Before they turned in that night Arthur managed to slip away and get a sleeping potion from Gaius. The physician had met Merlin on several occasions and realised just how head strong the youngster was. He warned Arthur "I believe Sire that Emrys will be most put out"
"I realise that Gaius but I won't risk him besides the King would never approve such an idea"
Arthur made his way back to his chambers but before he did he gave the potion too George with instructions to put it in Merlin's breakfast. That night when they went to bed Arthur and Merlin made love each being extra gentle and loving. Arthur because he knew he wouldn't see Merlin for a week and because he knew Merlin would be upset at being drugged. And Merlin because he had no intention of staying behind no matter what. The next morning they dressed and Merlin continued to plead with Arthur to let him go. As they ate Merlin realised what Arthur had done, but by then it was too late. As Merlin fell into a deep sleep Arthur carried him to the bed and gave Freya strict instructions, he also spoke to Percy and Lancelot.
"Under no circumstances let Merlin follow me, he needs to be kept safe" Arthur told the knights.
Lancelot looked at the Prince "Sire I fear that will be difficult, you know of his abilities"
"I will also speak to Crown Prince Gwaine before I Ieave, the sleeping draft will last six hours. Merlin will not be able to catch up even if he did follow me. Just keep him safe" Arthur stressed then he went to find Gwaine.
Gwaine grinned when Arthur said what he had done "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when Merlin wakes up. He was telling the truth, spouses often go with their husbands, even to war, Gangani are not as soft as your Camelot nobles. They don't fight on the front but keep their husbands feed and their blades sharp. Merlin has been with me on many trips and has never been a hindrance." He hesitated adding "I will do my best but make no promises other than if I cannot keep Merlin here I will travel as well"
Arthur looked aghast "But you are the elder brother, surely you can control Merlin?" he demanded
Gwaine grinned again "And you are Merlin's husband, yet you had to drug Merlin!"
"I cannot believe that a sixteen year old could be so much trouble!" Arthur turned and walked away
Gwaine called out after him "You have a lot to learn my friend"
Arthur headed out and made his men ride a hard pace. They had gone a good distance by nightfall and Arthur was content that Merlin would not be able to catch up, and if he did follow he would turn back once he realised how far ahead they were. As they set up camp and George cooked the supper Arthur thought of Merlin and how stubborn he was. As he fell asleep he thought of Merlin's pale skin and blue eyes.
Back in Camelot Merlin woke up after the six hours drugged sleep, he was very fuzzy headed as he sat up but then realised what had happened. He called Freya and demanded that she bring him food. When she was gone he dressed in a thicker version of his normal attire. Grabbing the food he left the rooms with Aithusa and told Percy and Lancelot that he intended to go for a ride. The two knights tried to talk Merlin out of it but he threatened to turn them into frogs and go without them. Meanwhile Freya ran to find Gwaine. As Merlin and the knights walked to the stables Gwaine caught up with them.
"I assume you intend to follow Arthur?" he asked mildly
"You assume right he drugged me! Can you believe it?" Merlin shouted at his brother.
Gwaine kept his face straight knowing his brother to well to laugh speaking in Gangani he said "He wants you safe Merlin"
"I am supposed to keep him safe! How can I do that if I'm not with him! What made the prat do that?" Merlin glared at his brother.
"Merlin he is used to looking after himself. You need to stay here"
"I am going and either you come or stay I don't care either way." Merlin stormed passed and into the stable where he asked the stable boy to saddle his horse "I want to go for a ride to take Aithusa for exercise" He smiled at Tyr who was used to Merlin exercising the baby dragon, in fact he was one of the few people in Camelot who regularly saw the dragon and liked Aithusa.
The stable boy turned to do as asked. Gwaine took a deep breath "Merlin you are being unreasonable, Arthur is too far ahead you will not catch up with him" he took care to continue to speak in Gangani so no one knew what they were saying.
"I will I know where he is I can feel him we are bond now, I can take a different route, unlike Arthur I don't have to visit villages." He smirked. "You know you can't stop me!"
"I can Merlin, you forget yourself, I am your Crown Prince." Gwaine was losing his temper.
"No you are not! I am a citizen of Camelot now." With that he mounted his horse and calling Aithusa set off at a gallop the dragon flying above.
Gwaine swore and with Lancelot and Percival quickly saddled up and followed the teenager. They caught up as Merlin waited for them near the edge of the woods. He gave them a cheery smile "I knew you would come" then he set off once more.
