Disclaimer: I'm sorry guys, but I don't own BBC Merlin

Beta-ed by the ever helpful and talented Paralelsky

A/N- Hello! Welcome to another update :) Good to see you! Thank you to the fine folks who have reviewed, they're awesome as ever. And without further ado, Camelot awaits…

o}O{o

Birds were fluttering about in the trees and singing cheerful songs at them as they passed. Mordred did not lend them an ear though. He was too busy worrying and placing one foot in front of the other. He had walked through the night as Selwyn had advised and was only too glad the morning had come- night time had been very scary with only him keeping watch while Merlin was sleeping. The younger boy had refused to go any further the previous afternoon and sat himself down on the forest floor, obstinately picking his nose. But Mordred did not intend to stop until he got to Camelot so he put Merlin on his back and continued on. Late in the night the boy had fallen asleep and Mordred was now extremely tired. Merlin was slipping down his back for the umpteenth time and Mordred decided it was late enough to wake him up. He stopped and turned his neck slightly. "Merlin," he called, "Merlin." He twitched his arms up.

A grumpy groan came from the boy and he rubbed at a closed eye tiredly. "Come on now, time to wake up," Mordred smiled despite his exhaustion and knelt amongst the leaves. Merlin groaned again and tightened his arms around Mordred's neck. The older boy laughed tiredly, "You have to walk now, I can't keep carrying you."

Merlin slid off his back and grabbed his hand, making sure to send a pout toward him. Mordred opened his pack and fished out some wrapped bread. He gave a chunk to Merlin and got one for himself before leading the boy on once more. "We only have a few more hours maybe. Soon we will be in Camelot," he could not contain his smile and Merlin forgot his displeasure and smiled back.

Two hours later, Mordred was in the middle of telling the boy's favourite story, the great tale of Sir Merlin and his trusty dragon Mordred, when a sense of cold foreboding crashed over him. He froze and swung his head every way to try and spot the danger. He could not see anything through the trees but he knew that meant nothing. A thrill of urgency chased his fatigue away and he abruptly swung Merlin onto his back and started running. Merlin dug his fingers in his cloak and hung on desperately- Mordred only knew that he needed to go as fast as possible. His feet deftly darted past the many twigs and leaves littering the forest floor as he struggled not to fall while running at his fastest with Merlin on his back. He gasped a frantic breath as he glimpsed snow white walls under dark turrets through the gaps in the trees ahead. It was the castle. The sight caused both hope and dread to invade his heart- they were so close now but it was still so far away.

"Mordred!" a voice yelled from far behind him. Both he and Merlin cried out in surprise- it was Tynan. Mordred pumped his legs faster but he was getting tired and after a short spurt of speed, his legs started to wobble. He growled and skidded to a halt. He brought Merlin in front of him and gripped his shoulders. The boy's eyes were huge as they looked into his own. "Merlin, listen to me!" he panted, "You have to run for that castle, you hear me?" Merlin gave an anguished wail and shook his head. "Merlin, you have to go!" He whipped his head back to look at Tynan, Ben, and Nyan striding toward them from afar. Merlin clung to him but he pried the boy's hands off. "Look at me," Merlin brought his teary eyes to his. "I promise you that I will meet you there, alright? I'll be fine, they won't hurt me but you have to go!" Mordred gave Merlin a little push and backed away, "Go Merlin!" The boy stepped back and glanced at the gleaming castle. "Run!"

Merlin gave him one last despairing look before dashing away, his little boots pounding on the forest floor. Mordred tried and failed to swallow the lump in his throat and he turned to face the advancing elders. He noticed Ethel, Delma, Ormod, Araleigh and Evelyn were there as well.

"Go after Emrys!" Tyan yelled to the women.

Mordred felt rage ignite in his chest, "No!" he yelled and they were all blown off their feet as a gust of wind staggered into them. He gaped at them surprised before regaining his senses and barrelling after Merlin. He did not get far when he heard feet pounding after him. Mordred looked back and tried to redo the magic he had just did but it did not work again. Panic thundered through him as Ben swiftly gained on him. The back of his cloak was hauled aggressively backward and Mordred was pulled off his feet. He met the ground roughly and cried out as he hit the earth.

Bony hands hauled him up and he looked up to see Tynan glowering down at him. Mordred grunted as he tried to pull away and kicked the old man's shin as hard as he could. Tynan howled in pain but did not let go- he tightened his grip painfully causing Mordred to cry out.

"Stop, Tyan, do not hurt him!" Delma shouted.

"Be still!" Tyan growled at him and gave him a shake.

