The forest was eerily silent as the Prince of Camelot, followed by half a dozen knights and his bumbling servant, approached, what seemed to be, a smallish, abandoned, stone house. It stood silent and alone amongst the trees. Arthur Pendragon gently urged his horse forward, his eyes flitting from side to side.

"Do you think he's in there?" asked Merlin, breaking the unnatural silence as he referred to the man they had been pursuing.

"I don't know Merlin." replied Arthur exasperatedly through gritted teeth. "I'll go in and check it out. You stay here with Sir Edwards and keep watch." Instructed Arthur, gesturing for the other knights to follow him as he dismounted his horse. Merlin sighed and took to scanning the surrounding area, listening for the faintest sounds.

The man they were following was a sorcerer and had appeared in Camelot that very morning, screaming for everyone to hear that he was going to burn the heart of Uther Pendragon and Camelot along with it. He then caused several cottages to burst into flame with a casual flick of his hand and fled the city.

Almost immediately The King ordered his son to find and capture this man. They had spend the entire day scouring the forest, following trails and directions from villagers who had seen the sorcerer escape into the trees.

Merlin now glanced wearily at the sitting sun. They were going to have to set up camp and spend the night in the forest, beneath the darkening sky.

Suddenly, piercing the silence with screams, the stony house was ablaze.

"No." Whispered Merlin, horrified, as he flung himself down from his horse and sprinted desperately to the burning building, Sir Edwards hot on his heels.

Merlin burst in, spotting two of the five knights that had accompanied Arthur into the building, both coughing and trying to keep the smoke from entering their lungs be pressing their hands firmly to their mouths.

"Arthur!" Yelled Merlin, pushing himself past the knights and through a burning door. Merlin spotted the Prince and another knight both passed out on the floor from the smoke, while the remaining two knights were attempting to haul then to safety.

Merlin had barely any time to shout Arthur's name once more before the building collapsed on top of him.


Arthur woke with a groan, his head was throbbing and his body felt stiff. He rubbed his stinging eyes blearily and shifted his body in an attempt to sit up.

"Sire?" Came a voice to his left.

"Merlin?" Croaked Arthur, blinking rapidly as his vision cleared. He could see a canopy of leaves and an anxious face looking down at him.

"No, my lord. It's Sir Leon. Are you alright?" Arthur then realised he was on the forest floor. He quickly assessed his injuries. His head was the most painful, he would probably be left with some horrendous bruising at the worst. His throat stung as if he had been swallowing hot ashes and he felt rather drowsy.

"Yeah…I'm fine…What happened?" Muttered Arthur, trying to remember.

"You don't remember, Sire?" Asked Sir Leon. Arthur squeezed his eyes shut. He remembered…fire… He remembered the untameable flames reaching towards him as the smoke scraped at his lungs, making it impossible to breath.

"The fire…" Arthur shook his head, trying to clear it. "Where are the others?" Meaning the other five knights and, of course, Merlin.

"They're fine Sire." Sir Leon started off reassuringly. "Well…mostly fine."

"Mostly?" Said Arthur sharply, demanding that Sir Leon explained.

"Well, Sir Edwards, Sir Kay and myself are fine. The others have minor burns, a few bruises and sore throats. Nothing too drastic my lord." Arthur had barely enough time to breath a sigh of relief before Sir Leon muttered. "Merlin…"

"What's wrong with Merlin?" Fear cursing through him and forcing him to sit up suddenly. His head spun slightly and it was a couple of seconds before Arthur could properly take in his surroundings. Three of the knights lay on the ground, dazed but very much alive while the Sir Kay tended to them. What caught his sight next made his breath catch in his throat.

Sir Edwards was hovered over, what seemed to be, a very still Merlin. He was spread on his back, his eyes closed and his limbs lying limply on the forest ground.

"He's still alive." Reassured Sir Leon. "He's unconscious but he seems to be breathing okay."

Arthur half crawled over to Merlin, desperate to see for himself that his chest was still rising. When he got a clear view of Merlin's face, his inhaled with a sharp gasp. There was a raw, red, spidery burn making its way from his hidden shoulder and up the side of his neck, stopping just above his jaw, spreading it's spindly fingers across his cheek.

"What happened?" Arthur half snarled at Sir Edwards who, he seemed to recall, had been with Merlin when the stone building caught fire.

"I was outside with the boy when the house caught fire. It was so sudden, Sire, I have no idea what caused it to happen so quickly. Together the boy and I rushed in to the building, it was, of course, our duty to find and rescue you my lord." Sir Edwards set Arthur with a serious look. Arthur groaned internally. Stupid, stupid Merlin. "And then the stones started falling, the building was collapsing and those of us who were not unconscious carried you all out of the building. Of course we rescued you first, returning for the two knights and then your servant."

The words were barely out of Sir Edward's mouth before Arthur yelled. "You left Merlin in a burning building? How long for?"

"My apologies Sire, but you understand we could only save one of you at a time. And you are the most impor-"

"No! My life is worth the same as any of yours!" Arthur glared at Sir Edwards.

