Hey guys it's been a while since I've written anything at all, and if you're wondering why I've had another massive Fandom change is because Merlin has been keeping sane while I've been stuck at home sick and Merlin plot bunnies have been eating my brain. So I decided to get out here and see what you all think. This is not a slash fic, not that I'm against slash fics, one I'm no good at writing them, two I see the Arthur/Merlin relationship as a more brotherly one hence probably how this whole fic came about too. Not that I'm against Merthur it's just not for me. Anyway have fun reading the story.

One Rule though is no flames, because that's just mean. I do, however, appreciate constructive criticism, ideas and advice, as these help improve my writing and the story.

I do not own Merlin, or any of the characters nor plotlines from the show I may use. I do own my individual story ideas and characters I make to help the story along.

Words: 4,666

Pages: Seven and a half

Date Updated: Thursday 5th of Jan 2012

Rated T for violence and gore, there will probably be some once I get to the nit and grit of the story, and there my be some bad language and sexual references.

Oh and the characters may be a bit OC, as in this their still children but I tried to keep their base personalities, honest. And there are probably all kinds of mistakes. :) Hope you enjoy it and tell me whether I should continue or not.

*Sorry small edit, I forgot to an something to break up the scenes, should be an easier read now. 6/1/12

Chapter 1: A Different Intersection

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,
but anyone can start today and make a new ending."
~Maria Robinson~

Arthur stood watching quietly near the door, as his father, Uther, attempted to convince his new ward to come eat breakfast with them. His father and he had just come from the dining hall, after having waited for Morgana to come. After half an hour of waiting Uther sent his manservant to see what was keeping his young ward, only to be informed upon the servant's return that the Lady Morgana was refusing to leave her room, like she'd been doing since she had arrived a week ago. It was now that Uther thought that his coming to see her personally would be enough to persuade her to join their family meal. So far Uther was not having much luck.

Arthur frowned slightly as Morgana, began to shriek and cry, loudly, distorting her pretty features. Her pale green eyes clouded with tears and her long black hair tangled from her ducking and weaving. Arthur sighed; this was going to take a while, scratch that, it was going to take forever. Arthur had found that he didn't like Morgana all that much, she threw too many tantrums, though he did understand why she was upset. He believed he'd be pretty much the same had it been his father who had died, well not as vocal. His father wouldn't want him acting like that.

"Leave me alone." Morgana screamed tearing away from the king and hiding under her bed.

Arthur sighed again. Morgana hadn't been out of her rooms at all since she arrived, well except for when he'd spotted her in the stables patting the horses. The moment she'd seen him she bolted back inside. He'd told his father of course like a good son, but his father hadn't believed him at all.

The king hung his head in defeat, a rare sight to his son. Arthur watched his father, turn on his foot and walk out the door. At his father's curt order, Arthur fell in step behind, following loyally. As he walked an idea struck him, Morgana seemed to like horses, so maybe he could find something to cheer her up. He may not like her all that much, but making Morgana happy would make his father happy. That's what the young prince tried to convince himself was the real reason. However, the real reason was that he just didn't like to see people cry, he never knew what to do. Not that he'd ever admit it out loud.

An hour later saw the people of the market watching their ten year old prince with vibrant blue eyes and blonde hair being accompanied by not only his servant but the court physician as well.

Arthur's servant looked around nervously unaccustomed to being stared at. Arthur, however, was completely oblivious, far too focused on his mission. The court physician, Gaius, smiled as he watched the prince. Most of the time Arthur seemed to be a spoiled boy, who already had perfected a prince's supercilious and stoic attitude and was rather unconcerned with the lives of commoners. Gaius knew better.

Arthur hid who he really was, in an attempt to be the son his father wanted, to follow his father's view to the finest detail. Gaius knew Uther cherished his son dearly, but Uther never showed Arthur, so the boy was left trying to impress his father, to get his father to say the words 'I'm proud of you'.

Gaius saw the pressure Uther put on his young son, reprimanding him the moment he stepped out of line. To be the perfect prince, but Gaius was left wondering if Uther's idea of the perfect prince was turning Arthur into... well a brat. Gaius believed Uther to be a good king, most of the time, so he hoped Arthur would not simply follow the path laid out for but make his own, a better one for himself and Camelot.

Arthur oblivious to Gaius' musings and his people staring at him, continued to search for a suitable present to cheer Morgana up. He ended up settling on two things, one was a well crafted wood carving of a horse running, the other was a simple gold chain with a pendant of a horse rearing. He used the money his father had allowed him for his little venture, which was probably more money than any of the people around him would make annually.

