Bonding and Curse Breaking Pt. 2/2
In Camelot the king was still floundering over his missing son. He had sent patrol after patrol into the forest and could not find his son or the sorcerer anywhere. His grain reserves were low there was no clean water. His people were suffering and he had been feeling powerless these last few days.
While it was true that Camelot lacked hope, there were several in the palace who refused to give up. Merlin and Gaius were two who had been researching and using several different means to attempt to get the wheat fields to grow again or magically turn sand to water.
"Merlin, whatever this curse is, it might be stronger than even you."
"I can't just give up! Arthur is out there he will beat whatever tests Ahnora throws his way. We need to be here to make sure Arthur has a home to come back to."
Gaius sighed turning to his book shelf and pulling out yet another book on agriculture that he had borrowed from the library.
"Perhaps it is time to consult someone else with a stronger knowledge of magic and curse breaking."
Merlin's eyes widened, "I know just where to go! Thanks Gaius." the boy yelled before rushing off. Honestly, he should have gone there a long time ago, but he had hoped he and Gaius could solve it on their own.
On his way through the palace he bumped into two other sympathetic souls who still had hope in the prince.
"Merlin slow down." Gwen said as her and Lady Morgana moved out of the way of the running servant.
"Where could you be going in such a rush, Merlin?" The lady Morgana asked knowing that he was no longer serving Arthur or any nobleman at the moment.
Merlin paused, looking down at the baskets in the ladies hands covered with a cloth napkin. Merlin could just see a moldy piece of bread peeking through.
"Where could you possibly be taking that?" Merlin questioned softly looking at the bread like a lifeline, "That's food isn't it?"
"SHH!" both of the women told the servant while making sure their baskets were covered and no one was in hearing sight. "We're taking this to the lower town. The people are starving Merlin, we have to do something. We can't just turn a blind eye for Arthur to return."
Merlin nodded, "You two need to be careful, the king-"
Morgana growled in annoyance, "I don't need to hear a word about that man. Merlin, believe me I have heard it all and the people deserve greater rations; more than just Uther's personal guards and friends."
"The king's men have been patrolling non stop for Arthur."
"It's been over a week. Wherever Arthur is, he is not here. He could be anywhere. What if he's not even in Camelot?" Morgana asked frowning and wincing slightly at her friends pained looks. "I'm sorry. I'll never admit it to him once he's back, but I miss him too, but he'd want us to do this. I know he would."
Merlin nodded, "You're right, Morgana. You two be careful. I'll see what I can do to help too."
The women smiled.
"We should get going my lady. Good luck, Merlin."
Morgana nodded, pulling a piece of bread out of her basket and giving it to the servant.
"Make it last." she said before both ladies scurried off.
Merlin looked at the bread and put in his bag despite his stomach growling. He could wait to share it with Gaius.
Merlin rounded a turn and headed down the steps to see the Great Dragon. Ever since Arthur went missing, Uther had gotten rid of the guards to the entrance of the underground cave so that they can look for his son or guard whatever remaining food they had left. There were also those he had sent into the lower town for crowd control as the people had been growing restless and angry.
"Hello!" Merlin called out loudly trying to spot the winged creature, "I need your help."
"Come along, Gwen we can hand off as much of the food that we can and leave the rest to Tom. How is your father doing?"
Gwen smiled, handing a young girl some piece of slightly moldy bread and meat.
"He's managing, he's putting on a good face for my sake but I know he's starting to feel weak. He refuses to eat anything until after I have."
Morgana handed some more food to an older lady and her family.
"Your father is a good man. He wants to know you're taken care of. Gwen I don't mind sharing my food with you and your father. I know times are tough but who knows maybe Arthur will come to the rescue."
"I hope Ar- the prince is okay. Wherever he is?"
Morgana paused, turning to look at her friend there was something in her voice. She's known for a while now how much her friend admired Arthur but to see it grow… it was tragic. Morgana loved Gwen and she loved Arthur too even if he was an insufferable prat. But she knew they could never be. Uther would marry his son off to some foreign princess and break both their hearts in the process.
"We're running low on food."
Morgana snapped it off her face and looked at her basket.
"Let's go then." The king ward spoke before turning to a family letting them know that they would return with more food another day.
Morgana and Gwen made it to Tom's forge watching him work. He paused smiling at his daughter before bowing to Morgana.
"Gwen! Milady. Welcome to our home."
"There's no need for that, Tom. Besides, any family of Gwen's is a friend of mine, so please call me Morgana."
"I am grateful, but respectfully ill stick to milady."
Morgana laughed but nodded. Having already had this conversation before.
"I have to go back to the castle but I'll be back tonight. Take this." Gwen told her father, handing him one of their baskets.
Tom nodded, grabbing the basket and turning to look inside. He quickly closed it. "Thank you for this."
"It's nothing. I'll try and get more for you two tomorrow." Morgana promised.
Gwen looked around noticing an almost empty bucket of water and a cup beside it.
"Let me get more water for you before we go. I know it won't be much but we can use it sparingly." Gwen told her father picking up the bucket. "I'll be right back, milady."
"She has a big heart."
"She gets it from her mother."
Morgana smiled, "Well then she must get her modesty from you."
Gwen had just reached the well and placed her bucket below the spout. She noticed some water droplets falling into her bucket. She quickly grabbed at the lever and started pulling down watching as the well released more water than she expected. She pulled again and again till the bucket was full.