Like Father Like Son

Chapter 4

A/N: Ok so the plot for season 2 episode 13 has been put up and I from it I have based this story some time BEFORE that episode (it may not fit by the time anyone watches the episode but then this is a fanfic and is made before the episode is made so…). Also I have gone through and changed Jonas's name to Balinor and I now have a better idea for Jonas's 'story'. I have stuck with what he has said but at the end everything will come together and will make sense. ;p anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter and I am SOOO looking forward to episode 13, by the sounds of it, it should be EPIC and by far the best episode made of the 2 series. I can just imagine the episode now /sigh.

A/N: I know I haven't updated in a while, for that I appologise. I hope you enjoy this chapter though, as it is a bit longer than usual XD. I would like to thank those that reviewed last chapter:

MontyPythonFan
Llanea
CrAzYwRiTeRgUrL
Loopylion14
HikaruOfArrow
CrayonsPink
FireChildSlytherin5

oh and
alleywayqueen for reviewing chapter 2, thankyou for the heads up XD


Merlin winced as mind and body decided he had slept long enough. He didn't feel any pain which came as a relief to Merlin; he did feel groggy how ever, as if he had slept too long. Gaius must have given him a potion to ease the pain; which was now completely gone that much was for sure. He cracked open his eyes, expecting to see the roof of Gaius' chambers, but was confused as to why his sight was met with that of a black sky, dotted and decorated by sparkling stars and a large moon to light everything its light touched blue and white. Frowning he looked around to see he was amongst ruins of stone, broken walls, cracked stone floors with patches of grass growing in some places. He was lying on a flat stone, that Merlin would have guessed used to be a seat of some kind. In the middle of the layout, stood a stone tablet, one that looked awfully familiar.

He swung his legs off the seat and instantly the world spun, stars forming in his eyes and he had to hold his head and close his eyes and grip what he could of the seat to stop himself from collapsing back down. He waited a few seconds before he warily looked around, up right this time and in search of someone. He wandered why he had been brought here of all places, and by who. He heard walking and he looked to see Balinor in his red riding coat and a strong, wary look in his eyes. He smiled when he saw Merlin awake and Merlin tried to move away from him, almost tripping over as he got up.

"Oh good Merlin, you're awake. I was beginning to wander if you ever would." Balinor said as he slowly approached the retreating young sorcerer.

"What do you want with me?" Merlin asked, a hint of fear buried in his voice.

"You'll soon find out Merlin, for now though, please make yourself at home." Balinor said, turning away from Merlin and spreading his arms wide.

"Why did you take me here?" Merlin asked, proud that his voice was stronger now. Balinor turned to face him, a sadistic smirk tweaking his lips.

"I thought it fitting. You've been here twice have you not? And with the intention of saving someone, on both accounts in exchange of your own life. Arthur was the first, and then you planned on saving your uncle so you could save your mother at the cost of your life. I wander how many people will come to save you, if they come at all. How many people would die for you Merlin? Can you point anyone out? Would they die for you if they knew your secret?" Balinor approached him, as if daring for an answer from the warlock.

"Gaius said he would." Merlin said quietly and accidentally, he wasn't meant to speak it.

"You're relying on Gaius to save you, Merlin? Gaius? Come now, we both know he's not of perfect age to fight with anything, and his magic is far from useful. But then I guess any hope for you at all is better than none, is it not?" Merlin was quiet. What was going to happen to him? What did this man want? "I noticed you didn't say Arthur. You have risked your life time and time again for the boy and still, you do not believe Arthur would save your life if he knew your secret. Why do you do so much for the prat when he would never do the same for you?" that did it. An angry and threatening expression was the only emotion being displayed in Merlin's eyes as his eyebrows furrowed and his fist clenched. Without warning Merlin raised his hand towards Balinor, his eyes glowing gold as he hissed a strange tongue of words, forcing Balinor into the stone wall behind him with such force he made chips of the stone fall with Balinor as he fell to the floor with a hard thud, his head lolling as though he was knocked out. Merlin stood in a very Merlin sort of way, surprised at his sudden release of anger. Normally he would have held onto it but he just didn't have time.

