Chapter 25

Not surprisingly, the small town Gwaine told me to meet him at is almost vacant of any business for travellers except the one tavern. I look up at the sign, licking my teeth with a short sigh. There is the tug pulling me back to Camelot. It is not so much painful as it is irritating. I send a mind message to Merlin, apologising as it must be irritating on him as well, but he dismisses it but also adds that he has some news for me on my return.

Sighing again, I push the door open. Warm air fills my lungs, the men and woman heavy with alcohol pulsating heat off them. No one takes notice of my entrance, just keeping to themselves and their company. I stay near the entrance, my head leaning from side to side as my gaze surfs the crowd, looking for the familiar head of hair.

He's sitting by himself in a corner, facing out towards a window. His legs are up on the seat next to him, dried dirt crusted on the heel and toe. A tankard rests in his hand, supported by the table. There's no telling how much he has drunk but I would assume that since he isn't carrying on that he has restrained himself for the night. It would be almost hard to tell that it is him, except one candle near his head lights up the outline of his face.

I beam, readjusting my pack closer to my body. If he hears my feet thumping against the ground as I walk up to him, he takes no notice. I sit down in the only other unoccupied seat, letting my satchel slump to the ground under my feet. This catches his attention, his eyes finally leaving the world outside the window.

"Ellie," he grins. "I didn't think you were going to make it."

"Neither did I," I admit, taking the drink from his hands. He begins to protest but I only take a sip before handing it back to him. "I missed a wedding for this."

"A wedding? Couldn't have been too important if you'd rather be here with me." His eyes gesture around the room as though making a point by the company he keeps. I shrug, my fingers finding interest in the grooves of the wooden table.

"Only Arthurs," I say. "To Princess Elena."

Gwaine looks surprised, sitting up straighter. "I take it that you're not talking about you own wedding."

"No," I laugh but it dies in my throat quickly. "No, just someone that shares the same name. She's nice though. She will make a great Queen." I shake my head, planting a grin on my face. To talk about the wedding is the opposite reason to why I am here. "So, tell me; where have you been since I last saw you. You didn't stay long in Mercia."

'No," he agrees. "Got a broom up my backside." I snort and a genuine laugh escapes me. "Good old Ruth."

"Well Merlin and I just stopped a Sidhe from getting the throne and let me tell you, you do not want to go against a pixie."

Gwaine smiles toothily, taking another long drink of ale. "You and Merlin, always getting into trouble."

"Oh hush," I say, smacking his arm that is resting on the table lightly. "Barely always."

"Bar fight, sneaking around, someone wanting to kill Arthur. I could go on," he says, smirking as he holds up fingers in count. I raise a brow but my head gestures in submission. "How'd Arthur take you missing his wedding?"

"He doesn't know I wasn't there. I'm hoping he never realised, and I don't have to come up with an excuse."

"An excuse? I'm insulted that you don't think I am a good enough reason that you have to lie," he taunts. I roll my eyes, taking his drink once again.

"I don't think that at all but I'm not sure how to Crown Prince would take it if I told him that I missed one of the most important days of his life to go drinking in a tavern with a drunk."

"I'm not a drunk," Gwaine defends. I feel bad, seeing that my words offended him.

"No, you're right. Sorry. I don't actually think of you as that," I apologise, handing his drink back. "I'm just tired and the word slipped out."

"Hmm. I'm only drink to put up with your bratty mouth," he counters, a teasing smile letting me know it is all fun and games.

"Brat?" I scoff.

"Teach me, teach me," he squeals in a comically high voice, mocking our first meeting.

"Got what I wanted, didn't I?"

"Spoilt brat then," Gwaine adds. I go to take another sip, but he snatches it out of my hand, sending me a glare. "I'm going to go get you your own." He rises out of his seat, leaving for the bar but takes his drink with him, holding it close to his chest. I giggle, resting my feet on his chair and wait for my personal servant to come back.

Gwaine returns, another full tankard of mead (which he knows I like best) and sets it on the table. He makes a move to sit down but sees my feet on the chair. He looks at me and I only smile back, taking a sip of my drink. Of course, there is the other chair but the dried dirt has flaked all over it and knowing Gwaine, he wouldn't want to give up his seat easily.

Instead of forcing my feet off, he turns around, making a move to sit down anyways. At first, I think he is bluffing and that maybe he is expecting me to move my feet but neither of us given in. I groan as he puts his full weight on my ankles, squishing them against each other.

"Comfy," Gwaine notes, wriggling around, causing my bones to mash up against each other. There's a sharp pain in my left one and I know that enough is enough.

