Pull of Avalon
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Percival, Morgana
It was evening and the pace Merlin was setting was relentless. He could feel Avalon not far at all, and he was determined to push to the end. Who knew how much strength Arthur may need once he got there. Merlin was sure the sooner it arrived the better it was for both of them.
He looked over his shoulder, the his friend's body was slumped at an alarming angle almost slipping off his horse. Merlin stopped and jumping down went over to him.
"Arthur." he gently straightened him up to be met by a pleading look from the King.
"I can't go on." Arthur said looking utterly exhusted.
"There's not far too go." Merlin assured him. "We need to reach the Lake before dawn."
Arthur though had made his own mind up his face was determined and set.
"No Merlin, no." he said.
"Okay we rest for an hour." Merlin agreed.
He helped Arthur from his horse and took him over to a log and sat him down. Seeing the total exhaustion on his friend's face he gave him a drink, wanting to give him as much time as he could. Merlin himself was feeling tired the worry continuing to spread through his over stretched mind.
He started a fire, being happy to openly use his magic now at such times. He would notice his friend closely observing him whenever he did so. It was as if Arthur suddenly wanted to see his magic beeing used. It gave Merlin a warm fuzzy feeling, as if he was truly beginning to show Arthur his true self. He allowed an image of him and Arthur arriving back to Camelot once he had made everything better. For a brief moment he felt free to dream.
Looking over at Arthur he noticed his friend wanted to speak to him.
"Merlin whatever happens." Arthur began struggling to remain sitting.
"Shhh don't talk." Merlin replied crouching by him, anxious that Arthur should make the most of his rest.
"I'm the King Merlin, you can't tell me what to do." Arthur replied using his hands to empahize his point.
Merlin gave a chuckle. "I always have. I'm not going to change now."
Suddenly Merlin noticed Arthur's face looked set and determined as if he had to say something. He allowed him to speak, his heart in his mouth.
"I don't want you too. I want you...to always...be you. I'm sorry about how I treated you."
Merlin realised that this was his friend openly acknowleding him and suddenly he felt moved, but decided to hide his feelings behind a joke.
"Does that mean you;re going to give me a day off?" he asked.
"Two." Arthur replied looking straight at Merlin.
"That's generous." Merlin smiled.
Arthur's head suddenly lolled, and worried Merlin gently checked his friends pulse. It was getting ever weaker.
"Get some sleep." Merlin whispered, but Arthur was already alseep and Merlin sat at his side watching him for a few moments.
Merlin's emotions were all over the place now, he was having a constant battle to keep his rationality clear. Arthur's speech to him was the very thing he had longed to hear for so long, but even though it cheered him, he could not be entirely happy because of the circumstances of it. It was a battle against the clock as ever and Merlin was nervous that they were beginning to lose it.
He was miserable and cold and now worried especially as the full moon shone above them. Soon it would be morning and by then they would be in trouble if they hadn't made it to the lake. He kept himself warm by moving around, even now half expecting to see Morgana come out of nowhere. He had a foreboding inside his mind, but he fought to keep his mind clear, as he needed to use it for what lay ahead.
Faster and faster she rode, urging the horse on raging as to why she didn't have a spell that would instantly bring her to Avalon and thwart Merlin and Arthur. Her hatred now knew no bounds Arthur had killed Mordred, and that was something she would never forgive him for. Even knowing that Arthur was dying was not enough for her, she wanted to see it for herself. To see and feel his suffeing in the way she too had suffered in seeing Mordred's.
As for Merlin she would have her own plans for him once she caught up with him. He would curse the day he had turned his back on her. She was a High Priestess and she would get her revenge on both of them, then she would take back Camelot and finish off everyone else too.
She kicked her horse again, her thirst for revenge urging her onwards.
Merlin looked up at the moon and sensing the first rays of dawn, he realised that they had had enough rest. He ran over to Arthur and shook him, alarmed that he didn't instantly answer him. He shook him again.
"Arthur." he urged, "We've rested long enough." Merlin put his arm around Arthur's shoulder and eased him upwards taking his weight.
Arthur did his best to move, but he was getting weaker and his movement more cumbersome. Merlin had to grit his teeth more as he persuaded him onto his feet. This would now be the biggest test, he could sense that Arthur was beginning to fade.
Percival had been riding now for a few hours following Morgana's tracks. He still had no idea how many more hours it would take him to reach Avalon. He felt hungary and light headed but he knew he must ride on and try and warn Merlin and Arthur. He would not allow himself to think he would be too late. That would mean he would of let down Gwaine, and he had no intention of doing that.
He climbed from his horse searching for the tracks, he realised after a few minutes she was heading east. He remounted and urged his horse on, the first rays of sunlight were beginning to dawn, and he had to think would get there in time.
Merlin and Arthur had been riding for a few hours now, daylight was in abundance, not only that but Merlin could feel the pull of Avalon up ahead. He could sense the pulse of magic all around him as he rode on. He allowed himself to be overcome by its intensity, he knew right here would be Arthur's salvation. He could not fail, he would not, he would give Arthur his life back, whatever he had to do. If he had to give his own life for Arthur to live he would gladly do it, and without hesitation.
He sensed the Lake ahead of him, by the time they'd come through a group of trees he could hear the lapping of the water. He could sense the vibrancy of the place, he could sense his love Freya even, he wondered if she would play apart in it. He quickly gathered his thoughts of such things, he needed to concentrate. Seeing a clearing up ahead he led Arthur to it, before slowly stopping.
He helped Arthur from his horse, sitting him down. Up ahead they could see the Lake, suddenly Merlin felt an intense happiness to share such a place with his best friend. He felt positive they would solve his prediciment, and soon all would be well with their world again.
He gave Arthur a drink, then pointed up ahead at the Isle in the distance.
"Avalon, we'll get there." Merlin promised him.
Suddenly behind them a noise spooked their horses and they fled. Merlin jumped up running after them calling at them, but to no avail they had disappeared. Just as he was getting over his surprise, a voice called behind him.
"Hello Emrys."
Before he could react he was flying backwards through the air.
Morgana watched him go with a satisfied look on her face, and walked towards her brother.