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Chapter 13 Merlin Rescue

Arthur looked at the castle in front of them, which had seen better days. He could feel his blood singing, Merlin was in there and he needed Arthur from what Morgana had been saying. Although for now he had to sit still waiting for the cover of the night, and he hated that so much. Every fibre of his being was screaming, itching, to get to Merlin and get him out of there. But for now they had to wait for Morgana who had gone to get the key to the magical bonds that she said Merlin was bound in. Trusting her after what she had done was really hard, but she was the only one able to walk in and get that key as Morgause didn't know she had came to Camelot and brought Arthur with him. Looking up at the sky for the nth time, Arthur cursed again, they still had some time left till dark. He had nearly abandoned the plan and got up to go in five times already and each time he was stopped by Leon or another knight set as a guard for him by Leon. He tensed his muscles, thinking about how fast he had to act if he needed to run in without being stopped, when he felt a hand rest heavily on his shoulder. A sigh of defeat escaped him and he looked up to see Edward looking at him with sympathy.

"I want to dash in too" the knight said. "But we need to do what's the best way of getting him out of here without causing him more pain" Arthur knew that of course, but it didn't make it any easier. He knew that Edward and Merlin were close friends, and that Edward really did care.

"I'm glad he has you for a friend" was all Arthur said to the knight, and then went back to staring at the castle that Morgause had taken over. Time passed and soon the sky began to darken. It was then that Morgana finally came out. When she reached them, Arthur was on her in a second.

"What took you so long?" He demanded of her. She gave him an annoyed look.

"They couldn't be suspicious of me" She explained. "I'd already been missing for hours, if I went missing again, so soon she'd notice!"Arthur frowned at her logic.

"Did you at least get the key?" he snapped at her. She took something out from her bosom with a raised eyebrow as if to say 'do you take me for an idiot?' Arthur snatched the key of her. "Right, you need to tell us how to get to Merlin"

"He's in the dungeons" She said "I'll show you"

"No" Arthur shook his head "You are staying here, and will give us directions on how to get there"

"I don't think so" Morgana said simply "You need my help and I'm not staying behind!"Arthur opened his mouth to argue again, when he was stopped by Edward.

"We don't have time for this" both Arthur and Morgana turned on to him, and seeing the will to argue on both their faces he said the next thing that would shut them up. "Merlin doesn't have time for this" they both quietened at that, looking slightly ashamed. "You can show us the way lady Morgana" and that was that.

MAAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Morgana shifted in her hiding spot in the alcove, a few of Cenred's guards walked past her. She took a deep breath and looked round the corner to make sure all was clear, not seeing anyone she left her spot and was about to signal for Arthur and the knights when she stopped at the call of her name.

"Lady Morgana!" she turned to see another guard walking towards her. She gave him her best fake smile, catching sight of Arthur's stealthy move from behind the clueless guard. With sickening bang the hilt of Arthur's sward connected with said guard's head and he was out cold. Unwin and Owain hid the unconscious man in the alcove that Morgana had been hiding in and they all made their way toward the dungeons. Getting down was easy, no guards were present, clearly Morgause was too confident, but then again she had used magical chains, she was too confident that Morgana wouldn't betray her. Very soon they were down looking at the cells.

"Well, which cell?" Arthur asked her. She bit her lip, fearing Arthur's reaction when he saw Merlin, but soon she walked down towards Merlin's cell and looked in waiting for Arthur to react, and she was not disappointed. Arthur gave a gasp of horror, looking frozen in his place. The reaction caught the attention of the knights and they soon joined Arthur and they too gave similar reactions, Edward even gave what Morgana thought was a small yell of outrage. She concentrated on their reactions because she didn't want to look at Merlin again.

Arthur dashed forwards toward Merlin and got working on the chains. Things happened so fast that Morgana wasn't sure what exactly happened next. The moment the chains came off, Merlin gave a yell full of ... intensity. It was the only word Morgana could use, it wasn't one of pain but it was close. Then the whole castle began to shake as Merlin curled in on himself.

"We need to get out of here!" Leon yelled. Arthur picked up Merlin and ran out of the cell with Morgana and the rest behind him. They managed to get out of the lower levels on to the main floor, when the shaking stopped. Soon though they heard the running steps of Cenred's men, clearly coming to see what was going on. They barely managed to go to the end of the corridor before they were surrounded.

