Deviner Captive

Brooding

…

Merlin blinked in confusion when they reappeared in a castle hallway. He observed that the stonewalls were much lighter than what he was used to, so not in Camelot anymore the warlock concluded.

Gwrthfyr looked at the group assembled around him. "All of you are to go back to your usual duties." He addressed the servants, who all turned to the left. The king started to drag the boy by the arm in the other direction.

The warlock felt so completely exhausted he didn't even try to escape.

The princess was left standing alone since her father's informant followed him. She ran after them once she shook off the shock. "Father, what is the meaning of all this?" Matilda demanded, pushing hysterical.

'I'm guessing she knew nothing about this.' Merlin thought to himself as he observed the interaction between father and daughter.

"I don't have time for your hissy fits right now." Gwrthfyr rebuffed his daughter as he continued to drag the boy down the hall. Since his plan had all gone down last minute, he hadn't had time to send a message to prepare a room for the boy. Then an idea hit him. "Altoris, send guards to the blue room immediately."

"But that's the most luxurious quest room we have." Altoris replied confused why he'd place the boy there of all the chambers.

"It's also one of the only rooms without any windows because it's in the middle of the castle. I can't have my prize possession escaping now can I." The king explained his reasoning.

Altoris could understand his logic. If the boy was placed in a room with no windows and guards placed at the only exit that would be locked; he was as good as in a prison cell. The dungeons in the castle were located by the outer wall; which was a design flaw in his opinion. Once the prisoner managed to make it out of his cell, if they could elude the few guards they were home free because there was an exit to the outside. But if the boy were imprisoned in the middle of the castle it would be impossible for anyone to break him out without their knowledge. For that would be the only way he would be escaping without his magic. Even if they managed to reach the boy they'd still have to make their way back out. " I'll get right on it." He said before departing.

Merlin tried to avoid tripping over his own feet as the king suddenly continued dragging him. He was sure if he weren't being supported he would surely fall. Where ever this room was he hoped they got there soon.

The king came to a stop in front of a large set of ornate doors with dragons carved into them. Letting go of him with his right hand he used it to open the door and then entering, forcing him to follow. "This will be your room for the duration of your stay. Which will be a very long time."

Merlin examined his surroundings. He could defiantly see why they called it the blue room. Everything had at least a blue accent if not the whole thing being the cool colour. Despite having no windows it was very bright because of all the candles lining the walls. There were a lot more rooms in the chambers than Arthur had. It included separate rooms for eating and bathing.

They were actually in the area dedicated to accepting guests. There was even a chair for waiting. Merlin didn't even think Uther's own personal chambers were this nice. "I'll leave you to get some rest." The king said before departing. It sounded like a really nice idea to him.

When the door clicked shut he went to check to make sure it was locked. He jiggled the handle and it didn't budge an inch. Usually in a situation when being locked in a room with no windows he'd feel claustrophobic but the chamber had such high ceilings it kind of made up for it.

Merlin made his way over to the cushy looking bed with royal blue bed hangings. He flipped on top of the silk sheets and tried to release all of his tension. Letting out a sigh. It was just as comfortable as it looked he thought to himself as he sunk into what felt like a feather comforter. It was way more comfortable than Arthur's bed.

He had to stop comparing everything to his ex-master because it just reminded him of the deplorable way they departed.

The warlock closed the bed hangings to block out the light because he wasn't going to get up and put out all those candles. If he was able to access his magic he could do it with a snap of his fingers. He tried just for his own curiosity knowing that nothing would happen.

Merlin rolled over and not so surprisingly was asleep within minutes. Transporting so many people at once was exhausting.

...

Arthur groaned when the red bed hangings were pulled back so suddenly. He blinked to get rid of the burning sensation when the light hit his irises only to see the blurry shape of; black hair, red neckerchief, blue shirt, and brown jacket.

He whipped up suddenly to tell Merlin to fuck off so that he could get back to his blissful sleep but closed his mouth with a snap. "Who are you?" He asked in confusion. Standing before him wasn't his manservant. He was shorter and much better put together; with his shirt actually tucked in and a haughty expression.

"My name is George. The king has assigned me as your new manservant." The young man raised an eyebrow at him.

At those words, everything that happened the day before came rushing back. How Merlin was taken for his magical powers by the Dyfred king. His anger came crashing back too.

"Get out." Arthur growled.

"But the king…" George tried to explain.

"I don't care what my father wants. Out!" Arthur yelled. George put his hands up in surrender before leaving. He knew the man was just trying to do his job but he didn't want to be around anyone right now. Especially a Merlin look alike sent to replace him.

He rolled over and put a pillow over his head trying to block more than just the light but the world too.

