Daily Interference Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Summon the Knights

ARTHUR

They had been moved. When they were in a controlled sleep, somehow they had been moved somewhere else in this unfamiliar castle, and Arthur did not like the look of it. Merlin had not woken up yet, and, well, Arthur didn't want him to. Not when they were in this room. It scared him but he was sure this equipment was not for him, but for Merlin.

Arthur petted Merlin's head as he sat in the corner of the room, at the far back, to the right. It was warmer there, because of the tiny candle. When he had awoken, the Prince of Camelot had found Merlin lying in an uncomfortable heap beside him. So he sat up and pulled Merlin up so he could be more comfortable, allowing the boy to use the Crowned Prince's thigh as a pillow.

Now, as he waited for Merlin to stir, he was interested in the most obscene instruments he'd ever seen before. Where did Stephen get these from? Did he make them? No. He couldn't of. He's not the type of man to make these things. No. But he's the type of man to use them. That final thought sent shivers down the blond man's spine.

The walls of the room were laced in chains, controlled by the wrench at the side of the door. In the center of the room there were two tables. From what Arthur could see, one was empty and the other one had things on them. Probably torturing tools of some sort. Both were made of metal. Hanging from the ceiling, five pieces of rope hung there, still, but painted in red. Was that blood? Has someone else endured this…torture? Arthur dreaded to think that. Arthur craned his neck slightly when his eye caught something black. A curtain. What was behind it? It's hiding something!

Arthur was brought back from his thoughts by a groan. Merlin. Merlin the sorcerer. What was he supposed to think? Sorcerer's were evil, but Merlin didn't show that. Even as Arthur tried to picture an evil Merlin, he just couldn't. It didn't suit him. But why did the boy choose to learn magic? And then come to Camelot where it is banned?

That was something to ask Merlin…when he was feeling better. Arthur was okay with Merlin having magic. The Crowned Prince felt mature about this whole thing. Yes he felt betrayed because his best friend didn't trust him to tell him his secret. But thinking about it, should he feel betrayed?

No. The answer was no. Arthur was the King's son for heaven sake. King Uther's son. Son of the King who killed many of probably innocent people. Innocent, magical people that were probably doing no harm, probably making crops to grow and to make the rain or the snow fall. All in all, Arthur didn't care Merlin had magic.

But did Merlin even have magic? All he had said was that he had magic, not that he would have it. He might have been blackmailed into saying that, just to lose the friendship between the two. That would never happen. This whole thing might not even be happening.

Now all Arthur could do was just sit and wait for Merlin to wake up.

MERLIN

His whole body felt numb, cold. Where was he? Where was Arthur. He couldn't remember anything after blacking out in the cell. Although, he was briefly awake when they came and dragged them from the stinking cell. He wasn't sure where Arthur and himself were now.

Arthur. Where was Arthur? Was he alright? What have they done to him? Have they done anything? So many questions, and yet he needed, no- wanted to wake up. Wait. Arthur knew. Arthur knew about his magic. Was there a point on wakening up, just to be yelled at and told he had betrayed his friend? The thought scared him. His body shook, and something wet ran down his face. The manservant was hungry- he hadn't eaten a thing for about two days, let alone have a drink of water.

Something else was shaking his body. They were calling his name, and they sounded panicked .

Come on Merlin. Wake up lazy daisy. They seemed to say. Wait- only one person would say that. Arthur. Arthur wanted him to wake up.

"Arthur?" His voice was hoarse. His eyes blinked open, revealing that the wetness on his face was tears.

"Yes, you idiot, it's Arthur." His master's tone was affectionate, soothing- nothing like the Arthur he knew him to be. "Can you sit up?" To answer his question, the serving boy lifted himself up with his arms, to lean against the wall Arthur was using to sit against. With his knees drawn up to his chest, he stared around the room, feeling the blood drain from his face as he looked at the most horrible instruments.

"W-Where are we?" Merlin asked, his voice an octave higher than normal.

"I'm not sure, but we've been moved from that cell, into here."

"Yes, very clever you clotpole." Merlin muttered.

"I see you're not hurt enough to take a jab at your master." Arthur grinned, giving Merlin a shove that appeared to be painful.

"Are you okay?" Arthur asked. The Warlock nodded. Then a heavy sigh came from the blond man. "Are you really…"

"A sorcerer? No. I'm a warlock." Merlin said.

"A sorcerer is the same thing, isn't it?" The Prince asked looking confused.

"No. A sorcerer chooses to learn magic. A warlock is born with magic. I'm a warlock. I could do magic before I could learn to talk. I have no choice. To be, it's just as easy as breathing." Merlin explained. "I thought you would be angry. I have lied to you, I betrayed you. I didn't want to, honest. I was just so scared, our…friendship…I didn't want it to break."

