Another Merlin fic. I don't own it, BBC does though. This came to me after much reading of Merlin fanfiction. (I've become obsessed with Merlin fanfiction.) It will be slightly dark, not sure how dark, but there will be some violence and of course lots of smut, though that's later in the story. [sigh] I just love this pairing. Again I don't own these Merlin characters and be warned that this is a YAOI story, so don't read if you don't like that style.

Until Next Time

~Reiya

Chapter 10.

He watched as Merlin's head drooped, his shoulders slumping and his tail lowered until it was almost between his legs. He looked so dejected, waiting for Arthur's reaction to this new piece of him.

For Arthur's part, he didn't know what to say. Only a few things made sense though: one, Merlin was a warlock; two, he knew how Merlin had lived off the land and than gotten caught in the trap; and three, that he was still somehow beautiful, even as a wolf.

He jumped slightly as the wolves came back, piling around the dejected warlock as if he were an actual wolf. Arthur couldn't help but laugh a little on the inside as Merlin towered over them slightly, his pitch black coat standing out easily against their lighter grays and browns.

Merlin waited for him to speak the damning words…but none came. He was just standing there watching him. Hearing the arrival of the other wolves, he turned slightly, meeting them as they circled around him. He run with this pack for a little while when he'd been a wolf, before he'd gone off on his own again. Soon after he'd fallen into that trap.

They parted and their alpha walk forward, eyes hard and calculating. 'The creature is gone. We chased it as far away from our woods as we could but it might come back. You should warn the other creatures and humans of its presence.' Merlin nodded in understanding and sent out the mental signals to the animals at least. Arthur could take care of the humans.

The wolf turned slightly, eyeing Arthur as he watched them. 'Do you protect this human?' He asked softly.

'Yes. He answered reverently.

The alpha eyed him, sensing some hidden thing in that one word. 'Do not worry young one. We will not attack the one whom you have chosen as your mate.' He answered kindly, mental voice chuckling softly in humor.

If Merlin had been in human form, he would have blushed scarlet. Instead he bowed his head in thanks. A snap of a twig had him glancing up. Arthur had edged closer, eyes tracking all the gathered wolves with a wary air about him, still unsure if they would attack him or not.

'He is nervous. We will leave while you speak to him, young one.' The alpha announced and soon, Arthur and Merlin were left alone in the clearing.

"Merlin?" Arthur asked again. Merlin stood slowly, walking over step by step until he was in front of Arthur. He sat on his hunches, waiting for Arthur to move, eyes seeming to plead with him. Steeling himself, he eased a hand forward, watching him as he went to him.

His fingertips slid along soft fur. He nearly jumped when his head moved, but he just pushed up into the touch, forcing the rest of Arthur's hand to rest against his head. A soft whine brought him back to earth and he glanced down.

Merlin stared up at him, eyes sad looking and begging him to say something. For a moment he forgot that the eyes belonged to a wolf, and he just saw Merlin looking at him. It clicked than that this was Merlin. Even with this new form, Merlin was and still the one before him.

He knelt down in front of him, threading his fingers into the soft fur of his ruff. "Merlin…you great big idiot." Arthur finally said softly. Merlin just blinked at him. "You could have gotten yourself killed." He shook him slightly for emphasis.

He had the sense to look embarrassed, but he still looked at Arthur. Finally Arthur asked aloud. "Why did you never tell me?" He asked softly. "Were you ashamed of it?" He shook his head no. "Were you afraid of me?" No. "Of my father?" Yes and no. "Don't tell me this was you trying to keep me from choosing between you and my father?" He demanded hotly, annoyance written all over his face. Merlin looked down. Arthur sighed and brought his temper under control. "Merlin, you didn't have to." He looked up, clearly surprised. "I guess it's no fault of yours. You've never seen me with my father and how we act…Merlin, I don't like my father and disagree with many of his ideas, including those on magic. It's just, I can't do anything until I become king."

He looked relieved, and had relaxed some more. He even jumped up and licked his face, much to Arthur's chagrin. "Thanks." He said dryly. "Merlin…" He sighed heavily.

Merlin watched Arthur, seeing a sort of dejection in his eyes. 'What was he thinking to make him like this?' Merlin wondered. He got his answer soon enough. "Merlin…you can't come back with me." Arthur finally spoke, voice heavy and laced with bitterness.

Merlin jumped up, shaking his head slightly, trying to keep the words from taking root. He had to stay with Arthur. He had just found a new home and didn't want to give it up. Didn't want to have to go through it a second time.

"Merlin listen to me." Arthur grabbed his head, making him look up again. "You can't stay there. My father, if he ever finds out about you magic, you be executed. I…I couldn't bare for that to happen. You're…you're too precious to me to loose. Please, you must promise that you won't come back while my father is on the throne." Arthur begged him softly.

Merlin finally had enough. Slowly, he drew on the last of his magic, nudging his body to take on it's proper shape. He soon knelt in front of Arthur, tears in his eyes, clutching at his tunic with desperate fingers. "No, please don't." He begged back just as softly.

Arthur pulled him in, wrapping him in his arms. "You have to Merlin. If you don't, you could die and I don't want that." He held the crying warlock in his arms rocking back and forth. "Please, Merlin. For me, just wait for me to become king…for me." He whispered the last past.

Slowly, Merlin nodded, still clutching at Arthur. Slowly, he looked up, eyes still wet with tears. "Only until than?" He asked, shakily. Arthur nodded. "O-okay."

Arthur smiled bitterly down at him, but it was a smile none-the-less. He smiled back and Arthur kissed him lightly on the lips. They parted reluctantly, and stood. He watched him walk to the horses and mount up.

He looked back once, seeing Merlin standing there in the center of the clearing. He could see a couple of the wolves returning and it amazed him how much it suited Merlin, this life. He had such a wild spirit and it seem so free here among the trees.

The other horse followed behind, lead by a lead line. Eventually, Merlin was swallowed up by the forest and he was forced to turn back around. He knew without a doubt that a part of him had been left behind in that clearing, and until he became king he would never get it back.

xXx

Sniff, so sad…but it needed to be done. There is one more chapter than the epilogue and than we're done with this story too. I hope you enjoyed this story so far.

Until Next Time

~Reiya