108 FOLLOWERS! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

And thank you to MagicoftheWorld for being my 100th follower!

You guys are amazing, you know that! I had so many reviews for last chapter alone! I love having all of this support. At least SOMETHING is going right in my life :D

Okay, for this chapter: we are jumping around. A lot. Some scenes take place with Merlin and Arthur. Some take place in Camelot. I am hinting further at my plans for this story. There is a little more whump in this chapter, but not as bad. I think that the title is pretty self-explanatory (I mean, Merlin is the one who has been naming all five chapters AND this story.)

Right now I just want to go on a full rant about this chapter, but I'll save that for the end.

-"Morgana's Nightmares" by Rob Lane (Merlin)

-"The Fisher King" by Rob Lane (Merlin)

-"Arthur Asked to Lead" by Rob Lane (Merlin)

-"Possession" by Nicholas Hooper (Harry Potter)

-"Bilbo's Song" by Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings)

Let's see, anything else to say? I think not, other than...

Let's Go On An Adventure


Protect Arthur

The raven-haired figure thrashed desperately in the bed. Moonlight shone through her brand-new curtains. The movements, at first subtle, quickly escalated into something more violent. If she had been with a companion, the friend would have came to comfort the traumatized sleeper. However, fate deemed it that the Lady Morgana be alone that night. She had sent home her maidservant hours ago. For once, she had hoped that she could rest in peace. Ever since Merlin directed her to the Druids a month ago, Morgana's sleep had been more peaceful. The nightmares had become fewer. Don't get her wrong, they still came, but she understood them now.

But now they were back full force, and she suspected that it had something to do with the disappearance of Prince Arthur and Merlin. Morgana's vision was fast-paced and gruesome. It was vivid and foreboding.

An arrow piercing armour and lodging itself into flesh. Tattered banners flying in the breeze over a ghost-town now under the run of bandits. A hammer crushing colourless fingers relentlessly. A leather-clad fist smacking the side of an elaborate chair. The crack of a whip across a scarred back. The contents of a falling bowl spilling out across the floor. Blood dripping from untreated wounds into a scarlet puddle. A molten golden light filling a room from an unidentifiable source. The swish of a dark and flowing cape as it turned the corner. A silver bracelet glistening briefly in the moonlight. An army of men reporting for duty. A magnificent sword at the bottom of a lake. A spray of fire inside a cavern. Two hands holding each other, pale, bloodied, and disfigured. A body collapsing to the ground, broken and lifeless.

A woman's voice could be heard instead of the sounds of the actions being performed. It was looming and powerful, yet it was also emotionless and cold. The voice echoed, as if times three, "This is where the path leads. And it could be where it ends. Be wary, Morgan Le Fay. The end may yet be as near as it is far."

Then Morgana jolted awake, sitting up inside her bed and gasping for air. Her eyes briefly shined a pale gold before fading to their usual emerald green.


Merlin certainly did not want to be one of the bandits right now. There were shadows in Prince Arthur's eyes, entirely directed at the villains. Every time Arthur gave him a quick glance, Merlin saw them. They were most prominent in the glares directed to his tormentors. They had come in once bearing food. No one spoke. It had been a different guard this time. There had been something about him that reminded Merlin of someone, but he could not place his finger on it. The guard seemed almost sympathetic unlike everyone else Merlin has encountered, but, then again, the negative energy being emitted from Arthur was clouding Merlin's perception of almost everything.

It was difficult eating no-handed. At least Arthur was now unbound and could eat with both hands. Merlin wasn't sure how he felt about that. It was almost an invitation for Arthur to attack the guards. If they had actually stood a chance at escape, then Merlin might not have cared as much for Arthur's impulse. However, all that could come out of an escape attempt was more trouble than it was worth. Merlin knew that deep down, Arthur knew this as well. But those shadows in his eyes...

