'Great, another hunting trip. I really don't get why they think it's a sport to hunt defenseless creatures.' Merlin mumbled to himself, but right after he said that he got hit at the back of his head. He made a shocked noise and turned around only to see his king standing behind him.

'Because, Merlin, hunting is a sport to show your skills and see how strong you and your comrades are.' Arthur said looking at his servant. Arthur began to smile. 'I guess you really are a girl then if you don't even understand this manly sport.'

Merlin eyes shot fire to his friend, but Arthur ignored it. 'Merlin go ready the horses.'

Merlin stood up still irritated, but he didn't reply and walked out of the room.

Arthur still standing in his room couldn't help it but smile when his friend left the room. 'It's so much fun to bully him.' He turned around and went to find Percival.

'So what are we going to hunt?' Merlin asked.

'So now you're interested in hunting.' Arthur asked looking at his friend with a teasing face.

'We just heard there is a creature near the border that is killing travellers. It's supposed to only attack at night what makes us believe it's a creature of the night.' Elyan said to answer Merlin's question.

'Is it a really dangerous creature?' Merlin asked looking a bit scared.

'You really are a girl, Merlin. Of course it's dangerous why else would we go and kill it.' The king replied with irritation in his voice to his servant.

'Because it's probably a creature of magic and having magic is punished with dead.' Merlin said while his face darkened.

Arthur who didn't seem to notice said. 'Even more reason to kill it.'

But before they could say anything else Gwaine who was riding in the back of the group began to speak. 'Sire, wouldn't it be a good idea to stop for the night. It's getting dark.'

Arthur who seemed to release that his knight was right stopped and said. 'Yeah, you're right let's make camp for tonight and rest because tomorrow we while hunt for the creature.'

After making their camp and eating the food Merlin made they sat around the fire.

'Percival, would you take the first watch?' The king asked the knight.

Percival didn't say anything but only nodded that he understood the order that his king had given him.

'Let's get some rest before the hunt tomorrow.' The king said looking at his companions.

All of them except Percival got ready to go to sleep.

Merlin who was still awake because of the loud snoring of Gwaine began to think about the creature they were going to kill tomorrow.

'Why does he have to kill creatures of magic.' Merlin thought thinking of Arthur. He closed his eyes and sighted. 'Yes, I know because it's killing people, but there are a lot of innocent creatures that he has ordered to be killed.'

Right after he thought those words he already regretted it. 'No, that isn't really true. Uther did order to find and hunt for magical creatures, but Arthur doesn't order to find magical creatures. He only kills those who have killed his people.'

After those thoughts Merlin finally was able to fall asleep even when Gwaine was still snoring.

Arthur woke up after hearing Percival scream a warning to the others. He picked up his sword which he had placed next to him before he went to sleep. Looking around he saw the other knights do the same, while Merlin who had been sleeping next to him looked around in panic. Arthur looked around him and didn't notice anything that Percival could have alarmed. He stood up and saw the other knights walking towards him.

Arthur looked at Merlin who was going to say something but he whispered before Merlin could say anything. 'Be quiet and look if you see anything that could be dangerous.'

Merlin who understood him nodded and started looking around.

Arthur looked at Percival who was the last one that got to him, but before the knight was able to tell him what was wrong a loud scream sounded out of the darkness. The king and his companions froze for a second after hearing the scream which was painful to hear.

Arthur looked to his right and saw two pair of horrible looking bright yellow eyes looking at them from the shadow of a tree. One of them took a step closer to them and came in the light of the fire. Arthur's eyes became big and he heard Merlin gasp next to him. The creature had the body of a giant wolf, the head of a lion and his fur had the colour of blood. The second pair of eyes come into the light and Arthur saw the same creature looking at him only the colour of this ones fur was dark blue almost as dark as the night.

The creature screamed again and it was replied by the creature behind him. The two creatures started coming at the knights.

Arthur gripped his sword tighter in his hand and jumped out of the way before the first creature could get him. While getting out of the way he pulled Merlin with him and pushed him away trying to get him out of the reach of the creatures.

He charged at the blue creature which had knocked Gwaine to the ground. His sword slashed in the shoulder of the creature which caused it to scream again. The creature turned towards Arthur and slashed towards him. Arthur who wasn't quick enough to get out of the way of the slash tried to protect himself as good as he could from the slash, but instead of the claw tearing him apart he felt something pull on his shoulder and he fell backwards away of the creature's claw on the ground. Tacking a quick look behind him he didn't get see anyone who could've pulled him away.

