In The Hearts Of Men

Chapter 11

A scream split the air like a gun shot.

Merlin fell out of the bed, staring around madly. Matilda kept screaming, pointing wildly at the magically assisted objects. Merlin realised his mistake in half a second. His eyes widened.

"YOU!" Screamed Matilda, pointing at Merlin. "SORCERER!"

"Nononono--" Merlin stepped towards her, arms out, wanting her to know he wasn't a threat. Too late.
She yelled louder than even as he approached her, screaching,

"HELP! HELP! SORCERER IN PRINCE ARTHUR'S QUARTERS!!" She must have woken up half the castle, and soon Merlin could hear running footsteps.

"No!" Merlin cried. "Wait!"

"Stay back, you filthy traitor!" Matilda looked around quickly and saw Arthur's cerimonial sword lying on top of the chest of drawers. She seized it and waved it madly at Merlin.
"Stay back!" She screamed. "Get away from me!"

"Stop this!" Merlin shouted at her. "I don't want to hurt you! Look," and in that second, three things happened all at once: Several guards stormed into the room, Merlin pushed Matilda back with his magic to show her him he didn't mean her any harm, and Matilda threw that sword at Merlin's stomach.