Chapter 27–The Labyrinth of Gedref
Hey guys, so the final chapter of this episode, how I do love it. Nothing can beat a unicorn, thinking I might just spice things up a little bit . Anyway I hope you enjoy the chapter. I don't own Merlin, but I do own Elizabeth, Laudine and Kay.
I stood next to Arthur and Merlin looking out onto the main square where people were queuing for food, "They do not know yet know there is worse to come."
"What do you mean?" Merlin questioned looking confused from Arthur to me.
"Uther is going to stop distributing food to the people, they're to be left to starve," I confessed looking out at the people who had had their death warrants signed for them already.
"I had a chance to lift the curse, and I failed them," Arthur said turning away from the balcony.
"You weren't to know you were being tested," Merlin said trying to defend Arthur actions.
"My people are starving, Camelot is on the verge of collapse. And it is all my own doing," Arthur said before walking away back into his room.
I turned to face out at the people again, "We need to find Anhora and persuade him to give Arthur and second chance," I said looking up and Merlin who nodded.
It was easy to get out of the castle, most of the guards had been moved to protect the food, leaving the entrance to Camelot weak. We rode out into the forest in quiet, both Merlin and I trying to think of ways to persuade Anhora to change his mind.
"Anhora! Show yourself!" I yelled out.
"You wanted to talk with me?" I heard Anhora question from behind me.
"We came to seek your help, the people are starving. They will soon be dead," Merlin pleaded.
At least Anhora had the grace to look guilty, "You must believe me when I say it gives me no pleasure to see your people suffering."
If it pains you, put an end to it," I tried to persuade.
Anhora shook his head, "It is not in my power to lift the curse."
"Then give Arthur another chance," Merlin bargained, "He has accepted it is his responsibility, and he will prove himself worthy and lift the curse if you give him one more chance."
"You have faith in Arthur?" Anhora questioned.
Merlin looked at me, "We trust him with our lives," I answered for both of us.
Anhora seemed happy with this statement, "Arthur must go to the Labyrinth of Gedref. There, he will face a final test. If he fails, there is no hope. The curse will destroy Camelot," he said before disappearing into thin air.
"Wait! What kind of test will he face?" Merlin called out into the air.
Anhora voice echoed through my mind, "That is for Arthur alone to discover."
I turned to face Merlin, "Guess we should go and tell Arthur."
When we watched back through Camelot all I could see were starving people, apparently Uther had issued the order to stop serving food while we were gone. The people looked terrified I made a note that I would get Laudine to go down to the kitchens again and serve some of the last pieces of food out for the elderly and the children. It made me sick that Uther could abandon his people so quickly just to save an army that probably wouldn't survive much longer.
I didn't bother knocking when we reached Arthur's chambers. I had stopped doing that a while back now, and he didn't seem to complain as much about me as he did about Merlin doing it.
Arthur was sitting by the window watching the square below as the final ever ratios were handed out between the people. He turned when we entered, "Where have you two been?"
"Planning," I explained sitting down next to him, "We went to see Anhora," Before Arthur could have a go at me I continued, "I know, it was dangerous, but the people are dying, there wasn't much choice."
"So what happened?" Arthur questioned.
"You have another chance," Merlin informed him, "You have to go to the Labyrinth of Gedref."
Arthur got up and started packing immediately, "You should let us come with you," Merlin offered.
"You're not coming, I brought this curse upon Camelot. I'm going to be the one to life it, or die trying," Arthur said finished getting what he needed.
"Alright, how does you dying help anyone?" I questioned, "I happen to like you being alive."
Arthur laughed kissing me lightly on the nose, "I'll die knowing I did everything I could have."
"I'm coming with you," I argued getting up.
Arthur pushed me lightly back down, "You have to stay here and help with the people who need you right now. Lizzy, this is where you're needed."
I sighed but nodded my head anyway. Arthur left the room to go and tell the King what was going on and I turned to Merlin, "We are not both needed here," Merlin nodded agreeing with me, "I'll go with him, you stay and look after the people," I suggested, once again Merlin nodded.
