Hey guys I hope this chapter will be interesting to you it took me two days to write it and it is pretty long because I could not find a good place to stop it so I hope you enjoy and please review. Let the show begin
Chapter 10
Merlin looked at Arthur wondering what he would think about being a wolf himself for the night since they were going to be up all night anyway but he had to be sure his brother would not think that is was a creepy thing that Merlin could do.
"Arthur what would you say if I told you that after I mastered shape shifting I was able to bring others along with me if I chose?" Merlin asked tentatively Arthur thought about it for a moment wondering if that was even possible but then this was his brother he would not trick him like this. "Well I would say that would be pretty amazing I wonder what it would be like to be a wolf from the stories you told about you doing it." Merlin smiled "Well you just answered my other question too then." "And what question was that?" Arthur asked now intrigued "Well we are not going to be getting any sleep tonight anyway and as you have seen the pack I run with once in a while is close by protecting us. I've been caught out in a rain storm four times while being a wolf and the fur coat insulates you pretty well. I actually took our Uncle with me a few times after that fight we had when I was fifteen. I can take anyone I want with me whether they have magic or not. I was wondering if you would like to be a wolf for the night and if you like it enough maybe I will do it again with you sometime. What do you think?" Arthur's head was spinning he already knew his answer but he had a few questions first "Well I say let's do it but first I have a few questions." Merlin chuckled glad that his brother would do this with him and said "All right what are your questions and ask them all and then I will answer." Arthur took a deep breath "It is painful at all this shape shifting? How will we be able to communicate like that? Are there any others who you have met that run with this pack as well? and Will I be attacked if I go out there with you?" Merlin knew those were all valid questions but his brother had nothing to be worried about "No shape shifting in painless though if you are not used to it, it can feel pretty strange, the first time our uncle did it he told me that he felt like he was crawling out of his skin, but after you get used to it there is nothing to it. To answer you second question with me you can think what you want to tell me and I will be able to hear you and respond in the same manner and that can be done with any shape shifter but with the real wolves best let me do the talking because I know how to communicate with them in their way because if I talk to them verbally even with my thoughts they only understand a certain amount of what I am saying. So you will be able to communicate with me easily. There is only one other who runs with that pack she was practically raised by them from ten years old on. I was running with them for about a week one time when I was thirteen I was already the alpha male as I told you I had become that at eleven years old. The female wolf who had found me when I was three also found her and the same thing happened to her that happened to me. She was adopted into the pack as well, I talked with her to find out why she was out there alone, She was a druid but he whole camp was dead most by a strange sickness even her parents died she escaped before she got sick and had been wondering around for two days. She is a very sweet girl she chose to remain with the pack more than people and whenever I came around, her and I would talk for hours I have been crushing on her for three years. At times she would stay with me and our aunt and uncle then return to the pack. As for your last question you have nothing to worry about they won't attack you unless I tell them to, the only time you might actually have a problem is if you get challenged by one of the more rambunctious youngsters and don't think you can defeat them easily just because of the training you have received because it will be of no use to you. Fighting as a wolf is much different than fighting with your hands or a sword because the only weapons you have are your teeth, claws, the strength of your own body , but your most important weapon is your mind and how you use it. I did not win every fight I have had to do in this pack by just throwing them around, I was smart and cunning and I used everything I could against them. After tonight if you enjoy this and want to do it again when we have time then I will teach everything I have learned about being a wolf from how to fight whether as play or an actual fight, to honing every sense, and hunting. Those are just a few things I will teach you but I will teach you everything. Now you have had your questions answered now I have one for you. Do you want to do this or not?" Arthur did not hesitate in his answer "Yes I want to do this I think that it is amazing that it is even possible. Please let's do it." the excitement in Arthur's voice made him sound like an overexcited child getting a new toy which made Merlin laugh saying "Alright well first I have to say a spell that will make it possible for you to this, I don't need one. The I will shift first and the spell will make you follow with a minute after me. You ready?" Arthur nodded and Merlin said the spell "Tranforma andunam fermanan." Merlin eyes flashed gold and Arthur felt Merlin's magic rush over him and threw him it felt amazing to him. Merlin pulled Arthur out of his thoughts as he said "Now I need to concentrate so I need you to be quiet for the next minute ok it will difficult for me to concentrate if you are babbling." Arthur chuckled and nodded make Merlin smile back.
