AN: Hey :) Only one review last time which was kinda sad, but I hope you guys like this chapter and thanks for that one! Merlin hurt is starting in the second half of this chapter!


"Merlin!"

Arthur's voice rang down the hall as he walked around the castle wondering where the lazy incompetent warlock was. King Alister was leaving in half an hour and Merlin was needed to help with carrying their bags.

"Have you seen Merlin?" Cuilén rushed up to Arthur, his face worried. "Gwaine and I have been looking for him, but he's been missing since you assigned him to serve King Alister yesterday. We thought he was just hiding last night or busy or something, but no one's seen him!"

"I have been searching for him all morning!" Arthur cried, clearly annoyed. "Have you checked with Alister? I knocked earlier but he wasn't up yet."

"Arthur, Sire, I'm really worried. What if... What if something's wrong!" Cuilén gulped. "He always wakes up early, remember?"

"Maybe he is off searching for some magical creatures to play with," Arthur grumbled. "It would be just like him... Could you go make sure that King Alister and his company are all ready to leave? I know you don't like them but I really need someone to help them."

"But... Of course, Arthur," Cuilén swallowed, nodding stiffly.

"Cuilén, take Gwaine with you. He will make sure you're okay and treated right," Arthur ordered. He hated doing this to Cuilén but he had last minute preparations to finish and didn't have time to find another servant.

"Okay, I'll go find him. Thank you, Arthur," Cuilén smiled briefly before hurrying away, leaving Arthur to search a bit more for Merlin. He hadn't wanted to worry Cuilén, but Arthur was becoming uneasy about Merlin's whereabouts. Still, he'd turn up soon, Arthur was sure. After all, what could be wrong?

MMM

Gwaine didn't like it. Merlin seemed to have disappeared last night and odder still one of Alister's knights, Daniel, seemed to have disappeared with him. Gwaine was told Merlin had slept in this morning before disappearing off somewhere, but something about the situation seemed off, and Gwaine was determined to find Merlin and find him fast.

"Gwaine?" A small voice called, and Gwaine turned to find Cuilén hurrying down the hall. "Gwaine, I am supposed to go serve King Alister before he leaves and I was just wondering if maybe you could maybe come help because Arthur says you can, and I... King Alister is a little... Intimidating to face on my own... Sorry, you don't have to or anything..."

"No," Gwaine cut Cuilén's sentence off. He smiled warmly at his cousin. "I'm fine to go with you, maybe we will find out some more about Merlin."

"Okay, hopefully yes. Thank you Gwaine!" Cuilén smiled. "Come on, before Alister gets in a worse mood than he's usually in!"

Cuilén and Gwaine hurried toward Alister's guest chambers, slipping in quickly.

"Arthur sent me, your highness," Cuilén bowed. "And this is Sir Gwaine, my cousin. Merlin is missing, so we're to help you."

"Oh he isn't missing!" Alister sounded shocked to hear that they thought that. "Didn't he tell you where he was going?"

"No, he didn't," Gwaine stepped forward, attempting to loom over Alister and succeeding in looking rather intimidating.

"He had to go make sure his mother was okay," Alister replied, his tone smooth. He simply smiled at Gwaine, clearly showing that he would not be intimidated. "He came to me last night and told me someone else would be serving me this morning as he had to go to Ealdor."

"Oh really, that's too bad. So do you have proof of this?" Gwaine raised his eyebrows.

"He dropped this on his way out," Alister showed them a letter that was blurred in the middle, as if someone had spilled something on it. "It's a letter from his mother saying she was hurt and needed him for a few days. There is her signature."

Gwaine took the letter, looking it over before nodding slowly and handing it to Cuilén to pocket.

"I see," was all Gwaine had to say.

"What do you need?" Cuilén spoke up quickly with a bow.

"Just for these bags to be carried down," Alister said motioning to one large trunk and two smaller bags in a corner of the room. "I am so sorry for not returning the letter earlier, if I had known that he didn't tell you then I would have let you know sooner."

"That's alright," Cuilén smiled, though he seemed a bit ill at ease. "I'll hurry with these."

Gwaine grabbed the larger bag before Cuilén had a chance to, and so Cuilén took the smaller two. Gwaine hurried out the door, Cuilén following behind. Something felt odd, but Cuilén wasn't quite sure what. For some reason, he still felt worried about Merlin.