They made Merlin uneasy, and he wasn't even the one Arthur was mad at. At least, he hoped Arthur wasn't upset with him for the whole debacle. Merlin still had yet to regret his decision to take Arthur's place (Protect Arthur), but he'd be lying if he said that the prince felt the same. It was nice to know that the prat cared, even if it was in his own, prattish way. The broken arm bound to his chest was proof enough. There had been, however, some poorly hidden resentment towards the whole situation. Guilt, dare Merlin say.

Merlin bowed his head over the wooden bowl, attempting to lap up the broth like a cat would do with warm milk. The lukewarm liquid kept on sloshing up inside his nose. Half of it didn't end up in Merlin's mouth at all, instead staining his dirty cheeks. He almost choked on a bit of the soup going down the wrong pipe. Merlin spent nearly a minute trying to cough up the substance to no avail. His eyes watered in discomfort. His vision blackened, but then he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist and connect just below his belly button, one hand on top of the other fist. There was an upward and inward thrust into his abdomen. The movement repeated for a few more times before the choking subsided.

Still wheezing, Merlin turned, almost expecting to see that it was Arthur who helped him. Instead, the blond prince was still on the floor on the other side of the cell, a mixture of shock and suspicion being his only reaction. His blue eyes were narrowed at Merlin's saviour, threatening silently that if he so much as hurt Merlin...

It was the guardsman. His dark features were almost expressionless, but there was a flash of relief in his chocolate brown eyes. The man released Merlin at once, sending a cautious look at Arthur. The aforementioned man dropped his metal spoon into the wooden bowl with a clatter. It was painfully obvious that Arthur had expected something far worse, or at least that the other man would have turned a blind eye.

That is what any other bandit would have done.

Merlin rubbed his throat. Since he was playing the role of prince, his only acknowledgement was a solemn nod in the guard's direction. Of course, it was more than what Arthur gave him the first time Merlin saved the clotpole's life. The prince had griped to his father day and night for the next few days, only shutting up about it when Merlin warned him of Knight Valient. The closest to thanking him ever was after the thing with the poisoned chalice. Arthur did not thank people.

In response, the guard just grunted. He backed away to be closer to the door. It was locked of course. There were two bandits at least outside standing guard. If there had been a disturbance, then the two would have surged in here to aid the bandits' cause.

Merlin looked glumly at the bowl. How do I eat this without choking to death again? He stared pleadingly at Arthur. Arthur understood the unasked question, and, shooting the watchman a scathing look, set down his empty dish. He walked over soundlessly to where Merlin was sitting with his legs dangling over the edge of the pathetic bed, his own spoon in hand (they had neglected to provide a spare for Merlin).***

Arthur, struggling for a moment due to his weakened shoulder, dipped the utensil into the bowl of stew and brought it to Merlin's chapped lips. Merlin's mouth barely opened, but it was enough for the metal spoon and broth to fit. The warlock used his tongue to lick the tasteless substance and swallow it. His voice was sore from the lack of water and the horribly-suppressed screams from the torture. The last time he properly drank water was a few days ago during the hunting trip. Sirs Big and Ugly submerging his head underneath the pump did not count.

Merlin almost felt tempted to mock Arthur for helping a servant, but to do so would be suicide. There were still ears everywhere, including the walls. There was also the oddly familiar guardsman, who now stood with his back to the door with his arms crossed and his weapon forgotten in its scabbard. The dark guard stood still, watching Arthur and Merlin curiously.

Merlin took a moment to look at Arthur. His face was stiff, revealing nothing of his guilt, and his eyes were shadowed from anger still, although some of it had subsided when they found an unlikely ally of the guard.

Because that is who he was. Once the bowl had been empty, and all the dishes had been taken away, the watchman had stayed a little longer, studying the two further. Then he smiled in a way that reminded Merlin so much of Gwen (and maybe Arthur too, because the prat seemed to relax).

"If you are ever in need of something, say 'Elyan' through the door, and I can help." Then he winked a chocolate-coloured eye and left them alone.


The grand set of doors opened. Gaius looked up, his mouth set in a tight line but his eyes ablaze with hope. That burning feeling was quickly extinguished when he saw the grim face of the redheaded knight. Sir Leon went on his knees in front of Uther's throne. He bowed his head. "Sire."

