Lost
By: Eressie
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Disclaimer: Don't own Merlin. Obviously.
Summary: Merlin gets so very lost; will somebody find him or will he remain lost forever more?
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Chapter 1 – Mind over matter
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Blurry. That was the first thing Merlin managed to process as soon as he opened his eyes. Cold and wet was the others after a minute had passed. He blinked a few times and rubbed his sore hands over his eyes. Why were they sore?
He tried to sit up and gasped as a vicious headache hit him like he had been stabbed right through the head with a sword. With his eyes clenched shut, he tried to continue to breathe. As soon as the worst pain had passed he tried to sit up again- slowly and carefully.
The effort left him panting and he leaned back against the tree. Wait? What? Tree? And that was when he realized that he was in fact in a forest, and it had newly been raining. He sat there soaked, with a frown on his face. He tried to get the world to focus, but no matter how hard he blinked and rubbed his eyes; his sight remained blurry.
He had no idea how he managed to end up where he was, he had no memory of that had happened to him. He groaned and leaned forward to put his hands to the soggy ground. On your feet, Merlin. He told himself and after a few tries he managed to get himself standing- more or less. He was slouching badly against a tree that he had used for support to get up.
He stood there gasping for air for a while, and he wanted nothing more than to just lie down again. Everything took too much effort.
He stubbornly stood where he was. Mind over matter, Merlin. You got to get moving.
He lifted his head and looked around; squinting his eyes. In what direction was he supposed to go? He did not know where he was! Maybe it would be better to just stay where I am and hope that someone finds me? Gah, no! The thought was tempting but he took a deep breath and took his first staggering step forward not really letting go of the tree just yet though. He knew that if he fell down- he would probably not manage to get up again.
Still remaining standing after his first step he felt confident to take another and this time he would be forced to let go of the tree behind him. He tried to concentrate on another tree before him. It was just a few steps away. Just a few steps and he would be able to lean against it. Trembling and very wobbly he managed another step, and while holding his breath in concentration he managed a few more after that. As he leaned breathlessly against the other tree he smiled stupidly with his cheek pressed against the bark of the tree trunk.
"Small steps, Merlin," he slurred, "this is going just fine."
He coughed. No talking for now. He thought to himself, his throat felt sore and dry. He lifted his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead and frowned as he looked ahead the best he could with his blurry vision. Is it… getting darker?
It was, and fast. In a matter of seconds the forest was near pitch black and Merlin's eyes widened in fear. He stood still for a while, trying to process this new development. Then with a few dry gulps he tried to move forward again. Without not really seeing the next tree he could support himself against; moving was proving more difficult. The motivation he had been giving seeing his next goal before him, was now slowly disappearing as he stumbled forward with his arms outstretched. His steps were uncertain and his eyes were wide: moving rapidly as he searched for well, anything really.
His fingers made contact with a tree trunk and with a gasp he gripped the thin tree with all his might. Breathing hard and with his forehead resting against the tree, he stood with his eyes closed and tried to focus on his breathing. This should not be so difficult! He thought frustrated.
His knees were shaking badly from the energy it took to keep him up, tears stung in his eyes because of the hopelessness of the situation. His trembling hands were holding onto the tree with all their strength, but still he felt that he was losing the grip.
With a frustrated cry he fell down like a broken doll on the wet forest floor. He had no more strength to keep himself up and he cursed himself for being so weak. He sat there wheezing, with his back against the young tree and tried to blink away the wetness in his eyes.
I can't do this! He screamed in his mind. It was impossible! He had no strength!
He was shivering from the cold and his wet clothes clung to him like a second skin. He was crying and he pulled his legs to his chest and put his head on his knees. His arms were hanging loosely against his sides and his hands were clutching leaves and twigs on the ground.
With a small voice he whispered. "Forbærnan." Knowing that even if the twigs and leaves were wet, they would still be able to burn with his magic and give him warmth.
But…nothing happened and nothing burned. He growled and glared down at the things he was clutching.
"Forbærnan." he repeated. "Forbærnan!"
The cold remained and he could not feel even a hint of his magic within him. With a frustrated scream he flung the leaves and sticks he was holding into the darkness with his last strength.
And then he broke down.
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Poor Merlin, it is looking really gloomy… will he be saved?
A bit short chapter, it will get longer I promise :)
Apparently in this chapter the text is sometimes all in bold and I do not know why! It's fine most of the time though what I can see… weird.
Liking it? Do you want some more? Review please :)
/Eressie
