Chapter 6

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Merlin met Arthur by the stables. He wasn't wearing his armor but normal casual clothes. He didn't want to be recognized. They got on their horses and rode off.

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Merlin lost track of how long they rode into the woods, but he never liked the quiet. Merlin finally broke the silence. "How much farther to this place?"

Arthur replied while staring forward, not taking his eyes of the trail in front of him. "Fifty, sixty miles."

"Sixty miles? And you didn't bring any snacks?"

"I did bring snacks. And then I ate them."

"So that's what you were doing." Merlin accused him.

There wasn't much conversation between the two after that. Merlin kept thinking about Angela. More worrying than thinking. She was back in Camelot, alone. All those questions came back to him. How did she end up in the forest? Where was she from? Who sent her the pendant? And Why? Why did he feel connected to her? He even felt connected to the magic in the necklace itself. He just couldn't figure any of it out.

Arthur, unknowingly to Merlin, was watching out for bandits. He knew there were lots around these parts but he thought it better not to mention it to Merlin or he probably wouldn't continue. After clearing a thick forest, Arthur saw the outline of a village down the valley. He recognized it at once.

Merlin saw what looked like civilization until he got a closer look at it. The village was larger than his hometown, Ealdor, but it was very old looking. Many of the houses and buildings were worn down and falling apart. "Is that it?" He asked.

"Yep."

"So we rode all the way into God-knows-where for... for that?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"

"This is unbelievable." He couldn't believe Arthur was taking him to a shack town. It was shabby looking, even compared to most poorer towns he visited. There were a lot of stands and carts with colored flags. Some kind of market place he guessed. He could see many people walking through the town stopping at various carts.

They made their way down the tall terrain, slowly climbing down the long mountainous path. They reached the outskirts of the town and dismounted. When they arrived, they brought their horses to a local stable and paid a young boy some gold to watch the horses while they were gone. The boy seemed ecstatic at the sight of gold.

Merlin didn't really think about it before. He voiced his thoughts. "Does Uther know you're here?"

"No, not really." They walked through the streets of the ram-shacked town.

"Where is here anyway?" Arthur, like usual, didn't tell him anything about places he went in secret. Just pack your bags, get the horses, and let's go.

"The village of Essex."

"Essex? I've never heard of it before." He had traveled much when he lived with his mother. Plus all the studying Gauis makes him do; he was sure he knew most, if not all, the villages and towns in the kingdom.

"That's because it's a smugglers village." Arthur obviously avoiding Merlin's eyes as he said this.

"SMUG" Merlin shouted but was cut off.

"SHH! Be quiet!" Arthur whispered

"Smugglers?" Merlin whispered

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Are you supposed to be here?"

"Define supposed to be?" Arthur looked away from his gaze as he answered.

"Great. Just great." Merlin looked around as people looked back at him suspiciously. Arthur was disobeying the King. If Uther found out, he;d probably kill Merlin just for not stopping him from going.

"Oh, would you stop complaining, Merlin? You sound like a girl. No one knows who we are or where we're from. I'm sure we'll be fine. As long as they don't recognize where our gold came from." Arthur stared at him.

"Exactly how sure are you?"

"Eighty-five, eighty-six percent."

"We've gone on much less." Merlin replied. "Let's just do what we have to do and get out of here. I'm not too eager to stay for an extended visit." They continued to walk through the streets of the market. Arthur walked over to a stand where an old lady was selling jewelery and trinkets. Merlin fidgeted with a small silver ring. The street was busy with customers.

Merlin was looking at the various items of silver and gold. He looked at his reflection in a shiny silver platter. For a complete second, he could have sworn there was someone standing across the street looking at him. But when he turned to look around, the person was gone. He was probably just imaging things. He started to feel uneasy about this strange village.

Arthur beckoned him to follow. He stopped at a shop and paid a man some gold for white materiel. Merlin just followed. "We'll stop by the local tavern to get a drink then we'll be off." Arthur said to him. He was relieved. The sooner he got out of there, the better.

