Chapter 3-Even Merlin Has Darkness
Authors note- sorry this is a bit short. I had more written up but i need to work a bit more on it.
reviews are welcome! oh and A SUPER BIG THANKS TO MY BETA flyawat213
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Darkness was all they could see as they entered Tailte Dorcha. Slowly, their eyes adjusted to the darkness and, in front of them, was a throne. Its frame was made out of human bones. The man on the throne had his head in his hands, his long, dark black hair falling shoulder length. He wore little clothing, only a pair of dark brown pants and a single pitch-black cloak curtained over his bare chest. As he looked up, the group the could see that his eyes were a milky white color.
"You're blind?" Gwaine asked out of shock, immediately wishing he could take back his words.
"The everlasting darkness I live in has made me blind. It could do the same to you. Already the scales of darkness grow over one of you," the man with the milky eyes said with no hurt on his face from Gwaine question.
"What does that mean anyways?" Leon asked.
"You hide your darkness like all good men, but in the valley you cannot hide it. You must overcome. If you do not overcome your darkness, you will become your darkness," the man on the throne said slowly.
"What's your name?" Merlin questioned, sadness playing on his face. Merlin felt great pity for the man on the throne; he knew what it was like to be alone in the darkness of your own making.
Confusion and then happiness played on the man's face, "Ah, Myrddin! I knew I sensed your presence. It is good to hear your voice, old friend. But there is something different about you...why would you ask my name? Certainly, old friend, it has not been so long that you forgot it."
The king and knights' faces turned to look at Merlin, confusion showing on their faces.
"Do I know you?" Merlin asked uncertainly looking worried. He did not question when Blythe called him Myrddin. The druids have another name for him so he assumed it was just another magic users' name for him, but, from they way the man on the throne was acting, he had to question if it was something more.
"Myrddin, how old are you?" sadness danced on the man's face.
"Twenty years old," Merlin responded slowly with distrust shining in his eyes.
"So, it is true," sorrow showing on the man's face. "Then I will say no more. But, as for your question, my name is Dorchadas, lord of this under realm and king of the darkness of all worlds. Now, good king and nobel knights. it is time to face your tests." Standing up from his throne, he turned towards the unending darkness and spoke in a low voice, slowly rising into a yell: "agor tywyllwch ac yn dangos yr arglwydd a'i ffrindiau y llwybr y mae'n rhaid i'r fynd!"
As the words left his mouth, the darkness behind Dorchadas opened to show a forest. The forest was dry and dark, looking as if it had not seen rain in ages. The trees were all dead and no grass grew on the barren earth. There was a small, dirt path running down the middle of the forest. "You must follow the path through the forest to get to the gate-keeper, but if you allow you darkness to control you, it will influence you to leave the path and you will wander this forest of darkness eternally. Go now and may the light of my lord guide you."
Slowly, the group made their way into the forest, the darkness closing behind them. Merlin, looking back one more time, saw the man turn away from them. The man hung his head in sorrow and grief as the darkness closed. Merlin couldn't help feeling the same at seeing Dorchadas like so mournful.