Llion the Brave Version 1

Her screams diminished as Llion was dragged away from the cell. The stench in the corridor was less but there was still damp, decay, defecation, death. His feet dragged, like a raggedy puppet, the guard either side of him holding him fast. He could feel their individual fingers digging into his scant flesh, leaving their impression on his bones.

Anwen's shrieks continued.

"Don't leave me! Don't leave me!"

Sobs receded with distance as the trio continued past torches and barred doors and their moans and misery to...where?

He didn't know. He didn't care. He had tried to fight and the guards had taken him, like they were holding a piece of vellum. It was the most helpless moment of his life. His heart grew tight as he thought of Anwen, crying out to him. He hated leaving her; it scored his soul. But he was glad too, as he had a feeling that he was going to his death.

"Where're we taking him?"

"The Chamberlain."

This was news. He'd rather be hung.

He steeled himself to the faint background noise of Anwen's anguished cries.

*

"Oh, they have treated you badly, haven't they?"

Llion peered at the hated man, hoping he could feel his enmity boring into him.

The Chamberlain stared at him, keenly.

"Still not broken? I admire your resistance. I will be quite sad when it's...you're...gone." The Chamberlain trailed his hand over a chair as he moved around Llion.

"I have a proposal for you."

Llion wanted to spit but remained still, his muscles burning with the effort.

"A glorious quest!"

The Chamberlain turned quickly and grabbed Llion's chin.

"You will do it. What choice do you have? Anwen will be safe. With me."

Llion's heart lurched. His love...

"It is simple. Merlin. Bring him to me. If you are successful, you may live."

It was a death sentence either way.

"Kill me now," Llion managed to grunt.

The Chamberlain laughed.

"But where's the fun in that?"

*

Merlin watched through his scrying eye. He smiled and awaited the arrival of Llion the Brave, not with fear but a flicker of anticipation as he reflected on how it could be used to his advantage.

***

366 words

A return to a Merlin story and I'm playing with this one because in a day's time, I'm going to release another version of it. Writing every day is useful; I am using it in many ways as an experiment, compelled as I am, under the terms of the challenge, to write and release something every day. Why not use it to play and stretch and imagine?

So, the essence will remain the same, but the ending will be different. I'd love to know which one you prefer and why.

You see, whilst writing it, I thought of two ways that I wanted it to go but decided that I had to relinquish one...or so, I initially thought. Why not write both?

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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