Camelot
November, 508 AD
I felt like I was going to collapse and throw up my guts at any moment as I sprinted through the dried forest. My heart was lodged up in my throat as I pumped my legs to move as fast as humanly possible while the two men continued to pursue me.
Black spots started to cloud my already blurred vision and I began to get dizzy.
They're gonna get me for sure.
"You cannot outrun us, little girl!" one of the men growled, his voice dangerously close to me.
I got to the creek we crossed earlier and didn't even try to avoid the water this time as I ran through it as fast as I could. The blood-freezing coolness of it against my lower legs served as a nice refresher that made me feel a little less dazed.
A yelp escaped my lips when a sword nicked my arm and I pushed myself to speed up once I got to the other side of the creek.
The men were hot on my tail, shouting taunts and vulgarities that assured me of a fate worse than death.
I heard a whinny, coupled with the quickened sound of keratin colliding with the dried forest ground.
Oh, great. If men on foot don't get me, men on horseback indubitably will.
I gasped when none other than Dallas appeared beside me, cantering at a speed that matched mine.
"Dal!" I exclaimed and kept advancing next to him, gradually moving closer to where I could drape an arm over his withers. I used the momentum from the speed to jump off the ground and lift myself onto his back.
I managed it in a clumsy move and, as soon as I had my legs safely pressed against the sides of his ribcage, I made clucking noises to ask him for more speed. My trusty Thoroughbred delivered and we soon left the enemies in the dust.
Now feeling like I could breathe a little again, I tangled my fingers in my horse's mane and allowed him to keep galloping for a few more minutes, just to ensure that we would lose the men.
The freezing winds and the shadows of night felt like a blessing, adding to the divinity of my perfectly-timed reunion with Dallas. Still, my soul remained stuck with Arthur and Merlin, and a lump soon formed in my throat again as tears clouded my vision.
Eventually, I asked my horse to slow into a walk. Sobs began to shake my body and I fell forwards onto his back, the tears cascading down my cheeks and landing on his fluffy cream-coloured mane.
"I'm such a big fail, Dal," I whimpered. "I just left them there to die. I can't help anyone."
My heart felt as if it were being physically squeezed by a clawed hand ready to tear it to pieces.
Morning arrived at some point and found me sitting with my back resting against a tree trunk while I stared at the dirt below me. Dallas lay near me, resting his legs for a bit after our lengthy ride while munching on whatever grass and herbs he could reach by stretching his neck.
I was all out of tears and my chest hurt from crying so much. My hands were cold to the point where they had started to go numb, my legs were sore from the intense exercise I've done over the past few days, and my stomach appeared to be close to start eating itself in the absence of food.
After taking a deep, shaky breath, I lifted my gaze and made eye-contact with my horse's entrancing crystal blue irises. He nickered softly while looking at me in an almost expectant manner and my lips curved upwards a little bit as I reached forwards to gently run my hand down his long face. His natural body heat was like a safe haven against the coolness in my skin and I let my hand linger over his muzzle, enjoying the way in which his warm breath fanned against it.
"What're we gonna do, Dal?" I asked in a raspy whisper.
Obviously, the horse didn't answer. He simply stared at me with curiosity as I continued to run my hand up and down his face.
"I don't even know where to start lookin' for 'em... I can't track to save my life... I can't retrace our steps..." I trailed off as tears started to pool in my eyes again and allowed my head to drop, along with my gaze.
Dallas nickered again and he nudged my hand. I looked at him once more and grinned a little when I spotted a glimmer in his eyes.
"But you found me against all odds, didn't ya', buddy?"
He kept staring at me with a gaze that warmed my soul.
"No matter how messed up I get, you never give up on me, do you?"
His ears perked a little and I smiled fully. The odds are against us, but that's the way it's always been. The little, disease-ridden, neglected foal I bought without permission from a backyard auction grew into the most perfect horse I've ever seen. The crazy depressed teenager I used to be found something (him) to cling to and rose above the adversity – and somehow became the freaking wife of the amazing King Arthur!
Perhaps I'm growing delusional from the lack of sleep and food; but a belief was reignited within me, as I gazed into my horse's eyes, that we can beat the odds one more time if we join our spirits.
"Looks like it's still you n' me against the world, Dal. What d'ya say?"
