Deviner Captive

Scene of the Crime

...

Gaius woke up when the sunlight hit his eyes. Grudgingly getting up to do his duties. Throwing the blanket off he stood up and walked over to the fire place to stroke the logs that had burned down into only warm coals. It had grown cold during the night in his little tower.

It seemed like the beginning of any normal day but he knew it was not. He wouldn't be waking his ward up to do his duties for the prince. No yelling, "You're going to be late if you don't get up". He walked over to Merlin's room, pushing the door open.

Maybe it was just his eyes seeing things but he could swear someone was sleeping in the bed. He could see the outline of a body underneath the blanket. Walking over he touched the figure. There was someone! His sense of sight may lie to him but touch was a completely different matter.

Removing the blanket from over the persons head (they must have done that when they got cold) he revealed blond hair. 'So it wasn't Merlin?' The physician thought disappointingly before realizing who it was.

He didn't even bother to question the prince's presence in his chambers. Arthur must really miss his manservant. It was only natural that when someone missed a person close to them they'd go to a place that reminded them of that person. A prince was still only human.

The physician decided to let the prince continue to sleep. He'd been informed that the prince had not been sleeping properly since Merlin was taken. He slowly backed out of the room and closed the door so as not to wake the young man as he made noise while he made more tinctures.

...

Matilda eyed the guards at the door to the blue room. Usually they wouldn't deny her entrance anywhere but it seemed her father had put a restriction on this. The thing was she knew wanted was behind that door and she always got what she wanted.

"Matilda, what are you doing?" Altoris asked. He grabbed her arm and started to steer her away from the door.

"What do you think?" She asked back sarcastically. "You promised me you'd tell me what was going on if I put in a god word for you with Dye."

"Well you haven't done that yet, judging from my interaction with her earlier this morning." Altoris defended his reasons.

"Well you haven't told me what I wanted to know." Matilda narrowed her eyes.

"Then we are at an impasse." Altoris exclaimed.

There was a moment of silence as they both eyed each other.

"Fine, how about this, well go to my chambers and when we get there you'll tell me what's going on and then when I'm satisfied I'll summon Dye and set you two up." Matilda suggested.

"Deal." Altoris put out his hand for her to shake. She reached out and took it.

...

Gaius furrowed his eye brows when he could hear what sounded like knights running through the corridors. He could tell by the clanging noise the metal of the shoulder plate made as it hit the chainmail. What could be causing all the knights to be in such a panic?

The door was suddenly thrown open by Gwaine. "Gaius, Arthur's gone missing and Uther is having a conipshit. Have you seen him?..." The physician opened his mouth to answer but was cut off. "No, dam I was hoping you would've, then I would finally be in Uther's good graces, I could've saved the day. Wonder where he went."

"What's all this racket about?" Arthur asked blurry eyed as he stumbled down the little set of stairs. He wasn't used to the obstacle so soon after waking, he felt as clumsy as Merlin. Rubbing his eyes to try and wake up since he'd been rudely awoken by the other man's loud mouth.

"Arthur!" Gwaine yelled excitedly. He ran over and hugged his prince in his excitement.

"Ah, Gwaine?" Arthur said confusedly. Why was he being so enthusiastically greated.

-"Where have you been?" Gwaine asked intuitively.

"If you would've let me answer your question, I could've told you he was sleeping in Merlin's room." Gaius explained with an unimpressed facial expression.

"Merlin's room, what were you doing in there?" Gwaine leaned back so that he could look the prince in the eye.

"What do you think, sleeping?" Arthur answered sheepishly. Embarrassed that he'd actually fallen asleep in Merlin's bed.

Just starting to wake up now he realized the position he was in. "Get off." He demanded as he pushed the knight off of him.

"What's going on Gwaine, is someone attacking? All the knights seem to be in a panic from what I can hear?" Gaius asked the knight.

Gwaine turned to address Arthur. "Actually, Your father thinks that you've run off to rescue Merlin. He has the whole castle looking for you." Gwaine explained.

"Dam." Arthur said. It was too early for this. "I guess I better get this sorted out." The prince exited the physician's chambers followed by the knight. He only made it a little further down the hall before he was accosted by a guard.

"Prince Arthur thank god, everyone's been looking for you." The guard exclaimed.

"So I've been informed." Arthur sighed in annoyance. "I'm on my way to see him now." He explained as he kept moving.

"You're going the wrong way!" The guard yelled after them.

Arthur turned around and gave him a confused look. "I think I know my way to the throne room."

"Your father isn't there! I've been informed that he has relocated himself to your chambers!" The guard informed them.

...

Matilda unlocked the door to her chambers. She entered and made her way over to the chairs in front of the fire. She sat down in one of the wing back chairs and gestured with her had for the man to do the same.

