Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter Four:
Merlin glanced over his shoulder in time to see Daegal trying to catch a fly, which was flying through the air in front of him as they walked.
"I tell you, if I catch this fly," Daegal swore. "I'm going to eat it."
Merlin can't help but laugh as he reached into his pack and pulled out an apple.
"Here," He held in out to Daegal. "Better for you."
Daegal took the apple and glanced at Merlin, noticing how Merlin hadn't pulled any food out for himself.
"Don't you like them?" Daegal asked, taking a bite of the apple.
"They're my favourite," Merlin replied.
"Then why are you giving it to me?" Daegal questioned.
"I don't need it," Merlin answered, with a slight shrug. "I had a big breakfast."
"You're lying," Daegal pointed out. "Why are you being like this? If anyone finds out you are doing this, you would get into serious trouble. You live like a servant, even though you are a King and you give what little food you have to me, when you must be just as hungry as I am."
"I'm used to it, Daegal," Merlin explained. "I've been a servant for far longer than I've been a King… I'm not even a true King. I don't have a kingdom, I don't have an army."
"You are King of the Druids," Daegal argued. "You are part of the ruling council and the Catha have sworn alliance to you. You have an army of warrior sorcerers at your command and you have a people and kingdom."
"And yet I was born a peasant," Merlin pointed out. "There were winters when I was a child when my mother and I scarcely had enough food to eat in order to survive. There were winters when our neighbours didn't make it through the winter… I'm used to it, Daegal."
Daegal stared at Merlin.
"Here," Merlin held out a water skin. "Have a drink."
"Thank you," Daegal took it.
Merlin smiled, "Come on. We need to keep moving."
)o(
Gaius held out Arthur's sword, ready for him to take. Around them the royal chambers were a mess and Gaius couldn't quite work out how Arthur had been able to create such a mess in so little time. But what was most unnerving was how quiet the King was being.
"You're very quiet, sire," Gaius spoke up.
"Can you blame me?" Arthur asked.
"Sarrum does have a reputation," Gaius agreed.
"Even my father feared him," Arthur frowned slightly as he spoke. "They say he takes joy in impaling men."
"Not just men, sire," Gaius corrected him. "Women and children, too. He also has a fondness for assassinating his friends."
"I doubt we'll ever be that close," Arthur shook his head. "Although, we do share one thing, a hatred for Morgana."
"So you've heard the rumours," Gaius said. "He once had her under lock and key."
"I'm hoping he'll tell us more," Arthur nodded.
"Given Sarrum's reputation, are you certain it's wise to seek an alliance?" Gaius questioned.
"If we're to achieve peace in the five kingdoms, we've got little choice," Arthur sighed. "I don't agree with his regime, Gaius, but dealing with him may be the only way of achieving our aims."
"You're right, of course," Gaius said, there was pride in his tone. "You are becoming a true statesman, Arthur. I hope you realise that."
"I'm going to be late," Arthur suddenly sprung into action. "I'll tell you this, Gaius, Sarrum wouldn't put up with an idle-brained servant like Merlin. He's got a lot to answer for."
"He certainly has," Gaius agreed, looking out the window towards the forest.
And if Arthur had been paying more attention he would have heard the worry in the physician's voice.
)o(
Mordred paused as up ahead Daegal stopped walking and Merlin turned towards him.
"What is it?" Merlin asked, worried. "You're arm?"
Daegal shook his head and glanced round.
"We need to keep going," Merlin insisted. "We've not far from the druid camp now."
Daegal hesitated.
"Daegal," Merlin said. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Daegal answered, before walking past Merlin.
Merlin watched him, before looking back at where Mordred was hiding with a frown and quickly followed after Daegal. Mordred quickly and silently moved after them. Only to stop once more as the sounds of a stick snapping echoed though the trees. Up ahead Merlin heard it as well and quickly ducked behind a tree.
"Daegal, bandits!" Mordred heard Merlin call out with his mind.
But Daegal kept on walking, showing no sign that he'd heard Merlin call out to him.
"Daegal!" Merlin hisses out loud. "Get down!"
Daegal turned at the sound of Merlin's voice and quickly back tracked and ducked out sight beside Merlin.
"What is it?" Daegal whispers.
"Shh!" Merlin warned him, peering around the tree, only to duck back as the first bandit came into sight.
"Did you hear me?" Merlin asked, once the bandits had passed.
"No," Daegal shook his head. "I can't. You know I can't."
"Of course," Merlin shook his head, with a sheepish smile. "I keeping forgetting you're not a druid who can communicate like that."
"Thank you," Daegal nodded towards where the bandits had gone. "You saved my life."
"It's not safe yet," Merlin glanced round. "This part of the wood is full of bandits and the deeper we get the more dangerous it'll get."
Merlin slowly got to his feet and held out a hand, helping Daegal to his feet.
"Come on," Merlin said. "The sooner we get to the druids, the better."
)o(
Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.