Merlin stared at the fire for a few seconds concentrating on the connection he had felt the first time he had shape shifted into a wolf and remembering each feeling he had and how it felt to run with the pack. After a few seconds the shift started first his skin started to grow white fur very quickly and Arthur really did not notice anything happening until the real shifting began and it all happened almost instantaneously when it really started it Arthur jumped and said "Whoa!" First Merlin's hands turned into paws his nails became longer and shaper and turned into the claws of a wolf, then Merlin's body morphed into that of a fully grown adult wolf watching a tail grow made Arthur think that this whole process was definitely the weirdest but also most amazing this he had ever seen. Finally Merlin's face changed his nose and mouth elongated into a muzzle, his teeth sharpened, his ears became that of a wolf, and finally his eyes changed color from their original ice blue to a bright gold. Arthur looked at Merlin in his wolf form and was amazed and the who transformation had taken less than half a minute once it started. Arthur was about to say something but then he felt a weird sensation start to spread threw his body he tensed up not knowing what was happening. Merlin whined to get his attention and Arthur knew he could see the fear in Arthur's eyes. Merlin's expression softened and Arthur heard Merlin's voice in his head "Arthur it's alright just relax all that is happening it you are going through the same thing I just did. I know it probably feel strange but you have no reason to be afraid and I am right here I won't let anything bad happen to you. It helps if you concentrate on something like I was looking at the fire. I know that won't help you though so just concentrate on my eyes look me right in the eyes and don't look away it will help trust me I know what I am talking about. There is nothing to be frightened of I promise." Arthur nodded still a bit frightened but he trusted Merlin and for the next half a minute he studied not just Merlin's eyes but every aspect of how Merlin looked at a wolf. Then as almost as soon as the sensation had started it was over and Arthur was at eyes level with Merlin. Arthur was not sure if Merlin would be able to hear him but he tired to think his question hoping Merlin would hear him "Is it done?" Even Arthur could tell he sounded a little scared and Merlin caught on to that quick and reassured him "Yes it's done, and I have to say you make a pretty good wolf at least better than our Uncle did. He may be strong as a person but as a wolf let's just say it took me three years just to get him where he is now and that is not much better than the first time. You on the other hand make a pretty impressive white wolf I think that you might just be a pretty damn good addition to the pack if you choose to do this again. Now come on I have not seen the pack or Freya in six months so let's go. Don't worry if any of them try to start a fight with you they have me to deal with me and trust me none of them want to do that." "This is pretty Amazing but it seems like every sense has been magnified it is a little overwhelming." Arthur replied with a bit of a laugh in his words Merlin head dipped down in an imitation of a nod as he said "That because a wolfs senses a ten times better than a humans and it can be overwhelming for the first few minutes then it becomes easier to focus after that. Now come on lets go." Arthur followed Merlin out of the cave but as soon as they were out of the cave Merlin stopped his eyes narrowing and a fierce growl escaping his throat Arthur whined which felt weird to him but with Merlin sounding like that it scared the hell out of him.
Merlin heard Arthur and knew he had frightened him but something was wrong and Arthur needed to know why "Arthur I did not mean to frighten you but something is wrong. For one the horse has bolted and it was not because of us or the other wolves. The Mercenaries who I thought would not find our trail until late tomorrow found it today and they are close if you listen you can hear their attempt at sneaking coming from the right of us and if you smell the air you can smell their sweat and underneath that each and every one of their scents. From what I can tell there is about ten of them. Which could overwhelm me alone in either form any day. You do not know how to fight as a wolf yet so you will be in more danger if you tried and I would be worrying about you. They will be here in five minutes from the sound of it which gives me enough time to call the pack for a little hunt and have you protected. With the way the pack hunts and the way I can lead it those Mercenaries won't stand a chance. But you will be close by, you will be able to see the whole thing just please don't think of me any differently and don't be afraid of me for this because it will be probably the most brutal thing you have ever seen." Arthur was afraid the Mercenaries would hurt his brother but he could hear the confidence which Merlin spoke with when it came to fighting as a wolf but he could tell that Merlin really was afraid that Arthur would be afraid of him after seeing what was to come.
Arthur felt a little weird doing it but he really did not have arms to hug his brother so he settled for the only thing he could do right now. Arthur got as close as he could to his brother and nuzzled his head into Merlin's neck, which Merlin seemed to snuggle into as if it were an embrace as Arthur said "Merlin no matter what happens I'll never be afraid of you, I don't think I could even if I tried. You do what you have to do and don't worry about that because I have seen too much already to ever be afraid of you. You have to remember I have already been on the wrong end of your anger and I am still not afraid of you even after that. So I don't think that will ever be a problem, just keep yourself safe and I'll be happy." Merlin nudged his head against Arthur's as he nuzzled him back saying "Thank you now they will be here soon so follow me and no matter what do not get mixed up in this fight." Arthur did his best imitation of a nod but fail spectacularly causing Merlin to let out a barking laugh.
