"Drat!" He finally had to stop and gently he lowered Merlin down. He checked the breathing, it was slow. There was a red bloodline coming on his mouth. Merlin winched in pain but didn't wake. Arthur sat down beside of him, buried his head between his knees, hands on his neck. "Why? Why Merlin? Why it must be you? I can't understand." Arthur muttered desperately.

But of course, Merlin didn't responded.

"Oh gods." Arthur sighed. "What I'm doing?" Then he looked his pale friend. "I can't leave you here. I can't. But… The law… And magic… Show me your wisdom, and explain how we are in situation like this. Middle of nowhere, middle of…" He looked around. Now he could feel them if not seen. Dryads. They were around them, watching. "They haven't attacked yet. Why? What kind of game this is? Is it because of you?"

"May-be." Came hoarse answer.

"Finally awake I see." Arthur didn't move. He couldn't face Merlin.

"You.. carried me?"

Arthur grimaced. "Yes I did. God know why. But why you said maybe?"

"Because I'm like them. A monster."

Arthur was surprised hearing self-hatred in Merlin's voice. "You're not a monster." Arthur burst aloud facing finally Merlin who watched him wondering eyes.

"You think so?"

Arthur turned away. Angry to himself. Not knowing what to think anymore. "You think like that yourself? That you are a monster?"

"Often, not so much lately. Not after first days in Camelot, not so much." Merlin moved a bit, then howled in pain. Arthur didn't turn this time. He tried to steel himself, not watching the one who had lied to him.

"If you are a monster, what kind you would be?" Arthur asked, eying the woods around them. Waiting. Waiting them finally come and finish this madness.

"A dragon." Merlin's voice was just a whisper and Arthur started to laugh. "A dragon? Why you think yourself being like a dragon? Are you mad? Are every warlocks mad?"

"They are my kin. Although my magic is different. Mostly." Merlin answered.

"Dragons are you kin?" Now Arhur turned to watch him and saw that Merlin wasn't joking. "You really believe so?"

"It's not believing. I know." Merlin didn't looked him. His eyes were half open, staring into something far away. Arthur couldn't more than stare him.

"How? How can you know?"

"The Great Dragon." Merlin smiled like he was remembering a good memory.

"The one I killed? You can't be serious. I…"

"I told him never return if I don't call him. He can never again hurt anyone if I don't want it."

Arthur frowned. "Now I'm not following you Merlin. If you speak like this because the poison…"

"Balinor was my father." Merlin interrupted him. After that Arthur couldn't say anything for a long time.

"Cold." Merlin whispered.

"You lied to me. You lied to about the dragon."

"I have lied more than you can ever know."

"Why?"

"To protect you. Without me you didn't stand a chance against anything magical. Gaius and I have worked so hard to keep you alive. And your father."

"But the sorcerer killed him anyway." Arthur's voice was bitter.

"It was Morgana." Merlin muttered and Arthur blinked.

"What?"

"Not Dragoon, although I first though that… But it was Morgana. She placed…"

The first arrow hit near Arthur's leg, second near Merlin's head. Arthur waited the third coming. It never came.

"They play with us?"

"Yes."

"Can you do anything? Can you heal yourself? Anything?"

"No strength left. Sorry." Merlin stared the arrow, his eyes now fully open. Then he turned his head to look Arthur. "Leave me and run. You have to save yourself. Just run until you come the next river. There you are safe. They hate water, they don't cross it. Eric… I think he went over the river to the others side. Maybe dryads lured him there."

"And what makes you believe me that I survive until then?" Arthur stumbled to stand.

"I hold them back."

"You? You just said that you can't do anything." Arthur hissed back. Merlin smiled again. "Maybe I lied again."

They stared each other. Arthur didn't know what to think. Merlin's gaze was steady, stubborn like so many times before. And Arthur remembered all those times when Merlin had came along with him. All those time's when he though they would die and always, always they survived some miracle ways. No, not miracles. Merlin.

"What do you think doing?" He asked.

"One last time, one last time to save my king. Arthur, I'm dead already. I don't last until Camelot and Gaius, you know that. And even if I make it, I can't come with you. Not anymore." Merlin said it smiling, believing that his decision was the right one. How many times he had done that, sacrificed himself. Arthur opened his mouth to say something, but the words died on his lips.

"Help me up." Merlin's voice was more like a command now and Arthur, without thinking, helped him. Grinning with pain, bushing himself on his limits, Merlin stood again.

"When I say that you run, you run." How calm he looked, standing there, watching Arthur, ready to die. Arthur shook his head. "Mer…"

"It was honour to serve you, it's honour to die for you. Whatever everyone else says, just listen to your own heart and believe. You can do this Arthur. Just run and don't ever look back." Then Merlin looked away, closed his eyes and seemed to focus. He spread his arms and when he opened his eyes again they were golden. "Run." He said weekly, not watching Arthur.

And Arthur turned, and ran.

I'm glad to know that there are those who like this. Your reviews just keep me going on. Thank you for your kind words.