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It was dawn when Lucan called a halt. Only the sound of nature waking could be heard and Merlin knew the steady pace they had set all night meant they were alone. Both the rest of the bandits and the knights have been left far behind.
"We stay an hour," Lucan muttered. His voice was only just loud enough to carry as he dismounted and passed his reins to his companion. Merlin knew they were only stopping to rest the horses. The look in Arthur's eyes stopped him from sinking to the ground the second the tension had left his rope though. He locked his knees, willing himself to stay standing. Arthur was defying Lucan by staying upright and Merlin forced himself to follow suit.
His feet were throbbing and he could feel every stone through the thin sole of his shoes. His wrists were chaffed and raw, but it was nothing compared to the fiery pain radiating down his back. For the best part, it had stopped bleeding, but the dried blood had caused his shirt to stick and every time he had stumbled, it had opened the wounds a little more. His mind felt fuzzy and his head thick; the pain was the only thing keeping him lucid.
He was in such daze he didn't notice Lucan was in front of him until the man pressed down on his shoulder. Merlin didn't fight; he was desperate to take the weight off his feet. He dropped and was vaguely aware of Arthur being shoved down next to him. Within moments, both men had their feet tied. But Lucan wasn't taking any chances. He took hold of the ropes still attached to their wrists and used the length to wind it around their stomachs, binding them together, back to back. Merlin couldn't stop the groan escaping him – albeit it muffled in the gag - at the pressure on his wound and he was instantly aware of Arthur trying to shift his weight.
Satisfied his prisoners were secure, Lucan stalked off. As soon as he moved, Merlin used what hand movement he had to yank the gag out. At his back, he felt Arthur doing the same.
"Are you alright?" He hissed, aware this wasn't the first time he had asked the prince that question. He also had a feeling it wouldn't be the last time.
"Are you?" Arthur responded and Merlin heard the concern lining his voice. He had learnt over the years how to properly listen to Arthur and how to hear what wasn't being said.
"Hurts more when you throw something at my head," Merlin said. He was trying to make light of the situation. He shrugged, hoping Arthur would feel it and understand he was fine. The plan backfired. The action sent shooting pains down his back and Merlin bit his lip in order to not cry out.
"Merlin?"
"Yes?" His voice came as a gasp.
"Don't do that again."
Laughing apparently hurt just as much. He felt Arthur continue to try and shift forward.
"You know you're only going to pull me over if you keep doing that?" Merlin said innocently and Arthur stilled. Realising this was the first time since they had been caught he had been lucid and unmonitored, Merlin cast his gaze around for something that he could do. It couldn't be anything too obvious…
With a flash of his eyes, the strap on Lucan's saddle snapped. It looked fine from a distance, but Merlin knew as soon as the man put his weight back onto it, he would hit the floor faster than he knew what had happened.
"Merlin?" There was a quiet note to Arthur's voice this time and Merlin twisted his head.
"Yes?"
"They're not working alone." Arthur clearly didn't want to be overheard. Merlin sighed. He had already come to that conclusion.
"Morgana?" He was certain by now. But he wanted to know what Arthur thought. He felt Arthur nod.
"Who else? But it might mean she will let you go, her fight is with me…"
Merlin almost snorted. Arthur had no idea how wrong he was. If anything, it was the other way around. Morgana only wanted Arthur dead because he was heir to the throne. She wanted destroyed Merlin for far more personal reasons. But Arthur didn't know that… and Merlin knew he never could.
"She won't let me go, Arthur. So no matter what happens, don't believe anything that hints she will. Don't give her what she wants." Merlin spoke quietly, knowing he was treading a thin line. Arthur pretended not to care, but Merlin knew that Morgana would use Merlin's imprisonment against Arthur. He didn't want the prince giving up because he thought it might save his servant.
"Don't worry." Arthur's voice was full of fake confidence. "We'll get out of this."
Merlin had no answer. He hoped that Arthur was right. A broken saddle wasn't going to stop Lucan for long. Merlin knew he was going to have to do more. But he had to make sure Arthur was safe. Sagging in exhaustion, Merlin lent backwards and a small smile flickered over his face as Arthur shifted in order to take his weight.
