I love all the reviews and stuff I've gotten because of this story. Here is the next chapter and hopefully it will live up to the previous three. Happy Thursday everyone.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Arthur was hardly paying attention to the meeting that was going on in the council chambers. Not that he normally did. Usually the men just sat around and argued about land and taxes. Merlin would normally cheer him up with funny faces and inappropriate comments whispered in his ear when he went to refill Arthur's goblet, but Merlin wasn't here. In fact, Merlin's absence was proving to be more distracting than his presence. Arthur chewed on his lip as he tried to make sense of the confusion that was taking over his brain.
For Arthur, the world was always in black and white. Darian was a good man. It didn't matter that Arthur rarely knew anything about the man, Darian had never hurt Arthur, and so he wasn't a threat to Camelot. Now, Arthur wasn't so sure. Merlin was a commoner, Arthur wasn't supposed to be worried about him. Merlin was easily replicable, just as all servants were. Darian was someone who needed to be impressed, Merlin was someone who shouldn't be noticed. Except, Arthur found the roles suddenly reversed. The revered knight who had brought peace and prosperity in his wake was now the man who was forgotten. And Merlin, brave, stupid, loyal Merlin, was the one Arthur worked to impress.
Arthur scrubbed his face with his hands. When Darian had first come to Camelot, Arthur still thought he was invincible. Leon was constantly pulling his hair out with the stress of trying to keep Arthur in line and alive, while also trying to please the king. Arthur had always looked up to Leon. Leon was the one he went to for advice, for honest answers to his questions, and so much more. Leon was like the older brother Arthur needed. However, he was a knight first. Leon had been called away on a weeklong patrol of one of the northern borders. Arthur tried to make Leon stay but to no avail. He was busy pouting in an empty hall in the castle, not bothering to meet the royal guest, when Darian had found him. Instantly, Arthur forged a bond with the man, he was almost a replacement for Leon.
Ever since then, Darian had been Arthur's awesome older brother as well. He was the one who taught Arthur some sword tricks. Leon always said they were too flashy and would do more harm than good. Darian had also been the there when Arthur first got his heart broken. Leon had been out hunting. The more Arthur thought about it, the more he remembered just how much Darian had done for him whenever he visited. Darian always treated Arthur like an adult. He respected everything Arthur said, even if he didn't agree with it. Most of the council members just saw Arthur as a spoiled prince who was too shut off from the world to even care about the peasants. Arthur scoffed. He probably cared more about the outlying villages than half of these nobles.
Arthur tried desperately to keep himself from worrying about Merlin and instead focus on how great Darian was. But he just couldn't do it. Darian may have been there for Arthur in the past, but Merlin was there for him now. He'd be lying if he said he didn't care about the boy. Of course Arthur only cared about Merlin on a strictly professional level. If Merlin was hurt, Arthur would have to find a new servant. Arthur tried to push Merlin out of his thoughts and focus back on the meeting. If his father knew just how much Arthur cared about Merlin, Merlin would be sacked within the hour. It wasn't right to be friends with a servant. Arthur needed to spend less time worrying about Merlin and more time trying to please Darian. After all, Merlin was just a servant, not at all someone worth worrying about.
"Something on your mind?" Darian asked as he leaned over. Arthur felt a wave of relief wash over him. The stress was replaced with happiness as Darian smiled and awaited a response. There was no need to worry about Merlin. He was perfectly safe with Darian.
"You know, you didn't have to come to this meeting," Arthur whispered back. Leon cleared his throat from across the table and looked at the pair disapprovingly.
"He's just upset because Gwaine won a drinking contest," Darian chuckled softly.
"Gwaine was telling me about last night," Arthur replied with a smile. Darian snorted and sat back in his chair.
"That man is no singer," Darian mused. The two returned to silence. Darian was probably trying to pay attention to the meeting that was taking place. Arthur's thoughts were much different. Immediately, they drifted back to Merlin. He hadn't seen the idiot once today and that worried Arthur greatly. Darian sensed this threat and leaned back over.
"What's on your mind?" he asked. Arthur sighed and decided to ask Darian where his manservant was. After all, Darian could always read Arthur like a book. It wouldn't be hard for the man to tell if Arthur was lying. Merlin's good at that too. Arthur thought to himself as he prepared his question. Arthur didn't want to sound accusatory towards the knight. After all, there was probably a perfectly reasonable explanation as to Merlin's whereabouts.
