Chapter 2! Hope you guys like it – Please review! XD

It had been one whole week since Fawn came to Camelot. She ended up staying with Gwen still, just because the arraignments were already made, and they became very good friends.

Arthur and the knights were constantly bombarding Merlin with question on who she was and what happened to her. Even though the siblings had explained that Fawn was taken away at a young age and they haven't seen each other since, nothing else was said. However, they didn't push too far into the subject and were just happy to see Merlin smiling so much. The warlock was completely overwhelmed and excited his sister was alive and well. The knights also received perfect reasons to tease their 'little brother' whenever he was over-protective of Fawn, like the other day when one of the stable boys was talking to her.

Everything seemed right, completely and utterly perfect, in a sense. Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves – especially Merlin.

It was a normal day in Camelot – as normal as it had been since the ban on magic had been lifted – and all seemed right in the world. There hadn't been an attack on the city in nearly a month all patrols went exceptionally well for the knights. Fawn was walking back to Gwen's house from the training field where she went to meet with Merlin. She was having the best days of her life in Camelot. She had made new friends and got to see her brother every day, every night she wrote a letter to her mother, and every few days or so Hunith would send something back. There was no more cage, no more whip, and she was safe – or at least that's what she thought.

Fawn was almost to Gwen's when suddenly a man came up behind her and clasped his dirty hand over her mouth so she couldn't scream. She struggled, of course, but to no avail as he gripped her tight. He dragged her out back behind a large building where the only reason to go there was if you found yourself hiding from something. No one could see them, or hear them for that matter, and Fawn feared what would happen next.

"You jus' calm down pretty lady. No nee' to struggle, this 'ill be fun!" He laughed menacingly whilst stuffing a filthy gag in her mouth and throwing her to the ground. Fawn tried to squirm away – but he was too big, too fast, and there was really no where to go.

'MERLIN!' She shouted using telepathy.

The crude man pinned her down to the grown and pulled up her skirt. She struggled and punched him, but it was no use. She let out cries for help, but her strangled voice couldn't pass the cloth in her mouth. He was molesting her, rubbing his grubby, rough hands against her skin, up and down her thighs. Then he began to unbuckle his pants.

Before he could do anything more, Merlin rounded the corner and immediately blasted the man off his sister with a gush of wind. "You pathetic piece of trash! Get away from my sister!" He yelled. The man whom was defenseless against a magical attack tried to scurry away. However, Merlin trapped him in a force field so he could be dealt with by the king.

"Mmmm!" Fawn tried to shout to him. He ran to her side and removed the disgusting cloth out of her mouth and threw it to the ground. Her whole body was wracked with sobs as she tackled her brother in a hug. Fawn held on to Merlin's shirt like it was her life-line, has he held her and stroked her hair comfortingly.

"Shh… Shh… I won't let anyone hurt you. I won't let anyone ever do anything bad to you again… Shh." He rocked her back and forth, his tunic now wet with her tears, her face tucked in the nook of his neck.

Arthur suddenly came running around the corner, Percival and Gwain following close behind. "What happened? You shouted Fawn's name and took off running? Is she alright?" Arthur questioned whilst studying what he saw before him. A frightened man was caged within a magic force field while his best friend was holding his sister in his arms like the world depended on it. Then the realization hit him. "Percival, Gwain – Take this man to the dungeons – He will have to be reprimanded for his actions."

Gwain had guessed what had happened the moment he saw the scene, and he was completely infuriated. The two knights waited for Merlin to lower the glowing shield so they could grab the revolting man and drag him away.

Arthur walked over to where Fawn was still crying and holding on to her brother for dear life. "Are you alright? Is there anything I can do?" Arthur asked kindly.

"I'm just going to take her to Giaus'," Merlin began to lift Fawn up onto her feet; she nearly toppled over so she leaned on him for support, his arms still tightly wrapped around her. "Can you go tell Gwen to meet us at his chambers," I think it would be best if she were there to comfort Fawn." Merlin slowly walked away with his sister. Arthur ran off to Guinevere's house to inform her of the recent happenings.

Gwen burst the doors of Giaus' chambers to see Fawn shaking and crying on the patient's cot, being held tightly by her brother. Merlin sat back – still holding Fawns hand – so Gwen could hug her.

"Oh, thank the gods Merlin got there in time. Are you alright?" Guinevere knew she wasn't okay, but it was kind to ask the question anyway. Fawn just nodded while crying a bit more and leaning into Gwen's embrace.

"S-some of m-my owners w-would do that t-to me… I-I should b-be use to i-it by now…" Fawn explained still sobbing.

