A/N hey guys, this is my first Merlin fic and I really like the idea of a hurt Merlin and a protective Arthur. So this is what I came up with. Please review and let me know what you think/what I should ad. So enjoy :)

They had been separated from the knights of Camelot for no more than two hours when the bandits attacked. Arthur and Merlin had been on a hunting trip with Sir Percival, Leon and Gwaine. They had been separated and were heading back towards their rendezvous when they were ambushed. They came from all sides, spooking the horses, and getting Merlin and Arthur thrown to the ground. Arthur recovered quickly and was on his feet in seconds, already fighting two of the bandits. They were largely outnumbered but Arthur was an excellent swordsman and the bandits weren't particularly skillful. Arthur chanced a glance at Merlin who had gotten to his feet and was, thankfully, being ignored for the most part. Luck seemed to be on their side as random tree branches kept falling on the men, and they were tripping over their own feet.

Merlin was doing anything he could to keep the bandits away from Arthur. He counted at least ten that had already revealed themselves, and could see more hiding in the trees. Merlin had just managed to send a sword flying from the hand of one of the bandits when he heard a shout of warning from Arthur. Before Merlin had a chance to react, he felt pain shoot through his shoulder as something big and solid connected with it, tearing his skin and, as far as he could tell, shattering the bone. He cried out in pain and stumbled forward, but managed to stay on his feet.

"Merlin" He heard Arthur shout.

He tried to get to his servant but three more men came at him, forcing him to fight them.

Merlin whirled around, forcing the pain down, and faced the man that had struck him. He had dark hair, a scraggly beard and eyes that practically begged for bloodshed. He was mounted on the horse Merlin had been riding, a mace in one hand, now dripping with Merlin's blood. He gave Merlin a wicked, toothless grin as he urged the horse forward and started riding back towards the smaller man.

Merlin's eyes flashed and the man tumbled off the horse, which ran the other way. With a shout of fury he got up and lunged at Merlin, who had no time to react. Merlin was slammed into a tree by the bulking man. He cried out in pain again as he felt his shoulder jar and heard bones crack. There was a murderous glint in the other mans eyes.

"You'll pay for that you little rat" He snarled.

Merlin, still winded from the tree, was powerless as his mouth was covered and he was dragged into the surrounding trees. He managed to catch a glimpse of Arthur, still fighting the bandits off. He tried to call out but the hand over his mouth prevented him from doing so. He had to get to Arthur and help him, but could not break free of the mans strong grip.

The man dragged him away from the clearing, and into a deeper part of the woods. He was once again slammed into a tree.

"So we 'ave a little sorcerer on the side of the king do we? Bet 'e don't know watcha really are. Would 'ave ya hanged." The bandit let out a cruel laugh.

Merlin tried to call out for Arthur again, but as he opened his mouth he was slammed into the tree...again. He felt his head connect and his vision was momentarily blurred.

"Ya king ain't here to save ya now is he?" Merlin's eyes glowed again and the bandit was thrown backwards. Merlin tried to run, but was not quick enough. The bandit, on his feet now, caught his arm.

"Why you little weasel" He spat viciously and rammed Merlin's head against the tree repeatedly, until Merlin was sure he was going to pass out.

He could feel his whole body screaming in pain and could feel the blood dripping down his neck, but all he could think about was helping Arthur. Surely he could not hold them off much longer on his own.

He could not get his head to stop spinning long enough to use any magic and was once again powerless as the bandit threw him to the ground.

"I'm gonna enjoy this" He pulled a dagger out of his boot and pinned Merlin's arms down with his legs.

"No one messes with Gregor and gets away with with it."

Gregor, as he was apparently called, with his other hand still covering Merlin's mouth, traced the knife across Merlin's throat. He pushed hard enough to draw little beads of blood, but not hard enough to do any real damage.

Merlin struggled beneath the bigger man, but his strength was quickly sapping out of him, having lost so much blood already. Suddenly an idea came to Merlin and he bit down on Gregor's hand.

He roared in pain and lifted his hand from Merlin's mouth. Merlin once again tried to call out, but was stopped by a hard knee in the ribs.

He gasped in pain as spots appeared in his vision and his his ribs flared with agony.

A moment later, a sword appeared, through the chest of Gregor.

As if on pure instinct he drove the knife into Merlin's thigh, who barely contained a scream.

Gregor fell sideways off Merlin and behind him was a grinning Arthur. His grin dropped, however, when he saw the state Merlin was in.

He crouched down in front of his servant, concern plastered on his face.

"Lord Merlin, are you alright?"

Merlin nodded, even the small movement shooting pain through his skull. His wince did not go unnoticed by the king but at that moment, there were more pressing matters to deal with. Arthur glanced down and realized the dagger was still in Merlin's leg, who had not yet noticed.

