"Where are we going?" whispered the newest knight, Michael, to Sir Gwaine. A dark pained look crossed the older man's face.

"Searching."

"For?"

Gwaine sighed, pain never leaving his eyes. He glanced up at King Arthur, who was leading the party with a stoic and determined face. "Him."

Michael followed his gaze. "The king? But he's right there."

"Yet, he's not," said Sir Leon, riding up next to the younger knight. His face showed no emotion, except a glint of sympathy directed at the king. "He's lost himself."

Michael gave him a puzzled look. "I don't understand."

Gwaine sighed again. "The king has lost himself, forgotten who he is. That's why we are out here."

The youngest knight shook his head. "Does he expect to find 'himself' out here?"

The older knights shared a look. "No," Gwaine whispered. "He's searching for someone; then he'll find himself."

"Who is he searching for?"

Gwaine swallowed and Leon's eyes saddened. "Someone that meant more to him than Camelot, someone who was buried so deeply in his heart that the love he has for them burns like a fire. The person he can't live without."

"Like a soul mate?"

They nodded.

"His soul mate was like no one else…" Gwaine hid his face for a moment. "And his soul mate was like a brother to me."

Michael wasn't sure if he should push for information, but curiosity won over. "May I ask…what was this person's name?"

There was a silence and Gwaine rode up ahead, keeping his face hidden. Leon, however, offered him a small smile.

"Don't worry about Gwaine, it's a sore subject for him. The king's soul mate's name was…" He closed his eyes as memories flowed back. "Merlin."

Michael scoffed. "Isn't that a bird?"

Leon nodded. "It is. Merlin was the king's manservant for many years-"

"Manservant? The king's soul mate a manservant?"

He was fixed with an icy glare. "Do you have a problem with that? Merlin was the bravest of us all, and the kindest. Treated everyone the same, whether noble or peasant."

"What about him being the king's soul mate?"

Leon chuckled and looked ahead. "They had a great deal of love for each other, let's leave it at that. A blind man could even see it. They were like two sides of the same coin."

"But what happened?"

The older knight's face darkened. "About five years ago, he and Arth – the king went on a hunting trip. When the king returned, he was alone. He wouldn't talk to anyone for days. Suddenly, he's missing, gone off in the woods. A patrol was sent out to find him. He was searching for Merlin." His eyes narrowed. "Apparently, Merlin had been taken by some bandits – but I say that's bullshit. Arth – the king would've never let that have happened. After that day, we do a monthly search of the forest, the king still searching for his other half."

"After five years?" Michael was amazed.

"Yes," whispered Leon. "We all are here searching for Merlin."

Micheal looked around at the group of knights. It was only Sirs Elyan, Percival, Gwaine, Leon, and himself – and of course the king.

"What if Merlin is dead?"

"We can't afford to think like that."

"Why not?"

"Because," said King Arthur, eyes glowing as he turned around on is steed and stopped the group. "Merlin is not dead."

A/N: This was just an idea that popped in my head. Shall I continue it? Leave a review to let me know!