Dallas rose to his hooves in a smooth move and I kept smiling as I looked up at him for another moment, then I scrambled to stand up as well.
"All right, buddy. Let's give 'em hell," I stated before climbing onto his back.
My mind might be going insane at the moment, but I can still vaguely remember the map that had sat atop the round table while Elyan had been informing us of his findings (or lack thereof, I guess) when he'd returned from his expedition to look for Gwaine; and I remember that Ismere is to the north. So all we have to do is head in that direction and pray that we might eventually find some sort of clue as to what might've happened to Arthur and Merlin.
I almost wondered if Dallas might've been enchanted by a sorcerer – namely Merlin – into following a specific path when we came across the tree from which the fateful trap that split us up had been hung. I was ecstatic to find my duffel bag still sitting underneath it, untouched, and I quickly pulled my thermos out of it and downed some of the coffee that was still in it. It's not food, but it's still more substantial than water.
"Our luck is changing, Dal," I said as I grinned up at the Thoroughbred while I zipped up the bag again. I stood up and slung the bulk over my shoulder before climbing back on my horse, who promptly began to walk again.
I might be a laughable tracker, but even I could make out the several sets of footprints that adorned the dry ground. Unbothered by rain or the marks of other passers-by, they were easy to follow, and Dallas soon settled into a nice pace as we retraced the path.
Soon, we came across the remains of what appeared to have been a large camp and I stopped to look around, figuring that I might be able to gather new clues as to who the men are and what they want.
There were remains of two small campfires, which suggests that the party isn't a large one. Perhaps a couple more men besides the ones I saw.
I found some scratch marks around a thick tree, along with some remains of a rope. I gulped at the implications. Are they dealing slaves? Are they looking to sell Merlin and Arthur to someone?! To Morgana?!
My mind went back to what Queen Annis said regarding the raids on Caerleon's villages, and the answer to both my questions soon became a very likely 'yes'; which caused my stomach to turn upside down.
A small glimmer of comfort lay in the thought that it's unlikely that the kidnappers will kill my boys before getting them to Morgana, since I'm sure that she'll want to see them alive.
So that she can kill them herself.
Darn it! I seriously need to catch up with them before they can get to wherever the witch is hiding out!
Dallas moved to smell some horse droppings, and I realised that they don't look too old. Which means that we can't be too far behind the party.
"There's still hope, Dal. We have to keep moving," I whispered to my horse and gave him a gentle squeeze with my heels so that he'd stop analysing the ground and return his attention to me. He did so happily and I rubbed his neck in thanks before asking him for a canter.
The further north we went, the cooler the climate got. Obviously. And that meant that my body soon demanded an extra layer. My Avengers blanket will have to do, seeing as I didn't bring an extra jacket or hoodie because I foolishly thought that the trip might be a smooth one. Or, rather, I'd been too preoccupied by the whole Gwaine situation to even think properly about taking precautions.
Night began to claim the lands once more and, against all my wishes, I resigned to the fact that I had to stop and set up a camp. I'd like to keep going – desperately – but I know better than to try to do that in the dark. For starters, I could easily lose the trail under the faulty moonlight, considering that the night is very cloudy. There's also the possibility that there might be other traps set up somewhere. And the enemy men could be roaming around.
I was fortunate enough to find a little cave nestled on the side of a rocky slope and I built a small campfire inside, praying that the natural roof would shield the flames and smoke from the view of potential attackers; as well as intensify the heat.
Dallas lay down just outside the cave, his steadily growing winter coat having no trouble adjusting his youthful body to the dropping temperatures; while I curled up near the fire and pulled my blanket tighter around me.
A single tear escaped my eye when I thought of how much I miss Arthur's warm and comforting presence beside me. Then I scolded myself mentally. Sure, I miss him like crazy and I'm beyond worried for him and Merlin... But at least I have Dallas. I've been blessed to have found him and I have to stop lamenting what I don't have. I could be much worse off.
To my great horror, snow began to fall from the sky just one or two hours after the sun set fully. I prompted Dallas to join me under the roof and he swiftly complied before lying down again and letting out a puff. I moved to sit beside him and curled up against his side, figuring that he could help me warm up.
The wind howled viciously and I started to fear that my little fire might go out. My body trembled against Dallas's and my stomach growled, begging me to provide it with some entertainment. I gave it some pats, as if to appease it through affection, and then I let out a shaky sigh before allowing my gaze to travel outside, watching as the white flakes continued to cover the dry lands.
