Author's note: Sorry about not putting new chapters up lately, this story is longer than I anticipated. Hope I haven't bored you all to death! Feedback is always welcomed, If you don't like it tell me why or if your enjoying this story please let me know, by either giving me a favourite or a review! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story so far. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it! I apologise if Merlin goes out of character a bit.
Caddoc looked at his horse and cursed. Today would have been a perfect day to climb the mountains and get that pendant, but his horse Nightmare had fallen ill due to exhaustion. Caddoc was not a cruel man, Nightmare was the only friend and company he had. He would just have to stay here and nurse his friend.
Nightmare was a cream coloured horse with a white mane, tail and four white socks. He was to anyone a normal stallion, but when magic was involved Nightmare would live up to his name his white features became a blazing fire, his cream pelt became coal black. His soft gentle, but majestic, eyes became that of hell as they glowed blood red.
Merlin was forced to stop as Midnight was suffering from exhaustion from Merlin's constant riding. It was extremely frustrating for Merlin, everytime they had managed to reach Arthur's camp they had packed up and gone. "I'm sorry boy... You know I would get off if I could." Merlin told the horse apologetically he patted Midnight's neck and allowed him to drink from the stream. Merlin yearned to drink from the stream too, his waterskin had run dry the night before; Merlin knew if he got off of Midnight he had no chance of getting back on this large, muscular stallion. Merlin rubbed his hand over his sensitive leg, the riding had not only made his bottom sore but his leg too which was giving him hell.
"Sciveloec oen healae." Whispered Merlin, his eyes flashed molten gold and he sighed leaning back into his proper position in the middle of the saddle, Merlin could not heal his leg but he could use spells that could relieve him temporalily.
"Almost there..." Murmered Arthur more to himself than to his fellow knights. Arthur missed Merlin's constant talking. Since they had set off this morning the knights had been quiet, Arthur didn't blame them this quest hadn't been the easiest and the distance had made it worse not mention they still had some mountains to climb before they reached their destination. "Still alive back there?" Arthur joked trying to break the silence that was settling on them making Arthur really uncomfortable. "Just about Sire.." murmered one of the knights tiredly. Arthur sighed, as soon as they had this pendant rhey could return home and relax a bit.
It was dusk by the time Arthur and his party reached the foot of the mountains. Arthur blinked curiously at the camp fire just up ahead, who could that be? Arthur was pondering if they were in danger or not when a chilling voice shouted at them.
"If you want to live you'll turn around and go back to Camelot..."
Arthur stared at the cloaked figure, it was a tall lean man dressed all in black, the hood of the man's cloak covered his face but his pale bony hand was sticking out.
"Are you the sorcerer? The one that killed that villager..." Arthur replied calmly ignoring what the man had said.
"I am." Came the cold reply.
"What is your business?" Asked Arthur out curiosity his hand slid to his scabbard, to rest his hand on the hilt of his sword... A sword that wasn't there... Arthur heart skipped a beat he'd left his sword at the camp in the forest. He mentally cursed himself for being so forgetful.
"I think you know that already Prince Arthur of Camelot! But since you aren't very bright I suppose it won't hurt for you to learn of my intentions. I seek the pendant so I can use it against your precious Camelot and avenge my family and friends!" He cackled before adding "Did you get all that? Or was that a bit much for that small ignorant mind of yours?"
"HOW DARE YOU SORCERER INSULT ME!" Cried Arthur, his body shaking with rage, how dare he.
"I am Caddoc! I can do as I please, you have nothing against me. Why you don't even have a petty sword little boy." Caddoc sneered.
Before Arthur and his knights could react they were thrown back by a strong invisible force, Arthur hit the ground with a loud thud and then darkness...
Caddoc smiled as he cast another spell, pleased with his handy work he returned to Nightmare. The majestic beast was now standing, Caddoc smiled warmly as Nightmare approached him.
"I need you to stand guard. Make sure they don't follow me." He ordered the horse. Caddoc placed his hand on Nightmare's broad neck, his eyes flashed gold and his majestic stallion transformed into it's hellish form. Caddoc gave his friend a last glance and headed off into the mountains.
"Arthur is a... Clotpole, Dollophead, Idiot, Prat..." As Merlin rambled as many insults he could to entertain himself. Riding in the dark was just plain boring, especially when travelling through a meadow alone. It was late by the time he finally made it to the foot of the mountains. He had been extremely concerned earlier as his magic had picked up a strong force of magic being used. As he entered the area a cold sensation ran down his spine making him shudder multiple times.
"Who's there?" Came a voice, making Merlin jump.
"I know someone's there..." Growled the voice. Merlin sighed with relief it was a voice he knew as well as his own.
"There is someone here... He goes by the name of Merlin." Answered Merlin grinning. Not that they would know that as it was too dark.
"Urghhh... Of all people..." Merlin heard Arthur groan.
"Oh! Well if you don't need me then I guess I'll just head back to the village. Didn't like the look of them mountains anyway." Merlin responded trying to sound serious, as he turned Midnight around.
"WAIT!" Arthur called.
