The footsteps behind him quickened, echoing loudly across the castle courtyard. Overhead the full moon shone brightly, but yet the shadows deepened. Merlin couldn't hesitate, he couldn't even turn to see his pursuer. He knew. The sound of his heart beating reminded him. He knew, if he stopped, if he looked, he would die.
He turned the corner, down onto a narrow street with high walls through which the frigid wind blew. Of a day time, it would be filled with clamour and voices. Servants would bustle, vendors would shout their wares, dogs would roam searching for scraps, and cats would eat mice that ate the crumbs left by the castle children. It would be a warm place, a safe place, but in the black of night, it was cold and dark and only thieves and murderers hugged the shadows.
Faster and faster.
He quickened his steps. Eyes fixed now on the castle spire. On the little window that led back up into Morgana's chambers, and the rope of sheets that dangled out of it, swaying in the wind like a ghost.
There was a crash behind him. Merlin ran. He heard the feral breathing behind him grow louder and louder. He felt hot breath on the back of his neck.
Morgana's pale face appeared in the window. She gripped the window frame, her lips were moving.
Merlin couldn't hear what she was saying.
Faster and faster.
He reached the base of the spire and looked up into the night. A billion stars glittered overhead. The spire was black against them. The sheets were higher up than Merlin could reach. He jumped and caught them. His knuckles grazed against the brickwork. His pursuer was close behind. Morgana yanked the sheet as soon as Merlin had a hold and whisked him up. Beneath him, the street exploded into violent howls.
Frustration. Hunger. Loneliness.
"Don't look down." Morgana was panting as he neared the top. Her hands were shaking. "Merlin, don't look."
He couldn't help it. Merlin looked down.
Beneath him, staring straight up, eyes blazing gold and features twisted in violent fury…
… was Arthur.