Two days of travel and I haven't slept a wink. Every time I close my eyes I see the same vision over and over again.

So I take the first watch, promising to wake up the next person after and hour or so. Not that I ever do. I think Arthur is starting to catch on but luckily he didn't say anything. At least not to me.

I ride ahead of the others, setting up camp before they can even catch up.

One more day and we would reach Anahaven. Just one more day and I will be reunited with Hope.

The gallop of hooves alerted me to oncoming company so I slowed my own horse. I was expecting Arthur, but instead I saw Christian ride up next to me.

"Sire, you need to rest. Please. It has been two days and you have barely eaten and I know for a fact you don't sleep." His voice dripped with concern but I brushed it off. I don't need people worrying about me.

"Thank you for your concern but I am fine." I snap. Before he can respond I click my tongue and spur the horse onwards, leaving a rather confused Christian behind.

The only thought that keeps me going is Hope.

Just one more day.

- le time skip to that night Arthur's POV -

By the time we catch up with Merlin there is already a fire crackling away and a stew of some sort bubbling over the flames. I hear frustrated sighs from the others at the sight of Merlin.

He looks awful. His cheeks are hollow and pale, he has blue bags under his eyes and refuses food and water. It's like looking at a shell of the man we once knew.

We are careful of the things we say around him, worried if we say the wrong thing he will snap. His patience has worn thin and none of us want to test him. Not after the display he put on back at Camelot.

I look down at the bowl of stew placed in front of me and my stomach growled with need. But my eyes drift to Merlin, who has moved to a tree a little way apart from the group.

I can't eat this whilst Merlin is starving himself. I just can't. I stand up, bowl in hand and make my way over to the tree.

I sit on the other side of the tree and place the bowl in-between us.

"I brought you some food." I say in a small voice.

"You should eat." I shake my head and sigh.

"Merlin your starving yourself. If anyone should eat it's you."

"I have already eaten."

"I don't believe that for a second."

"Why should you care?" Merlin yells, pushing himself away from the tree so he was facing me.

"Because you mean the world to me Merlin and it breaks my heart to see you like this." I yell back, praying that the other can't hear us.

Merlin's mouth opened and closed unable to think of a comeback. Meanwhile my face turned the same shade as my cape. Did I really just say that?

"Okay. I'll eat." Merlin whispered, picking up the bowl and slowly shovelling the Luke warm stew down.

I smiled in triumph but my heart continued to beat out of my chest. I watched him as he cleared his bowl, obviously starving. He placed the bowl on his lap and shuffled round so he was next to me.

"M'tired." His voice slurred and his eyelids were heavy with sleep. His head dropped into my shoulder as sleep overtook him.

"Sleep Merlin." I whisper getting comfy myself. But I didn't sleep. I kept a careful eye on the Prince the entire night, making sure he was okay.

My the time morning came my head throbbed with lack of rest but it was worth it. Merlin slept peaceful and that's all that matter.

Birds sang overhead, stirring the boy awake. His eyes still drooped, but the rosy pink had returned to his cheeks.

"Morning." He mumbled, voice thick with fatigue. I chuckled lightly and helped him up. Everyone else was still asleep and Merlin didn't want to wake them up just yet. So we walked to a nearby clearing in blissful silence, focusing on the melodic whistles of the trees.

"This is nice. I haven't felt this relaxed in years." Merlin's voice had brightened a lot and it brought a smile to my face.

"We should do this more often."

"We?" Merlin says, raising his eyebrow. Once again my face turns the colour of a beetroot as I stumble over my words.

"I..erm- I mean..." Merlin bursts into fits of laughter that somehow manage to make me blush even more.

"Arthur I'm teasing." Merlin says through his laughter. I laugh along, hoping it masks my embarrassment.

We stop in the centre of the clearing where a bubbling brooke winds through the long grass. Large rocks line the stream, large enough to act as stools. Merlin sits on one and removes his shoes, bathing his feet in the freezing water. I do the same, shivering at the cool sensation that crawls up my legs and into my spine.

"Thank you." Merlin mutters out of the blue. I turn to him signalling for him to continue. "Thank you for agreeing to help Anahaven after everything that's happened."

"Merlin don't thank me. It's the least I could do after all you have done for me." I take his hand and squeeze it comfortingly.

"I don't deserve it. I don't know why they feel I am fit to rule. I abandoned my Kingdom in its hour of need."

"If you put yourself down like this one more time I swear to god-" I pinch the bridge of my nose with my free hand then look Merlin in the eyes. "Merlin you are made to lead your people. You are brave, loyal and show mercy to those who don't deserve it. You look out for those noone else does. Everything about you is what will make you a great King. These people are helping you because they believe in you, they believe in the kingdom you will build."

Merlin looks slightly taken back by my rant. his eyes glistened with tears and for a moment I thought I said the wrong thing. Next thing I know he is wrapped around my waist burying his head into my shoulder.

"You really are the best." He hummed into my shoudler.

"I know." I say with a smirk, earning a small slap to the back of my head.

"We should head back. The others will be waking up." I utter not really wanting to move, bit not wanting to keep him from his sister any longer.

Merlin unwinds for my waist and stands up. We put our shoes back on and head to the camp. Most of the Knights were awake and preparing for the final leg of our journey.

"There you are, we were wondering where you to had disappeared to." Gwaine said with a knowing look, to which Merlin's eyes flashed gold and he toppled over.

"I am getting used to this." I laugh as Gwaine gets up with a huff.

Merlin gathered everyone up and discussed the route for today. We then mounted and headed of, Merlin riding next to me the entire way.

By nightfall a large fort came into view. Merlin looked at me for confirmation, and I nodded my head. He galloped ahead the dismounted a little way from the entrance.

Two figures emerged from the gateway. One dressed in a fiery red gown and a golden tiara, the other clearly a knight.

Merlin ran to the girl and hugged her tightly. We could hear their sobs from here.

It was Hope.

Bit of fluff. About time.