Hello, readers! Here's a new Merlin story! Hope you all enjoy! If you want more I have another Merlin story (among others) written, so just click my stories and check it out! Disclaimer: I don't own any Merlin content or characters.

CRUNCH!

"Merlin!" Arthur growled under his breath.

"Sorry!" his servant apologized sheepishly, that goofy grin on his face as he stepped on a dry lead.

Arthur rolled his eyes and kept trekking forward through the underbrush silently. Well, as silently as Merlin would allow.

They were on a hunting excursion in the forests at the edge of Camelot's territory. With the winter solstice approaching, Uther always ordered for a lavish celebration to commemorate the changing of the seasons and to exploit the riches of the harvest. He tasked Arthur with a hunting expedition to return with many beasts that may have fallen from his bow for the glorious feast.

And so there they were. Arthur and Merlin padded across the soft grass further into the forest looking for game to bring home to the king.

CRACK!

Another twig snapped under Merlin's gait.

Arthur stopped, "Merlin, I don't know if you recall, but we're supposed to be luring the prey, not scaring it away."

"Alright, alright! I'll be more careful."

The prince exhaled frustratedly as Merlin tried to conceal a smile. Arthur was carrying a wickedly long hunting bow accompanied with dangerously sharp arrows that could prick your finger just looking at it. He was clad in his strong armor, his trusty sword at his side. Merlin was carrying their rations and supplies, his thin frame struggling under the weight of the bedrolls, pots, pans, jugs, and other sundry items for the prince.

Arthur saw movement from his left. He quickly veered towards the direction and sunk low to the ground, not wanting to alert his prey.

Merlin came running after him, jangling with the metal kitchenware so loud that Arthur was sure it could be heard all the way back to the kingdom.

"What'd I miss?" Merlin asked, eyes bright.

A deer scurried off, startled by the Merlin's clanging.

Arthur stabbed his arrow into the ground, laying his head back against the trunk, "Nothing, Merlin, you've missed nothing as you've managed to scare off every living animal worthy of my father's feast in this whole bloody forest."

Merlin shrugged, "It's a talent, really."

Arthur shoved his shoulder, half playing. Merlin was smiling until the weight of the pack around his shoulders sent him tumbling into the mud. At that, Arthur cracked a smile.

"Come on," Arthur hoisted himself up, leaving Merlin floundering on the floor, "let's set up camp, so you can make us dinner."

Within the hour, they were sitting by a crackling fire, a pot over the warm coals with their bubbling stew.

"How much longer?" the prince groaned, "I'm famished."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Merlin gave him a look, "maybe your royal backside would've liked to skin the potatoes, or salt the pork, or cook the beans, or pick the herbs-"

"Alright, alright," Arthur held his hands up in surrender, "you know this wouldn't have been a problem if I had actually caught something today without all your clanging."

"Clotpole."
"Dollophead."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"The sorcerer. He's within our territory."

"I feel his presence as well. He is young, but strong. He is capable of eliminating our power if he reaches his true potential."

"That cannot be allowed to happen. We must exterminate the young sorcerer before he overpowers our own forces."

"My orders are your desire."

"Send for the mercenary."

"The mercenary, My Lord…?"
"I sense your hesitation. Speak freely."

"It's just...the mercenary is a rather dire resort, my liege."

"If this sorcerer is meant to destroy us, he must be dealt with accordingly. Already his reputation grows. He has thwarted multiple adversaries. He guards the Prince of Camelot."

"Yes, my Lord."
"Deliver this message: the sorcerer by the name of Merlin is within our forests. Eliminate Prince Arthur and bring this Merlin to me."
"Right away, my Lord."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The embers in the fire were a faint orange glow as the pale light of dawn approached. Merlin was lying on his bedroll, the thin mattress separating him from the rocky ground below. After Arthur horked down most of the stew he made, he went straight to sleep to rest for tomorrow's hunt. That left Merlin to clean the pot, their plates and utensils, ease the fire, and create a barrier for their camp without his Royal Laziness' help. Now, he was enjoying his rest after the hard work.

A hand clamped around his mouth.

Merlin startled awake, clawing at the hand, but stopped short when he saw it was the Prince. He was about to call him a string of his usual insults (prat, clotpole, dollophead, etc.), until he saw the expression on Arthur's face. It was serious, alert, and steely.

"There's something just beyond the treeline."

A cold wash of dread fell over Merlin as he sat up. Arthur's sword was in his hand at the ready. Merlin reached for one of the sharp bows in Arthur's quiver.

"What is it?" Merlin asked.

"I don't know," the Prince's face was a mask of sheer concentration and alertness.

The branches ruffled again.

"Here it comes," Arthur said in a low voice.

Merlin gulped nervously, preparing a spell within his head to defend them. Both of them had their weapons at the ready.

A beautiful brown deer padded into the clearing. It's large chestnut eyes looked up at Arthur and Merlin as it nibbled on some grass.

Merlin released a sigh of relief as Arthur lowered his sword.

"Wow," Merlin laughed, "I feel so safe knowing the future king of Camelot can protect me against a very dangerous, totally frightening deer."

"Shut up," the prince grumbled.

Merlin opened his mouth for a second quip when thwip!

Something sharp poked him in the neck.

Immediately, his hand went to the source of the prick. It came away with a red dart.

All the color drained from his face as he looked at the dart in horror.

Arthur turned, "Merlin?"
He paled when he saw his servant holding a hand to his neck and another hand holding a dart.

"I…," Merlin stammered, "I…."
The world tilted as he crumpled to the grass. All Merlin could see was Arthur sprint his way, calling his name in a distorted voice. The Prince's expression was filled with worry, sword in hand, as he ran to protect Merlin. His keen eyes searched the trees, scanning the brush for another dart.

"Merlin!" Arthur called as he reached his friend. He grabbed him by the arms and dragged him towards the trees as fast as he could. Merlin was listless, unable to move his paralyzed body.

A frightening figure in obsidian armor emerged from the trees. Merlin was unable to warn Arthur who was desperately trying to get him to shelter. It wasn't until the Black Knight unsheathed its midnight black sword that the prince saw. His eyes widened in alarm as he carefully tucked the semi-conscious Merlin behind a large trunk.

Arthur wielded his sword, emotionless, "Who are you?"
The Black Knight was silent.

Arthur knew he had to hurry. Whatever Merlin was injected with could very well be lethal.

"I'm warning you," the Prince said in an unwavering voice, "I am Prince Arthur of Camelot. Come any closer and all of Camelot's forces will rain down upon you with a fervor unmatched by any kingdom in the territory. Turn away and I will possibly choose to forget about this little predicament."

A woozy Merlin tried to shift his inert form in an attempt to help the Prince. All he managed to do was to slightly roll to his side. His dizzy vision caught a glimpse from behind the bark of the Black Knight and Arthur.

The mercenary lifted its black sword in challenge. Arthur sighed, but readied himself. He stole a quick glance back towards Merlin. His expression was stern and clear, ready to sacrifice himself by any means necessary.

The Black Knight charged, razor-sharp sword raised. Arthur sprinted forward to meet the challenge, clad in his silver armor and sword glinting against the sun.

A fog clouded the edges of Merlin's vision. Exhaustion overcame him, as he fell unconscious to the clashing sword of Arthur and the Black Knight.

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