Summary: Twenty mysterious black knights are trying to kill the Kings ward, Lady Morgana. Arthur, Merlin and another 'guest' have to find out why, and stop them before they succeed in their task. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Hunt is on!


Surveying the Knights around him, all in black clad armour, The wizard held up the purple silk handkerchief. He passed it to the nearest knight, and they all smelt it before passing it around for the others to catch the scent. Like dogs, the wizard thought mildly. These knights had no soul. They had no face. or eyes. They preyed upon the sense of smell to guide them to the victim.

Once all twenty of the knights had finished, The Wizard held it up. "The owner of this handkerchief is the Lady Morgana. Your objective is to find her in Camelot and kill her. She is well protected, and I highly doubt many of you will survive. I too, will get close to her until we succeed. With her death we shall bring down Uther and all of Camelot!" The knights remained motionless, which was considered eerie to the Wizard, but he didn't care. Pausing, he looked around the forest they were standing in.

It was pitch black, but he had lanterns and the moon was high in the sky. The wind whispered secrets that no one understood, and then the Wizard called out in his most powerful voice-

"Knights. The Hunt Is on!"


"Gwen, have you seen my handkerchief?" Morgana asked, as she ruffled through the doors, still in her nightgown. "I was going to give it as a token to Sir Leon. He mentioned the other day he was jousting against Arthur, and that he hoped to win in my honour, isn't that sweet?" She said, grinning of the sight of her handing it to Sir Leon, a handsome smile on his face, while Arthur sulked jealously. Gwen appeared, with piles of dresses before laying each one carefully out on the bed. "Actually my lady, I haven't seen it since it was sent down to the laundry room. Would you like me to look for it for you?" Gwen said kindly. Morgana shook her head, her black curls shaking.
"Oh no Gwen, it's not trouble, I'll give him my green one instead, then I can wear that" she said, gesturing towards a magnificent green dress with long sleeves, and a long train with little ruffles. "Anyway, wouldn't you rather be spending time with Merlin? I see you two together a lot these days" she mentioned mildly, and Gwen blushed, ducking her head as she put the rest of the dresses away. Helping Morgana into the green, she said "w-what, my lady? I did not realise I had been spending so much time with him. I'm not neglecting my duties, am I?" She said worriedly, and Morgana laughed.

"Gwen, don't be so formal. You're my friend as well, you know, and you're making me out to be some kind of ogre!"

Gwen laughed. "Sorry Morgana. See you later" and she left Morgana, who was just finishing her hair. Morgana felt a chill on the back of her neck, a prickling sensation that she was being watched. Icy cold dread filled her, and she tried to shake it off, glancing in the mirror.

She screamed. Looming behind her was a figure. He was large, as tall as Arthur, and dressed all in black armour. The window was wide open, and she didn't have time to wonder how he got in before he swung a sword at her throat. Morgana bent at the waist backwards, almost gracefully, as the mirror shattered, and squeezed her eyes shut so no piece would get in her eye.

She felt a small sting on her cheek, below her left eye, however, and then screamed, hoping someone nearby could help. The knight said nothing, but moved his sword in a downward motion, where her leg was. She swung it round into his stomach, only he was like iron.

Shooting pains went up her foot, and she realised she couldn't fight whoever this was. She tried hobbling over to the door, but he was there, swift as an arrow, blocking her way. Picking up a shard of glass, she lunged and it stuck into his visor. He carried on, throwing her by her hair into the concrete wall, where she saw stars and felt warm liquid running down her neck. The knight slowly took a step towards her. She heard the door bang open, the wood splintering off the hinges, and there was Arthur, panic in his eyes. "Morgana?" He shouted, then noticed the scene, Morgana, almost unconscious, blood spilling onto her floor, and the knight hovering over her, about to deliver the final blow.

Arthur pulled the sword at his side with a metallic ring, and he curved it in a graceful, strong arc at the knights back. The knight turned, deciding that Arthur was more dangerous at that point, and they began to fight, swords clashing so hard it was a wonder they didn't break. The noises gave Morgana a headache, or perhaps that was the blow. She looked through heavy eyelids to see Arthur dodge a blow, only to receive one. The knight was slow, and Arthur was fast, and they were of equal strength and training, but the blows Arthur dealt the knight had no effect on him. Morgana tried to think. There must be some way to defeat it. Something inside the inner working, maybe the brain, or other vital organ.

