Righty ho. Another Chapter, and all is revealed in this one! I hope you enjoy. I think this story is reaching its end, four or five chapters. I'm not really sure.

Arthur groaned and rolled over as the curtains of his room were thrown open. It was the last day of the tournament, and he was beginning to feel the strain in his arms. They were stiff and sore.

"Good morning, sire. Breakfast is ready."

Sire? Sire... Arthur sat up, snapping out of his semi concious state. A nervous looking servant stood before him, gesturing at a plate of food on the table. It was not Merlin.

Arthur had been planning to give some harsh words to Merlin when he arrived. After all, disappearing was not something servants were supposed to do. And not only had Merlin not been around to take his armour off, he wasn't the one who delivered the prince's dinner. Or make sure he was ready for bed. Here was that same servant, waking him up.

"Where's Merlin?" he demanded, ignoring the cringing servant.

"I'm not sure sire. Your servant hasn't been seen since yesterday." replied the servant, eyes downcast.

Arthur hadn't been to concerned about what had happened to Merlin the evening before. But now... He quickly banished all his worried thoughts. Merlin was fine. He always was. He was either still asleep, or out picking herbs. He would check up on Gaius later, and see where the lazy idiot was.

He gave the replacement a curt nod, and seated himself. Then tucked into his food. Merlin is always disappearing, why should this time be any different. He asked himself sternly, before turning his thoughts away from the truant.

Arthur walked down the corridor that led to Gaius's chambers. He had a few hours before the final fight, and wanted to find Merlin beforehand. He knocked, then gently pushed the door of the physician's chambers open.

"Gaius?" he called.

Gaius was standing by his table, examining a book, glasses on. He looked up, taking his glasses off. He smiled slightly at Arthur and rose.

"Arthur, what can I do for you?"

"I was looking for Merlin. The idiot didn't turn up this morning." said Arthur, glancing at the closed door which led to Merlin's room.

"So he isn't with you. I thought he was."

Arthur felt a twinge of uneasiness, but ignored it.

"No, he's not. And I need him for the tournament."

Gaius set his book down, and walked to Merlin's door. He knocked gently, the opened it, peering in. Arthur looked over his shoulder. The room was empty. Bed neat, it clearly hadn't been used.

"He's not here. I'm sorry Arthur. If he comes in, I'll be sure to send him your way."

Arthur nodded, surprised by the old man's apparent lack of emotion. He hastily left the room, frowning slightly as he made his way towards his chambers. It looked like the replacement servant would have to do for the time being.

Merlin lay still, head fuzzy. He was still trying to work out was happening. Obviously it was something bad. After all, how often did he wake up, feeling as though he had been trodden on by a thousand horses? He resisted groaning, knowing that if this was a dangerous situation, letting people know he was awake might be a bad idea. As the buzzing in his head subsided slightly, he regathered his scattered thoughts. Sir Evan had discovered a plan to kill Arthur... He had followed the knight, and then been knocked out. You shouldn't have trusted him! He told himself sternly. But, he didn't berate himself any more. There was nothing he could do. Hopefully, it was just a plan to get rid of him, and not Arthur.

Merlin opened his eyes a crack, and found he was lying on a forest floor, on his side. Rotting leaves lay all around him, and then trees. So it was some sort of clearing... His hands were tied tightly behind his back, but that was it. Then, a pair of feet came into view, and he quickly closed his eyes. Somebody knelt beside him, and Merlin could feel their eyes on his face. He desperately tried to keep his breath even and natural, even though his heart was hammering.

There was a soft rustle of fabric, and something warm, touched his cheek. Despite himself, Merlin flinched away, and then, knowing the game was up, opened his eyes.

Arthur sat at the table in his chambers, tapping the wood impatiently. His replacement servant was making the bed. Arthur was already missing the normal chatter that came for him idiotic servant. There was a knock at the door, and he sat up hopefully. He was disappointed when Morgana slipped through the doorway with a gentle smile on her lips. He sank back, and Morgana frowned slightly at his expression. One of boredom and slight annoyance.

"Hey, Arthur." she said, shutting the door.

"Morgana, how are you?" he asked.

"Fine, thanks. I just came to wish you good luck."

"Thank you."

"It will be a good match.

