Welcome to Chapter 3! I am very sad that I have only one review, but Thank You to HEIDI! I do have lots of hits on this story so - Please, please review! It doesn't take long, just one kind word will do, like, 'Great', 'Nice', or 'Love it'. That is all I'm asking. Rant over let's get back to the story.

The Dragon and The Lion

Chapter 3 - "Merlin..."

Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, Mordred and Sophie were still traveling through the Darkling Woods to Cenred's kingdom. They have been riding for 8 hours, dawn had just risen above the group. Merlin - who was riding behind everyone else - had his head down, watching the ground roll past him. Morgana turned her head to look at Merlin then frowned at his glum face, she looked down at Mordred who was asleep in her arms, then she turned back at Merlin.

Gwen, who noticed her girlfriend's sudden sadness brought her horse, so it was riding level with Morgana's.

"Look at him, Gwen," said Morgana turning back to look at Merlin. "He's so miserable."

"I know, it's because he misses Arthur so much. Those two love each other a lot, yet neither know of this."

Sophie saw Gwen and Morgana talking, so decided to ride up level with them. When she reached them she said,

"Are you talking about, Merlin?"

"Yes," said Gwen

"We're saying how miserable Merlin looks because of what happened to Arthur," Morgana explained.

"I can talk to him if you want. I am his best friend after all." Morgana and Gwen looked at each other and nodded.

"Thank you, Sophie," said Gwen, smiling. "Tell us any news you get out of him.

" I will."

Sophie slowed down her horse so that Merlin could catch up. His head was still facing the ground and he looked like he was about to cry. Sophie looked at him sadly. Merlin reminded him of a small boy who had just lost his favourite toy.

"Merlin? Are you OK?" Merlin didn't look up, he just continued to stare at the ground.

"Please, Merlin. Talk to me. I can help." Sophie reached over and put a hand on his shoulder, stopping both horses so she could concentrate on Merlin properly. Merlin looked up and stared into her eyes. Merlin's eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, his shoulders were slumped, looking ike he had a huge weight on them.

"You can't help me." His voice was hoarse as he fought back tears. Sophie pulled back her hand and just looked at him.

"Why can't I?"

"Because you won't understand," Merlin said quickly. He flicked the reins on his horse so he sped away from Sophie, leaving her flabbergasted.

Morgana and Gwen were talking to a now awake Mordred about the Druids and his family when Merlin rode past them at great speed.

"Merlin!" Morgana shouted, "Where are you going?"

Merlin stopped his horse and turned to Morgana, "We need to speed up. Arthur's life is in danger! Every second counts."

"Merlin we need to rest, we've een riding for hours," said Gwen, pleading.

"Stop and rest if you must Gwen, but Arthur needs saving." And with that said Merlin rode off.

Gwen turned to look at Sophie who was riding up to them.

"Sophie? What did you say to him?" Sophie slowed down and caught her breath.

"I asked him did he want to talk about and then snapped back saying I wouldn't understand." Sophie looked at her friends sadly.

"Well that proves it," said Morgana, smiling with a triumphant face.

"Proves what?" Sophie asked.

"Emrys is definitely in love with the young Pendragon," said Mordred, sitting up properly to talk to Sophie.

"Oh."

"Are we going after him?" Gwen asked.

"Of course," stated Morgana, "He may be the greatest sorcerer that ever walked the Earth, but with a personality like that,, he'll be like Arthur and 'do' before he thinks."

"He won't be able to do this without us," said Sophie.

"Well what are we waiting for," Gwen pushed. "Let's go."

So the four friends set off after Merlin.

Arthur was slowly waking up after being thoroughly abused by Nimueh. The Prince had cuts and bruises that were caused by a knife. His shirt had been ripped open, leaving a huge, bleeding cut. Which would probably leave a scar. Lancelot and Gwaine, who had pleaded for Nimueh to stop, got a ball of fire thrown at them, leaving burn marks all over their skin.

"Finally awake Pendragon?" asked Nimueh, walking over to Arthur. "Started to think you would never wake up." A smile creeped up on to Nimueh's face, she was loving this. Arthur just glared at her, through the blood that was dripping from a cut above his right eye.

"Why?" replied Arthur. "Why?" he repeated, breathing heavily.

"Why what?" asked Nimueh, looking slightly confused.

"You know what," Arthur said suddenly.

Nimueh was about to reply when one of Cenred's guards - who was controlled by Nimueh's magic, so could not think for himself - came to the cell door, waiting for her to notice him. In that time Nimueh was still facing Arthur thinking over what to say next. Arthur spotted Gwaine using a stick trying to hook the keys off the oblivious guard's belt. Trying to give Gwaine more time the reach for the second set of keys which releases the Druids' bands, Arthur gave a cough, bringing Nimueh's attention back to him. Her vacant expression then turned into one of anger.

"What game are you trying to play, Pendragon?!" Arthur just looked past her and saw that Gwaine had successfully got both sets of keys and quickly hid them behind his back.

"No game. I think there's someone to see you. Not that you noticed since your mind is somewhere else and he can't talk because you emptied his mind of no free will what so ever!" Nimueh got angry.

"Don't you dare talk to a High Priestess like that, I-" Nimueh soon looked dazed and Arthur didn't know what was going on until he saw the guard asleep and a Druid performing a spell on Nimueh.