"Owners?" Finally Gwen caught on – Fawn had been a slave. "No. No one should get use to that. I promise we won't let something like that happen to you ever again." The maid comforted her new friend.

Merlin finally let go and was about to head into his room, "No! No don't leave! I want you to stay with me…" Fawn choked out.

"Don't worry," Merlin reassured her, "I'm just grabbing something from the other room." He ran to his bedroom and grabbed his spell book, which he didn't need to hide under the floor-boards anymore, and brought it back out to show Fawn. "I thought, if you want to, I could teach you some things. I know you practiced a bit while you were missing – but what do you say? Should we revise your skills?" He asked her.

Fawn smiled and left the comfort of Gwen's arms to hold the book. "I would like that very much…" She knew deep down, everything was going to be alright.

The next day…

"You are found guilty of molesting and attempt at rape of a young woman. You are hereby sentenced to be flogged. You shall receive seven lashings. Once recovered, you may spend your required time in the stocks… take him away." Arthur announced and the man, known as Gregory Felton, snarled at the court. The guards dragged him from the room and most everyone followed them out.

"Merlin! The knights and I are going on a hunt – care to join?" Arthur asked.

"You know me, sire! Hunting is something I don't see the thrill in doing."

"Yes, well, how about just accompanying us on a patrol then – you, the knights, and I – just like old times."

"Sure. I could use the change of scenery." Merlin decided.

"We set out in half an hour, the horses will be ready in the courtyard – don't be late!"

"Of course not, your royal pratness!" The warlock laughed while walking away.

The patrol was going particularly well. There wasn't any trouble to bee seen around the outskirts of Camelot. Merlin and Arthur were on their usual banter with continues comments coming from the other knights whenever there was a chance. Merlin almost felt guilty. His sister, whom meant the world to him, was sad and scarred both mentally and physically, and he was laughing and having fun.

Gwain could see the pain in Merlin's eyes; it didn't take a genius to tell the warlock was worried about his sibling.

"Lighten up, mate. She'll be fine – if she's anywhere close to as stubborn as you are – Fawn will pull through." Gwain tried to reassure his friend.

"Ha – I'm sure she will; and I know coming out here enjoying myself is good, but I can't help but feel I should be with her – until she feels better, that is."

"You, my friend a-" Gwain was cut off.

"Quiet…" Arthur held up his hand as a sign for them to halt. Then suddenly they were being surrounded by bandits, "Ambush!" the king announced while dismounting his horse, preparing to fight.

The knights took care of a small group of the bandits while Merlin decided to make things easy and completely blow away most of them. Some were already retreating at the sight of the powerful warlock. However, one bandit took it upon himself to cause trouble and raised his bow.

It happened too fast. One second, Arthur was fighting along side his knights keeping close tabs on his friend whom was obliterating their attackers, the next second he saw an arrow find itself embedded into Merlin's chest.

"Merlin!" Arthur took down the remaining bandits while Leon took the liberty of taking out the one who shot their 'little brother'.

Arthur ran to Merlin's side, sliding down onto his knees and taking up the warlock into his arms. Blood was soaking Merlin's tunic around the arrow shaft. "Hold on, Merlin! Hold on – Just stay awake!" Arthur was beginning to panic.

"I – I didn't kn-know you c-cared…" Merlin groaned in pain and had a failed attempt at smiling.

Gwain rushed over to Merlin's other side and grasped his shoulder, "We're going to get you fixed up. Giaus will take care of you; we just have to get you back to Camelot – Back to your sister."

Arthur galloped through the gates, holding tightly onto the limp Merlin whom was sitting in front of him on the saddle. They entered the citadel and Gwen dropped all her things and ran to their side with a gasp.

"What happened?! Is he de-"

"He's alive," Arthur interrupted her, "but he needs Giaus! Go worn him, I'll get Merlin up there as quick as possible." Gwen rushed off to let the physician know what to prepare for. Arthur got of his horse and steadily lifted Merlin off and carried him through the corridors towards Giaus' chambers.

He burst through the doors and Giaus pointed to the empty patient bed. Merlin moaned in pain when Arthur set him down, the arrow was still stuck in his chest. Fawn ran from the back room after hearing the commotion and saw her brother and screamed in agony.

"Merlin!" She ran tried running to his side only to be held back by Arthur.

"Giaus needs space…" the king told her, holding her close.

"M-my brother..." She sobbed and started to fall to the ground, "H-he can't die – he won't die… there's s-so much blood. M-Merlin!" She leaned into Arthur and he did all could to prevent tears of his own.

Fawn, on the other hand, couldn't stop the tears coming, and her whole body shook with her cries, until eventually she passed out – Arthur catching her before she hit the floor.