11

Hello!

I'm so sorry for the long wait! Real life is an awful pain, sometimes.

I told at least one person that I was going to try to post a chapter last night, but that didn't work out for various reasons. I apologize for that, too.

But here is chapter eleven!

The ancient dragon landed heavily in the grassy clearing. From the surrounding trees, a few druids watched stoically from beneath their hoods.

Merlin had often been relieved or annoyed at the Kilgharrah's appearances; depending on the situation. Right now, the warlock wasn't sure what to feel.

His confusion and pain had rapidly faded to numbness that Merlin could only diagnose as some kind of delayed shock. It was just too much. Everything was just too much.

Even when Morgana invaded with an immortal army, I still discovered a way to win back Camelot. We still managed to retake the kingdom.

But now he was completely helpless.

Arthur was gone; transformed, possessed….lost. And Merlin had no idea what to do about it.

Which was why he'd called Kilgharrah.

And to postpone the inevitable "I told you so" from the dragon, Merlin spoke as soon as the dust raised by the creature's wings settled. "Arthur knows about my magic."

The dragon sighed heavily. "Well, I rather thought so, young warlock. Though you didn't give me any details when you called me, it has not escaped my notice that you are looking…quite yourself."

Merlin glanced down at himself and swore softly. He'd forgotten to change back into Dragoon. Not that it mattered; the druids certainly didn't bat an eyelash at the whole business. Besides, it was the least of his problems right now. "I failed, Kilgharrah." he said shakily. "Arthur's transformed into a dragon, he's flown off and I've no way to track him down…and he's being possessed; I couldn't stop it, Kilgharrah, and when he loses his mind he's going to be hunting me!"

"Young warlock…" Kilgharrah snorted, wisps of smoke rising from his nostrils. "Is the young Pendragon dead?"

Haven't we had this conversation before? Probably, but Merlin didn't really care. "No…but..."

"Merlin…did Arthur ever speak to anyone else besides you about the curse?"

"Um, Gaius…" Merlin frowned, remembering. "And he said he had a dream, too, right after this business started. He spoke to a sorceress…Gaius said that she died centuries ago…her name was Lanae."

"Well then." Kilgharrah settled back on his haunches, looking both relieved and satisfied. "You must speak with Lanae. In retrospect, it's an obvious solution…You may be destined to break this curse, but speaking with her may help you discover a way…"

"There's one little problem with that plane, Kilgharrah. Lanae's dead."

"Then you must speak to her in the only way possible: in a dream."

Merlin listened stonily as the dragon began a long-winded explanation of how to contact spirits in the dream world (he noted that the dragon mentioned that the druids might actually be able to help with this). As Kilgharrah detailed some of the rites necessary for the magic to work, Merlin finally spoke.

"Why don't we just discuss it as we go, Kilgharrah? It's not like we have a lot of time."
The dragon readily agreed.

Though it took another six hours to find the proper place to perform the needed spells and another two hours to actually start working the magic.

Kilgharrah explained that in order to speak with Lanae, Merlin would have to go into a deep, sleep-like trance. The curse taking hold on Arthur had likely been what had granted the young king a similar unconscious state when he had spoken with Lanae.

To obtain the same level of unconsciousness, Merlin had to lie flat on a rock slab in a cave (Kilgharrah had to wait outside) surrounded by four older druids (who had said that they were honored to assist Emrys and the Great Dragon) while they chanted spells they knew partly from their own vast experiences and partly from what Kilgharrah had told them.

They seem to know what they're doing…though I wish I could perform all the spells myself; it would be more convenient but Kilgharrah said it wouldn't work…

Merlin soon found himself drifting off into the grasping yet velvety arms of unnatural sleep.

Merlin woke up disoriented. Everything was…blank, empty. And silver. Very silver. And really, really, bewildering. And there were a lot of animal sounds echoing distantly from all directions.

It took Merlin a few seconds to realize that he was standing upright and not laying down. He groaned, rubbing his aching head, and shut his eyes briefly; only to yelp in surprise when he realized that he could see with his eyes shut. Or at least, he could visualize enough to ascertain that he was in a forest in front of a cave. And there were strange symbols all over the rocks…

"Hello, Emrys." a female voice spoke behind him. He spun around, opening his eyes.

The silver was back, but there was also a woman standing before him; a tall, armor-clad woman with black hair and brilliant, pale blue eyes. Magic radiated off of her in a powerful aura. "It is an honor. Or do you prefer Merlin?" she asked after a moment, smiling faintly.

She was so beautiful and yet so powerful…but not hostile…"Lanae?" he whispered.

"Yes, that is my name." She regarded him calmly, that faint smile still on her lips.

Merlin swallowed. "I need your help."

"I know. And I am willing to give it. Or at least; my counsel, for there is little else I can do from my place here in this otherworld."

"Any advice would be helpful." he replied, slightly desperately. "Arthur discovered my secret…he wasn't supposed to…he transformed, and he's being possessed now…Even the dragon doesn't know what to do…"

"Very well, then." Lanae met Merlin's gaze steadily. "I will tell you what I know. But We don't have much time before Kaena…and you should realize that only you will be able to use the knowledge I give you."

"Tell me."

Black. Silver. Red. Merlin. Fire. Black. Silver. Red. Merlin. Fire.

He could see the ocean beneath him; he was flying along the rocky coast…

Black. Silver. Red. Fire. Black. Silver. Red. Fire.

Waves crashed against the rocks, sending silvery spray everywhere…Arthur could see with his increased eyesight…

Black. Silver. Red. Black. Silver. Red. Black. Silver. Red.

…are those people along the shore…

Black. Silver. Black. Silver. Black. Silver. Black. Silver.

…I'm to high anyway for them to glimpse me…

BlackSilverRedBlackSilverRedBlackSilverRed…

…stop it…my wings hurt…my head aches…something's in my head…damn…

Black and silver and red everywhere…

I can't see…I can't breath…no…no…get out of my…

Black rocks and water far below. Blank silver sky farther above. Red. Like blood. Like fire. A voice, speaking words of command.

Finally. A purpose. One mission. One thought.

Emrys.

Okay, you might hate me right now for what I am doing to poor Merlin and Arthur. But I will attempt to make it up to you by saying this: THERE WILL BE A HAPPY ENDING, I SWEAR!

(And I'll try to update sooner next time :D)