Merlin's POV

I wander aimlessly through the forest with no destination in mind. My head reeling with thoughts on the events of the previous day. All those druids... dead. Their homes destroyed. I did nothing to protect them. Nothing. I feel ashamed of myself. It's my duty to protect the people within the lands my father has freed from Uther and I failed them. I let them die while I ran.

My fists clench and unclench at my sides. Guilt and anger weighting me down. What were Camelot Knights doing there for? Were they hunting druids? If they were why risk the chance of entering my father's lands?

I sigh. Tired of everything that has happened lately. One problem keeps sprouting after another. First there's the warning from Kilgharrah, which still doesn't make any sense to me. Then, Arthur. Now this. I let out another sigh before glancing around at my surroundings, hoping nature could take my mind off things.

Many of the trees in the forest have begun to lose their leaves. Piles upon piles of the them lay on the ground, making a satisfying crunch every time I step on one.

After watching the brightly coloured leaves dance to the ground for a while as I walk, I stumble upon a familiar clearing. I'm surprised to find myself back at the waterfall. The water is crystal clear today. The bright blue reflects the sky above. The only thing that seems to disrupt the scenery is the field of corpses and dried blood.

I almost forgot about those bandits we killed here... I guess the least I can do is give them a grave. I begin by collecting the bodies and bringing them farther into the forest with the help of my magic. I lay them down gently side by side before digging a hole beside each one with magic. I place each one in the grave and pile the dirt atop the bodies. I gather some stones and mark each one. When I'm finished I head back to the clearing.

I arrive to see the dried up patches of blood on the grass. With a wave of my hand the blood starts to clear itself away. After the bloods all gone I finally stretch and slump down to relax by the usual tree. I'm basking in the autumn sun when I hear Arthur arrive. I feel my heart jump slightly in my chest when I see his face. His golden hair is perfectly combed as usual and his blue eyes still shine like the lake. Despite the fact that I don't even know if Arthur has feelings for me, I'm tempted to throw myself at him and kiss him before a small voice in the back of my mind decides to remind me of what he said. I stop myself. Don't get carried away.

He gives a small smile when he sees me. I can tell he's nervous. His eyes dart around everywhere, meeting everything but my own. He makes his way towards me and sits down beside me, further away then usual.

We don't say anything. It wasn't out of place. We did leave each other to our own thoughts at times but it's different now. The mood feels off. The atmosphere has changed. The usual calming and secure feeling gone. Instead replaced with restlessness. We keep glancing at each other only to turn back around the second our gazes meet. Our fingers drum against the grass or on our knees. I can tell neither of us are able to think straight in the others presence because it's just too much. Our minds keep drifting to each other. Always wanting to say something but never having the courage to, so we remain silent.

Time passes. The clouds roll by and the sun begins to sink down the horizon. Neither of us have said a word. I finally can't take the silence anymore. I want to leave. I get to my feet. Arthur turns to look. "I'll see you later... I guess," I mumble before turning around and heading out of the clearing.

I sigh when I'm far enough away. I kick a stone across the ground. My heart aches in my chest both in longing and pain. Longing for those smile filled days. Longing for time to reset just to experience them again. Yet, pain because of the words that were said. Pain because I know I can't go back again. Pain because things between us will never return to the way they were.

-----

Arthur's POV

I watch him leave the clearing. His shoulders are slumped and his expression blank. There isn't a hint of his usual goofy smile that I have grown so accustomed to. He staggers away, not even looking back. My heart aches. He leaves without so much as a goodbye.

I wrench my eyes away from his fading form. Stupid. Why didn't you say anything? Even a simple 'Hello, how are you?' would have been better then that awful silence.

I curl my knees into myself and sigh loudly. Please let this only be temporary. Please let things return to the way they were. I don't even care if he will never return my feelings, just please don't let this silence continue. I want him back. I want him back as my friend, even if he is a sorcerer and I'm the prince of Camelot. I just want my best friend.

I slowly get to my feet. I stagger out of the clearing, heading for the druid camp. I did promise to give them a burial. Perhaps that will take my mind off things.

