And another one :)
I was sat next to Merlin, the sound of unknown creatures surrounded us. Arthur was twitching beside the fire I could feel Merlin's worry. He needed to get rid of Gwaine so he could help him.
"We need more firewood." Merlin told Gwaine.
"You're right about that." I could see where this was going.
"D'you want to go and get some?" Merlin asked.
"Not really. Thanks for asking." I stifled a laugh, Merlin had no idea.
"There's wolves out there. Bears, boars..."
"Exactly."
"I'm not a warrior. I can't defend myself like you."
"Never too late to learn." Merlin gave up. He looked down, he hoped Arthur could cope. "Merlin..." the man in question looked up hopefully. "...don't you know when someone's joking with you? If I die collecting firewood, keep it to yourselves. I've got my reputation to consider." I smirked, a 'reputation' I'd have to ask Merlin about that. Gwaine jogged off to get firewood, Merlin waited till he got out of view. He moved to sit beside Arthur, his hand placed over his head.
"Gehalge." Merlin's eyes flashed gold, but nothing happened, he tried again. "Come on."
"Let me try." I said, sitting on Arthur's other side. I placed my hand over Arthur's head. "Gehalge." Nothing happened. "Together." Merlin nodded in agreement. He laced his finger through mine.
"On the count of three. One, two, three." Merlin said.
"Gehalge." Both our eyes flashed gold.
"Arthur, come on." Merlin shook the prince, as if hoping it would stir him. A look of desperation was spreading on Merlin's face. The prince twitched but that was all. Merlin sighed, then lay back against the tree.
"Merlin, what's happened since I've been gone?" Merlin filled me in on some details of the last three years, pausing now and again to remember details.
Once Gwaine has come back we settled down. I lay down next to Merlin and quickly fell asleep.
"Where's the cup?" I heard Arthur's voice and Merlin jerked beside me. "Where's the cup!" he asked more urgently.
"Cenred's men – they took it." Merlin told him reluctantly.
"Then what are we still doing here?" I knew this would come, Arthur's over reaction.
"You were unconscious."
"Always an excuse Merlin." Arthur sounded so irritated. I was so annoyed, how did he expect me, Gwaine and Merlin to get the cup back while also trying to protect him. Arthur tried to stand but he stumbled due to his bad leg. We all got up to help him. Merlin allowing him to place his weight on him.
"We have to get to Camelot before it's too late."
We walked towards a village. As it came into sight I gasped.
"What the hell happened?" Gwaine sounded shocked too. It was on fire, like an army had marched through.
"I don't know." Arthur answered. "We need to hurry. We're still a day's march from Camelot." I took one last look at the village and moved on. We were nearing Camelot when we saw bodies scattered. They bore the crest of Camelot.
"A Camelot patrol." Arthur said gravely.
"There's not a single enemy body." I looked around, Merlin was right.
"He's right. This wasn't a fight, this was a slaughter."
"Who could've done such a thing?" Gwaine asked, I knew exactly who could have done this.
"An army of men that cannot die." I said in reply to his question. Arthur nodded in agreement. We stood for a few more minutes. I sent a silent pray that no one was else was injured.
"Come on." Arthur began to lead the way back to Camelot. If a Camelot patrol could get slaughtered so easily I didn't want to see the damage back in Camelot. And would I even recognise it. Arthur limped on away. He was hurt but that never stopped him. We came up over a ridge and the sight we saw was not pleasant. Camelot, the beautiful city, was on fire. Black smoke rose high.
"Oh God." I said, we all stood staring in disbelief at the sight. Arthur stumbled down the slope closely followed by Merlin and Gwaine. I stayed for a little longer, I couldn't quite register that Camelot was burning.
"Cleo, come on." Merlin shouted up. I slipped and slided down the slope. Then we came to another devastating scene. More Camelot soldiers and knights lay dead where they had fallen. And again not a single enemy body. Merlin put a comforting hand on my shoulder, I hadn't realised I was crying. I wiped away the tears and Merlin wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"They never stood a chance." Arthur said grimly.
"Why though?" I asked. Merlin gave me a confused look. "If there immortal they could have marched through without killing anyone. There could have been no casualties."
"It would have been easier to kill them, then they would have no oppositions when they take over." I shook my head, we were nearing Camelot and I was worried about immortal guards.
