Lots of Merlin!whump for you. Aredian is not, nor will he ever be nice. The story is written from 3rd person, but it is not entirely omniscient so many of the words between the dialogue are Merlin's thoughts, and ways he perceives what is going on. I hope this clears up some of the concerns in the comments. And last thing do you guys want full whump or half whump cause the story can go either way but I need to know seeing as it will affect the next chapter. Thanks for reading.

They were out of the city, and it was hot. He never remembered it being so hot before. But then again Merlin had never been so attuned to the sun beating down on him. Other things were always preoccupying his mind. Whether it be a prat or his magic. He was always busy thinking about something, and now that he had nothing the mundane became very aware to him. That and the emptiness he felt, the lack of energy.

He didn't dare ask Aredian where they were going. The man was evil. The man was going to kill him, he just had no idea where. He sort of didn't want to know. There were times on this trip to hell that Merlin was very much unconscious he could not help it. He hadn't try to use his magic, because he did not want to feel that pain again. He would prefer to never feel that pain again.

They were traveling through one of the small villages that was near Camelot, people were coming out to look. And Merlin felt like an animal. He had felt like a monster before, but this, this was a different sensation. He felt like an animal and he did not like it. People stared, he even heard a laugh or two. Aredian left the carriage and went into what Merlin could only guess was a tavern, for lunch, maybe breakfast, he wasn't really sure. But the sun told him it was closer to noon, which meant lunch. Merlin didn't expect food, which didn't help with his weakening state. He had gone without food before, but it was by complete accident, that accident being Arthur giving him too many chores to do, that he couldn't even complete with magic.

Merlin leaned up against the bars of the cage when felt someone poking him, he turned, and it was a kid who was sniggering as he ran back to an older man. "No, you're not doing it right son." The man smiled, and it wasn't pleasant, but at least the malice that Aredian had wasn't there, not completely. He picked up a rather large stick and stuck in through the bars and starting poking Merlin with it. Merlin felt his magic rare up, but then let out a yell of pain as it failed him, the man howled with laughter, and went from poking him with the stick to hitting him with it. Well it was only a few more bruises; Merlin could handle that for now.

The Witchfinder came out of the tavern and just looked on as he saw the act. He laughed, "He's being sold," he mentioned to a well dressed man beside him. He was clearly one of the wealthy citizens of the village. "I'll sell him to you if you can top the price." The two men talked some more, but the man could not top the price. It was hard to top the price that a king would pay. Aredian at this point was indeed a bounty hunter. Should he would have loved to see this sorcerer burned, but Kings of other kingdoms with their lady like influences got to him before Uthur, and they got him a description.

He got back on his perch at the front of the wagon, and they were off, traveling again. Merlin opened his eyes, and took note they were in the woods again, and probably would end the night there. That was a peaceful thought, but it really wasn't. It was peaceful relative to the other thoughts that were clouding Merlin's mind at the moment.

Merlin was unconscious or asleep again; he had gone past the point on trying differ between the two. The cuffs were really throwing him off like that. He wasn't sure he could walk with them, his whole being seemed out of balance without his use of magic. He was unconscious when it came it was just a whisper at first, Emrys. He only jumped, but remained uncounsious eyes closed.

It was louder this time, Emrys. And he woke with a start, letting out a small scream. He looked to Aredian, who looked as if he had an idea brewing in his mind, and Merlin knew he wouldn't be a fan of whatever that idea just happened to be.

When he heard it again, it was a yell, Emrys. And he looked around trying to find the source. He wasn't even sure he could recognize the voice. It wasn't as clear as it could be, but he supposed that was the cuffs doing there damage. They did quite a lot for being cuffs, just clasped onto his wrists. They mocked him, and they were doing their job. They kept him subdued, and he did not want that. He wanted to use his magic, to get away, to where well he didn't know but to get away.

Night fell eventually and he didn't hear his name again. He wasn't sure if he was upset or relieved by the fact. He was always very unsure of the Druids. Yes it had to be one of them, he was certain of that; no other people knew that he was Emrys, even though he disliked the name greatly. It meant he had power, and he preferred to just be Merlin. Though he supposed he was just Merlin now, and being just Merlin felt wrong. He didn't want to be Emrys, but he did want to be Merlin again, the normal Merlin who didn't feel like he was going to keel over just from thinking about magic.

