Thank you to Ichigo kisses, sam, merlingirl, sesshouluver, Word-Stringer and Su for reviewing my latest chapter. I LOVE getting reviews and it is honestly what keeps me writing. I don't normally ask people to review as it is their choice but I'll love you all if you review =) It's like getting presents via email.

Enjoy and R&R =]

The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was two golden eyes staring back at him. It took him a moment to realise that it was the dragon he now stared at and that it was no longer dark. Had he been here all night? Nothing moved around him, the lake remained still and the trees didn't blow in the wind as the cliffs protected them. Not even the sun could enter the confinements since it was so secluded. It wouldn't take much for something to stumble in here and never be seen again.

As he pushed himself up so he was sitting, he ran his fingers through his hair and frowned. He knew that he was but a mere blacksmith, that he could be replaced, but was there not one person who wanted to find out if he survived? Not even Will who he had thought was his closest friend?

Not even Arthur had come for him.

"I guess you're my only friend now," Merlin muttered and reached over to stroke the dragon's neck who happily lay at his side once he had seen Merlin awake. Looking back up at the sky he saw the clouds slowly drifting over them, he couldn't believed he'd gone so high that he'd been above them, such a feet seemed impossible now.

The memories from last night surfaced and Merlin shuddered at the thought of how he'd fallen, supposedly to his death. Not that anyone would have noticed apparently. However his kind treatment to the creature lying beside him had paid off, he'd been rescued, it was only because of Kilgh that he was able to be here now. Suddenly he remembered why they'd ended up here and he turned to look at the dragon's tail. Half of the end had been bitten off.

"I'm so sorry," he said and turned so he was on his knees. Pressing his hands gently above the wound, he inspected it more closely to see that no harm had come to the rest of the tail, however the injury would mean Kilgh would find it almost impossible to fly. "This is all my fault." Actually, thinking about it, Arthur was to blame. He was the one who'd almost gotten killed by that other dragon, he should be the one sitting here, freezing to death.

"Maybe I should stay here with you. Let them think me dead, serves them right." Merlin had never been a bitter person. No matter what the people around him did, he never judged or held a grudge, he just accepted what happened and moved on. How could he do that after learning that his life had been meaningless?

He was about to say something to Kilgh when his head jolted up and Merlin noticed that Kilgh's pupils thinned. "What is it boy?" Merlin asked and looked around to see if he could spot the problem that had caught the dragon's attention. "Nothings here Kilgh. Just you and me." He gently placed a hand on one of his scales and in response the dragon snapped at Merlin's fingers, anger flaring in his eyes at the thought of a human touching him. "Woah, I didn't mean any harm."

Shuffling away from Kilgh to show he meant no ill harm, Merlin got to his feet and held out his hands so not to panic the dragon. Only when his own ears heard a sound did his attention stray from the creature and he looked up towards the cliff edges, seeing nothing but trees. He unconsciously held his breath as he waited for any confirmation that he'd actually heard something. The dragon was on full alert still and looked in the same direction as he did. Something had to be up there. It was no coincidence that they were both hearing things.

A louder sound broke the silence and Merlin knew it was the sound of someone yelling, what they were yelling though he wasn't sure. His eyes darted to the dragon and then back to the cliff. If whoever it was came here, they'd find Kilgh and no doubt take him. Without the ability to fly, Kilgh stood no chance of escaping. Trying to think what to do, his eyes took in everything around them and saw that unless he physically climbed out, there was no way he'd get up on that ledge without the dragon.

At least that's what a normal person would have to think. Merlin on the other hand had some magic on his side. Running over to the dragon, he cupped his face and smiled, "Everything will be okay. I'll come back. Stay hidden until I return." Patting his nose, Merlin ran over to the side of the cliff and looked up to see how high he had to go. "Wow … looks higher from up close."

Taking a deep breath, Merlin aimed his hand down and focused on his feet. "Áfléotan," he said it calmly and expected to feel the magic flow through him as he cast the spell. Except nothing happened. "Áfléotan," Merlin repeated and waited. Still nothing. Glancing back at Kilgh, he saw the dragon's ears go flat and he knew whoever had yelled was close. "Áfléotan!"

Merlin shot into the air and he grabbed onto the branch of the nearest tree, clinging on as the spell ended. His entire body ached as he held on tightly. After not having anything to eat, sleeping in damp clothes and using his magic so quickly after his last spell, his body was not happy with the way it was being treated. He also doubted that if he fell now that Kilgh would catch him. The dragon was on full alert and was barely paying attention to him.

