Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter nine: Unknown.
A Saxon guard walks along the narrow walkway, which led through the mine, between piles of rocks and sleeping prisoners. Fires and torches lit the dark mine but gave out little warmth. As the Saxon carries on walking, deeper into the mine, a whisper sounds from a near by tunnel and a couple of rocks come loose and tumble to the ground, causing Gwaine to wake with a sharp breath.
Glancing round, Gwaine slowly sits up. Percival was still asleep beside him. Notching a blue flickering glow from the near by tunnel, Gwaine shifts closer to it, squinting as he tries to see what it is. As a strange hissing noise sounds, he moves back and watches. The blue glow appears again and the noise sounds closer. Some more rocks are knocked loose and roll across the floor towards him, stopping close to his feet.
"Percival." Gwaine mutters, shaking Percival's arm, without looking round.
Percival shifts slightly but doesn't wake.
"Percival." Gwaine tries again.
"What?" Percival mumbles, still half asleep.
"There's something out there." Gwaine answers, pointing towards the tunnel.
Percival sits up and looks towards where Gwaine is pointing. The blue light flickers and moves again, the hissing noise still moving closer, suddenly it seems to turn and vanish deeper into the tunnel.
"Did you see that?" Gwaine asks.
"Yeah." Percival answers.
Suddenly the sound of marching feet echoes along the tunnel behind them and the two of them quickly lie down again and fake being asleep. A group of Saxon guards march past. As soon as they have passed both Gwaine and Percival sit up again.
"What was that?" Percival asks.
Gwaine shakes his head, there was no sign of the blue light in the tunnel.
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Arthur walked fast along the path, one handing resting on his swords hilt, as he looked around. He knew Morgana would send her men after him as soon as she noticed he wasn't with the rest of his men. Arthur was simply preying most of his men had escaped the attack alive, he remembered before he was hit that Leon had been injured. Morgana would have no use for injured men.
Behind him Merlin stumbles long, tripping on every fallen branch or half hidden rock or pebble. He was shivering even though his cloak was pulled tightly around his body. He was feeling weaker and weaker by the minute, his magic was retreating deeper into his core and was becoming harder to use and control. Glancing at the sky, Merlin stopped for a second, he was disorientated, he had no idea which way they were going.
The land around them was dead, dry and deserted of all life. There were no bird calls or the sound of crickets in the long grass. Even the trees were dead and lifeless. The long grass was dry and brittle, and crunched and snapped under their feet as they walked. The sky was grey and stormy and the sun could barley be seen setting in the south.
Merlin stumbles again, almost collapsing. "Can we have a break?"
"As long as it's quick." Arthur answers, turning towards Merlin as he stops. "I want to reach Ismere before dark."
"Ismere?" Merlin question, glancing at the sky. "We're heading back to Camelot!"
"Navigation's not your strong point, is it?" Arthur tries to joke, knowing Merlin hardly ever got lost. "Camelot is south. The sun rises where?"
"In the east." Merlin answers, reaching up to rub his forehead.
"And what have we been walking towards all day?" Arthur points towards the setting sun, as he notices Merlin's pained expression.
"Our deaths!" Merlin answers, he as notices they are walking west. "The two of us against Morgana, are you mad?!"
Merlin really didn't feel like he had the strength to face Morgana, there was a good chance she had seen him use magic during the battle and that was the last thing he needed.
"I told you, we are going to rescue my men." Arthur turns away slightly as Merlin finally draws level.
"No." Merlin snaps, reaching and grabbing Arthur's arm, but suddenly Merlin loses the little strength he had left and falls to his knees.
"Merlin!" Arthur explained, kneeling and gripping Merlin shoulders. "Merlin?"
Merlin's eye roll slightly, as Arthur shakes his shoulders. "I'm fine... I just... I need a minute."
"Are you injured?" Arthur question, as he searches Merlin for signs of blood.
Merlin shakes his head slightly. "My magic... I think something is draining it... Or... Supressing it..."
"You need help." Arthur answers, taking in Merlin appearance. "You need to go back to Camelot."
Merlin snorts. "And leave you on your own... To face to face Morgana... Not a chance."
"I'm worried about you." Arthur admits, as Merlin's eyes roll again and he almost passes out.
"I just need a minutes rest," Merlin answers, shifting slightly, meeting Arthur's gaze. "I'll be fine... Plus if I left who would protect you... Prat."
"Right, well I've tried sending you home." Arthur mutters, moving Merlin so he was resting against a tree. "But if you're not going to do as I ask, the least you can do is shut up."
Merlin grins weakly. "You know... If Morgana doesn't kill you... I will."
"Threatening a king is treason, Merlin." Arthur replies as he moves away looking for signs of the enemy.
"What about threatening an ass?" Merlin mutters.
"I heard that!" A yell sounds in response.
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Leon, Elyan and the rest of the knights that escaped Morgana and her men ride across the drawbridge into Camelot. They ride straight into the courtyard and quickly hand their horses over to the guards, while the stable hands were sent for. A messenger is quickly sent ahead to tell the queen of their arrival. Racing through the castle Leon and Elyan head straight for the council hall.
They don't have to wait long, as Gwen, followed by Gaius, enters the council chamber seconds after they did. Gwen looks between them as they both bow and Leon steps forward. His hair windswept and armour dented and covered in scratches and specks of blood and mud. Elyan isn't much better, only slightly cleaner than Leon, but both had injuries.
"We were ambushed," Leon explains. "By Morgana and a band of Saxons, as we crossed the border into Ismere."
"And what about Arthur?" Gwen asks, not even trying to hide her worry.
Leon and Elyan share a look before Elyan moves forward to stand in front of his sister.
"I tried to protect him." Elyan answers.
"What are you saying?" Gwen demands, panic evident in her tone and Gaius glances at her.
"We lost him... In battle." Elyan explains. "We don't know what happened to him... or Merlin."
Gaius and Gwen share a look. Gwen was close to tears whilst Gaius' face was unreadable.
"What do you know for certain?" Gaius finally asks.
"Arthur was hit, whilst defending me," Leon answers. "Merlin managed to get Arthur away from the battle... After the battle was over, we searched for them, but we couldn't find a single trace or track."
"It was like they had simply disappeared." Elyan adds.
"How could Morgana have known?" Gwen asks. "How could she have known that Arthur was approaching from that direction?"
"Someone betrayed us." Gaius answers.
"Who would do such a thing?" Gwen questions.
"I don't know, my lady, not for certain." Gaius replies, knowing Freya was still searching for proof.
"But I do." Freya adds, suddenly appearing beside them. "Merlin and I have known there was a traitor for a while now, we were simply trying to find who it was. I know who the traitor is, I would have informed you sooner, but I needed proof, which I now have."
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Hello, I hope you enjoy that chapter. The next chapter should be up soon,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.