a/n: A couple of reviewers of a previous story, "Black Opal," said they liked my original character of Derek, palace guard, so I've brought him back for another story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Please read and review. Thanks.

Chapter Two

Ten Minutes Earlier

Merlin was returning from having dropped off some serving platters in the kitchen when he passed a wall sconce. Pain came from out of nowhere, searing through his body, exploding in his mind. His limbs felt suddenly without substance - boneless - and he fell. There was no longer coherent thought in his mind, only a need to escape the agony. He made little panting grunts like a wounded animal, and his long fingers pulled at his clothing.

Back to the Meeting with King Uther

"One of the devices has been tripped?" the king asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"It would appear so, your highness," Tywysog replied. "Whoever has done so will be incapacitated until he or she is removed from the vicinity of the Dyfais. It should be easy for your - "

"Arthur," the king said, interrupting.

"On it, father," the prince said, rising to his feet and hurrying over to where Sir Leon and Percival stood. His brain kicked into high gear and thoughts chased each other through his mind. He needed to keep the knights away from the areas of the castle Merlin would most likely be. The prince briefly sketched out the situation to Sir Leon, leaving out the part about the sorcerer being helpless and unable to walk. He was too far away for his father to overhear him, but he kept his voice down as a precaution.

"There's a strong possibility he or she may have left the castle already. We'll need at least two knights to search the stables, and I want men dispatched to all roads leading out of Camelot."

"Yes, Sire," Sir Leon said, "and how many inside castle walls?"

Arthur pretended to think. "We'll need the empty guest rooms searched, for a start." Where else would Merlin not be? Arthur reeled off a few more rooms and corridors he thought unlikely. "I will search my own chambers, of course. Not that anyone would be foolish enough to hide there," he said, forcing a laugh. "Oh, and send Lancelot to me."

Sir Leon looked at him, curiously. "He's not here."

"Well, send someone to find him," the prince replied, an edge to his voice. "Send Elyan."

"Yes, Sire." The prince seemed to be operating under considerable stress, Sir Leon thought. He knew the king put a lot of pressure on his son and supposed that to be the case.

Moments later all three men had hastily left, Arthur racing to check the most obvious locations. He briefly considered and rejected Gaius' chambers and Merlin's tiny room. Tywysog would not have placed any of the devices there. Still Gaius might know where his ward was. He rounded a corner and saw Guinevere running toward him, distraught, her long hair flying behind her.

"Arthur! Arthur!"

The prince caught at her. "Shh, Guinevere. Keep your voice down. Is it Merlin?"

"Yes," she said, wondering how he knew. "Something has happened - I don't - he's not bleeding."

"Show me where he is, and then I'll need you to fetch Gaius. Tell him to come to my room."

His servant was lying under a wall sconce. The prince glanced at it briefly then wasted no time either trying to talk to or examine him. He grabbed him and, throwing him across his shoulder, hurried out of the immediate vicinity. Guinevere walked in haste beside him. They could both hear Merlin's agonized breathing.

"What's happened to him?" Guinevere asked, distressed.

"I don't have time to explain. Tell Gaius to bring a sedative. The most powerful one he has. And say nothing - nothing - to anyone else."

"I won't. I promise, Arthur." She hurried off to find the physician.

Arthur turned the last corner and cursed under his breath. How could he have forgotten the two guards beside his door? Not a problem he told himself. He could just order them elsewhere.

"Guards! There's a sorcerer on the premises! My servant has been attacked. Check all outside doors into the castle. Now!"

One of the guards immediately hurried off to obey while the second held the door open for him. Derek allowed the door to close while he stood in the hall thinking. There were two things he knew for a near certainty. One: the only sorcerer in the entire castle was the one Arthur was carrying over his shoulder, and two: the prince was trying to get rid of him (Derek). He came to a decision. He was going to find out what was going on even if the prince had him tossed out of Camelot on his ear. He owed Merlin that much.

The prince pulled Merlin off his shoulder and dropped him onto the bed. The dark-haired young man curled into a fetal position, making little whimpering sounds, his breath coming in quick little pants. His arms were wrapped around his body hugging himself. Arthur pried loose first one then the other of his hands, checking both back and palm, looking for the tell-tale blue mark. Nothing. He looked at his face, tilting him back slightly to check both sides. Again no mark. Arthur started breathing easier. Nothing visible then.

"Here. Maybe this will help." The blonde-haired prince grabbed one of the pillows and pulling Merlin's arm away from his ribs, pressed it against his stomach. Arthur stood still, thinking. Wasn't Merlin supposed to start feeling better once he was away from that infernal device? The more powerful the sorcerer, the more excruciating the pain, the man had said. If that was true, Arthur thought, watching him, he must have the most powerful sorcerer in the known world as his personal servant.

Arthur heard the door open and close. "Gaius? Did you bring -?" He turned and his voice trailed off. It was one of the guards. Already on edge, his whole body went tense. Why had the man disobeyed a direct order? He started to look wildly around the room for his sword when he recognized the man. Derek. One of the two guards from the day of the basilisk attack. The other man had died. He watched the approach of the tall, broad-shouldered man in wary silence.

"Forgive me, Sire." Derek held his hands up in a placating motion. "Merlin saved my life once. I must know how badly he's hurt."

Arthur studied the man for a moment, remembering how Derek had requested an extended leave from his captain after the incident with the basilisk. The king had been demanding answers. Someone had left the most lethal of creatures in his son's chambers - . Pieces of a puzzle starting fitting together in the prince's mind. He looked down at his servant.

"Merlin killed the basilisk."

"Yes," Derek replied, softly. "And he's the sorcerer everyone is looking for, isn't he?"

Arthur nodded. He felt suddenly very tired, and the wine he had drunk earlier was making him drowsy. He crawled up to sit on the bed and pulled Merlin, pillow and all, closer.

"Let Gaius in when he comes," Arthur said, wearily.

"Yes, Sire." Derek started to walk toward the door then turned. "How badly is he hurt?"

"He'll be all right." All I have to do is locate nine more Dyfais.

a/n: Yes, I know that Gaius has magic also, but I am not including that in this particular story. Morgana is visiting elsewhere. :-)