I've been extremely delighted to read all of your reviews and I'm really glad that you are enjoying my story. Especially thanks to the anonymous reviewers that I can't answer – you are too kind! I hope that this continues to be original enough for you. I'm really enjoying writing it and I'm even considering trying a one-shot about Arthur and Merlin. They have made several references in the episodes that I've seen to Merlin drinking the "cider" and that it's a bad thing. But why? Hmm… I might have to make a nice little fic about that.

But that's enough of my mumbling, hope you enjoy the new chapter! I'd love if more of you would "un-lurk" and review! *wink, wink*

As always, I don't own Merlin and I don't make any money off of this.

Chapter 7

Luckily, King Alined left them alone for the rest of the day. Arthur didn't know if he could survive seeing that man again without trying to get up and kill him. And Merlin wouldn't like it if he tried to move. It was painful enough to lie still. He'd been injured plenty of times, but it didn't hurt like this. He broke his wrist once when he was younger, but it was nothing like breaking a collar bone. Merlin had torn a long strip out of the cloak and wrapped it around him, binding his arm to his chest to keep him from moving it. Arthur watched as his friend coughed, still fighting the illness. They needed to get back to Camelot.

The same serving girl brought them supper, but neither moved towards the plate. The girl hesitated and Arthur frowned. Still kneeling on the floor, she pulled a small vial out of her well-worn boot. It was filled with a cloudy blue liquid.

"Something for the pain," she whispered.

"How can we trust you?" Arthur demanded, not feeling at all sympathetic for the girl.

The serving girl frowned.

"You have no choice, but to trust me."

She set the vial on the floor and gently pushed up the sleeve of her tattered cream dress. Dark purple bruises in the shape of a hand were around her upper arm as if someone had squeezed there tightly, over and over again.

"I do not care for these men. They mistreat even those loyal to them, so I am no longer loyal."

"Can you do us a favor?" Merlin asked, getting up from his corner and moving to sit by Arthur.

The girl withdrew in fear. "Please! I know what you are," she hissed. "Please don't hurt me."

Merlin felt like someone had stabbed him in the chest. She knew what he was? Arthur glanced at the hurt look on his servant's face and even though he wanted to ask, he didn't. He picked up Merlin's idea.

"We need you to ride to Camelot and let the king know what his son, Arthur Pendragon is being held here," Arthur spoke. "Can you do that for us?"

"It would be treason. They would kill me."

The girl pushed herself back and stood up, quickly leaving the cell. So much for her helping them. Arthur reached out and picked up the small vial that she had left behind. It could be something for the pain, but it could be a poison. He didn't know if they could trust the serving girl. Not all servants were bad. His thoughts drifted to Gwen, but he quickly pushed them away. Merlin needed his attention right now. His friend was staring at the floor and clearly upset.

"Are you alright, Merlin?" Arthur asked.

"Yes… I'm fine. Do you think that is safe?" Merlin replied, gesturing to the liquid.

"I don't know… I hope so because you need it."

"What?"

"You can barely breathe without coughing," Arthur stated. "I can see you flinching whenever you take a deep breath. You need this."

"No Arthur. I would never. You're in serious pain," the younger man protested.

Arthur paused. "Your life is not worth less than mine."

"Yes, it is. You are Prince Arthur, destined to be king. I'm just a servant."

Merlin pried the vial out of Arthur's hands and removed the rubber top, taking a very tiny sip of the liquid. He had to make sure that it wasn't poison before giving it to Arthur. The prince tried to protest, but didn't get a chance. Merlin waited patiently, trying to lick the abhorrent taste off his lip. It tasted like something Gaius would make. He was actually pleased to feel a little of the affects and he could breathe a little easier. It was safe. Merlin handed the vial to Arthur and made sure that he drank all of the substance. After a few seconds, Arthur clearly relaxed a little.

"Have you been working on our escape plan?" the prince asked, closing his eyes.

"Umm… not really."

"You really should be." Arthur opened his eyes, blinking heavily. "Wow, that… is very strong."

"Get some rest," Merlin whispered. "I'll work on getting us out of here. I promise."

Arthur nodded. Merlin had only one choice. They would both die here if he didn't use his magic. It was what King Alined wanted, so he could prove that he was Emrys. Merlin didn't even know if his magic would function properly with him so ill. He wiped the sweat away from his brow, waiting until Arthur was fully asleep. He couldn't risk him waking up and seeing the magic. Merlin had to get Arthur back to Camelot, even though he didn't know how. The young warlock had to try. He went to stand in front of the door, making sure that the guards weren't looking. His eyes glowed golden.

"Aliese."

There was a soft click. Now all he had to do was escape the castle with Arthur leaning heavily on him. Merlin frowned. He knelt down beside the prince and roused him a little, getting him to sit up. Arthur bit down on his lip to keep from crying out in pain. The room was spinning. Merlin helped him to his feet and the prince put most of his body weight on his servant. Merlin staggered under the weight, mentally making a note to make sure that the prince wasn't putting on any weight, though he'd probably lost some in the past few days. Arthur was muscular, especially compared to Merlin.

