Part Two.

/

Merlin just wanted to get away, the need to get as far away as he could was the only thing he was really aware of. Whether that be in Camelot or farther, right now he didn't care. He needed out and away from that place. He never wanted to see it again, he wished he could erase it from his mind but knew that he couldn't. Using magic was too risky, instead of just that memory he could accidentally erase everything.

The cold air was biting into his skin. He felt like being hit with thousands of little needles stinging and piercing into him. It took his breath away at first and the heat from his skin and the sudden coldness caused his skin to burn but after a few seconds he got use to it and his skin was starting to numb and he could ignored it.

Merlin didn't know if he was even going in the right direction but he didn't really care either. He just hoped and prayed that the farther he got from the place, that dreaded voice would just go away. He could still hear that laugh and he wanted it out of his head. All this was starting to make his dizzy and he wasn't sure how long he could stay upright on his horse.

Merlin shook his head to get that voice out of it. Maybe Gaius would know something that would help, he thought. But should he really waist everyone's time? They're just going to worry and he didn't want them too worry about him again. They had more important things that needed their concern and what was the use of them worrying when they really couldn't do anything. The sorcerer was dead, but then why did Merlin still fear him, fear his hold on him.

Merlin knew his horse was getting tired. The poor thing was slowing down, protest that it needed a rest. Merlin leaned forward and whispered some words from the old religion. He'd probably regret it later but he needed to get far away and giving the horse some of his energy to keep it going was the least he could do. Merlin felt his energy leave him as his horse seemed to pick up speed.

Merlin could've sworn he heard someone calling him, he just wasn't sure from who or if it was in his head or not. Merlin flicked the reigns and set out on a faster pace. Maybe he could outrun it, he thought, he hoped.

/

Arthur kept his eyes on the trail. He had to catch up to Merlin, that was the only thing he was sure of at the moment. So far, Arthur was glad to see that Merlin was on the right path. If he followed it correctly he'd make it back to Camelot by morning but if he ventured off the trail he wasn't sure where Merlin would end up.

But that didn't ease the Kings concern. What did Merlin see that cause that kind of reaction in him? He wasn't sick, he looked pale, yes but he also looked frightened and he could guess Merlin wasn't just shaking from the cold. It took long months before Merlin was finally okay again and now this. Arthur cursed himself for not keeping a better eye on him.

He should've let Gwaine stay with Merlin at the camp when he offered. Maybe he should've let Merlin stay home when he lied and said his shoulder was sore. Or that morning they should have left without him, leaving the servant behind, instead of waiting and dragging him along.

Arthur knew how much Merlin hated these trips, but he thought the fresh air and time away from Camelot would do some good for Merlin, it always helped him feel better. They haven't been far since Merlin got injured and Arthur thought it would be alright. They were all there, the Knights, the King. Arthur swore to himself that when they found the sorcerer that caused Merlin injuries he'd make him pay.

Finally, Arthur saw a glimpse of the other horse and Merlin. The horse was slowing down just a bit. Arthur felt his own horse slow, they were getting tired from not enough rest. Arthur pushed his horse to get closer to Merlin's.

"Merlin!" Arthur called out but he knew Merlin couldn't hear him. Arthur watched Merlin lean forward. At first he thought his friend was maybe falling off the horse and panic shot through him but when Merlin sat straight again and gave the reigns a hard flick and the horse picked up the pace and left the King behind.

"Bloody hell." Arthur said under his breath. He never realized how fast that horse had been before. He was thankful for it though, at least he knew the horse could get Merlin out of a bad situation safely and quickly.

/

Merlin reached Camelot just after sunrise. He was so tired and so was the horse. He dismounted and handed the reigns to the boy at the stable not saying a word to the boy when he greeted Merlin sleepily. He would have done it himself but his hands were so cold he wasn't sure if he would be able to unhook or untie anything. He felt so numb from the cold.

Using what little strength he had left he ran to the old physician's room. It didn't surprise him that Gaius was up this early, he had rounds to do but Gaius was surprised to see the young man back so early.

"Merlin," Gaius said looking oddly at the boy. "I wasn't expecting you to be home until later this afternoon." When Merlin didn't reply Gaius stepped forward and noticed Merlin's skin was pale. "Merlin?" Gaius said placing his hands on his shoulders. "You're as cold as ice!" Gaius said quickly grabbing the boy and leading him to his bed by the warm fire. "Have you been riding all night?"

"Just had to get home." Merlin answered tiredly. He didn't realize how cold he was until Gaius wrapped a think blanket around him. Merlin was shivering so hard it hurt and he couldn't keep his hands still.

"What happened?" Gaius asked checking Merlin for a fever.

"I had to get out," Merlin said quietly. When Gaius leaned closer Merlin realized that he didn't hear what Merlin just said. "I didn't feel well." Merlin answered instead, not wanted to concern him more.

"Well, lets get you into bed." Gaius said helping Merlin take his boots off. Gaius helped Merlin lay back and he watched the young man quickly fall asleep. He grabbed another blanket and wrapped it around the warlock. Gaius knew when Merlin wasn't telling the truth but the boy was so exhaust, Gaius knew he'd get more answers from Merlin later.

/

Arthur arrived at the stables slowly and he was exhausted along with his horse but he was happy to know that Merlin's horse's trail lead here. A stable boy quickly ran out to greet the King, bowing as he did and taking the Kings horse's reigns. Arthur jumped down, almost falling but caught himself and turned to the boy.

"Did Merlin come back?" He asked and the boy nodded looking bewildered.

"Yes, sire," The boy answered surprised. "He arrived just after sunrise."

"Do you know where he went?" The boy shook his head sadly at the King.

"No, Milord," He said apologetically taking the reigns from the King. "I'm sorry, I did not see where he went but he did leave his bag. I could drop it off at his chambers if you want me to." The boy offered but Arthur shook his head.