My mind travelled back to the twenty-first century as the snow fall reminded me of the many winter breaks I spent in Aspen, Colorado with my Uncle and his family. I remember the charming little town that always gave off a cosy vibe, despite the layers of snow that covered it and the surrounding mountains. I remember the frozen lakes and how many times Sage attempted to teach me how to skate, but she was never able to get me to not suck. And I remember the warm fireplace in the lodge cabin, and the many hours we all spent huddled up in the couch in front of it while watching movies, or playing board games, or drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows.
Those memories seem a thousand lifetimes away now. I kinda wish I could go back. It's no fun to sit here in the cold while my mind goes mad from the dread of what could be going on with Arthur and Merlin.
Some more tears left my eyes and I quickly wiped them before resting my head against Dallas and taking a deep breath, finding a taste of peace in the horse-y scent that I love so much.
It's clear that I'm, once more, in for a long sleepless night. So I pulled out my phone and resorted to playing 'Subway Surfers' for an hour or two – or for as long as the battery will allow me to before it runs out.
The snow let up as the first strokes of sunlight began to illuminate the sky and I inwardly thanked the heavens for gifting my horse and I with another day.
Not wanting to waste a single second, I hurried to put out the fire – which miraculously lasted us through the night – and I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder before exiting the cave alongside Dallas. I lifted myself onto his back with a grunt and readied my spirits for another day in the wild adventure called life while trying to ignore the trembling weakness in my muscles.
My gut churned at the sight of the snow covered land.
Dallas will have a harder time foraging off the ground this way! He might grow weak!
I halted him and gazed around. Maybe we should turn back. I could never survive losing him. Not him.
I squinted when I saw some faint traces of smoke in the sky ahead. Oh, crap! That could mean that we're closing in on the kidnappers!
I let out a shaky sigh and mentally prayed that my horse will be all right before nudging him onwards.
No more than thirty minutes went by before we came across another abandoned camp. I hopped off Dallas and crouched beside a pile of ash before placing a hand over it. A grin formed on my lips when I found that it was still slightly warm.
I found some bread crumbs on the ground and pushed down the disgust I felt at the idea of whose hands they might've fallen out of before I shoved them into my mouth and quickly swallowed them without stopping to taste or chew. Then I reached into my duffel bag and hurried to brush my teeth.
A breathy chuckle left me when I noticed that Dallas also found some food in the form of leftover oats; no doubt an accidental gift from the horses that seem to be travelling with the kidnappers. I mentally kicked aside the burning need to start following the new trail that was left, and stood back and allowed my companion to eat as much as he could.
Once all the oats were gone, I walked over to my horse and placed a kiss on his shoulder before climbing onto his back once more, finding that it was a little easier now that I got a dash of nourishment.
"We're close, Dal. I know we are," I told him while rubbing his neck. He let out a puff and stretched his neck before taking off in a canter again.
Late autumn daylight hours suck.
My phone is dead, which means that I can't check the time, but it couldn't be later than 17:00 when the sun began to hide away once more.
A frustrated huff escaped my lips at the sight of the orange expanse above me.
Dallas and I walked past another pile of horse droppings, which seemed very fresh.
My boys can't be far now! Or at least I hope that's the case.
I pulled my blanket out of my duffel bag again and wrapped myself in it in preparation for the cool winds that are sure to start blowing at me soon; then I asked Dallas to speed up a little again as anxiety grew within me once more.
I gave myself permission to look up and marvel at the changing hues in the sky. The different multicolour gradients that formed with each passing minute were breathtaking, and the sight fanned the flames of the hope I felt inside. A spectacle like that is sure to be an omen of something good to come, right? Maybe things are finally going to start looking up.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard the faint laughter of males in the distance. I halted Dallas when I spotted some smoke dancing towards the sky, just a short distance past a small snowy hill that stood in front of my horse and I.
Could this be it?
Knowing what was possibly waiting for me on the other side, I jumped off the Thoroughbred, retrieved my bow and the few arrows I have left from my duffel bag, and ordered my companion to stay in place before carefully climbing up the slope, trying to stay as close to the ground as possible out of fear that I may be spotted.
