Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

The horses neighed quietly as the King of Camelot and his Knights of the Round Table, and of course his constantly present manservant, meandered through the forest. Merlin stayed near the back of the group, listening to the knights bantering and insulting between one another, their laughter infectious and very obnoxious. Everything had been fine one moment and then the next a hoard of screaming bandits came swarming from the sides. Everyone had a routine when it came to the bandits for they were often attacked. The small group slid from their saddles and brandished their weapons, merlin heading towards a thick group of trees to "hide". Merlin crouched, his head swiveling between the fights, helping wherever he could. He tripped a bandit who fell to his back, promptly getting a sword through the gut by Percival. He was so focused on the battle in front of him that he was left unaware of the danger behind him before it was too late. A small knife slashed across his back. Quickly, though in pain, he twisted to face his attacker, only to come face to face with his most hated enemy, Morgana. Instantly he reached for his magic, the incantation on his lips, when he froze. He could feel his magic, but he couldn't hold it, as if it were water slipping through his fingers. Fear knotted his gut as she muttered inaudibly, ropes binding his hands behind him. Merlin struggled, trying to get his feet underneath him but Morgana kept a firm hand on his back, keeping him pressed to the ground. "Your sorcery is but a parlor trick, Merlin. I can show you what mine does." She gave a wicked chuckle as she hauled him to his feet by his hair. His magic could no longer help.

Arthur finished off the last bandit, the body falling heavily to the ground. With a quick pull, he freed his sword and turned. Of course he expected to see his knights standing around with smiles and Merlin to be coming out from behind some trees with his usually lanky grin but his face fell when another sight met his eyes. His expression alone alerted the knights and they whipped around, swords forward, ready to face anything. Except what greeted them. Merlin, their constant friend and companion, was bound and gagged and forced on his knees. Arthurs eyes connected with Merlins and he saw so much fear. Arthur's blood boiled further as the sight of Morgana's cruel face, her expression twisted into an awful grin. "Thank you for my gift, Arthur, I think I'll keep it forever." She kicked his friend to the ground where Arthur unmistakably saw the blood staining the back of Merlin's shirt. Arthur went blind from rage, charging his sister like an enraged bull, sword aimed straight at her heart. And with growing horror, he watched helplessly as his friend disappeared in a turret of purple smoke. But before they were truly gone, Arthur's eyes again connected with Merlins, and all he saw was hopelessness and utter, true fear. His gut boiled as he swung his sword away and dropped to his knees, screaming curses at the sky. That was the last mistake Morgana was ever going to make. He would make sure she would pay for this with her life.