Merlin Season 6
Episode 5: The Great Divide (part 1)
Mordred descended farther down into a dark cave where no light ever reached, with only his torch to guide his footsteps. Slick, wet, stone walls and unsteady rocks made each step a precarious one. There was only a small ledge to stand on and if he slipped, he wasn't sure how far he'd fall into the black abyss until he hit the bottom. The frigid damp air was biting his exposed skin on his face. The rank smell of bat droppings filled his nostrils. He could hear the rodents over his head making eerie chirping noises as the slept.
The voices of the dead sorcerers, that had been with him since he dug himself out of his own, cold, muddy grave, continually compelled him forward. Their impatient voices echoed in the chasm, commanding him to move faster.
"Shut up," he told them, hugging the ledge wall closer. "Shut up, all of you."
The voices only ceased for a moment, just like always, before beginning to speak again. Mordred's left eye began to twitch, a condition that shortly developed after he first heard the voices. He ignored it and continued on.
The ledge widened, until the cliff disappeared opening onto a smooth, black surface that reflected his image like a mirror. Trickling water was heard ahead in the dark.
"The Cor Flumine of the River of Tethys," one of the many voices spoke in reverence.
Mordred approach the river. He held up his torch trying to see the other side but the river was too wide for his orange firelight to reach. The current was slow and soothing as it flowed.
The existence of the River of Tethys was one of the many things the voices had taught him.
"It is very sacred to the people of the Old Religion," they had told him, "for the river flows underneath all of Albion. It separates into many streams, plants absorb its nectar, animals drink from it, and fish swim through it. Magic is like this river, it connects all of us through nature, and it is only at the heart of the River of Tethys where you will be able to touch, and bring into light all those with the power of magic in their veins."
Standing at the water's edge, Mordred could feel the power of this river. "If this river can do as you say," Mordred spoke, "perhaps we will not need Emrys after all."
This comment instantly caused an uproar among the dead sorcerers as they all spoke their minds at once.
"Arrogant whelp," a woman said, "without Emrys, you would be of no use to us."
"Emrys must join or this plan will fail."
"Even with an army at your command, you do not possess the power to bring down the walls of Camelot and the land of Albion to its knees."
The voices continued and Mordred felt his left eye twitch more uncontrollably.
"I understand!" he growled. "I was merely wondering how you plan on persuading Emrys to join us?"
A voice scoffed and then said, "That is not your concern. For now, we only need to distract Emrys so our other plans may be set in motion."
Mordred tried to keep his growing irritation at the sorcerer's patronizing way of speaking to him, out of his tone as he asked, "Do I get to know how you plan to distract Emrys, since I am doing all the work here?"
"We will give him a disease of the mind," one said.
"Yes," another one spoke, "One that caused great chaos to those of the Old Religion long ago."
Mordred frowned, "What kind of disease?"
The voices slowly began to laugh, as Mordred's twitch moved down his shoulder. If he didn't remain focused, he too would have a disease of the mind. He wondered if he was insane already.
He propped his torch up against a rock. Then, as the voices instructed, Mordred stepped into the frigid water that seeped through his boots and pants. The water felt like a thousand needles poking into his legs, but he made his way down into the water until the black surface reached his thighs.
Despite how uncomfortable the icy cold water felt, Mordred marveled at the power that flowed in the river. He smiled. There was no more hiding now, not for the people of magic. No more running. They would make their stand and they would make it with him.
The double doors, that lead to the Round Table, were shoved opened by two guards. Arthur, followed closely by Sir Leon, Sir Percival and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table, old and new members, entered the room and took their positions behind their chairs. Merlin was last to enter. He quickly made his way to the left of Arthur, standing aways back. At Arthur's command, the knights all took their seats.
Arthur remained standing, and as before, whenever new knights sat at the Round Table, he explained why it was round. How everyone in this room was equal. Once the speech was done, he sat down and business began.
There was much discussion about the war with the Saxons and how it had affected Camelot's alliance with the other kingdoms. While the meeting continued, Merlin stood silently listening.
"Merlin," Arthur called. He was looking down at the many maps that were laid across the table, along with the rest of the knights, "I seem to have left one of the maps in my chamber."
"Which one?" Merlin asked.
"Probably the only one left in my chambers," Arthur said. He looked up at Merlin, raising his brows, but when his eyes connected with Merlin, his face paled and then turned red with fury. His nostril flared like he was getting ready to blow fire.
Merlin took a step back, wondering where this sudden burst of anger came from. But before he could get too far away, Arthur leapt from his seat, his chair scraping the stone, and quickly wrapped an arm around Merlin's neck, holding him in a tight headlock. Arthur forced Merlin's head down as Merlin squirmed at his side.
All the knights were now looking up at their king and Merlin as they struggled in some wrestling match.
