The night was cloudless and hallow like the trees surrounding the two sleeping figures on the ground. The moon illuminated their gaunt features as one of them subconsciously twitched. Their limbs were sprayed out in a form that would remind one of a star. However, there was something surrounding their bodies, forming a perfect circle or cage, if you must, around them. The ghastly pale colour of their skins contrasted beautifully with the sharpness and the edge the colour red of the rose petals around them was carrying.
Suddenly a loud cry of sorrow echoed throughout the woods as an unknown creature descended the clouds and landed swiftly on the ground. It then changed its shape from a serene angel to that of an old man who appeared to be the one who had knocked out Morgana a few hours prior.
Speaking of the witch, she was now lying in what had already been established as a red circle. That form together with the one her body was currently occupying created something horrid – a pentagram. Morgana soon stirred as the hooded figure approached her. Uther's ward awoke only to widen her eyes and scream. The man put his hands up in surrender as though he were mocking because Morgana's fear had triggered a sudden burst of energy to be directed towards the man only to be pushed back towards Morgana because of some sort of invisible shield the circle of rose petals no doubt was responsible for. As a result Morgana was pushed back into the ground. She groaned before opening her eyes once more. She rubbed her eyelids before reopening them. When her vision refocused on her surroundings her eyes widened. There was smoke and blood. Everywhere. There were corpses, people who were half dead, others were probably half alive, some she could not even figure out if they were still breathing. As her gaze moved around, her fear grew. And as the seconds passed, it soon became impossible to control.
"Merlin!" Morgana screamed as her eyes started searching around frantically trying to assess the situation while still looking for her friend. Soon she started to panic for she could not find him. Just as she was about to yell his name once again the man before her spoke:
"Have no fear Morgana. We mean you no harm."
Morgana's search was temporarily ceased as she fixed the man with a cold gaze before replying:
"Oh really? So you are telling me that all these precautions against my using magic and successfully finding my friend is nothing to be worried about? Moreover, the grounds around here are swarming in blood and death and you have the audacity to claim that all the smoke and all the corpses are just for show?!"
"I have claimed no such thing Morgana. I am simply doing what my mistress wishes." The man explained emotionlessly before continuing his walk. After he had made a few steps, however, Morgana called out to him.
"Who is this mistress you are speaking so fondly of? And what have you done to my friend?" She asked, half mocking the man, half threatening him by intensifying the coldness and sharpness in her voice.
The man's pace ceased to a halt before he span around and explained with eyes blazing with lunacy:
"She is the one who will change this world."
"By murdering innocent people?" Morgana asked incredulously.
The man's blissful smile immediately disappeared once he heard Morgana's disrespectful tone. Anger and rage replaced his previous insanity. The fury took control of the strings that were attached to his arms and brought them up. He used one of them to form a seal. After a few seconds due to the said seal a spell had been cast and Morgana started choking. He smirked. He continued his act before halting right when Morgana thought she was about to die. He then stepped towards her and whispered dangerously low, each word a warning laced with venom.
"That will teach not to speak so freely about my master."
"I thought she was your mistress, now she is you master." Morgana spoke breathlessly before continuing with an even tone, "If I am going to die here, I think I at least deserve to know exactly what my life will be exchanged for."
"You chose your words quite carefully and they are very accurate." The man said suspiciously, while narrowing his eyes.
With a small triumphant smirk Morgana responded:
"I am by no means a fool. This is not the first time I have seen a circle. Red is the colour of blood and my body was in the form of a star, undoubtedly forming a pentagram."
"You are perceptive, witch."
With a bigger grin Morgana continued:
"And you, my friend, are easily fooled."
The man's eyes widened. Before he even had a chance to utter or make even a single sound a spell was cast and he was sent flying backwards. Morgana watched as the body grew limp before her gaze was directed to whoever had just saved her. Right before her stood none other than Merlin. The boy quickly moved towards the circle and whispered an incantation. His eyes blazed a warm golden hue before the petals disappeared. He then staggered towards Morgana who exhaled.
"Are you hurt?" Merlin asked as he knelt before her to examine her injuries.
With a warm smile Morgana said:
"Nothing a little rest cannot heal." She then moved to embrace Merlin before whispering, "Thank you for saving me."
Merlin was taken aback at first, but soon recovered and returned the hug. He then whispered his answer:
"Anytime."
The warmth and care those words were fraught with made Morgana's smile grow. Before it could expand, however, Merlin withdrew, leaving the girl strangely disappointed. The boy rose and Morgana, albeit slightly confused, mirrored his actions. She looked around, while asking:
"What now?"
Merlin sighed as he answered:
"We go back to Camelot."
Morgana shot him a look with which she was silently questioning whether his mind was lucid. Merlin heaved an exasperated sigh before he explained:
"I took care of the rest and I will explain everything on our way back."
"But how are we even going to travel back to Camelot when we do not even know where we are?" Morgana asked confused.
"Do not worry about that. I know the way."
"How exactly Merlin because, in case you haven't noticed, we are still surrounded by thick layers of smoke?!" Morgana asked, raising her voice.
Merlin cringed slightly before answering:
"Magic."
"Magic?"
"Yes, I have what some people may call a sixth sense. My magic enhances my sense of direction and I can find my way back to Camelot or arrive anywhere in spite of the destination." Merlin explained thoroughly.
Morgana stared agape at Merlin before replying:
"Quite a useful gift you have there."
Merlin nodded before beginning his journey back to Camelot with Morgana in tow.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas that have nothing to do with the canon version of the show Merlin.
A/N: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews. Hah, I am sorry for the long wait and the short chapter. It is just a filler and a bigger teaser for what is coming up next. Stay tuned guys and keep reviewing, following and favouriting. You have no idea how happy in makes me to wake up, open my email box and see that I have either or all of them.
Again thanks for the alerts and for adding this story to your favourites. I hope you liked this new installment. Watch out for the next update during the weekend.
Until next time,
~ QueenofRhymes ~