Merlin: Fate Be Changed

The Eye of the Phoenix, Part 5

  "Everything may not be as it seems, Gwen," Gaius detoured. The handmaiden shook her head. "No, no. I know what I saw," Gwen said shakily. Gaius took a step toward the young girl, his face expressing deep concern. "I've known Morgana for so long. I didn't want to believe it, but she-- she isn't the person I knew. She's changed, Gaius," she explained breathlessly. "I don't think she means we'll to any of us anymore." Gaius nodded, "I wish I could say otherwise, but I fear you're right."

  Gwen felt her heart crawl into her throat. So her best friend, someone she trusted for so many years was plotting against them? One thing's for sure, she thought, this cannot bode well for Camelot.

***

  The next day came quickly and Arthur had awoken from his slumber and found the strength to pull himself to his feet and continued walking towards the dark tower far in the distance. After walking for a few miles, Arthur climbed over a large mound of boulders and rocks. When the prince reached the top and stood upon the ridge, it was then he could clearly see the tall tower that was still a good 12 kilometers away.

  Arthur pressed on.

  He was halfway to the dark tower when he heard a screeching animal noise from above and stopped. Looking up to see where the screech had originated from, he was met with the sight of two ginormous dragon-like creatures hovering a few hundred feet in the air and looking like they were about to swoop in and snatch him up. Arthur drew his sword as the creatures closed in and prepared himself for a fight.

  As this was going on, Merlin and Gwaine climbed on top of the ridge just in time to see the tower, the creatures, and a weakened Arthur in the distance. "There it is," Merlin announced, not having seen Arthur yet. "What's that in the sky?" Gwaine gestured towards the wyverns. "They're not birds." Merlin tilted his head slightly and squinted, "I've never seen creatures like that." They witnessed the wyverns screech and swoop in low to attack Arthur, still not realizing that it was him.

  "Looks like they're hunting something," Gwaine pointed out. Merlin squinted again and noticed a familiar glint of a sword. Then his eyes widened, "What was that?" Gwaine looked in the same direction as the warlock and noticed the same glinting in the sunlight. "A sword," he acknowledged. "It's Arthur," Merlin declared. This motivated the two men to spring into action as they charged to their friend's rescue.

  Meanwhile, Arthur took his battle stance and prepared to ward off the wyverns that were threatening to kill him. But as soon as he raised his sword, the Phoenix eye resumed with sucking the life out of the prince. His stance wavered when the beasts came upon him and he swung wildly at it trying to fend them off. When he temporarily kept them at bay, he took the opportunity to run full-speed towards the Fisher King's castle. However, the wyverns were gaining on him and flew fast to reach him before he got through the gates.

  Arthur neared the entrance and literally threw himself into the castle, closing the gate in front of the creatures. They snarled at him and roared, gnashing their horrible yellow teeth as they did.  He then quickly ran through the courtyard and bound towards the castle.

  Outside the castle, Merlin and Gwaine neared the gates and then Gwaine finally got a better look at what those creatures were. "I should have known," panted. "What are they?" Merlin asked as they continued running. "Wyverns-- distant cousins of the dragon. Their creatures of magic so be careful," Gwaine answered. "Well, Gwaine aren't you forgetting something?" Merlin asked rhetorically. "What?" Gwaine replied. "I have the most powerful of magic at my disposal. Not to mention, I am the last Dragonlord," Merlin snarked.