A/N: Pairing is Arthur/Cedric in a non-romantic way. Another prompt challenge from the Merlin forums. Prompt was crow-feather. Set after 2.1, Arthur reflects on the weirdness of his life in Camelot.

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Arthur had had a lot on his mind lately.

The mysterious disappearance of Cedric that Merlin seemed to be completely shut up about. The slightly awkward conversation with Guinevere that he'd rushed and stumbled over the previous night. Then there was the slightly hysterical Morgana that seemed to be jumpy at every loud noise and quick movement.

He felt like numerous secrets were being kept from him.

Walking into Gaius' quarters that morning, he had found himself stopping abruptly at the sound of crying. Being quite the eavesdropper, he leant his ear against the door and listened to the hushed conversation inside.

"A raven, I saw a-a raven," the voice stuttered, "What do you think it-it means?"

"Probably nothing,"

"But Gaius! It was flying over the c-courtyard! It was so r-real!"

"It was just a dream, Morgana,"

Arthur tried to fight the urge to roll his eyes. Morgana and her dreams, he mused. Head snapping up at the sound of footsteps, he quickly hid in an alcove as Merlin came past pushing through the door just as Morgana left.

"He's dead, Gaius?"

Arthur once again placed his ear against the wooden door once again, wondering who on earth Merlin was referring too.

"Yes, Cedric was dead the moment he became possessed,"

Arthur knew a flash of disappointment flashed across his features momentarily. Cedric was a good servant, having killed that creature in the woods just as it was about to finish him off and having everything that Arthur had asked completed. Not that he was complaining about Merlin or anything…

He proceeded out into the courtyard, admiring the sunshine as it danced across the pavement when he spotted something strange and completely out of place.

The feather of a bird, a black bird, possibly a crow or a raven stood out against the light brown floor. Bending down to pick it up, Cedric's face flashed across his mind and he opened his eyes to look at the feather again.

In perfectly scripted writing it read, "The mistakes are there waiting to be made,"

Then his eyes were filled with fire, black knights, wildren and a dragon. He took a shaky breath as the mental images faded and he was once again staring at the black feather, the writing having disappeared. For a moment a look of fear crossed his face before he laughed. He sure hoped he wasn't turning into Morgana.

So there it is! A bit of slight seriousness for once. Hope it was enjoyable!