Author's note:

Sorry for the wait. Thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments, favourites, views and follows this story got! I really appricate any constructive comments about this story as I wish to constantly improve my writing. :-)

I have had a long talk with BBC, and even though all rights of Merlin are still owned by them, I believe that I can wrap them round my little finger soon:-)

Sir Percival burst through the battered wooden door, hunching his shoulders so that he could fit.

"My Lord! You it is imperative that you come quickly. Merlin has escaped!"

Confusion and fear struck the King, followed by a wave of melancholy. "Sound the warning bell," Arthur ordered. "Have guards search the entire palace. Then close of the city walls and have guards patrol the lower town. Percival, you will lead a large patrol with Sir Tristian to the northern forests. Have two more patrols search west and northeast of the city. If need be, spread out to the outlying villages. We must find him. It is of upmost importance that he is found and brought back alive. He may be a sorcerer, but we owe him a great debt. Without him, you, I and some of Camelot's finest knights would not be alive. I need this made very clear to all the knights and guards." Panic rose in his voice. He turned to face Elyan and Gwaine who had just entered the room. "I will lead a small patrol with you; Gwaine, south of the city. We depart immediately; I will not wait for dawn."

"What am I to do, Sire?" questioned Elyan.

"You will stay here and protect the castle, I cannot risk Merlin's life letting you patrol the Kingdom," answered Arthur curtly.

"I will always serve you and Camelot loyally by doing what is right! Right, according to the laws of Camelot, we cannot allow ourselves to mix out feelings into the battle against magic!" spat Elyan.

"You are not King! You do not decide what is right for Camelot, that is my burden to bare . Do not tell me what to do. Now go and protect your sister. If I find you have harmed him in anyway, I can and will strip you of your knighthood for disobeying your King." Arthur forced his words through his teeth, his blood sizzling with anger. The knights turned and stormed out to gather their gear and ready the horses for the expedition, followed swiftly by Arthur.

"Bring him back safe, My Lord," said Gaius. Arthur turned and nodded briefly, before slamming the door behind him.

Merlin heaved as he dragged the heavy wooden chest over the frozen stone floor in the armoury. All the while, he held his head in agony, groaning from the pain of the vision electrocuting him. Although it had long since passed, the screams of Camelot's people still rang through his head. "We shall burn your heart as you have burnt ours." The distant yet powerful voice drummed the words like a ritual, making sure they were never forgotten. It was as if the vision had been burnt into his mind; engraved in his soul by powerful sorcery. What if it had been sent as a warning or threat by his enemies? He flung the rusty, iron handle down and crept round to the trap door. Lifting it open, he grabbed a cackling torch and snuck into the passageway. "Àciere," whispered Merlin, causing the chest to cover the door again. He started to sneak down the crumbling passageway, tears rolled down his cheeks as he wondered if he would ever return to clean Arthur's armour again.

"Foolish boy," Gaius muttered to himself. "How could he be so stupid? Just when he had nearly convinced Arthur to release him!" He turned to Merlin's room, where Leon lay resting and knocked on the door, before easing the door open. Leon groaned as he awoke. He forced himself up and rolled to the side, so that he was perched on the side of the bed. "How are you feeling, Sire?" questioned Gaius.

"I feel well, but…" Leon's eyes stretched like owls'. "Did that really happen? Is Merlin a warlock?"

"Yes, It is true. But Merlin would never use magic to harm any friend of Camelot. He…" Gaius began pleading for his innocence.

"Of course! I owe him my life. We all do!" exclaimed Leon. Gaius stepped back; shocked by the knight's total trust in Merlin. "I heard the warning bell. What's happened while I have been unconscious?" asked Sir Leon

"He was charged with treason, but only sentenced to imprisonment until further notice. Now, he has escaped to God knows where. Arthur has sent the entire army out as a search party, with orders for them to him to return him home unscathed. Arthur is out with Gwaine, to search south of the castle," explained Gaius.

"Then I must go with him, to protect the king from both outside forces, and himself, from doing anything rash," stated Leon as he stood up and reached for his sword and sheath.

