watched as they began to pack everything away.
Get out of me! Cried Merlin in his subconscious.
"No chance." Growled Joleus.
Joleus then had the task of finding out how to control his new body. He looked at the neckerchief lying beside him.
"Eugh, why on earth would anyone want to wear those things?" Murmured Joleus. He reluctantly picked it up and fastened it around his neck. The only thing this is good for is hiding the pendant. He thought.
It's my body! Protested Merlin again.
"Shut up!"
Joleus tried to stand, he did so, swayed and fell over again. He winced in pain.
"You really are an idiot aren't you Merlin!" Shouted Arthur angrily.
Joleus was confused. "Why am I an idiot?"
Arthur gritted his teeth and counted to ten in his head, allowing himself to calm down. He was so angry because Merlin wasn't supposed to put any weight on his leg whatsoever.
Even I'm not as stupid as to do that. Grumbled Merlin.
Joleus was getting fed up on the little pesky voice of the rightful owner of the body.
"Just sit there and wait." Ordered Arthur finally.
Joleus nodded dumbly.
Why couldn't I stand? He questioned Merlin.
Because my leg is broken. Murmured Merlin.
That's easily fixed.
Don't use magic! You'll get us killed! Cried Merlin in alarm.
True. I've waited so long for a powerful body, such as this. I'm not willing to give it up now. Sneered Joleus.
Arthur finally walked back over and picked Merlin up, setting him securely on his horse.
"You finally found your common sense?" Said Arthur still miffed.
"At least I've got some." Retorted Joleus.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" growled Arthur, he wasn't in the mood for banter.
Please just leave him alone. Pleaded Merlin.
Joleus smirked. "I mean that you are a complete moron. You can't dress yourself; you can't fetch your own meals. You're a simpleton!"
Arthur glared at Merlin. He felt hurt.
"That was stepping across the line Merlin. I am the future King of Camelot. You can at least show me some respect and if not as a leader, then at least as a friend."
Joleus burst out laughing and continued to destroy Arthur and Merlin's friendship.
"I fear for Camelot! I only pretend to be your friend because you're a Prince. I could never be friends with a complete loser like you. When you take over as King. Camelot will surely fall."
Arthur gritted his teeth, where was all this coming from? It felt like he'd had his heart ripped out.
"Sir Ingleton, Please take Merlin. I...I just can't." Arthur ordered his voice clearly cracking with deep emotion, no matter how hard he tried to cover it.
Sir Ingleton stopped next to Arthur's horse and then carefully pulled Merlin onto his own.
The knights had been wincing at everything Merlin had said. Arthur rode ahead, so no one could see his pain, Arthur hated showing emotion; but this time it was just too much for him to bear.
They finally reached Camelot; Arthur hadn't said anything for the rest of the way. They drew to a halt slipping off their horses so the stable boys could take them.
"We should go straight to the King." Ordered Arthur. The knights nodded and followed Arthur to the throne room, carrying Merlin with them.