Merlin realized as he pushed the door open slowly so it wouldn't squeak that he had no idea how to get out. They had been blindfolded when taken in. King Alined was stupid for kidnapping the crown prince of Camelot, but he did have the sense to keep them in the dark about their location. The walk down the stone corridor was slow. Merlin barley had the strength to move, but he was moving Arthur on pure adrenaline. He just hoped it would last. They stumbled around a corner and a guard spotted them.

"Swefn."

Before he could cry out, Merlin put up his hand and put the man to sleep. That small use of magic was almost too much. He covered his mouth with one hand, trying to keep his coughs silent.

They didn't see anyone else as they approached the first staircase. Big problem. Arthur wasn't moving enough to walk upstairs. Merlin frowned.

"Come on Arthur, you have to walk," Merlin hissed.

Arthur nodded; his head barely moving. He started up the stairs, holding tight to Merlin. It was slow going, but they managed to make it up the first set of stairs. Loud yells could be heard beneath them. Someone had noticed that they were missing. It was only minutes now before they found them. The warlock had to do something to slow them down!

"Bene læg gesweorc."

A white mist filled the hallway behind them as Merlin nudged Arthur and got him to keep walking. The sound of a few people stumbling down the stairs followed them. They were closing in. Merlin didn't know what else to do. Two guards appeared at the end of the corridor, pointing and yelling.

What do I do, Gaius? He wished that his mentor could answer him.

"Seize them!" a deep voice hollered.

Two hands wrapped around Arthur's shoulder and yanked him backwards, starling him out of his wakeful sleep and causing him to cry out in pain.

"No!" Merlin yelled.

He couldn't stop it. The room was spinning from his exertion and the last of his adrenaline was fading. Merlin's knees buckled and the grasp that he had on his magic shattered. He couldn't contain it. Raw power went out of him, knocking down the men in their way and causing them to cry out in terror. Arthur's eyes went wide, but he didn't seem to notice where the magic was coming from. The prince was trying to fight off the guard with his hands on his wound. But, Arthur was too weak. Merlin took in a few uneasy breaths before falling hard to his knees.

"Take the prince to his cell," a grotesquely hairy knight ordered, clambering off the ground. "The other one goes to the king, right now."

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted to no avail.

"Arthur!"

Two of the guards drug him away, pulling him out of sight. Merlin tried to compose himself, feeling black spots in his vision. He wasn't sure if he was going to throw up first or pass out. The answer seemed to be neither. The hairy knight pulled Merlin to his feet, wrapping a thin silver chain around him. There was something wrong about the chain. His hands were bound together behind his back and his arms were chained tight against his body. It didn't seem that they were taking chances anymore. The knight was not kind as he forced Merlin to walk to the throne room. Twice he put out his foot and tripped the warlock. Merlin collapsed, each time fighting the coughs erupting from his chest. The use of his magic had completely drained him. The doors to the throne room were thrown open with a loud bang and Merlin shivered. This was not good. King Alined stood before the throne, grinning maliciously as Merlin was shoved to the floor. The candlelight barely illuminated his face, casting eerie shadows.

"Emrys… you were worth what I paid for you and now… you work for me," the king taunted.

"Never, I'll never help you," Merlin spat.

"I see the flaw in your plan. If you don't do what I say, I'll kill Prince Arthur."

Merlin hung his head. No part of his mind doubted that the king wouldn't kill Arthur.

"Give it to him and take him to his room," King Alined commanded.

He hadn't been paying attention and missed what the king was referring to. A second later, a strong hand grabbed his jaw and pinched his nose. Gasping, Merlin opened his mouth. But he barely drew in breath before a thick brown liquid was poured into his mouth. The knight closed his mouth before he could spit it out and Merlin had no choice but to swallow. It was vile! Merlin tried to spit the taste out his mouth, but everything suddenly started moving so quickly around him and it was hard to keep his eyes open. Two hands were put beneath his arms and he was being pulled somewhere, but he didn't know. Merlin was going to be sick. He managed to keep from throwing up, but only barely. He was stopped in front of a wooden door and it was unlocked. Merlin was forced inside. It was a nice room with a clothing cabinet, wooden table, and a four poster bed, complete with silky red blanket and two white fluffy pillows that looked extremely comfortable. The hairy knight and a skinny guard lifted him onto the bed, one pulling back the blanket and then covering him up.

"Ar… thur…" he mumbled.

"Don't worry, we'll take precious care of his highness," the skinny guard sneered.

He picked up an outfit from inside the cabinet and tossed it onto the end of the bed. Merlin didn't even look at it. He needed to get up and go save Arthur, but his body didn't respond.

"I wouldn't try using your magic to escape or you'll have one splitting headache. A servant will bring your breakfast in the morning. Sweet dreams," the man mocked.

With those words, they left him alone in the room, slamming the door behind them. What had just happened? He'd revealed his magic to King Alined and Arthur had been taken back to the dungeons. Merlin was the one lying in a soft bed; it was probably softer than Arthur's bed. He had to do something to change it, but he didn't have the strength. Whatever they had given him was strong and he couldn't stay awake. Merlin rested his head back against the soft pillow and fell into a dark abyss.

Please review!

Emma