A new Fanfic! Hehehehe... This first chapter was really fun to write, which sounds so bad considering what's in it...But anyways, I watched the episodes 5x01 and 5x02, also known as Arthur's Bane parts 1 and 2 today, and this inspiration came very quickly!

Let us take a moment to fangirl (or if you're a boy, just stand and watch, I suppose) over how adorable Colin Morgan is...Ok... *SQUEAL!* Ok, I'm a weirdo. Moving on.

There will not be any inappropriate things or swearing in this story. Also no SLASH.

I don't own the show Merlin, or the characters, btw. Thanks for asking! ;D

Merlin

The cold winds smacks against my frostbitten face, making me wince as a violent shiver runs through my body. I turn my head to inspect my weary friend, who seems to be boding even worse than me. No doubt he is still recovering slightly from where he was struck between his shoulder blades. The King's eyes are dry from lack of water, and a pang of worry courses through me that he may not make it to Ismere. But Arthur is a strong warrior, as has been proven countless times already. And if worse comes to worst...I can always use my magic to get him to safety, even if it means revealing my secret. There are more important things in life than my own self-preservation; like Arthur and Camelot.

"Merlin," Arthur's voice says in a tired, whispered voice. I look at him, to find his eyes looking intently at me.

"Yeah," I whisper back, equally as exhausted.

"I can see Morgana's fortress in the distance. If we're going to escape we need to do it now." I look up in the direction he indicated, and see to my horror that Arthur's right. A huge, black castle rises from behind the snowy hills as we trudge along behind the slave cart, dark and foreboding.

"What are we going to do?" I breath, voice shaky because of the ever-present cold.

"Do I have to think of everything?" Arthur snaps, irritated.

"Improvising…Alright." I huff, glancing around to make sure none of our captors are watching. My eyes lock onto Mordred's unblinking ones, staring right at me. I drag my gaze from his, painfully aware of the fact that he is still watching my every move intently.

"Merlin," Arthur asks warily. "What have you got planned?"

"Just trust me." To my relief Arthur stays quiet, and I look to the cart full of supplies directly in front of us. My desperate assessing eyes find what I'm looking for: the metal bar the keeps the cart's back locked into place. I again make sure no one is watching; doing my best to ignore Mordred's penetrating stare. I doubt he will look away, and we don't have time to wait for him to be distracted. I can only hope that he won't lose the kindness he's been showing us. I brace myself, lifting my right leg and balancing on my left for a moment before kicking the metal bar with as much strength as I can muster. To my nervous satisfaction the cart lurches violently as the wooden back falls down, releasing the contents onto the snow covered ground.

The reaction is immediate. The whole party comes to a halt, and the man in charge comes thundering towards us from his spot in the front of the line. "Who did that?" He demands loudly, voice echoing through the empty, white, hilly field. The other prisoners glance at me quickly and then to their shoes, afraid to speak a word. The looks are not lost on our captor, who stalks toward me and grabs me by the neckerchief. His angry eyes bore into mine and my heart races as I try to figure out what to do now. "Was it you?" He sneers in my face.

"We need to rest." I say shakily, trying to sound confident despite my fear. The man growls angrily as he shakes me violently by the piece of fabric around my neck.

"You tired?" He seethes, twisting the neckerchief around his fingers, tightening the pressure and causing me to gasp as it pushes against my esophagus.

"We all are!" I choke out desperately. "We'll be able to go faster if we stop for a mo-" The man cuts me off with a swift fist to the stomach, sending all the air out of my lungs and sending me a step back as my body doubles over in reaction.

"Everybody else's pace is just fine, boy." He barks, forcing me forward again by the neck. "It's you that's the problem!"

"Please, he's just an idiot! Let him go. I'll keep him under control." Arthur says hurriedly.

"As if I'd take your word for anything!" My attacker spits at Arthur. "I've had just about enough of you two and your problems!" I've finally caught my breath, but decide to stay quiet for the moment and hope Arthur can get things back under control. "You'll make the other prisoners think they can get away with causing trouble as well. Unless of course, I make an example of you."

I'm shoved roughly to the cold ground, heart pounding in fear of what's about the happen and throat stinging from the abuse my neck just took. Arthur lurches towards the man towering above me, hooking his bound hands in front of his throat and pulling back. I scramble to my feet and grab the dagger hanging on the belt of the now spluttering man. I quickly cut my bonds and make to give Arthur the knife for his, when I'm abruptly and forcefully grabbed from behind. The weapon falls out of my grasp as I struggle against the new threat. The new man holding me is even bigger and stronger than the leader of the slave party, and he easily grabs my left arm and twists it forcibly behind my back. I can't hold back my cry of pain as he pushes it up my back, towards my head, arm at a painfully unnatural angle. With the strain he's putting on it I'm suddenly worried he'll break my arm, and tears spring into my eyes as he pushes on it harder. My knees give out under me and I fall painfully on the ground.

I look up blearily to see Arthur get over-powered as another man joins our main captor, punching and pulling Arthur off of the man and throwing him to the ground. Our captor regains his senses at last and kicks the young king in the ribs, causing him to cry out in pain. Arthur's new attacker points his sword at him to keep him down. The very angry slaver stalks over to me now, causing my heart to beat even faster.

"As for you," He growls angrily. "I hope you've learned your lesson, because I'm not going to let you create more trouble on this trip!"

"You don't have to kill him!" Arthur shouts, fear plain in his voice. "He won't be a bother anymore, will you, Merlin?" The last part is very pointed and clear. We both know that if I'm not killed now, I will be next time I try to fight back.

"I'm not going to kill the weakling," The man sneers. "The Lady Morgana wants as many men as possible, even if they are made out of twigs. I get my money's worth either way. No, boy, you'll just be asleep for a while, is all."

A powerful kick to the head, sending my senses reeling, and then darkness.

I'd love for you guys to leave guesses and suggestions for this story! It will be fun for me to see where you think this might be going, and also give me some inspiration! But just make sure that if you do NOT want me to use an idea you have that you say so in the review! Thanks! :D