The Aftermath 2 (Merlin) ON HOLD

Chapter Four: Screams

As the warlock fought off bandit after bandit, using his magic to attack multiple at a time and occasionally getting the opportunity to use a sword. Blood soaked the ground he walked.

There was around ten bandits remaining now, they all surrounded the boy. With two arrows already protruding from his front the boy shouldn't have been surprised when a third was shot straight into his chest. He half expected it not to hurt, but it seems his adrenaline was wearing off and the pain of the arrow hitting exactly the spot his curse originated from caused excruciating pain. He let out a cry of anguish, his eyes flaring brighter than ever before as the bandits all flew back. Dead.

Merlin looked at the wooden extensions of his body, his stomach drenched in his own blood. As his eyes became blue once more, he let out a shuddering breath and stumbled back to a tree where he slid down the trunk until he sat on the floor struggling to breathe.

~~~

Arthur and his Knights ran back to where they had left Merlin, seeing the bodies of bandits killed in battle they searched for the face of their friend in the fallen men. Everyone was relieved when they came to the conclusion that the warlock was not one of them, it meant that he could still be okay. But now they faced a bigger problem, where was he?

As the knights returned to their huddle, there was a shaking of heads as they walked over the bodies, signifying no sign of the boy.

"He's not here." Lancelot spoke.

"Then where the hell is he?" Arthur returned.

"Guys look." Percival was stood at the body of an assailant who was away from the rest and closer to the entrance of the woods. The giant moved past the body to the trees, "It looks like someone has been through here."

The King went to Percival to investigate, he drew his sword and proceeded with caution as he walked through the forest, his knights right behind him with their swords drawn.

As they ventured further they came across the 30 bloodied bodies of men plaguing the floor. Not a chest moved up or down, there was no point searching for survivors they were all dead. The knights looked around in horror, yes these men were not good people but to see them all here like this was not a sight to behold.

"Merlin did this?" Arthur whispered to himself. He had never seen the boy use magic against people before and the first time he sees the result of it is that of a massacre. He didn't know whether to be proud of the power his friend wielded or terrified of its capabilities. The blonde began to understand why so many magical beings bowed down to Emrys, if it not for his kindness and skill, it would be out of fear.

"Merlin?!" Gwaine shouted,

No response.

The men worried for the boy, going against so many people, what if he hadn't defeated them all, what if they got to him?

"Spread out." Arthur commanded.

The Knights searched through the fallen men, occasionally turning a body over when it held similarity to the Raven's physique but every time being disappointed when it wasn't him. The shaking of heads continued as the search became fruitless.

"Arthur." Elyan whispered a few feet back from the King.

The blonde turned around to face the knight, who nodded his head forward indicating towards something in front of the royal. Arthur turned back around and looked ahead, Elyan had pointed out a tree. Arthur could see two feet from someone leaning against the trunk but their body and face could not be seen from this angle.