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"Merlin?" Arthur called softly into the dark, wanting to make sure he wasn't about to walk straight into another of Claton's traps. As the head jerked up in surprise, Arthur knew he had really found his servant. Striding forward, he missed the alarmed look that shot over the warlock's face.
"Arthur, don't-," Merlin's warning, however, went unheeded as the prince continued to step through. As he passed through the small opening, Arthur paused, the most peculiar sensation shooting through him. It was as if he had just stepped through icy water, and he knew instinctively that it was magic. Shuddering slightly, the prince didn't move as a resounding crack filled the cave. Looking horror struck, Merlin suddenly leapt up and darted forward, not giving Arthur time to react as he pulled the prince forward and threw them both to the floor, not a moment too soon. Rocks bounced off the walls as they fell from the ceiling, causing Merlin to screw up his eyes against the dust.
Coughing, the warlock struggled to his knees, eyes streaming in an attempt to clear themselves. One look at Arthur told him the prince was faring no better, but also seemed to be going numb with shock. Although whether it was from Merlin's quick reactions or almost being buried alive, Merlin couldn't comment.
"You okay?" the warlock rasped, trying to clear his throat. Arthur mutely nodded, his eyes automatically seeking out the one source of light in the cave. To his surprise, he found his eyes drawn to glowing bands encasing Merlin's wrists and ankles. There was something horribly familiar about the blue emitting from them, and the way they seemed to pulse slightly. As if sensing his master's focus of attention, Merlin turned away, once more seating himself against the wall.
"So," he began lightly, unanswered questions darting around his head. "Welcome to my humble abode." Arthur merely shot his servant a look, one that spoke volumes. He knew the instant Merlin spoke the boy was worried and scared, yet his determination not to show it made Arthur respect him even more. There was no telling what he had been through in the time he had been down here.
"What happened?" the prince asked in return, determined to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the warlock. For one thing, he couldn't work out why Merlin had not just left. Aside the rocks now covering the entrance and rendering them both trapped, the opening had been clear beforehand. The fact the prince was in the cave rather than outside was obvious testimony to that.
"The wall collapsed," Merlin responded flippantly, knowing full well that was not what Arthur was referring to, yet reluctant to talk about Claton. He couldn't help but feel both guilty and ashamed for the part he had played in Claton's return. Everyone – as in the Great Dragon and Gaius - always told him he was strong and powerful, yet he had been helpless against Claton the entire time. He knew it was foolish, but the warlock couldn't help but feel he should have done more.
"Really?" Arthur responded sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "I think I could have figured that bit out. What happened to you, Merlin?"
"He came back," Merlin whispered; his voice suddenly cracking. He knew he wouldn't have escaped without telling Arthur at some point; the prince had nearly always been able to get him to admit things. Which was ironic considering the secret he had been hiding from the royal prat ever since they had met. Until now, that was. Thoughts of his magic springing back into his head, Merlin shot the prince a startled glance, wondering whether he should bring up what had happened the last time they had been together. Arthur, however, seemed to be oblivious to the torrent of emotions his servant was experiencing, instead opting for casually inspecting the rock fall.
Pretending to ignore the break in Merlin's voice, Arthur changed subject as it was clearly upsetting the boy. Gesturing wildly behind him, Arthur continued.
"How come that only happened when I got here? Why hadn't you already left?"
"You set the trap off," Merlin responded tonelessly, causing Arthur's mind to jump back to Claton's last instructions to the man. So that was what he had meant about springing the trap because Merlin was too obvious. They were certainly hidden from view now.
"And you hadn't done that because…?" Arthur continued, totally confused as to why Merlin had still been here. He knew the boy could be slow at times, but honestly, he surely wasn't this ignorant?
"You really think Claton would have let me just walk out of here?" Merlin responded bitterly, not seeming to notice that his hands were once more trying to pull the bands apart. Crossing the cave, the prince slid down the wall next to his servant, leaning back with a sigh. As Merlin once more began to pick at the bands, Arthur suddenly leant over and placed his own hand on top of the trembling one, stopping the action.
"What are they, Merlin?" he whispered, desperately wanting to know, but also aware it was most likely to be a sensitive topic with the young warlock, if his actions were anything to go by.
"Do you remember the manacles at the cave?" Merlin whispered in return, feeling a rush of gratitude towards the prince, so strong he didn't know an emotion could be that powerful. The prince's actions said what he knew his voice never would: he had forgiven Merlin's previous behaviour. At Arthur's nod, the warlock continued.
"Remember how they gave out shocks? Have you wondered at all in the last couple of days why I didn't magic myself out of there?" As Arthur's brow suddenly crumpled, Merlin knew the thought had not even crossed his mind. Although he wasn't surprised, he too tried to block any memory from that day.
"They are anti-magic. I can't use magic when I have them on, it backfires on me. Nor can I get them off. I'm…" Taking a deep breath, Merlin echoed his master's position and leant his head back against the wall, suddenly feeling very drained. "I'm helpless."
