So I just realised that I didn't put a disclaimer at the beginning of my story :s (oops!) so here it is:
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights for Merlin. They belong to the BBC.
:) Enjoy reading !
Gwenivere gasped at the sound of hand on face as the guard slapped Arthur hard. She was on the verge of rushing to Arthur's aid, when Uther's poisonous voice spoke out, and she was reminded of the King's presence. "Now," He said, glaring down at Arthur from the platform on which his throne sat, and showing no sign of remorse for his actions. "Will you listen?"
She stared at Arthur intensely, willing him to abide by the King's wishes. That slap had looked pretty painful. She'd hate to see him on the receiving end of another one. Seemingly sensing her gaze, Arthur turned his head slightly so that his eyes made contact with hers. She widened her eyes pleadingly and nodded desperately, mentally pleading him to fight back his defiance and do as he was told. He frowned slightly at her distressed expression and then sighed. "Certainly, sire." He said, wincing at the forced calm in his own voice. "What is it that you require from me?"
Uther seemed slightly taken-aback by his son's sudden obedience, narrowing his eyes suspiciously and shooting him a searching look. When he spoke, his words were extremely cautious and carefully worded, and he seemed to be examining Arthur's reaction very closely. "The boy, Merlin…" Uther trailed off, for the first time since Gwenivere had entered the room, she saw that the King looked unsure of himself. Uncertainty tainted his hard features and if she didn't know better, Gwen would have sworn that she saw a hint of nervousness in his eyes as Arthur questioned him.
"Yes?" Arthur's voice was a hundred times more uncertain than Uther's, and his words were speeding out of his mouth at twice their normal pace. His eyes were wide and terrified. His face seemed caught somewhere in between eagerness to know whatever he could about his friend's current situation, and horror for what he might hear. "What is it? What have you found?"
The whole room seemed to freeze as Uther paused. Gwen felt her stomach twist into a complex pattern of anxious knots, and beside her Morgana was fearfully holding her breath in anticipation. That split second in which Uther hesitated was the longest of Gwenivere's life. Finally, after a moment that seemed an hour, Uther spoke.
"We think we're onto him. We've found a trail."
Arthur stared at his father in utmost horror. Even after the words had left his mouth, Arthur could still hear them bouncing around on the inside of his skull, refusing to be either acknowledged or accepted. In the silence that followed the King's statement, Arthur felt the eyes of every single person in the conference hall fixed on him intently, gauging his reaction. Some eyes showed shock, others remorse, some even pity. He knew that they were all waiting for his response, but he found himself unable to even open his mouth, let alone force it form words. It was a full five minutes before he managed to speak, breaking the anxious silence that was layered with both anticipation and suspense, "Where?" He managed to splutter, his eyes not leaving his father's face for one second.
Uther sighed, clearly relieved that his son had retained the ability to speak. "We found the remnants of a camp just outside the border of Camelot, leading into the forest. We think he's gone to join up with the druids." Finding himself momentarily speechless, Arthur merely stared at his father in horror. What really scared him was that it was actually a realistic idea. When Uther had suggested that Merlin might have gone to hide out in Ealdor, Arthur had found himself unable to maintain very much fear. He had been fairly certain that Merlin would not choose to go there, for the simple reason that he would not want to endanger his mother or any of the other village people with his presence. He had been proved right when his father's men had sent word that Merlin was not to be found anywhere in the village of his youth, before they had set off to search the neighbouring towns and villages.
Now however, Arthur had none of the certainty that he had had before. It was, now he thought about it, a highly possible notion that Merlin would have gone to live among the druids. He would be with people of his own kind, so he would be able to use magic without fear of retribution and he would be able to stay near the outskirts of Camelot, in the forest. For Arthur was sure that Merlin would hate to be too far away from his friends in Camelot for any length of time. He'd want to stay somewhere close. With a surge of fear, Arthur saw that this suggestion of Merlin's location was only too likely. Forcing his sped up breathing to slow to it's normal rate, and wondering how he could force his frantically beating heart to slow down, Arthur stared up at his father, looking terrified.
If only he had seen the slight twinkle in Gaius's eye from where the old man watched from the sidelines, he might have managed to save himself from both the argument and the punishment that he was about to take part in, as well as the accompanying fear.
However, he did not manage to catch the glint in Gaius's eye, and was left utterly speechless.
Mysterious, much? Lol. Anyway, hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and read on :) Will try to update soon!