Merlin turned back around annoying Midnight.
"Hmm?" Answered Merlin. He could hear Arthur cursing.
"I'm... errr... We're... stuck." Came an embarrassed voice.
"YOU DARE LAUGH!" Warned Arthur.
Merlin made a gasping noise, "I wouldn't dream of it!" he replied cockily.
Merlin then slid off the horse, as soon as his good leg came in contact with the ground it buckled beneath him causing Merlin's injured leg to be jolted upwards. Merlin cried out in pain as he hit ground, he didn't dare move straight away.
"Are you okay Merlin? ... Merlin?" Called Arthur.
"I'm *Gasp* okay.." Came Merlin's pained response.
Merlin's cry had alerted Nightmare as he galloped back towards them. Arthur spotted the danger that was coming it was a good distance away and took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Merlin. I need you to listen carefully, you need something that can cut through thick vines. But you need to hurry. I know your hurt, but you really need to hurry!" Arthur urged his voice a mix of desperation and sympathy. Merlin looked at Arthur's sword he had slid through his belt, now came the problem of finding where they were. He dragged himself towards the smell of smoke and closer to the mountains. He looked to his left to see a blazing creature racing towards them, now he knew why Arthur had told him to hurry. Merlin took a deep breath and painstakingly dragged himself closer. Arthur felt pressure on his leg, he guessed it was Merlin trying to find him.
"Okay Merlin, move yourself up, your on my leg."
Merlin slid his hand up Arthur's leg unaware he was on the inside of Arthur's leg.
"STOP!" Cried Arthur.
Merlin jumped and stopped.
"Please. Move your hand to the outside of my leg, not the inside." Said Arthur his eyes closed tightly. The creature would be upon them any minute now. Merlin made a noise of disgust and moved his hand to the outside of Arthur leg, making Arthur feel more comfortable. Merlin continued to follow up Arthur's body until he reached the thick vine that bound Arthur, paralysizing him. Merlin pulled the sword free; his leg throbbing painfully. He cut through the vine with ease, Arthur emmediately moved cutting his hand on the blade of the sword as he took it from Merlin. Arthur pulled himself to his feet ready to attack the beast. Nightmare reared as he reached Arthur but Arthur was too quick, before Nightmare had a chance to land a fatal blow with his mighty flamed hooves; Arthur had stabbed him fatally wounding the stallion. Nightmare whinned with pain as he fell backwards hitting the ground clumsily.
Caddoc turned in surprise at his companion's cry, he knew that Nightmare was gone. He felt the link between them break. Nightmare was dead he was on his own, Caddoc chest grew tight hatred burned deeper and stronger than ever; his eyes flashed gold in his grief and anger a wall of flames shot up at the foot of the mountains the heat was phenomenal, Arthur had cut free the knights and was dragging Merlin to a safe distance from the flames. A few minutes later the flames were gone, Caddoc had continued they would pay for what they had done, he would make sure of that.
The knights had now lit a small fire and were sitting around it watching Merlin and Arthur. After the flames had died down the pain had been too much for Merlin and he had fallen unconscious. Arthur ripped some fabric from his tunic underneath his armour, he folded it and poured water from his waterskin onto it. Arthur then leant over Merlin placing the fabric on his brow, Merlin mumbled in his feverish sleep. Arthur stayed up all night tending to Merlin's fever. But it paid off as Merlin's fever broke in the early hours of the morning. Merlin opened his eyes groggily, blinking them into focus a knight's face filled his vision. "He's awake!" Sir Peter called to Arthur. Arthur walked over and knelt by his friend's head, Arthur had already sent the remaining knights to start climbing up the mountain paths.
"You've put me in a predicament..." Arthur mumbled staring into Merlin's glazed eyes. He slapped Merlin's cheek hard enough to bring Merlin round properly.
"Prat.." Grumbled Merlin.
"What am I going to do with you?" Arthur replied shaking his head.
"Not slap me again? Might be a start." Answered Merlin with a feeble smile.
Arthur stared back seriously "No Merlin... Really, what am I going to do? I can carry you up there, but it may take longer tan we have, but I can't leave you here with Sir Peter as I'm going to need all my knights to defeat Caddoc... And I can't leave you here alone." Ranted Arthur with a stressed tone.
"I'm sorry." Murmered Merlin, not really knowing what else he could do. Arthur squeezed the bridge of his nose, with his eyes closed tightly deciding what the best course of action would be.
"Don't think too hard. You might hurt yourself!" Merlin piped in trying to lighten the mood. Arthur opened his eyes and stared at Merlin.
"I'll have to carry you up." Arthur decided. Merlin groaned, this was going to fun he could already tell.
"How could you be so heavy!? There's nothing of you!" Panted Arthur
Merlin just grunted. Arthur had Merlin thrown over his shoulder gripping Merlin's wrist with his left hand and grasping Merlin's right leg.
"Been eating your sausages..." Murmered Merlin, "To stop you getting out of shape." He added.
"How many times Merlin? I...AM...NOT...FAT!" Protested Arthur.
"I never said you was." Replied Merlin. The knights grinned they had been missing this.