------

I arrive after a couple of minutes of wandering around lost. I'm surprised to see the place has been cleaned up. The destroyed tents and huts are still sprawled across the area but all the bodies are gone. Instead, in the centre of the camp around the fire pit, there is a ring of marked graves. No doubt each one belonged to one of the druids that had died. I walk over, wondering who would have done it. It can't be the Knights of Camelot. Sorcerers aren't permitted marked graves according to our laws. So it must have either been the druids or Merlin.

I kneel by a few of the graves. Guilt washes over me the longer I stay there. I caused this. The Knights were looking for me. They killed them because of me. I'm about to get up and leave when a small voice speaks up behind me. "Arthur?"

I turn around. I'm surprised to see Merlin standing a short distance away, an assortment of flowers in his arms. He still had an uncomfortable expression on his face. As though he would want nothing better then to turn and run. I feel a pang of hurt from that.

"Um... Hello... again," I say awkwardly.

"Hello," he says back.

Silence follows. I shift my weight from foot to foot. What do I do now?! What do I say?! How did this use to come so naturally?!

He slowly walks closer and I immediately tense. Except he walks right past me and heads towards the graves. He places a flower on each one. So it is Merlin who buried them. Of course it would be him. I smile slightly to myself.

When he finishes he stands back up. He glances at me one last time before turning around to leave. I steel my nerves. Come on Arthur! You can do this!

I reach out and grab his wrist. He stops in his tracks but doesn't turn around. I swallow back the lump in my throat. It's now or never. I look down at the ground. I can feel my whole body shake with nervousness. Just say something to him. Anything. Nothing will be fixed if you don't do something! Invite him out! Like on a hunting trip!

I open my mouth to ask but I choke on the words. They lodge in my throat, refusing to come out. He eventually turns around. "Can you let me go?" He asks, glancing down at my hand.

I let go reluctantly. He turns back around and walks away. He disappears into the trees once more. I clench my hands into fists. Why can't I do anything?

-----

I arrive back home in Camelot in the early evening. The moment I step foot into the castle Elyan comes jogging up to me.

"There you are sire. Your father requires your presence in the throne room," he says, slightly out of breath.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I question with irritation. I am not in the mood for an assignment.

Elyan shrugs. "Not sure. A young women had asked to seek an audience with the king."

I nod. "Thank you Elyan. I'll be there as soon as I've changed."

Elyan gives a bow and scurries off. I sigh. Great. More problems. I turn and head off to my chambers.

-----

"Why have you requested an audience with me?" My father asks, watching the young women before us with steady eyes.

I'm standing beside my father in the throne room. He sits on his throne, crown displayed proudly on his head. There's a crowd before us consisting of Knights and numerous other noblemen. The women is standing timidly before us. Her hands twist at the apron around her waist while her eyes are filled with fear and worry. Her clothes are ragged and covered in dirt while her blonde hair is littered with streaks of grey due to ash. She looks up, hazel eyes meeting green. "Our village has been attacked my lord. We request assistance as soon as possible," she begs, lowering her head into a bow.

My father sits up straighter. "Who has attacked your village?" I can see in my father's eyes what he's thinking. He thinks it's Balinor.

"Not who but what. It's a monster of some sort. It's been... taking the people of our village, only the people. None of the livestock were harmed. It's a terrifying beast. It has the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. We're in dire need of your help your highness. Please I beg of you!" The women collapses to her knees and starts to cry.

My father nods. "Where is your village?"

"Near the outskirts of the Forest of Ascetir."

"That is within our lands..." My father thinks for a moment. "I shall send my men to the forest to track this beast. We shall have it slain as soon as possible. You may stay for the time being."

The women stands in excitement. "Oh thank you my lord! We appreciate this greatly!"

The women bows one last time before being escorted from the room. Many of the people begin to disperse. I'm about to retire for the day as well when my father pulls me aside. "Arthur, I want you to hunt down this beast. Bring your best men for this creature can only be one of magic. You will leave at first light tomorrow."

"Yes father. I'll see to it immediately," I turn and head to the armoury to find Leon. I sigh inwardly. Perfect. Just perfect. Another problem to worry about.

-----

Merlin's POV

I arrive at my chambers and immediately collapse onto the bed. I'm tired and my head aches.