They sat down at the counter and they drank undisturbed until an eccentric-looking man walked up to the bar and sat two seats down from Merlin. Out of the corner of his eye, Merlin examined to man. He was old but he was wearing descent clothes for a homeless guy.

"Not from these parts are ya?" The man asked. Arthur and Merlin just looked at him for a moment, thinking of what to say.

"We're travelers... Tourists." Arthur said hesitantly.

"We were interested to see what Essex had to offer. We heard lots of interesting stories." Merlin added to the lie.

"Cut the crap, son! A blind man could see that you two ain't travelers." The man said more quiet, while drinking his mead.

"Technically, a blind man can't see anything." Merlin joked trying to distract him.

"This is just some friendly advice. I would leave this town as quickly as possible. These folks don't take kindly to... strangers." He got up and walked around to where Arthur was sitting at was looking very close at his drink.

"Is there a reason you are standing so close to me?" Arthur was creeped out at this weirdo.

"Just looking."

"Yeah, well, that's the great thing about looking – you can do it from far, far away." The man walked away and out of the tavern.

Just as the strange man walked out of the tavern, Arthur was staring intently at something behind him. Merlin turned around to see what he was looking at. The shop keeper they bought the material from walked in. Four large men shadowed him with fierce looking expressions. He turned back around quickly.

"Do you suspect fowl play?" Merlin asked.

"Nothing we couldn't handle." Arthur said. Merlin wasn't so sure about that.

"Besides no one in this tavern has the I.Q. over 40." Arthur commented. He saw plenty of body guards like that before. Big, strong and stupid.

They men were getting closer.

"I have an idea." Merlin stated.

"Is it good?"

"Not really." Merlin slammed his fist on the counter and yelled at him. "You ripped me off!"

"Now is not a good time to bluff." Arthur said with a hushed tone, no one could here but Merlin.

Merlin mimicked the quiet unreadable tone, "Now is the perfect time. They're going to kill us."

"Some partner you are." He said with a much louder voice.

Arthur, playing along, yelled back, "Are you calling me a lier?"

"No I'd say you're more of a pompous idled toad!" They were both standing now. Attracting attention from the whole tavern. Merlin sneakily walked backwards towards the men now standing in the middle of the crowd.

"You little RAT! If I were the prince, I'd have your head for this!" Arthur looked quite intimidating. He was stepping towards Merlin.

They both were standing in the middle of the tavern. The people backed away. They were making room, obviously not wanting to get in the way. Merlin and Arthur were now standing in-between the four body guards.

"But you're NOT! You're nothing but a fat! Lazy! Arrogant! PRAT!" Merlin yelled, grabbed a drink off off of someone else's table and thrust the contents of it at Arthur. His face was dripping with mead.

"AARHH!" Arthur swung a punch at him. Merlin ducked and the punch hit one of the body guards. The guy fell backwards on the ground.

Merlin grabbed another glass in false retaliation, and chucked it at Arthur. It flew past Arthur's head and hit another body guard straight in the stomach.

At this point the other two body guards and the Shop keeper were about ready to pounce on them. Arthur and Merlin took this as a hint to leave. They looked at each other and ran for the door.

They sped back to the stables. Some people were standing by their horses. So Arthur hid behind the corner with Merlin right across the street behind a barrel.

Arthur started to make several hand signals at Merlin.

"You... want me to poke you in the eyes on the roof?" Merlin whispered to him.

Arthur mouthed what clearly could be read as "idiot."

"Got that one."

The people standing by the horses heard noises back at the tavern and ran to see what was going on. This was there chance. Just as the shop keeper and his goons came around the corner and saw them ride off, they dove for the horses and rode off as fast as their horses would take them. Riding away from the village and headed back to Camelot.

"Well that was fun." Merlin was quite happy he got an excuse to throw liquid at Arthur's face and call him everything he wanted to say since the moment they met.

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Angela...

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Several hours went by. I was getting so restless. Back in the 21st Century, I was always in my house, alone. My mom was always gone. I never got out. I hated being by myself with nothing to do so usually I would go for a walk through the forest preserve or explore some restricted area. I got into a lot of trouble.