She had no time to decide, however, because the knight was winning, and fast. Glancing around the room, she stood up, her head spinning. She was next to the curtains, and they were held up by a thin, long rail. She ripped down the rail, gritting her teeth with the effort not to black out by the blinding pain in her head. When she blinked she saw white spots. Gripping the rain tightly, she ran at Arthur and the knight like at a tournament, Arthur saw her charging towards them and ducked, Morgana impaling the knight with the rail to the wall, it jerked a few times, and was still. Breathing heavily, Morgana pressed her hands to her temples.

Arthur opened his mouth, ready to speak when Merlin and Gwen came rushing in, their mouths dropping open at the sight. "Morgana, are you okay?" Arthur asked, breathing heavily. She shook her head; droplets of blood splattered the floor. "Merlin, go get Gaius. Gwen, get some sheets of cloth, Morgana sit down" And Morgana fell to the floor, her knees collapsing underneath her. Arthur lunged forward, catching her in his warm arms. "I didn't mean fall to the floor" he murmured, a golden lock of blonde hair falling into his beautiful blue eyes. Morgana reached out with a trembling hand and brushed it away, and flushed red as she realised what she was doing.

Arthur took a wary step back, wanting to make sure she was okay, but he wasn't one for intimate communications, especially with Morgana. If his father found out, he'd either be extremely pleased or extremely angry. It was hard to tell with Uther. And that was, of course, if Morgana even liked Arthur, he could never imagine her loving him. They were always bickering and arguing, like brother and sister, not... not... Arthur broke off as he gazed down at the beautiful woman. Her eyes were closed, and she winced as Gwen tenderly pressed some cloth to her head. Merlin and Gaius came rushing through the door, both skidding to her side.

Gaius examined her head, cheek and leg. "Gwen, keep applying pressure. I'm going to quickly run to my chambers, now I know what's wrong, I have the perfect cure for her to drink, and she'll be fine. Merlin, can you just hold her leg a bit above the floor, elevating it helps greatly" and he rushed off. Merlin carefully took Morgana's leg, and held it up carefully so her dress was still in place, yet the sight of Merlin's scrawny hands of Morgana's perfect skin mad Arthur see red, and he glared at Merlin, who, noticing burning sensations at the back of his head, almost dropped Morgana's leg in fright. For an awkward minute there was silence. Then Gaius came in, and shook Morgana's shoulder gently.

"Morgana... Can you drink this please? Your headache will disappear. But you'll be a little drowsy. Now Gwen, I trust you to look after Lady Morgana, and you can call if there's any trouble? And when she wakes, simply tell her to put this cream" he said, placing a jar in her hands "on the back of her head, and keep her leg as straight as possible. I'll bandage it once we have time, and she's not unconscious. It's not broken; it's most likely a sprain" Morgana sipped delicately at the drink, grimacing at the bad taste, and Gaius and Merlin got up and walked out.

Arthur looked away from Morgana's now sleeping face. "Um... I'll be down the hall if Morg- if both of you need anything" he said, and turned to walk out before Gwen said "Wait!" and he turned. Gwen looked uncomfortable. "Before you go, could you get rid of that... thing" he said, pointing to the dead knight. Arthur had forgotten all about him. Morgana was so brave to save him... Even if he didn't need saving. He was fighting perfectly well enough, but she'd helped, and he was grateful.

He was about to suggest he got some Knights when some knights entered the chambers, including Sir Leon. "What happened?" he gasped "Is the lady Morgana alright?" Arthur felt coldness as he saw Leon's gaze wander over Morgana's sleeping form, and felt instinctively protective of her. "Yes. Morgana's fine. Get that out of here" he said, gesturing to the figure impaled with a curtain rod. The knights looked baffled. "What happened?" Sir Owain* asked. Arthur sighed.

"This... thing had somehow entered Morgana's chambers and attacked her. I heard screaming from down the corridor and started fighting. I was winning, even though he seemed indestructible, when Morgana stabbed him with the curtain rod"

"So... Morgana killed the knight, not you" A cheeky knight called out. He turned his steely gaze toward him, and he almost cowered with fear under the Princes heavy gaze. "Yes. I did not need her help, but she acted bravely. More so than most of you in this room" then, Sir Leon just had to speak up and defend the Kings ward. "What a genius idea! Morgana immediately targeted the weak point of any living thing. The heart" he explained, and they all had respect in their eyes.

"But, Sir Leon, you failed to notice that this knight was, as I mentioned- indestructible. He is not a living thing. I suspect magic" and the knight's eyes had a hint of fear in them. Some had wives, and children, and they didn't want to be burnt at the stake for accusations for sorcery. "Well... Perhaps this thing was once human. I don't know, your highness" did he sound mocking, or was It just Arthurs ears?