Altoris gave the princess a suspicious look but did as she said. Once he was seated she gave him the signal to start talking. He sighed. "Your father came upon a magical item many years ago. You know how he's always been fascinated by the art. It would give him the ability to harness the powers of someone who possessed the gift, but the item was only able to be used once. Your father didn't want to use it on just any sorcerer; he wanted to find the most powerful magical being. All these years he'd waited and never found the right person until now."

"How does my father control this item? What connects only him to its powers?" Matilda asked.

"I can't tell you that." Altoris denied her.

"Then you aren't going to get Dye, she holds my opinion very highly." Matilda lorded over him before taking another sip of tea.

Altoris frowned. His love life against one small fact that didn't really matter. What would she do with the information anyways? Why not. "There's actually a medallion that comes with the collar. If a person hangs it around their neck they'll have control over the captive."

-"We good now?" Altoris asked.

"Yes, that's all I want to know." Matilda smirked happily as she reached up to pull a golden rope by her head. A ringing could be heard coming from the other room. A door opened and revealed Dye.

"What can I do for you my lady?" Dye asked.

...

When Arthur reached his chambers he knocked even though he technically shouldn't have to but his father would expect it.

"Enter!" Was yelled through the door.

Arthur prepared himself for a fight before he opened the door. He spotted his father sitting in his favourite chair over by the fire place starring into the flamed as he drank wine. He hadn't looked up yet to acknowledge who had entered.

It took him a while but when he finally did he narrowed his eyes. "Arthur where have you been?!" He said in an accusatory tone.

"I was only sleeping in Gaius's chambers. You should trust me more." Arthur defended himself.

Uther looked reluctant as he processed this. "I guess you're right. Arthur, you're going to be the future king of Camelot, and how can I know you're going to do the right thing's when I'm gone if I don't trust you now to make the right decisions now. You're growing up and it's just hard for me to let go of the image of my young son. I have to let you make some of your own decisions now even if I don't approve of them."

"That would be nice." Arthur replied.

"I'll leave you now." Uther said before doing just as he said he would.

Gwaine had been listening at the door and almost got hit in the face as Uther strode out of his sons chambers. He tried to appear like he had just been waiting patiently and not just spying. The king gave him a suspicious look for his efforts. Once the man was out of sight he pushed the door open.

The prince could be seen shoving clothes into a bag hurriedly. "What are you doing, Princess?"

"I'm going after Merlin. That conversation gives me the perfect opportunity to sneak away without my father questioning my location. We'll be long gone by the time he realized he should've have given me permission to make my own decisions." Arthur explained as he closed the clasp on his pack.

"Now that's what I'm talking about." Gwaine exclaimed enthusiastically.

...

The Knights of the Round Table spread the rumor that they were going hunting. As they tacked their horses they spoke loudly about their plans so that it would get back to the king.

Arthur had gathered the others earlier and explained his plan to them and why it was best that they stay here while he and Gwaine left. They needed someone to throw off their trail so his father would be chasing the wrong knights.

The guards didn't stop them as they rode through the gate. He guessed his father had spread the word to let him go about his business. If he'd caught word about his son's hunting trip the king made no move to hinder it.

They headed down the road and turned to take the same path that they'd usually go when on their usual hunting trips so that nothing would look out of the ordinary.

They didn't veer off the path until they'd reached an area of solid ground that their horses wouldn't leave tracks on. While Arthur and Gwaine left the other knights continued on the path to leave a trail making it look like they were going where they said they would; if anyone was following them.

They rode through the thicket until they reached a clearing. Their pace picked up once they were out in the open. Arthur set his horse into a fast gallop across the planes and Gwaine followed his example.

When a large shadow covered the area they were in they looked up. Gwaine's mouth gaped open at the sight. Arthur grumbled about interfering dragons.

The ground shook as the large Dragon landed in their pave.

The horses freaked at the large creatures presence. The knights had to steer their horses back around from where they had tried to run in the other direction. Their fight or flight instincts were kicking in and he could tell what they'd picked. They had to pat them until they calmed down.

Arthur dismounted his horse and walked it over to the tree line, he instructed Gwaine to tie his horse to a branch too. He didn't think they had any possibility of getting the animals any closer to the dragon.

Gwaine followed his prince reluctantly as he went to greet the beast. He'd never faced a Dragon before in his life. The closest he'd come to one before were the wyverns which were not even one tenth the size. Gwaine thought he'd never have to face one since the magical creature had gone instinct.

"I see you have finally taken my advice." Kilgharrah spoke with his booming voice as the prince approached.

Gwaine squeaked when the creature spoke. He could feel the voice in his chest it was so deep.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm going after Merlin." He replied in exasperation. The dragon was going to try and lord it over him that he should have listened sooner.

Gwaine tugged on the prince's tunic. "How do you know a dragon?" The prince raised an eyebrow when he looked back at him. "Explain?"

