Arthur watched Merlin sleeping, scrutinizing him for signs of distress. The last few days had been a nightmare for them both and Merlin had been having the same bad dream every time he slept.
Arthur still wasn't sure how he was feeling himself but he at least had held up better then Merlin. He added a few more sticks to the camp fire and rubbed his hands together trying to warm them. Arthur refused to think about what had happened, he knew if he did that it would overwhelm him. Instead he concentrated on keeping the fire going and making sure that Merlin was ok.
Curled on his side by the fire Merlin whimpered in his sleep, even unconscious he was aware of his extreme fatigue and the bruises that covered his body. His dreams were frightening; he kept seeing flashes of guards and the cold, damp cell. Suddenly he began shaking and a burning sensation flared through his body. He could hear a death sentence and feel hands beating him from every angle. Just as fear started to overwhelm him, different hands, gentle hands shook him awake.
Merlin sat up gasping as his stiff, bruise riddled body straitened. Arthur was there squatting by his side, holding out a water skin. Merlin accepted gratefully and chugged the water down as his breathing levelled out.
"Same dream again?" Asked Arthur and Merlin nodded slowly as he moved closer to the fire. Arthur sighed, he had tried to get Merlin to talk about the dream several times without any success but he had a good idea what it was that haunted him.
Arthur fetched a blanket and piece of bread from his saddle bag and laid the blanked over Merlins shoulders. He passed the younger man the bread, Merlin took it automatically and started nibbling as he stared seemingly into space. Pleased to see him eating something without throwing it up, Arthur began to pack up camp.
Sunrise was quickly approaching and prince wanted to make the most of day light. Moving slowly as not to spook Merlin, he packed their supplies into the saddle bags and prepared the horses for the day. When everything else was done he carefully put out what was left of the fire and squatted in front of Merlin so he was at eye level with him.
"Merlin" he called softly waiting for the boy's eyes to focus and meet his gaze before continuing "Time to head off." After receiving a slight nod, Arthur reached out and gently grasping Merlin's forearms pulled the other man to his feet. Making sure Merlin was balanced before letting go, the prince internally winced as he took in Merlin's appearance in the growing light. Although he had become used to seeing the bruises that covered his servant's body it did nothing to alleviate the guilt. Arthur felt personally responsible for each and every injury, almost as though he had inflicted them himself. Although he hadn't known that the order had been given to beat Merlin, he should have expected it. He should have done something to prevent it, he should have protected Merlin. He should have done something, anything but sit in his chambers feeling betrayed. In the end it had been him who had betrayed his most loyal friend.
Arthur was drawn from his brooding by violent coughing. He rushed to Merlin's side and was relived to find that for the first time in days, he wasn't coughing blood. Hopefully Gaius had been right and the internal damage was minor. All the same he watched the other man carefully as he climbed into his saddle, making sure that he didn't slip or fall and hurt himself further.
Satisfied that Merlin was safely in the saddle Arthur mounted his own horse in one fluid movement and urged his steed north, regularly checking to make sure that Merlin was right behind him. Arthur started up the one sided chatter that he had kept going almost continually over the last few days in an attempt to draw Merlin out. Although his friend had not spoken since they had left Camelot Arthur felt that somehow, if he kept talking he could prevent Merlin from being completely consumed by the dark cloud that seemed to float over his head.
They rode on with Arthur talking about whatever topic he could think of and Merlin staring into nothingness.
AN: I was going to make this a one shot but I have decided that it will be a two chapter story. I will update tomorrow or the day after.