He hadn't even realized they had stopped till Aredian, had opened the cage door. Merlin almost wished he was going to stay in the cage. Aredian reached in, unhooked the chain, and pulled Merlin out, where he landed on the ground in a very ungraceful heap. Well that hadn't changed, he was still clumsy, if anyone said it was an act they would be very wrong. Merlin was clumsy by his own clumsy self; no one could act like that.

Pulling Merlin along the floor, because Merlin still had yet to get his bearings to crawl, nor had he been given the time to, they reached the camp site. Much of it set up, the fire going, and Merlin was left wondering if he had been unconscious again because he certainly did not recall any of this happening. He was dragged to the tree, where he was propped up against. And he got the message.

Aredian produced a length of chain from one his bags, and attached it to his cuffs, before wrapping it around the tree, and attaching the other end to the cuffs. Merlin wasn't going anywhere. Nor was he comfortable. With the chain pulling at his arms in an uncomfortable manner, Merlin could rest against the tree with his back flat against it, like he desired. Then something was stuffed in his mouth, Merlin noticed it was blue before a small length of chain was wrapped around his head, and locked in place. "You make a noise again while we travel, and you will where that all the time." Merlin was gagged, and he realized he would again not eat. His stomach was going to have an uprising.

He had fallen asleep this time; he knew he had fallen asleep because he remembered his eyes had drooped. He welcomed sleep, though he wondered if too much was not good, if he could only remember if Gaius had ever mentioned something like that. Then again, this was a totally unique situation. He didn't know how long he had been asleep when he heard it again, Emrys where are you?

He jerked awake; the chains jingled and hit the tree. He looked around, to see what he could. Aredian was asleep for the time being. He looked from side to side, but saw no one. Though he didn't even understand how the magic of talking with just his mind worked, so he didn't know if whoever was calling him was close. He couldn't even respond, yet he wanted to.

There was no one there, and he allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

The more they traveled the farther away from Camelot they went; he heard his name at least once a day. The villages became poorer. And then he recognized the surroundings, and he felt the panic rise, Aredian was going to take him directly through his home. He could not let that happen. But he also realized he was being taken to Cenred's kingdom.

He was confused, but that was not what was plaguing his mind. He could only focus on one thing at a time, the cuffs effectively blocking out his ability to do much but think about one action at a time. He became rigid in the cage, and wondered how he was supposed to be able to hide himself. The people in the town would know him. And he knew his mother would see him. He did not want that, that was a fear he was not willing to face.

He got to his knees, and moved to the portion of the cage that was closest to Aredian, he had to think this through carefully. "Sir, don't go through the village that is ahead, it's just like this path with a house or two. Wouldn't you rather go around, and head into the forest first. It's basically a short cut."

Merlin knew he had made a mistake. Aredian didn't even look at him. But he stopped the cart. Merlin could hear his heart pound, his breathing picked up. Aredian, had never looked so angry. He opened the cage door; its creaking hinges were minimalized by the slam of the door hitting the cage make it shake.

"You," he pulled on the chain, which forced Merlin towards the opening of the cart. He pulled out blue cloth; Merlin could only assume it is what was used to gag him. He also knew now that it was definitely part of his neckerchief. A small length of chain was pulled from Aredian's pocket, like he had been waiting for this day. He shoved the cloth down Merlin's through almost chocking him, before he put the chain around the warlock's head, and locking it in place, the key going in his pocket.

"Sorcerer," he spat. "Learn your place, and do not speak again." He took Merlin by the arm, and threw him back in the cage before slamming the door.

They were soon on their way again. But Merlin did notice they went around Ealdor. They were in Cenred's kingdom. Merlin wondered why, and he knew that whatever the reason, it wasn't good. He was probably going to be some noble's monkey. He knew the laws of Cenred's kingdom, he had been raised there, and sorcerers were not outlawed.

For Aredian being aware of his surroundings he was unaware that they were being followed. Merlin was too, but its clear Merlin was not caring at that point in time. But someone was still caring for Merlin.

"When will we get Emrys?"

"Soon, boy, soon. It takes time."

The boy, who tended to like silence over talking, looked ahead, the campsite for Aredian and Merlin was up ahead, "Will he have that long?"

The elder of the two that were conversing, there were four in the group nodded, "Emrys will live as long as the collar isn't placed on him as well."

"Does-"

The boy was cut off, "No, but I fear where he is taking Emrys, will."

"Will save him before then, right. It's already a long way back home."

"When the time is right, we will get Emrys."