A/N: Next chapter! And just a warning: the end of this gets a bit...depressing. I was crying as I wrote it, so be sure to have some Kleenex handy.

"Now, Merlin, you're going to go in there and scare whatever it is out into our trap."

Merlin put the heavy bag down. He remembered the last time Arthur had said that, the result being a dead unicorn and Camelot almost destroyed by drought and famine.

"Go on," Arthur said, pushing him in the direction of their prey.

Merlin hesitantly started to walk through the forest, pushing branches out of his way and trying not to trip over any roots. He preyed that the animal was just a harmless deer, and not something more vicious, like an oversized boar.

As the animal came into view, Merlin was relieved to see that it was just a deer. As it fell victim to the knights, he looked away; he didn't like to see any creature be killed.

"Good work, Merlin," Arthur complimented him as the made their way back to camp. "You were actually helpful."

It wasn't much of a compliment, but Merlin took it. "Thank you, sire."

Arthur nodded. "And it looks like you're handling that bag pretty well."

The knights up ahead snickered and Merlin glared at Arthur. The bag was weighing so heavily on his back that he was unable to stand up straight. He was pretty sure Arthur had filled it with rocks; not once did he or one of the knights retrieve anything from it.

"Prat," Merlin mumbled, and Arthur sighed.

"Fine."

Suddenly Merlin felt the extra weight being taken from him and he looked over to see that Arthur now carried the bag.

"A 'thank-you' will do just fine," the prince muttered to his servant.

"Thank you," Merlin replied, and he noticed that he and Arthur were now considerably behind the others.

"Well, I don't want you to get injured. You would be totally useless then," Arthur added quickly.

Merlin rolled his eyes, but just a for second he had heard Arthur's arrogant tone disappear. His heart swelled with hope.

Just as they neared the camp site, Arthur suddenly handed the bag back to Merlin, "handed" here meaning hitting him in the chest with it.

"Put this back in the tent, and Sir Leon's crossbow broke so I want you to fix it," the prince ordered him.

"Yes, sire," Merlin said, sighing. It was like every time Arthur dropped the princely façade, he immediately put it back up, and it was driving Merlin to near insanity.

Merlin watched the dream-Arthur closely, taking in every little move he made to see if he could figure anything out.

"You're the most loyal friend I've ever had." Arthur's eyes met his, and there was something in those blue depths that made Merlin's heart do a back flip.

"Well, thanks. Arthur, can I tell you something?" Merlin asked hesitantly, looking away from him.

"Anything, Merlin." He moved closer to his manservant.

Merlin paused, expecting for the real Arthur to wake him up, but nothing happened. He was still sitting under the stars with his dream-Arthur, who right now was so close to Merlin that the young warlock could feel the heat from his body. He looked back at Arthur, and he saw that Arthur's expression mirrored his own. Without thinking, Merlin leaned in and met Arthur's lips with his, relishing the feeling as Arthur kissed him back, the prince's hand stroking Merlin's raven-black hair…

"Prince Arthur, we're under attack!"

Merlin was immediately awake, the feelings of bliss quickly being replaced with those of horror as he heard the sounds of the knights shouting outside of the tent. He jumped up and grabbed his sword when Arthur raced outside. When Merlin rushed after him, he was almost ambushed by one of the attackers, but he was able to duck away from him and quickly dispatch him. Merlin desperately looked for the flash of gold hair that would indicate Arthur. At this point Merlin wasn't concerned about his destiny, he was only concerned with saving the life of the man he loved.

Merlin weaved his way through the fray, killing a man that was about to stab Leon in the back. Leon gave Merlin a grateful smile.

"Where's Arthur?" Merlin shouted.

"I saw him go that way!" Leon indicated the direction and Merlin began running.

He came upon Arthur fighting valiantly with three of the attackers, and Merlin rushed forward to help him. Merlin was able to sneak up on one from behind, leaving two, and Merlin and Arthur fought back to back as they finished off their opponents.

Unfortunately, several more appeared, backing Arthur and Merlin into the side of a cave, no doubt where the attackers made camp. Arthur quickly dispatched one, as did Merlin, but four more closed in on them, and Merlin realized what he had to do. He took one last glance at Arthur, and seeing that his head was turned away from him, whispered, "Astice!" and the man nearest him was sent flying back. The others were baffled, and in the few seconds that they were immobile due to shock, Arthur and Merlin attacked them, but not before the final one standing stabbed Merlin, causing the boy to fall to the ground.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted, and quickly killed the last man, rushing to his servant's side. "Oh, Merlin, god, no." He cradled his injured friend in his arms, shouting towards their camp for help. "I'll get you back to Camelot, do you understand? I won't let you die," he said fiercely. He easily picked Merlin up, carrying him back to the camp and he immediately mounted one of the horses. The pain in Merlin's side was dragging him away from reality, and he struggled to keep his eyes open.

"You are not to die, Merlin! If there was ever a time to obey my orders, it's now!" Arthur told him. "Please, Merlin," the prince begged quietly.

For one last second, those royal eyes met his servant's, and the pain finally dragged Merlin away, back to his dream.

A/N: Before you start hating me, I would just like to say this is NOT the end! There will be more chapters (and more Merthur goodness) to come!

Please be kind in your reviews.