Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter eight: Leaving the Forest.
Merlin's eyes snap open as a noise just outside of the camp wakes him. Sitting up, he looks round. All the knights were fast asleep. Isolde was shifting in her sleep slightly as she curled up closer to Tristan, but other than that there was no movement in the camp… Even Mordred was asleep, which really shouldn't have surprised Merlin, Mordred was a druid, he lived out in the forest like this for years.
A movement in the leaves just outside of the camp caught Merlin's attention and he spins where he's sitting as he tries to catch sight of it. Getting to his feet, Merlin makes his way over to where he'd seen the movement, but there was nothing there.
A flash of something in the corner of his eye, has Merlin spinning around again and he catches a glimpse of something that wasn't normal before it vanishes from sight… But then nothing had appeared normal in the forest so far.
Glancing back at the camp Merlin slowly makes his way through the trees for a few paces and comes to a small clearing with a fallen tree running through the centre. Looking round Merlin tries to catch sight of what had woken him, but all he could see were the looming shadows of the trees in the near darkness.
"Welcome to my realm Emrys," A voice from behind Merlin caused him to jump.
Spinning back round to face the fallen tree Merlin found a small fairy like creature dressed in dark green leaves and glowing slightly in the darkness.
"Who are you?" Merlin asks, staring at the creature warily.
"Why, I'm Queen Mab," The creature answers much to Merlin surprise. He'd heard tales of Queen Mab and this wasn't what he had expected her to look like.
"I am the spirit of this place," Queen Mab continues. "And all the places that bring despair to men's hearts. Few have ever seen me Emrys, you should count yourself fortunate."
Merlin bows to Queen Mab, "It is an honour to step foot in you realm."
"The forest is one step of the journey," Queen Mab informs Merlin.
"How do we find a way out?" Merlin asks.
"Oh little one..." Queen Mab sighs as she stares at Merlin like he's a small child to young to understand the world around him. "You should not have to ask. Left is right and right is left. And the way behind is the way ahead. It is simple."
"Oh..." Merlin mutters, slightly sarcastically. "Simple."
"You have a mind's eye Emrys," Queen Mab tells him. "You must learn to trust in it. But far greater challenge's lie ahead."
"When we reach the dark tower?" Merlin asks.
"If..." Queen Mab corrects.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asks sharply, not liking the way Queen Mab had said it.
"You must beware Emrys," Queen Mab warns him. "The tower is not a real place. It is the heart's rest. The mind's deepest fear. The stillness in a humming bird's eye..."
"Stop talking in riddles," Merlin almost snaps.
"Then I shall speak in rhyme," Queen Mab replies. "Heed my words which you concern, for one of you will not return."
"What do you mean?" Merlin answers looking back at the camp as Queen Mab laughter echoes through the night air.
"Which one?" Merlin looks back to Queen Mab, only to find her gone.
)o(
Freya stares at the oath in her hands, the strength of the magic radiating off of it was almost enough to make her sick. The sooner she destroyed it the better. The screams of the dead bound to the oath were ringing in her ears and she could feel the damage it had done to the balance of the world.
Turning towards Aithusa, Freya set the oath down on the floor and took a step back. Aithusa moved forward and sniffed the, before the young dragon looks up at Freya and tilts his head to the side, blinking at Freya slowly.
"Burn it, please," Freya answers Aithusa unspoken question. "Dragons fire is the only thing strong enough to destroy it. Please, Aithusa."
Aithusa bows his head before berthing fire of the oath. Freya watches it burn and suddenly a wave of magic hits her, forcing her to take a step backwards. Freya watches as the souls bound to the subject fly free and disappear into the light streaming through the open window on the far side of them room.
"What have you done?!" A voice suddenly screeches at Freya.
Freya turns to find herself face to face with a very angry Queen Mab.
"What I was ordered to do by the Sidhe elders," Freya answers. "Even you must answer to them, Queen of the Fae."
Queen Mab lets out an angry yell and sends a spell hurtling towards Freya, who ducks out the way.
"You will pay for this, Lady of the Lake," Queen Mab vows. "You will all pay for your meddling. Even the Sidhe elders will not be able to undo this."
