This is my first multi-chapter fanfic. I've had this idea for a while and have the whole story written out now so there won't be any unfairly long waits for chapters to be uploaded. They should be uploaded once a week if I plan correctly. Hope you enjoy!

I do not own Merlin or it's characters...

Chapter 1 – Warning

Maps and papers scattered the surface of the table, rippling slightly in the breeze that wafted in through the tent entrance. Apart from the slight whistle of the wind through the tent, the evening was quiet. The murmur of voices drifted through the air, no discernable word could be picked out but the occasional bark of muffled laughter.

"Sire." A cold chill swept the air inside the tent as a knight entered.

Arthur straightened up and reluctantly stopped poring over his maps. There was something important about them but he couldn't figure out what.

"Sir Leon," he acknowledged.

The knight nodded and then reported, "The scouts have returned sire. They report that there is no sign of any forces near or approaching our position. In fact, Sire, they say there is no sign of anyone at all."

Arthur frowned. They had followed intelligence from what he believed was a reliable source. There has to be something.

"And Morgana?" He asked.

"Nothing," Sir Leon shook his head.

This wasn't right. They'd heard many rumours of Morgana gathering followers and knights around here. They'd come all this way to make sure that Morgana never reached Camelot but it seemed that she wasn't even here.

"Very well Leon," he said.

Sir Leon gave a small bow then left.

Arthur glanced at the maps again but they seemed meaningless now. It was about now that someone would say something comforting or encouraging but he looked around to see the tent was empty of all but him. That didn't seem right. He went to the tent entrance and pulled it aside. The cool evening air stung his face from so long being sheltered. He scanned the camp. The laughter was coming near the far end of camp. Unsurprisingly Gwaine was the cause as he teased Percival, throwing his boot in wide arcs over his head whilst he jumped to retrieve it. Elyon was assisting him, catching each throw and tossing it back to Gwaine. Arthur scanned the group but could not find who he had hoped. Instead he picked out Gauis who stood near the fire, his eyes darting nervously into the forest every so often.

"Sire," Gauis acknowledged when he noticed Arthur coming towards him. He turned his back on the forest and tried to look more calm.

"Have you seen Merlin?" Arthur asked when he was close enough.

"No Sire, I'm afraid he hasn't returned yet," Gauis told him but the worry was evident in his voice.

"Still?" Arthur asked exasperated, "but he's been gone for hours. It can't take him so long to gather a few herbs."

It had indeed been too long since Merlin had informed him that he had to collect some herbs for Gauis whilst they were here which were useful in his remedies. He had promised he wouldn't go far and would not get lost, adding that his royal highness's odour was potent enough all the way from Camelot. He had been gone too long though and though he would never admit it, Arthur was beginning to miss his servants easy jokes and chatter that calmed the group and trusting speeches he gave when he knew Arthur was worried but Arthur was worried now. He could do with his advice and reassurance just about now.

"You don't suppose the idiot's got himself lost a few metres from camp?" Arthur tried to brighten the mood but Gauis' face was full of concern and did not humour the King with a smile. Arthur regretted it as soon as the comment left his mouth. Gauis cared too much for the boy to join in with the jokes.

"I'm sorry Gauis," Arthur apologised, "Maybe we could send some men to search for him."

"No Sire, I think he will be alright," Gauis replied, his face still grave.

Arthur was about to say some more when there was a shout from a knight behind him. The laughter and chatter that had livened the air had disappeared and left the camp dead silent. Arthur looked to find the source of the disruption and didn't have to look far. Instinctively he pulled Gaius away from the tree line and further into camp. Standing just outside the shadow of the trees, looking like a shadow herself, was Morgana. With a shout two knights charged at her, swords raised. She glared at them and her eyes flashed a dangerous gold. The two knights were flung backwards through the air as though attached to an invisible cord and landed roughly on the ground a few metres away. Gaius was immediately by their side checking them over. Arthur was about to shout at Morgana until Gaius gave him a small nod that they were fine and Arthur calmed his anger but two other knights did not seem to be able to contain their rage as they ran forwards screaming. With another glare of gold, two more knights were down. Arthur motioned for the rest of the knights to stay back.

Morgana surveyed the four downed knights before her and laughed a small dangerous laugh. Then she faced Arthur and began to chant.

"Continue with your childish games,
While your little world goes up in flames.
For while your playing count the cost,
Your dearest friend has been lost."

It took Arthur a moment to register what had been said then his mind focused on "dearest friend" "lost." He scanned the knights around him, picking out faces, trying to figure out who was missing. His eyes roamed the crowd until they came to Gaius who was staring at him frozen, in the middle of helping one of the knights on the ground. Their eyes locked and Arthur knew they had both come to the same conclusion.

