Sorry this has taken so long, life is just so hectic sometimes! Will try to be much more efficient in future, hope you enjoy this chapter!


If Merlin had stopped daydreaming for perhaps a second or so, he would have noticed that Arthur slowed and started to ride alongside him once they had reached a neck of the woods that he did not recognise. The tree foliage had become much more dense above, reducing the amount of sunlight able to filter through, and the shrubbery ahead started to seem almost impossible to walk through on foot never mind upon a horse. But Merlin did not notice, partially due to the fact that he was waist-deep in thought, partially because he trusted Arthur with his eyes closed, and therefore felt no need to pay attention.

"Merlin," His head whipped round as the sudden call broke his train of thought,"We need to carry on from here on foot. There's no way we can go on on horseback."

Merlin nodded obediently and jumped off his horse.

"You've been so quiet for most of the trip." Arthur looked at him, and he was unable to meet his eye, "Are you alright?"

"'Course." He smiled, still unable to look at him.

Arthur came over to him after tying his horse to a nearby tree.

"It's not like you to keep your thoughts from me Merlin," he grinned. "even if you know its inevitable that I won't listen."

Merlin laughed despite himself. "So you admit that you don't listen to me, even though I'm nearly always right?"

"I didn't say that! I've gone through most of our time together not listening to you, and yet here we are, still very much alive."

"Of course!" Merlin exclaimed, "That was all your doing! Obviously, I had nothing to do with it!"

Arthur laughed and Merlin's heart beat a little faster. "You helped a little!"

They walked on as Arthur hacked his way through, and Merlin followed close behind, his spirits now much uplifted.

"Where are we going?" he asked, curiously.

Arthur turned and gave him a cold stare.

"I told you not to ask before didn't i?" he snapped, "It's not possible for you to do one damn thing quietly is it?"

Merlin spirits dropped again dramatically, and he lagged behind a little, hurt at the sudden outburst of anger. Arthur looked a little guilty and punched his arm playfully.

Arthur led him along through the vast foliage and Merlin's hurt was melting away fast, quickly replaced by curiosity. Where on earth was Arthur taking him, and why was it such a secret? He hadn't ever been this bad even when they were searching for the Cup of Life. It was bizarre and worrying.

The sun was high in the sky, and as they walked into a small bank, there was stream running right across and the sun seemed to dance across the waters as if there were diamonds studded across a sleek silk material. Arthur pushed Merlin towards it teasingly and Merlin stepped across the stones tentatively, each threatening to push the other into the water.

"If you do Arthur, I'll never forgive you!" Merlin laughed. It was so odd how Arthur could introduce all these new emotions one after the other sending Merlin spiralling out of control with all the mood changes. He was happy now, but how long would it last before Arthur was mean again?

"Go faster then!" teased Arthur.

The rest of the journey consisted of this teasing and back-sassing until Arthur came to an abrupt halt. Merlin looked ahead and there were men conversing amongst each other, whilst one older man looked over his scroll vigorously checking for something.

"Now close your eyes Merlin." Merlin didn't hesitate and did as he was asked. Arthur led him to a patch of greenery hanging from a couple of trees and a great many boulders piled up high, so much so that they could no longer see the sun at all.

"Is everything ready?" he heard Arthur ask.

An old voice replied, "Yes, sire."

Arthur pushed the greenery aside and led Merlin through. Once through to the other side, he uncovered his eyes.

He squinted in the sudden sunlight streaming down, but as soon as his vision focussed, he looked round carefully. After drinking in the sights, it took everything in him to not cry.


I AM SOOOOO SORRY THAT THIS IS SO LATE AND IS NOT EVEN THAT SATISFYING I FEEL TERRIBLE BUT I HONESTLY HAVE NO TIME! I have a big family they take up all my time so yeh im sorry. Please follow, fave and review for more!

P.S. I will try my very best to make the next update much faster.