"Alright! Get up so I can move them," I exclaim. Gwaine does as I ask, and I groan again as I pull my feet towards me. I hold my left ankle, twisting it around which only gains me more pain. Not painful enough to stop me from walking anywhere but it will certainly twinge for a while. "Fat oaf," I grunt to him. Gwaine barely looks apologetic.

"Better than being a spoilt brat," he retorts. I sigh, taking my own drink.

"Let me tell you about Lady Vivian."

Xx

I only spend the next few days with Gwaine, but I can already sense he's been sitting in the one spot too long and he is itching to be back on the move. Our farewell is sad but not mournful and I leave in good spirits, eager for my own bed again. Having my own chambers is a luxury that I often take for granted.

I arrive back in Camelot under the cover of darkness. Not that I need to cover but it would allow me to slip into the castle relatively unnoticed, giving me another night where I don't have to come to terms with the Prince's marriage.

My boots knock stones out of the way as I trial along the dirt road leading the city, the gates in view.

"Elena? You're back," Merlin says, feeling my presence closing in.

"Yes, I'm just outside the gates. I can see them."

I smile fondly to the ground at hearing his voice, but it drops as I hear a rustling of bushes. There is no wind to cause such movement. My head spins, trying to find the source. Maybe it a wild animal that awakes during the night. I am just outside the city boundaries, a few more moments of walking and I would be in sight of the guards of the front gate.

I press onwards but this time, the rustling turns into very distinct footsteps of more than one person. I draw my sword, pointing it out into the darkness. I stare out into the air, willing my eyes to adjust even more than they already have. A pair of arms grab me from behind, tucking themselves through my elbows, forcing them backwards. My sword drops from my hands and I fall against someone's chest.

I don't even have a moment to scream as someone else pinches my nose, using their arm to tilt my head back and just like I had done to Elena, liquid pours into my mouth. Their now free hand holds my jaw close as I try and gargle to liquid in my mouth but the air in my lungs runs out quickly and I'm forced to swallow it to breathe again. The hands on my face leave but I'm still held against someone.

Something new is pressed against my face, soft but with a pungent smell. I try to scream now, hoping that the guards would be able to hear me, but the material absorbs the sound. My legs are my only defence and I use them to kick out at the two men but slowly they start to fail me and the only thing holding me up is the stranger's arms. To make it even worse, a sleepiness is forced upon me and I slump in my captor's hold, utterly helpless.

"Merlin?" I call out just before I completely lose myself but there is no response.

Xx

Arthur sits in his room in the early morning, contemplating over the events of the past two weeks. His father hadn't been overly warm towards him after the wedding, considering it wasn't really a wedding in the end. Arthur had looked out into the audience but the eyes that he was looking for weren't present.

Merlin had to be the one to inform him that she left on the same day to visit Gwaine which had irked him more than he cared to admit but did not voice this as the two were close. But he she had left with the expectation that he was being married and he wanted to tell her what had happened. His mood turned sour when he found out that he would have to wait.

Merlin had seemed perkier than usual, even after the Prince had thrown a goblet at his head.

"What's got you so moody?" Merlin asks, setting the Prince's breakfast down. Arthur shakes from thought, having not even heard his servant enter his chambers.

"Just in thought," he replies, beginning to eat his morning meal. "Do you have any idea as to when Elena would return?"

The warlock spares a cheeky glance at the Prince who sends one of warning in return.

"Yes, she should have returned last night I believe," he answers, recalling the short mental conversation. The topic of conversation sets off something inside him, but he doesn't know why.

"Oh," the Prince says, hiding his expression behind a goblet raised to his mouth. "Can you tell her I want to speak with her."

"I can go find her now if there's nothing else you want me to do," Merlin offers, keen to speak with the Vessel himself. He knows she is going to be ecstatic at the news of Arthur not being a married man.

"Please," Arthur agrees, nodding once. In truth, there is a pile of chores for his servant, but they could wait a short while.

Merlin beams, taking his leave immediately. Strutting out of the chambers though, the beam drops as the recognition of his earlier feeling begins to form meaning. He reaches out through the bond, searching the invisible rope that would lead him to her, but something feels wrong. It is not gone per say but blocked. The only way to visually comprehend it would be to use the bond as a compass, the tug as an arrow pointing north. But the arrow is spinning, providing no sense of direction for the warlock.

Is it possible that she has blocked it somehow? He frowns, knowing that is an unlikely reason since she had never expressed any concern about the tug in the past, especially in the case of using it to find one another.

He calls out for her in his mind, but like the tug, he can feel her but it's like he's screaming into soundproof room from the outside. She could be screaming back at him for all he knew but there was no way for him to know.

