Only For You

Chapter 11

Arthur immediately and without thinking throws himself over Merlin, sheilding him with his body. He couldn't let Merlin get more injured than he already was. He presses Merlin's body to the ground beneath him, making sure that he was completely covered, and mentally apologizing when he heard Merlin cry out in pain as his broken ribs were pressed down upon by Arthur's chest.

From all directions, the snapping twigs of running footsteps and the whirrs of arrows whizzing by explodes through the night. Arthur has to surpress his training instincts that kick in and tell him to fight them off. He had to keep Merlin safe. His whole body tenses. He knows that more than likely he'll be dead any minute now...and he keeps waiting for the pain of several arrows or a sword piercing his flesh.....but it never comes.

And all at once, a loud bang shoots through the air. Then, everything goes silent. Arthur lays completely still for a moment, his heart pounding against his ribcage. Then, slowly, he raises his head. The flickering light of the fire reflects off of several bodies that now lay strewn on the ground, unmoving. Bandits, by the looks of their clothing. Arthur's eyes skim the scene, freezing when he sees a solitary figure standing amongst them.

The man wore a long cloak, and had a peaceful expression on his face. Arthur's hand darts out for his sword once more, but the man speaks.

"There is no need for weapons, Arthur Pendragon. The druids are not your enemy." The man's voice is calm and quiet, yet startlingly clear.

Arthur slowly rises up, gathering a shaking Merlin into his arms. He glances around at the motionless bodies of the bandits. "You...you killed them?" He asks slowly.

The druid nods once, his eyes resting on Merlin. "Come with me. We have an encampment not far from here. Merlin needs treatment."

Arthur's eyes widen in surprise. "How do you know Merlin?" He holds Merlin a little tighter to his chest, protectively.

The druid gazes at Arthur evenly. "Merlin is well known to all druids." He says no more than that before turning and beginning to walk down a long and winding path. "Come. These woods are not safe at night."

After brief deliberation, Arthur rises to his feet, cradling Merlin in his arms. He can't fully trust this druid, but the man did know Merlin's name, and Arthur didn't know how Merlin would get the treatment he needed if he turned down this offer. He gathers his sword and pack in one hand, slinging them over one shoulder before readjusting Merlin in his arms and setting off behind the druid man. He looks down at Merlin and his stomach clenches in worry. His eyes were closed and his face paler than ever. His gaze drops to Merlin's soft lips and heat rises to his cheeks. He found himself already missing the feeling of Merlin's lips against his. He shakes his head. He couldn't think of that now. What mattered most was getting Merlin to safety.

After about twenty minutes of walking, a druid camp comes into sight. Many tents lay nestled amongst the trees, small lanterns lighting the tents and the few people that walked around. The druid man leads Arthur inside a large tent, instructing him to set Merlin down on a simple bed in the centre of the tent.

"Our healers will be with him shortly. Now, if you will follow me, I shall guide you to your te-"

"No." Arthur interrupts.

The druid raises an eyebrow. "What?"

"I said no." Arthur repeats, sitting down on the ground beside Merlin's bed and, on a split second decision, taking Merlin's hand in his. "I'm not leaving him."

The driud looks wary for a moment, but he sees the way Arthur acts towards Merlin, and the truth couldn't be more obvious. "We will have to use magic to heal him," he warns Arthur.

Arthur frowns for a moment. While he did not hate magic like his father, he was still somewhat afraid of it. But he nods slowly. "Do what you have to do..........please." He adds, remembering his manners.

The druid man inclines his head before retreating from the tent. Arthur exhales a shaky breath, turning to look at Merlin's frail figure in the bed. He gently strokes the back of Merlin's hand with his thumb, raising his other hand to Merlin's forehead and brushing the hair back from his face. "'S alright, Merlin," he murmurs softly to him. "I'll take care of you..."