"Swefn."

When the both of them were asleep, Gwaine and Lancelot sprang into action unlocking their cell door and continuing opening the other doors, freeing the knights and Druids. Gwaine came into Arthur's cell and proceeded to unlock the chains that bonded Arthur.

"OK, Princess?" Gwaine asked quickly grabbing Arthur and dragging him along.

"Never better. How we getting out of here."

The both turned a corner catching up to Lancelot.

"The Druids are using magic to try and find a safe route to take," said Lancelot

As the Druids found an exit Arthur rushed forward.

"Arthur!" Gwaine and Lancelot called, but Arthur wasn't listening. When Arthur reached the Druid that was leading the way he asked,

"What's the plan?"

"Well, Prince Arthur I can sense Mordred's presence as well as Emrys'"

"Merlin! He's here?" Arthur looked surprised but also relived. He couldn't wait to see him. However during this daydream, they eached a steel grate that was blocking them from their freedom.

"Stand back, Arthur," said the Head Druid. Arthur didn't need telling twice. The Head Druid stepped forward and raised his hands.

"Aetynam!"

The steel grate burst open allowing everyone to get out. As everyone was running into the forest, the warning bell had sounded. Cenred knew of their escape.

"Quickly!" Yelled Arthur.

Everyone was running, some of the stronger Druids had already transported away.

"Sire!" Lancelot called, waving his arm. "This way!"

Arthur set off running, he could here Cenred's army quickly approaching, so Gwaine, Lancelot and himself crouched behind a large bush, watching the army run past them. When the last of the army were gone, all three exhaled loudly.

"That was close," said Gwaine.

"Where are the other knights?" Asked Arthur, catching his breath back. Gwaine just shook his head, but Lancelot answered,

"I'm not sure. I think they all ran off in other directions, some helped the Druids escape and some stayed to fight Cenred's army." Arthur looked down sadly.

"Is everything alright, sire?" asked Lancelot.

"Before we escaped I was taking to a Druid and I asked, what was the plan. He said that he could feel Mordred and Merlin close. I'm worried." Arthur put his head in his hands, wincing in pain as he forgot about the large cut across his chest.

"Don't worry, Princess. We'll find them," said Gwaine, picking an apple from a near by tree and tossing two others to Arthur and Lancelot, who ate it greedily.

"Come on," said Lancelot. "We better go, head back to Camelot."

"I wonder if my father knows," stated Arthur.

"Well no one knew that we were kidnapped and we're not late back from our scheduled hunting trip," replied Lancelot. "Anyway let's go."

The three friends walked into the forest hopefully finding a friendly face.

Merlin, Gwen, Morgana, Sophie and Mordred were all sat around a newly lit fire, eating a rabbit that Morgana had caught. The girls finally convinced Merlin to stop and rest, saying that rescuing Arthur while on the verge of exhaustion wouldn't help. Merlin was sat on the ground, staring into the flames, poking his food with a stick. Morgana took pity on him.

"We will bring him home, Merlin." Merlin didn't look up.

"I'm going to bed," said Gwen. Morgana gave her a goodnight kiss.

"I'm gonna sleep to," said Sophie, getting up. "Goodnight, my Lady."

"Goodnight, Sophie. Sweet dreams."

It was just Merlin, Morgana and Mordred around the fire, but he was playing with some magic a few meters away.

"Please Merlin. Talk to me." Morgana stared at him, trying to make eye contact.

"Maybe I don't want to," answered Merlin, eyes still staring into the flames. Morgana was taken aback, but still pushed on.

"Merlin! I know you love him, but please listen to me. We will find him." Morgana walked over and sat next to Merlin and pulled him into a hug. Merlin started crying. Morgana stroked his arm and tried to sooth him by saying comforting words.

"Shh, shh. It's going to be alright. Arthur will be fine. He's a strong Prince and he will fight. He's still got to become King, and he has promised all of us that he will change the kingdom and he's King. Magic won't be outlawed, everyone will have a fair trial, and most of all... You'll be by his side, loving him, protecting him as he will do for you.

"That's right!" Both Morgana and Merlin jumped at the new voice. Arthur, Lancelot and Gwaine emerged from the trees into the clearing.

"Arthur!"

"Merlin!"

Merlin ran up to hug Arthur. Arthur was shocked at first but hugged Merlin back. Merlin leaped back quickly.

"Sorry, sire," Merlin said nervously.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Merlin." Arthur pulled his manservant and beloved Warlock into another tight hug. Merlin then whispered into Arthur's ear.

"I'm glad you're OK."

"I'm glad you're OK too."

Since Arthur and Merlin were caught up in the moment. Morgana, Mordred, Lancelot and Gwaine decided to leave the two alone and head off for some sleep.

Merlin and Arthur pulled apart and just looked into each other's eyes. Arthur slowly moved forwards, his breath tickling Merlin's face.

"Merlin..." Arthur said lovingly.

Merlin quickly pressed his lips to Arthur's, breathing in his scent. Arthur probed Merlin's lips, parting them with his tongue. Merlin moaned into Arthur's, their tongues battling for dominance. They both didn't notice the girls giggling behind them.

"Told you it was only a matter of time," said Morgana.

Done! This chapter was slightly longer than the rest. Your Welcome. The story isn't over yet. Cenred is not finished with Arthur yet. Please Review. :D