THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM

THE SEARCH

ARTHUR PENDRAGON 

Arthur flew into the wall and heard a sickening crunch as he landed, his vision was blurry and his ears were ringing meaning a possible concussion groaning he struggled to his feet anyway glaring at the woman in front of him. She raised an eyebrow at him eyes flickering between green and gold making Arthur twitch with unease, he didn't want to hurt this woman but she was refusing to tell them what they wanted to know and Arthur was losing his patience. Glancing at Merlin he raised an eyebrow a silent question but Merlin shook his head placing a gentle hand on his shoulder before stepping towards the woman arms raised in surrender. Giving Arthur a meaningful glance Merlin spoke slowly "We are not here to hurt you" Arthur tried not to roll his eyes as the woman turned towards Merlin. She frowned "You might not Emrys but I'm not so sure of your friend" Arthur blinked surprised that she knew who Merlin was but Merlin didn't even flinch, clearly he had expected it and Arthur sighed as Merlin turned towards him pleading. Arthur sheathed his sword and stepped back nodding at Merlin who gave him a grateful look and turned back towards the woman who had seemed to have calmed down now that Arthur had sheathed his sword. She looked between Arthur and Merlin a curious look on her face clearly wondering why Arthur would listen to someone like Merlin. Merlin had discarded his royal garb in favour of his old outfit making him turn back into Arthur's servant and he had even started playing the part insisting that it would be easier for them to move from place to place as servant and royal instead of a king and a prince. Arthur didn't like it but had agreed to it none the less knowing that Merlin was probably right, he usually was with these things not that Arthur wanted to admit it, and the woman gestured for Merlin to follow her and then snapped at Arthur when he moved to follow. Biting the retort on his lips he put his hands up in surrender watching worriedly as Merlin disappeared deeper into the cave following the woman. Arthur grumbled resigned and let against the cave wall intent on waiting and trying not to let his mind conjure all manner of scenarios where Merlin was in trouble and he would have no way of getting to him.

Hours later or what seemed like hours to Arthur anyway there was a scream and Arthur shot to his feet sprinting in that direction before he had even realised what he was doing. The king had no clue where he was going but he didn't care, all he knew was that Merlin was in trouble and he needed to find him. He stumbled to a stop when he came across a crossroads and he wanted to scream in frustration, why were these caves so big and confusing? Arthur was about to dart left when Merlin emerged from the right carrying someone in his arms and the king gasped blood draining from his face as he looked at Merlin in horror. Merlin was covered in blood and he was limping clearly wounded but Arthur couldn't move, the look in his eyes was terrifying and it made Arthur stay rooted to the spot as Merlin came towards him, he had never seen Merlin this angry and he resisted the urge to cower from the power radiating from him in waves. This was not the Merlin he knew, this was Emrys the all-powerful warlock and Arthur gulped before shaking his head trying to re-gain his composure, as he didn't want Merlin to think that Arthur was afraid of him. The king darted forward wanting to help but Merlin shook his head and walked past him, Arthur shivered at the cold look on his face but followed trying to figure out what had happened. They reached the alcove where they had met the woman and Merlin slowly placed her on the floor taking a deep breath before closing his eyes and Arthur watched in awe as her body was encased in a tomb of diamond with runes from the old religion decorating the top. Clearing his throat Arthur turned to Merlin "What happened?" he asked gently pulling Merlin into a hug as he noticed the young princes tears. Merlin pulled back almost immediately and Arthur tried to hide the hurt on his face by giving Merlin a searching look remembering that he had looked wounded, Merlin rolled his eyes clearly seeing Arthur's worry but he didn't mention it only turning his back on the tomb and walking away Arthur scrambling after him. They walked in silence Arthur giving Merlin his space despite the fact that he wanted to demand what the hell had happened, even though Merlin was back in his servant role it didn't mean Arthur had to treat him like it, he had to respect his silence and hope that Merlin would tell him when the time came. In the silence every sound was amplified so they knew immediately that someone was following them, as their steps echoed in the darkness. Arthur tensed looking towards Merlin who had a new fire in his eyes as he turned to look behind them a snarl on his face. Merlin looked at Arthur his look softening a little "We need to split up I'll lead them away" he said and Arthur glared at him but Merlin was already moving yelling and Arthur sighed.