The lost Prince

6

"So king Belepor lied." Growled Leon.

"What did he say about me?" I mumbled. I didn't truly care.

"That you were a criminal."

"He is the criminal. He stole my father's kingdom!" I screamed. I could feel my magic burning under my skin. How dare he call me a criminal!

"Sire, calm down!" Valian grasped my shoulders.

"My father couldn't even remember me, that's how badly Belepor left him!" I shouted, feeling my magic burst. Valian was blown to the other side of the cave, his back hitting the wall.

"Valian!" Edwin cried, rushing to his side.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." He choked.

"Valian..." I croaked.

"I'm fine, Sire." I bit my tongue and scrambled to my feet.

"I'm sorry," I muttered and ran to the mouth of the cave. All around me I could hear a ringing so loud that my hands grabbed my ears.

I ran and I ran and I ran. I don't know where only that I couldn't stop until I was far enough to not put people in danger. But I was running, blinded by my tears, tripping over rots and air, sobbing into the forest. I could hear muffled gallops. An after effect of the ringing, perhaps?

I crashed into something. It was hard, but soft, squishy almost. Somewhere someone called "Arrest him!" The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't tell why. The ringing was back.

I felt hands on my shoulders, forcing me to the ground. Someone bent my arms behind my back, pulling them together and I cried out in pain.

"He's secure!" Someone shouted. My head pounded, I couldn't see anything through the tears.

"Get off of him!" I heard. I felt my arms fling away from each other as something cut the rope. I was pulled to my feet, dragged away from the screams of "Get him!" and "Don't let him escape!" I tried to blink the tears away, but they kept coming. My legs felt weak and I felt so tired.

"Get him away!" Was the last thing I heard before I felt my body giving up.

~~~

I could hear the crackle of a fire.

It was loud and warm, as though it was right next to me. I groaned at the heat and rolled over to escape it.

"Sire?" I heard the gentle whisper of Valian.

I tried to talk, tried to let him know that I could hear him, but I couldn't form the words.

"Sire, don't move. You're injured." I opened my eyes to the dark frame of Valian.

I cleared my throat.

"What happened?" I croaked

"You don't remember?" I shook my head as best I could. 

"You ran off and encountered King Arthur." I frowned.

"Did he try to arrest me?" I croaked.

"Yes." I groaned. "Merlin, he knows you have magic and he wants you dead for it."

"No, he can't," I mumbled, trying to sit up.

"Merlin, we have someone in Camelot who's feeding us information. He told us that he thinks you're behind all the attacks. He believes that you reside with Morgana." Valian whispered.

"Are the others ok?" I asked, still trying to sit up.

"They're fine, Sire. Now sit down!" He hissed.

"How am I to keep him safe if he wants my head?" I whine.

"You'll figure something out. You always do." He pushed me down. "But for now, just rest. You're still hurt." I nodded slowly.

"Goodnight."

Valian smiled. "Goodnight Sire." 

~~~

When I woke up again, Gwaine was up and cooking breakfast.

"Morning Merlin." He smiled.

I felt groggy, sore.

"I can take over if you want," I muttered.

"Not happening." He smirks. "Remember when I told you that if you ever needed help, I would be here, no matter the problem?"

"I remember."

"I'm helping to cook breakfast, and get your kingdom back."

I laughed at that.

"I didn't think you'd like me, let alone want to help me." Gwaine gave me a questioning look. "You don't like royals."

"Most royals." He corrected. "You're always trying to help Merlin. It's others before yourself and that is honourable."

"Not when it does nothing," I mumble.

"It's the thought that counts," I smirk and look at the cooking pot.

"You're right, it is the thought that counts."

"Oi! Don't abuse my cooking!" He shouts, laughing.

I grin. "What cooking? All I smell is burning food." 

"Shove off." He smirks, lightly pushing my shoulder.

"How are you feeling, Sire?" Edwin asks.

"I'd feel a lot better if you didn't use my title." He snickers in return. "I actually feel great!"

"Your magic would have healed you by now."

"Valian said that there was someone in Camelot, someone who's giving us information. Who?" I ask.

"I thought you'd have already guessed. He cared for you since you arrived!" Valian exclaims, striding into the cave with a rabbit hanging over his shoulder.

"Wouldn't Arthur have put him away? Guais cared for me for years, would Arthur realise..."

"Apparently, he pretended he didn't believe that you could possibly be a sorcerer." Edwin grinned.

I grinned back. 

"Breakfast is...ready..." Gwaine mumbled, looking helplessly at the pot of burnt rabbit.

We all sat down, forming a circle as we were handed bowls. Gwaine made sure to give a dramatic bow when giving me mine, causing all the knights to chuckled.

"Pretty good for someone who can't cook." Terric teased, nudging Gwaine who responded with a shove back.

Once we'd all finished, we sat, leaning back.

"We should fight later." Edwin said.

"And have you lose again?" I chuckled.

"But of course, we have to get you fighting fit so we can fight." Terric commented.

"I am fit, thank you very much." I yelled but my knights only laughed.

"You've resided as a servant for all these years, I don't think you've had a chance to remain fit." 

"Anyway," Leon said. "What's the plan?"

"Yeah, how are we going to help you get your kingdom back?" Percival asked.

"I don't know." I replied, my face falling. I was not able to beat Belepor the last time, nor where our knights, how could we possibly win this time when our numbers were lower than before?

"Sire, we will get the kingdom back and Belepor will pay."

"I wish you were right Valian, I wish you were right."

Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I last posted anything and I really sorry. But I hope you liked the chapter and as always, leave a comment on what you think.