"I was wondering where Merlin was," he said, almost ashamed. And he should be. Who was Arthur to question Darian's motives for being in Camelot? Darian had been nothing but kind to Arthur and his people. Why should Arthur doubt him and seek problems where there were none? Darian pursed his lips and hesitated in answering. A reaction that did not go unnoticed by Arthur.
"I sent him to gather some herbs. I've perfected a recipe for tea that helps my muscles to relax. The kitchen was out of some of the herbs and Merlin volunteered to retrieve them for me," Darian explained. It certainly seemed plausible. As for the pause, perhaps Darian had to think whether or not Merlin had returned. Or if he had given him other chores that needed to be completed. Darian wouldn't lie about where Merlin was. Arthur smiled and returned his attention to the meeting. A little voice inside his head told him to forget about Merlin. The idiot was capable of taking care of himself.
"Indeed his is," Darian said. Arthur jumped at Darian's voice.
"Did I say that out loud?" Arthur asked nervously. He didn't want his friend to think that Arthur didn't appreciate Merlin and that he bullied him. Darian had constantly berated Arthur for his treatment of servants. Arthur had changed, and he wanted Darian to see this. He really didn't mean any animosity towards Merlin. Darian sensed this and smiled.
"Don't worry. I know it's a term of endearment," he said softly. Arthur felt himself blush. He hadn't thought that openly insulting his manservant was term of endearment. But the more Arthur thought about it, the more he realized that the term held no malice. It was like when Gwaine called Merlin 'mate' or Lancelot 'my friend'. It was really embarrassing how Arthur had created a term that basically told the world that Merlin was his friend. Arthur wondered if Uther or the rest of the council knew. What must they think of the prince? A noble growing close to a commoner. They were probably mortified.
"Don't be ashamed. You spend a lot of time with the boy, it's natural that you two should share such a strong bond," Darian explained. Arthur smiled. Darian was the only person who could make something that would normally be considered taboo, sound natural and pleasant. Arthur's conversation helped to put his mind and heart at ease as he leaned back in his chair and stayed awake for the remainder of the meeting.
Uther called the meeting to a close several minutes later and the members all filed out of the chambers. Arthur waved goodbye to Darian and began to carry out some of his other duties. However, as Darian got further away, Arthur's feelings of bliss began to dissipate and the worry he held for his friend began to creep back into his mind. Arthur tried to convince himself that nothing was amiss, that Merlin was fine. But in the pit of his stomach, a familiar ache began to grow. Arthur stopped and turned around to see Darian talking enthusiastically with one of the lords. A battle was going on in his head between Merlin and Darian. A battle, Arthur realized, that should not be happening in the first place.
Arthur didn't have a lot of time to dwell on his dark thoughts. The day was full of training, meetings, paperwork, and other things that Arthur hated doing. Somehow, Merlin always made the work seem less dull. Arthur cursed himself for missing the idiot. Merlin was just a servant after all. Arthur shouldn't care about the life of someone who was worth less than him. In fact, Arthur should just fire the man and have him starve on the street like the rat he was. Arthur stopped eating his dinner at the thought. The fact that such an idea had even crossed his mind, and in a serious manner, disgusted Arthur. Since when had Merlin ever been worth less than Arthur. Some could say that the idiot was worth much more than Arthur ever could be. He was kind, loyal, brave, and incredibly caring. Even if Arthur disliked Merlin, he did not believe that one life outweighed another.
"Is something wrong, sire?" George asked as he refilled Arthur's cup. Arthur realized that he had a forkful of food hovering in front of his mouth even though he wasn't actively eating. Arthur put down the fork and cleared his throat.
"No, George. I was just thinking. I'm finished now," Arthur said, standing up and motioning for George to take his plate. Arthur walked to the changing screen and began to get ready for bed. He was still horrified at the thoughts that had previously entered his mind. Why was this happening? Arthur remembered Gwaine's reaction this morning. He had completely forgotten about Merlin. And then there was Darian. Something didn't sit right with that excuse he gave Arthur. Even if Merlin went to go pick some herbs, he should have been seen around the castle at least once. Right? Surely picking herbs did not require the entire day.
