Make it clear and strong, so the whole night long,
Every signal that you send, until the very end…
Merlin hadn't been lying when he said the hideout wasn't far. Dawn was just beginning to light the sky when they came to the cave. Arthur could see a group of five or six figures gathered around a fire just outside the entrance.
His only real option was to attack. He hesitated only a moment, and then threw himself into the firelight, killing as quickly and quietly as he could. His foes were taken completely by surprise, and fell silently to the ground. He hurried to enter the cave.
Suddenly, there was a blade at his throat.
"Not so fast," a gruff voice said. Arthur cursed his carelessness. He had been so intent on getting to Merlin that he had missed one of the guards. He turned slowly to face the man who held him at sword-point.
"King Arthur," the man leered, "This is a pleasant—"
WHOOSH!
There was a bright flash of light and Arthur's assailant went flying. He struck a distant tree and fell to the ground, unmoving. Merlin's light bobbed in his place, somehow looking pleased with itself. But it also looked significantly dimmer, and Arthur had a very good guess as to why.
He wanted to tell Merlin that he could've taken care of himself, that Merlin didn't need to waste his energy. But Arthur knew that Merlin didn't need his pride or his pestering. So instead he said what Merlin deserved to hear.
"Thanks."
Anytime. The whisper was definitely fainter than before, but the response still made Arthur smile. Because it was absolutely true.
Glancing at Merlin's light, he squared his shoulders and entered the cave.
I will not abandon you, my precious friend.
