It was early morning when they finally crossed the next river and Arthur stopped and placed Merlin on the ground. These were familiar woods. They were near the Camelot. Arthur smiled and turned to look Merlin.
"Home, we are home soon. You hear me?"
Of course he didn't hear him, but Arthur didn't cared. He was tired, walking the whole day and then whole night, carrying Merlin the last three hours. The moon was retreating and the sun was rising slowly. Arthur slumped next of the river and drank. He washed his face and neck and felt himself little bit spirited. He watched how the water slowly continued its journey when the world started to wake.
"It's so peaceful. You would like this, don't you?"
Arthur turned his head and saw someone. It was a young man with a water bucket. They stared each other until the man started to yell.
"Boss! Here is someone!"
Bandits? Arthur though and before he could do anything, more men came from the woods, surrounding him.
"Well well well, what we have here?" The big man with scar over his face murmured and grinned. "Nobleman? Must be, so fancy clothes."
Others laughed. Arthur rose, watching, observing. There was too many. "Let us go." He said quietly. More laughing.
"You know we can't you just go. We are bandits." The scarface spread his arms and watched his fellows.
"I said…"
"You have nothing to say. Just sway away your sword and come with us."
"No." Arthur hissed through his teeth.
"You are dragging a dead body with you?" Some of the bandits were hovering over Merlin and then Arthur saw only red.
"You don't touch him." Arthur murmured and draw his sword. "I own my life to him. And I will get him home." The bandit leader smirked and also drew his sword. "Just surrender. I can see that you are nobleman, so you can survive without a scratch if you want. We ask some ransoms and you are free to go. But if you resist…"
"Of course I resist." Arthur anger rose more and more. "You are on my way. We are going home and you can't stop me."
"We see that." The leader rushed forward and their swords went deadlock and then separated again. They began a dance of death. The thug was quick and clever, and Arthur realized that he was too tired even though he was skilled enough to hold more men a way. But he was too tired, and he made a mistake. And the bandit's sword got through his defence. He felt the sharp pain in his stomach and he retreated. His hand touched the wound and he saw the blood. Not understanding what was happening he was suddenly on his knees.
"Oh crap. Look what you did Swen. Now we never get any money from him. He's dead."
Arthur blinked.
Dead? His eyes wandered toward Merlin's still figure. Dead? He laughed and coughed and felt the iron on his mouth.
"Boss! We have to go!" Someone yelled and Arthur collapsed, his eyes fixed at Merlin. Dead. Both of them. He smiled and coughed more blood. He realized vaguely that someone was calling by his name.
"Arthur!"
He knew that voice and turned his head.
Horses. Lot of horses. Yelling. The sound when sword hit sword and flesh. Red cloaks. Camelot's colours.
Someone rushed beside of him. A knight.
"Leon?" Arthur watched the familiar face, full of concern. Someone yelled Merlin's name and Arthur grab Leon's hand. "Merlin… Poison... Flower… Saved me… Home… I promised…"
"Stop talking, please." Leon begged, his eyes studying him.
"Don't touch the flower… Poison… Gaius…" Arthur loosened his grip and the whole world started to spin around him. He heard more yelling. Someone removed his clothes around the wound. Gasping. Yelling. Everything happened so fast, and same time so slowly.
"Merlin… my brother…" Arthur whispered, trying to turn his head to see him the last time.
"Sire? Arthur! You have to try stay awake. Please, try." Leon's desperate voice commanded and Arthur stared at him. "Tell… Gaius… poison… flower."
Leon looked him confused but nodded. More yelling. Why they yelled so much?
"What happened to Merlin? He's dead!"
Gwaine, it was surely Gwaine. Who else? Arthur just smiled and closed his eyes. "We... made it. Home…"
All the voices receded. The yelling stopped.
Hmm, two-three more chapters I think. You know that I don't do long stories.
Thank you everyone from your reviews. More please? They keep me on and on.