It all started with a hunt, as most of Merlin's stories do. It was a pleasant day; the sun was out and the breeze was cool. The hunt was more of an excuse to leave the castle than anything else. Over the past several weeks various Barons, Lords, Dukes, and whatever else there were came to visit Camelot. It was the anniversary of King Uthur's death, and they had come to pay their respects. There were many pleasantries exchanged, and gifts brought. It was all thoroughly royal, and Arthur hated it. He had been king for long enough now to know what he was doing. He didn't need these people he rarely met with express their sympathies of "If only he were still alive..".
It was the usual suspects assigned to the accompany Arthur. Gwaine, Leon, Percival, Elyan and Merlin. It was to be a rather long hunt, and Arthur had left the political affairs to Gwen. With all arrangements made, they set out into the forest.
In all fairness, the first few days passed with complete normalcy. They rode, they chatted, they hunted for dinner; Merlin set up camp and cooked whatever they had caught, while the others relaxed. It was in fact so normal, that Merlin began to question why he had thought it wouldn't be. He, quite obviously, regretted thinking it that night. He was awakened quite roughly, to a man pointing a sword at his chest.
"Get up." Merlin merely nodded.
Elyan had been on watch. They had come up behind him and pressed a knife to his throat. It wasn't his fault, but being Elyan, he felt guilty none the less. All six of them sat around the campfire with a different man pressing something sharp and pointy to their backs. They didn't seem to care what it was, so long as it had the ability to cut. It was hours before anyone said anything.
"Which of you calls himself leader? What do you want?"
"Tut, tut, Arthur Pendragon! Surely your sister taught you that it is not always men who are capable of battle." A woman came into the light of the circle. She was petite, with jet black hair falling to her waist, and electric blue eyes that pierced the night despite the lack of light. "I am Alyse."
"Well, Alyse, I would say it was lovely to meet you, but under the circumstances.."
"Oh please don't start with the heroism. As I recall, you have a wife back at home who is with child. An early congratulations to you."
Arthur moved to get up, but found he could not, and it was nothing to do with the man behind him.
"You dare to threaten my family, sorceress."
The laugh that followed was airy, and pleasant. "Well you're quick. Though I must say that I did almost expect it sooner." her eyes darkened then, and the smile fell from her face as she knelt before Arthur. "Why should I not threaten your family? Because you are the king of Camelot? Your father is dead, but that means nothing. You rule your land the same as he would, with fear and ignorance. I gave you a year, Pendragon. I gave you a year to prove yourself, and yet nothing has changed. Magic is still outlaw-"
"Magic killed my father." spat Arthur.
"And your father killed my husband and son!" she yelled back. "I had heard you were to be a great king. I was encouraged when you married a woman for love and not political gain. I believed in you when you showed your love for your people. But how long until you love mine? Those without magic are not completely innocent, just as those with magic are not all fighting for darkness. Everyone is born with a sword in their hand, and it is their decision to fight for the evil, or the good. You do not deserve to be king."
She stood up and walked away. "Do what you want with them." Then her eyes flashed gold and she was gone.