They had remained in that dungeon for nearly a week. During that time they were served up scrapes and forced to drink sullied water. It was a miserable period. There had been no news of a rescue from Camelot and Arthur was beginning to doubt his men. This pained Merlin to see his prince so disheartened, yet he could only offer verbal consolations and reminders that his men would aid them soon. Even though Merlin himself had begun to doubt them he had to keep his Prince hopeful, for without hope they would soon be lost physically and mentally in that bleak prison.
The only company the two depended on besides one another were the daily visits from the bidders from all throughout the kingdoms. The immoral guest would show merrily to catch a glimpse of the great and powerful Arthur Pendragon weakened and suffering on a dirty graveled floor.
Merlin loathed them; it was degrading and humiliating to do nothing for Arthur as they spoke of him as if he were cattle. Merlin could only offer a venomous glare and make some sort of smart remark until he was physically threatened by the guards to shut up.
On visits some simply smiled at the thought of what they would do with such power over Arthur, others taunted or spat. And every time, Arthur, no matter how tired or hungry he became, would rise and threaten any who opposed him, he may have been a prideful fool, but he was the bravest one Merlin had ever known.
Together they were an insistent bunch. Bayard and the guards were beginning to tire of their constant back talk and useless rebellion but both Arthur and Merlin were too stubborn to let them have even an ounce of peace while they were trapped there.
Luckily for them despite the infinite amount of interested clients none had won the prize just yet. It seemed Arthur was worth a fortune according to Bayard. However to Merlin Arthur was priceless and with that thought he decided that by the following evening he would finally break them out.
At first light they were awoken by the sound of metal clanging together as one of Bayards' men unlocked the door. Before either of them could get a word in Bayard had appeared seemingly out of nowhere and paused at the open doorway.
"Leave us." Bayard said to his guardsmen. Without another word they silently made their exit. Merlin and Arthur sat silently beside each other. The two had remained silent for two reasons, one: because they were too parched to speak and two: were awaiting Bayard's words.
Bayard's eyes took Arthur in slowly, his eyes wandering up and down his body, silently inspecting the damage on the young prince. Arthur's shirt was dirtied and torn, his hair cluttered in a sweaty mass above his brow. His exterior looked unbecoming of a prince however when Bayard finally met his eyes his search had ceased. For Arthur's eyes were ablaze, the icy blue fires had apparently not been put out during their entrapment. Arthur had not given up, that was clear, and Bayard seemed rather impressed by that.
"Good news" he finally announced in a rather cheerful tone.
"Someone has offered to pay me kindly for you sire." He said beaming in Arthur direction.
"As for you" he continued turning to Merlin.
"You are free to go" He said suddenly. After a quick exchange of bewilderment with Arthur, Merlin responded.
"What do you mean?"
"You are of no use for me, and I'm not one to hoard trash. I can't seem to find anyone willing to buy you off so just go." Merlin was insulted by the trash remark but be he kept his comments to himself. After a moment of searching Bayard's face for sincerity he determined that the man was indeed telling the truth however that factor did not sway Merlin's already made decision.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You are of no use to me boy. Now leave."
"Thank you but I think I'll stay here." Merlin countered settling back into his sleeping spot on the ground.
"I'm allowing you your freedom, and you deny me?"
"Well… it seems so." Merlin replied quickly. The look on Arthurs face was nearly comical Merlin had to fight himself from smiling.
"Has you're servant always been this idiotic?" Bayard asked Arthur, but Arthur remained silent, biting his tongue to not yell at his man servant.
"Listen boy you have two options, you go either willingly or forcefully." Merlin said nothing to the threat and simply turned away from Bayard, rudely ending their conversation.
Within moments, Merlin could feel a strong hand grip his arm and yank him to his feet. Bayard's breathe was hot against his face. His eyes burning as he gazed down at Merlin. Merlin instinctively pulled away but Bayard gripped tighter before thrusting a large fist into his stomach. Merlin doubled over in pain as Bayard quickly jerked him across the room and out of the dungeon.
"Release him!" Arthur roared as Bayard forced Merlin to follow by griping a handful of his dark hair.
Arthur was an animal in moments, his eyes wild, nose flared, he was ready for blood, ready to rip Bayard's throat out with his bare hands. It took two of Bayard's men to restrain him and a third to chain him to the wall. Merlin watched in horror as his prince was restrained.
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled after them, his voice cracked as it rose but he didn't care. He howled and hollered with everything he had, and it was always the same name falling from his lips. Merlin, Merlin Merlin…
Merlin could hear Arthurs frantic calls fade as he was forcibly hauled away from his prince.