The Gates of Avalon (Part 2)

(Merlin's POV)

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"Merlin. Merlin can you hear me? Merlin!" I groaned blinking open my eyes as I groggily gazed into the concerned eyes of Morgana and Gauis. Allowing Gauis to prop me against the wall in a sitting postion i asked the question thats been driving me insane since i awakened. 

"What happened and where is Arthur?" 

"Sophia knocked you and Morgana out. Morgana woke up first as she was only hit with a sleep spell. When she woke and saw you hurt she came and got me. You woke up shortly after." Gauis explained banding the cut on my head. 

"But why was i thrown across the room and Morgana only knocked out?"

"I fear its because you were actually getting through to him. Morgana told me how you tried to stop Arthur. Reasoning with him. How for a moment before you were thrown he seemed to be coming back to himself until Sophia intervened." I nodded accepting that anwser. It was quiet for a moment before i remembered what led to me being knocked out.

"Wait Arthur. Where is he? Is he ok?" They exchanged a glance at that before Morgana anwsered.

"Sophia took him." 

"What but i thought they were going to wait until morning. " i shrieked jumping to my feet. 

"Merlin it is tomorrowyou were out all night." Gauis solemnly replied a grave expression on his normally netrual face.

"We should tell the king..."

"NOOOO!!!" Both Gauis and I shouted cutting her off midsentence.

"If we tell the king he will go on a witch hunt. Tareing the place apart looking for him. We won't be able to get out of the cathedral to save Arthur. By the time the knights locate him it will be too late." I hurriedly explained.

"But if we tell the king about my dream and where they went..."

"Than you will be on the prye by morning. Or at least locked up." Gauis interrupted. At this Morgana snapped her mouth shut horrified as she no doubt realized the truth of his words.

"He wouldn't.  He...."

"Is a tryrant Morgana. He has burned children in his fight against magic." I sighed scrubbing a hand over my tired eyes.

"But I'm his ward."

"Yes and remember what happened when you were healed by magic. Gwen was nearly executed in place of the sorcerer.  If we hadn't proved her innocent than she would have been killed.  Uther won't care that your his ward.  He will kill you. Or at least lock you up so you never see the light of day again." I winced as tears filled her eyes at my harsh words. I hadn't meant to make her cry but she needed to know.

"I am afraid she is right my lady. Even though your dreams are not magic. Uther would see them as such. Especially if they came true. You must not tell him." Morgana bowed her head at this. Nodding sadly to the concerned physician. 

"So what do we do than." Morgana whispered tugging at a strand of curly hair.

"We don't do anything.  I will go after him alone. No let me speak." I said holding up a hand to silence their protests.

"Morgana if you were to disappear even for a moment the whole palalace will fall into chaos. Uther will launch a witch hunt just by your disappearance. Gauis no offense but you would just slow me down. You can't even ride a horse for more than 3 minutes without getting tired. Besides they would notice if the only court physican were to disappear for so long. I on the other hand am a servant.  I can travel just about anywhere unnoticed as servants are considered worthless. So i can get out easier. I will find Arthur and bring him home." I promised. Gauis although worried nodded accepting my plan. Morgana on the other hand frowned biting her bottom lip in worry.

"But Arthur won't be alone. That tramp and her dad will be there, and they have magic. You can't stop them alone." Morgana reasoned obviously still hoping to go with me.

"I have my ways." I vaguely replied not wanting to give away my secret just yet. If anything that only made her more concerned opening her mouth to give even more arguments.  I so don't have time for this. Turning away so she wouldn't see my eyes flash gold. I whispered a quiet spell.

"Merlin." Gauis sighed exasperated as he caught the now sleeping princess. I smiled triumphantly as i turned back to him.

"Sorry Gauis but the longer i stand here arguing the higher chance there is of Arthur dying. Just tell her she fainted from when she hit her head after being knocked out earlier. Now i have to go. Bye Gauis." I said racing out the door.

"Be careful!" Gauis called after me.

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Racing through the forest, magic buzzing within me, I worriedly followed the tracks Arthur left behind. How could I have been so careless. Morgana warned me about her dream and yet still I dismissed it. I should have been more careful. Now because of my carelessness Arthur is in danger. Have to hurry.

