The sound of movement snapped Arthur out of his uneasy sleep. He had dozed off, exhaustion enveloping him and cutting him off from all the painful sensations, even if it was only for a brief time. The light was getting a little stronger, but it was still more shadow than light around him. He shifted, stretching his legs out and he rubbed his back against the tree. His body ached, from sleeping uncomfortably, from the rough sex, the stab wound on his backside throbbed painfully. Arthur hoped it wouldn't infect, the first chance he got he had better clean it. The service station he had bought the sandwiches at would have things there, but Arthur didn't want to risk backtracking.
His best plan was to get to the motorway, even if he just walked along it and took the turning back to town. If they followed him, taking this direction, they would hopefully make the assumption that he had hitched a lift. Failing that, he just had to keep the movements erratic. As he shifted again, causing the dry leaves around him to crackle he paused. There was the faint hum of the traffic, but Arthur was certain he had heard something, movement in the woods close to him. The rustle of leaves and the sound of a branch snapping.
Arthur waited, holding his breath as he waited for another sound. There was nothing, and nothing seemed ominous. Traffic was still flowing, but he could sense a tense stillness around him. The light was getting stronger, there should have been more sounds, birds singing, or something. It was like he was the only thing in the woods, that didn't seem very right.
Moving slowly Arthur got to his feet, stepping forward. As his feet crunched on the dry leaves he spun, hearing a sound to his left, like something crashing through the trees. He wasn't an expert in wildlife but whatever it was sounded big. Arthur supposed it could have been a fox, or maybe a person, they could have found him. Distance wise he hadn't gone that far, but it seemed odd that they had tracked him so easily.
He waited a moment, listening for further sounds. His eyes moved left and right and he carefully turned on the spot, trying to make as little noise as possible. As he got 180 degrees round there was another sound from behind him. Arthur jumped, spinning full circle, but there was nothing to see. His heart picked up pace as he turned again, trying to follow the sounds. The logical thought was that they had found him, but he doubted that any of them would be playing games like this.
His mind ran over some of the things they had said, not to him directly but while they were around him. The spell thing that Merlin had been working on, and had been keeping him in, was something about protection, but protection from what? Arthur wondered. He remembered Merlin also saying that it wasn't entirely finished, defences Arthur remembered. The defences weren't working or something, and they certainly hadn't wanted him wandering.
Arthur debated what options he had. Not many, he thought. He was a good distance from the road but all he could do was head in that direction. He backed up from the place he had heard the last sound, only to jump as he heard something from his right. He watched several branches sway as if something had just rushed past them. Arthur glanced around again, trying to keep his panic under control. He shuffled backwards, a little disorientated now, he strained so much to hear the road that he couldn't for a few moments locate it, and he had spun round so much. Holding his breath tightly, he listened, eventually deciding it was on his left and slightly behind him. Arthur turned and decided to run in that direction.
Setting off he recoiled as there was a flash of something moving to his left, it looked big and black. He ran through the trees and then gave a yelp, falling backwards as another huge shadow moved in front of him. The shadow skittered forward, easing its bulk through the trees. Arthur stumbled, falling backwards over a root and landing heavily.
"Fucking hell!"
His eyes widened as the huge creature, claws snapping, rushed towards him. Arthur's gaze focused on the sting that was curled upwards on the end of the scorpion's tail. His mind rushed back to the news article he had read, about the ramblers that had seen the same thing. There had been a very blurred photograph to go with it, and if you squinted you could believe that perhaps it was real, but it wasn't. Since when did giant scorpions run about the place?
Sort of now, Arthur added. He struggled up, backtracking away from the beast. The other shadow he had spotted ran forward, and he wasn't surprised to see the same thing. He struggled to his feet, ignoring his shaking legs and he ran. There was the sound of a crash and turning his head he saw the two beasts struggle to separate themselves from where they had both run towards him, and tried to take the same route. For a moment they were distracted with each other and it gave Arthur a few vital seconds to calculate a plan.
They were both huge, and Arthur guessed they wouldn't really be able to climb too well. His best bet was finding a tree he could climb, or a cluster of them that were tight enough to prevent them from following him. Heaven knows what he was meant to do after that but the most immediate thing was getting to a safe place. His eyes scanned the area and he backed up, the trees behind him were starting to thin out, but as he looked around hope flared. Just past the last few trees he could see the area where the road works to extend the motorway were in progress. Set to just one side of the main work area was a portacabin. If he could get to that, then maybe he was in with a chance. There didn't appear to be any workmen about, but they probably wouldn't be long.
Arthur calculated the distance to be about a hundred metres. It wasn't that far but with two huge scorpions after him, it might be a bit of an issue. He didn't have any time to waste, as he slowly backed away from the two beasts. As he was about to turn and run another movement from the side made him jump, then he screamed.