"Merlin!" The voice yelled out and Merlin's eyes widened. If he wasn't mistaken, that was Arthur. What on earth was he doing here? Using what little strength he had left, Merlin managed to climb down most of the tree before falling to the ground with a thump. He needed to keep moving. There wasn't many places Kilgh could hide down there and if Arthur decided to get curious, he would easily spot the dragon hidden amongst the rocks. "Merlin!" Arthur was closer this time.

Get moving. He thought to himself and pushed himself to his feet, a shot of pain going through the arm he'd just landed on. Trying to ignore it, he gritted his teeth and managed to move forward through the trees. He had to reach Arthur and lead him away, which was easier said then done. Faster. Merlin was tempted to use magic to pick up the speed, except he knew that another spell would be a step too far and he was weak enough as it was. A little further.

"We've been searching all night Sire, maybe we should head back and come back tomorrow after we've rested. Merlin's a sensible boy, he can look after himself." Another voice spoke now and Merlin guessed that Arthur wasn't alone. As he rounded a tree he spotted the men stood together, each with a firm expression on their faces and Arthur stood off to the side as he looked out through the trees. Completely in the wrong direction to where Merlin stood.

Leaning against the tree, Merlin held his painful arm and felt his breathing become harder. The events of last night quickly catching up to him. "Arthur," he had meant to yell it but it came out as nothing more than a whisper. "Arthur!" Merlin attempted again and smiled as Arthur turned. That smile soon dropped when he turned to face his friends.

"You're right. We're no good to Merlin in this state. He might even be back already," Arthur commented and took the lead as the group headed back to the castle.

Merlin stepped forward to follow and fell face down onto the floor in his attempt, his typical luck occurring as his boot caught on the root of a tree. Using his good arm, Merlin pushed his body up a little and glared down at the mud. Come on. You're better than this. Get up, he's just there. Get up! Except his body wasn't having any of it. He was too tired and worn out from everything.

Feeling himself give up, he let his head fall back onto the ground and he watched through the bush he was now hidden behind as the boots faded into the distance. They were gone.

"He'll be okay," Will spoke up and patted Arthur on the shoulder comfortingly. "You might not believe it but Merlin's a tough lad. He's been through a lot and knows how to take care of himself. Have a little faith." Arthur nodded and walked more quickly so he was out of reach. He didn't really want any comfort.

Truth be told, the words hurt more than they did comfort. He knew so little about Merlin, about his life and how he ended up living alone. Where were his parents? How did he end up becoming a blacksmith? Did he enjoy what he did? What did he want to do when he was older? Arthur wanted to ask so many questions. He wanted the chance to get to know Merlin better and now he would never get that chance.

"Knowing Merlin, he's probably back home and boasting to everyone how he saved the Prince." Will claimed and a murmur of agreement came from the other two. Both of which didn't really know Merlin either. Did anyone truly know Merlin? Will had told them that Merlin was his best friend as they had ventured out that night, except every story he told was vague and he mainly talked about himself with Merlin on the sidelines. "Especially if he gets a reward for it."

"Merlin doesn't seem the type who'd want a reward," Arthur commented. Will fell quiet and Arthur sighed in relief, finally, some peace.

Come back.

Arthur's feet came to a stop and he turned to see if the men had spoken, apparently not since all of them looked at him with confusion. Holding up his hand for silence, he listened for the sound again, knowing that it hadn't been him hearing things.

Come back.

There it was again. Running back in the direction they'd just come from, Arthur pushed back low branches and ignored the bushes he now ruined as his legs ran through them. When he reached a certain point, a nagging feeling came over him and he stopped. Looking around to see where he was. Arthur recognised the open ground where he'd been standing a few minutes before, except now he was a few yards away and surrounded by even more trees.

Arthur.

For some reason the voice made him look down and he was greeted with the sight of Merlin staring up at him with his bright blue eyes. Pain written across his face as he lay there. Breathing a sigh of relief that they'd found him, Arthur fell to his knees and cupped the boy's face. "Are you okay?" Arthur asked and waited for Merlin to respond, except his lips didn't move. He just stared back with shock filled eyes. "Merlin, are you hurt? Tell me."

You came.

