"It's about time" Merlin thought as Bayard continued to haul him away. Bayard's large hand was still tightly clutched in his locks but he thought nothing of it. The pain was minimal compared to what he had in store. Once they were clear of Arthur and the guards Merlin took his chance and used his magic to fling Bayard roughly into the nearest wall. He winced slightly feeling the sting of his hair come undone.

As Bayards head collided with the stone wall it made a satisfying thud which merlin couldn't help but smirk at. Yet even with the injury Bayard was still conscious and slowly getting his bearings together.

"You have magic?!" Bayard demanded as he stumbled to rise to his feet. Bayard was a mix of stunned and outraged, he hadn't seen it coming and it baffled him that this lowly servant boy had so much power over him.

"Guards!" He called but Merlin worked quick and chanted a spell that conjured the chains from the nearby dungeons to stand in front of him, in a cobra-like state. With one word he sent them off to snake their way up Bayard's body and bound his arms and legs together, tightening themselves every time he struggled. And of course he did, until he was wound so tightly he had fallen over, nearly blue in the face. Bayard attempted to call out again but his feeble attempts went unnoticed, even before merlin tore a bit of his shirt and nearly stuffed it done his throat to quiet him. Bayard deserved a worse fate but Merlin simply wanted to get Arthur out as soon as he could. With a smug farewell Merlin hurriedly headed towards the dungeons.

Limping as fast as possible along the corridor he made as much noise as he could to get the guards attention. He called and baited the guards that were keeping watch of Arthur and watched as they disgruntledly came towards him. He noticed immediately when Arthurs head turned up towards him in surprise and yelled to him.

"Merlin what the hell are you doing? Go!" Arthur said in a hoarse cry. But merlin didn't lose track of his plan as he faked a panicked expression and ducked into the nearest passage. Once away from Arthur's line of sight the guards stupidly followed.

The idiots didn't know what they were in for. Merlin had waited for this moment for far too long. In moments the three guardsmen were unconscious and tightly bound with rope as the hung upside down from the nearest lamp post. After taking the dungeons keys from one he smiled again recognizing a job well done and finally made his way over to his prince.

"Merlin!" Arthur called clear disbelief in his voice.

"How did you?" Arthur asked as Merlin let himself in the dungeon.

"Doesn't matter, we need to move" Merlin declared as he undid Arthur's chained cuffs, and reached for his wrist to drag him along.

It didn't take very long to escape Bayard's lair, Merlin had easily used his foresight to maneuver expertly through the labyrinth-like fortress to set his prince free. Throughout the swift escape Merlin had not had the chance to turn back and check on Arthur but the firm grip on his wrist told Merlin that he was safe for now. After some time Merlin had to stop and hide them beneath thick underbrush for the night. Arthur was clearly dehydrated and weak from his excursions and Merlin refused to drag him any further in such a state.

As the moon began to rise above them Arthur had regained a portion of his strength and was now lying back as Merlin offered him water. He seemed in a rather foul mood since he regained full consciousness but Merlin hadn't had the heart to ask him why until now.

"What's wrong sire?" he questioned as he sat beside Arthurs feet. But Arthur wouldn't meet his gaze, in fact he seemed to avoid it.

"Arthur" Merlin said his tone firmer to get his attention. Arthur looked to the forest, chewing on his lower lip. He didn't seem shaken as Merlin assumed he'd be, no he was more agitated than anything. Merlin watched as Arthur tore away at the soft flesh of his bottom lip, and was mesmerized dispite their circumstances. Arthurs pink lips were beginning to bruise and break as he continued the abuse, and Merlin wanted nothing more than to crawl over and gently repair the damage by gazing it against his own lips.

Eventually Merlin ripped his gaze away from Arthur's mouth just in time to see that the prince was glaring right at him, practically shaking, just about ready to explode. Merlin curiously cocked his head to the side involuntarily as the stare down continued. It didn't take long for Arthur to explode.

"You're an idiot!" he shouted, heat visibly rising to his face.

"Pardon me sire, but I believe I saved you!" he shot back without hesitation.

"But you could have died in the process! Just what were you thinking?!"

"Arthur what part of 'I will protect you with my life' don't you understand?!" Arthur grew silent at that.

"Merlin… you had a chance to leave, why didn't you?" he questioned, voice steady, and more considerate. It was Merlin's turn to look away now, Arthurs gaze was penetrating and Merlin felt too vulnerable beneath it. Yet somehow he found his voice.

"Because I refused to leave you behind"

"Why?"

"Because you are more dear to me than my own life… and I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you."

"Merlin back at the castle… did you mean what you said?" Closing his eyes Merlin slowly nodded.

"Of course… Arthur you mean everything to me"

"Because I am to be king?"

"Because you are you Arthur." Merlin breathed. He had not realized he was moving as he spoke, but as he said those final words he noticed that he had made his way to Arthur, whom was now sitting up facing him, as Merlin rested on his knees, only inches from the prince. Silently Merlin watched as the revelation gradually dawned on Arthur, he took only a moment to process this information.

"Merlin I… "

"Shh!" Merlin whispered as he covered Arthur's mouth. He damned himself for the bad timing but he had no choice, he heard footsteps approaching them and before they knew it they were surrounded.