He hadn't seen the third one moving in the shadows until it darted forwards. Arthur recoiled but a searing pain erupted on his right thigh. He crashed downwards again, falling heavily and he looked at the gash on his leg. It was long, from mid-thigh, down to his knee, and about four inches wide. Arthur struggled away, looking up at the creature and the end of the tail dripping with venom. And he realised the damn thing had stung him.
As he fought to get up he could feel the reaction of the venom. His leg was burning, the wound like fire, but the leg, at the same time, was going numb. It was agony to attempt to put any weight on it. He crashed against a tree and reached up to grab onto a low branch, glancing up he followed the line of sturdy limbs that protruded from the trunk. Climbing was his only option now, with the hope that his upper body and good leg could propel him up there. Arthur pushed with his good leg and scrabbled to try and get a grip. He latched onto the stub of a branch that was a little higher and pulled. As he tried to lift himself he yelped as his sore shoulder clenched with pain. He lost his balance and tumbled back to the ground. The sudden movement made the three beasts recoil but then they started to close in. Crawling Arthur tried to keep moving, sweat started to prickle on his forehead, his leg was getting weaker, dragging behind him, as he struggled to crawl away.
He brought a hand to his face as suddenly a bright light flared from nowhere. Shielding his eyes a little he peered up. Morgana was suddenly there, running forward, dressed in black, hair neatly pulled back off her face and sturdy boots on her feet. In her left hand she was holding a flare, which she threw at the creatures, causing them to recoil further. In her other hand she held a solid looking handgun, which she kept trained on the beasts as she angled closer to Arthur. Arthur kept himself pressed against the tree, one hand on his leg wound.
The others appeared from flanking positions. Arthur spotted Uther on one side, and a man he didn't recognise with Leon on the other. Leon carried a second flare that he threw at the creatures to disorient them further. From behind Uther came Gwaine, who was close to Merlin. Merlin raised his hand and Arthur saw the gold flash again, as Merlin snarled an incomprehensible word.
One of the scorpions suddenly screamed as it seemed to explode with fire, the flames surging out from under its exoskeleton. Arthur watched with wide eyes. Another of the beasts screamed, lunging in that direction. Uther fired his gun but the bullet didn't make much of an impression on the creature's hard exterior.
The last creature tried to come for Arthur again. Morgana moved raising her gun. At the last moment the beast swung, lashing its sting towards her. Morgana tried to duck; Arthur grabbed her wrist and yanked hauling her out of the way, rolling her past him and sliding out of the way as the sting slammed into the tree. The creature reared raising its claws. Leon and Lancelot opened fire, but they couldn't do enough damage.
Merlin was readying for another spell when Arthur reacted. Morgana had lost her gun as she fell, off balanced by Arthur. Arthur grabbed it and rolled on his shoulder. He didn't need to worry too much about aim, he was at almost point blank range as he pointed the gun between the two huge claws and fired without stopping. He just kept pressing the trigger, the gunfire echoing in his ears. As he fired again and got nothing more than a dull click, he figured he had used all the bullets and stopped. He didn't need any more anyway; the scorpions head was a mangled mess. Arthur looked up to see the last one writhing as Merlin ignited it. Arthur dropped the gun and pulled himself up onto his hands and knees, keeping his head down for a moment. He felt unsure if he was embarrassed, relieved or angry, or just a little bit of all three. There was no denying that he felt damn pleased to see them, but he got the feeling that he was going to be in trouble, and probably in handcuffs again in the immediate future.
The deathly silence was broken as Lancelot gave a low whistle. Arthur looked up at him, feeling wary as he gazed up at the newcomer, who was looking at the damage Arthur had done to the beast.
"Now that is what I call a steady arm," Lancelot said.
If it was steady, Arthur thought to himself, it was the only thing about him that was. He tensed his body and slowly started to get up, putting all his weight on his good leg, and resting his hand on the tree. Leon went to help Morgana up. Arthur didn't even think about it, even though he was the nearest person. He couldn't carry himself, never mind help anyone else, he looked blearily at the damage and smirked.
"It's all those hand jobs I've done," he said.
Arthur was quite certain it was Gwaine who snorted as he tried to contain his laughter. Slowly Arthur turned his head to look around, moving carefully; unfortunately he didn't spot the tree root near his foot. He slipped on it causing all of his weight to shift onto his sore leg. With a yelp Arthur pitched forward onto his knees, and then jerked onto his hands, sending another riot of pain up his shoulder. He went down on his side, and tensed as everyone rushed in on him.
"All right!" Uther snapped, making most of them back off. He eased Arthur up into a sitting position, propping Arthur's back against his own body. Uther took hold of Arthur's upper arms, holding tightly as if he was making sure Arthur couldn't get away again. Merlin knelt next to him, looking at the gash.
"One stung me," Arthur said. Merlin winced, then so did Arthur as Morgana laid her fingertips to his forehead.
"He's burning up."
"Merlin," Uther snapped.
Arthur tensed as Merlin put his hands on Arthur's leg, around the wound, and he started reciting in that strange language.
