Sorry some swearing

...

In Afghanistan the men had been guarded carefully and had had no chance of escape. Merlin was stiff and sore and with his hands once more tied behind his back he had trouble getting to his feet. With the deep bruising around his upper legs, hips and back even walking out to the privy caused him difficulty and he fell on more than one occasion adding to his bruises. The others had worked out a way of helping him to his feet in the morning when he was at his stiffest. Galahad was also suffering but to a lesser degree, his had been more of a show punishment and his bruising had been more superficial and on his upper torso and arms, so he was managing better and recovering quicker. When they were taken out to relieve themselves their legs had remained shackled after Galahads previous attempt. They were now in the cellar of an isolated house. They did their best to keep their moral up and invented several games to pass the time. They also kept their ear out for a hint as to where they were and any intelligence that might be off use if, when, they were rescued or could escape. Merlin knew their worst enemy was boredom and losing their moral so did his best to keep them all motivated. As much as they could they continued to exercise to try to maintain strength. The men had all said they wouldn't try to escape unless they all went together, they had no intention of Merlin losing a hand. This caused a row as Merlin told then it was theory duty to try and escape regardless. It was a moot point anyway as they were so carefully watched it soon became clear that it was highly unlikely that any of them would get the chance.

Then one day, at day break, they heard gunfire, Merlin assuming it was an attack by their forces, told the men to stand and be ready to do whatever they could to help, should it be a rescue attempt. If it appeared to be an attack then they had to try to let the allies know they were held in the building. After all it might not be an attack on their behalf. Merlin knew they were all weakened by lack of food and exercise and couldn't do much with their hands tied behind their backs and feet shackled together, but if whoever was coming were to have any chance, they had to help where they could. So they got to their feet to take what action they could. With Merlin one side of the door with Terry and Galahad and Gwaine the other they intended to jump anyone who came in.

A Taliban soldier came into the room with a raised rifle bayonet fixed, clearly intending on either shooting them all or moving them. Merlin knew they would only have one chance and intended to be the one who took the most risk, he was still feeling he had let the two dead men down. So he took his opportunity and barged into the enemy the moment he could and without hesitation. The man was pushed over as Merlin hit into him with as much force as he could, the second Taliban man was jumped on by Gwaine and Galahad but then Merlin was caught by the third man's bayonet as Terry tried to help. Before Gwaine, Galahad or Terry had chance to help their officer the rescuers came into the room and shoot the enemy and quickly released the men. Gwaine immediately tried to get to Merlin's side but the largest rescuer, clearly the leader bent and quickly check Merlin before picking up Merlin as if he were a baby and throwing him over his shoulder fireman style, looking at Gwaine he snapped "Get out of here Now! We haven't much time before we will be overwhelmed"

It was clear they had no time for finesse. They all went up the stairs the captives being helped by their rescuers. As they reached the ground floor Gwaine saw bodies everywhere including the Taliban leader. There was heavy fighting going on as the small group of rescuers held their position. Then they heard helicopters, who had clearly been called to take them out. As the helicopters pitched down they all ran as some of the men provided covering fire, smoke grenades had been set off to help provide cover. They all were soon loaded on the helicopters and off, even with shooting going on all around them Gwaine made damn sure he was on the same one as Merlin. The minute Gwaine was on the helicopter he moved quickly to the side of the large man who had carried Merlin to safety. The man looked up as he put Merlin down.

"Your officer is OK, looks nasty but as far as I can see it is flesh wound. Strap yourself in this could get hairy" he instructed tersely.

Gwaine reluctantly did as asked, he had heard that tone before and know he had to do as instructed. As Gwaine looked out he could see several other helicopters in the air and planes offering firing cover. Gwaine then realised both Terry and Galahad were missing. Seeing his look the man mountain grinned "They're in another chopper, just in case, no point in putting all our eggs in one basket. Anyway these beauties as quick but small, the R.A.F. are providing cover." He paused then added with a grin "Names Percy and you have been rescued by the SAS, sorry we didn't get to you quicker but they did keep moving you around"

"I'm just glad to be rescued mate" Gwaine told him "After the other two we weren't sure if you would get to us in time, I'm Gwaine and that is Merlin…. Lieutenant Emrys" Gwaine corrected himself quickly. He had been rescued and he didn't want to be put on a charge when Merlin might need him.

