Chapter Two
Merlin lay on the floor trying to find a comfortable position. It was the second night of being locked up, and still they didn't know who had caught them, or more to the point what they intended to do with them. The cell was not that big and with six of them squashed in together, Merlin was seriously missing his home comforts back in Camelot.
If lack of space wasn't bad enough there was also the snoring of Gwaine to contend with, especially as he kept falling onto Merlin's shoulder. Every now and then Merlin would push him straight up, which made Gwaine mumble and grumble under his breath, but within a few seconds Gwaine would slip back down against Merlin's shoulder again. In the end Merlin gave up on his sleep for the night.
Looking around he tried to make out what he could of the place. They were obviously in a castle, the dungeons looked very old, Merlin suspected it could be the castle they passed on their patrol, on the way out to Landine. They had not made it to their intended target, having been captured by bandits on the way there. Merlin had never had such an uncomfortable journey as they were tied and blindfolded and thrown into a old cart that seemed to find every bump in the road, by the time he was thrown into the dungeon with everyone else his body felt black and blue.
He couldn't even remember the faces of any of the bandits, it seemed they were very keen on keeping their identity hidden. As he looked through the railings of the cell, he couldn't even see any guards around. It got stranger and stranger.
"Merlin. Where do you think we are?"
Merlin turned to see Arthur awake, his hair sticking up on end, Merlin had a laugh to himself as he thought about how unimpressed the King would be with his untidy appearance.
"I think we're in a castle." Merlin replied continuing to look down the dark passage.
"Merlin obviously we're in a castle, we're in the dungeons!" Arthur exclaimed in annoyance. At times Merlin could be so dense.
"I don't know what else you expect me to know in the circumstances." Merlin argued back. "I mean I was blind folded on the way here you know!"
"Can't you use your magic to tell us something?" Arthur asked irritably.
"It's not that simple like I keep trying to tell you. Magic isn't like that." Merlin explained.
How many times had he already tried to explain this very fact to Arthur he wondered? Too many times to think about, he was beginning to learn that even though everyone knew he was a sorcerer it still caused problems. People seemed to think it could instantly solve problems, but it was never that simple, but trying to explain that to others was sometimes hard to do.
"I haven't even seen any guards." Merlin said uneasily. "It is as though they've dumped us down here and left us."
"Can't you take the bars off I've seen you do that before." Arthur pointed out.
"I tried that last night, the bars won't shift." Merlin explained "It's almost as if they've been-"
"What?" Arthur asked noticing the worried look on his friend's face.
"Like they've been enchanted." Merlin whispered uneasily.
"But you have very strong magic Merlin." Arthur said trying not too sound too worried.
"Yes I do have powerful magic, but my magic is not strong enough to break through these cell doors." Merlin said.
"Are you saying whoever has done this has stronger magic than you?" Arthur asked fear in his voice.
"It must certainly be very powerful magic, to stop my powers from working." Merlin admitted, that very thought had kept him seriously concerned throughout the night.
For a second they stared at one another not quite knowing what to say. Merlin had seldom seen his friend actually afraid, but right at this moment he could see fear quite clearly in Arthur's features. He attempted to take control again.
"But I will keep trying, you never know maybe it's a lack of sleep which is making me less efficient. Don't worry I'm sure I'll manage it somehow." Merlin smiled.
Arthur slapped Merlin on the back supportively, despite everything he felt grateful that Merlin was here. He knew his friend would do his utmost like he always had, but he had to admit to feeling nervous as to whom they were dealing with here.
Presently the other Knights began to wake up, all of a sudden the atmosphere began to get more tense as the feeling of being closeted in began to take hold over everyone. When they were all awake there was barely enough room to move about in, making Tristan in particular restless and frustrated.
"I need to get out." he said tersely. "I feel like an animal caged up."
"You need to get out." Percival commented trying to cut the tension. "I think my body has started to turn inwards there is so little room for it!"
"All I know is one more night of Gwaine's snoring down my ear." Elyan remarked "Will drive me mad."
"I don't snore." Gwaine hit back quickly wounded.
"You do!" everyone else answered in unison.
"It's not natural being cooped up like this." Gwaine grunted.
"I'm doing my best to get us out of here." Merlin assured him.
"Can't you do something with your magic Merlin?" Tristan asked annoyance in his voice.
"I've tried believe me, but so far the bars won't move."