One thing that was starting to worry me was that Arthur really needed to notice when people were behind him more often, after following all the way to the Labyrinth Arthur had not looked back at me once. I arrived in the labyrinth a short time after Arthur and quickly entered. It didn't take any time at all before I were completely lost. After reaching what felt like the tenth dead end in a row I turned to see Anhora standing in front of me, "You said Arthur would face a test. And here you are, preparing a trap for him," I accused, my temper getting the better of me.
"This isn't a trap for Arthur, it is for you," Anhora informed me before waving his hand, "Gehæftan," as he spoke I felt something slither over my leg and looked down to see that the vines from the hedges had come to life and were pulling me in. I struggled feeling them tighten their hold until one grabbed at my neck, as my world faded into darkness I prayed that Arthur would be okay.
As I came back to the world of the living I began to struggle again before realizing there was actually nothing restricting my movements, I turned to Anhora, "Why did you do that?"
"It will be explained soon enough, anyway Prince Arthur has just arrived," Anhora said nodding towards the person making their way along the beach.
Within moments Arthur was in front of me, "Elizabeth," he said sounding annoyed. I just lowered my head as a form of apology, "Let her go. I'll take your test, but not till she's released," Arthur offered Anhora.
"That is not possible. Elizabeth is part of the test. Please sit," Anhora offered, Arthur looked reluctant, "If you refuse the test, you will have failed and Camelot will be destroyed."
"I thought I told you to stay at home," Arthur said looking straight at me I could see the anger in his eyes but also the fear, "Let's get on with it."
"There are two goblets before you. One of the goblets contains a deadly poison, the other goblet, a harmless liquid. All the liquid from both goblets must be drunk, but each of you may only drink from a single goblet," Anhora explained.
"What kind of ridiculous test is that? What does that prove?" Arthur questioned in confusion.
"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted," Anhora said cryptically.
"Let's think about this. What if I drink from my goblet first?" I questioned, thinking out loud.
"If it's poisoned, you'll die," Arthur said quickly.
"And if it's not, then you'll have to drink from yours, and you'll die. There must be a way around it," I pondered.
"It is perfectly simple. One of us has to die. We have to find a way to determine which goblet has the poison. And then I'll drink it," Arthur informed me.
"I will be the one to drink it," I disagreed.
"This is my doing. I'm drinking it," Arthur argued back.
I shook my head, "It is more important that you live. You're the future king. I can be replaced."
"Not to me, you're not," Arthur responded quickly.
I sighed heavily not really sure how I could argue back after that admission, "What if I drink from mine first, and if that's not poisoned, I will drink yours?" I offered getting us back on track.
"He said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet. I had no idea you were so keen to die for me," Arthur joked.
I laughed lightly, "A few months ago I wouldn't have believed it myself."
Arthur snorted, "I'm glad you are here, Lizzy."
I smiled gently at him before looking back at the cups, "I've got it," I exclaimed looking up excited, "Right, we pour all the liquid into one goblet and then we can be sure it is poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk, and it will be from a single goblet."
"You never cease to surprise me. You're a lot smarter than you look," Arthur said in astonishment.
"Oi! I'm not Merlin, you can't give me backhanded compliments," I laughed.
Arthur smiled at me before looking over my shoulder, "Look out!" He warned.
I turned to see what he was talking about but saw nothing there, when I turned back Arthur had one goblet in his hand, the other laid empty on the table, "No! I will drink it!" I ordered.
"As if I'd let you," Arthur dismissed.
"No, you can't die, this isn't your destiny," I argued, trying to reach for the goblet, but Arthur held it away from me.
"It seems you're wrong for once," Arthur shot back.
"God Arthur, please just listen to me!" I yelled not caring if I was going slightly hysterical.
Arthur smiled at me, "You know me, Lizzy. I never listen to you," he toasted me before holding the cup up to his lips.
"Arthur!" I screamed getting more and more desperate.
