Bushfire 3
The smoking ruins of trees were all that was left standing in what had once been green, thriving forest. It was as though a huge evil force had blasted the entire area, leaving only blackened ruins and death in its wake. Surely something was still alive? Maybe a cave or a burrow of some kind would have provided a bolt hole? Looking around, Merlin had very little hope that anything much could've survived.
As the smoke finally started to clear a little, the Crown Prince and his servant could see the dark grey clouds that had rolled in with the thunderstorm. Both men hoped with all their hearts that they would soon produce rain in volume enough to douse the fire storm.
A short while ago Arthur decided they should head in the direction he thought would lead them to the nearest village. Merlin only had enough energy left to follow silently behind him. Whether they'd find assistance or would have to offer it, they weren't sure.
The two walked in stunned silence for some time, taking in the scale of the destruction the bushfire had left.
"They must have seen all the smoke from Camelot Merlin. I'm sure father will send out patrols to help the people." Arthur spoke, pre-empting one of Merlin's unspoken questions. "The affected areas will need food, shelter and water. Good knows how many injuries there have been."
They both knew however, that any help from Camelot would take days to get this far. For now, they had to help themselves.
Merlin's exhaustion was causing him to trip and lose his footing more and more frequently. His vision was starting to get blurry and the darkening skies were not helping his progress. Arthur noticed his young friends struggle behind him.
"Merlin, are you alright? You're making hard work of it back there."
Merlin stopped and took a few deep breaths.
"Just tired. Well, more than tired really." He scrubbed at his eyes trying to get some of the grittiness out.
"I know. It's been a heck of a day. We'll have to stop soon; it's getting too dark anyway."
Merlin stopped gratefully, leaning forward with his hands propped against his knees. Every part of him was aching for a rest. He couldn't catch his breath properly since he'd been in that horrible smoky air. His head was throbbing the way it always did after he'd performed intense magic, an unpleasant squeezing sensation beginning where the spine met the skull and spreading like a knotted rope up the back of his head. What he needed was cool drink and about 12 hours sleep. Arthur must be exhausted too, not that he'd ever admit it.
As Arthur watched his friend for a few minutes he realized just how much distress he was in.
"Here's as good a place as any to stop Merlin," he announced.
Merlin all but fell over, coughing as he hit the ground.
Although their clothes had almost dried, the bedrolls were still damp and unusable. They had no food and there was little likelihood of finding anything edible in the surrounds.
"Merlin, you're shaking. You're more than just tired. Why didn't you tell me to stop earlier?"
"Like you would have listened." Merlin mumbled. "I'll be okay after a rest."
"I hope so. I don't want to have to carry you," Arthur replied, frowning as he examined his servant more closely.
"I'm sure you're heavier than you look," he continued, trying to make light of the situation. Privately, the Prince was actually quite concerned for his companion. Under all the soot and dirt he could see how grey and pale Merlin looked and he appeared to be struggling somewhat to breath.
"Have a drink Merlin." Arthur pushed the water skin toward him noticing that his usual cheery, bright countenance was completely replaced by a grimace of suffering.
Merlin took a few mouthfuls of the water offered him.
"Thanks."
The lack of mindless chatter was a further pointer to Arthur that Merlin felt worse than he was letting on.
Another clap of lightening and deep rumble of thunder sounded overhead, and then it finally started to rain. Earlier on in the day, this would have been a godsend, but right now it just added further to their miserable state. Hopefully, it was pouring down where it was needed most; upon the ferocious fire front.
The two men were leaning with their backs to a tree stump; the ground was hard and unforgiving beneath them. Merlin unrolled his, still damp, bedroll and with somewhat shaky hands arranged it over himself to provide shelter.
Arthur pulled out his suede jacket," Here, use this Merlin. It's drier than the blankets, they won't help any in the state they're in."
"No, this is fine."
"Merlin, don't argue with me. I'm the Prince, I give the orders." Arthur said in his imperious voice for full effect. "Besides, you need it more than I do. You're shaking like a leaf," he continued after a pause, his tone softening considerably so it was obvious that his primary concern was actually the welfare of his friend.
