A/N - Thank you everyone for being so patient! As promised here's the newest chapter!

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The blue butterfly appears to shine in the dimness of the cell. It's like a beacon of light, a ray of hope in this world of darkness. The butterfly flutters off the prince's palm, leaving a trail of blue as it heads towards the door and back out the way it came. With one last look at the cell he follows the butterfly, walking close behind as it leads him through the long hall and back out into the dungeons. While the butterfly continues on without a care Arthur stops just by the gate of the cell, peering around the corner as he waits for the guards to pass him by before continuing on.

He follows the butterfly further into the dungeon, occasionally hiding inside an empty cell when the guards pass. The creature only stops once they reach a large, empty room. There's nothing within site. Only stone walls and hay strewn across the floor, but Arthur knows better. He remembers searching in this room a long time ago. He remembers wondering why his father had built the place and wondering what crime a person would have to commit to be locked in a place like this.

He walks over to the pile of hay the butterfly flutters above, the creature swirling around and around in circles as though excited to discover what's underneath. Arthur kneels down and brushes aside the hay, revealing a wooden trapdoor with engravings etched into the surface. He peers through the little grate on the trapdoor and finds nothing but a dark pit that appears to stretch on for an eternity.

The butterfly flutters around his head, it's excitement growing as it twirls between the bars and down into the darkness, leaving a faint trail of blue in it's wake.

"Merlin?" Arthur calls hesitantly, "are you down there?"

"Arthur?" A voice replies weakly. There's a soft chuckle, "I didn't think that would work."

Arthur's heart skips a beat at the sound of the voice down at the bottom of the pit. Merlin's alive. Merlin's here. His hands are shaking, whether with anticipation or with fear he didn't know, but as he grabs at the handle of the trapdoor and tugs he knows one thing for sure. He's getting Merlin out. And this time he won't let anyone stop him. He won't let anyone pull them apart again.

"I'm going to get you out," Arthur says with a tug, "And then we'll run away together. We can go somewhere nice. Somewhere for just the two of us. Somewhere with mountains."

There's a soft chuckle from down below, "A few fields," Merlin continues.

Arthur smiles as he gives another harsh tug, "Wild flowers."

"A couple cows."

"And a lake. A beautiful lake."

There's a quiet laugh that echoes through the pit, the sound helping to calm the prince from his frenzy of useless tugging. "What about your kingdom?" Merlin asks suddenly, "Are you going to leave it?"

Arthur stops for a moment, staring down at the trapdoor with it's strange etchings. Without having to ask he already knows what these cells were made for and he didn't like it. This isn't the Camelot that he had grown to love. This isn't the kingdom that he wanted to be king of.

"I don't know," he says, giving another tug, "I really don't know."

When the trapdoor still won't open the prince gets to his feet. He raises a leg up, kicking down at the wood but sill it holds firm. Arthur curses, slumping down on the ground. Out of breath. What does he do now? He doesn't have the key nor is he willing to risk leaving to go get it. He growls while staring down at the trapdoor. What else can he do to open this damned thing?

His eyes drift over to the etchings on the wood. He scans the markings, assuming that they're used to repress magic. If he alters them then won't Merlin be able to use his magic? With renewed hope the prince grabs one of the loose stones beside him. He starts to carve away at the wood until one of the markings is almost un-recognizable.

"Merlin? Can you use your magic to get out?"

"I've tried already it didn't-"

"Try again."

There's a soft sigh before piercing golden eyes appear from the gloom. As they slowly fade away there's a loud crack before the trapdoor crumbles into pieces, dropping down into the abyss below.

"How-"

Arthur smiles, "I'll explain later but right now are you able to get yourself out with magic?"

"Um... I can try."

There's another glow of gold down in the abyss before suddenly the ground starts to shake. The Earth rumbles beneath the prince's feet as the stones embedded in the dirt start to shift. A makeshift ladder appears against the wall of the hole, made simply from protruding stones. Arthur hears some shuffling and the sound of gravel crunching as the warlock below starts to climb.

As the sound grows closer and closer the prince can feel his heart pounding faster in his chest. His breath hitches in his throat. His legs shake a little when he sees a hand reach out of the darkness and grab at one of the stones. Without being able to wait any longer he leans over the edge, reaching a hand out to grasp the thin wrist below him.

The first thing he realizes as he hauls the boy up is the thinness of his wrists. They feel fragile in his hand, as though if he tugged too hard it would break off entirely. The skin feels rough in his palm, having been covered in dirt and grime for much too long. The colour is pale with numerous patches of brown and grey from the dirt. 

With one last tug the boy emerges from the depths and falls into his arms. Arthur's heart jumps when he finally feels the warmth of Merlin's body against his. He wraps his arms around the slim form, holding on as tightly and gently as he can in fear that if he holds on too tightly he would break him. Everything seems to disappear around him. All his problems gone now that Merlin's here, safe in his arms. He didn't care if his father or anyone else finds him here. None of that mattered anymore because they will stay together regardless of where the other goes.

"Merlin..." Arthur whispers, burying his head in the boy's hair.

"Arthur..." he hears the boy say in return, his voice raspy and coarse. The warlock's arms tighten around the prince, pulling him in closer as Merlin cuddles against his chest. There's a small smirk on the boy's face as he mutters the prince's name again and again like it were a chant for good fortune. Which in Merlin's case it is.

