Warriors of Camelot

Chapter 2: Secrets of the Forest

 Merlin hurried out of Gaius' chambers and tore down the palace steps into the courtyard, eager to soak up the fresh summer's air that greeted him. Already the courtyard was a hive of activity: Market traders shouted their wares from all directions; shop-keepers tended to their stalls or greeted eagerly awaiting customers; families bustled here and there, either on shopping business or tending to their daily chores and alert guards  continuously patrolled the area. It seemed to Merlin as though every part of town was full. 

Though Merlin wasn't right about many things, he knew full well where Arthur would be right now and sure enough,  the training arena was already bustling with Camelot's elite squad of knights. A the group's  centre stood their ring-leader: Prince Arthur Pendragon, Camelot's heir and Merlin's master. Merlin hurried on his way before Arthur could so much as glance his way! 

Upon entering the lower parts of town, Merlin found himself slowing down. A small smile spread over his face.  Standing in the doorway of the blacksmith's cottage, a young girl with neat dark ringlets was dutifully sweeping the cottage floor. Thick clouds of dust billowed upwards, filling the air with choking smoke. Merlin found himself coughing and spluttering in the toxic fumes. 

As the dust gradually cleared, Merlin suddenly found himself backing away slightly, his face flushed with a bashful look. Having finished her chore for the day, Gwen was now leaning on her broom, giving Merlin a rather wistful look. 

"Well, someone looks busy!" she remarked, a teasing glint in her hazel eyes. 

It was then that Merlin remembered the basket. 

"Oh! Er... yes! I was... just on my way to gather some herbs for Gaius," Merlin replied hastily. "I'd better be going, actually," he added, laughing slightly with embarrassment. 

"Of course!" Gwen  agreed, throwing Merlin SUCH  a bright, wide smile. "You don't want to keep Gaius waiting!"

This was followed by a moment's pause, one that was only broken by a rather hasty call of "Yes! well...I'll see you later, then!" from Merlin. 

Gwen waited and watched until the young warlock was out of sight before treating inside the shady cottage. It was a long time before that warm smile faded from her  pretty face, but she couldn't let thoughts of Merlin distract her now. There was still lots to be done and Gwen was determined to complete everything before the mid-day sun scorched Camelot's streets. 

This was where her next chore came in...

***********************************************************************************************Generally, Camelot's inhabitants avoided entering the Forests of Balor, with the exception of a  daring hunting party or unwary travellers. Merlin, on the other hand, was well acquainted with the woods, for Gaius had shown him where to hunt for the rarest herbs, to the extent that he knew EXACTLY where to find the herbs on Gaius' list. Now, he entered the wood with a confident stride and in no time at all, had collected all but one of the herbs  that Gaius had mentioned earlier. 

But where was that camomile? 

One anxious glance upwards confirmed Merlin's suspicion; the day was slipping away. If he didn't return to Camelot soon, then Arthur would CERTAINLY notice his disappearance- and Merlin knew all too well by now that Arthur was not one to mess with when he got angry. Should he just give up and tell Gaius the truth? But then again, he had made a promise to the old man after all...

Hold on! What was that? 

A brilliant speck of light had caught Merlin's eye. Was it merely the reflection of  sunlight glittering in a puddle? No; it was too dazzling and close at hand to be something  as simple or as natural as sunlight . To Merlin, the glow could only mean one thing.

Magic!

Without hesitation, Merlin sped down the path, before eventually veering off it slightly into the thick undergrowth.  At last, he stopped to catch his breath. Then he blinked and stared. 

Lying at his feet, was a feather unlike any that Merlin had ever lay his eyes on before now. It was long, elegant and seemed to shine in the morning light just as though it was forged from a bird that came from the sun itself. 

Merlin found himself drawing in breath. During his time in Camelot, he'd met many magical creatures- griffins, dragons and even a unicorn- but would any of them leave a feather as beautiful and as rare as this one, for anyone to find? Merlin didn't think so. 

Hardly daring to utter a sound, Merlin reached into the undergrowth. As his fingers closed around the object, a warm, tingling sensation ran up Merlin's arm. A gasp escapes the young warlock's lips. It WAS magic! He was certain of it!

Merlin's heart was pounding as he lifted the feather out of its hiding place. Suddenly he stopped, as a definite rustle echoed through the air. 

For a moment or so, Merlin didn't dare to move. Nothing. 

Only when Merlin was certain that he was out of danger did he dare to breathe. Without hesitation, he carefully tucked the feather into his leather satchel, before pounding back towards the path. 

Out of nowhere, a soft breeze stirred through the nearest tree. A large branch wobbled  wildly and Merlin suddenly found himself staring. 

Just beyond the tree was the very thing that he'd been looking for!

Relief rushed through Merlin like a ice-cold shower on a scorching summer's day. How would have explained to Gaius that he couldn't find the camomile flower, he didn't know, (Merlin was never very good at bluffing!)  but at least now he didn't have to. 

Merlin shoved his way through brambles, stumbled over tree-roots and dodged around boggy ground  until at last, he was upon the flower. He plucked the camomile from its hiding place and slipped it into his satchel, laying it (though unintentionally,) beside the feather. The young warlock suddenly felt a rush of delight. His task was fulfilled. At last, he could return to Gaius- and Arthur...

Merlin's heart sank momentarily as he imagined the prince's fury when he discovered that his manservant, who should be at his right hand at all times, had disappeared. All the more reason to get back- except that...where was the path?

It was only now that Merlin realised just how far he had actually strayed from the main path. Now, there was only one way to get back on the right track, so to speak. With some difficulty, Merlin scrambled back through the undergrowth. Relief rushed over him as his feet touched firm ground once again. He'd made it and (apart from a few scratches here and there) all in one piece, too! 

No sooner had Merlin's feet touched the path that the young warlock was off once again, this time sprinting out of the forest towards the safety of Camelot. 

Behind Merlin, a shadowy figure stirred in the trees. Something was coming to Camelot- and it was coming soon...