A/N – this fic is entirely based on the Supernatural episode 2x20 – 'What Is And What Should Never Be', which is one of my favourite, and an utterly heartbreaking episode! I just applied the storyline of that episode to the Merlinverse… I hope you like it! Reviews are very much appreciated and any feedback is welcome as long as it's polite. Hope you enjoy it!

WORDS: 1500

WARNING: Angst to come. And fluff. And…. stuff.

RATING: T- because of some sex and/or dark themes that my ensue.

CHAPTER 1

"Merlin?" Arthur hissed out into the dark. "Merlin?!" he called again, this time more frantic.

Some hours ago they had set out from Camelot to investigate reports of a strange creature they believed to be a Djinn. Since spending all day riding and listening to Merlin complain about his backside, the day had been wonderfully topped off when they were attacked by bandits. The fight which then ensued had resulted in King and manservant being separated. Now the fight was over, and he'd been lead by the action seemingly half way across the forest, he was left standing in a small clearing, far away from where he'd been only a few minutes ago.

Arthur squinted against the growing dark that crept in around him as night fell. He was standing in a ditch in the woods and he wasn't entirely sure of the direction he'd come from, and by extension – where Merlin was. Somewhat worried for his servant's safety, Arthur turned, his eyes scanning carefully as he went full circle, taking in every inch of his surroundings. He could hear the faint but familiar babbling of a stream to his left, and right behind him, under the rocky hill which towered over one side of the clearing, was the mouth to a cave. Just looking at it sent a chill down Arthur's spine, but though he couldn't explain why... he felt somehow drawn towards it.

He knew he should go back to Merlin; he had to find him – he could be hurt! But... the cave. With the concern for Merlin still nagging at the back of his mind, his desire, his need to enter the darkness and see what he would find, grew until it completely consumed him. Shaking his head and gripping his sword firmly in his right hand, Arthur walked towards the mouth which extended into a seemingly never-ending darkness, taking careful and calculated steps. Venturing inside, he squinted against the consuming black that encased him. The further he went the darker it got, until he could no longer see any light from the entrance, nor remember which direction he'd come from. There was just something about the place that felt off. He wanted nothing more than to get out and go and find Merlin, but he found himself undeniably, unexplainably curious about what lay at the heart of this cavern.

As he continued on into the consuming darkness, Arthur began to think about the conversation he and Merlin had had before the attack...

"So do you really believe in any of this 'Djinn' business?" he'd asked his servant.

"Yes." Merlin had replied, "I hope we're wrong – they're supposed to very powerful and terrifying creatures."

"Yes, but do you believe any of the folklore about them being able to grant wishes?" he'd persisted.

Merlin had hidden a small scoff. "I wouldn't care to find out, sire."

He'd been surprised. "You mean to tell me, Merlin, were you granted any wish you wanted, you wouldn't take it?"

He remembered now the serious expression that suddenly fell over Merlin's face and he'd paused for a moment before answering, "No. Such things always come with a cost. And in my experience, the cost is always too great."

Honestly, he could no longer tell if Merlin was a fool masquerading as a wise man, or the other way around! As he edged on into the darkness, sword in hand, he couldn't help but wonder about what Merlin had said, and what exactly he intended to do when he found it.

Now as he continued through the winding cave, Arthur walked alone, pushing down the fear he felt growing in him; always at the back of his mind, nagging at him, telling him something was wrong. But he hadn't taken another step before he saw it – the Djinn. Gaius' reports and pictures hardly painted an accurate picture, for nothing could have prepared Arthur for the creature that faced him now.

Against the pitch black of the cave, its skin was invisible, but covered in a decorative array of a bright blue pattern of veins, Arthur could see it must have been a good ten feet tall. He froze in his tracks; terrified. But as the creature turned, cobalt eyes glowing at him like two burning stars against the night, Arthur regained himself and held his sword in front of himself in an attack position.

Moving faster than Arthur's eyes could keep up with, it shot towards him and the King barely had time to swing his sword in defence before it leapt back and then lunged at him again. This time grabbing Arthur's sword hand, it towered over him and began to reach out. Arthur stared back into those azure eyes; hot blue flames burning against a skull-like face tattooed with an array of winding patterns, and felt the fear rise in him. He struggled, doing his best to fight. But it was useless. As the Djinn reached out and touched a glowing hand to Arthur's forehead, he felt a deep and unnatural cold spreading through him and his entire body went limp. Slowly at first, then all at once, everything turned grey and the world disappeared.

Arthur's eyes strained against the heaviness that weighed them down. Slowly, he began to open his eyes, only to be blinded by the sunlight streaking through an open window and beaming down onto his face. Squinting against the brightness that invaded his vision, Arthur breathed out slowly and propped himself up on his elbows. He was in bed; his bed, no less – back in Camelot, in the castle, in his own chambers. He could smell the familiar and warming scent of home fill his nose as he breathed deep. After letting the sensation wash over him for a moment, he suddenly sat bolt upright as the realisation dawned on him.

"Are you finally awake?" a voice called. As he threw back the sheets and climbed out of bed, Guinevere appeared, half dressed, from behind the screen at the end of the room. "I was beginning to think you weren't joining those of us who are conscious this morning." She teased as she looked at him; standing there wearing a bewildered expression and messy bed-hair.

Arthur just blinked, totally confused.

With a small nod, Gwen dismissed the young maidservant fastening her dress, who Arthur didn't recognise, and walked towards him. "You look exhausted." She said, taking his hands inside hers as she planted a small kiss on his cheek.

"Guinevere..." He looked around for a moment, still utterly perplexed. "I ... the Djinn..." he breathed.

She took a small step back, allowing herself to look at his face, then raised an eyebrow. "The what?"

"I... I was in the cave – Merlin and I got separated when the bandits attacked! I was drawn to the cave, and then inside I saw the Djinn! It attacked me and then-" he suddenly stopped, pausing for a moment, as though trying to figure something out; trying to remember what happened next. "Then I woke up here!"

Gwen looked up into his eyes, silent for a moment. Then she sighed. "Arthur, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, that's just it!" he exclaimed, "I shouldn't be, they're vicious creatures, I-" but he cut himself short off upon realising Gwen's expression. He stopped for a moment and thought about the ridiculousness of the conversation. "You know what... nevermind. It er... it must have been a dream." He finished.

"Yes... I suppose it must have been." She said slowly. Then she smiled and picked up a brush from the bed. "Now, you won't be seen dead in the council chambers with that awful hair!" she exclaimed, thrusting the hairbrush into his hands before turning and marching toward her dressing table.

"The council chambers?" Arthur's eyebrows furrowed as he muttered again, this time to himself, "Council chambers?"

"Yes, Arthur. You always have breakfast in the council chambers on Sundays."

So he did.

Still somewhat disorientated, and rather positive that his experience with the Djinn was far too real to have been a dream, Arthur walked toward the dresser and took his shirt off, throwing it over the side. Sighing heavily and stretching his arms up, he spoke through a yawn, "Where's Merlin?"

"What's that?" Gwen replied, turning to look at him as she fiddled with an earring.

"Where's Merlin?" he asked again, this time clearer, as he stepped out from behind the screen; fully clothed.

But she just looked at him, puzzled for a moment. Her eyebrows furrowing in concern and confusion, she tilted her head and asked, "Who's Merlin?"