"Merlin," Gaius voiced their thought, no louder than a whisper. Arthur's heart clenched.

Saying it out loud somehow made it more real and confirmed their worries. The knights shuffled looking around them as though expecting the young manservant to appear among them and prove it wrong. But he didn't.

Arthur turned back to Morgana who gave another dry laugh before continuing.

"Don't worry brother he is fine
But dear Merlin is now mine"

The last word hung menacingly in the air long after Morgana had faded away into the night. Arthur finally snapped out of it and stormed over to Gaius, still frozen on his knees.

"We'll get him back Gaius," Arthur told him forcefully, "I promise!"

Gaius only managed a weak nod. Then he seemed to remember his job and began to continue to help the knights who were now stirring.

"Sire, what are your orders? What do we do?" Sir Leon asked immediately by his side. Arthur was silent. What should they do? They should go after Merlin and save him. That's what they should do. Arthur knew that with all his heart. But there was something telling him to wait. To think this through.

"Arthur we've got to go after her," Gwaine's voice was right by his ear, "We have to find Merlin."

Arthur was desperate to agree with Gwaine. He wanted to find his friend and make sure he was okay but this time he had to leave his friend. It went against everything he cared for.
Reluctantly he turned to Leon.

"Pack up the tents and make sure we're ready to go without a moments notice. "

"Are we leaving?"

"Some of us are. I'll send some knights back to Camelot with the injured. There's obviously no army here so I'd feel better if Camelot was protected. The rest will stay but if there's any surprises - which I don't doubt with Morgana involved - we'll need to be ready to leave. Keep the fires burning. It's going to be a long night."

Leon rushed off to bring about Arthur's orders but Gwaine stayed.

"What about Merlin?" He asked sternly. Arthur paused. He didn't want to have to do this.

"We can't do anything right now,' Arthur admitted ruefully, "We wouldn't get far searching in the dark and I don't want any ambushes or more injured knights. We'll wait until first light then we'll find Merlin."

"Arthur," Gwaine wasn't convinced, his voice still laced with anger, "Night's a long time to wait. We don't know what Morgana is planning to do with him. He could be hurt. Can he last that long?"

"Merlin is stronger than you give him credit for."

Arthur jumped. He had forgotten Gaius was still next to them.

"Yes. Of course. I'm sorry Gaius." Arthur said softly.

Gwaine turned away and began to help Gaius, throwing a harsh look at Arthur as he did so. Arthur was about to remind him he should be helping the others pack up camp but he let it go. Gwaine was only worried. As they all were. But Arthur knew Gwaine's friendship with Merlin was a lot deeper. Long before he had become a knight, Merlin had been good friends with him. Arthur was sure that the only reason he had helped him and gone along on one of their dangerous tasks was because Merlin had asked him to. Merlin had been his only friend before he had been knighted and there wasn't anyone closer, even now he had the other knights as friends too.

Arthur envied their friendship sometimes. Sure, Merlin was with him most of the day and they had their laughs and deep talks sometimes but Merlin was working and so was he. They didn't have those times where they could just relax and have a good talk away from the castle like Merlin did with Gwaine. There were things Merlin probably couldn't tell him with him being king. In fact there was still a lot Arthur didn't know about Merlin. He knew where he lived and worked and the name of the village he had grown up in but nothing more personal. Gwaine probably knew.

Arthur pulled himself out of his thoughts and went to help the other knights pack up camp. It didn't take long, and within an hour a group of knights were all set to depart, the four injured on horseback. Only a small group remained with Arthur. Gauis had not wanted to leave without knowing what happened to Merlin so he remained, and of course Gwaine. Sir Leon stayed with Percival and Elyon - Arthur's most trusted knights and Merlin's friends. He tried to convince them to get some rest before dawn but he couldn't relax himself. He was worried and more awake than ever. As he could not sleep he tried to formulate a plan.

Before long he could hear someone stirring behind him and the sky was beginning to pale on the East horizon so Arthur took this as a cue to get up. The sky was now streaked with orange, turning the clouds a pale pink in the dark sky that still overlooked the camp. Everyone was gathered. Arthur didn't know if any of them had slept.

"Right," Arthur addressed the group, "Remember Morgana could still be out there somewhere so stick together. We'll find Merlin but I don't want any more attacks if we can help it." He turned back ready to ready to set off.

The trees were grey against the now pink and orange sky, swaying in the winds breath.

Then out of the trees came a figure. Merlin. He was stumbling over his own feet in his hurry to get there but when he saw them his steps became more purposeful and steady. Arthur's heart leapt. He was alive and he was safe. It was all he could do to prevent himself from running towards him.

As he stepped into the light, Arthur could see him more clearly: his raven black hair and blue eyes but there was something in them, his face showed no emotion as he continued towards them...and where had he got that sword?

Something was wrong...