This is my first attempt at writing FanFiction, I would love Some reviews, ideas, improvements, or criticisms. I plan on writing many more chapters.
Disclaimer (I do not own the rights to any characters, or settings in this story)
"Sire it's time to awake."
Arthur awoke to the now familiar sound of Franklin his manservant announcing that it was morning. He rose from bed to find his clothing laid out at the foot and his breakfast ready on his table, and looking out his window he could tell Franklin had waken him at just the right time. He couldn't help but feel annoyed, though he didn't know why.
"Sire after you dress and have had your meal your father has requested your presence in the stables." Franklin said in a rather monotonous way.
"The Stables?" replied Arthur obviously confused.
"Yes Sire, you father is departing for Mercia." Franklin said, and seeing the confusion on Arthur's face he continued "... to visit with King Bayard... and to discuss the potential war."
"I don't understand." replied Arthur "Why did I not know of this?"
"Sire, you've known of this trip for weeks." Franklin said now sounding concerned.
"Ah, yes the trip. My apologies Franklin it slipped my mind for am moment." Arthur lied now feeling quite confused and embarrassed. He then gave Franklin his duties and dismissed him.
Arthur quickly dressed, grabbed some bread, and left for the stables still confused about the entire situation. As he made his way down he almost ran into the young woman he knew to Morgana's servant Gwen.
"Hello Arthur, Good Morning? You are looking rather good looking today" She said him casually stopping and raising her hand to her mouth realizing what she had said.
Arthur was caught off guard and had to back step. "Why on earth is she addressing me in such a casual manner?" He thought to himself Suddenly feeling both uncomfortable and annoyed. He knew her to be friendly with Morgana, but never with him, however he had no time to question this, so he simply replied "Yes, fine." before dismissing her and walking away.
Not at all surprised at his reaction, and more surprised by her own actions Gwen just stood there questioning herself. "Sure, I've always fancied Arthur, but it is completely inappropriate to address him like that." "But it just felt so natural... almost like I've talked to him hundreds of times."
Shaking the thoughts from her head, Gwen continued to perform her duties for Morgana.
"Ah Arthur, you've arrived not a moment too early." Uther addressed his son as he entered the approached the stables. "I just wanted to say my goodbyes, and to assure you know what duties you are to attend to whilst I am gone?"
"Yes, Of course Father. I am ready to attend to everything." "Have a good trip." he lied as he hugged his father. "I'll just ask details from Franklin later." He thought, not wanting his father to become concerned and cancel the important sounding trip he was leaving for.
"Never had a doubt" Uther replied lightheartedly.
They shared a few more words before Uther was off on his way to Mercia.
Now after a few general questions Arthur knew his father would be gone for at least a month, and that a potential war was rising. "How could I have forgotten about any of this?" He thought as he made his way back into the castle.
"Oh maybe it was just a slip, I mean we both know you fancy him." Margana replied to Gwen telling her of her awkward moment with Arthur. Though Morgana knew exactly why Gwen had been so casual. There was a secret Morgana was keeping and she couldn't let it slip just yet.
Gwen, satisfied by this idea began to feel at ease about the whole thing. "Yes, I suppose you are right." She said though her thoughts were still racing.
Arthur reached his room and found Franklin clearing his breakfast. So he decided to ask him about the duties his father had left for him in his absence. After being informed of the general duties he ordered Franklin to keep quiet about his strange behavior.
"Of course Sire, as you wish" replied Franklin before being dismissed.
As Franklin left Arthur couldn't help but be annoyed with the way he had addressed him, but he shook his head at the thought. "How else should a servant address their master?" he thought to himself confused. With all of the things he'd forgotten, all his confusion, and his father's absence Arthur figured some more sleep would work out just fine.
Walking through the town making her way to her usual spot in the woods carrying what looked to be a basket of food, waving and smiling at the citizens. Morgana was not in fact planning on eating anything. She had been going out to a clearing in the woods and practicing the magic she had learned from her dear friend Merlin. He had given her pages from his spellbook to practice while he was gone and she was becoming quite good at it.
She was learning to move things without incantations, and she was becoming quite proficient with the spell of fire. "Flagu" she whispered and as she did so the bundle of twigs she had lain on the ground began to smoke just before they burst into flame. All Morgana could do was smile as she watched her magic become real.
