"Merlin!" Arthur screamed, the sound tearing through the forest and shaking the very trees. Gawain and Leon were holding him back, Leon's hand pressed firmly over the gaping wound in Arthur's side.
Merlin looked so scared, his eyes betraying him with a single tear and wide with fear as he stared back into Arthur's eyes . He was on the back of a horse his waist encircled by one brawny arm as he twisted desperately, staring at Arthur's eyes intensely… saying, goodbye. Arthur was struggling in their grasp as Merlin's body crumpled. He looked so small.
Without warning, the huge beast atop the horse tightened his grip squeezing the life out of him and weaving a calloused hand into Merlin's hair-pushing his head forward forcefully and guiding the horse with his knees. He shoved Merlin's head forward once more making him cry out loudly... and was gone.
He screamed for a long time after, paying no mind to the blood pooling at his knees, how he'd got there he didn't know, if quivering hands tended to his wounds he didn't notice.
If his voice grew hoarse from screaming he payed no mind. He remembers muted voices, whisperings, a fire, soup being pushed into his hands and then when he didn't take it being taken away. A blanket being wrapped around his shoulders, and being eased into a vertical position. He rolled over, staring into the flames, searching for something. Merlin's eyes. They weren't there. They were gone and so was Merlin.
