Merlin Story: Trapped out of time

Chapter 7

Merlin: Trapped out of Time

As Bree and Leon were stood by the horses, shouting could be heard in the distance, followed by a series of bellowing roars. Taking a quick glance at Bree, who seemed rather calm considering, Leon decided to move forward, Arthur needed him and it felt wrong to stay back. "Bree, stay here." Moving forwards in the direction where the others had chased the creature Leon drew his sword warily, moving quickly yet quietly. Gwaine and Percival quickly joined him, weapons also drawn as they edged their way forwards, careful not to make any undue noise. Stopping behind a large cluster of logs Leon turned to Percival, he appeared otherwise unharmed. "Look! Arthur and Elyan have the creature engaged, just up ahead." Percival whispered, gesturing to just ahead of where they were. Leon glanced forwards, Arthur and Elyan were currently attempting to wound the creature, though it was effortlessly dodging their attacks. "Okay, let's go." The remaining knights crept quickly into the clearing, Arthur giving a slight nod to acknowledge their presence. The creature, which was focused intently on Arthur for the moment, looked just as Bree had drawn, it was like a large black panther; except flames flickered all over its body and its eyes were a demonic red. The creature had noticed their approach, snarling at them briefly, but the knights now had it surrounded. It roared loudly, lunging at Arthur who barely managed to jump out of the way. Percival rushed forward to help protect Arthur while he got back on his feet. Meanwhile Elyan was engaging the creature, attempting to incapacitate it in any way that might give them an advantage. Gwaine and Leon rushed in closer in an attempt to attack the creature, but it seemed to sense this, sending out a burst of flames towards them. Narrowly dodging the scorching flames they watched as the creature knocked Elyan aside and rushed out of the clearing towards where Bree was. "BREE! IT'S COMING YOUR WAY!" Leon prayed that his attempt to warn her would be enough. Elyan rose somewhat unsteadily to his feet, shaking his head in an attempt to think properly. "Elyan?" Arthur called out worriedly, glancing in the direction where the creature had escaped to. "Fine Sire." Without wasting another moment they raced back towards Bree and the horses. Fear coursed through his system, even with a bow Bree was helpless against such a powerful creature, and despite the fact they had only just met, Leon was already fast considering her a friend.

As the group emerged into the clearing there was no sign of anyone, both Bree and the horses were gone. "Sire! Over here!" Gwaine was knelt next to something on the ground, which was revealed to be a series of bloodstains as they drew closer. Who, or what, it belonged to was impossible to tell but it was not a good omen. "She can't have gotten far, spread out." Arthur ordered, still holding his sword out in front of him. As they spread out and began searching Leon made to pass by an old oak tree, careful not to make a sound. A loud crack echoed around the forest as he stepped on a bundle of dry twigs. Suddenly something whizzed past, narrowly missing his head and landing with a thud. Spinning round Leon was greeted by the sight of an arrow embedded deep within the tree behind him. "Leon?!" Turning back to the oak tree he gazed up to find Bree perched amidst the highest branches of the tree, with a second arrow already nocked in her bow. "What are you doing up there?" Surprisingly Bree smiled, readjusting her position so she was crouched rather than standing. "Protecting myself from the beast of course. Thank goodness it can't climb trees." Leon couldn't help but shake his head, sheathing his sword. "How did you get up there?" Bree glared and Leon instantly realised the error of his words. "I climbed, just because I'm a girl doesnt mean I can't climb trees you know." "I apologize, I meant no offense." Again, Bree surprised him by smiling as she scaled her way back down the tree, careful not to let her dress snag on any of the branches. "I really hate dresses. A pair of trousers wouldnt go amiss you know." This time Leon couldn't help but stare at her as she landed next to him, was he hearing her correctly? She wanted to dress as a man? Bree caught his look and huffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Is there a law against women wearing trousers?" He shook his head, ashamed for judging Bree in the manner that he had. "Then I see no reason why I shouldnt be allowed to wear what I wish. Trousers would be much more practical." "Forgive me, your argument is valid, I was just, surprised, you are the first women I have met who thinks this way tis all." "It's okay Leon. I'm a completely different from the type of women you're used to. Trust me." Bree laughed, looking around for where her arrow went. "I guess it's a good thing I missed this time, huh?" Gesturing to the arrow Bree smiled, and Leon couldn't help but chuckle nervously, she was a good shot. "Are you unharmed? We found blood in the clearing." Bree grinned, twirling the bow in her hand and gesturing to the tree. "I was perched up there after I heard your shout, and the beast came towards the base of the tree, so I shot it before it could even think about climbing the tree. Hit it square in the side." Returning his attention to the tree Leon noticed faint bloodstains leading away from the base tree and heading towards the campsite. "Now, lets go tell Arthur that I'm alright. I'm sure he'll be overjoyed to know this." The sarcasm in her voice was obvious, Arthur currently wasn't his normal self, and though Leon didn't agree with the way he was trating her, he understood that currently he was motivated by his desire to help Merlin. Returning to the remains of the campsite, they found Arthur and the knights facing towards the direction of the clearing, weapons drawn in defense. Hearing their approach Arthur turned towards them, seemingly surprised that Bree was both alive and unharmed, though he quickly returned to wearing a neutral expression as he gestured for the group to remain silent. "The beast is in the clearing, though it hasn't moved towards us yet. On my count, we move towards it and surround it." As Arthur laid out the details of the plan Leon noticed Bree gazing off towards the clearing, bow already loaded as she squinted into the darkness. "It's watching us." The other knights turned to Bree in disbelief, Arthur scowling as Bree raised her bow and aimed into the darkness, there was no possible way that she could see the creature. Before any of them could question further Bree released the arrow, watching as it sailed through into the darkness, grinning in triumph when a roar of pain rang out from the clearing, much to the knights bewilderment - how had she possibly seen the creature amidst the pitch black of the forest? Quickly capitalising on the creatures pain, Arthur signalled for them to rush forward, this was their chance to kill the creature.

