As Merlin and Daegal rode through the entrance to the Valley of the Fallen Kings, the warlock noticed bandits coming toward them. He quickly redirected the horse toward an embankment to hide, hoping they weren't seen. "Bandits, duck down. Don't let them see you."
Merlin carefully watched as the bandits moved past them. "We can't continue on horseback. It's too dangerous."
"I thought we needed to get there as soon as possible," Daegal pointed out.
"Yes," Merlin agreed. "But the forest is full of bandits. We'd be able to hide and get away easier on foot."
"Okay," Daegal nodded as he got off the horse first. Merlin followed suit as he grabbed his cane.
The warlock led the horse over to a tree and tied its reins around the trunk. "Whoever Arthur sends out to find us will see the horse and know which way to go. Grab the saddle bag and let's go."
Mordred stopped at the clearing where he last saw Merlin and Daegal.
"Which way?" Percival asked as he came up next to the younger man.
Mordred shut his eyes and tried to call out to Merlin telepathically, but got no response. He opened his eyes and said. "He's too far away. I can't reach him."
"Did the boy say anything about a location last night?" Gwaine asked.
Mordred thought for a moment, thinking back to the night before. "He mentioned the Valley of the Fallen Kings."
Now with a destination in mind, the knights turned their horses towards the path that would lead them to Merlin.
It didn't long for Merlin to feel Morgana's presence once they arrived at where Daegal fake sister would have been. He turned around to face her. "What do you want Morgana?"
"I want my throne," Morgana replied, as she stared daggers at Daegal for betraying her.
"It's not your throne. It's Arthur's. It always has been," Merlin stated.
"He cannot rule over a kingdom filled with magic" Morgana claimed. "I am meant to be on that throne."
"He can and he has, Morgana," Merlin argued. "He is a fair and just king. But you are so blinded by hatred you can't see that."
"You think that just because you know a couple of spells, you understand what is have magic," Morgana taunted. "You don't understand what it is to hide who you are."
"Yes I do, Morgana," Merlin said. "I've spent my entire life hiding who I was and what I am. I wanted to tell you, but couldn't. I couldn't tell anyone."
Morgana opened her mouth to speak, but the realization of who Merlin really was finally dawned on her. "You're Emrys."
"Yes," Merlin admitted, his voice barely above a harsh whisper. Deep down he didn't want to hurt her. He wanted to save her from all that Morgouse did when she twisted her mind. "And I want to help you."
"No, you want to destroy me," Morgana screeched, letting out a burst of angry magic. "I won't let you."
Merlin fell back against a tree as Morgana's anger shook the earth. As the quake came to an end, Merlin tried to stand once more, but couldn't. His body ached and felt heavy. "Morgana, please."
"No," Morgana said. "I'm putting an end to you, to Arthur, to Camelot. It's over." Her eyes flashed a rustic gold, keeping Merlin pinned against the tree. As she moved closer to her mortal enemy, she pulled a vial out of her handbag and uncorked it
"Let me help you," Merlin pleaded weakly, trying to fight against her magic.
Daegal stood to the side frozen in place, terrified as he watched Morgana move closer to Merlin to pour whatever was in the vial into his mouth.
"Your magic can't save you now. The agony you'll feel," Morgana taunted as she rose to her full height. "You'll be glad when death comes." The witch then kicked Merlin in his injured side, causing him to down the cliff.
"Why are you doing this?" Daegal asked.
"You best stay out of this. Be glad I'm letting you even live after betraying me," Morgana said as she tossed him a money pouch.
Daegal let the pouch fall to the ground. He made no effort to pick it up. "I don't want your money."
"Suit yourself. Just remember I still have a few drops left if you breathe a word of this to anyone else," Morgana threatened as she walked away.
Once the witch was out of sight, Daegal started making his way down the embankment toward Merlin.
As the three knights ventured further into the valley, it was beginning to get dark.
"We'll have to make camp soon," Gwaine announced.
"Merlin might not have that kind of time," Mordred insisted.
"There's no way to travel in the dark," Percival stated.