I lie on my bed for awhile, unmoving. The only thing on my mind is Arthur. Today went terribly. We hardly spoke on the second encounter as well. I wonder what he wanted to say though, just before I left. I sigh to myself. I realize I've been doing that a lot lately. I'm about to drift off to sleep when suddenly, the door to my room flies open, making me jump from the bed. Morgana stands at the entrance. One hand on her hip and the other on the handle of the door. "Merlin. You're. Late," she hisses at me.

I look up at her groggily. "For what?" I ask, still half asleep.

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms across her chest. "The council meeting. You know. The one we have almost every day."

"Oh..." I mumble. I didn't want to go. Nothing is happening after all. Besides, I still can't get Arthur out of my head. How am I supposed to concentrate on a meeting?

She sighs. "What do you mean 'oh'? Merlin, aren't you supposed to be the best candidate as leader after your father? Or are you hoping someone else takes the position?" She shakes her head and makes a 'tsk' sound with her tongue. "What would your mother say?"

I sigh and finally climb out of bed. "Fine. I'll go."

She smiles. "Good. Now hurry. Everyone is waiting for you."

-----

I wait patiently as my father finishes explaining the contents of our food storage. I yawn. I want to sleep.

My father soon sets down the documents in his hands. I'm about to rejoice that this meeting is about to end but my father begins a new topic. I groan to myself, receiving a small snicker from Mordred beside me. He leans in by my ear. "Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be over soon," he whispers.

I give a small smile. "I really hope so," I whisper back.

My father faces the rest of the people in the council room, a serious expression on his face. "Our next order of business is about recent attacks on numerous villages in the nearby area," my father begins.

That gets my attention. I lean forward so my elbows are able to rest on the table. I push the tiredness, and Arthur, away to the back of my mind and listen intently to my father's words.

"I've received word from a few villages that they were attacked by a half eagle, half lion like creature. This creature has been taking the farmers from the area as well. Oddly enough, no livestock ever goes missing. My question to you is if we should ride out to help," my father finishes.

"Of course we should! Is that even a question? They are people under our protection and we should get rid of this beast before it causes any more trouble," I exclaim.

My father nods in approval. "Indeed that is true but there is one small issue. The creature is currently within Uther's lands. It was last spotted near a village by the edge of the Forest of Ascetir."

I rise from my seat. I can feel Mordred tugging my sleeve, trying to pull me back down. "Is that supposed to matter? Uther's people or not they are still innocent."

"I understand that Merlin, calm down. My problem with this set up is that Uther may perceive an army of men entering his lands as an act of battle. I cannot risk something like that. I'm inquiring wether or not we should allow Uther's men to handle this one."

"But what if they can't kill it?"

"We'll just have to wait and see."

I slump down in my spot, my teeth gritted in frustration. My father turns away from me. "All in favour of what I had just suggested please raise your hands."

I scan my eyes over the crowd. Over half of the people agree. My father nods. "Then it is decided. There will be no further discussion."

I stand abruptly, knocking my chair back. It's legs dragging across the stone. The sudden sound startles everyone. I give my father one last glare before storming out, slamming the doors loudly behind me.

I lean against the door. My eyes cast down on the floor. I hear someone else get up before my father stops them. I can hear my father sigh. "Leave him. He'll cool down," I hear him say. The person who stood sits back down and the meeting resumes.

I head back to my chambers in frustrations. The echo of my boots striking the stone could probably be heard all across the castle. I throw open the door quickly before slamming it shut.

I slump down in my chair with arms crossed. A half lion, half eagle creature huh... I think I read about one in one of my books.

I leap up from my chair and stride over to the book shelf. I skim my finger over the bindings of the books until it lands on the one I need. I pull it off the shelf and begin flipping through the pages. I stop when I find it.

As I thought. It's a Griffin and a Griffin can only be killed with magic. There's no way the Knights of Camelot can defeat this creature! I have to go and help them, warn them, do something!

I toss the book aside and am about to grab my satchel to pack when a new thought crossed my mind. So what if they all die? It's not like they would ever come to save a bunch of sorcerers, so why should I go and save them?

I ponder the questions in my mind for what feels like forever until I finally make up my mind.

I start packing my satchel again. I grab some food, clothes, anything that I'll possibly need. I won't sacrifice people's lives for some trivial matter. The Griffin is a threat and I'll kill it before it does any more harm.