"Where are they?" Demanded Balinor as he strode into the dungeons, a look of hatred on his face. In the cell, Vivienne looked up at him, defiantly, her face was smudged with both dirt and bruises, but still she stood as regally as she could as she stared at the twisted man from behind the bars.
"I have no idea what you mean" she stated. Balinor curled his fingers around the bars, his knuckles going white.
"Do not play games with me woman" he growled. Vivienne raised an eyebrow at him, then sat down. "Where are your bastard sons?" he said. Vivienne tilted her head and looked away from him.
"I have neither the knowledge or the desire to help you Balinor, do what you will with me, but know this, my sons are safe, and far from you" she stated. Balinor let go of the bars, and then opened the door stepping in to the cell, slowly he knelt down next to her, stroking her cheek in a dark parody of love.
"Oh my dear, believe me" he suddenly gripped her face and turned it roughly towards him. "Nowhere will be far enough" he promised, then shoved her head back as he let her go. She looked up at him as he stood.
"Bring him" he commanded. Outside the cell there was a grunt of pain, as Morgause magically threw a battered and bloodied Uther into the cell, his armour had been removed, and his back was crossed with whip marks, his arm was swollen, most likely broken, his eyes were slits caused by the pain he was in.
"I give you this to think on" said Balinor kicking Uther's prone form. "You will tell me, by sundown tomorrow where your sons are or the next time you see your beloved king he will be in pieces, and then I will start on you" he told her.
"Then you may as well kill us now, for we will never betray them" Uther whispered through the pain. Balinor smirked as he looked down at him.
"I think, when the time comes, you will not be so eager to embrace death"
"You will pay Balinor, you will pay most dearly for what you have done here" Vivienne told him. Balinor laughed and leant close to her.
"Perhaps, but I can guarantee my dear, no matter how this plays out, you will not be here to witness it" he said, then turning, walked out of the cell, slamming it closed behind him.
"Sundown Vivienne, so I suggest you make your choice" he called back, before walking away, Morgause with him. Vivienne watched them go, hatred etched onto her face, then slowly she knelt next to Uther, placing a hand on his chest, Uther taking it in his own.
"Arthur?" Merlin's voice was soft, Arthur looking up as he approached. The group had been traveling for most of the day, and Gwaine had finally stated it was time to make camp, they had all eaten, mostly in silence, before turning in for a night of sleep under the stars, except for Arthur, who's thought's kept travelling back to Camelot. He shifted over as Merlin sat down next to him, remaining silent.
"Its funny you know" Arthur finally said, breaking the silence. Merlin looked over at him.
"What is?" he asked.
"When we were growing up, and we used to imagine going on quests, fighting beasts saving everyone, and here we are, and the beast is all too human" he said. Beside him Merlin nodded, then chuckled, Arthur looking at him.
"Didn't think it was that funny" Arthur said. Merlin shook his head.
"No, I just remember the first 'beast' you ever slew" Merlin said. Arthur thought for a moment then grinned.
"Oh, how long ago was that?" he asked. Merlin thought for a second.
"I think you were ten" Merlin said, and if I remember the spider was about this big" Merlin replied holding his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart. Arthur laughed.
"And Morgana, screaming about it in her chambers" Arthur agreed.
"She wouldn't leave you alone for a month" Merlin replied, then battered his eyelids at Arthur "My hero" he said in a squeaky voice, both men breaking into quiet laughter, which slowly died down.
"What ever happened to those days?" asked Arthur softly. Merlin shrugged.
"We grew up, became responsible" he said. "Then you became crown prince, and me, I kind of screwed myself over with the dying thing I think" Merlin said. Arthur put his hand on his brothers shoulder.
"No, I'm the one who royally screwed that up, believe me" he said softly. "I just.. I didn't know how to act, what to do" Arthur said.
"You did what you thought you should" Merlin said gently. "if it wasn't for that cup, and Father's secret.." Merlin let his voice trail off. Arthur watching him. "I made him promise to not use the cup if something happened to us" he finally said.
"Even though it saved your life?" asked Arthur. Merlin nodded at him.
"Even though" he admitted, the two falling into silence once again. Over by the camp fire Morgana shifted in her sleep, Merlin smiling at her, beside him Arthur chuckled.
"You really love her don't you?" Arthur said.
"More than anything" Merlin admitted. "When she's not there, I want her there, when she's with me I don't want to let her go" he said. "It just feels… right" he stated. Arthur smiled.
"Then it must be" he said softly. Merlin nodded, then taking a deep breath stood.
"you should try to get some sleep" he told Arthur. Arthur nodded at him.
"I will do" he said quietly, as his brother turned and walked over to Morgana, before adjusting his cape that he'd put around her to keep her warm, and settling down next to her.
They awoke the next morning, eating a small breakfast, before setting out towards the border. Merlin glanced at Arthur, seeing the dark circles under his eyes, feeling guilty that his brother had obviously not slept. He wanted to say something, to reassure him, but truth be told, Merlin wasn't entirely sure of what to say, so instead he kept his own council.
