Camelot
February, 506 AD
My eyes opened to find tall trees surrounding me and the sun shining over them. I noticed an iron-y taste in my mouth, a wet trail from my forehead to the side of my face; and my heart began to race at the feeling of something strong and hard holding my arms against my body without any room for movement. I heard a grunt and turned my head to the side to find Merlin, who seemed to also be just waking up, his face contorting in displeasure. I noticed that he had a chain wrapped around his whole body. I glanced at my chest and my breath hitched when I saw that I was in the same situation.
Two dark figures appeared overhead and one of them pulled me to my knees while the other did the same for Merlin. We came face-to-face with none other than a smug-looking Morgause. And Thanata, who stood behind her while checking her nails casually.
Well, getting kidnapped by an evil witch wasn't on my Bingo card this year…
Wait, how much time has passed? Where's Morgana?! Is Arthur okay?!
I began to fight against the metallic constraints, earning a punch to the side of my face from one of the cloaked figures and a derisive snort from Morgause.
"Do not touch her!" Merlin snarled.
I could hardly breathe as pain spread through my face. I stared down the witch while my mind made up a million ways in which she could've hurt Arthur already.
"The pair of you intrigue me," Morgause stated, appearing amused. Then she turned to address Merlin, "Why does a lowly servant continue to risk everything for Arthur and for Camelot?"
He also seemed reasonably distressed as he turned his head away from Morgause, our eyes connecting for a second.
"You know the answer, but you are not telling me. Why?" she pressed. She sighed when she got no answer and turned to me, "What about you, Astraea? Morgana told me about your split loyalties…" I clenched my jaw "…yet you continue to stand beside Uther."
I must admit, she raises an interesting point. Why the heck am I loyal to Uther? He's a bastard half the time. I suppose it must be because being loyal to Arthur extends to him. And I'm loyal to Arthur because… well, for one, I love him… and there's the whole legend, y'know? He's supposed to turn into one of the greatest rulers ever, so of course I want to support him. I'm so lucky to have ended up by his side!
Fork! I need to know that he's okay!
"Come on," Morgause insisted when she was met with silence once more. "Time and again you put your lives on the line…" She creeped closer to us and crouched down beside Merlin, analysing him almost as if he were a member of a newly-discovered species. "There must be a reason."
"I believe in a fair and just land," Merlin answered through gritted teeth.
"And you think Arthur will give you that?" she questioned, almost condescendingly.
"I know it," my best friend stated.
Morgause smiled mockingly as she stood up with a scoff of disbelief. "And then what?" she inquired. "You think you will be recognised, Merlin? Is that it? All this so, one day, you can be a serving boy to the King?"
Oh, I hope she'll live long enough to eat her words. My best friend's kind of a legend, too, after all. Is her name ever mentioned in the movies? I'm not sure. I'm not that familiar with the legends…
"No. There is something more," she brilliantly deduced in an eerie low tone. "Something you are not telling me – is there not?"
Crickets… Now that I think about it, why is Merlin so loyal to Arthur? Is it because I told him about the legends? 'Cause, I mean, he doesn't really treat him very well… I would've quit a long time ago if I were in his place.
"I told you," Merlin responded.
Morgause's stare hardened as she kept analysing him. "Well, you can take your secret to your grave," she said bitterly before speaking what must've been a spell.
The chains that bound us suddenly tightened and my already-constrained lungs began to burn as they screamed in anguish, begging for oxygen. I started to thrash against the restraints once more, which only caused them to tighten further, and I was soon wheezing as dark spots clouded my vision.
"You chose to poison one of my own," Morgause told Merlin, her voice sounding like jelly, though my head snapped towards her as I frowned. What the heck does that mean?! "You may regret that."
She and her three minions retreated after that, leaving my best friend and I alone in the middle of who-knows-where.
Our eyes met and I could see the fear and concern that clouded his stare as he also breathed heavily.
