Catrin: Sister of Emrys

Chapter 6: The Darkest Hour part 2

The next morning, spirits were low. Merlin and Cade, though the frost covering them had long since melted away, were still unresponsive. They just sat, staring straight ahead. Both were paler than usual, dark circles almost black and though they were still breathing, it seemed shallower and both were clearly ill. They had been sat upright against large pieces of rubble, blankets draped over them. They were sat right next to each other, Cade's head leaning on Merlin's shoulder.

"We have to get them back to Gaius." Arthur said.

"And abandon the quest?" Leon questioned.

"They saved my life. I won't let them die." Arthur stated.

"Sire, if we don't get to the Isle of the Blessed, hundreds more will perish." Leon pointed out. Arthur looked towards the siblings.

"Let us take them." Micheal said, referring to himself and Lancelot. Arthur shook his head.

"Carrying two wounded, alone, it will take you two or three days to reach Camelot." Arthur said.

"Not if we go through the Valley of the Fallen Kings." Lancelot said. Arthur looked conflicted. "We cannot give up on the quest."

"Sire, he's right." Leon said. Arthur sighed and looked back towards Merlin and Cade, who's eyes were shifting back and forth as they laid there, Percival squatting beside them. Moments later, the siblings were being carried towards their horses, Percival carrying Merlin and Micheal carrying Cade. Sitting them on their horses, Arthur spoke as he strapped Merlin's legs to his horse to prevent him falling off.

"This is my fault." He said. "And I'm sorry."

The siblings, at that moment, finally found the strength needed to speak. "Take us with you, please." Merlin begged.

"You'll both die, Merlin." Arthur stated.

"You don't understand. Please Arthur." Merlin said. Arthur turned and eyed her sternly.

"Do you ever do what you're told?" Arthur asked, sarcastically.

"We have to come with you." Cade said.

"Caden." he said, effectively shutting both of them up.

"We need to leave." Lancelot said. Arthur gripped Merlin's shoulder as Lancelot, Micheal, Merlin and Cade depart, Merlin and Cade struggling to at least sit upright, despite their obvious pain. Arthur looked on after them, sighing softly to himself.

They rode down the path and soon came up on a forest. Riding in, Merlin and Cade looked on with worry as they passed the statues that signaled their entrance into the Valley of the Fallen Kings.

Meanwhile the rest of the knights rode on, soon stopping to walk for a bit. "Can you hear that?" Gwaine asked, removing a glove.

"Bees?" Leon replied.

"Food." Gwaine revealed, walking right up to a tree with a bee's hive in it.

"You trying to get us killed?" Leon asked.

"We're riding to our deaths anyway." Gwaine answered, sticking his hand in the hive. Leon continued walking until he was standing next to Arthur.

"You're quiet." He said.

"That's what happens after three days listening to Gwaine." Arthur replied.

Leon chuckled for a moment before turning serious once again. "You did the right thing though. Merlin and Cade couldn't have continued with us." he said.

"I should've saved them." Arthur said. Suddenly, they were interrupted by Gwaine's cries of pain. Turning round, they found he had aggravated the bees to the point where they were now swarming round him, himself batting them away and running between Percival and Elyan.