Hello people, so here is the next chapter to this story. As I said within the week and I probably will also get the next one up within the week. So I won't say much about this chapter, only that the action will begin. Oh and I wanted to once more mention that I'm not English, so please forgive me for any mistakes I have made or point them out. So please leave a review, about what you want to see in the future for this story and of course about what you think about it.

X

Merlin was sobbing softly as he sat on the bed, his prison. Jarl had left the tent at least ten minutes ago, but still he could feel those hard lips against his own, the forceful pressure onto his skin. It was a sickening feeling, but at the same time he knew he should be glad that it was only a kiss, nothing more.

A shiver ran over his back, he knew that Jarl would soon figure out that what he had said before, about the sex, had all been a lie... He didn't even want to know what the man would do to him, even though he had a good idea what it would be. Though, it wasn't that that scared him the most, it was the thought of what Jarl would do to Gwaine.

Gwaine was Jarl's pawn... and he knew that Jarl wouldn't think twice before killing Gwaine as a 'punishment' to him.

He wrapped his arms around his stomach, feeling the even bigger growing bump beneath his fingers, it was so clearly visible... A sad smile spread over his fingers as he felt the soft movement under his skin, one of them was kicking and with another sob he realised something. 'I'm 24 weeks along.' He whispered it so softly that only he himself could hear it.

'Merlin?'

He heard Gwaine calling his name, but he didn't look up. They had been in total silence ever since Jarl had left, the knight had stopped cursing and screaming, instead he had just looked at him with shocked eyes. Merlin sighed deeply before he answered, never looking up. 'Yes.'

'Are you okay?' The question was so filled with concern that it almost shocked him. 'You know that you shouldn't have done that... Princess would never forgive me if I let someone else touch you.' The last Gwaine tried to joke, but the smile never reached his eyes.

The raven slowly shook his head. 'And I would never let him kill you.'

'Merlin, I-.'

'No, he was ready to kill you and I don't want to lose you.'

Gwaine sighed deeply, but he didn't go against those words, he knew they were right. They fell silent for a moment more before Gwaine again broke the silence, a hint of anger spread in his voice. '... Was this the first time that he touched you?'

He hesitated for a moment, but decided to answer... these wasn't the time for lies, not the time to worry about his pride. '... No... He has kissed me before.' He brushed his thumb over his stomach.

A low growl left Gwaine's lips. 'If I get my hands on him then I will kill him!' It was said with such anger that Merlin felt a shiver run down his spine. '... Did he do more, did he force himself on you?'

Merlin hastily shook his head. 'No, he wanted to do it, but I fooled him.' The raven finally looked up again, meeting those angry eyes, those eyes that said that the knight was ready to kill.

The fury partly disappeared and was replaced by surprise. 'You tricked him?' He nodded once more. 'Good... What more did you say, so I can get my story straight.'

'I told him that it would hurt the babies if I had sex... and he also doesn't know that it are twins.'

Gwaine nodded that he understood. 'Then we have to make a plan to escape, we have to get back to Camelot.'

X

'You let him go on his own!' Percival almost screamed in panic as he paced nervously through the king's chambers.

Arthur himself sat on the bed, head in his hands as he listened to Percival's screaming. He would have been quite amused by the amount of words the knights spoke if it wasn't for the situation at hand.

Gwaine never returned, they had waited another day and now that one also had ended... It was clear something had happened. Yes, Gwaine was reckless, but he wouldn't stay away if he knew that people were waiting for him. Especially since Percival, his wounded husband, was waiting for him to return.

Gwen and the other knights had also gathered in the room, silently waiting as all of them feared for the worst.

'We have to search for him.' Percival stated as he didn't stop pacing.

Arthur slowly shook his head before he looked up, now he had lost both his husband and one of his best friends. 'We don't know where he's... He went out on his own.'

The knight glared at him. 'We know which way he went!' He stopped his pacing. 'I would never stop searching for my husband.' He hissed.

Those words caused the king to narrow his eyes, anger rising in his heart. 'What do you mean by that?'

'Just that I would never stop searching for the man I love.' Arthur slowly stood up. 'I won't give up on him.' They stood in front of each other, tension flowing through the room and everyone stiffened as they looked at the two blonds.

It was Gwen that first spoke and she snapped at them. 'Stop it you two!' She said as she placed her hands in her sides. 'Both Merlin and Gwaine won't be found if you start fighting.' She stated and both men looked at her. 'We will find them, we just have to plan this out.'

Arthur breathed deeply out, trying to calm himself down somewhat before he nodded at her, Percival did the same.

They didn't take long to plan everything out, it was clear that they had to act soon and it took them two hours before they were on their way.

X

Merlin was nervously watching as Gwaine was trying to cut through his bounds. Luckily the boy that had brought him his food never noticed that he missed the knife when gathering it again.

