Arthur and Merlin held each other throughout the night but Merlin starters to toss and turn, he whimpered and he started to cry in his sleep as he dreamt about becoming sick and then dying on an operation table whilst Arthur cried and begged him not to go.
Merlin jolted awake and he saw that Arthur was leaning over him "I'm okay?" he placed his hands on his stomach and he sighed with relief that there was no blood. "Bloody hell that was scary".
"What did you dream about?" Arthur asked.
"I got sick in my dream and I died. You were crying and pleading with me to come back" Merlin sniffled.
Arthur moved and he kissed Merlin "Come here".
Merlin sat up and he hugged Arthur "I was bleeding from my stomach and you were holding my hand, you were crying so much and you were begging me not to die".
Arthur held Merlin and he kissed the side of the warlocks head before he started to stroke Merlin's hair "Ssshhh you're alright, it was just a nightmare. I wasn't real".
Merlin clung onto Arthur and he held back tears "I don't want to live without you. I can't lose you".
Arthur shushed the warlock and he started to rock him back and forth to calm him down "You don't have to live without me. You will never lose me, I promise".
Merlin nodded and he calmed down "You should go back to sleep, you need your strength".
Arthur kissed Merlin "On one condition... I want to hold you whilst we sleep".
Merlin smiled and he nodded "Alright".
Merlin and Arthur laid down and they pulled the covers up, the warlock snuggled up to Arthur and he smiled as the prince wrapped one arm around him and held his hand with his free hand. Merlin was resting his head on Arthur's chest, he kissed the blonde's pecks before they both closed heir eyes to go to sleep.
Merlin and Arthur were awoken at dawn when they heard knocking at the door, Merlin sighed and he climbed out of bed. Merlin got dressed and then he walked over to the door, he opened the wooden door and be saw Aland.
"You know?" Pal and sighed.
Merlin nodded "Yeah" he then looked over his shoulder and he saw that Arthur was still asleep, he looked at Aland and he sighed "Can you just give me a minute?"
Aland and nodded and he stood with his back to the wall.
Merlin shut the door and he walked over to the bed, he climbed up and he kissed the prince "I love you so much. I promise that I'll always protect you, I won't let you down" he then kissed the prince's head and he stroked back Arthur's hair before he stood up and he walked out of the room.
Merlin walkers to the throne room and he spent the next hour healing Uther's headache, fixing a knight's broken arm and a guard's nose bleed.
Arthur woke up alone in his bed, he looked around for Merlin and then something caught his eye, a plate of food suddenly appeared on the table and he walked over to eat. There was no doubt in his mind that Merlin had conjured up a plate of food. Arthur ate his breakfast and then he got dressed before he walked to the throne room. He had a feeling that Uther had summons Merlin very early.
As the prince turned to corner at the throne room, he saw the doors open and Merlin walked out. The warlock looked exhausted and upset as he rubbed his sore eyes.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked.
However before Merlin could reply, he fainted from exhaustion.
Arthur leapt forwards and he caught Merlin, he scooped the warlock up and he looked at Merlin "Merlin?!"
When Merlin did not wake up, Arthur realised that he had just fainted. The prince lifted Merlin up slightly and he kissed his head before he turned around and he started to carry Merlin back to their chambers. Arthur kicked the door open and he carried Merlin over to the bed, he pulled Merlin's boots off of the warlock and he gently held Merlin up with one hand as he took his jacket and neckerchief off of him. The prince then slowly laid Merlin down and he pulled the covers up to cover the warlock's stomach. Merlin was lying on his back, with his head to the side and his unclenched hand next to his face.
Arthur smiled and he gently stroked back Merlin's hair "I'm going to miss carrying you to bed, I'm going to miss stroking your beautiful raven hair, I'm going to miss how you snuggle up to me at night and I'm going to miss your voice. I'm going to miss you so much, my beautiful warlock" he whispered.
Arthur watched over Merlin for a few minutes before he left to find a servant, he walked through the corridors until he found... George. The prince tried to sneak off in the opposite direction but the servant approached him and bowed.
"Good morning, Sire. How did you sleep last night?" George asked.
Arthur gritted his teeth and he faked a smile "Morning. I slept well" he then had an idea when he realised that Merlin probably had not eaten anything "George, inform the cooks that Merlin is to have some breakfast brought up to my chambers for him. And no one is to disturb him for the rest of today".
George bowed "Of course, sire". He then walked off to the kitchens to inform the servants and chefs of Arthur's orders.