"Rest while you can," Arthur murmured and Merlin nodded mutely. Already, he could feel his eyes beginning to droop. He needed to be able to think clearly if they were to get out of this and regardless of the awkward position he was bound in, Merlin felt himself drift to sleep.
It was Arthur shifting that made Merlin jerk awake. He didn't ask why. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Lucan was heading directly for them again with a sneer on his face. The expression faded when he saw Merlin was awake. The warlock knew the man had planned something unpleasant to wake him up. But as he neared and drew a knife from his belt, Merlin knew their time of resting was over. They wouldn't be given another chance. He was certain the next time they stopped, they would be in Morgana's presence. Merlin knew he was powerful, but the thought sent an irrational surge of fear through him. Was he strong enough to protect Arthur from her?
Lucan bent to cut the rope, grabbing Merlin's wrists and hauling him up as he did so. The gag was shoved back in and Merlin was dragged back to the horses, stumbling over his own feet. He fought as much as he could but his actions prohibited him from making much impact. Lucan didn't seem to notice as he tied him to the horse.
"Nice sleep?" The man scoffed, finishing up the knots and turning to face Merlin. "I can promise that will be the last sleep you'll have for a while. By the time you're next allowed to rest, you'll be begging for death."
Merlin knew it was just words. He wouldn't let Lucan see his fear. He hoped the man didn't see that he seemed to be shivering and if he did, he didn't mistake it for fright. There was less slack in the rope this time and Merlin knew their pace would be faster. His breathing calmed when he saw Arthur being bound to the other horse. He forced himself to relax. He wasn't in this alone. He needed Arthur to focus on himself, not worrying about his servant.
He nodded when Arthur looked at him in concern. That was all the time they had before both bandits had swung back into the saddle. Lucan touched his heels to his mount, but Merlin held his breath even as he was jerked forward. He only stumbled a couple of steps before a noise made him grin. With a yell of surprise, Lucan's saddle gave way and the man was sent plummeting from the horse.
Merlin had hoped it would be enough to delay their journey and give their friends time to get them out of this before they reached Morgana. What he hadn't counted on was how fast Arthur could react when he was on edge. Merlin didn't have the chance to think about how he should react before Arthur was moving.
MMM
Arthur had no idea what caused the saddle to go, but he wasn't going to wait to find out. With one yank, he pulled his own rope free from where his captor was still trying to tie it. The force was so strong the man lost his balance and cashed down onto the floor. Arthur ignored him and hurried towards Lucan. He was the bigger threat. Using his hands being bound to his advantage, Arthur linked his fingers and brought his fists slamming down on Lucan's neck. The man instantly lost consciousness and Merlin's muffled noise made Arthur turn in time to stop the other man from sneaking up behind him.
Moments later and both bandits were out cold. Sliding Lucan's knife free, Arthur managed to release his bindings, pull the gag out of his mouth and free Merlin. The servant looked as if he had no idea what had happened.
"Time to go," Arthur muttered. Now was not the time to say anything more. Grabbing Merlin by the arm, Arthur set off back the way they had come. The only thing he could think of was getting as far away from the border as possible and take shelter in the forest. He had no weapons and knew Merlin wasn't going to be able to keep a fast pace going considering his back. Getting away from Lucan was their only chance. Merlin seemed to agree if the way he sped up was anything to go by. Arthur led the way at a run.
"This way!" He veered off to the east, knowing they were better getting off the paths. The horses would struggle in the undergrowth, but it was a double edged sword. Broken branches were impossible to avoid and would indicate which route they had taken. Still, it seemed like the best option and Arthur pressed on.
"Merlin, come on." Arthur implored when Merlin stopped and looked back the way they had come. For a reason he couldn't explain, Arthur shivered as if a power had just washed over him. He couldn't think about it now. Merlin was moving again and Arthur led them deeper into the twisting trees and dense bushes.
Progress was slow but the prince hoped each step they took helped confuse their pursuers. He knew it would take time for the men to regain consciousness, so Arthur stopped occasionally in order to lay a fake trail. It had to be mid-day at least, but the thick branches entwined overhead prevented the sun from reaching the forest floor. They moved in semi-darkness, pausing at each creak of a branch.
Arthur knew they couldn't keep it up though. Merlin's back needed attention. Arthur knew he didn't have the strength to carry his servant, not considering how he had been treated since they had been caught. Arthur finally stopped, knowing now was a good time as any.