"I'll bring it myself, would you fetch it for me?" He asked.

"Yes, sire." The boy nodded taking the horse and putting it away then he grabbed the bag and handed it to the King. Arthur nodded and thanked the boy as he ran off to the physician's chambers, praying that Merlin was there and not wondering around unguarded somewhere.

/

Arthur rushed into Gaius's chambers. Gaius looked up from his table at him. Gaius was expecting Arthur to rush in sooner or later with the way Merlin arrived he just didn't know how long it would take the young King.

Gaius noticed that Arthur looked exhausted just as Merlin had when he arrived, but at least he had gloves and heavy clothing covered with the chain mail to protect him from the bitter air. He had been able to stay significantly warmer than Merlin had.

"Sorry, Gaius." Arthur said as Gaius hushed him and the King nodded and made a note to take quieter. He knew barging in was rude even if he was the King. Gaius nodded excepting his apology. Arthur held up Merlin's bag. "I came to return this to Merlin." Arthur said in a soft voice.

"I see," Gaius said taking the bag from Arthur and putting it by the table. "I don't believe that's all you came here for, sire." Gaius pointed out.

"Is Merlin here?" The King asked concern lacing his voice.

"He is," Gaius answered looking over at the sleeping from my the fire. "Almost froze to death but he's sleeping now. I don't think he'll be awake for some time, he needs the rest. He said he wasn't feeling well."

"Gaius I think something happened." Arthur said quietly but with urgency. Gaius could see the worry on the young Kings face. He himself suspected something being wrong with Merlin, but the boy looked ready to collapse and Gaius knew questioning him was a useless task.

"What do you mean?" Gaius asked getting closer to Arthur. Arthur looked at Merlin's sleeping form on the little bed covered in blankets and then back at Gaius.

"I believe that Merlin saw something when gathering firewood." Arthur stated. "I should not have left him alone, what if it was the sorcerer?" Gaius looked at the young King. He knew the truth, and he knew the dragon wouldn't lie to Merlin but it wasn't easy to explain to the King.

"Perhaps," Gaius said, looking away. "It could be more likely that he was remembering something, maybe that place reminded him of the trauma he went through." Gaius suggested. Arthur looked up sadly.

"Do you think he was held somewhere around there?" Arthur asked. Gaius held his hands up to calm the King placing them on his shoulders firmly.

"Sire, you know Merlin," Gaius started and Arthur nodded agreeably. "We need to give him time, he'll come to you when he needs to. You should go rest as well." Arthur nodded. He couldn't argue with the old physician, Arthur was ready to collapse himself from chasing after Merlin all night.

"Of course," Arthur said. "I'll comeback later." Arthur slowly headed over to the door tiredly. "Gaius," Arthur said hesitating by the door looking back at the older man. "What do we do if Merlin remembers? Will he be okay?" Arthur asked. Gaius couldn't help but notice that Arthur look and sounded like a confused, hurt child.

"I don't know, Arthur." Gaius answered honestly as the King nodded and left.

/

"You're going to tell me what I want to know." The deep voice said. Merlin could feel something tight around his wrist, biting into the skin the sound of the chain clanking together. He could also feel something over his eyes, a rough clothes. He couldn't see anything. He didn't answer, just stayed quiet he wasn't going to give this man what he wanted. "The Lady Morgana has paid me well to get what she needs."

Merlin tried to pull at the things clasped around his wrist but it just cause the metal to bite into his skin more. He couldn't use his magic without reveling himself and Morgana finding out that he's Emrys. He wasn't going to tell the man anything and he wasn't going to let him tell Morgana.

"I don't want to harm you," Merlin could hear the man take a few steps forward and kneeled down next to him. "But I will to get the answers I need."

Merlin heard the sorcerer whisper something but it wasn't clear. And as soon as he stopped he felt his head throb, like something was trying to force it's way in to his head. He didn't know what to do, how to stop the sorcerer from doing whatever he was doing. He wanted to use magic, wished he could but didn't risk it.

"I will get the information out of you," The man said sinisterly. "Whether you want to tell me or not. I don't need you to talk to break you."

Merlin could feel his Magic building up to stop the man from trying to get into his mind. He knew he couldn't do much without giving himself away, but he could protect his mind from this man. At least he had to try.

/

Merlin woke with a start. His hands tugging on his hair. He could feel the throbbing in his head again, that agonizing pain again. He fell back and tried to hide his face in his pillow. Fighting the tears of pain that were threatening to fall. Even his wrists ached.

Someone touched the back of his shoulder and Merlin jumped, his heart racing. He tied to move away but strong hands held onto his shoulders.

"Merlin, look at me," Gaius demanded. Merlin blinked and looked at the older man. He could already see the concern in his face. Merlin couldn't help but feel guilty. "You're alright, just breath." Merlin did as Gaius asked. "What were you dreaming about?"

"I could hear him talking to me," Merlin said. "Morgana knows that there's a sorcerer helping Arthur, she just doesn't know it's me. That's what she wanted! That's why she had this man take me." He said quickly, his breath becoming faster and more frantic by the second.

"Calm down, Merlin." Gaius soothed rubbing circles into his back. "He's dead. He never told Morgana anything, did he know you were a warlock?" Gaius asked, not willing to call Merlin a sorcerer.

"I don't know." Merlin answered shaking his head as his voice cracked. "I don't know what I told him!" Merlin began to panic again.

"Here," Gaius said handing him a sleeping drought. "Go back to sleep, your body's still tired." Merlin took the drought and fell back to sleep quickly.

/

AN: So many story alerts! lol I hope you enjoy, more to come tomorrow. Have a great Friday the 13th, don't run into Jason Voorhees!