Merlin looked around gingerly; his father was nowhere to be seen. He groaned softly when he tried to move although it was muffled by the thick cloth tied tightly around his mouth. He was strapped down to a metal table, his body covered in open cuts, long and jagged. His father liked to punish him when he did that 'thing'. It hurt and he cried which would make father angry. A loud crash brought his attention to the other side of the room. He gasped in fear and surprise. His father was stood there, his arm outstretched and his hand open, facing the floor; facing the knife. Grinning like a madman, he bent over to retrieve it and began menacingly stepping towards Merlin. Panicking, Merlin struggled with all his might, tried screaming for attention but it did him no good. For the rest of the night, Merlin was in great pain.
Night before the feast.
Merlin woke up, gasping for breath. He remembered that night and the nights just like it. Stumbling out of bed, Merlin hastily put on his clothes and all but threw himself into the main part of the physician's tower. Gaius was already awake but before he could say anything, Merlin jumped into his arms, crying his eyes out. Gaius understood and slowly stroked his wards back, muttering soft reassurances into his ears. After a few minuets, Merlin looked up and smiled at him. "I won't ask because I know exactly what you were dreaming off." Gaius assured him. Merlin just smiled again and walked out of the door, closing it softly behind him, ready to serve Arthur once again. With one more long look at the door, Gaius turned back to his work. It broke his heart that all he could do is say words to his boy, not give him a potion or a trinket. What had happened to that boy was dreadful and Gaius could remember looking at him when he was younger and seeing a quiet, skinny, pale boy who flinched at every sound. The pain the boy suffered in his dreams was never ending and more powerful then any draught Gaius could make. Every night he moaned and groaned, cried and whimpered and in the morning he would sob then smile and walk out the door. Every waking moment was filled with fake enthusiasm and Gaius would be happy when, in a few months, Merlin would calm down and would sleep peacefully.
Sorry for the really short chapter but I was short on time. Anyway, I hope you liked it and I hope you comment and stay with me. Also, if you have any suggestions for future stories, the tell me and I'll discuss it with you.