"You okay?" Gwaine asked, startling Cuilén out of his thoughts.

"Oh yeah, fine just... I'm still worried for some reason. I want to trust King Alister, but I feel like Merlin would have told us if he was leaving. I just feel... On edge... Do you think we're being told the truth?"

"I can't see anything wrong with the story other than Merlin not telling us," Gwaine told Cuilén. "If we haven't heard from him in two days I'll see if I can find him."

"But... Are you sure that's a good idea to wait? I just feel like something it wrong..." Cuilén trailed off.

"I will talk with Arthur, maybe me and Percival will ride out tomorrow."

"I'm coming with you!" Cuilén suddenly grew excited. "I'll come help you look!"

"I will talk to Arthur about it," Gwaine promised. "It is his decision to make."

"Please Gwaine, let me come!" Cuilén pleaded. "He's my cousin too, you know. Last time he helped save me, and I can help save him!"

"It's Arthur's decision," Gwaine emphasized his earlier statement.

"Please, go talk to him as soon as you can! I'm really uneasy about this..." Cuilén sighed. "Here, I can take those bags and you can go talk to him. I don't mind carrying them, I just don't like talking with King Alister."

"I will talk to him after Alister leaves," Gwaine told his excited cousin. "That will be about an hour from now so you can just relax for a bit."

"Fine," Cuilén sighed again, before suddenly his hand flew to his head and he hissed as a headache suddenly exploded.

"Cuilén?" Gwaine asked worriedly, setting down the bag he was carrying and placing a hand on his cousin's shoulder. "What's up?"

"It's just... My head suddenly started hurting really bad..." Cuilén trailed off, using Gwaine as a support to keep standing. "I don't know why, it doesn't make any sense..."

After a moment, the pain faded away, which was odd, and Cuilén found he could stand on his own again.

"You okay now?" Gwaine asked.

"Yeah I... I guess so," Cuilén frowned. "That was odd... Here, I'll just take these."

Cuilén grabbed the bags and began to hurry down stairs.

"Please talk to Arthur," he called back.

Gwaine stared, shocked as his cousin disappeared, what was going on? He shrugged, Cuilén would talk to him in his own time and he had to go talk to Arthur now anyway. He turned toward Arthur's chambers and hurried away.

MMM

Cuilén hurried downstairs, finally arriving at the wagon where he plopped the luggage down with a sigh. His head didn't hurt, but he was still uneasy. He was about to load the trunks into the wagon, when he stiffened as a knight of Alister's approached.

"What do you think you are doing?" the knight asked.

"I'm loading up the wagon," Cuilén bowed quickly. "The other servant, Merlin, has left so I'm working in his stead."

The knight looked skeptical but motioned for the boy to hurry up.

Cuilén tried to hurry, but the faster pace proved to simply tire his arms, and after a moment Cuilén dropped the bigger of the bags. He winced, before glancing at the knight.

"Sorry, Sir Knight," Cuilén gulped.

"Just hurry up with it," the knight snapped.

Cuilén nodded, and soon all of the bags were loaded. Cuilén sighed and bowed again, stepping backwards and waiting for further instruction.

The knight waved him away and continued to do his duty of guarding all of the horses and wagons.

Cuilén nodded and hurried away toward Arthur's chambers. He had to get Arthur to let him go save Merlin. Something was wrong, and Cuilén would make sure nothing happened to Merlin.

MMM

Merlin awoke in a tiny, cramped, dark space, and he frowned in confusion. Where was he? He tried to light up the space with magic, but suddenly both his wrists, which he suddenly realized were twisted and locked behind him, as well as his ankle and head blossomed with pain. He stopped trying to use magic and he again tried to move. When that was unsuccessful, Merlin banged his shoulder against the space. He felt the space start to tip, and after a moment he fell on his side but was still unsuccessful in getting out of the cramped space or stretching. After a moment, however, light flooded the space, and Merlin screwed his eyes shut.

"Ahh good, you're awake," Daniel's voice boomed. "Alister will be pleased."

"What's going on? Where am I?" Merlin glared up at Daniel.

"You are in the woods just south of Camelot." Daniel told him, "But don't worry, soon you will be moved to a more hidden location."

"What? What are you talking about?" Merlin tried to use his magic and he once again hissed in pain. "Why can't I..."

