The Secret Kingdom

Reunions

A few years later...

Merlin tried to refrain from whistling to pass the time as he rode behind Arthur, even though he was beyond bored. The knights were out yet again on reconnaissance, though even Merlin couldn't muster any irritation at being on the road and sleeping on the ground - as much as he hated it.

With the recent events surrounding Arthur's ill-fated wedding to Guinevere, Merlin knew that the young king needed a distraction. Thankfully, it came in the form of whispers that Morgana was skulking around in an oft untraveled part of the forest a few days' ride from the castle. Merlin was fairly sure that one of the knights only mentioned it to give Arthur a purpose that would pull him from his misery.

So, there they were, a fair distance from Camelot, in a deep part of the forest that Merlin had never seen before. An air of foreboding permeated the trees, though he was sure if it was their forms or the quickly coming night. He suddenly felt rather uneasy. One look at the grim faces of the knights around him told him that none of them seemed too thrilled either. Even Gwaine was on the silent side.

"How much longer before we can make camp?" Merlin asked, leaning forward towards Arthur in his saddle.

"Stop whining, Merlin," was the response.

"He's got a point," Gwaine said. "We've been riding for hours and have seen nothing."

"Not to mention I'm hungry," Percival commented.

"We'll stop when I say we will," Arthur replied shortly.

Merlin sighed and went silent. They continued on for some time before he heard shuffling in the underbrush.

"What was that?" Merlin asked.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Arthur replied. "A deer perhaps."

The shuffling came again, this time louder.

"I don't think that's a deer," Gwaine replied.

Arthur stopped his horse and hopped down, the knights following him. He pulled out his sword and crept forward. Everyone else in the company dismounted as well, weapons drawn.

Suddenly a large creature burst out into the clearing, roaring and gnashing its large teeth. Merlin backed up and nearly fell over, shocked beyond belief at both its sudden appearance and at its ghastly appearance. It had the body and head of a lion, while a goat head protruded from its back. Its tail whipped around it, sprouting the hissing head of a snake.

"What is that?" Percival shouted.

"I've no idea," Arthur called out. "But we must kill it before it kills us!"

The men quickly grouped around Arthur, occasionally attempting to take a swipe at the creature. It was difficult watching out for both the snapping jaws of the lion while the snake head launched out, attempting to bite them. Not to mention the bleating of the goat was distracting. Merlin made sure he stayed as far back as he could.

Arthur swung and tried to cut off the snake head, but the lion roared loudly before lunging towards him, causing the king to jump back.

The creature bounded forward, causing the men to scatter, with some falling to the ground. Merlin looked around frantically, trying to find some way to use his magic to defeat the creature without the others noticing. But there didn't seem to be many openings. And he wasn't sure what to use against it.

A soft whistle sounded through the air. Merlin sucked in a quick breath of air, looking around once more to find the source of the noise.

"Please tell me there's not another one of these on the way," Gwaine grumbled.