Arthur walked back to his chambers and he sat down at his desk to fill out some paperwork, he would occasionally look up to check on Merlin and he smiled as the warlock slept. There was a knock at the door and Arthur ran across to room to answer it, he managed to open the door just before George knocked again and he thanked the servant before he took the plate of food.
George bowed and he closed the door before he walked away to attend to his duties.
Arthur placed the plate of food on the table and then he grabbed some parchment and his quill.
Ten minutes passed and Merlin woke up in bed to the smell of cooked eggs, bacon and tomatoes. The warlock sat upright and looked around. Arthur was nowhere to be found but there was a plate of breakfast on the table with a note beside it. In a hurry, Merlin stood and went to the table to read the note;
'My dear warlock, I had the kitchen make you breakfast, please eat and rest. As much as I love to take care of you, it hurts me when you are weak and tired all the time. I have just gone to run an errand, please be here when I get back. I will love you until the end of time. Your Arthur'.
Merlin smiled and put the note down before he ate his breakfast and he sat down on the bed again to rest.
Arthur had told Uther that Merlin needed to rest so that he could use his magic to his full potential. The king had hesitated but he grudgingly agreed to leave Merlin alone for the great of the day. Arthur then went to see Guias and he informed the physician of how Merlin was very tried and that he was resting. Guias nodded and he thanked Arthur for looking after Merlin, the prince went to practice his archery but he could not wake to see Merlin.
Merlin woke up after an hour and he got out of bed, he studied his spellbook for a few minutes before he heard a knock at the door, he opened the door and he was greeted by the longing embrace of Arthur. Merlin's lips were captured as Arthur claimed the warlock as his own, e warlock groaned into his with Arthur and he wrapped his arm around Arthur's neck whilst he ran the fingers of his other hand through Arthur's golden hair.
Arthur gripped Merlin's hips and he pulled the warlock close so that Merlin's body was pressed against his. Arthur kicked the door shut and he moved one hand done Merlin's side.
Merlin moaned with want when he felt a hand squeeze his right butt cheek "Arthur, please".
Arthur smiled and he gave Merlin a light slap on the butt "Your wish is my command" he whispered, he slowly led Merlin to the bed and attacked his neck before struggling to get his clothes off.
Merlin had just enough time to soundproof the room, and strip his lower half before Arthur pinned him down again.
"I love you", Arthur whispered into Merlin's ear before giving it a quick nip.
Merlin smirked and gazed lovingly into Arthur's eyes, "I love you too".
Merlin's and Arthur's lips collided again before separating.
"I really want you, are you ready?", Arthur asked and Merlin nodded. Arthur lifted the shirt over his head before kissing the warlocks chest and preparing him for what was coming.
Arthur entering Merlin came as a sharp pain to the warlock. Arthur heard Merlin hiss in pain and he stopped. "Ready?"
Merlin nodded "Yeah".
That's when it began...
Merlin gasped but soon mewled in pleasure. A strange shiver travelled through Merlin who ignored the feeling.
Merlin gripped the bedding and he gasped "Arthur".
Arthur continued what he was doing and he smirked.
This continued for forty five minutes before Merlin felt a strange shiver travel through his body. Merlin curled his toes and he gripped Arthur's hair.
Arthur felt Merlin shudder and he smirked when the warlock moaned and gasped "What can I do?"
"Just a little harder. I'm almost there" Merlin answered.
Arthur went harder and he saw Merlin open his mouth as he gasped.
A shudder travelled through Merlin and he knew what it meant. He gasped and he moaned when he reached his peak and Arthur followed seconds after.
They were tired out and Arthur collapsed beside Merlin. The warlock snuggled up against the Prince and he kissed his chest.
"How was that?" Arthur asked.
Merlin smiled "It was brilliant."
Arthur smiled "I'm glad" he then kissed Merlin's head.
Merlin closed his eye and he grinned "That was the best sex ever".
Arthur grinned and he stroked Merlin's bare back with his fingers "Having sex with you so amazing". He whispered.
Merlin made a 'Mmm' noise and he kissed Arthur's chest "I love you".
"I love you too" Arthur softly said as he gently caressed Merlin's back with his fingertips.
Some time passed and Merlin had packed Arthur somethings for his quest, whilst the prince put his armour on. Merlin heard Arthur grumble in frustration and he looked at the prince, Arthur was struggling to put his wristgaurds on.
"Here" Merlin walked over and he helped Arthur.
The prince smiled and he stroked Merlin's hair with his free hand "What would I do without you?"
