A/N: Hey guys; long time no see! Work is winding down from the busy season so I'm getting back into writing. Just a short piece for now from HoC's 2015 writing challenge. For this round we had to write a story based on a first sentence written by someone else. This first sentence was submitted by Teej.
Also, I am working on a new multi-chapter fic. I have the prologue and a bit of the first chapter written so I'm planning to start publishing it this weekend (if I finish chapter one). So nice to be writing again :)
This, he thought, staring at the underbelly of his horse, is really going to hurt. Maybe he should have spent that time rolling out of the way, but he was a bit dazed from the fall and hadn't quite regained his breath yet.
"Merlin!"
Someone was dragging him back, but not quite fast enough as the rearing horse came back down, smashing into his leg. Having only just managed to take a fresh gulp of air, he promptly released it as a scream.
Leon had rushed forth to claim the horse's reins, pulling the beast aside and attempting to calm it – not that Merlin noticed, his eyes now tightly shut in agony.
"Merlin... Merlin, look at me." Arthur's urgent tone prompted the servant to open his eyes, a sliver all he could manage through the pained contortions of his face. "Good; that's good." The king looked away briefly. "Bring that target over here – we'll use it to carry him inside." He put a comforting hand to his friend's shoulder, lowering his tone and speaking gently. "Just hold still, Merlin. We'll get you to Gaius shortly."
Merlin grunted in response, closing his eyes once more as he nodded.
"We're going to lift you now," Arthur informed him just before the pain increased tenfold.
As his cries faded along with his consciousness, Merlin felt a hand carding through his hair.
"Just pass out like the girl you are, Merlin." And, despite himself, he did.
