Time Run
Chapter Seven - Round Four Gedref's Revenge
In front of them both was an entrance, just like in Gedref.
"Merlin?"
"Yeah?"
"See you in the middle."
"Yeah."
With that they entered the maze.
Memories came flooding back.
"Do you remember this Arthur?"
Silence.
Merlin stopped "Arthur? You there?"
No answer.
He started to panic.
Little did he know, Arthur was right there, talking to him.
Neither of them could hear each other.
Walking forward, his magic sensed something. Just in time he stumbled back as four spikes came out the wall, right across him, blocking his path.
He was so close, his breath was on the metal.
Looking at the spikes, he slowly backed away, but stopped when his back bumped into something.
He turned round a found a hedge had somehow materialised there.
He was stuck.
Suddenly an idea came to him. Placing both hands on the walls, he gathered all his magic and channelled it all into his hands.
After a while, he started to push the walls apart, but as he did, the spikes came out and stuck on the right side of the hedge, leaving a gap big enough for him to shimmy through.
Positive he done it, he released his magic and was a bit surprised that it worked.
Holding his breath, he positioned himself near the spikes, then slowly shuffled to the left pass them.
His magic held, but not for long.
As he was through, the hedge moved back and one of the spikes screwed through his jacket, really close to his hip just grazing it.
He hissed in pain as it did, but he was too relieved to care.
He did make a mistake however by touching the metal. He immediatly let go as it burned his hand.
Raising his palm to his face, he rolled his eyes when he saw red burning skin strated to peel off.
His jacket will not be coming with him, as he carefully removed it.
When he was free, he continued walking, ready for anything else.
At first he thought he wasn't in there with him, but relised they couldn't talk to each other in case they give away an easy route.
Arthur turned a corner and found a chasm.
Seeing as it was big enough to jump, he walked a few steps backwards, then took a run up.
He jumped over the gap and landed with skid.
With a smug grin, (which if Merlin was here would probably, no definitely, hit him round the head and call him a prat.)
He carried on walking and spotted a lever.
Without even thinking, he pulled it and as he did the wall in front of him switched round, blocking his path.
The prince placed his hands on the hedge, looking for a way out.
His hand grabbed hold on a handle. Pushing the door open, he found a lake with a Questing Beast laying by it.
Slowly creeping round it, he found a spear had lodged itself in it's neck.
Arthur would of been confused, if he didn't see the red neckerchief tied to it.
He untied it and wrapped it round his wrist.
Looking round he found nowhere out, but that was before he noticed he set of stairs leading down underneath the lake.
Walking down, he found himself in another maze, but instead of curious, he became scared as he saw blood on the hedge.
His walking turned into a sprint, then a run.
Following the blood, he stopped when he found himself in the middle.
But he wasn't alone.
In front of him stood a tree and Merlin was tied to it and gagged, looking at him with scared eyes. His face was littered with cuts and scrapes.
Arthur ran forward and cupped his face, making him wince.
"Merlin." he breathed.
He reached round to untie the gag, but there was no knot.
He gave him a questioning look, which Merlin just answered with a shrug.
Walking behind him, he saw the ropes were digging into his wrists, making droplets of blood hit the ground.
Judging by the puddle of red liquid, he must of been here for sometime.
Arthur looked into his eyes and saw them red from crying.
He placed his hands on his arms and could feel him shaking under them.
"I'm here, baby." Arthur soothed him calmly "I'm here now. You're safe."
He saw movement under the cloth and could tell he was trying to smile.
"Mnphur."
He smiled at the effort of trying to say his name.
Suddenly Merlin eyes looked behind him and they looked in pain.
Looking quickly round, he found Morgause.
Drawing his sword, he stood protectively in front of his warlock.
She smiled "Congradulations. The timer is says '31:08'.
"We reached to middle before your fucking timer ran out. Release him and tell us what this bloody game you called the time run fucking ment!" he yelled
"Young prince..."
"SHUT UP! Ever since we woke up, you've been attacking Merlin. Is it becuase your jealous? Do you wish you were Emrys? Is that it?"
"Arthur..."
"Because if it is, I would drive my sword right into your heart."
She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off "And don't even say I can't. This is Excalibur. It was forged in the dragon's breath. It can kill high priestess bitches like you. Do you think I would hesitate? No way. I would kill hundreds of you to save my Merlin. Merlin worth more than your life. I would jump into hell to save him, tear down a kingdom. SO BRING IT ON!"
