I Can't Loose You

Part 2

"Merlin," whispered Gwaine, "run back. They'll only hurt you!" Merlin turned to look at them. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the dimly lit cave.

"Let them try." Before his friends could even begin to question what he meant there was a loud shriek.

Merlin watched the oncoming darkness with an unflinching determination. The shadows on the ground grew long and harsh. The knights cowered back in fear. They knew what the darkness held. Wild creatures of the night that could devour a man with a single touch from their wispy shadows. Everyone was taught to fear them. But Merlin stood unmoving.

"Stay back." Merlin spoke with a calm yet commanding voice. He started down the darkness, daring it to defy him.

The shadows halted. The Knights watched in fear as the inky darkness morphed into two transparent phantom like figures. One of the wispy devils cackled.

"You think you can stop us?", it asked in a grating voice, "No man can stand against us." In an instant, the other phantom had sped forward and with its ever growing shadow, latched itself onto Merlin's leg.

The knights cried out for their friends. Arthur made a feeble attempt to break open the cell door but to no avail. The magic that locked them in wouldn't cave under his touch. He watched helplessly as his friend fell to the ground.

Merlin let out a pained groan. The pain was not much, considering what he had endured before but it still stung and the sudden attack had startled him. He gritted his teeth and with shaky legs lifted himself up. He straightened himself up and gazed defiantly into the sunken eyes of the phantom.

"Impossible!", cried the phantom, "No common man can withstand the darkness."

"Well, good thing I am no 'common' man then" Merlin replied in a dark whisper.

The cries of warning from his friends fell short and they watched in horror as the other phantom advanced towards Merlin with a shadow of his own.

As the shadow neared, Merlin turned and gazed at his friends. He knew there was only one way out of this. His magic was bubbling, just waiting to be let out. He knew what he had to do but he was frightened. These men may be his friends but they were also knights of Camelot. Magic was prohibited and there was no telling whether their friendship would withstand their duty to the throne.

The knights pounded against the metal bars and yelled many threats at the approaching figures. Time seemed to slow as Merlin looked at Arthur. The king's eyes were wide with a terror that made Merlin's breath hitch. He wasn't going to loose him. This was his destiny. Merlin's mind was made up.

He let himself relax, and allowed his magic to burst forth like water from a dam. His calm blue eyes instantly change into a powerful glittering gold.

"Onstyrian, onbregdan!" Merlin's voice held power that reverberated through the cavern walls. A bright light broke out from the shadow latched onto his leg and it spread to encompass his entire body. The phantoms shrieked in terror. Their forms seemed to be melting from the intensity of Merlin's ever growing light. He took a step towards them causing them to shrink back in fear.

"Lyft sy þe in bǽlwylm ac forhienan se wiðere!" with a final cry Merlin's drove back the shadows. Gone was the clumsy manservant and in his place stood a strong man with power too great to imagine. 

The silence that overcame the cavern lay over everyone like a thick blanket. Merlin was still glowing and the warmth that came from his magic filled the small space.

The feeling of freedom that usually accompanied the use of his magic had worn off. A deep sense of dread and regret seemed to hang off of him. He didn't want to turn to see their faces. He could already imagine the despair, betrayal, and worst of all, the fear that would shine in their eyes.