The Man: A Merthur Fanfic

Chapter 7

Dear readers, as I was writing this chapter, I went back to review the number of reads before I published it. My mind was blown. 740 reads, I mean, that may not be a lot to some of you, but it is for me. I wrote this story for fun, and I never thought people would actually read it. With all of you guys' support, I think I might actually be able to reach 1k, and I just wanna say Thank you!!!!
-Stampycat_lover

Russell McCall trotted through the woods on his black steed, peering into the green, shadowy forest surrounding the kingdom. As a knight, it was his duty to secure this area to prevent any raids. The others were far ahead, but Russell wanted to double check. Finally content, he turned to catch up with the other knights, when suddenly a sharp snap sounded.

He whipped around, panning the area. His horse reared, eyes wide, as if something were scaring it. Russell reacted quickly, turning out of the forest and urging the horse forwards. In an instant, he was facedown on the ground. The horse got up from the weeds and took off, leaving the knight alone. Russell held his arm, certain it was broken, his eyes searching the trees for what had spooked his horse.

A hiss made the hair on his neck stand up, and Russell heard a loud, slow padding sound, as if someone was walking. Something was walking. A single feather floated down beside him, and a scream was heard throughout the kingdom as a figure lunged from the forest. Russell sprinted towards the castle, refusing to die before warning the king.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Arthur banged on the hall's heavy wooden doors, gripping Merlin's clammy hand tightly. "Come in!" Uther boomed, and Arthur lead the way. "Father." Uther smiled, happy to see his son. "Arthur! Come in, come in!" Merlin followed the prince, his head down, his heart pounding.

"Afternoon, Merlin." Uther said, and Merlin nodded. "What can I do for you?" Arthur inhaled deeply. "I-We've got something to tell you...Dad." Uther cocked his head, tensing a bit in his throne. "What is it, then?" Merlin looked up, indulging in the sapphire blue of Arthur's eyes for a moment. "I'm gay."

Arthur stared his father in the eyes, swallowing his fear. "I...are you sure?" Uther asked. Arthur burst. "What do you mean am I sure? I've never been so sure about something in my life. I love Merlin, and that's that. You can make someone else future king, make me a commoner for all I care. My feelings will never change."

Uther seemed lost for a moment, and removed his crown. He ran a hand through his gray hair, his eyes wide. "OK." Merlin shared a confused look with Arthur and spoke. "What?" Uther sighed. "It's OK. I..if I can't change you, if you're sure about this-" "I've never been so sure." Arthur interrupted, and Uther nodded. "If you're sure, than its OK. Just..just know I'll always love you..and that you still need to attend to your duties as prince, as future king."

Merlin embraced Arthur, his cheeks tearstained. Arthur planted a kiss on his head, hugging him tighter. "No more secrets.." Merlin's eyes grew wide, and he pulled away. "Arthur..there..there's something I have to tell you-" He never finished his sentence. A bloodcurdling scream rang out, and a crowd of knights, led by Russell McCall burst into the room. Russell was bruised, his arm twisted, legs dripping with blood.

His face was covered in scratches, and he was held up by the knights behind him. A gash was visible on his stomach, too thick to be from a sword. "S-strong..beast...talons..paws.." His head slumped over and the knights lay him on the carpet. "G...g-griffin." Uther and Arthur sprung into action, shouting orders.

"MERLIN, FETCH GAIUS, QUICK, OR RUSSELL WON'T MAKE IT!" Arthur shouted, and Merlin took off. "RALLY UP EVERY KNIGHT WE HAVE, ALERT SURROUNDING VILLAGES AND KINGDOMS, NOW!!!" Uther roared, and in minutes dozens of men in shining armor were pouring from the gates.

There was a squawk from the sky, and a feathered beast tumbled from the clouds, shaking the earth as it landed on the hill. It's body was that of a lion, with paws the size of tires, and claws like steak knives. It's front legs weren't paws, but the feet of an eagle, with needle-sharp talons. It's head was an eagle, with a hooked beak and flaming red eyes.

It let out a cry before lunging. Swords were drawn, and the knights charged. The beast swung its talons, knocking swords from the men's hands. Archers drew their bows above, and released in unison. They watched helplessly as the arrows barely stuck in the griffin, and the beast wasn't at all affected. "CHARGE!" Arthur screamed, running forward.

Merlin watched as the beast turned around kicked out it's paws, sending dozens of knights flying. Arthur dodged the kick, and kept going. The griffin unfolded its wings and began to flap, creating a wind too strong handle. A sort of tornado sucked several warriors into the air, and Arthur quickly hopped onto the griffin's back. He slashed at its wings, and the creature let out a scream.

Arthur flew back as the griffin reared, and lay motionless on the grass. "Arthur!" Merlin prayed for him to get up, and the prince's eyes fluttered open. He grunted as the beast pinned him down and stared him down with fiery eyes. Merlin's heart stopped as a crack sounded, and Arthur cried out. Arthur made a grab for his sword, but with no success.

He couldn't move, and all the knights were either wounded or dead. The ones that weren't were pounding and slashing at the griffin's back, but he paid them no attention. His attention was on Arthur, who was suffering from the injury that had just been inflicted on him. He couldn't move. He had no chance. He was staring death in the face, and no one could save him.

Merlin's world slowed, and he looked around to see that everything was frozen. The griffin's talons were raised, Arthur's face pained and fearful. Knights' swords were in midair, and a soft breeze ruffled his curls. Merlin raised his hands, eyes burning, and began muttering words. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he didn't stop, just focused on the griffin.

His mouth finally stopped moving, and his surroundings were full of life again. Screeches filled his ears, and the sound of metal against metal. His eyes burned badly, as if they were melting, but he kept his hands raised. There was a flash, and wave of flames erupted from his palms. The fire flew in sheets towards the griffin, the flames orange and red and blue.

There was a WHOOMPH! as the heat made contact with the beast, engulfing it in flames. It fell backwards, rolling around in the dry grass and setting it alight. The feild was a sea of fire, and the griffin writhed in the middle of it. More knights flooded the fields, plunging their swords into the creature and pouring buckets of water onto the grass.

When it was all over, everyone stared intensely at the small, skinny servant boy standing in the corner, exhausted and terrified. Uther rushed to his boy's body, and Arthur stared at Merlin, his chest heaving. Merlin's eyes darted around, his hands still raised. "LOWER YOUR HANDS, WIZARD!" A knight cried out, drawing his sword, and the others drew theirs too.

Merlin shook his head, wanting to explain it all, but he knew they wouldn't listen. He began to back away, then turned and tore into the trees. "FOLLOW HIM!" There was a mad rush behind him, and Merlin ran faster. He ran and ran, until the clinking of chainmail armor was a distant sound. He ran until his lungs nearly exploded. He ran until he reached the rock.

He collapsed in the clearing, coughing nonstop. The pond was cold and clear, a single pair of trousers floating in the middle. He climbed onto the rock, and caught his breath, staring into the darkening sky. The big dipper wasn't there. After his heart had stopped pounding, Merlin stared at the opening of the clearing, too obvious for the knights to find.

He pointed a hand towards a cluster of vines, and mumbling a few words, they pulled themselves over the opening. He secured the whole clearing with sticks and leaves and thorns, not stopping until he couldn't see the outside. Only the top was open, and Merlin lay on the flat rock, thinking to himself. A prison. My own little prison.

He thought about the night he had spent in this clearing with Arthur, their little swim, him telling Arthur about god's spoon. Before Merlin knew it, his eyes were welling up with tears, and he rolled over on the cold stone. Goodnight, Arthur, He thought, shiverering in the night.