Arthur and Merlin were carrying on with their journey through the cave to the cure. The cure seemed to be within with grasp but they both kept their eyes open just in case another boobytrap came along their way.
Arthur sighed loudly as his frustration came apparent. The journey was taking too long and his bottom was still very sore after all that horse riding.
"You sound happy!" Merlin said smiling at Arthurs frustration.
"I'll just be glad when it's over." Arthur moaned obviously getting bored.
Merlin was a bit surprised. Arthur usually loved going on adventures, the scarier the better. However, this time it was somehow different.
"Can we stop for a minute?" Merlin said faking being worn out to get Arthur to stop.
"No, we have to keep going." Arthur said carrying on even though he was groaning every step he took.
"Arthur…." Merlin started to breath heavily to get Arthur to stop.
This wasn't going to happen though. Arthur could see straight through Merlin and could tell he was faking being worn out.
"Merlin. Come on we're nearly there." Arthur said putting on a fake smile to get Merlin to carry on.
Merlin groaned as he gave in to Arthur. Even though it was clear that Arthur was getting tired, he still had some energy somewhere to carry on.
"Fine but you're carrying me on the way back!" Merlin said running to catch up with Arthur still heavily breathing to keep up the idea that he was worn out.
"I'll give you to whatever that shadow was if you keep complaining." Arthur suggested even though Merlin knew that he was joking.
Whatever that shadow was, wasn't going to be that scary. It would have gone towards them if it wanted to. If it was that scary it would have killed them by now.
"Wait…" Merlin said suddenly.
Arthur was so frustrated at Merlin by now that he just continued to walk on. Merlin tried to stop him again when another scary shadow came on the wall.
Arthur stepped back quietly so not to attract attention. Merlin stayed where he was, it was a different shadow, which meant they had no idea what it was going to be.
00000
The dungeon was awash with activity. The servants and Morgana alike were now ready with their weapons to fight off the Saxons. Even though they were scared of the Saxons it didn't mean they weren't ready for battle if they needed to.
They were all ready now but knew to wait until night-time to make sure they had the element of surprise on their side. Morgana and Gwen were watching over them as they slept during the day ready for the battle that night.
Morgana sighed quietly. Gwen could tell Morgana was getting more anxious as the time drew closer. Gwen wasn't too far off Morganas feelings either.
"I hope the Saxons are ready for us." Gwen said happily to try and change the mood.
"I hope we're ready for them. We haven't got any knights and Arthur is away." Morgana said biting her nails with more and more heavy breathing.
"We will be. We don't need Arthur to show our strength." Gwen said trying to keep her hopes up.
Morgana sighed heavily which showed that she was kind of calming down from her being anxious all the time. It also showed the possible of Morgana becoming a great leader when needed.
Gaius walked over to them with a worried look on his face. Gaius usually kept a straight face even in the most worrying times. It was obvious that whatever news he had was going to be very bad.
"Gaius… What is it?" Gwen asked worried for the answer.
"I just saw the Saxons garrison. They've grown in numbers. I don't know if we could take all of them." Gaius said trying to keep his voice down, so he didn't wake the rest of the servants.
"How many more?" Morgana asked trying to keep her hopes up.
"A whole battalion." Gaius whispered looking around at the windows to check no one was listening in.
Morgana and Gwen looked at each other. A few more soldiers they could have possibly taken on but a whole battalion?!
00000
Arthur drew his sword for the fifth time that day. The shadow hadn't moved but himself and Merlin were ready just in case it came around the corner. Merlin stayed where he was as he watched Arthur get ready for whatever it was.
The shadow came closer and closer to them as it scuttled along the floor. Arthur crept backwards a little for more space.
The shadow came around the corner. It was a rat!
"What the hell?!" Merlin called out somewhat relieved but somewhat angry at the same time.
"I don't know what you're so angry about. You were the one who was scared." Arthur tutted in disgust at Merlin's reaction.
"No, I wasn't." Merlin said defiantly.
Arthur gave him a sarcastic look. It was obvious that Merlin was the more scared out of the two of them.
"Maybe I was a little." Merlin said finally giving in to Arthurs looks.
"There you go. I knew you would admit it." Arthur said waving his arms about in his usual annoying way.
Merlin rolled his eyes out of the sight of Arthur. Even though Arthur might be used to seeing Merlin do this, Arthur was changing his mood so much these days it was easier to keep on his good side.
"Right now, we can keep going." Arthur waved in front of him for Merlin to go ahead of him.
"What if we bump into another shadow?!" Merlin pleaded for Arthur to go first.
"Then I'll be right behind you to kill it. Let's hope it's not a rat." Arthur said making fun of Merlin.
"Very funny!" Merlin smiled at Arthur sarcastically and went in front of the prince.
"Watch out for the rats!" Arthur shouted to Merlin to make him jump.
Merlin shook his head after he jumped and carried on walking ready to run behind Arthur when something came up. He just hoped it would be another rat and not anything too scary.