Hey guys! So I've decided to write a multi chapter Merlin fanfic. Hopefully this'll go ok, but I might change the story line if I don't feel it works! Enjoy

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'Right. Percival, Elyan, you go round the back. Gwaine, you position yourself on the right. Leon and I will attack from the front.' Arthur told his men. 'Merlin, you just stand there and for God's sake don't scare it off!' he added exasperate. Merlin groaned. Arthur had told him they were going on yet another hunting trip that morning and so far this was the closest they had been to catching something. Merlin wasn't even sure what Arthur had sighted in the bushes.

'Well if you didn't want me to scare it off then maybe you shouldn't have brought me!' Merlin sighed. Arthur spun round and raised his eyebrows but said nothing. 'Yep right. Just ignore Merlin. I mean, what could Merlin possibly have to say that is worth hearing?'

'Merlin, would you just shut up?' Arthur asked, bewildered. The whole reason he was hunting was because Camelot had the Mid Summer's eve feast in two evening's time. At this rate, Merlin would be the main course.

'Sire, its moving' Gwaine called quietly. Arthur ignored the moaning Merlin and headed forward, Leon in to.

Suddenly a great figure leapt out of the undergrowth. Arthur whirled around in time to shoot an arrow from his crossbow, which conveniently struck the mammal in the eye. Hurrying to where the figure fell, Arthur called out to Merlin to come help him pick it up.

'Sire, I'll get the horses!' Arthur heard Percival shout. To Arthur's delight the creature he had shot was a fully grown stag. Merlin crouched down beside the king.

'Well, you see. I must be your good luck charm' the boy said cheerfully.

'I fear for us all then' Arthur muttered as Merlin helped him to pick the stag up.

Feeling somewhat optimistic after catching the stag, Arthur decided to hunt for rabbits and smaller mammals, much to Merlin's dismay.

'Honestly, you got your meat. I don't see why we can't just go home.' He grumbled.

'Oh do stop being such a girl Merlin' Arthur teased, gaining a laugh from the knights. A branch snapped from somewhere overhead and the laughter was silenced immediately.

'Hush' Leon whispered. After a few moments of silence Gwaine chirped:

'Well, that was an anti climax'

'Or not.' Merlin looked up to see the group of bandits running towards them. Seriously, He thought don't these bandits realise they are attacking the royal patrol?

'Don't just stand there Merlin!' Arthur shouted. Merlin looked around, ready to find someplace where he could overlook the fight to save Arthur from any mishaps that may occur. As soon as he'd found a place however, a heavy hand grasped his shoulder.

'I want a word with you, mister' A voice whispered in his ear. Before he could cry out, Merlin was being dragged away from the bandits, and Arthur. To his horror, none of the knights seemed to realise his situation so chances of getting out of this one easily seemed slim to none. Once the clearing was out of sight, he was released and landed heavily on his shoulder.

'Get up.' A harsh voice commanded. Merlin nursed his sore shoulder and sat up.

'Who are you?' He asked, his voice weaker than he'd imagined.

'Dorran. I lead this group of men. If I am not mistaken, you are the King's manservant. And you're name is Merlin' the man said. Merlin looked at him. The man's blue eyes seemed to be sunken into his head and his dark brown hair only just passed his ears. He seemed to be a giant; his cloak seemed to go on forever.

'How would you know?'

'I have my ways. But they do not matter. All that matters is that you are going to do what I say.'

'As if I would' Merlin scoffed. Without warning Dorran grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up so his feet were dangling off the ground.

'Oh I think you will. In fact,' Dorran smirked whilst still dangling Merlin. 'I think you will cooperate nicely. You see, breaking you isn't the only thing that will hurt you.' He released Merlin, who fell to the ground.

'What do you want?' Merlin looked up, trying to regain his breath back

'To destroy Camelot.' Merlin dared to laugh.

'You think you'll succeed? Tell me, how many times has an invader successfully invaded for more than a week?' Dorran raised his fist as if to hit him, but thought better of it.

'You'll not get far with snarky comments like that. I know you have access to some of Camelot's greatest secrets. You are going to find out all you can, and you are going to tell me everything.'

'And what makes you think I will? What makes you think I won't go and tell Arthur as soon as I leave?' Dorran's fist did come down this time, and Merlin tasted blood in his mouth.

'You will. Like I said, I don't have to break you to hurt you. It may take a few weeks, but you will tell me. And when you do, I'll be listening. As for telling Arthur, lets just say things will get a little messy for you. I don't recommend it Merlin.'

'Even if I did agree, how would you know if I'd done anything?'