"Are you all right?" he asked in a strained tone.
"Just peachy," I quipped in a similar manner. "You?"
He simply shrugged a little and he started to look around frantically. Presumably for any way to escape. But I doubt the witch left some bolt-cutters lying somewhere.
"Can't ya' magic the chains off?" I questioned in between heavy pants.
"What if they are still around?" he asked in a whisper.
"Then ya' can magic their heads off," I proposed, earning a look of disapproval that made me scoff. "Dude, they could be on their way to kill Arthur!"
"You are right," he breathed out and then he said a spell. Hope rose in my chest for a moment when the chains seemed to glow, but nothing happened and the glimmer soon faded. He gave me a wary look before trying again, but the result remained the same.
"Awesome," I whispered to myself. Tears of frustration, and fear, and whatever else started to build in my eyes.
Merlin tried a different spell – I think, 'cause I'm pretty sure that the wording was different – but that didn't work either.
Something creaked in the near distance, among some bushes, and my heart jumped a beat before accelerating even more.
My friend and I shared a glance before he tried the spell again.
The creaking continued, along with the snapping of branches, and a very small part of me suggested that perhaps there were Camelot knights searching for us and coming near. I mean, I'd like to think that Gaius and Arthur have noticed we're missing by now…
Something did appear among the trees and behind some bushes and rocks… but they weren't knights. At first I thought they were giant snakes – which is freaking scary in its own right – but, as they came closer, I realised that they were actually giant scorpions.
My lungs froze completely, the burning ice travelling through my veins and spreading a paralysing feeling.
This is it. We're gonna die here.
More and more giant scorpions showed up until we were surrounded by at least fifteen of them.
My body trembled with a high-magnitude earthquake and tears streamed down my cheeks as I gasped for air.
The scorpions hissed as they closed in on us, forming a circle that was gradually getting smaller.
Merlin said another spell that seemed to make some of them falter for a moment. Thank heavens for him! He repeated the spell and another bunch were sent skidding backwards a few metres.
I gasped when I saw one creeping up behind him, "Merls!" He didn't have time to react before it stung him in the back. "No!"
My best friend fell forward with a cry of pain and my heart-rate accelerated to a torturous supernatural speed. If the scorpions don't kill me, a stopping heart will.
Suddenly, Merlin shot upright with his head tilted towards the sky and he started to scream out some magic, or whatever, words in a deep voice that seemed completely foreign coming from him. I'm not sure what that did, but I don't think it worked, for he fell sideways afterwards with a grunt.
The scorpions continued to close in and I squeezed my eyes shut. I don't wanna die. Just make it quick. Please make it quick.
A scorching warmth suddenly swarmed me, causing me to shrink into my body and whimper again. A bright light caused me to see orange and I chanced half-opening one eye, finding that Merlin and I were surrounded by fire, which had formed a barrier between us and the scorpions. What the fork?!
My eyes drifted towards the sky and they widened when I saw a dragon – Kilgharrah! – diving straight for us. Merlin told me what happened when they fought him. He inherited his father's dragonlord powers and was able to kindly negotiate with the beast and make him leave Camelot alone. Does this mean he's here to help us?
I gasped when he gently grabbed me with one of his front paws – hands? – as if I were a Polly Pocket. His other hand grabbed Merlin, and then he surged towards the sky.
The cool air that hit me as we got above the trees instantly kickstarted my lung function and I took in a few deep breaths while glancing around, not quite able to see what was below. The dragon's movements started to make me a bit dizzy and I decided to close my eyes again. Either he's helping us, or he's gonna eat us. In any case, there's nothing I can do to change our fates.
"I did not think you would answer my call." The sound of Merlin's voice pulled me out of a dreamless slumber and I felt a hard surface beneath me before I opened my eyes to find that we were somewhere under the night sky. And Kilgharrah's giant head looked down at us with a gaze that was almost soft. I turned and found my best friend lying on his side as he addressed the beast, looking sweaty and pained, but very much alive.