"It's a long story." Arthur sighed in exasperation. "Let me introduce you. Gwaine the great dragon, Kilgharrah meet Gwaine." He shrugged off the knight's touch and fixed his tunic as if it'd been messed up by the contact.

"Merlin's dragon?" Gwaine asked for confirmation. The reptilian head nodded. "I didn't think he'd be so big." He said uncomfortably as the large eyes focused on him. They had a lot more intelligence behind them than he would ever have thought.

They both froze when they heard a throat cleared behind them. Whipping their heads around to see who'd caught them. They both sighed in relief when they saw it was just Gaius.

The old man raised an eyebrow at the group gathered in the clearing. He could on guess what two knights and a dragon had to talk about.

What are you doing out here?" Arthur asked, trying to calm down his beating heart. For a second there, he thought his father had him followed. If he had he'd be in deep trouble for consorting with the enemy.

"I was gathering herbs." Gaius answered, lifting his half full herb basket to emphasize his point. "Since I no longer have a ward, I have to do it by myself." Referring to Merlin; he hadn't had the heart to find a replacement, not so soon.

"Princess is going right now to remedy that." Gwaine said pointing to the prince proudly. "He finally got his ass in gear."

"You're going after Merlin?" Gaius asked, surprised that they hadn't consulted him before leaving. He knew the prince could never stay angry at Merlin for long, at least not enough to leave him in the hands of someone who wanted to use him only for his power. He knew the prince would end up going after him eventually.

"Yes." Arthur confirmed with his own voice. He left so quickly he never even stopped to think about telling Gaius of his plans. Merlin probably meant the most to the old man other than him. Merlin was like a son to him. "If my father asks about my whereabouts can you distract him?" Arthur asked the physician since he was the only one his father usually listened to.

"Of course I can." Gaius agreed. He'd feel useless while they were away getting his ward back. He would do anything to help while he was left behind being too old to be of any use if he went with them.

"I wish to come with you." Kilgharrah said in a commanding voice.

Arthur looked up incredulous at the dragon. "What have you flying behind us as we ride there? We'd gain a lot of attention with a dragon following us." He exclaimed trying to convince the beast it wouldn't work.

"No, you'd ride on my back." Kilgharrah informed them. Gwaine gulped at the suggestion of climbing on the beasts back. "You'll get there much faster. Merlin may not be at the castle much longer. Gwrthfyr will soon be on the move. He has started to gather his army.

Even though Arthur was uncomfortable with the concept he couldn't argue that fact. "What about the horses?" He asked. Looking back to the tree line where their horses were grazing.

"I will take care of them." Gaius volunteered. "A friend of mine owns a farm not too far from here. I can have them stabled there till your return."

There were no more excuses that Arthur could think of. He just had to gather his courage. "OK, I agree that it'd be a lot faster so we better hurry and leave." He just had to think that 'If Merlin could do it so could he.'

Gwaine gulped when the prince approached the dragon that had put his head down so they could climb on a lot more easily. The dragon's head was a little more than twice his height and he really didn't want to get up. Arthur had already hoisted himself up and was looking at him impatiently to follow his example.

"Come on, it's not that bad once you're up here. I've never known you to be a cowardly one." Arthur tried to mock the other knight into action.

"I'm not a coward." Gwaine snapped, he was usually the first one to jump into a dangerous situation. "I've never had to climb on a dragon before." He said before quickly scaling the head and settling behind the prince.

Arthur smiled in accomplishment. He knew that would work since no real man could stand being called a chicken.

"Bring Merlin back in one piece if that's possible" Gaius yelled as farewell.

"I'll try my best." Arthur responded back. You never knew with Merlin what was going to happen but it never did run as smoothly as you'd hope.

"Hold on tight." Was the only warning Kilgharrah gave before taking flight.

Arthur had to grab onto a horn and Gwaine wrapped himself tightly around the prince's waist. "Can't breath." He gasped, Gwaine apologized and loosened his grip on him.

Gaius stood in the clearing watching them leave until they were completely out of sight, he thought to himself 'He wished them the best of luck.' Turning around he went to deal with the horses so that he could get back to his duties in Camelot. He'd already been gone far longer than he expected. No wonder Merlin always complained about gathering herbs and was late for his duties.

…

Gwrthfyr was doing paper work in his office when a falcon arrived. It was carrying a scroll. He didn't have high hopes for the response since it wasn't written on high quality paper; he'd say it was closer to tree bark. Unrolling it he shouldn't have been surprised that it was from the druids. They were demanding that he let Emrys go.

That name sounded familiar the king thought.

He quickly walked over to his book shelf and scanned the spins for the book he desired. He pulled out the book that said prophesies in gold lettering. Flipping through the pages until he found what he was seeking. In big bold letters was the name Emrys, under it the book went on to say that he had been prophesied as the strongest wizard to ever be born.

