Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, BBC does.
An Act of Revenge
Chapter 10
"He is going to try and flee, before you can put the bracelets on Hunith and Arthur. We need to move to our secondary plan." Mordred said to Morgana
"How do you know?" Morgana asked.
"This is Emrys we are talking about," Mordred said. "He has powerful enough magic that he will be able to find a way."
"Alright, I agree," Morgana said, her face wearing a proud smirk. "When do we do it?"
"It has already been implemented, while they were sleeping," Mordred replied.
"Excellent," Morgana said. "I can't wait to see the look on Merlin's face when he finds out, our revenge will be so sweet."
"Are you sure that Arthur will do what we want him to?" Mordred asked.
"Of course," Morgana replied. "I've had a decade to learn how to manipulate Arthur Pendragon and I do it so well."
"It won't be long now and Emrys will be no more," Mordred said, grinning.
"And the best part is that he will be a broken man," Morgana replied. "He is about to lose all that is dear to him."
Merlin had been studying the chains that bound him. He knew well how strong the enchantment that held them together was, but he also knew that the most difficult spells could be broken. He knew that any spell he had tried in the past only made the chains tighter, and that was an experience he certainly didn't want to go through again. But then as Merlin looked at them again, perhaps the magic to break this enchantment wasn't one that required a spell. So he concentrated on the chain and focused his magic.
Suddenly he heard a click the chains fell apart around him. Merlin rubbed his sore hands, and then turned to see Arthur frowning.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
"How do you think?" Merlin asked jokingly. "With magic of course."
"I need to return to Camelot," Arthur said.
"I know," Merlin replied, and focused on Arthur's chains. There was another click and the prince was free.
Lastly Merlin turned to his mother, and frowned when he noticed that the bruises on her face didn't appear to be getting any better. "Wake up Mother," he whispered, prodding her gently.
"What is it Merlin?" she asked, yawning.
For the third time, Merlin released the magical chains and Hunith smiled. "It feels so good to be free of those."
"We need to get out of here," Merlin said out loud and then he whispered to his Mother. "Morgana is trying to make me send the dragon to destroy Camelot."
Hunith frowned, but didn't say anything.
"There is a back way out of the cave," Arthur said, grabbing a torch and leading then out.
Merlin helped his Mother stand. She winced as she felt all of her wounds hurt at once. The three of them hurried down the pathway as quickly as they could. Arthur led the way of course, while Merlin stood behind Hunith protectively. For some reason she wasn't moving very well and he knew it was due to the abuse she'd suffered, but that was the complete picture. Gaius would have to look her over once they reached Camelot.
But then just as Arthur could see the way out, Hunith suddenly collapsed, Merlin jumped forward and broke her fault. Arthur stopped and looked back. "What's wrong?"
Merlin looked at her anxiously and felt for her pulse, one didn't live with the court physician and not learn any basic medical skills. "Her pulse is slow, I don't know what's wrong!"
Arthur came closer and crouched down. "I'll help you carry her, we need to get her to Gaius."
Merlin nodded and together they lifted Hunith up and started to approach the exit.
I wouldn't leave if I were you, Emrys.
Merlin frowned, and glared even though he couldn't see Mordred.
"What is it?" Arthur asked.
What did you do to her! Merlin shouted mentally.
She is dying Merlin, unless you do exactly what we say.
"No!" Merlin shouted aloud, tears threatening to fall.
"What happened?" Arthur demanded.
"Mordred poisoned my Mother," Merlin explained. "And unless they tell me what it is, I cannot bring her to Gaius. They mean to keep me here."
"You can't stay here," Arthur retorted.
"I have no choice," Merlin replied sadly. "I have to save her."
"I'll stay too," Arthur replied, sounding like the friend that Merlin had missed the last couple days.
"No, you need to go, it will be harder to protect two of you," Merlin said.
"I don't need protecting," Arthur said. "But I'll go."
"Bye Arthur," Merlin said and then said in a whisper. "I'm sorry."
AN: I know, I want to slug Morgana and Mordred again too! I want to thank all my lovely readers once again, you guys are amazing and give this fanfic author the motivation to keep writing. The next chapter will either be up later this week or next depending on my crazy life. And as always I'm grateful for any feedback!