Merlin took a step back before he decided he should make his way back to Camelot, on foot if he had to. Leaving Balinor unconscious on the ground he left for the water, hoping the boat would not be on the other side of the lake. To his disappointment he saw it was, which meant he would have to swim across. Which meant he would need to be quick when he got to the other side as the water surely would slow him down, giving Balinor more time to wake up and catch him before he reached home. Deciding sooner than later would be a good plan he went to run into the water, but as he went to take a step something pulled him back and sent him flying backwards. He was caught by Balinor's grasp who then dragged him away with ease, despite Merlin struggling to get free. Balinor took him to the stone tablet, using magic to force iron made shackles to close on Merlin's wrists and ankles to ensure that he wouldn't be going anywhere. Afterwards Balinor walked away without so much as a glance at Merlin, his hand going to his head, glowing gold a second before he disappeared behind a wall.

"Balinor! Come back here! Let me go! Balinor! BALINOR!" Where Balinor was going Merlin didn't know but he continued to call out to him. Merlin stopped when he was sure Balinor wasn't coming back, and so he set to trying to get out of the shackles, pulling and tugging to no avail. He used magic to attempt to open them but that did nothing at all either, the shackles merely vibrated before they turned the magic he was using into their own weapon, forcing the magic into Merlin's skin. It took him a while to notice this as it didn't hurt at first, but when his skin broke and began to bleed he stopped immediately, knowing all too well the damage that would come if he continued to try. He wasn't giving up though. He decided to try releasing the shackles from the stone, but that didn't work either, as his magic travelled through the stone, up the chain and into the shackles, which in turn cut his skin again. Hopelessly he looked around for anything he could use to pry open the shackles, his sight eventually setting on a strong looking stone about the size of both his fists put together. His eyes glowed gold and the stone jiggled. Confused he was about to try again when his wrists hurt him again. Then it dawned on him. These shackles were enchanted to steal any magic being channelled by the person they held. Now Merlin was becoming desperate and scared. He wandered if anyone would come for him. He wandered if anyone knew he was there.

****Merlin****

Those in Gaius's chambers were quiet, the women grieving and the men trying to work out where Balinor had taken the well known servant boy. Eventually they needed to talk it out, they couldn't figure it out alone.

"I can only think that Merlin has only ever been to Ealdor, but oddly that seems too obvious and too dangerous." Arthur said, his right elbow resting on his crossed over left arm as he stood, his eyes resting on the ground in thought as he waited for a reply from anyone.

"I was thinking the same thing, Arthur. But I also know of another place he's been, of which I prey is not the case." Gaius said. Arthur's head perked up and Gaius instantly had his complete attention.

"Where? Where are you speaking of?" Arthur asked impatiently.

"The. The Isle of the Blessed, sire." Gaius hesitated. Surely Arthur would not know of that place, and so surely Arthur would not know what it meant for Merlin. Gaius now had Morgana's attention, Hunith knew of the place, she knew what Merlin had done for Arthur and Gaius at that place, knew what he was going to do for her if not for Gaius. She knew what it might mean for Merlin, which made her cry harder. What was Balinor planning to do with her son?

Arthur gave Gaius a look asking him to clarify what that meant and where it was and how long it would take for him to go there. Gaius knew there was no stopping Arthur, if he didn't tell him, he would find out some how. But he found he didn't want to stop Arthur from going, even though it would greatly risk the princes life, he wanted his ward, his nephew, the boy he felt was the son he never had, he wanted Merlin back.

"The Isle of the Blessed is a place that belongs to the old religion sire. It is the place where a select few sorcerers –that no longer exist- could control the fate of life, could decide who lives and who dies so to speak. For a life to be spared or brought back a life must be taken in return, that is the law of magic and the Isle of the Blessed is where it all began."

"So you're saying, that if Balinor has taken him there then he might be planning to sacrifice Merlin to bring someone back?" Arthur asked.

"It is possible sire." Gaius said, hoping that was not the case.