Merlin trotted into the wood surrounding the camp followed closely by Arthur who was a bit clumsy on four legs but getting better with each step. Once the trees had hidden them almost completely, Merlin could hear the bandits were close they were close enough that his highly tuned sense of hearing he could hear their whispering and what they were saying. Merlin knew it was time to call in the pack, he lifted his head back and howled at the sky for a second in one pitch then changed it to a bit lower for second and then he cut off completely knowing that the pack would come because that specific howl meant that he needed help and there was danger close by. Merlin was watching the wood around them when Arthur asked "What was that howl, what did it mean?" "I called the pack for help they know that there is danger nearby enough that I can't handle it alone and I need some help. The whole pack will be coming, there are about twenty wolves in the pack twenty one when I am around. They will all be here before the Mercenaries get here. Some of the younger wolves who are good fighter but not experienced enough for something like this will stay with you and keep you safe. while the rest of us take those Mercenaries down. But until we charge them I will be close to you but once I give the order me and the others will be fighting so you will know everything that is going on." Then a snap of a twig was heard cause Arthur to jump but Merlin just look towards the sound saying with his mind and Arthur was able to hear him "Hello Freya you look well." The female who Merlin called Freya crouched down playfully looking like she was going to spring at Merlin as she teasingly asked "Hello Merlin, do you still remember how to fight?" Merlin crouched down and with a playful growl sprang at her and within seconds pined her to the ground underneath him saying "Does that answer your question?" Freya just laughed and Merlin let her up and looked at Arthur who had his jaw hanging open but closed it when Merlin said "Arthur close your mouth it is not anything new between Freya and I it just for fun." Merlin then turned to Freya and said "Where are the others?" "Already in place all round your camp waiting your order." Arthur watched with amazement as Merlin went from his normal fun loving brother in wolf form to a full blown leader of a wolf pack in seconds as Merlin said "Get the four youngest fighters of the pack we both know they are not experienced enough for this and tell them to protect Arthur and tell that that no matter what are any of them to enter the attack. Then get into place the Mercenaries will be her in two minutes." Freya left and did as she was asked.
Soon enough Merlin was standing by Arthur right at the edge of the woods facing the cave they had camped in. There were four other younger wolves standing close to Arthur which made him a little nervous but Merlin explained to him that they would be protecting him if any of the Mercenaries broke free. Freya was standing on the other side of Merlin. All the wolves and Merlin were in place and ready for the attack.
Just then the Mercenaries came into the clearing Merlin let out a low fierce growl that made it sound like he was angry Arthur could tell that he was zeroed in on one of the Mercenaries in front of the group "Merlin what's wrong?" Arthur asked and when Merlin answered the was even a growl in his words "The Mercenary that is leading them I know him. Four years ago he tired to kidnap our Aunt Hunith I attacked him and got Aunt Hunith to safety but he escaped I tried tacking him for days but there was no sign of him. Now he is leading Ailya's Mercenaries I don't care what I have to do but tonight he dies and he is mine." Arthur was shocked at the venom and malice that was in those words but he understood that they were well placed.
Once the Mercenaries were in the center of the clearing Merlin walked into their line of sight growling and snapping at them. The very same man Merlin had pointed out to Arthur laughed and said "Ahh look the two princes have a wolf on their side like that will help them." one of the men behind him said "Ah Bran sir the wolves of this region have blue or brown eyes that one's eyes are pure gold I never seen that before." Bran looked at Merlin then said "So your sorcerer and probably an old one because from what I have heard it takes decades to learn how to do what you did. Why are you protecting them they are nothing to you and I have killed about three sorcerers in the last three years only got away and never had a chance to find him till now so get out my way." Merlin was still growling at the man but forced his thoughts into the man's head saying "I am not old I am younger then you I am only eighteen years old, but I have met you before Bran. You may remember trying to kidnap a older woman from Ealdor and young boy who defeated you and gave you that scar over your left eye and few broken ribs. If you remember him you will know who I am and I am also the one of the princes you are hunting and I swear to you that you and all your men will die here tonight but you will die when I rip your throat out." With his last words Merlin snapped at man making him jump back a little bit but he spat Merlin's feet saying "Well there is one of you and ten of us your brother must be in that cave, after you are dead it will be all the more sweat to see the look on his face when we kill him." Merlin snapped and growled ferociously while saying "Who say's I am alone and none of you will touch him." Merlin let out a small quick howl which was the signal for the pack to fall in around the men the white wolf that he had met when he was three stood on his left while Freya stood on his right both of them flanking him. It confused Merlin a little on why Freya would stand on his right side because that is where the Alpha female usually stood but decided to think about that later. The other wolves surrounded the men growling and snapping just as angrily as Merlin was. The men started to draw their swords but before any of their swords were drawn Merlin attacked one of the men tackling him to the ground the man tried to hit Merlin in the head but Merlin was too quick for him and bit right into his hand shattering the bones and tearing flesh. Merlin let go of the man's hand and just as the man tried to get his other hand free so he could try and get his weapon Merlin locked his jaws around the man's throat and crushed his windpipe then for good measure tore the man's throat out. The rest of the wolves had already taken out four of the men and now were working on taking out four of the others which only left the Bran who was standing there watching in terror and anger as his men fell one by one as the wolves took them down.
