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Chapter Text

      I stared up at king Uther from my kneeling position as he called out the punishment for treason: exile. I looked over to the knights... my traitorous friends... looking to see if they would at least stand up for me, but all I saw was Lance not even meeting my eyes and Percival holding Gwaine back from charging me. I bowed my head as Leon and Elyan forced me up, dragging me towards the walls.

       "Why did you do it, traitor?" Leon hissed out as Elyan stayed dangerously silent.

       "I was protecting you all, to make sure that you don't die-" I had tried to explain but it was clear that they weren't listening.

       "We didn't need your protection, you betrayed not only Camelot, but us... your friends. I doubt that you've ever seen us as your friends." Leon spat out, before stopping, we were in the middle of the woods.

       Leon and Elyan dropped me before turning and heading back to Camelot, if either of them looked back... I didn't see it. I didn't know where to go or what to do, as I brought my knees up to my chest and burried my head into them, before breaking down, I hadn't even heard the footsteps approaching, before someone crouched infront of him.

       "Emrys, what's wrong? Did something happen? Why are you all the way out here?" Mordred asked as he brought my face up to look at him, wiping my tears away with his thumb.

       "They found out about my magic and... exiled me, all I did was protect them... they treated me like the traitor even though they betrayed my trust." I explained, the way that Mordred spoke was like he was there to help, to give me some comfort in my time of need.

       "They shouldn't have done that, you only protected them, saved their lives plenty of times, you deserve better. You can stay with me and Mordred until you wish to leave." Morgana offered, I didn't see a reason to decline, they were the nicest people to me this whole day, so I easily excepted.

- Arthur, Lancelot, and Elyan

       The trio had met up, outside of the castle, they all had the same plan: Find Merlin and stick with him. Elyan began leading them through the forest, it was his reason for being the one of the people who dragged Merlin out of the kingdom, he memorized where they had placed Merlin.

      When they got there the place was empty, not even footprints showed where Merlin went. They searched everywhere, but there was no sign of the young warlock. Lancelot had searched the hardest before breaking down, gripping his hair with worry for Merlin and rage directed at himself.

       "I should have gone with him, I shouldn't have let his go alone, it's my fault that he's gone!" Lancelot mumbled as Elyan moved over to comfort him.

       "It isn't anyone's fault, we couldn't have known that he would leave the area we placed him. But, I don't know about you 2, but I'm not returning until I've found him, he shouldn't be on his own." Elyan announced and was proud to see 2 identical nods from his 2 companions before they began to move off to find Merlin.

- Leon

       I was already having an awful week, Merlin was convicted of treason and was exiled. And he was woken up in the middle of the night because not only Arthur, but Elyan and Lancelot have all gone missing, having just disappeared, so to say that he was in a bad mood because he had to assign a search party for the idiotic prince and 2 of the knights was an understatement, not only that but he had to be the one to break the news to Gwaine and Percival.

       It would have been fine with any other knight, but it just had to be Gwaine and Percival... Gwaine who already had a short temper with King Uther after Merlin's exile, who had to be physically restrained from attacking the king and the other knights, who had to be restrained from running after Merlin, and who was just biding his time until he ran away... and Percival who had already been struggling to keep this breaking family together, who had been trying to protect the rest of the knights from getting themselves exiled aswell. It just wasn't what I wanted to do this morning, it wasn't my idea of a good time.

- Gwaine

       I was already planning on leaving Camelot, the only reason why I didn't was because Percival and the others needed me here, but no, Arthur, Elyan, and Lance just got to leave, got to go and be with Merlin because they're so special. I was... bitter to say the least, loosing people isn't what I want to do, but I knew that I can't leave, not with the way that Percival was trying so hard to keep us together, but it won't be a great time for me...

- Percival

        This week... hasn't been easy on any of us, Gwaine had become snappish, Leon seemed to have closed himself off and went harder on us, and it became increasingly harder to actually keep everyone left together. Arthur, Elyan, and Lance's disappearances dampened our moods, they had been apart of our family and now... their gone, just like how Merlin was taken from them, despite the fact that he had done nothing wrong. I just want everyone back home... for everything to go back to normal, I just want to wrap the 2 that I have left in so many shields to protect them forever, to not lose them.