"Merlin – I could not resist a dragonlord even if I wanted to," Kilgharrah responded.
"So you're like Merls's puppet now?" I asked in a mumble as I sat up – still feeling a bit dizzy, but I'll live.
"Play nice," Merlin scolded weakly. Then he addressed the dragon again, "I am grateful. Thank you."
"Yeah…" I breathed out. It's certainly nice to still be alive.
Merlin tried to sit up, letting out a grunt, but he seemed to be having a lot of trouble with the action and fear struck at my chest. He was stung by the scorpion, after all.
"Lie still," Kilgharrah commanded him.
"Ow…" my best friend whimpered, making my stomach churn. "My head."
"The serket's poison is powerful," the dragon noted, making me tilt my head in confusion. I guess he's referring to the scorpions. "I have given you an enchantment that will help you heal, but it will take time."
"How much time?!" I questioned, my heart-rate starting to elevate once more. The witches could be making their move as we speak!
"Not too long," Kilgharrah claimed – which wasn't reassuring, but I didn't argue further. I doubt it'd do any good.
Merlin seemed to fall asleep within seconds and I scanned him for a moment, noticing that he was shivering. Then I noticed that I was also shivering and I curled up in a corner of whatever rocky formation we were on while putting on my hood and pulling the sleeves of my hoodie further down to cover my hands. I miss my blanket.
Kilgharrah remained standing with his head hovering above us and I glanced up at him. "So you're back on the good side?" I asked in a low tone.
"Revenge clouded my mind and I lost sight of the future we are fighting for," the dragon replied gravely. "I feel remorse every day."
"Good. Keep feelin' it," I muttered.
I was once again awoken by the sound of Merlin and Kilgharrah chatting. Or rather, arguing.
"You should not have let me sleep!" my friend accused.
I took note of the moon's position and determined that we must be an hour or two away from sunrise; which means that we've spent almost two whole nights away from home. Gaius and Arthur must be worried sick! Or at least I kinda hope they are…
"I had no choice, young warlock," the dragon responded. "The venom was too strong, even for your great powers."
"'S he healed now? Can we go?" I asked as I stumbled to my feet. Merlin did the same and I couldn't help myself as I jumped to hug him while letting out a sigh of relief. I really thought that we were gonna die!
He returned the embrace and kissed the top of my head before addressing Kilghrarrah again, "We need to get back to Camelot. The kingdom is in danger and..." I tilted my head when he trailed off, a sad look crossing his features. "It is my fault. I should have listened to you. I should never have trusted Morgana."
I frowned at his words. What the heck does that mean? Morgana was good until Morgause brainwashed her, or whatever. Wait, could she have done some mind-control thing on her?! Like the Winter Soldier!? I didn't ask for context, 'cause there's no time for explanations if we wanna get back home in time to warn them of the attack. If it hasn't happened already… Oh, crap!
"You did what you felt was right, and that shows great courage," the dragon responded, "but trust is a double edged sword."
"You certainly proved that," I mumbled, earning a disapproving nudge from my best friend. I shrugged. I'm allowed to be mad at the beast! He tried to burn Camelot to ashes and triggered a meltdown within me in the process!
"I thought… because she has magic… I thought we were the same," Merlin explained.
"In some ways, you are," Kilgharrah responded.
"No," Merlin shook his head. "I will never be like her."
I dropped my head and frowned. Whatever happened during the four months that Morgana was missing must've really altered her personality. I'm sure that it's all Morgause's doing. Surely she'll see reason when she realises that her actions will end up harming innocent people, right? She can't have changed completely! She's a kind person at heart! I know it!
"You have learnt an important lesson, Merlin," Kilgharrah stated. "Your determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing. But I fear that your futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to your love."
I narrowed my eyes at the dragon. Things can't be that extreme! Morgana is – or was – our friend! We should try to undo whatever Morgause did to her!
