Chapter Sixteen, Courage, Strength, Magic and Hope

Gwaine and Merlyn had stopped at an inn on their way to catch up with Arthur who only had a day ahead of them. Merlyn was more than happy to camp outside but Gwaine would not hear of it. He paid for them to share a room, as there was only one room left. It had a double bed which meant they had to share, but they didn't mind or see any issue with it.
"So what do you think it'll be?" Merlyn asked, that night as she snuggled up to Gwaine, her head laying on his chest and a hand on her stomach.
"I think it'll be a girl who is as beautiful and as powerful as her mother." Gwaine stated with a happy smile, his hand covering Merlyn's. "What do you think my Merlyn bird?"
"I think it'll be a boy who is just like his father including your eyes but with my magic." Merlyn said, picturing her little boy while Gwaine pictured his little girl.

"Well, I still think it's a girl and I think Hope would be a good name." Gwaine stated.
"I want to name our son after my father, Balinor." Merlyn said with a small sad but happy smile.
"That's perfect my love." Gwaine said happily, Merlyn smiled triumphantly thinking she'd won until Gwaine spoke again. "For our second child." Gwaine added, making them both laugh. "Get some sleep Merlyn we still have a long journey ahead of us still. I love you my Merlyn bird." Gwaine said, kissing her lips softly.
"And I love you too, Gwaine. Good night." Merlyn said, pecking his lips as she snuggled down under the covers and soon drifted off to sleep.

***

Arthur's energy continued to drain day by day, especially when he had to fight against two robbers who had tried to steal from him while he slept and slit his throat for good measure. He had been successful in beating them, but only just and it had sucked away his already dwindling energy. He finally made it to the edge of The Perilous Lands and he could see why it was called as such: the sky was a hazy blood orange, there was only a little forested area that his map said had a bridge that led into the wastelands of the Fisher Kings realm, the rest of the area was all waste lands with various sinkholes that he would have to watch out for.

Stowing away his map once again and tying up his horse, he made his way through the narrow forest on foot; where he came across a small clearing where a small man stood in the middle of the bridge blocking his way. He was dressed all in brown and black leather and Arthur also noticed there was a good size fire pit placed strategically in the upper middle so the man would not have to leave his position to keep warm. There were also pots placed over the fire obviously cooking some food for the man, by the delicious smell coming from it.

"Who is it that wishes to cross my bridge?" The man asked curiously, showing no signs of hostility which Arthur was thankful for but also wary of. It was always best to expect the unexpected.
"A Knight, on a quest to find the trident of the Fisher King." Arthur said confidently, walking forwards slowly as he stowed away his sword. The man chuckled a little, a smirk gracing his lips. 
"Then, you must be Courage." The man stated.
"No, I'm Prince Arthur of Camelot." Arthur said, confused. The man walked forwards holding out his hand for Arthur to shake with a small smile on his lips, which Arthur readily accepted and shook firmly.
"I'm Grettir." The man introduced. "I have to say, you're not as short as I thought you'd be." Grettir remarked, leaning on the fence beside the entrance of the bridge.

"Before I let you pass, I'll give you a little advice." Grettir said, suddenly becoming more serious. "As Courage, there are three more things you'll need to complete your quest... Strength, Magic and Hope."
"I don't condone the use of magic." Arthur said firmly, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You'd be wise not to dismiss it so freely, the rules in the land that you're heading to are very different to those in the world that you know." Grettir said firmly, causing Arthur to suddenly become unsure and cast a wary look at his surroundings, while Grettir assessed him shrewdly.
"Thank you for your help." Arthur said gratefully, even if the man did confuse him. Pleased with his behaviour Grettir stepped aside and allowed Arthur to pass on to the bridge, only to suddenly grab his arm when he sensed powerful dark magic coming from the bracelet on his arm.

"That's a very beautiful bracelet." Grettir remarked, a secretive smirk playing on his lips.
"It was given to me by someone very dear to me. She hoped it would bring me good fortune." Arthur explained obliviously.
"Did she now?" Grettir laughed, dropping Arthur's arm. "How very thoughtful of her." He said, before he burst out laughing. When Arthur turned back to look at him the man was gone but he could still hear his ringing laughter. Shaking his head Arthur drew his sword and continued on with his journey as he still had a few days ahead of him before he reached the Dark Tower where it was rumoured the Fisher King had resided so if the trident was going to be anywhere it would be somewhere within that castle.

***

Half a day later, Gwaine and Merlyn arrived at the edge of The Perilous Lands, only slightly behind Arthur and were hoping to catch up with him sooner rather than later. They would've gotten here a few hours earlier but Merlyn was suddenly hit with a terrible bout of morning sickness that not even the potions could help so they had to stop and wait for it to pass and for Merlyn to feel better enough to ride once again, even if Gwaine had wanted them to rest Merlyn would not hear of it. They were already behind and they couldn't afford to waste anymore time with Arthur's life on the line.

