Okay all, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed last chapter, and to all those who added me to their faves or alerts lists. I really appreciate it. I hope this chapter lives up to expectations.
Also, Series 5 of Merlin starts this Saturday and I can't wait. Can I hear a HELL YEAH! For all the British Merlin fans? And to all of you in other countries, I'm sorry you have to wait. But if you go to google and then type in project free tv, you should be able to watch Merlin on Sunday instead. Project free tv usually has new episodes of things up the day after they air. it's how I'll be watching the new season of Once Upon A Time which airs on Sunday.
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The Influence of Hades
Chapter 3 – Journey.
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Morgana and Arthur watched as Evadne walked towards the lake.
"Are you two coming?" Evadne asked.
"Where are we going to?" Arthur asked.
"You want us to go into the lake." Morgana stated.
"Well of course. This isn't Greece, so there are no temples or doorways here. But water is the universal conduit between our world and the world of the dead. Also the Lake of Avalon is heavy with magical energy. It's the perfect spot to travel to Tartarus." Evadne answered cheerfully.
"So what do we do exactly? We go into the lake and what then?" Arthur asked.
"We swim." Evadne retorted.
"That's obvious." Arthur quipped.
"No Arthur. She means we swim all the way to the bottom and hope the passage opens before we all drown." Morgana said softly.
"You've been reading up on the ancient rituals." Evadne commented happily.
"No. Morgause told me about the ritual. She said that's why Nimueh, the High Priestess is still dead. No one wants to take the risk of going to the Underworld to get her back." Morgana said. Evadne nodded.
"That doesn't surprise me. She deserved what she got at any rate, just as Morgause will one day get what is coming to her. The balance is always restored in some way. The old Religion doesn't have complete power over it." Evadne quipped. Morgana gave a slight glare but didn't say anymore.
"Oh and I'd suggest you take off all that armour and chainmail Arthur. It'll rust in the lake and it's not needed where we're going." Evadne stated. Arthur licked at his lips nervously as he removed the armour, and then the chainmail, until he was wearing his regular trousers and red tunic. He looked at Evadne, wondering if there was anything else he might need to know. He looked at Morgana, who was wearing her own pair of trousers and a blue tunic. The chainmail shirt she had been wearing over it was lying on the ground near her.
"Now let's go. It is sunset and attempts to get into Tartarus are best done at sunset." Evadne stated.
The trio waded into the lake. As they got further in, they were swimming. Evadne took hold of Arthur's hand with her right hand, and Morgana's hand with her left. Then she grinned.
"Take a deep breath. You're going to need it." Evadne stated. The trio took n a deep lungful of air, before going under the water.
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Uther Pendragon stared out of his chamber window. Gaius came to hand Uther a vial of the usual potion.
"They haven't returned." Uther commented.
"I'm sure they will return soon. Maybe Arthur has set up camp, or they've run into a few bandits at the last moment and are dealing with them." Gaius replied. Uther nodded. Gaius knew that Uther had not regained his full health since everything that had happened. When Morgana had tried to take the throne something within Uther had broken and no one was sure it could be fixed. Gaius also knew that despite the fact Uther would never admit it out loud, He missed his daughter terribly. He wanted to forgive her and he wanted her to forgive him. But that wasn't likely to happen. Morgana had chosen dark magic and another path over her home and family and neither man could think how that might change.
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Morgana and Arthur had their eyes open as they all swam down further.
"The lake is a lot deeper than I ever thought it was." Morgana thought to herself. She could almost see Arthur was thinking the same thing. They kept swimming, for what felt like an age, until finally, they could see the dirt at the bottom. But it was getting darker and seeing was getting harder. Small bubbles had been leaking from the sides of their mouths since the start of their swim, but now large bubbles were flying free. Both Arthur and Morgana couldn't seem to keep in any air, as they felt their lungs burning. Natural instinct made them move upwards, towards oxygen, however a tight grip landed on their wrists, and the siblings looked to see it was Evadne holding onto them so tightly. She was also loosing air. They could see she was having as much trouble as they were. Suddenly, Morgana found she couldn't hold her breath anymore. Air flew from her mouth in a stream of huge bubbles, and she noticed the same thing happening to Evadne and Arthur. The burning pain within the trio's lungs became unbearable, and just when Arthur and Morgana both thought this was the end for them, a strange swirling hole opened up beneath them. A swirling vortex of red and black, waited for them to enter. Morgana and Arthur noticed that the water didn't seem to go in to the vortex. Evadne pulled them insistently as she swam towards it. Arthur and Morgana didn't need any further encouragement as they swam quickly towards the vortex.