"I'm only the servant Sire. Surely my comfort isn't of consideration?" Merlin replied, taunting Arthur a little.
"Well, it is to me. Now shut up get some sleep Merlin. We can't go any further tonight anyway."Merlin smiled to himself at Arthur's words. He knew the Crown Prince really did feel concerned for him, but he had to show it in that non-caring, superior way of his, as though he was afraid his princeliness and perhaps even his masculinity would be brought into question if he dared display these emotions up front.
Despite it being wet, extremely uncomfortable and they'd had nothing to eat since breakfast, Merlin fell into a deep sleep almost straight away. Arthur stayed awake; to keep watch he told himself. Truthfully, he was too anxious and discomforted to let his mind fall into a peaceful oblivion. The rain had gotten heavier so he was pretty much saturated, especially since he'd given what cover they had to Merlin. He was running through options in his head, just as his military training had taught him. Trouble was, there really weren't many options to choose from:
1. Walk toward the nearest village and hope they meet someone capable of giving them help.
2. Walk towards Camelot and hope they come across a patrol.
3. Stay here and wait for help to arrive.
He discarded 2 and 3 as too unlikely and too pathetic, respectively. It would probably be determined by how Merlin was by morning anyway. Unlike his knights, the skinny creature had no reserves of energy to call on. Arthur made a mental note to do something about it when they got home again.
He was just starting to nod off, his head lolling forwards in pure exhaustion as he saw a light in the distance. It wasn't moving very quickly or in a straight line but it was definitely coming closer to their position. Arthur jumped to his feet, wide-awake again in an instant. He had reached instinctively for his sword before remembering they'd dumped it yesterday, along with almost everything else when they first started their run from the bushfire.
"Merlin, wake up, somebody's coming." Arthur hissed down at his man servant. Merlin did not respond so Arthur bent to shake his shoulder. "Wake up! We may need to run!" Merlin stirred slightly, barely opening his eyes. He mumbled rather incoherently that they were in no danger and that he was too tired, then appeared to fall asleep again.
Meanwhile the light, which could only be a person (or people) holding up a torch was very close to them.
"I'll be the one to decide if we're in danger Merlin, now move!" Arthur kicked softly at his friend in a last ditch effort to get him to stir. He was on the verge of putting him over his shoulder and running, when he heard a gentle but firm shout from the approaching group.
"Do not be afraid. We are here to assist!"
"Who are you?" Arthur questioned, using his most authoritative voice. "Are you from the village of Haldor?"
He received no reply until the group had come to within a body length of him and Merlin. The leading figure, covered by a large tatty, hooded cloak, pointed to Merlin then gestured to the two people behind him. "That's him. Carefully pick him up."
Arthur's defensive instincts kicked in and he moved a quick as a flash to situate himself between the helpless form of his friend and the two strangers. "What are you doing? Leave him alone!" He shouted at them.
The leader of the band pulled his hood back to reveal his face. He was late middle aged, with shoulder length pale hair. His face was covered in lines that only years of knowledge and experience could provide. His overall countenance was that of a wise and benevolent leader. He carried a long, stout staff in his right-hand, which has some sort of decorative stone Arthur couldn't quite make out in the bad light.
The other men in the group stopped and looked toward their leader, then pushed back their hoods too, revealing the same calm expressions on their faces.
"Do not fret young man. We only wish to help your friend." Arthur realized from the clothes the group wore that they were Druids.
"You're Druids?"
The elder statesman gave a minute nod of his head acknowledgment. "My name is Weylyn. Our group have taken shelter in a cave, not far from here. We must help the young man. If you give us permission?"
Merlin needed some sort of help, certainly more than he could offer. His father despised all Druids as evil due to their free use of magic and had schooled Arthur accordingly. But he wasn't stuck in this burnt out hell hole with no food and very little water, was he?
There was not much choice really. Arthur let his shoulders slump as he relented, "Ok, let's go."
A/N Will Arthur wish he hadn't put his trust in the Druids? Will anyone from Camelot find our two heroes? Do you care what happens? Please review and tell me your thought. Thanks.