What the hell is going on? Merlin wondered, testing the bonds he realised were wrapped around him from neck to tail. He needed to return to human form and it galled him to the core that he couldn't.

He tried shifting into incorporeal human form but that didn't work. With a savage snarl, he strained against his bonds. For the briefest of moments, they seemed to give, then suddenly tightened.

Merlin gasped. He knew these bonds. He'd been wrapped in Stricter chains once before, when he'd been caught by Morgause and Morgana.

He'd called the Dragon then, but doubted he'd be able to do so now.

He tried anyway.

It didn't work.

Arthur, can you hear me? But calling for the prince didn't work either.

Damn.

Now what was he going to do? It was getting harder to breathe. The chains tightened every time he used magic. Would they work if he turned his magic inward? He decided to try it.

But his theory was proven wrong. The chains tightened for the fourth time, and Merlin wondered if he was about to die, because very little air was getting where it needed to go. As he lay there, he cursed Fate for allowing him magic as a wolf. It was another thing that changed along with his shift times.

Just as he was about to try calling out again, the sound of shuffling footsteps came to his ears. He froze, listening.

"Ah yes, I'd forgotten about those," said a familiar and very unwelcome voice.

Gedren. Again.

If he'd been human, Merlin would have said something, but as it was, he could only glare and growl. Gedren smiled, leering at him.

"Yes, sorcerer, you're tied with my special chains. Unless I let you out of them – which I won't – you'll be dead within two days."

Great.

Merlin had no idea where he was, and even if he did, he had no way of communicating with anyone. And why would Gedren tell him? Why not let him die?

His train of thought horrified him, but Merlin realised that in many ways, Gedren was like Arthur: stubborn, determined . . . and insane, something the prince wasn't.

Deciding to keep his use of magic to a minimum, Merlin instead followed Gedren's every move with his eyes as the older sorcerer moved around the dank and cramped space. The distant drip of water let him know they were in a cave somewhere. Finally, Gedren crouched near him, smiling.

"I transported you here using a spell long forgotten. Even the druids don't remember how to do it."

Just what kind of training had he received? Merlin wondered. Even Gaius didn't know how to transport matter, and he had a lifetime of experience.

And why was Gedren gloating? It wasn't like Merlin could really respond.

But Gedren didn't seem to care. He rattled on about people he'd hurt, and after awhile, Merlin tuned him out.

Two days, he'd said. Merlin would return to human form by tomorrow at the latest and if he could last until then without using magic, he'd be able to remove the chains.

But he'd also be very hungry by then too.

At last, Gedren stopped talking, and left Merlin to his thoughts. Either he didn't know that his wolf form was temporary, or he didn't care.

Hours passed. Time spun out and Merlin couldn't remember if it was day or night. His only company was the distant sound of water.

At last, Merlin felt his body changing, returning to its human shape. The chains hadn't tightened at all since he'd last used magic and when his body stopped shifting, it was a big relief to breathe normally again.

He was still skinny enough to wriggle out of the chains, which had all but moulded to his wolf body. Able to use magic freely now, Merlin crept out of the cave and was relived to see Gedren was nowhere in sight.

He called Arthur right away, and was pleased to hear the prince was in a panicked state.

I'm –, he began, but the blood lust hit him hard all of a sudden and he fell to his knees. Arthur I –

Hurry Merlin, Arthur urged. I'll meet you in the forest.

Desperate for food, Merlin forced himself to his feet.

Somehow, he managed to stumble away from the cave and eventually found himself in the forest outside Camelot.

He found Arthur pacing a clearing, Praeneuf tied to a tree. Merlin let out a groan before he collapsed from exhaustion.

Arthur hurried over, horrified at the state Merlin was in. Deep purple bruises from the chains marred his skin, which had a gray tint to it. He needed food.

Now.

Sliding his hand carefully under Merlin's limp shoulders, Arthur raised him up, just high enough he could reach his throat.

"Come on Merlin," he urged. "Don't die on me!"

Too weak to grip him, Merlin nonetheless bit down, drinking deeply.

Unable to hold him up, Arthur collapsed on top of Merlin; they landed in a heap of arms and legs. Merlin felt good enough after a few moments to disentangle himself without letting go.

At last, Merlin stood, his strength returned to normal. Artur looked a little shaky as Merlin helped him to his feet.

"Sorry," said Merlin, looking apologetic. "I've never gone that long without eating before."

"Good thing too," Arthur grunted, mounting Praeneuf and extending his hand to help Merlin climb up. "I'd be drier than a prune otherwise."

Merlin laughed.