"What are you…" Merlin tried to ask, but Arthur squeezed harder, choking him until no words could get out. If they weren't in a room full of knights, Merlin would have used magic to get away, but he decided it was best to be submissive and see what Arthur was up to.
"I'm sorry," Arthur said, "I don't know where Merlin's mind is today. I clearly told him to bring all the maps but as usually he's a bit dull and forgetful." Arthur started dragging Merlin toward the door, "Excuse us, why I reprimand him."
The guards said nothing as they opened the double doors allowing Arthur out, with Merlin being dragged alongside. The knights all watched, looking very confused. Leon and Percival both exchanged amused looks, before Leon told everyone to take their seats again.
Arthur continued to drag Merlin down the halls of the castle, passing by many guards and servants who tried not to look. Merlin would have been red in the face of embarrassment if he wasn't turning blue from the lack of oxygen to his brain. He barely registered the doors to Arthur's chambers opening. Once the doors were closed, Arthur threw Merlin into a seat at the table.
"What is wrong with you?" Arthur yelled as Merlin choked and gasped for much needed air. "Why would you be doing magic in front of all the knight? Do you want to be caught?"
"What?" Merlin croaked. "I'm not doing any magic."
"Really?" Arthur asked with a mock tone.
"Yeah, I would know if I was."
Arthur, with his nostrils still flaring, walked over to Gwen's vanity and grabbed a hand mirror. He stomped back over to Merlin and thrust it into his face. Merlin rolled his eyes, but took the mirror. He was astonished to see that his eyes were glowing. He blinked. They didn't stop glowing. He couldn't stop them from glowing.
"I don't know what's wrong," he looked up at Arthur alarmed, who was still looking infuriated. "I'm not doing anything."
Arthur's scowl slowly disappeared. "How can you not be doing this?"
"I don't know," Merlin told him again.
"Put them out!" Arthur demanded.
Merlin took in a long, deep breath, "If I could I would?"
The chamber door creaked open. Merlin quickly turned his head and looked down at the table.
"What is going on?" he heard Gwen ask, he sighed with relief. "I saw you from down in the Citadel dragging Merlin off."
Arthur, leaning against the table right next to Merlin, gestured to him. Merlin looked up. Gwen paused for a moment and then said, "Oh."
"His eyes started glowing in the middle of my council meeting with the knights," Arthur explained, "and now he says he can't put them out."
"That's not good."
There was a knock at the door and Merlin again turned around and kept his head down.
"Enter," Arthur called out.
Leon entered, "Forgive the intrusion," he said when he beheld the strange scene before him. Both Gwen and Arthur had moved in front of Merlin, blocking him from Leon's view. They both had smiles on their faces as they greeted him.
"Uh…"
"Yes?" Arthur prompted.
It took Leon a moment to remember why he was there, but then he said, "A lot of strange reports have come in. Many people have come forward and have said they have seen sorcerers among them. That their eyes are glowing."
Merlin almost looked up in surprised, but Arthur was quick to shove his head back down which made a loud Thunk! on the hard wooden table.
Before anything else was said, there was a cry coming from outside. Arthur, Gwen and Leon ran to the window. A young man was being dragged by a much larger, and older man into the Citadel.
"I am innocent!" he cried. "My grandfather did magic," he pleaded to a gathering group of knights," not I. I have never done anything."
"Look at the way his eyes glow," the older and larger man pointed down at him.
Merlin buried his head in his hands and whispered to himself, "Mordred."
At the window, the three continued to watch the scene below until the older man struck the young one across the cheek.
Arthur turned to face Leon. "Have the knights go out and round up any whose eyes are glowing. Tell the knights to do what they can without harming any accused with magic. Put them in the dungeon and assure them that all this will be sorted out."
Leon bowed and left the room.
"This has to be Mordred," Merlin said, bringing his head up as soon as the door was firmly shut.
"Agreed," Arthur breathed out a stressful sigh. "But how is he doing this?"
"Why he is doing this?" Gwen asked with concern. "Doesn't he realize this will only cause more trouble to those of magic?"
Silence followed this comment which was broken when Merlin said, "This is what he wants."
Gwen and Arthur both turned to him. Merlin's eyes still burned gold.
"He wants to separate those who may have magic in them, or the ability to use magic, from those who do not. And somehow he is causing this with our eyes." Merlin dropped his head and then jumped out of his seat. "Gaius!" He swiftly walked toward the door until he felt a strong grip on his arm.
"Where are you going?" Arthur asked, throwing him back to his seat at the table.
Merlin pushed himself again from the chair, "I need to warn Gaius, he too possesses magic. Someone might already have seen his eyes."
"You're eyes are still glowing," Arthur pointed out. "You aren't going anywhere until they stop."
"But…"
Gwen swept past the both of them, "I'll go find Gaius and make sure he is all right."