He grinned at Gaius, comfortable enough around him to act like a child instead of a prince. Gaius smiled down slightly in affection, something Arthur rarely got from his own father. When Arthur had asked to go to the market, his father had said no. It was Gaius who convinced the king in allowing Arthur to go, saying he himself would accompany him alongside Arthur's current manservant.

Gaius followed Arthur as the boy began to walk faster in excitement at having succeeded in his plan, a plan Gaius was still clueless on. Upon arrival in the citadel the excitement disappeared and Arthur thanked Gaius for company politely, just how he had been taught.

Arthur strode away, not noticing the almost sad look that passed over the physician's face. He walked purposefully towards Morgana's chambers determined to give her his gifts to enliven the grieving ward. He carried the gifts in a plain but pretty box.

Arthur slowed as he arrived, watching Morgana's maid stomp away from the ward's room in frustration, leaving the door slightly ajar. The prince walked to it and knocked.

"I told you to leave me alone Abbey!" Morgana shrieked her voice choked with sobs.

Arthur winced at the volume she'd managed. "Ah... Abbey's gone." Arthur replied nervously, he wondered why he had willingly gone into the same room with a wailing, shrieking girl.

"What do you want? Did your father send you?" Morgana practically snarled from somewhere within the darkened room. Arthur guessed she was probably glaring at the door.

"No, father did not send me. May I enter?" Arthur asked trying to keep the annoyance and impatience out of his voice. He did not entirely succeed.

"Why?"

"If you let me in I'll show."

"No, leave me alone."

"I have presents." Arthur bribed, his voice sounding almost desperate.

"What are they?" Morgana asked, her anger giving away to slight curiosity.

"Only if you say I can come in." He countered, he knew he'd gotten to her, now he just had to hope she liked the gifts, and didn't throw another tantrum because they weren't good enough. Vaguely he wondered if his father had sent any gifts, he probably had, it probably didn't work. This was going to fail and Arthur was going to be in a room with a tantrum throwing Morgana.

He was about to turn away when the door creaked open, with Morgana peering around it curiously. Arthur sighed, too late now. He strode in the room shoulders set, like a knight going into battle. He was pretty sure he would much rather fight bandits like them than deal with Morgana.

He walked to the bed and sat on it, putting the present beside him as he watched Morgana flutter around the door nervously. She glanced around and shut it before wandering over to where he sat. She looked no different than this morning. He guessed that Morgana's refusal to be attended to in general, was what had had the maid so frustrated.

Morgana pulled herself onto the bed and sat on the other side of the box. She picked it up and opened it. Arthur shut his eyes in preparation for screaming.

One...

Two...

Three...

To Arthur's complete surprise she hadn't started screaming after three seconds instead she gasped gleefully and hugged him, sending them both sprawling to the fall. Well at least she wasn't crying.

"Thank you." She whispered smiling widely and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Arthur flushed red, causing Morgana to giggle.

"Um... ah... I'm glad you liked your gift." Arthur stuttered still flushing brightly. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. They stood quietly once Morgana's giggles had subsided, her smile began to fade and Arthur saw tears begin to cloud her eyes again.

"Let's go riding." Arthur exclaimed suddenly as the idea hit him.

Morgana glanced at him a small smile struggling to form on her lips. "Would Uther let us?" She asked hopefully, her eyes cleared of tears once again.

"If we both ask him together, I'm sure he would let us." Arthur replied grinning back. Morgana seemed to recoil at the idea. She didn't want to leave this room entirely, not even for riding.

"Maybe not, I think I'd rather stay here." She replied quietly.

"Oh that's okay, it would probably be better without you." Arthur counted offhandedly, he was sure that if he played his cards right he could get Morgana out of this room.

Morgana seeing Arthur go to leave and being slightly offended couldn't stop herself from saying something. "What is that supposed to mean?" She retorted angrily, bunching her fists together as she glared at the prince.

"Well, it would be boring since we would have to ride slowly, in order for you to keep up." Arthur replied politely but his tone had a slight edge of condescension.

"And why couldn't I keep up?" She gritted out, as she boiled with fury.

"You're a girl. A little princess, who can do nothing but sit around and brush her hair, actually, not even that apparently." Arthur drawled, shrugging his shoulders and looking completely uninterested. All to wind her up, all to get Morgana to do something but sit there and scream.

