THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM

THE ESCAPE

MERLIN

"ATHENA" Merlin shouted as his sister ran out of the room he glanced around looking for anybody still awake and cursed the fact that Athena had run of. He needed to go after her but he couldn't leave Arthur, Morgana and his mother unprotected and unconscious. Grumbling he stood up making his way around the room his eyes flashing gold, Arthur groaned and blinked to find Merlin standing over him his eyes gold and looking worried. The king gave him a confused look as he found himself on the floor but Merlin just shook his head and walked over to Morgana placing a hand on her head, Morgana blinked and quickly sat up also looking confused. Merlin hauled them both to their feet grabbing their hands and sprinting out of the room he didn't want either of them to get lost amongst the corridors, he didn't need to look at the soul bond to know where his sister had gone. The power he had felt had emanated from the cells which could only mean one thing, Merlin looked at Arthur only to find him staring at him a frown on his face "Are you going to explain why we are sprinting through your castle" Arthur said sounding surprisingly steady considering Merlin was dragging him as fast as they could go. Morgana stumbled trying to keep up and Merlin slowed his pace somewhat, Arthur pulled him to a stop and Merlin narrowed his eyes at him but Arthur just raised an eyebrow clearly wanting an answer. Merlin sighed "I am trying to get to my sister" he answered trying not to let his annoyance bleed through though from the look Arthur gave him he didn't quite succeed, Morgana rolled her eyes at her brother and started walking back down the corridor. Merlin raised an eyebrow at Arthur and followed with the king sighing behind him, apparently Morgana had taken the time to explore as she led them all the way down to the cells.

Athena was standing in the middle of an empty cell a book in her hands and a dark look on her face, Merlin shared a look with his friends before stepping into the cell placing a hand on the queen's shoulder. She blinked her eyes clearing and turned to Merlin an unreadable look on her face and Merlin frowned feeling the anxiety coming of her in waves, "You ignored my order" she said and Merlin shrugged "I never took orders from Arthur what makes you any deferent" Merlin said dryly and his sister snorted giving him a small smile though she still looked troubled. Arthur cleared his throat oblivious to the tension and said "It looks like Camelot isn't the only one who needs to upgrade their dungeons" both Morgana and Merlin glared at him but Athena just raised an eyebrow drawing herself up to her full height and Merlin no longer saw his sister but a queen she ignored him and turned to Merlin instead. "You do realise whose cell this is" she said and Merlin did a turn of the cell noting the discarded grey cloak and he swallowed against the lump in his throat. Meeting his sister's eyes she nodded and Merlin sighed as Athena leant against the wall and Morgana gave her a worried glance before walking over and taking his sisters hand. Athena smiled at her but it looked forced her mind clearly elsewhere and Merlin jumped when Arthur placed his hand on his shoulder giving him a confused look and Merlin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "This was Ramsey's cell" Arthur guessed and Merlin nodded his face darkening and Arthur pulled him into a hug rubbing his back trying to comfort him but Merlin was too concerned to take any comfort and he could tell that his sister was just as uneasy by the look on her face. "What's with the book?" Arthur asked as he turned to Athena who was still holding said book in her hands and she sighed "It was his coronation request" Athena said and Merlin raised an eyebrow as the pendragons gave them a confused look "You granted him a coronation request?" Merlin asked surprised and Athena gave him an irritated look "Actually mother did" Athena said rolling her eyes and Merlin sighed shaking his head "Ok so he left his book behind" Morgana said shrugging and looking between the royals trying to figure out why they seemed so worried other than the fact that their worst enemy had just escaped. "How did he escape?" Merlin voiced the question that was on all their minds and Athena shrugged clearly clueless, Merlin grumbled and closed his eyes but quickly opened them again glancing around as he felt a tingle run through his body.