Before Gwen closed the door. Arthur called out, "Be careful."
The door closed, yet again, and Arthur turned back to Merlin. He grimaced at the sight of Merlin's gold eyes, which caused Merlin to turn away.
"If this is Mordred trying to separate those that may possess magic from among the people, then do you think it wise to gather them up? This might be exactly what Mordred wants."
"What other choice is there?" Arthur asked, returning to the window. "If I don't gather them, then they might be attacked just like that man down below." He nodded his head in a firm way, "No, the best course of action is to first find those whose eyes glow, put them under protection, and calm the rest of the people's fears on this matter."
"But what about the fears of those you are having rounded up right now?"
"One thing at a time."
Merlin pressed his lips together, frowning in a concerned way. He held up the mirror again. His eyes were still glowing. He focused hard, trying to put them out, but the effort was useless.
Arthur looked back at him and when he saw that his eyes were still glowing he gave a frustrated sigh and made his way toward the door. "Don't leave this room," he said before he left Merlin alone.
Time slowed as Merlin walked the length of the king's room again and again. Every so often he would check his eyes in the mirror and curse when he saw the gold in them still blazing. "How is he doing this?" he asked himself for the fiftieth time. There was a lot of commotion coming from below and no doubt throughout all of Camelot.
As he passed the vanity, he looked up, expecting to see his glowing eyes yet again, which he did but something was different. The smooth surface of the mirror started to ripple like it was made of water. He stepped closer to the mirror and another set of glowing eyes, that were not his own, stared back. A dark, murky form of a person moved back and forth in the water.
"Emrys," the dark form hissed.
"Mordred," Merlin growled, confirming what he already knew, that Mordred was behind all this chaos.
The dark form of Mordred never fully took shape as it rippled in the mirror. "Emrys," Mordred said again. "Why do you fight who you are? Why do you fight against your destiny?"
Merlin placed both hands on the vanity, "My destiny is to help Arthur unite the land of Albion. You want me to tear it down."
"What you saw in the Crystal of Neahtid, is what is. I had nothing to do with what you have seen. And you are powerless to stop if from happening, just as you were powerless to stop me from ramming my sword in Arthur's chest."
Merlin pulled back, surprised.
"Yes," Mordred continued. "I heard how you saw how I would kill Arthur long before it happened. You failed to stop it despite all your efforts, just as you will fail to stop the future you have seen now. By your hands the walls of Camelot will fall." A hollow echo filled the room when Mordred spoke his last words.
The mirror turned solid once more. Merlin stood before it gripping the vanity edge tight with both hands. He shook his head, as if believing, if he was stubborn enough, he could stop the future he saw from happening. But he never had before and he wasn't sure if he could now. Looking up at himself, he was relieved to see that his eyes had stopped glowing.
Sparring not a moment longer, Merlin ran out the door in search of Gaius. It didn't take him too long to find since he was sitting in his house at the table with Gwen on the otherside. They both looked up, startled when Merlin swung the door open, almost ripping it from its hinges.
Gaius put his right hand over his heart, "Merlin, why must you barge in like a Wilderbeast is biting at your heels?"
"I wanted to make sure you are all right."
"Just so you can give me heart failure?"
Gwen snicked and then said, "I was able to catch him in time."
"Yes," Gaius smiled at her gratefully, "I was on my way out to deliver a few tonics, you know the ones you promised to deliver, when she stopped me." He stood up and walked to Merlin to make sure, he too, was all right.
"I'm fine," Merlin told him. "Thanks to Arthur. He saw my eyes glowing before the rest of the knights and managed to hide my face as he got me out of there. Many others weren't so lucky. How did Mordred do this? How is this even possible?"
"I'm not sure. This would take a great deal of magic." Gaius started pulling the usual, large old books from their shelves. "Perhaps why I do some research you can go help Arthur."
Merlin nodded.
"I'll go with you," Gwen told him standing up and following Merlin out of the room.
Arthur stood at the top of the steps as he watched the knights round up all those who had been seen with glowing gold eyes. The knights filed them into the Citadel, many looked frightened as their eyes darted from one to another, but mostly they all looked confused.
As the last few people were ushered passed the entrance, the iron gates closed. Arthur looked at the multitude before him and then asked himself, "How are there so many?"
Moments later, he felt Gwen place a hand in his as she stood on his right. He looked down at her and asked, "How is Gaius?"
"He's fine."
Merlin was on his left. "Any idea how Mordred could have done this?"
"Not yet," Merlin told him. "Gaius is looking into it."
"We need to handle this now," Arthur said before stepping forward. "My good people," he started out, getting everyone's attention. "Please understand that you are not under any judgement, or condemnation for the crime of using magic. I understand that you are confused and have no idea what happened to you. For now you will remain as my guests, not to be locked up as criminals, but you must remain here until we know how this all came to be."
