Hi! Thanks or reading my first ever fic! Because this is my first fic, I would really appreciate reviews with writing tips or really any kind of advice. Note- this takes place between season 3 and season 4. Enjoy!

I own nothing, absolutely nothing. zilch. nada. nix.


Crash!

"Ow!" Gwaine exclaimed.

"Merlin, you absolute idiot!" Cried Arthur.

"Sorry!"

Arthur chuckled softly at his manservant's unbelievable clumsiness. This time, Merlin had managed to drop the cooking pot (thankfully before it had food in it) on Gwaine's foot. Said knight was now chasing Merlin around the camp, shouting obscenities. Arthur reached over and pretended to cover Gwen's ears. "Hey!" He shouted, "There is a woman present!"

Arthur was on a hunting trip with Gwaine, Percival, and Merlin. At least, according to his father he was. In reality, he was on a secret date with Gwen. However, the others had to come along to make it more believable, so the couple was getting little time alone.

Currently, Arthur was sitting next to Gwen on a convenient log -honestly, why was there always a log- and watching everyone else. Gwaine and Percival were up on their feet, making sure no one came near. They were both incredibly loyal, and he had only just knighted them!

He cast a glance at Merlin, surprised to see him already looking at Arthur. His eyes were sad, with a hint of- was that jealously? Arthur didn't have enough time to be certain, because as soon as Merlin's eyes met his own, the servant looked away.


"Dinner's ready!" announced Merlin in a mock falsetto. The others, Arthur included, lined up to receive their meal. As Merlin scooped clumps of doesn't-look-edible soup into Arthur's bowl, their eyes met for a split second. In Merlin's eyes he saw that same sad, longing look.

It confused Arthur, so he looked away and returned to his perch beside Gwen, while Merlin took a seat opposite him. Arthur purposefully avoided Merlin's gaze, but he could feel it burning into the top of his head. Slowly, Arthur lifted his head and met Merlin's glittering blue ey- wait, no, this is Merlin. Anyway, he met Merlin's eyes and found himself unable to look away. The blue ovals seemed to give Arthur a view directly to Merlin's heart, and the only emotions he saw there were sadness, guilt, and a hint of jealousy.


An urgent-sounding Percival jolted the two away from eachother's stares. "Arthur! It's Morgana!"

Immediately Arthur jumped up, helping Gwen up with him. "Merlin, protect Gwen, Gwaine and Percival, with me!" He cried in a tone of authority.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Merlin run off into the forest with Gwen. Good, he thought, Merlin will keep her safe. Gwaine, Percival, and Arthur ran off in the opposite direction, heading towards where Percival had spotted Morgana.

It was when they got to the top of a hill that they saw her. It was just her, all alone. Still, Arthur knew how dangerous her magic could be. Even without help she could kill all of them. Arthur pushed these thoughts from his mind and charged, uttering a battle cry. As he'd expected, Morgana simply threw the three of them through the air, her eyes glowing gold.

As the back of his head hit a tree, everything faded to black.