"No Sire, you must rest and heal, physician's orders!" argued Gauis

"I owe both of them my life Gaius," said Leon. "I will not rest until he is found and safe." Then, without looking back, he strode out the door and went to find Arthur.

Gwen walked hastily down the hallway and into the royal bedchambers. "Arthur!" she called out. "Arthur, what's going on? Why has the warning bell been sounded?" He stood, staring out of the window and onto the assembling patrols of hundreds of guards below.

"Merlin has escaped," Arthur replied curtly.

"Oh!" gasped Gwen.

"I've dispatched patrols to search Camelot in it's entirety. I had to leave now if I am to find him," he informed Gwen as panic rose in his voice.

"I'm sure he can't have gone far. We will find him and bring him back Arthur, I promise," vowed Gwen.

"I'm not sure if I am more worried because we have a rogue sorcerer, or because Merlin has gone missing." His voice rang of desperation and defeat.

"He must have a reason for escaping. You know Merlin, he is your friend; he would never harm anyone," soothed Gwen

"Why would he escape then? How can I trust him?" doubted Arthur.

"Because he is our friend," reasoned Gwen "I'll come with you. We can cover more ground and…"

"No Guinevere." Arthur spoke softly, exaggerating every syllable. "You must stay here. I have sent your brother to protect you, although, I feel it is more fitting for you to protect him from committing treason," explained Arthur

"I shall try to talk some sense into him," replied Gwen.

Their hands locked together. Arthur bent down to reach Gwen's lips and they savoured a last sorrow tainted kiss, before Arthur ran out of the door to find his manservant and possibly, his friend.

Merlin knew that it was dangerous and stupid, but he couldn't bare leaving Gaius without saying goodbye for one last time. Besides, he knew the secret tunnels and passageways like the soles of Arthur's boots. Comes from avoiding Arthur after "forgetting" to wash his floor all of these years, he chuckled to himself. He pushed open the hidden door that lead into the corridor and peaked his head round the edge to check for guards. Two dozen guards charged past him as he flung himself against the wall. He ceased to breathe for what felt like years, until he was sure the path was clear.

"Merlin! What on earth are you doing here! All of Camelot is hunting for you and you're lurking about the castle, you'll be found in an instant," cried Gaius as Merlin burst through the door.

"I know, but I need to gather some things and you know I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye." Merlin smiled wryly before snapping back into panic.

"But, Merlin. Why did you escape, you foolish boy? I had all but persuaded Arthur to let you go. Let's hope you have not ruined those chances," lectured his mentor.

"I had a vision Gaius. I think it was some kind of a warning or threat. A whole army of Catha are heading to strike Camelot while it's still on it's knees. What good am I, locked up and left to rot?" defended Merlin

"Merlin, you can't just sacrifice yourself on a silver platter for Camelot. We need you." Panic rose in Gaius' voice.

"It's me they want Gaius. I won't stand by watching Camelot fall because of me," retorted Merlin as he turned and flung open the door to his chambers. He grabbed the crowbar that was leaning against the side of the door and started to ply open the plank of wood under which his book of spells was hidden.

"How do you know this vision isn't a trick?" interrogated Gaius. Merlin grasped his book and stuffed it into an old, leather backpack. Knocking over concoctions and piles books and papers, he gathered the last few essentials and flung them in his bag. He turn to face his mentor.

"I have to try! These are immensely powerful sorcerers, If they can send me a warning, or even a trick, I am sure they have the power to locate me. I was locked up and heavily guarded; wouldn't that have been the perfect time to attack? If they strike Camelot now, Camelot will perish. If I can give them what they want. If I can just talk to them, there is a chance I could save the Kingdom, along with you, Arthur, Gwen; everyone I care about, and for that, I would gladly pay any price," stated Merlin

"Will you return?" asked Gaius, as secret tears formed puddles in his and Merlin's eyes.

"Uhh… I guess I'll see you again, if I have to?" A cheeky grin spread across his face.

"Take care yourself!" said Gaius

"If I need to meet you I will send you a message. So long!" he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Then he darted out of the room, leaving his guardian wondering if he really would ever see him again.

By the way, I am currently searching for a Beta reader, so please PM me if you are at all interested or have any questions about it :-)