"Yes." said Arthur, trying to rally himself. Merlin was only a servant. No point moping about because he wasn't there. It was stupid.

Morgana glanced round, and her eyes rested on the new servant. She cocked her eye brows at him.

"He's not here." snapped Arthur.

Morgana's lips lifted slightly, at this show of annoyance, or maybe, something else.

"Poor thing. I hope he turns up."

Arthur grunted, not liking her choice of words.

"Well, I'll see you later." she said, backing out of the room.

Arthur sat for a few more minutes, before drawing himself up, and standing.

"I need you to fetch my armour." he said, not unkindly.

"Yes, sire. At once." said the servant, scurrying off.

Merlin knew his eyes must portray his fear, because the blond haired female before him smiled nastily. She ran a finger along his cheek bone, causing another flinch from the servant.

"So, Merlin. Do you know who I am?"

"No." said Merlin, swallowing. Had he known her before his memory loss?

"My name is Morgause. I am Morgana's sister, and your enemy."

"I noticed." said Merlin dryly, feeling his wrists throb as the coarse rope bit into them.

She smiled, and then stood up, waving her hand. At once, two brutes stepped forward, and hauled Merlin onto his knees, before stepping back again. Morgause bent slightly, so their eyes were level again. Merlin dropped his gaze, fear curled in his stomach.

"You know, reviving your memory would be worth it, just so you knew how much trouble you were in."

Merlin knew his mouth must have opened in surprise.

"Oh yes, Merlin. I could restore your memory. All to easily, as it was I who removed it. You have always been a thorn in my side. Always meddling and ruining carefully laid schemes. But now, you know nothing. You don't remember why you even risked your life. And so, I can kill Arthur."

Merlin swallowed thickly, biting the inside of his cheek to keep his thoughts in check. He had to think, rescue Arthur.

"But, just in case, I wont restore those thoughts. I don't want you to die, wondering why." she smiled, and allowed her finger to scratch a mark down his cheek.

She then stood, and beckoned her goons forward. They picked Merlin up, and on her command, pushed him against a tree.

"Goodbye, Merlin. You wont escape this time. Your precious prince will die, and Morgana can take her place on the throne." with that, Morgause disappeared into the forest.

Her two men tightly tied Merlin to the tree with more rope, then hurried after her, not casting so much as a glance at Merlin. He watched them go, with a slight sinking feeling. Morgana was a princess? What if Arthur was already dead? He waited until he was sure Morgause was gone, then looked down at his ropes.

"Wágþeorl róp." he said, as calmly as he could.

His eyes glowed a warm gold, and the rope dropped to his feet, smoking where it had been singed. He rubbed his wrists, then looked around, trying to get some sort of idea as to which way he needed to go to get to Camelot.

Arthur checked that the straps of his arm guard were tight, before pushing his sword into its scabbard. It was sharp, thanks to Merlin, and ready for use. He dismissed the servant with a nod, and strode down towards the arena, deciding to spend the remaining time until the final in his tent. It was slightly stuffy, but Arthur didn't mind. He just sat, preparing himself for the coming fight. He had to do his father proud.

Morgana sat at her vanity, staring breathlessly into a mirror she held in pale, delicate hands. Checking that nobody was around, she steamed up the glass with her breath, and then read the few lines that appeared, as though written on the glass.

Sister,

Merlin has been dealt with, proceed with the plan.

Morgause.

Morgana smiled, and closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them with a blaze of orange. She rubbed away Morgause's message, and then sat back, waiting. A few minutes later, a heavy tread was heard outside her room, and the door was pushed open. Sir Thomas stood on the threshold, breath uneven. There were dark rings under his eyes. Eyes which were dull and lifeless.

"What do you wish, my lady." he said in a dull voice, not even putting a question in the sentence.

"Kill prince Arthur in the tournament."

Morgana felt a slight amount of resistance, a feeble part of Sir Thomas's enthralled brain that begged him to stop, but she quickly subdued it.

"Yes, my lady. It shall be done." he said, exciting the room.

Morgana allowed a small smile to grace her lips, before turning back to her mirror, and writing a message on it's glass.

There, all done. The spell Merlin used is simply 'break rope' in old English. I hope you enjoyed it! Please review, they always make my day! Next chapter in about a week again.