The crowd screamed, diving and cowering for cover, clearing a wide path between the knights, who drew their swords moving to stand in front of their king, queen, and former servant.
"How dare you accept magic now after all you've done to my kind!" Morgana screamed, seething a fair distance away from the throne.
"Leave this place Morgana." Commanded a deadly calm, threatening voice from behind the knights. They turned slowly, bewildered as they backed away allowing the speaker to pass.
"You! You dare challenge me?" The witch laughed at his audacity. "I should have rid myself of you long ago!"
She encanted a spell, conjuring a large ball of fire and propelled it towards him.
The situation had reminded him of another High Priestess of the Old Religion attacking him using the same, all be it less powerful spell. Back then he had taken the hit, unaware of how to defend himself from it. Today however, was a different matter entirely.
Raising a hand before him, his eyes flashed gold, instantly dissolving the flame.
"Merlin? You're the sorcerer?" she asked, stunned.
"Apparently you have missed heard. I am not a sorcerer. Not like you." He stated calmly as he could.
"You have magic!" she repeated, outraged and perplexed.
"I was born with it!" he shot back with strangled emotion.
"And you stood by while so many of our kin suffered?" the witch said contempt rising with her anger. "You betrayed me, betrayed us all!"
"I know." Merlin growled slightly disgusted with himself.
He snatched a sword out of one of the knight's stunned hands and threw it, eyes flashing molten gold causing a blue light to engulf the weapon soaring through the air embedding itself in the thunderstruck witch's middle.
Filled with rage, her eyes flashed a tainted gold, engulfing her in a murky wind and launching a stream of pure unrestricted, damnable blackness shot towards him. Morgana vanished, screaming in frustration, and he knew no more.
Morgana's arrival had badly shaken the queen. Arthur was desperate to help but could not leave her side. She had leapt over to her husband's side at the same moment the knights enclosed around the three of them gripping him tightly as he gently brought them both down to their knees. He held her shaking form close, his arms seeming to be the only thing keeping her together as she mentally relived her time being cursed. Merlin's attention hadn't left the witch since she appeared, oddly enough he relaxed slightly at her presence before stiffly squaring his shoulders and leaving the protection of the knights, and moving slowly to the front of the crowd. Arthur was forced to watch his damaged friend put himself between his king and the most powerful sorceress he had ever seen.
Morgana looked more haggard, crazed, and more furious then before.
"You! You dare challenge me? I should have rid myself of you long ago!"
That idiot had stood against her before without magic he knew, but why did he have to fight her again, especially in her raging, angered state?
Merlin was going to die. The thought struck the king and immediately thought the idea ridiculous. Merlin had come out of every fight, every impossible situation without a scratch. But that had been thanks to using his magic, hiding in the shadows and subtly tipping the scales in their favor as the knights fought with less powerful sorcerers, and halfwitted mercenaries. This was Morgana, a High Priestess of the Old Religion who would use any means to take Camelot and had nothing to lose.
He watched, fear for his friend at it's peak as a large ball of fire was thrust towards Merlin. Then he undid the magic, making the ball vanish without a word.
"Apparently you have missed heard. I am not a sorcerer. Not like you."
No! He wasn't powerful enough to take her on! What was he doing?
"You have magic!" the witch hissed in disbelief.
"I was born with it!"
That was impossible. People did not simply acquire magic when they entered the world. They had to study and practice for years as far as Arthur knew. How could what Merlin was saying be true? Was it a bluff?
The next thing he knew, a sword incased in a blue light rushed through the air imapaling Morgana. Shock, pain, and finally rage settled on his half sister's face, her eyes flashing a tainted gold as wind surrounded her. Before she disappeared into the darling wind, a stream of pure black darkness shot towards them, hitting his defenseless protector. Morgana vanished into the wind again, screaming in frustration and Merlin fell backward, and hit the ground unmoving.
"Merlin!" Arthur and Gwaine shouted in unison, as Gwen had become still in his arms, horrified of what had become of their friend. Seconds after the witch had vanished, the queen gently pushed her husband, signaling him that she would be fine and to go to see to the fallen man.
Gwaine and Percival reached the servant, called to, and shook him attempting to invoke a reaction, while the knights pushed through the crowd forming a small but clear circle around Merlin. The servant remained as though he were in a deep sleep, wholly unperturbed. Gaius finally made his way through the mass of frightened people and knelt down beside his ward.
"We can't wake him Gaius!" Pleaded Gwaine.
"What did she do?" Percival queried.
