A/N: *phew* So... new computer :) Unfortunately the external hard drive with all the data from my old computer is now not working :(
I feel all out of sorts without my files and the programs I couldn't re-download/re-install. Oh well, at least Windows 8 isn't as terrible as I was anticipating.
My mind has been trying to move on to other stories, but I will continue to force it back on track until this is done- I'll use the whip if I have to.
So here we are, chapter 28. Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there!
(Also, please let me know if you want to see Merlin's side of this chapter. I had intended to write it but I know a lot of people have been getting impatient with that.
On the other hand, the story is essentially complete so the only other thing to wait for would be a chapter or two to wrap up.)
Arthur was beginning to worry about Guinevere's health- it was already the morning of the third day and he wasn't sure how much further they had to travel.
Everything had seemed to take twice as long without Merlin; the riding, the walking, the fire-starting.
It was all very infuriating.
In fact, that's probably what made everything feel like time was dragging.
Without Merlin there for him to yell at Arthur was experiencing an unusual build-up of stress.
It certainly had nothing to do with the king missing his servant's idle chatter or easy companionship. Mordred was a perfect travel mate- quiet, respectful, slightly in awe of his greatness.
He wasn't even worried about the idiot. No, not in the least.
He'd been doing pretty well when they had left, after all.
Well, the last time he'd actually seen him he had been good.
Good for someone who had just survived two murder attempts, anyway...
The monarch was jolted from his denial when the rocky path split into several branches.
Mordred stepped forward with the rudimentary map Gaius had made for them, setting down a couple of the bags he'd been carrying to free his hands.
"According to the directions the Cauldron is on the Easternmost peak."
Arthur glanced at the aforementioned mountain.
"The tallest one?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Of course. Well," he shifted the queen in his arms "no point in delaying. We must arrive today."
"Yes, Sire."
The king nearly rolled his eyes at the overly-deferential youth, now picking up the supplies he had put aside.
If Merlin were here... No. Don't even think about it.
Without any further words spoken they continued on their way.
The royal barely managed to contain his sigh of relief as they crested the ridge and saw the body of water spread out below.
Finally...
He had just begun to wonder how they were going to find the sorcerer when he noticed the two figures at the shoreline.
Both were wrapped in heavy cloaks that effectively hid all but the most basic information about their appearance.
One had stood upon noticing the small approaching party, a thin person of average height.
The other had not stirred, instead remaining in a reclining position against a boulder, wrapped in at least two blankets and looking rather pitiful- as far as was possible without seeing any physical features.
The first was now walking toward them slowly and deliberately.
"Are you the king?" He asked hesitantly- barely within hearing distance.
The voice was odd, fluctuating between pitches like an adolescent whose vocal chords were changing.
Arthur bristled slightly at the question.
"And if I am?"
"Then I and my master are here to help you- and the queen."
Blond hair waved as he gave a curt nod.
"I am he."
The thin young man bowed and gestured for the pair to follow with their burden.
When they arrived at the water, the second man was sitting up straighter and had put the blankets aside but remained on the ground.
Mordred advanced, slightly offended.
"Why do you not rise for your king?"
The hood tipped slightly upward, the afternoon sun doing nothing to penetrate the darkness shrouding the wearer.
"I cannot."
The two knights winced, both at the man's disability and his voice- deep and rough like a quiet roar.
Mordred dipped his head.
"I apologize for my rudeness."
"There is no need."
The four men regarded each other in awkward silence for a moment before Arthur decided to take control of the situation.
"So, are you the sorcerer I was sent to find?"
A harsh chuckle issued from within the cloak.
"Why else would I be here?"
The king was not accustomed to being laughed at- at least not by strangely mysterious personages.
"Who am I to understand the mind of a sorcerer?"
He got the distinct impression the other man was amused at that statement.
"What is your name, by the by?"
The man seemed to hesitate for a moment but answered in a confident, almost challenging tone.
"I am called Emrys."
Arthur's brow furrowed.
That name sounded familiar somehow...
Mordred had started slightly beside him but he failed to notice, too buried in his own recollections.
Guinevere stirred in his arms, drawing his focus back to the task at hand.
"She will wake soon- be aware that she must walk into the water of her own free will. If you beguile her or use force she will be forever lost. Do not despair- the love between you is stronger than Morgana's dark magic- you can reach her."
He's awfully confident about that for someone who just met us.
Shaking off his doubts, Arthur gently laid his wife on the hard ground and stepped back as she roused.
"What-?" The queen sat up slowly, holding her head and blinking as if dizzy.
"Guinevere-"
"What have you done? Where have you taken me?" The woman yelled, rising to her feet and looking around in alarm.
The king grasped at her arms, holding her tightly and looking into her face.
"Guinevere, you've been enchanted. Morgana-"
Gwen let out a bitter laugh.
"Morgana is my only friend- you are a fool for ever believing otherwise."
"We love each other, surely you remember this?"
"Lies. I never loved you. It was just a plot to get your throne for its rightful owner!"
She pulled and twisted but was unable to escape from her husband's grip as he began stepping backwards toward the water.
"Her own free will- remember!"
Emrys called just in time to prevent Arthur from making a terrible mistake.
Pausing in his tracks, he took a deep breath and gazed directly into her dark brown eyes.
"When I asked you to marry me... do you remember what your answer was?"
Guinevere stared back, face confused until comprehension began to dawn on her features.
"I said," moisture sprouted at the corners of her eyes "'with all my heart'. I- I meant it..."
Arthur loosened his hold and Gwen raised a hand to hide the tears streaming down her face.
"Enter the water, Guinevere. Go in and it will all be over."
Her dark head bobbed and she strode toward the Cauldron with determination, only looking back uncertainly once the water reached her waist.
Emrys was on his feet now, still putting most of his weight on the rock and with his companion hovering nearby worriedly, but on his feet nonetheless.
His distinctive voice raised along with his arms and he began reciting a long string of powerful-sounding words, a golden glow emanating from below the hood.
If Arthur had been watching he might have been able to discern the outline of a well-known face in the glow or caught a glimpse of those familiar hands peeking out of the cloak, but he had eyes only for his beloved spouse.
As the chant increased in intensity a white light blossomed around the queen, enveloping her until everyone had to look away from its brightness.
The incantation came to an end and Arthur ran into the water, heedless of the damage to his armor or weapons as he embraced his love.
Thoroughly entangled, the royal couple was only vaguely aware of the sorcerer collapsing and almost completely oblivious to Mordred leaping forward to help the unnamed assistant lower Emrys to the ground.
It seemed both forever and no time at all before they pulled apart, still trapped in each other's gaze as they climbed out of the Cauldron.
Emrys was once again swathed in blankets, apparently unconscious.
"Will he be alright?" Gwen asked before Arthur could form the words.
The hood flopped up and down as the thin youth nodded.
"He need only rest to replenish his energy."
"Do you need someone to guard you both while he recovers?"
He really didn't want to stay here any longer than necessary, but what sort of king would he be if he left the queen's savior to die?
"No, we will be fine. Go home and enjoy your time together."
"Is there nothing I can do to thank you?"
"Only... remember that it was magic that saved your wife, Sire. Keep in mind that not all magic is bad- that it can be a great force for good." He shuffled his feet, looking down. "And that there are those who would help if they only had the opportunity."
The monarch nodded solemnly.
"I... shall endeavor to do so."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Arthur gave the pair one last glance, bowed almost imperceptibly, then turned and started the journey back to Camelot.