"I dread to think" Merlin chuckled.
Arthur cupped Merlin's cheek on his hand and the warlock looked up at home, the prince kissed his Love and Merlin hugged Arthur "I'll be alright. Nothing's going to happen to me".
Merlin sighed "It's not fair, I don't want you to go".
Arthur kissed Merlin "I know. I don't want to go either".
Merlin's eyes welled up with tears but he held them in so that Arthur would not feel bad. Arthur held Merlin tightly and he kissed the warlocks shoulder, he sniffles and he wanted to cry as he held his warlock.
After a few minutes, Merlin and Arthur made their way out of Arthur's chambers and they walked through the palace. They were holding hands and they were dreading the goodbye, Merlin heard someone shouting and he looked over his shoulder; he saw Uther and Agravaine. Merlin thought about going to see what they wanted but he did not want to leave Arthur's side, he sighed and he ignored the shouting. He knew that he would be in trouble.
Arthur looked at Merlin "You're going to be in big trouble".
Merlin sighed "I know, but I don't want to leave your side until I have to".
The prince smiled and he lovingly squeezed Merlin's hand "I love you so much".
Merlin smiled "I love you more than Guias loves his books".
Arthur laughed and he kissed Merlin "I don't deserve you".
Merlin chuckled "That doesn't matter, you will always have me and I will never leave you".
After walking for twenty minutes, the prince and the warlock made it to the huge gates of Camelot. Merlin said goodbye to the knights before he walked over to Arthur, he sniffles before he hugged the prince and Arthur kissed his shoulder. The prince was holding back tears whilst Merlin clung onto him, they did not want to be separated.
Merlin sniffled before he spoke, "C-can't I come with you?"
Arthur shook his head and he sighed deeply, "No, you have to stay here, where it's safe. I can't risk losing you. I can't risk you getting hurt". He pulled back and he kissed the tip of Merlin's nose.
Merlin looked up at Arthur with concerned eyes, "But how will I protect you?"
Arthur chuckled to try and hide his sadness and pointed behind him at the knights who all looked as equally sad, "I've got these knuckleheads with me so I'll be fine!". Then Arthur's face fell before turning to the knights, "Lancelot! Stay behind and protect Merlin whilst I am gone!"
Lancelot looked conflicted but nodded and took his place at Merlin's side.
"How long will you be gone for?", Merlin asked as fresh tears formed in his eyes despite him trying to control his emotions.
Arthur's breath became ragged as he hugged Merlin as tightly as possible without hurting him, "I don't know... but I'll hurry and I will be back as soon as possible... okay?"
Merlin shook his head as tears soaked Arthur's armour, "No, it's not!" Merlin looked up at Arthur and slowly forced a sweet smile, "But I'll wait..."
Arthur sniffles "I love you".
Merlin choked on his tears "I love you too".
Arthur kissed Merlin slowly and sweetly, Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck and tears leaked trickled out of his eyes as he kissed his prince. Arthur had his arms wrapped around Merlin's waist and he was desperately trying to hold back tears. Arthur gave Merlin one more soft kiss before he broke away and whispered his goodbyes. As Arthur trotted off into the distance, Merlin could not help the many tears that fell down his cheeks. The only thing Lancelot could do to comfort his friend was to rub the warlock's arm slowly in a way to reassure him that everything would be alright.
Merlin and Lancelot watched as Arthur and the other knights rode off into the distance before they disappeared into the trees. Lancelot walked Merlin back into the palace and he made sure that Merlin was as okay as he could be before he went home to eat. Merlin was walking to the throne room to see what Uther had wanted. But he did not have Arthur with him for protection.
Uther looked up when the doors opened and Merlin walked in, he glared at the warlock and he nodded at Agravaine. Merlin looked up and he saw that Agravaine was walking towards him, he had no time to react when the terrible man swung and backhanded him around the face. Merlin fell and he scrambled to try and stand up but Agravaine grabbed his hair and yanked his head back. The vial man then held a dagger to Merlin's throat and the warlock froze in fear.
Uther watched as Agravaine threatened and punched Merlin for a few minutes and by the end of it... Merlin was lying on the floor. Uther dismissed Merlin and the warlock walked out of the throne room, once the doors were closed behind him, Merlin ran to Arthur's chambers and he locked the door. The Warlock sat down next to the window and he cried as he gazed out at the setting sun. He missed Arthur's soft lips and his soothing words, he did not know when Arthur was coming home or if the prince was ever going to come home.