Panic begins to bubble, remembering the last time he felt this way was when she was on her deathbed, but he had felt total disconnection then. This was just…numb. He marches to her chambers, knocking on the door briefly before barging in anyways. Elena isn't in her room, but he enters anyway, looking around for a sign of her. Her bed is neatly made but that proves nothing since she makes it herself every day.

What is of interest though is that none of the belongings she scarcely keep are here. Her bag is gone, along with her cloak and second favourite pair of boots (considering she lost her favourite to the mud). There is no sign of her return. But she had told him last night that was here in Camelot. By the gate.

Maybe if he can figure out who was on guard last night, he would know is she entered Camelot at all. He figures that Castor would be the best bet to ask, even if he did not know, the knight is well liked enough to figure it out through the other knights. He doesn't want to worry Arthur just yet.

He shuts Elena's door, jogging down the corridor until he reaches the Knight's door. He knocks rapidly on it, reddening his knuckles. There is no answer from the door, but another opens from behind him.

"Merlin," Leon greets. "Do you need Sir Castor for something?"

Merlin nods quickly. "Yeah, I just need to ask him something."

"Castor left a few days ago actually," the knight answers. "He had a letter from his family, and he left soon after receiving it. I think his father is growing ill."

"Oh," Merlin mumbles. 'I'm sorry to hear that." He gives the door one last brief glance but realises that he is probably talking to someone who could give him a quicker answer anyways. Who better to ask then one of the Knight's leaders? "Actually, do you know who was on guard at the gates last night?"

Leon shuffles his weight, resting his left hand on his swords hilt. It was an odd question to come from a servant. "I was, along with a few guards. Why?"

"Did Elena come back last night at all?" he asks. Leon frowns further and he decides he shouldn't cause too much concern knowing the knight's history with his friend. "I just thought she was going to last night is all. I may have miscalculated is all," he adds with a short laughter.

"Ah, no," he answers. "Where did she go?"

"Oh, just to visit Gwaine. I wouldn't worry, she should be back soon."

Leon nods, taking Merlin's advice and doesn't let any worry settle in him. His hand doesn't drop from his sword as he continues on down the corridor to get started on his duties for the day.

Merlin sucks his lips, not sure what do or where to look but the gate is the only lead he has. She was certainly near it, but never made it. So what had happened in the short few moments between speaking with her and the gate? He bites his cheek as he recalls the short burst of anxiety in him the previous night, but he hadn't put it towards the bond. But perhaps he should.

Striding out of the castle, he pushes through the townspeople, following the main road all the way down to the gates and beyond. He turns down the dirt path that leads to the west which he is certain that is the way she came from. He marches down the road, eyes filtering the place around him, looking for anything that could give him a clue.

He reaches far enough out that the gate is out of sight and he knows that he's gone beyond where he talked to her. He retraces his steps back until he sees the gates again. Standing in the middle of the road he looks around, starting to have frustration mix in with the slight panic.

A green glint shines out of the corner of his eyes, much to shiny to belong to the green of a leaf. He scans over the stop, walking towards it. Almost hidden in the long grass is a sword. A sword with black gip bands and an emerald stone on the hilt. He picks it up and it feels heavier than it normally would. Merlin knows exactly who this sword belongs to and it's time to get Arthur involved.

Xx

Merlin struts right back into Arthur's chambers. The Prince is sitting at his desk, going over his father dumped on him last minute. The door of his chambers nearly cracks against the stone as his servant marches up to him, holding out a sword.

Arthur ignores his servant entrance, instead, pouring his focus onto the sword.

"Merlin," he begins. "I asked for Elena, not her sword."

"Arthur, she wasn't with her sword," he says, placing it down on the desk. Arthur gives the boy an incredulous look.

"Why did you take it then? Surely you don't go snooping around in her room," he accuses, not liking the idea of someone uninvited her chambers.

"Arthur," Merlin presses sternly. "I found her sword outside the gates. Elena never made it back to Camelot."

Arthur's face drops, as he stares at the sword then drags his gaze back up to Merlin.

"Are you sure. She didn't just drop it or something?" he asks. Merlin nods.

"Certain. I looked in her room and her bag and cloak are still gone. And Leon was at the gate last night said he hadn't seen her return last night, but she was definitely out there."

Arthur pushes his chair out from the desk, creating an ear-piercing screech as the legs drag along the stone. Leaving the paperwork on his desk he walks straight past Merlin, his mind set on one destination.

"Where are you going?" Merlin calls out.

"To my father," Arthur replies. "We need to gather a search party."

Xx

Now fully awake I struggle against my two captors as they drag me through a castle. The corridors are dark and gloomy, nothing like the ones of Camelot. I don't recognise it but then again, I've never been in a castle besides Camelot's. And considering I was asleep for most of the trip, I have no idea how long it has been or where I have been taken.

