(Near the border between Great Britain and Wales)
The young weilders cautiously followed Ember through Kaalki's portal into a forest that even a cynic like Chloe couldn't argue was drenched in ancient magic.
In this maze of Puzzlewood's pathways winding through deep gulleys of moss covered rocks, the twisted roots of the Yew trees seemed to reach out toward them. The smell of wet earth was thick around them, and the rich green of the moss seemed to envelope everything growing in the shadows, gradually climbing up to reach a glimpse of the sun. Puzzlewood had an eerily enchanting atmosphere unlike any other place they had ever been.
Ember floated through the air silently, as even he seemed wary in such a place. Behind him went Carapace with his shield up, followed by Queen Bee and then Chat Noir. Rena Rouge and Ladybug brought up the back of the group.
"So, Ladybug," Rena Rouge took the opportunity to breech the subject. "You and Chat Noir have been heading all over the world on these trials together huh?!"
Ladybug glanced over to her friend knowing there was more to her comment...some inquiry yet to come. "Yes," was all she gave her.
"You must have ended up in some pretty romantic locals hmmm?" Rena pried.
Ladybug raised an eyebrow at the fox weilder, and then looked back down at her feet as she stepped over thick interlacing roots, and shrugged. "Everywhere we've been has been quite the experience."
Rena Rouge pouted at the answer which provided absolutely no juicy details whatsoever. So she tried a different tactic. "Chat Noir sure has filled out over the years! I mean he was pretty cute before, but damn that cat is fine now!" she elbowed Ladybug with a wink.
"And here I was thinking you only had eyes for Carapace!" Ladybug replied unwilling to rise to the bait.
"Of course I love Carapace," Alya replied, "I'm just saying anyone who was single might want to jump on that!"
"Oh really!" Ladybug couldn't help the giggle that burst out of her mouth. "Well don't tell Chat Noir that, he'd be purring all night!"
"Don't tell me you're saying you've never thought of hooking up with the cat?" Alya challenged.
"Hmmm...hook up with Chat Noir? What an truly interesting proposal," Ladybug teasingly pretended to ponder deeply. "I mean sure he's a great partner and all...but us together? That would be pretty crazy!"
Ladybug picked up her pace, and caught up to Chat Noir looping her arm into his. Rena Rouge sighed in frustration behind, throwing her hands up in the air. Would those two ever finally admit that they were destined to be together?!
Ember finally stopped at the base of a twisted old tree with thick knotty roots that cross-crossed above the ground. Carved into the bark was the symbol of the miraculous'!
"There is really only one other human left besides Lady Justice who fought against the enemy who has reemerged against you. It is high time he awoke!" Ember gestured to the tree.
"He...um...was turned into a tree?" Carapace asked his face horrified.
"No, of course not," Ember shook his fiery head, "he was trapped within the tree."
"For how long?!" asked Chat Noir shuttering at the thought of being confined into such a small space.
"Well over a thousand years," Ember stated matter-of-factly.
"That is horrible! Why would anyone be imprisoned that long?! What could they have possibly done to desire such a fate?!" Ladybug exclaimed.
"That is between he and Lady Justice I imagine," the Phoenix replied. "The sword," he nodded toward Excalibur still hanging across ladybug's back. "Go ahead Ladybug, and let us hope he has the answers we need to stop the coming apocalypse."
Ladybug grasped the cold metal of the sword Lady Justice had given her, and fit it into the center of the miraculous carving. It fit in easily, and as she hesitantly turned it in the lock there was a click, and a grinding thud within. Then without warning a white light split up through the centre of the tree and shot up through the air. The tree itself quivered, and recoiled, revealing a suit of silver armour within itself. The armour pitched forward with a groan, and was caught by Chat Noir and Carapace. Gently they lowered the figure to the ground.
It quickly became apparent that the magic in the sword that had released the suit of armour, had also awoken its human occupant from his long slumber. A all too human moan emitted from the voice within the helmet, and he grasped his head in his hands as if reeling from a massive headache.
"Are...are you okay?" Rena Rouge stepped forward with a hand on the knight's shoulder.
