So I have written another chapter and I would just like to say this is already way longer than I originally planned. Ah well. Who's going to complain?
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
Merlin groaned as he started to regain consciousness. He slowly sat up from the hard stone floor and rubbed the back of his aching head. Merlin gasped and opened his eyes as he became aware of the chains that bound his wrists. Memories from earlier came flooding back to him. Darian's treachery, Merlin being poisoned, all became as clear as day as Merlin fully awoke. A low chuckle made Merlin snap his head towards a darkened corner of the room.
"I see you've awoken my boy," Darian's voice called out as he stepped into the dim light being given off by a single candle. Merlin winced at the chuckle. It no longer held the kindness of before. Darian's laugh no longer promised a better tomorrow. Instead, it was cold and empty. Merlin looked up at his captor to see that his eyes had also lost their good-natured look. Never before had brown eyes looked so icy and cold. Merlin shivered under Darian's stare, a sick smile playing onto the unofficial knight's hardened features. Did he always look this cruel? Had Darian ever looked kind and welcoming?
"What do you want with me?" Merlin asked in the strongest voice he could manage. He blamed any slight tremors on the fact that his mind was still attempting to work off some of the drugs that had been forcibly placed in his system. Darian laughed again.
"Right to the point I see. Usually they beg me to let them go. But not you, eh?" Darian said fondly. Merlin hated the tone Darian was using. It was almost as if Merlin was some prize to be won.
"I see no point as I assume your not planning on releasing me, alive at least," Merlin responded, attempting to sit up straighter and look Darian in the eye. Merlin was determined not to look weak in front of this man. He had no idea why Darian was keeping him, he just hoped he could hold out long enough to escape.
"I suppose it is only fair to tell you why you are here, my lamb," Darian said, kneeling down so that he could look Merlin in the eyes. Merlin growled at being called a lamb. He wasn't some sacrificial offering. Merlin paled as he began to realize that's probably what he was. Darian reached to the back of Merlin's head, where the cut from earlier still remained. Merlin attempted to jerk away.
"Now, now," Darian scolded gently. He ran his fingers down the cut and clicked his tongue. "I was hoping Gaius didn't do such a great job. I so wanted your blood to continue to seep through the skin and allow me to treat myself early," Darian smiled. Merlin paled at these words. It didn't sound like Darian wanted to kill Merlin quickly. It sounded as though he wanted his blood. What the hell did Darian mean by 'treat myself early'? Merlin began to lose hope that he was going to get out of this situation easily. Darian continued his monologue in that disgustingly affectionate voice he had adopted.
"That wasn't very nice of you, tempting me like that in front of all those knights," Darian said, shaking his head. The way he was talking to Merlin made him sick. It was disturbing how the voice that had once brought a sense of comfort and joy, now sounded sadistic and overly kind. Merlin once again wondered if Darian had always been this way and Merlin was just to blind to here the dangerous undertones the voice held. He shook his head and decided to try and get answers from Darian. One way or another, this monster would tell Merlin why he was keeping him captive.
"What. Do. You. Want?" Merlin stated through gritted teeth. He knew Darian was playing with him, trying to make him uncomfortable. But Merlin refused to let this man get to him. There were dark forces at work in Camelot, forces that could endanger Arthur. Merlin had to find out what Darian's plan was before he took down the kingdom. Darian sighed.
"I suppose I can tell you. After all, there is no escape," Darian grinned as he stood up and made his way over to the door.
"I should first tell you that you can scream as loud as you like," he paused and turned towards Merlin. The way he said this made it sound as if he was giving permission for Merlin to scream. Well, Merlin certainly wasn't going to cry out in pain easily. It was just one of the many ways he could be defiant against his sick captor.
"Come look at these runes," he said, motioning for Merlin to stand up. Merlin crossed his arms rebelliously and didn't budge. Not obeying his orders would also help him stand his ground. Darian's smile fell. Apparently the knight wasn't fond of disobedience.
"I knew you were a stubborn one now stand up!" he roared, lunging at Merlin and grabbing his hair, yanking Merlin up and throwing him at the door. Merlin yelped as his knees hit the floor and Darian let go of his now throbbing scalp. Merlin tried not to whimper as the pain blinded him. He was sure Darian had torn open the scab that he had acquired after his fall down the stairs.
