Hello :) Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! Hope you guys like the next one
It's not beta-ed yet so excuse any mistakes!
o}O{o
Once the people of Willowdale departed Camelot, all those who had gathered to see them slowly started to trickle back into the city. Two new figures blending into the crowd went unnoticed, a relief to the two druids making their way to the castle. Ethel had her arm linked with Ben's and kept her hooded head down, wary of being recognized though the chance was slim. Their path was unhindered, any who paid them any heed thinking them a mother and son. Ben kept his dark eyes peeled for both the boys and Selwyn. He subconsciously scratched at his beard, having grown it longer by magic in order not be seen by his former friends. It was itchy, scruffier and messier than he liked but served its purpose.
The courtyard was busy this time of day and when they entered, no one paid them much mind, even the few guards walking lazily by. Ben guided Ethel into the shade of the outer halls and after strode right up to a guard, feeling a thrill of excitement in the face of his act.
"Excuse me!" he called loudly, earning attention of a stuffy looking man. The guard merely looked at him, eyeing Ben's worn and patched clothing. "Please, where can I find the court physician? My mother, she's not well."
The guard dragged his eyes to where Ben pointed, to where Ethel pretended to appear tired. Ben shifted his weight and put a worried expression on his face, biting his lip while waiting for the answer. He was rewarded when the guard sighed and pointed to the other side of the courtyard. Apparently the man could not be bothered to speak, only emitting a low grunt before stalking away. "Thank you!" Ben called in what he knew to be an annoying tone.
Hiding a smirk, Ben went back to Ethel and took her arm before heading in the direction the guard had indicated. Their excuse for being in the castle secured, the two druids headed down the hall. They would then split up and search for Merlin and Mordred, their plan hinging on the hope of finding them quickly. But just before they entered the castle proper, Ben happened to look back. His hand tightened on Ethel's arm and he froze. "Ethel!" he hissed.
Curious enough to discard anger at her treatment, the old woman looked back- only to see an empty hallway leading to the sunlit courtyard. She turned an expectant eye on Ben, who casually surveyed the corridor they were standing in. Assured that it was empty, he broke away from her. "Stay here, I saw them."
"What?" she hissed at his retreating back.
Ben impatiently stopped. "They walked by! I am going after them, I'll tell you when to follow." He did not wait to see her reaction, speedily doubling back the way they came. Careful to avoid the gaze of the guard he had talked to, Ben used the pillars of the outside hall to block himself from view. He barely caught the fringes of Mordred's teal cloak disappear through a nearby entrance. Walking calmly after them, Ben was careful to not let his urgency show and once out of view of the courtyard he let a triumphant smirk lift his lips. He heard Mordred's exasperated voice, knowing he was talking to Merlin but never remembering the older boy use that tone with him.
Ben trailed after them silently, cautious of staying out of sight. Only he stopped in alarm when another voice flitted into his hearing. "Mordred, please! Just one more time."
The druid's lips lifted in a genuine smile, pleased despite his shock that Merlin was talking. But he snapped out of his surprise and resumed walking, picking up his pace upon realizing that Mordred's voice was growing distant.
"No, Merlin. Those targets are heavy. I can't keep on going back and forth carrying them and you."
Ben took a moment to comprehend the answer before he stopped his pursuit and ducked into a nearby alcove created by two columns lining the corridor. 'Ethel, they are heading to the armoury. We have a perfect chance… Take an indirect route.'
He waited in the shadows for Ethel, but was presented with a dilemma when Mordred and Merlin came back around the corner. Mordred was carrying an archery target that was too large and awkward for him to hold. Merlin was skulking behind looking extraordinarily bored, behind Mordred who was valiantly bearing his burden. Ben weighed the possibilities of waiting for them return and risk being caught, or grabbing them now but without Ethel. As they came closer to his hiding spot, Ben acted, unwilling to take the chance of them coming back. He stepped out from between the pillars and headed the boys off.
Not recognizing him, Mordred scowled. "Excuse me," he snapped huffily. The boy turned so he could angle a glare in Ben's direction.
The druid laughed disparagingly at the familiarity, which made the boy pale. Mordred dropped the target, practically stumbling backward in shock. He stood in front of Merlin protectively and gaped. "Ben?" he breathed.
"Hello, Mordred. Merlin." Merlin allowed a sliver of his face to be seen so he could see Ben for himself. The druid felt anger at seeing the fear in the boy's eyes. "Come, it's time to leave Camelot."
"No!" Mordred spat viciously, taking another step backward to be matched by a pace forward from Ben. Merlin gave a tiny whimper behind Mordred.
Ben's eyes narrowed and he took a calming breath through his nose, keeping Evelyn's advice to try and reason with them. "You do not belong here and you know it."
"Yes we do," Mordred argued. "Camelot is our home now."
"A place where you could be killed for simply being alive?" Ben ridiculed.
Mordred gritted his teeth. "You would use Merlin as a weapon!"
Ben scoffed at him. "You think we would set him on Uther right away? No, we would wait until he's ready."
