Royal in Hiding

Chapter 4: Captured

Merlin ran through the forest, hearing the calls of his friends and his sister's cries fading from his ears. 'Emrys, do not leave us.' Mordred's voice entered his mind but Merlin didn't respond. 'EMRYS! Please come back!' a few of his druid friends called to him through his mind but Merlin ignored them as he ran. He felt Avrae flying towards him, searching for her friend, but Merlin ran into a cave, effectively hiding him. 

Hours had passed when he heard the calls of men nearing the cave. Merlin assumed that it was Arthur and the Knights so he was surprised when he heard one of the men call out. "Find the King. Draegan wants to see Arthur Pendragon's head on a plate." Merlin's eye's widened and he scrambled silently to a dark opening in the cave, hiding himself from view. Concentrating, knowing that he couldn't be but a few miles from the camp, Merlin opened a communication with Mordred. 'Mordred, get Arthur and everyone out of the camp now. Draegan has men looking for you guys, they are almost on me now.' Merlin thought to him, hoping beyond hope that he had gotten it before shutting off the mind communications again and stepping out in the open. "Alright boys. Lets dance." Merlin called as he was rushed by about 20 men, taking down as many as he could before being knocked out. 

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Arthur and the Knights, along with Guinevere and Ophelia, stood around a map of the area, thinking of where to look for Merlin first. Unknown to Merlin at the time that he couldn't actually give his power to another, especially not a women, Ophelia now had Destinies Song without the true power needed to properly wield it. 

"I think that Merlin would find shelter, especially since it is nearing night and he isn't an idiot. Besides, in a cave that would keep Avrae from finding him, taking away our advantage of the sky." Ophelia stated and Arthur nodded. 

"We should have four groups of fighters going out and searching this area here, so I can lead one group, Gwaine can do the other. Who are the Larcean Knight's top two fighters?" Arthur asked and Lady Arabella spoke up. "That would be Sir Ernald and myself." She said and Arthur nodded. "I will have Lady Emelyne with me and Leon, Lady Arabella will take Percival, Sir Ernald will go with Mordred, and Gwaine will be with Elyan. Any questions?" Arthur asked.

Ophelia spoke up. "Where will I be?" She asked and Arthur stared at her. "You aren't coming." He stated flatly and she smirked. "Like hell I'm not coming, I am probably better with a sword than your entire army and three fourths of your knights. The dragons trust me and I have the advantage of magic. The advantages of having me help is too large for you to over look without another thought so I ask again. Where do you want me?" She asked and Arthur stared at her dumbfounded for a moment before putting her with Gwaine. "Cool." She replied when Mordred gasped. 

"Mordred what is it?" Arthur asked as some of the knights rushed forward to grip his arms in attempt to keep him upright. "We have to leave." He panted, the strain of the long distance communication wearing on him. "What? Why?" Arthur asked. Mordred looked up. "Merlin just informed me that Draegan has men out for us not far from here. They either have him now or are about to. Merlin said that we have to clear the camp before they get here. Do not let his capture be in vain." Mordred stated and Gwaine sputtered for a second. 

"How do you know this?" He asked and Mordred looked mildly annoyed. "I have magic, born a druid. I was the one who told Merlin of the name that the druids gave him in the first place." He said and stood up. "Now are we going to talk about it all day or are we gonna go?" He asked and they all nodded mutely at the bomb that had been dropped. "Great, lets go." Mordred stated and everyone jumped into action. 

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"My Liege. We caught this man in the woods near where we suspected Arthur to have escaped from. We believe that he is the King's manservant." The Knight stated as they drug Merlin in, who was fighting with everything he had. "The King's manservant ey? He probably knows where the king is. Get the Altor, I want to know his every secret." Draegan stated harshly and the Knights nodded and dragged him out again.