"Won't you come out,
I've been waiting for you,
Holding my breath,
Til my body turned blue,
You've got everything to lose,
Yeah I'm waiting on you…"

Digital Daggers—"Where the Lonely One's Roam"

Merlin's day was going by very smoothly not two hours ago. That is, before a rookie knight had gotten too cocky, swinging a bloody mace around like a madman. Arthur was hit. Well, his shoulder was. The young warlock was currently in the armory, grunting as he tried to force Arthur's left shoulder plate back into place. He hit it with a hammer again, his arm feeling the blow instead of the metal.

Merlin shook his head, wiping the sheen of sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. He sighed, stepping away from the bent piece, putting the useless hammer down. Though he was glad that it was just Arthur's armor that was wounded, fixing the damn thing was impossible. There was no way that he could possibly get the dent out, it was just too messed up!

Why was Arthur so adamant that he fix it anyways? The prince should have just given it to a blacksmith. Okay, sure, Merlin laughed when Arthur happened to be hit, but it was only because of the rookie knight's oh shit facial expression! He wasn't laughing at Arthur! Never!

Merlin sighed again, deeper, and slapped a hand to the back of his neck. Arthur was teasing him more than usual as of recent—bullying him really. Merlin didn't really know why either. He thought that they were just becoming real friends…Arthur was an all right guy when his mask of princely bravado faltered. Right now though? Yeah, he was a jerk.

Merlin bit his lip, his eyes flashing with mischief. He looked both ways, checking if he was truly alone. If Arthur was truly adamant that he fix the armor, he bloody well would fix it…just in his own way. Smiling at the silence, Merlin rubbed his hands together and then placed both on the armor.

"Quæque sarcirent vinculo hoc isto," Merlin breathed, his eyes flashing an enchanting gold. The armor immediately began to mend itself, possibly becoming better than it was before. Merlin smirked down at it, his blue eyes smug. "Take that, dollop head!"

Someone harrumphed behind Merlin. "Talking to yourself, are we, Merlin?" Merlin jumped, spinning around to find Arthur behind him, his back pressed against the wooden door of the armory.

"A-Arthur," The warlock gasped, his heart in his throat. He backed up and ended up knocking the table off balance, Arthur's armor clattering to the ground behind him, the prince cursing aloud.

"What are you doing, you idiot?!" Arthur roared. Merlin blinked at him lamely before getting down on hands and knees to pick it all up, embarrassed. Arthur sighed, bending down to help. The prince bit his lip, watching as Merlin picked up his armor without looking at him.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," Arthur apologized stiffly, placing his armor back on the table as Merlin did, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Merlin sent him an odd look, confused, before his eyes settled on the armor upon the table once more. "I just came to apologize for earlier…It wasn't fair of me to ask such an impossible reque—how the hell?" Arthur finished with a gasp, picking up his perfect shoulder plate. Merlin still avoided his master's eye, nervous. Arthur looked at Merlin in awe, his blue eyes wide. "Merlin, did you do this?"

"Yes," Merlin answered with a nod. Arthur looked confused and impressed at the same time.

"But…how? Merlin, this is plated with steel. It should have been impossib—"

"Obviously it isn't as strong as you think it is," Merlin snapped irritably, honestly frightened by Arthur's nosiness. The prince's mouth snapped shut and his eyes darkened. He then practically slammed the piece down, childishly, the wood groaning and splintering. Merlin refused to flinch, looking his prince head-on, challenging him.

Arthur's blood boiled under his skin, Merlin's ever stubbornness grating on his nerves. All the boy did was challenge him—test him, and Arthur had never had anyone do that before. He was impressed and angry at the same time. Merlin should know his place.

"Then do the rest—all of it." Arthur hissed, enjoying how Merlin's eyes widened in shock. "If it is so easy for you, I expect my armor to be pristine. No dents, no dullness. Do you hear me, Merlin?" Merlin's eyes misted a bit and he bit his bottom lip so he wouldn't damn himself further.