Men patrol through the corridors, heavily armed just as the knights would be but they don't nearly as approachable.

I'm dragged into what seems the final room. A few people stand around it, but one man sits on the single throne in the middle. His dark hair cascades around his face, framing it and his attire looks almost completely leather, a little too tight by the looks of it.

The two men drops my arms and I fall to my knees in front of him, but I rise to my feet, holding my chin high.

"Ah, I see our guest has arrived," the man says, rising from his seat. "I hope the trip wasn't too unpleasant."

"Slept right through it," I hiss back. The man smirks coyly, his eyes scanning me over.

"Oh-oo, you have a tongue." He leans in, forcing my head backwards in revolt. "I like that."

"Well I would like to know who the hell you are."

"Cenred," he answers. My head jolts, both in surprise that he willingly answered so quickly and the fact that Camelot's rival has gone to the efforts to capture me.

"If you want to know about Camelot's secrets, you've wasted your energy," I tell him, sparing a glare at the two men who brought me here. "I don't know anything."

Cenred laughs, shaking his head. "No, of course not. I've asked for you because you will help me find someone who will know. You are just easier to kidnap. And so was your friend actually." My friend? Is that sarcastic or is there actually someone here that I know. "And don't try your little Vessel tricks. A little birdy told me all about that. If my men have done as I asked, you have taken something that will temporarily block it. Although, the little birdy is very curious as to what sorcerer or witch you have bonded to."

I frown, not believing his words. I try to reach out to Merlin but dread sets in me as I realise that Cenred is telling the truth.

"What did you do?" I demand. He holds up his hands in mock defence.

"Don't worry, it only lasts a few hours," he answers, his tone seeping with amusement. "But we will have to give it to you again before you leave, I'm afraid."

"Leave?"

"Oh yes, you're useless to us here." He walks forward, standing directly in front of me again. "I want you to bring me Arthur Pendragon."

Another bout of dread fills me, but I refuse to let it show.

"I don't think you understand Cenred," I say. He lifts his brows in curiosity and anticipation of my next words. "I would rather perish at my own hands than break my loyalty to Arthur."

He laughs, as though he is expecting my words. As though my loyalty is a silly concept to him.

"Oh, I know that. But you also have loyalties to others." He gestures to one of the guards. "Bring him out."

My head snaps in the direction of the guard, watching as he briefly leaves the room. Is this the friend he was referring to earlier. Is it Gwaine? A person is dragged out from behind the door, a sack over their head, only prolonging my drowning anxiety at who it may be.

The are forced to kneel beside me and I drop to my own knees, watching the covered face intently. I can hear the grunts and groans through the material. It sounds to deep to belong to Merlin, and it certainly doesn't look like him either.

The sack is removed and my stomach drops (as if it could even more) as Castor's face appears, tossing his head from side to side to push his black locks out of his eyes. His hands are not tied but he looks tired and in pain.

"Castor?" I whisper, leaning forward. His eyes snap to mine, horror filling them.

"El?"

I wrap my hands around his neck tightly, digging my nose into his neck. His arms in turn wrap around my middle, drawing me close to him.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, leaning my head back to look at him. His eyes drift from mine, back up to Cenred who is watching with a mirthless smirk.

"Ah, the reunion of friends. Ever so sweet," he seethes. "Castor here, is going to act as my leverage you see." He bends down se he is eye level with us. Unsheathing a dagger, he points it at Castor who pulls me in closer. "You bring me Arthur, and I won't slit his neck." He stands back up, turning away from us as though he has lost all interest in his idea of a conversation. "You have one week."

Xx

Arthur sulks after leaving the council chamber. His father has barely given him any men, and worse yet, they are only to search the lower town which is completely useless in both his and Merlin's mind as Elena never even made it past the gates. But he will take what he can get, gathering his men and they begin searching through the town, knocking on doors and peering down side-alleys.

"You know this is useless," Merlin says to Arthur. Arthur juts his jaw, not needing Merlin to point it out.

"I know. If she is not back by tomorrow, we are leaving," he answers back, being sure to keep his voice low in the presence of the other knights.

"And go where?" Merlin questions. "We have no idea where she could be." Of course, Merlin would leave with him but they both knew he was right. They don't even have a general idea of where she could have gone.

"Do you know what town she met Gwaine in?" Merlin nods, recalling the name Elena had told him. She had spoken to him as she travelled when she was bored. It distracted him from his job, earning him an upset Prince but he knew that it was worth it. "Well we can retrace her steps. Ask people if they have seen anything."