Entering Camelot was no better. The streets were a mess. I could see nobody. The streets were empty. Arthur went straight to Gwen's house but the door was locked. He tried to open but failed.
"Here...let me." Gwaine offered. He kicked the door and it swung open, slowly we entered, unsure of what we would find. The house seemed empty, Arthur and Gwaine walked towards the back of the house. Suddenly a dark figure leapt up, sword swinging through the air.
"Elyan!" The man, Elyan, stopped staring at Merlin.
"I'm sorry." Merlin shut the door.
"Where is everyone?" Arthur asked.
"I-I-I thought that..." he stuttered.
"Elyan, please. What happened?" Arthur pressed.
"They came out of nowhere. A mighty army, weapons were useless against them. They were men, Sire, but not men...nothing could kill them. Nothing."
"Where's your sister? Where's Guinevere?"
"She was in the citadel when they attacked."
"There's still hope."
"Sire...the citadel's been taken." Arthur looked devastated. He practically stormed out. I was last to leave so I shut the door behind me.
"Arthur's pushing himself too much." I whispered to Merlin.
"He wants to find Gwen." I smiled.
"So he's fallen for Gwen." Merlin nodded.
"How much longer can he keep going like that?" Elyan asked.
"Who knows, but he's determined not to fail his father." I replied. Arthur led us into the castle and we watched out for guards. We hardly met any as we made our way through the castle. We stopped half-way down a corridor for Arthur. He was struggling to carry on.
"Where now?" Gwaine asked.
"Now, er...now we, er..."
"Arthur, you can't go on." I insisted.
"We must. We must find the others."
"You can't go on without treatment."
"Guinevere...my father."
"Elyan, do you know the way to the dungeons?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Go with Gwaine and Cleo. See if you can find them." Before we left I gave Merlin a quick kiss on the cheek.
I followed Elyan reluctantly to the dungeons. I had only just gotten Merlin back, I couldn't bear to lose him again. I stepped out into a hallway only to be pulled back again by Gwaine. I tried to protest but he covered my mouth and pointed out into the hall. Several guards were patrolling the corridor.
"Is this the only way?" I asked Elyan.
"No, this way come on." Elyan led us down empty corridors. Occasionly we ran into guards but managed to hide in dark alcoves or empty rooms. The dungeons were swarming with guards. We stood in an empty corridor unnoticed. The guards dragged prisoners into cells but we never saw Gwen or Uther. I lost track of time, I missed Merlin already.
"There." Gwaine whispered. I looked to where he was pointing. The King was being dragged out of a cell.
"There taking him to the throne room." Elyan said.
"We'd better tell Arthur." I said.
"Come on, we need to get to Gauis's chambers." We set off silently. Gwaine was watching for guards, Elyan led us and I was going to inform Arthur not much of a job. We ran into Gauis's chamber.
"The King, he's alive." I told Arthur.
"Where is he?"
"They're taking him to the throne room as we speak."
"This may be my last chance." Arthur said.
"Arthur, there's too many of them – you'll never make it."
"I won't leave my father to die here alone. Gwain, Elyan, Cleo take Gauis and make your way to the woods beyond the castle, there's a cave we'll find you there. I hope we do meet again."
Of course I didn't want to leave Merlin again but I know Arthur would not let me stay. I walked over to Merlin, pressing my lips against his. When I pulled away I whispered: "Be careful."
Arthur stood akwardly beside us. I kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Be carefull too and bring him back in one piece." At the door I waved goodbye. I walked with Gauis, he was happy to see me again but my spirits were down. And of course he noticed.
"Cleo what's wrong?" he whispered as we snuck past a few guards.
"I've only just gotten Merlin back and I am fearful I will lose him again so soon."
"You won't, he has gotten so much more powerful since you were last here. He can take care of himself." I felt a little better. Merlin is supposed to become the most powerful sorceror. Gwaine led the way into the forest. We found the cave Arthur had told us about and took it in turns to watch out for guards. While Gwaine was on first watch I explored the cave. I clambered over rocks and stopped in awe. The cave opened up into a cavern, water slowly dripping from the ceiling into the growing lake. The lake was so calm, only moving when the water droplets hit the surface. I stood mesmorised, I thought I could see figures in the lake, I moved closer. I didn't notice that there was a cliff and that if I took one more step I would fall into the deep water below. The figures were calling to me, beckoning me into the water. I went to take another step, my foot slipped down but someone had grabbed me around the waist.