I nearly whooped in victory at the quiet sounds of Sophia and her dad. I stopped myself from my victory shout before i could give away my location. Creeping foreward I crouched behind a tree at the edge of the lakes bank. Watching as Sophia hugged her dad. They were juat barely loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm going to miss you dad. I wish you could come with me." She whimpered burying her face in her dads shoulder. Who inturn wrapped his arms around her back holding her close.

"I know my dear, but just knowing that you will be allowed entry into avalon is enough." He sighed placing a gentle kiss on her head. I could see Arthur standing behind them. A dazed look in his eyes as Sophia breaking out of the hug grabbed his hand.

"Goodbye my dear I shall never forget you." It was at those words that i decided it was time to intervene.  Jumping out of my hiding place just as Sophia and Arthur entered the water. I shouted a spell  letting my magic take the lead just as Arthur was pushed under the waves and began sinking fast. Aulfric didn't even have time to lift his staff before my spell turned him to dust.

Sophia's angry scream followed by a bolt of magic sent my way echoed across the bank. Dodging out of the way of the dangerous magic. I watched as the bolt instead hit the tree directly behind where i had been standing. It exploded into a million pieces upon contact with her spell. Stretching out my hand and once more letting instinct lead the way. I send an enormous amount of magic her way engulfing her within seconds and turning her to dust. Lowering my hand and getting to my feet I was just beginning to relax when I realized something important.  Arthur was still under water.

"ARTHUR!!" I screamed grateful that i was wearing pants today. Racing toward the lake and diving beneath the waves. I swam as fast as I could toward the rapidly sinking prince. Grabbing his hand and stopping his descent, I frantically made my way to the surface. Gasping in a mouthful of air as our heads broke the surface. Pulling him onto the bank I tiredly laid him on the sand. Leaning over him in fear as I realized he wasn't breathing. 

"Arthur come on breathe you clotpole." I screamed pounding frantically on his chest.

"Come on you prat the kingdom needs you. The people need you. I...I need you. Please Artgur. Please don't make me have to tell the king you died. I ... i mean he wouldn't be able to bear it if I... i mean he lost you." I begged stumbling over my words as tears fell from my eyes. Stopping my efforts i clutched tiredly onto his soaked shirt. Burying my face in his chest as I allowed the sobs to break through.

"Please Arthur. Come back to me."

"M....merlin wh...whats going on." I gasped sitting up like a bolt of lightning as Arthurs strained voice broke through my sobs.

"ARTHUR! Your ok." I sobbed throwing myself into his arms and holding his confused form close.

"Umm Merlin." I lightly slapped his chest indicating for him to shut up. Not that he ever listens to me. I felt the moment his annoyance won over his confusion for he pushed me away. Through I did notice he was prehaps gentler than usual.

"Merlin I demand you tell me whats going on. Why am I soaked laying on the edge of the lake of Avalon? Why can I not remember the past few days? Finally why are you hugging me?" Yep he's ok. If his prattishness can shone through he must be ok. I debatted within myself whether to tell him the truth and if so how much. After a moment I decided what I was going to say. Steeling myself for his reaction I began.

"Well what do you remember of the visting nobels we found in the forest?" I carefully asked. He frowned at me obviously confused by my question.

"You mean Princess Sophia and King Aulfric? I remember I saved them from some bandits, but than the moment i looked into her eyes everyrhing becomes fuzzy. Why?"

"Well turns out they weren't human. Gauis did some research and learned they were actually Sidhe. Evil fairys. They wanted to drown you so they could complete a ritual. After learning what they planned Morgana and I tried to reason with you only for them to attack us. They knocked us out. Gauis found us shortly after and gave me a potion to use against them. One that would destroy them upon contact. I went after you with the potion, but by the time I arrived they already had you underwater drowning you. I managed to use the potion on them and drag you out of the water. I admit I may have gotten a bit emotional there a moment, but thats only because i thought I was too late." It was mostly the truth. Arthur paused as my explanation came to a close. A look of deep thought on his face. After a moment his eyes met mine a question on his lips.