Freya stares at Queen Mab as Aithusa let out a sound that was a cross between a hiss and a growl.
Queen Mab just sneers at the dragon and begins to chant and Freya could feel the magic beginning to gather in the air around her. Whatever Queen Mab was doing it was requiring a lot of magic, but Freya couldn't understand the words Queen Mab was chanting, the language of the Fae in the mortal realm was different to the Fae of Avalon.
Suddenly Freya found herself kneeling before Queen Mab, almost like a hand on her shoulder had forced her to her knees and Queen Mab smirked at her as she continued to chant. Freya glanced sideways to see Aithusa had his head bowed. Freya tried to get to her feet, but found herself frozen in place. The force of the magic was so strong in the air she couldn't physically move through it.
"What have you done?" Freya demands, as the magic subsides and she able to return to her feet.
"You will soon see," Queen Mab answers. "When the Dark Moon rises, your world will crumble to dust and no magic in this world or any other will be able to fix it. Enjoy the peace while it lasts, young queen."
And Freya suddenly found herself standing alone in Morgana's bed chamber, with Queen Mab's warning ringing in her ears.
)o(
The Knights walk through the forest whilst Merlin and Mordred hang back, talking between themselves in quiet tones.
"We need to find the clearing where we saw the Dollares Plains," Arthur spoke up as he came to a halt and looks around.
"Which way is that?" Elian asks.
"North," Merlin answers, stepping forward.
"Which way is that Merlin?" Arthur asks, turning to face Merlin.
"That way," Merlin answers, pointing north.
"No it's..." Arthur stabs his sword into the ground as the clouds cleared for a second and the shadow of the sword pointed north and the direction Merlin had pointed. "Over there. How on earth did you know that?!"
"Sense of smell," Merlin answers sarcastically. "When the wind is from the north you can smell the sea."
The Knights snort and try to hide their laughter.
"That's ridiculous," Arthur replies.
Merlin rolls his eyes.
"Trust me just this once?" Merlin asks.
"But what's the use?" Arthur snaps. "You can't use magic here, so what use are you?"
Merlin takes a step back as both Gwaine and Mordred take a defensive step forward, reaching for their swords before they stop as Merlin shakes his head at them. Arthur was just stressed and frustrated and taking in out on Merlin. He didn't mean it.
"Arthur..." Elyan pleads. "Give him a chance."
"What choice do we have?" Leon asks. "This realm is magical, we're not."
Arthur nodes and Merlin starts to lead them through the forest.
"Are you sure this is the right way Merlin?" Arthur asks, as they walk.
Merlin looks ahead and his eyes flash gold and he sees the path ahead of them. Merlin nodes and they continue walking. Finally they reach the area where Percival had broken his sword and Percival picks up his broken blade and shrugs at Arthur.
"Merlin," Percival turns to Merlin. "You're a genius."
They continue onwards and Merlin finally leads them out to the spot they had previously overlooked the plans and the Dark Tower. Arthur stares at the sight before him, almost like he can't believe what he's seeing. Taking a step forward, Arthur places a friendly hand on Merlin's shoulder.
"I shouldn't have doubted you," Arthur mutters, almost like it was straining him to say it, but Merlin could see the teasing light in Arthur's eyes. "I'm sorry, my friend."
"Which way now?" Arthur asks, turning serious once more.
Merlin once again uses his third eye with a flash of gold eyes, to see the path ahead of them and begins leading the way. Realising that Queen Mab's advice had been correct, Merlin begins to pick up the pace. The faster they got out of the forest the sooner they would find Gwen.
Finally Merlin steps out of the forest and onto the sandy plains, in the distance the Dark Tower was visible. The Knights emerge from the forest a couple of steps behind him, whilst Mordred, Isolde and Tristan bring up the rear.
"How far do you think it is?" Elyan squints at the tower in the distance.
"At least we can see where we are going," Gwaine comments, as he twirled his sword and glared back at the forest.
"Then let's not stand here looking at it," Arthur orders and begins heading across the sandy ground towards the tower.
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.