Scare in the Night
Arthur kept chasing after Copper who was chasing after Taran. The Pig-keeper laughed his way along with the others giving chase, that was until they made it to the very edge of town which was on the edge of the forest.
Taran came to a halt which caused both Copper and Arthur to spot next to him. They were silent as they looked into the woods, hardly able to see even with a few feet into it because of the dark.
"Well we saw it." Said Arthur." C'mon let's get back."
"Don't tell me your afraid." Said Taran turning to him.
"I'm-I'm not afraid. I just don't like it is all." Both of them turned their attention to the forest after having heard a long and high-pitched howl Copper stuck his nose into the air and sniffed curiously.
"Aren't you going to be a king someday?" asked Taran." Aren't King' supposed to be fearless?" Arthur did not respond." And to think I wanted to be one of your knights." Taran then turned and walked off into the forest.
"Wait, wait!" called Arthur. But he could only watch as Taran walked in and disappeared into the darkness. Arthur was hesitant, he wanted to follow after his friend and prove himself brave but at the same time he was too afraid. A bark and friendly push from Copper edge him on.
Then Arthur ran forward with hound dog following alongside him. The two ran into the woods, as Arthur looked over his shoulder he saw the edge of town get farther and farther away. Then he turned his attention back forward and that's when he came face to face with a ghost that shouted 'Boo!'
Arthur nearly jumped out of his skin as he stumbled and fell onto his back. Copper jumped up and barked as Arthur stared at the Spector spooked. But the next sound he heard was laughter. Looking up he saw Taran step out from behind a misshapen tree that look like it had a face.
Taran laughed and held his sides while Copper licked Arthur's face.
"You should have seen your face." He laughed.
"Yea, yea." Agreed Arthur getting up." You got me." Taran continued to laugh. "Now can we get out of here?"
"Of course, of course." Said Taran wiping his eyes." It's getting late." Arthur was relieved to be leaving. And as he did he whistled for Copper to follow.
The hound dog did but then suddenly he smelt something. He put his nose into the air and began sniffing. He turned his head to the right and began sniffing more vigorously.
"What is it boy?" asked Arthur as he turned to the dog." Do you smell something?" Copper put his nose to the ground and began sniffing. Then all at once Copper broke out into a great sprint and ran off into the woods, howling as he went." Copper, wait!"
"C'mon." said Taran." Let's get after him." The two then ran deeper into the dark woods following the sound of Copper's barks. At one point it became so dark they couldn't even anything within a foot of their face, so they just listened for the barks and followed from there. Soon enough they found the dog apparently sniffing something on the ground." There he is." Taran pointed out. And the two boys ran over to him.
"What is it boy?" asked Arthur coming up from behind Copper." What did you find?" Taran grabbed Copper and held him back and that's when they came upon a terrible sight. Laying there in the dirt was an owl but not just any Owl, it was Archimedes." Archimedes!" Arthur exclaimed as he reached down and grabbed the Owl, holding him in his hands.
"Is he?" asked Taran. Arthur began to pet at Archimedes head and eventually the Owl groaned in response
"Boy." He finally said upon seeing Arthur before him." Boy, thank goodness you found me."
"Are you alright Archimedes?" asked Arthur." What happened?" He attempted to help the owl up but upon even touching him Archimedes let out a cry of pain.
"My..my wings." He groaned." I think… one of them's broken."
"Who did this to you?" asked Arthur.
Archimedes breathed several panted breaths." No, no time for that boy." He said." Get me back to Merlin, quickly."
"Okay, okay." Arthur held the Owl tightly as the group began making their way out of the forest. Copper led the way finding it easy to navigate in the dark. So they continued on like that for some time.
And the woods was a dark place that caused Archimedes to shiver under it's dark gaze. But then it seemed their troubles were over.
"Look!" Taran pointed out. Everyone looked forward as Taran pointed out a dirt road." A road, and it must lead straight into town. Copper barked and led the way with Taran following with him.
"You hear that Archimedes." Said Arthur holding him following after Taran." We've found a road." We'll be home in no time."
