Yay another chapter. Sorry the last one was so short, as is this one. But at least I'm updating them quickly now. Hope you enjoy!
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Chapter Fourteen
Merlin tried not to look back as he heard the dragon's roar behind him. He had to force himself to focus on what was in front of him. He had to get to Arthur.
Once he reached the courtyard he had to ask several people as to where Arthur was before finally reaching someone who knew. The word 'dungeons' was barely out of their mouth before Merlin was running again. A hard feat in his aged body. He felt frustration pulse through his tired fragile body when he discovered no one was actually in the dungeons. It took his five agonizing minutes before he heard voices coming in the direction of the vaults. He recognized Arthur's panicked voice and sprinted as fast as he could towards his friends voice. As Merlin finally saw his friends in view, his heart began beating even faster. Blood was everywhere and he could just see someone lying on the ground, hidden by a panicking Arthur.
"Arthur!" Merlin called, completely out of breath.
Arthur swung his head around to face him. "Emrys," he says in surprise. "Morgana, the dragon..." he said in confusion.
"Taken care of for the moment," he brushed off. "What's happened?" he said finally amongst the rest of them, eyes focused on the body that laid in the pool of blood.
Gilli groaned as Merlin realized he was the one bleeding. Gwen sat by his side trying desperately to staunch the blood flow, invariably getting his blood all over herself. Arthur still looked a bit panicked but was slightly calmer once he had come to realize Gwen was actually perfectly fine.
"What happened here?" Merlin asked kneeling by his friend and looking over his wounds carefully.
"That's what I was just about to ask," Arthur said turning to his wife.
"I know you told me not to leave the infirmary, but-" Gwen started shakily.
"Yet here you are, in the vaults of all places."
"Arthur, this is not the time," Merlin reminded as he began to try to heal his unconscious friend.
"I-I went out, and I took G-Gilli with me to get more water for Gaius when I saw him sneaking into the castle," Gwen said bewildered, emotion clear in her voice.
"Saw who?" Arthur asked more calmly and nicely. He knelt down next to his wife and tried to comfort her.
"Mordred," Gwen said a little more under control.
Merlin stopped and went rigid.
"I didn't recognize him at first, but it was him. I don't think he's on our side anymore," Gwen said. "I followed him down here, I thought we could stop him-" she stopped to look at Gilli. "He fought very well Arthur, but Mordred, h-he was too strong."
"Gwen," Merlin interrupted. "Why did Mordred come down here?" he asked holding her gaze. She was startled at the familiar way he said her name.
"I-I don't know. After he finished fighting with Gilli, he entered the vaults. I had to stay with Gilli, had to help him..." she said tearful again.
Emrys looked between the barred vaults and Gilli. He grimaced and finished healing his friend. "He should be fine now," he said standing up and rushing towards the opened gate.
"Now hang on!" Arthur said following after him. He didn't want another sorcerer entering his vaults, not without his permission.
He waltzed through the door only to see the old man frozen in his place looking ahead.
"What is it? What's missing?" Arthur asked, more concerned with what Morgana's and apparently Mordred's real plans were.
Emrys turned around slowly revealing a second locked gate hanging from it's hinges. "The Crystal of Nietid. It's missing."
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Dun Dun Dun! Tell me what you think of that plot twist. I'll do my best to update soon again. See you all again soon!