"Don't worry." Gwaine said slapping his friend on the back. "You'll manage it."
"I will keep trying I promise." Merlin said before exchanging a worried glance with Arthur.
"Let's give him some space to work in everyone." Arthur encouraged.
"If there was any space!" Tristan muttered.
The Knights moved to the back of the dungeon best as they could, and then watched and listened transfixed as Merlin tried to remove the bars.
Feeling all of their eyes on his back made Merlin feel extremely tense. He tried every spell he knew to break down the bars, but each one failed, leaving feeling deflated. His friends were relying on him to get them out of their predicament, but so far Merlin was failing to do that, he had seldom felt so powerless.
For a moment he began to doubt himself and his powers, but just as quickly he dismissed his thoughts. For the sake of his friends he had to succeed, so he prepared to make another effort, this time he was determined to summon everything he had inside himself.
"I need you all to lie on the ground and cover yourselves as best as you can, if this one works it could be messy." he grinned to them.
He waited until the Knights had all complied, then concentrated his mind. He could feel an enormous surge of magic beginning to move inside him. He looked at the bars, his eyes narrowing for a second before opening up again and turning bright orange, the command came tumbling out of his mouth.
"Tospringe!" he shouted at the bars, and for a moment he could feel the dungeon shake with the power of the spell. He waited for the bars to blow away, and waited but nothing happened. For a second he stood staring at them, not knowing what to do or what to say. He could feel the disappointment behind him, it overcame him like a virus suddenly overcoming a body. He felt acute disappointment in himself he was failing everyone and there was nothing he could do to change it. Just as the feeling of despair washed over him, he heard a noise.
Suddenly light was thrown into the dungeon, forcing them all to cover their eyes, the intensity of the light almost forced Merlin to call out.
Once he'd got over the shock, he looked ahead. Outside the dungeon was a young woman, a slight figure, with long brown hair that landed on her shoulders. Merlin stared at her, something about her made him feel as if he'd seen her before. As he watched her come nearer he desperately tried to place her. He noted she was bringing them food on a tray. The thought of food made his stomach churn. How long was it since they'd eaten he wondered.
As the woman came up to the cell, and began to unlock it, suddenly Merlin remembered her name.
"Anna!" he cried out. "What are you doing here?"
The woman seemed taken aback for a second. She looked at him, a hard look in her eyes, as Merlin stared at her he had a strange feeling. It was as if she had no emotion in her at all, as if her eyes were completely empty.
"You remember me don't you?" Merlin asked her softly. "I'm Merlin I helped you a few years ago."
If she remembered she gave little sign of it. She put the tray down suspicion etched on her face, it was as if she was trying to keep a distance between them. She looked at them all, as if wanting to avoid any interaction with Merlin himself.
She spoke her voice had an icy hard edge to it, no emotion in the tone. "You need to make sure this food lasts a couple of days." she said to no one in particular.
Gwaine looked at the scraps of mouldy bread and cheese, with a few grapes thrown around it. It wasn't much between the six of them.
"Our host's generosity knows no bounds!" he muttered.
This was enough for the young woman to suddenly turn on him.
"You should feel honoured that our leader has given you anything at all. Most people come here to die, you are among the lucky ones." she announced she then coloured as if embarrassed by what she had said.
"Who is this leader Anna?" Merlin asked desperate to make a connection with her.
"Stop calling me that, you do not know me." she cried out at him.
"Who is your leader, what do they want with us?" he tried again.
"You will find out soon enough." she said leaving the dungeon and locking the door again.
She briefly paused catching Arthur's eyes for a second. Up to now he'd been quiet trusting Merlin to take the lead. Suddenly though he decided to try and appeal to her. He looked at her with kindness in his eyes.
"Please we have been locked up for two days, surely you can tell us something." he begged her.
After a pause she said softly. "I'm sorry I cannot tell you anything."
As Merlin studied her he was sure he could sense a bit of emotion inside her, something alive in the eyes. It finally confirmed to him that Anna was under someone's control, but who was the question. He sat back and pondered the answer.
Sir Leon led the way with Gwen, Isolde and Freya in the middle of the group of Knights. They had spent a few hours travelling through the overgrown forest. It was a forest that sometimes unnerved Leon, but he was determined to this time show no fear and to act like the leading Knight he was.
