Thank you EVERYONE! Especially of you've reviewed, followed of favourited! It means a lot!
So here we have chapter two!
The forest seemed calm and still. The starlight highlighted the looming features of the undergrowth. The bones of the ancient trees groaned, the shadows flickering before Merlin's eyes. Excalibur was clung tightly in his hand as he moved onward, taking careful steps in order not to fall or to disturb the eerie silence around him.
But even though the forest was unnerving, as he boy wandered on, it turned into a figure of strange beauty; the grass was a deep green in the night, fireflies gliding on the wind. Wildflowers and herbs poke their heads above the surface of the soil.
"Beautiful," Merlin breathed, his voice a reminder of the life that was hidden within the trees. The contrast between the beauty and the darkness was strange, and Merlin did not know if he loved the forest or feared it.
He had been walking for many hours now. His thoughts were directed on his quest...find my master, find Kilgarrah...but it took all his effort not to get distracted. Branches beckoned him forward, leaves brushed him back...but he was not lost, no. He was not lost.
He knew exactly where he was going.
An invisible compass was steering him on, sending him through ivy that hung like a hangman's noose on the trees, over a river, where the path was a series of mossy, slippery stones...some of his pale skin had been sliced open a little by sharp thorns, his feet sore because of this crusade to find his master.
Why me alone? he thought bitterly, before realising how childish it sounded.
It was obvious why him alone; one was faster, one was better at hiding. And he also knew that this meant that Morgause trusted him, and that was enough to make his chest swell with self-pride.
Lost in thought, Merlin stumbled into a branch, that was sharp and needle-like. He gave a cry of pain, stumbling backwards, and loosing his footing. He skidded down a small slope, hitting his head, and landing sprawled on his back.
He did not realise he had been temporarily unconscious until he opened his eyes. He hastily looked for the moon...ah, it was fine. It's position had not changed, it had only been for a second.
He attempted to stand, but did not get very far. Something warm and wet was on his head. He felt there, and felt a sudden pain jolt through him. His hand came away a thick burgundy colour.
"Oh no..." he muttered. White dots flashed before his vision. He could not do much injured.
He tried to stand again, this time hissing in pain. His legs were shaking violently. He closed his eyes, swallowing. Stay awake, Merlin, stay awake...
But it didn't work, he felt his consciousness drifting away from him again...he let out a groan that echoed through the trees, before falling to his knees.
He crawled forwards...find my master...find Kilgarrah...find my master...find...find...
The world was spinning. No, not now, don't fall...he shook his head viciously.
I can do this.
He stood slowly. He blocked out the pain. He took a step forward, snapping a twig, and thought nothing of it until something else hit his head, and with a quiet cry of pain, he fell forwards.
Strange...why was he not on the floor...?
Oh...arms were holding him...they were strong, and lowering him to the ground...
He blinked tiredly up at the person...a man, of his own age...his face was curious and concerned, but cold...he had golden hair and blue eyes... Merlin had never seen him before...what was he doing in the forest...
"Who..." he breathed. The man said nothing for a second, before looking at him.
"You've hurt you're head. I thought you were some animal when I heard the twig snap, so threw a stone, but I think it hit the wound...you..."
But the rest of what he was going to say Merlin did not hear. He gave into the darkness, despite his consciousness telling him to stay alert.
He lay in the man's arms, cold, blood stained and death-like.
The man didn't know what to do. This stranger was unconscious and bleeding...but he could hardly let a potential enemy know where his father's base was...
The best he could do for now was stop the bleeding, make the stranger comfortable, and go home.
And that is exactly what he did do.
When Merlin awoke, it was still night. He blinked up at the sky, and realised with a pang that he must have been out for the day, because it was not the same night as the one he had been injured in...
He raised a hand to his head, and was surprised to see it was bandaged. There was a water skin that did not belong to him by his side, and some berries. Why...?
Oh...oh...the blonde stranger...the stranger had healed him. Healed him, and given him food and water.
But why?
Oh...that's right...had he not felt guilty for reopening the wound?
Merlin silently thanked the man.
He knew what to do next due to Gaius' teachings. He slowly unwrapped the bandage to give he wound air, and then took a swig of the water. He devoured the fruit, and picked up the water skin and Excalibur - thank goodness the man had not taken that.
Then a sense of urgency overwhelmed him. Kilgarrah. He needed his master.
He got up, ignoring the pain from his head. He clutched his sword, and began to run the trees once more.
Time was already growing short.
In didn't actually plan on Merlin being saved by the stranger, or hitting his head at all. It was all a bit of improvisation! Did you like it?
Drop a review or a fave or alert! They help me update quickly!
~BToA xxxxxxxx