"Well well well" Came Cenred's voice from behind her. Morgan turned to see him stand there, both swards he always carried raised and facing their little group. "Lady Morgana! Your sister was adamant that you would not betray her, I wasn't so sure. Looks like I was right" he gave a wolf like smile, and then turned to Arthur. "Here to rescue a servant! I must say I'm surprised, never thought a pendragon would stoop so low"

Arthur growled at him. Morgana thought quickly, if Morgause was to catch up to them then escape would be almost impossible. They needed to get out now! Looking around she saw a crack in the ceiling, clearly caused during the earthquake earlier. A whispered word and the crack got bigger and then a portion of ceiling fell... right on top of Cenred's men. Not wasting any time she dashed, calling for the knights to follow her. She led them to the front door and soon they were running towards their horses.

MAAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

He didn't know where he was, but where ever it was it wasn't steady. He could feel himself being jolted constantly and it caused aches all over his body. He didn't know what knew torture Morgause had cooked up for him and he didn't think he wanted to know, so he kept his eyes firmly closed. But waking up was evitable, and soon Merlin felt his senses return to him. He was sitting upright on a horse from what he could tell, and someone was sitting behind him holding him tight to a firm, armour clad chest. He could smell fresh air and feel the breeze on his face, and he could hear chatter, the kind that he only heard when he was out with Arthur and his knights, although they sounded subdued.

Merlin didn't want to believe what his senses were telling him if it was a cruel trick of magic. But then he felt what he hadn't for too long, thanks to Morgause's magical chains, his magic. Daring to open his eyes, he was astonished by the sight that welcomed him. Camelot! Although it was in the distance and Merlin guessed they had at least a couple of hours before they got to the castle, but still. He didn't know what this was, a trick or real, but he had to know! Squirming in place trying to look at who was holding him and who was with them, and when he couldn't move, he panicked. His breathing sped up and he started to struggle even more. He nearly passed out; his senses all getting dull again. Suddenly he felt his world move sideways. Then he noticed that the horse had stopped moving and he was being lowered to the ground and someone was, rapidly saying his name.

Opening his eyes again (and when had he closed them!) he was met with the site of Arthur above him. It was Arthur who was calling his name.

"A-A-Arthur?" Merlin managed to get out. A look of relief passed over Arthur's face, before being replaced with worry again.

"Merlin!" Arthur said. "Are you ok?" Merlin wanted to roll his eyes and say something like 'what do you think, prat?' but all he managed was, "Yeh"

"I think maybe a break would be good before we set of again" that was a female voice. Merlin turned his head to see Morgana with them. She had clearly kept her promise to free him. Merlin smiled at her, very happy that she wasn't evil anymore. Morgana saw his smile, and gave a little hesitant one of her own.

"Right" Arthur said to her and then took the water skin that Edward handed to him, and placing the lid to Merlin's lips while Unwin lifted his head and Merlin drank gratefully.

They didn't stay for long, soon Merlin was back on Arthur's horse and the prince behind him and they left for Camelot. Once they reached the castle, Merlin looked up and smiled. He was back home! What got his attention though, was the people. They all came out and stood staring at the party. They had never done that before; they always looked, waved at the prince, and then went back to their business. But now they all stood staring, and then Merlin realised they were staring at him! He dropped his head, they were probably wondering why a servant was riding with the prince.

"Merlin!" someone shouted his name. He looked up to see little Lucy running to the front rows. She was a cute five year old that loved Merlin's stories. Merlin smiled at her, and then saw her mother behind her who was also looking at Merlin, but with fondness. She had expressed her thanks to Merlin before for his stories for her daughter. But to Merlin's shock she started clapping, and soon everyone was clapping.

"They're here for you" was small whisper in his ear. Merlin looked back at Arthur who gave Merlin a small smile of his own.

When they reached the court yard Arthur got of first, then helped Merlin off and then held on to him. Merlin looked up and then he was engulfed in huge. "Ow!" he bit out and was quickly released.

"God I'm so sorry, I'm just glad you're back, I didn't mean to hurt you, I was so worried, I-"

"Gwen" Arthur interrupted her. "I think Merlin needs to get inside" he said kindly. Gwen blushed and mumbled something but got out of the way. Arthur steered Merlin towards the castle entrance only to be met with the king.

"I'm glad you are back, Merlin" Merlin looked up startled. "Arthur was unbearable without you" Arthur grumbled at that, but Merlin was still stunned, especially by the smile on the king's face. "You better hurry up Arthur, I think Gaius will not be happy if he has to wait too long to see Merlin, his preparing medicine for him as we speak." Arthur nodded at his father and then helped Merlin in to the castle. Soon they were at the physicians courters.

"Merlin, my boy!" Gaius exclaimed when he saw them, hurrying forward to help Merlin get on the bed and soon was fussing away. Merlin closed his eyes and took it all in, simply glad that he was back home.

End of chapter

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