I dropped to lie on my stomach as soon as I reached the top, for my gaze instantly landed on a camp that was set up very close to the base of the land formation. I squinted my eyes and swallowed a gasp when I spotted the long-haired man that took my boys. Several black horses were tied to some logs while eating some grain. Men gathered around a campfire, drinking and talking loudly; and more men sat on the ground, slouched in defeat. My eyes widened when they finally found Merlin and Arthur and my heart began to race.
My brother sat on the ground with his knees tucked to his chest as he visibly shivered. My King seemed to be in worse shape, though, as he lay on his side with the side of his face smushed up against the snow. Both of them had their hands tied with a rope, which was in turn tied to a long chain that held a bunch of men, which was in turn tied to a cart that was loaded with a bunch of trunks.
Obviously, I can't just waltz in and free my boys. I need to create a distraction. Something that will give me enough time to rush in and cut the ropes that bind them.
I let out a shaky sigh as I glanced back to look at Dallas. We could sprint towards them and hope that the enemies aren't quick enough to shoot us down before we can take them out, but I don't want to risk his life. I could try to disable the enemies with my bow from my hiding spot, but I only have the three arrows left and that isn't nearly enough to get rid of all of them.
I pushed my mind to think of instances in movies and series in which characters have had to create distractions in order to rescue other characters. Of course, my first thought were Timon and Pumbaa; but I have a feeling that Hula dancing isn't going to work with this bunch. Then I thought of 'The Walking Dead'. More specifically, the season five premier in which Carol sets the main building of Terminus on fire in order to get the gang out of the place.
My eyes travelled to my duffel bag and I raised an eyebrow. Perhaps I can cut a strip from a spare pair of socks, tie it around the tip of one of my remaining arrows, and then use my lighter to set it on fire and shoot it at the cart. The commotion, along with the fire and the smoke, will surely do the job in distracting the men long enough for me to get Arthur and Merlin, right?
I can't think of any better ideas.
I slid down the slope and hurried to retrieve the stuff I needed from my duffel bag. Then I used my army knife to cut the socks, I tied the strip around an arrow, and then I rushed back up the hill and lit the arrow before shooting it straight at the wooden cart.
"Who the hell did that!?" I heard the leader man roar, his anger aimed at the group of tied men who only looked half-alive. "Quick! Put that out!" he barked at his minions.
All the enemies promptly ran to put out the fire, which grew exponentially within seconds thanks to the violent winds, causing smoke to surround the space. I took that chance to sprint down the hill and dash for my boys.
I pulled my hoodie over my nose, trying to keep the smoke from entering my lungs, and dove to my knees when I got to Merlin. I shot him a quick wink and ignored his look of absolute surprise as I used my army knife to cut the rope that held his hands. Without a word, I ran to Arthur and did the same for him.
"What are you doing here?!" he asked in a yelled whisper as he scrambled to his feet.
"Later. Gotta run," I responded and took off towards the spot where I left Dallas with my boys right behind me.
The men spotted us soon and started running after us.
I picked up my duffel bag and slung it over my shoulder, then I whistled for my horse to follow me and we all sprinted away from the enemies, who chased us fiercely across the snowed lands.
The cool wind caused my lungs to have to work extra hard as they worked diligently to help me keep going. Dallas galloped beside me, his strides steady and powerful as he blazed over the soft ground; and Merlin and Arthur were some metres behind us, constantly glancing back while tightly gripping some weapons – an axe and a crossbow respectively – that they'd managed to steal. I couldn't help the triumphant smirk that claimed my lips, which soon allowed a chuckle to escape.
I can't believe I pulled that off!
My attention returned to the front just in time for my feet to skid to a stop, my hand reaching out to grip Dallas's mane in an effort to keep me from slipping.
Right in front of us was a long crack with a huge drop in between land masses. We're lucky that the moonlight isn't clouded this time, or we would've missed it entirely.
"Well, this is right outta 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'," I muttered to myself before swiftly climbing onto my horse. Then I moved him some metres away from the crack and asked him to canter again. He surged forwards with a powerful kick of his hindquarters and I tightly gripped his sides with my legs.
Three... two... one...
He leaped off the edge and soared over the gap in the Earth, stretching decidedly over it and landing smoothly on the other side.
"Yes! That's a good boy!" I praised while rubbing his neck. I looked up in time to catch my boys' bewildered gazes on me.
