He hated these hunting trips. Every time something went wrong, every time. So it was with exasperation that Merlin threw himself in front of the arrow that was heading straight for Arthur's heart. He did not expect, however to feel this much pain from
/a simple arrow wound. As he looked down he cursed. It was a deep wound with dark red blood already beginning to soak through his tunic. As Arthur finished off the three bandits Merlin struggled to his feet and began to pull the horses forward.
/At the sound of his struggle Arthur glanced around to see his raven haired manservant wobbling and hissing in pain. Within an instant he was at his side with a steadying hand on his back. "Sit down you idiot, you're in no fit state to carry on."
/Merlin sighed and Arthur saw the determination in his bright blue eyes, he groaned internally. This was not going to be easy.
"I'm fine you prat."
Arthur scoffed as he saw his servant- friend- struggling to stand on two feet and suddenly worry began to creep in. Who knew how bad the damage was? Merlin would deny any injury for however long he could. He was too much of a selfless idiot
to ask
for any help. With a sigh Arthur began to gently push him towards the ground. He slowly took the reigns out of Merlins hands and tied them up.
"Stay put and I'll gather the firewood, Merlin."
At his words Merlins eyebrows flew up into his untameable hair. Arthur rolled his eyes and scurried off to attempt to find dry wood. Finally, after ten minutes of scrounging the Prince returned with suitable fuel.
"Lazy as always Merlin. Anything to excuse yourself from your duties, you have no sense of duty-"
Arthur froze as he saw the boy he had grown so fond of. He was deathly pale and shivering and had his hands clutched over his wounded side. Arthur dropped the firewood with a clatter and ran- no calmly walked- to his friends side. With fumbling
/fingers he cut open his blue tunic carefully. He gasped when he saw a ghastly arrow shaft stuck in his side and felt positively sick at the congealed blood surrounding the area. There was still some blood oozing out. He quickly set to work and before
/long had the wound dressed to the best of his ability. Gently lowering Merlin down he placed his own blanket over him as it would be much thicker. Satisfied with his work he began to tend to the fire and dry his boots. It was some time later that
/he heard some stirring from the man opposite him. Merlin blearily cracked oneeye open and surveyed the area before settling on the prince.
"Wha- when- what happened?"
Arthur gave a relieved chuckle and said with ease.
"You should tell me when you're wounded you idiot! I nearly had a heart attack with you collapsing all over the place. You could have died! What were you thinking?"
Merlin just grinned his impish grin and said with deliberate smugness.
"Were you worried about me, sire?"
With a shock Arthur realised that he was. He was very worried. He began to wonder when this goofy, loyal and trustworthy man had worked his way into his heart and found that he had always been there. He could not imagine life without his sunny
personality
and warming smile and the thought of losing him churned his stomach so that he was almost sick. Instead of voicing these thoughts however Arthur decided to stay true to his personality and say,
"Shut up, idiot."
When no answer came he turned around to check that his friend was indeed all right. With a affectionate smile he saw that Merlin was asleep.