"Your magic is unavailable to you right now," Daniel interrupted him. "You will find it is painful to try to use your magic so I suggest you do not attempt it."

"What have you done?" Merlin yanked at his wrists, until he remembered the ankle restraint from before. He glanced down to find it securely around his ankle, and he frowned. "Arthur will look for me! All the knights will. I don't know why you took me, but it won't end well for you!"

"I don't think they will, they think you are taking care of your mother remember?" Daniel smirked. "Alister has it all figured out."

"And where am I actually headed?" Merlin frowned, watching warily as Daniel sat on the wagon ledge. "Besides further into the woods. Surely that isn't to be my final destination."

"I can not tell you that." Daniel shrugged. "We wait here until Alister comes."

"And when will that be?"

"I'm right here," Alister said from behind Merlin.

Merlin spun, snarling when he saw Alister.

"I thought you hated magic, why bother to capture a warlock when there's no chance of him ever coming near you again? Believe me, if you thought I'd ever come bother you in your kingdom, you're wrong. I could have done well with never seeing you again!"

"I just want magic gone from Camelot and without you there to argue for it, it won't be approved," Alister smirked.

"How do you know?" Merlin spat. "Arthur could easily get another court sorcerer to argue for magic."

"The council won't accept anyone else," Alister told Merlin, his smirk widening into a smile. "Arthur told me you were the one who they trusted."

"Well like I said earlier, he'll come after me! He's not that dumb, he'll figure out that the letter is fake. I would talk to him first if I was to leave Camelot,"

"Sir Gwaine and that serving boy already accepted the letter," Alister told Merlin.

"They... They did?" Merlin frowned, quieting for a moment. "Why would they do that? They wouldn't... Of course they wouldn't... They'll find you!"

Merlin shouted the last bit, though his voice was lacking some of it's earlier conviction.

"Oh I'm afraid they believed it," Alister told Merlin almost gently, which made the warlock recoil. "They won't come looking for you for a few days and by then, you will be dead."

Merlin blanched, though he was quick to try to look angry again, rather than a bit frightened.

"You plan to kill me then?" Merlin frowned. "You don't even plan to try to use magic to your own advantage or find out Camelot's secrets, not that I'd tell you anyway."

"No, magic is evil," Alister said simply. "I have no war against Camelot. We will torture you then kill you and all others like you."

"Why? What's the point? Magic doesn't have to be evil! It can be used to do much good, like healing!"

"Healing has nothing to do with this! Load him up and let's get going," the king told Daniel who nodded and began to drag Merlin toward the wagon.

"Healing could have everything to do with this," Merlin shouted back. "Or protection! Who will be there to protect Camelot from evil sorcerers who try to kill the king or take over? Who will direct healers like Cuilén to use their power to help the sick? Who will be able to help Arthur know when an evil sorcerer is in Camelot, planning to do harm to innocent citizens?

Alister didn't answer and Merlin was shoved into the back of the wagon by Daniel and the manacles around his wrists latched onto the side wall. Then the two older men got onto their horses and rode off, the wagon bumping along behind.

"Arthur will find us!" Merlin shouted as they followed the trail into the woods. "He will know the letter is fake and hunt you down!"

"He might eventually find us, and maybe even you," Alister glanced back at Merlin with his trademark smirk. "But the difference is, he will find us alive and you not so much."

Merlin ground his teeth together and tried to yank at his bonds again, but he was once more unsuccessful. He tried to contact Cuilén, and that also didn't work. He even muttered for the dragon to help him, but whether it was due to the bonds of the quietness of his voice, no help came. After a little while, Merlin began to simply pay attention to the passing scenery.

Merlin planned to escape, there was no way Alister would be getting rid of him so easily, and so he began to memorize the way back home.

MMMM

Lancelot smiled and accepted a cup of soup from a Druid girl, who smiled at him and moved on. He found that he liked visiting the Druids, as Mordred had recently introduced him to their way of life and he found it peaceful after being forced to serve Morgana. Mordred and he had formed a sort of bond as they recovered from their ordeals with Morgana, and Lancelot was glad that he'd found someone who understood. Granted, it seemed Arthur had experienced as similar ordeal, but he was now busy ruling the kingdom, and Lancelot didn't want his own problems to interfere with that.

