Flame (Merlin Fanfiction)

Chapter 17

This chapter is dedicated to Lokidottir! (Because I think she's the only one who actually reads this!)

Maldouse's tent was mezmerizing. Everywhere you looked, colour. There were no shadows, no darkness, all colour. Everywhere was light and open. And yet, something didn't feel just right. 

Maldouse sat down on one of his cushioons that spread across the floor on a deep blue carpet. He crossed his legs and motioned for us to sit down beside him. I didn't know if I imagined it, but I was almost positive I seen a frosty stare from him directed to Merlin, only to return to his natural gaze. I was getting slightly concerned. Maybe he couldn't be trusted. 

"So," He beg, flattening his clothes. "What brings you to teh Comaney of the Northen Drewids, friends?"  He smiled, earning crinkles to form around his eyes again. I didn't trust tthis man. There was just something about him...

"Well," Arthur said, sitting down himself. "We need your help. You see, two days ago, a young boy named Howard came to Camelot." Maldouse seemed to wince at this name slightly. I cocked my head absentmidedly, one of my many habits. Maldouse seemed to turn cold. "And why would you think I would have heard of this, Howard boy?" He stared at Merlin for a considirable amount of time before turning to Arthur to recive his answer. He looked taken aback. "Well... I um, It's just... You have the exact same eyes as hi-"

"Near all Drewids have these colour of eyes. It's very common." Maldouse grunted, as if it were the most obvious point in the universe. "But," He said, just as Arthur was about to get up. "It just so happens that I do know the boy you speak of." I stared at him. "What do you know about him?" I asked gently and quietly. He turned slowly, seemingly furious. " He was my brother. Adopted. Only young when you," He pointed a stubby finger at Athur ," killed him. He had been brainwashed. He didn't know what he was doing. And you, killed him." Maldouse was furious. As soon as we had mentioned Howards name, he had turned as cold as ice. Arthur also got mad. " He. Tried. To. Kill. Me! Does no-one understand this?!"  He roared. Desperate to try and keep the peace, I interupted their argument. "Wait, how did Howard get brainwashed? How did you let him go-"

"I DONT HAVE TO ANSWER TO YOU!" Malsouse screamed, emphisizing the last word by slapping me across the face, nocking me to the ground. Arthur was beside me in an instant. My face was stinging with the unfamilliar sensation of hurt speading across my features. My eyes watered but I didn't dare cry. I wouldn't show him I was weak. And besides, there were more important things at the current moment. 

"How dare you." I heard a voice say. Merlin's towering figure stood over me, shielding me. Maldouse opened his mouth to speak, but Merlin didn't give him the chance. " How DARE YOU lay a FINGER on her!" Maldouse looked taken aback. "Listen here Emris-"

"DON'T YOU DARE! WHAT KIND OF A MAN HITS A WOMA-" Merlin was cut off by Maldouse dragging Merlin up the wall of the tent by the scruff of his collar, choking him. Once again, my mouth spoke of it's own accord. "No! NO! DON'T YOU DARE!" I screamed. The sight of Merlin choking was enough to set my adreniline pumping as I drew my weapon from beneath my cloak along with my quiver, drawing an arrow on the way. "Maria, no!" Arthur protested. I ignored him. I foucosed on MAldouse. He looked terrified as he realeased Merlin. "Gaurds" He said. "Gaurds!" He screamed again louder running from the tent. Arthur turned to me, pure fury in his features. "See what youve done?!" Arthur said dragging Merlin and I from the tent and into a terrifying battlefield.