"Enough chatter" Arthur said gruffly. "Get the thing out of here. And someone inform my father." And the knights slowly dispersed.

Yet again Arthur was about to walk out when Gwen called him back. Blushing again, she said "Arthur, do you think you could put The Lady Morgana on the bed, it's just I'm small, and I cannot lift anything with my bad back, so..." and Arthur sighed. If Morgana found out she might snap at him for taking advantage.

Lifting her up as easily as a rag doll, he was going to dump her unceremoniously on the bed, but he was too noble and carefully laid her down, trying not to think about how soft her skin was, how her hair smelt of lavender and roses, how perfect every one of her dark eyelashes was. He walked out of the room, and Gwen smiled knowingly. Morgana was her closest friend, she was kind to her, and saved her many times from Uther's wrath. She had helped Gwen catch Merlin's eye... And his heart.

Morgana had been a friend, mother, sister, and advisor, everything to Gwen. Gwen just wanted her to be happy, and she knew the way Arthur looked at her that he cared about her just as much as Gwen. Sitting next to Morgana, Gwen thought her life in Camelot, as a little girl, with only her father as her friend.

Her mother had died in Childbirth, and Gwen was left to look after the house when her father was at work. He exhausted himself trying to earn as much money as he could for Gwen. He always believed she could do better, deserved better. Then, one day, when she was 16, she saw the lady Morgana looking at scarves. She was beautiful, her long hair twisted into a beautiful plait, and she wore the most gorgeous dress Gwen had seen. She smiled at the woman, and bought a beautiful blue scarf.
Then, she headed towards Gwen, at her father's stall, where he worked as a blacksmith, and sometimes did jewellery. Gwen expected Morgana to go straight for the elegant bracelets, but instead she looked at a sword. It was the finest sword Gwen's father had ever made, and Morgana tried a few moves with it. "It's a beautiful piece" she said to Gwen's father, and he walked over. "Certainly. I'm extremely proud. Please, continue to examine it, I don't mind! I sell me sword to your fathers knights"
"My father?" Morgana asked, confused. "Oh, you mean Uther! I'm his ward; he adopted me, but not technically his daughter. I will certainly mention your craftsmanship In this particular piece. My swords a rusty old thing now" she sighed mournfully. "Uther won't give me another. He says it's unladylike for a woman to fight. I think that's rubbish" she said, placing the sword back carefully. Gwen almost gasped as she heard Morgana slate Uther. But her father laughed.
"I always let my Gwen run around with a sword. I think a young lady should do as she pleases. Gwen, darling, come here" he called, and Gwen emerged, trying to wipe her sooty face in the presence. She didn't know whether to bow, or curtsey. "My lady" she said, in a small timid voice. Morgana laughed loudly.

"Oh, don't bother being all polite and what not, I'm not going to chop your head off! I don't think I have that power anyway. I tried to get Uther to chop off Arthurs head when he broke my shield, I settled for putting him in the stocks instead!" and the girls laughed. Tom wandered off, back to work, happy his Gwen was finally making a friend, royalty no less!

"I'm Gwen!" she said, holding out a hand. Morgana took it, grinning.

"I'm Morgana. You probably know that though. Most people treat me as if I'm a queen, bowing and kissing my hand, like I'm not normal!" she laughed, but a sadness was in her eyes. "It must be hard for you to make friends then" Gwen suggested. Morgana nodded, rolling her eyes. "It's a wonder I haven't gone mad with only Arthur for company. Uther rarely lets me out of the castle. I had to remind him that I'm sixteen years old, crying out loud!"

The two girls had talked for hours, before Morgana had to get back, but not before offering Gwen a job as her maid. "You wouldn't have to do much, or wait on me, and I'd pay well..." she's said worriedly. Gwen beamed.
"That would be amazing! We'll have so much fun!" the girls squealed. They'd been best friends since.

Morgana stirred from her sleep, to see Gwen flitting around the room like a tornado. Rubbing the drowsiness from her eyes, she swallowed before saying "What- um... Hi" it was so anticlimactic that the friends laughed.

"You basically passed out, Gaius treated you, the knights came in a gawped a bit, and Arthur told them how you killed the knight, their all very impressed" Gwen said, eyes twinkling. "But Arthur mentioned that he didn't need your help, however kind you was to lend it" Morgana scowled. "Trust Arthur to big himself up at every chance he got. Wait... How did I get on the bed?" she asked suspiciously. Gwen blushed. "I... Uh, asked Arthur to just you know, put you there?" She said, and then brightly added "But I cleaned your room!"