"Wonderful job Morgana, really you are progressing very well." She knew exactly who was speaking these words even though she had only heard them within her mind. She stood and turned smiling to see a very smug looking Merlin standing before her.
"Hello old friend" she said full of joy
"Ah, it is truly great to see you" replied Merlin
"Are you returning for good?"
"Unfortunately no, I still have many things to prepare before I can return. I trust our spell is still holding?"
"Yes, there have been a few slips, but nothing serious. It is so hard to lie to them everyday Merlin. I do wish I could have come to help you."
"I know, but that would have been impossible, you are still very new to magic, and I need you here in case the spell falters."
"Yes I understand, So why have you returned anyways?"
"Need you ask?"
"Ah of course," She said with a knowing grin on her face "Arthur."
"Yes, you know I can't bear to be away from him for too long."
"I know, but Merlin, how will you get to him, he has no idea who you are?"
"Well I will use Franklin of course."
"Franklin, your... what was it Golor?"
"Golem," he corrected her amused. "I will take on his appearance tonight while I order him to await in the woods, and I will be able to spend some time with him before I have to leave again."
"Merlin, I really am amazed by your talents sometimes, and I must admit I do find myself jealous of your affections for Arthur." Morgana admitted as her cheeks began to turn bright.
Merlin simply smiled at her remark and bid her farewell as he wanted to prepare to see Arthur.
Morgana watched as Merlin walked away back toward Camelot, and then she set back to practicing more of the spells she had been given. She practiced until she was satisfied for the day and made her way back to her quarters where Gwen was waiting with her dinner.
"Hello Morgana, how was your day?" She asked her with a slight excitement in her voice.
"It was fine." replied Morgana slightly confused.
"So I must ask, Who is he?"
"Who ever could you be talking about?"
"Oh come now Miss, I saw out in the woods. He was very handsome, and somehow familiar."
Morgana realized now that Gwen had seen her with Merlin. "Oh, he was just a traveler making his way to Camelot, I simply pointed him in the right direction" She lied quickly, and from Gwen's slightly disappointed, but satisfied look she knew Gwen had bought the story.
"I see, and here I though the Lady Morgana had finally found herself a worthy suitor. " Gwen replied.
"Oh I think I'm far from that Gwen... Very far." she stated.
At the edge of the woods Merlin called for Franklin, and within minutes his creation was upon him awaiting orders. "Wait in the Forest until I call for you to return"
Without word the Golem walked past Merlin and entered the woods. Merlin then with a wave of his hands took on the appearance of Franklin and made his way to the castle.
"Franklin, you are late, and I see you have forgotten my dinner as well." Arthur addressed the disguised Merlin.
Realizing his mistake Merlin quickly moved "Ah, sorry for my being late sire, I do however have your dinner just outside the door." and as he motioned he also conjured a tray of food, and he moved out to grab the tray.
"I see, well thank you Franklin" Arthur would usually have been less than satisfied, but he couldn't help but feel a certain familiarity.
Merlin sat down in the chair opposite Arthur as he would usually do, and he began to talk not seeing the very confused look on Arthur's face.
"Franklin?" Arthur interrupted him "I must ask what makes you think you can be so casual with me?" "First Gwen, and now Franklin, what could be going on?" Arthur thought as he addressed Franklin.
"Oh no, I forgot I'm supposed to be Franklin, I should be doing my duties." Merlin thought as he blubbered out an excuse. "Ah My apologies Sire, I have forgotten myself." He said quite literally.
"I see, well see that it does not happen again." Arthur replied as harshly as he could, although for some reason he had felt the same familiarity with these actions.
"Of Course Sire." Merlin replied in his best servant impression. He then set to lighting the fire and candles around Arthur's room, preparing his bed for sleep and setting out his night clothes. By this time Arthur although not tired was ready to be rid of Franklin so he dismissed him.
"There is nothing else you would have me do Sire?" Merlin asked stalling his departure.
Becoming slightly annoyed Arthur simply waved him away.
"Yes, of course. Night Sire." Merlin said as he backed away and left. He then made his way to the attic to see his dear friend Gaius before leaving again.
"Thank you Gwen, and goodnight." Said Morgana as she finished he duties for the night.
"Goodnight Sire." Gwen replied before exiting Morgana's Chambers.
"Enter." Gaius said as he heard a knock at the door. "Ah, Hello Franklin. Why did you knock?"