"No!" I shouted. I wanted to join the figures, I wanted to see who they were.
"No Cleo, they're Naids. If you go down there you'll never come back up." He put me down and we stood face to face. I stared unknowing into this man's face. "Cleo." He said shaking me. I blinked a few times then shook my head.
"Merlin! What happened?" I asked, confused. I couldn't remember the last ten minutes or so.
"You were about to plunge into the lake back there." Ok so not the best thing then.
"Oh, not good."
"Very not good." Merlin said, kissing me on the cheek. "Come on we're moving to a different cave, it's better hidden and only the knights of Camelot know it."
"That will definitely be better." We walked out of the cave together. Arthur didn't look happy and led us to the cave deep within the Darkling woods in silence. Merlin and I walked together at the back.
"What's wrong with Arthur?" I asked.
"Morganna, he's just found out she hates his father. And that she is his step-sister."
"What!"
"Yeah, she's made herself Queen of Camelot."
"No wonder Arthur's so mad."
"Yeah, he'll probably be like this for a while." I felt sympathy for Arthur; he had grown up with Morganna. Last time I was here she was so kind, she showed no signs of ever hating Uther, but that was nearly three years ago. People change, Arthur an example of that. He led us toward a small river. Beyond that in a small ditch was the cave opening. Merlin helped me down and we walked through the opening. The cave wasn't the biggest but it would do until Arthur, or anyone else, could think of something to do. In every little hole there was a candle, Arthur was lighting a few of the candles near the back of the cave. It was getting late on so I chose a large piece of slanted rock to lie on. I took my cloak of and lay it over me for warmth. Merlin lay near me; I could see sadness in his eyes.
"What's wrong Merlin?" I asked. He sighed.
"I have no idea how to defeat an immortal army."
"I'm sure you'll think of something." I reassured him. He rubbed his face with his hands and then he held his hand out to me. I took it, squeezed it.
"Hopefully." He said before closing his eyes, I followed his example and we fell asleep holding hands.
Dream...
I was standing beside Morganna, in the last three years she had grown more beautiful. Below in the courtyard several knights of Camelot stood in line. They were surrounded by a crowd of people and directly in front of them were several immortals holding crossbows.
"I will give you one more chance to pledge your allegiance to me." Morganna said with a firm voice. The immortals raised their crossbows and Sir Leon just looked up with a look of triumph on his face at Morganna. She frowned at him.
"Long live the King!" He shouted defiantly.
"Long live the King!" The rest of the knights shouted.
"Perhaps this will help you change your mind." Morganna sneered. She raised her hand and brought it down quickly, I expected the immortals to fire at the knights but they turned their crossbows on the unsuspecting crowd. They scattered but several were hit.
"No!" Sir Leon shouted.
I jerked awake and gasped. Merlin who had rolled closer in the night jerked awake too.
"What happened?" he asked. I turned around to see the others looking at me. I smiled at them until they lay back down.
"I had a nightmare."
"What about?"
"Sir Leon, and the knights of Camelot." I explained my dream to Merlin who looked grave.
"You can See." I gave him a confused look. "It means you can see the future in your dreams, Morganna can do it too." I frowned.
"So that means my dream will come true."
"Yes and we can't do anything about it. We can't go storming into the castle we'd get killed and we can't tell Arthur because he doesn't know you, or I, have magic."
"So...we have to let it happen." Merlin nodded, I took a deep breath and he wrapped his arms around me. Then, slowly, I fell asleep again.
The next morning Merlin and Gwaine left to do some hunting for food. Arthur was sat away from the rest of us. I had tried to talk to him by request of Merlin, but I had no luck. Elyan and I were trying to get a fire going but it wasn't working. I asked him to go get some water and while I knew Arthur wasn't looking I muttered.
"Forebearne"
A small fire started in the middle of the wood pile, I gently blew to make it stronger. Then I added more wood. Elyan came back shocked and impressed. Gwaine and Merlin arrived back with fish and rabbits to eat. We ate the rabbit for breakfast and save the fish for lunch. There wasn't much to do in the cave so I watched Merlin ponder on how to defeat the immortal army. A few days into staying in the cave Merlin sent word to an old friend of his, he asked me not to tell Arthur, that it was a surprise.