"Brave Face" (Rose)

I am happy to be away from that inn with all those coldhearted people. I saw not one shred of kindness in anyone there. That saddens me greatly. It feels good to be out in the open air- not to mention actually knowing where we're going. We're walking through part of the woods, giving the horses a rest from carrying us all morning, and to be completely honest, giving us a rest as well. Riding has its ... drawbacks, you might say.

Merlin notices Arthur stumbling a bit, "It's alright," the Prince assures as our friend gives him a look of inquiry.

"No," he shakes his head, "It's the wound. Let me have a look."

We stop entirely, and I hold onto the horses while Merlin conducts a brief examination of Arthur's injury. A sound reaches my ears. "Merlin," I whisper loud enough for him to hear. With that, a twig snaps, calling his attention to what I was going to alert him of as I crouch near our beasts for cover.

"Get down, get down!" Merlin pushes Arthur lightly.

Once the soldier's have gone, I hear Merlin whispering to Arthur, calling his name. "What's wrong?" I ask, keeping quiet.

"I can't rouse him," he pops up from his hiding spot, supporting the limp royal. "It must be infected."

"Here," I motion to his steed, "I'll ride in front of the saddle, and you can drape him over it that way."

"Good idea," he says and does just that.

We continue on our way, not really having any other option. After a while, Merlin halts, so I do, too. He looks over his shoulder at Arthur. "He needs a deeper tending to," I say drearily. He seems to agree and hops off his horse, and makes his way to ours. "We're nearly there ... Perhaps, he can aid us."

"You think he will?" he questions with wide eyes, wanting so badly to know his father.

"If he's anything like you, he will," I smile.

"Alright," he grins a little, "We'll go on, and then I'll go ahead and find the cave once you, Arthur, and the horses are in a secure place."

We find a spot nearby the stream leading to this cave at the bottom of the mountain, and I remain with our friend, watching over him as Merlin puts on a brave face, such as Arthur had before, and plows on his way. The two are a lot more complementary to each other than they'll ever know.

"All My Life" (Merlin)

My heart is beating wildly in my chest as I push my way through the bramble and branches and arrive at the cave where he … my father … lives inside. All my life, I've been waiting for the chance to know something about him- anything really- and now I was going to meet him face to face and speak to him as I always wanted.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself. There are so many things to ask and to say, yet, I cannot jeopardize my standing with Arthur or this quest.

I urge myself forward into the opening of the cavern. This can all work out later.

"Hello?" I call into the blackness, which reminds me of my meetings with the very reason we are here. I venture farther in when I receive no response. Most of it looks uninhabited- untouched even- but then I find the place where he dwells, at the heart of this cavern. I take it in- someone grabs hold of me from behind, choking me enough to restrain, but not kill.

"What do you want here, boy?" a man questions in a harsh and low voice.

"My friend is sick," I sputter, "He needs help."

He tosses me forward, and I turn to survey my attacker. He steps into the light, and does the same with me. That's when I can see him- my father- and I know it's true. I don't know how, but I feel it. "Show me, boy," he murmurs, now showing tenderness. Naturally, I stand there like a fool, and don't say anything. I just can't believe this is really happening- that it's really him. "What are you waiting for?! Fetch him!" the coldness in his voice returns.

I stammer a breath out and do as he says, uncertain of how to feel just yet.