Bree couldn't keep the grin off her face despite the ever present danger of the groups current situation, she had managed to hit the creature! She felt as if she could do anything, though that was most likely due to the adrenaline that was currently coursing through her system. Bree was quickly brought out of her stupor as Arthur signalled for the group to rush forward, now was the perfect chance to strike at the creature. Hanging back slightly behind the knights, it would do no good to accidentally hit any of them, Bree loaded up another arrow in preparation. As the group moved into the clearing, weapons raised in preparation, Bree repressed a shudder - something suddenly felt very wrong. The creature was crouched just in front of them, though it made no move to attack, and there was an arrow protruding from its shoulder whilst another one had embedded itself in its side. Blood oozed from both wounds and was leaking onto the forest floor. The knights carefully inched closer to the creature, though it seemed not to care - its unsettling gaze focused solely on Bree. "Knights! Move in!" Roaring as one the knights began to rush towards the creature, swords ready to attack in a blur of steel. They had barely moved before the creature roared, a roar filled with such pain and terror that it made Bree almost feel sorry for the creature, even though it was trying to kill her. As the knights closed in, inches away from the creature, chaos erupted. A column of fire suddenly erupted from the creature, shooting towards the sky whilst the knights were flung back by the sudden shock wave that seemed to emirate from the creature itself. Stunned, Arthur and the knights remained collapsed where they had landed. Before Bree could even react the column fire that had knocked the knights out came crashing back down into the earth with such a force that Bree found herself flung to the floor, bow slipping from her grasp. The fire was now surrounding her, the intense heat taking her breath away. Looking around Bree realised with immense horror that she was trapped inside a circle of fire with the creature that was hell-bent on taking her life. "Well, this isn't good." Hauling herself to her feet Bree went to retrieve her bow, dismay coursing her system to discover it had been snapped in half. The bow had been her only hope of defeating the creature - how else was she possibly going to defeat a legendary creature summoned by the darkest of magics? She sank to her knees in despair, she had been so hopeful before and now that had been yanked cruelly away from her. A low growl yanked Bree from the depths of her despair and she jerked her head up to see the creature was slowly stalking towards her. Bree looked around desperately to see if there was any escape, though the flames were unrelenting - there was no escape. "Bree!" Leon's voice could barely be heard over the vicious roar of the flames, though the evident concern brought a faint smile to her face, he was such a kind person. The creature growled, it was very close now and even though it was loosing blood at quite a fast pace the creature would not be dissuaded from its target. There was nowhere she could go, and she had no way to defend herself. She couldn't help but think about her modern life, would Lucy be looking for her - wondering what happened to her? And now, Bree was never going to return - she would meet her end in a strange world surrounded by strangers. At least, Bree realised with a sad smile, that if the creature killed her it meant that it wouldn't be able to hurt anyone else, and Merlin wouldn't die because of her. It brought a small amount of comfort as the creature closed in on her, Bree lowering her head and closing her eyes, awaiting the fatal strike.