Fallen Angel Part 5:
Here is the final part of my 'Fallen Angel' series. I hope you have enjoyed the series and like this last chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Merlin'.
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He made to cry out, but his tongue refused to respond and his muscles slackened as his exhaustion increased. He blinked blearily, struggling to maintain his focus…
The music cut off abruptly, jerking him from his stupor. Around the dining hall, nobles were also awakening, pulling spider webs from their hair and clothing as they glanced around in confusion. As his eyes travelled over the scene, Albrecht's gaze was drawn to a young man, dressed in a nondescript brown jacket and pants. He had not noticed the man before – he stood in the shadows, separate from the King's guests – but now that he was looking, he noted a certain charisma about the dark-haired youth which marked him as different from others present. Perhaps it was simply his peasant's clothing, contrasting strongly to the finely woven fabrics of the Lords' and Ladies' costumes. Perhaps it was his sense of alertness, whilst the rest of the court seemed confused and unsure of what had happened. Or perhaps it was the bright, clear blue eyes which were focussed unwaveringly on the fallen figure of Lady Helen – her hair having inexplicably transformed from rich brown to grey – who lay trapped beneath the fallen chandelier which had hung above her.
The man's eyes widened suddenly, flashing with panic as he darted forwards at a speed which should have been impossible. He barrelled into the Prince, yanking him to the floor mere moments before a dagger sank into the wood of his chair where the king's son had stood.
The grey-haired singer, having been thwarted in her assassination of the Prince, drew in a single long, suffering breath before collapsing. Albrecht moved into the shadows, paying little attention to the King's promise of a reward for the man who had saved his son's life. He had to see the dead woman's face.
Edging past the befuddled nobles, he made his way towards the front of the room. He stopped with a sharp intake of breath as he finally saw the face of the would-be assassin. This was not the Lady Helen, but he had seen the elderly woman before. Before him lay the sorceress who had disappeared in a whirlwind from the main courtyard just days beforehand, following the execution of her son. It seemed she had been true to her promise, attempting to avenge the death of her own son by killing Prince Arthur.
His suspicions had been correct. Amelie had been killed by the sorceress' magic, but – if he was right about the flash of gold he had seen in the young man's eyes before he had pulled the king's son out of harm's way – magic had also been used to save a life. This man had accomplished what Albrecht himself had set out to do – he had prevented the witch from killing again, and saved the kingdom from the terrible loss of their Prince.
The sorceress was dead now; there was no reason to warn the King of her presence. If Uther had any suspicion that the man he had just rewarded with a position in the royal household was also a magic-user, he would surely be put to death. As a citizen of Camelot, Albrecht was bound to warn his monarch of any threats against the kingdom or the royal family.
But, he thought as he glanced across at the compelling young man, with his shock of black hair and deep blue eyes; maybe that flash of gold wasn't a symbol of danger. Maybe – just maybe – it was a symbol of hope.
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I hope you enjoyed this final chapter of 'Fallen Angel'. I have a few stories lined up that I've been waiting to post until this series was done, so should be updating again soon! Just a reminder that I am open to prompts if you have any. Thanks for reading!