Again, thank you so much for the comments. They are all so lovely and I'm glad you are enjoying the story. You guys are the best.

There is a little bit more gore in this but nothing as much as the last time.

'It's like this storm is making the journey longer. Seriously Arthur, how much father?'

'Gwaine, do you ever shut up moaning, you're as bad as Merlin.'

'Oi. I heard that.' Merlin was surprisingly his normal self. He was riding just behind Arthur, Gwen and Leon, on his own horse, which he even sped up into a canter occasionally to look at something or talk to Gwen. But Gwaine's moans were right, they were taking far too long to get back to Camelot.

Arthur couldn't help but laugh at Merlin, it was honestly like nothing was wrong, and that they were out on a normal quest or even an afternoon picnic. It was strange, but the picnics he regularly took Gwen on always involved Merlin, which could be hardly classed as romantic, especially with Gwen and Merlin chatting like a pair of girls. But he couldn't imagine going without his manservant, it was almost like Merlin was a part of it all. He shuddered at the thought, then remembered he'd been asked a question.

'Oh, erm, well this rain and cloud coverage is making it a little hard to see the roads properly and...'

'Are you saying we're lost!? In our own lands, we're lost?' It was Percival, he held a tone of humour in his voice but no-one could mistake the slight panic underlying the question.

'Well, not exactly. It's just hard to tell the quickest route back. We are heading the right way but I think we took the longer path.' In truth, Arthur had no idea where they were. He didn't recognize this part of the forest and the roads were more like streams. 'Did you hear that!?'

Although the rain still lashed down and wind whipped through the air, the unmistakable sound of a rumble cut through. It could have been distant thunder but it was too short and shallow.

'Sorry. My stomach. She does get loud when she's upset.'

'I don't suppose you have a name for your stomach do you Gwaine?' Leon retorted to Gwaine's comment.

'So is that to my understanding that you would like to stop for food?' Arthur knew his knights, especially Gwaine when it came to his food and mead. He turned round to see a massive grin on Gwaine's face, one that spread from cheek to cheek covered most of the bottom half of his face. 'We need to find somewhere decent to stop, get some shelter from this rain. We'll ride for a little longer but the first place we find we shall stop. Is that ok Sir Knight!?'

Gwaine's face fell, resulting in shrieking laughter coming from the other knights and Merlin. 'It will have to do.'

XXXX

It must have been at least 2 hours since Arthur had mentioned stopping, but they had not found a suitable place to do so. The storm had resumed it's chorus of drums and echoed loudly in the nearby canyons.

Arthur stole a glance back at the group who were all tired and weary from the ride. He felt for them but knew they could not stop in this rain on the side of the road, it was too risky, not to mention cold and wet. Finally, his eyes fell on Merlin, who had been quiet again for the past half hour. His laughter had slowly ebbed away and he spoke only when spoken to. In reality, everyone was now the same, but it was Merlin's pale features and constant blinking that unnerved Arthur. His friend had gone from rosy red in the cool breeze to ghostly pale, he was hunched over, despite having a spare cloak wrapped around him, and was closing his eyes for longer period of time. Arthur nodded to Gwen and fell back besides Merlin. Although everyone was worried, they didn't think twice as to why he had done so.

'How you doing Merlin? No offense but you don't look so good.' He said it under his breath, so that just Merlin could hear him; he didn't want to worry anyone just yet.

'Mmmm.' Merlin didn't even look up, he stayed focus on the back of the horses' head, staring intently at a white spot on its mane.

'Merlin?' Now he was starting to worry, usually Merlin would give a sarcastic retort even if he was injured.

As another flash of lightning filled the sky, Merlin's head darted upwards, eyes fixing on Arthur's, wild and full of anger. Merlin broke into a snigger, his mouth opening wide to show teeth, a smile Arthur had only ever seen on...

'MORGANA!'

As if to add to the omen of the storm, a lightning bolt hit the tree just ahead of Merlin and Arthur, causing it to come crashing down, spooking the horses, who threw off both their riders. Arthur hadn't realised they'd fallen behind everyone else, who were now clambering over the burning tree trunk to aid their fallen friends.