"Hey Lancelot!" Mordred cried, running over to plop down in the ground next to the former knight.

He grinned up at the man, a huge smile lighting up his face, "You like it?" He asked pointing to the soup while the girl handed him a bowl of his own.

"It's very good," Lancelot smiled. "Is it pine root? I seem to remember that being made once."

"Yeah, I'm surprised you remember," Mordred nodded, looking at Lancelot in shock before a smile spread over his face once more.

"I've quite taken to this Druid lifestyle. It's rather peaceful, and I figure having a former knight around to protect you all just in case can't be a bad arrangement," Lancelot smiled. "Even if I was a knight of Camelot."

"Yeah, I guess it's okay... I figure I'll stay here until I'm healed and then move on. Anyway, we don't usually have to protect ourselves," Mordred's face was dark for a moment, which confused Lancelot, but he decided not to ask about it. "It was only from Uther and Morgana."

"Well, I hope you will still allow me to stay here a while longer. I deeply appreciate your hospitality."

"You can stay as long as you like," Mordred told the knight. "I hope you stay for a while, I enjoy having someone to talk to before I leave the camp."

Lancelot was about to ask why Mordred planned to leave, however his ears picked up what sounded like a shout, and he frowned.

"Did you hear that?" He asked. "It sounded almost like... Who you call Emrys."

"Emrys?" Mordred frowned, "I didn't hear anything."

"Sh, there is was again," Lancelot eased himself to his feet and hurried over to his tent, grabbing his sword. "I'm going to check and make sure everything is alright. Merlin wasn't schedule to visit for some time."

Mordred hurried after him, if Emrys was nearby then there might be trouble and Lancelot's offer of protection might come in handy.

Lancelot crept through the undergrowth until he reached a small trail that was seldom used anymore. To his shock, he head the sound of a wagon and horses, and moments later two horses ridden by possible nobility, followed by a wagon. Lancelot continued to watch, and his heart stopped as the wagon passed. In the back sat Merlin, his hands shackled behind him and to a ring in the wagon. He seemed yank at the chains several times before falling still again and giving a deep sigh.

"Emrys?" Mordred breathed from beside Lancelot. "What is happening?"

"I don't know, I'm going to follow them," Lancelot whispered, before creeping through the forest after the wagon.

Mordred crept after him, wanting to see what exactly was happening to Emrys. He wasn't really worried, Emrys was powerful, he must be waiting for the right moment, only giving the impression that he wasn't able to break the chains.

Eventually Lancelot could hear more chatter, and suddenly they arrived in a huge clearing where dozens of wagons stood amount dozens of knights and a couple of servants.

"Your highness," they all bowed, and one of the men leading the wagon nodded regally.

"We will stop briefly to take care that everything is in alignment before we continue. We also have a sorcerer in our midst. No one is to get close to the prisoner, he could be dangerous. Sir Daniel, check on the sorcerer," the king told the knight riding next to him, who nodded before dismounting and striding around to the back of the wagon.

"He looks fine your majesty, but he is a little miffed we took him though," Sir Daniel called from the back of the wagon after checking on Merlin.

"Miffed," Merlin coughed sarcastically. "That's an understatement, Sir Daniel."

"Shut your mouth boy!" Daniel cried, backhanding Merlin across the face.

Merlin snarled up at Daniel before glaring at Alister and yanking again at the chains.

"You won't be able to break them," Alister said calmly. "Not without your magic."

"Doesn't mean I won't keep trying," Merlin snapped. "Everyone seems rather calm. Is it a common occurrence for you to kidnap people from their homes?"

"Only if they are sorcerers," Alister deadpanned.

"Well I'm not a sorcerer, I'm a warlock, I'll have you know. Does that make any difference? Will you suddenly see the light and let me go."

"You have magic, it makes no difference how you got it."

"You're just as bad as Arthur's father was, and you don't even have a great kingdom to balance it out," Merlin muttered. "No wonder you run around capturing people with magic, you probably don't have anything better to do."

"I do what I do to protect the people of this land," Alister gripped Merlin's arm hard and flung him against the wall. "Now keep quiet before I let my men do some damage before we reach my stronghold."

Merlin glared angrily up at Alister.

"I'm not worried. I doubt your men can do any real damage to a warlock, even without my magic. They're nothing compared to the knights of Camelot."