'But what could I do here?' I was talking to myself again. 'Uh hello? Do you KNOW where you are? A mythological castle. Every rebellious teenagers dream.' I wanted to jump up-and-down as I realized I had a whole castle I could explore. I was getting excited as my curiosity was growing wildly.

I walked down the stairs of Merlin's room. I saw that man who came in about 2 hours ago. He was talking to Gauis about something. They both looked up to see me standing there.

"I believe you've met Gwaine." Gauis said

"Not officially. Hi, I'm Angela." I smiled and offered out my hand. He took it and said, "We didn't quite get the chance. It's nice to finally meet your acquaintance." He smiled back. "Likewise." He was quite handsome. His long flowing hair. I wasn't one of those Handsome-Prince kinda girls but hey, a handsome knight-in-shining-armor. I could get used to that.

"Gauis, I was just about to go for a walk. I'm getting quite restless." It was the truth, just not the whole truth.

"I don't like the idea of you wandering around by yourself." Gauis said. I mentally rolled my eyes. He sounded like my mom.

"I could accompany the young lady, If that's alright with you?" Gwaine asked me and Gauis I think.

"Sure." I wouldn't mind at all.

"Alright. Don't be gone too long." Gauis replied.

He opened the door and gestured me out. "This way..."

"Angela" I corrected him.

A servant girl passed by with a basket full of flowers. Gwaine plucked one from the basket and slipped it behind my ear. "Lady Angela."

I blushed. "I'm not a lady. Just a commoner."

"Could've fooled me." He flirted

As we were walking along the corridors of a another hallway he commented, "Oh I just remembered I have training to do with the other Knights."

"Can I come and watch?" It would be so cool to watch sparring and whatever else knights do.

"Sure you want to?" He asked with disbelief.

"Are you kidding me? Yes! I'd love to."

So we headed to an small field with racks of equipment and several knights fighting with swords. "Fellow knights of Camelot, I'd like to introduce 'Lady Angela' " He teased. He bowed slightly a she made the announcement. "Stop it, your embarrassing me." I whispered. He just smiled down at me.

All the knights turned and looked at me. There was 3 men there. One black man, an older man with curly hair and the other was tall, slightly tanned and man was he buff. "This is Sir Leon, Sir Elyan and Sir Percival." Gwaine said "Angela, here, would like to see a good sword fight."

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The next hour went by. I laughed a lot. They thought I was amusing when would gasp in horror as one of the swords almost made skin contact. I sat and watched Gwaine and Elyan fight with fast strikes and hard blows. Then Sir Leon and Sir Elyan fought for a while. But the real fun was to see Gwaine against Pervical. He knocked Gwaine down with one blow to the face. I couldn't help but laugh. Poor Gwaine.

It was amazing to watch real sword fighting. Sure I'd always watch stuff like this on tv but never in real life. I cheered enthusiastic for them.

They were all so nice to me. Sir Leon brought me a chair, Elyan had a maid bring something to shade me from the sun and Pervical asked if I needed any water. He carried the whole barrel of water, balancing it on one shoulder while filling up the cup with another. I had to say I was quite impressed. I saw Gwaine roll his eyes in the corner of my eye. They even did a small skit for me making fun of Prince Arthur. They made me feel like I was at home here. Like they were my older brothers and I was part of a family.

After it was over, I said goodbye to the Knights and thanked them for a wonderful performance.

Gwaine was last the last one to bid farewell. "So did you have fun?"

"Oh yes, it was very entertaining. Can I come back and watch again some time?"

"I'm sure Arthur wouldn't mind."

Well, I must be off. Being a Knight means doing your 'Knightly duties.'" Gwaine also added. "Can you find your way back to Gauis' chambers? I can send a servant if you need assistance."

"No!" I answered a little too quickly. "I mean I know the way back. Thanks." He waved goodbye and he took off after the other knights. I just really wanted to explore the castle. Who knows what I'd find. The dungeons, the treasury, the Royal court, Oh and the throne room. This was going to be so much fun.