"Weren't you always?" Arthur responded lightly, giving his servant a mock shove. As Merlin slowly began to smile, Arthur grinned back. "Much better. Right, how do we get out of here?"
"Wait," Merlin said suddenly, making Arthur pause from where he had been in the process of standing up. "What's he done? What has Claton done to everyone, to Camelot?"
"Not much," Arthur responded offhandedly, knowing the instant Merlin snorted in disbelief his attempt to lighten the situation was working. "Only got absolutely everyone apart from me, and obviously now you, under his control."
"What?" Merlin gasped, looking horror struck. Arthur knew by his face the servant was thinking the same as him: this makes going against the sorcerer a whole lot harder.
"Yep. Leon tried to kill me, my father had me arrested and Morgana and Gwen just tried to act as my personal guards. That pretty much failed, as you can see. You either had some resistance to him, or this is slightly different, as none of them seem to be able to fight back." Trying to keep his tone as light as possible in order not to alarm Merlin any further, Arthur knew instantly by the look on his face that it hadn't worked.
"I had magic," Merlin responded tonelessly, emphasising the past tense. Once more, the warlock tugged at the bands around his wrists, but to no avail.
"Is there any way I can get them off?" Arthur asked quietly, watching his movements, but reluctant to give the boy any false hope. He looked so disheartened as it was, the prince didn't want to make matters worse.
"Claton reinforced them last time you managed to simply pull me out. Only magic can undo them, and considering we are in Camelot, the likelihood of that happening? He wasn't taking any chances."
Silence fell as Arthur contemplated what Merlin had said. Claton certainly knew his enemy well. Knowing the sorcerer was back and not being able to stop him was a sure way of making Merlin destroy himself. And then imprisoning him within something that he knew there was very little chance of escaping from… much as he detested the man, Arthur had to admit he knew how to lay and execute a plan. That was what was grating on Arthur's nerves so much, Claton seemed to know exactly how to play the pair of them.
Suddenly, an idea sprung into Arthur's head that almost made him gasp in shock at the outrageousness of it. There would be no way Claton would have seen it coming, that was for sure, but could he carry it off?
"Merlin?" the prince began uncertainly, not quite sure how he was going to word what was on his mind.
"What?" Merlin responded, his eyes shut as he leant back against the wall. All he wanted to do was to curl up and go to sleep, letting this be another of his nightmares. But he knew deep down it was not, for if it had been one of his many nightmares, then Arthur would not have quite calmly accepted him as a sorcerer.
"Do you think… I mean, what if…"
"Spit it out," Merlin commented with a small smile. It was unlike Arthur not to be able to express himself; he normally made any meaning more than clear.
"?" the prince suddenly blurted out, causing Merlin to open one eye to peer at his master in amusement, having not the slightest inclination what he had just said.
"Come again?" Annoyed at himself for losing control, Arthur took a deep breath.
"Do you think I would be able to use magic?"
"What?" Merlin exclaimed, but Arthur knew he had heard him perfectly well this time around. It just seemed to be the idea he was having trouble digesting. As his servant began to laugh, Arthur felt himself frown. The idea was not that laughable, was it? With growing alarm, the prince quickly became aware Merlin had stopped finding this humorous, but with everything that had happened, was unable to stop himself laughing, despite the fact there were tears pouring down his face. Wracking his brains for what he could do, Arthur sharply slapped the hysterical boy around the face, quickly and successfully bringing him back under control. Shakily wiping his eyes, Merlin took a few deep breaths, struggling to control himself again.
"You really want to use magic?"
"How hard can it be, I only have to say a couple of made up words."
"It's slightly more complicated than that. Arthur, are you all right? Are you sure Claton hasn't put you under a spell? Come on, you seriously want to use magic? Arthur Pendragon, the son of Uther?"
The incredulity in Merlin's voice finally got through to the prince and he realised quite how bizarre the situation must appear to the warlock. He could also see why Merlin was worried Claton might have done something to the prince; Merlin's fears seemed to be going into overload. And considering the warlock was more aware than anyone what the twisted man was capable of, it was no surprise that he was worried.
"Merlin, listen to me," Arthur began slowly, determined the set the boy's mind at ease. Yet he couldn't help but think every moment they spent down here, Claton's control must be growing. It unnerved the prince a lot to think how quickly he had gained control of the castle. Merlin had only been gone for a few minutes when the sorcerer had reappeared. It was as if he was much stronger than before.
"I'm fine. But unless we get them off you, we are both stuck down here. It may have escaped your notice, but there is a pile of rocks stopping me from leaving. I have to get back up there, he has my father under his control and there is no knowing what he could do now. Start a war, probably. So if I have to do it once, to save Camelot, then so be it."
"You don't even know if you would be able too," Merlin protested, still not liking the idea. It would have been so easy for Claton to set up a situation like this, taking Arthur's natural ambition towards power, and then give him access to magic as raw as Merlin's. The warlock didn't like it. As if knowing what his servant was thinking, Arthur stood up and fixed Merlin with his best `master` look.