"We need to get back to Camelot," Merlin repeated, this time more sternly. I nodded in agreement; itching to see Dallas and Arthur, have a bath, change into clean clothes, and wrap myself in my blanket.
"You are not yet fully recovered Merlin; and it is more than three days walk," Kilgharrah responded warningly.
Merlin nudged my side. I looked up at him as a smirk formed on his lips and he raised an eyebrow while still looking at the dragon. "I have no intention of walking," he claimed.
I tilted my head, wondering what he meant.
With a clearly annoyed sigh, the dragon turned sideways. I sent my friend a questioning look and he winked at me before moving to climb onto the beast's back and my eyes widened as I hurried to copy his actions, a smile suddenly forming on my face. I get to freaking ride a freaking dragon?! I love life!
The crease between the great animal's spines served as a sort of saddle and I settled myself there, some metres behind Merlin. I held on tightly as Kilgharrah began to move and, without warning, he gave a powerful flap of his wings and we were airborne within seconds. I bursted out laughing in disbelief and shared a wondrous smile with my best friend.
Of course, I've been on planes many times, but that doesn't compare to this by a longshot! This makes a plane feel like riding a stroller that's being pushed by an elderly relative. This is the epitome of being alive! No offence to horses… They're still my favourite thing ever…
The wind against my face felt like a breath of new life. The view from the height we reached was spectacular, nature spreading all around with the first hints of winter's end manifesting themselves in the trees and the ground. The houses and farms looked almost like toys, with little animals shuffling about the grasslands.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight of the beautiful Camelot castle in the near distance, its stone shining under the moonlight, and I seriously wished I had my phone with me so that I could take a photo – or a hundred.
Kilgharrah finally descended upon a clearing about a mile away from the outskirts of the lower town and he lowered himself closer to the ground so that we could hop off without breaking our legs. I pouted as I did so, sad that the ride was over.
"This is as far as I go," he told us.
"Thank you," Merlin responded. "I will not forget this."
"And I forgive you for giving me a panic attack," I added with a smile. "That was awesome."
The dragon bowed his head a little as he said, "I am pleased to hear that."
I linked my arm with Merlin's, ready to start walking the rest of the way to the castle, but Kilgharrah stopped us by speaking again, "Be careful, both of you. The great battle for Camelot has begun…" I frowned and gave my friend a questioning look. "…You must be strong. For Arthur's destiny and the future of Albion lie in your hands."
He must be talking to Merlin, 'cause I don't have any superpowers. Beyond super-intelligence, obviously.
"No pressure then," I mumbled and gave my friend's arm a gentle squeeze.
The dragon promptly flew away and the long walk – or, rather, jog – to the castle began. I just hope we're on time to warn Arthur about what's coming…
Merlin dragged me straight towards the physician's apartment, figuring that Gaius could probably help us deal with the Uther situation, regarding whatever Morgause and Morgana were doing to make him lose his mind. He headed straight for the sleeping man and shook him not-so-gently, "Gaius, you need to wake up!"
The elderly man's eyes opened and instantly widened. "Children!" he exclaimed in a whisper as he sat up. "Where have you been?!"
Merlin grabbed a coat off a hanger and promptly began to put it on Gaius as he responded, "We do not have time to explain."
"Are you all right?" Gaius questioned.
"Never better!" I chirped, my body still buzzing with the thrill of the dragon ride.
"Morgana is in league with Morgause. She is plotting against Uther," Merlin revealed rapidly.
Gaius frowned and froze for a moment. "What?"
"They did something to make 'em go bananas," I responded.
"Come on, hurry up!" Merlin pressed the physician when he remained still and dumbfounded. "There is something we need to show you."
Gaius's brain finally responded and he allowed us to hastily lead him towards Uther's bedroom. We entered to find a complete mess inside, with items thrown all over the floor. As if he'd had some kind of breakdown that led him to trash the place.