"She may have placed a curse on him. But I'm cannot be sure of what kind." Gaius' face hardened, concealing his panicked expression. Gwaine's gazed darted to each face around him in hopes of finding an answer.
Having been around the physician for the past few years, working so closely with his friends he recognized the stoic expression Gaius now wore, noticing it didn't hide his eyes. He had seen this on many victims of village massacres, when they witnessed their loved ones die before them.
Sheer panic danced up the knight's spines. "No." Whispered a desolate voice. The knights looked up from where they were kneeling by their fallen friend into the face of their king.
Leon stood behind Arthur as the king nearly collapsed in on himself kneeling down beside the sorcerer. The veteran knight's gaze flicked to Gwaine and Percival as dark haired knight's face grew mincing, ready to fly into a rage.
"Let's get him back to Gaius' chambers." He cut in quickly, pulling them back to the situation at hand. "Maybe we can find some answers there."
He leaned to place a hand on his king's shoulder and added in a lower tone, partly including Gwaine, "This isn't the place for this."
Percival gathered up the unconscious sorcerer in his arms. "Let's go. Gwaine?" he said, indicating he would need help getting to the door.
"Right." Together with Gaius the two knights disappeared into the crowd left for Arthur to handle.
Arthur and Guinevere made their way quick as they could to the physician's chambers. Arthur burst into the room waving away the guards. Gwaine, Percival, and Gaius were in different corners of the room pouring themselves over books while Merlin lie there in the middle of the chamber on the patience's bed looking to be in pain and sweating. Both knights had piles of books where they sat at the table, while Gaius brushed through each book, being more familiar with their contents. Gwen rushed over to a bucket and sat by the ill man's side, cooling the cloth in fresh water and reapplying it to his forehead.
"What have you found?" asked the king walking further into to stand behind his wife.
"A few inconclusive ends." Gwaine replied from the table without looking up.
"It was a curse. Of that I know to be certain now, but without any knowledge of what sort, I cannot treat him effectively." Explained Gaius.
"Gaius?" asked Percival. The physician looked up and snapped the book he was perusing shut, walking to the knight's side. Gwaine looked up and peered over the table across from the taller man, the king and queen turned their gaze to the pair.
"Where did you find this book?"
"It was covered up in an old shelf. Why?" asked Percival.
"I kept this book to combat the darkest magic for healing purposes. These spells.." he stared at the book, as his face paled with a thinly controlled horror.
Gwaine grew impatient. "Is it of any use to us?"
"If what ails him is anything like these spells, it would only help ease his passing."
The room was stunned into a icy silence, jumping when they heard a fist hit the table.
"Damn it! there has to be something! This can't be it." Arthur exclaimed, having made his way to the table, and falling in to a chair, unnoticed. He bowed his head slightly, hand still clenched into a fist, the other hand covering his face.
"Gaius?"
Everyone turned to the physician who stood looking as though he was in deep thought, then sighed.
"There maybe a way to help him. Though I do not promise anything."
"Please Gaius." implored the queen.
"The Druids are knowledgable of many things, they may know a way to remove the dark magic."
"The Druids?" asked Arthur, pulling his hand away.
"Yes. They still keep to the old ways, and they can see many things over time and distances."
"But how would we find them?" inquired Gwaine.
"There's no guarantee they would help us even if we did." Reminded Percival.
"They will help Merlin."
All eyes turned back to the physician.
"Does he having dealings with them?" asked Arthur. It was not an interrogating question. His tone was composed, but his eyes were pleading.
"Very few. They have sought him out in the past… Believe me, they will not turn him away."
"Do you think they may have a cure?" asked Gwen from beside her friend.
"I'm not sure it's possible to cure it. The darkness of some of these curses," he said indicating the ones the book held, "is very potent, most of them are made and controlled from sorcerers over great distances, such as creature or a necromancer. Unless we had another powerful magic to help us, such as a high priestess."
"Are there any high priestess, or sorcerers you know of?" asked Percival.
"No. The last one that might have been able to help us was destroyed years ago to save three lives, including yours and mine, sire."
Arthur jerk his head up. He was aware that the physician used to practice magic, but never expected he knew such a formidable sorcerer. "Where could we find such a person?"
"I fear in this case, the man cannot heal himself."
"What does he suffer from? Maybe we could offer him an exchange." The king asked, not quite catching on.
"That would be impossible, considering both are one in the same."
"I don't understand."
"Surely he is not so powerful, Gaius." Doubted Gwaine rolling his eyes, his king's blindness grating on his nerves.
