Hello again! I finished the reunion scene (huzzah to that) and since I got such nice reviews from everyone I decided to post again! This chapter is the longest one in the story so far (though I didn't mean to make it long) and is over 2300 words not including author's notes. Wow. Just wow.

Wisegirl6

Chapter 17 ~On The Training Field

Later the next day Gwen told Arthur about her conversation with the servant.

"He was so nice, but he barely even said anything to me!" she said as she bustled about the room, straightening things that George hadn't gotten to yet. She pulled the curtains back absent-mindedly, letting the morning sun filter in.

Arthur nodded, only half paying attention. He was rather involved with the paperwork he was filling out; something about a shortage in Camelot's grain stores.

The queen picked up a pair of her husband's breeches from the floor and began folding them. "Oh, the poor thing! He looked like they were staring him! Don't they ever feed their servants in Mercia?" she asked, swinging her head round the bedpost so that Arthur could see her.

"Which servant are we talking about again?" he questioned irritably. It was hard to concentrate when Guinevere was talking so loudly.

"Jonah's servant."

Arthur immediately perked up, suddenly interested on the conversation.

"It was weird; he seemed almost afraid when he talked to me." Her voice took on a careful tone. "But not afraid of me, maybe of something else?" She said unsurely. Or someone, remained unsaid.

Arthur understood what she was hinting at. He cleared his throat uncertainly and shifted in his seat. He couldn't believe that Cavell was mistreating his servants, didn't want to believe it. Arthur didn't especially like Cavell or his family, but he was an ally of his father and that showed that he had to have at least some good qualities. Well, that and Arthur really wanted some of his lands for Camelot.

"Guinevere, we really shouldn't be speaking ill of our guests," he said robotically as he cocked an eyebrow at her. He hoped that she would get his hint about dropping the conversation; not because it was wrong but because he knew that whatever she said had a chance of being correct. If he turned away his guests and broke the agreements it could be viewed negatively by others, nobility as well as common folk.

But the queen wasn't ready to drop the subject, she was determined to see it through. "But, Arthur, they are starving their servants, its obvious by how thin they are. What if they're hurting them too?"

Arthur immediately tensed for some reason as the image of Jonah's servant popped into his head. Strangely, the thought sent shivers of discomfort up his spine. Why was the thought of someone hurting the servant he had never actually spoken to in his life feel so wrong?

The king opened his mouth to assure her that Cavell and his family were absolutely not abusing and mistreating their servants but closed it just as quickly when he saw the look on his wife's face.

She was silently pleading with him. Gwen always hated it when someone innocent was hurt, it just went against her nature. Back when she had been a servant she hadn't had the power to do anything. But now, as queen of Camelot, she had the right and power to do whatever she wished. "Please do something," she pleaded.

"Fine," sighed Arthur. "I'll talk to Jonah later today, alright?" he asked, standing.

Gwen nodded and smiled, melting into Arthur's hug.

"But I'm telling you, Guinevere, nothing is wrong. Cavell and Isobel are perfectly nice people and I haven't seen anything that could prove otherwise."

Merlin hated training. Or at least he used to. Back when he was still Arthur's servant and the prince had training to go to everyday Merlin hadn't cared so much for it. Especially not target practice.

But now, however, he didn't find it quite so terrible, painful yes but not terrible.

"Faster, boy!" growled Jonah, raising the crossbow. "Make an effort!

An arrow embedded itself in the target on Merlin's back with a dull thunk. Merlin gasped as the momentum of the bolt carried him forwards and onto the rough ground, twisting his ankle. Okay, so maybe training was pretty terrible.

The slave's lungs burned and he gave a large, gut-wrenching cough. Soon he was in a full-out coughing fit, writhing on the ground. The coughs subsided and Merlin felt himself feeling twice as tired as before. He was getting worse. He could barely do anything now without dissolving into painful coughing.

Merlin would have been more than content to just lie there for the rest of the day, but apparently Jonah wasn't having the same thoughts. "Get up, boy!" he called from the other side of the field.

