Author's Note: Hey! Big chapter here, so sorry if it's too long. OK, some Arthur-Emrys fighting here which we've been patiently waiting for. Well I can't really think of anything else to say so I'm gonna let you read now. But if I do remember something I was meant to add in (which I probably will) I'll most likely put it in the next chapter's AU : ) OK, enjoy and please review! We're having a bit of a review-drought here : ( x
Disclaimer: I still do not own any characters of Shine and the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes and splelnig errrors are also my own, which are not so genius…
Chapter Fifty Two
Vengeance
Emrys stepped confidently through the ring of cowering Griffins and faced Arthur. The Prince smirked and twisted his sword round in his hand skilfully. Ceira stayed protectively at the side of the circle, her inky eyes narrowed and watching both of their movements carefully. Emrys was also watching Arthur carefully, trying to anticipate his next move.
"So, you finally face me, Thief?" Arthur asked smugly.
It was strange. Every time they met, Arthur had a smug look on his face as if he had accomplished something he had been fighting for for years for but then when they left each other he was always looking terrified or angry.
"Yeah, but this will be the last time," Emrys replied.
"I couldn't agree more. This is where you die Emrys."
"I've heard that before, and yet, I'm still here," Emrys smirked.
"Not for much longer." Arthur suddenly lashed out, swinging his sword round to Emrys' arm. Emrys ducked under it and manoeuvred himself round in a circle, still facing Arthur. Arthur stepped slowly round in a circle too, also gazing at Emrys. They did that for a moment, each deciding their next move. Arthur leapt forward and swung his sword at Emrys' legs to try and knock him off balance. Adeptly, Emrys jumped the blade and threw out his hand towards Arthur. Arthur could already see what was coming and Emrys recognised the fear in his eyes.
"Scrydan hístðcræa!" Emrys fired at Arthur. A jet of bright turquoise light flew at Arthur and hit him squarely in the chest. He was knocked back off his feet and slammed into the ground at the feet of one of the encircling Griffins which hastily backed away. Emrys watched carefully as he lay there motionlessly. The spell wasn't meant to knock people out but Arthur wasn't making any signs of moving. Emrys took a couple of steps closer and leaned over to inspect Arthur. His eyes suddenly flew open and he sprang back up, grabbing his sword from where it had fell beside him and struck it at Emrys' side. The flat of the blade knocked Emrys off balance and he fell to the ground. Arthur smirked and rose his sword above his head, not wasting any time. But just as Emrys was preparing himself for the intense pain that was to come, Arthur disappeared from sight.
~xox~
Emrys frowned and sat up. There Arthur was, lying on the ground beside him. Emrys hastily got back to his feet and looked round for what had forced Arthur to the ground. A Hippogriff was approaching Arthur, lowering its claws with which he had just hit Arthur down into the grass. Arthur's eyes were open and frightened. He clutched his sword to his side and sprang up, looking wildly round as other creatures joined the Hippogriff in stepping threateningly towards him. All the beasts seemed to have seen that their side now had the advantage and were now starting to find their confidence. Hydra (oblivious that Emrys' companion had just ripped one of their kin to shreds), more Hippogriffs, Griffins, Vampires, Spectres and Wyverns (a few of which were beginning to land all around). The battle still raged around them, not knowing that the two creators of the battle were both facing each other. One of the Vampires suddenly pounced upon Arthur, wrestling him to the ground and struggling to get their fangs into his neck. One of the smaller Hydras slid its body round his legs so he couldn't move and hissed aggressively. More Vampires crowded in and held him down. The Griffins leaned in and screeched violently while the Spectres formed a circle around the crowd and raised their arms above their heads in union. The Wyverns that had landed nearby slunk towards the gathering hungrily, ready to take their share of Arthur. At least twenty creatures were all closing in on Arthur and preparing to take him apart.
~xox~
"Stop! Step back from him! Everyone!" Emrys yelled over the rabble. The beasts looked up at him enquiringly. "Trust me," he added quietly. They reluctantly backed away from the distraught looking Arthur whose armour had been ripped off him so only his chain-mail remained and his was face scratched. He staggered up to his feet and glanced warily round at the creatures that were now scrutinizing him carefully.
"Wha-what do you want with me Emrys?" stammered Arthur.
"If anyone is going to kill you, then I want it to be me," Emrys said coldly.
"Well get on with it then," Arthur said, getting back to grips and swapping his sword between his hands. Emrys outstretched his arm and opened his hand. He opened his mouth to chant a spell but Arthur was too fast. He launched himself forwards, thrusting his sword forwards but Emrys dodged it threw out his hand again.
