Merthur: A Short Adventure

Recollection

Arthur POV

I managed to find my way back to the campfire where the injured woman had fallen asleep against a tree root. Merlin had passed out after we spoke briefly so I laid him down on a patch of grass. I felt his forehead, hot. I looked around in my bag, finding a pouch of water near the bottom. With the pouch in hand, I lifted Merlin's head onto my lap and slowly tipped the pouch, he drank some water before turning his head away. "Merlin?" I grabbed his hand, "are you awake?"

"No." He shifted, curling up while his head stayed on my lap. I sighed before I noticed that I had started petting his hair. His injuries seemed to be similar to the wounds on the woman we had found. Scratches on his upper arm and a scratch on his forehead, looking like he had ran into a tree branch. Typical.

I felt my heart begin to start racing again, he was hurt. He was hurt and it was my fault. He's always looking out for me, who knows how many times he has saved my life. I owe him so much. I'd never admit it to him but.. I think I..

Merlin POV

My eyes shot open as a sharp pain shot through my arm. "Ah!" I let out a whimper as it continued down to my aching back and legs. What happened last night? I looked around to find myself back at the small camp we had set up. "Arthur?" I called out for him but got no response, the hurt woman from yesterday was gone too.

As I realized my body was surprisingly warm, I saw that I had been sleeping under Arthurs cloak, the blue cloak that I had lent to him long ago. Why did he keep that old thing anyways? It's odd how since he normally wears his chainmail and cape with the knights, does he only wear the cloak with me?

Shifting onto my side, I recalled a bit of last night. I had been walking around in the woods, searching for my horse before.. Before some sort of griffin had attacked me. It had been hiding in the underbrush and ambushed me.

"Arthur!" I called out again, louder this time. I waited a few moments before shouting again. Where did he go? I don't think I'll be able to walk around without his aid or the aid of a horse, as much as I loathe being strapped to a horse, it's better than shuffling around injured on my own.

Almost as soon as i opened my mouth to yell, I heard footsteps coming towards camp. I could see Arthur in the distance, holding a couple bags. "Arthur!!" I used the last bit of my strength to call out again so he knew i was alive. Fading away, I heard someone shouting my name.

  Arthur POV

"Merlin?" I shouted as I ran towards him, I had been so worried. Early in the day I had left for the nearby village that the woman was from. I handed her over to their physician and requested some medical supplies and food for Merlin. Praying that they had given me appropriate supplies, I fell to my knees next to him, his head was warm. Gently shaking his shoulder, I tried to wake him. "Please wake up," I whispered, "I don't want to have to get another servant."

I stripped his jacket off of him and rolled up his shirt sleeve, trying my best to tend to his wound and wrap it. From watching him and Gaius do it so much, I should already know how to treat wounds. I made a mental note to ask Merlin for advice on it when he woke up. I felt a smile form on my face as thoughts of Merlin treating my wounds crossed my mind. He's always so stern but at the same time, cautious and tender.

As I reached for a piece of bread for him, he sat up onto his elbows and groaned, "Arthur.." I stopped him and scratched the back of my head, "Just let me take care of you, okay?"

His eyes widened slightly before he nodded and laid back down, "Do you know how to?" He chuckled.

"No, don't complain," I gave him the bread, "I wouldn't do this for anyone."

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Authors Note: I think most of the chapters will be around this length (700 words) Ill try and update when I can, thank you to anyone who's interested in reading this whole story!! (it might end up being longer than i planned, i have so many cute scenarios planned for Merthur!)