Chapter Text

- Merlin

       I stared out of the small window, it had only been a month and Mordred and Morgana were already treating me better than the knights ever did, they actually treated me like an equal instead of swaddling me and acting like I was the one who needed protection. Unlike the knights, Mordred and Morgana didn't just ignore my magic, they cherished it, they were always greatful when I used it to assist them, and that above all left me feeling like I belonged with those 2.

       "Merlin, I wanted to speak with you." Morgana approached, sitting elegantly on the cushion next to me.

       "About what?" I asked, confusion clear in my voice, I had thought that everything was going great, but if Morgana wanted me gone, then I'd go.

       Morgana stared at me with pity and worry as she gently took my hand. "It's nothing bad, this is your home now, and I wouldn't let you leave unless you truly wanted to. Mordred and I are planning on attacking Camelot, to take over and punish those who have wronged us, bring magic forcefully back to Camelot. I was wondering if you would like to join us, to fight against Camelot. But, just know, even if you didn't, this is still your home and Mordred as well as I are still your friends." Morgana explained, her gaze soft as she ran one of her thumbs against the back of my hand.

       I stared at her with wide eyes, it wasn't like I hadn't thought about that, to attack Camelot and force people to bring magic back, but it was wrong... but that kingdom had wronged me, I deserve better, I only wanted to protect them. "Alright, I'll join you, but, we aren't killing Arthur, Gwaine, Lance, Percival, Elyan, or Leon." I responded after a few moments, we weren't going to let those 6 get off easily... no, not after what they've done.

       Morgana nodded, standing up just as elegantly as she had sat down. "We will spare those 6, they aren't getting off the hook for disrespecting you so much, we'll make them pay. They will learn their lesson on why betraying your friend is a terrible idea." Morgana agreed easily before sweeping out of the room.

       I went back to staring out of the window, lost in thought, Mordred and Morgana were right... if Uther wasn't ready to accept magic then they'd replace him with 3 people who were, people who knew how to treat people correctly.

- The wandering trio: Lancelot

       It's been a while since we've left to find Merlin... we're in ok health, watching out for each other, it helps that Elyan took to being a physician to make sure that we don't kill ourselves and that we sleep in shifts to protect each other. We were currently walking through the forest, like we've been doing since we left, I didn't even know if we had passed this place before, I doubted that the others did either, the forest was pretty much the same.

       There was fire in the distance, it obviously showed how desperate we were as instead of running away, we ran towards the fire, the trees gave way to a campsite where people were walking around, one of the people saw us and waved at us.

       "Come in, come in! Take a rest! We've just started making some food if you would like some!" The person who waved at us seemed quite excited to meet new people. "Where do you 3 come from, we were told to host anyone who comes across our camp by Emrys himself! Oh, how rude of me, I'm Ivy, the head druid of this camp, who are you three?"

       Arthur stepped forward first, leading us into the campsite, we were on guard... but a druid? They might know where Merlin is! "I'm prince Arthur of Camelot" Arthur started before gesturing to Elyan and me "and they are Lancelot and Elyan, knights of Camelot. We're searching for our friend, Merlin, do you have any information on him?"

       Ivy's eyes widened as she looked at us "We... have some information... Arthur, if I could talk with you in my tent for a minute..." Ivy began walking away, Arthur following behind, desperate for information just like the rest of us.

       Elyan and I walked over to a log and sat down, accepting the food that a druid passed to us greatfully. We just wanted to know where Merlin was.

- Arthur

       I followed Ivy into her tent, she knows where Merlin is and I was determined to find out where he was, if I could find him then we can return to Camelot and resume our lives, we're more than willing to forget about his magic just to have him back... I'm more than willing to do anything just to have him in my arms, to wake up to his snarky comments in the morning...

       "Where is he? Where is Merlin?" My voice came out a bit too demanding, I needed him back in my life and I wouldn't stop until I got him back.

       Ivy gazed at me with pity "We were told not to tell you where he is, but he is safe, he lives close by, he left us a message to give to anyone who came searching for him. 'Stop searching for me, if you wanted to actually stay with me then you would have left alongside me or stood up for me when I needed you to.'" Ivy seemed to pity us, as she layed a hand on my shoulder.

