Thanks for all the support, time for some angst. Let me know what you think.
Challenge 9 : The Full Spectrum: Take your randomly generated character (Merlin), colour (Pale blue) and emotion (desperate) and write a drabble around them.
Category: Gen (Canon)
Characters: Merlin, Arthur
Warning/Rating: K +
Word Count: 300
A/N: Beta'd by caldera32
Desperate:
His breath makes white plumes in the dark. Seeking the last vestiges of heat he stuffs blue-tipped fingers under his armpits but can't stop the violent shakes. Instinctively he begins to curl but the movement jars the iron jaws trapping his leg, tearing his flesh.
Merlin's gut-wrenching scream echoes through the trees but no one answers; no one comes.
He retches then grasps the limb, trying to ease the pain, clawing at the metal teeth to no avail - frigid hands too slick with his own blood to find purchase.
He's pinned, crimson leaks from his leg and every sound makes him flinch, for fierce creatures hunt in these woods. How long before the meat is torn from my bones and all that remains of the mighty Emrys is a solitary buckled boot?
It hurts that Arthur will never know the truth; Merlin will forever be the stupid servant who died like an animal caught in a trap.
He's desperate. The trees are too dense for Kilgharrah, shouting will only bring predators and the iron circle severs his gift. No one knows where he is or that he's missing. It's hours from dawn, the temperature will only drop and he's lost too much blood.
In a last effort, he reaches out telepathically; perhaps the druids will hear? But it's too much, he's too cold and he gives in, thinking of the friend he's failed.
"Merlin."
He cracks open his eyes, trying to reach for the mirage with a shaky hand. "Arthur?"
A solid arm rubs his back, making it real.
"How?"
"Shush, that's not important right now."
Arthur drapes a heavy cloak over his shivering servant and immediately works to remove the trap.
The strange blue orb that led him to his friend lighting his way and giving him hope.
The End
This one was though, I wanted to say so much more and now have a inkling to write it from Arthur's POV - what do you think?