Uther, who had too straightened at the arrival of his Second Knight, slouched in the most unkingly manner. "Any sign of him?" King Uther asked coldly, although both he and Gaius knew the answer.

Leon's response still drove daggers through Gaius's heart even though he already knew the answer. "No M'lord. It's almost as if Prince Arthur and Merlin have vanished."

It was something easily missed, except the age-old man caught it. Leon had said Arthur and Merlin. It almost comforted Gaius to know that his ward wasn't entirely forgotten. Whilst Uther had woed over the disappearance of his only son and heir, he had seemed to forget that he wasn't the only one missing a son.

"It's been five days," Gaius murmured stiffly.

Uther nodded in agreeance. "Arthur should have been back yesterday. Have all of the patrols returned?"

Solemnly, Leon replied, "Yes, Sire."

Uther looked down at his gloved fist. Gaius could scarcely overlook how badly it was shaking. The king steadied it on the armrest of his throne. "Send two-" Uther coughed and cleared his throat. "Send two more in the direction of Cenred's kingdom. Have one scour the Forest of Ascetir for clues and the other to continue onward to the border."

Doubtfully, Leon started, "Sire..."

Uther misinterpreted Sir Leon's reluctance. "I am not going to give up on my son. I know he's out there. Cenred has had something to do with it. Only he would be spineless enough to go against the terms of our agreement."

Leon fiddled with a ginger ringlet. "Forgive me, Sire, but wouldn't it be wise to send patrols in the other directions as well. There are others with grudges against Camelot, you, or Arthur."

There was a bleak silence. Gaius remembered the events of just last month when Morgana was 'kidnapped' by the Druids. The Court Physician knew the truth of course. Merlin might be hiding the most deadly secret out of all of them, but he was a terrible liar.

Anyone could have taken them. It could have been a vengeful sorcerer. It could have been a greedy warlord. There was a fair number of kings who wanted Camelot's lands. Gaius was not discounting King Cenred, but there were other possibilities. It was known across the kingdom that Odin wanted Arthur dead. Gaius felt his stomach drop at the thought. Just two months ago, the vile king sent an assassin into the heart of Camelot for Arthur, who had foolishly stayed behind for a tournament and ended up injuring his arm.

"Bayard and Caerleon would not dare!" Uther hissed. "It must have been Cenred. The gutless toad." He punched his throne angrily, the sound resonating across the room. Everyone jumped.

Morgana squirmed in her lavish chair beside Uther's throne. There were dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, and her skin was pale as though she had seen a ghost. Gaius wanted little more than to know what was distressing the king's ward all of a sudden, but he could not say in front of Uther. He had a hunch that he would not like the answer. She might have some small level of understanding of her powers now, but the girl was still visibly terrified.

The Knight nodded gravely. "We'll leave at first light. I'll lead them myself."

"No!" Uther boomed. "With Arthur gone, I need you here to man the defense. If it was Cenred, then we may just be going to war."

Gaius bit his tongue. Less and less he was thinking that it was the heartless warlord, when he thought about it. What would he stand to gain out of kidnapping the Crown Prince and his servant boy? None of this made any sense. Oh, Merlin...

Still visibly shaken, Morgana attempted to compose herself and spoke to Uther, her voice little more than a whimper. "My Lord, if there is indeed a possibility that it was not Cenred, then shouldn't we..."

"Who else would it be?!" Uther snapped.

Morgana jumped. "...Bandits." She averted her eyes from the king.

Uther laughed dryly. "They would have sent a ransom by now."

Gaius narrowed his eyes at the woman. As he had suspected, her face fell. Morgana knew something. Was she thinking of her nightmares? "Right...I'm just- I'm just worried about them, that's all." She twirled one of her midnight curls around her left finger, afraid.

Leon chose that moment to comfort her. "We'll find them, M'lady." He issued a reassuring smile, one that Morgana returned. It wasn't anything romantic, merely platonic, and it certainly was not forced, either. It was the mark of friendship.

