Warlock in the Iron Mask

Chapter Three

Gwen knocked on his door several days after he'd brought Merlin back. "Arthur? Arthur, Are you in there?"

Arthur startled awake. He yawned hugely and cricked his neck. He had fallen asleep in his chair. "Yeah, m'here, enter." He fixed her a desperate look as she opened the door carrying a tray of food. "Is there any change?"

"No, I'm sorry, Arthur." Gwen put the tray down on his desk. "Morgana asked me to bring you this, she thought I might be able to convince you to get a full meal down. Arthur are those the same clothes you wore yesterday?"

Arthur shifted uncomfortably. He'd had little time to think about himself. "Um..." he stammered and sighed. He shook his head, "Not hungry."

"But Sire, you haven't eaten much of anything at all. You need to keep your strength up." Gwen tsked a bit like a younger sister might. Ever since they'd realized their feelings were just puppy love she'd taken to being more like a mother hen then a potential girlfriend. "You haven't eaten properly since we brought him back and your father is starting to get concerned."

Arthur snorted, "That would be a first. All he cares about is whether or not I can give him a good marriage and an heir." He had been bitter for a long time. Uther hadn't understood why he couldn't give up on Merlin. They'd fought a lot about it. He'd even been imprisoned twice for going off without permission. In the end, Uther had thrown up his hands and turned a blind eye to it.

And Merlin, Merlin hadn't said a word to him since they came back. Arthur had carried him to his old room where he lived with Gaius. When he had fully woken up he wasn't at all cooperative. He hadn't believed that he was actually rescued. Eventually, Gaius had to sedate him and he'd been kept like that while they worked on his injuries. It was almost as if Merlin didn't trust his own senses.

After the first couple of days it had hurt too much to stand there, watch and not be acknowledged so he had left Gaius to work on his injuries. Merlin wouldn't respond to anything he said it was pointless for him to be there.

Gaius had made a full gut-wrenching report on the extent of Merlin's injuries. He had been tortured, many times. Several fingers had been broken more than once, a couple of nails removed. His feet...god his feet ... hot coals, Arthur shuddered at the memory of reading that report. Gaius wasn't sure if Merlin was going to be able to walk properly again. Running was certainly out of the question. The report was on his desk. He'd poured over it last night, heartsick. Gaius had managed to get a few words from Merlin. They had been trying to get information on Camelot's defenses and Merlin hadn't given them anything. So the torture continued nearly daily. And yet, they didn't completely ruin him, Merlin had told Gaius they had orders not to. Orders from someone higher up, a King, he believed. This had happened because Merlin worked for him.

Gwen followed his eyes to the report. "It's going to take time Arthur. He started to speak a few words to Giaus." Her voice was gentle, supportive. "He's been through a lot. It's not going to help him if you don't keep your strength and eat. He wouldn't want this. I think he would much rather see you as you normally are."

"Are you sure he would?" Arthur looked at Gwen miserably. "This is my fault. This happened to him because of me." Honestly after reading the report he couldn't bear to eat. Gaius hypothesized that because they haven't been able to remove the mask, Merlin didn't believe this was a true rescue. He must still think he's going to wake up back in his cell.

"I know Merlin." Gwen smiled at the Prince. "I know he'd want to see Prince Arthur. He's my friend too, you know. Anyway, Gaius has found something regarding the mask. He has set out today to a friend of his in a village to the south. He asked me if you would look after Merlin today. I will, of course, help you."