"George," Arthur said, as George reentered the room and began preparing it for Arthur's night. "Did you see Merlin at all today?" he asked. Arthur had vowed to keep a closer eye on Merlin during Darian's visit. That was actually quite hard to do when the idiot appeared to have disappeared off the face of the planet. Perhaps George had seen him wandering around the castles, collecting Darian's laundry or getting his lunch. George snorted.
"Why should I care where that idiot is?" Arthur stopped dead in his tracks. George just called Merlin an idiot. Further more, he ceased being worried about Merlin's wellbeing. The way he spoke to Arthur wasn't one of respect, it was as if the mere thought of Merlin revolted George. It was strangely similar to Arthur's thoughts during dinner.
"Is something wrong, sire?" George asked, resuming his normal bootlicking tone.
"No, nothing. You're dismissed for the night," Arthur said quietly as he laid down in his bed. George had attempted to take Merlin under his wing to mold him into the perfect servant, not that Merlin responded. If anything, it made Merlin more persistent to be bad at his job. This in turn caused George to be more persistent in his training. So why did he sound like Merlin was a pest that needed to be exterminated? Or a rat that needs to starve on the street. A little voice, which sounded suspiciously like Darian, reminded Arthur. Arthur rolled over and all of his reserves about Darian reentering his mind. He hated feeling this way. Darian was an old friend. But the more Arthur thought about it, the more things just didn't seem to add up. There were the gaps in Gwen's memory. There were the reactions of Gwaine and George. And then there was Arthur's own thoughts. Could it be that the man Arthur looked up to and strived to be like, was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing? Arthur's heart beat faster as he began to realize that he had personally delivered Merlin, who was basically a defenseless lamb, to that wolf.
"Relax, you didn't see Merlin for one day. That's no reason to get worked up," Arthur said to himself. Tomorrow he would ask around and see the reactions everyone had when asked about Merlin. Surely Lancelot would be worried if Arthur told him Merlin was missing. Arthur prayed that Merlin would come stumbling through his door tomorrow morning with his stupid smile and ridiculous red neckerchief. Or at least be seen in the hallways. Arthur settled himself back into bed. Though it was ridiculous of him to think that he would get any sleep. His worry for Merlin plagued his mind and took over his every thought.
"Please be alright, my friend," Arthur whispered as he prepared for the torment that lay ahead.
"Ten," Merlin grunted as the braided whip came down on his back again.
"You can scream, you know. I would love to make your voice hoarse," Darian replied angrily as he brought the whip down on Merlin's back.
"Eleven," Merlin gasped. He had found that counting the strokes actually helped take his mind off the pain, not that it didn't hurt. Merlin was certain that he had started crying on the fifth stroke. Darian growled in frustration causing Merlin to smile. He was still alive. Perhaps Gwaine or Lancelot noticed something was amiss and were coming for Merlin tonight. Merlin longed to be back in his bed, his warm and comfortable bed. He wanted to walk outside, feel the sunrays on his face, and the wind in his hair. Merlin wanted to stop the pain, to wake up knowing that he was safe. He wanted to see his friends, laugh at their jokes, and maybe go down to the tavern with Gwaine. Most of all, Merlin wanted to be free from Darian. He never wanted to here the man's voice again, or see his cold brown eyes. The whip came down on his back again, bringing Merlin out of his daydream.
"Twelve," Merlin said. He gasped with pain as the chains that bound him continued to burn his wrist. I wonder if Arthur will give me a day off. Merlin thought to himself as he prepared for the next stroke.
"Why won't you scream?" Darian shouted as he threw the whip down. Merlin sighed with relief. Hopefully Darian was tired and would leave Merlin alone for the rest of the night.
"Oh no. I'm not finished with you," Darian growled as he grabbed Merlin's foot and began to twist Merlin in a circle. Merlin bit his cheek as the chains continued to wind around his wrists, causing the cuts to go even deeper. Darian slowly spun Merlin around until the chains were as tight as they could go, slicing into his wrists, causing the blood to trickle down his arm. Merlin bit down on his cheek even harder and started to breath heavily. He squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to block out the pain, but the way his shoulders and wrists were twisted made that almost impossible. That, coupled with the iron grip Darian had on his ankle. It felt as though the man was trying to break it.