Merlin lunged at Arthur, dagger in hand- where had he gotten that from?- and aimed it directly at his throat. He grabbed the wrists in time and twisted the hand so it dropped the flashing blade to the floor. Arthur rolled over so Merlin's bone like body was pinned beneath him, thrashing, the teeth finding their way to his flesh, biting and actually causing blood to seep to the surface through small thorn like cuts. They fought but eventually Merlin was forced against the trunk of the fallen tree, just metres away from the burning bark and leaves. He couldn't keep him pinned here for long, the fire would make it's way down and consume both of them. Percival and Leon were now pinning the frail body to the trunk whilst Arthur removed himself, rubbing his hands where Merlin had bitten and scratched at them.

'WHAT DO WE DO?' Leon's voice was strained from holding down the legs and bottom torso of their friend.

Arthur looked up at the fire, knowing they would have to move quickly, then remembered the knife. He ran back to the spot Merlin had dropped it, picked it up and quickly held the metal end to the flames of the burning tree. He had no time to think, no time to wish he didn't have to do this again. When he saw the amber glow of the blade he looked up at Leon, a silent nod between them said what was needed to be heard. Leon grabbed Merlin's wrist, turned it up towards the heavens and grabbed the rest of his arm for support. No-one had time to react, the blade was on the rune quicker than anyone could object, even Merlin. Straight away, a scream escaped the raven haired young man, a scream so full of agony it would haunt the nightmares of everyone present for years to come. Arthur didn't know how long to hold it on for but carried on regardless.

'Arthur. Please, stop it! She's gone. She's GONE!' Another agonizing scream left Merlin's mouth, cries of panic accompanying it.

Arthur threw the dagger away from Merlin, threw himself forward and grabbed his face between his hands, one cheek in each, just like he had before. He looked into the eyes of his friend and knew instantly that he WAS indeed looking at Merlin, not Morgana. Tears were streaming down his ashen face, a little blood from his nose where Arthur was forced to push him back. Roughly, he pulled him forward, away from the burning tree and into his arms, holding him so to stop the shaking and trembling. The rain was coming down heavier than ever, putting most of the tree's fire out, but also drowning the small group. Each one shivered, an icy wind biting against their already soaked skin. They needed to get shelter, or none of them would make it back to Camelot alive. Looking up, Arthur saw a small cave, probably the size of a 3 horse stable, and knew it was their only hope. He scooped Merlin up into his arms, beckoned for all to follow and walked straight into the mouth of the wall.

This was taking far too long. They should have been home 1 day ago. They were lost, they were cold, wet and hungry, and each time Morgana showed herself, she was more powerful. He could feel Merlin in his arms and he was week, she was draining him.

Gwaine entered the cave last, shaking his hair not much unlike a dog. 'That witch is going to burn!'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX

'I don't hate you.'

Merlin's voice shocked Arthur out of the daydream he'd fallen into. He was sat staring at the cave floor, completely oblivious to anything happening around him, when Merlin spoke up.

'You're awake then. And you should. I've caused you to live your entire life here in Camelot with the fear of death, and now I'm torturing you by burning you. The dream you had the other night...' he trailed off, remembering the way Merlin had looked up at him, and the screams that escaped him after he woke up, 'It was about me burning you at the stake wasn't it? You were mumbling in your sleep about how sorry you were, and begging me not to kill you.'

Merlin looked away, a tear escaping his eye. 'I don't know what's wrong with me. Yes, I've always been scared of you finding out but never...NEVER...have I feared for my life. Well, not entirely. I would accept death if it came to it, Arthur I'd give my life for you. But, since everything happened with Morgana, I've been having nightmares about you burning me, or hanging me...and I've never worried about it before.'

'You're not scared of the consequences?' Arthur was gobsmacked.

'No. Well...yes, of course. But if I was to be sentenced to death than so be it, I'd be more worried at the fact I wouldn't be around to protect you anymore.'

Silence. Neither knew what to say.

'Get some rest. You look like your horses' backside.'

'Thanks Merlin, really...how I've missed your sass!'

'You're welcome Sire. But seriously Arthur, you can't go on for much longer without sleep. Go on, I'll be fine. It'll be nice to have a bit of piece and quiet, especially with Gwaine asleep too.'

Arthur had to admit, he felt as bad as Merlin looked. So, without any protest, he laid down next to Merlin, so that he could react quickly should anything happen, and fell asleep within seconds. The blackness was a relief he didn't know he needed.

Don't worry, we get kickass Merlin again soon. And we finally make it back to Camelot.