"Urghh, my leg is killin' me!" Merlin muttered to himself. He stared at his leg swinging uselessly, there was no way he could get it into the stirrup. He exhaled deeply, wonder what Arthur's planning to do when he catches up with that sorcerer? Merlin then urged the stallion on faster, he winced as his was now nagging him more. He gritted his teeth and carried on.
Arthur had been quiet for a while now. The Knights were becoming worried about him.
"Arthur? Are you okay?" Questioned Sir Peter.
"I'm fine." Muttered Arthur quietly.
"Is this about your servant. Merlin?"
Arthur sighed deeply. "Perhaps I shouldn't have left him in the village. Merlin's not one do as he's told, for all we know he could be following us right now!"
Sir Peter and some of the others chuckled, "It's unlikely Sire. With that leg he's not going anywhere in a hurry!"
Arthur tried to laugh and agree with them. But he knew Merlin better than them...
Caddoc pulled harshly on his horse's reins and stared at his surroundings. He slid off the horse's back and tied him to a low branch.
"Eine stil portewen alian liniel!" His hand over a small pool of water, his eyes flashed a rich bright gold. He stared into the glistening pool, it had taken him a while to find a body of water that didn't show the moon's reflection. It focused on Arthur and the Knights while they sat around a fire with a pot of stew over it. Caddoc growled in frustration, he had been sure that his little enchantment would stop anyone challenging him for the pendant. He hit the water as the spell wore off.
"Arthur..." He growled.
Arthur sunk back into his thoughts after eating. He had moved away from the other Knights, he sat closer to the edge of the clearing. The Knights were all laughing and joking, they then realized that Arthur had gone quiet again.
"Arthur. Merlin will be fine." Sir Robert tried to reassure.
Arthur sighed and looked up at the Knight.
"I know, he's not who I was thinking about."
"Oh?" replied Sir Robert his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Arthur stood up and punched the Knight in the arm, with a joking smile. He walked over and joined the other Knights.
Merlin could taste blood, he smacked his lips together and cringed at the nasty taste of blood. Where's this blood coming from? He wondered as he parted his lips, he found they were stuck together. Merlin stopped Midnight Storm, he didn't trust himself to balance on a moving horse holding on with one hand; the last thing he needed was to fall off and not be able to get back on. He felt his lips and squinted as he studied his fingers. Urgh great! Thought Merlin as he wiped his crimson coloured fingers on his jacket. I must have bitten through my lip, while trying to ignore this stupid nagging pain in my leg! Merlin sighed to himself, this just wasn't his week. He urged Midnight Storm on clicking his tongue. "Walk on!" he ordered the horse. Merlin smiled, this horse was the best he'd ever had the pleasure to ride. It was so obedient. Merlin thought of his cranky old mare grazing lazily on things that would surely make her sick. Another thought occurred to him as he past through the forest at slow trot which was all Merlin could take right now, his leg felt like it was on fire with that strong pulsating sensation that constantly past through his leg, I must be like my mare in Arthur's eyes, disobedient, disrespectful and occasionally grumpy. It made Merlin grin to think how annoying he must be in one of his grumpy moods.
Dawn. One of Arthur's favorite times of the day. He loved the Sun breaking through the horizon and the vibrant colours that accompanied it, the rich reds and golds along side a hint of orange and blue. He sighed, but it also was his least favorite time of day because it meant he had to get up, out of his nice warm comfortable bed, but that was his lazy side.
"COME ON!" He shouted clapping loudly, he smiled and heard the Knights groan. His favorite time of day.
"Finally..." sighed Caddoc as he saw his destination from the top of a hill. The small village was just on the horizon, not that he could see the village but the small mountain range that protected it.
"Another day's ride, and I'll be there." Caddoc could have sworn his horse sighed. He stroked his neck tenderly and then ended the affection with a gentle pat. The horse snorted, Caddoc smiled and clicked his tongue urging the horse on into a gallop down the hill.
Merlin passed through a clearing he stopped Midnight Storm, the both of them were tired. They had continued throughout the whole night. He chuckled Arthur had left his sword, he could tell from the craftsmanship of the sword. After you've polished and sharpened the same sword for a couple of years it becomes somewhat unique to other swords.
Merlin looked around making sure no one was watching, he held out his hand
"Aile bac com heare." His eyes flashed gold as he whispered the words and the sword flew into his hand. Got to keep moving he thought and urged Midnight on.
Arthur sighed as they had once again stopped to let the horses rest; although Arthur knew fully well that it was to give his knights' sore bottoms a rest. Arthur allowed his mind to drift back to Merlin, hope he isn't being a pain... Still it's Merlin, what else could I expect from the clumsy idiot? He ran his hand through his hair, there was still the problem of that sorcerer, he would be further ahead than them and cause all kind of chaos. "Come on then, we've rested long enough! If we ever dream of getting that pendant before the sorcerer then we've got to get a move on!" Shouted Arthur herding his grumbling knights back onto their horses. Arthur pulled himself back onto his own horse and set off, there is no way we're going to get even halfway before sunset, when we get back to Camelot so serious training is in order. The knights are getting lazy and sloppy, huh a bit like Merlin. Arthur cursed himself for bringing Merlin up again is he all ever thought of, Hmmm Gwen... Arthur smiled to himself allowing himself to think of his gorgeous Guinevere.
Caddoc had stopped at the bottom of the mountain range. It was too dangerous to try and climb the mountains in the dark. There was no way round he would have to wait until sunrise. Caddoc's eyes flashed gold as he lit a small fire, his horse had laid down and gone sleep. Caddoc smiled his horse was his only ally, he could trust no one else. He stared out at the darkened scenery only lit by the full moon, the wind was cool and gentle. As Caddoc lost himself in the sounds and the untamed magic that was all around, he felt calm so his troubles would be over; he could finally destroy Camelot for killing his loved ones. Caddoc snapped out of it his eyes flashed with anger and pain. "Uther will suffer..." He snarled angrily, the flames from the fire grew more intense with Caddoc's anger. Caddoc took a deep breath and allowed his anger to fizzle out. For now...
Arthur and his company of knights were now in the open meadows that surrounded the small mountain range. They stopped by the small river that came down from the mountains and flowed through the meadow opening out into a small pool. "We should walk the rest, and leave the horses here as they will have grass and water." Noted Arthur.
"It's a shame we didn't bring Merlin, he would have loved those mountains!" Chuckled Arthur watching as the knights grinned, nodding in agreement.
"Oh for the love of Camelot!" groaned Merlin spying the small mountain range. Merlin squinted he could see a small dot of orange. "Arthur or the sorcerer?" Wondered Merlin and urged a very tired Midnight on.