Hi! I got it up faster this time. Hooray! Okay let me know what you think.
The day was bright and the flowers of the garden shown in brilliant color. On any other day it would seem nothing but picturesque, the ideal place for happiness and joy. Today it made Arthur sick. Every bit of it reminded him of what was lost. His stomached churned as he climbed the makeshift podium set up specifically for the sullen event.
The young prince gazed around and found himself amazed at just how many people came for Merlin's funeral. He expected Gaius and Gwen and Morgana to attend but there were so many people from the town crowding the courtyard. Even several knights had come to pay their respects. Honestly, Merlin had become somewhat of a mascot to them seeing as Arthur practically took the boy everywhere. Then of course, there was the amount of people Merlin helped as Gaius' assistant so it really wasn't a shock at all to see so many.
Arthur finally readied himself for the moment he had been dreading. He had witnessed the deaths of several of his men and even spoken at a few of their funerals but this felt completely different. It felt…wrong.
"We are here to honor a man of great nobility, though most knew him as my servant. Those fortunate enough to have spent time with him knew he was so much more. He always displayed a great sense of passion and an unwavering loyalty and it is to that I owe my life. He was always –" Arthur stopped abruptly as he caught site of a woman he recognized. Hunith! He had been so preoccupied the last three days that he hadn't even thought of Merlin's mother. She must be devastated by the lost of her only son. Arthur jumped down off the platform and the crowd parted so he could make his way to her unhindered. For a moment he could do nothing more than stare at her, a lost look marking every feature of his face. He finally managed to stutter out the only words he could think of, "I'm so sorry."
Hunith gave him a sorrowful smile and gently wiped a tear from threatening to escape his eye as she cupped his cheek. "Sweet prince," she said, "Merlin was happy to serve you. Don't think of this as your fault. He chose his course and chose it gladly. Nothing you could have done would have changed that. She brought his head down to lean on her shoulder and he enveloped her in a tight embrace. Arthur began to feel tears struggling to break through and for just the briefest of moments he felt an intense jealousy toward Merlin for having been so blessed to have a mother such as Hunith all of his life. A life cruelly taken from him far too early.
The warning bells clanged suddenly, pulling Arthur away from his misery. "Something's happening." He stated, "Gwen, Morgana, take Hunith and seal yourselves in the castle. Sir Owen, go with them." he ordered the closest knight. Once they were safely inside, Arthur dashed to the main square. What he saw there was alarming, although considering all of the other strange things he had seen in his life, this was really par for the course. Just can't do anything normal can you Merlin he thought to himself allowing the briefest of smiles to reach his lips.
Before him was what appeared to be a large cat wildly jumping from one corner of the square to the next. The thing never stood still. Between hops, however, Arthur managed to get a good look at the creature. It was furless with skin that had the appearance of gray leather. Its mouth was long and wide and when it bared it's teeth it looked as if it were grinning. It was a truly grotesque creature.
The knights were trying to surround it but moved quickly enough that they couldn't hold it one place. Quickly taking charge Arthur motioned the knights to get into formation. "We'll lure it into the alley and trap it in a corner!" he called. The knights moved as a cohesive unit while they alternately swiped and prodded at the beast. The creature grew more and more agitated as his eyes darted from side to side. Once trapped in the corner it began to hiss and growl. Arthur saw his chance and charged at the great beast but to his surprise the thing leaped over the heads of the entire battalion. Not one to miss an opportunity Arthur swiped at the beast as it came overhead, managing to slice a deep gash into its stomach. The cat howled in pain as it tumbled down upon the cobblestone. Clearly injured, it still managed to pull itself upright and take off toward the gates of Camelot, attempting to make its escape. Arthur, however, no longer took interest in the beast because after cutting it open, the sword began to … melt.
"Sire," called Sir Leon. "It's getting away sire. Are you alright?" he asked noticing the bewildered look on his prince's face.
Arthur peered up from his now mangled weapon, "I'm fine. Let the thing go, we can track it later. I'm going to report this to my father. Send for Gaius. I need more information on this creature if we're going to go after it." Sir Leon gave a quick bow and raced off to find the physician.
Once in the great hall Arthur quickly relayed his encounter to the two men in front of him. "I've never seen anything like it," he said to his father, "I believe it was mortal. It bled and was in considerable pain when I wounded it but afterwards my sword…" Arthur trailed off allowing his sword to tell the rest.
"I take it the creature is dangerous," said his father and after a nod from his son he continued, "Gaius can you tell us what this is?"
Gaius gazed down at a large leather bound book that appeared to be older than the physician himself, "The creature is called a Gatorie. It's an ancient creature and as you've already witnessed its blood is highly corrosive. You're assessment was correct prince, one well aimed hit will kill it but they live in packs so if you attack one you will lose your weapon and become vulnerable to the rest of the pack."
"How do you explain just one showing up in Camelot?"
"My guess is the creature became lost and wandered into the city. Still, now that it's injured it will most likely seek out its pack."
Arthur jumped in, "So you're saying if we followed it we could take out its entire pack so none of them would be a threat?"
Gaius looked at the prince and Arthur just now realized how tired and weary the man seemed. Arthur had known the physician since he could remember and though the man's body certainly didn't work like it used to he always managed to have a purposeful energy and strength to his movements. Now he appeared as though the slightest breeze would blow him over. Arthur found himself suddenly frightened in his presence, as though if he stared at Gaius long enough the entire world would crash down upon him. With a wary air to his words the physician spoke, "I have no doubt you would find them but I would exercise great caution, these creatures are treacherous."
"Nonetheless these creatures could return and we cannot allow an entire pack to run rampant through the streets." It was the king who had made the decision and Arthur knew he was right. "Arthur, are you confident that you can rid us of this menace."
Arthur hesitated for a moment. He was still distracted by Gaius whose meek appearance made him strangely unsure of himself. "I'll take some knights and set out by the afternoon." He answered anyhow.
"Very well," Uther expressed his approval and then left the hall leaving Gaius and Arthur by themselves.
Arthur made to leave as well but a quietly uttered "sire" halted his steps. "What is it Gaius." He asked not daring to turn around.
Heavy footsteps made their way to the prince's side and it was only when Gaius was directly by him did Arthur look at him. "Whatever you feel, what happened was not your fault. Do not be reckless. I refuse to bury two of my wards in a matter of days." Without another word he left leaving a heartsick prince in his wake.
"I promise you Gaius," he whispered, "I will not afflict you with that pain again."
Uh oh , can Arthur keep his promise?
We'll see. Again thanks to all who review. I just adore them. More are always welcome. Thanks