Author's note: Hi there Merlin fans readers, this is just a little something that just popped in my head and won't go away, so I decided to have a little fun with it. Yes I know that I promised 'Northern Winds' or the sequel to 'Two world's together' next, but this one just wouldn't leave me alone. At first it was going to be just a One-Shot now I don't know, I suppose I'm just going to have to see where the characters and the story leads me, hope you all will enjoy. Maybe Merlin/Arthur in later chapters, don't know.
As the light fades.
Merlin hated hunting, he felt like it wasn't fair for the animals, but like always he was forced to come along. Arthur for some unknown reason felt like it was something that a man had to do, but sometimes it was best not to argue.
There was still a million things he had to do, and he would rather do those things then what he was doing right now. Why did Arthur have to drag him along? He knows Merlin's views on this sort of thing, but he made him come along anyway.
Merlin let out a heavy sigh. 'Must be another way to torture me,' Merlin decided 'that's the only explanation' It was a nice day out at least.
He did however like being in the woods. It was always so calm and peaceful. He felt one with the trees and the ground. To feel the Gentle Wind, and hear birds singing in the trees made him feel at ease. But if he spoke these thoughts Arthur wouldn't understand.
It had been a year sense Morgana vanished, and tempers had been high. The King Uther had been sending guards and nights alike and search for his ward, Arthur accompanied the search parties at times, but the lady Morgana has not been found.
Merlin was still tortured by what he did, and probably always will be. The only one he could unload his burdens was with Gaius, but even he didn't understand the turmoil that was raging inside.
Doing such a thing was almost like fighting against himself, but what's scared him most of all is that he had the resolve to do it, and that he didn't hesitate for a moment.
Not only that but his heart was still aching of his father's death, and the thought perhaps there was another way.
Merlin just wants to forget, forget about the deep sorrow, his destiny.. his.. his magic. At times he wonders if it was better if he never had magic at all, then maybe Arthur would finally accept him, but magic was who he is, but at times the pressure of his destiny was too much for one man to bear.
"Merlin, get your head out of the clouds," said Arthur breaking him out of his thoughts. "and pay attention"
"Sorry" he looked at the prince, and not for the first time something twisted in his heart.
Arthur let out a heavy sigh, and rolled his eyes. "What is it?"
"Nothing" he lied.
"It's not 'nothing' you've been too quiet all day"
"It's because you've been making enough noise for the both of us I feel I have no need to talk"
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "That so?"
"Yeah"
"Come on, out with it, something is obviously bothering you" Arthur persisted.
"There is nothing"
"Well, there is something bothering you"
"You talking?" Merlin murmured.
"I know there is" Arthur continued either choosing to ignore his comment or he didn't hear him."is it Morgana?"
Merlin was silent.
"Come on out with it"
Merlin just stared at him dumbfounded for a moment, not entirely sure how to respond."Careful now sire, it sounds like you generally want to know"
"Shut up!" hissed Arthur.
"You wanting to know how I'm feeling is something new"
"Merlin!"
"This is a whole new side of you I've never seen, and I have to say, I'm quite touched"
"Merlin!" Arthur snapped.
Merlin would have continued but an arrow flying towards them seemed to be more important. He had just gotten Arthur out of the way by pushing him down on the ground just as it flew passed.
When Arthur's back was turned he used his magic, taken care of the man running towards them. A tree root came out of nowhere tripping the man making him fall face down on the ground.
"Ah! How lucky" Arthur exclaimed grinning like a fool as he got to his feet dusting himself off. "The man tripped over his own feet"
Merlin rolled his eyes. 'If you only knew' he thought.
Arthur went to the man who 'tripped over his own feet' Merlin concentrating on him, making sure that nothing goes wrong, that he didn't see the other man coming before it was too late.
The other man pushed him making Merlin hit his head on the tree so hard his teeth clink together.
The last thing he heard was Arthur's frantic shouting for darkness and silence took over completely.
With love to all.
