Alright, so hi! This is my first FanFiction, so don't be to harsh. I got this idea ages ago, and have finally gotten up the courage (and time) to write it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
This takes place at around the middle of Season Three.
Merlin trudged behind Athur, lugging a crossbow and sword, not to mention spare bolts and his masters red cloak. It was a hot day, and they were on a typical hunting trip. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. They had bickered constantly, much to the annoyance of the other knights who accompanied Arthur on this particular trip.
They had been tracking a doe for over an hour, and so far had had no luck. Arthur had assured a suspicious Merlin that it definitely was a doe, with a eye roll. Now Merlin kept quiet, sensing that to make Arthur any angrier could have severe affects on his health. Suddenly Arthur stopped, holding up his hand. The rabble of knights came to a halt, Merlin following suit, his eyes wandering around the small clearing they were on the outskirts of. Arthur directed his knights to surround the clearing, then slowly advanced, Merlin close on his heels. He had an uneasy feeling, though after the many events that had happened on hunting trips, Merlin knew it was hardly surprising. Arthur, oblivious to his servant's discomfort, continued to creep forward. At the centre of the clearing, there was a small thicket. Something was causing the ferns to rustle. Arthur turned round to Merlin.
"Go in there and flush it out." he snapped in an irritated whisper.
Merlin turned imploring eyes upon Arthur, but knew immediately it was no good. Dropping the collection of weaponry and clothing he had been carrying none to quietly, Merlin walked slowly forward, his feeling of unease growing.
The task of protecting Arthur was becoming more and more difficult, especially with Morgana around. He was sure she and Morgause were planning something, and the worried feeling had been with him for several days. He glanced back at Arthur, and revived a glare for his trouble. With a jerk of his fingers, Arthur made it plain to Merlin that he was to continue. He hurried into the thicket, making as much noise as possible.
Arthur watched his servant disappear into the small, rustling thicket. He was feeling especially annoyed with Merlin. Not only had he scared off all but the deafest prey, but he had failed, after being expressly ordered, he clean his armour. Arthur readied his crossbow, and trained it on the thicket, waiting for the slightest sigh of the doe to fire. Almost ten minutes later, he knew something was wrong. And with a sharp whistle called his knights over. The crowded over, waiting for his command.
"Has any of you seen anything leave the thicket?" he asked.
"No, sire." they replied, puzzlement flitting over their faces.
Arthur himself felt puzzled. Merlin was that in competent. He gestured for the knights to surround the thicket once again, and then boldly walked over, pushing the ferns aside, and searching for his manservant, or the doe.
Merlin stepped into a clearing within the thicket, and felt his blood run cold at the sight of Morgause, standing serenely at the centre. Her golden hair was plaited down her back, and she wore a red dress. Merlin attempted to back away, but found some magic barrier stopped him passing.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
Morgause allowed herself a slight smile, her cold brown eyes surveying Merlin as though her were a piece of dirt upon her shoe.
"For you to stop interfering with my plans." she said, advancing.
Merlin shivered.
"I have often wondered, why you meddle so much. Soon, you will wonder that same thing." she continued, raising a hand.
Before Merlin had time to even think of a counter spell, Morgause's eyes glowed golden, and he felt a coldness take over his mind. He dropped to his knees, his head throbbing, and the freezing cold persisting. Morgause looked down at him with another triumphant smile, then disappeared without a sound. Merlin fell heavily onto his side, with a feeling of great loss, then blacked out.
Arthur strode, a speech about Merlin's incompetence on his lips, It was frozen on his tongue as he was Merlin on the ground, out cold. His face paler than death. Forgetting all his annoyance at Merlin, he rushed to his side, and knelt down, checking Merlin's heart. It was strong. he sighed in relief, scolding himself for getting so momentarily worked up. Idiot. How did he knock himself out? he wondered, scooping the servant up, and carrying him out of the thicket. he dumped on the ground outside, and called his knights again.
"What happened?" asked Sir Leon as he and the others saw Merlin.
"I don't know, but the idiot knocked himself out. said Arthur tersely.
He shook Merlin roughly by the shoulders, and then sat back to wait for Merlin to react. He didn't. Arthur sighed heavily.
"Leon, go and get the horses, bring them back here." he said.
Sir Leon and a few others hurriedly left to obey the prince's command. Arthur sat down, watching his servant for any sign of life. Sir Leon returned with the horses, and Merlin still had shown any sign that he was alive. But, barely five minutes after Leon's return. Merlin stirred sleepily, and opened his eyes. With a mix of fear and apprehension he glanced from Arthur, to the other knights and back to Arthur.
"Good to see your awake, Merlin. Enjoy your sleep?" asked the prince irritably.
Merlin's eyes grew even larger, and he shuffled away a little. Arthur frowned. That was not like Merlin. Getting afraid like that. However often he called Merlin a wimp, he had seen that Merlin was really rather courageous when the time called for it.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked.
"Who are you?" stuttered Merlin, his eyes now down cast.
Of all the things he could have said, nothing would have surprises Arthur more.
That's it for now. I hope it's okay! I would love to hear from you, so please review!