Then that moment had ended. Leon returned his respect and attention to his king. "Will that be all Sire?"

Uther balanced his chin in his right hand thoughtfully. "No. I need you to send a message out to Lord Agravaine. It's only right that he should know." Uther frowned deeply.

Gaius felt the urge to slap the king. For one thing, Agravaine and Uther absolutely loathed the sight of the other. Things were bad enough when Agravaine simply disapproved of the man his sister fell in love with. Then Ygraine died, and Agravaine blamed Uther for both her death and the death of their brother Tristan. Agravaine sometimes visited Camelot under the pretense of checking up on his nephew, but Gaius had the hunch that he cared as much for the boy as he did dung. It was Morgana he seemed to like.

The other reason why Gaius had his doubts about alerting him was because he did not trust Lord Agravaine. There was always something shady about the man. Agravaine seemed to care little for anything other than himself. The thin stick that represented his compassion died the same day that Ygraine died. He slinked around the castle whenever he did visit, always in seeming pursuit of something. Probably information on the inner workings of Camelot. Sir Tristan de Bois cursed Camelot with his dying breath. It was only natural for Gaius to suspect the "subtle" dislike of the city to be shared by the brother.

Perhaps Gaius was paranoid. However, there was that elusive thought inside of his head that thought that it would be better for everyone for Lord Agravaine to not know of the Crown Prince's disappearance. For the sake of Arthur and his ward, Gaius hoped that his suspicions were unfounded.

"Of course. I'll see to it right away, Sire." Sir Leon stood up, recognizing the dismissal. He bowed to King Uther then exited the hall.

Uther and Gaius shared a look. There was some mutual understanding between the two. They needed to talk, alone. Uther glanced at his lovely ward. "Morgana, you may as well return to your chambers. I don't understand your fascination with this subject. It's all you seemed to be asking about for the last few days."

Morgana's face seemed to redden in anger slightly. "But you need to-"

Uther gave her a look. "Now, Morgana."

She stared at him coldly. Then Lady Morgana exhaled and followed Leon through the doors to the throne room.***

The moment she was gone and it was just him and Gaius in the room, King Uther became a different man. He slouched even more, a defeated man. His carefully schooled emotions started to become more prominent in the hardened king's features. Uther is worried for his son. I am worried for both of them.

"My Lord," Gaius acknowledged. At Uther's nod, he continued, "Perhaps it would be wise to ask the other Kingdoms for help in finding the two."

Uther reminded Gaius of a madman. "What will that lead to?! The moment they realize our weakness, they will strike! Treaties will mean nothing!"

Gaius sighed, his frustration threatening to boil over. "Uther, you are taking a huge risk. It may not have been Cenred. It would be easier to have eyes and ears everywhere."

"That will be a sign of weakness!" Uther snapped, turning onto Gaius with a snarl.

"No, waiting is a sign of stubbornness and foolhardiness!" Gaius seldom yelled at his king. There was little reason to. It was true that he did so more than most, rivaled only by Arthur and Morgana. However, today was one of those such rare occasions. Lowering his voice, Gaius advised, "Put aside your pride, Uther."

Uther tittered mirthlessly. "I cannot do that, Gaius. Regardless of what you may think, I know what is best for Prince Arthur. My son is missing!"

"And so is mine!" Gaius barked. Because that was who Merlin was to him. Biologically, Merlin was his nephew, but seeing as Balinor was out of the picture, he had hoped that Merlin grew to see him as a father figure just as much as Gaius saw the boy as his son.

Uther sulked, realizing too late that he had struck a nerve. "Th-that's right. Your ward. Merlin, isn't it?"

Gaius nodded somberly. "Yes, Sire. Both of them are missing, not just Arthur, contrary to popular belief. I for one want to see something done about it! Maybe, instead of blaming the first person who comes to mind, you will actually see sense and not immediately discount everything else. You can talk to me when you do." Then Gaius left the room, leaving a stunned Uther Pendragon in his wake.***


Merlin barely registered anything at all. As the next fist came flying at him, he just thought of his resolve. Protect Arthur. He did not know what the bandits stood to gain out of torturing him, nor did he bring himself to care. Simple beating he could handle. It was confusing why they started with something so brutal before downgrading their methods.