"I don't like it when people cause me to lose my composure, Merlin," Darian sighed, slicking back his hair and removing all evidence of the outburst from his features. He placed a smile back on his face and continued his speech.
"These runes help make it so that no sounds leave the room," he explained. Merlin's heart dropped. That meant he couldn't call for help. He should have known the Darian would be thorough. After all, it sounded like he had done this before. Merlin turned to see Darian sifting through one of the bags Merlin brought up. His stomach twisted at the thought that he had helped carry the instruments that were going to be causing him pain. The irony was almost poetic.
"You still haven't answered my question," Merlin snarled. Darian chuckled and brought out a large knife, examining it in the light. Darian then put the knife down. Before Merlin could act, he reached out and grabbed Merlin's cuffed hands and attached them to a hook on the ceiling. Merlin grunted with pain as the metal dug into his wrists and his weight pulled on his shoulders. His toes barely scraped the ground, though that still didn't stop Merlin from trying to gain his footing.
"It's a very long story, my lamb," Darian started.
"Don't call me that," Merlin grunted, interrupting Darian. Darian's hand gripped the handle of the knife harder. It was clear that he was trying not to lose control again.
"Don't interrupt me again, boy, or else I will cut out your tongue," Darian growled. "Don't make me do that, for I desire to hear you beg." Merlin was torn. The thought of giving Darian his undivided attention meant Merlin was giving into his demands, and not fighting. However, Merlin also didn't want to risk losing the ability to speak. He had seen some of the people whose tongues were cut out, they rarely survived due to infection. Merlin shuddered at the memories of him and Gaius desperately trying to save former slaves and victims of torture. Merlin was ashamed as he realized that he didn't want to go through that. So, Merlin decided on the former plan. Besides, it would be easier to figure out Darian's plan if he kept quiet. Darian took some deep breaths before continuing the story.
"You see, boy, I am much older than I appear. In fact, I think I'm around three hundred now. Though it's hard to tell since after awhile, the years just start to blend together," Darian chuckled at his joke before continuing.
"When I was younger, I was weak and pathetic. Do you know how the world works, Merlin? Only the strong survive. I was poor, starving, and unable to find a wife. So, I enlisted the help of a sorceress." Merlin almost laughed at Darian's list of priorities. Clearly finding a wife was up there with survival. Darian paused his story to reach up and stroke Merlin's forearm, which had become exposed due to the sleeve falling past his elbow. Merlin didn't even realize his jacket was missing until now. He resolved to ask Darian where it went when he was done with the story.
"Well, I didn't really enlist her help so much as torture the girl until she told me what I wanted to know," Darian said, running his fingers tenderly down Merlin's arm. Merlin swallowed and attempted to keep his fear from showing. He did not like where this was going.
"She told me that in order to gain strength, I had to find a young man or woman whose innocence was boundless," Darian's eyes shown as he began to recount this part of the tale. He paused and laughed heartlessly. Darian pulled his hand away from Merlin's arms and stepped back. He examined the knife in his hands before coming up to Merlin again. Darian pressed the knife into Merlin's breast, not enough to cut, but enough for Merlin to know it was there. Merlin tried to keep his breathing under control as Darian continued. He didn't know if this was better or worse than Darian stroking his arm.
"I would sacrifice them, then consume their blood. In return, I would extend my life and gain the strength of ten men!" With this proclamation, Darian dug the knife into Merlin's breast and dragged it down his torso in one swift motion, leaving a shallow cut in its path. Merlin bit the inside of his cheek so he wouldn't cry out. Darian just laughed and continued the tale.
"At first I would find my victims and then drain them much like a butcher would drain the blood of a pig. But then I realized two things. Do you know what they were, Merlin?" Darian asked, bringing the knife up to Merlin's navel and the dragging it slowly around to his spine. Merlin bit down harder on his cheek as the material tore and allowed the knife to puncture his skin.
"I found that if the person had magic, I would gain more power. And, if I dragged out the torture, I would gain a longer life," Darian laughed as he placed his hand on the cross section of the cuts.
"Your blood is magnificent," he said, taking the hand away and examining the red substance that was oozing out of Merlin's body. Darian smiled and licked the blood off of his hand. Merlin tried not to be sick. It was revolting to see this man lick his fingers like a man after he ate a particularly juicy chicken.
