Forbidden - A Merthur fic

Chapter 6

Worry flickers briefly across Arthur's face. "Merlin." He goes over quickly to him, kneeling down beside him. "How are you feeling?" His eyes scan Merlin's beaten and charred body, worry evident behind them.

Merlin opens his mouth to answer, but the only thing that comes out of his raw and sore throat is a cough. He doubles over, cringing with the pain that each cough brings him.

Arthur lays a hand on Merlin's shoulder, his worry becoming much more pronounced. "I'll get you some water." He rises to his feet and walks over to the base of the tree where he'd dropped his bag. From the bag, he withdraws a water pouch, which he brings back to Merlin.

Merlin takes it gratefully in his trembling fingers once his coughs have subsided and raises it to his cracked lips. He's never tasted anything so good, so pure, in all his life. He lets the cool water run down his smoke-caked throat, soothing the pain. Reluctantly, he lowers it after his throat has stopped hurting as much. "Thank you." His voice is hoarse as he hands the water back to Arthur.

Arthur takes the pouch wordlessly, looking at Merlin with a tired and strained expression.

Merlin looks around once more, sitting up a bit and wincing. "Where are we?"

"The Eastern Wood," Arthur replies, standing and putting the near-empty water pouch back in the bag.

Merlin's forehead crinkles. "Why?"

A spasm of anger and hurt flashes across Arthur's face when his back is turned to Merlin. "My father banished me. He disowned me as Crown Prince of Camelot and forbade me from ever setting foot there again." His voice is clipped, his tone cold.

Merlin utters a gasp of pure astonishment and disbelief. "What?! How could he do such a thing?"

Arthur keeps his back turned as he says his next words, hurt and betrayal layering his tone. "He does not believe there to be a place for sorcery in Camelot."

Merlin's eyes widen and a blow of dread hits him in the stomach. But he manages to keep his voice calm, hiding the fear he inwardly felt. "You...know I'm not, right?" He asks.

Arthur purses his lips, saying nothing.

Merlin squirms, trying and failing to appear calm. Perhaps he could still convince Arthur that he wasn't a sorcerer.

Arthur finally turns to face Merlin, his jaw tight. "Why did my father attempt to burn you at the stake if not for sorcery?" His voice is hard, but his eyes less so. He finds it impossible to glare at Merlin when he's in such a weakend condition, lying on the ground, helpless.

Merlin raises his eyes to meet Arthur's, his lips parting as he desperately tries to think of an excuse. To his dismay, he thinks of nothing. Dropping his gaze, fear runs like ice water through his veins. What was Arthur going to do to him?

Arthur's eyes widen a fraction of an inch. He'd been hoping beyong hope that Merlin was innocent, but that hoep was shattered when Merlin was silent. He takes one step back, then another. "You lied." His voice shakes slightly with betrayal. "You lied to me." He starts walking backwards faster, his heart pounding.

"No, Arthur, please!" Merlin begs, dread blossoming in his stomach as he watches Arthur retreat. He tries to stand, but his legs give out immediately, refusing to support his weight. "I used it for you, Arthur! For you!!"

But his words do nothing, and he's helpless, unable to do anything but watch as Arthur Pendragon, the man he was destined to protect with his life, walked away.