Chapter Thirty-one

For about the hundredth time Merlin cursed under his breath as the chains binding him refused to respond to his magic. He knew what Morgause had said, but over the past twenty four hours he had still tried at period intervals, alternating spells.

Furious he shook the chains and then tried calling for help…again for about the hundredth time.

If only he had let Arthur follow him...

He was wondering what Arthur was doing. Surely he had realized something was wrong by now. He wasn't sure exactly how long he had been here, but he had seen the light starting to come in through the cave entrance then go dark and then come back again so he had to have been here a day. Arthur must have tried looking for him…but how on earth could he find him out here in the woods. Even Merlin didn't know exactly where he was.

If there was some way magically he could lead Arthur to him…but why not? His magic wasn't affecting the chains and keys but he still had it…if he could think of the right spell…

Of course. He had read about it even though he had never cast it. A small orb of light that could guide people who were lost…it should work in this situation. But he didn't know where Arthur was, he reminded himself. He could summon it into Arthur's workshop or house, but then it would lead him through Camelot, completely out in in the open which would be hard to explain…he could always wait for night which were lessen the risk…

But, Merlin reminded himself, there was a lot at stake here. Uther's life was in danger. And as much as he disliked the King he couldn't let Morgause kill him and time was of the essence, she could already have made her first move…

Gwen sat at her fireplace, staring into the fire, her thoughts seemingly miles away. She had stopped crying but as Gaius sat beside her, watching her, he couldn't help but feel concerned. He was contemplating the wisdom of giving her something to help her sleep when she looked towards him, her face resolute and determined.

"I have to find Merlin."

Gaius nodded. "I'm very worried about him but I don't know where to begin."

"The woods. Arthur-…Arthur said Merlin had gone to the woods to meet Morgause."

"But we have no idea where to start looking. They're very large-"

"I'll follow Morgause. If Merlin is alive and a prisoner, she has to go visit him at some point. I'll follow her to him."

"That would be extremely dangerous."

Gwen's chin tilted up in defiance. "I'm not going to let my husband be executed! He's already out there in the town square being-…" Her voice died. She took a deep breath and continued more calmly, "I have to find Merlin. He can help break Arthur out. Both Arthur and Morgana." She stood to her feet. "It's the best plan we have. I-…what's that?"

Gaius turned to look in the direction she was pointing. Slowly, growing brighter every second, a small ball of light began to appear in the center of the room.

"I don't know," said Gaius, frowning at it. He got up and moved closer to the light. It started to move away to the door.

"It must be some kind of magic," said Gwen. "But who…Merlin!"

"What?"

"Who else could it be?" she exclaimed. "It must be from him!"

"We don't know that," warned Gaius.

"I'm willing to take that chance." Guinevere grabbed her cloak and tied it around her shoulders. "I have to take that chance." She hurried out after the light.

Most the streets were largely empty since most of the people were crowded in the town square watching the first half of Arthur's punishment, most of them whispering of the execution that would take place tomorrow. Arthur had made friends these past six months and many people respected him, the poorer people grateful for all the kindness he had showed them and the repairs he had done for them so cheaply and in some cases even, where they had been unable to pay, free of charge.

As Gwen hurried along the street, following the light, she could hear the sounds coming from the square. She tried to force it out of her mind. If she could just get to Merlin…he was a wizard…how things had changed these past few days….it seemed so hard to believe. Merlin and Morgana both had magic; Arthur was condemned to death…what a difference twenty four hours could make…

The light led her to the castle gates; it clearly didn't know the word stealth since it just flew past the guards breezily. It caused consternation, they called a superior out and there was much conferring and shouting, but in the commotion Gwen was able to slip by.

The light headed off into the woods. This seemed promising. Merlin had been going into the woods when last seen. It took her deep, much deeper then she had ever been in the forest but she kept on, following it, trying to keep her thoughts in the present and not contemplating what might happen to Arthur tomorrow. She needed him too much to ever consider the thought of losing him.

She tripped over a tree root and fell to the ground, skinning her palms. By the time she sat up and looked for the light she realized it had disappeared. She looked around concerned. There were too many options of where it might have gone. The trees were very thick, it could be behind any one of them, there was a cave over there, it could have gone in there, or gone off behind those rocks that looked as if they led up a small hill-

"Arthur!" The shout broke into her thoughts.

She looked around.

"Arthur! Are you there! It's Merlin! Help! I'm in here!"

Her heart leapt. It was definitely coming from within the cave. It could be a trap for all she knew, but then what would anyone, Morgause included, want with her?

She hurried into the cave.

As she entered the first thing that caught her eye was the large stone alter, and then standing behind it, chained to the wall, was Merlin.

He blinked in surprise, his wide mouth open mid-shout.

"Err…Gwen…I wasn't expecting you," he said, looking strangely embarrassed. "When the light…well I thought Arthur had been the one to…"

"Arthur's in trouble," said Gwen, hurrying over to examine Merlin. "Are you alright?"

"Yes…I'm very thirsty but I'm fine. The keys are over their on the shelf if you could just..."

Gwen hurried over and grabbed them and then coming back over to Merlin, started to unlock him.

"What sort of trouble is Arthur in?" asked Merlin, as his first wrist was freed.

"Uther's sentenced him to be executed tomorrow."

"Why? What for?" asked Merlin, shocked.

"Because he tried to break Morgana out of the dungeons."

"What's Morgana doing in the dungeons?"

"Morgause forced her into using magic in front of Uther."

Merlin shook his head and said, "I've been gone a little over a day, and you all have gotten yourselves into a complete mess."