"I've perfected the art of torture, Merlin. I've also perfected how to make the blood taste divine. I have so many preferences. You see, I've found that the less water you drink, the thicker your blood is. That's the tastiest. I also prefer virgins, since they tend to be more innocent. Though I have had my share of experienced men and women," Darian wiped some more blood onto his hands before licking it off as well.
"I think you'll last a week," Darian smiled gleefully, bringing up the knife for another cut.
"Go to hell," Merlin gasped as he spit out some blood onto Darian's shoes. Darian lowered the knife as well as the corners of his mouth. That was probably a stupid move on Merlin's part, but he really didn't care. He was not some sacrificial lamb and he certainly wasn't going to play nice. Darian wasn't going to walk away from this scotch free if Merlin had any say in the situation. Darian seemed to disagree.
"Now that wasn't very nice, my lamb," he said. Merlin had a split second to comprehend Darian's words before he slashed the knife down Merlin's thigh. Merlin almost cried out, had he not bitten his cheek in time. Darian stepped back to admire his work. But he was by no means done talking to Merlin.
"When I first shook your hand, Merlin, I knew that you were going to be the best one yet. You had so much pain and suffering, and yet you still held such an innocent view on the world. Such a combination is rare," Darian wiped some more of Merlin's blood off and licked his fingers. Merlin turned away. He refused to watch this man take his blood in order to sustain his own life.
"And then your blood hit my hands and I so wanted to slit your throat right there and consume all of your life force. Your magic is so strong. If I feast on you, I shouldn't have to feed again for hundreds of years, Merlin," Darian cried out. His eyes were becoming wild and crazed. Merlin wasn't sure if he had enough self-control not to slit Merlin's throat right there. He was like an animal in heat. This was probably an even greater worry to Merlin than the thought of a slow and painful death. At least if Darian took the time to torture him, Merlin would have a greater chance of escape. Just as Merlin began to worry about whether or not he would survive the next thirty seconds, Darian quickly regained his composure.
"I'll let you rest now. I want to drag this out for as long as possible. We can't remove too much of your blood too soon," Darian said calmly. It was amazing how this man could swing from psychopath to calm noble in a matter of seconds. Darian gently unhooked Merlin from the chain and lowered him to the ground. Merlin hated feeling so helpless.
"And don't bother with any magic. Those chains are specially designed to stop people from using it. Good night my lamb," Darian said softly as he blew out the candle and closed the door quietly. Merlin gasped with pain as he attempted to maneuver himself into a more comfortable position. His torso and leg were stinging and throbbing from the cuts Darian had given him. It was also quite cold in the room Merlin was being kept in. Merlin curled into a ball to retain some heat. Now that Darian had revealed the fact that Merlin couldn't use magic, he was even more helpless. Merlin couldn't prevent a small sob that escaped from his lips. He needed to get out of here and soon. Hopefully Lancelot would notice something was wrong tomorrow and come looking for Merlin. If he didn't, then Merlin wasn't sure how he was going to escape this situation alive and completely intact.
Arthur groaned as the curtains were thrown open, allowing the morning light to flood the room in a cheery glow. Arthur sat up groggily and rubbed his eyes. George slowly came into focus at the foot of his bed with a plate and fork in his hands, awaiting Arthur to wake up fully before beginning to feed him breakfast. Arthur groaned as his eyes fell on the amount of food that lay spread on the table behind George.
"Good morning sire," George said stiffly. He bowed to Arthur before hurrying to Arthur's side and helping him out of bed and leading him over to the bed. Arthur rolled his eyes. He wasn't four, he didn't need help walking. George pulled out Arthur's chair and began to pile the plate with all sorts of food.
"Thank you George, but I can do this myself," Arthur said, pulling George's hands away from the feast he had prepared for the prince. How did the man manage to get it all up here? Arthur wondered. George bowed again and quickly went about tidying up the room. Arthur began to eat his breakfast slowly. The thoughts he had last night came back into his mind, as well as a sinking feeling in his stomach. Arthur wondered what that was about. It was as if his instincts were telling him to run Darian through with a sword. Arthur felt uneasy about the man, more uneasy than he ever had with Darian. Perhaps he was just overreacting to George's claim that a noble had injured Merlin. It made sense. Arthur had failed to protect his servant once and now he was overcompensating, seeing threats where there were none. Still, Arthur resolved to ask Gwen about her first meeting with Sir Darian. As a prince it was Arthur's job to make sure all of his people were safe. And though Arthur couldn't protect them from every threat, he could try to rid Camelot of most of them. George cleared his throat, interrupting Arthur's thoughts. Arthur turned to him and saw he was holding some folded clothes in his hands.