Merlin snarled at Bran getting his attention Bran saw the blood on Merlin's fangs and around his muzzle and the anger and bloodlust in his eyes. Bran knew that Merlin had killed one of Bran's friends if not more and it made Bran so angry he said threateningly "If you kill me I am taking you down with me." and with that the fight started.
They circled each other for a few seconds then Merlin charged Bran first biting his leg severing a few tendons needed for walking and supporting body weight with his teeth then jumping back out reach. Bran's leg did not support him very well anymore but he had wounded Merlin as well with a cut that was deep enough that it was not life threatening but would cause him a hell of a lot of pain right on his back but Merlin did not seem to notice because he charged again but this time he knocked Bran to the ground making him drop his sword. Merlin had his Jaws around Bran's throat and crushed his windpipe but as Bran was dying from the lack of air he grabbed his hidden dagger and cut Merlin's front leg with it causing Merlin to tighten his hold on Bran's neck but let out a whimper of pain. Before Bran could attack again Merlin ripped Bran's throat out. Then Merlin started to limp away from Bran's body he did not get very far but he got far enough that the others would be taken care of first before he collapsed not able to walk any further on his injured leg plus the wound on his back was hurting pretty badly. Merlin knew if he shifted back to human form while these wounds were like this he would bleed out for sure.
Merlin lay there knowing the battle was over watching as the wolves were assessing the others which made him happy and he knew Arthur was safe just on the other edge of the field. Merlin was far enough away that no one would see him right away and that was a good thing it meant he would have a little time to rest and regain his bearings before anyone found him and he was still in a bit of foul mood.
Ten minutes later Merlin heard Arthur talking to Freya he was panicked "Freya where is Merlin have you seen him? Because I can't find him I did not see if he was hurt or if he is alright. Please you have to help me find him." "Last I saw him he was fight that Man Bran but I lost sight of him before the fight was over. Don't worry I will help you find him he is probably not far." Merlin turned his head to face them weakly the bleeding from his wounds had stopped a few minutes ago but the pain was still very bad. He did not have the energy to call out to them they were far away and it would cost him energy to call out to them. He knew that they would find him in a few short minutes and then he would tell them what he could with the little energy he had.
Arthur followed Freya to where Bran's body was and when he saw Bran Arthur said "Merlin sure did a number on him but there is too much blood here for it all to be Bran's. We have to find Merlin he could be injured." Freya sniffed the air and then the ground until she caught Merlin's sent then with Arthur following her. Seeing the blood trail Arthur started to get worried then he saw Merlin not far ahead and he saw the wounds on him. Arthur yelled Merlin's name all Merlin did was raise his eyes to meet Arthur's as Arthur ran over to him.
"Merlin you idiot why didn't you call to me when you where hurt I could of found you sooner?" Arthur asked worriedly not knowing if Merlin was going to be ok Merlin's laugh resounded weakly in Arthur's mind as Merlin said "I really did not have to energy to. When I charged Bran the first time he gave that back wound it is not very bad just hurts something terrible, then the second time I charged him I had him by the throat I had crushed his windpipe but in a last attempt to win he used a dagger to slice my upper leg which it is deep but not life threatening he did not sever any tendon's or anything it is just a pain to walk right now. If we switch back to human form any time in the in four days the wounds will start to bleed again and they will be worse. I am sorry Arthur I did not expect this you probably not want to do this again and I am sorry for that." "Well your wrong about that. This may be a bit of a setback but this has been an amazing experience Merlin. I would do this again with you anytime I can. But for now all I want to help you get better so we can get home though I don't know how much longer it will take with the horse gone and all our supplies. But I just want you to get better I don't care how long it takes but I won't leave your side just you would not leave mine. Maybe next time though let's try and not have either of us get wounded ok." Arthur replied glad his brother was going to be ok and that he knew that Arthur was not going to leave him.
