A/N:

As promised, here's the next one too!

Enjoy!

Ilandrae

Disclaimer: I own nothing, or let's face it, I would actually have a life other than Netflix and food. (Pretty please hands off my characters though I would be most put out if someone was to kidnap them)

CHAPTER 4 – DARKNESS, ASHES AND DESPAIR

Merlin's Cave

"Really?" Percival said, "The sorcerer lives out here in the middle of the forest?"

"That's what that man at the tavern said" Leon replied

"Exactly my point" Percival muttered quietly "That man was a drunk" and it had only been the fact that he was drunk that he had talked to them at all. They had approached a dozen people, and all had kept their mouths firmly shut about the sorcerer. Even the children they had asked had told them nothing. It seemed that the entire village was protective of their sorcerer.

Percival and Leon were riding through the dense forest, the sun getting lower in the sky by the moment.

They were following the uneven trial that had been worn through the dense woodland by what Percival assumed was the crowds of people that came to the sorcerer for aid.

They did not know how long they would have to ride for, having only been told to follow the trial to its end where apparently 'The Great One' resided in a sealed cave.

Upon hearing the title, Leon had scoffed. No matter how benevolent this sorcerer was, apparently he was still full of himself and upon departing Leon had firmly stated that there was no chance he was going to use the title. Percival had only offered a wordless smile as they located the trail and started to follow it.

They rode, saying little, thoughts resting heavily on the fate of Camelot if they failed in finding the sorcerer and securing his help.

They were so deep in thought that they were both caught by surprise when the woods abruptly ended and they entered a clearing.

Sharing a look, they didn't even have time to make a sound before a pony galloped past, a small brunette girl on its back. With a sinking feeling Percival recognised her from the tavern earlier, she was the tavern keeper's daughter.

The girl flashed them a wicked smile as she galloped past, back down the trail and out of sight in an instant.

Percival only stare at the ease with which she sat in her saddle, her horsemanship far above what could be expected of a girl her age. She could probably outride a majority of Camelot's young knights. Sharing a look with Leon, he could tell the other knight saw it too.

Then Leon grimaced and cursed quietly, "The tavern keeper" he said shaking his head "he saw the crest on my sword. He must have realized we were knights and sent his daughter to warn the sorcerer"

Percival sighed "Let's hope that he even talks to us now"

"We can only hope, for Camelot's sake" Leon dismounted and tied his horse to a tree, Percival followed suit.

The large expanse of open land contained a small stream that led into what appeared to be solid rock with a single wooden door.

Leon and Percival approached the door, Leon knocking after a moment's hesitation. Instinctively Percival's hand drifted to his sword but after a sharp glance from Leon he relaxed. It would do them no good if the sorcerer thought they had ill intent.

After no response Leon knocked again, "Hello…" he swallowed his pride and managed to bring himself to say the title he had sworn to never utter "… Great One? We've come to ask for aid."

Again, there was no answer. Leon looked to Percival and saw his own disappointment mirrored in his fellow knight's eyes and they came to a silent agreement.

Turning they started to walk, defeated, back their horses. If he wasn't going to help them, there was no point in staying. Their time would be best served somewhere else.

"Sir Percival! Sir Leon! Wait!"

The knights whirled around to face the cave entrance but still saw nothing but a wall of stone.

Percival frowned. That voice… it almost sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. It had been hoarse though, as if its user had been crying.

His frown deepened, "How did he know our names" Percival whispered to Leon but one glance at the knight told Percival that he really hadn't been expecting anyone to answer their call. He was staring at the door, face blank in complete confoundment.

They heard a throat being cleared then he spoke again. Less hoarse this time but it almost sounded as if the speaker was trying to disguise their voice.

"Sir Knights" he said "Why do you come to my door?"

Percival looked to Leon, but his fellow knight was still a little dumbstruck that they were actually talking to a sorcerer that wasn't trying to kill them. So Percival stepped forward, "We are seeking the benevolent sorcerer that lives in these parts. The one the villagers of Ameldry call The Great One"

It almost sounded like the speaker muttered to himself "How many times have I told them not to call me that?" but Percival wasn't sure.

