|Two Worlds Apart|

Chapter Two•

It was a beautiful, sunny day outside. The birds were singing, and the trees swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze. A perfect day for hunting.

Arthur was distracted, he couldn't believe his father was making him go out for the day whilst his best friend needed him right now.

"Arthur?"

Arthur shook his head and looked over at Fabian.

"Oh. Sorry." Arthur coughed, as he held his bow and arrow tighter. Fabian sat on a horse beside Arthur's. He furrowed his brows and knew exactly what was on Arthur's mind. Merlin.

"Em rof llaf." Fabian whispered, as Arthur shot at the deer they'd spotted. Fabian had magic, and he'd sensed it on Merlin too, that's how he knew to use the right ropes and chains to keep him restrained.

Fabian's desperate attempt for Arthur's love was key. He wanted Merlin to fear men. Fear Arthur. Fabian was a typical bully, a narcissistic sociopath who shoved everyone and everything out of the way until it was his. Fabian's father allowed him to treat people, servants, animals and property like it was all his. He was an entitled, spoilt, arrogant prince, who embedded men and women on the daily, even without their consent, and now he wanted Arthur, so he had to get Merlin out of the way.

The spell he'd cast tricked Arthur into falling for Fabian each time he'd say it, only for a short while but Fabian still enjoyed to play with his magic, and Arthur for that matter.

-

Merlin was anxious, he felt himself digging into the bed with his fingernails. He wanted to scream but nothing, not even a whisper fell from his lips. He shut his eyes and tried to see Arthur using his magic. Merlin preferably doesn't use his magic to spy on anyone, but this felt like life or death. It felt similar to the time when Arthur tried to get a rare flower once to save Merlin's life. He hated his friends putting their life on the line for him, especially when they don't know it's happening. Arthur had no idea what Fabian was capable of.

He could see him.

There he was, with Fabian in the woods. Merlin furrowed his brows. Arthur was flirting with Fabian?
It was clear as day to Merlin. Arthur had a particular laugh, a flirty one he'd use whenever Merlin told a stupid joke. A little snort type laugh. Seeing the two together like this made Merlin angry, he was disgusted, he was jealous.
For a moment, he wanted so desperately to send them both flying off their horses but he couldn't do anything. He just led there watching them. Deep down he knew it was nothing, because Arthur needed to wed a woman, and as did Fabian. Anything other than that would be treason.

Merlin opened his eyes, he didn't wish to see any more. He found himself feeling very uncomfortable, sad even.

"Merlin! What's wrong?" Giaus asked, he saw a tear fall from his face down towards the ground. Merlin closed his eyes and ignored Giuas. Giuas assumed it had something to do with what had happened to him, or perhaps it was more pain and the potion was wearing off. He grabbed more of the healing potion and tried to sit Merlin up. Merlin shook his head, and groaned as he sat up on his elbows. It was time to get up and try to be productive. He slowly swung his legs over the bed and winced in the process.

"Lay down Merlin. You aren't ready to sit up yet."

Merlin ignored Giaus, he made his way over to the table and grabbed a quill and an old piece of parchment as well as some ink from the drawer.

'Fabian did this to me. I fear Arthur may be in danger. He seems to be enjoying his company though. If he wants that friendship, then I want nothing to do with him.' Merlin wrote.