He grimaced thinking about what he was about to do, not wanting to put Merlin in any more pain than he was clearly already in. He knew he had to though, and an idea came to him.

"Merlin, I need you to wrap my arm up. One of the bandits cut it and I don't want it getting infected." He said, ripping some of the fabric off his shirt, and holding out his arm that had a small gash in it. Merlin looked at Arthur incredulously. He was usually the last person to admit he needed medical attention. Merlin shrugged, glad he wouldn't have to argue with the young king about it, and got to work wrapping it up.

While Merlin was distracted, Arthur slowly inched his arm towards the dagger in his servants leg, and in one one swift motion, pulled it out. Merlin screamed out in pain and spots appeared in his vision again. He could feel blackness creeping in, and it was all he could do not to pass out.

Once the worst of the pain passed he looked down at the dagger, now in Arthur's hand and realized what had happened.

"Thank you" he croaked out, his mouth parched.

"Come on, let's get you bandaged up and back to Gaius. Can you stand?" Arthur asked, preferring not to let his concern for his manservant show.

"I think so." Merlin replied, trying to ignore the waves of pain, rolling through his body.

Arthur got up, and pulled Merlin to his feet. The sudden movement made Merlin's head spin and his stomach protest. Arthur managed to get out of the way as Merlin lost the contents of his stomach all over the ground. Arthur knew they had to get back to Camelot as fast as possible. Merlin was visibly shaking and what little colour he usually had in his face was gone. On top of that from what Arthur had just seen he probably had a serious concussion

Arthur slung Merlin's good arm across his own shoulders to support him, seeing as he could barely put any weight on one leg, and Arthur really didn't want to carry him if he passed out. They got back to the clearing where they had been attacked, and Arthur's heart sank as he remembered the horses had run away. They were only a half a days ride from Camelot but walking it would take them at least two, and Arthur wasn't sure Merlin would survive that long, given the extent of his injuries.

He gently lowered Merlin to the ground.

"Wait here" he said and strode over to one of the bodies that still littered the ground. He pulled the jacket off it and carried it back over to Merlin and started tearing it into strips to use as bandages. He stopped and watched as Merlin started trying to wrap his head up, wincing as he lifted his arms up. Merlin stopped, noticing his king starring at him.

"Merlin, what on earth are you doing?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" He asked, still struggling with the bandage.

Arthur looked unamused.

"Thank you Merlin, I can clearly see what you're doing, why are you doing it yourself you idiot?"

Merlin looked confused and Arthur sighed.

"I'm not completely useless you know, I have bandaged people before."

Upon seeing the doubtful look Merlin gave him he added,

"Well once, but it can't be that hard."

Merlin dropped his hands to his side, not having the strength to argue. Arthur crouched in front of him and picked up one of the make-shift bandages. He began gently wrapping up the other mans head, not wanting to hurt him. He could feel that Merlin's forehead was far too hot beneath his hands, only adding to his concern.

"I'm no physician so you're going to have to tell me what's wrong and what to do." Arthur said as he finished with Merlin's head.

Merlin shifted into a more comfortable position. It took him a few minutes to focus his thoughts enough to answer Arthur.

"Ok, as far as I can tell, I have at least one broken rib, I think my shoulder has been shattered, and you probably figured, I also think I have a concussion. Plus the cut in my leg."

Arthur winced at the list and started bandaging up all the injuries, while Merlin talked him through it. By the time he finished, the sun was low in the sky, and Merlin was shivering, despite the heat radiating from his skin. This did nothing to reassure Arthur whose concern for Merlin was growing. He grabbed a jacket from another body and slung it over Merlin, who gratefully wrapped it around his thin frame.

"Alright, we need to find a place to sleep the night, and we'll head out at first light for the rendezvous point. It's only a half a days walk from here and even though we were supposed to be there hours ago the knights will most likely come looking for us, and leave someone behind in case we turn up."

"Alright" Merlin croaked out.

Arthur realized that Merlin had probably not eaten, or drunk anything for that matter, since midday. He made a mental note to look for both first thing in the morning. With the amount of blood Merlin had lost he would not last long without water.

"Come on" he said helping Merlin up. This time, he was supporting most of Merlin's weight. Arthur could tell he was struggling to keep his eyes open, and knew they would have to find somewhere nearby to spend the night.

They had only been walking for a few minutes when Arthur found the perfect spot. It was mostly over grown, providing cover for the night, and the ground was softer than everywhere else. He lowered Merlin to the ground again, and set about making a fire.

Once he was finished, the two of them settled down for the night. Merlin fell asleep almost instantly, Arthur however could not. He lay awake for hours worrying about Merlin who lay shivering beside him. Eventually he could no longer resist the pull of his eyelids and he drifted off to sleep..