authors note: I am so sorry that it has been long since the last update, and that I left you with such a cliffhanger. Since the school year has started back up, I have almost no time to post. This story will be placed over the others in terms of updates, and I hope you enjoy what I have in store you you! Shoutout to SkyeMadea, who has been with this story from the beginning and always leaves the best comments ^^ finally i wish to thank everyone who has reviewed, commented, read, and even glanced at this story! it is because of you that this story was made possible. Now, let the update begin! -WaywardWhispers-69-
Arthur rode slightly ahead of Gwaine, turning his head this way and that, searching for any sign of life, any sign of Merlin. His sword hung at his side, its beautiful craftsmanship hidden by the thick leather scabbard. Droplets of freezing water fell upon the two men, causing them to shiver with both cold and anxiety, for they did not know in what condition they would find Merlin. Neither spoke. Since he had neither the delights of his fathers birthday celebration, Gaius' instruction, or Gwaine's senseless chatter Arthur was left to his thoughts. If Merlin is dead, his death is on you. You are killed him. You have betrayed Gaius, he will never forgive you. It is your fault. These thoughts were on instant replay in his mind, degrading his sanity until he thought he would go mad. Suddenly, Gwaine's voice broke through his trance.
"Arthur, what do you see? Over there, behind the evergreen, I swear I saw movement." Gwaine's hand rose and pointed to a location about ten feet to Arthur's right. looking to where Gwaine had pointed, Arthur shook his head and cleared his mind. Dwelling on it won't do any good. Right now, I need to focus on merlin. He may still be alive.
"Good eye, Gwaine. The brush is matted more than it should be. Someone was here and in a hurry," Their course was changed to accommodate the newly gained information. Arthur lead, now clearly in the front, and Gwaine trailed behind. As they passed the brush, Gwaine lowered his head to avoid a low hanging branch. His eyes drifted over fresh tracks that looked no more than a day old. Thinking nothing of it, he kept quiet and rode on.
Arthur stopped dead in his tracks. Before him was a sight that chilled him to the bone, although he would never admit it aloud. A dead animal, so distorted that the species was unable to be identified, was hung upside-down from the thick branch of a tall tree. Seven red fletched arrows had been aligned down what was presumably the animals back. Gwaine looked up, Arthur had stopped not ten feet away.
"Arthur? What have you found?" then, in hoping, he asked, "is it Merlin?" An answer was soon given to him. He raised his head to see over Arthur and took in a breath, slowly drawing back. "W-what the hell!? Arthur... this- it looks, seems like I've see something like this before... but I cannot remember where..." Instead of respond Arthur only sat there, staring at the corpse of the distorted animal. There was a pause, a moments silence before Arthur said, "Let us continue on. This only means that we must find Merlin even sooner," if he isn't dead already Arthur added silently.
They continued on for many kilometers slowly growing closer to their destination. Every step brought them closer to merlin who, at this moment, was in desperate need of them.
Darkness was the only thing Merlin could see, but that did not mean it was the only thing he could feel. Pain criss-crossed throughout his body up his chest and through his arms, their pallor lighter than ever. All of it originated from a single part of his body; Merlin could not bear to even think of how badly the area hurt. His mind tried to block it out but with each labored breath it became stronger. Gasping as he woke Merlin's pride gateway to pain for he let out a cry of pure agony.
"help me... please..." The words barely even made it off his tongue before a strong force ripped him off the ground. Someone is screaming! but who? Merlin's mind was gone, replaced with scattered thoughts and pain, so much pain. He could not even recognize his own voice as it cried out.
"Boy! Stay awake... I have m-" The mans face faded in and out of focus; his voice warbled, faded.
Then their was cold. Merlin's wits were about him in an instant. A bucket of lake water had been dumped upon him, thinning out the lake of blood in which he sat and turning it pink. He brought up a hand to the gaping wound to try and stanch the bleeding. Merlin looked down at his torso and saw the mangled flesh. The knife was no where to be seen, so the wounds grotesque glory was clearly visible through merlins ripped shirt. He stayed his shallow breathing and leveled his mind. this process took all of three seconds. Then, he faced his prey. His grey eyes narrowed into mere slits as he glared at the man in front of him.
