Chapter 8

Short chapter, but it's been so long you guys deserve something. Sorry! I haven't written anything creative in a while so the writing will probably be even worse than usual, sorry.

Merlin was asking for his help now. Arthur couldn't stop his own hands from reaching out. He no longer cared that his knights might be watching him in this moment great concern. What kind of Prince would he be if he ignored cries for his help, even from a servant boy?

The black smoke hoisted Merlin off the ground by his arms, just far enough above the Earth that his toes dragged painfully on the rough ground. He hung his head, unable to look Arthur in the eye now.

"Arthur... why?" he whispered, so quietly he doubted the Prince would hear him.

But he did, and replied without mercy, "You were disloyal, Merlin. You betrayed me. You betrayed all of Camelot," Arthur watched, defiantly as the smoke thrust Merlin towards the flames. Merlin stumbled into the pit, unable to stop himself. Arthur grinned, "And for that you will burn, Emrys."

Merlin couldn't escape the flames, nor did he try. He simply sank into hottest depths of the inferno and tried not to scream. It was that moment of silent pain that brought the voice to him...

"Damn it, Merlin," Arthur grabbed the manservant by both shoulders and shook him hard. "Wake up!"

Merlin screamed. The scream shook Arthur, to his very core, he had seen many things, on the battle field, and off, but nothing had ever sounded as painful as Merlin's screaming. When those eyes flickered open, the fear in them was so intense that it seemed to pour out, infecting Arthur with a quiver of panic.

The servant looked up at him with eyes wild, as wide as plates.

"Damn it, Merlin, what the hell did you dream about?" the Prince demanded.

Hot tears clouded Merlin's frightened eyes, but he blinked quickly to keep from crying, "N-Nothing."

That was not nothing. Arthur knew it. Merlin knew it.

Hot nausea coiled in the pit of Merlin's stomach and he swallowed hard to keep it a feeling rather than a reality.

Arthur grasped Merlin's bony arm with an iron grasp. Merlin's face crumbled, this treatment was too similar to his dream. Arthur took deep steadying breaths, until he cooled off enough to speak to Merlin in a civilized tone.

Merlin slumped backwards with a loud exhale of breath, he wondered if he could even remember what a full night's sleep felt like.

"So tell me. Whatever is making you so upset?" Arthur whispered, trying to keep his words from the prying ears of the knights all around them.

Merlin didn't look up at meet Arthur's prying gaze, "I can't Arthur. I just can't." He whispered, attempting to match Arthur's tone.

"Come on, Merlin. Of all things, you can tell me this." Arthur murmured, sarcastically. "I've told you about all of my nightmares."

"Your dreams have some sense," Merlin scoffed, loudly.

"Then let me help you make sense of yours!" Arthur's whisper was sharp, but still quiet. "What is it that you dream of?"

"Just leave it alone, Arthur. Just leave it!" Merlin, snapped, the words coming out with all the hatred and intensity that he had intended, and instantly regretted.

The words hit Arthur like weak blows, they stung, but they only made him angry, resentful, and defensive. He'd been trying to help Merlin, but if Merlin intended to be an ingrate then Arthur had no motivation to waste his efforts.

"Fine. Whatever, Merlin. Do whatever you want, just stop dragging everyone else into your problems." Arthur snapped, glaring down on Merlin. Merlin stared back unflinchingly despite the terror resonating through his entire body.

"Fine!" Merlin snapped, stalking awkwardly away from his Royal Pratness.

Arthur slowly ran a hand over his face in exasperation. Why couldn't Merlin just accept his help? Arthur followed slowly behind his distressed servant, his mind lost in their hurried exchange. What was Merlin going on about? There was only one conclusion. Merlin had gone completely mad.

Merlin squeezed his eyes shut, but forced himself to remain conscious, there was no way he was ever going to sleep again, at least not until he'd talked to Gaius.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted at Merlin's back, his voice as cold as ice. Merlin didn't acknowledge Arthur.

"Merlin!" Arthur demanded. "Pack up, we're going back."

Merlin turned, eyeing Arthur slowly, "Fine."

TBC