Merlin being the servant had to prepare the horses. There were 10 total. Five were for the knights of Camelot, Sirs Leon, Percival, Gwaine, Elyan, and Mordred. Two were for Arthur and Merlin, and the last three were for the knights of Altair, Sirs Jacob, Gabriel, and James. Merlin had to wake at the crack of dawn to get everything ready. Merlin grumbled to himself. It was time to wake Arthur and he was definitely not a morning person. It was still dark out side at he walked quietly through the hallways. Arthur wanted to get an early start so they could arrive promptly.
The group left Camelot together as the sun was rising. The knights of Altair hung back to chat with Merlin and not be overheard. Gabriel seeing that the prince was still blaming himself decided to talk with him.
"My lord, you need to stop blaming yourself, the attack was not your fault, there is nothing you could have done," Gabriel tried you reason.
"Yes it was, I could have fought, I could have used my magic, if I had stayed there is a chance the kingdom would still be standing," Merlin argued in a whisper.
The knights of Camelot were looking back at their group suspiciously so Merlin galloped ahead and joined them. Merlin wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, but he must have had a weird expression on his face because he heard the voice of Mordred in his mind.
Emrys, are you feeling all right? you have been acting weird since the knights of Altair arrived.
Yes Mordred, I am in perfect health thank you for your concern. Merlin replied switching to his princely demeanor.
If you're sure, Mordred said uncertainly and left his mind.
They group hadn't gotten much further before Gwaine felt the need to ask the same question.
"Merlin, you okay? You've been acting kinda strange recently," Gwaine questioned.
"I assure you I am fine," Merlin snapped, his voice hostile.
The first day of the trip went surprisingly well; they didn't have a single encounter with bandits or evil sorcerers. The forest was beginning to get dark so the group stopped in a clearing slightly of the edge of the path. Merlin immediately left to get firewood because he wanted some time to think. Merlin wandered around silently through the underbrush not bothering to fake his clumsiness. He gathered a decent size bundle of sticks and made his way back. It took longer than expected; he hadn't realized how long or far he'd wandered. He dropped the sticks in the center of the camp and lit them with a short spell when no one was looking. He had finished his job so he retreated to the edge of the camp and leaned against the tree. He could hear the others talking, but he just tuned it out until he heard his name come up. He listened intently.
"Have you guys noticed anything strange about Merlin?" asked Leon "he is usually talking and joking more."
Yeah, I have, I asked but he just snapped at me," added Gwaine "Arthur, you go ask."
"Why me?" Arthur said indignantly.
"Cause you're his friend, now go," Gwaine said pushing him toward Merlin.
Merlin heard a slight cough behind him.
"Go away Arthur," he said, without turning around, "I'm fine."
Arthur retreated back to the group shaking his head. He sat down and began whispering with the knights. Merlin was siting by himself for another 10 minutes before he heard a set of footsteps coming his way. He recognizes the steps as his knights. By now Merlin was very annoyed. Merlin, acting like the prince he was, ordered the three to go away. James being the friend he was, ignored Merlin and sat down beside him.
James didn't bother to ask Merlin how he was feeling because he knew he wasn't fine. Instead he sat down beside Merlin and put his arm around his shoulder.
Merlin pulled his royal seal out from under his neckerchief and studied it.
"We're gonna get the kingdom back, Merls, I know we will," James said with a comforting squeeze.
Merlin nodded his head silently, thankful for his friends support. Little did he know Gwaine was watching the pair.
Gwaine looked at Merlin and the visiting knight suspiciously. Merlin didn't even know this knight and yet he let him sit down and comfort him. Gwaine was sure something was going on. He saw Merlin tuck something in his neckerchief. Gwaine decided he wanted to know what was going on. He was going to sneak up on Merlin when he was sleeping and figure out what he hid under his neckerchief.