Beside him Isolde sometimes came alongside. She was certainly fall of courage Leon had already found that out. Indeed he admired her spirit and guile, she was never one to stand down, always ready to do the right thing. They fell into an easy conversation.
"Where did you and Tristan meet?" he asked her.
Isolde smiled. "I lost my parents when I was 8 years old. I was sent to live with an Aunt in the country. They treated me well, but they wanted me to be a daughter, and dress me in pretty dresses. That was never my thing. I always wanted to play with my brothers, go up trees and sword fight with them!" she laughed.
"I can't say that surprises me." Leon laughed.
"After I was old enough to leave I left the country, too restrictive. My Aunt and Uncle were trying to marry me off, but all of my suitors were too embarrassing and boring. I decided to leave and live my own life the way I saw fit. I got work in a town not so far away, worked in the Tavern for a pittance. We had to pay most of the money we earnt back to the landlord, we were left with almost nothing to live on."
"That must have been difficult." Gwen commented.
"But then fate intervened for me. That night a group of travellers came into the bar, Tristan among them. This will sound very corny." she laughed. "But our eyes met across the floor, and I knew instantly that I had met my man."
"Ah" Freya sighed. "That's so sweet."
Gwen and Isolde smiled at the look on Freya's face. Freya being the youngest was often almost child like in her reactions. It made Gwen almost indulgent for her childhood when everything was so innocent and sweet. Life had greatly changed for her now with her title, but she still tried to hold onto as much love and memories as she could, to keep herself grounded.
"It must have been a big change for you though, when you were travelling around from place to place." she remarked
"Yes but at the same time we had each other. That was always the most important thing for me. Tristan loved his gold as you know, and I have to admit at the start so did I. But it was only when we almost lost it all when I got hurt that day, that I realised that as long as I had Tristan that was the only thing that really mattered. Possessions are not as important as the people we love" Isolde smiled.
"That is very true." Gwen agreed.
"Look at you and Arthur, he turned down a Princess for you, for all his annoying little habits, and god knows dear Tristan has those as well." Isolde laughed. "It is prove he has his heart in the right place."
"Yes that is true." Gwen smiled. "I'll work on the rest, given time."
Everyone laughed at that.
"My Merlin is so romantic." Freya sighed. "If only he can understand that sometimes I need a bit of independence. He is so protective of me, I mean it's sweet, but at the same time annoying too. I can look after myself I've needed too throughout my life."
"He will understand in time." Gwen smiled. "It is nice to see you both together and being able to use your magic as well. He has been on his own for too long has Merlin."
"Yes I think he is coming out of his shell now." Freya agreed.
"Just remember you're the boss Freya." Isolde shouted.
"My goodness I am beginning to feel very outnumbered here." Leon said.
"Don't worry Leon we'll let you know if you do something wrong!" Isolde grinned.
"I don't doubt if for a second." Leon agreed.
"How much longer will it take to get to our destination Leon?" Gwen asked suddenly aware of how darkness was beginning to show between the trees, and a sharp coolness in the breeze.
"There is a place we often stop at overnight, it's not too far away it is well sheltered. We should get there early tomorrow, provided we are not delayed by anything." he grimaced.
Gwen nodded, there was a definite difference in tension all of a sudden. The horses seemed more jumpy, which spread a certain amount of tension to the riders as well. Everyone started to look around them, aware that a gang of bandits could suddenly appear from anywhere now. It was around here, that a gang of Knights had been attacked earlier. It was prime ambush country, with hiding places in and around the trees and coves. Gwen would feel relieved when they at last got to their shelter for the night.
The party moved slowly on Leon demanding that everyone continued to look out for anything suspicious. Even Isolde was starting to look wary, she could sense an undertone some how, that she recognised from her time on the road. Not wanting to alarm Gwen or Freya too much, she began ease back through the Knights determined to be an extra eye. If anyone attacked then she would be ready to play her part.
Leon guessed that they would reach their rest place within the next half an hour he was pleased that so far they had come across no disruption, but he knew the danger had not yet passed and continued to remain wary at all times. He waved everyone on and stayed back briefly checking on the area that surrounded them.
Just as he made ready to move again, an arrow came flying through the air, causing his horse to jump and almost throw him off. Alerted he urged the horse to rejoin his group, he somehow managed to miss another arrow, he looked ahead and found they were suddenly surrounded by bandits everywhere. This was going to be messy he thought to himself uneasily.