Then again, most of the blows were directed at his broken arm. Now that they had an injury to play with, the bandits were beyond caring whether or not Merlin had enough. They were set on scaring Merlin psychologically, but as long as his resolve did not waver, then the pseudo prince was untouchable (according to himself).

Protect Arthur.

Two words. They came so naturally to Merlin's mind. Even if he so much as thought Arthur, the response was immediate: Protect him. Protect Arthur.

Sir Big (Merlin was still refusing to call them by their real names even though they had now introduced themselves to Arthur) curled up his fist and struck his humerus, jolting his entire right arm. And intensifying the pain of his broken bones just below. If Merlin still had proper use of arm after this, he would be lucky.

It was better that it was him, though. He did not have to use his right arm for magic. It did not even need to be completely functional to channel magic energy. However, Arthur would have been forever affected if he lost use of his right arm. People of noble birth were taught from a young age to use their right arms for everything. Governesses were known to beat the children using their left hands to write. The irrational attitude towards left-handedness was not helped by the Great Purge when the rumour came out that witches were left-handed.

Arthur traditionally favoured his right hand in a fight. If he were to lose it, then he just would never be the same.

Protect Arthur.

Merlin almost made it a game to suppress his grunts for as long as possible. The longer he stayed quiet, the better. He would hold in his moans for as long as possible, until when the pain became too much and overwhelmed him. Then Merlin's traitorous mouth would open and let out the betraying yelp, earning him double the amount of affliction purely the bandits' entertainment.

Protect Arthur.

It was his mantra, what kept him from breaking and spilling the truth when he screamed out. Instead, Merlin's yells were incomprehensible. Nonsense words, according to the bandits. Aliese. Him Liffrea, wuldres wealdend woroldare forgeaf. Hathian. They did not know a spell when they heard one, apparently. The iron shackles, however prevented Merlin from acting on these spells. They were just empty words, like a broken promise of a sorts. At least Merlin was not planning on breaking any promises any time soon.

Protect Arthur.

There was a hit to Merlin's thin chest. This time, he could not suppress the oof that came out. That was going to bruise. Merlin did not fancy the idea of dealing with bruised ribs. When the time came for escape, he would be left vulnerable. Every step would bring about new pain. The very task of breathing would be painful. Now the blows were shifting inward towards his stomach and chest area. Merlin blinked out the tears, now moaning softly.

Protect Arthur.

Punch. Punch. Hit. Kick.

Protect Arthur.

Kick. Punch. Kick. Punch.

Protect Arthur.

Punch. Punch. Kick. Punch. Kick. Blackness.


There must have been some sort of disease going around. The only symptom: people were forgetting what it meant to knock. Gaius could not bring himself to mind anymore.

He sighed deeply. "Come in," he muttered as the doors to his chambers flew open impatiently. It was the middle of the night; by only miracle was he still awake. However, he had almost been expecting this.

"Gaius!" The Court Physician looked up with an eyebrow raised to find Morgana with a white fur stole wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She was still in her nightdress. The expression on her face was that of pure terror.

"My lady," Gaius acknowledged sternly. To anyone who did not know Gaius, they would think his nonchalance was genuine. However, Morgana knew of and understood his paternal love for Merlin, a love that she was deprived of at a young age.

"Gaius!" She ran at him and attacked him in a hug. Morgana wept into his shoulder, not caring in the slightest at this sign of vulnerability. "The ni-nightmares. They-they are getting wor-worse," Morgana sobbed.

Gaius patted her shoulder blade comfortingly. "Shh, it's all right. What was it this time?"

Morgana wailed, "The sa-same. The a-arrow, the bandits' town, the ham-mer, th-the fist, the wh-whip, the bowl, the blood, the g-golden light, the-the cape, the brace-let, the army, the sword, the f-fire, the hands, and-and...the body. The bo-body's ba-back! Oh Gaius! What does it all mean?!"

