(Author's Note: Still do not own anything. SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING SOONER! I feel so bad about it. But good news is I have in fact finished writing this story! UPDATES TO FOLLOW FAST!)
Part 5 Arthur's Awakening
Arthur awoke with a start. Memories were flowing back. The boy that goofy, hopeless, clumsy, danger prone, loyal to a fault idiot!
"Merlin!" He breathed, anger bubbling up inside him, fed by guilt and frustration.
"That WITCH!" She had hit him with a spell. Something that had made him forget Merlin. He cursed under his breath, the sun was rising and his campfire was cold ashes. How long had he been asleep?
He scrambled to his feet and over to his horse, Merlin's was tethered next to it. He had to rescue Merlin fast. A rider less horse would just slow him down. A voice had been echoing in his head since he had jerked awake. Merlin's voice panic evident and pain rising in it.
"Help me please!" fear for Merlin had Arthur jumping on his horse, leaving the other behind. He galloped off. He was following a feeling, something he didn't normally do.
He could practically see a golden trail, and he knew he was going the right way. He spurred his horse faster as a fortress, broken and old came into sight, and a scream rent the air. He was close.
(Merlin)
Merlin screamed as Nimueh's magic struck him again. His magic was completely out of his control. Though weakened by the chains, his pain had awakened a raw power that he had never felt before.
It boiled through him, not burning him yet, but it still hurt. Nimueh was beginning to take notice. He tried to push it down, to hide it. The sheer amount of raw power terrified him. When Nimueh's next spell slammed him up against the dungeon wall by his throat he couldn't control it. It lashed out, breaking her hold on him, surrounding him in golden mist.
Nimueh's screech of frustration was muffled. Merlin felt the mist healing him. He sighed in relief, the pain and fear eased. He felt the magic ebbing back into him, the raw power fading as rapidly as it had risen. When he blinked he saw that the mist had vanished and Nimueh was standing over him, seething.
He smiled sadly at her. He couldn't bring himself to hate her; he felt only pity for her. She had allowed hate to consume her. He was too tired to even lift his head. She hesitated, then smiled. She could see his exhaustion.
She smacked him once more up against the wall, magical pressure digging into his ribs. She yelled something but he couldn't hear her over his pain. He gasped as the pressure forced the air from his lungs. He was far too tired and mentally drained to call on his magic again. Black spots danced in front of his eyes as the pressure increased. He felt his ribs straining against the pressure.
Then just before he blacked out he heard a masculine shout of rage and fear. Then the pressure released and he fell cracking his head on the cold stone floor. The world swam for a moment then went black.