Chapter 10

Arthur lead Gaius and Maverick back to the healer's chambers, there he planned to confront the warlock about how to stop all the death. They turned right, they entered a narrow hallway, which was lighted by three candles while the candles were in desperate need of being replaced. Slowly they walked down the hallway where they passed two servant girls, the young one had raven hair while the older one was blond with some gray strands. Both of the servant girls stopped replacing the candles and stared at Maverick, both were curious about the older man.

For a moment, both women stood there staring at the trio, then after a while the woman went back to their work. Arthur took note of the way the young servant girl was looking at Maverick, and figures he would deal with her later. At the moment Arthur's focus was on helping his people, so a servant girl giving his guest a questionable look was not high on his list. They turned the corner to walk down another long hallway, and what was two minutes seemed like forever they finally arrived at Gaius's chambers.

Once they arrived Gaius started to make some tea, while Maverick and Arthur sat down across from one another. The room was almost completely quiet, except for the casual sound of Gaius moving things along the table. Soon Maverick broke the silence by saying, in a low tone while doing his best not to say anything that might anger Arthur. "On our way into the castle, I took a glance at those who are ill and I can tell you that I am familiar with this particular curse."

Arthur glanced at the warlock and a part of him was glad that Mavrick had seen this before, and it gave him hope that the nightmare might soon end. "So, you know how to get rid of it then?" When Arthur spoke he kept his voice stern, but there was also a small hint of hope as well in his tone of voice. The last thing that Arthur wanted was for his and Gwen's child, to be born into a world where there was still so much death.

For five seconds Maverick's face stayed completely unchanged, that was until he took a deep breath and shook his head lightly. "I'm sorry my king, but a curse like this isn't easily broken. This is one of the most powerful curses in the old religion, it has been used only once to my knowledge fifty years ago." The old warlock grasps his hands together and placed them close to his mouth, as if he was doing some kind of prayer.

For Arthur and Gaius hearing what Maverick had just told them, caused their hearts to sink as they see their hopes of the death ending was farther from their reach. "What do you mean that it can't be easily broken?" When Arthur asked his question to Maverick, his voice became very angry and strained.

Maverick looked at the young king and shook his head, you could see it in his eyes that he was thinking about how he would explain everything to Arthur. "To break such a curse we need ingredients that are very hard to find, one which is the blood of the person who cast the curse. You need a tooth of a Basilisk which can be found within a cave in The Forest of Slience which you can also find the Death root needed as well." The older warlock grinned as he spoke, though when he spoke of the basilisk there was a slight touch of fear in his voice.

Arthur and Gaius looked at each other before turning their attention back to Maverick, as the young king did that his face started to go pale as he spoke in a soft tone. "There might be a problem, getting the blood of the one who cast the curse." Gaius himself stood there in complete slience as Arthur spoke, though from time to time his eyes would find its way to the empty bed where Merlin once laid.

The older warlock's eyes followed Gaius's before quickly returning his gaze to Arthur, who still looked a bit out of sorts over everything that had happened. "Do you know any Warlocks or Witches that might want to harm Camelot?" As he asked the question, Maverick did his best to keep his tone of voice as respectful as possible. Knowing that if he did or said anything to angry Arthur, that it might mean that Maverick would be killed like so many of the others who were like him.

Arthur stood there poundering the answer, the only other person that he could think of was Morgana. Though he was very sure that she was dead, since he was the one who had wounded her badly after she had taking Camelot from him. "No, while I am sure there are many who think I am a lot like my father and might want me dead for what he had done. The only other person I can think who wouldn't wanted this to happen, is my half sister Moragana who died years ago." Arthur voice became angry as he remembered what his sister did, he put his right hand into a fist before slamming it down on the table beside him.