"This is what happens when the lamb doesn't follow the shepherd," Darian cried before releasing Merlin. Merlin began to spin in the opposite direction when he heard his jaw crack. It took a few seconds for Merlin's brain to figure out what had happened. Then it caught up with the events. Darian had punched him, hard. It felt as though his entire jaw was on fire. He was also sure that his lip had been busted open and was now bleeding profusely. Merlin's vision went fuzzy as Darian stopped Merlin's swinging and began punching him some more. Merlin tried to curl in on himself to protect his body from the blows. Darian didn't like this. He grabbed the knife that had cut Merlin the previous evening and drove it into Merlin's other thigh. Merlin cried out in pain as Darian slowly pulled the knife back out of his body and proceeded to slash Merlin's front haphazardly.
"I'll teach you to be disobedient," Darian snarled as he drove the knife into Merlin's shoulder and began to twist it. Merlin desperately tried to keep himself from fainting, but the pain was causing his vision to blur. He didn't know how much more he could take. Darian removed the knife and breathed heavily, looking at Merlin with wild eyes. After a few seconds of admiring his work, Darian placed the knife down and put a hand in the center of Merlin's chest.
"Beautiful," he said, drawing away his hand which was now covered in blood.
"Absolutely radiant," he breathed. Darian began to lick the blood off his hand, leaving some streaked on his chin. Merlin glared at him, causing Darian to chuckle.
"You don't look threatening. You know that, right? You look more like an angry puppy," Darian said lightly as he walked around to Merlin's backside. Merlin shivered as Darian ran his hands over the torn skin. A few seconds later he made his way back into Merlin's line of sight.
"It looks like I've split your lip," Darian said softly as he reached his thumb up to wipe away some of the blood on Merlin's face. Merlin attempted to jerk away, but there was only so far he could go back. Darian's thumb swept Merlin's jawline and traced his lower lip. Now, Merlin blamed his next move on blood loss. Arthur would have said it was just his stupidity shining through. Either way, biting down on your captor's thumb with enough pressure to snap it off, probably wasn't the smartest thing Merlin could have done.
Darian howled in pain as he attempted to wrench his thumb out of Merlin's mouth. Merlin took this as incentive to latch on even harder. Darian growled in a very animalistic manner before bringing up his free hand and crashing his fist into Merlin's temple. Merlin gasped causing him to release Darian's thumb. Now the smart thing to do would have been nothing. Sadly, Merlin never was good at knowing when to quit.
"Looks like you screamed before I did," Merlin rasped. Darian clenched his jaw and bent down to pick up the knife. Merlin swallowed. It looked as though his journey was drawing to a close. Looks like the dragon was wrong. Merlin wasn't Emrys. He was going to die here by the hands of a monster and Arthur would never be able to build Albion. Darian seemed to read Merlin's thoughts.
"Oh, you're not going to die. But by the time I'm through with you, you'll wish you were dead," Darian snarled as he put the knife back on the table in the corner. Merlin hated that table. When he woke up this morning, his first action was to try and reach it. Merlin could pick a lock and the table probably had the proper tools. Sadly, the table was just out of his reach and no matter how he tried to stretch his arms, he was only ever a hair's width away from his freedom. Merlin should have known Darian would set the room up so that there was no possible way of escape. That still didn't stop Merlin from angrily kicking the wall and possibly breaking his toe.
"I bet you think they're coming for you, my lamb," Darian said as he began to wipe some more of Merlin's blood onto his hands and then lick it off.
"Maybe not so soon. It's only been a day," Merlin spat. He did have slightly realistic expectations for his friends. Gwaine would probably demand that they stab Darian, despite not having any proof. Leon would convince the group that they needed to figure out Darian's motives. Lancelot would be worried about Merlin, but have faith that he could take care of himself. Percival and Elyan would be more inclined to agree with Leon's decision to watch and follow. Arthur would probably not even care. He would say that Merlin was a girl and that Darian was the greatest person who ever lived. He wouldn't believe his knights when they tried to convince him that something was wrong. Although, because they were knights Arthur might be more inclined to listen to them than if it were Merlin trying to convince Arthur. Darian's eyes shone hungrily as he wiped a bead of blood from right above Merlin's hipbone. Merlin took note that Darian was trying very hard to keep his hands away from Merlin's mouth. A victory in Merlin's book.
