Art by @kairennart for "Coronet and Witch Iron" Based on the Wheel of Fortune Tarrot Card
Arthur had barely opened his eyes the next morning when he heard Cenred’s voice calling, “It's time to do some experiments with Witch Iron!”
Cenred came into view beyond the gate to their cell, a wide grin on his face.
Arthur stood slowly trying to ignore the aching pain in his body and the swollen painful eye. He crossed their small cell towards Cenred, a scowl on his face. Then a voice came from behind him, “You’re going to pay for how you hurt him.” Arthur tried to gesture for Merlin to shut up. He should have known better.
Merlin stepped forward instead. “Does hurting us make you feel like a powerful king?” he asked, scathingly. “Ooh wait! A powerful king wouldn’t need to do this. You are nothing but a pathetic excuse for a leader. Let alone a person. How does it feel to be so weak that you have to result to being a childlike bully to feel good?”
Arthur swore internally and grabbed Merlin's shoulder pulling him back. Merlin agitating Cenred was not surprising but after what he had said last night Arthur had hopped for a bit more restraint. Then he realized Merlin might be doing this on purpose in some sort of stupid self sacrificial attempt to make Cenred focus on him. But this was also Merlin. He couldn't be sure he could just be saying whatever he felt like.
Cenred leered at them. His tone was not angry… more almost joyful. “You really are remarkably annoying. I will be entertained by shutting you up.”
Arthur stepped forward again ready to fight when the cell door opened.
“Arthur!” Merlin's word of warning and then coughing caught his attention. Arthur turned only for orange gas to hit his face. It was coming out of a vent above them. Immediately Arthur’s eyes started to water. He began to cough.
Arthur dived, grabbing Merlin and tackling him to the ground amongst flailing limbs. Pure instinct drove him to try to protect. It would not be enough. That was Arthur's last coherent thought before he fell into darkness.