The knight, tilted back his vizer, and sat back looking up at the teens surrounding him. "Knights of the miraculous!" they heard his voice croak in shock. Then he asked in shock, "but where is your armour?"
Ember flew before the man, and addressed him. "Captive of Lady Justice, the weilders of the miraculous have freed you at this time of great need. There is much we must discuss. Come with us, you have been asleep for more cycles than you realize!"
"Lady Justice?"the knight asked. Then he dipped his head and sighed, "Ahh, you must mean my sweet Nimue."
The team of weilders exchanged glances.
The knight reached up and pulled off his helmet, revealing a white-haired old man with a face weathered by time and hardship. Although his nose was large and crooked, and his eyebrows were bristly, his bright blue eyes sparkled with of hint of mischievousness. "You mean she didn't tell you about me?" the elder asked. "Well at least your being here means she hasn't forgotten me," he thoughtfully rubbed his wayward snowy beard. "That clever minx," he mumbled to himself, surprisingly good natured.
"Sir, are you sure you are alright?" Ladybug asked sensitively.
"Quite fine, I assure you dear Lady," he smiled crookedly back. "Although I must say, I certainly could do with a good meal after being shut up for quite so long. What do you say? Before your talking firebird gets straight to business here shall we first find some cawl,rarebit, or some bara brith?!"
"Uhhhh...I'm not quite sure if we can still find all of that..." Ladybug said waving for the others to all help pull the knight to his feet, "...but yes, let's get you something to eat, and along the way we can catch you up on some history since you've been Umm...gone...Mr...
"By the Kwamis, of course. How rude of me! Y mae dafad ddu ym mhob praidd Every flock has its black sheep, and the miraculous Knights had me! Like the Lady Justice over the years, I've had countless names. You can call me Myrddin," he bowed graciously. "But come now let's not Yn cerdded yn ling di long, and dilly dally!" the knight Myrddin strode forward with confidence. "Lead the way to the nearest tavern good sirs and ladies and then we will talk!"
"First we better find this guy some decent clothes!" Queen Be whispered to Ladybug as they trodded through the thick wood.
It was a bit of a hike, but eventually they found a small Tudor-style inn. It turned out having a authentic mid evil knight costume was far more inconspicuous that five brightly coloured superheroes. The inn was fairly quiet, but even still locals and the odd tourist kept interrupting to take a selfie on their phone with them. Myrddin was absolutely fascinated by the little boxes that could capture a likeness instantly, send communication, and retrieve libraries of information from all over the world!
Eventually when they had all eaten and realized there would be no chance to privately discuss the sensitive information needed, they debated over where to go next. In the end Myrddin had already decided exactly where they needed to go.
Ladybug and Chat Noir stepped through the portal after the old man, followed by Ember, Rena Rouge, Carapace, and Queen Bee. They arrived at Caerleon, Wales. On this site was the remains of a Roman legionary fortress, Isca Augusta, and an Iron Age hillfort. Their destination though was ultimately a Roman amphitheate.
They stepped onto a stage of bright green turf, as fine as carpet. The circular amphitheatre spread out around them, and eight thick stacked stone risers framed its circumference.
"At least some things have not changed so much!" Myrddin sighed in satisfaction surveying the ancient stage. "King Arthur always did like to keep the entrance to the Keep a secret!"
"Wait! Thee King Arthur?" Chat Noir exclaimed.
"Why of course! His name has been woven into the fabric of history since before the 6th century Welsh poem The Gododdin of Aneirin!" Myrddin nodded, walking around the circular field in search of a particular stone. Drawing his hand under a groove in the rock, he twisted his lips in concentration. Suddenly he seemed to find what he was searching for and the stone shifted, clicking into place, and the whole field sunk into the ground revealing a wide spiral staircase leading into the darkness below the mound.
They walked into a vaulted chamber within the rock. Pillars jetted up to arches overhead like the cedars of Lebanon. The flicker of Ember's fire illuminated the space, making shadows take on a life of their own.