The timer hit '00:00:00'
"Well done. You have successfully completed the Time Run."
Arthur was about to question her, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned round and found Merlin standing there. Untied, no gag, looking exhausted but with love and admiration in his eyes.
Arthur sheethed his sword and instantly latched on to him, higging him tightly.
"I'm okay Arthur. You did it."
He pulled away "We did it."
Merlin shook his head "Before you came, she explained to me that the whole pint of this was to prove your love to me. You thought I was in danger there, when all along I was safe. Yes the rope made my wrist bleed, but it was a little. Morgause used a spell to make it look like a lot. You really love me that much you would do all that."
Once he felt his prince's lips upon his, he didn't need an answer.
"Wait a minute." He said pulling away.
He looked round at Morgause "You said five rounds. Theres only been four."
She smiled.
Not liking this, Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand and held tight.
"Round Five: Escape."
As soon as she said that, the ground started to crack open. Also a the hedge in front of them opened up revealing a path.
But as it opened, something hot emerged from the crack in the ground.
"Let The Time Run begin."
Getting the message, Arthur sprinted, with Merlin running closely behind as hot lava overflowed at started to chase them.
It wasn't an easy run. Jumping, killing, dodging.
Merlin made the mistake of looking back, cos as he did, he saw the lava right on their heels.
"Arthur, hurry!"
Hearing the panic in his voice, he picked up speed.
Looking back again, Merlin saw they were moving away from it.
Arthur squinted his eyes and saw a bright light in front "Merlin. The exit. It's close."
"Just run!"
After a few more minutes of running, the light was upon them.
They stood on the edge, but had no choice but to jump off.
Merlin woke to voices.
Opening his eyes, he found he was in his chambers with Arthur and Uther talking to each other.
"Arthur?" he slurred reaching out a hand.
The prince snapped his head round, saw this and had no choice but to hurry to him and grab his hand.
He kissed his forehead, then stroked his hair "How are you?"
"Tired."
"Not surprised the sort of day you two had." Uther said.
"What about you?" Merlin asked Arthur.
He shrugged "I'll live."
That earned him a smile.
They jumped when the doors swung open and Gaius walked in.
"Merlin, my boy. Awake at last."
He frowned "At last?"
Explaination time.
Arthur sat on the bed, still holding his hand, stroking the skin with his thumb.
"It was midday when they found us."
Merlin looked out the window and saw it was dark.
"After we jumped, we landed...believe it or not...on top of Camelot. Right on top on the castle."
"What? You mean.. we fell out the sky?"
He nodded.
"Morgause somehow teleported you." Gaius added.
"But why did she take my son and Merlin?"
"She told us it was to prove my love to him."
Uther frowned "But that doesn't make sense. Anyone can see how much you love and care for each other."
Arthur shrugged "Guess she didn't."
With Merlin yawned and his eyes started to droop.
"I think we better leave. He needs rest.
Uther and Gaius left, but just as Arthur was about to, Merlin grabbed his wrist.
"Stay?"
He smiled "What made you think I was leaving? I was gonna get in bed with you."
That made him smile.
A couple or days later found Merlin and Arthur walking down the corridor, hands entwined.
"Merlin! Arthur!" They turned round and found Gwaine walking towards them.
He patted Arthur on the back and ruffled Merlin's hair. "Up at last then."
"I wasn't out for that long." he denfended.
Gwaine smiled "I ment...out your chambers."
"Shut up." Arthur said glaring at him.
"What happened anyway with you two. I asked Gaius and your father and they just said you were away. Doing what away?"
Merlin and Arthur looked at each other then at the knight "Killing time?" Arthur said."
"Ok, ok I get it. You don't want to talk about it." He winked "I understand." he whispered as he walked away.
"Killing time?" Merlin questioned "More like killing on a time run."
Arthur began to laugh "That makes no sense."
"Of course it does, cos thats what we were doing. Where have you been?"
"I tell you where I haven't been today?" he said looking down.
Merlin started to back away "No, Arthur."
"Yes Merlin." he said walking towards him like a beast stalking his prey.
Another time run began, but this one was how long would it take for Merlin to give in and the rounds...might be a bit more fun.
Let The Time Run Begin.
The End.
Hope you enjoyed it.
If you're wondering about the neckchief and jacket, they came back to him after they were teleported.
If you didn't understand somethings, just ask me in a review or a message and I will explain. :)
