Merlin Oneshots

Castle Fyrien, Alternate ending

As the group was forced to their knees before the make-shift throne room, Merlin kept his eyes and face towards the ground. He had met King Cenred as a child. Several times. Each instance as unpleasant as the last. He had managed to avoid any direct confrontations up to this point. He knew that Arthur was the goal. That Elyan being held hostage was to force Gwen to bring Arthur and that Morgana had betrayed them and led the guards directly to them. The King was gloating, while the Prince was asking that his companions be released. Cenred laughed coldly at him.

"The Lady Morgana, you're even more beautiful than I was led to believe." Cenred crowed, kneeling in front of Morgana, grabbing her chin.

"Don't touch me, you pig!" Morgana spat. Cenred merely smiled, gaze sweeping over the gathered prisoners, before resting on Merlin. His smile dropped and he stood before the young, dark haired, gangly man.

"You." Cenred growled. Merlin glanced up and caught Cenred's eyes. The King looked at him with barely constrained glee. Merlin gulped, knowing nothing good could come of the look. "Release the others. Send them back to Camelot. All of them. If they fight, render them unconscious and drop them off at the border." Cenred grabbed Merlin by his coat and pulled him to his feet, holding him tightly. "Everyone, but this one. He belongs to me, afterall. Isn't that right, Myrrdin?" Cenred purred.

"Don't harm them." Merlin said, voice gruff.

"Merlin comes with us." Arthur snarled.

"Oh, I don't believe he does." Cenred stated. "You see, this little bird is one of mine. From an outlying village if I'm not mistaken. And you chose to go serve an enemy kingdom." Cenred tsk'd him. "You know better than that."

"Release them, and I will stay." Merlin spoke softly, knowing only Cenred could hear him.

"If they fight, then I cannot promise that. But I won't purposefully cause them undue harm." Cenred conceded. Merlin merely nodded, accepting his fate.

"Let me talk to Arthur, first?" Merlin asked.

"You have five minutes. Just enough time to retrieve poor Elyan from his cell. Once that time is up, you will make sure they leave. All of them." Cenred narrowed his eyes. Merlin knew that the King meant Morgause and Morgana. He nodded his acquiescence. Cenred motioned to his guards who left to retrieve their prisoner. Merlin turned to the Prince who looked ready to fight everyone in the room.

"Merlin." He said through gritted teeth. "I will not leave you."

"You must." Merlin cleared his throat. "You must, sire. You must return and protect your people. Become the King you were meant to be. The one you are destined to be."

"I will not leave you here at the mercy of this barbarian." Arthur growled.

"I am his citizen, Arthur. It is his right to detain me." Merlin said sadly.

"So you're giving up? Just like that?" Arthur asked, incredulous.

"You will be safe. It is all I can ask for. Go. Protect Gwen and Elyan. Maybe soon we can meet again. Tell Gaius-" Merlin paused, "tell him I'm sorry. I knew the dangers of coming back. But no one deserves to be imprisoned as bait for a neighboring do-gooder Prince." Merlin chuckled. "I'll be fine. Cenred and I ... have a history." Merlin added darkly.

"No. No! I will not leave you to him!" Arthur shouted.

"Arthur." Gwen said tentatively. "Merlin is giving us a chance. We must take it. For now. But we will get him back. We will not abandon him." Gwen said fiercely.

"I won't leave a man behind, Guinevere." Arthur stated.

"And you aren't. Merlin is Cenred's subject who has been hiding in Camelot. It is within Cenred's right, as King, to demand his service as recompense." Gwen told Arthur calmly, though she clearly did not agree with it.