Mad Dash (part 4)
Author: weatherfeather
Title: Mad Dash (part 4)
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Merlin
Summary: Merlin takes action. A fight begins.
Warnings: fire, violence, creature
Word Count: 668
Prompt: 467 sizzling
Author's Notes: Other characters: a trail of walking wounded. Other prompt: 466 Bingo "Blowin' in the Wind"
In the hallway, people who can't move quickly are lined up in a slow parade against the near wall. Merlin keeps to the right side as he rushes past them.
He also keeps his senses open to the magical taste of the beast in disguise. He doesn't expect it to be pretending to be limping along here, but, as he is still not sure why it's not already wreaking destruction inside the castle where no one is fighting or running away, he has to check everyone he passes to make sure he doesn't miss his target.
It's three long hallways before the wounded turn off into the throne room, but Merlin's magic points him to the great hall instead. Nobody pays any attention to him when he runs straight past the throne room and along the empty half of the hall. Being the prince's servant means people don't question his movements nearly as much as they do other servants'.
He reaches the closed doors of the great hall and pauses outside them. Any other room in the castle would give him the advantage of cover in a small space. However, the great hall is impossible to enter without being heard and seen immediately. There is the small balcony at the far end, but to get there Merlin would need to take a circuitous route.
Merlin decides that Arthur's need is pressing, and he cannot take any more time going the long way around before he deals with this beast.
He expands his magical senses once again and finds the beast moving around on the raised platform at the far end of the great hall.
He doesn't want to burst in dramatically like the inexperienced and untrained youngster he was only a few years ago, but this setting gives him no other choice.
He chooses a middle pair of double doors. If he has to make a dramatic entrance, might as well go for the full effect.
The center doors burst open. Merlin strides through them with all the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he's up against, even though he doesn't know. His magic is ready at his fingertips as he walks up the room.
The gust of wind he used to blow open the doors highlights for him the shredded state of the banners that decorate the far wall. He can see small strips that have been torn off of them blowing in the wind as it lifts them from the floor.
The beast appears to have returned to its natural form, because Merlin spots a hulking figure in the corner going at the last whole banner with its teeth and claws. It's stretching up on its hind legs to reach, and it must be five meters tall when it's stretched out like that.
It's no wonder it came in here, Merlin thinks. It wouldn't fit comfortably in any other room in the castle in this form.
The beast freezes its frenzied ripping.
Merlin hears giant snuffling sounds.
The beast spins around and charges at him, and Merlin notices it has three front legs with very long claws.
Merlin has enough time to form and throw a large fireball that even Nimueh would be proud of.
The fireball catches the beast in the neck mid-leap and throws it backwards. The beast skids across the floor. Its feathered torso has caught fire, and the skid mark is made of flames.
Merlin hasn't stopped the beast, though. It leaps to its five feet. Its scale-covered legs and head have not caught fire, and the only effect of the fireball's flames seems to be the beast's increased agitation. That, and a sizzling sound as the fire reaches beyond the feathers to the beast's skin.
It roars at him, and Merlin slaps his hands over his ears.
A high window shatters to Merlin's right, and some broken glass rains down inside.
Merlin wonders how this wild creature could ever pass for a human.
Its eyes promise Merlin's dismemberment.
A/N: Merlin blew his own scent at the beast. Arthur the hunter would smack him 'round the back of the head for making that mistake.
Title: Mad Dash (part 4)
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Merlin
Summary: Merlin takes action. A fight begins.
Warnings: fire, violence, creature
Word Count: 668
Prompt: 467 sizzling
Author's Notes: Other characters: a trail of walking wounded. Other prompt: 466 Bingo "Blowin' in the Wind"
In the hallway, people who can't move quickly are lined up in a slow parade against the near wall. Merlin keeps to the right side as he rushes past them.
He also keeps his senses open to the magical taste of the beast in disguise. He doesn't expect it to be pretending to be limping along here, but, as he is still not sure why it's not already wreaking destruction inside the castle where no one is fighting or running away, he has to check everyone he passes to make sure he doesn't miss his target.
It's three long hallways before the wounded turn off into the throne room, but Merlin's magic points him to the great hall instead. Nobody pays any attention to him when he runs straight past the throne room and along the empty half of the hall. Being the prince's servant means people don't question his movements nearly as much as they do other servants'.
He reaches the closed doors of the great hall and pauses outside them. Any other room in the castle would give him the advantage of cover in a small space. However, the great hall is impossible to enter without being heard and seen immediately. There is the small balcony at the far end, but to get there Merlin would need to take a circuitous route.
Merlin decides that Arthur's need is pressing, and he cannot take any more time going the long way around before he deals with this beast.
He expands his magical senses once again and finds the beast moving around on the raised platform at the far end of the great hall.
He doesn't want to burst in dramatically like the inexperienced and untrained youngster he was only a few years ago, but this setting gives him no other choice.
He chooses a middle pair of double doors. If he has to make a dramatic entrance, might as well go for the full effect.
The center doors burst open. Merlin strides through them with all the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he's up against, even though he doesn't know. His magic is ready at his fingertips as he walks up the room.
The gust of wind he used to blow open the doors highlights for him the shredded state of the banners that decorate the far wall. He can see small strips that have been torn off of them blowing in the wind as it lifts them from the floor.
The beast appears to have returned to its natural form, because Merlin spots a hulking figure in the corner going at the last whole banner with its teeth and claws. It's stretching up on its hind legs to reach, and it must be five meters tall when it's stretched out like that.
It's no wonder it came in here, Merlin thinks. It wouldn't fit comfortably in any other room in the castle in this form.
The beast freezes its frenzied ripping.
Merlin hears giant snuffling sounds.
The beast spins around and charges at him, and Merlin notices it has three front legs with very long claws.
Merlin has enough time to form and throw a large fireball that even Nimueh would be proud of.
The fireball catches the beast in the neck mid-leap and throws it backwards. The beast skids across the floor. Its feathered torso has caught fire, and the skid mark is made of flames.
Merlin hasn't stopped the beast, though. It leaps to its five feet. Its scale-covered legs and head have not caught fire, and the only effect of the fireball's flames seems to be the beast's increased agitation. That, and a sizzling sound as the fire reaches beyond the feathers to the beast's skin.
It roars at him, and Merlin slaps his hands over his ears.
A high window shatters to Merlin's right, and some broken glass rains down inside.
Merlin wonders how this wild creature could ever pass for a human.
Its eyes promise Merlin's dismemberment.
A/N: Merlin blew his own scent at the beast. Arthur the hunter would smack him 'round the back of the head for making that mistake.