"This is it." Gwaine said, looking up from his map to the Forest before them. "On the other side of the Forest lies The Perilous Lands."
"That does not look friendly." Merlyn remarked uncertainty.
"That's because it's not. Believe me, it's wretched." Gwaine said nervously, he did not want his love to go in there but he knew they had to.
"How do you know? You've never been there." Merlyn said teasingly, but also wondering if he had.
"Before I came to you and to Camelot; I've been to many places, my love." Gwaine said mysteriously.
"Not The Perilous Lands, I know that." Merlyn said mischievously.
"Why?" Gwaine asked curiously.
"Because there aren't any taverns." Merlyn teased, making them both laugh.

"See. I told you it was a wretched place." Gwaine laughed. "Come here, you." He said pulling Merlyn's horse closer so he could lean forwards and give her a tender, loving kiss. "I love you Merlyn. Promise me you'll be careful?" Gwaine asked, when they pulled back his head resting against hers.
"I promise Gwaine and I love you too." Merlyn said, pecking his lips once more and set off for the Forest. When they arrived at the Forest's edge they spotted Arthur's horse tied to a tree and tied theirs beside Arthur's and set off on foot through the narrow woods. They soon came across the clearing with the bridge but Grettir was nowhere to be found but the fire was still lit. Gwaine, feeling more cautious and his growing desire to protect the woman he loved and his unborn child increasing as each day passed; wanted to scope the area out first while Merlyn stayed hidden behind a rock. But Merlyn never really did what she was told, especially when she could sense magic.

With Gwaine gone Merlyn entered the clearing with the bridge looking around at her surroundings cautiously, as she neared the bridge Grettir appeared once more.
"So Magic and Hope have arrived." He remarked happily, startling Merlyn although she tried not to show it.
"What?" Merlyn asked cautiously, an arm going protectively across her middle as her eyes started to glow gold in warning.
"There is nothing to be afraid of." Grettir said, waking closer to her with his arms raised in surrender. "I mean neither your nor your child any harm. Besides, your presence is essential if Arthur is to succeed on his quest."

"How do you know about Arthur? And who are you?" Merlyn asked, her curiosity growing.
"I'm the Keeper or the Bridge. I only wish to see The Fisher King's Lands restored and prosperity reign again. Until your mission is complete, this I'm afraid, cannot happen." Grettir explained with a sigh.
"I'm afraid that it's not my mission, it's Arthur's. I'm only here because he's in danger and it's my job to protect him." Merlyn denied.
"If that's what you choose to believe." Grettir said with a shrug. "It's no accident that Arthur chose this path or that you chose to follow him despite your destiny." He added, just as Gwaine ran up to them pulling Merlyn into his arms to reassure himself she was alright.

"Ah, finally." Grettir said in a somewhat annoyed voice at being kept waiting. "Strength has arrived. The quartet is complete." Gwaine pulled his sword out so suddenly as he jumped in front of Merlyn that she barely got a chance to stop him and could only place a restraining hand on his sword arm, as Grettir's eyes flashed golden and turned Gwaine's sword into a large Lily.
"I mean no harm to either of you or your child, and I thank you to mean no harm in return." Grettir said firmly.
"Where's my sword?" Gwaine asked, slightly annoyed, even if he was impressed at the display of magic. If only he could do that he could produce flowers for Merlyn any time he wanted.
"It will return to you once you reach the other side." Grettir informed him, stepping aside to let Gwaine pass.

"I apologise for him. He's become very overprotective of me." Merlyn apologised with a sigh.
"No need for apologies I completely understand and it is well within his rights to defend you as his Soulmate and your unborn child; even if you are ten times more powerful than me. But as I said I mean no harm to any of you and wish no harm in return. But some advice: The Fisher King has waited many years for this day. Do not deny him what he wishes. And remember this, nothing is as it seems." He said, allowing Merlyn to pass while Gwaine stood on the bridge waiting for her.
"Thank you. But I do not know your name." Merlyn asked.
"It is Grettir, Lady Emrys." Grettir introduced.
"Then, thank you for your advice Grettir." Merlyn said kindly.

The two magical beings smiled at each other before she caught up with Gwaine who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple lovingly as they hurried to find Arthur. Grettir watched them go and knew Strength would be good for Emrys as she will need that in her long life and he counted himself as an ally to Emrys and would come to her aid if there were ever any cause for it. And feared that day would soon be dawning on them sooner rather than later.