Title: Raising the Bar
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst, humour, romance and a few more.
Warnings: Contains mention of Slash and Femmeslash. But there's nothing too graphic
Summary: 30 Words: All Arthur wanted to do was crumble into the ground and cry out his grief- but he was Prince, and his pride wouldn't allow such a human display of emotion.
Notes: A friend gave me a challenge that I had to write 10 sentences/small paragraphs all with a different range of word span. Here's my go at it.
1. 1 word
"Merlin!"
2. 10 words
Morgana snarled at him, "Get out of my way, Emrys!"
3. 20 words
"Merlin, would you care to explain this?" Arthur demanded, waving frantically at the devastating scene before him, Merlin gulped audibly.
4. 30 words
All Arthur wanted to do was crumble into the ground and cry out his grief- but he was Prince, and his pride wouldn't allow such a human display of emotion.
5. 40 words
In all his years, Gaius had seen a lot, but seeing the prince and Merlin tangled in the sheets of Merlin's tiny bed asleep- and both obliviously naked- was enough to make Gaius take a step back and just stare.
6. 40 words (…again)
Gwen watched Merlin as he joyfully bounded up beside Arthur and gave the
prince his most innocent grin. Arthur grinned back, a strange look of
affection upon his face.
Gwen observed them as they talked and she began to wonder.
7. 50 words
"I'm tired, Gaius. I'm tired of lying to everyone. I'm tired of hiding who I am. I don't want to do this anymore. I can't keep going on like this-" At this, Merlin stumbled away from Gaius and the breakfast table- "I need to tell Arthur. He needs to know."
8. 60 words
Freya's image swayed before him, the ghost of the girl drifting on the waters surface. She smiled at him, and Merlin felt the tars prick his eyes and threaten to fall. Ghost that she was, when Freya reached out, her hand passed through him. Her voice was soft, "Why are you here?"
Merlin bowed his head. "I can't go back."
9. 90 words
"Merlin."
Arthur's drawl was followed by a crash and colourful assortment of curses.
Arthur sighed and crossed his arms impatiently, leaning against the
doorframe of Merlin's bedroom door.
Another clatter and Merlin's voice crying "Ow!" and the door swung open
to reveal Arthur's manservant.
His dark locks mused, and his eyes wide like a startled doe. His clothes
were rumpled and a silly grin stretched his face.
Arthur scowled.
"What were you doing?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Merlin."
"… Magic."
Arthur grinned.
"May I watch?"
A cheeky grin. "…No."
"Merlin."
"Oh, alright!"
10. 100 Words
Merlin shook his head at Gwaine in a disapproving fashion- much
like one used by a scolding mother to her misbehaving child. "This is
possibly the stupidest idea you've ever had."
Gwaine grinned his reply and thumped Merlin's shoulder in what he supposed
was a friendly manner. "It's not that stupid. We get in, grab the prince, we get out and-"
"Die trying."
Gwaine tugged Merlin down the corridor. "We won't die," He said, while
winking.
Merlin scowled and watched the cheerful man walk swiftly away into the
darkness.
"Come on, Merlin!"
"I blame Arthur for this," Merlin grumbled.
:)