A/N: Ok, I'm suffering from slight writers block. I have ideas but can't seem to bring them together.

chapter6

Merlin was putting the last of his meal together in the kitchen when he heard the door open in the living room. His head snapped towards the door leading to the room before looking back at the plate.

"Merlin?"

He looked towards the threshold just as the kitchen door swung open and Uther walked in. The man sniffed the air and nodded. "Smells good." He walked over to the pot, grabbed the spoon and slightly stirred the contents before pulling out a piece of red meat. He stuck the food in his mouth, chewing slowly then looked towards Merlin. "And you say you can't cook." He scoffed.

"I just mixed a bunch of ingredients. Not really hard." Merlin shrugged and quickly stuck the plate he had towards Uther. "This ones yours."

"Nonsense, you eat it. I'll get a new plate."

Merlin's eyes trailed down to the plate in his hand, he gulped loudly and nervously then shook his head."I already ate." He quickly lied.

Uther stuck another piece of meat from the beef stew pot in his mouth before humming and grabbing the offered plate. He walked towards the kitchen table and with his back turned didn't see the long sigh of relieve from Merlin.

Merlin watched Uther sit, his heart beat in his ears as he watched the man open a news paper and began reading. Uther sighed and sat back in the seat. Merlin gulped nervously eyeing the plate of untouched food with wide eyes then looking back at Uther who was still reading. Merlin exhaled desperately and shook his head worriedly, he walked over to the counter and grabbed a piece of bread he toasted for himself then walked over to the table cautiously and lay the plate of bread next to Uther's plate.

"The stew tastes good when you dip bread in it." He said low.

Uther hummed. "Leave it there." He asked low.

Merlin sighed and again shook his head and looked down at the stew. "What time do you have to be back at work?" He asked low.

Uther pulled the paper away from his face and looked up at the boy suspiciously. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

Merlin gulped thickly then shook his head. "No." He answered lower. "I... I just thought..." he silently cursed his trembling voice. "You should eat before it gets too late." He quickly lied.

Uther sighed and lay his paper on the table. He pulled the chair closer to the table, grabbed a slice of bread then dipped it inside the stew.

Merlin breathed heavily and walked back over to the cabinets then opened one, pulled out a wine glass as he glanced back at Uther chewing. Merlin eagerly tapped his foot as he pulled a wine bottle out, he then slowly walked over as he poured the wine in the glass. He laid the cup near Uther's plate. Merlin gasped when his wrist was grabbed roughly.

"Theres no need to be scared, Merlin. I am not going to strike you." Uther said as he grabbed the wine with his other hand.

Merlin exhaled low. "I'm sorry. I just..." He trailed as he noticed Uther lay the glass back down on the table and rub his throat. The man cleared his throat then grabbed the cup and sipped at the wine.

Merlin barely had to pull his wrist away and he watched as Uther coughed low. "Merlin, get me some water."

Merlin blinked once and only stared.

"Merlin..."

"No."

Uther's eyes trailed up to Merlin's and his brows narrowed in worry as he noticed, not a worried look in Merlin's eyes but a dark look. The man brought his hands to the table and used to it lift himself up. He gulped but it felt like something was blocking his throat. "What...did you do?" He snarled.

Merlin took two steps back as he rubbed his stomach, his eyes seeming darker. "Serves you right."

Uther fell to the floor, gasping for the sudden need of air. He reached out and grabbed at Merlin's leg, but Merlin easily kicked his grasp away.

"You should be more careful with who cooks your food." Merlin whispered. "Never know what they might put in, knowing the type of man you are." He opened his hand and let a small bottle fall next to Uther's head. The man struggled to lift his head so he could read the label.

Uther scoffed then gave a small chuckle. "Sleeping pills. That's... the best you can do?"

Merlin blinked as he thought for a second before he nodded. "Yeah. I would have used the knife but... I wouldn't want your dirty blood on my hands." He kicked again when Uther tried reaching for him a second time. Noticing how light the grasp was, Merlin slowly walked closer, then leaned down and dug in Uther's pocket. He pulled out the man's wallet, the keys, and the small remote to unlock the door.

Uther grabbed his wrist, this time Merlin barley flinched knowing the man would have even less strength. "I can find you where ever you go, boy. There's no point."

Merlin exhaled low. "Not if you're dead." He pulled his wrist away slowly then opened the wallet. "You shouldn't carry so much money on you." He grabbed the money and counted $400. Merlin smiled. "Thanks, father." He said sarcastically before standing. "I'll take this card too." He whispered and stuck the credit card in his pocket. "It'll be empty by tonight. You know, the baby needs a place to live, food to eat."