"No, no." muttered the owl." No! no!STOP!" he yelled. And the group did at once. Taran and Copper were on the already on the road while Arthur was not.
"Archimedes?" Said Arthur.
"What's the matter?" asked Taran.
"Get down, get down all of you!" the owl warned. And the boys did as they were told, jumping back and into the bushes. And there they waited for several silent moments, and all there was, was silence. The boys were confused and couldn't understand the Owl's fears.
Taran slowly picked himself up and pushed aside the bushes so he could see.
"What do you see?" asked Arthur.
"Nothing." Replied Taran. But he continued to look out and scan the area.
"Make no mistake about it boys." Said Archimedes." They're out there."
"Who's out there?" asked Arthur. Copper now began to get afraid and rubbed himself along Arthur for comfort.
Taran continued to look outside the bushes. But he could see nothing, nothing but large black trees and small glimmers of moonlights shining down from their tips. But in the faint lighting that's when he saw it.
Everything was stiff and solid but in the distance Taran saw something twitching, and his eyes were drawn to it. Slowly something began to poke out from behind the protection of the trees. Taran looked over and gasped at what he saw.
A rider clothed entirely in black atop a large black steed stood there in the darkness. And he stood there for several moments never moving, not even flinching. Then he pulled the reins on his horse and rode off into the darkness.
"There's a rider there." Whispered Taran back to his comrades." But he's gone now."
"Perhaps it's best we stay off the road then." Said Arthur. Taran nodded his head in agreement.
"The road's the least of our worries." Said Archimedes. The boys turned to him." The rider is not our only problem, the skies themselves are being watched." Everyone turned their attention upwards and through the faint glimpse of the sky above they could see shadows passing over them.
"What'll we do?" asked Arthur with Copper next to him and Archimedes in his hands.
"We'll just have to be careful." Told Taran." Stay clear of the road and the rider. And we'll stay clear of open areas, we'll-"
"They already know we're here." said Archimedes. Taran and Arthur looked to each other shocked." The only way to get out of this is to move quickly." Arthur and Taran looked to each other filled with fear. They had to find some way to get out of this forest and quickly.
"C'mon." encouraged Taran." I'll lead the way." He jumped out from the bushes and headed the way they came with Copper and Arthur following.
Meanwhile back in town at Merlin's home.
The restoration committee along with Merlin and Dalben returned to their home and immediately everyone settled into their own spots.
Yuffie jumped up and laid herself out on the couch. Leon went to the fridge and pulled out a carton of chocolate ice cream.
"You gonna eat from the carton?" asked Tifa behind him. Leon turned around to her with a spoon already full and proceeded to shove it in his mouth before her." Disgusting." She groaned." What if I wanted some?" Leon pulled the spoon out of his mouth and put the utensil and carton on the counter.
"Go crazy." He said over his shoulder." I'm taking a shower." Then he turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Merlin at this time was preparing the tea pot.
"Has anyone seen the boys?" asked Dalben aloud.
"Boys?" asked Tifa.
"Taran and Arthur." Answered Dalben.
"Yes." Said Merlin." Come to think of it I haven't seen them since this afternoon."
"Where could they be?" asked Cid.
"Well I suggest Arthur show Taran around town, but they should have been back by now."
"Don't worry." Said Tifa." The cities a big place. They probably just stopped off to get some ice cream or see a movie or something. You know how boys are."
"Well perhaps." Said Merlin.
"You worry too much." Said Tifa as she walked across the room." They'll be fine."
"Where are you going?" asked Yuffie to her.
"Shower." Tifa replied as she turned the knob and entered the room, closing the door behind her. Merlin cocked his head and saw only darkness outside wondering where the boys could be.
Meanwhile Arthur and Taran continued their journey in the woods.
"Move carefully boys." Archimedes told them. Copper was on point bounding ahead with his nose in the air. Taran was behind him pushing tree limbs and bushes aside with Arthur right behind him holding Archimedes. The group then came to the road once again, only seeing a much more pleasant sight.
"Look!" Taran pointed out. Everyone looked over and saw the town just on the edge of the forest." We've made it back." He cheered as Copper barked his delight.
