Thank you so so much for the reviews:) Made me really happy, anyway here is the next chapter...
Merlin woke up, head pounding on a cold forest floor. He groaned as his eyes reacted with the sunlight. Blinking, Merlin surveyed his bonds. He tugged at the rope binding his wrists to the tree behind him. No use, upon further inspection Merlin discovered runes painted along the rope. I guess that excludes magic as an escape route he thought bitterly. Oh how Merlin hated enchanted rope.
Abandoning his bonds, Merlin focused on his surroundings. Straight in front of him was a smouldering camp fire, to his left was a small tent (probably where his kidnapper was) and to his right...
"Arthur?! Gwaine?!"
The two men looked over to him, they had gags over their mouths to prevent them from answering. The flap of the tent opened and a large fat oaf came lumbering out. His nose was squashed, like it had been broken, and his eyes were stony and murderous. Behind the giant came the man who had terrorised Merlin's childhood. Belestard.
"Hello Merlin, my little man, I haven't seen you in what... 10 years?" Belestard mocked an undercurrent of pure hate was evident in his voice. Merlin tried his best to smile mockingly, but his heart was beating too fast for it to work convincingly. "Something like that" he stammered.
Belestard grinned maliciously. He turned his back on Merlin and addressed his other two prisoners.
"I'm sorry you got dragged into this Sire and Sir Knight, but I'm afraid Merlin needs to be punished." Arthur narrowed his eyes at him and Gwaine looked worriedly over to Merlin, who was currently trying to avoid his gaze.
Belestard motioned to the giant, "Ralgig, we're moving" he order the man, before snapping a chain onto Merlin's feet. "To stop you from running" he smiled. Then the trio were roughly dragged to their feet and began to walk East through the woods.
It was past midday and Gwen couldn't find Arthur anywhere. He was meant to meet her last night to celebrate her Birthday, but he hadn't showed up and now she was really worried. On the way to check Arthur's chambers for the tenth time that day Gwen met Lancelot.
"Oh, Lancelot, have you seen Arthur?"
Lancelot looked puzzled, "isn't he with Merlin somewhere?"
Gwen bit her lip worried, "I haven't seen him or Merlin all day..."
Lancelot began to panic, he hated not knowing where the loveable servant was. "Now you mention it, neither have I. I haven't heard Gwaine for a while either"
"We best go see Gaius, Morgana might be involved"
The duo sped off down the corridor towards the physician's chambers, both worried about their absent friends.
Merlin fell face first onto the forest floor again. Why did this man have to chose Merlin to have his feet chained together? He had enough trouble standing upright normally Arthur thought as he helped his manservant up for the twelfth time in the last hour. What had Merlin done to this man anyway? Arthur was confused. Merlin was the kindest most sincere man he knew, what could his manservant possibly have done to annoy him so much, that he would kidnap to Prince of Camelot to seek his revenge?
Arthur turned towards Gwaine. The knight looked like he was struggling with the same question. Arthur wished he could remove the gag from his mouth and speak with them, especially Merlin who was panicky, but only Merlin remained gag-less, for some reason...
A few minutes of walking later, Merlin was on his face again. Belestard eyes burned with exasperation. "Ralgig, carry him" he barked, annoyance for the idiot radiated out of him. Ralgig grabbed Merlin's collar and held him roughly off the ground. The procession began again, Merlin dangled from Ralgig's grip; his legs dragging along the leafy floor. Arthur wished more than ever that they were back, laughing, in the safety of Camelot.
Hopefully Gwen or someone would have noticed their absence and sent out patrols. He hoped they found them soon; Arthur dreaded to think what was in store for the trio once they reached their destination.
