Scion of Lost Magic (Merlin x Reader)

The Longest Day.

The feast turned into an uproar. The king, the prince, the knights; all promised they'd find me.  But it was Merlin who was first to change.  First to ready the horses before any of the others were ready. He stood ready with the horses when the knights entered the courtyard. Most of all, Arthur looked surprised.  Each man mounted their respective horse and headed toward the gates of Camelot.  Arthur rode at Merlin's pace; which quickened.

"Do you care for her, Merlin?" Arthur teased.

"Sire," Merlin paused, looking over at his liege. "I think there is a reason she was taken."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't quite know myself, not yet.  But why else would an assassin be sent for a girl from the country? Unless..."

"Unless?"

"The bandits hired him. That makes the most sense, doesn't it?"

"It actually does.  But time is of the essence. We'll have to hurry, he will probably camp once he is further from the city. If we can catch him there then we'll find out just what is going on."
  
   
My eyes opened slightly.  Everything was hazy as I felt my body was slumped forward.  There was someone shuffling nearby. Crackling of fire emanated from behind me. I was pulled onto the ground.  My hands were tied behind me around a tree. I wanted to fight, but I was still in a daze. A figure sat down on a log across from me.

"Who're you?" I groaned.

"Surprised you're awake already." A man's voice responded. "I'm sure you can figure out what's going on."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Back to your home."

"I was heading there tomorrow. Why take me now?"

"You will see in due time."

"I'll make sure you regret this."

"I've heard you had quite the temper," he chuckled, completely unfazed by the threat I had made.

He fixed a meal for himself.  I sat watching him eat while I struggled against the ropes binding my hands. The man tossed the half finished food aside.  This was a common tactic with the bandits. So they could gauge just how hungry we were. It never landed us any food, no matter how we responded. I rolled my eyes as my head leaned back on the tree.

"I'm sure the people who hired you told you of the time I spent with them.  These tricks won't get any rise from me."

"Yes." He stood up walking over to me. His body kneeled before mine. "I heard all about the time you spent with them. That's probably why they told me to treat you however I deemed fit.  They didn't tell me that you cleaned up so well."

"Don't you dare," I spat.

The man produced a knife and ran it along my neck. The tip of the knife lifted my chin. Of course I knew he wouldn't kill me. The bandits, who I now knew hired him, would want the pleasure of killing me. There was no honor amongst the lot of them.  The knife drew closer to the cloth. I knew what his ill intentions had planned for me. His grin showed his stained, crooked teeth.  The rotten stench of his breath met my nose, I turned my head to avoid the smell.  My head was guided back by his hand.

"Get off of me." I paused as he smirked for a moment, readying some quip. "Now."

His eyes stared blankly for a moment.  He stood up and resumed his place on the log across from me. Was he toying with me? For some time he sat in silence. Then he shook his head upon realizing something had made him move. He stood up drawing his sword.  It pointed at me as he stepped closer.  I just wanted him to go away.  My eyes closed, I don't know what I had expected to happen. There was a thud as I opened one eye carefully.  The man was slumped against a tree.  Perhaps someone had stumbled upon us. But I saw no one nearby.  A gentle glow emanated from the amulet on the necklace I wore.  Footsteps walked from behind me. I hoped for a rescuer, but instead I found an ethereal figure walk past me.