Author's Note: OK, I am prepared for admonishment… So, so, so sorry guys! I don't know what's happened to me lately. Suddenly I've had so much homework and I've just been picked for this show based on the Titanic and I've just started my drama LAMDA (it's this exam that you take in drama if you're wondering, which you're probably not) I am so sorry I haven't been updating! But I shall now! And hopefully this chapter will win you all back. Ah, wishful thinking… where would I be without it? But anyway, really sorry and hope you like this chapter! Please review if you don't still hate me after reading! Thanks!
Chapter Seven
Paralysed
Emrys surveyed the street that the Knights usually emerged from to start their search. He had to sit there for a while but in the end they came like he knew they would. Sure enough, none of the Knights or Arthur had a scrap of armour on them. They were even more silent without it. Arthur didn't even talk when he gave the instructions to the Knights on where to search first. He just gestured, pointing to each of the Knights and then pointing in a direction. When he had finished, they all nodded and split off into groups. Arthur had brought the same Knights that he had last night. He obviously thought that this combination of Knights was most successful. Arthur had split them up into three pairs and one group of three. The three was Percival, Olwyn and Braeden. Arthur probably thought these three were the least useful as he had told them to stay by the castle gates and wait to see if Emrys would try backtracking nearby. Emrys made a note in his head to not do that. The thought of being caught by those three was embarrassing. Anyway, the pairs that Arthur had sent off were himself and Leon, Elyan and Delmar and then Gwaine and Lancelot. Emrys made another note to himself to keep an eye on those two. They didn't half have a habit of jumping up in unexpected places. The pairs crept through separate streets. Emrys leapt silently to another roof so he could keep an eye on all three pairs at once. Red followed him obediently, staying as silent as Emrys, not making a single sound. Emrys followed both Arthur and Leon, and Elyan and Delmar but he had already completely lost sight of Gwaine and Lancelot. But it didn't matter. He would just concentrate on keeping quiet and slipping into the shadows as much as he could.
Soon, Emrys had lost sight of all the pairs, but he reminded himself what he had thought to himself before. Just keep quiet and stay in shadows. He had slipped away from them so many times before, why would this time be any different? Emrys remained on the roofs, not daring to take even a step into the streets. Suddenly he heard a faint clink of metal. Emrys whipped round and saw what had made the noise. He jumped behind a chimney before either Gwaine or Lancelot noticed him. They had obviously finally learnt that he spent most of his time on the rooftops. Lancelot gripped the sword he had accidentally let clink upon the tiles. Gwaine held a hand out to Lancelot and heaved him up onto the roof. When they were both firmly on the roof they looked around them, scouring the roofs for any movement. When they saw none they moved forward together, holding their swords up in front of them defensively. Emrys breathed a little heavier and checked that Red had concealed himself also. He was hiding at his feet, a tiny trace of worry in his amber eyes. Emrys dared not crouch down and comfort him. He risked a glace around the chimney to see where Gwaine and Lancelot were. Emrys wished he hadn't as soon as he did. They were only a couple of feet away from him. He would have to run or they would surely find and trap him up against the chimney. Emrys took a deep breath and stepped out into the moonlight.
Gwaine and Lancelot took one glance at him and broke into a run. Emrys copied them and sprinted off in front of them, leading only by a couple of strides. Red bounded yet again just behind him, lapping up the excitement that coursed through his body. Without warning, Arthur and Leon appeared out of nowhere about four feet in front of him. Emrys planted his feet into the tiles and whipped round Gwaine and Lancelot had now slowed, seeing that they had him trapped. Arthur and Leon were obviously just as surprised as Emrys was. But they stayed where they were as soon as they saw what was happening. Emrys was trapped. He dared not use the transportation spell again, he knew how to do it with just himself, but another living thing that wasn't even human, it was too risky. And he couldn't bare risking Red. He was too special. So Emrys, what're you going to do now? A taunting voice seemed to sneer in his head. Emrys looked round wildly. There must be a way out. There always was. Then he saw it. Well Mr 'Voice-in-my-head' this is what I'm going to do now he thought. Gwaine, Lancelot, Leon and Arthur were all creeping toward him, not wanting to approach him too fast. Emrys strode over to the edge on his right and took a last look round to the Knights. They were looking worried. Their faces read 'Oh no. What's he going to try now?' Emrys turned back and leapt off the edge into the gloom below.
