Here it is, the second chapter. I hope you like it. Not a lot of dialogue, but Merlin can't exactly talk to himself without being absolutely crazy.

Chapter Two

When Merlin woke up, he couldn't help but notice that his body throbbed with pain. He slowly raised his head painfully before resting it on the ground again. He assessed where the pain radiated from and found three different places. The most painful came from his left leg, a broken bone he guessed. Another throb from his left wrist where he had tried to catch himself. He tested it's mobility, but stopped quickly. He gathered it probably wasn't broken, but he wouldn't be using it for some time or at least until he got some serious help and a few days rest. The last pain came from his head where he had smacked it on the ground. Quickly running through the list of things to look for in head trauma patients he found it might possibly be a slight concussion, but it he conceded that he might think that because of the killer headache he was currently feeling. His head was probably fine.

After a few minutes of resting and trying to maintain his pain and lessen his headache he attempted to sit up and fix himself up. His first attempt failed as he laid back down. He tried again a few minutes later and managed to find a nearby wall that he could lean against. Every movement jarred each injury causing new pulses of pain, but he knew it was going to get a lot worse before it got better. Merlin said a quick spell he knew might help some of his injuries. It helped his wrist slightly and his headache started to go away, but his leg remained the same. He didn't know any spells that could mend broken bones and made a note to himself to look one up. If he ever got back home that is. He knew he couldn't set his own bone, or if it even required setting, but he needed to find a way to keep the swelling down.

Merlin looked around him and took in his surroundings wondering exactly where he was and what he had available to him. He noticed he was in a cave, and old one that had been sealed many many years ago. He could make out the shape and size of the cavern from the sunlight that poured through the hole at the top from which he fell. It was too far up to even hope to be able to climb out. The entrance, or what used to be the entrance, was sealed off by a familiar set of boulders. It was rather spacious, but there wasn't anything but rock and the musty dirt below. He still had his bag full of herbs, which he noted could be very useful, He also had a small half filled canteen of water, but other than that he had nothing.

Taking a deep breath to calm down since he knew his situation was rather unconventional he set to work on himself. He quickly rifled through his bag of herbs to find the best painkillers. He couldn't treat them where he was so they would work their best, but most would still work by sucking or chewing. He shoved a few leaves in his mouth and chewed a minute before sucking the juices down his throat. It definitely didn't taste good, but the relief it would bring was worth it. Soon the pain decreased a little, helping him think clearer and making him more awake.

He took off his neckerchief and tore it in two, which was rather difficult with one hand. He wrapped one half around his wrist as tightly as he could and wrapped the other half around his leg. It wouldn't do much, but it was all he could do. Next he sorted through the herbs picking out which would be most useful to him. Once he had finished with that he sat back and tried to relax and focus on anything but the pain.

He thought about how he might get him self out of the cursed cave, but quickly concluded it would be impossible on his own. Then he wondered how long it might take to rescue him. He looked at his small supply of herbs and water. Things didn't look good for him. Not at all.

Arthur couldn't help but notice the little seed of worry was growing as the day moved on. He had just gotten out of a long and boring meeting with his counselors and had gone to check with Gaius to see if Merlin had returned. No suck luck. The worry evident on Gaius' face made that worry seed grow even more. Arthur was determined to pluck that growing seed before it established its roots. He quickly left the physicians chambers and searched for someone he knew he could trust. He passed Gwaine and stopped. He was good enough.

"Gwaine," Arthur called making the knight turn round with his permanent grin plastered on his face.

"How can I help you this beautiful day?" Gwaine asked stepping closer to Arthur.

"I need you to do me a favor," Arthur said somewhat begrudgingly.

"It would be my honor," he said in an almost mocking way. "What could someone so high and mighty need from a lowly knight such as myself?"

"It's Merlin," Arthur said. That certainly shut him up, his smile remained but it was a little more strained as he stood a little straighter. "He's gone missing. I was hoping you could find him for me."

"Finally scare him off have you," Gwaine said.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "He went out to get herbs for Gaius and never came back. Look through the town and see if you can find him," Arthur instructed ignoring his last comment.

"As you wish," Gwaine said bowing and turning away.

"Oh and Gwaine," Arthur said stopping him. "Take Percival with you. He'll keep you out of the tavern."

"Can Tristan come alone too?" Gwaine asked.

"Do whatever you like. Just find Merlin," Arthur said walking away.

Gwaine's smile was completely gone. When it came to Merlin, he would make no stop at the tavern or stop to converse with any pretty young girls. He was worried about his friend, and he would find him. Whatever it took.

Merlin looked up through the hole in the roof of the cave. He had briefly thought he had heard someone coming. He had begun yelling for help, but it had just been some animal. He thought maybe eventually someone would pass by, but he was in a rather empty part of the forest, few lived anywhere near here, and fewer ventured through. His best hope was that someone would start looking for him. Someone back in Camelot.

He knew Gaius would be worried at this point. He had taken longer than usual before he had fallen which might help them find him sooner. A few hours had passed by which would certainly alert him that something was wrong. Arthur would be angry at his being missing, but would hopefully send someone out looking for him. Gwen certainly might. The question was whether they would be able to find him down in this hole before he starved to death.

He knew Gaius might send them in the direction most of the herbs would be found, but Merlin was worried he might have wandered farther than usual. Farther than might be expected. He thought of asking Kilgharrah for help, but dismissed it quickly. Kilgharrah would have to land on the cave, and that would more than likely cause his own death from falling rocks if the whole dragon didn't just fall through. Kilgharrah could do nothing for him. He thought of blasting the boulders away that blocked the entrance, but knew that might also risk collapsing the cave. There was a possibility he would never be found, and there was nothing he could do to help himself. Nothing scared him more than that.

Gwen knew Arthur might not do anything to find Merlin, but she would. She sought out her brother after she could no longer stand not knowing where Merlin was. She found him in his room, sharpening his sword.

"Elyan," Gwen said softly walking slowly into his room.

Elyan smiled and put his sharpening stone down. "Hello Gwen," he noticed the frown on her face. "What's wrong? Is Arthur-"

"Arthur's fine," she reassured. "It's Merlin. He's gone missing."

"You want me to look for him," Elyan guessed.

Gwen nodded. "I just know he can be a bit of a magnet for trouble. It would be a comfort to know someone is looking out for him."

"Of course," Elyan said sheathing his sword.

"And take Leon with you," Gwen said before giving his brother a hug. "Thank you Elyan," she said leaving quietly. Now she just hopped that he would find Merlin, and quickly.

Merlin was testing out his wrist again. It was still swollen and painful, but he could use it if he had to. He looked up through the hole. The sun was starting to descend through the sky, making it a little harder to see anything in the cave. He kept thinking if there was any way to alert anyone he was nearby at the very least. His eyes finally rested on his herb satchel. It was the only thing he could spare. He needed his coat for the cold night that was sure to come. Herbs would do nothing to alert anyone to his presence. It was the only thing that might work. He muttered a quick spell and sent the satchel through the hole and hopefully somewhere where it would be seen.

Every minute the room got colder and colder. The winter had only just ended making the nights rather freezing. He pulled his coat around him tighter and with a flash of his eyes lit a fire. He didn't have any wood, but magic fire didn't need any. It helped keep him warm, but he could still feel the chill in his back where he rested on the cave wall. All he could do was wait out the night. No help would be able to come until tomorrow. He laid down slowly and tried to get some sleep.

Well, I hope you liked it. I had fun writing it. I should update on Tuesday, unless something comes up, yeah. Thanks for reading!