A/N: Thanks all for the reviews. Another chapter for all. Small WARNING though: some scenes/description of torture in this chapter so be warned. Not your thing then please don't read. Lots of bromance to come in the next chapter after hopefully. Enjoy and as always R&R. Thanks!

Chapter 10

As Morgana's footsteps disappeared Arthur turned straight to his servant. "Merlin?" He heard his voice echo back at him and there was a pause before his friend answered.

"What is it Arthur?" The warlock's voice was muffled as his let his head loll into his chest.

"Can you free yourself?" Arthur couldn't think of anything useful to say and simply blurted all that came to him first.

Merlin's head rose up and blue met blue again, he winced as he tried to shuffle his feet slightly. Arthur's eyes almost pleaded with a look. The warlock rolled his eyes back and exhaled. With a quick flash of gold the rope bounding Arthur released and seconds later Merlin's did the same. He hit the stone floor with a thud and a groan. The King was by the dividing bars in moments. Merlin did not move. He was laid face down and Arthur strained his eyes, letting out a small sigh of relief when he noted his friends chest rising and falling rhythmically.

After a while of staring through the darkness, Arthur lost his patience. And with some difficultly he maneuvered himself to standing. His head swam and he swayed violently for some minutes before arranging his footing in a safe manner. He aimlessly wondered from one side of the cell to the other, peering through the tiny vent for a window out onto the courtyard. It was silent, not a soul moved through the buildings. No clash of swords, no hoof beats or battle cries. Arthur wondered for a moment where his men had gone. Weather they had been captured like he or managed to retreat and regroup. The latter he hoped. His mind wondered for a while, playing through his many emotions from frustration to anger. Why had his sister so readily turned against them all. And if it was the outlaw of magic then why hadn't Merlin done the same. Why had he stuck so closely to Arthurs side, so intent on saving him, more times than Arthur could bare to think. The King looked back at his friend, still unconscious.

Arthur spent the next few hours in the corner of his cell. Head pressed lightly on the bars with one eye open on his servant he drifted in and out of sleep. The sun lowered in the sky, small long shadows into the dark cells, Merlins condition did not change. It was not long before the sun was gone altogether, night drew in and the King wondered if Morgana had even forgotten he were there.

No such luck. Her meaningful footsteps graced the corridors not long after and she appeared. The usual smirk plastered on her face. "Goodness brother" she cocked her head to the side looking at him then to Merlin's still motionless form. "You seem to have broken from your bounds, how clever of you. And even freed your serving boy too. Shame Merlin doesn't seem to be showing your gratitude."

"What do you want Morgana?" Arthur didn't bother to look up.

"Why i need you to answer me some questions my love" she cried, beckoning three burly looking guards in that would have given Percival a run for his money. She opened the cell and two of the guards grabbed the King by the shoulders. He struggled haphazardly as his dizziness returned. Damn head injury. The third guard was in the second cell and dragged the warlock like a rag doll behind them. Merlin's boots trailed on the floor, leaving long scuff lines along the corridor.

Arthur gave up the fight, and was pushed roughly down the dungeons and up the stairs to the citadel. He gave no heed to the direction of travel, he knew the castle like the back of his hand. He tried to keep half an eye on his servant's limp body behind him. Within minutes which seemed like hours to the King they arrived at the throne room.

Morgana strutted to the throne, taking a laid back seat she let the guards force Arthur to his knees in front of her, swords pushing into his back. The other guard dumped Merlin unceremoniously to the floor and with a jolt the warlock roused.

"Nice to see your awake" the witch cooed sarcastically. "Your going to need to be up for the next part, wouldn't want you to miss it"

"Whatever you say" Merlin looked up to her, but refused to make an attempt to sit up.

"Oh don't be like that Merlin" Morgana uttered. "It's simple really, if Arthur doesn't say anything i like to hear then you may get to sample the delights of a little friend of mine"

"Do your worst" Merlin spat, he sat up now, chest puffed out slightly, brows now furrowed tightly in a scowl.

