MerlinMorgana1597: Yeah, it wouldn't have done much good though... *Ominous tone* Okay, well, we're getting to it... Here's another chapter, present day. :)
The Great Dragon: I love your reviews, *Laughs* Glad you like this version of her! :DDD *Cheering* All right about the favorite characters... Any certain one!shots you would like to read...? Just in case Vanilla and I ever do manage to write LOTR's? :D
CHARLES CHUKU: Muahaha...
SIR LOUIS is a character from my WIP book!
Enjoy!
PRESENT DAY:
Arthur paced in the throne room. His arms were crossed as he strode back and forth, staring down at the floor. Sorcerers, warlocks and wizards were all going missing-now? Merlin. He'd been gone for a full day. Gaius had come to Arthur telling him that he hadn't seen Merlin either.
Morgana, Gwen and Gaius all stood watching the king in his nervous pacing.
"Arthur, you've already sent patrols, I'm sure Merlin is nearby," Gaius said. He hoped that was the truth, but really, he was saying it to try to get Arthur's focus away from worry.
"I know-but I..." he shook his head and ran a hand over his face in frustration. He felt Gwen's hand on his shoulder. He was glad that his friends were here. Even so, he would find Merlin... if the patrols had found nothing by that afternoon-he was going out himself to find the young warlock and the others, not that he'd told anyone else that of course.
Morgana gripped her arms with fragile hands, staring at Arthur. The thin, veil like angel-sleeves fell down to her waist, and the long white dress she wore was just above the ground. "And if the patrols don't find him? What then?" She asked in frustration. Shaking her head, she moved her arms out from her sides, before they lightly gripped the material of the dress. "Because I don't know about you, Arthur, but there is no way I wll wait for more innocent people to vanish. Merlin, Kalian, Flynn..."
Arthur huffed and looked at Morgana in frustration. "Firstly, Morgana, Flynn is hardly innocent-over the last year, he's caused more trouble than I care to recount-secondly, I have no intention of letting anyone else vanish, and I WILL find them."
Morgana didn't say anything more, just nodded tersely.
A man rushed through the open doors of the throne room, hand on the hilt of his sword, red cape seeming to follow after him like a bright shadow. Leon's gaze landed on Arthur. He bowed, then stood sideways, as if ready for an order that sent him back out the door at any second. "Sire," he said, "There have been reports of a group moving through Odin's land with prisoners - ever since the disappearances began."
Arthur turned and looked at the knight. "Really? They travel through Odin's land?" He gritted his teeth. If it was them, that made Arthur's job harder. He couldn't take many knights through Odin's land-and certainly not dressed in Camelot's colors. It would be a dangerous rescue-if indeed it was them.
"Is there any word or sign of how large the group was?" Arthur asked. He guessed the group must be fairly large to be able to kidnap so many sorcerers. Still, he and a few others would go-disguised, to follow the trail. He would leave no stone unturned until he found those missing.
"No, Sire." Leon replied.
Arthur nodded. "Thank you, Leon. Inform two more of your best knights to be ready to leave before sundown-but do not bring anything baring the seal of Camelot."
"Yes, Sire."
Leon spun and left the room.
Gwen bit her lip, bobbing her head for a moment before looking into Arthur's eyes. She looked, really looked, into his eyes, searching for something. "Arthur - I want to help."
Arthur pursed his lips and blinked slowly. He took Gwen's hands in his own and shook his head. "I know-you have a good heart. But Gwen, I can't allow it. It wouldn't be safe, and I need you safe-here."
Gwen's head tilted up and she closed her eyes, swallowing. She nodded, brown eyes opening again. "All right. Just - promise me you'll be careful."
Arthur nodded, smiling softly down at her. "I'm always carefull," he stated as he brushed a loose strand of dark hair from her face. "We'll be back before you know it; with Merlin and the others."
Gwen looked down, hands gripping his tightly. She looked back up, eyes shinning with emotion. "I know you will."
"Morgana, Gaius," he nodded to them both, then headed out of the room, waving one last goodbye to Gwen. He had to prepare for the journey-and pack... something that was harder, and far less pleasant when Merlin wasn't around to constantly ask where they were going and what he should pack.
Morgana turned, and walked from the throne room, towards her own quarters. Arthur had said he hadn't wanted Gwen to come, after all.
TIMEWARP
Arthur stood beside his horse, stroking the long black mane. He checked the cinch once more, tightening it so the saddle wouldn't slip, then slipping the bridle over the horses head and fastening it. He wasn't used to doing the small jobs for himself-but he was capable. He led his horse out into the afternoon sun. He swung into the saddle and looked back, waiting for all the knights, of which, there were four. In total, their group was made of up himself, and the four knights.
