Another Merlin fic. I don't own it, BBC does though. This came to me after much reading of Merlin fanfiction. (I've become obsessed with Merlin fanfiction.) It will be slightly dark, not sure how dark, but there will be some violence and of course lots of smut, though that's later in the story. [sigh] I just love this pairing. Again I don't own these Merlin characters and be warned that this is a YAOI story, so don't read if you don't like that style.
Until Next Time
~Reiya
Chapter 11.
Sighing heavily, he pushed the horse into a light trot that soon carried him out of the forest and back towards Camelot. He had an inkling that Morgana and Gwen had known of this, but he would have to ask later. For now, he must warn his father and the people of the surrounding villages of the creature in the forest.
He would need to gather his knights to go after this monster, but he hoped it wouldn't attack anyone soon. Especially Merlin. He straighten as he came into view of Camelot, taking on the role of Crown Prince once again as he hid his sorrow of his loss.
None seemed to notice that Merlin was not with him, reminding him once again how little time he had spent here. Only a few months here and only a few really knew him. Handing the two horses to the stable hands and ignoring polite inquires as to how the hunting was, he marched up the castle steps in search of his father.
His duty was to Camelot first and his own emotions second. He spent the rest of the day in meetings with his father, fellow knights and other nobles, discussing a line of action to take against this creature. Gaius was brought in to see if he knew anything of this creature, but he was clueless as to what it was. Only once did he look at Arthur, question clear in his eyes, but Arthur shook his head, ignoring the physician as he continued to talk with those gathered.
Finally, the meeting came to a close with plans for Arthur and his knights to depart tomorrow in search of this creature. He walked sedately to his chambers, face passive and back straight. He slipped inside, dismissing his manservant for the night. The man bowed low and left him to his own thoughts.
Though of course he wasn't left alone for long. About ten minutes later, Morgana thrust the door open, barging in with Gwen and Gaius coming up behind her. "Where is he?" She demanded hotly, ignoring Gwen's hand on her arm as she waited for Arthur to speak.
Ignoring her, he motioned for Gaius to shut the door and went to sit down on his throne-like chair, watching them with calculating eyes. "I'm assuming all three of you knew of his magic than?" He asked calmly.
Morgana paled, taken aback. Gwen looked panicked, while Gaius remained calm, watching Arthur. He nodded to himself, confirming his suspicions. Finally Morgana spoke up. "What have you done, Arthur?"
"Nothing…or at least not what you think I did." He clarified.
"Than where is he?" She demanded again.
"Gone."
"Why?" He saw tears building in her eyes, but she refused to shed them. "Why, Arthur? He was your friend."
"Why do you think?" He asked back, finally really looking at her, showing what was really behind the mask through his eyes alone. She took a step back, stunned into speechlessness. He stood up quickly, walking over with a heavy tread to gaze out the window towards the forest. "I couldn't do it." He finally said, voice tinged with sadness.
"Couldn't do what?" Gwen finally spoke up.
"I couldn't lie to him. Couldn't say everything would be alright if he came back. I knew it wouldn't. Eventually he would get caught and I would be helpless to stop my father. So I asked him to leave. To wait until I was king before coming back."
They were all silent, taking it in as they watched his back. Soft foot steps came his way and he expected Morgana. Instead, it was Gwen who pulled him from the window into a hug. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, not even able to meet around his broad back, but she still held him, feeling his silent tears soak her dress.
He pulled back, a watery smile on his lips. "Thanks." She just smiled back, brushing a stray tear from his cheek. Straightening, he looked at them "I know you probably hate me, but this was the only way to protect him." Finally, Gaius nodded. He bowed slightly and left, shutting the door behind him quietly.
Morgana was still watching him. Finally, she smiled. "You did it than? You told him?" She asked aloud.
Arthur's face heated up and he turned away to look back out the window. "Um…well, not so much told…as shown." He said the last words swiftly, waiting for the explosion of girliness he knew was coming.
"You didn't?" She asked disbelieving. He felt the blush spread further, covering his neck and ears in his discomfort. "You did…and, how did he take it?" She asked.
His face seemed to soften, a smile curling along his lips as he remembered this morning when Merlin had woken up and smiled at him with such happiness. They must have been able to see his reflection or just knew him really well, cause he could hear soft sighs from behind him.
Morgana came close, resting a hand on his shoulder. "He'll come back, Arthur. Just you wait, and than he'll be back."
She grabbed Gwen by the hand and towed her out, leaving him with his thoughts. He thought of Merlin mostly, but he was still distracted by the thought of that creature prowling the woods with Merlin in there with it. He slept fretfully and woke up still tired.
They found it two days later, dead and rotting in the heat of the sun. From what they could see, it had multiple wounds. It's other eyes was gone, picked clean by the carrion birds, flies already laying eggs in its flesh.
They were more shocked by what they found on the ground than by the thing's death. Wolf tracks surrounded the body, and here and there were a pair of prints that were larger than the others. It made the knights uneasy to think that something else that big was out there, in the woods.
Arthur stood back, letting them continue their look. When none were looking his way, he swept his foot across a set of tracks that he stood over. They were bear human foot prints, leading away into the forest with the other wolf tracks. At one point the shifted from human to wolf even.
He hid a smile, a bubble of pride welling up inside for what his warlock had accomplished. Deciding that they were done, he called his knights back and soon they left, leaving the creature for the animals that lived in the forest. None but Arthur noticed the shadow that followed them all the way to the edge of the forest.
xXx
Yays! Merlin to the rescue. Only one chapter left and than this story is done.
Until next Time
~Reiya
