A/N: I am so so so sorry for this extremely late update. I had a bit of trouble coming up with something for this chapter. I'm not very fond of this chapter because it is the shortest chapter I've written so far and because I feel kinda iffy about this. Sorry if its not as good as my previous chapters!


Chapter Five


"Merlin! Hurry up!" Myka laughed as Merlin struggled to keep up with her. The two of them were out in the forest picking berries for Gaius and Myka decided to race Merlin to the river. Merlin ran as fast as he could to keep up with her.

"Took you long enough!" Myka exclaimed when Merlin finally arrived at the river. Myka was sitting against a tree and her bare feet were touching the edge of the river. Merlin sat down beside her and grabbed the basket of berries they had picked together. He picked out a berry and popped it into his mouth.

"Not my fault. You had a head start." He said. Myka laughed and rested her head against Merlin's left shoulder. Merlin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

"Arthur's going to kill me, you know." He murmured. Myka snickered.

"Does this have anything to do with the fact that you spent the day with me instead of doing chores?" She teased. Merlin laughed and kissed the top of her head.

"Something like that, yes."

Merlin's fists clenched tighter as he found himself thinking of that moment from days ago. He forced himself not to think about what could be happening to her at this point because he could lose control and do something he might regret.

"Merlin? I think we should ask Arthur for some help. We can't do this on our own." Gwaine suggested.

"You're right. We can't do this alone." They hurried up the castle stairs and skidded to a stop outside of Arthur's room. Merlin didn't even bother to knock and came barrelling into the room. Arthur looked up from the table and frowned.

"You do know you can knock before entering someone's chambers, right Merlin?"

"Myka's been kidnapped by Cenred's men and we need your help to save her." Merlin said flatly. Arthur stood up and stared at Merlin in disbelief.

"How did this happen?" He demanded. Gwaine spoke up.

"Myka and I got drugged at the tavern and they took her. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought her there." He said solemnly.

"Its not your fault, Gwaine. It would've happened sooner or later." Merlin said, reassuring Gwaine. Arthur walked past Merlin and Gwaine and motioned for them to follow him.

"I'll inform father. Don't worry, Merlin. We'll find her." He said. Merlin and Gwaine followed Arthur towards Uther's chambers and waited as Arthur knocked.

"Come in." Uther's muffled voice called from the other side of the door. Arthur pushed the door open and entered. Uther saw Merlin and Gwaine come in as well and he frowned.

"What's going on?" He asked, eyeing Merlin and Gwaine wearily. Arthur cleared his throat loudly and stepped towards Uther.

"Myka was taken by Cenred's men. I fear that she may be in danger." Uther stiffened at the mention of Cenred.

"And what do you want me to do about it?" Uther said coldly. Merlin looked furious and stepped forwards to protest but Gwaine held him back. Arthur looked stunned.

"Don't you care? She came all this way from Mora just to warn us about Cenred and this is how you repay her?" Arthur shouted. Uther stood up, his eyes flashing angrily.

"I don't like this any more than you do, Arthur. We can't send in men to-"

"Why? Because you're afraid to start a war with Cenred? Mora doesn't even belong to Cenred! Don't you want to help those people? Help Myka?" Uther was taken aback by Arthur's outburst but narrowed his eyes at him.

"You are forbidden from going to Mora. I don't want to hear anymore of this." Uther said, slamming his hand on the table. Arthur looked furious and stormed out of the room. Gwaine could see Merlin shaking in rage and quickly ushered him out of ther room before Merlin could say anything that would make Uther angrier.

"I can't believe he doesn't care." Arthur growled as they went back to his chambers.

"I'm still going to find her. If we waste anymore time here, it might be too late." Merlin said fiercely. He headed for the door but Arthur stopped him.

"I'm coming with you." Gwaine raised and eyebrow at that but said nothing. Merlin shook his head.

"You don't have to do this Arthur. You'll get in trouble."

"I know how much she means to you." Merlin looked at Arthur gratefully and Gwaine smiled a little. He clapped his hands.

"Alright! Let's get going then!" He said loudly. Merlin nodded and the three of them hurried down to the stables.

Hang in there, Myka. We're coming.

/

Myka trembled from the cold. She could feel herself lying on the cool ground and she kept her eyes shut, scared of what she might see. She remembered a little bit of what had transpired the night before and shivered in fear.

