Morgana was tired of it all. She had just lost the love of her life (even if it was through a love goddess' curse.) She was tired of being hated by those who were once close to her. She was tired of being the creature children were afraid of.

If she were to die, Venus' curse would wear off. She would be a woman again and Merlin a man. She knew of Arthur's feelings for the servant. She knew he needed heirs. She knew Merlin would leave out of shame. She planned her last revenge well.

Morgana was tired. The rope was hung, the stool in place, the tree in a secluded area. She thought of the pain of being a monster. A monster she had turned herself into. She just wanted it to end.

So she did.

"So I guess this is good bye," said Merlin. He turned from the dumbstruck Arthur, walking out of the room. Every step away hurt worse than being stabbed.

You're a man, thought Merlin, bitterly. He used magic to get him out of the castle quicker. He appeared in the lower town, surprising those still out. He was too lost in thought to notice some people throwing him odd looks. Even if Arthur still loved you, he needs heirs. He'll get married to some noble woman and have tons of children.

That thought made his stomach churn. He almost turned back, to ensure that Arthur did not end up with some noble woman. To make sure he would never love another. Almost. At the gates, Merlin muttered an incantation and disappeared, getting the strange sensation someone somewhere screamed his name.

He arrived in the forest, about five miles from Camelot. He set up camp for the night, planning for tomorrow. He would not go back to Ealdor; he needed to stay close to Camelot. He just couldn't forget his destiny, so, more or less, he would protect the kingdom from the background. Maybe go incognito as Dragoon the Great.

After his plans were set, with nothing to distract his mind, realization hit him. He still loved Arthur. Arthur would never love him back.

When Gwaine woke, he saw it was morning and Arthur was still up. He cursed under his breath. The king needed sleep.

"Morning Princess," said Gwaine, using the friendly insult to try and lighten the mood. Even if Arthur was king, he still acted like a princess.

"Morning," said the king, a huge grin breaking across his face. At Gwaine's shocked expression, he stated simply, "We're going to find Merlin today."

Gwaine just gave an agreeable response and went to prepare the horses. The odds of finding Merlin weren't very good, the knight decided. Merlin probably didn't want to be found, and him being an all-powerful warlock helped that fact considerably well.

The day was full of riding, Arthur talking, slight hunting for that night's dinner, Arthur talking, some searching on foot, and most of all Arthur talking. The king's rambling annoyed Gwaine, the most talkative man around (save for Merlin) and it wasn't that Arthur was talking too much, but more of what the topic of his monologue.

"And his hair, it's black as night I tell you! Some claim him to be a brunette, but honestly there's a difference between black and brown. And his eyes, they just pierce you right through…" Gwaine gritted his teeth. Arthur, for the larger part of the day, had been talking about Merlin. Not that Gwaine minded. No, he knew all these wonderful facts about the servant. It just annoyed him that he had noticed them before Arthur, and Merlin still had ended up smitten with the king.

"Ever heard the phrase 'if you love something, set it free and it if comes back to you it's yours?'" The knight nodded. "Well, set her free. She may or may not come back to you."

"What if she doesn't?" asked Gwaine, feeling slightly inferior, but grateful for the advice.

"She will," said the old man, handing him his horse's reigns. "Your love for each other may be different from what you expect, though."

Gwaine remembered the old stranger's advice. He had set Merlin free in his heart, but with the king bringing up the reasons why Gwaine had become smitten with the servant in the first place, it became really hard to not fall in love Merlin again.

"And his ears, slightly large, but in a cute way. I think they compliment his face," said the king, eyes misty with love. His smile was wide and his voice exuberant. Gwaine sighed; this would not be a pleasant journey.

Arthur's attitude changed as the sky got darker. He became more sullen and reserved. When they set up camp, it was Gwaine forcing conversation out of him. As the night before, the king refused dinner and offered to take first watch. Gwaine told him to sleep in a not so polite way.

Arthur rolled over, feinting sleep. He pulled something out of his pocket; his mother's ring that he had given to Merlin. "I'll find you," he whispered to the band of silver. "I'll show you I love you. I only hope you still love me."

Five days ago, Merlin had left Camelot. Now, he was bruised, bloody, and probably had some broken bones, all while being locked in a dungeon. He had magic restraints around his wrists. He had no idea of his captors or his whereabouts. One man had visited him so far, but he had only been there to torture the warlock with a knife.

The cell doors creaked open, and walked in the same man from before. He was tall, muscular, and had a glint in his eyes that Merlin didn't trust. "Well, Emrys, it seems we found you," he spat.

Merlin decided this man was either in league with Morgana, or was some kind of evil druid, due to the use of the warlock's other name. Noting his clothing, rich and expensive robes, the best bet was him being a follower of Morgana. And the dungeons, also added to that fact; druids lived in tents.

"So, warlock, where is your Once and Future King? I expected him to be here by now," the man said, trying to taunt him. Merlin rolled his eyes; it was one of those free lancers that just wanted Merlin so they could get to Arthur. How typical. Unfortunately, this one did his homework, hence forth the magic restraints.

"He's not coming," said Merlin, defiance in his voice. His heart dropped at his own words; Arthur could not love him, so he would not come. Hell, the king probably didn't even know.

"Oh, I see," said the man. Merlin was suddenly backhanded, then a boot met his side, cracking a rib. The man left in disgust, locking the door.

After the pain had subsided enough for him to think, Merlin whispered a spell. He could feel his magic trapped. The words did nothing. He was helpless.

As a draft of cold air came in, the warlock noticed something. His neck was cold. Looking down, he saw his trademark neckerchief was gone.

"Arthur, over here!" called Gwaine, bring the king out of his stupor. He had been trying to contemplate what he would do if Merlin didn't love him. None of his results ended well.

Arthur jogged over to join Gwaine, hoping for some sign of Merlin. His eyes widened at the red cloth in the knight's hand. "Merlin's neckerchief," he muttered.

Gwaine nodded and handed it to him, face grim. Arthur took it and gingerly examined the piece of clothing. It was stained. With blood. Lots of blood. Merlin's blood.

Arthur's face was impassive. "Look around, there may be a trail."

Gwaine nodded again, and set off. Arthur searched too, finding some well-placed horse tracks, probably a day old.

"It's probably a trap," said Gwaine, after Arthur had suggested they follow them.

"Oh, most definitely," Arthur agreed. "You can go back if you want. I'm going to find Merlin."

"Arthur," started Gwaine softly. "Maybe you should head back and I go ahead. You are king of Camelot and-"

"No," said the king, voice firm. "They have my Merlin."

"But-"

"Gwaine," Arthur said, dangerously, "I'm going and you're not going to stop me."

The knight nodded. "I'm coming with you."

Arthur made no response as he mounted his horse and sped off. Gwaine followed in pursuit. They did not stop until reached the castle.

Arthur looooooooooooves Merlin! Thank you to AmericanMerlinFemaleDragon, Luka-Knight, Don-V, Lady-Blade-WarAngel, and anj emm for reviewing!