I never knew why authors were so evil... until I started writing myself. It's fun. This is inspired by story prompt on pinterest.

I don't like the name, so if you have any better ideas for this chapter to be named, let me know.

"I assume I deserve this, but can you tell me why you want to kill me this time?" Arthur asked calmly.

The man in front of him smiled. This was quite a horrid sight because the few teeth he had left were black."It's not you I'm attempting to get young Pendragon. I'm attempting to lure Emrys here. You'll be released as soon as I catch him."

Arthur's eyebrow went up. "Emrys? I've heard of him before from a druid. Since you're not after me, could you tell me about him?" If he had to be in a situation like this again, he may as well attempt to get some information.

"Ah yes. Of course you heard it from them. The druids are the ones who kept legends of him alive. He's much like a celebrity in the magical world. He could ask nearly any magical person for help, and they would be at his feet thanking him for the opportunity," He paused to make sure Arthur was still listening. Indeed he was. Arthur was hanging onto every word. "Despite this, he does not. Emrys is quite humble and will not tell many his true identity. Although, it is rumoured by many, and I mean many, that he will do anything for you. That's why you're here."

Arthur spoke up, "and why is he such a celebrity? What great deeds has he done?"

The toothless, bushy haired man in front of him sighed in appreciation. Then he began, "it is said that Emrys is a warlock." After seeing Arthur's confused look, he explained, "a warlock is born with magic. It is harder to control, and stronger. Once they have a grip on it, they become almost unstoppable."

"And this Emrys fellow has a grip on It then I assume."

"Indeed he does." A smirk fell on his face. "There's been rumours of how he is also a dragon Lord and told the last dragon to leave Camelot alone. There was no body left from your battle, so forgive me for believing this. Then he has been able to hide his often uncontrollable magic bursts enough to not be noticed in Camelot." The man walked behind Arthur. It sounded like he was using some sort of cloth.

"Whats your name?" Arthur asked.

"Couldn't say. Too many people would be after me if I went about telling people."

The soft fluttering of cloth continued behind him.

"Some say he's survived a serket sting."

This was very impressive to Arthur. "Isn't there no cure?"

"Well there is rumoured to be one among the druids. I am rather unsure of it though." He paused for dramatic effect. "Then I've heard he's managed to outsmart a troll."

Wait what? "May I ask where it was? Do you know?"

"You're very polite for a prince," he commented. "It was right in your home. Camelot. Heard the troll made Uther fall in love with her. Cracked me up when old Jim told me."

That couldn't be right... Gaius and Merlin figured it out together. Clumsy Merlin? He couldn't be a powerful... warlock. Gaius? He had practiced magic before. He was more likely. Still not very likely though. Perhaps there was someone helping them.

"Emrys is also rumoured to have saved your life numerous times, so you owe him big time. There's also other rumours, like him defeating a high priestess, which is practically unheard of. They're basically invincible. Or the time that the witch finder was proven a fake, he had been on Emrys' trail. So he found a way to get rid of him. Then there were rumours of him being controlled by a fomorroh and being ordered to kill you. Despite this, he fought it somehow. My guess is he had help."

"A fomorrah?"

"Right, I keep forgetting you don't know what half this stuff is. A fomorroh is a mini hydra like creature- you know what that is right?" There was a quick nod. "If you cut off one of it's heads and place it in someone's neck, then you can control the person through the fomorroh. There's words and potions involved, but I'll spare you the details. He's also managed to fight Cornelius Sigan's curse which is also legendary."

"How do you know all this?" Arthur asked.

Raising his eyebrow, he began, "I have my sources. I can't say more about that young Pendragon."

"Why do you wish to lure Emrys here?"

The man smiled again. "For multiple things. Information is one. Another is to study his magic. Find out how it works. Understanding him. Hopefully getting another ally."

"Quite a way to make allies," Arthur joked.

"I couldn't get in touch with him any other way. No one knows who he is, or they refuse to tell who he is. The only lead is you. He protects you."

Arthur nodded in understanding. He'd done the exact type of thing before once when he'd been desperate.

Since the man was sharing so much, he attempted to get a bit more information, "so where are we?"

"Can't tell,' was the simple response.

"Anyway you could loosen the chains you've got me in? It's obvious I'm going to be here a while."