"Let me go!" Mordred yelled at him, "Astrice!" Nothing happened and Tynan laughed cruelly.

"You do not possess the strength boy. What you did earlier was a mere stroke of luck. Now, I will not hesitate to put you in your place- you do want to be alive to see Emrys again do you not?"

Mordred's mouth went dry, "You- you can't. Druids do not hurt oth-"

"Do not push me like your little friend Selwyn did," he narrowed his grey eyes. Mordred swore his pendant suddenly became heavy.

"Enough, Tynan, please release him," Delma walked beside them and stared at them. Tynan ignored her and seized Mordred's wrists and wrapped them in the rough twine he pulled out of his dark grey cloak. Mordred did not resist as his mind went blank in horror. Only when he fully registered what Tynan said did he notice that his hands were bound.

He tried to yank them away but Tynan had fastened the other end in his fist. "Where's Selwyn!? What did you do?" The cord only allowed a small distance and was relentlessly pulled taut as Mordred tried to break away.

"Less than I should have," Tynan spat and grabbed the back of Mordred's collar, manhandling him still.

"He is fine, Mordred, only sleeping," Delma soothed. But Mordred's fiery anger morphed into a quiet fury as he looked around them. Delma, Ethel, Evelyn, Ormod, Araleigh, Nyan, and Tynan were here.

"Where are the rest?" He sneered quite well for a boy of eleven years. "I bet Isaac did not like that, he cast you out didn't he? I bet you caught Selwyn off guard, you could never take him face to face. His back was turned wasn't it, you-"

His mouth snapped closed as Tynan's hand rose swiftly. But he was cut off as a thick gust of wind swirled beside them.

Isaac appeared out of the gale followed by Girvan and Brigitte, and stepped menacingly toward them. "Unhand him, Tynan," he hissed. Mordred felt a jolt of fear and was very glad that Isaac's anger was not directed toward him. Tynan's grey eyes stared into Isaac's green ones. Mordred pulled on his restraints again and winced when the coarse twine cut into his flesh.

"I suggest you leave, Isaac, before you get Mordred here in trouble," Tynan said lightly and caused many of the druids to gasp.

"You would dare harm an innocent?" Isaac roared.

"Tynan!" Ethel's alarmed voice sounded. All looked to her to find her staring stricken into the trees. Their senses told them that they were being surrounded by many men. The old woman flung her hand out to Nyan who was nearest her and disappeared in a torrent of wind. Only her, Selwyn and Isaac could use the teleportation spell.

"Halt at once! In the name of the king!" a voice yelled from the cover of the trees. Suddenly many armoured men wearing red capes ran out and encircled them. Mordred was just about to yell for help when Tynan tightened his grip painfully on his arm. Isaac backed up and stood close to Mordred.

A blonde man stepped forward with his sword extended, and all of the knights around them raised their crossbows. "By the law of Camelot, you are being arrested under suspicion of sorcery. Put up any resistance and you will be killed without hesitation. Is that clear?" he stated in a commanding tone. Mordred felt his attention wholly be focused on the blonde man. The setting sun made his golden hair glow like a halo around the angular planes of his strong face and his eyes were like orbs that had the blue of the sky trapped inside them. He looked very intimidating to Mordred-his sword, armour, wide shoulders, and defined muscles all labelled him as a warrior. There was no question to him that this man was a leader; it seemed that majesty simply belonged to him and him alone. Mordred wanted to call for help but Tynan's hand on his shoulder stopped him- he didn't know what the old man would do and he really did not want to be hurt. Besides, he promised Merlin that he would be alright.

Merlin. Did he make it to Camelot? Did he run into these knights? Was he safe? Was he-

"Yes, your highness," Isaac said and bowed. Mordred gasped and looked to Prince Arthur.

"You know who I am?" He raised a golden eyebrow.

"Yes, my lord," Isaac replied.

Prince Arthur hesitated upon noticing Mordred and he furrowed his brow imperceptibly. He then beckoned his knights and they herded the druids closer together.

"Walk," the prince commanded. Tynan clutched Mordred to his side to hide the length of twine and the boy scowled at him. He then turned his head to look to Isaac and felt reassured when the man nodded to him.

