Flame (Merlin Fanfiction)

Chapter 14

We didn't dare halt for at least a mile. Medallion seemed to have got his second wind as we took over both Merlin and Arthur. Despite the situation I couldn't help but smile as I rode trhough the forest. Riding Medallion was like soaring on a cloud. But, a very very fast one.

When we were sure we were far enough away from the figure, we untacked and attempted to make shelter with what we had. Dawn was breaking already, Alight pink scattered across the sky. Instead of being open and easy to see, we decided to biuld shelter in the trees. We just climbed up to the thickest branch we could find and tied our very few items up there along with the blankets. We found twigs and branches, most dead, and placed them in a circle around some stones. Arthur frowned. "That wont last half the night. Oh well, it's the best we've got. Have we got any food?" He asked Merlin. He checked the pack and shook his head misrebaly. "Not a scraping." Arthur scratched the back of his neck as he does when he's nervous. "We have to make it to the North by tomorrow. Or we'll starve." He said it as it was. So sugar-coating. Nothing. I gasped lightly at the thought. Quests weren't as straight forward as I had imagined. 

"But I can hunt." 

Both Merlin and Arthur turned to look at me. "Maria-"

"What choice do we have? What difference will it make if I fail? There is no way we'll be able to make it to the North in one day, and we'll starve if I fail or if I don't try. So why not?" I pleaded. 

Arthur hestated. Merlin frowned. But we settled on an agreement on them coming with me with the axception of at least 10 metres space between us whilst hunting. They still weren't too happy about it but I begged and they finally gave in. 

We roamed deeper into the forest and found some elk grazing on the grass. I crouched low, like a tigress, stalking her pray with stealth. I waved Merlin and Arthur down too, telling them to be silent. They obeyed as I scanned my surroundings. There was a large oak tree sitting to my right, and a blueberry bush to my right. If we had clean water, I could make a beautiful meal out of the elk too. I licked my dry lips and pranced over to the tree with surprising quietness. Even Arthur looked stunned. I avoided his gaze and brushed my hair from my eyes to see more acuratley.  I sprinted up the tree and into the canopy, bringing my bow from my shoulder and notching an arrow. My eyes glazed over at the thought of killing such a beautiful, innocent animal, but we needed food, and we needed it now. 

I drew My arrow back as far as it would go, and held it against me cheek, feeling the familliar wood of the hand carved object. I realised I wasn't close enough and crawled out into the open, sitting one one foot and one knee, aiming toward the elk's throat. My heart clenched knowing I was going to end the animal's life. But it had to be done. 

The elk put her nose back into the into the grass and relaxed again. I took aim, the wind perfect, my mind blank. I foucoused on the target and drew in a breath. #This was when I was going to prove myself to them both. When I could show themthe women of Camleot  were just as strong as men. I  kept thta thought an released my arrow. 

It all seemed to go in slow motion. The sharp tip of the weapon Peirced the skin of the surprised animal, sending scarlet blood trickling down her neck...

I placed my hands on the branch I was sitting on and swung down, onto the next and the next like a monkey. I sighed when I reached the bottom, Arthur and Merlin's congratulations seemingly blotched out by the sound of blood pulsing in my ears. I walked over to the animal and crouched by it;s head, stroking below her big brown eyes, now closed.

I didn't dare let a tear slip down my face as Arthur and Merlin cooked the beast. If I was going to Hunt for us, I needed to be tough. I sucked it up and ate my share of the deal, wrapping up the rest in cloth and packing it away. "Well then," said Arthur, Getting up and mounting his horse. "Let's get going."