"Today I have selected your lighter tunic as well as you thinner pants because of the heat. However there is a light breeze prevailing from the north, which could bring colder weather later in the day. Would you like me to get you a jacket to layer so you don't catch a chill?" George asked. Arthur stared at him dumbstruck. If this man was any more of a bootlicker, Arthur would have to hang himself.
"How do you know what the weather is going to be like?" Arthur asked as he stood up and took the clothes from George.
"It is a skill I have perfected," George said bluntly. Arthur nodded and continued to dress, with George helping to fix crooked collars and smooth rumpled pants. Gods Arthur missed Merlin. Arthur prepared to visit Gwen when he remembered the council meeting he was scheduled to attend. Arthur groaned.
"What time is that meeting with the council?" Arthur asked George. He hoped the man would know Arthur's schedule, though it was a creepy idea that George would know everything about him.
"In about an hour sire," George said without missing a beat. Yep, Arthur definitely had a stalker.
"I need to visit the lower town. I'll be back before then," Arthur said with a nod. He was about to exit when George called him back.
"Oh, wait sire! I almost forgot," he said happily.
"Please no," Arthur moaned quietly. He was afraid of what was coming next.
"What did the green grape say to the purple grape?" George asked expectantly. Arthur sighed. There was no way he could get out of this.
"I don't know. What?" he responded. Merlin had thought it would be funny to tell George that Arthur liked to hear a joke before he started his day. Now, every time George served him, Arthur was subjected to an awful joke. It appeared that this morning was no exception. George smiled and attempted to not laugh before the punch line was delivered. Great. That meant the joke was even worse.
"Breathe, idiot! Breathe!" George said as he doubled over laughing.
"Good one," Arthur said, rolling his eyes. He really needed to kill Merlin. Arthur began playing the conversation he was going to have with Gwen as he exited the room, leaving George behind with tears of laughter streaking his face.
Arthur paused in front of Gwen's door, his hand hovering in the air, preparing to knock. It was ridiculous how nervous he felt whenever he was talking to Gwen. He wasn't even going to talk to her about anything romantic! Arthur swallowed before rapping his knuckles on the door. It was her day off, but hopefully she would be up. If not her, then Elyan would certainly be up since he had training he had to attend to.
Arthur stood a little straighter as the door opened. His jaw dropped.
"Gwaine! What the hell are you doing here?" Arthur gasped. Gwaine yawned and stared bleary eyed at Arthur.
"Tone it down princess. No need to shout," Gwaine yawned.
"Don't worry sire," Elyan's voice called as he came up to stand by Gwaine. "We went out drinking last night and Leon scolded me for trying to leave him in the alley. He said that I had to put Gwaine somewhere and I really didn't want to drag him back to his chambers," Elyan explained as he motioned for Arthur to come inside.
"I wasn't that drunk," Gwaine said as he sank down onto a bench at the table.
"Your singing said otherwise," Elyan mumbled as he stepped back into the house.
"Is Gwen here?" Arthur asked. Surely Elyan didn't think that Arthur was here to visit him.
"Yeah, I'll go get her," Elyan said as he left the small room and went outside to where their father's workshop used to be.
"You and Esmeralda, getting it on," Gwaine chuckled.
"Gwaine," Arthur growled. He really didn't need Gwaine's dirty mind to make itself known this early in the morning.
"You missed a really great time last night, though," Gwaine said happily.
"I bet it was a blast," Arthur responded humorlessly, rolling his eyes.
"Darian joined us about an hour in. He was really fidgety though. Almost as if he couldn't wait to get back to his chambers," Gwaine added thoughtfully as he took a swig of water.
"What is this?" he gasped, his face contorting into a mask of disgust.
"Water. It's what normal people drink," Arthur said, furrowing his eyebrows.