"You hear that Archimedes, we're safe now." But the owl seemed less than happy, in fact he still looked frightful. His head darted from side to side as apparently looked for something that was there… or was it.
Suddenly Copper stopped with his nose pointed up.
"What's the matter boy?" asked Taran.
"What is it?" asked Arthur to him.
"I-I don't know." They both turned to the dog who began sniffing the air. Archimedes looked up and around as well and could see much clearer than the others. The shadows returned above them and there were more than before. Not only that but he could hear the sound of stomping coming towards them.
"Run!Run!" yelled Archimedes. The fear and desperate sounds of his voice forced the group to move and keep going, not really caring where they went." Don't stop!" They jumped in between the bushes and trees. There was a shriek coming from above and the stomping getting closer and closer to them. The branches cracked above them, forcing them to duck their heads.
Without them knowing they headed out into an open field. But there was nothing they could do but run because they were still being followed.
"Go! Go!" yelled Archimedes. And the two boys and their dog ran, a dark silhouette hovering over them in the sky above. And then a dark laughter got all their attentions.
Arthur turned around and there he saw a dark rider on a large black horse, a red cape flying behind him. His horse took massive strides as he jumped from the darkness of the forest and followed after them. But the boys were on foot and were no match for the speed of the horseman.
Then Arthur felt a warm wind on the back of his neck. He turned around and was face to face with the horse's red eyes. Looking up he saw the horseman and for the first time saw he had no head. The horseman raised his arm and out came a sword. And despite Arthur's fear which kept him moving the horseman stayed in stride with him. The Horseman raised his sword and prepared to swing but then something happened.
Before he could swing down another sword swung over and crossed with his. Arthur looked over to see a man on a white horse armed with a sword and shield locked with the Headless Horseman. The Horseman let out a laugh as he and the newcomer swung and clashed blades again.
Arthur would have surely been trampled by them had a deer not ran over and lifted him onto his back. With Arthur on his back the deer strode over to Taran and did the same for him. The two boys rose on his back with Copper following.
The deer brought them safely into town, looking back they could see the two still battling. A loud crack like thunder got all their attentions next. Looking over there came John Smith and his men firing their rifles.
The man who came and saved the boys rode out of the way, covering himself with his shield. John Smith and his men marched up next to Arthur and the Deer, they lined up and began firing at the horseman.
The Headless Horseman swung his blade as the bullets flew past him. But under the constant fire and being outnumbered he tugged on the reins to his horse and rode off. The group watched him go off hearing his laughter echo into the darkness.
After he left the group breathed some relief.
"Are you boys alright?" asked John turning to the rest. The man on the horse rode over to them.
"Y-Yes." Said Arthur." But Archimedes is hurt." He showed the owl in his hands to everyone. Just then the man on the white horse rode over.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked.
"Yes." Said John. " It's a good thing you showed up when you did Phillip." The Deer gave John a nudge." And you too Bambi." He patted him on the head.
Suddenly a gust of wind blew and all turned to see as Merlin appeared, twirling around.
"What's going on here!" he hollered.
"Merlin." Said Arthur." Archimedes is hurt!"
"WHAT?!" Merlin yelled startled. Arthur showed the owl to him." Oh my, oh my." Merlin took Archimedes in his hands, the owl letting out a cry as he did so.
"Merlin." Said Phillip." We got here as soon as we heard the commotion."
"Yes and the whole town heard it." Merlin said to Prince Phillip, Bambi, John Smith and his men." What in thunder happened?!"
"We caught your boys being chased." Told Phillip." They were running from the forest." He pointed his sword in the direction. Merlin looked far out into the forest seeing faint movement along it's edges. But then Archimedes got his attention.
"Merlin, Merlin." He groaned. Merlin turned to him." I've seen them, Merlin. I've seen them." Merlin turned up and looked with a grim face to all his companions who heard the news as well. And each of them looked frightened as well.
"I don't understand Merlin." Said Arthur. "What's he mean?" But Merlin must not have heard him for he did not answer.
