Thank you all for the feedback, I love finding out people enjoy my stories, and even getting the criticism I need to better my own writing. If you have any ideas feel free to message me so I don't lose your voice in the comments. But for now, simply enjoy the new chapter of Scars and Secrets.

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There were three things Merlin noticed when he first woke. One the throbbing in his head, two the metallic taste in his mouth, and three the burning just beneath his skin.

His eyes shot open as he took the third feeling consideration. The bright light blinded him for a second and caused the pounding in his head to double. So the second time his eyes fluttered open he took it a bit slower. He looked around slowly trying to piece together what happened and where he was, then he looked down. His heart fell into his stomach at the sight he saw, iron cuffs. He was given no time to panic as he heard a sinister voice by his head

"Finally, Emry's has awoken."

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The knights and king trudged slowly through the forest. They no longer knew how many hours they had been searching, or how they, the best knights in Camelot, had lost the track that would help them find their lost friend.

When they had chased after Merlin they only caught sight of him for a split second. He was hanging over someones shoulder, blood dripping down his face from what they could only assume was from a head wound.

They tried to catch the man who was holding their unconscious and wounded friend. But as soon as they burst through the trees the pair had disappeared into, they were hopelessly and utterly lost.

Gwaine groaned for the millionth time while they were walking. His face was twisted in a scowl, his hand clenching around his sword in irritation. "None of this would even be happen I if it wasn't for you three." He growled through his teeth.

"I know Gwaine! Just shut up!" Arthur shouted, guilt was eating away from him. A child... his manserevent... no his friend, was missing and wounded in middle of the forest, because his own pretentious fears got in his way. If something happened to Merlin, he didn't think he could ever forgive himself.

"Sire if I may." Leon spoke, while his face was void of most emotion, you could still see the worry in his eyes. "Maybe we turn back. We've been searching for hours and you still have a kingdom to get back to."

Lancelot held Gwaine back as he looked at Leon sadly "Do you truly believe we should leave Merlin alone out here? After what we said when he was taken?" He asked

Leon looked down, his shoulders slumping with guilt "I don't feel right about it... But Arthur is king, his people need him." He whispered, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself as much as the others.

"MERLIN IS MY PEOPLE!" Arthur shouted turning to face his oldest and most trusted knight. "Merlin is my friend, I betrayed him. This is on my shoulders. I can't leave him out here." He whispered firmly.

"If it is Emry's you seek. You are closer than you think." A soft voice whispered, sounding almost like a whisper in the wind. Suddenly a scream rang out through the forest, it was a sound they all knew, but made their stomach twist.

"Merlin." The group whispered before taking off in the direction of the sound.

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Merlin looked up slowly to find the source of the voice, above him stood a man with long black hair, and a scar covering his right eye. He was standing at the head of a cot looking down at Merlin. "I'm so glad you've finally joined us."

"I..." Merlin's voice cracked and he winced as his own voice thundered in his head. "I don't know who you are... or where we are for that matter. But I do know, you have the wrong man." He murmured letting his eyes fall closed again.

Merlin yelped in pain as his hair was yanked roughly forcing him to look up at the man once more. "Now now Emry's, you can't leave us so soon after joining us." He said smiling down at him wickedly.

The man forced Merlin to sit up and waved his hand toward the camp "we've been waiting for you." He whispered proudly "I am Merek, and these are our people."

Merlin doubled over pain radiating through his body. His vision blurred and his stomach lurched. Suddenly he emptied the contents of his stomach retching violently. Slowly he sat back up "I have no people. Arthur is the Once and Future king. I live only to serve him." Merlin grumbled his voice weak.

The smirk on Merek's face slowly became more sinister "You see I was afraid you'd say that... So I made sure to have a back up plan." He said as he roughly shoved Merlin from the cot onto the ground.

Merlin hit the ground hard, spots clouding his vision as his head slammed into the dirt. When his vision cleared he saw Merek standing over him with a dagger.

"You must be wondering why I bound you with iron. You see, in order to steal your magic I must first bind it." Merek whispered "And I'll be honest, this will only hurt a lot."

As soon as the dagger touched his skin Merlin let out a terrible scream. The dagger itself burned his skin. It was moments after he fell silent that the knights burst into camp.

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Gwaine burst into the camp first, followed by Arthur and Lancelot, and finally the others shortly after. They froze seeing the scene before them, and quickly drew their swords.

They fought quickly through the first groups to charge at them, you could hear the metal clanging as swords clashed against swords. Arthur saw a chance and broke away charging for Merek.

Merek laughed maniclly and threw up a shield keeping Arthur away from them. Merlin turned his head and looked at Arthur through half lidded eyes. Arthur slashed at the shield with his sword, anger flooding his system.

The knights joined him soon, each of them swinging at the shield with all their might. Unbeknownst to them, they missed one of the enemies. Slowly the man crept toward them sword ready.

Merlin's eyes widened and he opened his mouth. Pain surged through him we he tried to speak. He watched hopelessly as the man approached, till he saw the sword raise behind Arthur.

Magic burst through his veins erupting in pain "Arthur!" He screamed a blinding light surrounding the camp. It took moments to fade but when it did both Merek and the man were gone.

Arthur and the knights blinked slowly, looking around the now almost empty camp "Merlin..." Lancelot whispered rushing forward. Merlin was unconscious blood leaking from his mouth and nose.

The others followed quickly letting Arthur push them aside "Merlin... Merlin wake up!" He yelled "As your king I command you!" His voice shook as tears filled his eyes. "Elyan get these damned cuffs off! Gwaine Lancelot find a cloth and some water! Leon get Merlin's medicine bag!" They all stared in fear "Now!" He snapped.

As the knights rushed to move Arthur held Merlin closer. "You'll be alright... I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." He whispered "I will fix this."

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So this is chapter three! I hope you all enjoy it! Leave a comment and let me know what you think!