Letting Go

Finding Merlin

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin

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The king and his most trusted knights trudged through the thick forest on their horses, worry was evident on each of their faces. Even Gwaine was silent, not telling his tavern stories or his odd dreams about apple . But that wasn't the odd thing about this little trip, it was the fact that Merlin wasn't there by Arthur's side.

Even though the knights knew that the trip was to rescue Merlin from Morgana, it still felt strange not hearing Merlin and Arthur's banter. They had all gotten used to the two's bickering and now it felt oddly quiet. As they ride through the forest, it seems as though the animals were watching them with sad eyes, almost as if they were also silently hoping for Merlin's safe return.

It took them an entire day to get to where Morgana kept Merlin. There were some guards at the entrance but Morgana wasn't there. They had figured that this was not her actual hideout, just incase the knights successfully tracked Merlin down.

Percival was the first to find Merlin, they all knew that something was very wrong when Percival's shaky voice called out for them. When they neared the room, Percival quickly made his way out, passing them without a word. He looked as if he was on the verge of tears, and they were right, he was.

As they entered the room the smell of blood hit them like a slap. The next thing they see was Elyan, still standing there in shock, he looked as if he saw a ghost. Then finally they saw was Merlin, curled up on the floor, covered in blood. Arthur tried to convince himself that the blood was not Merlin's. "Then why is he curled up on the floor unconscious?" a little voice in his mind said, "Maybe he tripped and knocked himself out, like the clumsy fool he is." he told the voice, "That doesn't explain the blood though, does it?" the voice mocked him. 

A loud cry interrupted his thoughts and he sees Gwaine kneeling down on the floor, holding on to Merlin's bloody body. Leon was beside Gwaine, hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him but himself was silently crying. Arthur noticed that Elyan had already left the room, and was now waiting outside with Percival, both crying at the state that their friend is in. As he finally snaps back to reality, Arthur noticed the wounds and cuts on Merlin's body, he immediately asks them to get Merlin onto a horse so that they could get back to Camelot as soon as possible.

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Arthur and the knights waited anxiously outside of Gaius' room. After what seems like an eternity Gaius steps out of the room, "He is in a coma, sire. I'm not sure when he will awaken." Gaius told them solemnly. Immediately Arthur and Gwaine rushed inside the room to see Merlin, the other knights wanted to give Arthur some space but Gwaine just wanted to see Merlin.

"If you wake up, I'll get you as much ale and apples as you want." Gwaine whispered softly from beside Merlin. Despite the statement being a joke, Arthur knew that Gwaine would do anything if it means that Merlin will wake from the coma. After a bit, Gwaine left the room so that Arthur could be alone. 

He sat down beside Merlin and took in his appearance, Merlin's torso had been wrapped in bandage but there were still several burn marks, cuts, and there were also some scars too old to be caused by Morgana. Arthur could tell from Merlin's wounds that the method Morgana had use to torture Merlin was horrible and inhumane.

Sighing, Arthur got up and left the room. Bidding goodbye to Gaius and Merlin, despite Merlin not being able to hear Arthur.