The other (feelsier) part. Explanation at the bottom.

Warning, warning: double angst, triple angst, all the angst! It's dark.

Disclaimer: If I owned Merlin, then I'll eat Buckbeak.

Prompt: From ImpalaToDream81: Oh my god, a whump version of mother hen would be perfect.

Rating: T

Genre: Angst

Characters: Merlin, Arthur

Time Frame: Post "Scar Reveal"

Summary: Whump whump Post "Scar Reveal" whump whump angst whump

Let's Go On An Adventure

Merlin was convulsing on top of Arthur's filthy bedroll. Sleepless and desperate, Arthur laid a wet cloth on top of Merlin's fevered brow.

Two weeks.

Within minutes, the bandages were bled through. Arthur's hands, soaked with Merlin's blood, worked to staunch the blood-flow.

So many scars.

His pulse was growing weaker. Arthur's face grew hot with tears.

"Come on, Merlin," Arthur begged, "stay with me!"

Eventually, the fit ended, and Merlin returned to unsteadily breathing. Arthur choked hoarsely.

The lash marks would scar, leaving lasting reminders of the bandits' cruelty.

Arthur had failed Merlin.

*sigh* This story originally wasn't that angsty. When Merlin finally woke up and called for Arthur, Arthur was haggard from all of the time spent in the forest, yes, but he was able to smile. The problems arose, however, in the second part. Nothing I wrote really dealt with the whump. I tried to have a slurred conversation where Arthur forces Merlin to promise not to save him anymore. I tried having Arthur accept that his feeble attempts to heal Merlin were enough because he was alive. I tried to have it where it would turn out that Merlin's wounds would not scar.

Somehow, this happened. This dark, dark tale where Arthur, at the last moment, decides that he failed to keep his promise (which I don't think that I mentioned really) to Merlin.

Thank you Falling Willow, Geccarenee13, ImpalaToDream81, MythologyStar, Rose PenGibbAck DragoSHaddo, ScruffydaDruid, Skypeoplephoenix732, TheDarkestDreams, bonecrusher1st, goodgirl275, hollyhobbit101, lexi1220, roseannacharlotte, and sarahmaria98 for favoriting.

Thank you 1 of 1 secondary drone, A minor government official, AnimeFreak132002, BlankAce, Childatheart28, Falling Willow, Geccarenee13, ImpalaToDream81, Linorien, MythologyStar, Rose PenGibbAck DragoSHaddo, ScruffydaDruid, ShadowsRising, Skypeoplephoenix732, TheDarkestDreams, WEast, bonecrusher1st, goodgirl275, henr4588, hollyhobbit101, lexi1220, mersan123, morningstar115, roseannacharlotte, and tara hitge for following.

Thank you Falling Willow, MythologyStar, Lycropanthy, ScruffydaDruid, Rose PenGibbAck DragoSHaddo, goodgirl275, and morningstar115 for reviewing.

Next drabble will be the sequel to "Her Name Was Freya" (though exactly why that's going to be next when I have older drabbles I have no idea).

~Lya200~