The slave ignored his masters protests and instead clutched at his throbbing ankle. Nothing was broken, but there was a good chance that it had been sprained. "Ow," Merlin muttered; still not listening to Jonah.

Evidently that was the wrong thing to do. Merlin felt a hand grab his neck and hoist him roughly from the ground.

"I said 'get up'. When I tell you to get up I expect you to do as your told and get up!" snarled Jonah, holding him so that their faces were just inches apart.

Merlin resisted the urge to spit in the man's face and wriggled out of his grip. "Sorry, my lord," he said with with a tone that didn't sound very sorry at all.

Jonah glared at him coldly, black eyes flashing dangerously. "Mind your tone when speaking to me."

"I'll make sure I do next time." Blue eyes hardening as Merlin glared back defiantly.

"Jonah!" shouted a voice.

Both men looked up to see the king of Camelot striding confidently across the training field, George in tow a respectful distance behind him. Arthur was fully equiped for training, armor glinting in the afternoon sunlight.

Jonah's look of rage immediately fell off of his face, replaced by a fake smile. "Ah, Arthur," he said formally. "I was wondering when you would decide to take up my offer to train with me."

Jonah turned back to Merlin, shielding him from the king's sight. His expression had retreated once more into hatred that the slaves were so used to seeing. He reached out and grabbed Merlin's arm. "Keep quiet, boy. I won't tolerate any of your lip in front of the king." His lip curled upwards slightly in a devilish smirk. His grip was getting painful now; Merlin was sure that his arm would be bruised. "Remember, if I don't approve of your behavior your girlfriend's life might come to a bit of an early end."

Merlin pulled back from Jonah, scowling angrily. Not even letting the comment about Sage being his girlfriend phase him. Jonah really was a lot smarter than his parents. Cavell and Isobel might have all of the slaves under a Blood Oath, but Jonah was the only one to think of using blackmail to make them do what he wished outside of their fortress.

Merlin watched from afar as Jonah and Arthur exchanged pleasantries. Soon they were sword fighting, but Arthur obviously had the upper hand.

The warlock could barely conceal a smile. After all these years Arthur was still an impeccable in battle.

After a while both men began to tire. With one fluid movement Arthur had Jonah's sword halfway across the field. He doubled over, breathing hard. He rose to shake Jonah's hand. "Marvelous sword work. You're style has really changed since the last time we met," he laughed breathily.

Merlin stepped forward and retrieved Jonah's sword to give it back to him.

His master barely spared him a glance as he absent-mindedly grabbed his sword.

Merlin drew back with a gasp of pain, silencing both king and lord. Jonah had taken the sword much too quickly, slicing open his palm with the sharp blade. "Ow." Blood was streaming from the cut, already cascading down his arm and staining his shirt. He brought it close to his body and tried unsuccessfully to stem the flow.

"Are you alright?" Surprisingly it wasn't a voice Merlin expected. Arthur reached out and took hold of the servant's hand, studying him with thinly veiled worry.

Merlin tripped clumsily over his words, things to say running through his mind but nothing leaving his lips. "Y- yes thank you, um sire." The warlock cursed himself silently. First time he spoke to his best friend in years and it was barely distinguishable through his stutters.

Arthur inspected the injury, brow furrowing in concern. "You should probably get this checked over. I can send you to Gaius if you'd like?" he asked, looking at the servant kindly.

The warlock's heart sped up. Merlin opened his mouth to answer, thinking this was his chance to be recognized, but Jonah beat him to it.

"Its fine, Arthur. My servant's just a little clumsy, that's all. I can get one of the other servants to patch him up," he said tensely. Jonah's hands curled into fists. He couldn't let the slave be treated by a physician, he would see the lash marks on his back. That would be enough to make even the dullest of people suspicious. He cursed his sudden, stupid impulse to cause pain to the weak and helpless slave.

