Double digits! Once again I officially love you guys for all your wonderful reviews, I can't thank you enough. Sorry about how long it took me to update but I had problems with the start of this chapter. I know lots of you are looking forward to more of Arthur's eavesdropping but I'm afraid you'll just have to wait a couple more chapters for that, sorry. As always I'd love to know what you think. Thanks and enjoy. x

Previously

Arthur struggled to come up with a comeback whilst fighting to keep his eyes open. His bed was just so warm and cosy. It couldn't hurt if he just closed his eyes for a second. He'd eavesdrop on Merlin in a moment, once he'd...

Merlin smiled as Arthur's thoughts tailed off and the prince slipped into a deep sleep. He snuggled into his own bed, which wasn't half as cosy as Arthur's, and shut his eyes, sleep claiming him in seconds. It did briefly cross Merlin's mind before he fell asleep that he could now spy on Arthur's dreams, but he didn't have the energy to keep himself awake long enough to try

Merlin had made sure to wake up early, for once, so that Arthur didn't have a chance to try and spy on his dreams that morning. He had lots to do anyway. They were due to ride out to find the Neith at dawn. He had to all but drag a reluctant Arthur out of bed and down to his horse. Merlin needn't have worried about Arthur's eavesdropping as he was way too preoccupied with his own thoughts to worry about Merlin's.

They had set off accompanied by a dozen knights and had been riding in silence for several hours. Normally if they had been silent for this long Arthur would be complaining about how he normally couldn't shut Merlin up and now he wasn't saying anything. However it was Arthur who was silently brooding this time. Merlin had tried to engage him in conversation a couple of times only to have his head bitten off by the irritable prince. If the knights noticed anything unusual about their leader they weren't saying anything. Though Merlin could tell from the looks on their faces that they were missing his and Arthur's usual banter, which was their only source of entertainment on the long trips.

They had entered into a forest moments earlier and the silence was pressing in on them from all sides, the normal country sounds muffled by the trees. It was driving Merlin insane and he decided to risk talking to Arthur again.

Are you alright? Merlin asked tentatively, without any of his usual teasing.

Arthur looked up sharply, jolted out of his musings by Merlin's voice. He glanced at his friend and tried to smile reassuringly.

Of course I'm fine. Why would you think otherwise?

Merlin scoffed at this, earning him some strange looks from the knights.

Oh no reason. Just the fact that you've bitten the head off anyone whose tried to talk to you, that you seem to be shaking with fear and, oh yeah, I can read your mind.

Arthur glared at Merlin who just smiled back innocently.

I am NOT scared Merlin. How many more times do we have go through this?

Until your thoughts reflect what you're saying.

Merlin smiled in triumph as Arthur groped round for a witty comeback. Failing to find one he decided threats were the best course of action.

Well unless you want to be cleaning my stables for a week I suggest you shut up.

Merlin laughed, warranting him another glare from Arthur.

Fine, I'll leave you alone with your fear.

I am NOT...

Arthur's protests were cut off by a crashing sound from up ahead. The group froze and gazed round warily. Arthur instantly assumed his role of commander and indicated that they should continue slowly. They urged their horses forward, Arthur taking the lead with Merlin close behind him.

Slowly the horses followed the path until there was another crashing sound, closer this time. Merlin glanced round fearfully. The closely packed trees were blocking out most of the bright sunlight making the forest feel gloomy and intimidating. He felt his horse shift anxiously beneath him, reflecting the apprehension he was feeling. Gently patting his horses neck, Merlin whispered reassuring words in it's ear. His horse had always been a calm creature, part of the reason why Merlin had chosen him, and it was unusual for him to get so freaked out.

Merlin had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He caught Arthur's eye and saw the other boy was looking worse than he felt. Merlin knew that whatever happened with the Neith he had to make sure Arthur was alright.

I can look after myself you know Merlin.

He was trying to regain some of their usual cheerful banter but the words seemed flat to the both of them. Before Merlin could answer there was a third tremendous crash to their left. The group jumped and, as one, their heads whipped round to stare at the place where the sound had come from. They were straining to catch even the smallest glimpse of the creature they were hunting.

Arthur dismounted and indicated that his knights should do likewise. Reluctantly Merlin followed suit and moved over to Arthur's side. Arthur was gazing into the trees as if he thought if he looked hard enough he would be able to see through them. His knights got into formation behind the pair and Arthur moved off, away from the road and into the trees.

Great we're going into the dark gloomy trees; this is definitely going to end well.

Merlin's sarcastic comment cut through Arthur's mind, destroying his concentration. So far he had been concentrating on the hunt and ignoring the fear which was threatening to overpower him. But as his concentration faltered the fear broke through it's bonds, halting Arthur mid-stride. For a moment he thought that the fear was going to overtake him but he managed to regain control. It was just a spider for crying out loud, it wasn't any different to any of the other magical creatures he had fought before and he had never felt like this facing them. He hoped that once they were actually facing it adrenalin would take over and he would forget all about this stupid fear.

