A/N I'm so so sorry about the delay. I know I say that all the time, but I have been so busy with schoolwork. But here you are, I hope you enjoy :)

Arthur woke up just as the sun was starting to peek through the trees. He yawned and stretched out his aching muscles wondering why they were so sore. The events of the day before came rushing back to him and he sat up so fast his head spun. He turned to look at Merlin who, thankfully, was still sleeping. Breathing a sigh of relief, he decided to find water and food before he woke Merlin.

He returned twenty minutes later with both water skins full and a fish that he had managed, with difficulty, to catch. He cooked it as well as he could, knowing they couldn't stay much longer.

He called out to Merlin, hoping it would wake him up. Seeing no response from the younger man, he walked over and knelt beside him.

"Merlin" he said, gently shaking him. His brow furrowed when there was still no response from his servant.

"Merlin" he called out, louder this time as he taped Merlin's face. He continued to tap harder until he was practically slapping his face.

Panic rose on his throat at the lack of response he was getting.

"MERLIN" he shouted this time, shaking him far from gently.

Finally, Merlin's eyes flickered slightly. Arthur sighed in relief as his eyes opened. Arthur knew it should not have been that difficult to wake Merlin. The younger mans eyes were already sliding closed again and Arthur knew if they did, he may not be able to wake him again.

"Come on" he said, pushing Merlin's back up and forcing him to sit.

"I got us some breakfast." He said gesturing to the fire.

Merlin chuckled slightly at the meager size of the fish, but was grateful for the water Arthur handed him.

When they were finished, Arthur went to refill the water skins and they were ready I leave. He helped Merlin up and was once again supporting his weight.

"Alright we should get there just after midday." Arthur said, trying to reassure Merlin.

Merlin merely nodded, using most of his energy to simply stay upright.

They had only been walking for about an hour when merlin croaked out

"Arthur, I need to stop."

Arthur nodded, lowering merlin to the floor and handing him one of the water skins. Merlin took it gratefully, wetting his parched throat.

"We'll stay here for about 10 minutes but then we have to keep moving" Arthur told Merlin, glancing up at the sun. He was sure the knights would have sent someone out looking for them by now, but even so, he would rarer keep going while Merlin had the strength. He was worryingly pale, and Arthur could see a sheen of sweat covering his brow.

"I'm going to climb one of these trees, and see if I can spot the patrol" he told Merlin. It didn't take him long to find the highest tree he could, and scale it's branches, going as high as the branches would allow. From up there Arthur had a much better vantage point. He looked in the direction they were heading, but saw no sigh of the knights. He stayed up there for several minutes, but just as he was about to start his decent, he caught the unmistakable glint of sun on steel. He felt relief wash thorough him, but the relief quickly turned to despair as h realized where he'd seen it wasn't very far from the rendezvous point. Even with the knights horses, and that was assuming they continued in the same direction, it would still be several hours before they met.

With that in mind, Arthur decided they better get moving then, and was halfway down the tree when he heard muffled voices, and what sounded like a groan of pain. He sped up his decent, going as quickly as he dared, and as he jumped out of the branches and swung around, sword in hand, his stomach dropped.

Merlin was on the floor, surrounded by three of the bandits form earlier that had gotten away. It was a mess if fists and boots, connecting with every part of Merlin's body they could reach. With a cry of outrage, he charged forward, and soon all three men lay dead on the ground.

Kicking them out of the way, he quickly dropped to his knees beside the battered body of his frie...no, servant. "Merlin?" He said, shaking him gently, trying not to panic as he took in the state of him. There was more blood now, too much, and he was covered in already forming bruises.

Merlin's mind was foggy, and he could hear Arthur calling him, but he sounded far away. Forcing away the pain that had engulfed his entire body, he opened his eyes. His vision was blurred, but he could just make out Arthur, kneeling over him.

Arthur sighed in relief as Merlin's eyes opened.

"Thank Lord" He said. "Can you get up? Walk?" He asked hopefully. They would never make it to the meeting point in time if he had to carry him. Merlin managed a small nod, suppressing a wince as even the smallest of moments caused him pain. Arthur hid the worry in his eyes, as he helped Merlin sit up, propping him against a rock.

"I don't have anything else to bandage you up" Arthur said, sighing a little as he held one of the water skins to Merlins mouth, getting him to drink some of the water. He would tear up his cloak, but if they were still out here when the sun set, they would freeze to death before Merlin bled out.

"It's fine" Merlin said, mumbling a little, before attempting to stand. "We need to get going"

Arthur helped Merlin to his feet, one hand around his waist, and Merlin's arm over his shoulder. He was supporting so much of Merlin's weight, and the concern only worsened, but it was still faster than carrying him.

They set out slowly, Merlin's limp badly concealed, and more and more weight leaning on Arthur. Despite the hot sun beating down on them, Merlin was shivering, his skin flushed with fever.

It was just passed midday, when Arthur realised Merlin had stopped walking, and was now dead weight against Arthur.

"Merlin?" He said, just the barest trace of panic in his voice, as he set the man down. There was no response, and Arthur shook him slightly. "Merlin? C'mon I don't need to be dealing with your usual stubborn self" He tried, a vain attempt at humour, but it was gone when he realised, Merlin wasn't waking.

He lowered Merlin gently to the ground, his heart pounding. They would never make it back in time if Arthur had to carry him, and Merlin was in no state to be walking, even if he wasn't out cold. Arthur spent a few moments of indecision, before deciding there were no other options. He bent down, slung Merlin over his shoulder before starting off again, praying to the gods Merlin would hold in just a little longer.