"Father please. The druids are peaceful people. They will not hurt Camelot." Arthur said it softly even while there is a pleading tone in his voice. Uther turned around to his son. The fury in his eyes made Arthur wished the floor would open and swallow him whole.
"You are the Crowned Prince of Camelot, why won't you do what is necessary to make sure the future of the kingdom is safe?" Uther rounded to his son. Arthur was sure he could see the fear in his eyes. "Father, that is exactly what I am trying to do. We can not keep on pushing the druids away. They have amazing healers we might need one day." Arthur tried to keep his voice steady. He knows he would never be able to hurt his father even if he wants to.
Uther grabbed Arthur by his tunic. "We will never need them, and it would do you well to remember it." The dresser Arthur was hurled to, almost broke against his body weight. He could hear the snap in his arm where he landed. Arthur took a deep breath to make sure he will not cry out.
"Father please. For the sake of Camelot, we can not go to war. The druids are under the other kingdoms protection." Arthur new it would only be a waist of breath and more than likely more pain for him. The fist that collided with his gut, made him bent over almost bring up his lunch.
"If you have anything else to say, think wisely." The anger in Uther voice made Arthur kept his mouth shut.
"Arthur, wake up." Arthur sat upright with a start, almost hitting Merlin in the face. His eyes roamed around the room searching for a threat. He tensed up a little bit when Merlin suddenly pushed him back into the bed, before climbing in next to him. Arthur could not help but to relax against Merlin. He knows he is playing with a fine line here. If he crosses it, he would more than likely just get hurt.
Arthur hand reach for the arm that got injured. He knows there is no injury there, but the pain had flared up again. "Want to talk about it Arthur?" Merlin's voice was so soft. A whimper was the only answer he got.
"It was the second day after the invasion. Father was sure he saw druids among the men that had attacked. He wanted to order a full-scale attack against them, to try and eradicated them from around Camelot." Arthurs voice trailed off. Merlin gently run his fingers through Arthur hair, giving the prince a change to talk.
Merlin hummed a sound that sounded like a question when Arthur suddenly hit is face on Merlin chest.
"I am just as part of the problem. For so long, I did everything Father said to do, without even thinking twice about it. How would I ever be a better king than him, if I am so much like him?" Arthur words were nothing more than a whisper.
"You have changed Arthur. You are no longer the pig-headed prince who used his servant as target practice. You have stopped trying to get to impress your father. You started to do stuff; I know you never did before. Remember that servants and peasants talk. It is not hard to hear the gratitude the people have for you." Merlin voice was soft against Arthur ear.
The silence slowly started to stretch. Arthur hands were curled into Merlin's sleeping tunic, making sure that he would not be able to leave the bed. Half-asleep Arthur felt the kiss on his head and the soft sleep well.
Surrounded by the smell and warmth of Merlin, Arthur slowly started to fall asleep again.
Arthur woke with a start when Merlin stood up. His left side of his body was feeling numb and all tingly. "Merlin?" His voice was gruffy. Merlin turned around. "Go back to sleep. I am just going to get the last things together for the hunt." Merlin voice was still soft. "I will bring you something up to eat. And you will eat everything." Merlin said the last part with a little bit force.
When Merlin left the room, Arthur started to get the fire going again. Not a lot, since he knows that they would be leaving soon, but enough to give the room some light. He knows if he opens the curtains that it would be still dark out.
He quickly got a candle also lit. He made short work with getting his own clothes out. He knows that Merlin will be surprised, but he wanted to surprise him as well. When Arthur was finally dressed, he looked to the table, he still felt unsure about the trip. But at least it would be time away from the castle.
He was slightly startled when Merlin walked into the room. Merlin gave him a bright smile when he saw that Arthur was dressed. Arthur could feel his insides get warm and tingle. He was unsure what the feeling was, but he knew he wanted to feel it again.
Merlin put a plate with some cheese and bread on the table. Arthur gave it a slight glare; he was not in the mood to eat. "Come Arthur." Merlin gently steered Arthur to the table. Merlin pushed him to sit. "Eat, you need your strength, it is going to be a long day on the horses." Arthur knew that Merlin was right. He ate slowly, not really focusing on the taste.
Merlin quickly organised the chamber, also munching on some bread. Arthur looked up startled when Merlin gently run a comb trough his hair. "You are going to be alright. The other knights care about you and they are your friends." Merlin voice was soft. Arthur cast his eyes up to Merlin face, his eyes told the truth about how unsure he truly felt.
Merlin gently pull Arthur into a hug. He knows that Arthur for the most part do not like begin hold but the last few days he could also see that it helps relax Arthur for the most part. Arthur almost immediately relax against Merlin.
The hug did not last long when Merlin gently pulled away. "Come we need to get to the stables." Arthur drew strength from Merlin confidence. He knows he can not duck away from them but at the same time he wished to run back to his chambers and never coming back out.
When they got to the stables could they hear soft chattering going on. Arthur froze just outside the door. Merlin gave him a gently nudged to walk in properly. His body felt tensed up. He quickly took stock of what is around them.
Before he truly knows what to say had Leon pulled him into the group. Merlin gave them a warm smile while he quickly made sure that both horses Arthur and he would use are ready for travel. Merlin cast a quick glance to were Arthur was, he still looked a little bit uncomfortable but more relaxed than normal.
So, I am not completely happy with this chapter, wanted to write the hunting in as well, but at the same time it is like why to many emotions so the hunting will have to wait for the next chapter. Constructive criticism is always welcome so please leave a review and tell what you think of the story. I can also be found on tumblr lover-of-midnight
Hope you all are enjoying the story so far.