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Gwaine, Percival, Elyan, Leon and Lancelot were all curious as to what was happening. Arthur had been under the water for a long time. Far longer then was natural for any human.
"D'you think they're alright?" Leon asked softly.
"I think so. Remember what that girl said. If something happens to them or they fail, then this fire'll go out. We'll know if something's gone wrong." Gwaine replied. The group felt fairly certain that Arthur was still alive. But they couldn't help wondering what was going on.
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Once the trio entered the vortex, everything changed. They could definitely breathe again, however, they were being thrown at such a high velocity through the vortex that they weren't sure if they would land safely. However, soon enough they heard Evadne yell at them.
"I suggest you turn around so your feet are facing front rather than your head. I've heard from others who've made this journey that the landing tends to be rough if you don't come out feet first."
Morgana and Arthur did as they were advised, and found themselves spat out into a dark cavern. They landed feet first but both ended up toppling over into each other. Evadne grinned as she dusted off her robes. Arthur and Morgana both looked at the girl in shock as they realised her clothing was completely clean and dry. It was like she'd never gone swimming in a giant lake and nearly drowned. Then it occurred to them to look at their own clothing, and they realised they were in the same position.
"The journey is always so speedy that you get here dry apparently. I can't explain why there are no weeds or pond scum attached to our clothes. Maybe it's a magical after effect." Evadne quipped. The pair both found themselves confused and following Evadne anyway.
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Gwaine looked at the other Knights as he ate some of the food he'd bought along.
"What is it about Merlin that makes us stay here?" Elyan asked suddenly.
"What do you mean by that?" Gwaine asked irritably.
"I mean, we're here facing danger and possible death and we're doing it for Merlin. It's just a thought. I think, for me at least, it's his unwavering loyalty. He's always nice to my sister and he's not expecting anything from it. He's always by Arthur's side, even when Arthur came to my rescue, Merlin was there. That and..." Elyan trailed off. There were so many instances when Elyan could swear Merlin had most likely saved his life. Finding out that Merlin was a sorcerer was something that opened his eyes to the strange turns of good luck that always happened in Merlin's presence.
"For me it was the fact that Merlin did everything he could to help me become a Knight. Without him I could never have made it to where I am now." Lancelot said softly.
"He was right there with me in some of my more troublesome moments." Gwaine stated. His smile turned into a full blown grin, when he thought about the many times that he'd had to make a run for it in some tavern or another, and Merlin was usually there to help him out.
"You're right. He is loyal. He's not just loyal, he's a real friend." Leon said softly. He couldn't help but recall all the times that Merlin had made a nuisance of himself to get Arthur out of trouble.
"He is a good friend." Percival agreed. He remembering when he'd told Merlin about the deaths of his parents. Merlin had showed real understanding, and he didn't pity Percival like others might have done. He just offered silent support which was what Percival had needed at the time. They all sat like this in silence, remembering Merlin the only way that they knew him to be, and wondering how Arthur was fairing in his joint quest with Morgana.
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As the trio journeyed through a stone tunnel, Arthur could help but think that he was walking through a cave. Evadne walked behind Arthur and Morgana, who walked side by side in silence. Arthur listened to every sound and movement. Suddenly he started hearing a strange rushing sound.
"Is that water?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. We'll be reaching the River of Styx soon." Evadne replied. Morgana stayed silent. They came across a river, but at the same time, it wasn't a river. Arthur felt chilled to the bone, as he watched the grey mass shifting and changing within the river bed.
