Chapter 26

Merlin followed Alba back to the stone circle. It seemed like a life time since he was there last yet only a few hours had passed. He felt as though he was walking to his doom and couldn't shake the feeling that he would not see those dearest to him again. Alba stopped at the entrance to the circle and turned to Merlin.

"Good luck Merlin, I will wait here for you to return," she said.

"Do you really believe I will return?" asked Merlin.

"I do, I believe in your destiny Merlin, I always have." He smiled at her and walked towards the centre of the stones and the white light that was waiting for him.

Gaya held a staff and passed it to Merlin. She gave him the crystal and in his mind he saw how it must be planted. She then passed him a small satchel that contained the earth he would need to plant the crystal in. He put the crystal carefully into the bag on top of the earth.

"Open your mind's eye Merlin so I can show you where you must go." Merlin closed his eyes and opened the one in his mind. A series of images flashed through his mind and he opened his eyes.

"The world you are about to enter is very different to the one you know but do not be afraid. You will not be able to use your magic until the crystal has been returned to the cave. I would advise you not to use your magic at all unless really necessary. If Cate is monitoring that world she will become aware of you if you use magic. Remember Merlin that magic is a life force and that world is starved of magic. Like a tree starved of water will send out roots to find a pool. That world will try to drain you and you will need to fight it. Are you ready?" Merlin picked up the staff and nodded he didn't trust himself to speak, his throat felt dry.

She led him towards the opening between the two large standing stones. The area between the stones wavered and rippled but if Merlin looked closely he could see trees and a darkening sky. Behind the stones in Avalon there was a grassy bank and it was midday with a bright sun and clear sky. He realised he was looking into another world and wondered once again if he would meet his doom in a strange land. Gaya moved towards the large stone on the right of the doorway, she chanted some words in a strange language and the image in the doorway became clear.

Merlin took a deep breath and walked through the opening. As he walked through he felt himself change, like he had used an aging spell, his hair was longer and had turned white. He wondered how old he had become then looked down and noticed he was wearing strange clothes. He still had the satchel though and he looked inside to check the crystal was safe. It was still there partly buried in the earth and looked just the same as when he had put it there.
He then turned and saw the standing stones behind him. There were just the two buried deep in the Earth and they looked old and worn. The light between them shimmered a little and Merlin thought he could just see the stone table. Although it was not completely dark he felt like he couldn't see properly. There seemed to be a shadow on the edge of his vision that threatened to block out the light. The air was heavy and he could taste the fumes that poisoned this world. Already he could feel his strength being drained from him. He felt light headed and sick.
He turned away before he lost his nerve and made his way to the cave as fast as he could manage.