I'm glad some of you recognised the Monty Python Holy Grail line popped in the last chapter! It made me happy! Thanks for the reviews and patience.
Uncouth. That would be the word that Merlin would use to describe the young ruffian standing in front of him spouting a stream of words in a foreign tongue. No matter how hard the magician strained to hear, he could not understand a word of the constant gabble. By the sounds of it he guessed that maybe the boy was Egyptian but that was really hard to tell. His skin was darker than a normal Englishman's but only by a few shades. Merlin guessed he may be of mixed parentage. But what was he doing here, in the middle of the forest, yelling at Merlin?
"I don't understand you!" The warlock cried in frustration. "But can you please let me pass? I need to get my master to a physician."
"Master?"
"I don't und….wait, did you just speak English?"
"Master," the youth repeated, his eyes glinting with undisguised interest. Obviously it was a word he understood or at least recognised and by the look in his eyes he viewed it rather highly. Merlin realised his mistake just too late as the man lunged at him, knocking him off his feet, and began to pummel him with small, hard fists whilst spitting violently in his face.
"Money! Master! Money!" He screeched.
Struggling beneath his powerful blows, Merlin tried to dodge the punches but failed as each hand found their mark. The only way out of this was to give the thief the money he wanted but the problem was Merlin didn't actually have any money on him. He stared up at the shouting boy with defeated eyes.
Crack. The shower of fists ceased and the ruffian slumped forward onto the warlock's chest. The sorcerer jumped, surprised, but then began to try and wriggle himself out from beneath the body.
"For God's sake, Merlin, I can't leave you alone for a second can I? You are worse than a toddler."
"How do you know what a toddler is like? I wasn't aware you had siblings or even cousins," Merlin muttered as he climbed to his feet and dusted himself off.
"Well, I don't, but I can imagine they get in as much trouble as you," Arthur replied. In his hands he held a large club of wood. That was his chosen weapon to thwack his servant's attacker's head with. It had served its purpose well.
However, as Merlin stood, watching his master, he realised that although Arthur seemed steady his arms were actually shaking with the effort of holding the plank up. His friend's face was a white as a sheet, tinged with a ghastly green, which made him look sickly and unhealthy. He wasn't exactly fighting fit, Merlin reminded himself, considering he had been shot in the chest.
"What are you doing? You are supposed to be resting on the horse!"
"Well, I couldn't just sit there and watch you be robbed could I?"
"No, I guess not, it's your nature to want to save anything and everything," Merlin sighed more to himself than his friend. "Well, we best keep moving."
"I'm afraid that is not an option."
Out of nowhere Nimueh had appeared. Her face was smooth and pale, sapphire blue eyes contrasting to her light complexion and complimenting her black hair. These eyes narrowed with irritation. Obviously she had not been expecting to find the boys on the way back from wherever she'd been. The younglings would have some explaining to do when she returned. Beside her hovered the mature Faerie, its wings whirring continuously. It took had an annoyed expression on its flawless face.
"Nimueh," Arthur half growled. Despite his menacing tone, Merlin felt the weight of his master begin to lean on him for support. His body was weakening rapidly. If the prince didn't receive treatment soon he would die of blood loss.
"Prince Arthur," she answered genially – her tone was disturbingly gentle. "Fancy meeting you here. I believed you were currently in the residence of a certain cave."
"Oh, I found it was time to move on. There were a few damp patches that I really couldn't be bothered to deal with. Plus the place was a bit depressing to be honest." Merlin was stunned by his master's coherency and sarcasm considering his condition. There were times when he really did envy Arthur's audacity and courage.
"Ha," Nimueh let out a tinkling laugh before her gaze hardened, "Well, I really think you should be returning there. Especially you, Merlin, we have some unfinished business to attend to."
"I…" The warlock began only to be cut off by his friend.
"You know, I think the time for chatting has passed. Maybe we should make a break for it?" He whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
"I disagree."
"What?" Arthur gaped, astonished. He turned to his manservant just catching the gold glint in his irises before…
"I think its time for you to make a break for it." And before the prince could do anything to protest the world dissolved around him.
The man froze; too shocked to move, as everything came into focus once more and he found himself in a room. Looking round at the familiar unmade bed and floor strewn with random books and items of clothing, Arthur realised where he was: Merlin's room. With the constant stabbing pain in his chest jolting him into action, he waded through the mess and opened the door into the main room. Just as Arthur stumbled into the living quarters, doubled over in agony, Gaius looked up from his books to see a confused and severely wounded Prince of Camelot emerge from his apprentice's bedroom and collapse on the floor. He stared, astounded.
Despite not having a clue how he'd just completed an enchantment so beyond his current learning ability, Merlin was certain that he had sent his friend to safety where he would be well looked after. The warlock wasn't sure what exactly had allowed that kind of power to surge from him but he was glad of it. It meant he could finally get the prince out of danger. Now he only had to defend himself against the fast approaching Nimueh and her minions. He didn't hold out much hope. Still, what was it that Arthur said? 'Never give up until the battle is truly lost'. Maybe he could escape yet.
With his newfound power flowing freely through his veins, Merlin readied himself for a duel.