A/N: Last chapter did really well, lots of reviews… It was for Gwaine, wasn't it? Also, a question. Morgana wanted to know who/where Emrys was. And she had Gaius in her dungeons. And she knew that he, Gaius, knew who Emrys was… So…?

Warning: Here be some snarky!Merlin.

Tristan and Percival were the first to run into trouble, which was actually amazing, considering Merlin's tendency to get into trouble.

They'd gone in first and almost made it to the dungeons. Almost.

But suddenly they'd been facing an entire body of men with swords. Percival tried to simultaneously look innocent and push Alicia behind his back. She stood there contentedly, sucking her thumb.

"What's your business here?" demanded one of the men.

Tristan looked at Percival. Percival looked back at him, not sure if he expected the bigger man to fight or to talk.

He wasn't much for talking, but he tried anyway. "We're new here," he said. "We're just passing through. My daughter has a bit of a cough; we were just trying to get her to a physician and figured there might be one up at the castle." After that small speech, he found himself a little out of breath.

Tristan looked at him as though to say, "Seriously? That's the best you have?"

Percival shrugged.

The lie almost worked, too. Almost.

One of the men perked up. "No," he said. "You're one of the knights we were chasing in the forest, the one who disappeared."

"No, I'm not," said Percival brilliantly.

"Yes, you are," said the man, and Morgana's men drew their swords.

Percival and Tristan drew their own weapons. They fought for a little while, but they were outnumbered. Tristan received a slash across the arm after dispatching two of the enemy, and Percival began to worry for Alicia.

"Retreat!" gasped Tristan at last, and Percival scooped up the girl, and they ran down the castle hall.

As they went, Tristan and Percival separated, and Percival looked down at Alicia. "Hey," he said, "Want to see my best trick?"

"Yes!" she said happily, laughing at the excitement of the chase.

"Good!" he said, and ran right out of eyesight. Then, for all intents and purposes, he disappeared, not to be missed or seen again until he appeared again suddenly and without explanation.

In Leon and Merlin's defense, there were a lot more men their way.

"Okay," Merlin snapped as they faced a veritable wall. "Where is Morgana getting these men?"

"Oh, hello!" From behind the men, there was an evil chuckle, and then (after a "Move out of the way!") Morgana stepped to the front. "Well," she said. "You aren't who we were expected to show up first. It's late, isn't it? Shouldn't you wait 'til morning to rescue Arthur?"

"Good idea," Merlin said. "We'll do that. You all just head to bed, don't worry about a thing, and we'll leave and come back later."

"I'm afraid we can't just leave him unguarded, can we? And maybe you can help us… You are Gaius's assistant."

Leon had his sword out and was looking at the two like they were crazy. He was ready for a fight; would they just talk each other to death?

Merlin sighed. "Is this about Emrys again? Really, Morgana, I don't think this is healthy…"

"Enough," she snapped. "Grab them!"

The men surged forward, and the fighting Leon had been waiting for began. They did passably well, and Merlin used the long knife he'd brought along, but there were just too many of them.

Eventually Leon was backed into a corner with a sword to his throat, and Merlin was pressed against a wall with a hand clutching his.

"Good!" Morgana said happily as she surveyed it all. "Now, Merlin. Perhaps if you'd be so kind as to tell me Emrys's identity."

"I don't know," said Merlin.

"You do," Morgana answered. "And if you don't tell me, you'll be killed right now."

Merlin thought about this. He thought about it very hard. After all, he could use his magic to free himself and be revealed. However, with so many men around him, he'd never get away. If he didn't get out of this situation, he couldn't save Arthur. And saving Arthur was what he did. So he needed to both get out of it, and distract the men around him.

Now, how could he do that?

Merlin looked over at Leon, who was eyeing the sword in front of him and waiting for a chance to get away.

That would do it.

Catching the knight's eye, Merlin said, "I'm sorry." And as a perplexed expression started to cover Leon's face, he turned back to Morgana and sighed. "I guess I have to tell you." He pressed his lips together in a show of reluctance. "It's Leon."

A/N: More tomorrow. Heehee…