Arthur pulls away slightly. Not too far, but just far enough to see his love's face more clearly. There's the bright blue eyes. The ones that remind him so much like the Lake of Avalon. The dark hair that makes him love the night. Merlin even has that neckerchief, tied snugly around his neck.

The prince raises a hand, cupping the side of Merlin's cheek as he takes in everything that is his warlock. He can see Merlin doing the same. The boy's eyes flit about, appearing to not know what to focus on now that the prince is physically in front of him and not up above behind a grate. Eventually his eyes still, choosing to focus on the prince's lips before, much to Arthur's surprise as he had always expected himself to initiate this act, leaning in for a kiss.

The action is shy at first. It's soft, fleeting, just a gentle brush of the lips. But when the warlock pulls back, a blush on his face, and sees the look in Arthur's eyes he leans in again with much more enthusiasm. He can feel Merlin's hand running through his hair, gripping it rather tightly as he pushes in even closer. Arthur, not one to lose in a fight, smirks and pushes back with just as much, if not more, vigour. He holds the boy's waist as he pulls him in, relishing in the warmth of his lips for as long as he can.

Merlin is eventually the first to pull away, his face still flushed a bright red as he stares at the prince's lips. He fidgets with the hem of his shirt, muttering quiet apologies for his action under his breath. Arthur though doesn't listen to any of it. He puts a finger to the boy's lips, silencing him with a smile. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the red chrysanthemum he had picked up from Merlin's cell and tucking it gently into the folds of his neckerchief. Close to the warlock's heart. "You don't need to apologize," he says, "I love you, Merlin. I'll always love you with all my heart."

Merlin returns the smile, gently touching the wrinkled petals of the flower before his eyes shine a bright gold. Almost instantly life seems to return. The colour brightens, the stem straightens, and the flower blooms more beautifully than ever. The warlock leans against the prince's chest, a smile against his lips as his hand reaches out to clutch at that of his knight's. "I love you too, Arthur."

The prince smiles, smoothing down Merlin's hair with a hand as they remain cuddled against each other on the floor by the pit. they're silent for a moment, simply basking in the others presence before Merlin decides to speak. "You know," he says, "You're a lot lager than I thought."

"Are you calling me fat?" Arthur asks with a frown.

Merlin laughs, "no, you jut have more... muscle. Not as fun to cuddle."

"Well you're too thin. All I feel is bone."

Merlin pouts, "not my fault you don't feed your prisoners enough."

Arthur chuckles and with one last smile the prince gets to his feet, tugging gently at Merlin's hand to prompt him to do the same. Their hands remain linked as Arthur leads them through the twisting halls of the dungeons, careful not to be spotted by the guards. The prince keeps his grip firm on Merlin's hand, not daring nor wanting to let go. He's been seeking this warmth for a long time. Has been yearning to hold this hand in his own. He wants to remain this way forever with the warlock's hand locked in his, but he knows that eventually he'll have to let go. He needn't worry too much this time though. Because this time he'll be able to find that hand easily and without fear as it'll be right beside him.

Even when they have managed to emerge from the dungeons Arthur keeps his hold. He heads straight for Morgana's chambers, knowing that she would be more than willing to help and that for now, until he can think of a way to get Merlin out, her room is the safest place. The pair pass through the corridors of the castle in a hurry, causing the flames of the torches to ripple with their movement. Arthur continues to pull Merlin along until suddenly he feels a tug against his arm. He stops, turning back to see the warlock with his head turned towards one of the large windows that overlook the forest. His gaze is dreamlike, as though he were looking off into some enchanted world. A world that doesn't exist. He walks over to the window, pulling Arthur with him, and stares out of the glass, taking in everything the scenery has to offer.

"When can we go outside?" Merlin asks, eyes still on the forest.

Arthur looks down at the floor a little sadly. "I'm not sure. But I promise it'll be soon."

Merlin nods, turning away from the window reluctantly as he follows the prince down the hall and towards Morgana's chambers.

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There's a frantic knock on the door, the sound frightening the maidservant as Morgana sits up on her bed. "Who is it at this hour of the night?" She asks Gwen who only shrugs with a confused look.

"Perhaps a late night suitor coming to woo you?" She jokes with a giggle, heading towards the door.

Morgana rolls her eyes at the remark but still can't help but chuckle at the words. When Gwen opens the door both are surprised to find Arthur rushing in without waiting to be invited. He shuts the door behind him after pulling in another young boy who looks like he desperately needs a bath.

"Arthur?!" Morgana yells, climbing out of bed with a scowl, "what are you doing? It's the middle of the night!"

The prince ignores her for a moment, opening the door slightly to peek through the crack before turning back to the King's ward. "I need you to hide him here. Please," Arthur says, looking to Morgana.

The witch raises an eyebrow, looking to the boy who stares at her and Gwen with a strange sort of fascination and enthusiasm. His eyes flit between them as though he had just met his heroes for the first time. She already knew who the boy was, after all it was she who stole the keys for the prince. But still she kept her excitement at bay until she heard an actual confirmation. She can't stop herself from smiling as Merlin steps forward with a smile on his face. 

"It's nice to finally meet you Morgana, Gwen," he says.