The lost Prince

3

I've never felt so much fear. They were here. He was here.

Arthur had chased me out of his chambers, but for once I'd forgotten to act slow and clumsy. I'd disappeared around the corner before he could reach me. I'd rushed to my room where I am now grabbing handfuls of belongings and supplies and stuffing them into my bag.

"You can't just run away!" Gaius shouts at me.

"I can and I will!" I scream back. My hands shake with my voice.

"And what if someone tries to kill Arthur?"

"He's a big boy, he can take care of himself for once." 

"And what if Belepor's intentions aren't as pure and innocent as he makes them seem?"

I'll camp on the outside of Camelot. At least there I can stop anyone hurting him or getting into Camelot. Besides, if Belepor catches me, he'll kill me." I shove a few pieces of stale bread into my bag. "And if he doesn't do that then he'll out my magic to Arthur who'll hate me for the rest of his life, which won't be very long because Morgana will be able to get to him."

"Merlin, are you sure about this?" I pause. My heart still pounds at the thought of Belepor, my hands shake with fear for what my kingdom might now be like.

"I can't stay whilst he does. I can't face him, not after what he did. I wish I could stop him, really, I do. But I can't." Gaius pats my shoulder. What would I have done without him?

"Well then, stay safe, eat as much as you can, and stay out of danger. I'll tell Arthur that your mother sent word of being unwell."

"Thank you, Gaius. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Get thrown in the dungeons a lot, I would think."

"Or have my head chopped off." Gauis pats me once more on the shoulder before pushing me towards the door.

"They'll all be in the feast at the moment, it would be best for you to leave now." I nod and rush out.

---

A few servants are out, carrying sheets for our cruel visitors. I sneak past them, my hands squeeze the straps of my bag. I'm in the town with a hood over my head by the time someone notices me.

"Halt, who goes there?" I hear Gwaine ask as he draws his sword.

"It's just me," I mutter.

"Where are you off too?"

"My mother is unwell and I'm going to care for her until she gets better."

"It's bad timing, with the visiting kingdom." 

"Why aren't you in the feast?" I ask.

"They act like toads, all high and mightly. Even Arthur's not that bad. One of the other servants dropped some vine and a knight yelled at him until the whole hall was silent. Their manners in another kingdom leave much to be desired."

"Glad I'm not there, then." I smile.

"Why don't I come with you, Merlin? Make sure nothing happens."

No, no. You don't have to do that." I stammer.

"It'll be more fun than staying here."

"No, Gwaine, I want to go alone."

"Alright, mate." Gwaine raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, Arthur will probably want me to help to show Ememania's knights and king our training field."

I nod and start walking away, but before I can get far enough to be gone, Gwaine calls out again. 

"Merlin, if you ever need help, I'm here. Doesn't matter what it is, I'll do it."

I nod with a sad smile. "Thank you, Gwaine."

---

The sun is about to rise by the time I've found a safe, secluded place to hide out for the next few days. 

The grey rock walls of the cave are cold, dark and damp, but the mouth is covered by a thick bundle or trees and bushes for a few hundred meters. I grab logs and bring them to a pile before lighting a fire. The warms instantly calm me.

After a few hours of entertaining myself with magic, I hear a group pass by on horses. But I shouldn't be able to hear them. They're going through the forest, not around. They want to stay hidden, too.

I scramble to the mouth to the cave and use my magic to see who these riders are and almost fall back at their faces.

There were only three of them and the shadows of the trees mixed with head armour made it hard to see them, but they were definitely people I knew and trusted.

The leader was tall and had blonde hair poking out from under his helmet, and though they were mostly unseen, his eyes caught the light causing them to shine a brilliant green.

The next two rode in the same manner and rose to the same height. They were small but showed great strength. Their shoulders were pushed back, their backs were straight. They stood tall and proud.

And why shouldn't they? 

They fought for my father.