Hello dear readers,

Sorry for the long wait but here's an another update for you.

I hope you will like it and thanks again for the lovely reviews.

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Yours sincerely,

Bluewryter

They had run for a short amount of time when it became clear they couldn't continue this way. Merlin's limp was growing worse with every step he took and he could feel the blood seeping down his foot.

Arthur looked worried behind him when he noticed it and after some time he had no choice but to order them all to stop. The moment they stopped Merlin collapsed on the ground with a heavy grunt.

Gwaine knelt next to him with a water skin and after he pushed it in Merlin's hands he started to pull up the pant leg to investigate the wound. At the sore sight of it he let out a low whistle.

"That's some fine scrape you got there mate, must hurt like hell."

At this Merlin lowered the water skin after taking some big gulps and rolled his eyes at him. "You'd think?".

"Good to know you still have your wits around you, Merlin." Arthur said when he came over to them. He looked Merlin up and down, checking him over for any other injuries and letting out a sigh when he only found old scars and some nicks and cuts, but nothing life-threatening. It seemed that the slavers didn't want to damage their goods too much, fortunately.

Gwaine in the meantime was fumbling with the collar when he suddenly let out a frustrating growl. "Doesn't this thing have a lock or something? How the hell did they close it?"

Merlin shook his head in answer. "They used magic to get it on. I imagine you also need magic to open it." Arthur let out a angry huff at this. Of course it was magic. Why couldn't it just be easy for once in a while. "Why do these things always happen to you, Merlin? You sure got your bad luck with you again don't you?"

Arthur just hoped Gaius would have any idea at how to open this thing.

Merlin merely shrugged. He could hardly explain to them that they put the collar on him because of his magic. And now he couldn't use magic to get it off. He suspected that only the sorcerer who put it on him could take it off. He sighed. Looks like Arthur was right, bad luck is always following him around.

Leon walked towards them and addressed Arthur.

"Sire, we shouldn't linger too much. The slavers are hot on our trail and we need to start moving soon or find a hiding place."

Arthur drew his hand through his hair and sighed. "I know, but Merlin can't go any further. He needs to rest and get his wounds treated."

"Arthur, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I can go on for some time." Merlin told them. He understood they couldn't rest for too long or the slavers would get catch up on them. And the last thing he wanted was Arthur and the knights getting caught by those bastards.

Arthur looked down at him with a worried frown. "Merlin, don't be a foo–"

"Don't, I'll be fine." Merlin looked stubborn at him and started to get up.

Gwaine needed to support him but yes he stood. Stubborn fool. But he had to admit, Arthur was also feeling a bit proud of his servant strength.

"Alright, let's go and find somewhere to hide out."

They made ready to leave and where on the road again, albeit a bit more slowly.

Percival and Elyan in the meantime went ahead to look for a place to hide. Arthur took glances every few moments to Merlin, making sure he wouldn't break down, but for now he seemed to do as fine as could be expected.

Suddenly they saw Elyan and Percival rushing back towards the four of them.

Leon called ahead, "What's going on?"

Elyan answered, "Slavers ahead of us, we need to turn round."

"How is that even possible? A moment ago we heard them behind us." Gwaine asked, sounding confused.

Arthur didn't understand either, but is was worrisome. He was wondering what they had missed when it suddenly hit him.

"They must have split up. Sending a party ahead and around of us and so, with another search party behind us, closing us in. Stupid, why didn't I think of it." Arthur let out a frustrating curse.

"Well nothing to do about it now, but to try to get away in an opposite direction." Leon said.

"He's right princess, so let's go already."

Merlin stayed quiet during the whole ordeal, gathering his strength for the journey ahead. But he must admit it was getting harder to stay on the run. At least he wasn't alone now. If only he would be of more use, he wished for his magic even more so.

Again they headed off when suddenly they heard the sounds of dogs behind them. Gwaine swore and they started up the pace. Merlin gritted his teeth. Just a moment longer he told himself, just for a little while now…

They burst through a clearing in the thick forest and then stumbled to an abrupt halt.

"Shit" Elyan cursed.

In front of them stood the same man they recognized from earlier as the leader of the search party.

"Well boys, look at what we have here." The other groups closed in behind them. They were now surrounded and outnumbered by many.

They hadn't split up to catch them, they had herded them to where they wanted them to be.

They all drew their swords but knew they had little chance and indeed…

"Ahaha, I wouldn't do that if I were you or I'll shoot your friend here to bits." The leader smirked, while pointing a crossbow to Merlin.

"Now, please lower your weapons and get on your knees with your hands where I can see them."

They threw their swords on the ground and fell on their knees with Gwaine grumbling a string of profanities under his breath.

Merlin didn't even bother to kneel and went directly to sitting cross-legged on the ground while putting his head in his left hand.

"Well, well, if it isn't our favourite slave. How are you doing, number forty-eight?" The leader asked Merlin with a big menacing smile.

"Hello there Boris, long time no see." Merlin muttered out.

"You sure made it difficult for us this time. We even had to figure out a strategy to catch you. I must admit you give us a great sport. I should even thank you. Haven't had so much fun in ages."

Boris said while he knelt in front of Merlin on one knee.

"Well you know me, I always aim to please the master." Merlin responded with sarcasm.

Arthur and the knights looked bewildered from the slaver to Merlin at this almost polite conversation. It seemed that this wasn't Merlin first escape attempt and Arthur felt proud at his servant for this, but this relationship was just ridiculous. Merlin appeared to be at ease with this slaver who was twice as big as him as if they were merely talking about the weather.

"And now you even brought some of your friends I presume? Who would have thought you got so many swordsmen as friends? They look like they are in great shape. They should give us a nice price at the market in Uthra, don't you think?" Boris said while looking at Arthur and the knights without recognition. It seems that he doesn't know that he has captured the King of Camelot.

"Mwuah, I don't think that they are worth the trouble. Looks like a troublesome bunch. You'd better cut them loose. Besides we both know that I am worth more than the whole bunch of them together." Merlin answered while he casually waved his hand at the rest of his rescuing group.

At those words the leader burst out laughing and clapped his thighs with his hands.

"You got that right, my friend. But I think I'll keep them. It's still a nice bonus. Oh and before we get to camp I should warn you. Silas wants a conversation with you. Something about destroying something precious of him in those blasted escape attempts?"

Merlin paled slightly at the mention of this Silas and it made Arthur wonder who the man was.

"You know what I must do now, don't you?" Boris asked.

Merlin glanced briefly at his friends before he let out a heavy sigh and said, "Just do it."

Boris reached forwards and put both his hands behind Merlin's collar and pressed on some rune.

The rune lit up, glowing a bright orange. It's effect was immediately clear. The last thing Merlin heard before he pitched forward and into oblivion were his friends screaming his name.