Destinies Intertwined (Mordred/OC Merlin BBC Series) - IN PROGRESS

Chapter 12

"Something's wrong," I whispered to Merlin as we went up the stairs to find Gwen. "This is much too easy."

Merlin voiced our concern, and, as usual, Arthur brushed it off with an, 'are you ever happy?'

We continued on, and after a few moments, we heard Elyan call from ahead.

"Arthur!" we ran forward, and saw Elyan standing in the middle of a room, "Stop!" he demanded, and I yelled out in pain, falling to one knee when I felt a burning in my thigh. I was struck. That was when another slew of arrows flew.

"Nobody move!" Arthur demanded. "Stay exactly where you are."

"Are you alright?" Percival asked worriedly, taking me under the arm gently, almost panicking. I nodded, breaking the arrow and groaning in pain again. The arrow would have to remain where it was to prevent myself from bleeding out, and he helped me stand. Of course I'd get injured. But I gritted my teeth through the pain, refusing to let it get the best of me.

"What triggered it?" Leon asked.

"The flag stones," Arthur answered. "They must react to pressure."

"Here," Elyan grabbed his sword. "I will use this." He tossed it.

"I will go first," Merlin offered, and we followed.

"I'll push on," Elyan said, reaching the door before us.

"No, Elyan," Arthur commanded.

"None of us would be here if it weren't for me. I have to do this." With that, Elyan took off.

"Elyan!" Arthur cried, but he was long gone.

We went as quickly as we could, and though I was certainly feeling the effects of the arrow, I stayed silent, refusing to open my mouth for fear of a noise of pain emitting from it, and refusing help from anyone except Percival, who refused to leave me be no matter how I resisted.

I couldn't help but be thankful, though, that I had been there. Had I not, the arrow would have instead hit Percival.

We rushed into the room only to find Elyan laying in Gwen's arms. He was dead. My heart sank as I watched her cry over his body, and I felt tears gather in my own.

Death was always tragic, no matter who - or what - it was. And for it to be a man as worthy and kind as Elyan...

I hadn't even realized I was crying until Merlin pulled me in for a hug.

~:~:~:~:~

I was weak from blood loss and possible infection of my wound by the time we made it back to Camelot. I made note to see Gaius as soon as I could, and I got down from my horse in silence, despite the way my leg almost gave out. I kept my grasp upon my horse's saddle firm, and he kept me upright. We had all been nearly silent since we left the tower, all of us in various stages of heartbreak and mourning. Percival had helped me the entire way back. He refused to let me alone unless necessary.

Merlin and I had done all we could when we finally got back to the sanctity of the forest, but by then I was pale as a sheet with pain and the loss of blood that had occurred. I used some cloth to stuff into my mouth to muffle the noises of pain, but it was deep, and I was ashamed that I had allowed it to happen. Arthur had assured me that if it wasn't me, it would have been Percival, and therefore there was nothing to be ashamed of, nor was it anything I had done. I had been 'helpful' on their journey, apparently. Particularly on the way back, as I had brought extra provisions in case of a delay. Which was good, given the extra couple days of wandering on the way there.

But in reality, I hadn't done much of anything. Elyan still died. I did nothing to cut down the time, nor to aid anyone else. All I managed to succeed in was getting shot in the leg and bringing extra provisions.