Part 3 The Deadly Deal
(Authors Note: I own nothing! Please tell me what you think! I love reviewers like Hogwarts is in Camelot! Thank you!)
I found myself back with Arthur, watching like a ghost from the air. He was desperately slashing at the bars with the sword he had retrieved from outside the cell. He was talking to himself, trying to keep himself calm.
"Damn it Merlin! You had better be alive. Because if you aren't I'll kill you myself!" He punctuated every other word with a blow to the bars. His sword was starting to chip. He growled and dropped it. He began to examine the lock.
I must have watched him for a few more hours as he struggled to pick the lock with just his dagger. My own mind refused to wake, focusing on keeping Arthur safe instead. However, when my mind finally did start to pull me back, Arthur had somehow managed to unlock his cell with nothing but a dagger. My eyes opened and I found myself staring up at the woman again. She brushed my hair away from my eyes.
"Hello again. Has anyone ever told you that you are very handsome when you sleep? But I'm being rude. I am Lady Ravana. The young prince tells me your name is Merlin. It fits. There is something rather birdlike about." She laughed and pulled me up, still immobilized.
"Come dance with me. It's been so long since anyone danced with me." Her hand holding mine, I felt her words force me to do as she willed. I didn't smile watching her closely instead. My face seemed to be the only thing that was still listening to me. She hummed and swayed to her tune. She leaned in and I heard fighting in the hall.
As she bit someone slammed into the door, which was locked. I heard Arthur but he sounded muffled. I could feel my life being drained away as every strike on the door grew softer. Was he giving up? Apparently not because he blurred into my vision a moment later.
"Merlin!" He was probably yelling but I could barely hear him. Ravana let go and I crumpled to the stone floor. My world spun but I refused to let the darkness take me. Arthur was in trouble, I had to protect him, no matter the cost to myself.
"Arthur… Run… leave... me…" I couldn't stand but I could see a little, even if it was blurry. I heard Ravana laughing.
"Aww the little Prince Regent comes to save his servant! That's cute. But I still need him. If that means I have to kill you I will." No! I couldn't let her do that. I struggled to my elbows/
"No! Leave… Him… Alone..." I struggled against the darkness. Ravana looked me over and Arthur moved to stand between us. He never got there though. Ravana raised her hand and he found himself stuck. She knelt down so she was on eye level with me.
"Why should I? There's no reason for me not to kill him. He's getting in my way.
"If you let him go I won't fight… I won't try to escape... If you hurt him… I will fight you every step of the way… in every way I can." I hissed out, eyes defiant. She smiled, her feral grin exposing her fangs.
"Deal!" Arthur's eyes widened with horror but he couldn't say anything. Ravana called her men and they marched Arthur out of the castle. I somehow managed to stay awake and, just to ensure she held up her end of the deal, watched through one of the ever curtained windows as Arthur was loaded onto his horse. Ravana stayed well back.
One of the men forced the reigns into Arthurs bound hands and smacked the horses flank hard. It galloped off, Arthur staring desperately over his shoulder at me. Only when he was out of sight did I finally crumple to the floor. I was out before I hit the stones. There was no Arthur this time. I was too tired, in every way.