Thanks for all the follows and support everyone!
Here is the new chapter (which contains a good portion of the lines I hinted in the preview at the end of "The Plant"
Once again- this is a Sequel to "The Plant" So you might be slightly lost if you haven't read it, but all you need to know is Merlin still has to take medication and Mila is Gwen's Maidservant.
I do not own Merlin!...::Sad Panda::
Merlin opened his eyes to see a concerned Arthur looking down at him. He groaned and went to bring his hands to his head, but found them bound together.
"Well that's always a good sign..." He struggled to sit, Arthur used his bound hands to help him. After moments of shifting, and the cart wobbling and bouncing, due to whatever the wheels were running over, the two men manage to shift enough so Merlin was leaning against his friend, his head resting on his arm. "So where are we?"
"I can't tell," Arthur replied truthfully. "According to one of our friends here, we are on our way to some arena."
The two other scraggly men looked at the King and his servant, but didn't say anything.
"Did they say anything else?" Merlin asked, studying them with a frown, "at all?"
"It's best if we don't talk," one man stated. "I don't want them getting the wrong idea that we're chums and then get put up against the likes of him," he nodded to Arthur.
"Against..." Merlin struggled to sit up, but found himself in his original position against Arthur.
"They enjoy seeing men fight to the death," the man quickly informed. "The closer the men, the better the fight."
"Well that seems unlikely," Arthur said. "I would refuse to fight. If the fight is to the death- then they would have to kill me. I'm not fighting anyone who doesn't deserve it."
"The punishment for not fighting is worse."
"How is that possible?" Merlin asked.
"You would be strung up in front of each other and tortured for your friend to see." The man leaned forward. "So then what is more merciful?"
Arthur and Merlin look at each other.
"I don't understand," Arthur turned back to the man. "How does this place exist and I've never heard of it?"
"It's lays in the kingdom of the late Cenrid," the man replied. "Since the death of the king, there has been so much to clean up, they are not paying too much attention to the outer areas."
That made Merlins blood run cold. Have they gone into Ealdor as well?
The man was going to say more, but the cart stopped. He quickly cowered back.
"We'll get out of this," Arthur assured Merlin, but his heart was racing.
"You don't sound very convincing," Merlin muttered. Arthur just gave him a look.
"A lot of talking going on in there," One of their captors banged the bars with his sword. He peaked in and laughed. "Well then. Darin, what do you make of this?"
The man that had thrown Merlin into the cart looked in and smiled. "Well then...cozy are we?" He asked as his eyes rested on Merlin and Arthur. Merlin struggled to sit up, getting his strength to make it this time.
But it was too late.
"I knew they would be fun," The other man said with an almost toothless grin. "Can we get a show?"
"Keep it together, Oren," Darin unlocked the cart and two other men came in and dragged Merlin and Arthur out of the cart. They then shut the cart door. "But let's have it." He threw a whip down at Arthurs feet. Arthur looked at it confused, but the pieces started to fall into place as the men unlocked Merlins arms, pulled his shirt over his head and extended his arms.
"You can't honestly think..." Arthur started.
"Oh yes I do. You will whip him. If you don't- We'll kill you both. Right here. And don't even think of making a move or your friend here will still die."
"H-he's not my friend," Arthur made a face. "He's just my manservant."
Merlin rolled his eyes. Luckily, with his back turned to the others, no one saw him.
"Well you show a lot of concern for your servant."
"A good one is hard to come by," He said, shrugging. "I am picky, but there are more servants."
Darin studied him. "Well then," He said, drawing his sword and stepping towards Merlin.
"Wait."
Darin smiled and nodded to the whip at Arthurs feet.
Arthur thinned his lips.
"Arthur, it's ok." Merlin assured him. They just needed to survive this and then they will figure out a way to escape. But they need to be alive for that.
Arthur must have thought the same thing. He picked up the whip and the men held on tightly, the others standing by- their swords ready, incase Arthur tried something.
But they new his friendship meant more.
"5 lashes," Darin told him. "Make it good. Or you'll have to do it again."
Arthur felt his heart clenched. But he pulled back and lashed the whip forward.
