A/N Helllllo :) Sorry for the long wait. I haven't been well, Grandad's died beginning of the month and my laptop charger died so my laptop is usually in a coma which means I haven't had oppurtunities to write. I steal my brothers charger whenever he's out but then he'll take it back as soon as he's in. :/ Anyway! Here's chapter 12 and I'm sorry I updated the Slash version and not this one but my laptop died. :/ Anyway, chapter 13 is finished along with half of 14 so it might not be too long before the next update yet I said that for the Slash version. :)

It was a quiet ride. Thankfully there were no diversions to stall them. On Merlin's first horse ride in two months, his first taste of freedom in two months, then that will be the last thing they need. They rode through the woods for about two hours before Merlin started fidgeting. Arthur started fidgeting himself at the same time. It was uncomfortable for both of them because of the injuries they'd received. Merlin's injuries are easy to know what had caused them but Arthur's is still a mystery. Morgana had spotted the gashes across his back last night and questioned him about it. He told her he didn't know which made Morgana more confused. Why was he receiving them? They did look somewhat familiar but with the turmoil everyone's had emotionally, she put it down to the fact she's seen a few people flogged and it looked similar to that. Arthur didn't question it. She needed to focus on Merlin. That's everyone's priority. If they don't know that then Arthur needs to have a serious conversation with them. Merlin's fidgeting got worse at the same time Arthur's did. If anyone thought it was weird then no-one brought it up. "Do you want to stop here? It looks pretty decent." Morgana spoke up, stopping her horse and looking over her shoulder to the vulnerable couple. Arthur looked at Merlin who had a blank expression on his face that was looking downwards. Arthur knew him well enough to know that he was in pain though. He looked back at Morgana and nodded once. His own injuries were beginning to bother him. "Alright then. Everyone, we're going to camp here. Should be alright for the night."

The Knights dismounted and tied their horses up at the nearest tree and Arthur and Morgana did the same before going over to help Merlin who was having trouble at dismounting. He tensed up at their approach but he didn't do anything else. Arthur got Merlin down and walked him over to where the camp was being set up while Morgana tied up the horse. Merlin was very tense at Arthur's closeness but he let himself be led over to the edge of the camp. Arthur knows that's where Merlin is more comfortable. Merlin sat down but he winced at the pain. When Arthur knelt down he held back his own wince as pain shot through his body. He helped Merlin get more comfortable and Merlin slowly loosened up. Once Merlin had a blanket round him he curled up in a ball. Arthur let out a low sigh and went to get medical supplies. Percival was on guard, Elyan, Gwaine and Lancelot were out collecting firewood and Leon was on the other end of the camp keeping guard while Morgana was putting up her own magical boundaries.

When Arthur left, Merlin raised his eyes and watched Arthur walk. He noticed Arthur had a slight limp to his walk which confused him. What's happened? He's also noticed in the past day that he's lost weight since Merlin had been taking captive. His face was sunken and sleep deprived. He looked sick. His muscles were a lot more visible. He'd gained more which makes Merlin think that he'd been fighting an awful lot. Fighting for Merlin? Merlin shook the thought out of his head as Walden's taunts echoed around his mind. Of course it wouldn't be for him. Maybe he's had challenges or tournaments. That always builds his strength up. He lowered his eyes as Arthur returned with the bag of medical supplies along with Morgana in tow. He immediately tensed up. Having the treatment is almost as painful as receiving the injuries. "It's alright Merlin. Get them on and then they'll make it less painful. Here, drink this. It will help numb you." Arthur tried soothing him while kneeling down beside his friend. Merlin did as he was told and a couple of minutes later he could feel the affects taking over and he slowly let himself loosen up so they could get started on changing his bandages. While Morgana worked, Arthur kept up the soothing words and when Merlin wasn't that tense he risked running his fingers through Merlin's hair. Merlin tensed at the touch but when he realised what was happening, he relaxed into the touch and his lip curled up slightly as if he was trying to smile. Arthur smiled. Maybe it wouldn't take that long for him to let Arthur in. Morgana seeing the scene unfold smiled. She quickly finished the treatment and went to put the stuff away leaving the two 'brothers' on their own. Arthur just kept running his fingers through Merlin's hair for a good hour before he heard the sound of Merlin snoring. Arthur let a low chuckle out and couldn't help the smile that grew across his face. Merlin had fallen asleep in Arthur's arms. He looked around the group and he could tell that they had seen what was happening as they all had smiles of their own. Arthur didn't care. Morgana, seeing Arthur watching, came over to him. "How are you?" she asked kneeling down next to him.

"Happy." Arthur replied, still running his fingers through Merlin's hair.

"I figured." Morgana said with a small giggle. "I mean how are you feeling physically?" Arthur thought for a moment.

"I'm aching but it isn't sore. I can handle it like this. Thanks though." Arthur said.

"Alright. You need me, you know to ask." Morgana said and got up and left to check on the deer Leon had caught that was roasting over the fire. Arthur looked back at Merlin's sleeping face. The warlock looked so peaceful. It has been two days since he'd been rescued and he fell asleep in Arthur's arms. Maybe it won't be so bad? That was the thought that Arthur fell asleep to. The group looked over at the sleeping couple and smiled. Maybe things are already on the up?

A/N Is that a chorus of 'awww' I hear? Well it won't last long. Telling ya that now! Don't kill me! *ducks under a table!* OH! Did I mention the fact that Eoin (Gwaine) RT'd me, followed me AND tweeted me three times on twitter? Yeah, just thought I'd let you know. Serious down-to-earth guy and because of that I have even more respect for him as a person 3