Before the air rushing into his lungs could suffocate him, his feet landed on the ground. He felt Red, who had loyally jumped behind him, land at his feet. Emrys could hear rushing footfalls as soon as he landed. Leon, Lancelot, Gwaine and Arthur would not want to loose their captive now. He could already see bodies flying round the corner when they had clambered off the roofs. Emrys went to run the opposite way but figures were running toward him in that direction also. There was no escape this time. Emrys stared around him, praying for some sort of way out. There was nothing. Only darkness. Suddenly, Emrys was surrounded. All of the Knights stood, staring at him with threatening looks on their faces. Red backed up against his leg. He could hear him growling clearly at the Knights that encircled them. They didn't bother being slow this time. He felt strong hands clasp around his arms and pin them against his back. The person behind him then took one hand off his arms to unsheathe his sword and hold it up against Emrys' throat. Emrys dared not move in fear of losing his head. Emrys knew whoever was holding him wouldn't slit his throat as Arthur had probably ordered them not to. He would want to show the Thief to his father and receive the praise he 'deserved'. But he still didn't want to risk it. Having a well sharpened sword held up to your neck was not a familiar feeling to Emrys and he was definitely not liking his first experience.
"Well, well, well. Look who's the one with the sword pressed up to his neck now. Do you like the feeling Thief? Well, let's see how you like it when we hand you over to the King. I'm sure you'll like it even less then," Arthur smiled maliciously. Emrys went to move threateningly toward Arthur but was stopped by a harsh and painful tug on his arms from behind and the sword being pressed up further against his skin. He felt a bead of blood trickle down from the place where the sword dug in. Arthur smiled even more broadly. "Not so tough now are you? OK Gwaine, lead him to the castle and keep tight hold of him. Don't let him try any of his little magic tricks." So this was Gwaine holding him? Just as Gwaine went to force Emrys forward Arthur held out a hand to stop him and stared down to something on the floor. Then Emrys remembered. Red. "And who's this Emrys? Your little friend?" Arthur laughed along with the rest of the Knights (apart from Gwaine and Lancelot who kept silent). Emrys watched as Arthur bent down to grab Red behind his neck but then recoiled instantly, clutching his hand. Large bite marks shone scarlet in the moonlight. "You little…" but Arthur didn't have time to finish his sentence before he was crying out in pain as Red sunk his teeth firmly into Arthur's forearm. Arthur grabbed at Red, trying to drag his away but his teeth remained firmly in his arm and showed no signs of letting go. That was before he struck another Knight. Leon yelled out in pain also, clutching at his wrist that Red had jumped up and bitten. Both Braeden and Elyan rushed forward to steady the Prince as he grasped his rapidly bleeding arm. Olywn dashed over to Leon to see if he was OK. Red pounced upon Percival, almost knocking him over, and sank his fangs into his calf. Percival screamed in agony and Delmar jumped to his side before he toppled over. Red then turned to face Lancelot, blood dripping from his jaws menacingly. Lancelot backed away slowly. Red only injured him with a slight scratch with his knife sharp claws to his wrist. Red then confronted Gwaine. Emrys felt Gwaine's grip on his arms slacken as he backed away. Emrys could tell Gwaine was shaking his head at the fox, pleading him not to strike.
"No, Red. Don't. Come on, it's time to go." Emrys didn't know why he had said that but he didn't have time to think about it. Emrys had easily forced Gwaine's hands away from him and escaped with Red sprinting at his heels. They had jumped up on the rooftops and headed as fast as they could toward the wood he could see in the distance. Emrys could tell the Knights wouldn't follow them. Too many of them were too badly wounded to take chase again. So Emrys and Red reached the sanctuary of their home safely that night.
