Chapter 4
A/N- So sorry about the long wait! I went camping and had no internet! Please forgive me! *puppy dog eyes* Thanks for all the reviews, favs, etc.! And a special thanks to everyone who helped me get past my writer's block! I really appreciate it! As requested by D4rkenedSkies I tried really hard to add more humor, but I also tried to stay on my original path!
Also- there is a song name (slightly altered) and who it is by in here. Whoever finds it first and puts it in a review will receive a special reward! Good luck!
I know you want to get on with the fic, so here it is!
Gwaine and Arthur had just left the clearing where Freya's lake was, when the prince's horse set all four hooves back into the forest. A painfully familiar scream seemed to ram into his head. Though it was familiar, Arthur couldn't quite remember where he'd heard it before. He groaned from the sudden pain in his torso that accompanied the yell.
Gwaine turned in his saddle and gave Arthur a questioning look. The pain subsided and the prince noticed the knight's stare. A thought flitted across his mind. Surely he would have...? Arthur asked him just to be sure. "Gwaine did you hear that?"
The knight's frown deepened. "Hear what?"
Arthur gaped at him. "How could you have missed that?"
"Missed what? Arthur, just say it! "
"The scream! How could you have not heard the scream!"
Gwaine brought his horse over by Arthur's. Very cautiously he asked, "How much sleep did you get last night?"
The prince hesitated before replying. "Enough."
Gwaine pointed an accusing finger at him. "You didn't get a wink's rest, did you?"
He was about to protest, but thought better of it and shook his head.
"Come on, mate. We'll find him. Then you are going to take as long a nap as you need."
Arthur didn't reply, just spurred his horse ahead of Gwaine's. He was determined to get to Merlin in time.
GRUDGEEGDURG
"Gaius, where is my son?" Uther demanded. They were standing in the throne room with no one but them and two guards by the door.
Despite the current predicament, Gaius fought hard not to grin. "I hate to inform you that Prince Arthur has developed a rare disorder of the brain. He feels an overwhelming urge to bring someone he knows well to safety, whether they be in danger or not. Until he is certain that person is alright, the disease will not leave. Usually it will pass immediately after the patient's subconsciously selected person is 'safe'. Last I saw of him, the prince was riding out into the forest with Sir Gwaine. I regret to inform you I was unable to stop him, as I also wasn't quick enough to show him who he thinks is in danger." Throughout all of this, Gaius had watched Uther's eyes grow steadily larger.
The king turned his back so the physician couldn't see his expression. "Of course. And you are sure this will pass?"
"Yes, Sire, I am completely convinced."
Gaius turned, hoping he wouldn't ask the one question he feared. Too bad his luck didn't run that far.
"Who is this… person he thinks he needs to rescue?"
Gaius cleared his throat. "That would be my, uh, ward, Sire. The prince's manservant."
"Ah, Melver, isn't it? And where might he be?"
"Actually, it's Merlin, Sire. He was out gathering herbs for me. Prince Arthur had already left before he came back. I sent him to search for your son the moment he stepped through my door."
Uther did not turn around, but visibly stiffened. Gaius quickly added to his explanation at his reaction. "It is better that the prince sees him first. I fear he would react rashly if it were anyone else. He might also come up with a plan to try to get you to send out some of your knights to help with the search. I do not know what type of schemes, I just know he will most likely attempt that if he comes back to Camelot before Merlin finds him. If he does, I advice you to either go along with it or tell him you know Merlin is 'missing' and you will do all you can to aid in the search."
The king relaxed. "I trust you, Gaius. I will do as you ask. You have been loyal to me for many years and I do not doubt your judgment."
Gaius mentally grimaced. Unbeknownst to the king, the physician had betrayed the king before and would probably do so again. He just hoped Merlin was safe.
IDIOTTOIDI
Merlin was strapped to a stone table, head tilted higher than his feet. He was bound with even thicker magical chains than before. A club to the back of his head had rendered him unable to fight back as the bonds were switched.
Oh great, thought Merlin as he took in his surroundings. He could sense a magical quality in the air. Merlin could tell that did not bode well for him.
