Destiny - a Merthur fic

Chapter II

Arthur's POV

After Merlin left, I stopped pretending to busy myself and sat down. I pressed a hand to my forehead. I felt let down. Out of everybody, even the knights, or Guinivere, I always knew I could count on Merlin and Merlin only. Even if I relentlessly made fun of him.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in." I grunted.

Gwen opened the door and upon seeing my face, she rushed to my side. "Arthur, what's the matter?"

I sighed. I loved Guinivere. I did. Well... That's what I told myself. She was lovely. She was kind and strong and beautiful. But... I don't know. I felt held back with her, like there was something else I was missing. Perhaps someONE else.

"It's Merlin," I said. "He's not coming with me."

She made a confused face. "Why not?"

"To quote him, 'an urgent errand to run for Gauis'." I replied. "But... I can tell he's not telling the truth. I just can't think why he wouldn't come..." It wasn't like Merlin to be a coward.

Gwen rubbed my shoulders. "Maybe the prospect of the battle and all is just too much for him." She sighed. "It's almost too much for me."

I squirmed so she would stop touching me. "Yes," I said distractedly. "Perhaps."

Merlin's POV

When I finally found Gwaine, I was out of breath from running all over the castle. "Gwaine. I need you to do me a favour." I puffed.

He smiled. "Whatever you need, Merlin. Your wish is my command." He said jokingly.

I grimaced. "Well... My wish might be a little tedious. I need you to travel with me through the Valley of the Fallen Kings."

He looked at me strangely. "Why? Don't you need to come with Arthur?"

I shook my head. "I can't. It's complicated. Just..." I sighed. "Trust me on this, Gwaine. I need something, and I need to travel through the Valley to get to it. So please-"

"It's alright, I'll take you!" He cut me off. "When do we need to depart?"

"Soon."

"Soon as in...?"

"Now."

"What? Well, I guess I'd better go get ready!" He scoffed. "Meet me outside the castle walls in an hour."

"Alright." I nodded.