A stout, angry man spoke up. "You mean we must remain here so you can keep us under a watchful eye, to make sure we are not dangerous. I've done nothing wrong. I have a family I must provide for."
"You are here for your own protection," Arthur told him in a kind voice, but no one missed the undertone warning.
"More like to protect everyone outside these walls," someone spoke too quietly for Arthur to tell who.
"Be patient and I will do my best to sort this all out before nightfall."
Many in the crowd nodded, but not all, and that was good enough for Arthur who made his leave with Gwen at his side and Merlin towing behind. Once they were inside, Merlin asked, "Is this really the best way to handle things?"
"What do you mean?"
"Separating them, it seems like this is what Mordred would want."
"I don't have another option right now," was all Arthur said.
Merlin stopped, not knowing what else to say. He watched as Arthur and Gwen got ahead of him.
Gwen turned back, "Are you coming?"
"I will see if I can help Gaius." Merlin looked to Arthur who signaled that he could go.
Many, many long hours later, Gaius and Merlin were still looking through each book very carefully for anything that would give them a clue how Mordred had accomplished such a powerful spell. Merlin had already told Gaius about his talk with Mordred through the mirror in Arthur's chamber.
Gaius shut the book he had been searching in and said, "The mirror rippled like the surface of water."
Merlin nodded, they had gone over this all day. "Yes, he had to be looking at me through water. So what? He was able to talk to Gareth through a mirror."
"Right," Gaius agreed, "But the mirrors were connected since they were once part of the same mirror. Magic is all connected, so how is the mirror connected to the water?"
Merlin threw up his hands and then let his head hit the table.
"This may sound like a ridiculous idea, but does Arthur or Gwen wash their face in front of that mirror?"
"Yeah."
"So water from the basin splashes on the mirror, and that could be how Morded was able to connect to it."
This brought Merlin's head up, "You're suggesting that Mordred is able to talk to me through the mirror because drops of water touched it? That does sound a little farfetched. Water goes everywhere when it rains, so I should be able to talk to someone in China."
"Theoretically, yes. But the conditions would still have to be right."
"What conditions?"
"Remember how Nimueh was able to give Camelot that deadly disease by using the underground water source?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps Mordred is doing something similar, but this water source must possess a great deal of magic properties of its own, and must somehow be connected to the water in Camelot. It is possible Mordred is using the same water source of Nimueh, but to be able to infect all these people in such away it would take more than Mordred's magic. It would take…"
Gaius abruptly came to his feet, it was clear he was on to something. "Go find out how far this chaos is spreading and then tell Arthur that I will come to his chamber in an hour."
"What? Why?" Merlin asked, standing himself.
Gaius was at the door. "I must look up something in the library."
Merlin found Arthur in the throne room. Many knights and villagers had gathered, all waiting to give their report on what they had witnesses that day. It was dark outside but the room glowed orange with lit candles on iron chandeliers. A few villagers pleaded on behalf of their family or friends that resided in the dungeons or were locked up behind the Citadel gate. Other villagers were there to accuse and demand something severe to be done to those with magic.
When a knight stepped forward, Arthur ordered the room to silence.
"What do you have to report?"
The knight, with well groomed, shoulder length hair, bowed. "I have just returned from the north to report that a man from the village of Hindale was beheaded this afternoon."
Many people in the room gasped. Arthur's features turned to stone, his jaw set as he continued to listen.
"He was seen with glowing eyes. The people of Hindale had their own trial and found him guilty."
Silence stretched. Merlin watched from his place against the far wall as Arthur's thoughts turned over in his head. When he finally looked up at all the people, Merlin knew a decision had been made.
Arthur stood, "Send out the knights and gather everyone accused of magic and bring them here. Nothing shall be done to harm them until I make a decision. All those who stand accused are under my protection until a fair and just trial can be given. Any who oppose me will be under condemnation of the law."
When he was finished speaking, Arthur's eyes swept the room seeing if any dare challenge him. The knight immediately obeyed and followed Leon's command to follow him out the room. The guards started filing the villagers out, telling them to return home. Once half the people had left, Arthur spotted Merlin and signaled him to come over.
"Have you found out anything?" He asked before Merlin could even get in a bow.
"No, but Gaius might have. He wishes to see you in your chamber in an hour."
Arthur pulled a hand down his face. His eyes were red and purple underneath showing the strain of the day's events.
"Why don't you rest and I will go and fetch you something to eat while you wait," Merlin told him.
Arthur nodded and then said, "Find out how much food rations we have in the castle."
Merlin left the room with a small, satisfied smile. Arthur was concerned that everyone, forced to remain here until they found out what was happening, had enough to eat.
