Chapter 3

"Merlin!" Arthur opened up his water supply and dumped most of it on Merlin who had fallen asleep on his horse and was now lying on the grass, after falling off of his horse.

Merlin woke with a jerk. Smiling grimly he said, "Thank you."

Arthur turned back to his horse. "We can't waste a second Merlin, wake up and get back on your horse."

Merlin groaned and sat up.

"Can't we rest a little? We'll find Gwen, just we need to be wide awake in order to do so."

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"I am wide awake. Its not like you be of any use sleeping or awake. Get up and start riding. We'll make camp tonight."

"I am more useful than you will ever know." Merlin muttered to himself while getting up.

Gwen sat up. She had fallen asleep in the corner of her cell. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around her. At that moment, a guard opened the door and pushed some food towards Gwen.

Never before had she been so grateful to see food. Not caring that the bread was stale, or the porridge gunky she crammed it into her mouth. Felling slightly better she sat down on her straw bed once more.

She wished Arthur, for once, would not come and rescue her. What chances had the prince and his manservant have against a powerful sorcerer? Sighing she closed her eyes once more and tried to fall asleep.

Merlin was so grateful when Arthur stopped to make camp.

"We will spend the night here. Make yourself useful Merlin and start a fire." Arthur commanded.

Once Arthur had his back turned, Merlin muttered a spell and started a fire.

Arthur turned around.

"That was quick." He commented.

Merlin shrugged, "That is one thing I can do well at least." he teased hoping Arthur wouldn't ask any questions.

Fortunately Arthur was too worried for Gwen to pursue the matter so he just shrugged and sat down next to Merlin.

Merlin looked at Arthur. The prince was looking tense and worried.

Merlin poked Arthur with a stick. "We'll find Gwen." he said reassuringly. Arthur looked up.

"What if we don't? What if we are too late? If anything happens to her I'll never forget myself."

Merlin looked serious. "We will find her. And everything will turn out just fine. Just like it always does."

At that moment Merlin once again thought about Freya. Everything hadn't turned out fine that time. She had died, while he a powerful sorcerer couldn't do anything.

Arthur saw the change of expression in Merlin's face. He recognized it from the one Merlin had shown when they went to the lake.

"Why does the lake make you so sad Merlin?" Arthur surprised himself by asking.

Merlin was caught off guard. He couldn't tell Arthur the truth. Not without exposing himself, so he just shrugged.

"No reason."

"What is it your not telling me Merlin?" Arthur asked seriously.

Merlin sighed.

"I have a painful memory which is connected to that lake." he said cautiously.

"What happened?"

Merlin tried to contain his emotions.

"Someone I loved died there."

"Who?"

"Just a girl."

"A girl." Arthur looked incredulously at Merlin. He had not thought Merlin to be the type who fell in love.

Merlin grinned.

"Its not impossible you know." he replied trying to look hurt and failing completely.

"Really? I thought it was." Arthur returned playfully.

Not wanting to talk about it any more Merlin got up and went to bed without another word.

Watching his manservant leave Arthur put out the fire and sat for a few minutes in the dark. Merlin was hiding something. But he wasn't sure what.

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