"The River of Styx is made of the souls of the damned. They're doomed to stay here for all eternity. They're always waiting for someone to come that they can take over, and perhaps return to the world of the living." Evadne explained. Morgana shivered as she looked into the river.
"It's horrible." Morgana said softly.
"It will be your fate if you carry on the path that you've chosen Morgana." Evadne told the young woman sadly. Morgana recoiled away from the river. Arthur smirked.
"I wouldn't smirk if I were you Arthur. If not for Merlin, you're destiny wasn't shaping up so well either. If he hadn't come along, you would've turned out to be exactly like your father. Then you would be joining Morgana. Although your father will have much harsher punishments upon his shoulders when he finally makes his journey to the underworld." Evadne said sadly.
"What are you talking about?" Arthur asked angrily.
"Your father is a murderer Arthur. Hundreds upon thousands were ordered to their deaths by Uther Pendragon. He's drowned himself in the blood of children that he drowned for fear of them possessing magic. The blood of those he has killed, just for his prejudice against all that is magic, would make an ocean. Some were guilty, but most were innocent of wrong doing. They died because of a skill they possessed." Evadne replied.
"I don't understand." Arthur said softly.
"What is there to understand? Your father knew exactly what he was doing Arthur. He knows why your mother died and he can't forgive himself. He's taking his guilt out on all of magic because he cannot reverse what he's done." Evadne said sadly.
"So Morgause really summoned my mother from the underworld?" Arthur asked.
"No. Your mother wouldn't blame your father for what happened to her." Evadne answered.
"I need to know the truth Evadne. If you know it then please tell me." Arthur pleaded. Morgana looked shocked at the tone in Arthur's voice. She'd never known that Arthur wanted to know about his mother. Evadne looked at Arthur sadly.
"I will tell you the truth Arthur but you won't like it. When I saw your life, and Merlin's, I saw much that wouldn't have impressed either of you. Your mother wanted a child desperately. She wanted you more than anything in the world. She wanted you more than she wanted her own life. Your father would've done anything to give her the child she had always wanted, and Camelot needed an heir. So Uther asked Gaius to find an answer. Gaius' search led him to the Isle of the Blessed and Nimueh." Evadne started.
"Who is Nimueh? I heard Morgana mention her earlier." Arthur asked.
"She is dead now. But in life she was the High Priestess of the Old Religion. When Gaius came to her, she told him that she could indeed help the King and Queen with their problem. But to give a life, one must be taken. That has always been the way of the Old Religion. She made sure to tell your parents the truth of the situation. Nimueh couldn't control who was taken to give you life Arthur. When you create a life where none could grow before, the price is always a hefty one. It was a price that your mother paid with her own life. She was the one who named you Arthur. You father, however, never forgave Nimueh. He insisted that she must have known what would happen, and that she had tricked him. He wanted vengeance and he took it, by destroying all forms of magic that he came into contact with." Evadne finished. Arthur wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't as he'd been told the first time around, but still, Arthur was left to wonder what kind of man that made his father. As his thoughts roamed around his mind, Morgana heard the gentle swish of a boat in the river.
"I hear a boat." Morgana stated.
"That will be the ferryman." Evadne quipped.
"The ferryman?" Arthur asked, broken out of his darker thoughts.
"The ferryman is the only one who can get us across the River Styx safely. To try anything else would be suicide." Evadne told Arthur sternly.
"We could just swim across." Arthur shot back. Morgana glared.
"Weren't you listening earlier Arthur? That river is made up of damned souls looking to take someone's body over and return to the living world. If we were to try and swim in that river, we'd be crushed under the weight of thousands of souls trying to take our bodies for their own." Morgana hissed. Arthur glared.
"They're looking for someone they can control. Not someone they can kill." Arthur stated.
"You would die within minutes of stepping into that river. It's not only a prison for the damned, it drains life from all those who attempt to cross it without the ferryman's consent. You would be one of the lost souls if you tried to swim across the river." Evadne told Arthur. Arthur licked at his lips nervously as the trio waited for the ferryman to arrive.