"Why are we just sitting here?" He hissed at Lancelot. Mordred was gritting his teeth as Alister grew angrier with Emrys. "Why are we not helping Emrys?"

"We would only get caught ourselves. We can't charge out there, we'll have to wait until we can sneak him away. Besides, if he's being restrained with magic suppressing chains, you might not be able to break them with magic," Lancelot whispered.

"I can kill everyone... or knock them out," Mordred was quick to say. "Then they probably have keys."

"Those other servants are likely innocent and caught up in all this, and who knows about the knights. We should wait. They'll have to go to sleep tonight or something, then we can help with lesser chance of being discovered."

"Emrys is in danger." He protested, "He is needed for... Many things."

"I don't want Merlin getting hurt either, but to charge in now would be to simply risk his chances of getting rescued by getting ourselves caught. If it gets too bad, I guess we can, but for now we need to hang back."

"Fine." Mordred huffed, clearly upset. He leaned back, slightly crossing his arms in anger.

Lancelot watched uneasily, sword held in a tight grip, as the king grew still angrier with Merlin until he hit him once again, Sir Daniel stepping forward and asking if he could be of assistance.

"I think he needs to be taught a lesson," Alister said. "A couple of minutes with the whip should teach him better."

"Yes sir," Daniel walked toward the front of the whip and grabbed the braided whip, commonly used for floggings, that was sitting on the seat.

Mordred hissed and sat forward, "They are going to hurt him!"

Lancelot bit his lip and wondered desperately what to do. Logic told him that rushing in now would be an end to any attempt at rescue, but another part of him wanted to rush out and save his old friend.

"No," Lancelot choked out. "We need to stay hidden."

They watched as the knights tied Merlin to the wagon wheel after forcing him to kneel. Sir Daniel positioned himself behind Merlin and at the nod from Alister swung the whip.

The whip cracked down across Merlin's back and shoulders, causing the warlock to stiffen and bit his cheek in an effort to not make a sound. By the fourth lash though there were tears streaming down his cheeks and he was whimpering each time the whip was brought down.

Mordred couldn't help himself, he slid out into the clearing and cleared his throat.

"What do you think you are doing?" Alister took a few steps forward. Mordred's response was to shout.

Most of the knights flew backward but Sir Daniel and Alister scrambled to their feet and rushed at the boy.

"Another sorcerer!" Alister shouted in rage. "Get a cuff!"

Mordred narrowed his eyes in confusion but rushed over to Merlin instead, throwing up a small barrier around them. "What is going on Emrys?"

"Mordred?" Merlin tried to look over at the Druid. The strain on his back made him gasp so he gave up. "What are you doing here? Get out of here! They'll stop your magic!"

"I have a barrier around us for the moment, although it won't last long. What do you mean stop my magic?"

"Look at my ankle. See that thing? It makes me unable to use magic.

Mordred examined it for a moment before quickly muttering a spell. When nothing happened he sighed, "I can't break it. It's too strong."

"Yeah, and it hurts when you try," Merlin gasped for breath. "Look out!"

Daniel suddenly rushed at the barrier, swinging his sword towards it.

Mordred cried out at the sudden pressure against the barrier and it flickered as his power drained.

"Get out of here, run, get help!" Merlin commanded.

"Help will come whether I'm captured or not," Mordred said. "I won't make it after dropping the shield."

He gasped as it was hit again. "I was kinda hoping that they would all be far enough back that I could teleport but I don't think I can do that now."

Daniel suddenly broke through the shield and he rushed at Mordred, a cuff in hand.

Mordred threw a small spell but it wasn't enough to stop Daniel from clamping the cuff around him ankle.

Merlin shouted angrily and he yanked at his own bonds, gasping as his back flared up in pain.

"Let him go, he's just a... A peaceful Druid," Merlin shouted. Mordred hadn't always been that peaceful, but it was a good enough response.

"He threw us back," Alister ground out between clenched teeth.

"He just wanted to help me, that's what Druids do, help people," Merlin shouted. "Let him go!"

"No, he attacked us and he has magic. He will be executed with you," Alister said. "Those with magic never help anyone."

Merlin glanced sorrowfully at Mordred before yanking at his chains and growling angrily.

"I knew I was right in saying the knights of Camelot are far superior," Merlin glared at Daniel.