Freya came over to him nuzzled his face with her nose saying "I am sorry you were hurt." Then she surprised Merlin when she started to lick his wounds cleaning them just like a normal female wolf would do for her cubs or for her mate "Why are you doing that Freya you don't have to?" "Because Merlin I have been crushing on you for three years and I can't stand the fact that you were hurt so I am doing what I can." Freya's answer shocked Merlin even more but he knew what he had to say "Freya did you know I have been crushing on you for three years as well. When did you become the alpha female by the way because I know it has been in the last six months?" Freya let out a barking laugh but continued cleaning his wounds as she said "I glad to hear you feel the same way about me. But to answer your question the last alpha female the one that we both felt a connection with that let us join the pack. She is getting old and she knew it was time for another to take her place but she knew she had to fight with everything she had and well no one else could defeat her. So I gave it a shot and I won that was about four months ago I have been alpha female since then. Whenever you come around your still the alpha male of pack because none of the males no matter how big or strong have ever been able to defeat you so kept your place among the pack." Soon Freya stopped cleaning his wounds and said that she had done all she could but she did not leave. Arthur was already asleep next to Merlin he had been exhausted after what had happened today and then the worrying over Merlin then watching over him for the past four hours while Freya had cleaned his wounds. But Arthur had been asleep for about an hour Merlin looked at how he was curled up at an odd angle snuggled against Merlin's side still not sure how to sleep in the form of a wolf but doing a pretty good job which made Merlin smile a little. Freya lied down next to Merlin putting her head up against his while resting it on her paws.
"You know I missed you, you were really the only one I could talk to since the other wolves aren't really good at conversations." Freya whispered "I missed you too Freya I am glad you were here tonight I just wish I was not the idiot who got injured. But I am glad you're here." Merlin said Freya laughed but noticed how tired Merlin was and said "Go to sleep you need just as much if not more than your brother does. I watch over both of you don't worry." Freya licked his muzzled after she said and Merlin nuzzled her then fell asleep quickly.
The next morning Merlin woke up and realized that his wounds had closed over and were almost healed but it would still be late tomorrow before he could even think about shifting him and Arthur back because Arthur would be like this as he was that was one drawback of the spell. Arthur was already awake watching the others Freya had just come back into the camp with a deer hanging from her jaws a few other wolves behind her four of the others brought in four other deer that they had been able to kill for the pack.
Freya had always been a great hunter she dragged the deer over to Merlin and Arthur and dropped it in front of Merlin saying "I figured you would both be hungry but I know it might be difficult for you to get your brother to eat I remember it took you about a day and half to convince me to eat like this before I did and it took me a while longer to get used to it. If you need any help let me know." "Thank you Freya I appreciate it but I need to ask you something last night did you use magic to heal my wounds without me knowing?" Freya's eyes softened as she told him she had but she could not heal them all the way he would still have to be careful till late tomorrow but after that he should be able to shift back and they could make their way home. Merlin told Arthur he would be right back and took Freya aside and cut of Arthur from the conversation "Freya would you come with us since the horse bolted and is probably long gone and would take days just to find it plus horse was carrying all out supplies so we don't any weapons or anything. I going to talk to Arthur about making home like this plus we could get home quicker than the horse could anyway. Plus I would like to spend some time with you as well. So do you think that you and the pack could come with us until we are a few miles from home then we will go our separate ways till Arthur wants to do this again and then we will meet back up with you for a few days. I could really use your help because in this form he is like a child. Until I can do this with him enough times that he hones his senses and learns how to hunt as wolf and fight. I can't even leave him alone I need all the help I can get right now and you're the only one I know will help. We both know what our first time was like and how long it took us to be able to do anything if it had not been for this pack when I got lost at eight years old and it being the pack of the same wolf we felt a connection with I would have been dead with a week. We found you when you were ten and it took the whole time I ran with the pack before I left for home to even get you far enough along that you could at least fend for yourself if you had to and then the pack taught you the rest. Arthur only has me to teach him and that is my responsibility but I need all the help I can get getting home will you help me?" "You know I will and now I know you live in Camelot I can come and visit you there just as I did in Ealdor I promise you we will help you both get home and we will stay close by after so that way if you ever need help with Arthur or you both run into trouble on a patrol you will have us to help you. You should both eat and good luck trying to get Arthur to I remember I did not believe you until you told me I did not have to eat this way again if I did not like it. Go on just let me know when you are both ready then you and I will tell the pack to head out." Freya replied Merlin nuzzled her telling her thank you then he went back over to Arthur who was just staring at the other wolves.
