A/N: Hello! Im here, and i havent forgotten. Sorry for the long wait. I have an exam in a month. I'm struggling a little with this story, but hopefully got it sorted in my head. Not as good as i hoped it would be, but thank you to all those following and i hope you enjoy. Please R&R, i need some inspiration.

Chapter 9

Merlin woke with a start as something moved close by, he reached for his magic, feeling it gather under the surface. Cracking his eyes open he saw a familiar face above his.

"Wake up you lazy git" he felt the bed jostled by the king. "Its time to get up and find this Kilgharrah friend of yours"

"What?" Merlin gulped, relieving his dry throat. His eyes scanned the room to find that Arthur was alone with him.

"Kilgharrah?" Arthur's face was unreadable and Merlin didn't like it. "I don't know who he is Merlin, but Gaius said we can only see him at night, and well, its night."

"That's convenient" the warlock's voice seemed to lack its usual volume.

"Well?" Arthur bent over picking up the fallen clothes from the floor. "Your going to be needing these." he pulled up Merlin's usual coat and boots.

"Guess I will" he mused in reply.

"What is it?" Arthur dropped his hands by his sides.

"Nothing?" Merlin rolled his eyes, "Well you know?" he pulled his left arm up and motioned to himself, "paralyzed and all?"

"Ah" Arthur smiled, "got that one sorted, Gaius is just sorting you a brace for your neck, then I'm carrying you to the horse downstairs and he said you can ride very slowly for a short time."

Merlin doubted that Gaius had actually allowed Arthur to take him on horseback without some very careful lying or persuasion to the physician.

"Then we can get your sorcerer friend to heal you."

The servant had to quell the urge to laugh then. "He's uh" Merlin stuttered, "not exactly a sorcerer."

Gaius appeared then, before the King could answer. The old man was carrying an odd collection of cloth. "You must be careful my lad" he said then, "I know Kilgharrah will help you, but its the dead of night and your practically helpless in the state your in."

"Ah yes" Arthur smiled, "but you see, you've all forgotten he has the greatest warrior in Camelot to keep him company"

"And I see you haven't forgotten how arrogant you are." Merlin shot.

"I'm not joking Merlin" Gaius pulled the cloth around the servants neck carefully raising him up with the help of Arthur. "who knows who has found out about your affliction. You must be careful, until you call for him your will be vulnerable" The physician pulled the fabric around several times so the material sat snugly on the warlocks neck almost like an oversized neckerchief.

"And you'll need to hold onto this too" Arthur placed the amulet into the warlocks left hand ensuring he had hold of the metal. Merlin felt the magic from the ancient item connect with him instantly. "Let's get going"

"But you cant..." before the servant had even finished Arthur had scooped him under the knees and around the chest and he was in his arms.

Gaius eyed the pair with a concerned glare. "you must take care." he said simply before reluctantly stepping aside.

Before Merlin could even think he was out in the fresh air and in the courtyard. It really must have been the dead of night because there were no patrols of knights around. A small young servant stood in the centre of the courtyard holding Arthur's trusted steed. Merlin could see the young boy's worried glare in the dim light, but he didn't know if it was for him or the presence of Arthur. The warlock then felt himself being gently lifted onto the horse and held steady as Arthur mounted behind him, he panicked for a moment, unable to feel where his feet were, used to the feeling of stirrups.

"I've got you" Arthur pulled a hand around the warlock's middle to hold him steady and taking the reins in the other he kicked Meinhard into a steady walk. Silence followed for several minutes until they were well clear of the city walls and into the nearby forests.

"Arthur?" Merlin questioned, "do you really think this is a good idea right now?"

"No Merlin" the king's voice was barely audible in the fresh night air, "I think this is a ridiculous idea. But if I'm going to kick your sorry ass for lying to me all this time then I need you better."

"Like that is it?" the servant tightened his left hand grip onto the horses mane and around the amulet feeling more unsteady. "remember when you said you could take me apart with one blow?"

"Let me guess," Arthur half smiled, "you weren't lying when you said you could take me apart with less than that."

Merlin didn't answer, enough to confirm Arthurs suspicions it seemed.

"When we have you better, you've got a lot of questions to answer to"

"I know, I'm sorry" the servant let his eyes drift downward. "I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you." Arthur could hear his friend's voice cracking under the thought of betrayal. Gwen was right, the boy was loyal and loyal to a fault.

"I know" was all he could muster. Meinhard plodded on, staying steady as if mindful of his fragile mount. His stride did not falter even over the rocky ground of the pathway leading through the forest.

"You still haven't told me who Kilgharrah is?" the King tried to lighten the mood.

"Stop!" Merlin's voice cut through the silence then. Meinhards ears flew back at the sound and the horse ground to a halt, hooves pounding to a stop.

"What is it?" Arthur dropped the reins and reached for the hilt of his sword.

"Someone is watching us" the warlock's voice dropped several levels.

"How do you know?"

"One of my funny feelings" Merlin joked.

Before the King even had a chance to answer there was a familiar woosh of air followed by a cry. Meinhard whinnied but did not flinch. Merlin could feel the Kings grip tighten on him as the larger man lent forward heavily then.

"Arthur?" the servant felt his balance going, his eyes darted about in the darkness, he wanted to turn and look at his friend but his body wouldn't co-operate. "Arthur what is it?"

"Nothing to panic about" the king sagged further forward then and Merlin heard a second whoosh. This time Meinhard screamed as an arrow hit the horse in the side. The animal jolted forward causing both its mounts to lose balance. Arthur hit the earth first and Merlin heard his cry of pain as he followed, unable to break his own decent the warlock's forehead collided with the stoney path exploding in pain.

"Arthur!" his own voice sounded muffled in his ears. He managed to turn sideways, eyes widening at the sight of his master. Arthur lay on his back gasping for breath as an arrow protruded from his shoulder. "Arthur!"

"I'm fine Merlin, I just need a second" their eyes met with the look of terror in the servants and the agony in his masters. A scuffle of feet followed and Merlin pulled himself onto his back to find a dark figure bending over them.

"What have we here" the gruff voice jeered. "the crown King of Camelot." The bandit's hand came to grab for the King.

"You will not touch him!" Merlin's voice raised dangerously.

"And what are you going to do about it?" the man's eyes became visible in the darkness and he mocked the servant as he lay flat on his back, "your nothing but a servant, and paralyzed so I hear"

"Not completely" the warlock growled, throwing his only useful arm up. "Ástríce" gold flashed and the bandit flew back, hitting the forest floor meters back and rolling to a stop and remaining still.

"Merlin?" Arthur's ragged voice huffed, "I could have dealt with him"

The warlock reached his arm over and pulled himself back onto his side. "more will be coming" he gazed at the arrow wound, helpless himself, let alone to his friend.

"Now might be a good time to call that friend of yours" he gasped, trying to sit up. Before Merlin could answer a rally of voices surrounded them, feet racing over the forest floor towards them. "Anytime soon would be good" Pulling himself up Arthur let out a strangled cry as he drew his sword meeting the bandits head on.