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He awoke to rocking. It was dizzying, and confusing. Back and forth, rocking. The second thing that hit him, was whatever he was lying on, was splintery. And uncomfortable.

Wind howled against something that was blocking between him, and whatever was on the outside of said block. Something else did the same. It was almost like... Water. That's what it was. Great waves crashing against wood. Ship. Merlin was on a ship. When did that happen? He blinked, and was greeted only by pitch black.

Merlin tried to recall where he was, or what was happening. But there was just this... this emptiness. The memories skirting around the very edges of his memory. Arthur. Where was Arthur? With that thought, the young warlock shot up into a sitting position, then straight onto his hands and knees, pushing himself into a awkward, un-sturdy standing position. The ship rocked roughly, and he was almost sent sprawling back across the deck.

He held his palm up, and whispered into his hand.

In that horrifying moment, he was replied only by lapping waves and creaking wood. No warmth of magic spreading through his torso and into his hand, no power blossoming within him, just darkness. Then pain. A familiar, burning pain that sent him down to his knees. His entire body trembled from invisible flames searing into his flesh.

The cuff. A cuff, that retained his magic. He shuddered and pushed away unpleasant memories.

From across the ship, Flynn heard Merlin waking up-he knew it was Merlin, only because he'd tripped over him earlier-though he'd never admitt that.

"Merlin...?" he asked, though he knew it was him, it was more a 'you're not alone' statement than a question.

Not only was he not alone, but there were several other people in the ship's brig. After tripping over Merlin, he'd decided to be more carefull, and ended up finding several others.

All right, Merlin thought, so I'll just assume this means nothing good. He gripped the ends of his sleeves with his fingers, walking - more walking sideways then straight - and stopped somewhere around where the voice had come from. "I don't remember how I got here?" he half said, half asked. "What happened?"

Flynn shrugged and glanced around, seeing vague shapes and images as his eyes were adjusted to the dark. "From what I can tell-This ship is somewhere in the middle of the ocean-no one knows where we're going, and oh... we've been kidnapped for our magic. Don't ask me why-but everyone here has magic-though none of us can actually use it," he hissed out, clawing absentmindedly at the cuff that held back his magic.

"Does Arthur know what's going on? Is Morgana safe? Where is your last memory from?" he asked, not waiting before rushing through the next question.

"Erm -" Merlin said as he once more tried to find his memories. "There was... a court meeting." His expression changed and he tilted his head, "Gwen, Arthur, Morgana and me were walking somewhere. Morgana was joking with Gwen, and... I said he was pompous, then remembered I forgot something in his chambers. I think it was his sword? I can't remember anything else. Your last memory?"

Flynn bit his lip and sighed. He wasn't sure if that would help them any. "I've been here two days-Last memory in Camelot?" He blinked rapidly-though it made little difference in the dark. "I think-I was with you an Morgana." he stated. Yes, that was the last thing he remembered, he'd left, and then-blank.

"Yeah. Yeah. The council meeting - it was for the sorcerers that were going missing. You disappeared, and then... Freeta went missing. And then Kalian - and apparently me."

Flynn nodded. "Ah, you noticed my absence. I'm touched..." Flynn stated sarcastically. He was glad though, that Morgana was safe-as were others still with magic. He'd already found Freeta and Kalian, as well as others that he didn't know. People who claimed to be from the outlying towns of Camelot. "So-now the question remains, what do they want with us? Magic is no longer banned... so...?" he left the question open-ended.

Merlin shook his head. He pulled at the chain around his wrist, frowning distantly. "There were those who... opposed. Who still agreed with Uther?" Merlin suggested. But something about the idea just felt... off. He shook his head. "I feel like I'm missing something," he sighed.

"Hours worth of memory for one thing," Flynn stated with a frustrated tone. He heard someone moving across the room-probably someone else waking up, but he kept his attention on Merlin. "Perhaps it was those who opposed-it would make sense. Still, that leaves us with another question-who, and why are we being shipped to who-knows-where? If they so radically oppose... why not kill us? That-might be why you're feeling doubts-because it doesn't make sense."

Merlin nodded, staring in front of himself with a frustrated look crossing his face. Merlin cringed out of his thoughts by someone muttering a useless spell and then instantly groaning in pain. He looked back at Flynn, shrugged, then started walking - carefully. He crouched next to an older woman, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"That stung more 'an breathin' in red pepper," the lady gasped.

Flynn stood beside them, barely flinching as someone bumped into him.

"Careful!" a familiar voice spat.

"Is that anyone to speak to an old friend, Kalian?" Flynn responded, sounding mildly amused. Though, honestly, he was a bit tired of being locked up, chained, and taken places without his permission. It got-irritating. He turned back to Merlin, who was still beside the woman sorceress.

Flynn laughed quietly at Merlin's reaction-though pleasant, it had clearly been a bit awkward. He didn't speak, leaving Merlin to get aquainted with everyone on the ship-most, if not all of them, knew who he was by this time. Merlin-Camelot's Court Warlock. It was common knowledge.

Still, what they didn't know, was whose ship they were on, where it was going, and why they'd been taken. And until they knew that-they had a problem.

All right, so, this has turned into a series... *Snort laughs* Thank you for reading! :) Ummm, The Great Dragon! I couldn't reply to your review! You don't have an account! *Cries a little bit*