He could see her fuming, could see the anger she directed at him through the dark glare she was giving him. Arthur simply smiled at her and turned to walk out of the door. He heard her huff and then her footsteps as she began to walk. He paused near the door and glanced back at her. She was her at her mirror taming her tangled hair. Arthur leaned against the door resigned to wait a bit. When she was finally done she glided passed him and shot him a small glare.

"Let's see who keeps up with whom." Morgana challenged her tone stronger than he'd heard it since her arrival. Arthur pushed himself off the door and begun to walk, Morgana following determinedly. He grinned, ready for the challenge Morgana had set, not that there would be much of one, she was a girl after all.

Together they strode into the throne room, the guards opening the door and both more than a bit surprised to see the young Lady Morgana out of her room. Uther looked away from his current discussion toward the pair, his eyes widening surprise and glee at Morgana's visit.

"Arthur, Morgana." The king addressed them kindly.

"Father, the Lady Morgana and I would like to go riding. May we have your permission?" Arthur asked politely, bowing his head, as did Morgana beside him.

"Would this please you Morgana?" Uther asked her directly his tone as soft as he could make it.

"Yes my lord, it would please me greatly." Morgana answered, now the picture of the perfect lady.

"Then I shall allow it. Sir Oswand, Sir Abbott, Sir Reginald and Sir Christian please accompany them." Uther ordered easily, had he not had council matters to attend to he would have gone with them

All four knights stood and nodded, they walked to the children and guided them to the stables. Morgana and Arthur looked at each other and smiled, before realising they both had a challenge between them. Quickly the friendly smiles turned to wicked grins of playful rivalry. A servant was sent ahead of them to inform the stable hands of their arrival.

By the time they had arrived, four horses, three bays and one black, and two much smaller ponies, a bay and a white, had already been prepared. Arthur went to his bay pony while Morgana took the white. They both mounted easily. Morgana smiled, for the first time since her arrival she felt like that this could be her home, even if her father was gone.

The knights formed up around the young royals, Sir Reginald taking point, Sir Christian the rear, with Sir Oswand on the left and Sir Abbot on the right. They headed off going at a steady trot.

Morgana and Arthur glanced at one another, rolled their eyes at one another. They wanted to race one another, to gallop not trot. The moment Morgana saw the opening between Sir Reginald's and Sir Oswand's horses, she urged her pony in between the gap and shot off. The knights distracted by Morgana's sudden galloping, allowed Arthur to do the exact same thing. The young prince quickly galloped after Morgana. He did not want to be shown up by girl, especially if it was Morgana. She probably wouldn't let him live it down.

Arthur could hear the knights behind them shouting for them to stop. Arthur ignored them continuing to give chase. Soon he could hear the sounds of hoof beats from behind, signalling that the knights were giving chase themselves.

Morgana slowed slightly allowing Arthur to catch up, they nodded to one another, before both urged their ponies to a full out gallop. They came to a curve slowing only slightly, before racing around, both laughing joyfully as the wind whipped fast. The laughs ended suddenly when they were forced to stop completely as they came face to face with a group of strangers, the kind that didn't look too friendly in the eyes of two children.

Arthur's pony slid further than Morgana's, taking longer to stop. Arthur glanced back and saw Morgana sitting there terrified. "Morgana run." Arthur yelled. Morgana jolted and nodded taking off almost immediately. Arthur turned his pony around and tapped the pony's sides hard.

"Forbærne."

Barely a second after the word was said a wall of fire blazed between Arthur and Morgana, the bay pony reared in shock, throwing Arthur off. He hit the ground with jolt, a yelp of pain tearing from his lips. Shakily he raised himself, his right arm throbbed tremendously and his head hurt. He touched his forehead gingerly. His hand came away with blood. Arthur didn't have much time to think, because suddenly someone had grabbed his collar and jerked him onto his feet.

"Prince Arthur!" Arthur glanced to where the knights were calling for him. He felt the hand on his collar tighten as he tried to pull away. Arthur reached to his belt, where he kept his favourite knife from his father, but before he could reach it the man holding him had swung him around to face him.

He was an average middle aged man, plain brown eyes and curly copper hair. "Well ain't it my lucky day." Arthur struggled as the man slung him over his should with apparent ease. "Carter deal with them."