Gaius furrowed a brow. He had not wanted to believe it, but Merlin was right. There was just no way that Morgana did not have magic. Any doubts he still had vanished on the spot. She first came to him with this dream the night when the two boys left Camelot. None of it made any sense, and none of it was pleasing to think about. Especially the body. The features and details were too blurred for Morgana to know whose body it was, but Gaius could not help but selfishly think that it was Merlin.

"I don't know, Morgana. I don't know."***


Merlin lied across the feeble mattress, his eyes trained on the ceiling above. At least, he thought that it was the ceiling. He couldn't tell for sure. He had become somewhat adjusted to the dark, but his thoughts, according to Arthur, were a jumbled mess and not to be trusted.

No, it was the ceiling. Merlin could breathe (albeit painfully), so he was not smothering himself in a pillow. He did not think he was on his side. All of his weight was on his back. His conclusion was that he was looking up.

Merlin wished that there had been a light source inside the cell. Yes, there was the torch outside of the bars, but hell if that really did anything other than cast dancing lights all over the place. The other thing that drove him mad was his inability to tell time. There were no windows, and the bandits deliberately were coming with food at random intervals. There was no set time when they took Merlin, either. Arthur was now losing sleep. Merlin, well, he would often pass out almost immediately after being returned to the cell.

He turned his head, his neck aching. "Arthur?"

The prince looked up at the sound of Merlin's weakened voice. Arthur was instantly protective and guarded. His face was masked in darkness. "Yes?"

"Have you any idea how long we've been away from Camelot?"

It was an innocent question, but that didn't stop Arthur from looking downward again from guilt. "I don't know. Maybe... Five days? Six? I don't know, I can't tell."

Merlin bit his lip. Five days? What was Gaius thinking? Gwen? Morgana? Uther? Well, he doubted that Uther cared much for him. Merlin was a lot of the times the reason why Arthur disobeyed Uther, if not Morgana or Gwen.

"Arthur?"

There was a long sigh. "Yes Merlin?"

"How long do you think it would take for Uther to send someone after us."

Arthur scoffed. "They are probably on their way, scavenging the countryside for any signs of you and I. Especially for me, knowing my father." His voice broke off, almost ashamed to speak the truth. The truth that deemed it how it was because he was the prince that they were taken.

Merlin paused. He'd expected as much, but there was that really awful feeling in his gut. He brought up his manacled hand to scratch his chin. There was a jingle as the iron links grazed against each other. When Arthur thought that Merlin was not looking, he glanced upward at the servant for a split second before returning his gaze to his knees.

Merlin did not know when the bandits would return, only that when they did, things would get worse. After breaking his fingers, they promised him a new world of pain. It came in the form of beatings. So far, the blows were concentrated to his broken limb, but the bandits had hinted that worse things had yet to come. Merlin had told Arthur this.

And Arthur was blaming himself for it.

"Arthur."

"Yes, Merlin?"

Merlin smiled weakly. "None of this is your fault."

Arthur grunted, "To hell it isn't! Of course it is!" He scoffed. "I cannot even protect a servant! How can I be expected to protect Camelot when the time comes?!"

"Because you will have friends who will help you," Merlin reminded. He coughed. As he did so, his sore throat continued to burn. Merlin winced and stopped talking. Arthur seemed to have decided to do the same because he returned to his own musings, whatever they may be.

Merlin faced the ceiling again. How long until...

Until what? What was Merlin waiting for exactly? Rescue? The bandits to come in here and take him away? Food? Rest? Death?

That escalated quickly.


"Rise and shine, little princeling. It's show time." Merlin felt a rough set of hands grab him by both of his shoulders.

"Breakfast?" Merlin asked dazedly. He cleared his throat to get back into character. "It would not be wise to starve the future king of Camelot, you know. Then again, you're a bunch of idiots already. Seeing as each of you are currently facing the death penalty, nothing you do can save your skins at this point."

