Gold
Chapter Five
On horseback the next day were Arthur, Merlin, Gwaine, Leon, and Elyan. It was once again a lovely summer's day and the sun shone brightly through the trees of the forest making dappled light on the men and the ground. This time though, Merlin didn't feel like nodding off- he had slept very well, and he had to admit it, he thought that it was because the Queen had allowed him to sleep well. He had woken up rested and happy. He felt more happy than he thought he should really, considering that they were on their way to the Valley of the Fallen Kings and then on to- hopefully- a tomb. And there again, Merlin couldn't quite believe that he was hoping to find a tomb- it was the complete antithesis of who he was- but the Queen seemed happier in his dream, and the fact that it finally felt as if he were helping her helped his mood.
He could hear the others joking around, even Leon smiled and made a little joke. They all went quiet though as the two enormous statues of the ancient kings appeared up ahead. The place looked almost holy with the dappled late afternoon sunlight casting a particularly golden-orange glow over the land, and the five of them kept absolutely silent until they were through the valley.
Gwaine let out an audible sigh of relief and Merlin gave a nervous laugh which Gwaine grinned at him for.
"Merlin, don't be a girl," Arthur said, not even looking around. "It's only a valley, just like any another valley," he said, forcing a brave and arrogant tone into his voice. He knew full well though, that Merlin knew he felt otherwise about the Valley of the Fallen Kings. Sure enough, when he looked around then at his friends, he caught Merlin grinning at him as he also knew exactly how Arthur felt about the valley as well.
"Shut up Merlin," he said unnecessarily.
"Wasn't doing anything Sire," Merlin shot back, overly-innocent in his tone.
"You didn't have to," Arthur shot right back.
"Alright princess," Gwaine laughed, determined to get in on the banter, "don't be so sensitive!" and he winked at Merlin who couldn't help but laugh. Elyan and Leon, being more respectful towards their king and without the easy banter that came to the other men, stayed silent, although they did enjoy the camaraderie.
"We'll carry on until sundown, and then we'll make camp for the night and get to the catacombs tomorrow in daylight.
Sundown wasn't until quite late that night, so they stopped early enough so that Merlin could collect some firewood and they could cook a rabbit that Arthur caught while there was still enough light to see.
After they'd eaten and their sleeping rolls were set up around the fire, Elyan volunteered to keep the first watch. The others lay back on the ground which was still warm from the heat of the day and which made an almost cosy feel to the camp. Had it not been such an important mission that they were on, they'd have felt as if it were a particularly satisfying camping trip.
Arthur lay on his side next to Merlin, but propped himself up on his elbow to try and not fall asleep instantly.
Gwaine was on the other side of Merlin, with Leon next to him, and then Elyan between Leon and Arthur to complete the circle.
"Tell us a story Merlin," Gwaine suddenly piped up. Merlin looked at him.
"What sort of story?" Merlin asked him, blinking lazily as the smoke wafted it's way over to him.
"Tell us about the harvest festivals in Ealdor and what the story about the Golden Queen was," Gwaine said. He'd heard it before, but it had been many years since he was in the outlying villages.
Merlin looked around at the others, but seeing no objection, he looked away into the distance and his eyes glazed over as he remembered his childhood, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
He had always loved the story of the good sorceress queen.