I shifted awkwardly before asking, "Ya' want me to send him back over?"
"I can manage," Arthur responded before scanning the gap and moving to where it's most narrow. He copied Dallas's actions on his own two feet.
I held my breath for a second, then I grinned and sighed in relief when he landed safely some metres away from us.
"Get behind the mounds," he told me while motioning towards a bunch of big piles of snow that served as nice temporary hiding places. I compliantly got off my horse again and led him to where we would be shielded by the natural formations before peeking around one of them.
A bunch of enemy men appeared upon the hill and my heart started to speed up again as Merlin kept eyeing the jump warily.
"We have not got all day, Merlin!" Arthur snarled at him as he moved to my side and loaded his crossbow.
The sorcerer huffed and quickly recreated my King's heroic leap. Only, a little less gracefully. But he soon reached us safe and sound and I gave him a quick hug as I felt a wave of peace wash over me... Which quickly passed when one of the enemy men reached us and didn't hesitate before going to jump as well.
Luckily, Arthur thought sharply and ended his life with a swift firing of the crossbow in his hands.
A second man managed to get over the crack, but he was soon shot by my King as well and he fell backwards into the hole.
"I'll make sure they cannot get across," Merlin muttered before dashing out of our hiding place and heading towards the edge again. He quickly started hacking at the land around the narrowest point to increase the size and prevent more people from getting to this side.
My heart got caught in my throat when another man made the leap. Arthur swiftly killed him as well.
A fourth and final man reached the crack just as Merlin managed to cut off the safe landing space and he skidded to a stop, his chest heaving as his light blue eyes stared at us. My eyes widened and my breath hitched when I realised that he seemed very young. Perhaps even younger than myself.
I watched with a heavy heart as Arthur aimed the crossbow at him. He kept it there for a few moments, not making any more moves. Then he lowered the weapon.
The guy nodded at him in what appeared to be a show of gratefulness, and promptly turned around and left.
"Is that all of them?" I asked in a whisper when nothing else happened for a minute.
Arthur glanced down at me and took a deep breath before nodding."Yes. I think we are clear for now."
"Can we have a proper reunion, then?" I inquired.
A smile broke out on my King's face and he let the crossbow drop to the ground before rushing to pick me up and spin me around. I giggled as I wrapped my arms around his neck and, for once, I wasn't so considerate of Merlin's presence as I failed to restrain my impulses in pressing my lips against Arthur's.
The kiss that ensued was desperate and fervent. As if we'd been starved of each other for a year. I wrapped my legs around his hips to keep myself from slipping to the ground and tangled my fingers in his hair as he deepened the kiss with a demanding swipe of his tongue against my bottom lip. He hummed in contentment when I granted him the access he'd asked for and he tightened his grip on me, pressing me closer to his chest.
A very clearly feigned cough from Merlin is what finally broke us apart and I felt my face get warm, even in the cool night, as I let myself drop back to my feet.
"Sorry," I mumbled to my brother before jumping to hug him tightly.
He chuckled and kissed the top of my head. "We were so worried about you," he said.
"Me?! You're the ones who got kidnapped!" I shot back, pushing away to give him a look of disbelief.
"We saw two men go after you and we never knew what happened. We were terrified that they might have killed you," Arthur cut in, his eyes clouding with remorse. I reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"They got close to doing so. But Dal came out of nowhere n' saved me," I responded, moving my gaze towards my horse and smiling widely when I found him already looking at me.
Arthur moved towards the Thoroughbred and placed one hand under his head while the other one rubbed his forehead. "Thank you, old friend," he told him in a soft tone, his voice laced with sincerity.
My heart warmed to a million degrees as a stupid, lovestruck smile grew on my lips; and I would've married him in that exact second if we weren't married already.
Merlin nudged my side and rolled his eyes when I looked up at him, then he turned to glare at Arthur, who was still pampering my horse while causing my insides to melt into sorry puddles.
"Stop that before this turns R-rated again," Merlin growled at my King.
I bursted out laughing at his perfect use of a movie term.
Arthur let go of Dallas, who promptly moved to stand beside me, and then he quirked an eyebrow while his gaze darted between my brother and I as he asked, "Turns what?" Merlin and I shared a glance and then shrugged simultaneously. It was my King's turn to roll his eyes before he said, "Come on, we need to keep moving."