Merlin spun on his heels. The black box toppled from his fingers and fell to the floor, twisting and spinning in its decent. The warlock's eyes locked with the nobles as the object danced towards the stone, the shock and fear paralysing both him and his agitated magic.

The box collided with the floor with an almighty crash. Merlin's eyes flicked down just in time to see the lid jump open. Then there was nothing. Pain and weakness consumed the warlock in a wave. He felt his knees crash onto the stone, all the energy holding them up being dragged from him like a thread on a reel. His eyes fused themselves closed as the pain of emptiness swept over him like a rug. It buried itself deep within his chest, prizing open every crevice, every particle of him that he had fought to keep closed. The pain attacked it like a knife dragged across his chest. The servant felt a cry trickle from his mouth. Why couldn't he just pass out?

Blindly, he sensed his magic push out against the attack. The faithful barrier defending its tortured master. However something was wrong. Merlin could feel the attack pass right through his magic as if it were smoke. As if his magic was a mere mist, barely a hindrance let alone a barrier. Merlin cried out as another reel of energy was sapped from him. His arms gave way and he sunk to the floor. He was so vulnerable, so helpless.

"Stop" he cried "stop please." His eyes were still clenched shut. The pain still rippled through him, probing every inch of his being, tearing his energy from his body. He could feel his magic receding back into him, the barrier growing thinner and thinner, fainter and fainter with every second. Merlin's breath became shallow, the pain scratching at his skin made each movement sting with needles of white hot agony. "Please…"

A sharp snap cut through the room and the air fell silent. The pain vanished in the sound, evaporating from his limbs into the cold room. With all his energy gone, the boy sagged helplessly onto the freezing stone, heaving in gulps of the night air.

"Hmm now wasn't that interesting?" Merlin lifted his eyes just enough to see the polished black boots standing motionless barely a few inches from his head. With his vision still blurred, he tried push himself up onto his knees. A sharp jab in the back forced him back onto the floor and his arms gave way, no energy left to lift even his body.

He felt weak.

"Ah ah! I think it would be better for you to stay down there where you can't cause too much trouble now wouldn't it?" The bitter sweet voice seeped itself into his ears like thick poison, thick words clogging up his senses.

"Gehæftan!" Ropes snaked their way around the warlock, tying his limbs to his body. He flailed helplessly around the floor but the more he struggled the tighter the ropes became. He struggled to breathe and his eyes drooped closed. He felt so tired. He just wanted to sleep…

"Merlin? Come on now, wake up!" A slender hand caught his chin and tilted it off the stone. His eyes flickered open at the command and met the nobles emerald orbs.

"Sorcerer" He growled at the noble.

"You say it with such distaste Merlin. Especially when you can control magic yourself."

Merlin's eyes grew wide. How can she know? How? The box…. She's a sorcerer. She has magic, I KNEW IT! I need to stop her… Gaius, I should have told Gaius…

"How?" Merlin coughed his question through pants. His chest was still pressed into the floor making it nearly impossible to breathe comfortably.

"How did I find out? Really Merlin have you not figured that out yet?" The noble let go of the boys chin. It ricocheted off the floor sending a bullet of pain through his jaw and skull. His head buzzing, the warlock tasted blood. He tried to roll over despite being bound. He managed to wriggle onto his side. He spat out the blood welling in his mouth, it trickled unceremoniously down his cheek.

The green orbs strained upwards. The noble towered above him, stroking the miniature black box fondly between long slender fingers.

"What-cough- is that…?" The warlock spat more red liquid onto the stone. The ropes binding him tightened, forcing the air from his lungs.

"This?" Úna held up the box towards the light. The rays glinted off the polished surface and Merlin could just vaguely make out the outline of markings etched into the wood. Ruins? A crest? A symbol? Another coughing fit attacked him, forcing his attention elsewhere.

"This," the noble announced, "this little gem is known as Iasachtaí Draíochta. I thought it affected you the first time you came stumbling into my chambers. It only effects sorcerers though, and let's face it; it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together is it? Have you heard of the Iasachtaí Draíochta? "

The warlock glared up at the noble. His neck and muscles ached with the effort but he never wavered. He kept her in his sights at all times.

"No, I thought not. It's a very rare piece, given to me by my father when I was a child. He said he received it from a Príomhdraoi when visiting Eireann across the sea. He could never quite work out what it did though. Do you know what it does Merlin? You seem intelligent; perhaps you can figure it out."

Her eyes moved from the Iasachtaí Draíochta and met the fierce stone emerald eyes of the warlock that lay bound upon the stone at her feet. Úna cocked her head to the side and examined her captive. Her eyes raked the boy, combing everything from the ebony hair plastered to his ivory skin, the crimson liquid that snaked his mouth and cheek, the threadbare clothes that hung limply off his skinny frame beneath the bonds of the taunt ropes. She could feel his stare boring into her as she examined him. Such a fragile boy. So small yet so strong.