Morded hesitated and Ben seized his chance to use Mordred's hate of the king to make him see sense. "Uther is a monster. He'd see you and Merlin dead in a heartbeat. He is responsible for the deaths of thousands. You hate him too. How can you stand by and- and allow him to carry on with his regime?"
The guardian did not answer for a while but then his cold eyes narrowed. "Merlin has a destiny not to be trifled with by the likes of you."
"Stand aside, Mordred," Ethel's voice lashed out. The two boys jumped and Mordred instinctively put his back to the wall, keeping the two threats at his sides and holding Merlin in front of him. "Or come with us. We will take Merlin with or without you."
Ben smiled at the old lady's good timing while Mordred frantically looked around for rescue. Upon finding none, he directed his head downward and balled his hands into fists on Merlin's shoulders. The child had his arms clamped tightly around Mordred's middle, not knowing whether to keep his terrified gaze on Ben or Ethel.
"You seem to be forgetting something," Mordred said so quietly that Ben wondered if he spoke at all. Ben's cue to feel uneasy was when Merlin looked in alarm at Mordred. "Merlin isn't the only warlock around." The boy immediately snapped his head up to look at Ethel, and the old lady was forcefully sent flying back by a powerful wave of magic. Before Ben even thought of reacting, Mordred threw his hand out towards him and he hissed, "Astrice!" And unlike the time when Ben and Tynan chased after Mordred to Camelot, the spell worked. Ben careened backward and hit the unforgiving marble floor, crying out more from surprise than pain. The druid scrambled back onto his feet as fast as he could and started after the retreating boys before he regained his senses. He made it a few steps before he realized that something was wrong.
Ethel was still on the ground, moaning and pain and curled up tightly. "Ethel!" Ben called out worriedly. He glared down the hallway Mordred and Merlin had fled down, but turned his attention to his comrade. "Ethel?"
The old druid did not bark at him to follow them, only let out a pained groan when she tried to speak. Her eyes were clamped shut, tightening the deep wrinkles around them and she did not seem to know which way to shift on the floor. Ben was no expert and he grew worried when Ethel made no progress in talking. He growled in anger at Mordred, for foiling them once again. He had half a mind to go after them but could not in good conscience leave Ethel. "Alright," Ben muttered, "take us back. I think you broke something." The glare he received was frightening but she took his arm in a painful grip.
Ethel closed her eyes once more and the next moment, she was able to execute the spell silently. Soon the hall was empty save for the broken target which had been destroyed in Mordred's wrath.
Mordred did not let them stop running until they were in the lowest levels of the castle and he could not run any more with Merlin in his arms. The child was still out of breath from their first sprint, and shaking from fear. Mordred had intended to flee to Kilgharrah's cavern but quickly realized it was on the other side of the castle. Too afraid to turn back, Mordred pressed on finally stopping in a forgotten burial vault. Unable to see in the thick darkness, he summoned a wane ball of fire to light the way. He uneasily walked, glancing fearfully at the three sandstone caskets while readjusting Merlin in his arms. It was cold in the room, with a damp smell and clinging chill. But there was a hiding place perfect for the two of them- in the corner and behind a small pile of tributes, weathered with age.
As Mordred sat them down, with Merlin curled against his side, he allowed the small flame to extinguish, covering them in darkness. Merlin had not seen where they were for he had yet to open his eyes, for which Mordred was grateful. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around Merlin, knowing the boy would feel the cold more strongly than he. 'We'll just hide here for a moment, Merlin,' he spoke in his mind, fearful of being heard.
The servant felt Merlin shift beside him. "It's dark," the child whispered, not having realized Mordred had not spoken out loud.
'Shh,' Mordred warned. 'I know, but we have to hide.'
Merlin went quiet and Morded held him tighter. They shivered in the dark for a few moments before Merlin found his voice. "You hurt her," he whispered.
Mordred paused and looked down but couldn't see due to the darkness. It was true, he had hurt Ethel. "She wanted to take us away," Mordred explained quietly. When he had unleashed his magic it had not been completely intentional- his fear had just manifested and grew to bursting point. But it had been a choice to attack the old druid first, knowing that she would get the brunt of it. And he wasn't sorry for it. Mordred's instinct was to escape them, go in the opposite direction that they wanted and that was further into the castle and past where Ethel was blocking. "She deserved it."
A sniff followed his statement and a quiet sob. "I'm scared," Merlin cried.
Mordred's chest felt tight, like it did every time Merlin was in pain. "It's alright," he soothed, shifting in order to hug the younger boy. "I'll protect you. I won't let anything bad happen, I swear."
Merlin could not contain his tears but managed to keep his sobbing quiet with Mordred's instruction. "Why can't they leave us alone?"Merlin asked him.
Mordred's arms tightened around Merlin. "I don't know," he lied. His light eyes became cold and he leaned his head on Merlin's. "But I showed them. And if they come back I will show them again." This seemed to comfort Merlin who nodded.
"Don't hurt them though," Merlin murmured.
