Destiny

Chapter 1

The cold breezy air blew against the back of my neck making me shiver. I pulled my tattered brown cloak tight to my body trying to keep warm. Did it help? Not in the slightest.

The sky was beginning to darken and the stars were beginning to shine. My body aches for rest, but I continue on. I can't stop. I've lost enough time as it is. I trudge forward, trying to find my way through these dark woods that lie between me and my destination.

When I'm there, things will be different.

The sound of hooves and shouting men interrupt my thoughts. I turn to look over my shoulder and see them. Two knights of Camelot.

"Who goes there?" One of them screams in my direction. I panic, last time men on horses were around.... well, it was the worst day of my life.

My breath hitches in my throat, I can't answer, so what do I do? I run.

I sprint as fast as I can lifting my skirts to make this simple task not as challenging.

"Stop in the name of the king!" The other knight yells digging his heel into the side of his horse.

They were right behind me... It would be so simple if I just..... no, no more. You can't do it again, not after the last time, I remind myself.

I look once again over my shoulder to see how much they are gaining on me. But without my eyes on the path ahead, I stumble and fall. I yelp in pain as my body strikes the ground. I try to get back on my feet, but as I put pressure on my right leg I fall back down screaming. I look down to see a large gash across my shin, oozing with blood.

The two knights slow to a stop next to me. One dismounts his horse and kneels beside me looking at my leg.

"She needs to go to Giaus," he says to the other knight.

"Who are you?" He asks me without answering his companions question.

I look up at both of them, tears filling my eyes from pain and fear.

"Its alright," says the first knight, "there's no need to be afraid."

I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand. "My...my names Trinity...."

--

The pale moonlight shines brightly through the low hanging tree branches lighting our pathway. We've only been riding for a short while, and now I can see the beautiful city of Camelot in the valley below me. I wanted to avoid this city at all costs, and now I'm being brought right to it.

I sit side saddled on a horse with the kinder, friendlier, knight behind me.

"Im Lancelot, " he finally says breaking the silence. I peek over my shoulder to see him smiling kindly at me. I turn my head, not saying a word. "You don't have to be afraid... no harm will come to you. I promise."

I remain silent. How do I know he's telling the truth? After I've seen what these men can do to innocent people, how do I know they won't hurt me? Someone not so innocent?

"Why were you running?" Pushes Lancelot trying to get me to talk.

"If I were to tell you, I'd have to kill you," I say calmly. Lancelot just laughs at my remark.

"Come on now," he starts again, "you can tell me." I shift my body so I'm facing him, wincing in pain as I move my leg. "It still hurts, your leg,"

I nod as I look down at the blood soaked makeshift bandage Lancelot made to slow the bleeding.

"Well lucky for you then," interjected the other knight, "we're here."

---

Lancelot carried me from the stables into the castle. One arm under my knees and the other supporting my back. My right arm was wrapped around his neck for more support.

Practically running up the flight of stairs ahead of us, Lancelot turns around the corner and stops infront of a plain wooden door.

He turns his body so his right arm reaches the door and knocks there times. A moment later the door opens to reveal a tall lanky boy with messy black hair.

"Lancelot!" He exclaims looking at the knight.

"Merlin," he responds smiling, "where's Giaus?"

"He just left, went to go see Morgana.  She's having nightmares again,"

Lancelot nodded understandingly then looked down at me with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry," he started, "it will just be a little longer..." Merlin looked at us confused then noticed the bandage on my leg.

"She's wounded," he said with wide eyes.

"Why do you think I brought her here?" Asked Lancelot sarcastically.

Merlin ushered us inside. The room was large with a high celing. Books lined the walls and covered the tables, stools, and the floor. Potion bottles were scattered about on a large wooden table towards the center of the room. Herbs and other plants hang drying on the far wall.

"You can set her down here," Merlin says as he lays down a blanket on an old cot. Lancelot gently lowers me down. I sit on the bed and watch as Merlin bustles about grabbing various items.

"Does he know what he's doing?" I ask Lancelot worried.

"Id trust Merlin with my life," Lancelot responds smiling. Soon Merlin is back by the bedside with a bucket of water, rags, and more blankets.

"Here," he says wrapping one of them around my shoulders. Heat instantly floods over me and I can't help but let out a sigh of content.

Merlin gently, and very carefully, lifts my skirt so he can see the wound better. With very delicate movements, he unwraps the bandage.

"Oh god," he mumbles upon seeing the wound, "Lance go get Giaus, quickly!"

I look down and see dried blood covering my lower leg, blood continouslu dripping from the cut, yellow bruising and swelling. But the worst part was seeing the pus. A thick green goop slowly oozing over my leg.

Merlin quickly grabbed a towel and dunks it into the bucket of water beside him. Dabbing my skin he tried to clean up the blood so we can see the wound clearly.

"AH!" I scream wincing in pain reaching for my leg. The pus Merlin was trying to remove burned, when it came in contact with my bare skin it burned like hot coals in a newly extinguished fire. Merlin looks down at the rag to see a black, scorching, burnt mark on the cloth.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He exclaims upon seeing my tears, "Giaus will know what to do, he should be here shortly!" I continue crying, my leg feels like it's on fire.

Merlin carefully continues to pat away any blood. I look down to see his brow all scrunched together in frustration and worry.

"Merlin what's the problem?" Asks an old man in long maroon robes.

"I-I don't know," admits Merlin standing up. Gaius grabs his glasses and kneels down for a better look.

His face is drained of color and a concered expression covers his face, "Oh dear...."