"You will be taken directly to the king to explain your presence in Camelot," the prince said shortly. The men were all stoic, and as always, Brigitte had her head held high. But Delma's eyes were moist as she clutched a quietly sobbing Evelyn and Araleigh. Mordred heard them behind him and was not moved- they did not mean well toward Merlin so they were automatically dismissed in his mind. As they got closer to the city, hope was kindled within Mordred. He hoped Merlin had found his way, and somehow he knew that was the case. But now Mordred needed to find him and keep him out of danger. As they walked, Mordred was planning how he would escape. He winced once more as the twine scraped against his wrist and he looked to the prince. Selwyn said to have faith in Prince Arthur so Mordred decided he would at least try.

o}O{o

"You dare to practice magic in this kingdom?" King Uther growled at the druids who were clustered tightly in the middle of the throne room.

Arthur looked unsurely from beside his father at the group standing in front of them. He had led them here without trouble and worked to ignore the unbridled fear emanating off them. Morgana sat on the king's other side barely concealing her ire for the situation. He knew that she would protest to punishing harmless druids.

She was staring fixatedly at the young boy with her mouth slightly agape. Arthur's eyes were then drawn to the youngest- an exhausted looking boy with twigs for arms and legs wearing a teal cloak, he must have been around eleven or twelve. His eyes met the piercing blue orbs of the boy and his brow furrowed upon seeing his imploring expression. Arthur figured he must have been scared because he was standing right beside another man he assumed for support- but the look in his eyes told Arthur that he wanted help from him. The boy shifted minutely causing the old man he was beside to tighten his hold on his small shoulder. It seemed threatening to Arthur, but that would be preposterous. But then the boy moved his clasped hands underneath his closed cloak and could not contain a wince. Arthur narrowed his eyes when the old man dug his fingers harder into the boy's shoulder.

"All of you in a straight line, an arms span between you," Arthur stepped forward and placed a hand on his sword.

"Arthur?" Uther spoke in a low tone.

"Trust me, father," Arthur said strongly.

The oldest man looked uneasily at another but most of the druids swiftly did as he commanded. The rest were forced to comply when the prince strode toward them. They all did as he ordered, except the boy and old man.

"Do as your prince commands you," Uther ordered.

The child tensed and veered his body away from the older man and hunched his shoulders. Arthur barely managed to whip out his sword and hold the point over the old man's neck before he seized the boy.

"What do we have here?" Arthur asked, "Back away," his voice became cold. The man slowly did as he was asked and stepped away, revealing the coarse twine binding the boy to him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Uther growled from his throne and stood up. The rope was clutched in the man's fist, previously concealed by a long sleeve, visible now due to a little distance. Arthur placed his hand on the boy's shoulder when he raised his hands once more, showing him his scraped wrists. Arthur cut loose the boy's bonds and he immediately ran behind him.

Arthur backed away leading him to safety, certain that he was an unwilling victim in this. Once he was behind the guards he turned toward the boy and felt a shot of unease at the severity of the glare he was giving his previous captor.

"My lord, we should take the poor boy to Gaius," Morgana implored and stood up.

"Of course. But first I want to know why they held you captive, child," Uther gazed at him.

The boy flinched but faced the king and knelt, "My family died in a fire my lord. Those people took me in. I wanted to leave but- but I had nowhere to go and I was scared to run away," he spoke quietly, "And then they took in another child my lord. They tried to mould us to their ways but we are not like them. When we were close enough to Camelot I ran with Merlin- the little one. Please don't make me go back. I need to find him!" The boy looked up with a worried glint lighting his eyes.

"You have held the child against his will? And dare to harm him for rejecting your evil ways?" Uther's tone was frigid.

The tan cloaked man stepped forward and knelt, "Please my lord, we merely tried to do good by them."

"Sorcerers do not have good intentions!" Uther roared, "Take them to the dungeons!" But before the guards could advance the tan cloaked man turned on his heel to the group.

"Ásendan mín gefylceapan be friðu!" he shouted and all but himself and the old man were engulfed in a gale and when it cleared, the druids were gone. The tan cloaked man bent over his knees panting.

The guards started to advance but stopped at Uther's call. "No. Take them to the dungeons and place them under heavy guard. Make arrangements for the executioner."

He waited for the guards to take the two un-protesting men away before turning to the pale skinned boy. "What is your name, child?" he asked.

"My name is Mordred, Sire," he said tiredly and slumped further onto his knees. Morgana hurried toward him and knelt down, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her and stared until the king spoke once more.

Uther pursed his lips at his ward but continued on with his questioning, "Tell me of the other boy."

Mordred snapped his gaze away from Morgana and spoke to the king's feet, "His name is Merlin, your majesty. He is only five years old but very small, the size of a toddler." He gulped before continuing, "I told him to run when I saw that the others were gaining on us." He stood up and took a wobbly step toward the throne, "I am sure he is in the city, please, I beg of you to help me find him. Please," he gazed imploringly at the king.

