A/N: Sorry it's so late, when i said i'd update after 5 reviews i honestly wasn't expecting them to come that quickly! I actually laughed out loud when i saw the amount of emails i had recieved from fanfiction when i got home from school. It made me so so so happy, so thankyou to everyone who reviewed or added me to their alerts or evven just read the story, i am reeaaalllly grateful for the encouragement. I would reply to all the reveiwers but i think it would be best just to update ASAP. I'm afraid there's going to have to be another part, this ones going on too long, so i'll update as soon as i've writted the last part, which should be soon because it's nearly half term. whoo! thanks again everyone, and enjoy!

Arthur spent the rest of the evening worrying about Merlin. His servant didn't turn up before nightfall, so the prince got himself ready for bed. The next morning, Arthur was woken by the sunlight streaming through the windows. He must have forgotten to close them the night before. He sat up, and saw Merlin fussing at the table with a pile of clothes.

"Merlin!" he exclaimed happily, before remembering that he wasn't supposed to know that Merlin had been upset yesterday.

"Where were you?" He demanded, in what he hoped was a convincingly accusing manner. He immediately regretted his forced impatience though, because Merlin turned to him with such a look of despair on his face, that it was all Arthur could do to not jump up and envelope the smaller man in a hug.

"I'm sorry sire, I got...I was told..." he broke off, his face screwing up.

"It's alright Merlin" said Arthur quickly, because he had no idea what he would do if his servant started crying. "You don't have to tell me what happened. And you're excused. Do you want today off as-well? Because you look terrible." He said, as kindly as possible. It was true, though. Merlin looked as if he had not slept, his hair was even more of a mess than usual, and he had obviously been in the same clothes all night.

Merlin looked up at him in surprise.

"You're actually offering me the day off?" Arthur thought that it may have been a brave attempt to tease, him, but he couldn't be sure.

Merlin continued,

"Actually Arthur, I think working would take my mind off...things" he looked down at the floor.

"Of course" Arthur looked around the room. Well, he thought, Merlin will certainly be busy today. He has all his chores from yesterday to do, plus he has to polish my armour and clean my boots. Merlin was thinking the same thing, because he had started cleaning up the mess that Arthur invariably caused when left to his own devices. Arthur watched him for a minute, pretending to busy himself with something, and noticed his expression change from grim determination to frail and upset. Doing chores obviously wasn't going to take his mind off things, he thought. In fact, it was a stupid idea, how could doing boring repetitive tasks possible distract you from your thoughts? He made a snap decision.

"Actually, Merlin I was thinking I would go for a ride today. I would like you to go down to the stables and saddle up two horses."

"Yes Sire. Would you like me to get the hunting gear?"

"No that won't be necessary Merlin" His servant gave him a puzzled look, before going to the door.

"I shall meet you in the square in 10 minutes" Arthur called.

20 minutes later, Merlin came running into the square, carrying a bag.

"There you are" said Arthur crossly. "What's that for?" he said, gesturing at Merlin's pack.

"Food" he panted. "In case we're out past lunchtime"

Arthur tutted and jumped on his horse." You're such a girl Merlin"

They had been riding in silence for a long time now. Arthur had tried to start a conversation, but Merlin didn't feel like talking. He didn't feel like doing much at all in fact, and he was beginning to wish that he had accepted Arthur's offer of a day off. He had no idea where they were going, how long they would be out for, or what the point of this ride was. Arthur very rarely went riding for pleasure; he usually just went hunting when he wanted some down time. Suddenly Arthur turned round in his saddle and grinned at him.

"I tell you what, I'll race you" he said excitedly.

"Wh...What?" came Merlin's disbelieving reply.

"You heard me. Come on!" and he set off at a gallop through the woods. Merlin had no choice but to follow, and he soon found that he was enjoying himself, riding at breakneck speed, hot on Arthur's tail. Arthur stopped suddenly, and Merlin pulled hard on the reins to prevent a crash. He turned to his master, smiling, and Arthur smiled back, looking satisfied. The penny dropped.

"You're trying to cheer me up aren't you?" he asked, almost, but not quite, accusingly.

"Well you can hardly blame me Merlin, you were too miserable even to talk back to me, and your surly retorts are your only redeemable feature, remember?" Arthur shot back with a grin. Merlin's thoughts went to the last time Arthur had said that to him, in a dank room above a bar two years ago. He remembered the events that followed and felt his stomach twist painfully. Arthur must have noticed, because he jumped off his horse looking concerned.

"Come on Merlin, let's have some of that food" He tried desperately to change the subject. He had no idea what he had done wrong, but Merlin was upset again.

"I'll tie up the horses, and you find a good place to sit" he offered, and watched Merlin walk away into the surrounding forest.

When he found Merlin again, he was crouched by a boulder, staring intently at a fallen branch, with tears pouring down his face. Arthur sighed. It was going to take a lot more to make Merlin happy again. He braced himself, and decided to be gentle. It would be hard, but Arthur was sure that he would manage a little bit of sympathetic shoulder patting. He walked over quietly.

"Merlin" he said softly. The boy in question looked up suddenly, then down, and tried to brush away the tears. The sight of his friend in such a pitiful state seemed to grab Arthur's heart, and twist it viciously. He sat himself down.

"What is it Merlin? What's upset you?" concern etched all over his face. Merlin took a deep breath.

"My..." he started, but broke. He steeled himself and tried again. "I was... Gaius...received a letter. From Ealdor. There was...a fire...and my...my mother...my mother..." He broke off again, unable to contain the sobs.

Arthur reeled. No wonder he was inconsolable. He reached out instinctively, vaguely surprised that it came so easily, and put his arm around Merlin's shoulders.

"Ssshh" he held on tighter as Merlin's sobs began to slow.

"I could have saved her" He whispered hopelessly.

"What do you mean? Don't be an idiot Merlin, there was nothing you, or anyone could have done"

"If I had been there..."

"No. Don't even start to think like that Merlin. What could you have done?"

"I could have saved her" Merlin repeated forlornly. "I could have saved them"

"Them?" what do you mean?" Arthur was confused. Had someone else died in the fire? But Merlin was silent.

"Merlin, tell me." Merlin took another great shuddering breath, and let go. He was too tired to hold it all in any more, too tired of suffering in silence. Arthur would understand he was sure. And besides, he didn't have to tell him everything...

"Merlin, who else died? If you tell me it will help you I promise. You don't have to deal with this alone"

"I know" There was a long silence, and then he began.

Sorry about that ol' cliffhanger there! please review again if you have time :)