An Undying Truth

The Woods

Merlin watched through the leaves as a soft lavender hue came into the sky. The horses were tired having walked from sunrise to sunset, not to mention the bursts of speed brought on by the snapping of a twig, or the hiss of a supposed snake. Merlin who knew the woods stopped Daisy at a stream. She began to drink from said stream as Merlin grabbed a pot and set to work.

Arthur looked around the horses did need to rest but, something wasn't right here. He sat down looking around once more, there was... nothing.
"Prince Arthur, you ought to help!" said Elaina, no attempt to hide the annoyance in her voice. Arthur quickly began to set up a small camp and look for twigs with young Sir Galahad, and Sir Arnold.

~~~

Merlin hummed to himself ignoring the brown eyes burrowing into the back of his head. "Merlin... why?" Elaina whispered. "Whatever do you mean, Princess?" He said an empty smile on his face. She narrowed her eyes the rage in her heart evident on her face. "Shut up!" Arthur whined, "Some of us are trying to sleep!"

"This isn't the end of it, Merlin!" Elaina said, she walked away. Merlin bowed his head, turning away from her, his shoulders dropped, "I know."

~~~

The next morning was a blur, all they knew was three bandits were dead and Arthur was unconscious, though that was not unusual. Arnold decided to talk to his estranged nephew. "Merlin, you know Elaina can't stay mad at you forever!" Arnold said trying to cheer up his woebegone nephew. Merlin chuckled, "Have you met Elaina?" Arnold sighed, "She isn't mad at you, she is just putting the blame on you." Merlin refused to look his uncle in the eye. Arnold smiled and continued, "The world has been cruel and it is clouding our senses you had it better than us." Merlin looked his uncle in the eyes, "Had it better? No, you don't know what I had..." He turned away and the only sounds were the trying of horse hooves and the sounds of the forest.