He looked at his comrades and understood they would not be able to win against them in this darkness.

'Retreat!'

The others heard him shout and understood the situation and started creating distance between them and the creatures.

Gwaine who was the only one of the knights who stood on his side came to him and together they started running. Arthur saw Merlin standing before him and shouted to him. 'Merlin! Run!'

The three of them ran while hearing one of the creatures running behind them which made Arthur think that the other one was following the other knights.

He saw a blue shadow appear between him and his two friends. The creature began to attack the king, but Arthur blocked the attack with his sword. He saw his friends coming towards him trying to help him. Arthur's eyes got big and shouted his friends to look behind them. Gwaine was able to block the attack of the other creature who apparently also had followed them at the last moment.

Arthur who released he wasn't able to kill the creature started running again. He looked back and saw that Gwaine and Merlin did the same thing.

After running for what seemed like hours (what's probably been only a few minutes) Arthur spotted a cave. Arthur thought it would be the best place to find shelter and not knowing any other way to get rid of the creature he got into the cave. He stopped looking for a hiding place and was shocked to see a boy some years younger than him standing a few feet away from him.

Before he could say anything to the boy he heard the scream of the creature which was standing in the cave's entrance. The creature prepared itself to jump at him but was thrown away by some sort of barrier. The creature tried to get in but the entrance was protected by the barrier which made it impossible for the creature to get in.

Arthur who released he wouldn't be attacked by the creature anymore looked towards the boy who just lowered his right hand. The boy turned towards Arthur and they looked each other in the eyes.

'You have magic!' Arthur gasped when he realized it was a druid boy. Before he could think clear he started running with his sword before him towards the boy.

The boy moved his hand up again and said a few words in a language Arthur didn't know and before Arthur could react he ran into another barrier and fell backwards on the ground. Lying on the ground he looked up at the boy.

'Don't attack me otherwise the barrier will disappear.'

'I.. I..' Arthur couldn't speak and when he released his stupidity his face became red of shame.

'Don't worry king Arthur I understand why you attacked me, but maybe it's smart to not attack me while that beast is still outside.' Arthur looked at the entrance and saw the blue fur of the creature coming in and out his eyesight.

Looking puzzled at the boy he asked. 'Who are you and why did you save me if you know who I am.'

The boy looked at him with a confused look. 'They call me Ethan.' After a few moments he said. 'I helped you because of Emrys.'

'Who is Emrys?'

The boy's green eyes began to grow. 'You don't know who Emrys is!'

'No, I don't.'

'He is the one that protects you!'

'What do you mean he protects me? How can I be protected by someone I don't know!' Arthur didn't release he started screaming until he saw the druid boy taking a step back with fear in his eyes. 'I am sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I just want to know what you mean by saying he protects me.'

Ethan took a deep breath. 'I don't know a lot more than the elders told us, but Emrys is a sorcerer that wants to see you become a great king.'

'Why would he want that? Does he know that I also handle the rule against magic just like my father did?'

'Yes, that's why he doesn't reveal himself to you.'

'Do I know him? Is he in Camelot?' Arthur said with some concern in his voice.

'You know him and yes he lives in Camelot, but he is loyal to you. Emrys is just one of the names he was given.'

'Tell me who he is!'

'No, I am not going to betray him.'

Arthur was going to ask him again who Emrys was, but he changed his mind after looking at Ethan. That boy wouldn't tell him who Emrys is.

'Are the druids loyal to Emrys?'

'Yes.'

'He isn't loyal to Morgana?'

'NO! He would never follow her and neither would the druids!' The boy said with anger in his voice.

'You don't like Morgana, but she can use magic like you.'

'We hate her and her way to tries to get magic back in these lands.'

'But why would you oppose her?'

The boy sighed. 'Magic isn't evil. Magic is like a sword. It can be used for both good and evil just like you can use your sword to protect and to kill.' The boy looked at the entrance of the cave. 'It's time. The creature is gone and I will take my leave now.'

Arthur hadn't even noticed that it was light outside. The boy disappeared through the entrance and the barrier disappeared. Arthur stood up and walked towards the entrance of the cave. Once he stepped outside he didn't saw the creature nor did he see the druid boy.

'Was everything that he said really true? Maybe he tried to trick me, but why would he do that?' Looking with a concerned face around him he decided to walk into the direction from where he came. 'I should go back to the camp If the others are alive then they probably are there.'