"Of course. Guards, escort him to the court physician. Arthur, assemble a search party. We must save the poor child and bring him to safety."

"Yes, father," Arthur bowed.

"I will take him, my lord," Morgana spoke up and gave an encouraging smile to Mordred. He blinked at her and Morgana placed a hand gently on his shoulder and began to lead him out. But just after a few steps Mordred collapsed and Morgana was just able to keep him from hitting the hard floor. One of the guards immediately went over and gathered the boy in his arms before following Morgana out of the throne room.

Arthur started after them but was halted by his father's voice, "Before you leave Arthur, I want you to come with me to see our new prisoners," he started for the doors.

"But father, that boy is out there alone. It is dangerous," Arthur followed after him.

"The treacherous plans of sorcerers are more important than a single child, Arthur. We can glean information off them," he said without a backward glance.

Arthur grinded his jaw but otherwise remained silent. He spotted Sir Leon waiting near an alcove and he hurriedly exchanged a word with him before following the king. They did not talk on their way to the dungeons and when they got there his father had the prison guard take him to the younger druid. Their footsteps echoed down the dank hallway and they stopped outside the cell.

Arthur analysed the man behind the iron bars. He looked at them from where he stood with a slumped posture. His green eyes looked at them unafraid and Arthur was impressed despite himself.

"How is Mordred?" he asked quietly.

"What have you done with your allies?" Uther ignored the man's question.

"I sent them to safety. Please, is he alright?"

"What are you planning? I am no fool, you intend harm to Camelot," the king narrowed his unforgiving hazel eyes.

"We are druids. We do not harm anyone," Isaac said in a placating tone.

"Yet that boy was harmed."

"That was Tynan, he separated himself from our ways. He is no longer a druid."

"How convenient," Uther sneered dryly. The man in the cell glowered at the king.

Arthur didn't know what to think, this man had saved his friends from death at the cost of himself. Arthur could not sense any ill will from the man in front of him- he looked far too human to be a threat to the kingdom. But yet he had magic, so he had to be evil. Did those who were evil sacrifice themselves for their friends?

"The boy is not a druid. And how did you find the other one? Did you take him from his home?" The king asked hardly.

"It was two years ago. We saw the smoke from his village and went to investigate," he ran a hand over his suddenly tired face, his voice became thick with grief after taking a shuddering breath. "Just outside of it-we thought they were dolls...but one of them moved. All of the small children, in- just-just in piles." Trapped tears made the man's eyes bright and Arthur felt horror cool his veins at the picture this man was forming.

"He was the only one who survived, it was a miracle he did, with his throat-" the man suddenly glared at the king and started yelling, "I saved him with magic. I healed him. He would have died and there's just a scar that remains! Kill me if you wish but I do not regret it, I saved that boy! It was magic that saved him. And the sword that killed his village! Every last person! They killed children, slaughtered them all!" His voice broke at the end and he lowered his voice to a whisper, "So tell me King Uther, who do you think deserves to die? The healers? How can you possibly think that magic matters in this situation? Please, please don't take away that boy's only hope."

A deep frown appeared on the prince's face. Arthur knew of the horrors plaguing the world, but the slaughter of innocents always made his heart grow heavy.

His father spoke beside him, "Where is he now?"

"I don't know! That is why I need to find him! He is only five, for goodness sake!"

"You will be executed. As for the boy, we will find him and give him a home in Camelot," the king decreed.

"No! He has to stay with my people!" The druid did not even contest his fate.

"We will free the poor child from your evil hands." Was King Uther's final word before he turned on his heel and swept from the dungeons. Arthur glanced at the man in the cell before following but did not get far before a plea was sent his way.

"Please, Prince Arthur. My people can give him what he needs," the man wrapped his fingers around the bars and stared at him.

He thought about saying evil teachings have no place in what a child needs. But these druids saved the boy, and Arthur was not stupid enough to ignore the fact that in the throne room the druids were most certainly divided.

Arthur merely flicked his gaze toward the prisoner before following his father. First thing was first- he needed to find that boy, Merlin.

o}O{o

DP- Thanks, DP! I don't know why, but your name sounds catchy to me :)

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Ásendan mín gefylceapan be friðu- Send my allies to safety

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There you go! The boys have reached Camelot. Hopefully everyone enjoyed :) Thank you for reading! It means the world to me that people are liking this story! Please remember to review, I love knowing what you guys think and it really does get me in the mood to write.

Till next time :)