It really was a nice day, Merlin thought. All day the sun was shining and it was warm even though it was late autumn already. Everything looked so peaceful. Except, Arthur. Merlin sighed when he listened to his prince's annoyed voice.

"I just can't believe you Merlin, how noisy you can be. You haven't learned anything, have you. You are so stupid. Why in hell's name I drag you here every time." Arthur muttered more to himself than his servant when he was bended over his prey.

"You tell me." Merlin sneered. He hated hunting trips. He barely ate any meat himself. Especially after that terrible rat episode. His only joy in these trips was that he could be as noisy than he wanted. Oh yes, he learned, when he was child. After his first hunt ever he couldn't touch any meat for a couple of months. He hated killing, even if that was hunt for food. But he was learned to move in the forest. He was a country boy and Arthur was eager to forget that.

"Don't just stand there, help me." Arthur commanded.

"You killed it, its your job."

"Your job is help me Merlin. Now, take this."

After they cut every possible piece of meat to store, they were ready to leave.

"It is already really late Arthur. I think we should…" Merlin started but Arthur shook his head. "Not camping today. Do you even take any gear with you?"

"No, because we left without any horses. But we should manage. There is small cave near the lake. And nobody will worry us if we are back tomorrow before midday." Merlin smiled. He was tired. He knew that Arthur was too. And walking back to the Camelot in the dark was madness. Although in question was Arthur, oh so might and brave prince of Camelot, so he may be too stubborn to take break. But today Arthur was willingly to conform to Merlin's idea. So Arthur made Merlin lead the way. The dark fell faster than what they both would have thought.

"Any torch?" Arthur asked.

"No gear, remember?" Merlin answered far ahead.

"Right. How long?"

"Not far."

"You are not lost?"

"Of course not." Merlin sounded offended. And he wasn't in lost. He was using his magic to seek his way. He heard now and then how Arthur swear when he faltered on the path. Merlin smothered his desire to laugh. But then he heard muffled sounds and something beveled his face and hit the nearest tree.

"Arthur, look out!" Merlin screamed when sharp pain twinged his leg. He twirled around just to watch one of the arrow hit Arthur's shoulder and the prince fell down. Another sharp pain hit his back and Merlin dropped in his knees. He uttered quick spell to brush the pain aside. Again he sensed the arrow hit him, but the spell was working. Merlin was up fast and hurried to the prince. At the same time he let his magic take the control of his surroundings. The wave of magic reached from everything. Merlin heard the screaming. He heard the weaker trees crashed. But the only thought in his mind was Arthur. He let his guard down. Arthur was wounded. He muttered the light ball spell to see better when he reached Arthur.

"Arthur?"

The arrow was still on his right shoulder and the prince was unconscious. Merlin tried to remember the right spell when he get hold the arrow.

"This will hurt, lucky that you don't know it."

He said the spell and easily pulled out the arrow. Arthur cried but stayed unconscious. Merlin undid his neckerchief and put that to Arthur's shoulder to keep the blood loss at a minimum. Suddenly Merlin felt himself tired. Really tired. The spell that he was put on himself was wearing off. Knowing that he was going to soon lose his consciousness Merlin set his palm to Arthur's forehead using his last piece of magic.

"Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty!" Merlin said, hoping, that it was going to work. Then he plumped down on his side, with two arrows protruding from his back.

Thank you TheJunebug1218 being my betareader again