"How do you know Merlin's been there? If none of those sorcerers are alive then why would Merlin go there of all places?" Gaius wished Arthur had not asked that question. He considered whether he would answer the prince or not, but Arthur made it difficult under the stare he gave him. He was about to tell him what Merlin had done there, why he had done it, when a knock at the door interrupted him, making everyone look at the guard that knocked.

"The King has requested your presence sire, immediately." He said to Arthur before he nodded to all of them and left. Arthur rolled his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh before he stalked off in the general direction to the King's strategy hall. Honestly, what could the man want with him now, at a time like this? It seemed suitable though, he would need to tell his father he was leaving, he didn't need to know it was to rescue his personal danger magnet of a servant.

****Merlin****

In the King's strategy chamber, Uther stood behind his throne, his fists curled tightly on the back of the chair, his eyes downcast upon the ground beneath his feet. He needed to know why Arthur had not seen him about the sorcerer's reappearance in the city. Of course, Uther had to be told by a passing servant who had witnessed the incident and had come reporting straight to Uther. Uther did not have to wait much longer, as the doors opened with a hidden force of anger by the crown prince of Camelot. Uther looked at him a moment, reading him. Anger and annoyance shaped his features but Uther could only assume that the anger was for the sorcerer.

"You called for me?" Arthur asked, the guards closing the big wooden doors behind him. A moment Uther continued to read him, measuring his voice before he commenced.

"Why did I have to be told by a servant that the sorcerer had made a reappearance in the city Arthur, when you were there yourself? Why did you let him escape rather than kill him where he stood?" Uther asked angrily, disbelief and possibly betrayal also in his voice. Arthur looked shocked that Uther had asked that of him. As if his actions were not obvious.

"He had Merlin…" he started.

"That is no excuse Arthur. This man is a sorcerer and he was in Camelot and you would risk Camelot and its people for that of a servant? I can hardly see the logic in your actions. Now for this brief in security Camelot is surely under impending attack. We cannot have any more foolishness actions happen again, for the safety of Camelot and its people, ALL sorcerers are to be killed on the spot, even at the cost of a life; they will be contributing to the cause and remembered dearly. Better one life than an entire kingdom Arthur. In time you will learn that."

"So what do you want me to do? The damage is done and personally from what knowledge I have I do not think that the sorcerer cares for Camelot whether it stands or falls. I don't believe Camelot to be in this sorcerer's plans."

"Then why did he show himself here? Arthur all who study magic would have this kingdom fall in an instant. If it is not his intentions now it will be later."

"I see where you're coming from father but…"

"What information do you have?" Uther asked, looking directly at him. Arthur hesitated. He knew if he told him of Merlin being this man's son then Merlin could be in danger from Uther as well as his father for being the son of a sorcerer, surely Merlin was too. And his mother. If he told him, he'd be killing off an entire family, not to mention Gaius would most likely be charged with treason for harbouring the boy who is son to a sorcerer.

"The sorcerer was after Merlin, and Merlin alone."

"Yes I know that the sorcerer took your servant, I was told everything that happened Arthur. I want to know what makes you so sure that this man does not have intentions for Camelot's downfall. One day you will see Arthur that sorcerers and witches of the like are tricky people, difficult to predict and tough to get rid of. Arthur is it not possible that this sorcerer was not taking Merlin in hopes of drawing you out? He is targeting you as the crown prince of Camelot and heir to the throne, one day you will understand that." Uther turned his back to him.

"I don't care. He has my friend I'm going to save him, and I'll kill the sorcerer while I'm there." Arthur made to leave.

"You will do no such thing! Kill the sorcerer, yes; but do it when he returns. I will not risk your life for that of a servant, I will not allow you to go on a foolhardy mission. You will not be leaving Camelot, Arthur, at all!" the king yelled, making Arthur stop.

"Merlin has saved my life a number of times, he has become my friend. I'm not going to sit idle while his father kills him." Arthur said without thinking, seemingly realising afterwards he stormed off quickly for his room to pack. He had but one place to try, and now that his father knew he needed to leave quickly and with no dramas.