'Not everything in Camelot is as loyal to the king as you are Merlin' Dorran turned and disappeared with the wind. Merlin lay on the ground, shaking. He wasn't serious, he wasn't threatening you. Get back to Arthur and everything will be fine. He chanted over and over in his head. Heaving himself off the ground, he slowly made his way back to the clearing. The fight was just ending as Merlin got there, and Percival was rounded up anyone who tried to flee. Disguising his bloodied mouth as best he could, Merlin tried to make it look like he'd been there all along.

'Merlin! Where the hell where you? Hiding behind a tree again?' Arthur's voice rang in his ears.

'Yeh something like that. Can we go now please?' Merlin said and quickly began to march ahead. He heard Arthur mutter something.

'You know, I am the king Merlin.'

'Right good. Now lets go' He could practically hear Arthur roll his eyes.

'Alright, you go gather the horses. We'll be there in a minute.'

A short while later they could see the walls of Camelot towering above the forest. The sun was setting over the trees, and Arthur sped up.

'We must make it to Camelot by nightfall' The others silently agreed and nudged their horses to a fast walk. Arthur rode beside Merlin.

'Merlin, what happened to your mouth? It looks bloody and bruised!' Arthur said, alarmed. Merlin stared ahead. You can't tell him the truth. Just in case Dorran meant what he said.

'Arthur, this may surprise you but I actually did fight the bandits! They just hit me in the mouth.' Arthur relaxed a bit but his shoulders remained stiff.

'Just tell me next time. I don't want you to go round suffering in silence.'

'My my Arthur, are you going soft?' Arthur looked put out.

'No, of course not. What gave you that idea?' Merlin rolled his eyes as they entered through the main gates. Gwen was at the courtyard steps waiting to welcome them home. Even from a distance Merlin could tell she was relieved to see they were all back safe and sound. She rushed forward to Arthur as he dismounted.

'What kept you so late?' She asked, worry etched in her voice. 'It's almost dark.'

'We were delayed by bandits on the journey back. Never fear, they didn't harm us. But we did bring back a stag for the feast.' Gwen smiled.

'That's good. Come, you must tell me all about it.'

'Merlin!' Arthur called. 'See to the horses. Then you are dismissed. But don't be late tomorrow!' Merlin sighed as Arthur disappeared into the castle. After he had seen to the horse, he made his way back through the courtyard. He caught sight of Gwaine, who was muttering very loudly.

'Gwaine? What are you doing?' He asked. Gwaine looked up.

'Oh hullo Merlin. There's this bloody dog over there, it's not moving. I'm worried it's going to hand round and scavenge.'

'Worried it's going to scavenge? You are so not.' Merlin scoffed. Gwaine looked at him.

'Alright. It's creeping me out. I mean, how many dogs just stand in the corner of a courtyard in the evening? They normally come up to you.' Merlin stared into the corner. Now that Gwaine mentioned it, it was a bit creepy.

'Are you sure it's not a statue?' Gwaine gave him a look. 'Alright, it's not a statue. Let's just go inside before it eats one of us.' Gwaine followed Merlin up the steps.

'Hey, where'd it go?' Merlin heard Gwaine asked as he turned around. Looking over to the corner where the dog had stood he was concerned to see that Gwaine was right. The dog had gone.

'Maybe it got bored. Don't worry about it Gwaine. It's just a dog.' Merlin laughed as they entered the castle's familiar warmth.

'Yeh just a dog' Gwaine laughed along with him as they strode down the halls. 'Well, see you soon Merlin' as Merlin turned to go into the Physician's quarters.

'Yeh, you too Gwaine.'

Gaius was just serving up dinner when Merlin crashed through the door, complaining like he often did after a hunting trip.

'Even after Arthur got his stag, he still insisted on getting more. Then we got attacked by bandits, again. I mean, does he try to make my life hell?' Merlin rambled on, poking at his soup before spooning it into his mouth. Gaius just rolled his eyes and inwardly chuckled to himself.

'Arthur got his stag then?'

'Yes Gaius, I just said that.' Merlin shook his head and yawned. Despite it being still quite early, Merlin was exhausted. 'I'm really tired Gaius, I might turn in.' Gaius looked at his ward and noticed the blood stain on his neckerchief.

'What's that?' Gaius asked, pointing to the stain. Merlin looked at it.

'Oh, some bandits blood. Nothing to worry about' Merlin said almost too cheerfully as he rose from his seat. 'Well, night Gaius.'

'Night Merlin' Gaius frowned at his ward's back. He knew Merlin was lying, but he also knew that there was no point in trying to contradict him.

Once alone, Merlin began to ponder. He knew he couldn't let Gaius know about Dorran. Even if his threats turned out to be false he knew the old man would worry. And if they were true then he knew that Gaius had been through enough for Merlin already. He winced as he lay down on his bed and made a mental note not to make Arthur throw anything at him tomorrow.

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So there's the first chapter. Hopefully it's alright; let me know how you felt about it and if you feel I should continue! Thanks!