"Attention? Are you so simple minded?"
Arthur scoffed before pushing away from the bars, deciding to take a seat; make himself comfortable. His doppelganger huffed in distaste as he slid down against the wall, and planted himself onto the ground.
Merlin and Morgana had finally talked their way past the guards and were stationed at the top of the stairs, out of sight, peering down at the two Arthurs in their heated discussion. Merlin had found himself trying to mute a chuckle when the Arthur in the cell made a fool of the other with his antics. Of course, the... right? Arthur was supposed to be the one outside the cage. The longer he and Morgana watched, the more sure he became that there had been a mix up. Now he only needed some form of proof.
"If not attention, prey tell?" Arthur smirked, bemused.
The other offered an obscenely polite smile before losing composure and clamping down on the bars of the cell, "You pathetic brat. You know nothing." he pulled back with sudden casualty, slicking back his hair and regaining a firmer stance, "I'm here because my father was murdered."
Arthur's eyes downcast, and Merlin, from his hidden position, frowned, puzzled. The second Arthur tried to look calm, "Uther, the infamous tyrant king that he is, has a rather profound hatred for those associated with magic."
If Morgana noticed Merlin squirm, she didn't let on. These topics made him uncomfortable. People with magic never got a fair trial, constantly endangered for just for being alive. They were considered outcasts and vile beings, simply because of their gifts. He watched with a touch more empathy as the man continued, "All my father did was buy a few things from a salesman. He wasn't even aware any of it was magic until after he'd purchased it."
Arthur frowned from his seat, "And?"
"And your father abused his power. He had an innocent man executed for buying a lowly trinket."
It was clear without a doubt now that the Arthur sitting behind bars was not the fake. He tapped Morgana, pulling her attention away from the display below them and gestured towards the exit. It would be better to leave now, with the assurance they had, than to be caught later. Who knew what this disturbed look-alike would do to them if he realized Merlin and Morgana were on to him. Being as quiet as possible, they stood, and with as much patience for quiet they could muster, made a beeline for the exit.
"Pity about your little boy though."
Merlin paused suddenly, touching Morgana's arm.
Arthur flinched, "Excuse me?"
"That dark-haired raven." he continued, "The one with ripe, kissable lips and ears far big for his own good."
Merlin hated himself for feeling the sudden urge to crouch back down to his knees, and peer out towards the cells. They were talking about him. That man, and with such a familiarity, it made Merlin all the more curious. He wanted to see Arthur's reaction. If Merlin had been sensible, he'd have pushed away his insufferable need to know, and ran out of the prison. However, curiosity damned him. He poked his head out again, insistent on hearing the rest.
"Merlin?" Arthur confirmed, voice a little oddly pitched.
The doppelganger smirked, "So you agree in finding him irresistible?"
Merlin watched as Arthur seemed to twitch. Frown becoming apparent, even as he lied through his teeth, "I've never thought of him that way. He's just a boy who offered me shelter whilst I lived in his village. Not very important at all."
The other man seemed to be trying to pick out hints of truth in Arthur's words, but if he didn't believe Arthur and Merlin had something together, he didn't let on. "So, absolutely no interest in the boy?" he interrogated, draping his arms through the bars of Arthur's cage casually.
When Arthur offered no reply, the man smirked, "Well, if that's the case I see no harm in Arthur suddenly finding feelings for the boy." he chuckled mischievously, making Arthur flinch.
He schooled his expression well however, "What would that gain you?"
The look-alike shrugged, "An entertaining way to pass the time, for one." he started to count fingers playfully, "Not including, I'm certain dear old daddy would simply have a heart attack if his only son was bedding a peon. Not only that, but a male peon."
Merlin tightened his knuckles as the conversation continued, trying to ignore Morgana, gently pulling on his arm.
"I've always wondered what it would be like to dominate a boy, in any case." The man inched his face closer to the bars, "Do you think he would be tighter than a woman? Would he writhe beneath me? Under the assumption that I was you?"
Merlin watched with a heavy heart as Arthur remained stone faced.
"I could fuck him in your chambers. We'll embrace in your very own bed, staining the silk with the proof of it." The taunts continued, and Merlin could do nothing but watch as Arthur slowly started to breathe heavily, obviously trying to tame his temper, "I could make him scream your name... Maybe even mine. He'd be so thoroughly fucked, I don't think he'd even care." the man bit his lip, "In fact, maybe I'd make that little peon say my name."
His lewd taunts finally thwarted the prince's composure. Arthur lunged for the man, his arms hitting the bars hard enough to bruise as he tried to reach for his imposter, who had stepped just out of reach. The smirk on the man was brutal, and all telling, "Well, I suppose it's just to assume the boy is not, in fact, as unimportant as you would have me believe?"
