Warriors of Camelot

Chapter 12: The Prisoner

There was nothing that the three friends could do except wait- and hope that they'd be able to easily outwit whatever terrifying creature was approaching them.

With every passing second, the echoing footsteps were growing louder, until suddenly- they stopped. Just like that. 

Morgana squeezed her eyes shut as a glaring light burst from the tunnel entrance, filling the surrounding area with its brilliance. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Presently, from out of the blinding rays, a gentle- and somewhat familiar- voice was heard to ask:

"My lady?"

Slowly, Morgana lowered her hands. She couldn't help gasping in surprise.

Standing before them, her brown curls covered in cobwebs, was Gwen. She carrying a make-shift torch in one hand and her face wore a confused expression. 

At first, Gwen only stared at the little group which was gathered before her. Morgana's face was flushed with relief. Why she was  here, Gwen didn't dare to ask, though she suspected that her mistress had been roused from her sleep by yet another nightmare and had left her chambers from some fresh air. But if that was the case, then why would Merlin and Arthur be down here with her ?

It  was obvious to Gwen that Merlin was having trouble containing his delight at this chance meeting. Whatever they'd been expecting to confront by the tunnel entrance, it wasn't  me, she decided. In direct contrast, Arthur looked shocked, but given the circumstances, who could blame him?

"Guinevere?" Arthur clearly couldn't believe his eyes. 

"What are you doing down here?"

Gwen hesitated. Could she trust them with the truth? What would be the consequences if she chose either course of action?

Everything had passed by in such a confusing blur that it was hard was hard to tell if these events were real or if she was only dreaming. One thing was certain: she'd made a promise and she was going to keep it. 

Hold on! There it was again!

Out of the hole which Gwen had just emerged from echoed a familiar deep note. When its message finally dawned on Gwen, she gasped in surprise.  

It was calling to her. Or rather she was calling to her. 

No matter how desperately she wanted to, Gwen couldn't escape from the task in hand.  Taking a deep breath, she turned to survey the group once again. 

Merlin's expression made her put her current plan of action to one side. For Gwen's young friend was staring at the tunnel entrance as though he was in a trance. 

"Merlin?"

Gwen edged slowly towards him. "Did you hear that, too?"

When he was finally able to draw his gaze away from the tunnel entrance, Merlin nodded. 

"Did you?"

Somehow, Gwen found herself only able to nod in reply. 

All this time, Arthur was staring at the hole in astonishment. 

"Where does that go?" he wondered aloud. During his childhood, Arthur had played in the passages countless times with Morgana- and yet, he didn't recall exploring any tunnels so close to the dungeons. 

Gwen threw the prince a small smile.

"Follow me," she replied simply.

Before anyone could reply, she'd disappeared into the darkness. Clutching his own torch, Merlin followed his friend, with Morgana and Arthur right behind him.