Sir Big huffed, already having enough of the "cheeky prince." "And when will our hangings take place, hmm? Before or after we gut you?" He made a move towards Merlin, causing Arthur, who too was now awake, to tense up. Merlin held his breath. Time to see if the spell will still hold.

The bandit's crony grabbed his arm to stop him. "Not yet, Rubeus. Dumbo."

Sir Big stopped his advance and shot the pseudo prince a nasty glare. "You are just lucky that we have bigger plans for your royal backside."

There was a grunt. Protect Arthur. Merlin watched Arthur calmly from the corner of his eye even though he was facing the two conspirators. Arthur had made a move to protest, but, to Merlin's satisfaction, the spell seemed to hold. His mouth moved, but of course no fatal sounds came out. Arthur rubbed his throat, completely naïve to Merlin's magic. He would not suspect that it was Merlin's work. Hopefully.

"I'll be glad to hear them," Merlin said with forced cheer. "Of course, you would have to actually get me to comply." Arthur narrowed his eyes at Merlin reproachfully, silently urging him to shut up because if he had said it aloud, he'd risk revealing to the enemies the deception. Unfortunately, Merlin never listened to Arthur. "You guys are fools if you think that."

CRACK! Sir Ugly gave Merlin a swift uppercut to the jaw. "Let's get going, boy."

He took him roughly by his left shoulder, and Sir Ugly took him by the right. Still reeling from the pain, he almost missed the angered look given to him by Arthur. Almost.


The cell again. Even with the blindfold, Merlin was sure that he could remember the way there and back again simply by memorizing the turns. It was a shame that they never took him outside.

They attached the iron manacle around his good wrist to the wall. Same deal as it was since his arm was broken. They would beat him senseless. Merlin withstood through all of this like a breeze.

Then... "Today, we're changing up the rules of the game a little. Since your highness will not react to the beatings, we will need a different stimulus. Then, tomorrow, we are trying something new. Consider this a last hurrah."

In sync, the two armed themselves with wooden clubs. They were carved from old wooden support beams from the town. There were still rusted nails inside of the material. Merlin eyed them apprehensively.

Protect Arthur.

And Merlin then straightened his back. "Only now do you thick-heads decide to up the stakes?"

Sir Big took a test-swing to the wall. There was a sickening whack as the club made contact with the stone. "Be careful of what you say, Prince Arthur, because that might just be your head next."

At least it won't be my arm. Merlin twisted his tongue. Arthur was not going to be happy about this latest form of abuse.

Protect Arthur.

Merlin could not bring himself to care.


Boom. Some resolves. First off, Morgana's been having her nightmares. What the heck do they mean? Any predictions?

Yes, I dragged Elyan into this. It was always my intention to have him in this, but I realized that it would probably be better for you to know that he existed from the get-go. Don't bother asking what he's doing here with the bandits, all is going to plan nicely...

My sister freaked out when I said that and started laughing evilly. Because I did so aloud. I feel accomplished.

As you have guessed, the chapter is referring to Merlin's resolve of "Protect Arthur/Him." Really weird fact, that has been repeating in my head for the past few weeks. I have no clue why, but I make the joke that I am secretly a seer a lot, so who knows? It might just be further proof of my insanity. I swear that a day may come when my mom finally decides to take me to a psychiatrist, but it is not this day.

And I am officially the history nerd :D I got a 100 on my US history test, being the only one to do so, and the next highest grade was an 85. It is great. I love my history.

For Sirs Big and Ugly. I will go ahead and say their real names. There will be no real introduction (can't think of how to do one), but I've said their names in passing, and Arthur will call them so in his POVs. Sir Big is Rubeus (after Rubeus Hagrid from Harry Potter), and Sir Ugly is Grima (after Grima Wormtongue from Lord of the Rings).

Arguably, I think one of my favorite things about this chapter is Gaius going off on Uther. And now I have to think to use the American spelling of words like "favorite." I bet any English papers I'll have will be amazing because I can't simply use "whilst," "colour," and "trousers," can I? Well, I technically could...but they look for standard English.