"You never learn do you?" Alister asked. "Would you like to be whipped again? If so you can keep talking, or maybe this will motivate you more." He paused then continued. "The Druid boy will be beaten in your place if you don't stop with your smart comments."

"No, don't," Merlin paled, shaking his head quickly. "You can't do that!"

"I can and I will," Alister said. "So keep quiet if you wish for him to not be lashed as you were."

Merlin simply stared at the ground angrily, not bothering to reply. Moments later a few knights got him back into the wagon, though he struggled violently.

"What is your name boy?" Alister asked Mordred.

"Dre," Mordred answered, glaring heatedly at the king.

"Dre, odd name. Oh well, you are a sorcerer after all," Alister frowned. "What are you doing wandering the woods? Are you alone or do you have someone else hiding out in the forest?"

"I live in a cave near here," Mordred answered. "I am alone, my encampment abandoned me long ago."

"Hm, search the nearby forest and report back within ten minutes," Alister frowned, waving to two of his knights. "If you're lying, you'll be very sorry, Dre."

Mordred smiled, they were far enough away from the Druid camp that they wouldn't find it, even if they made it that far there was a concealing spell around the camp.

He wasn't worried about Lancelot either, unknown to the knight Mordred had placed a concealing spell around him as well, the men wouldn't be able to see the knight if their lives depended on it.

"In the mean time, chain him next to the other boy," Alister turned to Daniel. "And make sure they don't talk."

"Yes, Sire," Daniel nodded before clipping handcuffs on Mordred's wrists.

Mordred struggled for a moment but soon resigned himself to being restrained.

"You okay?" Merlin whispered.

"Yeah, I'm a bit drained but otherwise okay," Mordred was quick to reassure him.

"Stop talking!" Daniel snapped. "Or I'll have you gagged."

Mordred glared at the man but wisely shut up. He rolled his eyes and smiled at Merlin while mouthing they expect you to be quiet? I don't think that's possible.

They may think I'm quiet, but you'll hear me chatting plenty, Merlin's voice echoed in Mordred's head.

Isn't that connected to your magic? Mordred asked.

Apparently not, Merlin replied.

Are your dragonlord powers? Can you call the great dragon? Mordred looked hopeful.

I don't know. It's too loud, they'd hear right away, and I can't talk to Cuilén.

Can't you just ask him in you head like me and you talk?

Not the dragon, no.

I wonder why me and not Cuilén? How is he anyway?

Maybe because Cuilén is too far away? Plus you've always been quite gifted at telepathy, so that might make a difference. Cuilén is the same as ever, but Alister was really horrible to him. He was Alister's servant for a while, and it was really bad.

I don't like Alister, I'm glad he is away from Cuilén then if he was being mean to him.

Yeah, me too. He was going to kidnap Cuilén, apparently, but I became his servant and he nabbed me instead.

But he wanted you as the end goal correct?

Yeah, he thought taking Cuilén would be a way to get to me. Poor kid, he's just too nice, can't hardly look out for himself. He's just too sweet.

He is very innocent. I can't expect that to have changed.

It hasn't, thankfully. I couldn't bare it if it did. He's an empath, so that might have something to do with it. He's too selfless, he could hardly help himself but use healing magic while Alister was near him. Apparently he tried to heal Alister and Alister blew up at him.

I am glad, he is very selfless I can see that people might take advantage of that but not push it away, I hope when we get out of this I can see him again. Mordred's voice was hopeful.

Of course you can! I know he would like having another person closer to his age around. I'm afraid all of our talks of politics bore him.

It would certainly bore me Emrys. Does Cuilén actually listen to you talking?

Of course, and he never complains.

Of course he doesn't, he never complains about anything. He can't be required to listen though, is he?

No, of course not, but he wants to be part of everything Arthur, Gwaine, and I do. He always wants to be helpful.

He really needs someone his own age there. Why would he want to spend all his time around you? I wouldn't.

Gee, thanks, Merlin rolled his eyes.

You're welcome, Mordred smirked before he stiffened. We are stopping.

Why would that happen? Merlin glanced around them. Stay quiet.

We are quiet! It's in our heads remember? Mordred wondered if the lashing had somehow gone to Emrys' mind.

Oh, right...

Are you okay? Mordred sounded concerned.

My back hurts a bit... Merlin admitted.

Anything else?

Well...