Percy threw him a grin "Don't worry I don't supposed you have been bothered with rank for the past few weeks, I will ignore that and cut you some slack"

As Percy was speaking he and another of the rescuers, were already starting to give first aid to Merlin, who, with the new injury, and the rough handling had lost consciousness, they were concentrating on stopping the bleeding by pressure concentrating on the facial wound to stop Merlin aspirating on the blood. "The medics will sort him when we land in Camp Bastion." Percy reassured Gwaine.

Gwaine looked at Merlin and all he could see was blood "he's lost a lot of blood" he was very worried "I can't lose him now!"

"He was caught by the bayonet and has a deep wound across his chest, neck and jaw. It appears to have completely gone through his cheek but don't worry they'll sort him, I've seen worse."

"I bet you have and so have I, but he's like a little brother to me. The stupid idiot threw himself at the Afghan to stop him shooting us" the reaction was beginning to set in and Gwaine voice wavered. Then he added "Go careful with his back the bastards gave him a hundred lashes with the dura a few days ago"

"I'll do what I can but we need to stop the bleeding, he's a brave man" Percy told him as he looked down at Merlin "Well you'll soon be back in Blighty and out of this hole, you were supposed to already be there weren't you?" Percy was talking to try to keep Gwaine calm. The other rescuers in the copter were watching for further attack and held weapons ready for use.

Gwaine nodded "I bet his mum and husbands gone spare!"

"Well they will soon know he's safe, you got family waiting?"

"Nah all dead, Merl's mum is my next of kin now"

Percy nodded sympathetically and then fell silent clearly having used up all his chat. As the officer in charge was pleased with how the mission had turned out, but annoyed that the Lieutenant had been hurt just as they arrived. They had gone in on foot and managed to get close before being spotted, and the fight had been short and brutal. Only then had the copters come in to collect them.

The minute the helicopters landed at Camp Bastion the medical teams come and collected Merlin and the other men and took them for treatment. Gwaine wanted to stay with Merlin as did Terry and Galahad but they were moved away and checked over before being given hot drinks. Galahad's wounds were checked then they were all given food before getting cleaned up. It wasn't long before they were all in bed and asleep, having been given a mild sedative.

Merlin was soon in theatre having his injuries cared for. The base commander informed London of the success of the mission. The whole of Camp Bastion's mood lifted as news got out. Percy and his men were treated like heroes. There wasn't a man on camp who wasn't relieved and pleased to know their colleagues had been found. The two decapitations had hit all the soldiers hard, everyone knew the risks, but when something like that happened it brought it home to them. The deaths from the original crash had been hard enough, but knowing that there were four men held by the enemy had taken its toll on every man based in Afghanistan.

In the UK, it wasn't until two weeks after the man were supposed to have been home before concrete news of their loved ones safety arrived with the families. The men had been missing for just over six weeks, the longest weeks of Arthur's life. Lance arrived and told Arthur and Hunith that the army had gained intelligence and had mounted a raid with the SAS on a secret mountain camp. The men had been rescued! There wasn't a dry eye to be found. Arthur and Hunith wanted to fly out to Afghanistan immediately but Lance told them this was not possible.

"The men need to be checked medically, debriefed and then they will be flown home on military transport. So I'm afraid you won't see them until then, however we are trying to arrange a skype call for you, or at least a phone call"

With this Hunith collapsed, she had been so strung up it was too much for her. She was a strong woman but thinking she was going to lose her son as well as Gwaine, who was almost a second son, had been putting a great strain on her. Arthur had been dealing with his own fears and worries and although Morgana and Lance had offered support it just hadn't been enough. Arthur wasn't much better but the adrenaline was carrying him through. Once Hunith had been seen and was under sedation and in bed, Lance filled in Arthur on the details and Arthur would tell her later.

"It all happen fast in the end. The SAS had discovered where the latest holding place was and mounted a smash and grab raid. All four men were found and rescued" Lance told him. "They were all malnourished but mostly well. I'm afraid Merlin suffered a non-life threatening injury during the rescue. All the others were ok but might clearly suffering some physical and psychological problems from their captured and stay. But you can breathe again Arthur your husband will soon be home with you." Lance was sympathetic but encouraging.

Arthur then rang Morgana and told her the news adding "Please don't tell anyone else yet, not until I have spoken to Merlin, after all we don't know all the facts yet and I don't want visitors"