Merlynn

The Gates of Avalon

Merlynn had gotten up early this morning for a hunting trip Arthur had planned to take. Originally, Merlynn wasn't even supposed to go, but she convinced Arthur that he could spend more time hunting if he brought her and Morris as they could carry more back that way. Merlynn had never liked the big hunting parties Cenred forced her to go on, but she enjoyed the small intimate hunting trips she had gone on to find food for her village when she was away from the castle. She didn't like killing for sport, and while more often than not it turned into food at the castle, there were times where they would kill more than necessary just to try and out perform each other.

Merlynn was following closely behind Arthur, who was tracking a deer. He had stopped to take aim at the animal when Morris came crashing through the branches running straight into him.

"What is it?" Morris had clearly never gone hunting before and it was beginning to get on Arthur's nerves- which Merlynn found just hilarious.

"You really are a total buffoon, aren't you, Morris?"

"I was just asking."

"Who? Me or the deer? We're supposed to be hunting. It requires speed, stealth, and an agile mind." Arthur thumped Morris on the head.

"So you're able to get by on two out of three then?" Merlynn interrupted.

Arthur turned to say something back to her when they heard screaming from deeper within the forest.

"What was that?" Morris asked.

"Quiet." Arthur hushed him.

The screaming continued and faint cries of help could be heard. Arthur grabbed his sword from Merlynn and led the way to aid whoever needed help. Arthur stopped at the clearing where they could see a group of thieves hassling a couple travelers. Arthur aimed his cross bow and shot the thief who was about to strike an old man who was on the ground. He fell dead and two more thieves charged Arthur. Arthur dropped the crossbow and unsheathed his sword.

Merlynn heard the sound of clashing swords as she rushed around the fight to help the elder man up and pull him out of harm's way. Once he was up, Merlynn pulled the fourth thief off the girl he was grappling with and threw him to the ground. The girl ran to the elderly man and clung to him as the battle raged on. Merlynn turned to check on Arthur when she noticed the man he had knocked down get up and try to attack him from the back. Merlynn looked around quickly for an idea when she noticed an old broken branch above the man. With a simple incantation, the branch broke off the tree and fell on the man, knocking him down again. The man she had thrown to the ground had gotten up and pulled out his sword. She grabbed her dagger off her and readied herself. The man swung his sword downwards at her as he charged and she dashed to the side. He swung up and sideways at her and she was forced to back up. The man lunged at her, but she pushed the tip of the sword away from her with the flat of the blade as she dodged the attack, making sure to stay out of reach.

She felt a hand on her shoulder pull her back and Arthur moved in front of her. The man paused and looked around at his companions who were all lying on the ground, dead or unconscious. The man turned and fled the scene. Once the threat was dealt with Arthur looked up to where the branch had fallen off the tree.

"Stroke of luck." Merlynn heard him mutter and inwardly rolled her eyes.

As the last thief disappeared into the forest Morris yelled at him, causing everyone to turn back towards him. "And let that be a lesson to you." Arthur gave him a look. "What? I was covering your back."

Arthur only shook his head and turned his attention to the two travelers. "Are you alright? They didn't hurt you?"

The girl turned to face him and smiled. "No, thanks to you." she said, lowering her hood. Arthur stopped stunned at her beauty and Merlynn rolled her eyes. She turned to give Morris a look when she noticed he was staring as well. "I'm Sophia. This is my father." she finished, gesturing to the elder man.