Disclaimer: I don't own Love Like Winter by AFI or erm anything else... oh yeah, Merlin. (I genuinly forgot what to write).
Sorry this chapter is loadz + a day late D: The day is because it was my grandmama's 69th birthday yesterday, whoop! Happy Birthday! But, yh, that's it. So sorry, but here's something, I was so scared because I didn't know what would happen when Merlin got to the seductress' lair, looks like I didn't have to worry afterall. Hope you think it's okay :)
Just remembered I don't even have a chapter name for this yet, hmmm. I don't know if I'll think of one, if this is still called 'Chapter 8' or similar in the drop down menu when you read it then suggestions are welcome, thanks.
The lovely cocobeforechanel suggested the amazing chapter title that is now up 'Road to Destruction' I like it, dramatic isn't it? So thank you! Btw, you are all welcome to keep giving me suggestions if you want to, I'm always happy to hear from everyone/anyone! Remember to check out the poll on my profile, bye. x
Chapter 8
Arthur opened his eyes when he heard the bedroom door shut, done with feigning sleep.
Merlin was gone.
Arthur had failed him, utterly and completely. He got himself injured and now his best friend, his first true friend, his first love, was riding willingly off to his destruction.
Arthur heaved his legs out of bed and stumbled to the wardrobe. His grabbed a tunic and looked down at his bandages before tugging the clothing on.
He had to go before Gaius came back and noticed he was missing; a castle-wide alert would do him no favours.
Anything could be happening.
The prince; fully dressed and with a face that would stand no argument or question, pale and damp with sweat as it was, strode from his room. His eyes were cold and his mind blank, he walked right past the vial Gaius had left on his bedside table.
-oOo-
Gaius returned to Arthur's quarters half an hour later, he nodded to the guards that had returned to their station outside the door upon Arthur's falling asleep and carried on to his poultice. The physician dropped in Merlin's forgotten ingredient, rosemary, and ground it in. Then Gaius got the distinct feeling that something was missing, frowning down at the mixture on the desk before realising it was perfect the thought came that it was something missing from the room.
A mere glance was spared at the rumpled bed covers and the open wardrobe, plus a frown at the full pain and symptom reliving vial unmoved from its spot on the bedside table then Gaius was once again opening the door. The guards outside swallowed, looking down at the disapproving face.
-oOo-
Merlin was tireless in getting to his destination; he rode with a single tunnel-vision like focus. Unfortunately the horse doesn't seem to grasp the importance of the mission.
Merlin got off the animal, its mane was lank and its body completely wet with perspiration. He scowled at it in rather a bad mood. The sorcerers hands were red and chafed from gripping the reins, all traces of the mysterious man's body, if there ever were any were now long gone.
The runaway servant set about removing the horses equipment; saddle, reins, bit and bags then left to fill a container with water, he was sensible enough not to try and walk the animal any farther. Merlin sat leaning against a large rock, his eyes were closed and he listened to the sounds of the horse slurping its drink in between heavy panting. He would have felt sorry if not for his frustration.
The wizard was repeatedly failing at trying to lose himself in another dream; he craved an embrace from the pale haired lady or the dark man. Impatient he stood, the horse spared him a weary glance, fearful of being ridden again so soon but Merlin strode straight past him. He picked up his water skin, took a long draught and tipped the rest into the horse's diminishing supply. The empty skin was tucked into the rope at his waist, the wind picked up, the leaves rustled and then, Merlin was gone.
-oOo-
Arthur strode into the stables, readying his own horse in favour of allowing a servant to do it. Time was of the essence. The prince knew that he had little of it before Gaius found out and prevented his leaving. He had stopped only for his sword; when the horse was ready he mounted and was at a gallop from inside the stable doors, he drove his mount past the surprised guards and onto the forest road.
Arthur found the fresh trail quickly and allowed his mind to wander, specifically to the second missing horse from the stables. She was quite fierce and therefore not often used, in contrast to the bad attitude she was a prize physically, fast with good stamina. Merlin would never have taken her, no, he must have taken Brom. Merlin liked Brom; the sorcerer said that the majestic horse had a better sense of humour than Arthur. Brom had been as good as Atalanta, the fierce one, in his time but was now getting on in years, Arthur thought he might have had a chance catching up if Merlin had worked him too hard, though, Merlin was hardly the type to disregard the comfort of anyone or thing.
