A/N chapter 1 seemed to have gone fairly well for such a short chapter. Here's chapter 2. No warnings for this one. Enjoy. :)
Disclaimer: don't own

Uther, the knights, Morgana, Gwen and Gaius were all in a meeting together. The Prince wasn't there as he has finally allowed himself to get some sleep but even if he weren't sleeping he wouldn't be in attendance as it was him they were discussing.

"What can we do though? We've tried everything but everyday he gets worse. He's become numb father and he'll stay that way until Merlin's found!" Morgana stated.

They all agreed on that. No matter how many meetings they've held, no matter how many times they've tried their suggestions out and no matter how many times they think on their feet, they can never get through to Arthur.

"How do we know he's even alive? Don't look at me like that! We're all thinking it." Leon asked, weary of their answers. They all looked anywhere but at someone else. An awkward silence passed over the group. It was Morgana who broke it. "He's alive." Everyone's heads whipped round to face her.

"How do you know?" Gaius asked.

Morgana looked him dead in the eye. The man looked so much older then usual. Everyone did. It was one of the effects of Merlin's disappearance. Everyone was a friend of the kind young man but Gaius was his father figure. Even Uther has started looking at him as another son. No-one could pass Gaius in that position though, everyone knew that.

Morgana took off the bracelet Merlin had given her for her last birthday. It was a month before this hell started.

"Merlin gave me this. He put magic on it and he has something very similar to it. He said that his magic gives it the glow but the magic shows his life force. He told me the spell to put on his and the magic in that shows my life force. If the glow flashes as in, it turns brighter then dimmer and brighter again then dimmer, it means that we're in danger. Mine keeps flashing every now and again but it also stays faint. I believe that, when it flashes, he's being tortured of some kind. When it's faint it means that the torture has stopped but he might possibly be unconscious but barely hanging onto life. Sometimes there is a day where it will just be faint so I don't think whoever has him wants to kill him." Morgana explained but everyone could hear the non-spoken 'yet' in the air after she fell silent. Everyone stayed quiet while they processed the information they received. Merlin's alive, barely, but is being tortured on an almost day to day basis. No-one can decide whether or not they'd have preferred to hear he was dead instead of what they have been told.

"Can it guide us to him?" Everyone turned around at a hoarse voice to see Arthur standing there, silent tears streaming down his face. Morgana shook her head, trying not to cry at the state of her brother. She'd give anything to see him and Merlin back together, smiling and laughing. Arthur's face looked even more crestfallen at her response, if that was even possible.

"How do you know?" Arthur asked, desperation dripping from every syllable.

"I tried it. When I've been looking for him." Morgana informed him. Arthur looked ready to protest, like he always does.

"Arthur. I think we should be grateful that we know he's alive." Uther told his son softly while walking from the table and going over to him. He tried placing a comforting hand on his son but Arthur jumped away, emotions flickering across his face.

"Grateful? He's being tortured, barely hanging onto life! We need to find him otherwise he may as well be dead!" Arthur shrieked. He was starting to hyperventilate and Gaius rushed over.

"Everyone stay back. Uther we need to calm him down."

"How do we do that?" Uther shouted while trying to calm his son with soothing noises. Nothing was working. "Arthur. Calm down. Come on son. Calm down. Arthur. You're going to be sick if you don't then you won't be able to help Merlin. Calm down…shhh." Uther tried. Gaius was doing the same thing.

"Percival. Help me carry him to my chambers. I will have to give him a sedative."

"Gaius he's not breathing properly. Gaius!" Uther exclaimed, worry creeping into his tone even though he was still trying to get his son calm.

"He's having a panic attack. Now Percival!" Percival rushed over and lifted the panicked Prince in his arms then rushed out of the council chambers.

The other Knight's flanked the group as they kept the Prince away from prying eyes. The girls had gone on ahead of them to prepare Gaius' chambers for the Prince. He'll need to be comfy when he comes to. When they reached the chamber, the sick bed was made up and Percival laid the blonde Prince on it. He was on the edge of falling unconscious, he hadn't even realised what was happening. Gaius quickly got a vial and forced the liquid into the Prince's mouth. The effect was immediate. His breathing calmed down and he fell unconscious. Everyone let out a breath no-one knew they were holding. Everyday it gets worse for everyone. Everyday their small group worries more and more about Merlin and wonder where he's being held. Everyday they grow more concerned about the Prince. Everyday they wonder how they can't even look after someone who they can help. Everyday they know the only way to help him would be to sort out their first problem.

A/N What do you think? Reading it through I think the panic attack is slightly rushed but then again, it's a panic attack and it will probably be quick in real life. I don't knnow whether it's a right description or not but from what I've heard it seems accurate enough. :) Oh. I went mad for a certain page in OK! magazine today as there is a small picture of Colin :D Would've preferred a bigger picture but still :D