Wow! 22 alerts! And thanks once again for all the reviews- keem 'em coming people- the more I get, the more eager I am to write :D
Well, here's the next chapter for you :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
Chapter 5
Morgause rode through the makeshift camp, satisfaction shining from her face as she approached the tent in the centre where she knew Alvarr would be waiting for her. It had taken her many months to find enough magic users who were willing, under the right conditions of course, to rise up against Uther. But the result of her effort would, she was sure, be well worth it- with the aid of the medallions she had provided to each sorcerer it would be easy enough to bring Camelot to it's knees.
Approaching the tent, she leapt from her horse, leaving it in the care of the closest man as Alvarr stepped from his tent. He gave a slight bow as he greeted her.
"My lady."
"Alvarr."
"Would you like to step inside?" He gestured to the tent, indicating that she was free to enter if she so wished.
She declined, a small shake of her head enough for him to show her refusal.
"No. I will be leaving shortly. I merely wished to enquire as to the success of last night's experiments. Did your men find the medallions satisfactory?"
"They did. With your aid, and with Camelot's Knights defenceless against sorcery, tomorrow's battle should prove surprisingly easy." He paused, a hint of his fierce determination creeping into his expression. "Uther will pay for the crimes he has committed these past years."
"When do you break camp?"
"We leave shortly after first light. We should reach the city by noon."
Morgause nodded. "Then I shall depart once again for the Isle. I wish you luck."
"As I do you my lady." Alvarr leaned forward, taking her hand in his and kissing it lightly. "Farewell."
The blonde sorceress reclaimed her horse, climbed lightly onto it's back, and rode swiftly out of the camp. She had made the right choice in selecting Alvarr to lead the small army- the man had enough charisma to make even her heart beat a little faster.
Dawn's first rays of light were just poking through the window when Merlin finally found the image he was looking for. His head jerked up, tiredness instantly forgotten, and he leaned forward eagerly, scanning quickly down the page to see what the diagram meant.
Seconds later found him staring at the page in horror, before he raised his voice so that he'd be heard in the next room.
"Gaius!"
The physician entered the room merely half a minute later. Thankfully, the old man woke before dawn each day to prepare for his tasks as Court Physician. He took one look at his ward's expression before shutting the door behind him and striding over as fast as he could manage to sit on a stool facing the boy.
"By the look on your face, Merlin, I am guessing that you have found the meaning of the diagram. And that it is not good news."
Merlin shook his head, taking a deep breath before launching into his explanation of what he had discovered.
Half an hour later found the young warlock entering Arthur's chambers with a breakfast tray in his hands, and a solemn expression on his face.
Arthur was already awake and dressed. The prince had had his armour brought up the night before in preparation for today's events, and was just checking it over as his manservant entered, having taken it upon himself to do the task so that Merlin would be free to research. He looked up as the warlock entered, walking over to the table and grabbing a loaf of bread from the tray as it was set down.
"Have you found anything?"
Merlin muttered some words in the ancient language before answering. He wasn't sure where this conversation would lead, and as such he didn't want it to be overheard. Couldn't afford for it to be overheard. The Prince raised his eyebrows at the precaution.
"I take it, then, that you've found something out. And also that I'm not going to like it."
"Amyas told us that he'd seen one of the sorcerers who attacked his village wearing a wooden medallion. He drew us a picture of the image carved into it…" He withdrew a rolled up piece of parchment from his sleeve, unfurling it and laying it on the table so that the Prince could see it. "This…"
Arthur cast his eyes over it before turning his face once again towards his friend.
"What of it?"
"The diagram is made up of three components. The first is the tree- it represents the rowan tree which apparently grows in the centre of the Isle of the blessed."
"The place where you killed Nimueh?"
Merlin paused for a second, leaving Arthur wishing that he hadn't mentioned that particular incident. The warlock still felt guilty for giving into his anger and grief at that time. Fortunately, the young man shook it off quickly. They had more important things to worry about.
"Yes. The third component is made up of these circles- they represent the medallions themselves. Or rather, the people wearing them."
"And the second? I'm guessing that's those lines?"
A nod.
"Yes. They represent energy. Magic."
The Prince frowned. "So what does it mean?"
Merlin took a deep breath, looking down once again towards the diagram. "It means… that we're in trouble. The medallions act as a conduit for the magical energy which flows around the rowan tree. The description I found says that if a sorcerer powerful enough lends that energy direction, they can channel the power to those wearing the medallions. It could effectively increase the strength of their spells tenfold."
Arthur stared at him, wide-eyed.
"But the report yesterday said that there were over fifty sorcerers in that one group. If four villages were attacked at once, then that means-"
"That there are likely to be over two hundred sorcerers." Merlin finished for him. "If each one wears a medallion, then the group as a whole wields enough power for more than two thousand magic users."
There was silence as the Prince processed this information.
"There's no way my Knights can fight against the power of two thousand sorcerers… Our entire army would be torn apart…" He stared at his friend, desperation in his eyes. "Is there nothing you can do?"
"I could try and get to the Isle of the blessed- to see if I could defeat the sorcerer casting the main spell- but there's no guarantee that I'd be able to get there on time."
"Then what can we do?" Arthur was shouting now. Merlin knew how he felt- the Prince had always hated it when things were out of his control. To be so powerless now, when Camelot was in such need, must be practically tearing him apart.
"I'm working on it. I'll continue looking for as long as it takes. Don't worry- I'll find something. I promise. The important thing is that you don't give up hope- you cannot hope to lead your men well if you believe the battle to be lost before it's even begun. Now, I suggest you go and tell your father and the others about the medallions. At least that way they'll have some warning about what they'll be facing. They'll be prepared."
There were another few moments of silence before Arthur slowly nodded.
"You're right. I'll go right away. You get straight back to Gaius' chambers and find some way to break that spell."
Merlin nodded, shooting the Prince an attempt at one of his signature grins. "Leave it to me." He was half way to the door when the Prince called his name, forcing him to turn back. "What?"
"Just… Good luck."
He smiled.
"You too."
Dun-dun-DUNNN!