Arthur stared as the man Carter strode past him raised his hands and spoke the same word again. "Forbærne!" His voice stronger, reflecting the amount of power he was using in comparison to the last time. The wall of fire reacted instantly, doubling in size and exploding outwards toward the knights. Arthur elbowed the man who held him in the face. He felt the growl build in the man's chest before it ripped out of his throat. The man threw the prince the ground roughly. Arthur curled into a ball to protect and nursed his already bruised arm.

"Damn brat. Carter make sure he's no trouble during the trip." The unnamed leader cursed roughly as he rubbed the spot where the prince had elbowed him.

Arthur glanced at Carter and slid away from him as the sorcerer knelt next to him. The man reached out and grabbed Arthur gently, immediately the young prince began to struggle terrified of the sorcerer in front on him. He lashed out kicking at the man, and felt the man's grip loosen. Arthur jerked away and started to run.

He heard the sorcerer sigh. "Swefe." He muttered. Arthur slowed and wobbled on his feet. He suddenly felt so tired, he tried to shake himself awake but it didn't work. His eyes slid shut and everything went black.

The sorcerer Carter watched with vibrant green eyes, frowning. He hadn't wanted to use magic on the boy, hadn't wanted to be a part of this at all in fact, but Nimueh wanted the boy, just to get back at Uther. The young prince had done nothing wrong he was simply a means to an end. He strode to Arthur and picked him up gently and slung him on his horse, before taking the seat behind him and riding off toward Escetia, where they would meet the High Priestess. From there Nimueh would transport both herself and Arthur to the Isle of the Blessed on the opposite side of Camelot, so Uther would lose track of his son completely.

Carter sighed again, tapped his horse's sides and took off. The others of his small group following quietly behind.

Morgana jerked awake but could barely move, and oppressive weight pinned her down. She soon realised it was Sir Reginald, and that he wasn't moving. She had the sudden urge to throw up, she struggled, wriggling and squirming in order to manoeuvre out from under the dead knight. She gasped in relief ten minutes later when the weight was suddenly removed.

"Lady Morgana, are you okay?" Sir Christian asked as he gently picked her up. The tall knight's brown hair was charred slightly and his face was covered in ash. He hobbled slightly and held himself stiffly indicating he'd been hurt. Morgana nodded, she didn't feel burnt, just a little bruised. Sir Christian made his way over to his bay horse, it's coat was only singed. The horse at the sight of fire had bulked and refused to come closer, so when the second explosion had occurred, the horse had remained unharmed, only throwing Sir Christian off in fright. Something the knight counted himself lucky for, whereas companions hadn't been.

The moment he and Morgana were in the saddle he had the horse galloping as hard as he could to the castle. He had to tell the king what had happened, had tell him that his son was missing. Hopefully the other knights would be able to pick the trail and catch up to the prince and his captives.

Uther froze as an injured Sir Christian burst into the throne room, carrying a shell shocked Morgana. Uther stared for what was only a few seconds but felt like years to him. Gaius acted immediately sending the Knight and Morgana to his chambers to treat them. Morgana was bruised all over, her right arm broken. Sir Christian's left leg had a deep gash, it was a miracle he'd walked on it, as well as several broken ribs.

The King had followed them to Gaius' chambers, numb of all emotion save fear. He watched Gaius treat them, barely registering what was happing or the words being said. Uther vaguely heard the report the knight offered, of the wall of fire that could only be a sorcerers doing, of the explosion and the dead knights but at the mention of Arthur, Uther snapped.

He strode to the knight and gripped the front of the man's robes almost hysterically. "Where is my son? Where is my son? Where is Arthur?" Uther demanded shaking the knight, he couldn't process it, his son wasn't here, wasn't with them.

"My Lord that's enough." Gaius implored calmingly. Uther turned to his trusted advisor, realising then that he had been ranting and shaking the poor knight who had already told him that the sorcerer must have taken him. But he didn't let go, he just stared at Gaius.

"Sire would it not be best to send knights out after your son and the sorcerer?" Gaius advised, gently loosening Uther's grip on Sir Christian. Uther seemed to nod numbly before finally coming back to his senses. Gaius could see the cold steel of determination return to Uther's eyes. The king strode away purposely heading to order a group of knights to find his son and bring him back.

Arthur awoke groggily at about the time the bandits were crossing the border to Escetia just south of a small village called Ealdor. It was also then that the thirty Knights of Camelot sent by Uther caught up to their quarry. Arthur smiled in jubilation as he watched the knights charging toward him, knowing he was going to be saved. He heard someone above him curse and turned to see that it was the sorcerer Carter. Only to see the sorcerer jump off the horse in order to avoid an oncoming blow from a knight.

