Merlynn

The Labyrinth of Gedref

A month had passed since the battle at Ealdor and though Merlynn was still sad when she thought of Will and home, life had returned back to normal. Merlynn accompanied Arthur and the Knights on several hunts over the past few weeks as the city prepared for winter. Merlynn enjoyed these hunts because they gave her something else to focus on. They were out on such a hunt today, creeping quietly through the woods as Arthur tracked an animal. The morning fog was still settled over the dewy ground and there was a slight chill to the morning air, indicating that the change of the seasons was slowly approaching. They were hiding under a short ledge when Arthur signaled for the knights to go around the long way and try and cut it off from the back.

    "Merlynn." Arthur whispered, jerking his head to indicate he wanted her to come closer.

    Merlynn crept along the base of the ridge. "What is it?" She whispered.

    "I don't know. We'll surround it. I want you to go in there and flush it out."

"You want me to go in there? You just said you don't know what it is, it could be dangerous."

"Let's hope so. Now go." Arthur pushed Merlynn towards the creature. Merlynn turned to glare at him before walking further into the woods. She walked fairly loudly, trying to spook it so Arthur and the knights could get sight of it. She heard the rustling of leaves and followed the sound. She picked up a large stick to defend herself with in case it charged her. She stepped into the clearing and came face to face with a unicorn.

She stopped and stared in awe. She dropped her stick and walked towards it slowly. Merlynn heard the sound of twigs snapping and suddenly remembered they were hunting this creature.

"Go. go." She whispered to it, waving to try and shoo it away. "Please go. Shh." She tried to warn it to be quiet after it whinnied at her. "They're going to kill you. Please go." Merlynn looked around and saw Arthur in a tree, taking aim. "Arthur, no!" she shouted, but he released the trigger.

The bolt from his crossbow downed it. Merlynn rushed over to the magical creature and tried to comfort it as it bled out. She stroked it's nose and tears formed in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Arthur bounded down the hillside and laughed. "A unicorn."

"What have you done?" Merlynn asked him.

"Don't be such a girl, Merlynn. You've been out on hunts before."

Merlynn looked up at Arthur to tell him off, but there was a figure standing behind him. She stared at him, confused.

"What are you looking at?" Arthur turned around, and the figure vanished.

Merlynn chose to not say anything, instead getting up and moving away from the unicorn. Arthur got the knights to cut it's horn off and left it laying there in the woods. They returned to Camelot where Arthur had the horn cleaned up and presented it to the King.

Arthur walked into the council room with Merlynn and the knights in tow. "Father, a unicorn's horn to grace the walls of Camelot." Arthur gestured to Merlynn who was carrying the pillow the horn was on as.

    "Magnificent." Uther exclaimed as he moved towards Merlynn to get a better view. "It's the first one I've seen. Gaius, look at this." He picked it up and held it out for Gaius to see.

    "'Tis very impressive, My lord." Gaius said, trying not to react negatively.

    Uther knew him better than that. "What is it, Gaius? Speak your mind."

    "Unicorns are rare and mystical creatures. There is a legend that says that bad fortune will come to anyone who slays one." Gaius looked at Arthur as he spoke these words. Arthur only smiled, holding in a laugh Merlynn was sure.