The knife was rather blunt, which didn't really help Merlin's nerves. His eyes shot from Gwaine towards the tent opening, fearing that Jarl would be back before they could work out their plan. 'How far are you?' He asked nervously.

Gwaine didn't look up, just too focused on his current task. 'Almost there...' He whispered and he had barely said those words as something snapped. A bright smile spread over Gwaine's lips as he pulled his arms forward, he had cut through his bounds.

The knight jumped up, quickly making his way over to Merlin. 'Now to free you.' He whispered as he started to pick the lock, carefully as he didn't want to accidently cut Merlin. 'Okay, you remember the plan, right?'

Merlin rolled his eyes but nodded. 'It isn't really a difficult plan.' He received a quick glare from Gwaine before the knight turned back to the lock. 'Fine, yes I remember the plan. We try to sneak away without being spotted and once we are far enough into the woods we hide until night.'

'And what will you do when we get spotted?' Gwaine added.

The raven narrowed his eyes, still not happy about that part. 'I will run and leave you behind, but-.'

'No buts Merlin, please do it for me.'

Merlin didn't answer, instead he yelped in joy as he felt the lock open, the chain falling down to the ground. They quickly smiled at each other before Gwaine helped Merlin up, it felt so good to be finally free.

'Follow me.' Gwaine ordered as he made his way towards the back side of the tent, cutting through the canvas and the knight's eyes quickly shot from side to side. It was then that he turned back to his younger friend, his eyes resting for a moment on Merlin's stomach, as if he trying to see if Merlin could make it in his condition.

'I will be alright, just... just let's get out of here.'

Gwaine nodded that he understood it. 'Okay, just be careful... Let's go.'

Merlin followed him outside, placing his hands protectively on his stomach. Gwaine's eyes shot from side to side, searching for enemies as they slowly made their way forwards, in the distance Merlin could hear the men and women scream and laugh to each other.

It was then that a loud and low roar filled the camp, coming from the direction of their former prison, or what wouldn't surprise him if it really did come from in there. He quickly locked eyes with Gwaine, he could see the same worry in those eyes, it was clear what both of them thought. Jarl knew they had escaped.

Without a warning did Gwaine grab Merlin's hand, he knew that it didn't matter anymore if they were quiet. They started running at the same time they heard the order. 'Find them!'

Merlin felt how his heart clenched together when he heard the voice, it was filled with pure poison. Another voice screamed through the camp, they had been spotted. Merlin glanced around, seeing how at least three people had appeared behind them. 'Gwaine.' He said as a warning and Gwaine cursed when he glanced back. The knight quickly increased his pace, which caused Merlin to stumble, he couldn't run that fast in his condition, causing both men to slow down.

He could feel Gwaine's hand tighten itself around his own before the knight suddenly stopped. 'Gwaine?'

Gwaine reached for a piece of wood, it wasn't a sword, but at least it was something with which he could attack or defend. 'I want you to run!'

'I don-.'

'Please tell Percy that I love him and... that I'm sorry for leaving him behind. Tell him to do everything to become happy again when I'm gone.' He could see how a tear ran over Gwaine's cheek. 'Now go!' He ordered. Merlin had absolutely no idea what he had to do, he couldn't leave Gwaine to get killed, but at the same time couldn't he put his unborn babies into harm's way. Gwaine saw his hesitation and ordered. 'Go!'

He had barely said those words as he had to block an sword and the sound of metal meeting wood filled the camp. Tears streamed over Merlin's cheeks, but even so he knew he had to go, for his children. He turned around and started to run, still hearing the fight behind him.

But then he heard it, that heartbreaking sound. Gwaine yelled in pain and he spun around, his instincts telling him to protect his friend. His eyes settled themselves on a fallen Gwaine, the knight was clutching his chest as blood streamed through his fingers. Jarl stood above him, Gwaine's hair clenched in his hand so the knight was forced on his knees.

'Please my dear Merlin, don't run.' Jarl's voice was filled with a fake sweetness. 'Just come back to me, I'm the only one that can make you happy... I won't even kill this man.'

'No Merlin, just ru-.' His words were cut off when Jarl shook him, pushing him hard to the ground.

'No, no, don't hurt him!'

Jarl grinned widely. 'Then come back to me, my dear.'

Merlin clenched his teeth together, but slowly made his way towards Jarl, he couldn't let Gwaine be killed, not even when it meant losing his freedom.

When he was in arms reach did Jarl grab him, holding him tight to his chest as he hissed. 'Never dare to do that to me ever again.' With that said he released Gwaine, causing the knight to fall face down on the ground. Gwaine groaned softly, his eyes filled with pain, but that didn't stop him from glaring at Jarl.

Jarl's eyes narrowed themselves before he shoved Merlin in one of his man's arms and he reached for his sword. Merlin felt his eyes widen. 'No, no you promised me! You can't kill him!'

The wicked man didn't listen to him, he just raised his sword so it hovered above Gwaine's chest.