Chapter 12

Arthur stood in front of Uther, his knights kneeling just behind him. Uther stared at them disappointed.

"We have no chance of catching up with them." Arthur said softly. "We found tracks that suggested that they were on horse back." He added. Uther nodded and stood up facing away from the court.

"Gather a few of your men. We need to catch-" He stopped as someone ran through the doors holding a piece of paper in his hands. "What is the meaning of this?" Uther demanded. The messenger panted and opened the scroll.

"King Uther, I have your ward and your niece. I demand to be paid 300 gold pieces for their safe return. You have until the next full moon to deliver it. Hengist." The boy said quickly and Uther strode over to him and snatched it out of his hands.

"This is outrageous." Uther snarled. "Arthur. Hurry up and find them." He said glaring at Arthur and stormed out of the room. Arthur looked at his guards.

"Leon, Rob and Lancelot. Come with me." He said and they stood up and all of them walked out to the courtyard. Merlin and Izzy followed nervously.

Arthur attached his sword to his horses saddle and mounted his horse. Merlin ran over.

"I want to come." He said loudly. Arthur sighed and looked down at him.

"No Merlin." He said sternly. Merlin glared up at him.

"They are my friends too." He insisted and Arthur looked down at him.

"Alright. But if you mess up. Your coming straight back." Arthur said pointing at him. Merlin smiled happily and mounted another horse riding along side Arthur. Izzy looked at him worriedly and bit her lip. Merlin smiled at her softly and nodded his head. Arthur rolled his eyes and they set off towards Hengist's castle.

"She's engaged to be married Merlin." He whispered to him making sure that Rob couldn't hear him.

"I know." Merlin said and looked down at his hands. "But I can't help it. She's so nice." He said with a dopey look on his face. Arthur rolled his eyes again.

Ellie grunted as she was pushed to the floor.

"You can stay here until Hengist has decided what to do with you." Kendrick spat out and left locking the door behind him. Ellie shivered from the coldness in her cell and sat up against the wall hoping that Katie and Morgana were alright.

Katie and Morgana looked around the room they were in.

"I wonder what this Hengist person wants us for." Morgana asked. Hengist walked in.

"Money my lady." He said politely and brought her hand to his lips. "Such a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Morgana." He said smiling lecherously at her. Morgana grimaced and took her hand away.

"I demand that you let us go immediately." She commanded. Katie stood next to her nodding in agreement and Hengist laughed.

"I shall. Once I have the ransom money from Uther. He cares about you a lot." He said smiling. "Take them to their chambers." He shouted at the guards by the door. They nodded and grabbed them by the arms dragging them towards their cell, just opposite Ellie's.

"You two shall join my lord tonight. We will be having a special feast in your honour." One guard said and slammed the door shut. Katie scoffed.

"Oh great. Just what we wanted." She said sarcastically. Morgana rolled her eyes and sat down.

"We might as well play along. He might kill us if we act up." She said sadly. "I hope our rescue party comes soon." She whispered. Katie sighed and sat next to her.

"They will. If Arthur's leading them then they'll be here tomorrow." She giggled softly. "Never one to turn down a challenge."

Arthur stopped his horse just outside a cave and dismounted, his group behind him followed suit.

"What is it?" Rob asked looking at the entrance.

"It's a burrow. For Wildern." Arthur said.

"What are Wildern?" Merlin asked curiously. Lancelot grimaced slightly. He already knew what they were.

"They're like giant…baby rats." Arthur said changing what he was going to say when he saw Merlin's worried face.

"Oh. That doesn't sound so bad." Merlin said relieved.

"That eats people." Arthur added and walked over to the bush. Merlin rushed after him, the knights not far behind.

"And we're going in there?" He asked. Arthur nodded.

"Yep. But don't worry. These Gaius berries will stop them from smelling our scent." He said not really knowing and rubbed them over his skin grimacing at the smell.

"But they smell horrible." Merlin whined watching the knights cover themselves in the smelly berries. Arthur held out his hand full of berries to Merlin.

"Do you want to go back?" He asked raising an eyebrow. Merlin sighed and shook his head smearing the berries over his face.

An hour later and they had exited the caves unscathed and approached the stream wiping off the berry juice.

"I didn't actually think that would work." Arthur said relieved. Rob and Leon snickered at Merlin's expression.

"What?" He asked shocked. "You mean you just let me go in there knowing I might have died." He whined. Arthur sighed.

"Stop being such a girl Merlin. We're alive aren't we?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Well, yes, but…that's not the point." Merlin stammered. Arthur smirked.

"What is the point then?" He asked. Merlin paused.

"I don't know." Merlin admitted. "Can we just get going please?" He asked pouting. Arthur nodded and they followed the stream stopping to camp when it got dark.

Katie and Morgana sat either side of Hengist frowning at everyone. Hengist chuckled and clapped his hands causing everyone to look at him quietly.

"Now, for the entertainment." He said happily. The door at the back of the cage opened and in came a man who was just as big as Hengist, wielding an axe. He cheered and raised his hands up in the air getting excited. Katie and Morgana raised and eyebrow and looked at each other.

"We have a new challenger tonight gentlemen. She is a lovely creature." He said smirking and looked down at the girls. Their eyes widened and watched as Ellie was pushed out into the cage carrying a sword. She looked down at it gingerly and her face paled when she saw the man she was fighting against.

"This is a battle to the death. You may begin." He said and sat back down. Ellie looked over at Katie and Morgana panicking. 'I'm gonna die.' She thought.

colin/FF_2084743_ 3 of 3 18/11/09