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Morgause searched around the campsite looking for Morgana.
"Where did she go?" Morgause thought to herself. Something didn't feel right.
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As Arthur and Morgana watched, an old barge swept towards them over the river of souls. Evadne smiled gently as the barge stopped.
"Good day to you Charon." Evadne said politely.
"Good day to you too Evadne. You're bringing people into Tartarus now? How very interesting." The Ferryman replied. A dark hood blocked his face from view but his very aura was intimidating. Evadne shrugged.
"I'm merely a guide on their journey." Evadne replied.
"I didn't think any differently. After all, all three of you are alive. That probably means I'll be bringing you back too." Charon sighed irritably.
"I don't suppose you will let us cross without coins." Evadne asked innocently. Even though Arthur and Morgana couldn't see Charon's face they could almost tell he was glaring.
"Absolutely not. Coins or no passage for a hundred years. You know how it works Evadne." Charon hissed. Morgana grabbed a pouch from her belt and Arthur and Evadne stared for a moment.
"Ducates are the favoured coin right?" Morgana asked. Charon seemed to be considering Morgana.
"Yes, but any coin will do. After all not all nations carry Ducates anymore." Charon stated. Morgana nodded and handed over three coins from the purse. Charon nodded and stood aside.
"How did you know about all this Morgana?" Arthur asked.
"Haven't I already said that Morgause told me about these rituals?" Morgana shot back.
"Will you two stop acting like children?" Evadne stated as they stepped onto the barge.
"Fine. I'll agree that Morgause was useful for something for once, apart from trying to manipulate everyone around her." Arthur stated, moving closer towards the back of the barge and sitting before Morgana could complain. Morgana pouted and sat down further from Arthur.
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It was dark now, as the knights sat within the circle. The fire was still burning, so they had plenty of light to see by. However, as Evadne had warned them, it was a little cold sitting within the circle.
"We'll be better off wrapping our blankets around us. That woman said it might take a while for them to complete the quest right? We might as well try and keep warm." Leon stated calmly. The other agreed, pulling their blankets from their packs.
"Who's going to take the first watch?" Gwaine asked.
"I will. I'm not tired." Percival replied, as he wrapped his own blanket around his great shoulders.
"I'll go after Percival." Leon said.
"I'll go after you Leon." Elyan assured.
"I'll keep watch after Elyan." Lancelot added.
"Then I'll be finishing up the night." Gwaine replied. With that decided, the other knights decided to try and sleep while Percival kept watch.
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Arthur stared down into the grey mass of the River Styx as they carried on across the river in the dark.
"Why is it so dark here?" Arthur asked.
"This is the Underworld boy. What did you think it would be like? Sunshine and flowers? That's for the Elysian Fields." Charon stated. That was when a grey mass started bubbling at the side of the boat. Arthur looked down to see the face of the woman who had tried to kill him, when he went to get the Morteus flower to save Merlin's life. She reached towards him, a cruel smile on her face. That was when a stick whacked down on the grey face of the woman and she screamed an unearthly wail and disappeared. Arthur followed the line of the stick with his eyes and saw Morgana holding it.
"Don't look into the water. The spirits look for people they recognise, people they deem weak, and try to take them over." Morgana said softly. Arthur couldn't help being grateful she was there then, though he wouldn't admit it out loud.
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Okay all, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please R&R and let me know what you think. Here is the preview for the next chapter.
Arthur and Morgana stared incredulously at the giant, three-headed dog.
"What the hell is that?" Arthur asked.
"It's Cerberus, the guardian to the gates of the Underworld, and Hade's prized pet. Of course it's up to the two of you to figure out how to get past him. It's not my journey he wants to stop." Evadne answered. Morgana and Arthur weren't sure what to do with the information, especially when Cerberus started drooling and they realised the drops were as huge as most stalactites.
"That's just disgusting." Morgana whispered, as a drop of the gooey saliva hit the ground.
"At least we can agree on something." Arthur said.