The room went slient for the next three mintues, during that time both Arthur and Mavrick had their eyes on Gaius. The slience was soon broken when Arthur placed his right hand, on Gaius's left shoulder and spoke softy to the old men. "Gaius? Are you alright?" While he wanted for a response, Arthur kept his hand on the old healer's shoulder while hoping that Gaius hadn't become ill like so many others.

"Forgive me Sire, It's just I am very worried about Merlin. They still haven't found him, it worries me that if they don't find him soon that he might be dead before we can get a cure made." Gaius did all he could to hold back the emotions that he was feeling, but as his eyes meant Arthur's he saw the young king's face reflected what he was feeling.

"I understand Gaius, I promise you we will bring Merlin home. I will never stop looking for him no matter what, while he is a pain in the ass of a servent and does a lot of things wrong and can be clumsy at times. There is nothing more then I want in the world, then to have him home since I know losing him will hurt you, Gwen and even some of my knights." Arthur had a hint of pain in his voice as he spoke to the Gaius, he wished he would admit that he cared for Merlin but knew he couldn't be shown to be soft.

Gaius nodded his head while still holding back the dread he was feeling, soon Arthur regain his posier and then turned back to Marvrick. "Where is this Dark Forest located?" Arthur asked in a stern voice, but it was easy to tell that his thoughts was still on missing Merlin and not on the cure.

The warlock took a deep breath before taking a step towards Arthur, who placed his sword hand quickly on the halt of his sword. Seeing that Arthur might draw his sword, Mavrick took three steps back and placed his hands up where the king could see them. "I mean no harm, The Forest of Silence is located here in Camelot on the far eastern part of the Valley of the Fallen kings." As Mavrick spoke he kept his voice as calm as possible, even though at that moment he was scared he might be cut down.

Arthur kept his hand on his sword, though when he heard that The Forest of Silence was in the Valley of the fallen kings he shook his head. "That is impossible, I have ridden in the Valley of the fallen kings many times and never come across called Forest of Silence." Gaius stood there for a moment, then he looked at Mavrick, as he did he saw how afraid the old man was.

"Sire, I believe that reason why no one else come across The Forest of Silence, is maybe because it is protected by magic to prevent anyone from entering." As Gaius explained it to Arthur, Mavrick looked at him and nodded his head in agreement to what the healer had just said. "If my theory is right, if we take someone with Magic they should be able to find the path in and out of The Forest of Silence." He added quickly, noticing that their guest was already looking from sweaty and nervous by the whole conversation.

Arthur let out a loud sigh, before walking around the room thinking about what they were going to do. Then a he got an idea and looked at the already terrified Mavrick who looked like he was ready to pass out where he stood. "Mavrick, are you willing to come with me and a few of my best knights to help us get in and out of The Forest of Silence?" When Arthur asked his question, Mavrick didn't answer right away but after standing there he nodded his head in agreement. "Good, now lets grab a Gwaine and Percival and then we will….."

As Arthur was just about to finish his sentence, Percival walked in carrying an unconscious Anna in his arms. The first thing that he noticed when he first saw her, was an arrow sticking out from behind her back. Seeing that young woman injured caused everyone in the room to become still, but Gaius soon shook it off and spoke in a quick and controlling voice. "Percival lay her on her side on the bed and make sure he doesn't fall onto her back, the last thing we need is for the arrow to go in deeper."

He then quickly grabbed some bottles before making his way to the bed, he placed a liquid on a cloth. Just has he was about to place it over her nose and mouth, Anna's eyes slowly started to open as he looked at Gaius. Anna grabbed the healer by his wrist, and what she said next caused everyone to go into shock. "Please help Merlin, she's Morgana is going to kill him if you don't..hurr…y." Her voice became weaker as he eyes slowly started to close,Gaius and Arthur's eyes meant as they took in the warning.

There you are everyone, I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review on your thoughts, I love to hear them. I am so sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, I have had alot going on in RL and been getting bad headaches that sitting down to write has been very hard to get done. I am feeling a bit better so I promise that I will try and get the next chapter done as soon as I can.