"Mind is Made" (Rose)
"Rose, Merlin," Gaius's voice calls out. I stir in bed, not yet opening my eyes for fear of what they might reveal to me. When I do, I see I am alone. An uncomfortable mood sets in.
Gaius pushes through the door, "You're going to be-" he stops short.
"He never came back," I say with a strained voice.
"You're certain?"
"Absolutely," I guarantee. "I stayed up most of the night to be sure."
"You should get some rest," Gaius says with a foreign sounding calmness. "I will check with the others and ask if they've seen him."
"I cannot rest while he is not found," I state soundly.
"You must try," he insists.
I resolve to lie down, but my mind is made. I will not sit back and leave Merlin to whatever mess I know he's gotten into. I'm upset I didn't go sooner. He could be in grave danger. What if he's wounded? 'Stop,' I scold myself. I know thinking that way isn't going to do either of us any good.
I remain in my place until I hear the door slam shut, signaling that Gaius has gone on his way. I scramble to my feet and quickly change into one of my more versatile dresses, secure my cloak, and scribe a note for his return telling him where I went, and if Merlin should come back before I do, to slap him for me. With that accomplished, I grab a hunk of bread and dash out of the castle without a second thought.
"No Chance" (Merlin)
I can do little but take heavy breaths, each causing pain, as time flies by. I try a spell to break the chains. They only squeeze tighter, making me lose my breath altogether for a second. I attempt once more with the same result. At this rate, I'm going to turn my insides into mush. I give another enchantment a go, and it only worsens the hold of my bonds. I wrack my mind for what to do when a hissing sound of sorts sounds in the surrounding area. I grunt, turning my eyes to the ground when a tree creaks from some unseen force.
Whatever has enough force to move a tree like that cannot be welcoming.
Panic swells in my being as my heart begins to pump fear through my veins. Giant scorpion creatures encircle me, closing in on where I remain nearly helpless. In desperation, I speak a new spell. I cry out when the chains clutch me harder than ever. I watch hopelessly as the things creep up on me. I am to be their prey and I don't have much grounds to fight them off.
Solutions rip through my mind stemming from my knowledge of magic. I yell an incantation, causing a couple of them to back away slowly. I use another to further my efforts when one stabs me with its stinger right in my back. I roar out in pain, sending a couple of them flying backwards. I double over, feeling the venom sliver through my bloodstream. Gathering the spare of my power, I scream words of the ancient language of the dragon in an attempt to summon help, then I fall to the ground as the monsters close in again. If he doesn't show, I stand no chance of surviving this. "Ah," I cringe, surely succumbing to the weakness.
I look from side to side at the things, losing all morale until I catch a glimpse of the silhouette of a huge winged creature against the night sky. Kilgharrah swoops downward, diving right for the man-eating scorpions, setting them ablaze with fire from his mouth. I pull away as best as I can from the flames, soon allowing myself to relax as the demons flee. The last thing I see is the Great Dragon hovering over me as my consciousness sneaks away from me once more.