Chapter 14 Le Morte d'Arthur
saroura92 thank you for the review. I guess she does forgive him too soon but hey that it what love does to you isn't it ;)
XxPurpleAngel9xX thanks for the review and idea
Firestar007 I am glad you liked the story. No I have never watched swan princess but maybe I should….
Quill thanks for the review and ideas. Greatly appreciated.
Well here is the last chapter of season one. Hope you all enjoy.
Arthur was happy. He and Merlyn were getting on really well and thinking of her made him feel warm all over. He realized how much his emotions and the very essence of him depended on Merlyn. When she wasn't speaking to him, he felt as though something was missing, something irreplaceable. He loved her with his whole heart.
Arthur smiled as Merlyn walked up to him. He fought the urge to wrap her in his arms and kiss her senseless in the courtyard. He was going hunting but today they were not going together since she had something else to do. "My lord." "My lady." He said with a charming smile and he watched the faint blush. She smiled at him before passing going her way. Arthur looked at her for a moment then he got onto his men and after assembling his men, they rode out.
Soon they were in the forest. "Morris, spear." Morris handed him the spear. They move on cautiously and then they hear growling. Morris looked scared. "I believe it is more scared of you." Arthur said teasingly and Morris glared at nothing in particular. Arthur turned to the knights and signaled them where to go.
As they approached the sound, something jumped up. It was a huge beast that had the head of a large cobra complete with the fangs only it had 4 legs like a lizard. It was terrifying. Arthur dropped his spear and sprinted away calling for his men to run. Morris tripped and fell as he ran. The beast noticed and advanced toward Morris. Arthur and Sir Bedivere ran to help Morris up and they all sprinted away from the beast. When they were in the clear, Arthur turned and said to his men, "Who is missing?" "Arthur, where is Sir Bedivere?" At that moment, a horrifying scream filled the air. Sir Bedivere was surely dead. "We have to go now." Arthur said to his men and they hastily left the forest.
"The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing beast." said Gaius after hearing Arthur's report. "Surely that is a myth." said Uther skeptical. "According to the old books, the appearance of the questing beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval." "Gaius it is an old wife's tale." "Look whatever it is, it is spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the city." said Arthur. There was no time for squabbling. They needed action. "Then we must kill it. Arthur, gather the guards together. You leave at dawn." "Yes father." Arthur left. He didn't relish the prospect of seeing that beast but he had to for the protection of the kingdom.
Merlyn was shaken as she entered her chambers. "My lady?" "Gwen. I didn't see you there." "Are yo ok?" "Arthur's party returned." So soon?" "They were cut short. Morris said there was a huge beast in the forest. They only just manage to escape but Sir Bedivere didn't." "Oh no." "Don't go near the forest. I am going to ask Gaius about it."
Merlyn left the chambers and went to Gaius. "What is this beast Gaius?" "It is the questing beast." "Can it be killed?" "It is no ordinary beast Merlyn. It has the power of life and death. It is created from the heart of the only religion. One bite and you die. There is no cure." Merlyn's eyes went wide. This was bad! It only got worse when Arthur came to her chambers that night. "I will be riding out with the knights tomorrow." "No! Arthur, you can't. It is too dangerous!" "I have to." "Arthur please…" "I have no choice. This is for the kingdom and your safety. I will be fine. We will kill it and I will be back." If there was a time where she wanted to lock him up in his room, it was now. She took him in her arms and kissed him passionately. "Please be careful Arthur." "I will. I love you." "I love you too."
The next morning Morgana looked forlorn. "Morgana what is it?" asked Merlyn. She had never seen Morgana this rattled. "I had a dream. A nightmare. It seemed so real. There was a dragon flaming and you were screaming 'No!' while running in the woods and I saw a large snake baring its fangs." Merlyn's heart beat faster. Morgana had dreamed of the questing beast. Arthur may get hurt with this. Why then would she be screaming if not for Arthur? And why was the dragon angry? "It was just a dream Morgana." "It seemed so real." "I know. That is what nightmares are. They seem real. Arthur will be fine and so will we." Merlyn said calming her friend. After hearing that dream, she was definitely going to follow Arthur. Something was going to go wrong.
Arthur stood in front of his knights. "You have seen the foe we face. It is a creature of a nightmare but you are the best knights in the realm. We can and we will kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom." Arthur said this with conviction but he was feeling none of it. The creature was big and vicious. He could however not afford to show weakness. He drew his sword, "For the love of Camelot!" "For the love of Camelot!" said the knights sword drawn pointing in the air. Arthur smiled satisfied.
