How long can we keep this up? Merthur

Chapter Ten

*Arthur's POV*

"Arthur?" I awake with a start, seeing Guinevere shaking me gently.
I look around in alarm, praying that she didn't see Merlin. Luckily, he's gone. Wait. Why is he gone?
"Where were you last night?" I ask, wondering how I could have forgotten about her. She could have walked in on me and Merlin together!
"I was staying with a friend in lower Camelot," she smiles. "I'm sorry for not telling you."
"It's alright," I smile back. Gwen kisses me on the head and I wince. I shouldn't be lying to her. But how do I tell her?
"Where's Merlin?" she asks, sitting down next to me on the bed.
"I'm not sure," I furrow my brows. "I'll go see if he's with Gaius,"
"Can't we eat breakfast first?" Gwen asks hopefully.
I hesitate for a moment before nodding. "I'll tell a servant to get our food," I say as I walk out the door.
I sigh, closing the door behind me and searching briefly for a servant. I soon run into a young girl, who bows and gladly retrieves two plates of food for me. I thank her and return to Guinevere.
"This looks lovely," she comments, smiling as I sit down. I nod absent mindedly. I need to stop worrying about Merlin. I'm sure he's fine, he probably just went out for a walk.
"How was your stay with your friend?" I ask in between bites.
"It was wonderful, I hadn't seen her in months..." I tune Gwen's voice out, smiling and nodding every once in a while to make it seem as if I'm listening.
Where could Merlin be? What if he's hurt? He could be dying right now, and I'm just sitting here eating...
"I'm sorry, Guinevere," I interrupt. "I have some duties to attend to that I completely forgot about," I smile apologetically and start to walk out the door.
"See you later then?" she calls after me. I nod over my shoulder and hurry to Gaius' chambers.
"Gaius?" I ask as I walk in, seeing him mixing potions at a table.
"Ever heard of knocking, sire?"
"Sorry," I sigh. "Have you seen Merlin?"
"No, I thought he was with you," Gaius answers in concern.
"He wasn't there when I woke up this morning. Probably for the best; Guinevere was there when I woke,"
"Did she see you and Merlin?" he asks, alarmed.
"No," I say. "Are you sure you haven't seen him?"
"Sire, I may be an old man, but I don't forget things that quickly."
"But where could he be?" I ask, frustrated. Gaius shrugs. "I'm going to search for him. I will find Merlin. If it's the last thing I do."

*Merlin's POV*

I feel ice cold water splashed all over my body, waking me up immediately. I look around shivering when I realize my hands are tied to a wooden post in a dark room.
"Nice to see you again, Emrys," I look over to see Jason walking over to me, something hidden behind his back.
"Jason, you've got it wrong. I don't know who Emrys is," I say, trying to act innocent.
He laughs, getting closer. "Your friend Jason has been dead for a long time,"
"What?" I raise my eyebrows.
"They always told me you were smart, Emrys. Guess they were wrong." he taunts before muttering a spell and turning into a scary-looking man with strange tattoos all over his body.
"Are you a..."
"Druid?" he spits. "Sadly, yes. I despise them all, don't like associating myself with them. They spoke of you constantly, Emrys."
"What do you want with me?" I ask cautiously, attempting to get out of the rope that's tied my hands together.
"The king tells you everything, yes?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.
"No,"
"Lies," he hisses, revealing a sharp knife with intricate designs all over it, including carvings in the handle.
I eye it cautiously. "Who are you?"
"That doesn't matter," the man shakes his head, now inches from my face. "Tell me the king's plans,"
"Plans? Plans for what?"
"You know what I'm talking about," he threatens, pressing the knife against my neck.
"I really don't," I say, voice strained.
"I was hoping you'd say that," he smiles wickedly before taking the knife off my neck and slowly, deeply cutting my arm. I clench my fists in pain and grit my teeth.
"If you were wondering, yes, this knife is enchanted," the man mutters as he slides the blade once again across my arm. I squeeze my eyes shut in pain, biting my cheeks. "It makes every cut much worse than it normally would, giving you... about a day to heal, but only with the right herbs."
"Please stop," I whimper, blood trickling down my arm.
"Where's your King to save you now?" he hisses, slashing the blade across my chest.
"Arthur!" I yell out in pain, gasping.
The Druid snickers. "He's not coming for you this time, Emrys. Enjoy your last day alive."