I headed in a random direction. I followed short hallway that lead to stairs which led to more hallways. I kept walking and looking for things that looked interesting till I came down a curved stairway and approached two large doors. 'This has to be something important.' I thought to myself

I pulled at the large doors. They swung open and with a crash when they hit the wall. It was magnificent! A very large and very tall room, with six gigantic pillars along the side that reached to the ceiling. But down the center, at the other end of the room, was a large red chair. The Throne. I stepped towards it with longing in my eyes.

As I was walking, my imagination got the best of me. I pretended to throw flower petals down the aisle. "Make way for the Queen." Then I stood tall and walked as if I were of Noble blood. As I reached the thrown, I turned to face my imaginary crowd. I imagined picking up a crown and placing it on my head. I sat down slowly. "Fair people of Camelot." I said dramatically. "I swear an oath this day to do everything in my power to protect this great kingdom. I am proud to be your Queen." I stood up and gazed out into the crowd.

Then someone spoke. "I see you've made yourself at home." I head someone's voice in the room. I was scared to death.

I saw Merlin walking out from behind a pillar. "Merlin. I know I'm not supposed to be in here...Umm... I was just...just...you know..." I wasn't sure whether I should be frighten that I was caught or embarrassed that he heard what I was doing.

"I know what you were doing." He said with stern look while walking towards me. He smiled, "You were pretending to be the Queen of Camelot." Then be burst out laughing.

"Are you making fun of me?" I glared at him as he stood right in front of me.

"No. Not at all" He started laughing again.

"UH!" I punched him in the shoulder.

"Ow." He said with a grin.

"It's what you get. You better not tell anyone about this." I looked at him with a playful threat.

"Do you have any idea how many times I've wanted to sit in that chair. Never had the guts to do it." Merlin said while staring at it.

"Why don't you? No one is here. Go on! do it!" I encouraged him. He bit his lip then smiled at me. He sat down and closed his eyes taking in the comfort of the throne. "All Hail King Merlin!" I joked. We both giggled. I felt like a little kid. But it was great fun.

I heard footsteps and people talking out in the hallway. Merlin looked at me, "Run!" He grabbed my hand and we ran out a side door just as the king and other elders came in. We stopped running to catch our breath when we knew we were far from the throne room. I leaned back against the wall for support. Merlin braced his hands on his legs and panted.

"That was close." I said between breathes.

"I can't believe I just did that." Merlin was smiling.

I looked at him and we both laughed. "This castle is incredible! At least of what I've seen of it so far. Is there secret passages ways and trap doors like in the stories?"

"How would you like a tour?" Merlin offered.

"Are you serious? Ahh! I would absolutely love it!" I enthusiastically replied.

I rubbed my forehead as it began to hurt. "Mmm! Head ache." Out of no where I heard voices... whispers. I felt a pull on my heart, like I did before. Then a wave a pain shot through my head, it blinded me. I yelled as the throb became unbareable.

Images flashed in my mind. My pocket watch, the hooded man. A symbol of three circles within cirles within circles connected by a ring. It looked kind of like the solar system. I saw fire, pain, and blood. So much blood. I saw someone with glowing eyes. I didn't know who it was. I saw bright yellow shimmering light floating as if it were smoke. I heard strange noises I'd never heard but they sounded familiar. A small blue light flashing and making a buzzing noise. "Angela"

Someone said my name back in reality. The images were gone and my vision returned. I was lying on the ground, and Merlin was standing over me. "Angela, are you ok?" I looked at him for a moment.

"I'm fine now." I started to get up but he helped me, my legs were unstable. He place an arm around my waist. "What happened?" I asked him.

"I was about to ask the same question. Are you sure you're alright?" Merlin looked concerned. My eyes welled up with tears at the thought of my vision.

"I had another vision." I wiped the tears from my eyes. "What's happening to me, Merlin?"

"I don't know." Merlin was just as dumbstruck as I was. Why was I getting these visions? And what did they mean?

You may think that this story isn't really leading anywhere yet but it will. I just planned on it being a long story. This chapter is slightly pointless until the end. I just really wanted to do these scenes. Hope you thought they were funny! I tried as hard as i could to keep enough banter and humor in this as possible. Hope you liked! Please comment and review! I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR YOU TO COMMENT. :D