Fireheart (A Merlin Love Story)

Chapter 58, Part 1

Ariella's P. O. V:

A few days have passed since we'd gotten the old Gwen back. Merlin and I had met up with Finna, an ally of Alator of the Catha, who'd warned us that the great battle bears, the one that'll decide Camelot's fate.

Merlin and I had both gotten injured while fighting off the bandits when we'd met with Finna second time, and he'd called Kilgarrah to get us away. Before, she'd warned us not to trust Mordred, and had given Merlin some kind of small box.

When Kilgarrah had saved us, Merlin and I saw how his wings were ruined, and the dragon had said he's simply getting old, and his time is near.

When Merlin and I returned to Camelot, Gaius had read the note which said to let loose the hounds of war, let the dread fire of the last Priestess rain down from angry skies. For brother will slaughter brother. For friend will murdered friend. As the great horn sounds a cold dawn at Camlamn, the Prophets do not lie. There, Arthur will meet his end upon that mighty plain.

A dead knight had been brought in, the skin on his face twisted and grown over, a spell called the ragaid, the ultimate warning from the High Priestess to her enemies.

Morgana has declared war.

Currently, I was on a hunting trip with the knights and my husband. Before we'd left, he'd treated me to breakfast in bed with roses on the side, and had volunteered to look after the kids that morning.

We're now on our way back to Camelot, dawn light seeping through the tree canopy.

Arthur says, "I think that was a good trip."

"Yeah. We all caught something," Says Mordred.

"Including Merlin," Gwaine chimes, grinning. He didn't mention me because everyone knows I hate hunting.

"What did he catch?" Arthur wonders.

"A cold," Merlin complains, a crossbow tucked under his arm, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

"I'm sure your wife would be more than happy to nurse you back to health, Merlin," Gwaine teases.

"I honestly wouldn't mind," Merlin murmurs, making me blush slightly.

I tell him, "If you learned to track, dear, you'd enjoy it more."

"You and I are the best trackers here," Merlin mumbles back.

Suddenly, Percival, riding ahead, holds up his hand as he shushes us. The knights and I take off our capes as we all dismount. I grip Beauty's reins near his bit as Percival steps forward. Merlin dismounts as Percival crouches and plucks an arrow from the earth. We unsheath our swords before starting forward to investigate, Merlin and I falling into step beside Arthur.

"What is it? A deer? A boar?" Merlin asks, nocking a crossbow bolt.

"Arthur," Percival calls. We stop beside him as we see a group of Camelot knights lying dead before us, along with a wooden cart. Arrows impale the dead knights.

"Saxons," I utter.

We go around and close the open eyes of the knights as I gaze at the cart with Merlin and Arthur.

"They were after the cargo," Says Arthur.

I add, "Weapons bound for Camelot."

"Morgana?" Merlin asks.

"This close to the city walls?" Gwaine queries, sitting on a crate."

Arthur orders, "Check for survivors."

I look up when I hear someone run away and spot Mordred chasing after someone into the forest. Merlin and I immediately follow as Arthur whistles for his men.