"Yes." Arthur must not have liked his acid-like tone because the prince's face inched closer to Merlin's own, his demeanor serious and his blue eyes pissed. Merlin looked away, red-eyed and humiliated.

"Yes, what, Merlin?" Merlin looked at him then, his eyes furious. Arthur smirked. "I'd watch the next words you say. I really would." Merlin gulped down his fury, forcing an overly done smile upon his full lips.

"Yes, my lord," Merlin said with as much fake cheerfulness as he could muster, the warlock wishing that Arthur would just leave him alone. Arthur backed away then, his eyes still cold. He then gestured to the rest of his armor, saying, "Take your time," as he walked out of the armory, throwing Merlin one more arrogant look before disappearing completely. Merlin waited for a full minute of dead silence before he cursed loudly, his hands tangling in his ebony hair.

Arthur was such an ass! Why did he have to be so nosy? Why did it matter how he got the job done? The warlock wiped his wet eyes with his tunic sleeve, feeling empty and full of rage. He sat down at the table, pushing the armor out his way—not caring when some of it clattered to the floor again. He buried his face in his arms, trying not to burst.

Why have powers if you can't use them? Merlin wanted to scream, frustrated with his stunted gifts. He wanted to send Arthur flying, his magic prickling under his skin. His eyes glowed gold beneath the shield of his arms, his tears liquid sunshine. A drop or two ran down the bridge of his nose to seep into the wood. The warlock glared at them, more golden tears seeping out before he roughly wiped his eyes, huffing. He just couldn't stand himself…his helplessness in that moment. He was so humiliated and all he wanted to do was to go home. Damn prophesy and fate…sometimes it just felt like it was never worth it.

"…Merlin," Gasped a familiar, bell-like, voice and Merlin spun around to find Morgana standing at the door, her beautiful face frozen with fear. She looked ill.

"M-my lady," Merlin croaked. He inwardly winced at how hoarse his voice sounded. He wiped his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry to shock you," Morgana mumbled awkwardly, the purple under her eyes darkening as she stepped more into the light. "I-I was looking for you…I saw you earlier on the field. But you weren't there…I-I just saw Arthur walk the other way and I…!" Morgana began to babble, her eyes filled to the brim with fear. Merlin went to her, placing a calming hand against her shoulder. Merlin noticed her bare feet then, the bottoms looking like she had been walking through mud. Even her robe looked as if she had drug the ends in dirt. Merlin immediately began to shrug off his jacket, offering it to her. Morgana refused it and Merlin frowned deeper.

"Morgana, what is wrong? Why are your feet bare? What has frightened you so?" The warlock asked urgently, ready to bolt for Gaius. Morgana's face darkened at the tear stains upon his flushed cheeks, stepping closer into his personal space. Merlin flushed further under her stare, trying to look away.

"Arthur yelled at you again, didn't he?" Morgana hissed and Merlin's skin blossomed with goosebumps. He closed his eyes and nodded. He could practically feel the energy in the room shift then.

"When isn't he yelling at me?" Merlin said, trying to crack a poor joke. Morgana didn't look amused. She looked pissed—furious even.

"Did he hit you?" Merlin blinked at her in shock. Arthur had never laid a hand on him. What was Morgana even askin—? "Merlin. Did. He. Hurt. You?" Morgana asked more harshly, her hands reaching up to grasp onto his face. Her eyes roamed his body, taking in the way he held himself, everything.

"What? N-no," Merlin murmured, hacking out a forced laugh, pulling her hands away from his face. Her words were just too odd. "I've just been on his bad side lately...He has never hit me." Morgana didn't look convinced.

"I should have gotten here sooner then—put the arrogant fool in his place!" Morgana looked as if she could bite her own tongue her teeth were gnashing so fast. The venom in her voice resonated within Merlin's very veins. His magic bubbled in warning in his ears and he half felt the need to shut his eyes just in case they somehow glowed. His magic was reacting to her anger?

