Summary: Uther has sent Arthur and Merlin on a dangerous quest - retrieve the Cup of Life from the Druids, make sure neither Cenred nor Morgause get their hand on it... and make it out alive. As Gwaine joins them, will the unity of Courage, Strength and Magic be enough to complete the life-threatening mission? And what about the rest of the Round Table?
Details/Disclaimer: Merlin and anything from the series belong to the BBC. So does the original episode, The Coming of Arthur (both parts) on which this and the sequel of this story is based upon.This is merely my own version of events but I recommend watching the episodes first, as most of this makes sense only after watching them.
This is the second part of the trilogy The Rise and Fall of a Queen.
Enjoy!
Tazz~
The Rise of a Queen
Chapter Two: Magic's People
Word Count: 1830
"Arthur, stop!" Merlin called out. He appeared to be studying an unremarkable looking boulder.
"Yes, Merlin, let's stop to stare at a boulder, why don't-" He stopped as Merlin began whispering, his eyes flashing like fire, and realised what the rock must have been – a camouflaged entrance.
"You're a bloody sorcerer? And you bloody well know? Blimey, you boys just get worse and worse." Gwaine confused outburst soon turned to raucous laughter, and even Merlin, in all his pessimism, was smiling, restraining himself from chuckling so as to not interrupt the spell.
He finally finished, and the boulder just rippled away.
"Good defences," Arthur noted, "But I thought you made sure they were expecting us?"
"I did. That was just a test on my behalf. I had to get rid of the shield, without triggering it. Not many could do it. Before you ask me – yes, Morgause could. Now, let's just go in already."
Arthur moved to take the lead, but Merlin stopped him.
"Really, Arthur, who will they welcome more? Emrys, who's level of power can't be faked, or a stupid prat of a prince, who's not so subtle talent is sword fighting? Besides," he added at Arthur's look of outrage. "There might be more defences."
There were.
If Merlin had been by himself, his magical ability would have left the defences untouched, but the blatant absence of magic in both Arthur and Gwaine made it so hundreds of fire arrows rained down upon them, magically extinguishing themselves upon contact with the floor. It was only Merlin's quick reflexes of making a shield envelope them that Gwaine and Arthur were able to get through it unscathed.
If it had been Gwaine and Arthur that went through the barrage of ablaze arrows, they would have charged through as fast as they could, and would have lost both sense of direction and each other effectively within the first second. However, Merlin, confident in his shield's ability, kept the others in formation, making sure neither ranged away far enough to be skewered.
They got through without a single scratch or burn – no sign of what they had just had to walk through – and while Gwaine patted him on the back with a hearty "Well done, Merlin!" Arthur merely stalked forward after a muttered "Good work" to his manservant. It disgruntled him to see so much power in the tiny form of Merlin.
The next, and fortunately last, trap was set off by Arthur. If Merlin had gone through first, it never would have happened. Although he knew this, he never commented.
An invisible magical barrier, that Merlin would have sensed, had he got close enough, was set off by Arthur, who immediately jumped back. His hand, where it had been stretching forward in the dark, was slightly singed.
Simultaneously, a deep rumble could be heard, and the sound of shifting rock. Arthur turned to Merlin, who look almost as worried. The rumble only meant one thing – rockslide.
Arthur understood the reason for testing Emrys, but really they were going a bit far, weren't they? So if Merlin hadn't been able to conjure shields, and all his fancy tricks, were they meant to perish in this tiny cavern that Uther would never find?
As the cascade of rocks faded to a trickle of dust, Merlin felt it safe enough to remove the shield and continue on. This time, Arthur was completely understanding of the need for him to lead. These were his people, Arthur finally realised.
But light could be seen ahead, and they all steeled themselves for the meeting with the Druids.
The Druids' cave was small, but cosy - very much so. Floating candles lit up the natural shelves that were strewn with people's possessions, and also the out-of-place beds.
The inhabitants themselves were clustered around the stone walls, away from the intruders but watching and muttering to themselves. There didn't seem to be any malice, but Arthur kept a tight grip on his sword just in case.
"L-Lord Emrys?" a little voice, very hesitant, spoke. Arthur's eyes almost bulged; Lord? Merlin titled Lord?
But he could see such gentleness in Merlin's expression; one a King should have in the face of his people.
"What is it?" he asked her back quietly, trying not to scare her. Indeed, she sounded much more confidant in her answer.
"My mother knows your father... she was wondering how he and Kilgharrah are..."
Arthur, who knew everything that had happened, looked away at the awkwardness. He wondered if Merlin would lie.
"Tell her... my father has reached the Gates of Avalon, and that Kilgharrah is well, last I saw him. Also... give her this." He conjured a small but brightly coloured flower, and gave it to the delighted child. He watched as she ran to her mother and relayed the message. The woman, who looked saddened at the news, looked up and mouthed "I'm so sorry."
She was startled when she heard his reply in her head, but returned the warm smile he gave.
"C'mon Lord Merlin," Arthur said, determined to move on, finish the quest, so that they could leave these Godforsaken lands, but he was surprised to see shock on the faces of those around him, even some anger, at his obviously sarcastic comment.
However when Merlin laughed, the tension left the room, and they all visibly relaxed, though still throwing confused looks between Arthur and Merlin; they didn't understand the relationship. There were some hesitant laughs though, when Merlin replied, "Alright, Lord Prat."