"Claton didn't plan for this, if that is what you are worried about. He locked me in the dungeons, and sent some knight down here to set off the trap so no one would be able to find you. Think of what a surprise it would be if we turned back up again! Now, are you going to do this or not?"
Knowing it was pointless arguing with Arthur when he used that tone of voice – goodness knows how many times he had tried in the past – Merlin pulled himself to his feet. Although the prince didn't know it, Merlin knew he would have no trouble at all controlling the magic, he could sense it in other people if they had an inclination towards magic at all. It had been something that annoyed him when he was young, but it was at times like this he was grateful; it would prevent any unnecessary risks. Although somehow, Merlin didn't think that telling Arthur he had a natural ability to use magic, despite not possessing any himself, would go down too well with the prince. Taking a deep breath, Merlin opened his mouth.
"Right, are you ready? This is what you have to say: Solvo mihi-," Feeling his magic begin to respond to his commands, Merlin broke off with a gasp. Ignoring Arthur's puzzled frown, the warlock took a few calming breaths, forcing his magic to reside. He could feel the bands beginning to react, and knew if he didn't get it back under control soon, he would pay the price. He did not want Arthur to see what happened if he tried to use magic. Leaning back against the wall for support, Merlin let out a shaky breath as the magic slowly resided again, the pulsing of the bands slowing and calming at the same time.
"Are you all right?" Arthur asked, concern evident in his voice. That had been the strangest thing he had ever seen, watching Merlin force his magic back. It simply wasn't right.
"That's not going to work," Merlin practically gasped, his hand rubbing over his chest in a subconscious effort to alleviate the sensation of the bands.
"Merlin, I've told you, I'm perfectly able-,"
"Not you," Merlin interrupted, feeling weak for having to say it. "I can't tell you what to say, not without my magic trying to react. And you'll never get the pronunciation right the first time, and I haven't the strength to do it more than once."
"Oh." Stunned into silence, Arthur didn't know what to say. It hadn't even crossed his mind how much the bands were restricting the warlock's access to his magic, how he couldn't even say the words without it trying to roar into life. Whilst it seemed like a good idea at the time, him using magic to free Merlin, the prince hadn't contemplated Merlin not being able to help him. Looking up with apologetic eyes, Arthur frowned when he saw the thoughtful look on Merlin's face.
"What?"
"I have an idea," Merlin began slowly, his brow crumpled as he contemplated the results of his idea. It would either work, or be completely catastrophic.
"Well?" Arthur prompted when the servant fell silent again. He only hoped this idea was a way to get them out of the accursed cave. Whilst he was not by any stretch of the imagination claustrophobic, the prince was already longing for some fresh air. And if he was thinking that, there could be no telling how desperate Merlin was getting.
"I'm going to put the magic straight into your head. I should be able to do it quicker than the bands can react, but there will be only one shot at this."
"You're going to put it in my head?" Arthur repeated slowly, feeling slightly apprehensive if he did say so himself. Maybe this really hadn't been such a great idea after all.
"My magic isn't something learnt, Arthur, it is natural. Claton never seems to remember this. If I implant the spell and a small amount of power directly into you, you will have the strength and the knowledge to free me."
"What will be the price of you doing that, Merlin?" Arthur asked, seeing straight past the piece of information Merlin was not telling him.
"I don't know," the servant responded simply, his fingers flexing in anticipation. He only hoped this was going to work, as he knew full well the bands wouldn't allow him a second chance. "You ready?"
At the prince's nod, albeit a reluctant one, Merlin stepped forward. Trying to ignore Arthur's flinch as he placed his palm against the prince's forehead, the warlock took a deep breath. He had a strange sense of excitement running through him at this; it was unlike anything else he had ever tried. Closing his eyes, Merlin breathed in deeply. Focusing his thoughts, he suddenly summoned his magic and, eyes burning beneath the closed lids; channelled it out of his hand and into Arthur. He knew something had happened instantly by Arthur's gasp, but he refused to stop. Already he could feel the bands begin to react and knew he only had a matter of seconds left. With his palm glowing, Merlin snapped his eyes open to see a familiar gold burning in Arthur's, before he was suddenly blasted off his feet.
Arthur watched Merlin hit the cave wall hard before sinking to the floor, out cold, but it was as if he was watching it from afar. His blood felt like it was boiling, yet in a pleasant way as it raced to customise the raw power he now had flowing through him. It took the prince's breath away; every fibre of his being felt alive and vibrant, a rush of power ready to blast out of him at a second's notice. He knew without having to ask that his eyes were gold, he could feel the accumulation of magic building and building behind them. Frowning slightly, Arthur paused as the magic continued to build up. It was starting to give him a headache, his body was on the verge of aching thanks to the sheer volume of magic flowing through him. How on earth did Merlin cope with it? As his sight began to waver and the cave took on a double appearance, Arthur knew instantly what he had to do.
Crossing the cave in a few long strides, the prince crouched by his servant's side, trying not to focus on how deathly pale he was. Placing his hand over the still form, Arthur paused just long enough to see his palm glow iridescently before the magic erupted from him.