It was the voice again and Arthur frowned, Merlin hadn't spoken out loud and yet it had sounded just like him. Well, apart from the weakness of the voice. Trying not to think about it, Arthur looked back over his shoulder to see the other three men come into view. "Get over here! I found him!" A look of relief washed over Will's face and he was the first to arrive at Merlin's side.

"I thought we'd lost you mate," he grasped Merlin's hand and a small smile crossed Merlin's face. That one move made anger boil inside of Arthur. He was the one who'd found him, heard him calling, why hadn't Merlin smiled at him? "How are you feeling?" Will asked.

"I already tried-"

"Like hell," Merlin muttered and Arthur had to stop himself from lashing out at the fact Merlin was even responding to Will.

"I couldn't believe it when people told me it was you who'd flown off on that dragon. What were you thinking? You could have been killed."

"Can't get rid of me that easily." Suddenly a cough came over him and Arthur felt his stomach turn when he saw blood drip from the corner of his lips. Did he have internal injuries? Of course he did. The only way he could have escaped that dragon was if he'd fallen off and landed on the ground. Merlin was bound to be injured.

"We should get him back so the physician can look him over. Gwaine, Lancelot, help him would you?"

Arthur pushed away from the poll he was leaning against as the physician came out of Merlin's house with a bag hanging over his shoulder. "How is he?" Arthur asked and the smile that had been on the physician's face dropped instantly.

"He is fine, Sire. I've suggested three days rest and that he remains in bed. He said Will could bring him food and help him with things around the house."

"I'll do it."

"Sire, you have better things to do than-"

"I said I'll do it. It's my fault he's like this and I owe him my life, don't tell Will about his condition, I'll look after him. Am I clear?" Arthur looked at him with authority in his eyes.

"Yes, Sire." The physician bowed his head and hurried off back home, eager to leave the gaze of the Prince. Arthur on the other hand stared at the door he'd never thought he'd enter. Merlin was rarely seen with anyone and Arthur had heard whispers that no one had ever been seen in his home. Not unless it was necessary. Well, he'd just have to change that.

Pushing open the door without knocking, he walked up the stairs and straight over to where Merlin was curled up in bed. He didn't even acknowledge that Arthur was in the room and it wasn't like he had been subtle in his arrival. The door slamming would have been the first clue. "First you ignore me back at the forest and now you're doing it again? It's almost like I wasn't the one who saved your life."

"Go away Arthur. You may be the Prince but that doesn't give you the right to barge in here like you own the place," Merlin replied and kept his back turned.

"I can do whatever I want," Arthur stated and walked right up to the bed. "You shouldn't be talking like that to your Prince."

Merlin now turned to look up at him in anger as he held the sheets around himself, "Then how about you leave and then we don't have to talk at all? I mean, that's what we've been doing for the past week, working in silence. You should be happy that I don't want-"

"Don't want what? To talk to me?" Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he watched as Merlin tensed and avoided meeting his gaze. "Fine. We don't have to talk. There's something else that we could be doing," his head dipped down so that their lips were but a mere inch apart. "It doesn't involve any talking."

A hand shot out and pushed against his chest, "I don't know what you're playing at but whatever it is, stop it. I'm on strict bed rest."

"He didn't specify what you do in bed."

"Are you deaf or something? I'm going to rest. Now leave before I make you leave," Merlin threatened and Arthur couldn't help but laugh under his breath. He could never imagine Merlin being any kind of threat. "I'm warning you. Prince or not, I can still kick your ass."

"Just like you kicked that dragon's ass? Tell me, how did you manage to escape?"

"Magic."

"Very funny. No, really, how'd you do it?" Arthur asked.

"You know what Arthur, I want you out of my house, now." Suddenly Merlin was pushing Arthur from the bed with his good arm and getting to his feet, forcing Arthur to back up and down the stairs. "You treat me like an idiot. Like a servant. I am nothing to you and I get that now. You may have found me this morning Pendragon but it was because of you I was there in the first place. After that night … you ignored me and pretended it didn't happen. So you know what, no, you don't get to ask questions and say things that you shouldn't."

Arthur lost his balance a little as he was thrown out the door and was shocked that Merlin had found the strength to even get out of bed after what he'd been through. "Wait Merlin, you're overreacting."

"You've got it all wrong Arthur. This has been due to be done for a while now. I quit," and with that the door shut in his face.