A/N: I am here, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Just been rather busy and uninspired. This chapter is very short, in fact as usual im not 100% on it. But its some nice Arthur and Merlin interaction and a bit of a linking to the final chapter(s). I have another short story in the pipeline, currently being written and Beta'd which i know some will be pleased to know. So watch this space very soon for the first chapter of that. For now, enjoy and R&R : )

Chapter 13

"What?" Merlin's voice is barely audible as his chin rests on his friends shoulder. He can feel Arthur's form shaking slightly and he pulls back to stare at his masters face.

"How do you feel?" Arthur's face is a mixture of angst and delight. Merlin struggles to read it. The King holds him firmly in his grip, the warlock wasn't quite sure how much he could hold his own body up right now so is thankful for the support.

"Erm, like I've been trampled by the entire cavalry of Camelot" he finally answers after a short pause. "Are you ok? What happened?"

Arthur's face falls a little, the servant notices but doesn't comment. "You were wounded" he gently lowers his friend to the floor then and Merlin lets out a uncontrollable moan as his side is jostled slightly. He gazes down at his crimson stained tunic and then Arthur's bloodied hands and arms.

"I'm fine. I think you healed yourself though." Arthur stammers and then looks away quickly, not trusting his own face.

The warlock gently pulls back his tunic to look at the wound, which isn't so much of a wound anymore. A red angry line runs across his skin where the gash once lay, its tender and the skin around it is beginning to bloom purples and blues. Merlin knows this cannot be him. "What really happened?" he pulls the cloth down and lets his head fall back, he takes a long inhale of fresh morning air.

"I told you" the King shoots, "I don't know, I think you did it yourself"

"I know that face Arthur" Merlin cocks his head and smiles jokingly, "there's something your not telling me?"

Arthur doesn't answer, but sends the warlock a look he's all to familiar with, one that says don't push your luck. The servant opens his mouth to speak but shuts it again.

"Can you walk?" the King asks then, breaking the awkward silence.

Merlin pushes himself into a sitting position, he tries not to let another whimper escape his lips but fails. "I think so." he pulls his feet under himself to stand, but as he raises he let out another moan and sways violently.

"I think not" Arthur forces him back down, "Let me see?"

"No" the warlock holds out a hand quickly but it doesn't stop his master from grabbing the tunic and pulling it up.

Arthur studies the half healed wound carefully, he lets a finger glide across the puckered skin and Merlin flinches under the touch. The warlock holds his breath for a moment, hoping to hell that the King does not notice any other marks on his skin as he studies it.

"Whats this?" Too late.

Merlin recoils a little as Arthur pulls his tunic up further but does not protest. Arthur runs his palm across the burn in the center of the warlock's chest. "Merlin?" he warns.

"It's nothing" the servant mumbles. "Nothing I couldn't handle"

The king hums in reply but does not take his eyes of the ugly marred skin. "If you ever lie to me again about being hurt, then I'll run you through myself"

"I didn't lie" Merlin retorts, "just didn't tell you. In fact, I often do tell you. Remember the day before Morgause and Cenred attacked Camelot and I told you I'd been dying. But you still proceeded to throw goblets at me."

Arthur huffed a long drawn out sigh, letting the tunic fall back. "I'm sorry" he says, pulling an awkward face as he sends his apologies. "I promise I will listen to you more often, but you must tell me. If you really are supposed to be by my side your no good to me dead."

"Do I sense a little concern in that voice of yours" the warlock mocked.

"Shut up Merlin."

"I'm sorry" the servants voice was sincere, "Thank you for saving me life... again."

"I did no such thing, I told you."

"Of course" Merlin nodded and smiled.

"And anyway, how did you get here so quickly on two working legs I may add?" Arthur asks.

"Kilgharrah" The warlock smiles again at the through of his friend and kin. "He healed me, as he has done many a time"

"Then I must meet with this sorcerer and thank him personally"

"I'm not sure that a great idea." Merlin smirks and lets out a half laugh. "Sorry Arthur."

"Why?" Arthur's eyes turn to slits, he can see another revelation coming on.

"He's the Great Dragon." The warlock waited for the bellowing angry answer but didn't get one.

"I thought I slayed the Dragon?" Arthur was oddly calm but his suspicious look continued. "explain?" he demanded.

"I sent him away, told him if he ever attacked Camelot I would kill him"

Arthur sends a pointed look. "You told him?" the King laughs, "Merlin, only a Dragonlord can command a Dragon"

"I am the last Dragonlord" the warlock shoots, again expecting an angry reply.

"You are a puzzle Merlin" Arthur shakes his head in reply. "And we are going to sit down and have a very long chat about all of this when we return to Camelot. Which reminds me, how are we going to get there"

"Meinhard" Merlin smiles and points across the clearing.

Arthur turns to look and sees his trusted steed approaching across the battle ground littered with fallen bandits. "That horse never ceases to amaze me" he shakes his head and goes to greet the beast, raising shakily on his achy legs. Meinhard whinnies as the King greets him with a friendly pat.

"Lets go home" Arthur turns back and smiles at his servant. "And then you can fetch us both some breakfast."