"Guards!" Uther called. The guards standing outside the room as the prince ran around the corner as quickly as he could, walking into the room. "Make sure my son does not leave Camelot. Catch him and throw him in the dungeons if you have to but he does not leave this city." The guards bowed low before the left quickly after the prince. Uther was not enraged beyond belief. Not only did his son believe he had to go rescuer that servant of his, but his servant is the sorcerers son. Arthur had become blinded by friendship that he failed to see what Merlin really was. A son of a sorcerer surely meant a sorcerer themselves. And that meant bad news for Gaius as the boys guardian. Uther only hoped his friend and physician was innocent in all this. Of course, though he would regret it, he would not become blinded by friendship.

****Merlin****

Arthur burst into his room with such force that the doors rebounded off the wall with a bang. Hastily he packed his sleeping roll from his dresser as well as his chain mail, and picked up his crossbow before he left, running down the corridors and stairs awkwardly. He didn't care for properly packing, he didn't care for an extra weapon, he didn't care for properly armouring himself up, right now he needed to leave. He would read his horse and he would leave, sorting everything out once he was far enough away from Camelot, then he would save Merlin and …

Arthur backtracked a few steps, thankfully realising what door he had just passed, and ran into Gaius's chambers, closing and locking the doors behind him, panting while he lent against it. If he wanted to save Merlin, he'd need to know where to go.

"Arthur?" Morgana asked, surprised to see him so suddenly and in such a state.

"The King wants me to stay in Camelot rather than save Merlin. What's more is I may have accidentally let slip that Balinor is Merlin's father." Arthur explained as he listened through the door. He hadn't the faintest idea of what he would do except hide if he heard the guards coming.

"Arthur!..." Morgana was about to scold but Arthur ignored her; he hadn't time to listen to her lectures.

"I need to know where this Isle is, and I need a plan to get out of the city discretely." He said, glancing at Gaius momentarily before returning his ear to the door.

"Well I'll be going along with you Arthur so where it is can wait. And before you start there is nothing you can say or do that will change my mind otherwise. Now we've all discussed this while you were gone and it is decided that Hunith and Morgana will be joining us too; ah ah, there's nothing you can say to change their minds any more than mine. As for getting out of the castle I presume the guards are searching for you and Uther will have all entrances and exits monitored and secured." Said Gaius without letting Arthur having a single say in any of it, despite what Arthur had to say. Seeing as he didn't have anything to say Arthur remained quiet, waiting for the next bombshell.

"Uther will surely be concerned of our involvement with the sorcerer and may be led to believe that Merlin could very well be one as he is Balinor's son; if the guards do not come for you, Arthur, they will come to question us. In which case, we will need to leave before then, or Arthur you'll have to hide in Merlin's room until we return. Personally I'd rather leave beforehand because if Uther finds us guilty, which he most certainly will find Hunith, then we face execution and no hope of saving Merlin." Said Gaius and they all nodded in agreement, save for Arthur.

"Gaius. There will most likely be two parties, one searching for me and one to take you to the king or the dungeons. It would be best if you are here when the party searching for me arrives, so they don't report to my father that you have gone, he'll suspect you're conspiring against him and will surely have you killed." Arthur said.

"Then how do we determine which party is what?" Hunith asked.

"Gaius, may I have a sleeping draft please?" Morgana asked suddenly; they gave her a look. "I will leave with it, if I run into either party I can tell them I went to get one and if they ask about Arthur I will tell them he wasn't there. If it works they may not come at all. I have to get ready anyway I might as well." She explained. Gaius picked out a sleeping draft from the many other drafts he kept on a table and gave it to her.

"Then we need a plan to get out of the city. Gaius we will also need a sleep bomb." Arthur said and Gaius hesitated.

"A sleep bomb, sire?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes. Hunith you are going to be with me and Gaius. Gaius we are going to the front gate where we'll deploy the bomb to make the guards fall asleep. We wont do that until Morgana is ready. Morgana you and Gwen are going to get us the horses and sneak up to the front of the castle. You'll be fine as long as no one but us can see you and you can see when the guards fall asleep. When they're down we'll meet and leave on horseback."Arthur said, and they all agreed.

"Am I right to assume that Gwen is coming along too?" Morgana asked.

