Some people are going to hate, but I made it seem as though Arthur and Gwen never got together. Their relationship was cute, but I never felt like being queen was right for Guinevere. So she is still a maid and her and Arthur are just friends. Anyways, it's time for the story to begin! I hope you guys enjoy, and please review! Allons-y!
Merlin sat quietly in his small room, his head titled upward as to stare at the crumbling ceiling. Clothes and books were scattered about the floor and his bed was a disgrace. In fact, he was suppose to be cleaning right then, but of course Merlin pressed his duties aside just to go off into a daydream. It started with him counting the cracks around the room - he counted nearly thirty - but soon swirling thoughts roamed throughout his head, bringing him away from reality. His mind always seemed to get carried away whenever he, amazingly, found free time on his hands. However, as usual, Giaus was quick to realize the silents - which Merlin never seemed to conjure - coming from the young wards bedroom.
"Merlin!" Giaus shouted his name with a quick snap. It was an average day in Camelot and the court physician sat at a potion and herb covered table mixing together medicines for the needy people of the city. It was a normal occurrence, as the old man knew, for Merlin to find his thoughts somewhere else and Giaus also was aware that in times like this, it merely took an emotionless call of the boys name to bring him back to reality.
"Sorry! Sorry. I am cleaning now..." Merlin aimlessly announced, and a faint chuckle came from outside the warlocks bedroom which he responded too with a slight shake of his head. He soon enough got his magic flowing and every thing scattered about his room were quickly put away. Merlin's last touch was a quick make of the bed before he looked around, pleased with his results. Before heading off into the work that was bound to follow the Warlocks arrival at the kings chambers, Merlin removed the loose floorboard beneath his bed frame and took from the hole a small wood dragon, carved and given to him by Balinor. A smile spread across the manservants face in recognition of his father, oh how he wished he could have gotten to know him better. The night before, Merlin had one of those remarkably, vivid, colorful dreams that involved an exciting adventure with his deceased father. Then before he awakened, he dreamt of returning home to Ealdor where his mother and Freya were waiting patiently for the mens return to set dinner. 'If only it were real', he thought. So without even thinking, Merlin placed the wooden trinket within his coat pocket wanting to hold onto the memory of the dream a little longer.
"Merlin, you are going to arrive late if you don't hurry yourself up." Giaus announced from the mixing table. Merlin, in response, ran from the room quickly and reached the door before his guardian clicked his tongue stopping the young warlock in his tracks. "Take this before you leave," Giaus held out a plate with a piece of rye bread sitting upon it, "don't want you losing even more weight." The two both let out a quick chuckle.
"Thanks Giaus!" Merlin shouted over his shoulder as he made his way out the door and into the long stretch of corridors. His first stop was the noisy kitchen in which he grabbed a silver tray and placed upon it - sausage's, a bright red apple, thick piece of bread, and a cup of water. Then Merlin rushed up the stairs reaching Arthur's room. "Rise and shine." The servant pulled the curtains aside, bringing the bright light of the sun into the room where the king was noisily sleeping. Arthur moaned and pulled the blankets over his head. "Oh come on, your royal pratness! It's time to get up." Merlin yanked the warm sheets off the bed and pulled Arthur along with them, bringing him to the floor. "It's late morning, you've already missed the short training session you were suppose to attened to with the knights, and we have to begin the trek to village of Avarian this afternoon."
"You mean to tell me you were late, so I'm waking up just now?!" Arthur exclaimed, forcefully.
"Well... If that's how you want to put it - then yes!" A bright smile shown on Merlins face. The king, however, became red with anger before hastily grabbing the empty goblet beside his bed and threw it at his manservant, whom swiftly dodged the attack. "Sorry if you can't manage to get yourself up! Now, your clothes are laid out and your breakfast is on the table, I'll go prepare the horses." Merlin left without hesitation and glanced back one more time to see Arthur already taking off his bed shirt and tossing it onto the floor.
One day earlier...
"Please just calm down. You are safe now." Arthur placed his heavy hands on top of the shoulders of the crying woman. She had just arrived that morning seeking council with the king. "It was terrible, your highness. The magic cloud came out of no where, it was a dark purple and filled the entire village with fear. Before we knew what to do it fell to a level where it could t-touch the houses," She continued to cry helplessly, "Whatever it t-touched, would burst into f-flames." The room filled with gasps coming from all sides. Everyone knew the cause was of sorcery. "What happened to the people?" Arthur continued his questions. "Those of us whom escaped the fires set to our homes and crops, ran into the nearby forest for cover. When we returned the next day, we ha-had nothing left... And all those who got trapped, perished... b-burned alive." Now the young woman was sobbing uncontrollably. Gwen rushed to her side and began rubbing her back trying to ease the pain. Arthur backed away and pondered what to do next. Before long, he turned back to face the distressed lady. "We shall make for Avarian tomorrow. My knights and I will pursue this evil sorcerer until he is found and punished for his crimes. Your fellow villagers may make haste to the walls of Camelot. We will give them shelter and food for the time being."
"Oh, thank you! Th-thank you, my lord!" The woman made one last bow before being escorted out by Gwen and Leon. The crowd also disappeared through the heavy doors as there was nothing more to see. Agravain stood by Arthur's thrown wondering of the possibilities for ambush against the king - his nephew - no, his enemy.
"What are your plans, sire?" Arthur swung his head around in surprise, thinking his uncle would have left along with the others.
"I plan on taking a safer route there and back, through the Ebony forest, it'll be just I and my best knights." Arthur thought the strategy was well thought out. No one took the trails through the Ebony forest, its name coming from the fact that no light could shine through the canopy of trees. knowing this fact, the once and future king also knew it would be faster as well as more safe due to the lack of bandits roaming in the forests midst. The dark creatures laying wait in the forest could easily be taken care of by a mere blade and he didn't fear his knights power being too weak.
"Of course sire, that's a wise plan. I should be off to begin preparing my things then." Agravain started off, before he was stopped by the quick, "wait," from his nephew. "Yes, your highness?" of course the uncle already knew what was to be said.
"I wish you to stay here. Stay in control of the court and be here in perpetration for an emergency, if there is to be one. You are dismissed." Arthur had a strong, kingly tone in his voice ensuring that his uncle would not argue with the matter. Agravain then bowed his head and strode off.
Six horses were saddled and ready for departure. Leon and Elyan were talking with some guards, Gwain was chatting with Percival who was still tying supplies to his saddle. Arthur was walking out of the castle with a ready Merlin following close behind, like a baby animal following its mother. "Are we all set for departure?" Arthur asked his fellow knights. All of which stopped what they were doing and nodded yes to their king. "Let us take leave then. We'll head South to Avarian, and get as far as possible before sundown." Arthur then mounted his horse and everyone else followed, Merlin being the last to steady himself upon the rough back of the animal. Before they left, Agravain came out and rushed to his nephews side. "Are you certain you wish not of me to accompany you?" The traitor of an uncle asked - a fake sense of worry in his eyes. "Yes uncle, for if anything were to happen, I entrust this kingdom to you. You know that." Agravain made a quick bow of his head before Arthur kicked the hind of his foot against his horse urging it to move forward. Soon the group was moving away, through the gates of Camelot, and toward the small village of Avarian.