At the very centre of the massive grand hall was a thick circular table that had been split down the centre, so one side dipped down on a slant. Surrounding it were at least a dozen identical high backed chairs.
"No way!" Chat Noir whistled. "This is King Arthur's Round Table!...wait...so that would make this..." he looked around in awe at the surroundings.
"Camelot," Ember confirmed.
"Camelot!" the weilders all repeated amazed. It was like stumbling upon something from a storybook.
"Have a seat my young friends," the withered old man gestured to the chairs. "You should finally know the story."
"Do you think we should? It feels like this place hasn't been disturbed for hundred years. It isn't our place..." Ladybug shifted.
"But child, this is your place," the man's eyes twinkled, brushing the dust from the front of the chair he pulled out for her. Revealed beneath the heavy coating of dust was the carving of a Ladybug!
Ladybug traced around the table, and the others followed her. Around they went dusting of the cobwebs and grit to uncover one after another symbols of past miraculous holders. Ladybug sat down on her assigned chair. To her right was the horse miraculous, and To her left was the dragon miraculous seat. Then beside that was Chat Noir's and so on around each place at the table.
Once they were each seated, Myrddin took his seat under the carving of the peacock.
"So you were a weilder yourself?" Rena Rouge inquired.
"Many lifetimes ago, Durrsu and I were matched," he nodded. "Now I just am the keeper of our stories."
"What happened here man?" Carapace asked sitting forward. "A table like this just doesn't snap like a toothpick! There must be a really good story!"
"Countless stories intertwining together...some good...some...deplorable," Myrddin sank into his chair with a flicker of the shadows crossing over his face. Then he paused studying those around the table. "First he said, what do you already know about they the Great King Arthur and the knights of the round table?"
"The table..." Ladybug started, "it was a symbol of all being equal no matter their station or where they came from. There was no rank around it, they all just came as they were."
"Very good," commended Myrddin. "The dream of Camelot...but I'm afraid a dream is a passing thing. In the beginning even those who first rallied to defend Arthur's ideals were corrupted by their own selfish desires...even Arthur himself."
"But everyone remembers King Arthur has a legendary dude!" Carapace slumped over, leaning on one arm.
"Oh he certainly was," Myrddin nodded, then traced symbols into the air with his hands, tenting his narrow fingers before him. Even though they were closed in underground a wind started to sweep up around them, churning up clouds of dust in spirals around them.
"What are you doing!" Queen Bee screeched at the old man. "You don't even have a miraculous!"
"There is more than just miraculous magic in the world!" the ancient man laughed as he threw up his hands and the whole room started to shake.
Ladybug gripped her yoyo, Chat Noir left claw marks on the edge of the table, and the others cling to their chairs. Suddenly there was a flash of Phoenix fire, and every one caught their breath clenching their eyes closed.
When they opened their eyes, they were sitting at the same table...only it was made whole once again. Not only that, bright sunlight filtered through the stain glass windows, creating rainbows of light against the opposite wall. The room was clean and polished! As they lifted their heads up in amazement, they were startled to also realize they were not alone.
"Ugh!!" shirked Queen Bee, leaping off her seat when she realized she appeared to be sitting on the lap of a large man with a barrel-like chest with a bee symbol embroidered in gold thread and a thick red beard.
The others leapt to their feet as well. Beside Ladybug sat a tall muscular man, with thoughtful brown eyes, a gold circlet encircling his head, and a thick red robe. He was leaning over the table, pouring over a map stencilled onto a tanned hide. He furrowed his brow, rubbing his temples. A handsome young man with light hair, and a white tunic with a ivory horse embroidered onto his chest joined him, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder.
"Come now my Lord Arthur, you must eat. You haven't had a thing all day," the young knight counciled.
"I know you're right," Arthur patted the knight's hand. "I just don't know what I'll do if anything has happened to her!"
"Uncle, You are needed here to defend Camelot! Send me, and I will not not fail in recovering the lady!" another knight rose from the black cat's seat.
"They can't see us?" whispered Rena Rouge to the other weilders.
"They can't hear you either," chuckled Myrddin. "I can only recreate a vision of the history I saw through my eyes."
