AGHHHHH! Sorry I'm late in updating. I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to finish a humoungus art assignment at the moment and getting my other class assignments done as well. I keep falling futher behind T.T *cry*, I'll try and update again tomorrow, to make up for my lateness since I'm on a roll with this section of the story. Sorry again.
The silence around them was steady, only penetrated by an occasional foot fall or the cry of a bird as it took off from its perch, disturbed by their advance. All around them, men walked stealthily through the underbrush, intent on their prey, should it be flushed out by the servants further ahead.
Merlin sighed quietly next to Arthur, bored of this game of cat and mouse that Arthur loved so much. He hated hunting, though he had done it himself on occasion, out of necessity. The unnecessary killing of game for sport was not what he called fun, but among these high born men of Camelot, it was what made a man. The only conciliation that made this not so bad was that any meat gained was given to the poor in the lower city. Ygraine made sure of that.
He smiled fondly of the bright blonde woman that came to mind. She reminded him greatly of his own mother and the fact that she treated him like he was her own son, made him flush sometimes in embarrassment, but leaving warmth filling his chest.
He jerked his head up, shaken out of his mussing by the telltale tingle of magic nearby. It was benign, giving the feeling of purity and innocence that felt familiar. Looking around, he searched for any sign of what he felt was close.
His breath caught as he spotted it. No matter how many times he saw one, it still inspired awe inside him at the majesty of the pure white creature, large brown eyes staring back at him with uncanny intelligence.
"Arthur…" He breathed out. The blonde looked his way and he pointed at the shining creature, crystal horn sending shards of colored light everywhere.
He turned his head, looking to see if anyone else had noticed the creature…and felt all blood drain from his face at the sight that beheld him. One of the knights, a brash young thing newly into his status had his crossbow lifted, bolt in place as he aimed at the unicorn, a large grin on his lips.
"NO!" The man jerked at his shout, finger clenching on the trigger and releasing the bolt to bury itself into the creature's pure white neck. He felt his heart clench as the crimson blood started to well up, staining the purity before them, destroying it.
The world seemed to burst into chaos as Arthur went running forward towards the felled beast. Merlin kept back, looking around for something. When it didn't appear, his stomach started to twist into knots. This was bad, who knows what kind of scourge they had just brought down on Camelot.
The hall was quiet as the news of what had happened was told to the king and queen. Uther's face seemed to have even more lines engraved into it. "And you are sure this will happen?" He asked, gripping the armrests of his thrown until his knuckles turned white.
Merlin nodded, eyes downcast and somber. "It is. The killing of a unicorn is a foreboding act with dire consequences. None are immune to the curse that soon follows."
"Is there any way to right this wrong?" Ygraine asked.
"There is one. It is said that Anhora, the Guardian of the Unicorns, will appear when the time is right and test a chosen individual. Should they be pure of heart, the curse will be lifted. Until he appears, we must wait."
Uther sighed, rubbing at his temples in agitation before looking back up. "There is nothing else to do then. For now, we will continue as we always have and prepare for the worst. I'm sure you are tired, I won't keep you any longer."
Bowing, the two left, leaving the two to consult with their advisors in order to prepare. The trek back through the castle to Arthur's room was long and silent. Neither were surprised to see Lancelot or Mordred there, nor Morgana and Gwen since they still had no idea what was going on.
"What has happened?" The pale beauty demanded the moment the door was shut. Although Gwen didn't ask, they could see the question burning on her face. They quickly went through what had happened on the hunt.
Lancelot jerked back, showing fear for the first time in front of them. Mordred remained silent, but his rounded, pale face was just as serious as theirs, worrying at his lower lip. Morgana and Gwen both gasped at the news. Morgana let loose a curse, threatening to knock in the head of the knight who had struck the magical creature down.
"How long do we have?" Gwen asked.
"I'm not sure. Our records of past killings are few and fragmented. All we know is that there will be a curse and that someone must be tested. I've no idea what kind of test it will be, or how many there will be. All we can do is prepare." Merlin answered, looking paler than usual as he worried over what was to come.
The night was quiet as he slipped from his room. Keeping mostly to the shadows, he made his way further into the castle, footsteps silent. As he neared his destination, he could see light flickering underneath the door.
Slipping forward, he tapped lightly on the grained wood, the soft sound echoing in the near silent corridor. A soft "Enter" drifted out. Opening the door, he slid in, shutting it behind him. Arthur didn't look too surprised to see him.
He was seated at his table, papers spread out across it, quill in hand as he wrote. "Preparations?" He asked, stepping forward to look down at it.
"Yeah. My father went through the grain stores this afternoon. They are full, but they can only hold for so long before we must find an alternative." His shoulders were tense as he set the quill down, reaching for his goblet of water that he was nursing. "Have you felt anything?" He asked.
"Nothing, but it is still early to say." He walked around the table to lean against his throne-like chair. "You should get some sleep. Worrying too much won't help us and when you're tired, you get grouchy." He grinned down at the blonde, poking him in the shoulder.
"Ha, ha, I know for a fact that you get pissy when you've had too little sleep." He shot back, but smiled all the same. Reaching up, he pulled him down by his nightshirt, wrapping an arm around his shoulders in a half hug. "You're right though, for once." Merlin shot him a glare, but didn't pull away.