A/N~ Hello! This is my first new fic in a while. Read and I'll explain more on the bottom.

ENJOY!

A/N 2~ THIS IS A REPOST, to make it fit with later events. I hope you guys aren't confused, but it should make sense later on. THANKS!

He ran, as fast as his dying body would carry him. The clamor and angry shouts behind him were getting louder. He kept running, never looking back. Blood left a trail behind him, even more obvious then his footprints. They would catch up with him eventually. No! Keep running, don't stop!

His boots had been stolen by the bandits, not that they were any good to him anymore. It made no difference to him, as long as he was free. They were more like rags on his feet, than shoes anyway.

Again and again he heard his name being called out from behind him. They were closer…closer, gaining on him. Now he heard arrows fly past him. He ran faster, knowing his fate would be the same either way. He didn't want to die a prisoner, he wanted to die a free man. Behind him, more yelling and metal clashing together. It was all a jumble, as blood continued to leak from his wounds.

He concentrated on keeping his eyes open, but it was getting harder now. Trees and stumps mingled together, roots grabbed at his ankles, trying to make him fall. Then, all of a sudden, new voices rang out through the woods. Yelling, footfall, noises in front and behind him clashed together. His sight was failing him, his vision clouded over with blood, sweat and exhaustion.

Then his legs failed him, and his shoulder connected with a tree. Falling around the tree and landing hard on the ground, he lay unmoving. The voices, loud, but distant and growing quiet. The silence bore into him, and he felt alone. No one was chasing him, and no one was looking for him.

He pulled himself closer to the tree that brought him to the ground. A large root was sticking out of the ground and he rested his head on it.

Pain ripped through his wounds and his oxygen deprived lungs. Finally, he had a moment to access his body damage.

The bandits were efficient. His pale back, which started out nearly free of scares had been violated with knife cut after knife cut, after he refused to say his name. His chest, with broken ribs jabbing at his innards after he refused to reveal his master. And his back had become even more of a throbbing mess of cuts; when they asked for information on Camelot. Deep purple bruises that covered his legs; random kicks from his captors as they passed him and cursed him. And the worst injury, the one that was bleeding without pause; a long thin knife that slipped through his stomach, made when he was trying to escape. Damn, he was done for.

He struggled to get his breath back, but his lungs weren't getting any air. Something seemed to be poking it from the inside, every time he tried to take a deep breath. But with each heave, his lungs felt even more on fire, before all hell broke loose.

A new deep pain, crushing his chest. Now no air entered his lungs, as they began filling with his own blood. He choked, and blood rose up into his throat. Gurgling and gasping, his hands fumbled blindly for the root.

Grasping the wet mossy root with his hands, he pulled himself onto his side. He gagged as much of the red liquid as he could out of his throat and lungs.

How ironic, that his life blood could be his death. He could survive when he was drowning on dry land. It wouldn't take long before he would be to weak to expel the blood so he could breath. The warm day felt colder, and he shivered, wincing at the metallic taste and sour smell of blood.

His breathing slowed, and his eyes were sliding together. He barely heard the footsteps running towards his body. The voices were returning, but he was too weak to take much notice.

But, they were calling his name again. His name, not angry, but frantically. His mind was screaming for them, 'Help, I'm here.'

His name, and a familiar voice. Merlin….Merlin….Merlin, Merlin, Merlin, Merlin, his name was Merlin. "MERLIN! Wake up Merlin! Don't do this, please! I'm sorry, I did this. I did this…."

Merlin was lifted up, and cradled. He wanted to answer, 'Yes, I hear you, I'm here…I'm here…' But only one word escaped his lips.

"Arthur."

A/N~ I know you have questions, so don't ask about where this all came from. It WILL be explained next chapter! If you want me to continue… I hope you do! Just review and let me know! THANK YOU!