"Ener….-cough-….. life….." Merlin cursed the pathetic moans that trickled from his lips.

"Pardon?" a thin smile tugged at the noble's lips. "Life? No love, it doesn't take life. Try again. Here I'll show you."

Merlin froze as the lid of the box opened for the second time.

The pain of being unravelled consumed him again. The world was plunged into blackness as his eyes cemented shut against the onslaught of the unseen enemy that dragged the energy from his chest like a rope. He writhed against the ropes that held him, tossing as turning upon the cold stone floor, trying in vain to shake off the cold emptiness that was filling him. He felt weak, his energy evaporating into the night air like wisps of smoke from a candle. He yelled out in his plight, no words this time only the empty cry of a tortured man.

Úna looked on. The sight of the writhing boy (though she had witnessed it many times before) still troubled her. It's the right thing to do. Equality. The world needs equality. Úna jumped as another burning cry from the warlock sliced through the room. She snapped the Iasachtaí Draíochta shut. The boy's cries decrescendoed into inaudible pants of air.

Even so… I've never seen the Iasachtaí Draíochta have such an effect on anybody before. There is something different about him… But what?

Merlin coughed out another river of ruby blood onto the floor.

"I ask you again Merlin, what does the Iasachtaí do?"

Merlin's head swam and bubbled. His body, both physically and mentally, ached with the attack he had endured. The ropes were slicing into his skin making it impossible to move an inch and rendering breathing nearly useless. He tried to use his magic to loosen the bonds. He could feel it shimmer in his core like a dying ember. He attempted to drag it to the surface but every inch of him felt so weak that even the thought of using magic wearied the Dragonlord.

"I-I don't…. know…" Merlin spluttered to the towering noble. The room was turning and spinning so fast he was proud he was able to string a sentence together, never mind discover the secret to a mysterious magical item.

"Magic. It steals magic" Úna smiled triumphantly.

Merlin looked up at her, confusion etched upon his face. Steals magic? But I still have my magic. I can feel it, it's there. I can still use, it I know I can. Why didn't it work on me? Maybe she's wrong?

Úna was still grinning. "Maybe steal is the wrong word… It doesn't take all of a sorcerers magic. No, that would be unfair, and the world needs to be a fair place. No. Iasachtaí Draíochta means Magic Borrower. This box Merlin, this little gem is the future. It is a key to the new world. A new and fairer world where everybody is equal. No one man stands above the other. Every single person on this planet can have the same opportunities as the next man. That is fairness. That is equality. Why should one man stand out from the crowd because of a title or a crown? How is he better than a peasant? It is but mere luck that one was born into royalty and the other into poverty. How is that equal? And what does a King have that a peasant doesn't? Some shiny metal and a name. Equality. That is what a good person should strive for. That is what I strive for.

Merlin's eyes widened as the realisation hit him full force.

"Magic Borrower?" Merlin choked out. "B-Borrower of Magic? That means...it… it must b-be given back… Equality… Y-you're going to gi-give magic to the… to the others… to everybody…" Merlin gasped, the shock rolling through him in waves.

"You don't agree with me?" Lady Úna cocked her head again, one eyebrow hovering at her hairline in a manner that the servant had seen a thousand times before.

A coughing fit attacked the lean boy again as he tried to suck in air. He felt a hand grasp his shoulder.

"You will sit on the chair and you will not move. You will talk when I say and you will not attempt to use your magic, do you understand?"

Merlin nodded without thinking, his eyes drooping closed from lack of oxygen. A whisper in the air and the bonds were released. Merlin collapsed exhausted onto the stone gulped in the thick air. His arms pushed him up and legs dragged him to the wooden chair next to the bed. He sat down, only too thankful to be off the unforgiving stone.

"Now Merlin, I think it' time I asked you a few questions hmm?" Lady Úna sat on the bed opposite him, her eyes boring into his. Merlin didn't reply.

"Where did you learn your magic?"

"Born with it…" Merlin gasped before his mind could stop him. Why did I say that? He looks up at the noble who was nodding to herself.

"How old were you when you first discovered you could use your magic?"

"I don't remember..." the servant's mouth blurted uncontrollably, "Since I was a baby." Stop it, why are you telling her?"

"A baby?" Lady Úna rose from the bed and picked up the Iasachtaí Draíochta. She examined it closely.

Merlin sat in the chair. Why can't I stop talking? What did she do to me? He glared up at the distracted noble. Anger roared inside him, flaring like a dragon's breath. He opened his mouth to yell at his captive…

But nothing happened. Air whistled from his open jaws. He tried again and again and again but still no sound did he make. Ok, what is going on? I don't remember a spell… Even so I don't even know of a spell that can mute somebody. God knows I would have used it on Arthur if I did…

Merlin's anger began to fuse with confusion. He didn't like feeling weak or the underdog. He was always he protector; he had to look out for the Kingdom. He had a destiny, a job, a role in life. And nothing was going to come in his way, especially not a woman.

