AM I THE ONE? | Arthur Pendragon [1]

The Old Religion

*Annabelle's P.O.V.*

    Merlin and I quickly ran down the stone stairway, with my brother carrying a lit torch, before entering the Great Dragon's cave . This time, we didn't even have to call him, because the Dragon seemed to be waiting for us on the big rocks in front of us.
"I've failed Arthur." Merlin said with tears in his eyes, not bothering to exchange a 'hello'.
"We both have." I murmured to Merlin, before looking up at the Dragon. "We've failed in our destinies." I said, believing completely that this is also my fault. From the moment Morgana had that nightmare, I should have known that something horrible is going to happen. I should have done something.
"And yet you two would not be here if that were true." The Great Dragon said.
"He was bitten by the Questing Beast!" I exclaimed.
"He's going to die." Merlin said, and I swallowed a lump in my throat in order to prevent myself from showing any emotion.
"Does he still breathe?" The Dragon asked.
"Only just." I answered.
"Then there is still time to heal him."
"I've tried." Merlin said. "I cannot save him."
"And neither can I." I said, knowing that I won't be able to do anything if Merlin's magic didn't even have the slightest effect.
"You do not know how to save him." The Great Dragon replied calmly in a soft voice.
"But you can tell us how?" I asked hopefully.
"Perhaps." The Dragon replied, making me furrow my eyebrows. "It will not be easy."
"We will do anything." I said.
"'Anything'?"
"Please, just tell us what we have to do!" I exclaimed exasperated.
"Very well." The Dragon said. "The Questing Beast is a creature conjured by the powers of the Old Religion. You must use the same ancient magic to save him."
"But the Old Religion died out centuries ago." Merlin said, confused by what the Dragon is telling us. To be honest, I was confused myself.
"The Old Religion is the magic of the Earth itself. It is the essence which binds all things together. It will last long beyond the time of men."
"But how can that help us save Arthur?" I asked.
"You must find those who still serve it." The Great Dragon said. "Those who hold dominion over life and death."
"Where?" I asked.
"Got to the place that men call the 'Isle of the Blessed', where the power of the ancients can still be felt. There you discover Arthur's salvation."
"Thank you." I said, as Merlin started heading back. "Thank you." I said one more time, and started to follow my brother, who was already out of the cave.
"And Annabelle!" The Dragon called, making me stop and turn around. "The young Pendragon must live. No matter what the cost." I nodded, even though my brows furrowed in confusion. There was more to it that met the eye. The Great Dragon isn't telling me something.

*5 Minutes Later*

"Merlin, Annabelle." Gaius said, looking up briefly, as we entered his quarters. "You're back. Merlin, I need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing." He said as he held up a glass bottle with some kind of liquid in it. My eyes widened and I looked at the Court Physician in disbelief. Is he really going to give up so easily?
"No." I said, making him look at me.
"We have to save him." Merlin backed me up as he started packing food.
"You've already tried." Gaius said.
"The beast comes from the Old Religion." I said as I helped Merlin. "The cure must come from there as well."
"There are not many left with such an art." Gaius said as I quickly grabbed two flasks from a shelf.
"You said yourself, the Old Religions is still alive." I said, not wanting to mention the Dragon. "And there is an island beyond the White Mountains-"
"No!" Gaius cut me off, making me and Merlin look at him in slight surprise.
"...The Isle of the Blessed." I finished, my voice now quieter. "You know it?"
"It was said to be the centre of the Old Religion." Gaius said. "The focus of its power."
"Why did you keep this from us?" I asked incredulously.
"Because it was too dangerous, Annabelle."
"It's our only chance!" I exclaimed, willing to do anything it takes in order to save Arthur. "We have to find it." I said determinedly, walking over to a bag that was lying on the table and putting the flasks inside.
"And once you're there, what will you ask?!"
"For Arthur to be saved." I replied simply.
"The Questing Beast chose Arthur, that means the Old Religion has decided his fate." Gaius said.
"Then we will convince them to change their minds!!" I yelled, the fact that Arthur is lying on his deathbed twisting my heart painfully.
"It is not that simple!!!" Gaius yelled as Merlin walked over to us. I stared at Gaius, my face emotionless, and his eyes softened as he took a deep breath. "The High Priests have the power to mirror life and death, but there will be a price to pay. They will demand a life in return. Annabelle, please." Gaius pleaded with me as my eyes filled with tears. "I beg of you."
"I'm sorry, Gaius." I whispered. "Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly."

*The Next Day*

    As I finished up packing the necessities, Merlin entered our room after seeing Gwen, and took the bag from my hands.
"Anna, maybe you should stay here." He said gently, and I looked at him in disbelief.
"No. No way." I said, but he grabbed my arms, not allowing me to move. "We have to save him!"
"I know." He said. "I know. But maybe I should go alone."
"There's no way in hell I'm letting you sacrifice yourself." I shook my head.
"It's my destiny-"
"And so is mine!" I cut my brother off as tears filled my eyes, but I forced them back.
"Your destiny is to be the Queen of Camelot. And it's my destiny to protect your husband." Merlin tried to joke, but his eyes filled with tears. "Ever since we came to Camelot, we knew one of us was going to die in order to save that prat. And I'm not letting it be you."
"Merlin, no-"
"You're my little sister." Merlin cut me off as a tear slid down my cheek. "It's my job to protect you. I'm not going to let you die when you still have so much to live for."
"And what about you?" I asked. "What, you don't have anything to live for? What about Gwen?" I spat out. "What about Gaius? What about me?!"
"Anna, you heard what Gaius said! In order to save a life, a life has to be taken. We can't offer anyone else's life, and I'm not letting you offer yours. Your destiny isn't even close to fulfilling yet. But mine is already over."
"Merlin, I can't loose you." I said quietly, and he sighed before pulling me into his arms as I tried to hold back the tears in my eyes.
"I can't loose you." He murmured, and another tear slid down my cheek. "Not to mention that I promised mother I will protect you before we left Ealdor. And I intend to keep that promise."
    I stayed in my brother's arms for a few more minutes, before we eventually and reluctantly pulled away. I looked into Merlin's eyes and he gave me a small smile as he wiped a tear on my cheek with his thumb.
"Morgana needs you right now. After all, Arthur is like her brother." He said, and I nodded reluctantly. The thought of loosing my brother hurt me almost more than anything, but if this was the only way to save Arthur and Merlin won't let me do anything... The least I can do is listen to him. "Take are of Gwen for me, hmm?" He asked as a tear slid down his cheek and I nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck one more time.
"Merlin, please, I beg you." I whispered, a few more tears escaping my eyes.
"I'm sorry."

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