"Why didn't you tell my father than? I am sure he would have sent out knights after me." I rolled my eyes at how naieve he was.

"Honestly Arthur? 1. If I a peasnt were to bring up suspicions of wrong doing on a nobels behalf there is a higher chance I would be punished rather than Sophia and Aulfric. The king rarely believes peasants. 2. If the king were to find out that magic had been so close to his son. That the people he allowed into his kingdom enchanted the prince nearly killing him. What my prince do you think he would do? Hmmm. I will tell you what he would do. He would start a witch hunt. Don't even try to tell me he wouldn't, because we both know he would. He would have convinced himself that if one sorcerer was able to get in his walls. More could be hiding undetected. He would send the knights to search everyone's homes. Maybe even killing a few innocents."

"Watch your tounge thats the king you speak treason of." Arthur snapped. Placing my hands gently over his cold ones. I stared into his angry blue eyes an appology on my face as I continued.

"Arthur can you honestly tell me you think your dad wouldn't do just what i said? Do you honestly believe that all those people burned at the stake were guilty? What about Gwen if it weren't for both yours and Morgana's insistence she would have died by fire too. Even after we proved her innocence the king wanted to kill her just incase she did have magic. So again I ask do you honestly believe it wise to tell the king what happened?" He opened his mouth no doubt to argue only to stop as he realized I was right. Sighing he nodded.

"Ok so what should we tell him. I am sure he has noticed my absence." He pointed out. Frowning I thought for a moment. Racking my brain for an explanation. Suddenly I had it. It was risky, (for me anyway), but it might just work.

"Ok here's what we will tell him."

___________

"So you were out hunting and thats why you missed the council meeting today?" Uther slowly asked raising his eyebrow, eyes briefly flickering in my direction.

"Yes after princess Sophia left I decided to clear my head for a bit." Arthur calmly anwsered. Not even flinching as he met his dads gaze head on.

"And killing defenseless animals mends a broken heart." Morgana huffed her eyes also flickering to me. An unasked question in her green eyes before her attention once more returned to the prince.

"No but its good fun." Arthur smiled not even missing a beat.

"Why than was I not informed before now?" I sighed steeling myself for the risky part. This could end in ethier me in the stocks or like the king said before much much worse. Gulping I timidly approached tge throne. My eyes glued to my feet as I clasped my hands respectfully behind my back.

"Actually sire that would my fault. Arthur told me to inform you of his trip before he left but I forgot. I deeply appologize sire." I could practically feel his annoyfrom here as the auras around us shifted. Morgana's became worried, while Arthurs aura remained calm confident that i would just be put in the stocks. Uthers aura though had me quietly whimpering as it gave off an almost deadly vibe that could kill in seconds. I knew just by his aura alone that this was not going to end well for me. It took all my strength to remain standing there when all my muscles were begging me to flee. After a moment of silence the king spoke. His voice taking on a dangerous edge as he calmly addressed me.

"I see. Tell me Marvin what was it I said last time you forgot to tell the prince or me something. " I trembled under his furious gaze as I nervously licked my lips. Arthur's aura although still calm was no longer confident. His aura was beginning to sour now as a hint of doubt began creeping in.

"That the punishment wouldn't be so light." I shakily replied terrified that I was about to be executed or banished for my fake mistake.

"Hmm yes I did say that. So Marla obviously I need to make good on my promise." Arthur's aura was down right frantic now no longer calm as it anxiously swirled around the room. Mixing with Morgana's terrified aura as they anxiously looked between me and Uther.

"Guards take this girl to the fungeons. She is to remain in there for 3 days and recieve only water during that time. She is not to recieve a drop of food." He ordered the guards grabbing me under the arms and dragging me away. Even though both Artgur and Morgana could be heard protesting the punishment I couldn't help but sigh in relief. I wasn't being executed or banished. Sure I would be hungry afterwards and weakened but I can still protect the prince so I will take the punishment with a smile on my face.

"Oh and Marvin I won't be as merciful next time. I suggest you not forget again." Uther called after me as I was dragged away. Arthurs and Morgana's protests silenced as I left the throne room.