(Merlin's POV) 

 "Ah, he's awake at last" I heard a voice say. I lightly clenched my fists in order to prevent any magic usage. I heard footsteps coming closer to me and I opened my eyes to see where they were coming from. The footsteps were caused by large black boots, looking like they belonged to a guard or something. I slowly sat up, not completely sure why, and looked up at the face that belonged to the black boots.  

What I saw awaiting there was not what I was expecting to see. The face didn't belong to a guard more like a knight. He had a scar running across his face but I was sucked into the blue eyes that I so loved. I had to remind myself that this wasn't the person I loved though. They may be related, may have similar features, but were they were not the same person. This just proved it.

I then remembered that there was another person in the room. I slowly turned my head, not wanting to take my eyes off of him. Finally I let my eyes fall on the other person and my bones filled with a strange feeling. One that I could only get if there was magic inolved.

Did Uther know? Did he know that the person in here with us, had magic? He turned to where my gaze was and chuckled deeply. "Yes, this is Ethan." he said. "Now I have a question for you. If you answer honestly then I'll set you free, if not... you'll find out then won't you?" The wicked smile on his face sent shivers up my spine and I knew that whatever was awaiting me, was not going to be fun.

"How long have you been here Merlin? In Camelot I mean." he asked.

"A few days now."

"Right and you are Arthur's servant right? You have been from the time you arrived?"

"Yes sire." I said confused. I thought these were going to be difficult questions but answering this honestly will be easy since they are just facts. The smile he had fell and I was left staring at a sinister face. One that people only see in their darkest nightmares.

"What is going on between you two? You seem to have gotten close." 

"Excuse me sire, I have no clue as to what you're talking about." I said innocently. I hadn't a clue. I hadn't noticed that Arthur and I were getting closer. We still called one another names and it's only been a few days so I didn't believe that it could have happened so quickly.

"You and Arthur are getting closer and I'm not fond of it. I want him to marry a Princess from another kingdom so that our ties are kept but that won't happen if you are there so I ask again, What is going on between you and Arthur?"

"Nothing is going on between us sire. We are the same as we were when we first met." That seemed to have been the wrong thing to say. His eyes glowed with rage and he quickly turned toward Ethan and told him, "I don't care how you do it, but make him speak."

Then he turned away and swiftly left the room so only the knight and I remained. "Well, this is going to be fun."

I gulped and awaited the pain that was to come. He asked me quietly hoping that I would tell him so that nothing would have to be done but I was telling the truth. He would hit me if I didn't answer and I could feel my right eye bruising after the last one he threw at me.

After seeing that normal human ways, didn't have any affect on getting any answers he began using spells. My screams would echo throughout the house. At least I knew it was empty. Then I chuckled. What a weird thought to be having while being beat. 

My chuckle must have registered as something else because he threw another spell at me. My body twisted and I yelled in agony but I refused to tell him something was going on especially since nothing was.

After a few more hours of torment, Ethan sat back stumped. He seemed to be at a loss. He couldn't figure out how to get what he wanted from me. My throat had been raw from all the yelling and I wasn't able to scream anymore. I had no more tears left to cry. I just sat there, curled in a ball and watching as he tried to think of something.

At last his face lit up and I closed my eyes waiting for the hurt to come when he muttered the spell. When nothing happened I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at him. What the hell? "When you are released,w ill you tell everyone Uther was here?" he asked. I was confused. This was a completely different question than the one I grew accustomed to.

I wanted to say yes because I was proud and I wasn't going to let that down but I knew that was a lie. Arthur would be king too early and he wasn't ready. I opened my mouth to tell him yes anyways. My voice was scratchy as I said, "No. Uther may not be liked by me but I won't say anything because Arthur would have to become king too early and he isn't ready for that yet."

My eyes widened as I realized I just told him the truth. Ethan laughed at the look on my face. "It appears it worked. You see, I put a simple spell on you. One that will last for the next day and one that even a powerful sorcerer like yourself can't break."

My eyes widened further. How did he know? "Because I'm not an idiot Emrys. Now, what is going on between you and Arthur?"

"Nothing. Arthur is my master and that's it." I cringed as I said it. I hated that it was the truth. It hurt to say such a thing like that. I knew that it was wrong to feel like this and I had to stomp those feelings down. It was inappropriate and I knew that I would immediately be rejected by him and killed by his father.

"So there isn't anything going on? Well not in reality anyways." His smile turned sinister and I feared what was going to come next. I was wishing that Uther was still here. At least him, I could endure. But what came next, wasn't what I expected.

Ethan waved his right hand and the shackles binding my wrists were undone. I stared at him, still sitting in the chair with my arms on the seat. What is he doing?

"You can go."

"Just like that?"

"Yup. You can't lie and so what you said has no dire consequence. You may go." I nodded and quickly rushed out the door rubbing my wrist where the raw skin was. I didn't have a horse and had no idea where I was going. I stumbled onto the dirt path and into someone.

"Woah there lad, where are  you headed?" the traveler asked. I hid my hands behind my back to avoid further questions. I opened my mouth to speak but found that I couldn't do so. All that screaming and the talking that followed must have made me lose my voice.

"Camelot I presume?"

I nodded and he pointed me in the direction. I nodded my thanks and started the trek along the path towards Camelot. My knees ached and my legs wobbled. My ribs burned and my bruised face was raw. I had a hard time simply walking and when I finally saw the walls of Camelot, I sighed with relief. 

I walked towards Gaius' court to let him know that I was okay. Before he could inspect me closer, I turned on my heal and headed towards Arthur's chambers. I should probably give him an excuse as to why I wasn't here today.

I ran into Uther in the hall and his eyes narrowed. "I presume that there really is nothing going on considering I haven't been told anything otherwise."

I nodded and quickly made my way towards Arthur's chambers. When I walked in I found that he was out so I prepared for the night. I grabbed his night clothes and some dinner that I set out at the table. Then I stood off to the side and waited for him to return, trying to ignore the pain in my body.