"Is your little bottom sore?"

Hi guys, chapter 11 here - again there is torture in parts of this one, so feel free to skip those bits.

Disclaimer: Merlin is still, unfortunately, not mine

Merlin POV

Merlin woke up alone in his cell, and shuddered as he heard sharp footsteps echoing down the corridor towards him. Morgana. He sucked in a breath, wincing as his ribs moved painfully. Trying to stay positive, he thought about how it would at least be good to get away from the dank cell he was residing in. Staying positive was the only chance he had at not breaking. Positivity is key, he thought, repeating it in his head like a mantra. Holding his head up high, he glared at Morgana defiantly as she unlocked the cell door.

"Now, now Merlin, there's no need for that. Are you feeling up to telling me some information, or do you need a little more...persuasion?"

"I'll tell you something Morgana," Merlin admitted.

"Yes? Go on," she said, stepping forward excitedly.

"I'm loyal to Arthur, and will never say anything," he finished triumphantly.

The excited smile turned into a deadly glare. Eyes flashing angrily, she growled, "You always were an insufferable fool, loyal to the one that would kill you if he knew your true nature."

"Ah, but we were friends once, weren't we?" Merlin replied sadly.

"I had thought so, but wrongly. We were never truly friends, and I will never again make the mistake of trusting you," she spat. "If you won't tell me of your own free will, then we will have to go back to other methods again. I will break you," she hissed.

Merlin hung his head in sadness. This was it, she was too far gone, beyond recognition and hope of redemption. Clearly, Morgana's actions yesterday were not just out of sudden anger and rage, but calculating, and she had enjoyed it. Again, Merlin prayed that help would come.

Arthur POV

There hadn't been anymore screaming in his head. However, Arthur wasn't sure if this was good or not. At least the screams meant Merlin was still alive. Now his head was devoid of sound, it felt empty. Merlin would have made a joke about that.

Occasionally, Arthur felt the scrutinising gazes of his fellow knights, trying to figure out what had happened, if Arthur had really heard the screams, or checking to see if he was okay. But if they wanted answers, they would be asking the wrong man. Arthur was as confused as they were, and kept drawing a blank as tried to figure it out. Maybe his hyperactive brain, muddled by lack of sleep and worry, had imagined the whole experience. Or maybe he and Merlin had formed an intense bond over the years they had been friends. They did spend and abnormal amount of time together. This sounded unlikely to Arthur though. Was that even possible? He would question Gaius if they returned with Merlin. No, when. When they returned. 'Positivity is key', he suddenly thought. The thought resounded through him, and he couldn't forget it. It spurred him on, and he felt his worries recede slightly. They would find Merlin, and they would rescue him.

Merlin POV

Watching as Morgana prowled round him like a gryphon circling its prey, Merlin assessed his injuries from yesterday. Some potentially broken ribs, blood loss, various gashes and cuts, damaged shoulders. He just hoped infection wouldn't set in, although it seemed likely in the awful conditions of his cell. As she turned her back on him, Merlin attempted to call to Kilgharrah telepathically, but seemingly to no avail, as he didn't receive a reply. It had been a shot in dark, but he'd really hoped it would work.

Morgana turned to face him, wielding the knife, still covered with his dried blood. Smiling wickedly, she pressed the knife into a deep wound on his shoulder that she had inflicted the previous day. Merlin tried to picture Camelot, and all of his friends and family, even Freya, to try and take his mind off the cruel, intense pain. Without warning, Morgana jabbed the knife into his side, whilst snarling "Speak!" in his ear.

Unable to keep it in, Merlin screamed in agony. It just hurt so much, at least if he died he would be with Freya, Will, Lancelot, and his father. But a little voice whispered in the back of his mind that he had to keep fighting, for Arthur. Who else could protect him and Camelot? He would not give in. He began chanting "Arthur" in his head so he wouldn't forget why he wanted to live through this.

"Why speak that man's name? He'll kill you if I don't first," said Morgana derisively.

Merlin looked at her with contempt, but stayed silent.

"Answer this then! Who is Emrys?" shrieked Morgana.

Instead of answering, Merlin cried out in pain as she proceeded to cast a spell which broke his wrist. After wounding him again several times, her anger increased, until her eyes flashed, creating a fire beneath where he was strung. Panicking, Merlin kicked his legs up to get away from the flames, straining his already exhausted arms and shoulders. He could hear her shouting questions at him, the fire rising every time he failed to answer, about how this was what Arthur would do to him if he ever found out about Merlin's magic. This was Merlin's worst nightmare, to be burnt to death, and delirious from pain and lack of food and water, his vision blurred and he slipped into the dark abyss of his mind. The last thing he remembered was a voice he distinctly recognised, calling out his name.

Arthur POV

They had been making good time, especially with his lifted spirits, when all of a sudden, Arthur's head throbbed, and he descended again into the depths of his mind, where all he could hear was screaming. Arthur could definitely make out his name, and he knew it had to be Merlin. He hadn't been going mad the first time. He tried to escape, resurface, but found himself trapped inside his own head again. It was chaos, and lasted for what seemed like hours, until the screams finally stopped. In reply, he gathered every last ounce of his strength and shouted Merlin's name, before passing out.

Gwaine's POV

All he could think about was how he should have been able to protect Merlin better. The only thing he could focus was on his goal, finding and saving his first and best friend. Little voices in his head jeered and goaded him, telling him how it was all his fault, how he had let Merlin be captured. He pushed them away. The self-loathing could come later, after they found Merlin. Then he could drown himself in the guilt at the tavern. But Arthur, the annoying princess, had nearly fallen off his horse, claiming he could hear Merlin in his head, but ultimately slowing them down. All Gwaine wanted to do was to be in their way, but they had to stop and rest. The next day they were making good progress, when they were stopped again by the King halting suddenly, and falling into Bertrand's arms. The knight had been riding beside Arthur and noticed early what had happened, managing to slow down and get off his horse before Arthur fell. Gwaine's first reaction was anger, but his reasonable, rational side took over and told him that something big was going on. He knew Arthur wouldn't just make a fuss like that for nothing. Therefore, he was content to be patient, for a little while at least.

Merlin's POV

Merlin woke up to find himself in his cell again. His throat was parched; he had been deprived of water for the whole time he had been there. With a lack of anything else to do, he attempted to communicate with Kilgharrah again, but without success. Slumping against the wall as much he could without hurting any of his injuries, he relaxed, letting his magic flow around his body. He could feel it simmering against the surface of his skin, itching to be free. Looking down at himself, he realised he was in a bad way. If there was going to be any chance he would survive this, he would need to get out soon. A sob worked its way up his throat. "Please help me Arthur."

Poor merlin... next chapter should be up in a couple of days - as always please review if you liked it x