Arthur was sitting in his chambers waiting for Merlin. He was always late so Arthur thought nothing of it. He was staring out his window hopping to catch a glimpse of Guinevere. He began to think of her and how complicated there whole situation was, but it was getting a bit easier now that Arthur was Prince Regent. There relationship was becoming a little bit more open. Arthur snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the door to his chambers open.
"Sire," a court messenger said. This was not who Arthur was expecting and it caught him off guard. "I have a message for you from Gauis."
" What is it?" Arthur asked, he was worried now. He felt that there was something wrong because if Gauis had needed him why hadn't he just sent Merlin.
" He requests your presence in his chambers. He says that it is urgent and of the utmost importance.
"Thank You." Arthur said and he left his chambers and walked swiftly to the court physician's chambers which were on the other side of the castle. When he got there he entered without knocking. "What is it Gauis?"
Gauis was sitting at the table in the middle of the room staring blankly at a piece of paper in his hand. But before Gauis could respond to Arthur the door burst open again. Elyan, Gwen's brother, was now standing next to Arthur.
" What happened?" Elyan said looking from Arthur to Gauis and noticing that they both shared his worried expression.
"Read this." Gauis said and he shoved the piece of paper that he was reading into Arthur's hands, who then read it aloud.
" Dear Arthur,
HA! I have taken the two things that mean the most to you! I think that I will keep them unless you come on your own to seek me. If you do not come to me within the next four days, I will end the lives of your beloved Guinevere and Merlin. I suggest that you not try and trick me in anyway, because if my scouts report to me that you do not come alone I will kill them both. Do not try and cross me Arthur Pendragon!
King Alined"
" Oh God!" Elyan said.
Arthur stood frozen in his place. He couldn't believe the words that he had just read aloud. Merlin wasn't just his manservant. Sure that is how he had started out, but the two had grown so much and they were now best friends even if Arthur didn't want to admit it. Guinevere was his life, his everything. Arthur didn't know what he would do if anything ever happened to her.
Arthur finally snapped out of his trance and looked at Gauis and Elyan. They were both staring at him as if they were waiting for him to make the first move. They were both waiting for him to say or do something. Arthur thought for a moment before he spoke.
" I will set out now. I will go alone. Gauis can you give me a few strength and healing potions just to be safe?" Arthur asked and Gauis nodded. "Good. Elyan you go get Lancelot, Leon, Gwaine, and Percival. Tell them what is going on. You will all come after me in two days time. It takes two days ride to get to Alined's kingdom. I shall arrive there by Wednesday, you shall all arrive on Friday. Four days must mean something to him. You must do your best to stay out of site! Be careful!"
Elyan nodded and ran from the room without another word. Arthur stared at Gauis who was making him potions. He felt like he should say something to the old man but he didn't know what.
"Sire you will need food and supplies." Gauis said sensing Arthur's uncomfortableness.
" Right I will go do that now. Will fifteen minutes be time enough for you to prepare the potions?" Arthur asked. Gauis nodded not looking up from his work and Arthur tore out of the room.
15 minutes later Arthur returned with a bulging pack filled with food and blankets. He had also put on his armor and his sword belt. He set the pack down on the floor for a moment while Gauis handed him the potions.
" Here you are Sire."
" Thank you Gauis." Arthur said while he stuffed them safely in his pack he gathered his things and turned to leave.
" Arthur," Gauis said. Athur stopped but didn't turn to face Gauis. " Please get them back. Please try, promise me you will do anything you can."
" I promise." Arthur said and he left the room and embarked on his solitary journey to King Alined's land.