Sir Louis followed after Arthur, his Friesian horse's hooves clacking against stone. He ponied another horse, in the event of actually finding the missing magic-users. Of course, they could only bring so many other horses, so they'd decided on three. They'd just have to find others for the rest of the sorcerers they freed.
"Are you ready?" Arthur asked as he spotted several knights and horses walking toward him, dressed in civilian's clothing, so as not to be suspicious as they crossed into Odin's land.
"Yes, Sire," most of the knights echoed. Sir Louis cringed. Okay, so, standing right next to an explosion hadn't been the brightest idea - he'd realized that after Gaius had told him his hearing had been permanently effected. Whatever Arthur had said, he was just going to assume he needed to say yes. "Yes, Sire."
Arthur nodded. "All right, we'll be off then!" he called... loudly enough for Sir Louis to hear. He knew the man's hearing had been damaged-and would remain that way for the rest of his life. It had occurred in a recent battle-still, Louis was a good and loyal knight... one of the best.
Louis tapped his heels against the horse's sides. The buckskin mare walking beside him lagged, yet the reins in his hand kept her from completely stopping. He clicked, trying to speed the buckskin's pace. Needless to say, it didn't work. That's when he heard the mumbling voice off to his left. He looked over to see Sir Grover staring straight at him. "Pardon?" Louis asked.
"Aha! You did not hear me!" Well, Louis heard him that time. The other knight had floppy hair, and a rather large looking nose.
Arthur rolled his eyes, trying to ignore Grover and Louis yelling to each other. He was glad the knights still spoke with Louis, though it was difficult. It was almost humerous to hear their shouting.
They rode out of the gates and sped up the pace, with Arthur at the head of them. The sound of hoofbeats on stone could be heard as they crossed the bridge leading out of the citadel.
"How close until we near Odin's land?" Grover asked Louis, striking up a conversation.
"Nerd?" Louis asked in confusion.
"NEAR!" Grover howled.
"Pardon?"
"NEAR!"
"Oh, near."
"And how far are we now?" Grover asked another question, still trying to get more than a few words from the other man.
"Pardon? Fart?"
"FAR!" Grover cried out, throwing his arms out to his sides in exasperation.
Arthur heard the other knights chuckle quietly. He so badly wanted to laugh, but he knew how frustrating it must be for Louis, so he didn't. "Grover, we've only just left, there will be time for asking how close we are later." He smiled slightly, trying to keep himself from laughing. It was just-funny... to hear them yelling and shouting at each other, misunderstandings and all.
"Okay!" Grover agreed.
Louis looked at the forest ahead, content to ride in the silence. He could vaguely hear a bird every once in a while, just a quiet song.
They rode along in silence for some time, and as they did, the castle shrank farther and farther into the distance. They crossed a large green field, and entered the forest.
Sir Louis looked to his right, flinching as he came face to face with Sir Darin, who seemed to be making bird sounds as loudly as he could. Louis punched him in the shoulder, and in irritation sped his two horses, black and buckskin, until he rode by Arthur's side. The other knight's laughter was somewhat muted.
Arthur shook his head. "Ignore them, Loius!" Arthur called to him. He tried not to laugh. He was actually pretty good at not laughing when he had to be. "We'll ride until we reach Odin's lands, then camp there. We'll start off again the next morning!"
"Sounds good, Sire!" Louis said back.
A noise from behind them had everyone stopping, and unsheathing swords. Louis unsheathed his own, sharp eyes watching carefully. A tall, grey-white horse came from the trees at a trot. Everyone lowered their weapons. "Lady Morgana!" Louis exclaimed, baffled.
Arthur groaned and re-sheathed his sword, looking at Morgana with an disbelieving stare. "Morgana! I-What are you doing? Didn't I make it clear that it was to be the knights and I alone riding through Odin's land?"
Morgana slowed her horse, and smiled. "But you said that you wanted *Gwen* to stay back?" she said with feigned innocence. "I only wish to help - I owe them all. And if this is about me being a woman, you know I'm capable - or should I remind you of the times I beat you? Or was that every time?" she joked.
She grew more serious. "Please - I couldn't just wait for you to come back."
Arthur rolled his eyes and huffed out a sarcastic laugh. "Oh, you mean the times when you ALMOST beat me?" He too sobered and shook his head. "Morgana, I know you want to look for them..." He debated sending her back. He didn't want her in danger-then again, she was skilled with a blade, more so than many, and she was determined to help Merlin and the others. "Fine, but... you will remain with the knights at all times, where it's safe. I suppose we could use all the help we can get."