…

Gaius took a deep breath to collect himself as he stood outside Uther's chambers. The guards were giving him funny looks for his weird behavior. He knew that this talk probably wouldn't come to any frustration but he had to at least try.

Knocking soundly on the door he waiting anxiously for an answer from within.

"Who is it?" Came the snappish response that was muffled by the heavy wood between them.

"It's Gaius." The physician announced himself.

"Enter." Came the gruff reply.

Gaius opened the door, spotting the king over by the window. The royal chambers only had two rooms in it. The main room and what used to be the princes nursery, which had now been turned into a bathing area. Other than that it was very similar to the prince's current chamber.

"What is it?" Uther gruffly asked once the man had come to stand behind him. Not even turning away from the window as he spoke.

Gaius took a deep breath. "I think you know why I'm here."

The king tensed up. "You're here about your ward aren't you…?" Uther's mind had been playing over the events of the previous day repeatedly all morning. Thinking about all the situations that had seemed so hopeless but like a miracle they had made it through, all because of one boy who had magic apparently.

He refused to think he'd been wrong about magic folk all these years just because of one boys actions.

"Yes, I really think we should try and get him back. He could be of great use to Camelot if givin..." Gaius suggested hopefully only to be interrupted.

"Stop." Uther growled.

"…The chance." The physician finished anyway.

" The only reason I'd try and get the boy back is so that I could put him to death which should have happened as soon as he stepped foot in my kingdom." Uther turned and glared at his long-term friend, if he could even still call him that. "And you know he had magic all these years and you never told me." He said accusatory.

"His mother asked me to protect him, I agreed to that before ever knowing the power he held within him. We're distantly related and family always comes first; I thought he at least deserved a chance to prove himself. I feel guilty about keeping this from you but that boy has come to mean too much too me to ever regret my decision." Gaius starred the king down. "He has proven himself above and beyond worthy in my eyes."

"I want you to get out." Uther growled while pointing to the door. "Just be grateful I'm not banishing you for your treachery. I'm only not doing anything because of your years of loyal service prior. Just perform your duty as the court physician. I no longer desire your council or company."

Gaius couldn't help but feel hurt that after all the years of trust between the two it was so easily broken. He thought they were friends but he must have been delusional. The king was a very different man before his wife's death and that man would never have let this get between them.

The physician turned tail and left just like king asked him to do.

…

Uther stormed into his heir's chamber only to find him still in bed. "Get up!" He yelled. Stressed from his earlier conversation he couldn't stand the oppressive silence once his only true confident had been chased away so he decided to check on his son. "Didn't I send a new manservant to wake you up hours ago?"

"I'm awake." Uther observed how his son was indeed just lying there with his eyes open starring blankly at the canopy of his bed. "Been awake since that Merlin look alike paid me a visit." Arthur turned his eyes to glare at his father.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Uther denied his son's accusation. Arthur funnily believed him since he never really paid that much attention to a servant's appearance before. Why should Merlin be so special? " If they bore any resemblance it was just by chance. I have never actually laid eyes on the servant before because he is only newly acquired. He hadn't had a master assigned to him yet so I gave him the position."

"Well I don't want him." Arthur sat up with crossed arms.

"What; are you going to clean your own room, do your own laundry, munch your own stables?" Uther wanted to laugh at his son's stubbornness.

Arthur thought his father had a good point but he couldn't stand the sight of his new manservant. "Fine, he can do all that as long as I'm not present at the time."

"I'll inform the head servant to pass on the message. In the mean time you're late for practice." Uther knew his son was upset but he couldn't let him slip in his duties.

"I don't think that's a good idea. In the mood I'm in, I'm bound to take my anger out on the knights." Arthur sighed a sigh that spoke of his frustration.

Uther could understand since he wanted to hit something repeatedly too. "I'll have Leon take over just for today then. Tomorrow I expect you to be on that field on time."

"Understood." Arthur played with the sheets while avoiding eye contact.

Uther nodded and left his son to his brooding.

..

All of the knight's were standing around confused why they were left waiting for so long. Many of them were present the day before and were informing their friend's. The entire knight's of the round table had their minds on Merlin.

A message boy came running and whispered into the head knight's ear. "Everyone pair off!" Leon yelled, finally getting the training down to business.

"Where's Arthur?" Lancelot asked. He'd been waiting to talk to the royal since he'd stormed out last night. He'd hoped that he'd show.

"The king has given him the day off and left me in charge. Now pair off." Leon managed to answer but reveal little information.

Lancelot went to stand beside Elyan leaving Percival and Gwaine together. All the noble knights usually avoided pairing with them, not wanting to be shown up by a commoner. The knights all took a sparring position attacking on Leon's signal.

