A/N: Hello! I have not forgotten about this story, i know its been a while. But with night shifts and no damn energy after work i have struggled to get anything written. But here goes. Chapter 12, (chapter 13 being written as you read). Enjoy, much of a linking chap, and sorry about Gwen, this is more a Merlin Arthur story so had to keep her away (for now). As always please R&R if possible.

Chapter 12

"Guinevere!" Arthur's shocked tone was all that was needed to exclaim the situation.

"Gwen?" Merlin echoed, his voice barely audible.

The serving girl fiddled with a small bunch of keys, carefully unlocking the bolt to the cell holding the King and his servant. Both struggled to their feet, Arthur felt himself sagging under almost the full weight of his servant beside him.

"How did you...? Arthur wanted answers.

"Shhh" Gwen hushed, pulling back her dress sleeve she revealed a silver inscribed bracelet, the script was glowing a soft white colour. Arthur was no magician, but he knew magic when he saw it. He seethed in angry at the sight, Morgana was going to pay for this.

"She knows i will betray her, I'm not even sure how i managed to get away" Gwen rushed her words out in a hurry as the two friends hobbled out of the cell, mainly from the warlocks unsteady legs than the king's. "the knights are coming, they are in the lower town as we speak. They're coming for you Arthur"

A small sad smile lingered over the Kings face. Of course they would be coming for him, his knights were faithful and would protect their King to the death. A sad yet loyal trait every one of them possessed. No doubt his most trusted friends were leading the onslaught.

"Can you walk?" Arthur pushed Merlin upright and let him go.

"Yeah, i think so" the servant's knees wobbled dramatically and he nearly toppled forwards.

Arthur placed a steady hand on his chest. "I don't think so"

The King bent down then, placing his head downward, Merlin knew what was coming and he protested weakly with a deep groan as he ascended onto the Kings shoulders. "Please" Merlin winced as his injuries bumped with his friend. "Not the carrying" Gwen bit her lip in angst at the sound of his damaged voice.

"Sorry Merlin, no choice, you'll just slow us down you idiot"

The warlock rolled his eyes then, though none could see. His head was still rather incoherent and he struggled for several minutes to keep his consciousness as he felt himself jostled about on the Kings shoulders, up several flights of stairs and into the castles passageways. Arthur retrieved several weapons on the way. He had to do something. He knew exactly where the King was headed, and there was no way he would be able to let him face Morgana alone. As he felt himself jolt from side to side as the King broke into a run he closed his eyes, burning golden under their lids, gathering what little strength he had inside and reaching for his magic. Merlin never really was any good at healing spells, but he needed to at least try. Once they reach Morgana he would need all the strength he could find.

"Gwen" Arthur, almost holted suddenly, and his friend emitted a light moan of disapproval. "I need you to stay away from this" the King gestured to the nearest door of an unfamilar chambers.

Guineavere shook her head but Arthur's glare was all that was needed and she shuffled unwillingly through through the door closing it behind her.

"Now just you to get rid of Merlin" Arthur continued on, closing in on the throne room not far off, surprisingly still having yet to meet a guard. His knights seemed to be doing a great job of distraction on this one.

"I don't think so sire" the servant moaned from over the kings shoulder, his eyes were still glowing molten gold, doing his best to heal his agonizing body from the Nathair.

As Arthur rounded the corner of the corridor to the throne room he gently swung his friend off his shoulders and placing him onto the flagstone flooring.

"Now I know you don't do as your told Merlin but this time you will" he bent down to his friends level catching his breath. His servant opened his eyes to meet his, now back to their usual blue hue. He glared at his servant as if to mean business, Merlin had rarely seen the look, but it did nothing to change his mind.

"You really think I'm going to sit here and listen to you die in the room next door Arthur?" Merlin almost smiled but could not bring himself to do so. He struggled to his unsteady feet and stretched. Well at least the healing spell had done something, even if not perfect.

"Are you deaf and stupid Merlin?" Arthur shook his head.

"Probably" the warlock tested his footing finding it better. "Come on, lets go..." he sped down the the double doors so fast the King nearly didn't catch him.

"You really are an idiot" Arthur chuckled facing his friend as they both lent on the doors taking a deep breath before what was about to come. "Ready?" both nodded in agreement and with on swift movement pulled the doors open stepping defiantly inside.

Morgana stood behind the throne with the usual smirk on her face, she did not move. "Well well my brother, i have been expecting you"

Arthur said nothing but stepped forward holding a sword in front of him a battle stance. His face was set hard in stone, brows furrowed tightly together in anger. "This has gone on long enough Morgana" he said with not a waver in his voice. He was a trained fighter, he would not let a thing put him off.

"Come to finish my off?" Morgana straightened up and sauntered cooly over to her brother letting the point of the sword come centimeters from her body. She laughed then. "And why have you brought your useless servant with you this time?"

"Leave Merlin out of this" Arthur growled low and dangerously.

"Oh I do love it when you drag him along Arthur" she leered, "I know how much you care for him. She waved her hand in the warlocks direction and sent the boy flying across the room, hitting the opposing wall with a thud.

"Enough" Arthur swung the sword then and Morgana did the same, waving her arm the King flew backward to the wall.

She stepped towards him sprawled on the floor holding her hand out to him, eyes glowing gold. Arthur felt his throat constrict and he struggled to breath. "I'm seriously going to enjoy every minute of killing you slowly and painfully Arthur Pendragon"

"I don't think so" a familiar voice came from the other side of the room and the witch turned, but did not release the King from her magical hold.

"Are you not dead yet, you useless servant" Morgana pulled a knife from her belt and using the remaining magic within her sent the blade point first towards the warlock.

Merlin brought a hand up, eyes flashing gold and the blade froze mid air before his hand.

"I am no useless servant" his voice was emotionless as his eyes continued to flame with gold. "I am Emrys."