A Series of Tests
Merlin tried not to sound like an utter buffoon as Arthur would call him, but based on the look of King Uther's face it didn't seem to be working. The king, Merlin, and Gaius were in the king's chambers.
"What do you mean they just vanished?!" Uther asked for the second time exasperated and in disbelief that his son was missing.
"Just as I said, Sire. The sorcerer, Ahnora said he had come to give Arthur a message. He said that Arthur was to blame for what is happening to the kingdom. After Arthur killed the unicorn he unleashed a curse. Ahnora said that Arthur was to be tested. I don't know how or for what. I just know that Arthur tried to grab Ahnora to arrest him and then they were both gone. They literally vanished before my eyes."
Uther started pacing before turning to Gaius, "You mentioned a legend earlier to me. What was it again?"
"You believe what this Anhora said about the curse to be true?" Gaius asked the king trying to recall the legend.
"What else is there to believe? You said that misfortune would come to anyone that slayed a unicorn. This sorcerer has taken Arthur and cursed my kingdom."
"Sire, there could still be hope. Now Merlin mentioned that he heard Ahnora say something about testing Arthur. In one of the legends it does mention that to break the curse the wrongdoer must face a series of three tests given out by the Keeper. Ahnora must have taken the prince somewhere for him to partake in these tests. We must hope that once Arthur passes he will return to us and the curse will be broken."
"And if he fails?" Merlin asked flinching as the king glared at him.
"If Arthur fails the curse over Camelot will stay and we'd be forced to abandon the kingdom or starve."
Uther shook his head, "I will not lose my kingdom, Gaius. One way or another this sorcerer will break the curse and give me back my son. I will have the knights start patrolling the forests to search for them."
When Arthur woke up it took a while to gather his senses. It felt like he was lying on his side but at the same time he couldn't feel his legs. The former prince forced himself up onto his feet and winced at the brightness of the sun. He turned his head down and in his shock started backing away until his tail was backed up against a tree. Arthur sat down and raised his hooves. He moved them up towards his head feeling his antlers. He was some kind of stag. He knew that at least.
He was also not far from a town or village as he could smell food and humans. Arthur needed help maybe someone could help him somehow. He needed to talk to his father or Gaius. The king would help track down the sorcerer who cursed him and the physician might be able to find some kind of cure to undo it, and transform him to his former self.
Arthur carefully made his way closer to the smell being careful as he walked still getting used to the fell of walking on all fours. He tried picking up speed now and again but he felt like a new born fawn and every time he tried to pick up the pace he would fall onto his stomach.
As he approached what appeared to be a small encampment and not actually a town Arthur could feel his entire body tingle with something… He wasn't quite sure what, but he knew it was not natural. As Arthur carefully made his way into the encampment, the thought of his vulnerability finally struck him. What if the camp was full of poachers who would kill him in his new form? What if they wouldn't believe him? Also how exactly was he meant to talk to them? He paused and tried screaming in frustration but all he heard were loud bellows.
He frowned internally and lay on the ground. He could hear footsteps heading his way probably someone going to see what on earth made those noises. Arthur raised his head as he heard the foot steps appear closer and slowly rose making sure not to scare the human away. Nay the young girl- woman. She looked no older than 16 maybe 15 years. She had pale skin and curly dark brown hair that reminded him of Morgana. The only things different between this girl and his adoptive sister was her brown eyes and soft nature compared to Morgana's green and strength.
He moved closely making sure he meant no harm. She too moved closer almost staring into his eyes knowingly. She raised her had and placed softly in front of Arthur's face presumably for him to sniff, which while humiliating he did so, before she placed her hand on his head and petted him softly.
"Hello there. Are you hurt?" She paused looking him over, "You don't look injured."
Arthur gave a soft bleat at the pleasant sensation of her running her hands through his head and then gently on his shoulders.
"Step away, child." A voice spoke softly, yet sternly to avoid scaring off the creature or causing it to hurt the girl.
"He's not dangerous, Chief." the girl spoke still petting the creature while turning to look at the man. She could feel the deer tense up at the closeness of another person.
'Chief' crossed his arms over his chest, "Freya, you know better that to approach a wild animal. What if it got alarmed and decided you were a threat? Would you like to be impaled by those pointy antlers. Now come along."
