Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the show Merlin, or whatever else is associated with our red scarfed friend.
"Nnnng" Arthur resumed consciousness with a very un-prince like groan. Blearily he forced his heavy eyes open, trying in vain to focus his eyesight. It took a while to recapture his bearings, but when he finally did, he almost wished he hadn't. Arthur, prince of Camelot, sat forcibly tied to the trunk of a very large tree. His mouth was stuffed with a soiled tasting rag, and his hands were bound so tight the ropes had begun to chafe at his wrists. Despite his predicament, curiosity over took him and he craned his neck in order to examine his surroundings.
Directly in front of him, towards the center of what appeared to be a campground, a large fire was raging. On top of the flames a lone black kettle was steaming and releasing the pleasant odor of cooking stew or soup. Caravans were set up around the fire pit, and a makeshift horse stable was constructed behind them; Arthur's stomach dropped when he noticed his mare wasn't one of the horses tied in the stables. Unable to glean any information about his captors from their run-of the mill campground, Arthur groaned aloud. The style of the caravans was extremely ordinary, to the point of inconspicuousness, no weapons were visible, and the only clue offered was the odd placement of the camp; no commoner would pitch their tent in deep woods where wild creatures were liable to harm them.
"Fugitives then", he thought to himself, tugging futilely at his ropes; "It must be fugitives". Arthur struggled some more until exhausted he slumped forward, having learned that no amount of wriggling would loosen his bonds.
Night fell quickly for Arthur, and with the darkness came increased anxiety and panic. He had yet to see hide or tail of his captors, and their absence scared him as much as their presence would. He'd given up on the fantasy of escaping his ties while the fugitives were away. The bonds were impossibly tight; and perhaps reinforced with magic. Arthur was sure normal ropes would have loosened slightly after his bone wearying efforts. Arthur wondered why he was being held; didn't these people know the price of harming the crown prince was certain death?
The unmistakable ringing of laughter brought Arthur's attention abruptly forward. He scanned the campground, not noticing any sign of life. Looking farther left, however, Arthur saw a beam of light bobbing through the deep foliage in the woods. He gulped nervously, his captors were returning then.
The sound of heavy footfall drew closer and closer to the camp, and not three minutes had passed when Arthur spotted a shaggy head appearing out of the woods. Along with the first, four more men stepped into the camp, and resumed their laughter and good-humor. The men all looked to be family. Each shared an identical messy brown head of hair, and rugged features. Arthur appraised the state of their clothing to be equal to that of a peasant, or poor villager. The men did not look particularly dangerous, their ragged state of dress and lack of any real weapons, although each carried a small dagger, was extremely un-intimidating. Arthur smirked through his gag, maybe he would escape heroically after all.
"And look what we have here, boys". The tallest man, and Arthur presumed, leader of the group gestured and began walking toward the prince.
"Thought you'd never wake up, son", the man smiled, revealing four gap-teeth." Of course Roger did do a number on you with that bow o' his". The man identified as Roger had the gall to shuffle and look sheepish. The man continued. Ignoring Arthur's muffled growl. "Luckily had some of that magic powder left and we was able to patch you up new. Although you were out for some time; three days spent sleeping like a babe", "Anyway", the man waved his hand casually; "better late than never I 'spose."
The fugitive was so close now Arthur could smell his unwashed clothing; and the reek of alcohol on his breath. Feeling audacious Arthur moved under his bonds and yelled as fiercely as his gag would allow.
"Aw come on now pet", the man reached out and stroked Arthur's head, causing him to flinch, "We won't hurt you". He continued petting Arthur's hair. "We're just a wee tight on money right now; figure the king will give a pretty penny to get his nice blue-eyed baby back." At this declaration, all five men nodded cheerily.
Stepping back from the boy the criminal continued his monologue. "My name is Bryan by the way, Bryan Jennings the third. These are my brothers, well you already met Roger," he said indicating the fattest of the three men. "And then there's Dewey" The skinny man on the far left waved, "Jensen", Bryan said pointing at the shortest and fiercest looking man. "And last, but not least, Stephen." The youngest of the men gave Arthur a menacing smile.
"Well now that introductions are out o' the way, why don't we explain yer side in all o' this? Hm..?" Bryan patted Arthur's cheek. "All you 'ave, to do my boy, is write to yer Father. Tell him Bandits got you and are holding you ransom for…," Bryan paused a moment, "Ten thousand gold pieces. Tell him Stephen will await the payment at dawn for four weeks, on the eastern outskirt of the forest. Oh and I almost forgot… Tell him if he hasn't paid within the month, we'll kill you."
Arthur's eyes went wide and he paled considerably. Four weeks with these mongrels. It would be intolerable, and his father. What would he say regarding Arthur's capture? The prince closed his eyes, imagining the scenario.
"You let yourself be captured by bandits." Uther's booming voice would ring out, and he would gaze disapprovingly over his nose, his voice almost a snarl. "I thought I'd trained you better, but apparently my own son isn't the knight I thought him to be"
Arthur snapped himself back into the present with a jerk. It wouldn't do to dwell on the future when his current situation was so abysmal.
"So what will it be boy", Bryan asked gruffly, "will you cooperate readily or do you need some…persuasion?"
Arthur moaned through the cloth trying to speak. After a moment of this it seemed like Bryan realized his attempts at answering would be useless, and he yanked the gag at of the prince's mouth.
"So boy….." Bryan began
Arthur took a second, cleared his throat, and then lifted his chin. "I don't cooperate with beasts like you"
Bryan looked disappointed, and his shoulders slumped slightly. After a moment however his eyes lit up with a new fire. "No matter son, Dewey will forge the letter, and as fer you, well I got something real special planned." Bryan's malicious chuckling sparked the others laughter. Soon a chorus of deep rolling laughs echoed throughout the forest.
Arthur felt anything but amused.