"Did you really expect to escape?" A hoarse voiced called out from the shadows. Merlin rose and stood in front of his prince.
"Merlin step aside" Arthur calmly requested. Merlin ignored him and remained in his stance guarding him.
"Merlin-"
"Arthur for once just trust me." Merlin snapped back. This quieted Arthur for a moment, just long enough for Bayard to butt in.
"You had a good run servant boy, especially with all the tricks up your sleeve." Merlin's gaze grew cold as he glared into the eyes of his previous captor. He wasn't sure how much Bayard planed on revealing but he knew he couldn't risk a second more.
"Bayard you don't need to do this, let us be."
"See, I disagree, you seem to have a skill set worth much more than I thought; perhaps even more so than your master." Merlin's gaze grew colder.
"What are you saying?" Arthur suddenly intruded. Merlin had nearly forgotten he was lying behind him. He looked back at him and witnessed the anxiousness in his eyes, the strain of anger in his jaw line. Arthur knew what was coming, just as Merlin did.
"I am willing to release your highness if you are willing to take his place." Arthur's eyes opened wide in shock. He could feel the air escape him. He wanted nothing more than to take Merlin and flee, but there was no opening, no chance of a diversion. They were caught, trapped, and in moments everything that mattered to him was about to disappear.
"Merlin no-"
"I'll do it." Merlin barked. "Release Arthur and I am yours."
"Merlin what are you doing?!" Arthur yelled, his emotions getting the better of him.
"I am saving you. Your life is more precious than a lowly servant sire." Merlin replied, a smirk forming as he turned to finally face him.
"Be the king you're destined to be." Merlin said in a low voice so that only Arthur could hear him. Arthur felt himself grow cold as he watched as Bayard's men closed in around Merlin and restrained him. His arms tightly bound behind his back. Even with his life on the line he still offered words of encouragement to the prince with the kindest of smiles.
After being tied Bayard called off his men and requested they left him. As he drew closer he grabbed at Merlin's hair and roughly pulled it back once more so that his blue eyes were forced to meet his. A small yelp escaped Merlin's lips without his consent and he could only bite down on them before anything else was released. With a swift tug Bayard yanked him closer, so close than his hot breath stung against his earlobe.
"You wouldn't dare reveal yourself in front of your prince would you?" Bayard whispered.
"Leave him out of this." Merlin spewed bitterly.
"Oh I shall, I swear to release him as long as you do as I say when I say so. You and your power belong to me now. And if you so much as think of retaliating I will not hesitate to behead your master while you watch."
Merlin couldn't hide the fear he felt. He didn't care of his own demise but of Arthurs, he would do whatever it took to save him. So he merely nodded, and fought back the tears beginning to form behind his lashes. Bayard simply smiled at that and returned his attention to the now up and alert prince.
"It was a good deal Sire" Bayard said as he pulled on the strands once more; displaying Merlin's involuntary whine.
"I'll be sure to make use for him, both business and… pleasure" Arthur's skin crawled in disgust as Bayard pronounced the last word. He was looking at Merlin's throat with hungry eyes. Eyes caressing every inch of exposed skin that was displayed in front of them.
"Leave him" Arthur spoke his voice low and bitter.
"I beg your pardon?" Bayard asked, a small chuckle flowed with it.
"I said leave him!" Arthur cried as he hurdled toward Bayard with his entire body. He was unarmed but he couldn't care less. They toppled hard to the ground grabbing and punching whatever they could get their hands on. Instantly Merlin released himself from the restraints and ran towards Bayard's awaiting company as they came running forward. With one hand he threw them into the air and caused them to lose consciousness. And when he turned back he took in the glorious sight of Arthur as he stood above Bayard's body. Bayard's own sword pointed at his neck.
"I will show mercy if you swear to leave this kingdom and never return. Filth like yourself are not welcomed in this land."
"I do not fear you" he spat.
"I am offering to spare you Bayard" Arthur said his voice cold and irritable.
"I do not beg, I swear one day I will come back… and your servant will be mine." Bayard said as he turned his head to gaze at Merlin. The smirk that formed when their eyes met disgusted Merlin in ways that were beyond him. But it was far worse for Arthur; no one had the right to look at Merlin that way. No one had the audacity to even dare, especially not in front of him. And he would make sure that it was to never to occur again for in a split second Merlin watched as Arthur mercilessly pierced Bayard's sword through his chest.