His head spun violently as he dropped his gaze. The warlock felt panic rising in his chest as he got a look at the rock he was on. A deep groove was carved into the stone by his feet. Moving his legs the best he could, Merlin caught sight of another indent, this on being vertical (the same way he was laying) and intersecting the middle of the previously noted one. Judging by those, he guessed there was a bowl or something of the likes that could potentially be dangerous and, most likely, evil. He sincerely hoped it wasn't there to catch anything this time.
He shuddered at the thought of what it could be there for.
Suddenly, Merlin tensed as he sensed another source of magic enter the room. Instead of the warm, light feeling he got when someone good was using or had magic nearby, he felt as if someone had taken a knife made of ice and ripped it through his chest. Or rather, his magic, it was that cold and evil. Whoever it was stayed behind his head. He wondered who it was, though he had a pretty good idea. A moment later his unvoiced question was answered.
"Emrys," a voice echoed in his head.
"What do you want, Mordred?" the warlock asked with vehemence.
"Your cooperation."
Merlin rolled his eyes as the hate-filled boy stepped into his field of vision.
"That's what they all want. Either Arthur and Uther dead, or my help. Then, of course, if the latter doesn't work, they want to kill me." Despite his facade, Merlin was trying to suppress the growing spreading in his chest, squeezing it until it was hard to breathe. "Yet none of them are smart enough to actually succeed." He snorted.
"I am much more intelligent than those others, Emrys." Mordred just out of Merlin's reach. That is, if the warlock had been able to move his arms.
Another voice crawled to him in through the darkness. Aloud this time. "Don't worry, we will make you crumble.
Merlin shifted to his other side, watching Nimueh slink out from the shadows. He glared at her. "I'd like to see you try," he growled.
The sorceress let out a bone chilling laugh. She then pulled a dagger from her sleeve.
"You will. Trust me, Merlin, you will."
And Nimueh moved closer, blade ready.
PRATTARP
Night had descended upon the forest before Arthur and Gwaine set up camp.
Just before they settled down, Arthyr stoked the fire. As he stared into the flames, he spoke. "If we don't find any trails tomorrow, we'll have to figure out another way to get to Merlin."
Gwaine looked up from the ground, subconsciously cracking his knuckles. "Aye, mate. I'll take the first watch. Try to get some rest."
As Arthur settled down, He couldn't help but think that he may just be in over his head. But he knew that if Merlin was in danger, he would immediately jump into the fray without a second thought.
With that reassurance, Arthur fell into a troubled sleep.
PRATTARP
He was standing in Merlin's room, watching the boy sleep. Suddenly the warlock jerks awake, clutching his head and whimpering. He feels a deep sense of foreboding. He tries calling out to Merlin, tries to tell him to stop. He realizes the young man can't hear him as he throws the blanket off of himself and heads for the door.
He floats out into the main chamber, following the warlock.
Swiftly and silently, Merlin runs from the room The door clicks shut in an ominous tone.
PRATTARP
Arthur sat up gasping. Gwaine was at the other edge of the clearing. Glad the other knight had not heard him awake, he slowly got up as his racing heart calmed.
Arthur noticed the sun shone brightly in the sky. It must have been midmorning judging by the sun's position. This made the prince furious.
"Gwaine!" he hollered. "Why didn't you wake me? We've lost valuable time! And what happened to me having the second watch?"
Gwaine only half turned. "You needed the rest more than I did." He shrugged. "Oh, and breakfast's ready, mate. I already ate."
The prince looked over towards the fire and spotted a plate with meat on it. He quickly ate it up, with not a word between the two. As soon as he was done, they packed up and put out the flames.
Soon they were on the road again. Both were too busy looking for clues to talk. Both men wanted desperately to find Merlin before the day was out.
IDIOTTOIDI
Nimueh drug the elaborate and softly-glowing dagger down the warlock's side. Blood flowed freely from the wound onto the slightly curved, metal rose at the bottom of the stone table. Soon the flower blazed with evil light.
Merlin screamed.
Aahh, how happy I am to finally get this up! Thank you all for waiting! Just to let you know it may be awhile (but not as long a wait as this time) cuz stupid school is starting up in a few weeks. Anyways, please review! Thanks again!