"So you were there," Ladybug scanned the room and caught sight of a younger dobleganger to the man who had lead them. He stood beside the table, and it was surreal to see the elder Myrddin rise, just as the oblivious younger version took his place at the table with them.
"I will not sit idle while my own betrothed faces grave danger! What kind of nave do you take me for?!" King Arther interrupted their thoughts.
"My king, do you not think that this is the very reason they abducted her to begin with...to draw you out?" another knight who wore the turtle's armour questioned.
"We know what is at stake," a woman with braided red hair in a purple criss-crossed paid kilt agreed from the other side of the table.
King Arthur clenched his jaw, and paused in silence.
"I will find her," the knight with the horse emblem declared. "I swear it on my life."
Arthur looked over to him, and finally clapt him on the shoulder. "You once rescued Gawain, earning your seat among us, and have since risen to be the very best of knights, and my closest friend. My future is in your hands Lancealot."
"But uncle! It should be me! I am the one who brought you the message to begin with. I weild the power of the black cat. No one can match my strength!" argued the man with steely grey eyes, and a neatly trimmed black beard.
"The very reason I need you here," Arthur dismissed his nephew. "We must be prepared to defend our keep from these villainous rebels!"
"But I..." he protested.
"Enough Medraut!" Arthur slammed down his fist. "My decision is final. You are like a son to me, but honestly your stubbornness knows no bounds!"
"My apologies my king," Medraut dipped his head stiffly. "I am just so upset by the precarious fate of the Lady."
"As are we all," the other knights agreed.
"Then let's not keep the Lady waiting!" Lancealot announced. "To me knights, we leave before nightfall!"
There was a clamour of activity as knights gathered their supplies, and took their leave. While Arthur and the others were occupied the eavesdropping weilders of the future noted the sulking Lord Medraut confiding privately with Plagg.
"After everything I've done to set this up, we will be the first to rescue her!" Medraut grumbled. "She has been chosen as the Ladybug weilder, the leader of all miraculous'. It was my father who was high king before my uncle and the Pendragons usurped the throne. We are meant to rule together!"
"It would've been easy if Arthur had just let you save her. Then you'd be the hero, and all that...now...well now it's getting a bit more complicated. Maybe we should just see how things play out," Plagg crossed his arms.
"You're more of a sloth than a cat!" Medraut scoffed. "I'm not about to let this opportunity get away. Now let's head out before anyone notices we're gone!"
...but of course one man did notice. The man who sat quietly at the table, absentmindedly tracing the curve of his peacock brooch. As Medraut headed out the side door, the peacock weilder, lifted his head to watch him go. Duusu poked up over his shoulder.
"I think our 'friend' Medraut will find the journey a little more challenging than he predicted," the man smiled meaningfully at Duusu.
"Oh yes," her voice wavered, and then she paused confused, "because it'll be dark out?"
The man rolled his eyes. "Oh Duusu...no! Because we are going to create a sentimonster to waylay him!"
"Oh yeah right!" Duusu hummed. "Yeah that will certainly slow him down more than the dark!"
Her weilder shook his head and said, "Duusu, spread my feathers." With these words he was transformed into the illusive peacock weilder.
Like thick fog rolling over a low lying valley, the future weilders were transported with their guide to a dark forest where the younger Myrddin laid an ambush for Medraut. Blowing a feather from his fan through the air, he used his power to create a sentimonster against his shield; a huge winged two headed beast that looked like twin black eagles merged together. It's razer-like talons scrapped the ground before Medraut's skittish mount, and hissed like an angry serpent.
The knight charged the fearsome monstrosity boldly, yelling out, "Claws out!" as he urged his horse forward. The monster swooped down on him, but the brave Medraut transformed into a knight in black armour with sharp metallic claws and a two tipped helmet. He shot his staff up at the bird, and struck it swiftly at its core. The battle between them waged on, Medraut, never giving up.