"This was probably your only day during which your friends could have helped you escape," Darian said, running his fingers along a particularly extensive gash from one of Merlin's hips to his opposite shoulder. Merlin gasped as Darian's fingers probed the cut. He quickly reined in his emotions and decided to figure out what game Darian was playing.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, trying to ignore Darian's wandering hands. Darian stopped his activity and leaned back, taking a particularly gaudy necklace out from his shirt, smearing blood over both the garment and the necklace. Merlin cocked his head to the side and stared at the piece of jewelry. It was a gold chain with a silver pendant hanging at the end. In the center of the pendant was a bright green stone. Merlin would have called it an emerald, but the way it shimmered made him discount that theory. It appeared to be liquid, like it was in constant motion. And the way it glittered reminded Merlin of his magic. This was not a good sign.
"This is a particularly special necklace I got off of a Mercian trader," Darian began. Merlin rolled his eyes. If there was one thing Darian loved more than torturing, it was telling stories. Merlin had already been subjected to several. They weren't all about Darian's past victims. Some of them were about Darian's "great" deeds. Still, Merlin just wanted him to get to the point and leave it be.
"Haven't you wondered how I'm able to kill without suspicion? Why my very presence causes people joy?" Darian asked. Merlin had indeed wondered if Darian was using some sort of spell to keep people happy. It looked as though Merlin was about to get an answer to some of his questions.
"I realized that in order to carry out my, hobby, I needed absolute trust of the monarchs. Well you know how they can be. If you are associated with one, all the others hate you.
"So I bought this little beauty. You see, the person who wears it automatically makes everyone trust them. It gives them a sense of bliss and ease that is so rare in people today," Darian said happily.
"So why do you need to be friends with the nobles? There are plenty of villages you can attack instead. And what does this have to do with my friends coming to save me?" Merlin snapped. Darian smiled fondly and reached up to ruffle Merlin's hair. Merlin just glared at him.
"I like the thrill of doing something so very evil right under their noses. The kings are supposed to protect their people. But they are allowing the ultimate predator unlimited access to their innocent," Darian cried out with glee. Merlin snorted in amusement. It sounded like the kind of thing Darian would be into.
"As for your friends. This trinket doesn't just make people happy when they are around things, it allows me to control their very thoughts. The more time they spend with me, the more they are open to my suggestions. Slowly, they'll begin to forget all about you. You'll just fade into the background as another servant. When I leave, I'll be surprised if anyone remembers you at all," Darian said.
"I'm Arthur's personal servant. Do you really think he won't notice my absence?" Merlin growled.
"Not at the end. He won't even remember your name," Darian said triumphantly. Merlin's heart sank. He wanted to believe that his friends were stronger than this curse, that they would realize something was wrong. But Darian had been doing this for hundreds of years and had done this six times in Camelot itself. Chances are, Darian spoke the truth. How else could several disappearances, all coinciding with the visit of a particular man, go unnoticed by the nobles of the kingdom. If the families of the victims didn't even care that their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives were missing, then what hope did Merlin have.
"So now that you've come to this realization that no one is going to save you, will you be more pleasurable?" Darian requested as he unhooked Merlin and lowered him to the ground. Merlin hated the way Darian cradled him like an infant. The placement of Darian's arms under his knees and behind his back made Merlin feel helpless, and like Darian owned him.
"Go to hell," Merlin snarled, turning his back to Darian. He felt a calloused hand stroke his cheek and he tried not to flinch.
"Goodnight, my little lamb," Darian cooed softly as he blew out the candle and closed the door.
"What the hell does he know? Someone will notice I'm missing," Merlin spat. He held onto this belief as he turned over and tried to get some sleep, ignoring the shooting pains that now overwhelmed his body.
Merlin flinched as he heard the door open quietly. He really wasn't in the mood for another session with Darian. Did this guy ever sleep? Merlin wasn't sure how much more he could take. If he would be subjected to several sessions per day, he would probably only hold out another day or possibly two.
"Oh gods," a voice said. Merlin gasped. It couldn't be. He turned over to see if the owner of the voice was really who Merlin thought it was.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked, bleary eyed. Was his friend really standing in the doorway? Was he really here?
"What the hell did he do to you?" Arthur asked as he ran to Merlin's side and knelt down beside him. Arthur's hands hovered over Merlin's torso as he attempted to find a place that wasn't injured.
"It's not that bad," Merlin mumbled as he attempted to sit up, being careful not to jar his injured shoulder.