An hour later, Arthur and Gwen had eaten their supper and, just as Merlin was clearing the last dish, there was a knock at the chamber door. Gaius was let into the room and the door closed behind him. He was carrying a large book that had old maps peaking out through it's tattered pages. He set the book down hard on the table and puffs of dust floated into the air and disappeared. He wiped at a bead of sweat that rolled down his forehead that was caused by the strain of carrying a heavy book.
Gwen sniffled from the dust and said, "I'm assuming that dusty old book has some information as to what is going on, or you would not have placed on my clean table."
Without saying a word, Gaius opened it up and began pulling out pieces of different maps. Many of the maps looked to be over hundreds of years old. He started working the maps, laying them over top of each other. Merlin could see that some lines connected from one map to the next. As some pattern started to form, Gaius spoke, "When this land was first settled, maps were drawn of underground rivers and streams. Those of the Old Religion, which it was not referred to back then, found that all the fresh water was connected, the water above and beneath. They searched out to find where most of the water intersects, believing that at its source would hold great power. They spread throughout the land creating and drawing up maps. After years of searching..." Gaius placed the last map down. This map showed a large river with many smaller rivers breaking off and connecting with the other maps. "...they found its heart. The Cor Flumine which is the center of the River of Tethys."
Arthur came over to the side of the table where Gaius stood and looked at the maps that lay all connected. "How come I've never heard of this Cor Flumine or the River of Tethys before?" he asked.
"Because," Gaius said, raising his brow, "the people of the Old Religion were right. This place held great magic and fearing that it would be used for evil, they kept it secret. But I have always been fascinated by the Old Religion's history and learned that not all knowledge of this place was destroyed. In fact, Camelot's library holds some of the oldest journals and history books in the world."
"How come all this magic flows their?" Gwen asked.
"Magic is in all living things, and water is also in all living things, and the water that flows in the River of Tethys gives life to all in this land and draws magic from all. And that is how Mordred was able to awaken magic in those with which it laid dormant."
"But you said magic is in all living things," Gwen pointed out "how come only a few have awakened?"
"For some of us, magic is so far buried that it will take time for it to reach the surface. But I bet that if you look at those who were affected today, you'll find that their close ancestors have a history using magic."
Arthur rubbed his chin, "How did you come to this conclusion, that Mordred is using the River of Tethys?"
"Knowing that Mordred's magic doesn't come close to what he did today, I knew he had to be drawing magic from some source. And once we learned that this reached far beyond Camelot, I knew that he had to be at the Cor Flumine of the River of Tethys."
Merlin was grateful that Gaius kept his little conversation with Mordred through the mirror a secret. Because it was the ripples that Merlin described in the mirror that got Gaius thinking about water.
"If he keeps using the magic of the River of Tethys," Merlin spoke, "will more and more people's eyes start to glow?"
Gaius nodded.
"But why?" Arthur asked. "What does he hope to accomplished by revealing them?"
"An army," Merlin answered. "An army of sorcerers."
With a distressed sigh, Gwen said, "But all these people aren't soldiers, their villagers, farmers, blacksmith, they don't even know how to use magic. How can they be of help to him?"
"That, I don't know."
Arthur sat down at the head of the table, "This does not help me know how to proceed with those here, or the ones that are coming."
"If Mordred wants to divide those with magic," Merlin started, "perhaps it would be best…" but he didn't get to finish.
"My king," a guard said, after bursting through the doors, "many villagers have gathered at the gate, wanting to know what is going to be done."
Without a word, Arthur left the room.
Early in the morning, a few hours before the sun came up, Merlin lay in his bed restless. He had spent all night with Arthur outside the castle walls speaking to the people and trying to calm their fears. Merlin had mentioned a few times that Arthur should also be speaking to those who were now held captive inside the castle walls, sleeping in the dungeons or the grand dining hall. But Arthur seemed to think it was more important to spend time pacifying those without magic than those accused to possess it. His reasoning was always the same, "First, we need to make sure that the fear ceases among those in Camelot so that the people can then reassure those in the villages around Camelot. I need to make sure there are no more riots, my soldier can't be everywhere."
Though Arthur's reasoning was logically, it still made Merlin uneasy. The more Arthur ignored the fears of those who possessed magic, the more the people seemed divided. And Merlin knew this was exactly what Mordred wanted.
With his head swirling, full of all the uneasy thoughts, Merlin's insides started to twist and contract. He sat up, got out of bed, and dressed. If Arthur wasn't going to speak to those accused of magic, Merlin would, even though Arthur had flatly demanded for Merlin to stay away.
