Title: Dark Magic

Authors: Cassy27
Words: 1547
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, oc's
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin, sadly enough.
Spoilers: No spoilers in this post

Summary: A sorcerer in search for revenge, attacks and sets events in motion which nobody could have expected. What will happen when Arthur needs to make difficult decisions and Merlin is the one that needs saving?

Beta: Fantasyy-Freak, thanks for all the wonderful help!

This story takes place somewhere in season 1

Chapter 1

When Merlin woke that morning, he had a feeling things were going to change today. He didn't know whether it was because of him possessing magic or just his instincts telling him to be careful, he just knew that by the end of the day, things wouldn't quiet be the same.

After having had a short breakfast with Gaius, Merlin prepared himself to leave for work. He put on his light brown jacket and grabbed his shoulder bag.

"Merlin?" Gaius asked, calling his attention before he could leave.

"Yes?" Merlin knew he was already late and that such a thing made Arthur be in a bad mood.

"I have medicines for Sir Leonard; could you drop them off before going to Arthur?"

Merlin didn't answer him immediately, but he knew he couldn't refuse anything to this man. Gaius had already done so much for him that he accepted any way of helping him to repay him a little bit at least. Walking forward again, he grabbed the small bottle out of Gaius' hand and left the room.

"Thank you," Gaius called after him, but Merlin was already too far away to hear him.

Merlin quickly did what Gaius had asked him to do and then he headed towards Arthur's chambers. Walking inside, he saw the young prince sitting at the table, his breakfast in front of him and his face filled with annoyance just like Merlin had predicted.

He didn't know what disturbed him the most though. The fact that Arthur was annoyed with him or the fact that he had known this before even entering; as he was getting to know him so well.

"Merlin," Arthur spoke after having swallowed a whole piece of bread, "You're late."

"I know and I apologize," Merlin said, already starting to collect dirty clothes which were laying all around the room, "It won't happen again."

"Of course it will, we are talking about you," Arthur grinned and Merlin only smiled along, knowing if he argued it he would end up getting more humiliated.

"I need you to wash my clothes, clean my armor, and get my shoes fixed because some of them are worn out. I need you to take care of the horses and then you should prepare yourself because we are going hunting."

Merlin needed to swallow after hearing all of that. He was in for a busy day so he better get started. Slowly working down the list of chores, Merlin suspected to be done with them in time for the hunt Arthur had planned. Of course he had the advantage of using magic and doing two or even three chores at the same time.

After all his chores were done, Merlin headed down to the stables. He brushed Arthur's horse and then saddled it, making sure that this time nothing wrong would happen. He didn't want to see the young prince even more annoyed.

Just when he was done with the horse, Arthur came walking in the stables. He was already dressed in his usual red tunic with shiny shoulder armor and Merlin wondered how he had gotten it on without his help. Shrugging of that thought, he gave the horse a soft slap on his back to make it walk forward.

"Come on Merlin," Arthur called out to him without looking back, "We don't have all day."

Merlin didn't answer and just got on a horse himself, making sure that his saddle was well placed so that he wouldn't fall off. Making the horse nearly run to catch up with Arthur, Merlin actually hoped that this day would soon end. For some reason, it wasn't going too well and he hadn't forgotten the feeling that he had this morning.

As every hunt, it was done on foot. They had left the horses near the end of the village, tied to a tree so that they wouldn't be able to run off and Arthur and Merlin had entered the forest on foot. Walking slowly while trying to make no sound at all, Arthur kept his bow aimed at everything that moved.

"Merlin, you are being too noisy," Arthur whispered in a hard voice.

"But I am making no sound at all," Merlin protested and only then he realized that his voice had gone up in the air, making a bird fly away from the top of a tree above them.

"Just shut up and try not to move too much," Arthur told him, turning his back towards him and focusing on anything that moved again.

About a hundred meters away, heavy noises could be heard. They were those of a dear that seemed to be running through the trees.

"Come on!" Arthur called out to Merlin before sprinting away to try and catch up with the dear. Merlin, reacting slowly as he felt tired from the long walk they already did, only started running behind Arthur seconds after he had yelled out to come with him. Silence surrounded him and fear crept in Merlin's heart as he had no idea where Arthur was. Knowing how he lacked coordination, Merlin knew that if he didn't find him soon, he would be lost in this forest with little chance of Arthur finding him.

Arthur didn't hesitate as he ran after the dear he knew he had heard.

"Come on!" he quickly yelled, asking Merlin to follow him. Jumping over some low hanging branches, avoiding getting hit by a large branch by ducking his head and then making a turn to the left, Arthur came to stand face to face with the large and beautiful dear whose eyes were directed at him. This was strange behavior for an animal, Arthur knew this, but he simply lifting his bow and prepared to shoot an arrow.

"Arthur Pendragon," a low and calm voice suddenly said.

Arthur's heart made an extra jump as he heard the sudden noise. He dropped his bow and pulled out his sword. The dear didn't hesitate now and made a run for it. Arthur didn't move, though, he let his gaze slide over every inch of the forest surrounding him.

"Show yourself!" Arthur called out to whoever was out there.

An older looking man then stepped out from under a tree where its shadow had hidden him. His eyes appeared kind and calm, just like his voice had, but his face betrayed the wisdom he contained. His hair was white and his face cleanly shaven. He wore clothes betraying his wealth as he was wearing a long dark blue cloak. All Arthur could think of was whether this man could be trusted or not.

"Who are you?" Arthur asked his sword still aimed at the man, ready to attack or to defend himself

"That is not of any importance," the old man spoke, "What is of importance it that you complete the task that you will be given."

"What task?" Arthur asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Your servant," the man said, "Danger will soon surround him and it is your task to keep him safe."

"Who? Merlin?" Arthur couldn't imagine Merlin being in danger. He was a servant after all. What could possibly happen to him as all he needed to do was work for him.

"Yes," the man turned his head slightly to the left as if he heard something before gazing straight into Arthur's eyes again. Arthur couldn't help but glance over to his left as well.

"If you were to fail in this task, terrible events will follow," the older man took a step closer towards Arthur who in response raised his sword a little higher, "Do you understand me?"

"But what will happen to him then," Arthur asked, feeling more annoyed by the second, "And how do you know?"

"Keep him safe, that is all you need to know."

A loud crack could be heard behind the young prince, startling him and making him turn around. Not much later Merlin came stumbling through some low hanging leaves. A smile lit up his face.

"Thank god I found you," Merlin sighed.

Arthur quickly turned around again, but the older man was simply gone.

"Did you see him?" Arthur asked Merlin. Merlin frowned and gazed around the small open spot they were standing in.

"Did I see who? We are all alone here, Sire," Merlin answered him, not sure what was wrong with Arthur, "Are you alright?"

Arthur turned his back towards him, looking to the spot that man just stood. Who was he and how come he had suddenly disappeared? All Arthur could think of was that this man had to be a sorcerer, what other explanation was there? But that wasn't Arthur's main concern right now. What worried him more was the fact that for some reason, Merlin would soon be in danger and even though he was just his servant, Merlin had become more like a friend and Arthur knew that whoever this man was, he would not just forget his warning, no, he would make sure nothing bad would happen to Merlin.

AN: Waw, this was the first chapter of my first story of Merlin. I am so exited about what you guys think and of course I hope it was liked. I will try and post the next chapter as soon as possible. In the mean time, I wish you all a very happy Xmas.

Thanks for reading this and...let me know what you thought about it!