Morgana looked at herself. "Oh... God... I'm still in my nightgown! Please tell me none of the knights saw that?" she panicked, and Gwen shook her head. "Don't worry; I was standing in front of you. Only Arthur had any chance to look, and well, I think he was busy looking at your face" She smirked, which was unlike Gwen.

"Oh.. And Uther looked in but I informed him you where ill and not to be disturbed. I said you'd see him and Arthur as usual tomorrow at lunch" Morgana groaned, and lay back on the bed again, wishing the world could just stop, slow down for a second and just... let her relax a little. She had Gwen run her a bath, and cleaned herself off the blood. Pulling on a simple yellow dress, Morgana

looked around her room. Gwen had cleaned it up as best as she could, but the mirror her father had given her for her birthday was broken into pieces, swept into a small pile. Searching through it, she got a piece the size of her palm. It was the piece with a small rose etched into it. Holding it carefully, she stood up and ran to her wardrobe. She pulled out a dark cloak, and wrapped it around her body, and set out in the cold winter's day. The sun was getting lower in the sky as she rode to her father's grave. It was only a few hours, there and back, but she knew it would be worth it. She finally got to the grassy hill, and led her horse up carefully. Tying her horse to the tree, she bent down at the stone. Tears welled in her eyes.

Her father was kind, brave. He didn't think that magic was bad like Uther. He respected it. Morgana wished that he was here with her. Maybe he could be... With magic. Morgana had heard of such things. But it would be too risky, and she didn't have that power... She just had dreams about people dying. Nightmares that haunted her even when she was awake.

After she finished crying, she placed the shard of mirror with the rose facing the sun.

Turning around, she saw a figure moving.

A black figure.

She grabbed the horses reigns and jumped onto the horse.

The figure was coming closer. It was a knight, like she saw before. It was going to kill her. She had a sword, but was nowhere near as strong. It was run, or die fighting.

She was tempted to the latter, the more noble, but it was not ladylike. No, the lady had to just wait to be rescued. But no one knew she was here, no one could hear the screams.

No, she wouldn't give it the pleasure of screaming. She jumped onto her horse in one swift movement and started into a gallop.

It was no easy feat with a bad head, and every jolt and leap made Morgana groan. She just kept an image of an angel in her face, and afters minutes she realised the angel was Arthur. She was momentarily distracted when she realised this she failed to notice the knight come up behind her.

He threw a punch. Classic style, eh? Morgana thought. Bring it on. She easily ducked his obvious moves, and assessed his style of fighting from earlier with Arthur. It's like there the same thing. It must be magic. She knew that it was slow, not fast, and blunt, not subtle. It was like a boar, and the only way to take out a boar was to nip at its side, again and again, until you tire it out, and finally manage to kill it. She spurred on her horse, digging her knees in slightly. Her hair and cloak billowed out behind her, like there was an invisible wind. Her breath came out as white steam.

It was defiantly winter know, she decided, then wondered how she could think about such trivial things while riding madly for her life. Suddenly, and iron fist came out from nowhere, hitting her square in the face. With an 'Oomph!' she fell off her horse, which, like the perfect horse it was, stayed by her side, like a loyal dog.

Trying to claw her way to stand up, Morgana tried to breath, dragging oxygen into her sore lungs. A sharp branch lay next to her, and she tested it, and it was hard. Perfect. She wasn't going down without a fight. Never let the Bastards grind you down was her motto.


So, the first Chapter is up and the hunt is on! Please please, PLEASE review and tell me what you thought about it. I wrote it in almost one go, changing little bits and peices about it, but I'm happy with the result. left you with bit of a cliffhanger, and a little swearing, oops :) And, trust me, Kisses with Morgana and Arthur are foreseeable in the future! Hope I didn't change the charcaters well enough, there aren't enough Armor fanfics as there is. Reviews are welcome, I do get lonely here :')

Arthur: Lonely? What about me?
Me: Yes Arthur, you are perfect company.
Arthur: yeeeees, what else?
Me: I s'pose your handsome.
Arthur: Oh really? *grins*
Morgana: What's going on here? Where are we?
Me: the place where anything can happen
Morgana* *looks worried*
Arthur: *looks worried*
Me: oh, C'mon now, it's not like I'd do something bad, like make you dance the macerena on a table! Oh... wait, thats a good idea.
Arthur: *runs off*
Me: Hey! Come back, goldie locks!

Well, that was random. Anyways, Smell ya later!