Merlin asked the Druids where their Elder was, and a young man pointed the way through a small passageway, eager to please him. He added that they would reach the ritual cavern, which was where the Elder resided. Merlin thanked him and he bowed in response. Arthur really had to get used to Merlin's status among magic; he didn't fail to be shocked every time.
The passageway they went through was small, and they walked single-file. Merlin was once again leading, keeping the tunnel alight with one of the floating candles from the main chamber.
They soon reached the cavern that the Druid was talking about, and saw a single man, elderly and wise-looking turn around to greet them. Behind him, Arthur saw a basin filled with water, which rippled just once. He could have sworn he saw Merlin's face in it, but before he could check, it had disappeared.
"Emrys, my lord," the Druid Elder said in a solemn voice. "I have been awaiting your arrival." He bowed deeply. "I am Aodhán, and I am honoured to have met you in my lifetime."
"Not at all," Merlin muttered, seeming discerned at the signs of respect that had more significance from this old and experienced man. "May I ask... Do you have the Cup of Life?" Arthur's head perked up in interest
"Yes, I'm afraid I do. I am sorry, my lord; I did not realise that using it would begin such a chain of events."
"Do not worry, Aodhán; you have saved a knight loyal to Camelot, and to Arthur, and for that, we are grateful."
"Emrys... you understand the risks of taking the Cup, do you not?" At Merlin's serious nod, he handed him the small goblet, while Arthur stared at it in awe; it seemed to be covered in symbols of the Old Religion, and, before his eyes, they seemed to dance, but then Merlin nudged him.
"Don't look at it too long," he hissed. "The results aren't pretty." Arthur made a pointed show of looking away.
"The Cup of Life is in your possession now. It is your responsibility, so guard it well. The future of the land depends on it."
"Always does," Merlin thought to himself, while thanking the Druid.
"We're approaching the border of Cenred's lands. Beyond the forest lies Camelot," Arthur sounded immensely grateful of the fact.
"And food and water, and a nice hot bath," Gwaine added, smiling widely.
"Quiet," Arthur commanded, stopping. "Listen."
Nothing could be heard but silence.
"I can't hear anything," Merlin said.
"Exactly." Arthur shifted with unease.
"Never satisfied, you city types - it's too noisy, it's too quiet-" Gwaine was cut off by the sudden appearance of knights, probably sent by Cenred.
"Run!"
The three split up, but so did the guards that had ambushed them. Although he sprinted as fast as he could, Arthur got hit in the leg by an arrow, shot from a crossbow held by the pursuing knight. With a small shout of pain and shock, he fell to the ground, hitting his head hard enough to fall unconscious. The gleeful knight took hold of the bag that had fallen from his shoulder, and excitedly removed the Cup from within it. He held it up as if disbelieving that he had retrieved it – but Merlin, arriving on an outcrop high enough to survey the scene sent the knight – and, effectively, the Cup – flying.
It landed on a steep slope, and rolled down it, right in front of the agitated Merlin, who could only watch as the waiting knights below caught it and ran.
He continued watching until he heard Gwaine yell. "Merlin!" He looked back twice in hesitation before running to Arthur and Gwaine.
As night descended over the forest, Gwaine and Merlin leant over the unresponsive Arthur.
"That doesn't look too great."
"The arrow must have been poisoned," Merlin muttered, examining the wound. He used his hands to check the shivering Arthur's forehead. "He has a fever; we've got to keep him warm." He took off his jacket, placing it gently on the prince.
"I don't get it," Gwaine told him. "Why all this bother over a cup?"
"Because, in the wrong hands, it can become a terrible weapon," Merlin answered.
"Not so great Cenred's got it then?"
"It's worse than you can possibly imagine," Merlin informed him cryptically, thinking of Morgause and Morgana.
Morgause held the Cup between her hands delicately, almost cradling it. While her eyes were trained solely on the Cup, Cenred's were wandering over his assembled army.
"Loyal friends..." he addressed them solemnly, his voice magically magnified to echo throughout the castle walls. "Our time is at hand. From today, no sword will fell you; no spear will stop you short. Your blood will not be spilled in vain, but in victory. You march with the mightiest weapon of them all -" He looked around at the army, who were growing more and more excited. "Immortality!"
"Gegadra anne here fram pisse bune ond heora blod. Swa paet abuge and ne swelte noht ac libbe a on ecnysse."
She placed the Cup down on the stone table, then held out her hand. One of the many soldiers walked forward, and placed their own hand in her evil grasp. Taking an ornamental dagger, she slit his hand open, and ignoring the small flinch, let a few drops of his blood fall into the Cup of Life.
It had begun.
Sorry today's chapter was up so late; Morgause's spell took ages, so blame her for the lateness. Hopefully, school is cancelled tomorrow, and I can write more than one chapter. Also, sorry for the short chapter. It's short, but dramatic, so I hope that'll make up for it xD
Also, this chapter is dedicated to CookingNinja18; if it weren't for her, this story would have never been written so quickly ^^
EDIT: I ended up making the chapter before this shorter, and this one longer – it actually makes more sense, once you think about it xD
And the end of this corresponds with the end of The Coming of Arthur: Part 1. The rest will be to part two, and will vary very much from the original episode.