Chapter Eight

When he was at home in his own bed, Arthur slept like a baby. But being out in the open or in a strange place heightened his senses, and he found that sometimes even innocent woodland sounds could wake him up when he was away from home.

That was how Arthur discovered that Merlin very often had troubled sleep, and occasionally even talked through his slumber. At first he'd thought that was vaguely interesting: what did happy, carefree Merlin have to worry about that could make his sleep fitful? Nothing. Nothing at all, as far as Arthur knew. So, Arthur concluded that Merlin was just naturally a restless sleeper, perhaps due to that exasperating endless energy he possessed.

Arthur also made sure not to listen to his unconscious ramblings. He really didn't need to hear Merlin talk more. Besides, a man was entitled to keep his dreams private. Actually, the idea of learning what went on in Merlin's dreams could vary from amusing to very, very disturbing and scary… Arthur wouldn't want anyone spying on his dreams.

Tonight he wasn't talking, Arthur noted, other than a few mumbled nonsense words. He was tossing, and Arthur suspected a nightmare instead of just restlessness. Arthur toyed with the idea of waking him up, but at length decided against it. Something was definitely up with Merlin – this impromptu quest proved that – but Arthur had promised not to ask questions. Though the prince pretended to be sure he'd get his way, Arthur was scared that Merlin would try to slip off on his own again if Arthur pried.

Arthur watched Merlin turn in his sleep, a grunt escaping his lips as his face contorted. In the dark, with only the moon's light shining on his face, the effect was quite eerie, and Arthur felt concern bubble up in him. Just as he was beginning to second guess his decision to let Merlin sleep on, the man suddenly quieted. He turned on his side, where Arthur couldn't see his face, but the change in his breathing made Arthur think that he had awoken.

At ease once more, Arthur turned away from Merlin to study the blackness beyond the trees.

Sounds of shifting told Arthur that Merlin was getting up, and the prince turned to face his servant.

"Arthur?" Merlin rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and straightened his shirt. "You get some sleep… I'll, uh, I'll keep watch for a while."

Arthur stood up silently and walked to gather his blanket roll, pretending he didn't see Merlin's grateful look.

The next morning, they ate some dried meat that Merlin had grabbed from Gaius's chambers. Merlin was tired and quiet, and Arthur was thoughtful and quiet.

The sun was shining quite happily down on them, and birds sang as birds were wont to do.

After a bit, Arthur stood and rubbed his hands on his trousers.

"Merlin," he said after a bit more thought, "I know that I'm not questioning your plan… But am I not questioning it because you won't tell me, or because you don't actually have one?"

Merlin just blinked at him.

"You don't have one, do you?"

"No, I have a plan… Of sorts." Merlin smiled confidently, but it seemed faked. "I'm going to wait until we reach the castle, and then look around to see if it would be easier to sneak past the guards, go through the tunnels, or some other way."

Arthur considered. "I'm going to ask this, because I can't plan a way in unless I know who we're up against… Who has the Castle of Fyrien?"

Merlin smiled awkwardly. "Ah… you don't want to know."

"Merlin…"

"You said you wouldn't ask."

"Why are you so determined not to tell me?"

Merlin opened his mouth, closed it, opened it, and then stopped himself. Arthur considered the wisdom of asking if he had any relatives who were fish.

"Arthur," he said. "You can go home if you want, you know. You don't have to come just because I am… I'd rather it if you did go back, actually."

And that was how Prince Arthur found himself riding towards a place where he'd been a prisoner, following an idiot of a servant, towards unknown enemies. That last part irked him the most; he didn't like not knowing what he was fighting.

"Don't worry," said Merlin from his seat on his horse. "If things go wrong, you'll find out who holds Fyrien soon enough." He didn't add what he was thinking, and that was that he was almost certain things would go wrong. But where women are involved, things usually do.

I'm on my way, Xyla.

A/N: A short chapter, I know, but I hope to get us to the castle next chapter… Where things will start going wrong. Thanks to Dodo123, who reviewed last chapter. Please review.