"Merlin." Said John." What should we do?" Merlin quickly bounced up and pointed a finger at him.
"John you and your men stay here, keep a watch on the forest."
"Yes, sir." John and his men turned around and reloaded their guns.
"Phillip." Merlin pointed to him." Take Bambi and patrol the borders of the town."
"Understood!" Said Phillip. He turned to Bambi and announced 'Let's go!' And with a kick to his horse the two rode off.
"What about us, sir?" asked Taran." What'll we do?"
"We?" repeated Merlin." We will go home at once! You boys have had enough adventure for one day." He pushed the two along with one hand while keeping Archimedes in the other. Then the Wizard with the owl and the two boys with the dog returned to the safety of home.
And once they returned home Arthur and Taran were seated down and tended to by everyone, namely Dulben who fawned over their safety. Merlin disappeared into his back office with Archimedes, slamming the door behind him.
"You boys should have known better than to go out into that forest." Said Dalben as he and Cid took to lecturing them." What could you have been thinking?"
"Wart." Added Cid." Have we not been telling you time and time again not to go into the forest, especially at night!"
"Y-Yes sir." Arthur nodded. Copper was at Arthur's feet and pressed his head against the boy's legs, trying to comfort him.
"But it wasn't his fault." Spoke up Taran. Everyone turned and looked over at him." I-I pushed him into doing it."
"Taran." Sighed Dulben." What am I ever going to do with you?"
"Chores." Said Cid." That's what we do when someone gets out of line." Everyone's attentions was suddenly caught to the sound of a door opening. All looked over and saw the bathroom door open with Tifa exiting shortly followed by Leon. The two walked off and into the next room." There's a start." Continued Cid." Boys! Go clean the bathroom."
The two boys were needless to say confused at the request but the stern look on the older men's faces made them get up anyway. Taran and Arthur got up with Copper walking along with them.
"Well it could be worse." whispered Arthur.
"How could it be worse?" replied Taran. The two boys continued on and at the same time Merlin exited from his room for the first time since he arrived. He looked out to see Dalben and Cid, so he called to them and got their attentions.
"What is it?" asked Dalben as the two walked over to Merlin who stood in the doorway of his room.
"Come in here quickly." Merlin said in a quiet but intense voice." We have important things to discuss." The two men did as they were told and walked past Merlin and into his room. The old wizard looked over to see Taran and Arthur walking away. Arthur turned his head over his shoulder and saw something he'd never seen before, a red fire in Merlin's eyes. He watched as Merlin marched into his study, slamming the door behind him.
"Oh that can't be good." He commented.
"What is it?" asked Taran.
"I've never seen Merlin that upset before. But I think I understand why. I'd be mad if I was in his shoes."
"How bad can it be?" asked Taran.
"HANG IT ALL!" Merlin's voice roared sounding like thunder that shook the entire house. The boys stood where they were and covered their ears. After the yelling had died down they turned to each other.
"We'd better get those chores done." Said Taran in a voice of fright.
"Agreed." Said Arthur. And the two darted off and towards the bathroom. Arthur opened the closet door and pulled out a broom and handed it off to Taran. Then Arthur himself pulled out a mop and bucket. Copper ever eager to help took the bucket in his mouth and followed Arthur to the bathroom with Taran.
The two boys and the dog walked up to the door but just before Taran was about to pull the door open another hand reached over and shut the door. Arthur and Taran looked up to see Leon blocking their way.
"Boys." he said. "What are you doing?"
"We're going to clean the bathroom, miss." Told Taran. Leon looked at them with a raised brow.
"Cid told us to." Arthur added. Copper barked in agreement.
"Why?" Leon questioned.
"It's a punishment." Told Arthur.
"On account of us going into the forest today." Added Taran.
"You what?!" Leon raised his voice turning to Arthur. His voice causing the two boys and dog to jolt.
"Leon what's all the noise?" questioned Tifa as she suddenly walked up behind him warping her arms around him in an attempt to comfort him. But Leon quickly pushed her off him and turned to her.