Merlin felt his chest tighten as Arthur struggled to get his hands on this phony prince, fingers just barely scratching over his tunic. Did... did he actually mean enough to Arthur to have him loose his temper like that? Morgana's tugging finally became more than Merlin could ignore. He carefully pulled himself up and backed out with her, careful not to make any sound. They had to get out of there undetected if they were going to have any chance of saving Arthur.
"In all honesty..." The phony continued, "I believed you to be dead. Vanished for some months, but I'm so glad to have you prove me wrong." he smirked, "It'll be much more fun this way."
Arthur snarled, "If your quarrel is with my father there's no need to drag Merlin into it. Or me for that matter. I have never wronged you. I've never even met you."
The other man chuckled, "But don't you see?" he took a step away from the cage, enjoying Arthur's rather defeated face, "Death is too good for that man. I want to break him; to make him realize ultimate loss. I want to watch him suffer." he shrugged his shoulders and added with a grin, "Then I'll kill him."
Merlin and Morgana were pacing in her chambers, desperately trying to formulate a plan. What was there to do? They could break Arthur out, but that would only make him look all the more guilty. They could try and plead with the king, but there was no guarantee that he'd trust, or even value their word. Maybe he would lock them away as well for aiding a fugitive. Uther wasn't exactly a patient man, he was the strike first and ask questions later kind of man. You could barely reason with someone like him. They couldn't rely on him to save Arthur.
While they thought, the imposter's words rang in Merlin's ears. What if he really did come looking for Merlin? How was he supposed to react to that? Scenarios began parading around in his head; if the man would threaten him, hold him hostage, truly attempt to seduce him in Arthur's chambers. If he refused him, then his knowledge would betray him. He and Morgana would be found out. On the other hand... going along with... something like that... It was too strenuous on his brain. He wouldn't be able to hold his composure if he had to face this devious man's advances. Even knowing it wasn't real. ...Especially, knowing it wasn't the real. Those were things you saved for love.
Which was what worried him.
If that man came looking for Merlin, he would have to pretend that he truly did believe him to be Arthur. Which of course, meant pretending to love this stranger. Pretending to want him like he wanted Arthur. It... it was ridiculous. This entire situation was simply ridiculous!
"Merlin?" Morgana repeated a third time, touching his shoulder with concern.
"Hmm?" he hummed in reply, now pulled from his thoughts.
She frowned, "You left your body for a moment there... What are you doing with your head in the clouds?"
"I'm fine." Merlin muttered, "Just thinking."
"About a way to save Arthur?"
"...Y-yes." he lied.
He didn't want Morgana to think any less of him. It might sound selfish to be pitying himself while they were supposed to be trying to figure out how to save Arthur. That's what he should be concentrating on, but all he could think about was this insistent worry. About trying to not give himself away if he did happen to run into the fake Arthur. His head was complete mush.
Morgana sent him a doubtful glance, but didn't press the matter. She just nodded silently and returned to pacing.
They continued to walk in quiet circles until finally, Morgana clasped her hands together exasperatedly, "I've got it!"
Merlin smiled widely, "Really? Tell me!"
"You must have Arthur's sword yes? Something that can prove he's the genuine prince! It's been missing for months, I assume he had it."
"His sword?" Merlin questioned, "Well.. I suppose he had a sword... but I don't see how that helps us-"
"It's engraved with the royal crest." She interrupted, clamping her hands around his shoulders excitedly, "It was a sword made specifically for Arthur. That man parading around, pretending to be Arthur, told everyone he'd lost it in the woods. So, technically, the sword has been 'missing' from the armory for some time now, by that man's claim. If you were to prove that it wasn't lost, that the true Arthur still had it, maybe there's still a chance."
"But if they believe it's lost-"
"Merlin, that man told everyone it was gone, so if we could provide it, wouldn't that be proof enough? That the real Arthur had it all along?"
Merlin frowned, "I don't know Morgana, it sounds like a long shot."
"Well we have to try something! It's better than sitting around, twiddling our thumbs while Arthur awaits his execution!"
"I know how you feel... I don't believe that it's enough to-"
He was interrupted once more by an impeding knock on the door, and an alarmingly familiar voice on the other side, "Merlin?" He heard Arthur's voice call, "Merlin, I know you are in there. I need to speak with you." Merlin held his breath as he turned his gaze to Morgana.
His worries had been just. The man was standing outside, looking for him. They couldn't exactly pretend not to be there forever, he'd eventually come in of his own accord. They would have to open the door. He shook nervously. He would have to pretend with this man... For Arthur's sake in the least. He helplessly looked to Morgana, hoping she could see his face. Help him.
They exchanged glances back and forth for another minute before their intruder continued, knocking again, "I know you're in there, Merlin. I must speak with you."