"I'll make a fire, we must keep Isolde warm" Merlin said. Tristan let go of Isolde and let Merlin help her to the campsite.
Tristan watched them walk away, and Arthur held out his water flask toward him, "here, you should drink up" he offered.
Tristan walked away from him, "I'll get my own" he said flatly.
Arthur looked downcast and stared after him for a moment before following him toward the camp. Merlin started to make a fire and offered to treat Isolde's wound as best he could. Arthur glanced at them and started to wander away from the campsite. "Arthur…?" called Merlin. Arthur turned and held up his flask "I'm going to find water" he said simply. Merlin nodded but watched him with a worried look.
Merlin had just finished bandaging Isolde's arm when Arthur returned. She and Tristan both thanked him kindly. Tristan's warm smile turned cold as Arthur approached. "Come, let's get some rest" he said helping Isolde up. She turned and smiled at Arthur and followed Tristan away from the fire. They held each other close, propped against the base of a tree to sleep.
Arthur sighed and sat down beside Merlin heavily. He stared into the fire for a moment before turning to Merlin. "Alright, Merlin. I need you to explain what happened" he said firmly, turning to look at Merlin seriously. "I remember the attack… we were barricaded in the inner chambers, Gauis was treating me…?" Arthur said seriously. Merlin nodded. "Well what happened next?" Merlin sighed, "you were badly injured, you were passing out, you couldn't fight but… you refused to leave, I had to get you out of there" he said. Arthur raised an eyebrow and gestured at him to continue. "Gauis gave you a potion, to make you…. Make you lose your will so you would come with me." He looked at Arthur apologetically, "sorry Arthur, I couldn't let you stay there." He said firmly. Arthur nodded, "and this potion of yours, that is what made them think I was a simpleton?" he asked sternly. Merlin almost smiled, "sorry" he said simply. It was a true sign of how troubled he was that Arthur wasn't angered by Merlin's admission.
"You should have let me fight Merlin" Arthur said sadly. "Arthur, if you stayed you would have died. You are my King, and my friend, I wasn't going to let that happen to you." Arthur looked vaguely touched, "I appreciate that Merlin." Merlin nodded.
"What happened to the others?" Arthur asked. Merlin's face fell, "I don't know" he admitted. "Gauis and Gwaine remained behind… we fled with Elyan and Percival, but Morgana followed, we lost them in the woods" he said sadly. Merlin caught sight of Arthur's troubled face, "but most of the people escaped, I am sure of it. Sir Leon led them to the woods before Morgana could harm them." Arthur nodded, "I hope so…" he said slowly.
Merlin turned to Arthur and looked at him determinedly, "it is going to be alright Arthur. We will make it to Ealdor and while you recover we can make plans. You will Camelot back." Arthur frowned at him, "You have too much faith in me Merlin" he said. Merlin shook his head, "if anyone can do this, you can" he said firmly.
Arthur gave him a weak smile. He sighed, and stared into the fire. "I can hardly believe this has happened…" he said vaguely, before turning to look at Merlin seriously.
"You knew… You knew Agravaine was betraying me" he said in a flat voice. Merlin hesitated "I couldn't be sure. But then, I did have my suspicions" he admitted.