"Merlin...I will find you..." He shut his eyes and Uther's head fell sideways on the floor.

Merlin shut his eyes and smiled as he rubbed circles around his small belly. "You're safe now." He whispered. He sniffed when tears fell down his cheeks. He shook his head then walked towards the door, standing two feet away Merlin lifted the control and clicked the unlock button. He smile as he walked over and pulled the door open.

Merlin's smile quickly faded when he saw one of Uther's guards stop when he saw the boy. "What are you doing out?"

Merlin gulped nervously then looked inside the mansion towards the kitchen swinging door. Merlin's mouth fell open and his head snapped back towards the guards. "He's fallen! He doesn't wake!"

The man's eyes widen and he ran inside the house. When the man's back was turned, Merlin used this time to quickly run towards the gate.

XOXOXOXO

Cenred walked in the living room gulping at a bottle of wine he found in Arthur's kitchen. He looked towards the couch and saw the blond sitting near the arm rest with his elbow leaning on the rest and his knuckle under his chin in thought. Cenred walked over uninvited and sat, handing the bottle to Arthur, who just glanced at it. Cenred sighed. "You do know pouting isn't going to help anything?" He asked in wonder then brought the bottle to his mouth and took another gulp.

Arthur shook his head slowly. "We should be over there right now pulling Merlin out. Who knows what's happening to him."

Cenred sighed again. "You do realize who you are talking about?"

Arthur's brows narrowed in confusion and he looked back at the man in question.

Cenred licked his lips. "Merlin is strong. You say you love him, then you should know this already."

"I do love him."

Cenred shrugged. "I don't mean to point fingers, but..."

Arthur's brows narrowed more.

Cenred sighed again and turned so he was facing Arthur. "If you love someone you don't turn your back on them."

"What!" Arthur snarled angrily. "Are you suggesting-"

"I am not suggesting anything, Arthur Pendragon." Cenred now seemed angry, his face lined and he hadn't broke eye contact with Arthur. "Both of you are young. You had Merlin in your grasp yet you let him go when he needed you most." Cenred shook his head slowly. "All for what? For a lie you thought he made up?"

Arthur was now breathing heavily through his nose.

"Get angry all you want, but let me tell you, it happened."

"I know!" The blond exclaimed annoyed. "I do believe him."

"That is not my point." Cenred said low. If I had him to myself, I would keep him locked so no one would hurt him, including you."

"I've never hurt him."

"That's where you're wrong." Cenred said calmer. "Merlin lived with me for months, or have you forgotten that already?"

Arthur exhaled. "Don't remind me." He said stubbornly low.

"Merlin cried out for you at night, and when he woke and you didn't show, that was when he cried for me."

Arthur scoffed and threw his hands in the air. "What is your point!"

Cenred's face softened into sadness and he shook his head slowly. "My point is, I will always be second no matter how much I care for him."

Arthur blinked confused.

Cenred leaned in closer until their faces were four inches apart. "Next time you have him in your grasp, DO NOT let him go. Because if I find him again, I will not return him."

Arthur sighed and leaned back on the couch. "I understand." He said low.

Cenred nodded back. "You are very lucky to have him. You should treasure him when he's there."

Arthur nodded again. "I will."

A small smile crossed Cenred's lips and he lifted his hand again holding the bottle of wine. Arthur rolled his eyes and grabbed the bottle then took an uncharacteristic gulp from the bottle.

"Guys!"

The two looked at Morgana who stormed into the living room and walked over to the TV, she clicked it on.

"There's no telling if Mr. Pendragon planned on killing himself or if there is foul play. Right now the investigation is on going as Uther is under suicide watch at North Acer hospital. Again, this is channel 3 breaking news."

Arthur looked at Morgana with narrowed brows. "Where is Merlin?"

The woman shook her head. "The guards say the house was empty, that it was just Uther living there alone."

Cenred looked from Morgana to Arthur. "So he had Merlin stashed somewhere." He stated.

Arthur shook his head. "No. They're keeping him a secret. Question is, why?"

"This screws all of our plans." Morgana said low. "We may never find him if he's in hiding."

Cenred shook his head then stood up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen. Arthur watched as Morgana made to follow but he quickly shook his head.

"Leave him." He said low when Cenred was out of sight. "He may be a coward most of the time, but he also has good intentions."

"What are we going to do?" Morgana whispered worriedly.

"I have no idea." The blond man sighed.

A/N: That ones longer! =D

Review Please :)