Thanks for all the feedback! I will be making chapter 4 longer and more detailed. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review. I love reading your comments so please keep them coming. Note: The next chapter may take a while longer, as I've got a repetitive strain injury in my right arm/hand so I can only type with my left. Thankyou.
The sun illuminated the cave.
"Morning at last!" cried one of the knights, all the knights gave a small cheer. It had been an extremely long night. They turned to face the prince who was asleep just inside the cave. One of the knights shook Arthur awake, the Prince awoke dazed and still tired. Arthur pulled himself up using the wall as support, he stretched, blinking a couple of times to get his eyes to focus.
"Where's Merlin?" he asked with deep concern. The knights looked at each other, and shrugged.
Arthur ran his hand through his hair. He looked at his men then left the cave.
Arthur back-tracked along the route, studying for any sign that his friend had been there.
"There!" shouted one of the knights walking along the pass, he stopped next to one of the sacks Merlin had been carrying. Arthur walked over and knelt by the sack, he looked in it, it was the sack of necessary supplies; knife, rope, bandages and a couple of other handy things. One of the knights walked over to the edge of the path.
"Oh…" was all he could say. Arthur looked at him, he dreaded to think what the man could see.
He turned to the knights and Arthur,
"Found him." He answered to them. He looked back over the edge, Arthur pulled himself to his feet and stood beside the knight. He reluctantly looked down. Arthur sighed loudly, Merlin was unconscious on a ledge a couple of feet down. He laughed with relief and turned to his fellow knights.
"Okay, let's get him. Sir Peter pass me the rope in the sack." Arthur ordered. Sir Peter obeyed bringing the rope over to Arthur. The Prince took the rope and tied one end around his waist.
"Lower me down slowly, when I give signal pull me back up." Arthur said sternly.
"Yes Sire!" Chimed the knights in response. Arthur then began lowering himself down the steep mountain face, the knights cautiously slacking the rope. When Arthur reached the bottom he gave the knights a signal to stop slacking the rope. He walked over to Merlin, he winced at the sight of his left leg and the amount of blood the servant had lost. The ledge crunched and began to break off, Arthur wasted no time he picked up the boy and gave the signal to the knights. They immediately began pulling the rope back up, the ledge broke off and fell shattering into pieces as it hit the jagged mountain face. Arthur kept a tight grip on his servant, when they reached the path the knights helped him back up. They returned to the small cave and assessed Merlin's injuries. The Prince studied the boy's left leg, he looked at the knights and muttered loud enough for them to hear.
"His left leg is definitely broken, he's lost a lot of blood and is extremely weak… Get comfy lads, we're not going anywhere today." He then turned his attention back to Merlin. Arthur then ripped some of his tunic off and wetted it with water from his waterskin. He gently wiped the blood from Merlin's head, cleaning the cut, then wrapping the bandages around his head. He straightened Merlin's left leg but he had no more bandages so he had to leave it at being straightened.
It was dusk before Merlin began to stir. Vibrant reds and oranges lit the cave with the slightest hint of blue as the Sun disappeared. He was cross-eyed for a couple of seconds and seeing in double vision. He moaned loudly, grasping the attention of Arthur and the knights. Arthur knelt closely to Merlin's head so his face filled the boy's vision. Merlin's face filled with complete confusion.
"Wwhat's ggoing onn?" Merlin slurred.
Arthur bit his lip and replied softly "You had an accident don't you remember?"
Merlin groaned and shook his head slowly.
"Okay." Arthur whispered slowly, nodding his head. He spoke up again a minute later "Try not to move too much."
"Ookay…" Merlin slurred again.
Arthur turned to face the mouth of the cave, staring at the sky. I don't want to push him, but I need to find out how much damage has been done to his memory… Arthur thought, he turned back to Merlin. He was staring out at the sky too. Arthur took a deep breath.
"Merlin." He said softly. Merlin didn't respond. Arthur's heart missed a beat.
He tried again, "Merlin." This time he responded. Arthur sighed with relief for what seemed the hundredth time that day.
"Hmmm…?" Responded Merlin.
"I…I need to know how much you remember. To assess how bad your head injury is." Arthur said awkwardly.
"Okay." Merlin said clearly, he must have been in some sort of daze thought Arthur.
"Right we'll start simple. How old are you?"
"23." Came the rapid response.
"Where were you born?"
"… … Ealdor." Came a delayed and unsure answer.
"What's your mother's name?"
"… Hunith." Another delayed response. Arthur worried slightly, these things should be instant.
"Where do you currently live?"
"… … …" Merlin thought for a while. Then looked at Arthur worriedly.
