Well, practically everyone who reviewed said they would like more, so who am I to argue - I hope you enjoy, let me know what you think.
Challenge 9 : The Full Spectrum: Take your randomly generated character (s) (Merlin, Arthur), colour (pale blue) and emotion (relief) and write a drabble around them.
Category: Gen (Canon)
Characters: Merlin, Arthur
Warning/Rating: K +
Word Count: 322 (oops, I went over!)
A/N: Beta'd by caldera32. Sequel to Desperate
Signs:
"Merlin!"
Arthur wakes with a start, skin tingling and clammy. What's going on?
There's no warning bell, no one banging on the door, and no Merlin. Unnerved, Arthur grabs his clothes and heads out, leaving Guinevere to sleep.
"Sire?"
"Where's my servant?"
The guard shrugs."He left the castle as I was starting my shift -."
"In darkness?"
Arthur storms down the corridor, unable to explain the urgency or sense of foreboding. He passes the window and catches a glimmer in the courtyard - Merlin?
Rushing onto the cobbles he searches for the light, seeing it disappear through the gate. He's compelled to follow. He snatches a torch, checks his sword, and pulls a thick cloak about his shoulders. This is madness, yet he can't stop.
"Sire?"
Arthur turns towards the guard. "Wake Gaius, tell him to be prepared."
"For what?"
"The worst." Where the words come from he doesn't know. "Instruct the knights to follow."
"Shouldn't you wait, Sire?"
"There isn't time."
Arthur saddles his horse, every second precious. Where now?
"Arthur."
He turns toward the voice; against the tree line blue light flickers, beckoning. He pursues.
The woods become dense; he continues on foot. The orb stops, hovering low to the ground.
He smells the blood before he sees the body – it makes his stomach roil. Merlin's leg is a mangled mess, caught in an illegal trap.
Merlin bites on the belt as Arthur removes the metal monstrosity. Tears streak his face, body jerking in a muffled cry. Arthur presses tattered flesh trying to flush the wound - it's too much.
The light winks out. An unnatural wind whips through the trees.
He freezes, covering Merlin's unconscious body with his own.
"Who's there?" He grips his sword, heart pounding.
Four hooded figures emerge, surrounding them.
"Do not be alarmed, Arthur Pendragon. We only wish to help."
Druids. Relief floods him; Merlin has a chance now - that's all that matters.
The End
Any thoughts?