He tip-toed toward the door, past sleeping Gaius, just as he had done many times before, and was out the door. He was carefully to stay in the shadows and out of sight from the guards that surrounded the citadel. The people that were accused covered the floor, lying on blankets and pillows that the king had provided. Seeing all them huddled together, Merlin felt great appreciate for Arthur and his position. As the king, he was merely trying to keep his people from killing each other. It wasn't his fault that the fear of those who possessed magic had grown into a monster that seemed impossible to control.
Once Merlin was able to sneak past the guards in the citadel, and make his way down the stairs that lead to the dungeon, he found no more guards. With only one or two ways out, the people down here were more easily contained.
No one that was in the dungeon was locked up, they were free to leave, to a point. Merlin imagined that those that remained in the dungeon did so because it meant they didn't have to be under the watchful eyes of the castle guards. Many of the people were asleep, huddle in groups, but there were still quite a few awake. Merlin still kept to the shadows as he listened to the conversation of those that were awake.
In one of the small groups that had gathered together, there was a woman with a mess of tangled brown hair and a tear stained face. It was obvious what kind of day she had. She was trying to stifle her sobs as she told her story. "I had just finished starting the fire when my youngest, Peter, started screaming. He ran out the door and I ran after him. Moments later, he came back in my husbands arms. My husband took one look at me and went pale. I could not understand why they both were so horrified and then I looked in the trough and so my glowing, gold eyes. I too began to panic, and tried to explain that I didn't know what was happening to me. I ran and hid myself in the house and not an hour later, the guards came and took me away."
The group around her all expressed their sympathies and another story, told by another victim of Mordred's magic, began.
Merlin wasn't sure how to go about consoling any of them, he was wondering what to say when he heard a frail old man telling his small circle about a conversation he had overheard.
"Just as I said from the start," he snarled, "we are all going to be sentenced to death. I heard the king himself, say that tomorrow evenin he plans to get rid of the lot of us. Too risky to let us live."
"No!" a young woman covered her mouth. She grabbed onto a younger girl, maybe her little sister.
"It's true," the old man continued. "We aren't still in here because he doesn't know what to do with us. The king already knows what he's going to do with us, it's how he plans on goin about doin it. Hangin, beheadin, a fire. More than likely the fire, best way to get rid of us without having so many to bury."
"Stop it!" Merlin couldn't help saying. He shoved his way into the center of the group. "Can you not see you are causing unnecessary panic?"
"Unnecessary?" the old man shouted, rising to his feet, and drawing the attention of everyone else in the dungeon, plus waking many that were sleeping. "I say we need to panic. Or would the manservant of the king wish us to be obedient to his master and die?"
Whispers erupted as soon as the old man announced to all who Merlin was. Next thing Merlin knew he was being pulled in every direction as the people started begging him to plead for their sake before the king. Merlin tried to tell them all would be well and that there was nothing to fear, but the collective voices of the people drowned out anything he said.
What Merlin did not see, as he was surrounded by the people, was that the old man, who had been spreading rumors and trying to start a panic, pulled out a small knife with black ooze dripping from its blade. He charged at Merlin from behind and stabbed the knife in the back of his neck.
Merlin's eyes opened wide. The man swiftly pulled out the knife, the black ooze was gone, and the blade came out clean without a trace of even Merlin's blood on it. Merlin's eyes turned a solid white and black veins sprouted across his eyes. He blinked, and his eyes turned back to normal. He grabbed to back of his head and spinned around. The old man was gone. He felt thick, sticky liquid on the back of his head. He for sure thought it was blood but then he saw nothing on his hand. He checked again, feeling for the thin, long wound that must be there, but there wasn't one.
No one in the crowd seemed to notice anything unusual as they continued to yank and pull him this way and that. Merlin again tried to fight his way out but to no avail. In fact, everyone had gone hysterically until the clattering of the soldier's armor was heard on the stone stairs. They came down in twos, with Sir Leon at the lead.
"What is the meaning of this riot?" Sir Leon asked. He did not receive an answer.
Merlin finally found his way out of the crowd and made his way to Leon.
Leon took one look at him and rolled his eyes. It was very common knowledge among the knights that Merlin was often less than obedient.
"Get some sleep," he told the people before turning to leave with Merlin at his heels.
No more than five minutes later, Merlin found himself alone in one of the many rooms of the castle with Arthur seething before him.
"Do you never listen?" He growled. "I told you that I wanted you to stay away from all this. It is too risky. You could easily be discovered yourself, and then where would you be?"
Ever since that strange pain in the back of his head, Merlin's eyes blurred in and out of focus, his head felt like it was covered in moss, and his ears were stuffed with cotton. He knew this conversation he was having with Arthur was serious, so he set his mind straight and managed to say back, "With the others in the dungeon."
"Exactly."
"Which begs the question, what are you planning on doing with all of them?"
"I don't know."
Merlin swayed slightly to the left but Arthur had turned his back to him. "I suggest you figure it out, because the longer they stay separated from the rest of your people, the more they will feel alone and abandoned by their king."
