Chapter 14

As Arthur and Leon galloped down the country lanes as fast as their horses would go, Merlin was slowly coming around. His head felt like a fiery bolt of lightning had been fired straight through it, and every little movement made it throb even more.

A muffled groan echoed from further along in the room, and so Merlin forced his aching head and weary neck up. On the other side of the room tied in three separate chairs, were the three men who had tried to help him escape, all bound and gagged, with Percival's magic inhibitor back on his neck.

Merlin could feel his own inhibitor back on himself, the clasp digging in sharply into his skinny neck, along with the sickening feeling it also brought.

As Gwaine looked up at him, Merlin felt obliged to say something to him, especially seeing as he was the only one who could.

"I'm so sorry that I've gotten you into this mess Gwaine, well, all of you. You were all caught because of me, and you're all bound to get into trouble because of me. I'm so sorry!" Gwaine gave what looked like it could have been a shrug, before shaking his head to indicate he disagreed with Merlin's opinion that it was the warlock's fault.

Merlin suddenly realized there was someone missing from their little group of outlaws. "Wait, where's Freya?"

"Oh don't worry little one, your other friend has just been returned to her cage, but we can still have a lot of fun!" a sickeningly sweet voice sounded from the doorway, heels clicking on the smooth floor.

Merlin sighed. Of course Morgause would have come eventually, he only wished it could have been a little while longer. Merlin noted how Gwaine growled under his gag at the mention of Freya's imprisonment, however it only confused Merlin when Morgause continued. "After all, we couldn't have her killing everyone the second night falls."

"What do you mean," Merlin asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Did you not know, my precious little weapon?" Merlin winced at her latest nickname for him. "Freya transforms into a Bastet at night, a winged cat, if you will. She is a vicious killer and an excellent addition to my army, as will you be."

"She doesn't want to kill anyone," Gwaine yelled having finally freed himself of his gag. "She was cursed by an angered sorceress. It's not her fault and she is not yours!"

"Oh Gwaine the brave, much as I love your skills with a sword, you are not that important to my army, so unless you want that newly made sword in your back I recommend you shut up!" Morgause said, and with a flicker of her eyes the gag returned itself to his mouth.

"Now Emrys, I really hate to do this but unless you agree to help me I really don't have a choice. I'm afraid I will make you scream until you are begging for death and until your mind is practically catatonic. You will carry out my every whim if you don't want to suffer. And you will help me bring down the Pendragons once and for all."

She picked up a wickedly sharp blade which glinted in the torch light, then began to circle her prey. "Now Merlin, where shall we begin?"

Arthur and Leon had nearly reached the border into Cenred's kingdom, and had decided to gather intelligence at the nearest tavern. The plan was simple enough.

"I heard Morgause is gathering an army of magic users! Can you imagine! Bet they're not true!" Arthur slurred, leaning on Leon's shoulder to give the appearance of being drunk.

"It is!" A drunken farmer declared. "I've 'eard all sorts coming from that 'idden castle of 'is! And I 'ear she's got some new one. A warlock I think I 'eard 'em say. You could 'ear his screams from miles away!"

Leon noted how Arthur tensed and looked about ready to throttle the man who had just spoken, suggesting the person the farmer spoke of was the one they were supposed to rescue. He knew he had to cover the situation before it got out of hand.

"I've never heard of a hidden castle!" Leon exclaimed, holding Arthur's wrist in a clear warning not to start a fight.

"Well, it's there alright! Just over by the river Hudōr! Not a very well hidden secret castle is it!" a stable boy cried, eliciting laughs from the rest of the pub.

Arthur shot Leon a glance which clearly stated it was time to go, before he rolled his eyes and pretended to pass out on his companion.

"Think this ones had enough to drink," Leon joked to the amusement of the others in the tavern, and he dragged Arthur outside. Little did he notice the set of eyes that had been watching them carefully, nor the feet that followed.

Outside, Arthur sunk his fist into a tree trunk, not even flinching at the dull ache it brought to his knuckles. I should have been more careful with Merlin, he thought to himself, it's my fault he's in this predicament!

Leon put a hand on the angry prince's shoulder. "Arthur, I know you're upset about what you heard. But you also heard the location of you're friend. Hudōr is only 2 hours ride from here. If we make camp now and plan how we will attempt this by this time tomorrow we will all be headed back for Camelot. What do you say Sire?"

He turned around to face Arthur with that, however he didn't expect the crown prince to be struggling against a stranger who had a knife held to his throat.

"What do you think you are doing!" Leon yelled, taking a step forward, then freezing as the blade was pressed closer to Arthur's throat.

"Listen to me, else the prince gets a very close shave. I heard your plan, and I want to help you. I know the layout of that castle and I can show you where they will be holding your friend." With that, the cloaked stranger released his hold of Arthur.

"Why would you want to help us? How could you?" Arthur exclaimed, one hand massaging his sore throat.

"Because I have friends in there, and I have also been where your friend is, only I escaped," the man stated, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a tattered crescent moon.

"Fine, we accept your help," Arthur stated, wanting to help Merlin in the fastest way possible. "What's your name?"

The stranger smirked and removed his hood, revealing a tan male with familiar eyes.

"My name is Elyan, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

AN: So I'm back people :) soooooo sorry it's late again, however it is my birthday today and I worked extra hard to get this out. So some birthday reviews anyone :)