章 13: Chapter 13
Arthur, Gwaine, Percival and Maverick rode on for three hours straight, until they finally arrived at the Valley of the Fallen Kings. The forest was completely silent, the only thing that could be heard by the small party was the sound of some honey bees collecting their honey. They carefully made their way deeper down the road, with every step that they rode Arthur and the other knights kept themselves on high alert. Each step they took away from Camelot, made Arthur feel like he was moving further away from finding Merlin and bringing him home safely.
"Arthur, Merlin will be alright. I am sure he is doing all he can to stay alive until we find him, but he also knows that you have to save your people."
Gwaine spoke to Arthur doing his best at the same time to sound respectful, after fighting alongside Arthur for so many years he knew when the king looked worried. While Arthur never really wanted to admit it, all the knights could see that Merlin was like a younger brother to their king. They all could see it clear as day, more so whenever Merlin became injured or sick they could see how much Arthur cared for his manservant.
"I hope that you're right Gwaine, but there's a part of me that is hoping that Anne is lying about him being in the hands of Morgana." As Arthur spoke his voice became
do you truly think that if it is Morgana that took him." Gwaine paused briefly and took a loud gulp at what he was about to ask. "That she might hurt Merlin, I mean it makes no sense since Gwen told me that Morgana and Merlin got along fine before her true nature was revealed."
Arthur stopped his horse and twisted around so he could face Gwaine, it was true that Morgana and Merlin got along well. There were times when he missed seeing her smile while talking to him, a part of Arthur wished they could go back to those simple times. In the end, he also knew that after everything that Morgana had done, there was no way he could welcome her back or trust her now he knew she had magic. Also, there was the fact that she had tried to take his throne, not once but twice from Arthur and that was one thing he could not forgive.
"I hope not, but if it is true that Morgana was the one behind Merlin's kidnapping and she did hurt them. " Arthur took a sharp intake of air, as he started to repose himself, then in a sharp serious tone, he added. "We will make sure that she pays for hurting him, plus it will be hard to retrain a new manservant."
Maverick who was riding in the middle of the party smiled, when he heard how passionate the young king was about his manservant. It didn't take much for him to see how close the young king was, to his knights and even to Emrys who the Druids talked about many times. There was a part of Maverick that envied the younger warlock, never in his life did he have the loyalty or trust that Emrys had.
"Well said your Majesty, this Merlin is a very very lucky young man by the sounds of it." The older Warlock took a deep breath and looked up to the sky, to see that there was not a cloud in sight. "To have so many that are willing to go to such length to get him back, well in my lifetime it's a rare sight to see."
Everyone gave Maverick gave a surprising look, no one knew for sure how old the warlock was or how long his magic can keep him alive. None of that truly mattered at that moment, instead, they were all doing their best to keep their heads on finding the cure and getting Merlin back. So everyone didn't say anything that was until Arthur turned slightly in his saddle so his eyes met that of Maverick and in a very harsh tone said.
"What do you mean it's a rare sight, I have risked my life more than once for Merlin. Him getting into trouble isn't something that happens on a rare moment." Arthur turned back to face forward and under his breathe he then added. "I have to bail that clumsy servant out almost every week, if it wasn't for me he could have been dead by now."
Though Arther was very quiet when he spoke Gwaine and Percival still heard him, did their best to hold in their laughter. Knowing that his statement was true they both could account for the many times when Arthur saved Merlin, something a normal king wouldn't do for a servant. In the end, they knew the real why their king would save Merlin was because they were the best of friends even though Arthur insulted his manservant every day.
"Tomorrow afternoon we should arrive at the Forest of Silence.," Maverick stated as the sun slowly started to make its slow descent in the sky. "Your Majesty, you should know the closer we get to the forest of silence the more monsters we will see. These monsters protect the forest, but as long as we don't make any noise we should be able to get by them without a fight." Maverick advises Arthur in a calm voice, knowing all too well what waited for them.
Arthur halted his horse and the others followed his lead and quickly did the same, he sat there for about a minute before he turned in his saddle to face Maverick. "Are the creatures that protect the forest like the one we saw in that book, what do you mean as long as we are quiet we should be able to get by?" He asked in a questionable but calm tone of voice, though hearing that there were monsters that are protecting the forest was making him nervous since they didn't mention it before.
"No, these creatures are called Demainin, they are bird-like monsters that are completely blind and use their hearing so they can find their prey," Maverick stated to Arthur and the other knights so they understood what it was that waited for them as they drew closer to their destination then quietly added. "I suggest that we leave the horses somewhere safe while we press on into the forest, if they make one little sound we will be attacked." The older warlock suggested hoping that the young king would heed his advice, though Arthur was young Maverick was sure he was wise enough to take sound advice.
For a moment no one in the party said a word, instead, they sat on their horses trying to process what the old warlock had just told them. Very quietly Percival broke the silence by speaking in a very low but somewhat joking voice to try and break the seriousness of deciding what to do. "I don't know Maverick, I think if anything would make noise it might be Gwaine complaining that we had to walk through that forest or that he's hungry."
Everyone but Gwiane laughed at the small joke, Arthur was glad that Percival decided to make him laugh even though they were on a serious mission. But even with the humour, Arthur knew that he still needed to decide to leave the horses or risk-taking them and being attacked. Still unsure what to do Arthur's eyes darted up to see that their light was almost gone, not wanting to risk taking too long he figured it would be best to keep pressing on.
"There is a stream nearby, let's get the horses watered and get our water supply refill before pressing on. If we camp for the night then more innocent people will die, so if we stop for a small break and keep going Merlin and the others are counting on us."
Arthur's voice was very commanding and the speech was for more his benefit than for his two knights and the warlock. As soon as they got what they needed to make the cure or to break the curse, the sooner Arthur could go and save Merlin from his evil sister.
Gwiane and Percival took the horses and their water skins down to the river, leaving Arthur standing alone with Maverick. Who just stood beside the young king, but after seeing that something was troubling Arthur that was when the warlock finally spoke in a soft tone.
"Arthur, hearing a lot about your servant Merlin I am sure that he will be alright. I am sure that your manservant is strong enough to hang in there until we can save him."
When the words we will save Merlin hit Arthur's ear, his eyes quickly darted back to Maverick with a look of confusion by his statement. "What do you mean when
save him." The tone of Arthur's voice when he asked sounded a bit surprised and wondered if Maverick was offering to help get Merlin back.
"After we get what we need to stop this curse, I want to help you get Merlin back from the sorceress that did this curse and took your friend." Maverick's voice remained in a very respectful tone, but the old warlock wanted to also show the young king that not all those with magic were evil. Also remembering that if he made one misstep or say anything that might anger the king, he could be beheaded anytime.
Arthur nodded his head hiding his surprise of the old warlock being willing to help them save Merlin, even though he could die at any time. After those last words were spoken everyone got back onto their horses and continue on their journey, no one speaking the whole time. Time quickly past and as soon as they knew it they came out of the Forest of the fallen king and got their first look at the large lush green trees that made up at the Forest of Silence.
Arthur took in his surroundings try to see if there was any danger nearby, also for a place to hide their horses while they looked for what they needed. So far all he could see was a bare field that was between them and at the Forest of Silence, there was no sign of wild animals or even a building. Seeing there was no shelter or way to keep the horses safe, Arthur knew the only choice he had left was to leave someone behind with their horses.
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