Something quite different - a short fic *gasps*
I cannot remember the last time I've written a stand alone fic. I haven't written at all since last fall \0/ I won't go into the whys and whatnot, but writing isn't and never has been an easy endeavor for me. But while sitting in a coffee shop earlier today (with time to kill), this came to me so I pulled out a scrap piece of paper and scribbled it down right then and there before I forgot it all.
When Merlin ended last December, I was overwhelmed with feelings and thought for certs that I would write something...anything...in response to the final two episodes. There is a plethora of material there between Arthur and Merlin, let alone the other principle characters that all met their various ends. I created a bunch of graphics, but the writing bit continued to elude me.
Posting this for myself and no expectations of feedback. It just felt good to write something for once. I had thought I'd completely lost the ability to write at all!
Title: A Mortal Man
Author: Cat
Fandom/pairing: BBC's Merlin, no pairings
Author's Notes: This was a quick scribbling on scrap paper, all mistakes are my own. While this was inspired by a scene from the BBC series Merlin, it ties directly into the traditional Arthurian legends. So no real surprises unless one watches the show and have yet to see S5 episode 12. I've not written a stand alone in a very long time, so forgive the lack of polish. I am just grateful that this came.
Spoiler Warning: Only if you watch Merlin and have not seen S5 episode 12.
___________________________________________________________
Hope.
Trust in old familiar bonds of friendship.
His expression was one of surprise and yes, hope. Nothing had prepared Arthur for the magnitude of the betrayal that followed within the next beat of his heart.
Shock and utter confusion at the intrusion as the cold blade penetrated his body through mail, leather and tunic. Pain seared through his flesh as the disbelief in his expression morphed into anger. Steel blue eyes met the vengeful gaze of his attacker if only in acknowledgement of the deed.
Arthur's grip on Excalibur tightened in his gloved hand - his thrust quickly found its intended target. As with his own, the sword found no resistance from the victim's chain mail for Excalibur was no ordinary weapon.
Unwelcome satisfaction, a sense of victory overcame Arthur as the immortal blade punctured the other man's chest; deep into the very heart of him.
A slow smile grew across the other man's face - had he wanted it to all end this way? Was it an apology? A debt paid in blood?
"Why?" was the only word that had formed in Arthur's mind and on the tip of his tongue. Yet he wouldn't utter a word. Silence, nothingness, and darkness was coming for them both like an unwelcome pall of blackness and cold over the land. It was done.
Both men fell to the bloodied ground. One's lifeblood quickly drained away forever, spilling in the dirt. The other - the darkness overcame him like a woolen burial shroud, blotting out his surroundings and his senses.
A voice reached Arthur's sub-consciousness - not entirely unfamiliar and strangely reassuring.
Dark days were these - a fierce battle - THE battle had ensued upon Badon Hill this night. They had won, Arthur was certain of it deep down in his bones despite his unconscious state. Something burned fiercely within his chest - moving, ripping and threatening to claim his life now.
"Mordred. How did I fail you, my brother? Why?"
Arthur's dreams were cloaked in mists and shadows. Nothing made sense - an island...gone away...
A voice, this time all too familiar and welcome. Needed.
Merlin.
Slowly Arthur's eyes opened and he gazed wearily up at his longtime and most trusted friend as the other man gently wiped his brow. "I am saved," he thought, ignoring the brutal pain deep within his chest.
* * * * * * *
"Brave and noble Arthur, it was not to be. And in over fifteen hundred years you have not returned to us. Yet there is always hope that when our need is greatest, you will return, our valiant and wise King."
~end.
In other news, had my stitches out today thank the gods. I'm awaiting a call back from my physician as far as my return to morning blood sugar spikes. No doubt hormonal, but hopefully she might have a solution. Rainy day today. A bunch of clients emailing wanting stuff that I really don't have time to do right now nor the inclination. Tomorrow I'll be out due to monthly adjustment at the chiropractor and lunch with a friend. So Thursday and Friday I'll have to bust my arse at work.
Hope all of you are well.
♥
When Merlin ended last December, I was overwhelmed with feelings and thought for certs that I would write something...anything...in response to the final two episodes. There is a plethora of material there between Arthur and Merlin, let alone the other principle characters that all met their various ends. I created a bunch of graphics, but the writing bit continued to elude me.
Posting this for myself and no expectations of feedback. It just felt good to write something for once. I had thought I'd completely lost the ability to write at all!
Title: A Mortal Man
Author: Cat
Fandom/pairing: BBC's Merlin, no pairings
Author's Notes: This was a quick scribbling on scrap paper, all mistakes are my own. While this was inspired by a scene from the BBC series Merlin, it ties directly into the traditional Arthurian legends. So no real surprises unless one watches the show and have yet to see S5 episode 12. I've not written a stand alone in a very long time, so forgive the lack of polish. I am just grateful that this came.
Spoiler Warning: Only if you watch Merlin and have not seen S5 episode 12.
___________________________________________________________
Hope.
Trust in old familiar bonds of friendship.
His expression was one of surprise and yes, hope. Nothing had prepared Arthur for the magnitude of the betrayal that followed within the next beat of his heart.
Shock and utter confusion at the intrusion as the cold blade penetrated his body through mail, leather and tunic. Pain seared through his flesh as the disbelief in his expression morphed into anger. Steel blue eyes met the vengeful gaze of his attacker if only in acknowledgement of the deed.
Arthur's grip on Excalibur tightened in his gloved hand - his thrust quickly found its intended target. As with his own, the sword found no resistance from the victim's chain mail for Excalibur was no ordinary weapon.
Unwelcome satisfaction, a sense of victory overcame Arthur as the immortal blade punctured the other man's chest; deep into the very heart of him.
A slow smile grew across the other man's face - had he wanted it to all end this way? Was it an apology? A debt paid in blood?
"Why?" was the only word that had formed in Arthur's mind and on the tip of his tongue. Yet he wouldn't utter a word. Silence, nothingness, and darkness was coming for them both like an unwelcome pall of blackness and cold over the land. It was done.
Both men fell to the bloodied ground. One's lifeblood quickly drained away forever, spilling in the dirt. The other - the darkness overcame him like a woolen burial shroud, blotting out his surroundings and his senses.
A voice reached Arthur's sub-consciousness - not entirely unfamiliar and strangely reassuring.
Dark days were these - a fierce battle - THE battle had ensued upon Badon Hill this night. They had won, Arthur was certain of it deep down in his bones despite his unconscious state. Something burned fiercely within his chest - moving, ripping and threatening to claim his life now.
"Mordred. How did I fail you, my brother? Why?"
Arthur's dreams were cloaked in mists and shadows. Nothing made sense - an island...gone away...
A voice, this time all too familiar and welcome. Needed.
Merlin.
Slowly Arthur's eyes opened and he gazed wearily up at his longtime and most trusted friend as the other man gently wiped his brow. "I am saved," he thought, ignoring the brutal pain deep within his chest.
* * * * * * *
"Brave and noble Arthur, it was not to be. And in over fifteen hundred years you have not returned to us. Yet there is always hope that when our need is greatest, you will return, our valiant and wise King."
~end.
In other news, had my stitches out today thank the gods. I'm awaiting a call back from my physician as far as my return to morning blood sugar spikes. No doubt hormonal, but hopefully she might have a solution. Rainy day today. A bunch of clients emailing wanting stuff that I really don't have time to do right now nor the inclination. Tomorrow I'll be out due to monthly adjustment at the chiropractor and lunch with a friend. So Thursday and Friday I'll have to bust my arse at work.
Hope all of you are well.
♥