If he was honest with himself the only thing that was keeping him from having an internal panic attack was that Merlin could hear his every thought. He had been brought up not to show weakness to anyone, even his friends, and it went against every fibre of his being to let Merlin realise how terrified he really was. He drew his sword and heard the comforting noise of his knights doing the same behind him. He moved forward carefully, trying not to make a sound. He knew this was probably futile as Merlin was bound to trip over a root and give away their position. Sure enough, a few steps into the trees Merlin cursed as a he caught his footing on a stray root and stumbled forward.

Merlin we're trying to keep this thing from finding us so could you try and not trip over for once in your life.

Arthur ignored the insults that Merlin was thinking and concentrated on the task in hand. The group moved forward slowly, flinching at every sound in the trees around them. Arthur could feel the fear emanating from the rest of the group matching his and briefly considered whispering words of reassurance to them. However he realised that it would probably be obvious that he was feeling the same way if he spoke and he couldn't have them seeing his weakness.

As the trees got thicker it became harder and harder to see their surroundings. Arthur moved forward tentatively and caught his foot on a rock beneath him. With a very Merlin-like stumble Arthur grabbed hold of a tree to keep himself upright. He felt something sticky beneath his palm and pulled his hand back to see that there was a sticky white substance strung between his hand and the tree.

"What on earth?" He whispered bemused.

Hearing Arthur's exclamation Merlin moved closer to his master and inspected the almost fluffy substance. He was unwilling to touch it in case it turned out to be dangerous but he lent in closer to try and determine what it was.

Great, now he tells me it might be dangerous. Arthur sighed exasperated.

Stop moaning Arthur, I didn't tell you to put your hand in it.

Merlin straightened up and glanced round at the trees. His eyes, being much sharper then Arthur's, were able to pick out what the prince had missed. The same white substance that was on Arthur's hands was strung between many of the trees in intricate patterns. Merlin's brow furrowed as he tried to work out what it could be. Realisation dawned on him and he turned to Arthur, his eyes alight with understanding.

Look, He thought, not wanting to break the eerie silence, Between the trees. Can you see it?

Arthur gazed round at the trees puzzled, unsure what Merlin was babbling about. But as he looked his eyes adjusted more to the gloom. What he had previously dismissed as tricks of the light were actually net-like objects hanging between the trees.

They're webs Arthur, Merlin exclaimed, rolling his eyes, Don't tell me you've never seen a spiders web before.

I don't tend to get near enough to inspect them thoroughly, Arthur growled wiping his hand clean on his trousers.

Oh yes, I remember; it's because you're scared.

Arthur ground his teeth at Merlin's insistence of something that wasn't even true. He decided ignoring him would be the best option and turned to his knights instead.

"We're nearing it's lair, be careful of traps." Arthur whispered, "Oh and mind out for the webs."

The group moved on, deeper into the undergrowth. The unease Merlin had been feeling was growing. He had this nagging feeling that something was going to happen, something bad. What worried him more though, was that at any other time Arthur would be endlessly teasing him for being such a girl and telling him how there was nothing to worry about and that he was just overreacting. However the silence coming from Arthur's end of the bond was more worrying than any feelings of dread.

Shut up Merlin I'm trying to concentrate.

I can't even think without being told off? Seriously my life is so unfair.

Arthur hushed him and proceed forward. They continued like this for sometime in relative silence. Arthur froze as he heard a crash behind them. He spun round frantically, fearful that the creature had crept up behind them. However, to his relief, it was just one of his knights who had tripped over in a fall that would have been spectacular even for Merlin.

Hey! I can hear you!

Arthur ignored Merlin as he continued to watch the knight, his eyes wide with shock. The knight had stumbled into one of the webs between the trees. Standing up he had tried to shake himself free off the web and brush himself down. However the web seemed to have come alive and was slowly wrapping itself tighter around the man. As the others watched in apprehension the web bound itself round the man's body, covering him in the silk netting. The man thrashed, trying to break free of the bond, but the web was too strong. It wrapped itself around his face and in seconds he was just a thrashing cocoon. Moments later the thrashing stopped and Arthur knew for certain that the webbing had cut off his air supply and the poor man had suffocated.

He turned away with a small shudder and whispered a brief prayer for his fallen comrade. He glanced at Merlin and saw that the other boy was as white as a sheet. Arthur briefly considered trying to comfort the boy but he had never been very good at that sort of thing, and he was feeling a hundred times worse than Merlin looked. Instead he turned forward, eyeing the gloom in front of him warily.

"We've got to keep going." He called behind him softly, "And keep away from the webs."

What a way to state the obvious mate. Merlin scoffed.

Although it annoyed him, Arthur found comfort in Merlin's teasing; it added a little normality to the strange situation, though he would never tell the other boy.

You don't need to tell me, I already know. It's like a second sense.

Arthur rolled his eyes and the group continued their progress, even slower than before. They continued like this for a few moments when the trees gave way to a large clearing. They paused at the edge of the trees while Arthur scanned the clearing suspiciously. He really didn't want to go through it but he could see that any path round it was blocked by the creepy man-eating webs.

They don't eat people Arthur. They're just storing them so the spider can eat them later. Merlin chipped in unhelpfully.

Well that makes it so much better then. Arthur replied sarcastically.

Satisfied that the clearing was devoid of any giant creatures Arthur proceeded into it, followed closely by a wary Merlin.