What is it Emrys?

I can't put my finger on it, but ever since the cuff went on, I've felt sort of off.

Sort of off?

I don't know, I have been trying to fight it and yet something feels like it's trying to pull me under, make me weaker or something.

Why didn't you mention it sooner?

I am trying really hard to fight it off. I'm hoping if I fight harder against them, I'll be able to keep myself from getting any weaker.

I don't feel anything different at all except the fact that I can't access my magic.

That's good. Maybe if I get worse you'll be able to fight them. Hopefully it doesn't get worse, though. Hey, what's happening?

I dunno, should we pay attention?

Yeah, it seems they're coming over here. The woods seem to a thinning as well.

Mordred looked around and noticed that they were only a few miles away from a castle. We seem to be headed to that castle.

Yeah, oh wait, shhh

Daniel suddenly approached, eyeing the two cautiously.

"We're going into Alister's realm. Get out, you're walking from here," Daniel told them.

"You expect him to walk from here?" Mordred exclaimed. "He can't walk all that way!"

"I can walk," Merlin glared unwaveringly at Daniel. "Just let me out, and I'll show you I can walk fine."

"Emr... Merlin. You can't walk." Mordred whispered.

"Trust me, I'll be fine," Merlin hissed. He then spoke louder. "Come on, let me go! Let me walk!"

Daniel walked forward and released Merlin and Mordred. "Why so concerned Dre?" He sneered, "He got you captured."

Mordred just glowered at the man and hopped down. Merlin tried to hop down, but instead he stumbled. Daniel began to stoop down, but instead Merlin shot his leg out and kicked Daniel in the shin. With that, Merlin leaped to his feet and nudged Mordred toward the forest edge before also running.

Mordred ran making sure Merlin was keeping up, he didn't know where they were going but it didn't matter. Merlin had almost reached the tree line when he stumbled and fell to his knees.

"Keep going!" He shouted. "It'll be easier if they just have one of us!"

Mordred almost stopped but he kept going knowing the Emrys was right, he had to hide himself and get back to Lancelot. He ran for a few minutes before collapsing in the brush and hiding.

Behind him, he heard Emrys give a shout, and he close his eyes tightly, clamping his hands over his ears.

"Lancelot?" He whispered.

"What's happening?" Lancelot's voice suddenly spoke softly, and Mordred spun. "Where's Merlin?"

"They still... They still have him." Mordred said, "I couldn't do anything."

"At least you got away," Lancelot sighed. "You didn't listen to me! They'll be tripling the guards around him now, looking for you."

"I'm sorry," Mordred sniffled, hating the fact that Lancelot was upset with him. "I just wanted to help..." His voice trailed off as he tried not to cry. He was tired and his magic was still drained what with that blasted ankle thing.

"Hey, what's done is done, we'll just hang back a bit before rescuing him. It's just a little set back, it'll be okay. Do you think Arthur is coming for him?"

"I don't know, we mostly talked about Cuilén."

"He was the empath, correct? The one so grievously harmed by Morgana? Is he alright now?"

"Yeah," Mordred smiled at the mention of Cuilén. "He is fine, needs someone his age in Camelot but he is doing fine now."

"I'm glad. Wait, I want to watch and see where exactly they take Merlin," Lancelot crept forward to peer through a bush. He winced as he watched, again tempted to rush out and help his friend.

"What is happening?" Mordred asked.

"Er... I think they're mad he tried to run. Oh, he's getting up and, well they're making him walk to the castle," Lancelot winced as Daniel shoved Merlin forward, almost causing the warlock to fall to his knees.

"Why can't we help him?" Mordred asked again. "If you would get this thing off of me..."

"You know why not," Lancelot sighed. "How do I get that off? Don't I need a key?"

"No idea," Mordred said. "But until we get it off I can't use my magic."

Lancelot winced, and he got out his knife. He tried to pick the lock, but was unsuccessful.

"We can make more noise when they're gone inside," Lancelot told Mordred. "We should be quiet until then."

Lancelot watched as Merlin was pushed toward the fortress until he finally disappeared over the drawbridge.

"Okay, let's see about getting this off," Lancelot tuned back to Mordred with a tired sigh.

"Thank you," Mordred said, shifting so that Lancelot could get to his ankle.


AN: So some Merlin hurt and more to come. Please review! :)