"That's ridiculous. I am not keeping them strictly locked up behind iron bars. They must see that all I am doing is trying to keep everyone safe."
"Then…" Merlin forgot in that moment what he was about to say for Arthur's head started twitching to the side like he was trying to shake water out of his ear. His lips snarled, and his eyes became as round as dinner plates. "Are you all right?"
Frowning, Arthur responded, "I was about to ask you the same question. Why are you looking at me like I had just sprouted donkey ears again?"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Merlin shouted as Arthur, who snorted and laughed like he was a donkey, drew his sword and started flailing it around.
Arthur stepped back as Merlin approached with his hands out cautiously. The blood vessels in Merlin's eyes were black. "Merlin, calm down. Somethings wrong with you."
In Merlin's eyes, Arthur was doing back flips, then he jumped into the air and swung on the iron chandelier. "Arthur, stop, please." Arthur let go of the chandelier and started to spin in circle, still laughing hysterically and saying, "Off with his head, off with his head." Merlin could no longer stand by when Arthur pulled out a large, sharp axe out from behind his back and started swinging it around like he was trying to cut off his own head.
Arthur was so caught off guard by Merlin's strange behavior that he didn't move when Merlin lunged at him and pinned Arthur's arms to the side.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Merlin said, holding onto Arthur tight, trying as he might to stop Arthur from killing himself.
"You get a hold of yourself," Arthur flung back at him, "and get off me."
In no time, Arthur managed to shove Merlin to the ground. The black veins were thick and looked like they were pulsating. Merlin was quick to his feet, his blue eyes turned gold.
Holding out one hand and backing away, Arthur demanded, "No, you don't! Merlin, stop."
Merlin shook his head, "This is for your own good."
There was no time for Arthur to react before a chair took him out from behind and the thick rope, that held back the red velvet curtains, wound tightly around his wrists and ankles.
"Now, stay there, while I go and get Gaius," Merlin said heading toward the door. "I'm sure he will be able to fix you."
"FIX ME?" Arthur yelled out after him, rocking back and forth in the chair. "You are the one that just went loony. Merlin, come back. MERLIN!"
Merlin raced down the hall, up the stairs that led to Gaius's home and barged in the door. "Gaius! Come quick! Something's wrong with Arthur."
Gaius, who had been sleeping soundly in his bed, rolled over and said, "Great gate love loopy river rings?"
"Oh no," Merlin stepped closer to his friend.
Gaius had no idea why Merlin looked so alarm, so he said again, "What is the matter with Arthur?"
Merlin grabbed Gaius by the shoulders and shook him, "You're not making any sense."
"Bunny, bunny, bunny, rabbit!" Gaius cackled in fits of laughter.
"What's going on, Merlin? Stop shaking me," was what Gaius really said.
"No," Merlin shook his head and covered his ears. "You too."
Gaius rolled over and sat up, "Merlin, what's wrong?"
"Clippety, cloppetly, flunksy, dumpsy."
Merlin spun around and ran out the room. He could still hear Gaius calling after him, "Peek and seek the reek is sweet! Flix, nix and tricks!"
With a Thud! he had landed out the bottom of the outside stairs. He took in deep breaths, hoping the cool night air might help calm the buzzing in his head. When he looked up again, he immediately wished he hadn't. The citadel was covered with crazy people, flinging their bodies this way and that, laughing and drooling, and no one spoke a lick of sense. Merlin rubbed his eyes but when he opened them nothing had changed. Guards were dancing across the stone floor, one boy jumped off the stairs yelling, "Tweet, tweet," and then landed on his face at Merlin's feet.
Merlin had to get out of here, he had to keep his wits about him if he was going to save the kingdom. Luckily, he had learned over the years that there was more than one way out of the castle besides the main gates, and with a bit of magic it was easy to escape. So, without looking back, Merlin headed to the underground tunnels and was gone.
Arthur, still securely tied to the chair, grumbled and cursed Merlin for leaving him there. He had chosen to yell at Merlin in one of the remote empty rooms of the castle so that he would not be easily overheard, but now he regretted that decision. Between yelling for help, he had managed to make his way to the door, but couldn't opened the heavy wooden doors with only his face, so he started kicking the door. It gave his lungs a break anyway.
As he kicked away, Arthur was thinking about how embarrassing it would be to be found here, helplessly tied up, by anyone other than Gaius and his wife, since they both knew what Merlin could do. On second thought, he never wanted Gwen to see him so helpless, but after an hour of kicking and yelling, he decided he didn't care who came through that door and saved him. He couldn't even reach down to gnaw at the ropes himself.
"Anyone," he mumbled, "please, anyone."
"Hello," someone said on the otherside.
Recognizing Gareth's voice, Arthur hung his head and cursed quietly, "Anyone but you." Then more loudly he said, "In here."