"You are the future king my lord. Forgive me, but I was only doing what I thought was right." Sir Edwards bowed his head and Arthur turned his attention to Merlin.

"How long has he been out?" Arthur questioned, laying a hand to Merlin's forehead.

"Around twelve hours Sire, as have you. The incident took place last night. It is now early morning." Arthur nodded his thanks to Sir Edwards.

"I'm sorry. I am very grateful that you saved my life. Please do not misunderstand." Amended Arthur hastily.

"Not at all Sire. It was my duty and I feel honoured to be working for you." Sir Edwards looked at him with an earnest stare.

"With me, Sir Edwards, not for me. And I am proud to call you a knight of Camelot." He said, feeling they should understand what how much it meant to him that they were willing to run into a burning building for him. He then returned his attention to his injured manservant.

It was extremely quiet in the forest and the knights were murmuring softly to one another. Arthur could hear the ragged breaths forcing themselves through Merlin's lips. He shook his head in dismay. As much as he was unwilling to admit it, he would be lost without his servant and he was not going to lose him now.

Arthur spent the rest of the day watching over Merlin as the knights gathered wood and food in the surrounding forest. They had decided to stay put until the two knights had recovered enough to ride and for Merlin to, hopefully, awake.

It was starting to get dark. The sky was turning dark blue as the sun cast its last rays through the trees and disappeared over the horizon. The fire crackled and Arthur nibbled on his food, not having much of an appetite. He kept glancing over to Merlin, who was still lying motionless by his side. If he wasn't awake by the morning, Arthur had decided to take him back to Camelot so Gaius could help.

Arthur was staring into the flames when he heard a quiet moan. He whipped his head to the side, and saw Merlin twitch. By the orange light of the flames Arthur saw Merlin's eyes flicker and Arthur was instantly kneeling at his side.

"Merlin?" He said roughly, his voice filled with worry and relief. "Merlin? Can you hear me?"

"A-Arthur?" Merlin's eyes opened wide, staring straight ahead.

"Merlin? Are you alright? Can you hear me?" Arthur repeated somewhat frantically. Merlin's eyes flickered towards him but his gaze was vacant and wasn't quite on Arthur.

"Arthur…" Whispered Merlin. "It's so dark…" He was turning his head to one side then the other. Something was wrong. Arthur used his hands to still Merlin's head.

"Merlin. Listen to me. Are you alright? Does anything hurt?"

"My…my eyes…my eyes are stinging." He muttered, blinking.

"It's probably from the smoke." Arthur tried to reassure his servant, who was looking increasingly agitated. "It's alright. Can you see me Merlin? I'm here." For Merlin's eyes were staring blankly at nothing.

"N-no…where are you Arthur?" Merlin was panicking.

"I'm here. It's alright." He placed a hand on Merlin's uninjured shoulder. "You're eyes probably just haven't adjusted to the dark. Just wait a moment." Merlin nodded feebly. "Oh Merlin. You're such an idiot. Why did you run in to the building that was, in case you didn't notice, on fire."

"Had to save you." Murmured Merlin, coughing slightly. A smile played at the corner of his lips. "Prat." Arthur rolled his eyes, good to see the fire hadn't ruined his servant's quirky, annoying character.

"Can you see anything yet Merlin?" He asked a few minutes later, his hands still on his shoulder.

"No…how dark is it?"

"It's night, but there's a fire so you should be able to see fine." Arthur told Merlin with worry. "Are you sure you don't see, like an orange glow?"

Merlin shook his head. "I just see black…" His voice quavered slightly. He tried to sit up but Arthur and Sir Leon both stopped him.

"It's probably best you stay lying down for the moment." Said Sir Leon. Merlin nodded and relaxed slightly, although he was still tense. Arthur removed his hand from Merlin to toss another log on the fire.

"A-Arthur?" Said Merlin nervously. His head was turning from side to side again, as though searching frantically for something. "Arthur where are you? I-I can't see you…" Merlin was verging on full blown panicking. Arthur quickly replaced the hand on Merlin's shoulder, placing his other hand on his servant's head in what he hoped was a soothing manner.

"It's okay Merlin. It'll be just fine. After all, who else is going to polish my armour?" Arthur attempted to lighten the situation, but he could feel Merlin shaking beneath his hands. Arthur gestured to Sir Leon to grab a blanket, he threw it carefully over Merlin.

"Try and sleep Merlin." Said Arthur softly. Merlin closed his eyes and after a while Arthur could hear his slow breathing. Arthur lay down beside him, using one hand to hold his servant's wrist lightly in case he woke up and panicked.

The knights, and Arthur himself, were a little surprised by the Prince's actions. But, Arthur reasoned, he was only worried, he would do the same if it was a knight. Merlin would do the same for him. With this comforting thought, he drifted off into a light slumber.


Hello... Did you like the first chapter? Should I continue? Anyone who reviews gets a big hug! O.O

MyPartnerInCrime

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P.S. Sorry for any mistakes...please point them out so I can improve my chapters! Ta!