Chapter 12

The Cover of Darkness

There are Druids living in a nearby forest Merlin, I'm not sure where exactly, but from what I've heard they cannot be more than two day's walk from here. I hope you can find them, I know the Druids are good people, they will be able to help you. Stay safe my darling, and good luck. And beware of those you meet.

These were the last words Hunith had whispered in Merlin's ear before they set off, under the cover of darkness, away from the village. The words kept on going round his head. They filled him with sadness that he would be leaving his mother again so soon, but most of all, the words filled Merlin with worry.

Beware of those you meet.

Wasn't that the same warning the Dragon had given him the night before? What could that mean? And who were they going to meet?

Perhaps not even the Druids could be trusted, but if not, where would they go?

He said nothing about this to Morgana, it would only worry her, and he didn't want to risk talking anyway, no one must know that two mysterious people were sneaking out of the village before dawn had broken. It would create too much suspicion, especially with Uther's men not far behind.

Merlin briefly wondered if Arthur was amongst them, would Uther have sent his son off with the rest of the Knights to look for Morgana? Merlin had to admit he missed Arthur badly, but at the same time the thought of Arthur being amongst the soldiers made him even more desperate to avoid them. How would he be able to get out of that one if Arthur caught him running away with the King's ward?

Morgana also looked pre-occupied that morning. She had been angered by the news that Uther's men were so close. Her words were others that went round Merlin's head.

Why do they have to come here Merlin! Why is he doing this? What do they want? Why can't he just leave me alone!

The desperation and fear was clear in her voice, but after a while Morgana calmed down a little, she knew deep down Uther wouldn't give up on his ward so easily, even though she had hoped he would, and the work at the village had managed to put her mind off it.

So she nodded silently in agreement, her eyes a little red and her lips pursed together, as Merlin and his mother made plans of the best and safest way to leave her village without being noticed.

In the end they decided sooner the better, and that very night they prepared to leave. They took a few supplies with them, Hunith refused to take no for an answer as she gave them food for the journey. Morgana said she was grateful for all Hunith had done for them, who just gave a sad smile in response.

From then on everyone became very quiet, waiting for the right moment to leave, unsure what to say in such a situation. What comforting words could they say to each other, what conversation could they possibly strike up? No one knew what Merlin and Morgana were walking into, but at least it was away from Uther's advancing men...

Merlin glanced over at Morgana's worried face, and squeezed her hand to give her reassurance. For her, this waiting around in the darkness was worth it, even if it did mean running further and further away from the Kingdom he once loved, and he had to admit, probably still did.

Finally, at twilight, the time had come. They said their final goodbyes, embraces were exchanged, and a final warning in Merlin's ear that made him shiver. But he didn't show his worry or fear. He made his choice, he knew there would be no turning back, from all the things he had faced in his life so far, he could take on whatever was over the horizon. He would for Morgana.

The two of them waited silently beside Hunith's house, making sure there were no early risers who might catch them sneaking away under the cover of darkness. But the world was silent.

With one glance back at his old village, Merlin and Morgana sneaked off into the darkness once more, away from safety and into the unknown.

By the time dawn broke, the people of Hunith's village were being rudely awakened by soldiers dressed in Camelot uniform knocking on their doors. The men were demanding if they had seen a young woman recently with long dark hair, a man may possibly have been with her. She was on the run, and she needed to be found urgently, the man too.

But all the soldiers got were confused looks and silent shakes of the head. Merlin and Morgana had kept a low profile while they had been in the village, and those who had seen them were not ones who were prepared to betray Hunith. Hunith herself looked at the Camelot Knight at her door with cold, stubborn eyes and told him that she was sorry, but she had never seen such a woman.

And by the time dawn had broken, Merlin and Morgana were far away from his mother's village.

At first they moved as quickly as they could, conscious that the soldiers were not far behind, and wanting to cover as much ground as possible before daylight came. When the sun did rise, Merlin and Morgana slowed their pace a little. They had passed one other village during the night, but apart from that they had once again entered a wilderness - nothing but woodland and rolling fields.

Morgana decided it was best not to ask where they were going next, assuming that Merlin wouldn't know, he was just putting as much distance between them and the soldiers. Merlin too remained silent, wondering if they should make their way to the Druids as his mother had suggested, and if so, which direction they should take.

But he should be wary of those he met.

His decision was made when Morgana suddenly spoke, it was getting to the afternoon now, they had spent all morning just walking aimlessly. "I have to admit I'm getting sick of this Merlin," she admitted.

Merlin looked behind him, Morgana was just lagging behind as they reached the top of a hill, there were dark bags under her eyes. He was surprised by her words, was she really prepared to give up after all they had gone through?

She seemed to read what he was thinking in his eyes, and quickly added, "I don't want to go back to Camelot, but I just wish we would stop running away. I spent years locked up in a tower, but now I am free I have to continue to run from that tower, and I haven't run for a very long time." Merlin knew what Morgana meant, the whole thing was taking a toll on her, both physically and mentally.

"We can stop and rest if you want," he suggested.

"That's not what I meant," Morgana groaned, but she sat on the grass anyway, with a look on her face as if she was never going to get up again. The thought of Uther being just round the corner had killed her joy and excitement of being free. "I don't want to be on the run any more. I just want to stop and have a normal free life, with you, is that too much to ask for? I don't want to wander aimlessly across the countryside. I want to have a life."

Merlin sat down beside her, these words had taken him by surprise, yet at the same time he knew exactly how she felt.

If they reached the Druids, they would have somewhere else to stay, and perhaps they would be able to guide them to somewhere where they could be safe and happy together, not having to run any more.

He took Morgana's hand and squeezed it, "Don't worry, I think I know somewhere safe we can go, we will be able to stop there as long as we need, and then we'll figure out what to do. We will stop running one day Morgana, I promise. Have something to eat and rest, you'll feel better then."

Morgana smiled and took Merlin's offering of food. After an early lunch, with the sun warming their backs, the two laid their heads on the grass and closed their eyes.

When Merlin woke again with a jolt, darkness had set in. He cursed himself for falling asleep, they had wasted valuable time, but then he froze. He could hear voices, too far away for him to make out what they were saying, but Merlin knew he and Morgana were no longer alone, and the voices were coming closer.

They could be anyone, they could be innocent passer-bys, they could be farmers. They could be Camelot Knights.

Quickly Merlin shook Morgana awake, who immediately heard the voices when she woke up and grew worried. The two of them hurriedly pulled themselves to their feet, joined hands, and ran again, heading towards a cluster of trees on the other side of the hill away from the voices, under the cover of darkness.

Not a particularly eventful chapter this time, but I hope you liked it all the same. Reviews much appreciated :)