"Heralds" (Rose)
Crashing through the outstretched tree branches that seem to have a deep, dark drive to tug me from my path, we press on. One of the sharp ends of a twig slashes the upper corner of my right eye. I hiss from the sting, the chill of the wind sticking to the hot blood trickling out of the wound. I swipe at the oozing cut, my elbow knocking into a lower thick branch, sending me to the forest floor. Storm rears as a figure emanates from a nearby tree trunk. I lean up on my elbows, dizzy from the blow, trying to discern who comes to loom over me. "Rose!" the welcomed and concerned voice of Merlin rings in my ears, along with the pounding of my heart. "Are you alright?!"
"Never better," I sputter as he helps me stand, hitching in my breath when I straighten my back from the pain springing up through it.
"What are you doing out here?" he questions in alarm.
"I knew you were hurt ..." I shy.
"How could you possibly know that?" he looks at me quizzically.
"I went out looking for you," I admit sheepishly. "I saw Kilgharrah carry you to safety."
"Thank you," he mutters in shock. I go to reply, sharply inhaling with a small yip from the feeling of a dagger digging into my spine.
"You're hurt!" he exclaims. "You're even bleeding!"
"I'll be fine! We must get back to Gaius," I refute, trudging over to Storm and gripping his mane, pulling my weight onto his back. I groan with agony at this task, which is much more difficult than usual now. I feel a pair of hands on the sides of my waist, gently gripping and guiding the direction of my body onto the mighty beast. I return the favor by extended my arm to Merlin, doing what I can to heave him onto the horse behind me. He lightly holds onto me, taking the job of kicking Storm in the haunches, sending us heralds, the bringers of all news good and bad, plunging forward to the city gates.
"So Many Questions" (Merlin)
Never before have I been so grateful that Rose rides Storm bareback. Normally, it makes me nervous, and for good reason, but it saves a lot of time when you're in a frantic hurry. We take off, leaving her steed in his place in the royal stables, and run softly up the stairs and into the castle halls. I want to relay the information that we are both alive to Gaius before he collapses with fright.
I push the door open, making practically no noise. We slink through and I creep up to Gaius who lies asleep on his cot in the front room. I place my hands on his shoulders with a tender, strong hold, shaking him hard enough to wake up, but not enough to bruise him or anything. "You need to wake up."
His face contorts into an expression of surprise and confusion. "Merlin! Rose!" he sits up, "Where have you been?"
"I don't have time to explain," I pull him to his feet, assisting him with his jacket.
"Are you alright?" he asks with worry. He turns about, smacking his lips with slight frustration at my inability to help him with his overcoat. He relieves me of it, shoving his arm into the hole, where I take up the toll and secure it over his shoulders.
"Morgana is in league with Morgause. She's plotting against Uther," I hurriedly explain.
He looks at me with exasperation. Poor old fellow, this is much to take at once. "What?"
"She's responsible for his visions," I finish my elaboration. "Come on, hurry up!" I adjust his jacket whilst he continues to gape. "There's something I need to show you," I shove forward, meeting Rose at the door.
"Where to?" she inquires in a hushed voice.
"So many questions," I tease them before replying, "Uther's chambers," causing her forehead to crease in question. "I'll tell you both on the way."