Thank you everyone for bearing with me to read the second chapter! This is my first fic and I don't know all the ropes yet. Sorry for the short chapters, I'll try for a longer one soon.
I do not own Merlin. (If I did it would have ended very differently.)
Reviews are much appreciated! I would love suggestions on how to make this story better.
Chapter 2
"Who Dares enter the cave of Shelar?" Gareth and his companions, five well built hardy young fellows stood at the entrance to the cave of the legendary Fates. Gareth looked to his companions before answering.
"Tis' I Gareth. I and my companions have come to seek aid-"
"We know what you came for, young one. We have already considered your problem." The voice cut him off quickly. "Now leave and return to your home."
"I and my friends have traveled for a full day to seek your assistance!" Gareth called desperately. "Please, don't ignore our plea."
"Who said anything about ignoring your dilemma. We shall show him the true power of the Old Religion." The voice sounded smug.
"Wat about payment?" One of Gareth's friends asked meekly
"Our payment shall be the pure enjoyment of the task. Now go home quickly, before you elders suspect your absence."
Merlin was not enjoying himself. He was having a terrible time. Arthur had told him to steady the punching dummy while he and the knights pounded on it, their bodies sweating profusely. The small alone made Merlin want to gag. He felt as if he had just been trampled by wild deer. Arthur gave a final punch, sending Merlin backward onto the ground with a thud.
"I think that's it for training today, Knights." The King announced, sending a smug look over his shoulder a Merlin as he and the knights walked away to remove their armor.
"Sire, look!" Sir Leon Pointed up at the sky with a expression of horror. A gigantic cloud of fog was rapidly rolling in from the East. This wouldn't have been so unusual if the Fog hadn't been a sickly shade of green.
"Everyone get inside!" Arthur's bellow drowned out the horrified gasps from knights and servants alike. Merlin scrambled to his feet and stared at the fog, now only a few hilltops away. There was something very wrong about it, his magic could sense it. It was buzzing in his head like the castle warning bells. Danger, danger. He tuned it out and ran after the others. Arthur and the others were quickly lost to view as Merlin dodged through the terrified servants in the courtyard. By the time he got to the door the magic fog was already enveloping the lower citadel, ghosting around the empty streets, flowing over markets stalls and wagons abandoned in the middle of the road.
King Arthur sat in his council chamber, surrounded by his knights and trusted advisers.
"Have you any idea what has caused this fog, Gaius?" The physician bowed and shook his head.
"I'm afraid not, Sire. It appears to have no ill effects, however. Despite it's seemingly magic origin, there appears to be no danger."
"Thank you Gaius." Artur stood and addressed the crowd of nervous servants in the back of the hall. "I know all of you are frightened of the unexplainable fog that has enveloped the town. However, Gaius has told me that there is no danger in it, so everyone can resume there normal duties of course reporting anything, however small, that seems suspicious." As the common people left the room he tuned to his councilmen. "So far as tis fog is causing no injuries I believe it would be best to simple bide here. It may ave nothing to do with us at all."
"Like some spell-gone-wrong, you mean?" Sir Gwaine asked, tilting his chair back on two legs.
"Precisely."
"Well, I guess we can get back to work then." At this pointed remark the council was dismissed. Merlin almost snorted as he left the chamber. Spell-gone-wrong indeed! This would have taken several sorcerers to produce, or something much more powerful.
Gerith smiled. He and his friends had been watching Camelot ever since their return and finally, the Fates had decided to take action. This would be amusing to watch, indeed. Of course, they had gotten quite the grilling from the elders when they returned, but were able to pass of their trip as a mere visit to some friends in a neighboring camp.
"Emrys."
"Emrys!"
"Wake up!" Merlin awoke with a start. He was sure that wasn't a dream. He could still feel the words echoing in his head. A fellow sorcerer was trying to communicate with him. He felt for the link and answered.
"What is it?" Merlin was almost surprised when the answer came.
"Meet me outside the Northern gate." The speaker sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it.
"Who are you?" Merlin questioned.
"A friend. Come quickly." Ah. That was helpful. Maybe an acquaintance with Kilgharrah, then. Merlin slipped on his coat and shoes, carefully making his way through Gaius' room. A loud snort came from the old man's pallet, making Merlin whirl around. His elbow caught a broom which fell towards the ground, Merlin just barely catching it with a flash of gold in his eye.
Sneaking past the guards was easy by now, he had done it often enough. They never suspected a thing. The moon shone brightly, even through the strange fog, casting deep shadows in the woods. Finally Merlin saw a cloaked figure waiting in the trees.
"I'm here." Merlin called out. "Now who are you?" He watched the figure warily as it stepped forward and lifted it's hood.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Merlin."
"Mordred!"