Chapter 11
The Call of a Brother
The morning came quickly. Arthur had no new nightmares, no other visions of Merlin being tortured. Its been two days of silence. No screams to haunt his sleep. He was thankful of that, he needed his rest, but he feared what that meant. Was Morgana messing with him? Was Merlin still alive? What did the silence mean?
He dressed hastily and made his way to the council room where his knights expected him. It was easy enough to convince them to help join in his search for Merlin. Three of his trusted knights immediately volunteered. Arthur chose two others, who he knew to be good in a fight, and ordered everyone to be ready in two hours.
Now, Percival, Leon, Gwain and two others, Ranoue and Garret, were riding out to the last spot Arthur had seen Merlin.
It would take a day or two, but it was a start. They stayed quiet most of the journey, even Gwain. They knew they wouldn't find Merlin in good health. They were bracing themselves for what they would find.
Night came and went, no one wanting to stop for more that two hours at a time. Just long enough to feed and water the horses or rest; and when the sun broke through the morning fog announcing another day, they still road on, only taking four hour breaks but they kept traveling.
That was until Gwain started to complain about his backside being sore and needing a proper nights rest. Without the Kings consent he dismounted, the others right behind him.
"Oi." Arthur swung his horse around. "What do you think your doing. Were nearly there!"
"Arthur, we need to rest." Leon said, appealing to the King. "Were all exhausted and we need to be at our best if we run into Morgana or her men."
With a heaving sigh the King agreed and dismounted. He gathered his saddle bags and bedroll and fallowed the others to where they were setting up a camp fire.
Arthur rolled out his bed and sat heavily on the mat and watched Percival start the fire. He seemed to have an easier time lighting one than Arthur. Once the fire was blazing, they ate dried meat, cheese and bread, just enough to no longer be hungry.
"What do you think she is doing to him?" Ranoue asked meekly. "You know, Morgana?"
Arthur swallowed his last piece of bread, wiped his hands on his legs. "Nothing good," He said after a pause of uncomfortable silence.
"What about those visions you were getting, Sire." Leon asked. "Have you had any more?"
Arthur shook his head. No, it has been strangely quiet. It unnerved him. He sighed.
"Lets just get some sleep." He stretched out on his bed and let the soft murmur of the knights conversation lull him into a light doze.
His breath was evening out and his reality started to blend with the dream world in an alarming transition, and suddenly a burst of color exploded behind his eyes. When it cleared, he saw Merlin's contorted face, open in a silent scream. He convulsed, and then the most terrifying sound Arthur had ever heard came from his friend.
It was the sound of a man screaming his throat raw and bloody. It was a dying mans scream. The noise suddenly cut off in a wet gurgle, and Arthur's dream self cried out in horror. He heard an even wetter cough and then nothing.
Arthur struggled to wake from his slumber but he was trapped. He couldn't wake up. He was so tiered his body refused to obey and he fell deeper into the dark abyss of sleep... then a light voice filled up the space.
Arthur? It asked tentatively.
Merlin? Arthur's dream self asked groggily.
Arthur! The voice said, this time panicked. Arth- the voice cut off.
"Merlin!" Arthur shouted, shooting up out of his covers. He looked around and his eyes met the gaze of Gwain, Leon and Percival.
"Did you-" Arthur asked Gwain.
"Yeah, I heard it." Gwain said, strained. He looked pale, even under the moons glow.
As a unit they got up to wake Ranoue and Garrett. Once they filled them in, and loaded their supplies, they were on the trail once more.
Arthur couldn't get the cry of his friend out of his head. It was haunting him. Arthur couldn't bear to hear the pain filled cry of his brother.