Thank you so much everyone! All of the support really means a lot to me. I'm trying to keep each chapter around one thousand words or so, just to make it a little easier for me to write.
Arthur groaned. He was beginning to wake up and only now did he realize the pain that gripped his body all over. He could feel the warmth of the sun's rays that were beating down on him; he could see the light pushing down on his now functioning eyelids too. He was sitting on damp leaves and was leaning up against a tree trunk, which poked and prodded at his back uncomfortably. He suddenly felt quite aware.
"Arthur?" From somewhere off in the distance, someone was calling his name. The sound of his own pounding heart and rushing blood in his ears blocked most of the external sound, therefore, he decided to rely on his other senses, and let his eyelids flicker open.
"Arthur!" It was Merlin. Arthur had never seen his servant so relieved as he dropped the bundle of sticks in his arms and ran towards him.
"Merlin!" He called back in excitement. He attempted to push himself up however his arms failed him and he slumped back against the rough bark, mumbling in annoyance.
"Arthur, are you okay?" Merlin shouted and ran to his side.
Arthur laughed, "I'm fine Merlin!" He paused, "I'm alive."
Both the men laughed as Merlin helped Arthur into a more comfortable position by the tree and as Merlin recollected his firewood so he could keep them both warm for the night.
"What happened?" Arthur asked, staring up at the sky as the sun began to set.
Merlin murmured something under his breath and the kindling he had collected and placed on the fire burst into flames. "How much can you remember?"
"I remember you holding me, and telling me I'd be okay. I knew I was going to die, Merlin, and you did too, but you didn't give up on me." Arthur said, he looked at Merlin with curiosity and was surprised when he saw tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
Merlin looked directly at him now. "I failed you. I let you die. If I had just killed Mordred when I first had the chance, you would never have died and this battle would never have happened. I'm sorry Arthur."
Arthur took in his words, "Wait, you knew he was going to kill me?"
Merlin nodded and found himself wiping his tears from his eyes. "I'm sorry Arthur. Its just… every time I had the chance, I just, couldn't do it. I couldn't kill him."
"Merlin, it's okay. I know you wouldn't kill a man in cold blood." Arthur sighed, "I don't know why you're the one apologizing when all you have ever done is look out for me. You have done so many things for me that I am only just beginning to understand. You've saved my life so many times; I can't repay that."
"You don't have to Arthur. It's my destiny to protect and serve you as it is yours to unite these lands." Merlin replied.
"Merlin," Arthur said slowly, "I'm sorry, for everything." Merlin made a quick attempt to interrupt however Arthur continued, "All those times I made fun of you and doubted you. When I took you for granted and when I abandoned you. You have stood by me all these years, you have saved mine and many other lives countless times and have never searched for the credit you deserve. You've been my only friend for so many years. I need you Merlin. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Well you wouldn't be able to get dressed in the mornings, that's for sure." Merlin joked. Arthur laughed happily; he couldn't remember the last time he had laughed like this.
"Arthur, when I first met you, I thought you were a clotpole." They both smiled, "But then after a few weeks, I started to realize that you're not just a clotpole, but you're a royal one too."
"Merlin, where is this headed?" Arthur asked, a mischievous grin dancing upon his lips.
"Well, I came to understand, that although it was my destiny to protect you, that was not the reason I did it. The reason I have protected you, was because I can see the man who will unite these lands. I can see a fair and just king. I can see a friend."
"Thank you, Merlin…" Arthur smiled.
"I also see an idiot."
"Merlin!"
"Ow! Hey! What was that for?"
"For being a clotpole."
"That's my word!"
For the rest of the night, both men laughed and joked and, for the first time in weeks, enjoyed each other's company. The war was over and although they both still had to travel the miles back to Camelot on foot, they had each other.
The door to Gaius' chambers swung open and Gwen swept through them with hurried elegance. "How is he?"
The court physician was standing at his table, mixing ingredients together in some kind of bowl. "He hasn't changed, my lady. He's been this way all night."
Gwen picked up a damp cloth and gently pressed it on Gwaine's forehead, "Do you know what happened?"
Gaius sighed, "He was tortured by Morgana, that much we all know. But it seems like her friend, the Nathair's work."
Gwen looked up, shock etched upon her face, "Elyan…"
"Yes, Guinevere, I'm afraid so. This is the same type of situation, except Gwaine was exposed to the Nathair for a longer period of time. With Gwaine, however, she was merciless." Gaius explained.
"How is it he is still alive?" Gwen pleaded, "The pain he must've experienced…"
The physician placed his hand on her shoulder, "Gwen, I promise, I will do my best to save him."
The queen nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. "We can't lose anyone else, Gaius. First Lancelot, then Elyan… then Arthur. We can't lose Gwaine too."
"Gwen, Arthur may still be alive. We must trust in him, in him and Merlin. There is always hope."
"Yes, thank you. I'm just overwhelmed by all of this. Just a few weeks ago, everything was all right." Gwen murmured, sadly.
"And they will be all right again." Gaius continued, "We all believe in you, my lady, to lead this kingdom. With or without Arthur, we all know you'll be a great queen."
Gwen smiled, "Thank you, Gaius."
I'm sorry if this chapter seemed a little short, I enjoyed writing this and I know Arthur and Merlin still need to have a 'Magic' discussion, that'll hopefully be in the next chapter.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this, I'm glad to see I'm not alone with my ideas! :)