Merlin's eyes widened, every one of his instincts screaming at him to do something. He couldn't let Jonah take this opportunity away from him, he needed to see Gaius. Not only had Merlin missed his mentor desperately but he knew that Gaius was the only one who might have the knowledge to help him.

Jonah's glare could have been enough to curdle dairy.

Merlin knew it was a warning. Something along the lines of 'keep quiet or I'll break your pretty little friend's neck.' The slave boy glared.

Arthur's mind was reeling as he watched the silent exchange between the two. Guinevere had been right, there was something fishy going on with Jonah and his servant. The king blinked as what Jonah had just said finally sunk in. "Clumsy!" he exclaimed incredulously, glaring slightly at Cavell's son.

Jonah looked surprised and said ", Is there a problem, sire?"

"That was, in no way shape of form, this man's fault. That wasn't just a simple act of clumsiness, trust me I would know." Arthur's face screwed up for a second, as if the thought were physically paining him. "You have no right to deny him medical attention after you're the one to injure him!"

Cavell's son blinked, feeling like Arthur had dumped a bucket of water over his head. "Are you accusing me of deliberately hurting my manservant?" he questioned, feigning innocence and defensiveness.

The king of Camelot was struck speechless for a moment. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as he grasped at the words that just wouldn't say themselves. Could he really accuse one of his guests of cruelty? He spared a split-second glance at Jonah's servant, who was still clutching his arm to his red soaked shirt. Arthur's jaw clenched at the sight of those clear blue eyes widened in pain. He still couldn't place where he had seen them before, but they were so familiar that it hurt. Arthur took a breath and rounded on Jonah. "Yes I am," he snarled. "And I am accusing you of a lot more than that as well."

Merlin stood a few feet away, mouth agape. Was this the chance he had been waiting for?

"That's ridiculous!" Jonah yelled stepping closer to the king. He turned to Merlin, eyes so sharp they could have cut diamonds. "Tell them, boy. I've never hurt a servant on purpose in my life!"

Merlin opened his mouth to deny the statement, Jonah was an evil liar, manipulator, traitor and... His protests died on his lips.

Jonah had that look about him again. That deranged, angry and cold warning stare he gave Merlin whenever he felt threatened. His black eyes spoke volumes to Merlin. He was threatening him. Maybe not out loud like he normally would, but he was threatening him all the same.

"I... He- My master is an honourable man, who would never engage in activities such as those," he spat the words like they were poison in his mouth.

Jonah looked smug, but Merlin caught a trace of anger in his eyes. "I told you," he said evenly. "I've never harmed a servant in my life. My manservant has made that point quite clear. Now if you will excuse me, it was a pleasure fighting you but my servant here needs to be bandaged up." Jonah turned away with a flourish and stalked across the field, sheathing his sword as he walked.

Merlin snuck one last hurried glance at his friend.

Arthur stood tensely, rigid like he was about to be attacked. His mouth was slightly agape; he obviously hadn't believed a word of what Jonah or Merlin had said.

The slave turned away and rushed to catch up with his master, who was already waiting for him by the gate. Merlin stepped forward, ready to enter the castle, when Jonah grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and all but dragged him into an alley.

"What did you say to him, boy? What did you tell him?" he snarled and pushed Merlin against the stone wall with his forearm.

"Nothing, I swear!" He could tell Jonah didn't believe him, and for the very first time Merlin was truly terrified by Jonah. But it wasn't because of the way his teeth were bared like a feral animal, or the way his mouth was curled with disgust. It was because of the raw, burning hatred he saw in his eyes.

I have to say this is my new favourite chapter in the story. I just love it so much. So I know that the scene in this closely resembles that of KnightOwl's 'In Darkness', but I can honestly say I didn't mean to copy her pr steal any of her ideas. The character Jonah closely resembles one character (forgot his name) in her story but there are many key differences that I really don't want to spend time typing out.

Anyways I will be sending the reunion scene to the contest winner, who's name hall not be revealed so they can't spoil the story for everyone else, right after I post this so if you submitted a prediction keep a look out in your inbox for my PM.

Please review!

Wisegirl6

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