Lost in Albion 3 (Merlin) - Completed

Chapter 26: The Plan To Rescue

Chapter 26

Cenred's men drug me once again, tying my hands together and forced me onto their horses. They ride me back to Camelot, only stopping at the tree line where one of them cut the ropes around my hands which have left rope-burn marks. They have ridden with great haste and we made it back to Camelot through the middle of the knight.

The man who I shared a horse with pushes me off his mount. I fall to the ground, landing on my forearm. They kick their horses, cantering away back into the darkness of the forest. I push myself off the ground, staring at the city. At least Cenred had been so... kind as to let my satchel stay on my person but I have lost my sword.

But that is nothing compared to the problem I now face. I have a week to bring the man I love to his enemy, or else my friend is killed. Falsely leading Arthur is out of the question. I was true to my word in that my loyalty to him will not falter in the threat of my own life, but it is not my life that is being threatened.

As though timing with my arrival, I feel the effects of the blocking potion beginning to wear off and I can feel Merlin's presence in Camelot?

"Merlin?"

There's no answer but it is the middle of the night and he would be asleep at this time. I need to talk to him though. Maybe we could rescue Castor by ourselves, not even needing to drag Arthur into it. Besides, it would be rude for him to leave his new wife.

I trudge along the road, nodding to the guards at the gate in greeting but I recognise none. I debate whether it would be known that I am missing, considering I told Merlin I was visiting Gwaine, but I also told him I was at the gates last night.

The castle is empty except the guards, which are few and far between at this hour. I miss the turn that would take me to my chambers, going straight down to the Physician's quarters.

I open the door quietly, not wanting to disturb Gaius and tiptoe to the other end of the room, slipping into Merlin's. The boy, as expected, is fast asleep in his bed. I kneel down by his side, reaching out to gently shake him.

"Merlin," I call out audibly. He groans, turning from his side to his back. "Merlin," I call louder.

Merlin's eyes open, and he blinks, adjusting to the dark.

"Elena?" he questions, sitting up. The moonlight shines just enough through his window, lighting up my face.

"Yeah," I whisper, a small smile peeking onto my lips. He leans forward, bringing me into a hug that is much needed on my end.

"Where were you?" he asks.

"I..um..." I stammer, the words leaving me. I scratch the back of my neck, but Merlin catches my arm as I bring it back down. The burn marks are still fresh.

"Elena, what happened?" he presses, pulling me up to sit on the side of his bed. My eyes sting and I try to blink the water away, but one slips through my defence.

My mouth starts running, telling him everything that happened from the moments I talked to him, to recalling the exact words Cenred said. I falter as I tell him about Castor, not because I want to hide it, but speaking it out loud just brings the memory to reality.

"He's there, Merlin," I wail. "And I don't know what to do."

"We should speak with Arthur," Merlin suggests, though it is not a suggestion, more of a statement. I shake my head.

"No, I don't want to drag him into this. We should go alone," I say. "We could handle it."

Merlin wraps an arm around my back, squeezing my shoulder. "Arthur needs to know; he's been worried about you and not telling him would make it worse."