      I shoved her hand off, we were going to find Merlin whether or not he wanted us to, he was close by, so they were going to search close by for him, we were going to find him shortly. I headed out of the tent, ready to leave, but Ivy followed me out.

       "Stay the night, it's safer here than out on your own." Ivy offered, I was going to argue, but I knew that my men were tired, so I just nodded.

- Elyan

       It was worrying, watching Arthur storm out of the tent, but then Ivy offered them to stay the night, and I felt how tired I really was, it felt like a great idea, it is safer with more people and this camp had actually food instead of whatever Lance and Arthur cook up.

       "Elyan, Lance can I talk to you both, privately?" Arthur asked as he lead us towards the forest again as we bregrugingly stood up and followed.

       "What did you need, Arthur?" Lance asked, confusion clear in his voice as Arthur stepped and turned to look at them.

       "The druids know where Merlin is, Ivy said that he was close by, but she didn't tell me his location... and she said that Merlin asked her to tell us to stop looking for him." Arthur explained, it was clear that he wasn't happy, but also that he was determined to find Merlin.

       I stared at Arthur, they were close to finding Merlin, that was great! "That's great, now we just need to find him and return to Camelot! We can grab the others and start a life outside of Camelot!" I announced excitedly as I bounced up and down, it was clear that Arthur and Lancelot agreed with the way they nodded before we headed back to the camp.

Chapter Text

Merlin

       Mordred, Morgana and I were walking through the trees, taking our time while heading to Camelot, we were more than ready to attack and take the revenge that we so desperately seek! It was almost fun, the only things that I was missing were the knights, I almost expected to look back and see Gwaine's breathtaking smile, or Percy's comforting eyes, but it was all fine. Instead of the knights I had Mordred and Morgana, and right now, I felt like I had a family that wouldn't leave me! Suddenly a hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts.

       "Merlin? Are you alright? I know that this might bring back... unwanted memories" Morgana asked sympathetically, gazing into my eyes.

       Before I could respond I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, I quickly ushered Morgana and Mordred into the overgrowth, but before I could follow after them I was seized and dragged back to Camelot.

       I was forced into the stocks, chained to the wall to make sure that I couldn't escape before the knights marched off, probably to go find king Uther or Prince Arthur, I really hoped that it would be neither and I'd just be left alone, probably letting me rot in this cell until Morgana and Mordred came to rescue me, but obviously I couldn't be that lucky, just lucky enough that neither of the royals were summoned.

       Leon walked down the steps, Gwaine following behind, speaking with Leon desperately, if I said that it didn't hurt my heart then Kilgharrah call me a liar. They both stopped infront of my cell, Leon gripping the bars with one hand.

       "OH! Did the dear prince Arthur not want to see the banished manservant that only ever protected him?" I questioned sarcastically, I was clearly still bitter about the excile, like heck I wouldn't be!

       "Arthur ran away, so did Elyan and Lance, I believe that you have something to do with it." Leon started, but I was quick to cut him off.

       "Look, I could care less about your prince and his knights, if I had taken them then they'd obviously be dead by now." A little white lie never hurt anyone except the betrayed warlock!

       Leon's grip only tightened on the cell bars as his face hardened "I wasn't accusing you of taking them! I was accusing them of being stupid enough to leave without even asking Percy, Gwaine, and me to go with them. We've been looking for you, not in hopes of finding our prince but in hopes of getting you back!" Leon almost shouted, that just infuriated me even more, how dare they kick me out and then demand me back?

       "Look, I'm not here to make niceties, I'm here to kill your king." I snapped, only to see Gwaine's eyes brighten, Leon stepping aside.

       "Really? I'd gladly help you! He lost every ounce of my respect when he exciled you!" Gwaine announced excitedly, which I scoffed at.

       Leon grabbed Gwaine's arm, dragging him off. Good riddance, if you ask me.

Our shortest: search party

       I was leading my group through our territory, searching for the young prince when we heard talking from up ahead, speeding up a bit we were able to spot the exciled warlock on our lands.