As he made to leave, Morgana came sprinting out of the castle looking frantic. "Arthur!" "Morgana what is it?" "You cannot face this!" "Morgana go back inside. There is nothing to be afraid of." "Please Arthur listen to me. You cannot go. Please." "I have to do this Morgana. Morris, take her inside." "No. Arthur!" "Take her inside Morris." Morris took Morgana gently trying to calm her. Arthur had never seen Morgana like this before and it worried him. There was true fear in the jade green eyes but he knew, like what he had told Merlyn, he had to go and do this. It was his duty as prince. He wished he could see Merlyn before he was leaving but last night was enough. He would fight to return and kill the beast.
Arthur and the knights snuck into the forest keeping watch, all the time on alert. Arthur then noticed the gigantic palm print. "Let's follow the trail." They follow it till they hear growling and heavy footfalls. "Keep close." After following the trail, they had found the beast lair. They entered cautiously. Arthur then hears hissing. What was this thing? He didn't see the beast until it was too late and it was looming on Morris. He pushed Morris out of the way and the beast scratched him then everything went black.
Merlyn ran her way through the forest. She knew she had to find Arthur and soon. When she found the knights, there was carnage. All the knights were scattered around and everyone was unconscious. Without being seen, she picked Arthur's sword and enchanted it then pierced the beast killing it instantly. "Arthur!" she ran to Arthur's lying body. she touched and breathed a sigh of relief. He was alive. Then she saw the bite mark and she screamed. No. This couldn't be. Arthur couldn't die. He just couldn't. He had to live. She held him and she shifted him to Gaius' chambers.
"He can't die Gaius. He just can't." Merlyn said frantic. "He was bitten Merlyn. There is nothing I can do." "There has to be something." At that moment, the king entered. "Where is Arthur? Where is my son?" Uther enters and sees Arthur. "Arthur! Do something Gaius." "I am trying your majesty." "Gaius will find a cure. He will not let him die." said Merlyn with conviction. "I will do everything in my power." Uther looked really distraught and he picked up Arthur. "I will bear him to his chambers." He took Arthur as if he were a baby and left the chambers. "I can't let him die Gaius. He means a lot to me and everyone in this kingdom." "Do what you can."
Merlyn rushed to the dragon lair. "I need your help. Arthur was bitten by the questing beast. He is going to die." "Does he still breathe?" "Yes. Only just." "Then there is still time to heal him." "I HAVE TRIED. I CANNOT DO IT!" "You do not know how to save him." "Can you tell me how?" "Perhaps but it will not be easy." "I will do anything." "Anything?" "Anything. Please. Just tell me what I have to do." "Very well. The questing beast is a creature conjured by the powers of the old religion. You must use the same ancient magic to save him." "But the old religion died out centuries ago!" "The old religion is the magic of the earth itself. It is the essence which binds all the things together. It will last long beyond the time of men." "How can that help me save Arthur?" "You must find those who still serve it. Those who hold dominion over life and death." "Where?" "Go to the place that men call the Isle of the Blessed where the power of the ancient can still be felt. There you will discover Arthur's salvation." "Thank you." "Merlyn, Arthur must live no matter what the cost." Merlyn leaves and goes to her room.
"Gwen, get me some food and clothes then go and saddle my horse. I found something that may cure Arthur but I need to be gone for some time." "What about Uther?" "I will be back before he knows I am gone. If he asks, tell him I am sleeping." she said and Gwen nodded.
"This is the only way. Danger or no danger I am going. I have to save him." said Merlyn after Gaius tried to discourage her. "But the old religion demands a high price for such a trade." "Then I will give it for him to be alive." she said. Gaius sighed knowing he would not change her mind. "You will need this map." Gaius gave her the map. "Thank you. Please keep Arthur safe till I come back." She said and left. She found Gwen with food for her. "Thank you Gwen." "Please be careful." Merlyn journeyed as fast as she could. She followed the map till she got to a lake. She saw a little boat. She entered and the boat magically moved her across to a small island.
Merlyn got off and looked around. The island was made of stone and thee were pillars around. "Hello?" she called out. "Hello Merlyn." came a voice. She turned quickly and saw Cara…or what she now knew as Nimueh. "You." she spat out. "Do you know who I am?" "Cara or Nimueh. You can't be who the dragon meant." "And why is that?" "You tried to kill me." "Before I understood your importance." Yeah right. "And Arthur." "Arthur was never destined to die by my hand and now it seems I will be his salvation."
"So you know what I came to ask?" "Yes." "Will you do it?" "I do not have the power to mirror life itself and yet give nothing in return." "I know the price will be asked." "You save a life, there must be death. The balance of the world must be restored." "I willingly give my life for Arthur's." "How brave of you Merlyn or is it love that guides you. However it is not that simple." "What do you mean?" "Once you enter the bargain, it cannot be undone." "Do it. His life is worth more than I can tell." "The cup of life is blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret of life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the cup, he will live." Merlyn took the cup. Nimueh said a spell and rain began to fall. Merlyn collected the water with the cup. She poured the water into her container. "The bargain is struck. I hope it pleases you."
