Hello!
Okay, okay, really, I do not know why I did not post a chapter earlier. I truly have no excuses this time except pure laziness (and potentially my Daredevil obsession that appeared recently).
But, be assured that I also spent some time working on this story and I also spent some time reworking an original story that I plan to post on Inkitt and FictionPress (even if two versions of it already exist there).
Anyway, I hope you will like the chapter and do not hesitate to leave a review, no matter how small because it begins to feel like no one is reading this story anymore...
I promise that I will not take so much time again to post a chapter and if I do, please do send me a PM.
Enjoy !
Chapter 27:
Merlin watched Arthur leave with a new level of appreciation in his eyes.
He had not expected Arthur to simply accepted the fact that Merlin would want to conduct his research alone and unaided that easily. He had expected to have to fight tooth and nail in order to be allowed to pursue his course of action. And yet Arthur had seemed oddly understanding.
The warlock shrugged to himself. He was not going to refuse such a gift.
And, in truth, he knew he had not been totally honest with his friend as he had totally failed to mention the potential danger he would be exposing himself too.
Well, what Arthur didn't know couldn't hurt him, could it?
With that thought his mind, he turned back to the books in front of him. He was now quite sure of how he was going to enhance his powers. The only problems were that it necessitated a lot of ingredients and time. And patience was not one of his stronger quality.
He once again read the list of herbs in front of him. Most of them he didn't have and knew he would have to travel a distance to obtain them all. But that was easily done.
The different instruments he needed would also be relatively easy to find, especially with the new trade links with the druids.
What he was more worried about however was the water from the Crystal Cave and the unicorn blood. The idea of approaching those two things again made him wary. Especially the Crystal Cave. He didn't want to think about what happened the last time he went there. But he needed to go there. The cave was the birth place of magic and, therefore, one of the most important parts of the spell he was going to perform on himself.
He pushed himself up and decided to take one problem at the time. First the easily acquired stuff and then the rest.
Nodding to himself, he left his room to find the druid leader of the nearby tribe.
"Emrys." A feminine voice greeted in his head as he passed the wards surrounding the druid encampment.
"Galena." He answered out loud, nodding at the middle-aged woman that was walking his way.
She was wearing an earth-colored dress and a head scarf that reminded him of his mother.
"We didn't have a meeting scheduled, did we?" She asked, even if he knew that she already knew the answer to the question.
"No. We didn't. I am here on a more personal subject."
She nodded with a soft smile and indicated her tent with an arm.
"Let's talk inside then."
Merlin followed her and waited until she was settled before sitting on the ground in front of her, accepting the cup of herbal tea she proposed him.
"What can we help you with Emrys?"
The warlock had to stop himself from, once more, asking her to call him Merlin.
"I need your help to find some plants and instruments." He announced before fetching the roll of parchment he had brought with him and on which he had written everything he needed.
The druid leader took the paper and studied the list. She hummed.
"I see. This can be done. But I have to ask what you want to do with these."
"I'm sure you already have an idea." Merlin smiled softly.
"A power enhancement ritual. What I don't understand is why. You are already the more powerful being to ever walk this earth."
Merlin ducked his head, feeling a blush rising on his face. He didn't like to be reminded of this particular fact.
"I know. But it's not enough to perform the dragon calling ritual."
The woman in front of him observed him with piercing eyes that revealed nothing of her inner thoughts. The silence lasted for many minutes. Merlin sipped his tea to stop himself from fidgeting.
"Both rituals are very dangerous." She finally said. "I wouldn't recommend that you perform them alone."
Merlin nodded, he had expected reticence.
"I am aware of that. And willing to take the risks as the benefits could very well outweigh them."
"I can see that you are determined and that nothing I can say would make you change your mind." Galena finally said. "We will help you find what you need."
"Thank you."
Galena simply nodded to him and Merlin took it as his cue to leave.
He exited the tent only to find himself surrounded by twenty children of various ages, all looking as if they had been waiting for him.
"Emrys! Emrys! Show us magic!" Two of them asked and the others clapped hands.
Merlin laughed. He knew this would happen. It always did whenever he visited the tribe. Galena had explained to him that the children could feel his magic and would always be attracted by it.
It felt weird to be the center of attention but Merlin had to admit that was also heart-warming to be able to entertain the children with simple spells. It made him wish he could do it so openly in Camelot.
It was only a week later that a bird perched on Merlin's window, a small note attached to its left leg. He eagerly opened it and learned that everything he had required was waiting for him. He smiled.
"Good news?" Gwen asked from where she was sitting at the table.
"Very." Merlin answered as he sat back down without further explanations.
The queen observed him as she took a sip of wine. They had been sharing lunch as they often did but her friend had seemed pre-occupied.
"What is on you mind Merlin?"
"Nothing Gwen."
"I've noticed you were distracted the last week. And Arthur wouldn't tell me why even though I'm sure he knows."
Merlin relaxed on his chair. There was really no bluffing his friend.
"It's just a project I'm working on Gwen, nothing to worry about."
"You're sure of that?"
"Positive." Merlin confirmed. "Now, you tell me what I missed during the last council meeting."
Gwen watched him for a few more seconds before launching herself in the tale of another endless meeting. The warlock only distractedly listened to her, thinking back to the reason why he had missed this particular meeting.
He had gone to find Anhora.
The elderly keeper had been more than difficult to find and it had been even harder to convince him to give Merlin a small amount of unicorn blood. The warlock had had to promise on Arthur's life that he wouldn't use it for anything else but to temporarily enhance his powers to call the dragons to him and that he would destroy any that was left over.
Merlin was uncomfortable with dealing on Arthur's life but he knew it was the only thing that would prove his good-will to the man. And he also knew that there was no risk at all of him using the blood for anything else. He was well-aware of what taking unicorn blood entailed.
Now, he only had one more thing to find and then he would be able to leave Camelot to prepare the required potions and perform the rituals.
He shuddered slightly at the thoughts of having to go to the Crystal Cave.
"Merlin?" Gwen's voice interrupted his musing.
"Yes. Sorry Gwen, I guess I was lost in my mind for a moment."
The queen shook her head fondly.
"Well, whatever this project of yours, I hope you will succeed. Because you've definitely put a lot of work and thoughts in it."
Merlin felt himself blush. He truly had meant to keep his attention on Gwen. He was just so impatient to see if he could find other dragons.
"I'm sorry Gwen."
"It's fine Merlin. I'd better leave you anyway. I have to overlook the training of new maids."
The warlock nodded and led Gwen to the door and hugged her before she left. The door was only closed for a few seconds before he began preparing a bag. He wanted to leave the next day for the Crystal Cave. He just had to convince Arthur to let him miss another council meeting.
So, how did you like this?