"Fanklin? Gaius honestly why are you... Ah I see never mind." Merlin said as he realized he was still taking on Franklin's appearance, and with a wave of his hands he was again himself.
"Merlin? Is that really you my boy?" Gaius asked as he saw the magic transform the young man before him. "It really is wonderful to see you are you finally returning?"
"No sorry Gaius, I came to... well to check on"
"Arthur of course, I should have known." Gaius interrupted.
"It seems everyone knows me all too well." Merlin replied as his cheeks began to burn. "I wished to see you before I had to leave again.
" I am glad you did, that Golem of yours may be a very good servant, but he is not one for conversation."
"Yes, taking orders are easy for a golem, but trying to give one a personality is a real trick." Replied Merlin quite amused.
After what must have been about an hour of conversation and Merlin summoning and sending Franklin off to bed, someone entered the attic. Upon turning around Merlin realized it was Arthur. He quickly turned around back to gaius as Arthur began to speak.
"Sorry for my late intrusion Gaius, but I need a word if you have the time." Arthur addressed him while motioning toward the slightly familiar young man sitting across from Gaius.
"Ah yes, I was just leaving." Merlin said getting up to depart. "It is rather late." He and Gaius said their farewells before he turned to leave and was stopped by Arthur.
"Do I know you? I haven't seen you around, but you seem oddly familiar." Arthur asked.
"Um, I don't believe so Sire, I am but a visiting friend of Gaius."
"I see, well be on your way then." he dismissed Merlin.
Merlin made his way from the castle, through the town, and out of the gates. As soon as he crossed the first trees of the forest he vanished.
"What is it you need my boy?" Gaius asked Arthur
"I fear I have some kind of affliction."
"Affliction? What do you mean."
"Well this will be kept between us I trust?"
"Of course Sire."
"I have been feeling rather off, and my memory seems to be faulted."
"Ah I see, and what is it you've forgotten?"
"I had no memory of my father's plans to visit Mercia, and I had an odd familiarity with a the servant girl Gwen, and even with that young man who was here with you.
"I see, well it doesn't sound serious Sire maybe a blow to the head during training?"
"Hmm I had not considered that Gaius, I suppose you are right. I was just a little concerned."
"One can never be too cautious Sire, here take this it is an infusion of rosemary, and Bay good for the memory, and it should help you sleep as well."
"Ah, Thank you Gaius." Arthur said but still stood looking quite thoughtful.
"Is there something else on your mind Sire?" Gaius asked clearly seeing the thought in Arthur's face.
"Who was he? The one who was here when I arrived?"
"Ah, he was just an old friend, visiting while he was in the city. Why do you ask Sire?" Gaius asked though he knew exactly why Arthur had been interested in Merlin.
"He just seemed very familiar but like a complete stranger at the same time. Can that have to do with my current affliction Gaius?"
"I suppose it is possible Sire, however he has been to Camelot before you could have seen him which is why he seems so familiar."
"Yes, I suppose your are right. I should be off now, good night Gaius."
"Goodnight Sire."
Arthur made his way back to his chambers still very confused but hoping the draft Gaius had given him would help.
Riding through the woods on a hunt Arthur got off his horse to take a break. He made his way to a small stream to fill his water satchel. When he got back up his horse was gone. He looked frantically, but to no avail. As he looked around he realized he was lost, he could no longer hear the stream and the trees had grown dense and the light scarce. Just as he began to panic he heard a distant voice call his name, when he turned toward the voice he saw only two gold specs shining bright at a very far distance. He thought them to be eyes, but he had never seen eyes that bright or that beautiful in his life. As he followed the path toward the eyes he noticed the trees becoming thicker and darker. He didn't know why but even in the dire circumstance he trusted these eyes and he would follow them anywhere. After what seemed like an eternity he turned a corner and saw light at a distance. He looked at the eyes, they winked at him before turning into a beautiful ocean blue and then disappearing. Arthur wished they had stayed, but he knew they had taken him to where he needed to be. He walked for the light and found himself in an open field where a tent, a fire, and his horse were all awaiting him. He also saw a young man with his back turned to him and just as he approached to confront him, he woke up.
Lying in his bed, looking out his window seeing that it was either very late or very early, Arthur rather curious about the young man in his dream, took another swig of the draft Gaius had given him and laid back down to get more sleep.