When they camped Gwaine looked at his brother "You know the King will send out a search party for you"
Merlin grinned "No he won't, Freya will tell him I have gone for a ride with you all. So I can observe our religious festival of Midsummer and that we will be out for a couple of days. He will be mad no doubt that I didn't ask permission but he did promise I could follow my religion."
With that Merlin curled up near the fire. They were lucky it was a mild night as none had bedrolls with them. Merlin at least was warm as he had taken the precaution of wearing thicker than normal clothing. The knights and Gwaine took it in turns to stand guard refusing Merlin's offer to do so. The next morning Merlin cooked breakfast, Aithusa has caught some rabbits the previous evening. They soon were off once more on their journey.
Meanwhile Arthur's group was taking a more leisurely pace having made good time the previous day. Arthur had missed Merlin as he slept the night before, he was amazed just how much the slender man had got under his skin. George made them all breakfast and as they broke camp they made their way to the next village to check the bandits had not visited. The reports were of a more distant village having problems but as they didn't know which way the group were travelling Arthur didn't want to take chances.
It was that evening when Arthur's group found the first trace of the bandits. They had been to one of the villages nearby. As the people fled one small group found Arthur. After questioning them they set off once more leaving some of their supplies with the displaced villagers telling then to head back to their homes. Arthur realising they need to catch up rode to the village and started to track the bandits before settling down once more.
Merlin and his group continued on a slightly different route but as Arthur started to follow the tracks Merlin realised his husband had changed direction. So he also changed their course. Gwaine looked at his brother. "Did you put some sort of tracker spell on Arthur?" he demanded
"I wouldn't use magic on my husband without telling him" Merlin looked scandalised "No I placed it on his horse!" he grinned
"That's semantics Merlin and I don't think Arthur will see the difference" Gwaine shook his head "You are starting your marriage on dangerous ground"
Percival and Lancelot grinned at each other, they could see the two newlyweds would have some problems settling down together but having seen the two men together had no doubts they would work it out. In any case they were tasked with protecting Merlin, not stopping him doing things. Balinor was not that unreasonable, he knew his youngest child to well. They didn't think Arthur would blame them either, as long as Merlin remained unscathed. The small group made camp once more and Aithusa presented Merlin with a hare for supper. Merlin collected some berries and roots. Once they had eaten they settled for the night.
The next morning both groups set out at about the same time, now travelling on a course that should see them meeting at about lunchtime. Merlin's group had made good time, traveling on a more direct course as well as not having to deal with villagers. At about eleven Arthur and the knights caught up with the bandits. Or rather the bandits realising they were being followed set an ambush. As Arthur and the knights rode through a thick area of the forest the bandits jumped them. Although Arthur had nine knights with him they were still greatly outnumbered. The bandit group being some twenty five in number. But the knights were better trained and held their own.
As Merlin and his group rode onwards Merlin suddenly stopped he looked at his brother "Arthur is in trouble" with that he shouted at Aithusa to fly ahead and started to gallop full speed with the other three fast on his heels. Merlin reached a point where he could see the fight. Getting as close as he could he saw Arthur fighting two bandits, getting off his horse he sent Aithusa down to try to scare off one of them. It looked like Arthur had already taken out a couple. Merlin himself started to use his magic discretely to take out some of the others with falling branches and vines that tripped then up. Gwaine, Percival and Lancelot joined him and Gwaine rode down into the fray leaving Percy and Lancelot to guard Merlin.
Merlin sensed another magic user just as four of the knights, including his brother flew through the air. Looking round Merlin spotted the sorcerer the opposite side of the fight to him. He threw a spell and the sorcerer himself flew through the air. Before sending a spell towards Merlin. Merlin knew he had to be careful that none of the knights saw him using magic but he also had Aithusa who also spotted the other magic user and dive-bombed him. Before he had a chance to retaliate Merlin cast another spell and transported the sorcerer as far away as he could, but with no real idea where the other man would end up. Looking at his brother Merlin was pleased to see Gwaine back up and fighting.
Merlin looked at Percy and Lancelot "Go and help the others I can look after myself" he demanded.
The two knight glanced at one another and Percival went down to join the fight. Lancelot turned to Merlin "I am staying with you"
Merlin saw a bandit creeping up behind Arthur and with no convenient trees nearby Merlin used more conventional methods and took out his knife and threw it, hitting the bandit in this shoulder causing him to drop his sword. Merlin had just thrown his blade when Lancelot pushed Merlin to the ground and covered the slim body with his own. He was just in time as an arrow hit the tree behind them.