"Ah! God!" Arthur snarled through gritted teeth as his leg started to burn. His eyes widened as a thick, clear liquid started to flood out of the wound. Involuntarily Arthur kicked his leg, but Merlin rocked back with the movement so he didn't loose contact with Arthur, and he carried on reciting until blood welled up from the gash. Arthur continued to gasp heavily through gritted teeth.
The burning sensation faded away, but the wound still throbbed painfully. Arthur got the feeling he wasn't going to be running away for a very long while.
"The worst of it is out, he'll be fine," Merlin said. He held a hand over the wound, an inch or so above it and started reciting again. Arthur watched him carefully, unsurprised when Merlin's iris' glowed with their golden hew, and he tensed, ready for what Merlin was about to do.
Warmth seemed to spread over his leg, this time gently. The pain in his leg eased and the blood flow ceased. Arthur felt his eyelids droop and he sagged in Uther's grip. He was too tired to bother fighting anymore. Whatever these people wanted of him, they were not going to give up, and things were getting too strange.
"That should control the bleeding," Merlin said. "We need to get him cleaned up though."
Arthur cringed inwardly at that. He probably didn't make for a very appealing sight, and what was lingering underneath, thanks to what had happened to him was even worse. But there was no way he was going to mention what happened to him.
"We could go back to the motel, or there is a hotel down the eastbound route of the motorway," Leon suggested.
"No!" Uther snapped, he shifted behind Arthur, changing his grip. He took Arthur's left wrist and Uther looped Arthur's arm over his shoulders. Very carefully he eased Arthur to his feet, keeping him steady and encouraging Arthur to lean on him. Arthur was not keen on that idea, it showed in his body language and his face. He didn't want anyone touching him, he just never got a say in it if he was paid for.
He dropped his head as Uther didn't let him refuse, he held Arthur steady as he looked around.
"We don't waste anymore time, he can clean up when we get him to safety. Let's just drive. Lancelot, I presume you can deal with that."
Uther looked at the scorpion, dead, but intact, aside from it's head.
"Certainly, Sir. Gaius would be interested in getting a look at it. We've never got hold of one in such an intact state before. My team can get it loaded and out of here within thirty minutes," Lancelot said.
Uther nodded. "Do it. We need to go now, you two," he glared at Merlin and Gwaine. "Take the other jeep, and I want to men in a second vehicle."
"I'll get it done," Lancelot said, pulling out his phone. Uther nodded and he started to help Arthur towards the road, and Arthur was forced to put more and more weight onto Uther, his teeth clenching at each brush of their bodies.
"Lancelot!" Morgana snapped, and she waved her hand to the roadworks, and the nearby route in. "Get the cars down to us, now!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Leon drove with care, Morgana sat next to him, saying nothing. Her gun was reloaded and ready and her eyes cast about the scenery looking for something, for anything that might be a threat. In the back Uther sat looking at his son, as Arthur slept.
No one had spoken as Arthur had been put in the backseat of the jeep and Leon had pulled out a set of cuffs. Uther had turned to him and one glare made Leon back off. Instead Uther shut the door with finality. Leon hovered by it until Morgana and Uther were in the car and then he had taken his seat and driven off. Arthur had put his seatbelt on and said nothing. What the hell was he going to say to these people, and to the man who was supposed to be his father? Arthur hadn't wanted to say anything, and since he was tired, his body aching and pain ridden he had let exhaustion take him and he slept instead. Like a baby he let the soothing movement of the car lull him to sleep.
He remained oblivious of the intensity of Uther's gaze.
Uther didn't know what to make of him. He had been looking for Arthur, for his son, for so long. It had been hard to know what to expect, but this was the last thing.
Uther had thought that perhaps Arthur would have been in college, learning, developing himself, and taking on a useful role in life. Or he could have been working somewhere, a productive place, learning a trade perhaps. He could have been happy, with people around him, even a family. Uther had clenched with jealousy at the thought that Igraine had probably found someone else, and that Arthur might have a stepfather, at least someone to care for him, especially after his mothers death. The jealousy faded away as Uther realised that his envy filled fantasy would have been much more preferable to the reality.
What he had was a broken, angry mess. One that trusted nothing and let people use him, every night his son walked on the streets and sold himself. Uther knew it wasn't Arthur's fault. Circumstances had forced him into it, and things had spiralled out of control. But as much as he tried to tell himself Arthur was not to blame, Uther couldn't focus his anger on anything else.
Uther didn't have a boy he could talk to, that he could greet carefully and build some rapport with. It was not something he was good at anyway, and now it was ten times worse. Instead he had this thing he could hardly comprehend. Uther was in danger of letting his anger get the better of him. He had loved his wife, but her death had been the cause of this, in the long run, it was the first moment to cause Arthur's decline. If she had only let him know, let him find them, then Arthur would have been safe.
The two people in front of him tried not to notice how hard Uther was staring at Arthur, as if he could change what he saw by intense thought.
Arthur was not going to trust them. There was so much work to do. Uther wasn't sure, as he looked at Arthur, that he even wanted to do it.