Chapter Ten

Before taking any action, Arthur knew he had to break the news to Gaius, Guinevere and the knights. They all cared about Merlin deeply and he knew this would be hard for them to hear. Even so, the horror on their faces as he described his plan for Merlin was almost enough to make him change his mind.

"No!" Gwaine snapped. "I won't let you take him!"

"This is only a temporary measure," Arthur said and he hoped it was true. He wanted Merlin back just as much as they did.

"Surely it is a bit extreme," Gwen said. "Merlin didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"I know that. This isn't a punishment, it is simply the best way to keep everyone safe."

"Merlin doesn't seem dangerous," Elyan said. "He's still just… Merlin."

"You saw what he did. He is not in control of his power and that makes him a very real threat, one that cannot be ignored no matter how we feel."

"Sire, please. Merlin needs around the clock care right now. He needs warmth and sunlight and fresh air, none of which he will get in that cave!"

"Gaius I understand your concern, but short of sending him away from Camelot I don't see that we have another option. You will be permitted to visit him at any hour of the day and we will do everything we can to make him comfortable."

"Sire, if he needs a guard we are more than willing to volunteer."

"I appreciate that, Leon. But none of us are equipped to handle wild magic and I don't want anyone else to get hurt. Merlin needs space, and this is the best way to give it to him. When he settles down a bit we can talk about reintegrating him into the palace, but until then I am afraid he must stay in the cavern. It is in everyone's best interests."

"What about Merlin's best interests?" Gwaine challenged.

Arthur met his glare levelly. "The Merlin we know would never be able to live with himself if he found out that his magic was hurting people. If he could speak for himself, which would he choose? The innocent people of Camelot, or his own freedom?"

Gwaine clearly knew the answer because his glare deepened but he made no claim that Merlin would rather put himself first. Anyone who knew Merlin at all knew he would give his life for the kingdom. But Gwaine wasn't backing down. "So you admit this is imprisonment."

"It is provisional confinement, until such a time as Merlin's control over his magic returns."

"You would have him trade Morgana's hut for your cave. Some rescue."

"We will get him back, I promise you. I promise all of you. I am not giving up on him. He will get better, it is just going to take some time."

Gwaine muttered under his breath, but no one offered up any more objections.

If Arthur was honest, though, it didn't feel like a victory. And the worst was yet to come.

ooOOoo

It was with a heavy heart that Arthur went to retrieve his servant. Gwaine had grudgingly told him where Merlin was; he had managed to coax Merlin away from the disaster zone that had been the physician's chambers and into the relative security and privacy of Arthur's own quarters. Arthur wished he could just stay there. If it was only his life at stake Arthur would have borne the risk of Merlin's presence, but he was the king and Camelot couldn't afford to lose him. He had to set aside his personal feelings and do what was right for the kingdom.

Arthur sighed and pushed open the doors.

Merlin was sprawled in front of the fireplace, staring into the dancing flames. They appeared to have a life and form all of their own, twisting and weaving into the shape of a dragon that darted and dove among the logs, soared on rising smoke and breathed sparks across the coals. It was magic, gentle, playful magic, entrancing to behold.

"Merlin," Arthur called softly.

A contented hum filled the air around him, buzzing against his skin in welcome. The magic recognised him and it wasn't pushing him away.

Merlin had settled. He was calm. He hadn't startled when Arthur entered the room and his magic seemed to be under control.

Arthur approached slowly and lowered himself onto the floor. Merlin shifted to make room for him on the hearth, seeming completely at ease.

It felt like any normal, peaceful evening. Arthur imagined that work was finished for the day, stomachs were comfortably full, life's stressors were mellowed by wine and all that remained was the crackle of the fire and the comfortable silence between friends.

The illusion was tempting, but in reality this was just a temporary reprieve.

Arthur soaked it in for as long as he could. When he finally spoke it was with great reluctance. "Merlin."

Golden eyes glanced to him in silent question.

"I need you to come with me."

The fire dragon perched on a glowing log, folded its wings and tilted its head as if to ask 'why?'

The manifestation of Merlin's magic, wishing only to be free. The form it had taken was a sobering reminder of the last prisoner to be held in the caves below the castle.

"Please, Merlin," Arthur said quietly.

The fire dragon faded into the coals and Merlin obediently climbed to his feet. The look in his eyes was so trusting as he waited for Arthur to lead him away that Arthur nearly broke down then and there. He didn't want to do this. All he wanted was to have Merlin back, happy and healthy. He wanted Merlin by his side, where he belonged.

"I know that you are in there somewhere, Merlin," Arthur said. He needed to believe that it was true. "If you could just… give me a sign that you're there, that you're okay, that you're in control of your magic and not the other way around…"

Golden eyes stared uncomprehendingly at him.

Arthur swallowed his disappointment. "Come on, then. This way."

Merlin followed him through the castle, his soft footfalls a familiar sound but his usual chatter noticeably absent. He hesitated at the top of the stairs, staring down into the darkness.

"It's okay, Merlin," Arthur lied, lighting a torch.

A thick layer of dust coated the stones and puffed into the air around them as they cautiously descended. No one had passed this way in years. During the two decades that the Great Dragon had been imprisoned here, trespassing had been strictly prohibited and those few who were stupid enough to disobey the law for the sake of thrills or glory did not often live to tell the tale. Since the dragon's escape the guard had been lifted, but there had been no reason for anyone to come down this way.

