Merlin watched the sight before him with exhausted wonder and silence. He was perfectly happy in that moment to keep his words to himself as he regained his balance, his energy, and tried to register everything which had just happened. There was a flaw in those hopes, though, those plans. The entire predicament was one great bit mystery. There was nothing really to register. The shadowmancer had been intent on killing him, of course, but it was more than that. What else had he wanted? Judging by his words, he would have guessed magic, but Merlin wasn’t willing to believe it entirely. The thought, along, left him feeling sick to his stomach.
Merlin’s brow creased, just a twitch, as he watched the two strangers before him interact. The man placed a gentle kiss upon her small hand only second before he had burst into wisps of energy, which seemed to fade away into nothing. The two had a connection. Anybody could see it, but Merlin had yet to put together just what sort of connection it was.
As she made her slow approach, Merlin’s wary gaze never wavered. It was then he realized just how tired she seemed to be. No, that was an understatement. She was trembling. Quickly, the warlock’s expression shifted from wariness to concern.
And then he realized it.
He wasn’t sure why or how he realized it, but in that moment, Merlin knew that she was well-practiced in magic. They were one in the same and in that moment of realization, the young man’s lips parted and he started to stand.
Merlin didn’t quite make it the whole way to his feet. She spoke of a Dragonlord. No, she had called him a Dragonlord, and for the first moment, all he could seem to freeze and stare back at her, wide eyed. Nobody knew that he was a Dragonlord, none beside Gaius, of course. The Dragonlords were thought to be dead and yet, she really knew. At first, he was truly speechless, opening his mouth to say something — anything — but no sound escaped his lips. Her question registered to him, though, and almost hesitantly, the warlock shook his head. ”No… No, I’m alright,” he finally murmured, his voice hushed as he climbed the rest of the way to his feet. He trudged his way toward her, crouching before her. A faint frown tugged at his lips as one hand reached for her fallen staff so that he could hand it back to her.
“You’re hurt,” he murmured quietly. ”Let me help you. It’s the least I could do to repay your kindness.” Because she had saved his life, something he needed to remind himself of. Merlin had questions, he had so many questions, but he knew that they would have to wait.
Why would one show concern for one as damned as she, for it was her folly that lured him deep within the ravine of this foreboding forest and nearly welcomed him into the arms of their assailant. She wished to be far from his touch, from his desire to assist her. The further he was to the slave of summons, the better it would be for him in the end. However, finding such motivation to move was impossible under these circumstances, for she had used the last drop of energy simply to call forth the master of Storms.
Foolish man, your heart will break at the end of this..
“Why do you thank me? I marked you, Dragonlord.” Shaky fingers sought the staff he was trying to place back into her hands, but it rolled from her gasp, for fingers could not find the strength. “As they have hunted me, they will see you.. for the time of Dragons is nearly over and soon their masters will share the same fate,” exhaustion caused her to ramble out her thoughts, to warn him. “Forgive me.. to have brought chaos down upon you.”
Not once did the maiden ask for his name, for she knew it well. He needed no introduction to the one that knew of his coming. Myrddin. Emyrs. Of all the secrets told in whispers between the realms that were blessed with magic, his name echoed to reach beyond her own region. And now, the legend made flesh was before her, right within her reach, and she simply had stumbled weakly at his feet. Ah, fate is indeed a cruel mistress. Perhaps, she thought, this was punishment enough for her sins.
Sarah’s own aura faltered, Aunduin felt it immediately as she slipped slowly from the realm of consciousness. To see his mistress in such a fashion angered the spirit within, for it stirred and caused a growl to resonate from his throat. Defeated, the mage inclined her head low, letting the mess of her scarlet locks to tumble lifelessly around her frame. She shielded her eyes from seeking his gaze, for she already knew that if she looked within them once more, she would see the immortal staring back at her with that haunted look of compassion. Her arms barely could sustain her weight and she simply let it all go. Down came the rest of her to the cold, unforgiving dirt. Let go Sarah, for once, let yourself get ensnared in dreams, for it possibly could not be any worse than the pain endured at this moment.
With a whine, the wolf came to her side and laid his body next to her own, offering warmth even if he too was suffering from a wound. His tongue brushed over her cheek, causing a soft sound of objection from his fallen maiden. Half of her face being on the ground, Sarah only could view Aunduin with one eye, but soon it was closing shut like its partner. Desperately, he barked to keep her in the realm of reality, then turned to Merlin. Slowly, he approached with a whine before he took a hold of the man’s sleeve and attempted to pull him closer to Sarah.
goldeneyesofcamelot-archive reblogged this from maidenofsummons and added: She was an impossible woman, impossible in the very best of ways. Merlin had never come across somebody as kind as she...
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fiery-spirit reblogged this from goldeneyesofcamelot-archive and added: Aunduin snarled viciously at the male before him, even began to circle him when he drew close enough. The threatening...