"I'd prefer if she didn't but it may raise suspicion if she remains and you are gone." Arthur said quietly. It was silent; everyone waited to see if there was anything more to be said. "That is all from me. If any of you have any suggestions, please feel free." Arthur announced. None said a word. "Morgana will you be ok?"

"Yes, of course. I will bring the horses and I will make sure we're not seen. I know our posts and I'll wait for them to fall. Gwen and I will be quick and we'll pass you your horses at the gates." Morgana said. Arthur nodded.

"I should go now then, Gwen will need to know and we'll need to pack and get to the horses. If we're there before you we'll wait for you, just make sure you get there." Morgana said, leaving with a reassuring smile.

It fell silent again as Gaius set to making the bomb.

"How do you propose we get out of the castle?" Hunith asked.

"There is a back exit out of the castle the cleaning and kitchen hand servants use, we'll leave through there, sneak around and behind houses until we get to the front gate. From there we'll deploy the bomb and … save Merlin." Arthur said, hoping that this plan would work. For Everyone's sake, not just his own and Merlins.

****Merlin****

Poking his head out of Gaius's chambers, Arthur saw no one in the corridors and heard no one nearing anywhere behind the corners. The coast was clear, so he followed by Hunith and Gaius, left hurriedly and quietly down the corridors and stairs, Gaius and Hunith carrying the blanket rolls and Arthur's crossbow, and Arthur carrying the bomb and his sword.

They made it to the servants exit, lucky they didn't see any servant wandering around at this time. They came to the door and once again, Arthur poked his head out and saw it was clear. He let Gaius and Hunith out first before he took lead again. Surely the guards would still be arriving. Now they were out of the castle, they needed to be careful of roaming guards and sentries.

So far so good, everything was going as planned, but now was no time to get their hopes up, they still needed to leave the castle. Reaching the wall of the front entrance they crouched walked as slowly and as carefully as they could, Arthur in front. He'd know when to stop, until then Gaius and Hunith would follow him unless otherwise instructed. Arthur stopped; he would throw the bomb from there, but first he needed to find Morgana and Gwen. He scanned the area near the house opposing him as that was where they were supposed to wait for them. Perhaps they were having trouble out of the castle. He prayed that wasn't the case.

He saw a black shadow shake its head and he noticed that was the head of a horse. They were there, but he would not throw it until he was sure she was ready. If they weren't it could mess up their timing and they could be caught. He saw a hood a moment later and then Morgana's fair, pale skin urged him to go. Without hesitation, he held his hand out behind him, telling Hunith and Gaius not to follow as he took a step closer and tossed the bomb towards the guards.

It rolled between them and instantly the guards had their weapons raised and their sights locked onto the tiny ball, they neared it and a second later, a stream of smoke broke free of the shell and spread, reaching the guards before they could retreat. Another second later and the guards fell to the ground in a deep sleep.

Arthur beckoned Morgana to come and she did, mounted on her horse with Gwen on hers and steering three others behind her. Morgana wore he dark green velvety cloak and Gwen her light purple dress with her red cloak on, both their hoods were up. Arthur made his move, Gaius and Hunith behind him. They took the horses off of Gwen and they were off through the gates, striding quickly passed the smoke bomb, praying the horses did not inhale it as they held their breaths. Passing it didn't even last a second but the potency of the gas meant it was still a minor concern.

They didn't stop when they were out of the castle, Gaius holding his and Arthur's blanket rolls and Arthur's crossbow and Hunith holding her own roll. The cloaks of Morgana and Gwen flew behind them as the air rushed passed. They ran together, one and two abreast of the dirt path away from the castle. They were free now, but how long until they're followed? They needed to get far enough away. Then they would stop and sort everything out before they set off again. Arthur wanted to make sure Gwen knew what she was getting herself into and he wanted to some closure of where they were going. He knew Gaius would not get them lost, but he wanted to know exactly the path they were taking, rather than blindly follow someone. He wasn't used to that, and he wasn't going to start to.


A/N: I will most likely not be updating again this week as I have an assignment to do that is due friday. Good news is I have this week and 3 days of next week left of school then I'm on holidays XD YAY! That means more updates! Read and Review, hope you enjoy XD

...DQ...