They'd only been sparring for a couple minutes but already Elyan could tell that Lancelot wasn't on top of his game. He was leaving openings for attack's and making mistakes he'd never make in his right mind. The knock to the head the day before must still be affecting him.

Lancelot blinked in confusion when he was disarmed. He went to reach to pick it up and continue sparring but Elyan stepped on the sword to stop him.

"Are you sure your feeling aright? I think you should follow the prince's example and take the day off." Elyan suggested. He looked past the knight to notice his sister standing at the edge of the training field. From her expression he could tell that she was looking for some answers. He led the knight over to her location. "Gwen do you think you can take him to see Gaius. He took a knock to the head yesterday and he still isn't back to normal yet." Elyan knew this would also give his sister the chance to question the knight for information.

"Sure." Gwen agreed as she put Lancelot's arm around her shoulder for support before making her way to the stairs that led directly to the physician's quarters since it only made sense to have it so close to where many a knight was injured by accident.

Gwaine and Percival came to stand beside him.

"Do you think that's such a good idea?" Gwaine asked. They all knew the sexual tension between the two.

Elyan admitted to himself that he might have subconsciously had ulterior motives. He wanted his sister to be happy and he could tell that her relationship with the prince had fallen apart. Arthur was oblivious to who his true feelings belonged to, even though now it might be too late for them anyway but it didn't mean his sister had to continue living a lie.

Hopefully Gwen could see what was right in front of her.

…

When they reached the physician chambers there was no one there. Gwen placed Lancelot on the patient bed.

"There's nothing we can do but wait and while we do that you can fill me in." Gwen said as she sat beside him. "What happened to Merlin? I've been hearing all these rumors and I don't know what to believe, some of them are so far fetched." Gwen asked.

Lancelot sighed. "The one where Merlin's revealed to be a warlock and kidnapped by the Dyfred kings the real one."

"So it's true he's really gone." Gwen's demeanor dampened. She looked at her friend's room longingly. They both sat and let it sink in. She laughed bitterly. "There are even crazier rumors floating around then that. One's that a dragon knocked a hole in the castle."

"That probably stemmed from the fact Merlin's a dragon lord." Lancelot revealed.

"Any other details I should know?" Gwen asked wanting to know everything important.

Lancelot was kind of reluctant to tell her this last thing. "The king put some sort of collar around his neck that allowed him to control Merlin."

"You mean like mind control?" Gwen asked.

"No." Lancelot realized he should have been more specific. "It allowed him to, I guess tap into Merlin's magical powers and use it to his own gain."

Gwen had a thoughtful look on her face. "I guess this is far from over. Merlin wouldn't be taken for his powers for no reason. The Dyfred king has a plan of attack; it's just a mystery when he's going to put it into action.

"Agreed." Lancelot said as he examined her face closely.

Gwen leaned in to examine his head. The tension in the room was so thick it was almost touchable. Lancelot couldn't help but lean in to kiss her but she leaned away.

"Arthur and I are still together." Gwen said with a hand on the man's chest to keep them apart.

"Right. I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me." Lancelot apologized then shuffled further away from the girl of his affections, avoiding eye contact.

Gwen bit her lip as she observed the knight. "The thing is I really want this too." Lancelot looked at her surprised. "You know that thing's between me and Arthur haven't been the greatest lately. I've been thinking that if he isn't going to that I should just end it." She received a hopeful expression. "But nothing can happen between us before I do end it. It just wouldn't sit right with me."

Lancelot took her hand in his. "I understand."

That moment the door was opened and a dejected looking Gaius entered. The girl and knight quickly separated, Gaining the physicians attention. "What are you two doing here? Is anything wrong?"

"Lancelot was feeling off in training. Elyan asked me to escort him here. Is there anything you can give him for the dizziness?" Gwen asked.

Gaius gave them a contemplative look as he retrieved a bottle from a rack on his way to their position. "You should be training the day after getting a concussion. This should help though. I suggest you go back to your chambers and rest." He looked between the two as he handed the small bottle of grey liquid over; feeling the tension in the air.

"Thank you." Lancelot said as he received the bottle. The medicine never tasted very good but he could tell by the colour that this one was going to be bad.

Gwen turned sympathetic eyes on the physician. "If you ever need to talk about your feelings about missing Merlin or you just want some company, don't be afraid to ask me."

Gaius started to push the two towards the door. Wanting to be alone. "I'm fine. I have a lot of work to do." Closing the door in their faces before Gwen could rebuff him for his denial. He liked living in denial as long as possible.

...TBC