Gwrthfyr knew there was a reason why he was attracted to that boy the moment he saw him. He always had good instincts he thought smugly. With the unlimited power the boy possessed at his command how could he lose.

Another raven returned. This must be a very good day he thought. It had very feminine handwriting.

Morgues and Morgana wanted to team up with him. They wanted to meet his army outside the gates of … in only 5 days time. It was such short notice but it wasn't a problem. He knew it was only a matter of weeks before someone had interest in his plans. Since the moment he had returned from Camelot with his prize he'd been preparing his army for battle so they'd be ready to march on a moment's notice.

Altoris was taken aback by the smile on his king's face when he entered. The man had been in a foul mood lately. "What's made you so happy?"

Gwrthfyr handed the scroll over with a smirk for his informant to see. "Success, we have the backing of two of the most powerful sorceresses ever."

Altoris scrunched his forehead as he read over the letter. "Are you sure they are trustworthy allies? They aren't going to try and take full power?" He asked as he handed the letter back. This plan was sounding worse as they went on.

"With the most powerful warlock ever behind me how can I lose? I want you to arrange for the entire subjects of … to be in the main square at noon. Tell the general to prepare the troops to leave for battle tomorrow." Gwrthfyr instructed.

"So soon, don't you want to prepare a battle plan before you rush into this?" Altoris asked.

Matilda opened the door to her father's office without knocking. She found him talking to his adviser. "Father, what's going on?" She asked inquiringly.

"Just kingdom business." Gwrthfyr tried to play it off like nothing important was happening. He didn't have time to explain it to her. He went to leave the room but his daughter blocked his path

"I want to know what's going on. You haven't told me anything about why you have Merlin locked up." Matilda demanded with her arms crossed.

"I don't have time for your dramatics right now Matilda. Don't you have shopping in the market to do?" Gwrthfyr snapped at his daughter before stalking out of the room. Altoris gave her a pitying look before following his king out.

Matilda frowned at the closed door. Why did her father think that she was only good for looking pretty. Her only purpose was to marry a prince and make an alliance through marriage. It always pissed her off that her father never valued her in any other way. That's why she slept and flirted with men, just to piss her father off.

Looking over at her father's desk she got an idea. If her father wouldn't let her see Merlin she'd just have to go herself.

She stalked over to the desk and felt along the side until she could feel the groove in the wood. Her father thought that no one knew where he kept things that he thought to be valuable or irreplaceable. A couple years ago her father had a new desk made. Matilda talked to the carpenter and he told her that her father had instructed him to put hidden compartments in the desk that would be opened with a key.

While her father was asleep she snuck into his office and found his ring of keys. She checked each key in the lock on the desk until it clicked open. Taking the key off the ring she got a black smith to copy it for her so if she ever needed to get into the drawer she'd be able to.

Matilda put her copy of the key in and the lock clicked open. She slid the compartment open and found a medallion with many different symbols on it. 'This must be it' she thought with glee. Reaching in, she took the necklace and put it over her head, moving her long hair out of the way and tucking it in the front of her dress.

Closing the hidden compartment she locked it again so her father would never suspect someone was in the drawer until he came looking for it. She quickly left the office and started to make her way up to the top floor.

…

Matilda convinced the guards to leave, claiming her father needed them.

She waited until she couldn't hear them anymore before pulling out the skeleton key she'd had made for the palace. The lock made a satisfying clicking noise as it unlocked.

Merlin opened one eye to see who had entered.

He was surprised to see the princess. He hadn't seen her since the first day he'd arrived here. "Matilda what are you doing here?"

"Just here to have a little play time." She said mysteriously. "Now how does this thing work?" Matilda asked herself out loud, she fiddled with the item in her hand.

Merlin's eyes widened at the sight of what controlled his magic in the hands of the princess. This could be his chance to escape.

'What did her father say before?' Matilda thought back to when she saw the king use it back in Camelot. She managed to say the right words by chance.

Merlin could feel the heat behind his eyes. It was a familiar sensation so he knew what it was going to do. 'Why'd she choose that spell?' he thought. Oh well, he knew just what to do with it. He had a small amount of control since his interference with the ruins on the collar so he managed to focus his laser vision on the shackles around his wrists.

The princess fell over in surprise when the boy's eyes lit up.

Merlin rubbed his wrists once he'd managed to free himself from the shackles.

Reaching down and taking the keys that the princess had dropped in her surprise. The door was locked from both sides so he needed them to get out. "Thanks." Merlin said as he departed his jail cell.

"Wait!" Matilda called after the boy. Her father was going to be so mad at her. She'd set the warlock free he'd put so much trouble in procuring. Even if it was a complete accident he'd flay her. Her father specifically told her to stay out of the blue room.

Wait, he didn't have to know it was her.

She quickly stood and fled the scene of the crime back to her own bed room.

...TBC