The answer the man gave caused Arthur to sigh. "Sorry, no can do." The man was back to fiddling with the things behind Arthur.

Then another man entered the tent. "Hey boss, we've spotted movement to the east."

"It was a pleasure chatting with you sire but I have to go," the man waved in a sassy manner before swiftly leaving.

Now Arthur was alone in a tent, it seemed to be night, and the chains were becoming rather uncomfortable. The only option was to try to get comfortable and think over the information he'd gotten.

The man had shared a lot. Most of the time the people holding hostages share as little as possible. The majority of the time hostages weren't even allowed to speak, yet Arthur had a full conversation this time. Had he given it for a reason? Perhaps the man had just wanted to keep Arthur on his good side. That seemed the most likely.

All the information he'd gotten on Emrys. Who could it be? If the man had been right about everything, then he truly deserved Arthur's thanks.

There was a rustle of the tent's material.

"Back so soon?" Arthur asked.

"I don't remember being here," came a sassy reply from a familiar voice.

Arthur's head whipped towards the voice. There stood his favourite person in Camelot(although he'd never admit it). He stood with a goofy smile, and his dark hair everywhere. How Merlin of all people found him, Arthur didn't know, but he was quite happy.

"Well don't just stand there Merlin. Pick the lock."

Merlin stared blankly for a moment.

"Yes I have seen you pick a lock before, now get to it."

In moments Arthur was free. He got up, and raced to the tent flap.

"Arthur stop. We have to go this way." Merlin pointed to a side of the tent with a hole under it. "They're guarding the door."

Not questioning it, Arthur followed Merlin's instructions.

He was finally out of that horrid tent. They were in the middle of a meadow. There were a few other tents, and there were a few fires left unattended. The men had mostly gone after a movement in the bush excitedly and forgotten to keep the camp guarded. That was what it looked like anyway. Until they got a bit further away from the tent. Multiple people were asleep on the ground. Most positions didn't look comfy, so it was unlikely that they had randomly all fallen asleep at the same time.

Looking back at Merlin, Arthur noticed how nervous he looked when looking at the many people... had he... somehow made them sleep?

They'd almost made it to the tree line when they'd heard shouts.

Wonderful.

"How do we always get ourselves into these situations?" Arthur questioned as he ran.

"Nine years of friendship and I still don't know," huffed Merlin.

They ran for a while longer before Merlin took a sharp turn. Arthur had very little options at this point, so he chose to follow. Apparently this was a good decision, because he found two horses, fully saddled grazing, ready for them.

Hopping on, they raced away. The people following didn't have any horses, so they quickly lost them.

They cantered until they reached a campsite inhabited by Camelot knights. A slightly less normal night for Arthur. It was a completely normal night for Merlin. Saving people, almost dying and getting insulted by Arthur.

Just his usual.

.........

Back in Camelot, Arthur had done some thinking.

Merlin was doing chores, when Arthur told him to grab a chair. Then Arthur gestured to Merlin, to sit in front of his favourite chair. Which Arthur swiftly sat in his favourite chair so they were face to face.

"Merlin."

"Arthur."

He sighed. Merlin was obviously not going to just tell on his own. So that was why they were about to have this conversation.

"Last week, I was kidnapped from a mission I went on." Arthur was about to continue when Merlin decided to add his own sassy statement.

"I've realized this. I was forced to stay home, and saved your back end after."

"That's irrelevant, but-"

"No it's not," Merlin interrupted. "You brought up last week, and it is very much related. Have you noticed that anytime I don't come bad things happen? Maybe that's because I do more than you think."

"Perhaps this is relevant. I agree. Bad things do happen when you're not around. Or perhaps, we get very lucky when you are around." Arthur had said all this while looking Merlin straight in the eye. "I'll get back to that later, but the man who held me hostage told me of a person called Emrys. He told me of the many things he has done and that he protects me."

As soon as Emrys was mentioned, Merlin began to fidget.

"He told me quite a bit. Now do you, have something to tell me?" Arthur asked.

Merlin stayed silent. In fact, he was looking at the floor now.

"I know this Emrys fellow has magic, and I'm not like my father. I'm just pretending to hate magic until I reign."

By now, Arthur could tell Merlin was about to crack, so he just had to ask the final question he had planned.

"Is Gaius Emrys?"

Merlin suddenly looked constipated. Arthur could only wonder why.

.