"Would you really under estimate him so quickly, Gwaine? He has just mortally wounded Morgana."
Arthur's eyes widened as he turned to the side to look at his friend. That had to be impossible. Merlin could not posses such power. How had he kept it hidden for so long?
"Well, what are you standing around for then? You must seek them out immediately. Will time be an enemy Gaius?" Everyone turned to gawk at their queen's calm commanding tone. She stood, appearing more regal and determined then she had before.
"I believe so." The physician said, composing himself. "The sooner the curse is lifted the better."
"Then we ride immediately." Announced the king upon standing, nodding to the queen, matching her tone and gaze.
The king dashed across the room, in such a rush he seemed not to mind, or notice, what provisions he through together, trying to keep his whirling mind busy. His queen stood by the window watching him.
"Arthur-"
"I'll do what I can for him Gwen." he responded without giving much thought.
"Arthur-"
"I know what he is but-"
"Arthur!"
The king stopped, turning to face her in surprise. The queen was known for her soft composure, as well as a firm hand when needed, but rarely raising her voice.
"Going out of your way to heal a known sorcerer, everyone will think you're enchanted… But he's not is he? He's Merlin. He is my closest friend before he was yours, and throughout the years I have not hesitated to believe he would die for you as he is your brother. So please-"
The king come up to her taking her hands in his, giving her a small soft smile.
"Guinevere, I swear to you I will do everything in my power to bring him back."
She gazed into his eyes, studying him carefully. "I have no doubt that you will keep that promise, but don't do this for me. I think he deserves this after all he's done don't you?"
"Gaius!" the physician turned from instructing another servant how to pack the various potions he provided to the knights for Merlin in case they would have need of them. The king was rushing throughout he corridor, tugging on his gloves.
"Where can we find them? The Druids." he asked when he was close enough to ask and not be over heard.
"I'm not sure where." The physician hesitated, slightly unwilling to answer.
"Gaius I'm going to find them and Merlin doesn't have the time for us to be side tracked, and I would not go to heal a sorcerer just to kill another. I am not my father."
"I was under that same impression, Merlin maintain this above all doubts as well. Yet recent events no longer support that claim."
"I know. And I will to prove myself to you both again."
"After all the rumors that have circulated Camelot I believe there is a chance of finding them in the Darkling Woods."
"So close?"
"Yes, but today was imagined very differently then how it turned out."
The king looked down briefly before nodding at the court physician and heading to the courtyard.
They had never prepared themselves quicker before. They were ready to ride within the next hour already being in their armor. Now that the queen was well, Arthur was able to bring his most trusted knights, including Leon.
The sun beamed above them, bathing the castle in it's unending light, settling itself directly over head in tandem with the hour of high noon.
Gaius had reassured the knights of the marked potions he gave them and how much of the concoction to administer depending on the servant's condition if he should wake in pain. They took many blankets, bandages, and clothes.
They all sat perched on their mounts, the king saying his farewells to Guinevere as two guards brought out an unconscious man, one holding the limp arms and the other his legs, carrying the servant as if he were to be tied to a stick and roasted like a boar.
Gwaine turned in his saddle suddenly enraged. "He's not a prisoner anymore you assholes!" He got off his horse marching over meaning to, at the very least, shout them into feeling the fools they were, when the king stopped him.
The blonde went up to the men and fixed them with a cold stare, picking up Merlin in the process.
"You are dismissed." He stated icily before turning on his heel leaving them in a cold sweat as they hurried to comply, racing back to their duties.
He handed Merlin over to Gwaine who had a tumbrel prepared, ladened with blankets to make the trip easier on all those involved. Tying the horse pulling the cart to his saddle, the knights set off. The queen stood at the top of the steps watching the men fade into the mass of people entering and exiting the castle. Gaius appeared next to Gwen as the last of them rode out of sight.
"They will return, my lady." He reassured.
"Yes. I just hope it is with everyone unharmed and whole."
They only slowed their pace when they came to the the city's limits giving way to the unhindered land and the copious trees leading into the forest. Caution running high in the group, they advanced into the Darkling Woods.
Arthur lead the group with Gwaine at his side urging on the horse behind him toting his unconscious friend, while Leon and Percival staying vigilant on either side of the cart.
Silently the king hand went up, signaling the rest to halt.
Seconds later, rustling of the foliage in front of them was becoming more and more audible. Ten figures emerged from the bushes and trees.
"King of Camelot, we have been expecting you for some time." said a white haired Druid, stepping a few feet ahead of his group.