"I won't," Mordred lied again.
o}O{o
It was a perfect day for training, Arthur decided. That was until he had arrived at the training field to see only half the targets set up. The unfinished work and Morded's absence struck Arthur as very odd but he was immediately angered.
"You!" Arthur shouted to the nearest servant, a blond boy waiting behind Sir Lloyd, one of the few knights who had come early. The servant immediately stood to attention, almost comically bounding to the prince. "See what is taking my servant so long."
"Yes, m'lord," the servant said and bowed before sprinting to the castle. Arthur levelled the boy's retreating back with a glare and stalked to where the targets were set up. He looked around and was further displeased to see that there were no bows or arrows to be seen anywhere.
"Where the hell is that idiot?" the prince growled to himself, casting an eye around for Mordred.
"Perhaps he got distracted, Sire," Sir Lloyd contributed unasked. "He is but a child after all."
Arthur frowned the knight who had wandered up behind him, surprised at being offended by his patronizing tone. "Your servant is not much older. And Mordred has never given me cause to doubt him."
If Lloyd was surprised at being reprimanded he did not show it. "As you say, Sire." He glanced at the archery targets.
Perhaps Arthur was angrier than he thought at having his training session delayed because he frowned heavily at the older knight and barked, "Mind your tone." He did not stay to see Lloyd's taken aback expression. To his immense dissatisfaction, as he was striding back down the training field he saw Morgana chatting with Sir Leon. Changing his destination, Arthur headed towards them.
"Where did you come from then?" he demanded of Morgana. The prince barely noticed her servant look at him in surprise.
For her part, Morgana only regarded him in annoyance. "I thought I'd come by. See how many knights miss their targets," she said sweetly. Sir Leon did not look offended, comfortable in the knowledge that he was an excellent shot.
"Hmph," Arthur scoffed, "a great many I expect since Mordred failed to collect them all." Morgana blinked her pale eyes and looked confused at the targets. "I'll be putting him in the stocks for this, and this time I'll hear no earful from you."
As expected, the dark haired lady defended the boy. "Last time was undeserved," she stated heatedly, "it's hardly his fault that your mirror broke. He was nowhere near it."
"He should have noticed it was falling apart," Arthur maintained.
"Why? You are the one who looks into it every second," she snapped with venom in her voice.
Arthur's eyebrows shot up of their own accord and neither he nor Morgana noticed Leon and Gwen exchange resigned looks. "Me?" the prince asked incredulously, "I'm not the one spending hours playing with their hair."
Morgana did not answer and Arthur began to think he had emerged victorious before she looked past his shoulder. The prince turned a scowl on whoever distracted Morgana and found the servant he had sent to collect Mordred.
He looked nervous and a little uneasy. "Afternoon, m'lady," he swiftly greeted Morgana before returning his attention to Arthur. "Yer highness, I went looking for Mordred, Sir. But I found a target all broken in a corridor."
"What?" said Arthur.
The young lad bit his lip. "It were against a wall, Sir, all broke to bits. 'N I couldn't find Mordred or Merlin. They weren't in the armoury, m'lord." Arthur frowned at the information. "Pardon me saying, Sire, but Mordred's too weak to be throwing it very far. He can barely hold it in his little stick arms."
"Well shouldn't you have been helping him then?" Morgana butted in.
"I would if he asked milady. But I weren't to know," the blonde servant answered her.
"Broken you say?" Arthur interjected, "anything else you noticed?"
"No Sir. Jus' that I got a funny feeling in me bones," he replied.
Morgana was more keen to take the boy seriously, not that Arthur was indifferent. He in fact nodded when Morgana ordered the servant to lead them to where this broken target was. The prince bid Leon to make his excuses to the knights before following. It was Morgana who set the pace, and she clearly was worried, speaking anxiously with Guinevere who did her best alleviate her anxiety. Arthur had expected the blonde servant to be exaggerating but when they turned a corner into a hallway, the prince was proven wrong. The wound straw of the target had been knocked loose and patches were scattered on the floor in clumps and the three wooden pegs meant to hold up the target were all broken into pieces.
A heavy glower passed over Arthur's face. He knew that the only way to break a target so badly was if someone of his strength hurled it against a wall repeatedly. While they were not the sturdiest of things, the targets were large and the pegs thick, hard to break into pieces. This meant nothing good to Arthur.
"I want them found," Arthur said to Elias. "Round up some servants, Morgana you inform the guards."
The blonde servant did not hesitate. In fact, he did not even spare a bow, only a mumbled response uttered too quickly to hear before he ran down the hall.
"Where are you going?" Morgana asked him, following the prince as he headed swiftly back down the hall.
"To gather the knights. If those druids are back we need to be prepared."
"The druids?" Morgana exclaimed worriedly, "You think it's them?"
A scowl was on Arthur's face as he replied. "I can think of no other reason Mordred and Merlin are missing."
Morgana nodded and bit her lip. "We'll find them." And by the way her eyes flashed, she would not accept any other alternative.
o}O{o
Or will they? Dun duunn duunnnnn... Don't worry I'm just teasing :p
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