The warlock's hands balled into fists on the arms of the chair. Every muscle in his body clenched in anger. His mind roared in fury yet his body stayed fused to the chair. He tugged at his arms trying to raise them but still they sat frozen. His legs, his torso, every part of his seemed glued to that chair. As if he was not controlling it. As if his limbs wanted to stay put. Oh this is just ridiculous! The internal war raged between the boys' body and his bidding. Sweat began to trickle into his eyes, his bones burned with all the torment they had been through in the past hour alone. His throat was torn to tatters from the silent screaming.

"Are you alright Merlin?" The sickly sweet smile that the noble wore made the warlock want to puke. He glared up at her through a damp fringe. His mouth shaped "what have you don't to me" but only a weak breath of air was heard.

Úna let out a bark of laughter, "cat got your tongue?"

Merlin growled silently and tugged once more against his unwilling limbs.

"Come now Merlin, anger doesn't suit you. Who knows about your magic?

Merlin tried in vain to clamp his mouth shut. He bit his lips, fighting against the internal will to answer the noble.

"G… Gai…" Merlin choked on the words. He tried to swallow them, to force his secret back down his throat. "Gaius" His body betrayed his, spewing up the name in a thrust of air.

Úna stumbled back, the familiar name hitting her like a wall of bricks. She dropped the Iasachtaí Draíochta from her stunned fingers and watched with blind eyes as it tumbled to the floor.

Gaius knows… Gaius knows of his magic. And he does NOTHING? He betrayed me… All this time… All that man did to me, what he forced me into. The pain, the fear. I thought it was because he was afraid. Afraid of me, of my powers. But he accepts Merlin!? This boy who has had more power in his little finger since he was a BABY than I ever will. He cares for him but not for me? He left me… Tricked me with potions of 'healing'… How dare he... HOW DARE HE! I'll show him. I'll teach him about trust and betrayal…

Tortured screams from the serving boy broke the noble from her thoughts. She looked over to see the boy pressed onto the chair, head flung back and eyes clenched shut in obvious pain. His ivory skin was stretched so tight over his bones she was surprised it didn't tear. The boy released another cry. Úna spun on her toes looking for the reason for his pain. She had seen the like many times before and new exactly the cause, only this time she sought to stop his suffering, not inflict it.

Lying innocently on the ground, barely a few feet from her lay the Iasachtaí Draíochta, the lid flung wid. She could just about make out the tiny light it contained. The little light that was, in essence, the magic she had collected. So beautiful, so pure was it that for a second, she could not move but behold its beauty. She reached out, every fibre in her body willing her to touch it. She was so close, so close to the light…

Merlin's cry reverberated around the room, shaking the windows. Úna leapt forward onto the box, snapping the lid closed. Her head flung to the side, green eyes searching for the manservant. He was still there, sitting in the chair. His head rested on his heaving chest. Úna couldn't be sure if he was conscious or not.

She went to get up, to comfort the lad, but something stopped her. Some feeling was rising deep in her stomach, clawing its way from the depths. Images of the old physician, of her oldest friend, flashed across her vision in place of the warlock. His wise teachings, his colourful potions, her whole childhood spent playing in that room.

The anger kept building. The potions he gave her, the beast inside her clawing its' way out. The betrayal she felt when he cast her away like a used toy. The fear on his face when he looked at her.

The times in the dark, of being lost and not knowing what to do, following his advice like loyal pupil because she thought it was her fault. Her fault that she had magic. Her fault that her magic had erupted from her chest like a dragon from an egg. Her fault that she couldn't control it. And Gaius was her helper. Giving her potions to cure her from her magic because he was afraid.

But no. Instead he just cast her aside and got himself a new magician. A better one that could move mountains and empty seas. He hadn't been scared of her. He was selfish. Selfish that she had magic he couldn't control. He had made her feel weak and vulnerable so that she would never learn about magic. Never know who she really was.

But she did now. She was powerful. And she had a plan, one that Gaius could never stop. Who was Gaius anyway but an old man? An old man with old potions.

Úna found her purpose again. Her plan shaping and unravelling in her head like a beautiful intricate rug. Grabbing a vial from a box hidden within a drawer, she stalked over to the boy in her chair and yanked his head up, her other hand digging into his shoulder.

"Listen to me" She growled, watching the boys emerald orbs flutter weakly to attention, his shallow breaths brushing off her face. "You will bring this to Gaius. You will tell him that I am following his advice. That I am not merely a Queen. I am powerful, and I can change the world."


. A/N So? Terrifying chapter to write… I felt so evil doing all that to poor Merlin! Honestly that wasn't supposed to happen. In my plan they were supposed to just have a chat but then i started writing and Merlin ended up on the floor... Sorry...

Questions? And a few answers? I hope so because that was the plan…..

Not that any of my plans are actually working so far but Anyhoo!

Gehæftan: Restrain.