"Merlin!" Arthur would have kicked his servant if he could have done for being such a defiant idiot.

"I thought you might say something like that" the witch cracked another grin. "but lets see what Arthur has to say" she turned her head deliberately back to the King.

"I will answer to nothing Morgana, we've been through this" he sighed.

"I think you may" Morgana cried. "there is a sorcerer at work in Camelot right under your nose Arthur Pendragon. He is breaking all the laws of the Kingdom and supposedly protecting it. I do believe his name is Emrys. I'm sure you know him Arthur?"

The King froze and made no movement, thinking of an answer that would suit. "If i found a sorcerer in my midst he would be burned at the stake, so i don't know how you think I'm supposed to have one helping me" Merlin shuddered inwardly.

Morgana laughed. "Come now Arthur, he's supposed to be right under your nose, in the Royal court." she turned back to Merlin "Maybe your servant here can give me a clue" she looked to him quizzically.

"I know no one by that name" Merlin's voice did not waver.

"Very well" the priestess reached behind the throne, bringing forward a small wooden box she opened the lid to reveal her next move. The small black snake slithered up and out the box and onto Morgana's open palm.

"Have you met a Nathair Merlin?" she cupped the serpent in her hands and stroked it almost lovingly, if she was at all capable of loving a thing. "They are from the mountains of Asgorath and with some encouragement can cause unimaginable pain" she whispered unheard words into the snakes ear and it hissed several times.

"I wonder which one of you will crack first" the witch beamed at both.

"Leave him Morgana" Arthur growled low and dangerously. "he has nothing to give you"

"No, maybe not" She cried, looking curiously to the servant. "but you two share some sort of bond which i do not understand. Lets see how strong your bond is when its tested." It was then the priestess almost threw the serpent to Merlin. It landed squarely on the warlocks shoulder and latched his jaws to his ear.

Merlin went ridged. His eyes widened and his fist clenched so tightly his whole hand almost turned white. His breaths came fast and shallow and he pitched forward onto the ornate flooring without breaking his fall. Arthur could see he was holding his pain in. The warlocks jaw clamped tightly and face almost turned a shade of purple in a bid to keep the pain internally.

"Oh come now Merlin" Morgana chuckled lightly "no need to hold it in, most of my victims barely make it a few seconds in"

One of the warlocks hands shuddered and reached for his neck to dislodge the creature. Its tail wrapped thinly around his fingers and releasing its bite it clamped down on one of his fingers. Merlin could hold he pain no more then. With a harsh guttural sound the servant screamed so loud that both Arthur and Morgana moved back half an inch. His scream lasted long until all breath was spent. He shakily sucked air in and arching his back he let out another scream. Tears welled freely in Arthurs eyes now, the saltwater welled to the brink and then spilled down his unwashed cheeks dripping to soak into his pants. He tried to block the sound of agony as Merlin twitched uncontrollably and the serpent made another bite.

"Please" he whispered.

Morgana smiled to him. "Whats that dear brother?"

Merlin screamed again, his body convulsed and dark blood spilled from his nose now.

"Please Morgana" Arthurs torn voice was barely audible above the desperate howl of his friend. "Please, stop"

"Oh my love, don't tell me you've broken already?" the witch gave a disappointing look. "Merlin is holding out well for you, most are screaming for mercy by now, your lowly servant does surprise me with his abilities from time to time"

Arthur could not look to his friend as he continued to writhe on the ground but he could not help but hear his agonizing screams ripping through the room. He could hear his friends limbs thrashing on the stone floor.

"Are you going to tell me who Emrys is?" she smiled

"Yes" Arthur bowed his head low, "just please" tears flowed freely again and his body gave an involuntary shudder at another of Merlin's shrieks. "Just please, stop"

"Not until you tell me who he is?" Morgana sneered and Merlin's screams continued. The warlocks throat was beginning to crack and voice falter.

"Emrys is" Arthur inhaled sharply. "Emrys is Merlin" he blurted.