"It's disgusting, that's what it is," Gwaine snorted before taking another mouthful. Arthur really questioned his reasoning behind knighting Gwaine. He didn't have too long to ponder before Gwen came into the house. Arthur's heart leapt as he laid eyes on her. Even in the morning she was incredibly beautiful. To think that she loved Arthur made him even happier.
"Arthur, what is it?" Gwen asked. She looked a tad worried. Why wouldn't she be? Arthur had shown up unannounced early in the morning. Arthur stood there staring at Gwen for a little before remembering what he wanted to ask her.
"Oh, um, right," Arthur stuttered. He hated how Gwen could make him come undone just by her mere presence. Gwaine snorted in the background.
"Smooth princess," he laughed. Elyan rolled his eyes and went to sit beside him.
"Guinevere, I wanted to ask you about how you felt the first time you met Sir Darian," Arthur said. Gwen looked confused for a few seconds and Arthur was painfully aware that Gwaine and Elyan were now staring at Arthur.
"Why would you want to know that?" Gwen asked uncertainly. Arthur didn't want it to seem as though he had doubts. He knew that Elyan and Gwen were both very fond of Darian. And, if Darian really wasn't the kind knight everyone thought, Arthur couldn't risk his suspicions. After all, Arthur was really the only person who had the authority to make accusations. Luckily, Arthur had prepared an argument.
"Yesterday it was brought to my attention that neither Merlin or George had ever met the man. George expressed his concerns and stated that servants usually can tell who is a good master and who isn't," Arthur winced. It sounded way too rehearsed. Hopefully Gwen wouldn't look too much into the formal dialogue.
"And you want to put their minds at ease," Gwen stated, her face brightening up considerably.
"That's correct," Arthur said. He began to relax. So far Gwen hadn't suspected his apprehension towards Darian.
"Well, I wasn't a servant when he first came to visit. But my mother was," Gwen's face fell at the memory. Arthur mentally kicked himself. Why hadn't he remembered that Gwen's mother and not Gwen had been a servant the first time Darian had arrived in Camelot. Now he was responsible for bringing up painful memories.
"I can't really remember any feelings of unease my mother had," Gwen said, looking thoughtfully at the ground. Arthur frowned. The way Gwen was staring wasn't so much as trying to reclaim a lost memory. It was more of trying to reclaim a memory that never existed. Gwen hadn't been that young when Darian first arrived, only about twelve or so. But the way she was stroking her chin, it reminded Arthur of the times when he was trying to make up answers to the questions Geoffrey asked him when he hadn't done any readings. It was as if the memory had never existed.
"Well do you know the servants who have served him?" Arthur pressed. Surely Gwen would know that. Gwen looked at Arthur with a very confused look on her face.
"I don't really know anyone who served him," she replied. Arthur's heart dropped. Darian was a respected member of Camelot. Only high-ranking servants were given to him. Surely Gwen would know of one that served him. Gwen generally knew everyone who worked in the castle. It was a knowledge that truly amazed Arthur. Still, Darian's last visit had been right before Merlin came to Camelot. Certainly Gwen would know the servant that worked for Darian.
"Look, Arthur. Just tell George that Darian is a wonderful man. He's really something special," Elyan said from behind Arthur.
"I'll reassure Merlin as well. I know he was having some reserves about him," Arthur said, turning to the two knights who were sitting at the table.
"Who?" Gwaine asked, looking up from the table and staring intently at Arthur.
"Merlin, my manservant. You know, raven hair, ridiculously oversized ears, clumsy," Arthur said.
"Oh yeah! Merlin can take care of himself," Gwaine said with the wave of his hand. Arthur raised an eyebrow. It was unlike Gwaine to be so blasé when it came to Merlin. Usually he and Lancelot were the most overprotective of him. Hell, yesterday he was practicing taking off Darian's head with a single swipe of his sword! Arthur wrote that off as Gwaine still fighting the effects of a hangover. Perhaps he didn't hear Arthur say Merlin's name.
"I'm sure your testimony will put everyone's mind at rest," Arthur said as he left the small house. His words held no truth, however. After that whole conversation Arthur was now, more than ever, convinced that something was wrong in Camelot.
So we now had our first torture scene with Merlin and Darian. That was not fun to write. And as for Arthur, who thinks he will save Merlin in time? Have a great week everyone.