"Merlin. I don't care that you have magic. I had a very long think about it while you were sleeping. I'm okay with it. Just answer me one question. How powerful are you?" Arthur asked. Merlin looked at Arthur with an innocent face.

"I'm still learning. I don't know yet."

Arthur paled.

GAIUS

Every day for the past two days, Gaius was becoming increasingly worried. Not just about the missing Prince that has somehow escaped from the dungeons, but about Merlin, his ward. He was gone. Disappeared at the same time as Arthur….and Prince Stephen.

King Uther was blind as well as stupid. He hadn't noticed this, even though it was clear as crystal. Everyone could see it. There was rumours going around the castle already and none had been heard by the King, and no one would certainly go and try and make the suggestion, after all- it was treason if you spoke out of terms against a Nobleman.

Now, Gaius had been busy preparing double the medicines he usually prepared. He knew that when Prince Arthur and his ward did return. They will need medical treatment. Morgana and Gwen had came down to help, and to see if Gaius had anything knew to tell them about what was happening.

There was a knock on his door, before it creaked open. The old man looked up from making his latest sleeping draught.

"Morgana! Do you need a sleeping draught? I have plenty mixed up." Gaius said, walking over to the shelf.

"No, Gaius, I'm fine. In fact, I came to see if you need any help?" Morgana asked in her sweet voice.

"No, I have everything under control. Is this about Merlin and Arthur?" Gaius asked, moving towards her. Morgana nodded.

"Morgana, my child. The only way they will be coming back is if they escape or if Uther sends Knights after them. But until someone tells Uther, nothing is going to happen." Gaius said, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Okay then. I'll go and tell him." Gaius stayed quiet.

"Okay. You do what you have to do . And, My Lady, please don't make him angry."

"No Gaius, I wont."

MORGANA

It was supper when Morgana finally saw Uther. He wouldn't talk to her, just sit and eat in silence. Gwen was standing behind him, waiting for orders. She glanced at her friend to see the same worried look she had on since the day Merlin and Arthur went missing. Morgana knew the time to start questioning her King would be now.

"Have you had any luck finding Arthur?" Morgana asked taking a sip of her wine. She took a glance at Gwen to see her face light up with hope.

"No. There's been no sign of him." The King replied abruptly.

"I find it quite strange."

"What? What do you find strange?"

"That Arthur has gone, but at the same time, Prince Stephen has gone too."

"Yes, he's gone home."

"I just find it strange how his servant has gone too. If Prince Stephen has gone home, Merlin and Arthur are allowed to communicate again, aren't they?"

"I suppose so." The King replied. "They've probably gone on a hunt."

"A hunt, yet Arthur has disappeared from his cell and no key but a locked door was found?" Morgana said, raising an eyebrow.

"What are you suggesting?" The King implored.

"I fear Prince Stephen has taken them both. I don't think he is a friend to Camelot." Uther's face went red. Morgana knew that wasn't a good thing. He stood up, leaving the table and heading towards the door, calling to the nearest door.

"Summon the knights. I want my son found."

Morgana sat there stunned. That went easier than she thought. She looked at the Guard still standing there. She stood up and left the table.

"Make sure you get the most trusted Knights. You know who I mean." She glared at the guard, making sure he done his job. He nodded and went straight to do the task.

MERLIN

"I don't feel well." Merlin murmured as he lay on the cold stone floor.

"I'm not surprised. You've had nothing to eat and you're hurt." Arthur replied.

"No, something's not right. I can feel it. It's not right." The boy muttered, closing his eyes to stop the dizzy spell.

"You probably have a fever. Go to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning." Arthur said, then stopped realising his servants' breathing was rapidly getting faster.

"Arthur. Move. Get away from me." Merlin cried out in a whisper.

"Why? What's wrong?" Arthur was beginning to panic. The Crowned Prince crawled over to his servant and touched his head. "You feel, fine, what's wrong?"

"It burns. It's like ice, but it burns. Something… it's crawling. It's crawling up my body…it burns." Merlin whimpered, a sticky substance running from his nose. His head felt like a drum. His breathing hitched in his throat, before letting out a scream.

"ARTHUR MOVE! GET AWAY FROM ME!" He said through the scream. The feeling ripped through his body, the burning ice hurting more than anything.

"What is it?" Arthur panicked.

Suddenly, Merlin felt his magic rip out from everywhere; his chest, his veins, his mouth. His eyes, his nose his ears, they all hurt. Arthur was knocked back, his hip slamming into the corner of the metal table. He dropped to the floor, his body limp. Merlin screamed Arthur's name, wanting him to reawaken. Of course that wouldn't happen, not yet. His magic calmed down, just enough to let him pass out.

Sorry it's really late, but hey- it's really long too! I enjoyed writing the last part. Sorry if it was boring, but it had to be done.

Thanks to TheSaga for helping me get out of my writer's block! It really helped.

Please review! Until the next time!