"Ah... Finally... All we need to do now is get down the mountain..." Arthur pointed out. As they all looked at the village bellow, well all apart from Merlin.
"Let's not stand here looking at it." Ordered Arthur as he began to move down the path leading downwards.
"I didn't get the chance..." Muttered Merlin.
"Oh... Shut up Merlin!"
"You better not fall Prat."
"You're getting confused. Your the clumsy idiot."
"That's debatable."
"Shut up Merlin, and that's an order!"
They didn't stop their banter until they reached the village, it had certainly made the desent more entertaining for everyone. They walked past all the little houses made of various materials such as stone and wood.
"It's too quiet... Where is everyone?" Whispered Merlin.
"Good question" Replied Arthur who was unsettled by the emptiness of the settlement.
Arthur groaned and shifted his stiff shoulders trying not to jerk Merlin in the process, Merlin whinced but made no sound. They headed towards the cave which stood proudly at the other end of the village. As they moved closer Merlin seemed to get more agitated, he could feel the dark magic reacting with his own until Merlin eventually voice his opinion,
"I don't think we should go in there..." They could hear the agitation and desperation in Merlin's voice.
"If your scared Merlin..." Started Arthur.
"I'm not scared! I just have a really bad feeling about it." Replied Merlin solumnly.
"Well like it or not we're going to have to go in at some point." Arthur pointed out.
"Don't worry Merlin I'll hold your hand." Joked Arthur, moving his hand down from Merlin's wrist to his hand. Much to Arthur's surprise Merlin squeezed Arthur hand, he was really unsettled; no way would Merlin hold his hand like this unless he was truly upset.
They ventured into the cave Merlin felt like the cave was swallowing them up, as they got deeper the dark magic began to engulf him. Merlin gritted his teeth fighting every instinct that told him to leave, to run, run as fast as he could and never look back. Everyone was quiet and alert every scutter of the rats made them jump and scan the area. Soon the passage opened up into a large hall like area. They approached a skeleton on the floor, black cloak torn and worn, the bones looked as if they would turn to dusk at a single touch. In the hand of the skeleton was the pendant.
"Sir Peter, hold Merlin for me." The knight came forward eying the skeleton. Arthur placed Merlin in Sir Peter's awaiting arms. He then turned and crouched beside the skeleton's hand, he reached out slowly to take it.
"ARTHUR DON'T!" Cried Merlin. Arthur snatched his hand back in surprise.
"Sire, he's really wound up." Sir Peter said his voice filled with concern. Arthur looked back at Merlin, the room only had dim light from torches that were randomly scattered. But he could see Merlin wasn't happy.
"The sooner you let me get this, the sooner we can leave Merlin." Arthur reasoned. Arthur turned back and reached for the pendant. The skeleton sudden came to life.
"It's mine!" It screached.
The skeleton had a hold of Arthur's arm.
"Let go of me!" Snapped Arthur trying to get free. He currently had the pendant.
"I am Caddoc you cannot tell me what to do! My power will destroy you!" Cried the skeleton, then his lower jaw fell off.
Arthur kicked the skeleton, Caddoc let go. As soon as he had he bones turned to dust.
"What a way to go..." Murmered Sir Durhan.
"Speaking of go, let's not dwell here a moment longer!" Muttered Arthur pushing the pendant into his satchal.
Merlin was glad to be out of there but the problem was they now had the source of the dark magic and it was irrritating Merlin's magic, it took everything ounce of his self conrtol to not let his magic lash out at the evil object. Curiosity had got the better of Arthur as he walked up to one of the houses.
"Hello?" He called knocking on the door, the came open Arthur pushed it open. There was the skeletons of three people in various places. He slowly backed up remembering Caddoc still being "Alive" when he was disturbed, he closed the door and walked back to the group.
"We need to get moving and have this thing destroyed." Arthur said his voice cracking.
"What's wrong?" Questioned Merlin puzzled.
"We need to move now!" Arthur ordered.
Doors swung open as the skeletons became animated and began following them.
"Arthur..." Merlin shivered.
"Keep moving! Don't look at them just keep moving!" Ordered Arthur.
"Easy for you to say!" retorted Merlin who had no choice in the matter as he was being carried in the same way as earlier by Sir Peter. Merlin found the skeletons of the children most disturbing and closed his eyes. One was very close to them. They had to stop when they reached the mountain pass as Arthur urged them up the narrow path one at a time. Merlin opened his eyes and looked up from the floor there was one of the skeletons of a child grabbed Merlin's face.
"ARTHUR!" Cried Merlin in alarm. Arthur spun around and raced to his friend's aid, he grabbed the skeleton and pulled it's arms from it's body. He threw the bones to the ground the hands had let go of Merlin and had become dust. He was shaking with shock, Arthur took him from Sir Peter and urged him up onto the pass. The skeletons had them surrounded he passed a shaking Merlin up to the knight and pulled himself up, he kicked off the single skeleton that had grabbed his leg. Arthur checked to make sure he still had the pendant, it was still there he thanked his lucky stars and joined the others furthur up the path.