Chapter one: The Hunting Trip
'Hunting, great' thought Merlin. Today was Monday, and "Monday's are hunting trip days" as Arthur had once told him. The prince liked Mondays, Merlin however did not. Why? There are three reasons:
1. He felt sorry for the animals
2. He had to carry all the hunting gear
3. Arthur always told him to shut up, even when he wasn't saying anything.
"Well I better get up to Arthur's chambers then" sighed Merlin, as he turned the corner leading to the hallway in which said prince's chambers were, whilst trying to carry all four plates of food for the prince's breakfast.
After Merlin had carefully set the food down on the table, he went over to open the curtains at the window all the while saying "Rise and shine, little daisy".
Letting the light flood the room he heard a groan and looked over at Arthur's four poster bed to see the prince sitting up who turned his head to look right back at him.
"What did you just call me?" asked Arthur from his bed, his voice sounding a little drowsy from sleep. Merlin quickly thought for a moment then replied
"I didn't say anything sire" with a cheeky grin plastered on his face, he expertly dodged the oncoming pillow that the prince had decided to throw at him.
"Tell me Merlin has breakfast arrived on time today?" asked the prince with a smirk on his face waiting for his manservant to say "I'll just go get it now" but that wasn't the case.
"Breakfast is on the table, and before you ask, yes the hunting gear is packed and the horses are groomed and tacked ready to go" said Merlin rather proudly of his accomplishments this morning. Arthur however was not expecting that and just sat there with his mouth gaping open looking quite like a fish that has run out air.
"Well now, what have we here has Merlin actually done something right for once?" asked Arthur mockingly. Merlin was hurt by those words, he tried his best every day and when he did do something right he was either mocked or insulted. He just looked at Arthur then looked at the ground, he would not show the prince how his words had affected him. Whenever Merlin felt something it was reflected in his eyes. So therefore he would not meet Arthur's eyes with his own because it would only make it worse.
When breakfast was eaten and the prince dressed Merlin and Arthur were riding out with some of the knights to go hunting. They finally stopped their ride when they came to the forest beside Camelot. It was a deep and dark forest, a perfect place for hunting. They tied their horses to a few low branches and set off while Merlin was forced to carry the hunting gear yet again. Struggling with the weight like usual Merlin nearly tripped about ten times on the way to the clearing which was a favourite grazing ground for deer.
It was awful in Merlin's opinion when he heard the telltale sound of an arrow being fired. Glancing up at that moment to see the beautiful doe get hit in the side, staggering around for a few seconds before falling to the ground. He saw Arthur turn slightly to aim at another and fire, but this time the arrow never met it's intended target for their was a clap of thunder and the deer had taken flight out of there. Which left the arrow imbedded in a tree trunk.
"Damn weather" Merlin heard Arthur mutter.
"Alright one deer, Sir Leon and Sir Wildor go gather the body. Sir Andrew and Sir Truden go check the rabbit traps then all meet back at the horses". The knights went off to do their tasks and Merlin and Arthur headed straight back to the horses.
When the knights came back, it was discovered that they had caught four rabbits and of course one deer.
On their way back to Camelot was a slow journey because of their flighty horses whenever the thunder rang loud and clear which was often. But Merlin couldn't help but notice that something was different, that's when he recognised it, it was the feel of magic in the atmosphere and it didn't seem all that pleasant.
Picking up the pace, the knights, Arthur and Merlin urged their horses into a slow canter homeward. It all happened so quick they were cantering home, when came a loud rumble of thunder it was at this point that Merlin's fear of the strange feel of magic proved right. There came a blinding light speeding from out of the trees then the next Arthur's great bay horse by the name of Ashwinder reared up as if to protect his rider or to frighten this strange light.
The light it seemed wasn't afraid and blew straight into Arthur and his horse who was knocked sideways to the ground while the knight's horses scattered in fear, some sending their riders flying. Merlin's brown horse Rhubarb twitched and fidgeted but otherwise stood so still you'd have thought he'd turned into a statue.
When the light faded away Merlin assessed the situation, the knights were fine just a little dazed but he couldn't for the life of him find where Arthur went. That's when he heard the sound of faint whimpering, so he got of his horse and walked in the direction of the noise.