With a few rocks back and forth, he moved away from the door and the door opened. Gareth looked inside and spotted a very grumpy and impatient king tied to a beautifully crafted, rosewood chair. He fully entered the room and shut the door. "Uh, what happened? Are their intruders in castle that I should know about?"
"No," Arthur told him flatly. "Merlin's gone insane, and he tied me up like this." Arthur was careful to keep his voice calm. "Now, quickly untie me. We must find him."
Gareth knelt down and started loosening the first knot and then stopped. "Skinny little Merlin, did this?" He gestured to the tight knot. "Did he knock you out first? Maybe came at you from behind? No, that wouldn't make sense, you are a great warrior, with keen instincts and fast reflexes. Then he must have drugged you." Gareth settled on that last one.
"Just. Un-tie. Me." Arthur barked through gritted teeth.
As soon as Arthur was free he was out the door with Gareth at his side.
"We need to find Merlin," Arthur told Gareth. "I want you to start searching for him while I go and get Gaius."
Gareth split off and started down a different hall.
"If you find him," Arthur called out, "don't approach him or antagonize him in anyway."
"It's just Merlin," Gareth shrugged and ran down the hall before Arthur could say anything else.
"Yes," Arthur said quietly to himself, "but you don't know him like I do."
Before heading to Gaius, Arthur swung by his chamber wanting to first check on his wife, who should still be asleep. As he turned the hall he saw Gaius striding toward him at the other end. They met in the middle, both showing deep lines of concern on their foreheads. Arthur opened up his chamber door and let Gaius in.
Panic gripped Arthur's heart when he saw his bed was empty, but it was swept away when he found Gwen at the window.
"What's the matter?" she asked as soon as Arthur closed the door.
"Merlin," they both said in unison.
Gwen frowned and came over to the table where they were standing.
"He woke me," Gaius started, "and told me that you," he gestured to Arthur, "had gone mad, but when I tried to ask him about it, he started acting funny, like he couldn't understand me. Then he left. I have been searching for him every since, but decided it was best to come tell you."
"That's better than what happened to me," Arthur bit down hard, still angry over the embarrassment. "He thought I was going to off myself, so he tied be to a chair for the last hour, until Gareth came and untied me. And there was something wrong with his eyes. The veins were black instead of red."
"Oh, dear. This is very serious," Gaius said.
Gwen leaned on the table, "Do you think you might know what has happened to him?"
"I might, but it is imperative that we find him now."
"I saw him in the citadel. But he took off in the direction of the kitchen," Gwen told them.
Arthur opened the door, "I will see if I can find him. Gaius, do whatever you can to find out for sure what has happened to him and how to turn him back."
Then the door closed.
The early hours of the morning brought dense, gray fog, that rolled along the forest floor and around Merlin's feet as he walked. His body was hunched over and his arms were wrapped tightly around him.
"Mad," he muttered to himself. "They've all gone mad. What a fine time to lose their heads? Must keep it together or that madness with get me too. What to do? What to do? There is a war coming, and someone whose wits are about him must lead. My wits are about me." Merlin laughed to himself. "I can lead. I can be king." He raised his brow. "Yes, I will make a very good king." As he spoke that last thought he stopped at the ruins of an old castle. The same old castle that Arthur was taken to by the druid brother and sister. Merlin looked up as his castle and said with a smile, "Maybe even a great king."
Name the show the quote, "Bunny, bunny, bunny, rabbit," is from.
Check out my first published novel, A GRIM AWAKENING: THE FOREST OF HOLLOW. It is now up for sale. If you are interested, search it up on Barnes and Noble, or Amazon. Also, there is a book trailer on Youtube!
Here is a synopsis -
Awaken to a grim world once hidden before your eyes.
There must be something wrong with 13-year-old, Ian Grim. Why else would Mitchel Trent, who everyone believes to be the nicest guy in school, bully him? Why did everyone at school give him nasty looks and whisper about him in spiteful gossip? Even teachers didn't like him. They always made him sit in the far corner of their classrooms where it was easy to ignore him. Even more hurtful, was the fact that Ian's own father blatantly ignored him. If it wasn't for his loving mother; his fun, yet psycho, younger brother; and his own sparkling sarcastic personality; Ian might think his life was a bit difficult. That is, until his mother goes missing one night.
In a twist of cruel irony, his father finally pays Ian's some attention only to threaten his life and force him on the run. Desperate for answers, Ian is compelled to accept help from Mitchel, the "nice" bully from school. That's when Ian learns that his mother was taken by the Reaper
If Ian wishes to save his mother, he must first survive his father. And in order to do that, he will need to learn of the spirit world, discover his own power, and embrace his role in an ongoing shadow war, before the Reaper tears his world apart.