The prince absentmindedly spurned on his own horse, Heracles, and hoped that whoever had left the second set of tracks next to those he was sure belonged to Merlin didn't get mixed up with them or the seductress.
-oOo-
"Come with me."
The knights trailed after Gaius to the throne room, they were scared about admitting to the king that they had let Arthur go but hoped whatever the physician had to say would steal the attention away from them. Soon enough they would regret those thoughts.
-oOo-
The weak autumn sun was directly above Merlin, he realised that though the morning and last evening, along with the accompanying dreams and frustrations were clear he had no recollection of the night. Suddenly he felt a pang of guilt towards the horse, his legs certainly felt as though he had ridden all night. Poor Brom.
Merlin jogged on, towards the forest on the other side of the large field he had come to, the oh-so-familiar burn had returned a few hours ago and encouraged him on towards his fate. Merlin didn't dislike the idea of destiny; anyway, this one seemed less work than keeping Arthur safe was.
It was the first time he had thought of the prince in over 24 hours.
-oOo-
"Right toward a creature of the old magick, sire, a seductress."
"Yes, but after that IDIOT MANSERVANT OF HIS!"
Gaius sighed mentally, barely holding back from rolling his eyes, the king just couldn't get off the Merlin part of things; his only son could be EATEN. He would have to stop telling Merlin that the king wasn't out to get him now that he knew the real state of things, Gaius didn't like to lie.
-oOo-
Arthur cursed. He had found Brom eating grass about ten metres away from the place Merlin's trail changed. There was only one set of hoof prints now, of course Arthur could also see Merlin's own path where it was clear he had chosen to walk but he wouldn't be able to pick it out if he were mounted. What should he do?
He could ride, it would be faster but if the stranger's path split from Merlin's then he'd lose precious time retracing his steps and getting his bearings. On foot he wouldn't lose the trail but it would take so much time...
The prince cursed again, he grabbed the reins of Merlin's horse, leaving his own in Brom's stead to rest and set off on foot with the proud horse following behind.
-oOo-
Gaius reread the new passage he had found, it didn't explicitly say but he was sure it referenced seductresses. The physician was worried; no one had killed or injured a real seductress before, or even a fake sorcerer-seductress, not whilst they were using the seductress' power anyway. Someone had however broken the spell before, according to this diary entry. Gaius read the relevant words on the yellowed parchment.
And thus I realised she was not unknown to me. As she compelled me into her cave I called her by name and she was rattled. The mark I was branded with burned horridly on my thigh as she sunk me again to the summer field and placed her soft lips on mine. Her pale hand grasped mine and then I remembered again the familiar feeling and the person who caused it. Once again I breathed her name and found myself on a stone floor. She told me I had broken her power over me and that I could go as she had lost and I...
Gaius stopped; unless Merlin was secretly married and had once rejected a magic mistress in favour of a non-magical noblewoman then the rest of the tale would be of no use. He couldn't get the information to Merlin and Uther had dismissed his unofficial advisor in favour of disciplining cowardly knights. No one could make it on time anyway.
The man suddenly looked alot older. His gaze locked on the vial he had moved from Arthur's room and on the bowl next to it containing the finished poultice. His head sunk down to his arms which rested on the table. He stayed like that for a very long time.
-oOo-
Arthur walked forward close to crying. His vision blurred but he continued to scan the grass in front of him, searching desperately and trying to remember when he had lost the trail and along with it his only way of finding Merlin.
-oOo-
At last! He could be with her! Merlin stumbled to the cave's opening; a small part of his brain likened the area to the place where the druids had camped. He passed the horse tethered outside, not noticing its presence, then paused near the gap to smooth his tunic suddenly self conscious. He ran a hand through his hair and then, following the call which made his mark flare and his heart beat hard against his chest he ran into the darkness.
-oOo-
The first tear fell from Arthur's watery eyes.
I was thinking I should get a beta for this story, I have no idea how it works but I could ask my sister, what do you guys think, I'd (and you) would benefit, yes? Yes? Don't dis my editing skillz! Lol, had too much cake, please review.
I don't really deserve it, but I want reviews! REVIEW PLEASE! ARGH!