Fireheart (A Merlin Love Story)

Chapter 55, Part 2

Ariella's P. O. V:

When we get inside The Dark Tower, Morgana unties the rope around our wrists and herds Gwen and I inside. We  trudge up a winding staircase, a torch flickering in the witch's hand.

Gwen and I pause as we peer up into the darkness. Morgana orders us, "Keep moving."

"Where are you taking us?" Gwen demands to know, though I already know the answer.

"You'll find out," Morgana responds. Morgana, Gwen and I continue upwards and Morgana opens a door, revealing darkness.

Morgana grips my arm as Gwen steps inside. The Queen whispers, "What is this place?"

"Sleep well!" Morgana says, shutting the door with a soft slam.

"Morgana! Ari!" Gwen shouts as the witch locks the door behind her.

"Gwen!" I scream as Morgana grabs my arm again.

"Not it's your turn, Your Highness," She says, dragging me to another room.

Opening the iron door, Morgana shoves me inside. "Sleep well, Your Highness," She says, and I whirl around just as the dark haired woman locks the door behind me.

I run back and grab the handle, attempting to yank the door open, but it was locked. "Morgana!! Release us at once!" I shout, pounding on the door. I get no response. I slump my forehead against the cool iron as I groan, "Oh. Locked in again...!"

I turn after a moment and slowly step forward, wondering where the hell I am.

It was in that moment that a piercing scream blasts through my ears.

I whip around, summoning a flame to my palm. I gasp upon seeing countless Mandrake Roots hanging from the ceiling, dripping with oil.

When another scream sounds, I clamp my hands over my ears to try and block it out.

Merlin's P. O. V:

When Arthur goes to see Elyan, I notice that Eric, sitting beside me, has his gaze cast down, worry and fear glimmering in his hazel eyes.

"We will find her, Eric," I tell him. "I promise."

"I know. And I don't blame Elyan or the others in having failed to protect her. They were all following their duty. Even my little sister," Eric murmurs in understanding.

I whisper so only he could hear, "I know where she and Gwen are." He looks at me in surprise. "Ari has been communicating with me Telepathically, giving me directions. Though, she mostly just told me they'd passed a green tree, or the occasional boulder." This makes Eric chuckle slightly. "Ari says they're taken to The Dark Tower."

Eric's eyes widen at the name, and horror filks them. "No. Not that place. Our mother has only ever told us stories, and warned us to never go there. Why would Morgana gel the need to take Ari and Gwen to The Dark Tower?"

I shake my head as I reply, "I don't know."

A moment of silence.

Eric sighs as he says, "I've never told anyone this, Merlin, but even though Ari can be immature and childish at times, since our mother died, I'd tried imagining what she looked like. But every time I did, Ari's face would appear in my mind, instead of my mother's. In a way, Ari has been like a mother toward me. Her warmth, kindness and love are what have kept me going. I don't know where I'd be if  ever lost my precious little sister."

"I know what you mean." At Eric's frown, I add with a slight smile, "Ari told me and Arthur most of this a long time ago."

"Oh. Have you been in contact with her yet?"