AN: Prompt from battlemaiden518 - "Merlin ends up being sold as a slave. Arthur's either with him or has to rescue him."

I am sorry this had taken so long, but I've had work and my NVQ and I'm recently ill with some kind of stomach bug. Ugh. It's likely that this is crap but feel free to read it.

I'm not sure how much of the prompt will come through...

meh

"You have to understand that I cannot let you do this."

"I understand that you think that I can't take care of myself."

Arthur sighed, "Merlin, you've been sold. You're going to be hauled off god knows where and it's likely that you'll never see me again."

"Isn't that a good thing? For you at least? You always moan about how bad a servant I am." Merlin muttered.

"That doesn't mean I'm happy to see you get sold off to a snob of a man who thinks you'll be most 'helpful'." Arthur replied, "I dread to think what he means by that..."

Merlin rolled his eyes, "Arthur, you focus on getting out of here and back to Camelot. I'll meet you there, okay?"

The cell door rattled and a man spoke, "Right mate times up. Hope you said goodbye to pretty boy." The cell door opened and a different man came in and manhandled Merlin to his feet before shoving him out of the room.

"Merlin I swear to god if you don't show up I'll kill you myself!" Arthur shouted.

He heard Merlin laugh. The cell door was shut again and Arthur felt his heart clench painfully. That was that, Merlin was gone and Arthur would never see him again. Truthfully, Merlin was an awful servant, but he was also Arthur's closest friend. Arthur leant back against the cold wall of the cell and allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

Arthur had been on show to potential buyers when it happened. There was a sudden kerfuffle and before he knew it he was being dragged from the podium and for a moment he struggled until the person handling him spoke.

"Alright calm down princess."

Arthur was let go and Gwaine gave him a grin. Arthur stuttered out a gasped sentence, "G-gods! Took you long enough! Where have you been?"

Gwaine broke the chains keeping Arthur's hands low and together, but the metal around his wrists remained, "Can you handle a blade?"

Arthur saw the fighting around him and spotted several knights. He have Gwaine a nod, and the man handed him a spare sword. Gwaine was off before Arthur could say anything else. Arthur was stunned and he simply watched as his knights ruined the slave market and he watched as people fled. Arthur spotted the boss, and he was quicker than he thought he'd be, rushing over to him and striking him in the side with the blunt side of his blade, "Where's my friend?!"

The man, breathing heavily on his knees, held up his hands, "Wh-who are you?"

Arthur stood tall, "Arthur Pendragon. Who're you?" Before the man could answer, Arthur added, "Scum, that's who. Now who did you sell my friend to? Where was he taken?"

The man simply grinned, "That information in confidential."

Arthur glared and rose his hand, ready to strike but behind him he heard his knights gathering and he turned his head briefly, "Restrain this man. He holds precious information regarding-,"

"Where's Merlin?" Gwaine interrupted.

Leon and Percival moved to the man and lifted him to his feet and started to bind his hands.

Arthur eyes Gwaine, "Gone."

"Gone? Gone where?" Gwaine pressed.

"I don't know. He was sold a few days ago." Arthur said.

"What?" Came Lancelots voice. Arthur lifted his gaze to Merlins closest friend.

"He was sold..." Arthur repeated, "I... I'm sorry..."

"Arthur, you're dehydrated and malnourished. We need to get you back to Camelot." Leon said.

Arthur nodded sadly, seemingly content to now remain quiet.

"I'm not going back without Merlin." Gwaine said gruffly.

"Gwaine," Leon began, "if Merlin was taken a few days past, it's likely that he is long gone from here."

"Leon," Lancelot cut in, "I agree with Gwaine. I cannot, will not, leave Merlin out here with slave owners. God knows what he's going through."

"You are knights of Camelot and right now our priority is the prince." Leon told them firmly. For a moment Arthur thought they would disobey orders, but much to his surprise, Lancelot and Gwaine nodded and refrained from pursuing Merlins trail. At that moment Arthur felt more betrayed than he would've had they actually left his side; but he found himself with little energy to fight or argue for Merlin. Merlin couldn't do it himself so Arthur should. He was tired though, so tired, and in a way Leon was right. Merlin would be far away by now. Arthur felt it was unlikely that he would see the slim servant again. Whatever would he tell Hunith?

The thought made Arthur feel sick. Merlin was gone and Arthur could hardly stand the guilt that twisted in his gut.