Title: It's Like Magic
Author: Kiki1770
Rating: T for Language
Setting: After 4x05 "His Father's son"
Summary: Merlin is awake and he is furious. Who dares to threaten his king?
A/N: Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! It's been like a fortnight (ha-ha) since I updated! Super apologies and I promise I will update more frequently! I've got a whole ton of new work coming up and two wonder BETA's to help me out!
Special thanks to SapphireNight who helped me BETA some of the earlier drabbles!
Short Story 4: Captured Part IV
Previously: "Do not touch him," Merlin's broken voice whispered, deadly and soft all at once. And then…the courtyard exploded in a brilliant supernova of gold and sunlight.
Arthur collapsed to all fours from the sheer pressure of the magic flooding King Lot's courtyard. He closed his eyes tightly, but even so, he was blinded by the brilliant glow of magic. For three deadly silent seconds, the entire palace was blanketed in light, a warm buttery gold light, beautifully destructive and sinfully warm all at once.
When the light finally faded, Arthur blinked and waited for his vision to clear. He gasped at the scene before him. Every last one of Lot's men was collapsed, dead or unconscious; not a single man had been spared. Before him, Arthur saw the silhouette of a long lanky back, small and fearsome all at once. Merlin hovered protectively over Arthur with his arms stretched wide and his head held high as the wind blew his torn coat and ruffled his blood soaked hair. Arthur couldn't help but stare at Merlin in both awe and fear; he longer saw a scrawny village peasant, but a powerful, brave, warrior standing before him.
"Merlin..." Arthur whispered. The warlock didn't even twitch in his direction. King Lot had fallen to his knees in Merlin's explosive magic, and remained kneeling before Merlin, a tremble very visible in the old King's gait.
"Lot!" Merlin growled angrily. "Get up!" He hissed, venomously. Arthur felt chills run down his spine. He did NOT want to be on the receiving end of Merlin's fury. Arthur gauged Lot's reaction; he shakily rose to his feet and laughed.
"Hahaha, you have gone soft Emrys!" Lot hissed like the snake he was. "Those filthy peasants are still alive." The king spat in distaste.
"THOSE PEASANTS ARE THE ONLY REASON YOU STILL BREATHE!" Merlin roared in fury. The warlocks fists clenched tightly and his frame shook in anger. The ominous black sky thundered and crackled with hot sparks of lightning in harmony with warlock's anger. Arthur realized with a startle, that the storm was Merlin's doing. Everything, the blinding light, the crackling lightning, the unnaturally vicious winds, it was all Merlin's magic...and the warlock didn't even realize what he was doing. "One word, Lot...one spell is all I need to raze your filthy citadel. But I didn't, because you threatened me with the lives of your innocent men. You stole these children from their homes, forced them into your service, and use them as hostages against me.
"You thought that you could tame me because I kept my silence. No, you were wrong Lot. My allegiance will never lie with a man who would sacrifice his own people as bargaining chips. You. Will. Never. Be. The Once and Future King." Merlin growled. King Lot finally snapped, and drew his sword against Merlin.
"Then you are a fool Emrys. You think that child -Arthur Pendragon- will bring magic back? Uther's son will never accept magic. He will never accept you!" Lot glared; his eyes diluted black with cold fury and murderous rage. But then his face twisted into a cruel smirk. "You can join me Emrys. We could rule the world together, all the riches, all the power, all the people in this world would bow before us."
Merlin shook his head at the man. "I pity you Lot. My allegiance is to Arthur, I serve him and only him. Arthur is the true Once and Future King. One day, he will unite the Five Kingdoms and he will free Magic, and until that day comes...I would die to protect him."
Arthur felt his heart soar and his mind spin all at once. Merlin was not evil….Merlin was not evil. Merlin was NOT evil! Arthur's momentary rejoice was disrupted when Merlin suddenly stumbled, and King Lot charged at his barely conscious manservant. Arthur no longer hesitated; he dove in front of Merlin and drove Excalibur through the King's heart.
"You forget that he's not alone, King Lot." Arthur whispered without remorse as the light in the King's eyes slowly dimmed. "I would never abandon my friend."
So I made a big deal about the whole army of peasants thing in earlier chapters, did that plot point make sense now? I know some people were confused why Merlin didn't break out earlier.
Kiki1770