Title: It's Like Magic
Author: Kiki1770
Rating: T for Language
Setting: Season 3
Summary: Merlin is trapped in the Crystal Cave
A/N: Haha, well I have to say, you're reviews were funnier than my drabble! I'm glad you all had a good laugh out of the last one. So this drabble is about the Crystal Cave. I always wondered how Arthur would react to seeing Merlin in pain because of the Crystals. So here is the result fo that thought. This is another long drabble/ mini oneshot. I seem to be doing a lot of those lately. Enjoy!
Friendship 5: The Crystal Cave
The Valley of the Fallen Kings. Why did it always have to be the Valley of the Fallen Kings? What part of being cursed do prattish Kings not understand? Merlin found that over time, he became very adept at cursing Arthur and running at the same time. What he was not used to was Gwaine, Leon, and Elyan laughing at the rush of adrenaline from being chased by bandits.
They were laughing! They were bloody well laughing. Merlin just wanted to knock them upside the head and tell them to go fight those stupid barbarians. But they were outnumbered and only had their hunting equipment on them. Well except for Lancelot and Percival, they had their swords…but what were two against twenty?
"Quick! This way, I see a cave up ahead," Arthur shouted. Merlin's blood ran cold. The magic radiating from that cave was incredible. No…they couldn't go there. Before he could protest, Lancelot and Gwaine had grabbed either side of him and rushed him in the cave.
"No...No, Arthur we can't be in here," Merlin pleaded.
"Shut up Merlin, if you want to go out there and fight those bandits with your eyes closed as usual, be my guest," Arthur only half paid attention to him. The knights all ducked as the bandits ran past the cave, roaring in blind fury. Merlin trembled; he trembled all over. It took a while for anyone to notice his shaking.
"Merlin are you-" Lancelot began; he reached to place an arm on Merlin's shoulder. He panicked.
"NO!" Merlin shouted and took a step back. His foot caught in a crevasse and sent him tumbling down the manmade stairs and into the heart of the Crystal Cave. His head cracked on the side of a long crystal. Slowly…his blood flowed towards the crystal.
"Merlin!" Arthur shouted and charged into the cave. But he, along with the Knights, were blocked by some invisible force field. As Merlin bleed, the crystals tremble and shook and danced with magic.
"What have you done?" A new voice asked. Arthur spun around to see an old man in ancient crimson robes.
"You! You're the sorcerer that trapped him, aren't you? Let Merlin go!" Arthur demanded. The old man shook his head.
"That was your own doing Arthur Pendragon. You should have listened to the boy when he warned you not to come here," The old man reprimanded. Arthur opened his mouth to cuss the old man off, when Merlin began shouting.
"Merlin!" Multiple cries erupted from the knights. They watched as Merlin withered in pain and tried to get as far away from the crystals as he could. He clutched his head and cried in pain.
"What's happening to him? Tell me now or I will slay you where you stand!" Arthur shouted and raised his sword at the old man.
"His blood has touched the crystals. He's seeing visions of the future,"
"Why is he shouting like that?"
"Perhaps he's in pain,"
"How…how do we get him out of there? Tell me. Tell me now!"
"Call him, Arthur Pendragon…really call him. Convince him to get out of there." The old man whispered, and his body trickled away like dust motes flying in the sunlight. Arthur grunted and punched the cavern walls.
"Arthur! Don't just stand there!" Gwaine cried, "We have to get Merlin out of there!" Another loud wail echoed from the inside. Arthur re-sheathed his sword and ran towards the invisible barrier. He signaled his knights to silence.
"Merlin," Arthur called. The manservant twitched among the pain, his dazed eyes looked for Arthur's voice. "Merlin, listen to me carefully, and for once, please do as I say," Merlin nodded his head, and bit his lips tightly to prevent another sob from escaping. Arthur felt awful. He'd never seen Merlin looked so scared, or seen him curl up into a ball to protect himself and hold his head as cried into his hands.
"You need to move Merlin," Arthur told him calmly. Merlin gingerly pawed his way to stable floor and shakily rose to his feet. His eyes had a thin haze of white over them, as though he were blinded. "Take four steps forward and one to the right," Arthur instructed. Merlin did as he was told.
"Good, now take another seven steps forward, go three to the left, and forward five again," Again Merlin gingerly followed Arthur's instructions. He hissed in pain when he came in contact with the crystals, and had to pause and let the pain pass before he could move again. "You're at the foot of the stairs now. Go up twelve steps and Lancelot or Gwaine will get you, okay?"
He nodded and timidly took the first step. Arthur held his breath, Merlin was such a natural born klutz; this could easily be the most dangerous part. Merlin pressed his palms against the cave walls and felt his way up. When he passed the barrier, Lancelot and Gwaine quickly caught him and pulled the terrified manservant into their arms.
"Thank you…Arthur," Merlin whispered and passed. Arthur felt like he'd been punched in the gut. Merlin was thanking him even though it was Arthur's fault they'd gotten in the situation in the first place. He took one look at his pale, bruised, swollen eyed manservant and vowed to never return to the Valley of Fallen Kings ever again.
Maybe Arthur will finally learn NOT to go into the Valley of the Fallen Kings.
I just realized that I have not written anything with Morgana in it for a while now. Lol, hopefully she'll be brought back soon. Although I love Morgana while she was nice, I loved Merlin and Morgana's enimity WAY more! I just think they make the best villian-hero combination ever! I'm going to be busy for a while, so I might not update again till next week.
Review, review, review.
Kiki1770