Wrap Your Arms Around Me (merdred)

21. Internal Battle

I have never been more creatively exhausted. I wrote like 7,000 words in three days. Which honestly isn't a whole lot but for some reason I am just drained. Soooo... I hope it's good? AHAHHA. Also, thank you so so so much to everyone who's supported this book. You are what keeps me going and I am forever grateful for you <3

Also, two chapter update! Yay!

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        MERLIN'S EYES SHIFTED from Arthur to the bottle in Morgana's hands. It was a decision he did not want to make, but he knew he had to. Arthur was his destiny, it was his job to protect him and keep him out of harm's way. But Mordred was his... everything. He loved him more than he could ever love anyone else, even Arthur.

Merlin could use his magic to save them both; the thought had crossed his mind. But Morgana knowing of his magic could change everything, and the fatigue in his body felt too overwhelming to even utter a spell.

It felt like an internal battle. His heart wanted Mordred to live but his soul knew that Arthur's existence was vital for the future of Albion. Part of him just wanted to take the bottle and run as fast as he could towards the man he loved. But destiny had different plans for him, plans that were much more important than anything he could ever feel for Mordred.

"Merlin, don't be difficult. Just take the potion and go to Mordred. I will not lose another brilliant knight to Morgana. I'd rather die in his place," Arthur told him.

He shook his head at this. "I'm not leaving your side." His voice broke, exposing the pain the decision brought him.

Morgana grinned at this, clapping her hands together in fake enthusiasm. "Ah, how sweet! If I didn't want to kill you both, I'd be asking for an invitation to the wedding. Now, shall we get a move on before it gets too dark? We wouldn't want the monsters getting to us now, would we? Beroun, prepare the horses," she ordered her men.

Merlin gave one last look at the potion in Morgana's hand before she threw it on the ground. He watched it roll away, hitting one of the trees, away from his sight. A single tear fell down his cheek as he felt the hope in his body drain. Morgana gave him a small smile, her eyes glowing gold, just before darkness overtook Merlin's vision.

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When Merlin woke up, his eyes traced the unknown room, dark and cold, most likely somewhere deep in the forest. The ground and the walls were stone, making him think that they were somewhere beneath the building. There was a torch in the distance, flickering ominously from the chilly draft in the room. The light was enough to illuminate Arthur's face, which was pale in colour.

The king's eyes were closed, his breathing was normal but a bit shaky from the coldness. Merlin tried moving to give him his jacket, but the restraints on his wrists kept him from doing so. They cut into his skin with every attempt until his wrists felt so bruised that he had to stop. He let out a defeated sigh, sinking further into the stone wall behind him.

Merlin didn't know how they were going to get out of this mess. The restraints weren't enchanted, he could feel it, but his energy still felt too low to escape. Besides, if things got worse, he wanted to save it as a last resort.

He didn't have much time to think before he heard footsteps from the hall getting closer. They walked closer to the dungeon cell, pausing just before the door. The light lit Morgana's evil smile as she stared down at Merlin.

"You chose my brother. Why? You've always stuck by him no matter what and I don't understand. Wouldn't you have grown sick of him by now?" Morgana asked, wrapping her fingers around the bars of the cell.