A/N: Hello again. This is 24hrs later than i originally planned to post, but anyway here it is. Not much left of this story now (but a shorter one in the pipeline). To those of you who seem to flame me about my grammar, i have recently got hold of a lovely reader who is willing to give it a go at being my beta. I know that grammar/spelling is not my strong point and it puts many off but please don't feel the need to bash me about it, i am aware and I'm sorting it. Constructive and gentle criticism is welcome. Enjoy chapter 10 (please review if you can)...

Chapter 10

"Arthur?"

"What are you waiting for you idiot" Arthur blocked a blow and struck another bandit down with a grunt.

The warlock felt a thud as a boot connected with his head, stars span before his eyes and he looked up to find a jeering bandit above him. His words came muffled to the servant as Merlin shouted in annoyance, eyes flashing gold he sent the ruffian flying backward colliding with several others.

Merlin's voice faded slowly then along with his consciousness. "O drakon, e mala soi ftengometh tesd'hup anankes. Erkheo" He had barely let the last syllables pass his lips before darkness took him.

Merlin didn't hear the cries from the King as he fought to get to him, or the laughter of the renegades as they overthrew him, slinging bindings around the royal's arms.

Arthur was dragged as he shouted his servants name, digging his feet into the dirt, trying desperately to rouse his injured friend from a distance. As he was pulled on he felt the blade pushed into his side and he tensed at the feeling, obeying the bandits orders to move. "King of Camelot will fetch us a pretty price" one laughed. Minutes passed by as he was pushed onward, stumbling over roots and rocks, into the thick forest. When he heard then men shout, one at first then all of them cowering on the ground his eyes travelled upward. A shadow past over them, wind whipping up around the group.

"Run!" one man shouted.

But before he could think anymore the king was pushed on, he lurched forwards as the bandits set out at the run, it would be a long time before they would stop running.

Arthur didn't know how long that actually ran for, his legs burned from the pain of constant movement. He was trained fighter and nothing was about to stop him from keeping up, except perhaps the arrow still lodged in his shoulder. For a while the pain was just about bearable, he was loosing very little blood, but knew it probably wouldn't be the case as soon as the implement was removed. But as hours seemed to pass (or so he thought), the pain was becoming too much. He vision was blurring, his breaths more ragged than usual. Finally as the group reached a small steam they came to an abrupt halt, Arthur could see the sun was near rising, the day was not far off.

"We stop for water and food" a large burly man with a bellowing voice commanded the group, Arthur guessed he must have been the leader.

The King hit the ground with his knees, unable to hold himself up any longer, he sucked in a long ragged breath to try and recuperate.

"Tend to the prisoner" he heard the man bellow again. Before the Royal had even registered he was forced to the earth fully and onto his back, arms trapped awkwardly under him. The bandit above him gave a smirk, in an all to familiar sort of way and without saying a word grasped the shaft of the arrow wrenching it free from the Kings fresh. Arthur screamed momentarily and heard an uproar of laugher around him.

"You will pay for this!" Arthur ground out through gritted teeth. "When my servant comes to find me, you will pay."

The bandit above him laughed again, ripping the Kings tunic so he had access to the wound he poured a wash of water over the wound. Arthur made little effort not to react, consciousness was beginning to evade him.

"Your servant is nothing but left for dead you fool" a bandit close by kicked him roughly in the ribs, forcing the air from the kings lungs. "He might have magic but we finished him off." He chuckled and Arthur's brows furrowed in anger, "he's all but left for the wolves to feast on him in his state."

Arthur swallowed back the bile that was threatening to come up, the image of Merlin laying helpless on the forest floor while wolves mauled him could not be shaken from his vision.

"Cat got his tongue?" another interjected, noting the King's face paling several shades in the dim dawn light.

"I wonder how it feels Pendragon" he continued. "To be lied to all this time, to find out that that useless manservant of yours has been using magic all these years behind your back?"

Arthur clenched his jaw tightly, both against the raging fire of his shoulder and the words he wished to shout in response. "He's probably been waiting years for a day like this" the ruffian smiled, coming closer. "Waiting for you to be out his way so he can go and take over the throne of Camelot, shame he's all but left for dead."

"Merlin would never betray me" Arthur's voice seemed far quieter than he wished it would, the edges of his vision darkening. More laugher erupted.

The man above him then rubbed salve into the wound, Arthur hissed in response struggling against his bonds as the pain flared up. With a long sigh he let the darkness take him then, wishing nothing more than the nightmare to be over.

It was some time before Merlin came too. How long it had been he didn't know, but what he did know was that dawn was not far off. He was laying on his back, face to the sky, watching the black slowly lighten to a deep blue. He took in a lung full of air relishing in the clear fresh atmosphere, dawn must have been one of his favorite times of day, the world preparing for a new day, a new beginning. He turned his head to the side and stopped, he could move? Taking another intake of breath, much shorter this time he lifted his head and looked to his feet carefully shifting them as he felt pins and needles within his toes. A broad smile cracked across his face then and he shifted into a full sitting position, swaying a little as the dizziness hit him. Pulling both his arms the warlock flexed and extended them slowly, stretching his muscles as if he had been in nothing more then a deep nights sleep. Turning his gaze forward it fell upon an old friend.

"Thank you" he smiled, shifting his now useful limbs.

"It is my pleasure" Killgharrah bowed, "but you must hurry young warlock, your King needs you."

Merlin's smile faded, mind catching up with him and the events leading up to now. He shot to his feet, swaying violently then he clutched his aching head. "Which way?" he asked.

"South" the giant lizard bellowed, "towards Odin's land"

"Thank you" Merlin barely made eye contact with the creature before turning to run.

"And Merlin" the dragon's voice echoed around the air, the warlock turned back, "you will need the amulet"

With a frown the servant picked up the silver from the floor, gazing at it for a moment before pocketing it into his jacket. And then with a quick bow he turned and ran back into the forest.

He stumbled, struggling to see the ground in the dull light, feet pounding quickly over the earth, it felt good to have his legs back. With a sudden thought he whistled, Meinhard must not be too far away from here by now and sure enough as he reached a small clearing the horse came trotting towards him. Unsure of both his newly useable legs and the animal Merlin came to a quick halt, letting the steed greet him slowly. He patted the animal on the neck, silently thanking it for being so loyal, the creature still had an arrow stuck into it side, and gently the warlock's eyes glowed, removing the shaft and healing as much as he could. Meinhard whinnied in thanks. "Thank you" Merlin repeated again as he mounted the trusted companion. Kicking the horse into a full gallop he set off south, his eyes shining molten gold he saw the way ahead, towards his master's rescue.