KEEP FORGETTING...DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING SADLY
ALSO HUGE SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE READERS BUT ESPECIALLY TO DELANEY FOR HELPING ME THROUGH THESE CHAPTERS.
ALSO LETTING ME BUG HER WITH IDEAS!
REVIEW PLEASE
Arthur's pov
Bandits. Of course there would be bandits. What else would happen? They weren't particularly difficult to fight off I just had to push all current concerns out of the way and focus on the task at hand. I could fight out what was wrong with Merlin after everything calmed down. I cut the last bandit down and looked around trying to locate my manservant. I couldn't find him and I started to feel my stomach pang with worry, until I saw him behind a tree. I joked with him as I normally did, but I didn't see the smile I had hoped for I saw a flash of anger, sadness, and then what looked like concern.
I heard him scream something but I didn't register exactly what it was, all of a sudden he jumps in front of me. Then I hear the unmistakable sound of an arrow piercing flesh and I immediately look to where it had flown from. I killed the man in a rage that I had never before felt. I stood in front of Merlin and he seemed to not be in the same world as me. He was in a daze. I put my hand on his shoulder and saw terror flash through his eyes as he flinched away from my touch. His eyes still glazed over. The way he flinched broke my heart. Why did he fear me? I'd never hurt him...well not intentionally. I kept trying to convince him to let me take the bolt out but he refused each time a new layer of fear and anger came into his eyes. Why won't you tell me what happened to you? He tried to smile to convince me he was fine and I knew I couldn't break his stubborn resolve so I agreed. I also knew though, that we needed to get that bolt out and get back to Camelot.
Merlin POV
The bolt, sent searing pain through my body with every breath and movement that I took. I could feel Arthur's eyes piercing into my soul. This only hurt me more. I wasn't worth the attention he continued to pour into me. I'd hope withdrawing fro everyone would cause them to move on but they refuse. Why? I can't explain to Arthur the weight that lies on my shoulders, the tears I've cried, the people I've killed indirectly. He would hate me, I know because I hate me. All those days skipping service to spend the day in the "tavern", oh how I wish that's what actually happened. My thoughts were interrupted when my vision became distorted and a wave of nausea hit me. I stopped my horse.
"Merlin! You okay?"
A single tear fell down my cheek as much as I tried to hold it back.
"M'fine Arthur. M'always fine." I said softly before everything went black.