I clutched Merlin's hand when I realised that the bed was empty. Where the heck is Uther, then?! Did they get to him?! Could he… have jumped out the window? My breath hitched and I gulped.
The three of us remained huddled together as we walked deeper into the room and, much to my relief, we found the King curled up on the floor next to a window, whimpering as he stared at nothing on a wall with a frightened expression. My heart churned.
"Uther?" Gaius said gently as he approached him and crouched down in front of him. Uther quickly grabbed the front of his shirt, as if silently asking for protection, while he continued to cry.
I stepped a bit closer and also crouched down to place a hand on his arm. "Utah, whatever you're seeing isn't real," I said as softly as I could, but my words seemed to have no effect as he only started to cry harder. I bit down on my bottom lip and turned towards Gaius, wondering if he had any idea of what we could do to help.
Merlin rushed towards the bed and I watched as he pulled out the weird straw witchy thingy that had been hanging under it. He flung it towards the fireplace – which was lit – and an eardrum-piercing shrieking sound filled the room, causing me to flinch and cover my ears as my eyes widened. What the fork was that?!
Uther instantly seemed to ease up, though he was still breathing heavily, and he finally met Gaius's gaze before his eyes jumped towards me for a few moments, and back to Gaius.
"It was an enchantment, Sire," the physician informed him gently, causing his grip on his shirt to tighten. "You need to rest."
"Yes," Uther whispered.
I took a step back to give Merlin and Gaius space to be able to lift the King, and they helped him walk towards the bed. I pulled the covers on top of him once he was settled, and offered a little grin when his eyes landed on mine.
Gaius grabbed a cup of water off the nightstand and poured something out of a vial into it before handing it to the King, "Please drink this, Sire. It will help you to sleep." Then he practically bottle-fed him when Uther made no moves to take the cup.
I shared a concerned look with Merlin and sat down beside Uther, placing a hand on his arm again in hopes that he might feel a little comforted. Maybe it helped, I'm not sure. In any case, he fell asleep some minutes later, and the rest of us finally left the room.
"That was something," I quipped as we began to walk back towards Gaius's apartment. Faint strokes of sunlight were now filtering through the windows as we crossed the corridors, which made me grin a little. I can't wait to see Arthur soon!
Merlin and I headed straight towards the kitchen bench and plopped down while Gaius generously moved to serve us some leftovers from dinner. As you may imagine, we were starving after having spent over twenty-four hours being kidnapped by witches and then being babysat by a dragon.
What the fork is my life?
The physician then handed me a warm bag that has what I think are grains inside and he gestured towards my right cheek as he informed me, "You have a bruise."
"Oh," I whispered, remembering that one of Morgause's minions had kinda punched me. "Thanks," I said as I took the bag.
"We must tell Uther what Morgana has done," Merlin suddenly stated. I felt my stomach churn and I dropped my head. I still can't believe that she would turn her back on all of us like this. That she would have us kidnapped! I mean, I thought she and I were friends! That we had a sort of unspoken alliance in favour of the druids and magic people!
"Are you mad?" Gaius questioned, looking bewildered. "He would have all our heads if we made such accusations. He would look at it as treason."
"We can't just let her get away with it," Merlin responded with a shake of his head.
"He dotes on her every word, Merlin," the physician observed
"He'd never believe us over her," I whispered.
My best friend sighed, "But… if he knew…"
"You have seen how blind he is to her faults," Gaius noted when he trailed off. "Besides, the root is gone now. It can do no more harm."
"They'll just come up with something else," I pointed out in a quiet mumble.
"You do not understand, Gaius," Merlin continued stubbornly. "We both heard Morgana and Morgause. There is more to their plan, I am sure of it."
"They said something about Cenred," I recalled. Gaius's eyes widened. "I think they're planning an attack of some sort."
"We will figure out a way to warn Uther without placing the two of you in danger," the physician assured us.