A hidden threat

Chapter 14

Okay, another really short and unimpressive one! (In fact I think it's the shortest chapter I've written so far) But I just had to get this one out there, now I know you guys have not had my full attention recently, but good news! I leave school on Friday! I will nearly four months (God that's a long time isn't it? I need to get a job, and do up my bedroom, and… urrrh shut up!) to dedicate to you gorgeous people. Oh and bearing in mind I will have TIME TO KILL (don't know why I put that in caps just thought it needed emphasis) if anyone has any stories that they want to promote, I'm your girl! At the moment I have a particular liking of dark!Merlin and AU future fics as well as anything like Sherlock or Doctor Who-type things. I review everything I read (no word of a lie, I actually do.) so if you want another member for your readership drop me a review! Whoa, I've used a lot of brackets in this AN! Anyway…

"To be honest, I'm a little disappointed." He started, mockingly, "I didn't think the great knights of Camelot would fall for such a transparent charade. I guess I overestimated you."

He stalked over to the group, his voice silky and condescending.

"Now Arthur," he said his voice disgustingly reasonable. It made Arthur want to wretch, "I am going to give you one last chance. Hand yourself over," and with this his voice became inhuman and grotesque, demonic, "or I will tear your friends to pieces."

Now Arthur was not the sort of man that would bow to threats, especially those of a sorcerer. So he drew himself up to his full height, gripped his sword tightly and squared up to Lucan.

"No." he uttered, his voice just as threatening as that of the trickster standing in front of him. "I will not give in to you, I refuse to listen to you anymore. Your threats mean nothing, because that's all they are. Threats."

Arthur gave him one last penetrating glare and then raised his sword. Lucan looked at the weapon with disdain and then raised his hand. He clicked his fingers, the familiar sound bounced off the walls and bore into Arthur's skull. He looked down at his sword, it was changing shape. It was turning to sand, within a few seconds the heavy sheet of steel was nothing more than a pile of dust at the prince's feet. Arthur was defenceless. He turned round, the effect of Lucan's enchantment was not just limited to him, all of his knights were surrounded by piles of sand. He turned back to Lucan, now unarmed and powerless.

"Are you sure about that?" Lucan questioned.

Determination and strength shone from Arthur's eyes. His answer was there for all the world to see, he didn't need words.

"Fine." He gazed over Arthur's shoulder, his eyes wandering across the crowd. "Who first?" he asked Arthur contemptuously.

His eyes stopped on Merlin. Merlin shuddered under his gaze.

"Him." Lucan uttered, and within a second Merlin had a member of The Brotherhood behind him, holding his arms. He watched as horror spread across the faces of his friends.

"On the count of three," Lucan was not only addressing The Brotherhood but also Arthur. "Kill him." he flashed a repulsive smile in Merlin's direction.

Leon ran forward in an attempt to help the manservant but was floored by another member of The Brotherhood, with no sword he had no way of fighting back. The hooded figure placed his sword against Sir Leon's chest, pinning him to the ground.

Merlin felt the man behind him grab his hair and force his head back. He could hear his heart beat in his ears, his mouth was dry. And then he felt the cold steel against his throat

Lucan was taking great pleasure in watching Arthur and his men panic, he wondered how long he could play this out. Would he actually be able to kill the boy? He hadn't spilled any blood yet and to kill the mighty Emrys would certainly be a good start. But then he had heard of how much Arthur cared for his servant, surely he wouldn't just let him die? Well he was about to find out.

"Three."

"Lucan, don't." Arthur begged.

"One last chance." He informed the prince.

"Two."

"No." Arthur shouted.

"It all comes down to you."

"One!"

Arthur could only look on, horrified.

The dagger was raised, Merlin prayed to god that Arthur would just let it happen. It's not like he wanted to die, but Arthur meant so much more.

"Lucan stop!" the shout pierced through the stunned silence, but this time it was not from Arthur's lips.

Carmen strode forward, unconcerned by the hooded foot soldiers who were now all drawing their swords. She stopped inches away from him. She just stared at him for a few seconds not saying anything, just observing. Her silence seemed to unnerve him. She only broke the silence after she came to an earth shattering conclusion.

"You're pathetic." She watched as his lip curled in uncontrollable rage, she was enjoying watching him squirm so she continued. "You pretend this is about Arthur and about immortality, but it isn't. Is it? If this was about everlasting life you would have slit Arthur's throat while he slept instead of playing this ridiculous power game. You've come all this way, waited all these years, for what? Another bout of vengeance?"

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" he screamed, anger and fury dripping from every pore, "You know exactly what I'm capable of, so if I were you I would hold your tongue."

"Why? What are you going to do?" she asked spurring him on, "Come on!" she finally shouted. He did nothing, "Do you know what? I think you're scared of me." She hissed, he said nothing, he wouldn't even look at her. "Because otherwise you'd of killed me long ago. You've had so many opportunities to get rid of me once and for all. So if you're going to kill someone then kill me!" he just stared at her, he gave her a look that wasn't a look of fear, it held another far stronger emotion. One that, for all these years, Carmen had been mistaking for loathing, "No? Then, let Merlin go." She commanded. She turned away, unable to look at him anymore.

"You think you are the one to make demands?" he scoffed, "may I just remind you you are vastly outnumbered."

"I said," she whirled round, her voice was now raised and deadly, "let him go!"

He didn't need telling again, Merlin was released and The Brotherhood sheathed their swords.