"Not that bad! Merlin, I've seen corpses that look better than you!" Arthur hissed as he looked around the room.
"I need keys. I'm getting you out of here," Arthur stated as he stood up and left the room.
"Oh good. I just thought you were only here for a visit," Merlin muttered, though it held no spite. His heart was pounding in his chest with happiness. Merlin felt giddy with excitement as it appeared that Darian was wrong. Arthur hadn't forgotten about him. Arthur had come for him.
"Found them," Arthur said proudly as he knelt back down beside Merlin and proceeded to unlock the cuffs.
"Thank you," Merlin rasped. He meant it with all his heart. Perhaps being two sides of the same coin helped Arthur gain an immunity to Darian's spell. His other half was in danger, which hadn't allowed him to be fully taken in by Darian's charm.
"Don't thank me just yet. Can you walk?" Arthur asked as he stood up. Merlin nodded and scrambled to his feet. Arthur grabbed his hand and quickly led him out the door and into the hallway. Merlin was so happy, it was as if the pain had disappeared from his body all together. Merlin felt Arthur squeeze his hand as the pair continued to leave Darian behind.
"How did you find me?" Merlin asked as Arthur rounded another corner. He knew he had a ridiculous smile on his face, but that didn't matter. Merlin could help rid Camelot and of an evil man. Darian had outlived his life. It was time for him to stop hurting the innocent to gain power.
"Wait until we're somewhere safe," Arthur commanded softly as he turned another corner. Merlin smiled and continued to be led by Arthur. He didn't know where Arthur was going, but so long as it was away from Darian, Merlin was happy. Arthur stopped in front of a door. Merlin turned to face the door, his smile dropping.
"Isn't that the same door?" Merlin asked Arthur uncertainly. Arthur just stared straight ahead. Merlin wrenched his hand out of Arthur's and backed away.
"Arthur, why aren't we at your room, or Gaius'?" Merlin asked desperately. Arthur sighed and turned to him.
"I'm sorry Merlin," he said, massaging his brow. He looked up at Merlin with eyes that held such sadness.
"What's going on? Who are you?" Merlin snarled as he fell to his knees. The pain had begun to creep back into his mind.
"I'm a hallucination, Merlin," the person standing in front of Merlin explained.
"No, no you are really here," Merlin said shaking his head, desperately trying to ignore the facts.
"I'm so sorry, my old friend," fake Arthur said, kneeling down next to Merlin.
"You're sorry. You gave me hope that I was free and all you can say is YOU'RE SORRY?" Merlin shouted. This could not be happening.
"Please calm down," fake Arthur begged, attempting to placate Merlin.
"You don't get to tell me what to do!" Merlin shouted. He began to feel tears leak from his eyes.
"The reason why I'm here is because you need to survive, Merlin," fake Arthur pleaded. Merlin was beyond reason though. He began laughing.
"My friends are in love with a man who is torturing me and drinking my blood. By the time this week is up, my guardian won't remember my existence! My magic has been placated and there is no one who is going to help me. And you want me too 'survive'?" Merlin growled. His voice was cracking at the thought that this was all just a dream.
"Listen to me, Merlin," fake Arthur pleaded.
"NO! I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU! YOU AREN'T EVEN REAL!" Merlin shouted again. Fake Arthur just sat there and waited for Merlin to calm down.
"Merlin," he tried again. He reached up and stroked some of Merlin's hair out of his eyes. "You cannot give up. If you die, who will protect the real me?" he said softly, rubbing some of the blood off of Merlin's cheek. Merlin's previous anger had dissipated and was now despair. Merlin looked into fake Arthur's eyes and began to sob.
"Please," he begged. Fake Arthur leaned Merlin into his shoulder and held him while Merlin continued to sob, rubbing circles on his back.
"Please, help me," Merlin sobbed into fake Arthur's shoulder.
"I can't. I'm just your imagination. An image to help you survive," fake Arthur explained gently.
"I can't do this," Merlin whimpered.
"You have to. Merlin, be strong for me. Make me proud," fake Arthur said. Merlin's sobs degraded until they were whimpers and hiccups.
"Don't leave me," Merlin sniffed as he opened his eyes to see that he was still in the room Darian kept him in.
"Somebody, please help me," Merlin begged as he lay down and began to cry again.
And on that happy note, I'll just go hide so that no one will murder me. Don't worry, this story isn't over yet.