"I know you're awake, sweetie." A familiar voice said in a sing song voice. Myka flinched and opened her eyes slowly. A man was sitting on a log across from her and he was grinning at her. It made her sick.

"What do you want with me?" She asked shakily. The man tutted and threw his knife on the ground. He stood up and crouched in front of Myka.

"I don't want anything from you. King Cenred wants something from you." He said, twisting a curl of her hair around his finger. Myka moved away from him and scooted as far away as she could. He laughed cruelly and stood up.

"Don't even think about escaping. If I see you trying anything funny, you'll regret it." He threatened. Myka closed her eyes and listened as he walked away, laughing. A tear trickled down her cheek as she tried not to think about what lay ahead for her.

"Here." Another voice said in a kinder tone. Myka opened her eyes and saw a different man kneeling next to her. He had sandy colored hair and warm brown eyes. He was holding out a bowl of food for her. He sensed her hesitance but gently pushed the bowl into her hands.

"Jay can be a bit... Brutal." He said carefully. Myka picked up the spoon and sipped some of the soup slowly. Warmth rushed through her body and she quickly ate up the rest of it while the man watched her. Once she had finished, she set it down on the ground.

"Thank you." She mumbled. The man picked the bowl off the ground and stood up.

"Owen. I'm Owen." He said quickly before walking away. Myka watched him leave and felt grateful that not all of the men here were as brutal as Jay.

Carefully, Myka looked around her. It was late in the afternoon already and the sky was beginning to darken. How long have I been unconscious? She wondered. She looked around and noticed that Jay, Owen and another man were standing with their backs to her on the other side of the fire they had set up.

Myka contemplated about escaping but shuddered as she remembered Jay's threat from earlier. She knew she had no choice but to try and escape so as quietly as she could, she stood up and started making her way towards the large tree behind her. Knowing that the skirt of her dress would rustle the leaves as she walked, she tore some of it off until the dress came up to her knees. She kept walking slowly until she was sure that they couldn't hear her anymore before running as fast as she could.

"Hey! Get back here!" She could hear Jay's frustrated voice as they ran after her. She ran on, ignoring the branches and thorns that scratched at her legs and arms. After a while, she could no longer hear them running. They were still walking around, trying to find her so Myka hid behind a bush.

"Come out and stop hiding." Jay sneered as they got closer to her hiding place. Myka walked backwards slowly and jumped as she collided with someone behind her.

"Gotcha." A deep voice growled in her ear. Myka screamed, and tried kicking away but the man behind her slapped her hard across the face.

Jay and Owen approached Myka as she struggled to get away from the man holding her. "What did I say about trying to escape?" Jay hissed dangerously. Myka's eyes darted to Owen but his eyes would not meet hers. Jay grabbed her by the hair and threw her onto the ground. Myka sceamed in pain as Jay kicked her repeatedly.

"St-Stop!" She cried out. Jay grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet. Myka could barely stand up.

"I just hate it when someone disobeys me." He said. Myka spat at his face and he slapped her with the back of his hand. Myka could feel the ring he was wearing tear the skin on her cheek and she fell to the ground.

"Jay. Stop." Owen said quietly. Jay turned to look at Owen.

"What did you say?" He asked angrily. Owen looked boredly and Jay.

"King Cenred probably wants her alive." He pointed out. Jay glanced down at Myka's unmoving body.

"Fine. Carry her back to the camp and tie her up. I don't want her getting away again." Jay said as he walked away. "Come on, Mark." He called to man who caught Myka. Owen gently picked up Myka and almost flinched at the sight of her.

Myka's face was bloody and a nasty cut covered her left cheek. Her dress was torn in various places and her legs were beginning to bruise. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared up at Owen with unfocused eyes.

"I'm sorry." Owen said softly. Myka tried to give him a reassuring smile but soon lost consciousness. Owen carried her back silently and laid her down on the ground near the fire. Jay was watching carefully and Owen could feel his gaze burning into his back. He grabbed the rope and started tying Myka up, taking care not to jostle her. He stood up once he was finished and walked over to where Jay was sitting.

"Why are you hesitating? You've done this before." Jay asked quietly. Owen looked at the flickering flames. Cenred had called on him and Jay countless times to pursue women and men who had something Cenred wanted. He never hesitated to hit or attack any of them until now. Owen looked at Myka's unconscious figure and then back at the flames.

"I don't know."