I read online that left-handedness was apparently associated with witches in the 15th and 16th centuries, and I thought that actually fit for this story. I thought that it was just a noble thing.

Random Chaos: Thank you! I hope that you are happy with their characterizations this chapter, even though they have only one small conversation in this tiny chapter. May it be that you enjoyed this chapter :)

katiec345: Thank you for your review :)

Thank you 01beirke, 7happybears, AnimeLover2117, ArthurPendragons, BAKA 00, Bats4Books, Bay2929, Betty. S, Bluebox345, Candle-lit Dreams, Chatterbox818, ChigauBakemono, CooCooBird, CoolBeans100, Dudewheresmywand, ElenoreRigby, EllyBee8, Everlocke, FandomsAreEverywhere, Gabriel's Wings - Love Squares, Goldenstream Kagamine, Grank, HonourProject, Imasuperher0, IndigoAndTheFandoms, J.S. Comack, Kas3y, Kaseyboy, Kidzukarenai, Ladyliz2, Liljn, Linorien, Livxoxo, Lycropanthy, M1ndb3nd, MagicoftheWorld, MandaScooby, Meganekko83, Megwar, MetaBlade, MsCassity, NerdGirlAlert, Netiri Vi Britannia, Origami Pen, Percy James Frost, Pheobe Arocis, PhoenixUniverse, Pilyarquitect, Professor Cuddles, Quoth the Night, QwertyBobberson, RangerHorseTug, RarissimaAvis, Red Moon Lollipop, Renchikara, RoxyMoxy7625, Saimiri, Sakura022496, ScruffydaDruid, Shiori07, Skyleighdragon, Skypeoplephoenix732, Snoopy8907, SoaringEagle01, StephanieStephanie, Stitch2012, SummerElfOwl, Thats lemos, TheChosenJedi142, TheDarkestDreams, The anomalous, Tolleren, Tony WildRiver, Wallaruby, XphiaDP, abyssofshame, brownierocks55, catie . rasmussen, cmfisher, cyenthia 30, dandelionseeds, dauntlessdemigodshadowhunter, estallias, greece60, gryffindoroar, heiressofanor, iceprincess2020, justalittleawesome, kaytriactr, kittycat1810, mersan123, mizzymel, morbidbookworm, moroflake, oliviilskov, sarajm, skydoe16, soccerlover91, sparrowsmelody, staymagical, steellord, suprNEONligt, theidjitqueen, wilow77, xJackFrostx, xXLadyLaufeyXx, xxxLeanniexxx, yummypie193, and zendog for following.

Thank you Bookgirl121, Emilu101, Hoppy854, Kidzukarenai, KiraLoveless, Livxoxo, Lycropanthy, Meganekko83, Netiri Vi Britannia, NicoleMcGrath, Percy James Frost, Pilyarquitect, Professor Cuddles, RainbowAnimation, RangerHorseTug, RarissimaAvis, Rookieintraining, RoxyMoxy7625, Sairmiri, ScruffydaDruid, ShadowDragon1553, Simplewriting, Skyleighdragon, SmileyX'x Ice-cream Sprinkles, StephanieStephanie, Stitch2012, TheChosenJedi142, TheDarkestDreams, XphiaDP, akira-wolfe, daydreamer06980, estallias, gryffindoroar, justalittleawesome, kittycat1810, morbidbookworm, nothing can last forever, skydoe16, soccerlover91, suprNEONligt, upandcoming 2.0, xxGhostHunt255xx, xxxLeanniexxx, and yummypie193 for favoriting.

Thank you NerdGirlAlert, Random Chaos, RangerHorseTug, XphiaDP, mersan123, Percy James Frost, Pilyarquitect, Linorien, Chatterbox818, xxxLeanniexxx, Lycropanthy, katiec345, Ladyliz2, Saimiri, TheDarkestDreams, and Stitch2012 for reviewing last chapter.

I feel I left people out. Feel free to call me out if that is the case :) And review!

~Lya200~