"Oferhlýp crýliss!" Arthur swerved to the side just as the light yellow streak jetted past his ear. Arthur struck forwards again but Emrys dodged it. Emrys shot another spell but Arthur veered round it. They carried on like this for a couple of moments but suddenly, something went wrong. Arthur ducked under another one of Emrys incantations and surged his sword forwards. This time Emrys wasn't fast enough. This time Emrys couldn't dodge it. This time Emrys got hit. He collapsed backwards onto the ground, a pained yell escaping his lips. Arthur smirked above him and swung his blade round in his fingers.
"As I said Emrys, this is where you die."
~xox~
Without warning, something flew over Emrys' head and struck Arthur with such force he was pinned under whatever had hit him and struck the ground. Emrys clutched his shoulder, gritting his teeth with pain and lay his head back on the grass, trying to swallow down the agony. He heard a struggle a short distance away from him. It sounded like something large was moving round in the grass. He pulled himself up, propping himself up with his elbows and squinted his blurring eyes at the fight that was happening. His eyes cleared a little so he could just make out Arthur's figure staring up at the huge figure of Ceira. Emrys was suddenly underwater. The scene in front of him was swimming and Emrys could hardly breathe as the pain stabbed its way through his body, using a knife to cut through his innards to reach every inch of his body. Ceira had pinned Arthur to the ground who was struggling weakly to no avail beneath her mighty claws. She bared her huge fangs at him and snarled aggressively. She raised a paw above her head and prepared herself to strike. Arthur stopped squirming as he had finally figured out that there was no way he was going to get out of this one. Suddenly, a figure flew out from the small crowd that had formed around the pair and swung its sword out in front of it. Emrys squinted harder, trying desperately to see who it was defending Arthur. He should have known. Leon. The most loyal of all of Arthur's Knights. Ceira leapt over the sword just in time and sprang away from Arthur, growling. Arthur scrambled up and shot Leon a thankful look. Leon nodded and stepped toward Ceira to take another swing. Arthur placed his hand of Leon's shoulder and pulled him back, muttering in his ear.
"No Leon, this is my fight. You don't need to fight it with me. But thanks my friend." He patted his shoulder and Leon nodded, backing away to the rest of the anxious looking Knights. "And that goes for everybody else!" Arthur called into the crowd. "Nobody will try to help me! I will do this on my own!"
The whole crowd was stunned into silence, only broken by the battle that was still raging all around them. Arthur's eyes slid back to Ceira who had brought herself back and was glowering darkly at Arthur. Arthur swallowed and stepped forward, showing he was ready to fight. Ceira sprang straight in, swinging her paw round towards Arthur's throat. Arthur ducked and moved backwards. Ceira followed and lunged forwards, snapping at Arthur's arm. He ducked out of the way and returned back to safety. They carried on like this with Ceira throwing a blow and Arthur just dodging in time. Suddenly, Arthur was a little too late to move and Ceira just caught his arm, knocking his sword out of his hand. It flew over to the ground only a short distance away but Arthur made no move to retrieve it. Why didn't he get it back? Ceira seemed to be thinking the same thing but despite it she carried on fighting. She was the one with the advantage now. After a few more attempts, Ceira tried a false move, lunging to the right. Arthur jumped to the side but Ceira drew back instantly and pounced to the left where Arthur had retreated. She pinned him to the ground again and stared maliciously into his eyes. She had him now. Emrys watched as everyone seemed to draw in a silent gasp as Arthur's eyes widened as he realised there was no way out of this one. Why wasn't he defending himself? His sword was only lying a short distance away from him, only a couple of feet. But he still didn't make any attempt to retrieve it. Emrys saw Ceira's mouth move as she spoke softly but also heard her whispering voice echoing round in his head. She was projecting what she was saying to him magically so he could hear the last words Arthur would ever hear.
"This is for Emrys." She suddenly drew back, opening her jaws, displaying her blade like fangs, and glared at Arthur. Arthur swallowed and forced his fingers into fists. Emrys held his breath. Ceira suddenly rushed forward, her jaws ready to snap shut around Arthur's throat. Just as she was inches away from his neck, there was a sudden white, magical flash of light.
~xox~
Author's Note: Ooohhh, but who could this spell have been fired at? Arthur, Ceira or Emrys himself? Find out in the next instalment of…*big X Factor voiceover man voice* 'THE THIEF OF CAMELOT!' *Ahem* x