Mordred held out his hand and incanted a spell. Floating above his hand was a single burning flame. "Make camp if you must, but I need to find Merlin and stop Morgana."
"We'll go with you," Gwaine decided. "Just light the way."
Daegal sat next to Merlin, waiting for the man to regain consciousness. It had been hours since Morgana had administered the deadly poison and kicked him into the embankment. The sky was now blanketed in darkness.
Merlin's breathing had become slow and shallow. Daegal could tell he was in pain, but he didn't know how to help the older man. Just as he was about to get up and leave to find help, two knights and the Druid, Mordred, he recalled, from earlier arrived on horses just above him.
"Daegal, what happened?" Mordred ordered as he dismounted his horse.
The young boy looked up at the three older men. "Morgana poisoned him. I couldn't stop her."
Mordred began climbing down the embankment as fast as he could. "How long ago to this happen?" he asked.
"It was still light out," Daegal answered. "He hasn't woken up."
Mordred knelt down next to his fellow sorcerer and began shaking him. Merlin only groaned but did not wake or move. "Daegal, get a fire going. If he develops a fever, we'll have to keep him warm."
Just as Daegal ran off to collect wood, Gwaine and Percival had made their way down and were at Mordred's side.
"Is there anything we can do?" Gwaine asked.
"I don't know any healing spells," Mordred admitted. "And the only person who probably knows what kind of poison was used and its cure is unconscious."
"Can't you try that mind-talking thing you two are always doing?" Percival suggested.
Mordred looked at the bigger knight, wondering why he hadn't thought of that before. He looked back at Merlin. Wake up, Emrys.
What are you doing here? was Merlin's reply. Despite communicating through his thoughts, he sounded tired and in pain.
Arthur sent me. Don't worry he's safe. Leon and some other knights are going to be with him at all times. Mordred reassured. What happened?
Morgana found... out I was Emrys. The was... an earthquake, I lost my balance and I couldn't... couldn't... get back up. She poured... something into my mouth... then kicked me... over the cliff. Merlin answered. Everything hurts.
Do you know the cure for the poison? Mordred pressed. Yes, it was bad that Morgana learned who his friend was, but that could be dealt with at a later time. Right now saving the life of said friend and mentor was more important.
Rue... milfoil... and yarrow. Ground them... into a tincture, Merlin answered.
Mordred looked up at Percival. "Rue, milfoil and yarrow. They need to be grounded into a tincture. Hurry."
Percival nodded as he left to get the herbs. He was the only one among the three knights that had an understanding of herbs and what to look for.
"Gwaine, look for Merlin's cane and pack. It has his medical kit and a bedroll in it," Mordred said looking at the bearded man kneeling on the other side of Merlin. "With luck, it'll be up where we left the horses"
"On it," Gwaine said as he stood and made his way up the slope.
Mordred began looking over Merlin, checking for other injuries. He quickly spotted a bleeding gash on his right leg as well as a gash just under his hairline. It wasn't until after he touched the blood from the leg wound and looked at it, did he realize that it was black. You're bleeding black blood. Mordred pointed out.
Not good, Merlin responded.
No, it's not, Mordred agreed as Daegal came back with wood for a fire. He looked at the young boy, forcing down the urge to tear into him for allowing his friend to get hurt. "Get it going as fast as possible."
Daegal worked fast to get the fire started. Once it was burning brightly, illuminating the area, Mordred took the opportunity to examine Merlin's midsection to see how his old wound was fairing. Upon lifting the injured man's tunic, he recoiled at the sight of it. Surrounding the many scars was huge blackish-purple bruising that seemed to still be spreading.
He knew he shouldn't have left the warlock alone. But he didn't have a choice, Arthur needed to be warned about the threat on his life. For a moment he considered letting Merlin know about the bruising, but decided against it. The man was already suffering enough at the moment.
I hope those that are reading are enjoying the story so far. It's taken me a long time to work on the rewrite, so I hope my efforts are worth it. I would really appreciate it if you guys left a couple of reviews, letting me know what you think.