"How are you holding up?"
Merlin looked over to see Morgana had moved up next to him. He shrugged and gestured towards Arthur with his head.
"I'm more worried about him, I just don't know what to say. I know it was father's orders, but I also know Arthur, and there's not one part of him who feels like he's abandoned them"
"Running is never easy" said Gwaine from behind them. "And with his being crown prince, this goes against everything he's been taught" he added. Merlin shook his head.
"No, I don't think Arthur really cares about being a prince or anything like that at the moment" Merlin said. Gwaine smiled and nodded.
"A son worried about his parents?" he asked softly. Merlin nodded.
"and do you worry about them, the way he does?" Gwaine asked. Merlin frowned.
"What sort of question is that?" he asked.
"One that you will need to answer for yourself, before we can return" Gwaine told him, spurring his horse a bit faster and going past Merlin and Morgana. The pair watched him, then looked at each other.
"Does he think I'm heartless?" Merlin asked. Morgana shook her head.
"Merlin, no one who knows you can say your heartless" she said softly.
"Hold!" Arthur suddenly called, the group coming to a halt. Arthur was scanning the woods around them, watching.
"Arthur?" asked Merlin riding up to him.
"We're being watched" he said softly. Beside him Gwaine nodded.
"Yes" he agreed. Merlin looked back at Leon and the others and gestured them to take up positions around Morgana and Gwen.
"Bandits" hissed Percival from where he was situated beside Morgana. Arthur looked back at him and nodded, then slowly dismounted his Unicorn, Merlin doing the same, Gwaine remained on his horse. Behind him the three knights had also dismounted but stayed where they were, weapons drawn.
"Show yourselves!" Arthur yelled out suddenly.
"So eager to die are you?" a voice called back.
"I assure you, it is not we who will be dying" Arthur replied. There was the sound of laughter from all around them, then the trees and bushes came alive as several men emerged, all carrying weapons of some kind, swords, daggers, maces and others.
"Seven of you against 20 of us? I don't like your odds" said a man stepping forwards, he was about forty, and wore a leather tunic his hair was a light colour, his voice was the one who'd called out before, and he brandished a long sword, swinging it expertly.
"State your intentions" said Gwaine calling down to him. The man stopped and laughed.
"You hear that boys? They want to know our 'intensions'" the man said, around him the other men began to laugh as well.
"Pretty simple, we kill you and the others, and take your women back to our employer" he said.
"You can try" Merlin stated. The man turned to him.
"Oh we will" he promised.
"you have no idea of who your messing with!" Morgana called. The man looked at her.
"She's a feisty one, yours I take it" he said looking at Merlin. "But tell then, who am I dealing with?" he asked.
"I am Arthur Pendragon, crown prince of Camelot" Arthur said stepping forwards. The man mock bowed to him.
"Then I am in honoured company indeed" he replied. "So this must be Merlin" he said, looking at him.
"That's right"
"A double honour" the man said. "I am Tristan" he said.
"I've never heard of you" Arthur said. Tristan smiled.
"Then obviously I'm doing my job right" he replied.
"And what do we have here?" asked a woman walking out from the trees. Tristan looked at her and smiled.
"Arthur and Merlin Pendragon of all people" Tristan said. Then he looked back at Arthur. "My.. associate, Isolde" he introduced.
"Can't we just kill them and be done with it?" called one of the bandits. Tristan looked over at him.
"You'll have to forgive my friend, you see its been such a long time since we had a good skirmish" Tristan said. "But, I must see to their needs, so if you'll forgive me, it's been a pleasure, but I have my orders" he said, gesturing the men forwards.
"Wait" Isolde suddenly said, Tristan looking at her expectantly. "If they really are who they say they are, then they will be worth much more to us alive" she said. Tristan frowned, then looked at his men, with a gesture backing them away.
"And if they're not?" he asked her mildly. Isolde smiled at him.
"Then we can kill them just as easily when we get back" she said. Tristan looked back at them, then nodded.
"You'll come with us, and I pray for your sakes this is not a deception" he said.
"It is no deception" Gwen called out. Arthur however went to move forwards, to attack, only to be stopped by Gwaine.
"Let this play out young prince" he said with a smile. Arthur shrugged him off, but re-holstered his weapon.
"there's a good lad" Tristan said.
"Well my dear Vivienne, have you made your decision?" asked Balinor as he approached the cell. Vivienne looked up from where she sat by Uther.
"I have indeed" she said, standing. Balinor moved up the bars, Vivienne doing the same. Balinor looked at her, expectantly. Vivienne smiled then spat in his face.
"You will never have our sons" she hissed. Balinor blinked, then wiped the spit from his face.
"I knew you'd say that" he admitted. "Such a pity, but well, what am I meant to do?" he asked, sounding almost reasonable. Then he turned away, looking at Morgause.
"Bring her, then come back and make sure he is in pieces when we return" he said. Vivienne fought the magic but it was no use as she was dragged from the cell.