Before the drink touched his lips I heard him say the words that I had wanted to hear for a while now, "Elizabeth I love you," he downed the drink.
I screamed as I watched him fall from his chair, "What have you done?" I questioned, before running over to Arthur trying to shake him awake, "Arthur! Arthur! Come on, you can't leave me like that, not before I got a chance to tell you how I feel," I turned to Anhora getting more and more angry, "Please. Please! Just... let me take his place!"
"This was Arthur's test, not yours," Anhora replied simply.
"You've killed him! I was meant to protect him!" I yelled out.
"He's not dead," Anhora said calmly, "He's merely consumed a sleeping draught, he will come round shortly."
"What?" I questioned completely confused.
"A unicorn is pure of heart. If you kill one, you must make amends by proving that you also are pure of heart. Arthur was willing to sacrifice his life to save yours. He has proven what is truly in his heart. The curse will be lifted," Anhora explained.
Just as he finished speaking Arthur began to groan and opened his eyes, "Is this heaven?"
"No, but I swear if you ever risk your life like that again I will have to kill you myself," I smirked at him before kissing him passionately on the lips when I pulled away I turned to face Anhora only to find he had disappeared.
"What happened?" Arthur questioned confused.
"It was a sleeping draught," I explained resting my forehead against his, "But you…god you can't tell me you love me then drink poison. Not before I get a chance to answer at least."
Arthur suddenly began more serious, "What is your answer?"
"That you're an idiot, and a royal prat," I whispered against his lips, "But you're also the kindest, bravest man I have ever met and I can't imagine how I could survive without you now. I love you," Arthur smiled before pulling me back down into a kiss.
By the time we had reached Camelot the people were celebrating, apparently all the food had magically reappeared and the water was running freely again, Arthur and I climbed down from our horses as the townsfolk carried platters of meat and grain around the square. Merlin ran up to us, "Elizabeth, Arthur, there is good news! The crops are growing once again! They are bringing in the harvest!"
I smiled at Arthur, "You did this."
Uther came out of the castle to greet us looking happier than he had in days, "Is this your doing? Is the sorcerer dead?"
Arthur looked at me, "He won't be troubling us again," I replied simply.
"Good, make sure the grain reserves are re-stocked," Uther said before walking back into the castle.
"I'll see to it. There's something we must do first," Arthur called after him, before turning to Merlin, "Go and fetch the horn."
We headed out into the forest to bury the horn before coming back into Camelot yet again. I walked with Arthur up to his chambers, when we got inside he began pacing nervously, "Is something the matter?" I questioned.
"No, nothing at all," Arthur said quickly, before stopping and turning around to face me, "Yes actually there is."
"What is it?" I asked walking over to Arthur and taking his hand gently, "You can tell me."
"I realized today, when you were willing to die for me, that I didn't ever want to see you in danger. That I love you so much, so completely that I don't want another minute without you," Arthur confessed looking me straight in the eyes, I felt my breath leave me at the look on his face, "You are my angel, you make me strong and keep me on the right path when I feel like I'm falling apart. I have never met anyone as stubborn or as wonderful as you are. You are willing to give your life for me, not because you have to but because you believe I will be a great king and I have realized that I cannot do that without you by my side for the rest of my life. So," Arthur said going down on one knee, "Princess Elizabeth, will you m…"
Merlin burst through the door, "Arthur the king needs you right now…" He began trailing off when he saw what position Arthur was in. He back away towards the door, "I think I should leave…"
"Yes Merlin," Arthur snapped that may be a good idea.
Merlin nodded and closed the door, Arthur looked up at me, "I guess I should go and see my father before he sends all the knights looking for me," He left the room before I could say anything.
I sat back down on the bed heavily. So much for the perfect proposal!
Okay, please please please don't kill me! I beg of you. As if I was ever going to make it that easy for them to be together, that wouldn't be me at all! Anyway please review and remember I have 3 more chapters to get him to finally finish that sentence,
Until next time
Artistic-Blue-Eyes
xxx