"Wart went into the forest today." He told." And Cid sees it fit to punish them." He turned back and looked at them." But I have a better idea." He said in a voice that caused the two boys to shiver at the very thought.
"Now, now Leon." Said Tifa as she walked around him put herself between Leon and the boys." There's no need to be so strict."
"Arthur knows the rules. Since he's gotten here they've been explained to him." He argued back at her.
"Their only boys." Said Tifa reaching back and grabbing Arthur and Taran in her arms." Their children." She showcased the boy's faces to Leon." They don't need to be punished, they just need to be educated about what's going on."
"I would like that very much." Arthur spoke up.
"You see." Smirked Tifa to Leon." That's all they-"
"Leon, Tifa!" called a voice. The two turned over and saw Merlin standing in the doorway of his study." Come in here please, and bring Yuffie as well."
"Merlin what are we" began Leon still concerned with the conversation about Arthur and Taran.
"Now!" Merlin said with authority in his voice.
"I'll go get Yuffie." Said Leon. And he quickly turned and went to do just that. Tifa released Arthur and Taran and turned to go into Merlin's study.
"Go and get yourself some ice cream boys." She said." There will be time later to explain everything." Then she turned and walked away but quickly turned back to them, remembering something." Just don't eat the chocolate ice cream."
So Arthur and Taran did just that. They went into the kitchen and began eating ice cream, all the while watching Merlin's study. They saw Tifa go in then Leon and Yuffie after. But after that no one came in or out for several hours.
So Arthur and Taran stayed in the kitchen eating ice cream and talking their adventure of the day over.
"So what do you thinks going on in there?" asked Taran looking to Merlin's study.
"I don't know." Arthur replied. He took out a spoonful of ice cream and bent it down for Copper to lick up." But it must be something important." The two continued on licking at their ice cream but then their attentions were called to something else. Copper suddenly jolted his head up, his ears bent back and on alert." What is it boy?" asked Arthur. Copper turned and growled at the door.
Arthur and Taran looked to each other confused but then Arthur got up and moved towards the door with Copper and Taran following.
Arthur walked up and pressed his head against the glass but managed to see nothing more than darkness outside. Copper continued to growl and began pawing at the door.
"Come on." Said Taran." Let's go and have a look." Arthur nodded and took a deep breath as he pulled the door open. As quick as a flash Copper raised forward and out the door barking as he did so. Arthur and Taran quickly rushed after him.
"Copper!" called Arthur." Copper come back boy!" But his calls went unanswered as Copper ran off in the night his barking echoing in the distance." Oh No." Arthur groaned.
"Hey." Said Taran getting his attention. "What is that?" He pointed into the sky. Arthur looked up and there he saw in the sky a light shining in the sky. At first glance what might think it was a star but it was moving and it had a strange green glow to it. They boys watched as it flew across the sky, fixated on the strange light.
The two were drawn to the sight of the glowing green light. And because they were so focused on it, they didn't hear the approaching footsteps from behind them.
Two hands reached out and touched the two on the shoulder, causing them both to jump around and scream in fear. There stood Dalben.
"I'm dreadfully sorry for startling you boys." Said Dalben as the boys panted before him." But Merlin has requested you come to his study." The boys looked to each other confused." Follow me, please."
So the boys did as they were told and followed Dalben into the study. There they found everyone in the entire house standing all around the room with Merlin sitting in his chair and a bandaged Archimedes next to him on the desk.
"Come in boys." Said Merlin to them as Dalben closed the door behind them. The boys walked in and stood in the center of the room, with everyone else looking at them. Merlin took his hat off his head and ran his hand through his hair." Now Archimedes has told us everything that has happened. We know what you boys saw in the forest."
"W-What did we see Merlin?" asked Arthur. In all honesty neither of the boys had any real idea what had happened or why it happened.
"I think it's best we show you." Said Merlin. Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement." Tomorrow you will accompany us to the Grand Council. And from there you learn everything that has happened, and from there you will help us decide the future."
Arthur and Taran looked to each other with a sense of excitement but also with a sense of fear. Excitement because now they'd be apart of the group they' help prepare earlier today but fear of the unknown.