"Someday you are in serious problems my boy." Gaius words ring around his mind when he run.

"Really? Never guessed when I took this job." Merlin whispered himself when he finally slowed down and watched the woods around him. Did he lose them? He heard them, five hunters, tracking him. Merlin's whisper brought the wind and it wiped the ground erasing his traces. He grinned and took deep breath. He was tired, overly tired. He was shaking, his skin full of small scratches. He was thirsty and hungry, and he couldn't think well because his headache. But he knew that he wasn't safe so he turned and started his run again. The night was falling and the dark clouds were accumulating and Merlin cursed. It was going to rain, and he have to find Arthur soon. Hour later he was tired beyond everything, hungry, thirsty and soaked, but he had finally found the marks what Arthur had left behind. But now he couldn't risk using magic so he fumbled through the darkness and rain, trying not to lose the precious marks. Last three days had been worst of his life. The return trip back to Camelot was came game of life and death when Morgana had send the Hunters after Arthur and his small group. They had to part. Ten of the Hunters Merlin had received on his heels because he was tricked them to think him being Arthur. Now there was only five, but he couldn't get rid of them. He knew how dangerous it was to lead them back to Arthur, but there wasn't much else what he could do anymore. The lightening showed him the way.

Something slipped under his foot and he flew upside down. Long time he just lay down, his eyes shut, rain on his face, the pain in his leg. Gods that hurt and he knew that he had must be broken his ankle. He wanted to stay there. It hurt if he moved even a bit. But he couldn't. His tired mind remembered the spell what pushed the pain away and he said it, pronouncing it like a prayer. When he got up, he knew that there wasn't much time left. With his wounds and leg the spell would run out fast. He found a stick to lean on and started to walk. No more running and he cursed again a loud. Half hour later he gave up. He slumped on his knees and the tears mixed with rain. Then he though that he heard something and he raised his face, tried to rise but he just crashed on his side on the ground.

"Merlin!"

"Here…" he whispered, smiled, recognizing Arthur's voice.

"Merlin!" the voice was going wrong direction and Merlin tried to raise his voice.

"Arthur!"

Silence. And then, even louder.

"Merlin!? Goddamn, where are you mate?" Gwaine's voice was closer.

Alive, they were alive, Merlin though.

"Here, Gwaine! Arthur!" And after that Merlin's head sink and his eyes shut. He couldn't move. "Here…" he said, but he felt the dirt on his mouth. He though how near the Hunters were now. Maybe too close, but he didn't care anymore.

"I'm sorry Gaius." He sighed before the pain took his tired mind.

###

Gwaine found him. He almost tripped over him before he realized that it was a body, lying on the ground.

"Merlin?! Merlin?" Gwaine turned him around, trying to find out was the younger man still alive. But rain and the cold and the darkness made it impossible.

"Arthur, I found him!" Gwaine raised his voice. Praying that they weren't Hunters' hearing distance. Then he focused again at Merlin, lifting him to his shoulder.

"Where?" Arthur's voice was now nearer and Gwaine headed toward his voice. When they met, almost missed each others, Arthur rushed forward and placed his hand over Merlin's freezing cheek.

"Merlin?"

"We have to just keep going. We can't do anything here now."

Arthur tore his gaze away from his friend and nodded. "Elyan found the boat."

"So, to the river then. Show the way."

The rain started to slow down when they finally reached the river and saw the torches.

"Is that Merlin?" Elyan asked his eyes widen when he ran toward them.

"Yes. Help me."

They got on the boat, what was small and unsteady. Four of them fit there when they lowered Merlin on the bottom. Elyan kicked them on move when Gwaine got the oars. Same time they heard the Hunters' howling on the woods. Arthur bent down; trying to look was Merlin still alive.

"Arthur?" Gwaine hissed through his teeth when he used the oars to take them middle of the flow.

"I…" Arthur tried to find the pulse. Merlin looked so small; his skin was bluish and cold. He lifted the eyelids. "We have to get him warm."

"We can't." Elyan muttered, eying the wood line. "There are five, no, seven at least still there."

"Lot of them went after Merlin. How in the hell he got away?" Gwaine asked and Arthur shook his head. Watching his immobile friend, not knowing what to do, he really didn't felt himself as a king.

"Is he alive?" Gwaine asked again.

"I don't know. And I can't do anything." Arthur answered, lifting Merlin's head on his lap. He still tried to find some marks from that lively friend who was like a brother to him. The rain was stopped and the moon sailed out under the clouds. The Hunters' howl fell further and further away when the boat was now middle of the river.

"Two hours and we are home this way." Gwaine muttered. Eyan finally moved his eyes to his king and friend and though what will they do when they finally reach the Camelot's white walls. It was obvious that they couldn't do anything about Merlin but pray. If Merlin was still alive when they reached the safe place, would it be still too late. He didn't want to though what Gwen would say if they bring Merlin's back in dead. Absent-mindedly Arthur rubbed Merlin's face and neck and chest, trying to bring him some warmness. It would be long two hours, two long silent hours middle of the river. At least, the Hunters were left far behind them. And again Arthur cursed his sister.

English isn't my language so there is mistakes, I'm sorry.