"My name is Emrys, no matter how many times the villagers insist on calling me by that absurd title" the speaker said, "Why do you seek my aid, knights of Camelot?"

"Because Camelot is in danger" Leon recovered from his shock, "The city that we love and have sworn an oath to protect is being threatened by a force that we have no hope of defeating by ourselves."

Leon paused but when Emrys said nothing he continued "A black sorcerer is laying waste to the kingdoms, him and his apprentices. Numerous kingdoms have already fallen including the kingdoms of Alined, Olaf and Rodor from which Princess Mithian barely escaped with her life. And this small miracle she owes to the fact that her maid had magic, giving the Princess time to escape. Now the Black Sorcerer turns his attention to Camelot, one of the last remaining Kingdoms. He will attack in four days laying waste to everyone and everything just as he did to the others"

Again he paused, but again Emrys said nothing.

"Queen Guinevere of Camelot has sent us to ask for your aid. Gaius-" Percival thought he heard a sharp intake of breath but Leon continued unhalting making him think he must have imagined it, "-who used to be court physician, was tasked by the queen to investigate rumours heard about a benevolent sorcerer who helped those in need. It was these rumours that have led us to you. We know that you have helped those who come to you. Princess Mithian's escape is evidence of what even a little magic, if wielded by the right person can do. We have come to ask for your aid in defending Camelot against the magical threat that the Black Sorcerer poses. The Queen has promised you immunity to Camelot's laws against magic. You will be housed, fed and paid. Please, Emrys… will you aid us?"

Silence. For almost two whole minutes not another word was uttered. Percival was just thinking of knocking again to make sure the sorcerer hadn't fallen asleep during Leon's long-winded speech when he heard a great shuddering breath being taken on the other side of the door. Then…

"I can't" Emrys said quietly

Again… silence. Then-

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T!" Percival was equally shocked by his own voice as it burst out. "You have helped countless others in all ways imaginable! Why will you not help us! Why do you cut off Camelot from your aid? We have come to try and save our home! Why will you not help us do that!" the fury he felt was enough to override his usual calm and unmovable exterior.

"BECAUSE!" the voice that boomed from the other side of that door was not the one they had been hearing. It was ancient, awesome and powerful. It made Percival quake in his boots "Because I have helped Camelot enough! Do you know what I did the last time I was in the kingdom of Camelot? I killed the Lady Morgana! And it was not the first time that I have aided Camelot! Nimueh! Morgause! The Great Dragon! The traitor Agravaine! I have helped and helped and helped. But the last time I helped, I failed. And it is because of that failure that I swore never to set foot in Camelot again! So knights… there is nothing you can do!" Emrys' voice quieted to a whisper and when he spoke again Percival could hear the bitterness and- and self-loathing in it. Whatever had happened when he was last in Camelot still weighed heavily on this sorcerer's heart, "Percival… Leon… there is nothing you can do that will make me return. Make me return to a place that brings only ashes to my tongue and despair to my heart. So leave."

"You would doom all the people of Camelot?" Percival said incredulously and when there was no answer other than silence, Percival felt the rage build in him again.

Rage, that this man -no matter how much hardship he had faced in the past- was refusing to help them. Not just them either, that he would doom all the people of Camelot to an unknown fate at the hands of the Black Sorcerer. His rage simmered in silence as Leon pleaded again and again at the door that remained firmly closed. Emrys, the so called Great One hid behind it and Percival knew that there was nothing they could do to change the sorcerer's mind.

"Give it a rest Leon" Percival said gruffly "There is nothing more we can do here"

When Leon looked to him in amazement Percival merely turned and headed back to the horses, "We have to tell Gwen that no help is coming. We have to come up with another plan"

Percival reached the horses and mounted. Leon gave one last look at the door, sighed in defeat and followed suit. Then they started the journey back to Camelot, hearts heavy with their failure.

A/N:

So that's it. You're gonna have to wait a little longer for the meet up sorry! Hope you liked it.

Thanks

I ;)