There was a crack, and the sound of Merlin crying out, but he quickly silenced himself.
Arthur felt tears sting his eyes as he was forced to repeat his actions 4 more times.
*M*
"I'm sorry," Leon bowed his head. "There is no sign of them. I will set up a new search in the morning- but..."
"For now your men must rest," Gwen said and nodded her head in appreciation. "Thank you, Sir Leon."
Leon bowed to her and left the throne room. Gwen looked to Gaius and Mila who had worried looks on their faces. She was certain their faces must mirror hers.
"They will be alright. They always take care of each other..." Gwen told them. Mila raised her eyebrows.
"You're not even fooling yourself," She honestly told the young queen.
"I know..." Gwen felt lost.
"We must cling onto hope." Gaius reassured her. "You should eat something."
"I'm afraid I have even less of an appetite then Mila does," Gwen noted. Mila shot her a look at that. Gwen looked down, feeling a little guilty at that quip.
"I know they are still out there...something must have happened!" Gwen stood up and headed towards the door.
"But if the soldiers can't find them..." Gaius started after her, Mila at his heels.
Gwen whipped around and gave Gaius a look of determination.
"Then we will!"
Mila gave a smile and a small curtsey.
"I'll ready the horses." And with that she hurried out to the stables.
"Gwen," Gaius started.
"Don't, Gaius," Gwen looked at him with pleading eyes. "It's Arthur and Merlin. You know we have to go. We need to see if there is something that was looked over. There's not even a trace to hint anything leading to their whereabouts."
"I understand, my dear," He said with a nod. "I will pack you a kit of bandages and quick remedies in case you should need them. Send Mila to my quarters to collect them."
"Thank you Gaius," Gwen turned and headed to her room to change into travel appropriate clothing.
*M*
"Don't move Merlin," Arthur said as he looked over his friends back. "You'll make it worse."
"It's already worse," Merlin replied, gritting his teeth.
"I'm sorry," Arthur said, for at least the 62nd time.
They had stopped and their captors had made camp.
"Stop," Merlin told him. "You did what you have to. You gave us time."
Arthur nodded.
"Here," a voice came from outside the cart.
Arthur looked up, seeing a younger man, closer to their age, reaching in with a cloth. Arthur took the cloth. It was wet and cold. Perfect for what Merlin would need.
"What is your name?" Arthur asked him.
"Trey."
"Thank you, Trey" He said to the young man.
"Of course," He said, looking down, clearly ashamed.
"Trey! Go get us some more wood!" Darin yelled over to him. Trey looked over at the leader of the group and back at Arthur and Merlin.
"Yes Father!"
Arthur winced at the word. Trey was Darin's son. Something that he was clearly not proud of.
"Poor boy," Merlin stated, as if reading Arthurs thoughts.
"Yes." Arthur placed the cloth down on Merlin's back. Merlin hissed, but was clearly relieved by the cold sensation. "And poor you."
"I'll live," Merlin said. "I always do."
"I know. You still amaze me by doing so."
"Thank you?"
Arthur laughed and patted his friends arm. "Once you have your strength we will make our move. We'll get out of here."
*M*
"Gwen said you'd have some supplies for us?"
Gaius looked to the young girl and handed her a pack.
Mila was dressed in a tunic, tights and boots for easy traveling. She had a small cloak and hood to help with the cold night.
"Be sure to keep an eye on her," Gaius told Mila.
"Of course," Mila said with a smile. "I will protect her with my life- No matter what I must do."
"And you be careful as well," Gaius said. "Be sure not to do any magic if it's not needed."
"Yes father," Mila said sarcastically and gave him a look. "You do realize you say the same thing to Merlin and I over and over every time we go outside the castle?"
"Well maybe I wouldn't have to if the two of you would stop giving me a reason to." He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Good point," Mila considered. She flashed the older man a smile. "I will be sure to try my best. But I can't make any promises."
She turned and started to head to the door and stopped to give one last look to Gaius.
"We will find them and bring them home."
W00t! Ok- that is that!
Let me know what you think! Reviews are always helpful!