"I'll kill you for this Balinor! I swear I will kill you!" Uther roared.
They were halfway to the room Balinor had set up as his torture chamber when Morgause stopped and looked around.
"What is it?" he demanded.
"The witch is free" Morgause said. Balinor's face became a mask of rage.
"How?" he demanded. Morgause shook her head.
"I don't know"
"Then I suggest you find out" he said. Morgause looked over at Vivienne.
"Your plans fail, even now" Vivienne said looking over at Balinor. Balinor for his part grabbed her roughly and pushed her forwards.
"We'll see about that" he snarled, he had gone all of three feet when Vivienne vanished. Balinor roared, and turned to his daughter.
"FIND HER!" he roared.
Uther looked up from where he was sat, sobbing with worry for his wife.
"Uther" he looked up, seeing the last person he thought he would standing there. The small druid boy Mordred.
"are you well enough to stand?" Mordred asked. Uther nodded but then shook his head.
"Vivienne, Balinor has her, please, I don't care about me, but you must help her" Uther said softly. Mordred looked at him, then smiled.
"I already have, now we need to leave" he said.
"But-"
"Uther, there is nothing to be done here. You trusted your sons to follow your orders, now I ask you to trust me, Nimueh is already free, but we need you, for while your sons raise their army, we too must raise our own"
"They're what?" asked Uther, blinking.
"Even now it begins, but to defeat Balinor we will need both strength and Magic. They gather the forces of Strength, we must do the same for Magic" Mordred said. Uther stood then nodded.
"And my queen?" he asked again.
"Is safe, with Nimueh" Mordred said. Uther smiled and took the child's outstretched hand.
"Then take me to her" Uther said. A moment later they both vanished.
Balinor rounded the corner to the cells, coming to a halt and roaring in rage on finding it empty. Quickly he turned and ran to the courtyard where the Dragons he commanded waited.
"Find them, I don't care if you have to burn every inch of every kingdom! Find them!" he commanded. From off to the side Kilgharrah laughed.
"So it begins, as I told you it would. Your downfall is approaching Balinor" Kilgharrah informed him. Balinor rounded on him, striding forwards.
"You knew this would happen!" he stated.
"I did and I also warned you, you did not heed those warnings, so whatever follows is now on your shoulders Dragonlord, not mine" Kilgharrah told him, taking flight. Balinor watched as the traitorous Dragon flew over the roof of the castle.
The group were led to a large network of caverns situated within the base of a large cliff, outside there were several guards, who quickly moved over, weapons drawn. A moment later a large dark skinned man stepped out, clicking his neck as he moved.
"If he wanted prisoners, he'd have asked for them" the man stated.
"I know that Helios, but if these people are who they claim to be, then we shall be very rich indeed" Isolde told him. Helios stepped forwards, examining the prisoners. Arthur, Merlin, Morgana and the others standing defiantly.
"They've got guts I'll give them that" he said. He turned to another of the bandits.
"go get him, tell them we have, 'guests'" he sneered, turning back, then walking away.
"I hope your magic can get us out of this Gwaine because I can see this going very bad very quickly" muttered Lancelot.
"Bite your tongue, or I'll remove your mouth" Gwaine replied. "And don't think I can't" he added.
"Will you both be quiet" Gwen of all people hissed at them. "this is bad enough without you drawing attention to us" she whispered. Over at the entrance, Helios, Tristan and Isolde had stopped talking and were looking at them, finally, apparently satisfied they weren't going to try to escape, because, to be honest, they were all weaponless, and in the middle of enemy territory, so where could they go.
"I don't care who they say they are! I do not take prisoners, you know the rules!" said a mans voice from the entrance to the cavern. A moment later he emerged, and beside Morgana Gwen gasped.
"Elyan?" she whispered. He turned, then blinked.
"Gwen?" he replied.
"Wait, you two know each other?" asked Arthur. Gwen nodded and smiled as she stepped forwards.
"He's my brother" she said. Behind the group, Gwaine smirked.
"What are you doing here?" Elyan asked, as he pulled her into a hug.
"Fleeing, mostly" she replied. Elyan frowned.
"Fleeing what?" he asked. "What's happened?"
"Balinor" she said.
"Who?"
"Long story, suffice to say he's captured Camelot with his dragons, we're trying to find an army to take the battle back to him" Gwen said. Elyan stepped back and then looked at the others.
"I think, we all need to have a long talk" Elyan said, then he looked at the guards.
"Release them" he said. "and see that they and their steeds are fed and watered" he added.
"Why do I get the feeling this is going to go very bad now" muttered Helios.
Far away, in a hidden cavern far beneath the surface of the land, Mordred appeared with Uther at his side, almost immediately Vivienne was in Uther's arms, holding him tightly. Nimueh smiled as Mordred moved over to her and took her hand, while around them the Druids that called this cavern home watched in silence. Mordred closed his eyes, then looked up at Nimueh.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The Dragons search for us" he said. Then he smiled, and looked over at Uther. "And the Armies begin to gather" he added. Uther smiled as he hugged his wife.