THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM

HUNTED PART 2

MERLIN 

Merlin jolted awake feeling like he was falling and he sighed rubbing his eyes, he was never going to be able to get that image of Athena falling from the cliff Arthur in tow out of his head. He grumbled shaking his head he already had enough nightmares as it was, he didn't need to add to the list. He glanced over at Morgana who was standing watch looking troubled, he stood up and she glanced over at him giving him a small smile as he walked towards her "You ok you were whimpering?" she asked and he shrugged not wanting to answer, she rolled her eyes but didn't push which he was grateful for he had been re-living it enough in his sleep he didn't need to go over it in his waking hours too. "Anything?" he asked and she shook her head glancing around still looking worried and he pulled her into a hug "Arthur is fine" he said and she sighed nodding though she didn't look convinced and Merlin remembered how she had witnessed how he had freaked out a few days before and he bit his lip trying to come up with something to say to reassure her, Morgana gave him a concerned look and he frowned "What is it?" he asked and she looked away picking at her nails which she only did when she was nervous about something. Knowing that she would balk if he continued to pushed he leant against the tree and waited watching as the sun sunk below the horizon, he glanced over after a few minutes to find her studying him and he raised an eyebrow as she blushed shaking her head and glancing back towards the forest and Merlin resisted the urge to shake her snapping for her to spit it out. Morgana looked at him biting her lip before saying "I'm scared Merlin" tears threatened to spill from her eyes and Merlin pulled her into a hug rubbing soothing circles on her back trying to comfort her, he cursed the fact that he hadn't been paying as much attention as he should have; ever since Ramsey had told them that Morgause had been his wife Morgana seemed fragile and Merlin feared that if she had to deal with Ramsey again she just might break. Merlin held her tight letting her take all the comfort she needed before she pulled back shaking her head and giving him a self-conscious smile "sorry you have enough to deal with without me becoming a blubbering mess" she said wiping her eyes and Merlin resisted the urge to roll his eyes and curse Uther, much like Arthur, Morgana had trouble letting people see her weak and he knew that it was all down to Uther and the way he had raised them. Merlin gently took her hand squeezing it once before letting go "I'm worried Merlin" she continued voice a little shaky and he sighed "I know but Arthur had Athena he'll be fine" he said more confident than he felt. 

Merlin couldn't deny the fact that he was on edge almost as much as Morgana was and he spent half his time trying to convince himself that they were ok, he would always be checking the soul bond especially after they had fallen of that cliff just to give himself piece of mind though most of the time it made him worry even more. Morgana shook her head clearing her throat and looking guilty and he raised an eyebrow "I know that I'm not worried about them they are more than capable of taking care of themselves" Morgana said and Merlin scoffed "Athena sure but Arthur please" Merlin said causing Morgana to laugh raising an eyebrow at him and he shrugged "Come on tell me I'm wrong" he said and Morgana opened her mouth ready to argue but as she thought about it she quickly closed it in defeat and Merlin laughed. Morgana threw up her hands in surrender but her smile slowly faded and she frowned at him, "I'm sorry" Merlin said waving his hand wanting her to continue "I'm worried about you Merlin" she said and he blinked at her in surprise. It was Merlins turn to frown as he looked at Morgana who was staring at him intently as if waiting for a response "Why" he said dragging out the word making it sound like a question and she sighed "Merlin you passed out the other day and you wince whenever you think I'm not looking you are in pain and you won't tell me about it" she said almost yelling getting herself worked up, Merlin winced and frantically glanced around making a placating gesture needing Morgana to stay quiet. She continued getting louder with every word. With his magic screaming at him he clamped a hand over her mouth and she glared at him as he hissed "Shhh" Merlin could tell from the look in her eyes that she was either going to punch him or bite his hand but a twig snapping of to their left made her eyes widen in alarm and she shrunk against him.