Hello everyone. This Quarantine thing is getting to be kind of boring, but has given me lots of time to think about this story and begin to write it again. Writer's Block is not a fun thing let me to you. Anyway, I hope that everyone who is reading this is all safe and healthy at this crazy time. Sadly, I cannot promise the same for Arthur and Merlin. On with the show!

Previously,...

Morgana smiled and leaned down towards Merlin. "And you can lead us straight to him."

Merlin just stared Morgana down.

"He seems to have lost his tongue. Ever since the Prince escaped, he hasn't said a word."

"Take him to the dungeon." Morgana ordered as some guards came to do her bidding. She smirked as Merlin was led away. "I think I know some ways to loosen his tongue a little."

...

"At least we know where he is." Arthur thought out loud, a plan already forming in his head. "It's easier to initiate a rescue in a place we already know."

"But won't Morgana know you are coming." Percival asked

"Oh almost certainly."

"What are you planning Sire?"

"To give Morgana exactly what she wants."

"And that would be?" Leon asked

"Me."

"Merrrlin." Morgana teased, drawing out his name. "Are you ready to talk to me now?"

Merlin hung from the ceiling silently. Morgana had not been kind to her prisoner in the short time he had been here. He had not said a word during her interrogation sessions with him, but her methods left him exhausted. There wasn't a single bruise on him, thanks to magic, but his ankle continued to throb painfully.

"Still the silent treatment." Morgana purred. "And to think I even brought you a visitor."

Merlin heard a contained gasp from the visitor, but did not have the energy to look up and see who it was.

"Well, anyway, we can't have you dying on us now. You are our one and only lead to Arthur. Our guest is here to help you feel better."

The door opened and Merlin heard the visitor take steps into his cell. They were elderly steps, barely leaving the ground as they shuffled along. Why do they sound so familiar?

"I'll leave you two alone and remember, physician," Morgana sneered "only enough to keep him alive. I have an experiment I want to run with him tomorrow."

Physician….. physician..., why does she want me hea…., Gaius?

"And no magic either." Morgana said as she rounded the corner.

The chains released and Merlin felt himself falling….

Falling right into the arms of his mentor.

"Merlin!" Gaius exclaimed as his ward fell in his arms.

Merlin finally looked up into the tear-filled eyes of his father-figure. "Gaius." he rasped.

Gaius started to kneel down, a feat in his old age, and cradled Merlin's unresistant body to him.

"Oh my boy, what happened? What hurts the most?"

Merlin was still amazed that Gaius was actually here. Camelot was dangerous. "Gaius."

"Merlin, stop avoiding the question, where does it hurt?"

"My ankle."

Gaius immediately set to work, grabbing some poultices. He started mumbling to himself as he tried to find the right medicines.

"Gaius...are you ok?"

"Why yes, other than worrying about you and Arthur, I'm perfectly fine."

"She hasn't hurt you?"

"No, she has not. Now, relax." Gaius grabbed a specific herb and started to chant, hovering the herb over Merlin's ankle.

Merlin started to relax until he realized what his mentor was doing.

"Gaius!" Merlin said, trying to roll away from the healing magic. "Morgana said..."

"I don't care what she said. You are far more important to me than any empty threats she gives me."

"How do you know that they are empty?"

"Because," Gaius said, laying Merlin down in a position to keep treating him, "She has not threatened me, until now. With an invading army and people who have not escaped all vying for her attention, she knows she needs me. I have never been so grateful for my knowledge of the healing arts."

Merlin stirred again as another thought came to mind. "What about Gwen? The knights?"

Gaius brushed Merlin's hair away from his forehead. "Gwen is here in the castle. She continues to be Morgana's maidservant, but you and I both know where her loyalties lie."

Merlin smiled.

Gaius started to take off Merlin's boot but Merlin stopped him. "Gaius, wait."

"I need to wrap your foot, Merlin. You know that."

"I know, I just need to grab something first. He reached into his boot, grabbed something and held it in his fist. Gaius then took Merlin's boot completely off and wrapped Merlin's ankle.

"Some of the Knights managed to escape with some of the people." Gaius said, as he continued looking over Merlin for more injuries. "Leon and Percival led the escape. Elyan would not leave Gwen."

"Where is he?"

"He is in a cell, though not in as bad a predicament as you are in." Gaius grabbed Merlin into another hug.

"Is there anything else I can do, my boy?"

"No." Merlin whispered, his voice still not right after not being used. "Actually, can I have a piece of leather cord?"

Gaius looked through his bag for something suitable. He finally found some wrapped around a bottle for a little bit of padding. He unwound it and handed it to Merlin.

Merlin took it and unfolded his hand to reveal Arthur's ring.

"Is that…?" Gaius asked.

"Yes. Arthur gave it to me when we split up" He threaded the ring onto the leather cord, "It was his promise that he would come get me." He put the cord over his head and let the ring hang, hidden within his shirt.

"If Morgana ever finds out you have that…." Gaius started.

"She won't."

"But if she does."

"Gaius. Please." Merlin pleaded.

Gaius sighed and hugged his ward.

"This is amazing." Arthur said, looking around at his surroundings. After they met up with Leon and Percival, the two knights had led Arthur and Gwaine toward the refugee camp. As they crested the ridge, Arthur gasped at the sight before him. Tents were spread across the clearing, both civilian and guard alike. It seemed that the knights and the guard had pitched their tents around the outside of the clearing giving protection to the civilians inside. Arthur nodded to Leon to show the knight that he appreciated the organization of the camp. They walked past the sentries at the outside and Arthur nodded as the sentries bowed. Arthur went and shook hands with both of them and then continued into the camp. Something smelled delicious and he was famished. As he walked, he realized he was getting closer and closer to the refugee part of the camp. He walked into the center of camp and was met with an amazing number of his people all eating. As they noticed who joined them in the camp, they all proceeded to bow to Arthur.

Arthur almost told them to rise. He didn't deserve it. These people had been driven out and he still technically was disowned by his father. He didn't deserve his people's loyalty.

Arthur was startled out of his musings by a single cry. "LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Arthur looked around to find who shouted but suddenly every throat was chanting LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!

Arthur smiled. Leon, Percival, and Gwaine walked up and started to lead Arthur away. Arthur went willingly, exhaustion creeping up on him. They got to the other end of camp to where the other knights were and Arthur sat down by a campfire.

Percival cooked a magnificent dinner and as soon as Arthur laid down, he drifted off to sleep.

Anyway, I hope that was good. I hope to have the next chapter up soon and I am really excited about it. Please leave a review or a comment letting me know if you still like this story. Comments and reviews are writers best friends.