Arthur the snake 7
Arthur could only watch as the dark figure bent down over Merlin, poking and prodding him. Merlin was thrashing around in pain now, making Arthur even angrier than he had been before – but as he was forcibly pinned to the ground, he had little choice but to watch in distress.
Finally, the man stood up again, and turned to Arthur. He smirked and muttered, "Are you still trying to get up?"
"Who are you?" Arthur snarled.
"Well, I have always heard you had a temper, Prince Arthur, but even I never thought you could be this rude."
"Then perhaps you ssshould leave me and my ssservant alone and go find sssomeone elssse to pick on, sorcerer!" Arthur spat.
"Merlin is seriously injured," Dellarux replied softly. "He will not mend on his own. You must trust me and let me help him, or he will most likely die!"
Arthur was about to really let loose, when something made him halt.
"How do you Merlin'sss name?" he enquired cautiously.
"That is not a suitable question to be asking right at this moment. Will you stop being so arrogant and let me help? Or do I have to shut you up and then help him?" Dellarux was losing his temper now. The night was bitterly cold and Merlin was starting to shiver again. This was something that Arthur seemed to sense, and in deep resentment of being called arrogant, threatened and downtrodden, accepted defeat and lowered himself to the ground.
Dellarux smiled recognising Arthur's submission and turned back to Merlin. He whistled softly and the horse that had been watching with mild interest at the situation stood up as though hypnotised, and trotted over.
Dellarux then bent down and ever so slowly and gently lifted Merlin off the ground, which caused a sharp yelp to spill from Merlin's mouth.
"Gestrae cume eft svelt raeden min burgh," Dellarux whispered and Merlin stopped crying abruptly.
"WHAT DID YOU JUSSST DO TO HIM???" Arthur cried out.
"I stopped the pain for a while at least long enough for me to get him back to my home," Dellarux replied calmly, as he gently placed Merlin on the front of the horse's saddle. Next he turned to Arthur.
"Von phrixur!" he muttered simply, and Arthur felt the magical bindings holding him down release his body.
He was extremely tempted to strike out at Dellarux, but for Merlin's sake he bit his tongue and kept his fangs down. Dellarux picked him up roughly and stuffed him back into the bag, but left the top open so Arthur could breathe. He then mounted the horse, making sure Merlin was comfortable, and set off into the mist.
***
"Gaius have you had more news regarding my son yet?" Uther asked somewhat politely, considering he had just being informed his son had being missing for days.
"None yet, sire, but I hope to soon. Merlin said they would be a while hunting down this animal attacking your kingdom," Gaius answered, nodding his head to the king.
"It's strange, don't you think, that I have had no reports on this creature and now my son and his servant have vanished without even consulting me?"
"It's very urgent, sire, I'm sure I'll hear something soon." Gaius was finding it hard to lie to Uther.
"Good, make sure I'm the first to know. That is all." With that Uther left.
"At least I hope I hear something soon," Gaius murmured, as the king left. Unfortunately, that was something that the king heard…
***
It was still dark when Arthur, who had poked his nose out of the bag, saw a small run-down house in the distance. He was extremely nervous, particularly when rather than crossing a bridge, Dellarux had blown away the water to allow the horse to walk across the dry bed beneath. The use of sorcery worried Arthur, particularly magic this powerful. As if reading his mind, Dellarux had addressed Arthur curtly, saying, "I need to get him to my home quickly – the longer he stays like this the worse he'll get. Just because your father says magic is evil, it does not make it so!"
"You're not exactly proving that point!" Arthur snarled, but remained quiet after a Dellarux raised his eyebrows questioningly at him. The last thing he wanted was for Merlin to die.
A few minutes later and they were at the old run-down cottage. Dellarux dismounted, slung Arthur and the bag over his shoulder and gently lifted Merlin from the horse and hurried him inside. He set Merlin on the bed and clicked his fingers, causing a fire to burst into life, along with a myriad of candles. Arthur poked his head out of the bag and gasped out loud in shock.
The fire was burning bright and so were the candles, but they did not illuminate a ruined home. Instead they illuminated large and richly decorated wooden furniture, of the best kind. There were dark velvet drapes that covered the windows and walls, coupled with a fur rug. Then there was the bed. Arthur had to be impressed. There were deep royal blue drapes that hung to the floor; the bed itself had velvet and silk sheets, with large soft pillows. The room in itself looked like a king's palace bedroom – it far suppressed Arthur's as it was.
"If you haven't guessed, I have grown used to living a relaxed life. After so many centuries living it rough, a little luxury could help relax my aches!" Dellarux smiled at the gaping snake.
He had tucked Merlin under the sheets and was sat on the bedside next to him.
"Even I could never live like thisss. I guesss itsss magic?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, of course, but it's the same magic that is going to save Merlin," Dellarux said. "Seethe onblidan yeldo resteth restora svelt morcae ablinan!" he whispered softly, and moved his hand softly against Merlin's body allowing his magic to seep into the young wizards very soul.
"And now we wait," Dellarux said. "So, Arthur, how do you enjoy being a snake?"