"No problem." Replied Arthur tried to keep the worry from his voice.
"Who am I?" Arthur said uncertainly.
Merlin grinned, "Prince Prat!" Arthur groaned, Merlin face went serious as he then said quickly,
"Prince Arthur." Arthur nodded.
"What's the name of the Physician you live with?"
"I live with a Physician?" Merlin said like it was new information to him.
Arthur pulled a face.
"What is your job?" Asked Arthur now running out of questions.
"… … Your… Servant?" Merlin said unsure again.
"Yes, okay… That's it. There's a few gaps… But nothing too serious," Arthur said trying to sound reassuring.
"Your terrible at trying to reassure people…" Replied Merlin raising an eyebrow, before turning back to watch the sky.
Oh well, could have been worse. At least he still shows me the same level of respect! Thought Arthur.
"We should get some rest. Long day ahead tomorrow." Arthur announced. He then laid down next to Merlin, who was facing him.
"Night Prat." Chirped Merlin.
Arthur punched Merlin's arm softly, while smiling. Merlin winced in pain and cried out. Arthur shot up to assess what had caused his friend's agony. Merlin stopped and burst out laughing.
"GOT YA! Your face! You looked like a right idiot!"
"THAT WASN'T FUNNY MERLIN! Shouted Arthur furiously. All the knights were hiding their grins and holding back laughter.
"No… Your right…" Merlin said looking sadly at the ground. His eyes met with Arthur's, then a grin spread across his face and finished his sentence "IT WAS HILARIOUS!" Merlin then began laughing uncontrollably. Arthur rolled his eyes and laid down with his back to Merlin and closed his eyes, smiling a little, his friend couldn't be that bad if he could still wind him up. They had no blankets so the sack was used as a blanket for Merlin. Everything inside it was placed at the back of the cave. After a while everyone was asleep, apart from Merlin, his leg was extremely painful and preventing any sort of sleep. Merlin sighed and stared out at the few stars he could see. He allowed his mind to separate from body and fly to the stars and around the mountains. He blinked himself back reality, realising that had used magic. Whoops! I better be more careful. Thought Merlin, as he tried to ignore the pain in his leg and closed his eyes. This time the pain faded out and Merlin passed through the gates to Dreamland.
"What's taking them so long?" groaned Uther, "They've been gone much too long." He continued. Gaius looked thoughtful for a moment before replying,
"They would have had to cross the mountains to get to Maridor, perhaps weather is not on their side…" Uther considered this for a while and nodded.
"You may be right." Uther sighed deeply and sat on his throne. Gaius looked at the floor before looking back to the King . Uther showed his age, he seemed weary and vulnerable. Gaius eventually spoke up. "If that's all, my lord?" hoping he would be dismissed and could get back to his work.
Uther waved his hand in dismissal, Gaius bowed and left the King to his thoughts. Morgana made her quiet and polite entrance. Uther looked up and smiled, Morgana returned it; but in her head she felt sick.
"My Lord." She said smoothly.
"Morgana. What a pleasant surprise." He replied happily.
"It's very dark in here." She noted.
"it was until you walked in. You are as bright as the Sun, my dear child." Uther said softly.
Morgana groaned inside her head, stupid, cold hearted, pigheaded old man she thought.
"Any news of Arthur and his knights?" Questioned Morgana trying to sound concerned.
Uther shook his head, looking deeply concerned.
"You mustn't worry yourself. Arthur is more than capable you should have more faith in him." Morgana soothed placing her pale hand upon Uther's, he looked down at their hands and placed his free hand upon hers gently and looked at her.
"Your right, we should retire for the night." He said after a while.
"Of course. Goodnight my lord." Replied Morgana, desperate to escape and talk with her dear sister.
The both of them left the Throne room and retired to their chambers.
Morgana placed her cloak on and left the castle using corridors that she knew would be deserted.
When she reached the Old Arrowed Oak Tree, Morgause was already there waiting for her. Morgause's face was serious and dark.
"What's wrong?" Questioned Morgana worriedly.
"We have a problem." Replied Morgause, she sounded furious.
"What kind of problem?" Morgana questioned again.
Morgause ran her hand down the tree.
"It's two things." She said after a while. "One. Arthur's servant got himself injured, it seems weather wasn't on their side. He fell and broke his leg. According to our spies."
Morgana smiled evilly, "How is that a problem?"
Morgause stared up her and answered. "Two. Someone else is also after the pendant."
Morgana's face became serious. Who?"
Morgause looked at the ground. "He's a sorcerer, one that we'd do well to stay wary of. He will cause us many problems."
"How did he find out?" Morgana asked puzzled.