"Arthur I need to talk to you. You know the horse bolted last night and it would take us days just to find it if it has not already been found by Camelot patrols and taken home. Plus I won't be able to shift back till late tomorrow without my wound opening back up. We will would get home faster than on the horse like this anyway. Freya had already said that she would help us get back safely and since her and I are both alphas and we are both going the pack would follow and help us. We could get within a few minutes of city which we would be there a little after midnight tomorrow night if we traveled like this and we would have the security of knowing that if there are anymore Mercenaries looking for us they will not know to look for us like this. But I want to give you the choice, Freya said if we choose to do this she would help us because you have to have to admit Arthur right now in this form your little more than a child and if you ever did choose to run around with me like this again I will have to train you how to survive like a wolf and fight like a wolf which I will do if you choose to do this again but right now we don't have the time and I can't do everything. So I am asking you, will you consider this?" Arthur looked at Merlin who saw the smile in Arthur's eyes as he said "You know I think it might be fun and I am definitely doing this again. So the answer to your question is yes let's do it." Merlin looked at Arthur and shook his head then said "You know we are going to be like this for a few days and you are going to need to keep up your strength so you are going to need to eat and it is not going to be cooked or anything it is going to be going to be just how it is caught. Before you say you won't eat anything like that because it is disgusting let me tell you this. Freya thought the same way a long time ago it took me a day and half to get her even try it and she thought it was going to be absolutely horrible but come to find out she actually enjoyed it. The only reason I found out that in this form eating food like that tastes pretty damn good is because I had been lost had no way of getting any food because I did not know how to hunt at the time I was eight I shifted into a wolf because I freezing and wolf's coat is warmer than anything I had. Soon after that the same female wolf I found when I was three took me back to her pack which is the one we are with now and by then I was so hungry I could have eaten dirt and been happy she allowed me to share some of their meal that the pack had hunted down and trust me I was little apprehensive but I was so hungry I did not care and let me tell you I tasted great to me. So as a wolf some things you think you thought you would never do you end up doing and actually enjoying it. So just try it and if you don't like it I will find a way to get some other food alright." Arthur looked from the deer Freya had caught for both of them and then back at Merlin with a look that said 'if you are wrong about this you are dead' but he said "Alright but if you're wrong about this I promise you will have one hell of a pounding coming when we get home." Merlin just let out a barking laugh and said half teasingly half daringly "After you."
Arthur clumsily tor a chunk meat of the deer and found that he really enjoyed it which shocked him to no end. Merlin just shook his head and ate as well he was used to doing this from time to time when he ran with the pack. Merlin was able to switch from the role of a person to the role of a wolf instantaneously because he has done it so often it is pretty easy for him but he could not wait to get home.
Arthur thought the day and half was going be pretty interesting and he could not wait to get started. Merlin warned him that it would be pretty tiring for Arthur but Arthur was determined before they set out all Merlin could say was "I tried to warn you but it is your fault you did not listen." The Merlin and Freya took off at the head of the pack at a dead run while Arthur stumbled a few times before he was able to get it right then he was able to keep up for a while but he sure did not have the endurance in this form that Merlin had and Arthur soon found that out.
When they stopped for a rest about half way through the day Arthur knew what Merlin meant when he said that this would be tiring. Now Arthur thought that the after they got home he was going to collapse in bed for the day.
Soon after resting for about a half hour they started back up again and ran till night fall. Arthur collapsed when they stopped, he panting hard which felt strange to him. Merlin took a hunting group out and brought back a sizable amount of food back for the pack and brought back a deer for him, Arthur and Freya to share which was polished of quickly with how hungry they were. Merlin curled up with Freya snuggled close to him and Arthur curled up close to Merlin as well because he did not have a clue what he was doing yet and felt safer when he could feel Merlin close by, it helped that no matter how tired Merlin was he always made a mental connection with Arthur deeper than what just talking with their mind in this form was, just like he had the first night after Merlin had rescued Arthur. It helped him sleep and boy was he tired. The last thing Arthur thought before going to sleep was that tomorrow if it was anything like today was going to going to be hell on him.