Though he followed Arthur obediently, disquiet radiated from Merlin and his steps dragged.

"The dragon is long gone," Arthur assured him. "I – well, actually, you defeated it in the end, didn't you? I'd like to hear that story in full someday."

The silence was heavy. Arthur could feel eyes on the back of his head and knew that Merlin was waiting for him to explain what they were doing here.

They walked through the tunnel and stepped out into the 'open' air of the vast cave. This place had contained the fury and flame of an ancient dragon; Merlin's volatile magic could do no harm here. But compared to the scope of this cavern Merlin seemed small and fragile, hunched uncertainly in on himself with no idea what Arthur intended… until his gaze lighted on the mattress, blankets and small assortment of personal belongings that were laid out on the stone outcropping.

Arthur cleared his throat awkwardly. "Food and water will be brought to you, along with anything else you might want. I can arrange for more blankets if it gets too cold, and I'll leave a lantern with you. You'll have regular visitors – I know that Gaius and Gwen and Gwaine will all want to check on you, so you'll probably appreciate those few moments of peace and quiet that you get in between…"

Oh gods, don't look at me like that.

"You're not a prisoner. This isn't a punishment. I just… this is safer. For everyone. You understand, don't you Merlin? I don't want to do this. If I had any other option…."

The intense sorrow in Merlin's eyes was impossible to bear; Arthur had to look away. It felt like a hand of ice was constricting around his heart, like the friendship they had been trying to rebuild was shattering into pieces that could never be made whole. This felt like a betrayal. It felt cruel. But he wouldn't be doing this if he didn't believe it was necessary.

In that moment, he wished he wasn't king. He wished he could put friendship first. He wished he could take Merlin far away from here. He wished they could go somewhere warm and peaceful with blue skies and open air, somewhere with mountains and lakes and not another living soul for miles around. He wished Merlin could be free.

The sound of clinking metal caught Arthur's attention. He glanced up to see a long metal chain rising, seemingly of its own accord, from the depths of the cave. He recognised the thick manacle as having once been secured around the dragon's leg. It had been reinforced by magic to be virtually unbreakable (how it had been broken to enable the dragon's escape remained a mystery).

Merlin caught the manacle out of the air. It rested in his palms, ridiculously large in comparison with his bony wrists. Slowly, he lifted it and hung it around his neck. It didn't fit, it wasn't locked, but the meaning was abundantly clear.

"No! No, Merlin." Arthur pulled the chains off him and flung them back into the abyss. Words could not describe the horror he had felt when he had found Merlin chained and collared in Morgana's hut; he couldn't believe that anyone could be capable of inflicting such cruelty on another human being. By his actions Merlin was lumping Arthur in the same category, as if he were no different to the monster who had tortured him beyond breaking point.

"It's not like that," Arthur insisted. "I'm not her. I'm not trying to hurt you. I just don't know what else I can do! You blew a hole in my castle, Merlin. People were hurt, innocent people, and I can't let it happen again, not if you want me to convince everyone that magic should be made legal. The people need to know that I will protect them, they need to feel safe. Right now, you are dangerous. By all rights I should be sending you away, but I can't do that. Merlin, I can't. I need you here, I need you close. I need you to come back to me and just be Merlin again." Arthur grasped the front of Merlin's shirt. "Please. Merlin, please forgive me. You have to understand. I'm not her, I'm nothing like her. I'm sorry, I really am. I don't want this. I want you to come back to me, can't you please just – talk to me, say something-"

Merlin looked down at the hands on his shirt. Arthur felt a sharp zap in his fingers, forcing him to let go.

Merlin turned his back, lay down on the mattress and pulled the blanket over himself. He curled into a ball, facing away from Arthur.

"Merlin-"

The torch flared in his hand and a hot blast of air shoved him backwards into the tunnel. It was a warning shot, something that Merlin's magic did not often give. If he pushed harder now he was liable to get himself killed.

"I'm sorry, Merlin," he said, and quietly withdrew.

ooOOoo

Agravaine heard footsteps coming back up the stairs – only one set, which either meant that Merlin was safely ensconced in the cave or Arthur was dead. He knew the latter was too much to hope for; even half out of his wits, Merlin was stubborn about protecting his king.

When the glow of the torch appeared at the top of the stairs Agravaine ducked out of sight. He caught a glimpse of Arthur striding past, his face drawn. Imprisoning his friend was distressing for him.

Good.

But it wasn't enough. Not nearly enough.

Morgana was dead.

As soon as he had been able to get away Agravaine had rushed to the scene, praying that it was not true, praying that she had somehow deceived them. But she was gone. Merlin had destroyed her. There was not even a body to lay on a funeral pyre. The pitiful hovel that had been a home unbefitting for a queen and everything around it had been reduced to a crater. Morgana had been torn apart.

The grief he felt could have crippled him, but the fury that burned in his veins was stronger still.

Merlin was a murderer. Arthur had stolen Morgana's rightful throne, Camelot had rejected their queen and Merlin had killed her in cold blood. He would pay for his crimes. They would all pay!

Agravaine did not have magic at his disposal. But he had his position as Arthur's regent and advisor. He had his knowledge of all of Camelot's secrets. He had allies among Arthur's enemies. And he had a thirst for vengeance that would not be sated until Merlin was dead, Arthur was destroyed and Camelot was raised to the ground.

ooOOoo