Finally, summoning his cataclysm, Medraut was able to destroy the creature, which dissolved before his eyes only leaving a floating amok drifting away. It was only then the Medraut realized he had been fighting a sentimonster the whole time. " Myrddin!" Medraut shouted out into the darkness of the forest. "Myrddin I know you're out there! What sorcery is this that you deny me passage and attack me unprovoked. Cowered! Show yourself!"
By the weilders of the future saw that Myrddin was not baited by Medraut's insults, but slunk back into the shadows, leaving the shouts of the black knight echoing back to him in the building fog.
When the magic of the fog lifted they were back at the white gates of Camelot once more. Colourful banners lined its walls celebrating the knights of the miraculous, but it was only one name that was being joyously chanted over and over by its people; The name of Lancelot.
Into the city road the white knight on his elegant and agile percheron steed. The heavy horse stood a staggering 18 hands high, and the knight seemed to glide over the heads of the crowd waiting eagerly to catch a glimpse of the famous Lord. Behind him, perched a truly breathtaking young woman.
She seemed overwhelmed by the cheering crowds, and leaned in closer against the folds of his burgundy cape. Her close proximity seemed to startle him, and he glanced back at her quickly, before setting his eyes on the gates ahead. Ladybug noticed though, that Lancealot reached back briefly and squeezed the Lady's hand supportively as they neared their destination. At the steps of the castle Lancelot swiftly dismounted, and held a hand out to assist her decent. She reached out, and just held on, studying his eyes shyly before allowing him to lower her off the mountainous stallion. With both his hands tentatively at the waist of her deep red dress, he hesitated before dropping his hands loosely at his side and gallantly bowing.
She looked as if she as about to finally say something, but Arthur rushed through the doors, and knelt to kiss her hand. "Mi'lady Guienivere!" he greeted her filled with relief. "My heart is overjoyed at your safe arrival."
"Thank you my Lord. I am forever grateful to your brave knights who came to my rescue!" Guienivere bowed.
Arthur caught her by the hands, "You have showed so much bravery through this ordeal. It is no wonder you were destined to weild the ladybug miraculous! Come now, let's get you settled." Arthur then called for the ladies in waiting and the head of the house to assist the Lady Guienivere.
Then the King embraced Lancealot and saluted the other Knights in gradditude. Meanwhile Medraut lead his mare in through the gates. The fringe of his black cloak grey with dried mud. No applause or adoration greeted him. The crowds for Lancealot had already disbursed. Medraut had arrived to rescue Guienivere too late, and found her gone and the men he had hired dispatched. As he passed Myrddin, he glared at him, but did not speak to the peacock weilder. He continued on toward the stables. Myrddin watched him go.
The elder Myrddin of the future turned to the weilders he had revealed the vision to. "I should have handled Medraut differently. He had so much potential, and had been fed on lies of discontentment after the loss of his father, Lot. All I did was solidify the lines between the rivals for the throne."
"But you heard him! He was the one responsible for the kidnapping!" Rena Rouge defended. "He had already chosen his path.
"Hmm," Myrddin mused, "but can't someone heading down a path encounter a crossroads and choose a new direction?" He looked over to where Queen Bee shifted her feet.
Then Queen Bee swept her ponytail over her shoulder and played with the ends, before speaking. "When Hawkmoth used to speak into my thoughts and try to use my emotions against me...well there was always a moment. A brief opening where I could either resist him or give in. It was always much easier to accept his offer, but it was always a choice."
"The choices we make," Mydrinn nodded,"they are the links that make or break every story."
"So what happened?" Chat Noir asked.
"They fell in love," Mydrinn replied simply.
"Who?" asked the weilders.
The old man's eyes closed, and he didn't answer. Instead he rose his hands bringing in waves of the magical fog, transporting them back through the vision of his memories.
Oooo
More to come in Wales very soon readers! I've loved hearing from some of you in reviews! A couple of you have already picked up on some of the clues I've dropped in previous chapters, and maybe remembered my comment about loving to incorporate names that hold special meaning;)
I almost lost the Wales chapters when my device died, but I've been able to recover them! So get ready as I prepare to reveal the lucky recovered chapters that might otherwise have been lost!
Don't forget to follow/favourite so you don't miss out on what is coming!