Merlyn rode as fast as she could into Camelot. She got to the castle after a day away and rushed to Gaius, "You have to give this to Arthur." "What is it?" "Water drawn from the cup of life. If Arthur drinks it, he will recover." Gaius made to go then stopped. "What are you waiting for?" "What price did you pay to redeem his life? Whose life did you bargain?" "We don't have time Gaius." "Merlyn!" "Don't worry Gaius. Everything will be alright."
They entered Arthur's chambers. As Gaius meant to give Arthur, Uther entered. "What are you doing physician? What are you giving him?" "It's a, it's a tincture made from Lobelia plant an ancient remedy for poisonous bites." "A cure?" "We hope." Do you really think it will have some effect?" "It is our last resort. Perhaps you should allow him to rest." "I will not leave him." It didn't take long and Arthur woke up. Merlyn was so ecstatic. She went to see him. He was alive and awake.
Arthur awoke and looked around. The blackness was gone. "I thought we had lost you!" came his father's voice. He looked sagged and his eyes had bags like he hadn't slept in ages. So Uther actually cared! "Don't worry father. I am not going to die. I think there is someone watching over me keeping me from harm." "Maybe you are right. On your long journey to become king, you will use a guardian angel. I shall inform the court that their prince lives." Said Uther the joy in his face and voice visible and he left.
Arthur laid his head down then someone entered. He smiled when he saw her. "Merlyn." "How many times should I tell you not to scare me like that?" "As many times as you can?" She smiled and hugged him and kissed him lightly. He suddenly saw something cloud her eyes for a moment. "Merlyn, are you ok?" "Yeah. I am." "Yu are not a very good liar." "I am just frazzled. My emotions are all over. You nearly died Arthur." Arthur squeezed her. He didn't want to see her sad. "I am fine now. Like I told my father, I seem to have a guardian angel somewhere protecting me. I am fine now. If I knew who it was I would thank them." he said rubbing her arm. He kissed her again more passionately and they talked till he slept. He was feeling a bit weak.
Merlyn woke up the next day surprised she was still alive. "No. I asked for my life." she said frantic wondering who was going to die in her place and she rushed to Gaius' chambers. She found him gravely ill. "No! Gaius! What happened?" "This is no ordinary illness my child. The old religion chose me I presume." "No! I asked for my life for Arthur's! Not you!" "Who did you meet?" "Nimueh." "Nimueh?" "Yes. I will make you better. I swear." she said angry at being tricked by that Nimueh. She told Gwen to watch over Gaius and she rode out to the isle of the blessed.
"Back so soon young warlock?" said Nimueh. "What have you one? I asked for my life not for Gaius." "Gaius is a traitor who watched as others of his kind were executed. Even gave the names to save his neck." said Nimueh. "I don't care what he did. You went back on your word." "The old religion does not care who lives and who dies. Only that the balance of the world be restored. To save a life, a life must be taken." "So it is you who is killing Gaius on revenge." "Come on now. We are too valuable to be enemies. Gaius on the other hand…" "I share nothing with you." "With my help, Arthur will become king." "I will make him king but you will never see that day."
Merlyn attacked Nimueh with her magic. "Your childish tricks are useless against me Merlyn. I am a priestess of the old religion. You too are a creature of the old religion. You should join me." "You think I will join forces with such selfish and cruel person like you? Never." "Pity we could have ruled together." "You should not have killed my friend." Merlyn looks at the clouds, causes lightning which strikes Nimueh dead. She took the cup and collects the rain and put it in a container.
She rode back to Camelot. She met Uther on the entrance. "Where have you been? I have been worried. I sent out guards to look for you." "I am sorry my lord to cause such distress. I have gone for a ride to get some ingredients for Gaius' potion." "I told you to take a guard with you. A beast was found in the first not days ago." "I am sorry my Lord." Merlyn could see Uther was still frazzled from Arthur's ordeal. "I am fine. I didn't go too far." "Very well."
Merlyn went to Gaius' chambers. She found him feeling better already. Gaius then woke up. "Merlyn." "Gaius!" she cried hugging him. "What did you do now?" "Well, let us just say the balance was restored and Nimueh won't cause us any trouble." "You truly are amazing. You have already mustered the power of life and death." Merlyn smiled. She was sad she had to kill Nimueh but she had no choice.
Merlyn was glad. Everything was back to normal again. She wondered if there would ever be a silent time in Camelot with none of the drama. She smiled. Camelot would be too boring.
There is the last chapter of season 1. Season 2 will see Merlyn's magic reveal, Merlyn and Arthur's relationship developing into being much more serious, characters like Morgause coming into play and the return of Lancelot to Camelot.
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