Chapter 2 - Emyrs

A/N: Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. Also, this chapter is short because I wanted to get it done quickly for certain reasons (Other chapters will be longer I promise)

For Seekersmaiden 3

The prince removed his sword from the Kings chest stretching his hand out to look noble as he offered to help Arthur up. He ignored the hand standing up by himself, gritting his teeth at the embarrassment. His eyes wondered round the crowd eventually landing on a frightened looking Merlin, gazing at him from the seat he had now uncurled himself on, big blue eyes staring at him in terror.

The crowd burst into applause as the prince rose his hands in victory. Arthur wasn't looking when the Prince grabbed hold of his hand pulling him roughly close to his body with a vice like grip.

"Remember our little bet?" The prince sneered close to Arthur's ear. "Say goodbye to Emyrs, you won't be seeing him again after tonight." And with that he pushed away turning his back and summoned to the boy.

"Emyrs" Arthur muttered looking towards the boy who had scurried after his master, trying the name out. It suited him, Arthur decided, there was something almost magical about it and he believed there was something almost bright about the boy even if it was hidden behind the shutters he had so obviously put down to the outside world.

Arthur strode back up to the castle kicking everything in his way; anger, desperation, concern and embarrassment all coursing through him in a flash of red. Pushing his way past the guards and into his room he cleanly swept the contents on the table onto the floor, throwing it over after him as he began to destroy his room, hot tears falling down his face.

He sat on the only thing in his room that still stood, his bed, till the sun went down.

The sun went down and came up the next day which brought with it the fullness of the castle and the lower town as all the competitors were due to leave with the light, packing away all their belongings for the travel ahead. Arthur was just coming back to consciousness when his doors were thrown open and his curtains pulled back to allow the light to fully wake him.

"Come in why don't you Morgana." Arthur sat up rubbing the sleep from his eyes and blinking to get them used to the light.

"Oh I did. And why are you moping around? That boy you like is leaving like now isn't he?" She frowned as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"I lost Morgana. The prince won fairly and now he's taking Emyrs. That's it; I have nothing more to say about it." Arthur turned to face the wall, his back towards Morgana.

"So you're just going to give up? You are always saying that you worry about what father would say to you, so do this, prove to him you will fight for what you believe is right and don't back down just because you've encountered an obstacle. What happened to my brother? The one who would do anything to get his way." Morgana didn't even pause for breath. "The one that would go out of his way for anyone, the king that Camelot wants and needs? If you let your people see you like this they might think you are weak and give up as soon as something doesn't go your way. Don't be that King Arthur, and when you are ready to help that boy I'll be in my chambers."

With her rant over she jumped up and left the room, slamming the door slightly, before Arthur even had a chance to roll over and face her.

Arthur fastened his cloak over his clothes and made his way to Morgana's room, entering swiftly to find Morgana smirking at him.

"You came faster than I anticipated." Arthur merely glared at Morgana as he locked the door to the room.

"So you have a plan on how to get him back?" Arthur didn't bother to sit down but paced the room instead, fiddling with his hands.

"Yes, of course I do." Morgana retorted pride and superiority on her face. "We'll need some help from the most trusted of your knights. We must also wait till night fall."

Arthur opened his mouth a few times wanting to protest but instead gave up and just sat on the bed ready to listen to the plan, as he couldn't think of anything for himself. He also knew full well that rushing into a battle was a bad idea from previous experience, but couldn't help feeling the need to save the boy now before any more harm could come to him.

As soon as the moon replaced the sun and the competitors were readying themselves to leave, Arthur and Morgana crept down the castle grounds and into the lower town with Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine and Sir Lancelot in toe. They had been more than happy to help (partially because Arthur was their friend, slightly because he was their King, but mainly because Morgana could be pretty scary.)

They reached the place where all the tents had been packed away that day and were on the back of carts and hid behind one, scanning the place. Arthur stopped for a moment, looked like he was trying to work something out (to which Morgana told him to not 'try to hard or you'll hurt yourself') and finally used an odd hand movement to indicate something met by a sea of blank faces and confusion.

"Er Arthur, you do know you can speak. You don't have to gesture everything..." Gwaine gave a slight smirk at Arthur's idiocy.

"I thought we could do this properly... You know, like professionals or something." Arthur glared at them all and Gwaine raised his hands in surrender muttering something about Arthur 'being a bossy arse.'

"So, the plan. You all know what you're doing?" Arthur paused as they all nodded "Well then, let's get to work." And the men began to creep out from behind the cart, leaving Morgana and Arthur to watch.

A/N: I hope you feel better seekersmaiden! R&R? Sorry about the short chapter and late update!