       "Halt, warlock." I ordered as 2 of my men stormed over and grabbed the warlock's arms and began dragging him over to the group.

        We began walking back towards Camelot and when we got there we threw him into the stocks before I got the first knight and told him how we had found the exciled warlock back on Camelot land, Leon told me that he had it handled and to go back to my duties, which I quickly did.

Wandering trio

       I led Elyan and Lance through the overgrowth, coming along an abandoned hut, it looked like the place where Merlin would stay, so we walked in, trying to find any clue as to where he's gone now, all that we found were some spell books.

       "Maybe this is pointless, no matter how hard we try, Merlin is always too far away." Elyan mumbled, slumping down onto the couch.

       "That's no way to view this! We found his home, and it's clear that he'll come back! So, we just have to wait for him to come back, then we can all 4 return to Camelot together, or whatever Merlin wants to do!" Lance seemed to be the only one looking on the bright side of this situation.

       The door opened and 2 sets of footsteps walked in, we quickly turned to look at the 2 people who entered... Mordred and Morgana... Were we wrong, did Merlin not live here?

       Mordred immediately stepped infront of Morgana "What do you want with us? Your knights already took Emrys! Do you want to slaughter us aswell?!" Mordred was clearly upset... but did he just mention Emrys? As in Merlin's second name?

       I stared at them in shock "Do you know where Merlin is? We've been searching for him since he got exciled!" I questioned, glaring at the 2 as Morgana gestured for us to sit down.

Leon

        It was beginning to be semi-normal again, well as normal as it could be with our friends being who knows how far away, Gwaine was helping me with the duties that I adopted as a way to distract himself from his bitter resentment for the king. It was kind of nice, just sitting here in each other's presence, that was until Arne barged into the room, causing my attention to snap onto the young knight.

       Arne startled a bit at the sudden attention before clearing his throat "We captured the exciled warlock while out searching for prince Arthur, I wanted to alert you to the situation before I went to inform king Uther." Arne explained quickly.

       I nodded my head before the words fully registered "You don't have to bother the king with this, I've got it handled. Just go back to your duties." I quickly made sure that Uther would not be informed before standing up and heading down to the stocks, Gwaine following closely behind.

       When we reached the cell, I grabbed the bars, I wanted nothing more than to break Merlin out of this cell, just seeing him chained up made me feel just and ounce of the anger that Gwaine must've been feeling.

       "Please, let him go, you and I both know that he didn't do anything!" Gwaine begged quietly as we made our way to Merlin's holding cell.

       "OH! Did the dear prince Arthur not want to see the banished manservant that only ever protected him?" Merlin questioned sarcastically, he still seemed bitter about the excile, which I would never blame him for!

       "Arthur ran away, so did Elyan and Lance, I believe that you have something to do with it." I started, I knew for a fact that those 3 idiots left to find Merlin, without asking to see if the rest of us wanted to come, but before I could express this, Merlin quickly cut me off.

       "Look, I could care less about your prince and his knights, if I had taken them then they'd obviously be dead by now." Merlin snapped, which, given how none of us stopped the excile, I could see how he would feel that way.

        My grip tightened on the cell bars as my face hardened in worry and sorrow, I still felt bad for hurting him so much "I wasn't accusing you of taking them! I was accusing them of being stupid enough to leave without even asking Percy, Gwaine, and me to go with them. We've been looking for you, not in hopes of finding our prince but in hopes of getting you back!" I hated the way that Merlin's face grew in anger and resentment, I just wanted my friends back.

        "Look, I'm not here to make niceties, I'm here to kill your king." Merlin snapped, his gaze growing more resentful, Gwaine's eyes brightened as he shoved me aside, I knew that he would gladly help Merlin in any plans that the warlock had to murder king Uther.

         "Really? I'd gladly help you! He lost every ounce of my respect when he exciled you!" Gwaine announced excitedly, earning a scoff from Merlin.

        I grabbed Gwaine's arm before dragging my friend off, trying to stop the knight from committing out right treason. It was exhausting, trying to make sure that none of my other friends went missing. Hopefully Arthur, Elyan, and Lance show up soon, then we could all be back together, safely and hopefully happily.