Only For You

Chapter 14

A/N: Thank you so much for over 1K views!!! I never thought I'd reach half this many when I started writing ~ your views, comments and likes mean so much to me <3 THANK YOU!!! :D

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"You must ensure that it remains so."

An unexpected voice from the opening of the tent makes both Arthur and Merlin jump in surprise. They quickly move apart from eachother, their hands dropping quickly to their laps. They relax slightly at the sight of the Druid man standing in the entrance of the tent. Neither of them had heard him approach.

"What did you say?" Arthur asks, slightly angry that the Druid had seen them.

"You must ensure that your love stays a secret," the Druid man repeats calmly, his eyes resting evenly on Arthur and Merlin. "Save your breath, Prince Arthur," he adds, cutting off Arthur as he opens his mouth in an attempt to protest in denial. "No use will become of denying it."

Arthur feels warmth rising to his cheeks, and a quick glance at Merlin tells him that Merlin is blushing just as much, if not more, than he was.

"I shall tell no one," the Druid says gently, with the hint of a smile. Both Merlin and Arthur relax visibly at this, their faces tinted humorously red.

"Thank you..." Arthur starts to say, then realizes with some embarrassment that he'd never thought to ask the Druid man's name. "Both for your silence and treating Merlin... If there's any way in which I can repay you..."

The Druid man gazes at him in silence for a moment, his old eyes calculating. "When you are King..." he begins, his voice much quieter than it had been. "Make things different. Make peace with my people."

Merlin glances at Arthur, chewing on his lip. He knows Uther had slaughtered countless Druids, and that his hatred for them was almost equal to his hatred for magic. Relief floods his heart when the Prince nods once, then twice.

"I shall." Arthur promises, his face solemn. He hesitates, then adds, "I do not necessarily...agree with all that my father has done. His treatment of your people being umongst those things..."

The Druid man smiles and inclines his head. "You will make a great king, Arthur Pendragon." He takes a step backwards and out of the tent. "There are two horses waiting for you on the boarders of our camp." Without another word he takes his leave, leaving Arthur and Merlin in silence.

Merlin looks at the spot where the Druid had disappeared, then to Arthur. "Do you really not agree with Uther?" He asks quietly.

Arthur exhales, raising his hands to his eyes and rubbing them. "No," he exhales heavily. "I don't agree with my father on many things." His brow furrows, and he turns to Merlin. He looks at him for a moment, reaching out a hand and tracing his finger down Merlin's sharp cheekbone. This sends a pleasant shiver down Merlin's spine. Arthur's finger stops at the corner of Merlin's lips, resting there lightly. "We'll be alright, Merlin..." he murmurs, gazing in to Merlin's deep blue eyes.

Merlin smiles slightly, though he wouldn't doubt if Arthur could hear the acceleration of his heart every time Arthur touched him. "If you say so, sire..."

Arthur smiles, stroking Merlin's lower lip with his tumb. His smiles fades slightly after a moment and he sighs. "We should be getting back to Camelot. My father will be angry."

Merlin's shoulders slump visibly. He doesn't make any effort to conceal the fact that he doesn't want to go back to Camelot. Despite Arthur's reassurances, he was terribly scared of how Uther would react upon seeing him back.

Arthur reads the fear flitting across Merlin's expression and he shifts his hand, cupping the side of Merlin's face. "I won't let him hurt you. I promise." He stares steadily into Merlin's eyes, leaning forward and kissing his forehead. He lingers there for a few seconds, then rises to his feet. "Can you walk?"

Merlin swings his legs over the side of the bed, slowly standing. Pain throbs in his chest and he sways slightly, seeing a few spots dance before his vision. Before he can even blink, Arthur's arm is around his waist, supporting him.

"I've got you," Arthur murmurs, helping Merlin balance himself before they walk forward, Arthur lifting the flap of the tent for Merlin, then walking out behind him.

They make their way through the Druid camp, Merlin half walking half being supported by Arthur. Though the primary reason for their walking arrangements is Merlin's injuries, neither of them mind in the slightest being close to the other. They stop at the boarder of the camp, where, as the Druid man had said, two horses were tethered to a tree.

"We'll just take one," Arthur tells Merlin, untying the brown horse from the tree and gathering the reins. "I don't want you falling off."

Merlin nods, inwardly pleased. He grips the side of the sadddle, clenching his jaw in preperation for the pain that mounting the horse would cause him. But before he can lift himself, Arthur's hands are on his waist and lifting him up on to the back of the horse.

"My gods, Merlin. You're skin and bone." Arthur mutters, stepping into the stirrup and mounting the horse behind Merlin. "Try eating, will you?"

Merlin grimaces from the jarring motion and tries to get a bit more comfortable on the saddle. "Servants aren't given as much food as Princes. That's why you're all so fat." He throws a slight grin over his shoulder.

Arthur chuckles, sliding forward so that Merlin's back is pressed up against his chest. He reaches around both sides of Merlin, taking the reins. He gently nudges the horse into a canter, and they set off into the woods.

Little did they know what would befall them upon their arrival in Camelot. Little did they know that things would never be the same.