"Morgana, please," Merlin begged her when her voice began to bounce off the walls. "He's an ass, he can't help it…He can—"

"So help me if you say 'he can change' I will explode!" Morgana snapped irritably, immediately reminding Merlin more of herself as she turned away from him, black curls flying. She placed her hands upon the table where Arthur's armor lay, glowering. "Pendragons don't change…" She growled, her back tensing like that of a cornered cat. Merlin shivered at the hostility, Kilgharrah's words of warning ringing in his head.

"Morgana, should I go get Gaius? You're frightening me...Maybe he can help."

"He cannot help me," Morgana murmured softer, her ebony curls shielding her face from view as she continued to glower at Arthur's armor, her green eyes sharp as glass. She blinked when one piece wobbled a bit, her eyes feeling weirdly irritated. She wiped them not realizing how they glowed in the mirror-like steel before her. Merlin walked closer to Morgana, his expression gentle and cautious. He didn't notice her eyes either.

"Can I help you, then?" Merlin asked softly, cautiously placing a warm hand on her narrow shoulder. Her back relaxed under his warmth. Morgana smiled, her heart swelling with light, despite herself. She turned towards him, Merlin backing away when he felt they were too close again, awkward. Merlin looked down, his face blushing when Morgana stepped closer still. He blinked in shock when the lady's pale right hand lifted his chin and forced him to look into her crystal green eyes, tears budding there.

"My only wish is to help you, Merlin," Morgana said wearily, her bottom lip trembling as she remembered how the manservant's flesh boiled and charred before her very eyes. Morgana so wanted to cry then, scream at him what she saw, but she couldn't. How could she tell him without making herself look insane?

Merlin looked extremely worried then, the young man grasping onto her chilly fingers to pull them away from his face. He didn't release her hand. "Help me by helping you," he said even gentler, watching as a rogue tear rolled down Morgana's pale face.

To Morgana's shock, Merlin's eyes darkened and he grew ever the more cautious, licking his lips. "…Was it another dream?" Morgana couldn't help the gasp that escaped her throat, or the way it more or less ended like a strangled sob. Merlin's eyes widened and he nodded, looking frightened. The warlock started backing away then, releasing her hand. "Wait here, I'm going to get Gaiu—"

"No!" Morgana screamed and Merlin blinked at her, freezing where he stood. Morgana let out a deep breath, the tendons in her neck strained. Morgana stepped closer to Merlin yet again, trying to find a way to explain. "I will tell you but you have to promise not to think me mad. I know you all think I'm crazy…but I just can't help what I see. Last time you ran from me…Even now your footing tells me that you are ready to run…" Morgana trailed off and Merlin felt shame seep into his bones. She was right, he did feel like running. The prophesy…The warnings. Morgana couldn't believe her visions to be true. But…she looked worse than she did last time, hysterical with fear. Only this time it didn't look like the fear was for herself, and Merlin didn't like the way her eyes looked at him…

"…Will you run from me yet again, Merlin?" Morgana asked him, her emerald eyes uncharacteristically dark. Merlin sighed and forced himself to relax, shaking his head. He stepped closer to her, telling himself to trust his own judgement—to trust in his friend.

"I will not…run," Merlin told her and Morgana nodded her head softly, her gentle smile making Merlin smile one of his own. Morgana's facial expression darkened then and she reached for both of his hands, her tears returning as she ran her thumbs upon his calloused fingers.

"…You may want to after I tell you what I saw," Morgana murmured sadly, her body trembling with fear. Merlin looked truly frightened then as he allowed the lady to settle him down in a chair, Morgana never releasing his hands as she sat at the table across from him, Arthur's armor forgotten as Morgana began her tale.

A/N: I should really be writing a college paper but this is more fun… :) Thank you for all the comments last chapter! I'm glad you guys are enjoying my story! I hope you guys continue to enjoy it! I can't promise that I will be able to update like I have been. I've just had an oddly free weekend so far…That is a rarity nowadays lol. I'm going to try to update on my other stories too but idk…that may be pushing it haha.

Hope to see you guys soon! Please continue to comment, bad or good! It really helps me grow as a writer! :D

Best wishes as always,

Lthien