Title: Cherology
Author: x_ritsuka_x
Fandom: BBC Merlin
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: PG
Summary: Arthur finds something strange when out hunting.

Warning/s: None.
Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own Merlin in any way, shape or form.

Author's note: Chapter 10. Apologies for the lack of chapter last week. Banana Krakens ate my day off D

Arthur woke in the dim light of dawn, alone, with a crick in his neck and a rock digging uncomfortably into his back. He vaguely wondered where Merlin had gone, then noticed there was a fresh fire burning at the centre of their camp. And Merlin, sat cross-legged with the map stretched across his lap, his fingers tracing the path they had taken and measuring the distance they had yet to travel.

Arthur propped himself on one elbow and watched Merlin hunch further over the map, hand skimming over the shapes and lines that formed words he couldn't read. the intense amber burn of the fire gleamed in Merlin's eyes, or was it his magic? Arthur remembered the words that had flicked through his mind before he had drifted into unconsciousness, quiet as a whisper.

'Merlin?' Merlin looked up and smiled and Arthur was relieved (dissapointed?) to see that as his face moved out of the firelight, his eyes were their normal deep blue. 'Merlin, last night. . . I heard,' Arthur paused and sat up, 'And we weren't. . .' He gestured with his hands like it would explain what he meant. Luckily, Merlin understood and nodded. 'How?' Merlin shrugged. 'I don't know. But I meant it.'

'Yeah.' Arthur moved to sit next to Merlin, taking one of the boys slender hands with his own, his thumb stroking the palm. 'Leon, he asked my why I was here, doing this. I told him it was because it was the sort of King I want to be, one who helps people in need.' Merlin looked up from where his fingers intertwined with Arthur's. 'Of course, he saw right through me,' Arthur smiled, 'I'm here for you.' His other hand came up to stroke Merlin's cheek, a gentle caress that made Merlin shiver, despite the heat of the fire. 'You're more precious to me than anything in this world. I would die for you.'

Merlin's breath hitched and his eyes burned gold with a glow that rivaled the fire. 'Don't say that.'

'But it's true.'

'No, you can't! You can't die!'

'I'll try not to.' Arthur smiled and placed a kiss on Merlin's forehead, one on his cheek and one on his hand before turning to the map. 'Can you get us into the castle?'

It took a further two and a half days to reach the boarders of Avon, traversing endless forests and fields, passing village after village until Arthur heard the sound of waves crashing against the shore. The sounds of the ocean and the bitter-salt taste of the air was an obvious discomfort to Merlin, whose arms gripped Arthur's waist tighter. It was all Arthur could do to give Merlin's hand a reassuring squeeze and push forward.

A few hours later and Vortigern's kingdom appeared before them. The castle itself was large, made of black stone with turrets and towers everywhere. It held none of the grace of Camelot, but was still stunningly impressive if not a little intimidating. A little way to it's left was a smaller structure that looked like it had remained half-built for years. Arthur wondered if this was the same structure Merlin had told him of, the thing Vortigern was building when Merlin had first arrived.

They stopped in the trees that bordered the North of the castle. Arthur dismounted and gathered his knights aroung him, 'From what Merlin has managed to tell me, there are several passageways that can get us into the castle without having to pass over the drawbridge,' He took a stick and drew a crude map in the dirt by his feet, 'However several of them are either blocked or guarded. But the passageways here, here and here,' He marked three crosses, one to the North of the castle, and two to the East, 'Are clear and lead to the servants quarters.'

Merlin bent to examine the dirt-map and pointed to one of the passageways on the East side of the castle. 'This is the one I know most about, the one I escaped through. It's short but narrow. The other is longer, I think, but wider.' Arthur looked around the group. 'We'll split into two. Myself, Merlin and Leon will take this one,' He pointed to the short but narrow passageway, 'And Kay and Pellinore take the other.'

'Sire,' Kay stepped forwards, 'What exactly are we looking for?'

'Anyone who looks like they don't belong there, anyone of Merlin's age. If you do find any of the villagers, get them out and away form here as soon as possible. Do whatever it takes.'

'And Vortigern, sire?'

'I'll take care of him. Let's go.'

The narrow passageway, Arthur found out, was a lot narrower than he'd anticipated. Merlin had no trouble at all slipping down into the darkness, but Arthur was having a hard time and had to make most of the journey sideways. Even so, he managed to get himself stuck several times, and Merlin had to keep coming back to help him. But eventually, they made it to the otherside, which turned out to be behind a false wooden panel in the dungeons.

Arthur fought back a grimace. The dungeons at Camelot were luxury compared to this. A solitary torch lit the space as best it could and the stench of rotten straw and rodents hung in the air. Flies crawled over every available surface, including the sleeping and unconscious forms of the prisoners, some of who Arthur doubted would survive much more than a day at the most. Merlin's breath hitched in his throat, and Arthur pulled him close, 'It's okay. I'm here.'

Leon emerged from the passageway, his face contorting with disgust. 'this is an atrocity. If King Uther knew how he treated his poeple, he would never have signed that treaty.'

'On the contrary, Leon, my father would not care. He cares more about his wealth than his subjects.'

'Sire, you speak almost treason.'

'I do not agree with his laws, but I cannot change them.'

'When you are king, you can.'

'And I will. now, I want you to go that way.' Arthur pointed to a corridor that led off to the left, Merlin and I will see if there's anyone down here who could help us.'

'Yes, Sire.'

Leon left and Merlin slipped away from Arthur as he put the wooden panel back in place, once again concealing the passageway. He peered through the bars of each cell, looking for any familiar faces. Behind him, there was a shuffle of something draggin over the stone floor. then a hoarse voice. 'Merlin? Is that you?'

Merlin turned to face the voice.

'Merlin! It is you! You came back!'