Fire and Ice 3: Mind of Stone
I'm afraid this chapter won't be as long as the last one but hopefully, it'll be just as good.
Chapter 5
The forest was quiet. The wind passed through the trees and leaves fell to the floor.
The only noise was the clicking of hooves as Arthur, the knights and the teens rode out into the woods. Merlin was laid on a horse that was tied to Arthur's; he had a rope around his middle to stop him falling off. Every now and then, sticks would go flying or branches would come off tree and it was becoming increasingly hard to ride.
Clara rode beside Arthur showing him and the knights what direction to go in. They would take sharp turns or go down steep hills but Arthur knew it was worth it.
"We've got about a day's journey ahead of us. We'll get there quicker if we rest." Clara said.
Arthur nodded hopping down from his horse, and leading it to a tree. He tied it up and done the same to Merlin's.
The rest of the knights and Clara's group of friends copied his actions and Gwaine went to collect wood for a fire.
Arthur pulled Merlin down from his horse, being careful not to hurt the boy in any way.
"I know this place. We'll take the quick route and we should be there by noon tomorrow." Clara assured him.
"Thank you," Arthur replied, smiling slightly.
They set out the beds and huddled around the fire, Merlin closest. Arthur made sure he was comfortable before settling down to sleep with Percival as watch.
"Ar...tur..." Merlin groaned.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked worriedly
"Thanks..." Merlin whispered.
"No problem. Get some sleep. I'll have you mucking out the horses in no time." Arthur said.
"Then... I'm... gonna... sleep... for... a little while... longer..." Merlin sighed and closed him eyes.
Arthur smiled down at his friend. He turned round and went to sleep.
MERLIN
The next morning, Merlin was worse. His one burning skin was nothing compared to the temperature it was now. It was burning hot. Like an actual fire.
His blue eyes, usually full of life were completely empty except for the pain and he hadn't any energy to move his limbs. The burn marks on his arms had gone black and dark brown and bruises were appearing all around them making his arms almost black.
He was trembling a lot now, and his magic was shooting out of him every few minutes. Clara had promised to get there as soon as possible but Arthur knew as soon as possible wasn't good enough.
"We're almost there. It's just over there." Clara pointed off into the distance where a lake lay, shimmering in the sun. Arthur squinted his eyes and saw a cave across the other side.
They got there as fast as their horses would take them. The water was unusually still, barely making any noise.
Once they reached the cave, Clara looked around. Nobody saw anything.
"Help! Please help us!" Clara yelled. Suddenly a man dressed in all white, appeared his face sombre. His eyes were old and dark grey.
"I need your help. Our friend is hurt and we can't heal him. It's the Banshee and we're don't think he has long left. Please help him." Clara told him. He nodded and motioned for the knights to bring him into the cave.
Inside was reasonable light for a cave. It was lit by torches that were hung all around. A small fire was set up in the middle and blankets had been laid around it. A rock that had a huge hole in it was used for keeping water, even though there was a lake right outside. Arthur guessed it was probably to save time. Also, a small pile of books sat near the door.
"Put him there." The man pointed to the blankets near the fire.
"Will you be able to save him?" Arthur asked.
"It depends." The man replied. He set to work, he opened a book and closed his eyes, one hand hovering over the book, one on Merlin's burning forehead.
"On what?" Arthur asked angrily.
The man didn't answer. He was muttering some words, most likely magic. Arthur watched as he opened his eyes which momentarily turned gold but within a second they were back to the greyish black they had been before.
"I'm afraid the Banshee has been with him a lot longer than I expected." The man said grimly.
"What does that mean?" Clara asked.
"It's going to be a lot harder and a lot more painful to get it off." The man told them. Arthur's face was pained.
"Do it." He commanded. Gwaine looked at him with wide eyes.
"Did you not hear him? A lot more painful!" Gwaine said incredulously.
"What other choice do we have?" Arthur said miserably. "We either leave him with the Banshee until he dies in a few days time, or we get it off him with yes, it will be painful, but at least he'll live."
"Is there any other way?" Gwaine asked the man.
"I'm afraid not." The sorcerer replied.
"Gwaine, it's better than him dying." Arthur told the knight who nodded sadly.
Arthur looked to the healer and nodded. The man pushed them out, needing some space.
All they could do now was wait.
This chapter isn't too back actually.
I was just wondering, if you're reading this but not reviewing thanks but please, a review makes my day! Thank you so much to those who do review! :)
Bye!