Something Wonderful (Merlin x F! Reader) (Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves)

Chapter Ten

MERLIN'S POV
How do you describe that feeling of emptiness, even when you're surrounded by so many people?
That's what I felt when I saw her for the last time.
(Y/n) was gone. There wasn't anything we could do about it.
I watched the carriage leave my blurry sight. My heart was in my stomach, and I collapsed to the ground.
I had always tried to keep a calm, cool composure around my teammates, but this was the first time I had fully broken down in front of them. I could feel the awkward tension in their presence, wondering what to do with their crying leader in front of them.
"In other news, boys, I have a new task for you!"
I could feel my blood boil as I slowly looked up to the king, who had mounted his horse and was ready to follow the dungeon carriage.
"Now that (y/n) has been taken into custody we can ensure that her curse may not effect us. However I do need you on high alert in case she does, in fact, attack our island."
"Are you implying that we fight (y/n)?" Jack spat, and I stood slowly.
"I am! Smart young men."
Everyone started arguing, but I held a hand in the air to silence the boys.
Slowly, I walked up to the king's horse, then lifted my head. I could tell by his expression I didn't scare him.
"I will never touch a hair on (y/n)'s head if it meant I would hurt her," I growled, furrowing my eyebrows. "And not even my superior can tell me otherwise."
"Here's the thing, Merlin," the king hopped off his horse, holding onto the reigns to keep him in place.
"If you don't do as I say, you will be banished from Fairy Tale island, forever."
I tried my best to keep my composure, but I could tell that King White saw my hesitance.
"Before you say whatever you're thinking, I want you to think about all of the citizens here who rely on you for safety. If you were banished, what would they do? They'd be helpless around threats. And all for a stupid girl?"
My fists curled tighter, and my nails dig deep into my palms. How dare he call (y/n) stupid?
"Well, boys, I should be on my way. But remember what I said," the King concluded and, rather unflatteringly, got back on his horse with a slight struggle. He then ordered his guards to go ahead of him and disappeared down the same road that (y/n) did.
"Merlin, buddy, you alright?" Arthur came up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off.
"I don't care if it means I get banished," I growled, my heart pounding in my ears as my anger grew. "I'm going to get (y/n) back."

(Y/N)'s POV
The dungeon cell was cold and dank, and I could hear the other dungeon prisoners groan from pain and discomfort. I hoped that I wouldn't have to end up like them.
I had been stripped to my underwear and searched for weaponry, and surprisingly they didn't notice the compass in my bra. I was relieved that I still had something to remind me of the boys.
After being given a new set of clothes, I was thrown into my personal cell, which had a bed and hole for... refreshing. It wasn't as welcoming as the Fearless Seven's home.
I heard the rattling of a metal cage open, and looking to my left I saw none other than King White entering the dungeon. He motioned to his guards to walk over to my cell to protect him, although I still had my shackles on, so I wouldn't have been able to do anything harmful towards him.
"Good evening, (y/n). Enjoying your stay so far?"
"You know for a fact that I'm not," I spat back, and he raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Either way, my dear, I spoke with your friends back at the base."
The thought of Merlin and the boys flooded my thoughts, and I could already feel tears stinging my eyes.
"And?"
"It seems that you have gotten too close to them for them to continue their job. I can't have that happen, so I have a proposition..."
I scowled at the man, and I could feel my hands go numb at the thought of using magic on him. It of course didn't work, but I could feel my blood boil.
"What the fuck do you want?"
"You will fulfill your prophecy, and once you have been defeated, the boys will be safe to continue their jobs," he began.
"Or else??"
"Or else..." King White looked deep into my eyes with a dark and villainous sense.
"I'll see to it that you never see those boys again."

IMPORTANT; PLEASE READ!!!
Hey guys! Sorry this chapter is short but I wanted to fill you in on what's happening in the next few chapters.
I will be splitting the fanfiction into two routes:
THE HAPPY ENDING
This ending will not include Snow White at all, and you and Merlin will have a happy ending (oops spoiler). This ending is more fluff and romance :)
THE CANONICAL ENDING
This ending will lead straight into the events of the movie, which unfortunately means the script will be followed. However this ending contains a TON of plot twists and surprises!

I recommend that you read both endings! I will release the chapters of each path at the same time, so follow which one you prefer first, then when they are all released, you can go back and read the latter.

I really liked the theory of the canonical ending, but I do know if I were in your shoes and reading this, I'd want a happy ending. So I will gladly provide you with both :))

♡︎, tadahoni