"Expecting? On what grounds?" Arthur asked with mistrust.
"What grounds indeed. We have worried over Emrys' fate which has brought disbelief in the prophecy."
The knights dismounted with Arthur while the king withdrew his sword. "So, you have come to finish the work of your father?"
"No, that was not my intention. My servant is ill, and I have reason to believe you can help him."
"Perhaps. But there are many unseen facets to your servant, aren't there?"
"Evidently. I realize I am in no position to command your assistance, king or no, not given the past. The Lady Morgana placed a curse on him while defending me, I cannot allow him to die in my place."
"Very well. Bring him forth."
"We will not leave him defenseless." growled Gwaine.
"Then perhaps you understand why I ask this. It is for the same reason you have drawn your blade."
Being more objective of the situation, and understanding both sides, Percival carefully removed Merlin from the cart, walking between the two conflicting people, and cautiously laying the sorcerer down at the Druid's feet.*
Two more faces stepped from the crowd making the knights tense.
"I have brought our best healer, and, I suppose you could say, skilled observationalist." the leader reassured.
The two men, accompanied by the white haired chieftain, made the few steps toward Merlin, while others in their group tensed the moment they left. The three Druids knelt by the raven haired man, putting their hands over him and closing their eyes in concentration.
Silence.
Breaking the stillness, all three men reacted differently, though their patient didn't so much as twitch. One, the healer, a balding, stone faced man jerked back as though he had been burnt, the other's eyes shot open, covering his mouth and nose, hissing in disgust. The leader looked down on the man and bowed his head solemnly, and stood.
"It is as I feared. I have heard of this brand of magic, and it is not one to be taken lightly."
"Then you know of a way to help?" asked Percival.
"I have yet to hear of any who have been inflicted with this curse to have survived."
Silence. What little hope that had fleeted, dissipating altogether.
"Though, they were not Emrys."
The four knights head jerked up in question.
"You cannot expect him to conquer this! He was said to be fading, his light is now being smothered by an abyss of darkness." the healer said incredulously.
"You cannot disregard him completely." maintained the leader.
"Curses are meant to be controlled and balanced by the caster. The Priestess was wounded, how can it be the same as what we've heard?" argued the healer.
The observer turned back to the knights, speaking for the first time. "They are. Which will make his suffering all the worse. His instinct to fight is making the curse spread through him at an irregular rate and pattern. Without one to oversee the curse, it will run rampant, feeding on it's victim's suffering, encouraging their surrender."
Arthur frowned, scoffing. "It's not in Merlin's nature to surrender."
"Exactly," the chief replied. "It's trying to corrupt his very nature."
"But you said-"
"This plague is of the darkest kind. It has only been rumored and suffered from recently, leading us to believe it has just been developed. The victims experienced a wretched fate mentally, and were physically tortured without ever seeing the face of their destruction. They were driven mad as the curse devoured their very souls."
"It is beyond our skill to heal, but there is a chance, if you take him to the Isle of the Blessed."
"The Isle of the Blessed has long sense been abandoned-"
"Because of your father's endless persecution of magic! It remains the center point of the Old Religion and the focus point of magic. The deep magic there may be able to reach him."
That didn't sit well with Arthur. His mind raced back to Merlin earlier that day, the distinct absence of hope and light in his eyes.
"But there is no one there! What good is the magic of the Old Religion without anyone to use it?" he asked, filling with aggravation.
"The Old Religion is the magic of the Earth itself. It maybe be his only hope." the chieftain finished solemnly
"If he lasts that long." remarked the healer.
The leader shot a quick glare at his fellow Druid. "I caution you, King Arthur, knights of Camelot, make sure you do this for unselfish reasons, not out of guilt or duty."
The king frowned, mulling it over.
"Why should we trust you?" asked Gwaine.
"If you really wish to save him, what other choice do you have?"
A huge thank you to all of those who have stuck with me!
Just to let you know if you see or saw any parallels, peculiar word choices, I am big on symbolism and nearly ever word in these chapters were placed for a purpose so be look out! Share your ideas and speculations of what might happen next!
I have all but rewritten this chapter because of more fitting ideas. Next we'll get a peak into what's going on with Merlin while the knights try to save him. Poor Merlin, he in for serious challenge in the next few chapters. Everything is now on the line to be tested!
Having just rewritten this chapter and half of the next, I am really excited about how this is developing! This story has changed drastically from how I originally wrote and pictured it and with your encouragement it has only gotten better!
Thank you all and happy reading!