Merlin and Gwen rode in silence, but that was probably to be expected considering the worrisome questions in both their minds. Would they even be able to find this witch? How would they get Arthur turned back into his normal self? What would they do if Arthur was doomed to live out the rest of his life as a frog?
It seemed to take forever to get there and yet it seemed they came to it too soon. Merlin dismounted first, "Wait here with Arthur and the horses and I'll be back as soon as I can, Gwen."
Gwen stared at him incredulously, "And what exactly are you planning on doing, Merlin? Going up to the witch and demanding she change Arthur back or else."
"Well, I was planning on putting it a little more nicely, but yes."
"That's ridiculous."
"Do you have any better suggestions?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Gwen pulled out one of Arthur's swords. "I thought it couldn't hurt to bring a weapon along just in case she needs a little more persuasion than what words can provide."
"Weapons aren't what we need right now. Did Arthur's sword keep him from turning into a frog? Unless you have the element of surprise, you can't use normal weaponry against magic like this. All you'll do is prove yourself to be a threat and ensure that you wind up turning into some sort of swamp animal."
Gwen knew he was right about that. If brawn was all that was called for, she would have had every last one of Arthur's knights down on this swamp. This was a delicate situation that required delicate handling. She reluctantly put the sword away.
"Look, just give me some time to find and reason with her and if that doesn't work, you can do this your way, but you'd be surprised how persuasive I can be."
"I trust you, Merlin. We'll try it your way."
Merlin gave her a nod of thanks and took a deep breath as he prepared to go deeper into the swamp.
"Merlin," Gwen called before he'd even taken a step. "Arthur trusts you too you know."
"I know and I promise you that the trust is not misplaced. We will help Arthur."
Merlin began his trek into the swamp. He didn't like how eerily quiet this place was. A normal swamp should have some sounds of animal life and a swamp where a witch turned people into animals for a hobby should be a circus. Something sinister was in the air and he didn't like it.
An hour had gone by and there was still no sign of her. He didn't know why he was having such a hard time finding her. He thought it even stranger that she wasn't trying to find him considering her strong dislike of swamp intruders.
Merlin heard a piercing scream break the silence of the swamp. It sounded like Gwen. He immediately turned toward the scream and ran as fast as he could go.
When he arrived on the scene, there was no witch to be found, but now there were two frogs that Merlin easily recognized as the king and queen of Camelot. He raced over to pick them up. It was a stroke of luck that they hadn't been trampled by the horses as close as they were to the horses.
The problem had just doubled. The fate of Camelot now rested in the hands of two amphibians. Anarchy would be inevitable if anyone found out. "And this is what happens when two pigheaded people sit on the throne," he mumbled to himself as he placed them in his saddlebag. "If it wasn't for me, there would be no kingdom. 'She wouldn't dare harm the king.' 'As your queen, I am not asking your permission.'" he said, mimicking their previous conversations. "Camelot can get on without magic my foot."