When Gwaine's senses slowly returned to him the first thing he noticed was the aching all over, clearly he had fallen as his bruised body protested to any attempts to move. Gwaine opened his eyes realising he was bound tightly to a tree. A small groan to his left told him that Merlin was also in a similar predicament.

"Merlin are you alright?"

"Oh fine, never better actually. You?" Merlins sarcastic response was enough to satisfy, that while his friend may be tied up he was no worse off than Gwaine himself.

"Arthur?"

Gwaine received no response and he heard Merlin call out as well, the ropes tightening slightly as the servant struggled against his bonds, panicking slightly.

"Arthur? Gwaine were is he? You don't think he was badly hurt do you? Oh no"

Gwaine looked around more carefully taking in for the first time his surroundings. They had been brought to a small clearing, tents and carts littered around the area. There were at least 30 or so men all rather tough and burly looking, some were gathered in groups sitting around tents while others were rummaging through carts, sorting through goods. Gwaine sighed, they had clearly been caught by a bandit group. Certainly one of the largest and most organised Gwaine had encountered, looking around as far as his bound body would allow the situation did indeed look hopeless. The clearing they were in was surrounded by high rocky ledges on one side and thick forest the other. Guards were scattered around the forest side meaning any escape would be near impossible. Gwaine was never a man to sit back and do nothing in tough situations, in fact some would go so far as to describe him as rash and reckless, his love of adrenaline often getting him into trouble. He wasn't however stupid, even a man such as himself could see an act of escape with the guards so well placed would be suicidal.

Gwaine felt another tug on the ropes and turned slightly as he heard Merlin let out a sigh of both relief and concern. Arthur was being lead towards them, held between two of the bandits whose faces were masked from any emotion, unceremonialessly he was forced with his back towards the tree were Gwaine and Merlin were tied, bound himself. His face broke into relief as he saw both Merlin and Arthur were okay. Admittedly Gwaine was sure his must be betraying a similar expression as relief filled the concern he hadn't even know was there and as for Merlin he had all but broken into a wild smile.

"Are you both okay" he whispered, his earlier relief now showing some worry as he scanned both of them for injuries as best he could.

"We're fine but…" Merlin was cut off as a large man approached. He was tall, muscular and wearing fine armour, he had a tattoo of a black cross on his forearm and the manner in which he walked towards them left Gwaine in no doubt this was the groups leader.

"Welcome, I hope you are most comfortable here on this fine day. Ever so nice of you to drop in although I'm afraid we may not be the best of friends" His voice was low, drawling and sticky with sarcasm, there was no kindness behind those eyes.

"Who are you?" Arthur demanded

"My name is Hedrick, Arthur Pendragon, no doubt you have heard of me?"

Arthur looked slightly confused, Gwaine couldn't help noticing the crowd gathering around them now, silently hanging on to every word of the exchange with eager attention.

"I am sorry to say I haven't"

A few of the bandits laughed softly and Hendricks eyes flashed wickedly

"No? Then let me elaborate, no doubt you've heard rumours of a bandit gang more powerful than any other taking villagers, men disappearing with out a trace" his eyes were glinting even more mordaciously now and Gwaine suddenly got a terrible feeling were this was going. Merlin it seemed did to as Gwaine felt him shift slightly a look of understanding crossing his pale features. Hedrick continue no doubt relishing the prisoners reactions

"Of course lets be honest Arthur we all know it's the great diamond of Avon you really come on this pointless quest for"

The bandits laughed in glee as Arthur struggled.

"You have no right to the gem Hedrick, what you are doing is wrong, hand it over now or…"

"Or you'll what? You truly are you fathers son Arthur. Did you think that I really have such a treasure? No, all I had to do is send out rumours that some rouge magical object was loose and I knew you would embark on some hopeless quest" Hedrick said with glee as Arthur's face struggled between confusion, anger and a terrible guilt.

"The rumour of the gem was only a part of a clever plan to get you into my grasp. I have plans within plans Arthur."

Gwaine could feel Arthur's pain as he realised that they had all been fooled, lead into some sort of trap while the enemy had simply laid the bait of some magical gem and waited knowing Arthur would come eventually.

Hedrick was now looking at Gwaine with interest

"I must thankyou Arthur for you have also lead your companions to their fate as well" he knelt down and looked into Gwaine's eyes.

"Hmm a knight, plenty of courage and defiance in this one, excellent you'll be perfect" Hedrick whispered

Gwaine looked squarely back at him

"I will never serve a piece of scum like you"

Hedrick looked unfazed by the outburst simply turning to Merlin whispering quietly

"I have my methods"

He carefully looked Merlin up and down; Arthur sifted slightly, protectiveness for his manservant kicking in.

"A servant, well your not much in the way of strength but it looks like for tonight you'll be earning your keep boy" he turned to the closest bandit

"Untie the boy and get him to build the fire. I want everyone to be comfortable for tonight" he said turning to the three of them "for soon the fun will begin" and with a cruel grin he walked away the guards dispersing. Gwaine was left with sick feeling inside born of fear and worry. What ever happens he vowed, whatever this man has in store for us I will let no harm come to Arthur and Merlin, we will get out of here. If only he realised just how hard that was going to be….