Hi everyone! It's MerlinPsych! I decided to write this story because I (surprisingly) haven't found this take on a Hunger Games/Merlin crossover before. It is a one-shot, yes, at last for now, and its primary focus is on the character relationships. There's no romance, although I suppose you could interpret it that way for a number of pairings. Well, enjoy! Tell me what you think! (Oh, by the way, for the purposes of this crossover, Panem is a medieval kingdom, so no TV broadcast of the reaping, or anything...) ;)

Ever since Camelot had become part of Panem, ranking even lower than District 12 because they were seen as a threat, Merlin had been terrified of the event this kingdom practiced known as "The Hunger Games."

Camelot, called District 13 now, which for some reason upset certain people from the other districts deeply, not to mention the citizens of Camelot, was, like all places, required to give up two tributes, one girl and one boy. However, as it was the Quarter Quell, the capitol made it possible for the year for a person of any age or status to be chosen, rather a newborn or an elderly person who could barely walk anymore.

Merlin was obviously was frightened of becoming a tribute himself. Who wouldn't be? However, weighing much more heavily on his mind was the reoccurring nightmare that it was Gwen, who was chosen, or a knight, or Gaius, or, most frequently, Arthur. He could imagine all too clearly that this would happen, that Panem would somehow rig the system so Arthur would be chosen and the last of Uther's spirit broken, forcing him to relinquish what remained of his power.

Merlin could not even bear the thought. If Arthur was chosen, it would be impossible for even the greatest warlock in the world to protect him from outside the game. If Arthur was chosen, he'd have failed his destiny.

Now, one day before they began, walking after the prince through the castle, he just wished the prince would speak of something, anything else.

Merlin was quiet when he was worried; Arthur talked Merlin's ear off.

"What if it's Gwen?" fretted Arthur.

Merlin looked away. "… Arthur, please. Stop."

"What if it's my father?!" Arthur cried, "Then Camelot would surely fall!"

"Not so loud," Merlin hissed, "We're District 13 now."

Arthur then turned to him, noticing how white in the face his servant was getting, even more so than usual. "Merlin…" he asked, concerned, "Are you okay?"

Merlin just turned away. "Can I just go muck out the stables, or something?"

Arthur grabbed his arm. "Merlin, it's alright if you're afraid."

Merlin shrugged him off. "Well, I'm not, okay?! I'm just tired of your endless talking!"

"Merlin, you haven't said more than a single irritating thing all morning. Something's wrong."

Merlin snorted. "Very observant, sire! The Hunger Games are tomorrow! Everyone is nervous!"

Arthur sighed and, sounding slightly desperate, assured him, "It won't be you. You're only a servant! It'll probably be rigged so they pick someone in power, a royal like me." Arthur certainly hoped so. Merlin wouldn't last a minute out there!

That was exactly what Merlin was afraid of: Arthur being chosen. He felt his stomach sink, his worry only increasing. "I've got to go;" he said quickly, "Gaius has some chores for me to do…"

He ran off down the corridors without waiting for Arthur's answer, hoping with all his heart that it was some strong, able-bodied stranger who was to be picked in the reaping.

The Reaping:

Panem would choose from District 13 last, so the citizens of Camelot had plenty of time to fret over how scary the tributes from other districts looked, and how small of a chance they had.

There were plenty of such deadly tributes that concerned Merlin, many of them gigantic adult career tributes with bulging muscles and cold, mean eyes. However, it was one tribute in particular who truly frightened him.

The man was from one of the better-off districts, massive and tough looking, but the really disturbing part was when Merlin noticed the man kill a man from another district (who was even more gigantic) with magic before he even reached the platform. The sorcerer tribute smirked when the tribute chosen to replace him was wimpy and boney.

Magic was illegal in Panem as much as in Camelot, but nobody noticed the man's murderous deed. Nobody except Merlin, that is.

Merlin shuddered. It would be tough to defeat a tribute with sorcery on his side. He hoped now more than ever that Arthur would be safe.

At last, Effie Trinkett announced, "Now we will be selecting the man and woman with the honor of representing District 13 in The Hunger Games… May the odds be ever in your favor!"

Everyone seemed to be holding their breath; there was not a single sound.

"Ladies first," Effie told them, as if this was such an honor, and she pulled a slip out of the bowl.

"…Kay!" she cried, joyfully, as if this chosen girl had just won a horse.

A woman in the back of the crowd let out a bloodcurdling shriek, and everyone turned around together, watching as she passed out. It was soon clear why, though, as the guards tore a tiny, delicate baby from her unconscious mother's arms, too young to sit up yet, and carried the little brunette peasant girl up to the platform where she was laid beside the other giant tributes. She was bawling, dainty hands clenched in little fists.

Merlin wished that he could save her from her inevitable doom, but there was nothing he could do. At least Gwen was safe…

"And now the men," Effie continued, beaming as she began reaching dramatically around the bowl.

Merlin's heart pounded like a drum. Please not Arthur, he prayed, Please not Arthur!"

Effie pulled out a slip with a small flourishing motion of her hand, and slowly and delicately unfolded it.

Everyone was frozen by the anticipation of the moment, as if enchanted. The moment dripped by like a lake forming in a cave as a stalactite dripped, dripped, dripped, one single drop of water at a time. It seemed to last an eternity, the unfolding of that paper, and the lingering suspense was as painful as being stabbed through the heart with Excalibur.

Effie finally unfolded the slip. "Merlin!" she cried, grinning.

There was a horrified silence as the crowd stood unmoving.

"Well, come on dear," Effie called cheerfully, "Don't be shy!"

Merlin pushed his way slowly through the crowd, eyes wide in shock. Maybe it was better this way. Now, nobody else had to die, and if he was careful about it, he could always use his magic…

Gaius gave him a small, tearful nod as he passed, clearly realizing the same thing. "Be careful, my boy," he whispered, while Gwen stood next to him crying into his shoulder.

Merlin nodded. "As always," he muttered back, with a weak smile.

When Merlin passed the knights, Lancelot was restraining a struggling Gwaine. Lancelot lifted one hand off the other knight's arms, though, as he passed, raising his hand to his lips and holding up three fingers in Panem's sign of luck and respect. He too knew that Merlin had more on his side than it appeared, but the smile on his lips was still a worried one.

The other knights imitated the sign, all except Gwaine, who broke free of Lancelot's grasp. "Merlin!" he cried, running to his friend.

Merlin shook his head at him, smiling sadly. "Don't worry, Gwaine. I'll win."

Gwaine shook his head at him, letting out a small, extremely nervous laugh. "You're crazy!"

"I know," Merlin said softly, "But I will."

Meanwhile, at the front of the crowd, Arthur stood frozen with horror, as if made out of ice, a cold hand clenching his heart.

No! How could it be Merlin?! He was just a servant! How could it be Merlin, foolish Merlin, who was so very self-sacrificing and who couldn't kill anyone unless absolutely forced, and even then would hate himself for an eternity for his actions? Merlin, who couldn't defend himself properly, well, to save his life?! Merlin, so good-hearted and cheerful… Merlin the idiot. Merlin, his best friend. His little brother by choice!

This couldn't be happening! It was Arthur's job to protect him! He couldn't let him fight to the death!

"NO!" Arthur roared, and everything stopped, nobody saying a single word. "NO! MERLIN! I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"

Wow, Arthur does care! This was a really fun crossover to write, very emotional, though. It's not as light-hearted as some of my other stories... :) Well, how did you like it? As always, I am open to feedback. Thanks so much for reading!

-MerlinPsych