"Who are you, boy? By the looks of you, a servant. Or that could be a rouse. A noble man, perhaps. Someone," he began to circle Merlin, slowly "Who would wish to do me and my followers harm. Someone... like the king." Merlin, though his mind was clouded and thinking rash, came up with a plan. This man had clearly never seen Arthur before; everyone who had knew he was blond. Merlin's dark hair contacted greatly with the dune mop atop the kings royal head.
"Y-you jest. I would not b-be part of the common rabble, now would I? I am i-indeed Arthur p-prince of C-Camelot. W-what is your b-buisness with me?" The mans face turned at the words 'Arthur Prince of camelot.'
"What is MY business?" anger coursed through the mans veins, causing his voice to shake. He stalked toward merlin, eyes with intent to kill. "YOU! YOU KILLED MY FATHER, MY SISTER, AND MY BROTHER! MY MOTHER ONLY JUST ESCAPED PEFORE YOU CAUGHT AND SLAUGHTERED HER! W-what is my business... my business..."
"Why...?" Merlin whispered. Hatred Flared. The man lunged and caught Merlin by the throat.
"Because they had Magic," He spat the word like fire from the mouth of a dragon. His eyes suddenly widened, his moth moved but no sound emerged. he slumped forward. An arrow had pierced his back, through his heart. Merlin's eyes went wide. "Arthur..." Then slowly closed.
" -NLY JUST ESCAPED BEFORE YOU CAUGHT AND SLAUGHTERED HER!" Arthur's head whipped at the sound of an enraged voice shouting from the distance. Gwaine came shooting out of the woods to Arthurs left. They had split to cover more ground and the sound had brought them together once more. Tearing through the woods like a shot from a bow, the two traveled faster than ever thought possible of a Camelot horse to the sound of their only clue. Through the brush Arthur spotted a man. Quickly, he motioned to the side, indicating to Gwaine that he should go right and circle round. Gwaine did it silently and soon was out of Arthur's peripheral vision.
Arthur then lay his eyes on a man. A man that held Merlin, his Merlin, by the neck. Relying on the mans focus on Merlin, Arthur drew his bow and readied a shot. He let go. It was clean. An instant death. Arthurs eyes connected with Merlin's. Other arrows could be heard, released by Gwaine whose targets were the other men surrounding the camp. Arthur dismounted and ran to Merlin, calling Gwaine as he went. Merlins eyes were closed but with a small shake he opened them. He grimaced, and looked over toward Gwaine. Merlin let out a small laugh, pained and weak, but a laugh none the less.
Arthur nodded at merlin and Merlin nodded back. This meant that Arthur did not have to say this is going to hurt and Merlin would not have to respond with I know. Arthur put an arm under Merlin and stood, swiftly and without warning. Merlin's dead weight upon him Arthur made his way over to the horse. It was slow, for Merlin weighed a good 70 kilograms, even if he did not look it. Gwaine followed behind, ready to help if necessary.
Now came the hard part, getting Merlin on the damn horse. Loopy as Merlin was now that the pain had blinded him again, he would be no help. Arthur mounded and Gwaine slowly lifted hum up, earning a yelp from the unconscious Merlin. Once they were sure Merlin was settled Gwaine jogged back to his horse and let out a long sigh. Arthur began the journey to Camelot, galloping toward the large white castle. The danger is not over yet, He reminded himself Merlin is still liable to blood-loss. But something stayed his worrying. Maybe it was the fact that Merlin was in his arms, going toward help. Unbeknownst to Arthur, something was Keeping Merlin alive when he should have died; the string of fate that tied them to gather, the line of greatness Merlin had not yet done. The care of those who loved him most.
- If you wish me to continue the story, just say so ; )! i would have no problem with that, Just tell me what you want and you shall have. Love you all and see you next update if the challenge calls. -WaywardWhispers-69-