* Note: I do not own BBC Merlin or its characters, and I do not own certain lines within the story which will be taken directly from the show itself*

Prince Merlin sprints through the corridors of the castle trying to escape what he had just heard. It doesn't take long before he is panting with the effort of getting air through his bruised throat. He slides along the floor as he tries to get back to his personal rooms. By the time he reaches his rooms he's gasping for breath. He has to lean against the wall to try and catch his breath. His sweat mixes with the tears already running down his face in a continuous stream. His mother had been dead less than two hours and he had known for less than a half an hour. Already the man he had considered his father had tried to kill him. It was only the combined efforts of his two older brothers, Patrick and James, that had saved him. His little sister Catherine could only bare witness as the events played out.

Merlin and his siblings were called to the throne room by their father, dread causing his hands to shake. James put a comforting hand on his shoulder as Catherine put her smaller hand in his. The siblings stood in a line in front of their father's throne and the king's face held a hint of celebration. A look that said he knew something that they did not and it made him happy. Another wave of dread flooded the young prince's system. The king only had that look when talking about getting rid of their mother or about to take his anger out on Merlin.

"Your mother is dead" the king says. No greeting, no apology, no sadness, no explanation, just a statement of truth.

"What ?! When?!" yells Merlin. Immediately regretting it upon seeing the hateful look on the king's face. Prince Merlin closes his mouth, pressing his lips in a thin line. He lowers his head to look at the floor as tears begin to pour out of his sky blue eyes. He can feel Catherine sobbing into his side and he wraps an arm around her shaking shoulders.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" bellows the king, rising from his throne, red-faced with anger.

"Father, Merlin apologizes, it's just that this came as quite a surprise. We were not aware that mother had been unwell." responds Patrick, his eyes watery, trying to keep himself together for his siblings.

Patrick had helped his mother raise his younger siblings by taking on the role of their father. To protect them from the cold and distant one their own father made. Patrick had learned at an early age how to deal with their father's anger. He could almost always prevent blows from being thrown. None of the children knew why the king had started becoming violent towards his youngest son. Beginning two years ago the young prince had been beaten black and blue by the angry king. It took the combined effort of both elder princes and many of the palace guards to keep Prince Merlin alive. The death of their mother meant many things or the siblings. It meant a loss of her love, kindness and presence and the loss of her protection for the youngest prince. The three youngest seemed to realize this at the same time as Patrick did as their shoulders tensed.

This type of apology would usually temper their father's temper. This time it seemed to only fuel it further.

"She wasn't unwell, she took her own life." growls the king striding towards them.

"No! Mother wouldn't do that!" Merlin exclaims, head shooting up to watch his father as he got closer to them.

"Father, are you sure ?" he asks. He doesn't see the fist until it's too late. His father's fist connects with his jaw sending him sprawling backwards onto his backside. He's dazed for a few seconds, ears ringing, before he shakes his head and re-focuses on the room around him. Merlin can see his father and Patrick yelling at each other near the throne. He can see Catherine standing off to the side crying. James is crouched down in front of him, offering him a hand to help him up.

"Are you alright Merlin ?" he asks, worriedly eyeing his bruising jaw.

"Yeah.." he murmurs, reaching a hand up to softly touch his throbbing jaw

"I've had worse, you know that James."

"I know you have Merl, I know you have. Doesn't make it easier to watch though." replies his brother in a quiet voice, before pulling his brother to his feet.

"I know James, I..." Before Merlin can finish his sentence he sees his father push Patrick aside. His father once again comes towards him, stopping just a foot in front of Merlin.

"You do not speak to me that way ! You do not yell at me or question me ! and I am not your father!" king yells, spit flying everywhere.

Merlin is afraid to speak. Afraid to ask what he means about not being his father and he's thankful when Patrick does it for him.

"Father, what do you mean you're not his father? He is your son, just as he is mother's son."

"No he is not Patrick, he is not my son. Your mother had a dalliance with Lord Balinor. I found out the truth several years ago, your mother was the only reason he is even living here!" the king replies, a look of realization crossing his face.

"And your mother is no longer here to protect you." The king surges forward and wraps his hands around the younger boys throat. Merlin's lungs burn and scream for oxygen. His hands grab at the kings strong grip around his throat. It takes a few seconds for the shock of the situation to wear off before his brothers both jump forward to grab their father's arms. They pry the king's hands off slowly, and with difficulty. They finally peel their father's fingers from around Merlin's neck and James rushes to support Merlin's sagging frame. Merlin drags great breaths into his raw throat as his hands touch his bruised throat.

" Merlin.." whispers James in his ear.

" We love you Merlin, you're still our brother and we love you no matter what, but if you stay father will kill you. You have to run, find your knights and run somewhere safe. Leave the kingdom Merlin, be safe. When father is dead we will come find you, I promise. Find somewhere that will make you happy while you have to be away from us." James wraps his arms around the slighter frame of his brother for a moment before he let him go. Merlin looks up at his brother's face and James offers him a small sad smile. Tears one again run down Merlin's face and he nods, saying ;

"I love you James, tell Patrick and Catherine I love them too. I'll see you again soon." Merlin turns and sprints out the doors, past the worried guards and towards his room.

Merlin shakes his head clear of those recent memories and throws his bedroom door open. Merlin is so upset and breathing is becoming difficult and he isn't even aware that he's using his magic. His eyes are glowing gold and a magical gust of wind pushes the door with so much force that it smashes into the wall. A large crack forms in the center of the door from the force. The wind rushes into the room causing loose papers and light objects flying into the air. The hair of the three men in the room flies around their heads.