"You need to rest," he muttered. He looked around for shelter. Two large oaks arched towards each other and Arthur led the way over. Their thick trunks would provide them with some cover.
"I'm fine."
He should have known Merlin wouldn't go down without a fight. "Merlin…"
"I slept earlier, remember? If you need to rest..." Arthur glanced back but felt relieved at the teasing smile on Merlin's face. They both needed to rest and they both knew it. Merlin's grin helped relieve the tension and Arthur rolled his eyes.
"I hardly need to rest, Merlin. But you're going to fall over your own feet and give us away if you don't sit down."
"If I sit down, will you?"
"Maybe." Arthur had a smirk of his own by the time Merlin crossed over to the tree and sat down, careful to not lean back on it. Arthur followed suit. He let the tree to take his weight, biting back a groan as he did so. He ached everywhere. Facing Gwaine on the training ground didn't leave him feeling like this and the knight didn't exactly fight with honour.
"Are you alright?" There was no teasing note to Merlin's voice this time and when Arthur looked at him, he knew his servant had read the pain in his face.
"I'm fine. We need to get to the others." Luckily, Merlin didn't press it and seemed to understand what Arthur was saying. He wasn't alright; neither of them were. But until they were safely back in Camelot with their friends, there was nothing they could do about it.
They stayed less than an hour. Arthur wasn't sure if either of them actually said anything, but suddenly they were both back on their feet and moving again. There was urgency in their steps this time, as if realising that any lead they might have gained was now lost. Not to mention the further they travelled, the more chance they had of being found by the other bandits.
Arthur kept in front of Merlin, cursing the fact he had no sword. They were navigating their way through a particularly troublesome part of the undergrowth when something made him freeze. Years of listening to his instincts meant Arthur didn't hesitate. Reaching out, he grabbed Merlin's shoulder and brought the other man to a stop.
"Are you sure you heard something?" The voice came from only a few feet away and Arthur held his breath. Gesturing to his servant, the pair of them cautiously lowered themselves to the floor, making sure they were out of sight.
"Must have been a rabbit or something. Come on, we're behind."
There was the sound of footsteps and then silence. Arthur carefully lifted himself into a crouch and stole forward, parting the leaves and checking the way was clear. He could just about make out the receding figures of the men who had spoken. Gesturing for Merlin to follow him, the pair scrambled from the bushes and took off down the path. If those men were the rear-guard, then the path would be clear. They would be able to run without being caught.
It worked for a while. Arthur began to relax, knowing they were making a good speed and a good distance. But he wasn't able to celebrate their freedom for long. It hadn't crossed his mind –blurred as it was with fatigue – that the bandits might have split up. Merlin's startled gasp was the first warning he had before a man suddenly burst from the undergrowth in front of him, a wicked dagger in his hand.
Arthur's fist flew and the dagger was in his hand within seconds with the man sprawled unconscious on the ground. But it was too late. More men had sprung from around them and Arthur knew he had led Merlin straight into a trap. Backing up to his servant, the prince was determined that he was going to make amends for that mistake and he shifted the dagger into a more ready grip.
It didn't work. The men were rested and ready for them. Not to mention they were armed while all the pair of them had was one dagger. Arthur assumed the men were drunk considering how many stumbled and fell over nothing but it wasn't enough. He fought with everything he had, but the fight was embarrassingly short-lived.
Before he knew what happened, he was face down on the floor, a gag once again between his teeth and his hands bound behind his back. Feeling his ankles being tied, Arthur tried to lash out and received a kick to the ribs for his trouble. A hand fisted in his shirt, dragging him to his feet and Arthur glanced up to see Merlin being subjected to the same treatment. But these men were more cautious than Lucan. Before Arthur could do anything, another piece of material had been bound around his eyes and a soft nicker of a horse being led closer meant Arthur knew there would be no chance their friends would find them this time.
It was his last lucid thought. As he felt himself being dragged over the horse and a muffled sound indicating Merlin was having the same done, Arthur let his body give into the exhaustion and pain. He couldn't help Merlin now. He had failed.
He only hoped the situation wouldn't look so bleak when he woke up. But as the horse broke into a gallop, Arthur surrendered to his fate.