Behind that knight was another who gripped Arthur by the back of his shirt and onto the horse with him. Arthur vaguely heard one of the knights urge their fellow to keep going, in order to protect their prince. Arthur couldn't see who had grabbed him. He didn't want wiggle around and make a nuisance of himself to his rescuer.

The knight's horse suddenly tumbled squealing in agony as its leg gave out for no apparent reason. The Knight grabbed Arthur and flung them both off the horse. He curled himself protectively around his prince. The moment they stopped he pulled himself up; ignoring any grievances the fall had given him, as he took off running with the prince held in his arms.

Carter cursed as he saw the blasted Knight get up and keep going, in anger he muttered a spell unthoughtfully. "Tótorfe." He barked and flung out his hand, his eyes glowing gold. He watched as the knight was tossed violently into the air, losing his grip on the prince. Carter had no chance to see what happened next, for more of Camelot's Knights were on him. Using the spell again he tossed those closest to him.

He snarled violently and let loose several fireballs, if they were so insistent on hunting his kind down then he would give them reason to be wary.

Arthur opened his blue eyes and looked at the ground below. Shakily he stood up, he could feel blood running down his face, he felt bruised all over and he had no idea why. He had no idea where he was. Hearing something behind him, Arthur glanced backwards. He saw the fighting, saw a man cut down by a sword and another consumed by flames. Arthur found himself taking a step back, then another and another, confused as why he was here.

He spun unable to stay any longer and ran in the other direction, ignoring all the hurt, too afraid to stay still. He ran. He had no idea where he was going, all he knew was he wanted to get away. He felt his foot slip sending him tumbling down a hill and earning himself more cuts and bruises. His hand touched something cool on his belt and he saw it was a small blade.

Something about it gave him a small comfort and he decided that it was because he could use it to defend himself. Again Arthur pulled himself up and kept running, ducking and weaving through the foreign under bush that he absolutely no recollection of. He found himself sliding again but this time he managed to keep his feet, somehow.

And he kept moving far too afraid to stop. He glanced around him hearing something but unsure of what to make of it. Was it more people with swords? Not paying attention to what was in front of him, Arthur tripped over a root, sending him sprawling onto a well worn track. He hissed as he split the skin of his knees and hands.

"Oh dear." Arthur heard a woman gasped.

Arthur forced himself to his feet and whirled drawing the knife from his belt defensive. His body shook from exhaustion, his legs gave out and Arthur went down onto his knees. A brown haired woman with blue eyes sprinted over to him. Arthur tried to back away, but barely managed.

The woman paused and slowed her pace over to him. Arthur stared at her and noticed she wasn't like the others, she was a woman for one, and two she was dressed plainly and most likely a nearby villager.

"Hunith stay away from him. He's half wild for God's sake." Arthur peered around the women to see a small group of people near a cart being pulled by an underfed small horse. They were like her, plain and practically dressed, villagers no doubt.

"Simmons he's a child, we can't just leave him." The woman named Hunith replied as she continued on her way toward Arthur.

Hunith knelt down in front of a very terrified Arthur, who flinched when a boy younger than him suddenly appeared. "Mother who is he?" The bright blue eyed boy with shaggy black hair asked, staring curiously at the half wild knife wielding boy stranger.

"Merlin shh... you're scaring him." She reprimanded loving, Merlin nodded meekly giving his mother a big apologetic smile, which promised mischief later. Hunith laughed knowing her son and smiled before turning back to the lost boy.

"Hello, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. You can put the knife down, dear. It will alright, I promise." Hunith comforted motherly. Her sweet caring voice, offering safety in a world Arthur didn't know. An offer he didn't want to refuse. He put the knife back in his belt and looked back to Hunith. She offered her hand and smiled encouragingly. Arthur stared at her hand, he could either try picking himself up and run or he could trust her and take her hand. He was too tired to run and Hunith seemed nice so he took her hand.

Hunith pulled the injured boy into her arms, she felt Merlin following, bubbling with both excitement and curiosity. She smiled that was her boy. Upon reaching the cart she gently put the boy down, he looked at her blearily obviously fighting himself from falling asleep. She glanced away upon feeling Merlin tug her dress, she picked him up and put him in the cart too, before sitting next to the young boy.

Using a scrap of cloth and the water from her water skin, she began to clean the boy's injuries, whispering calming things as she went about it. Slowing the boy succumbed to exhaustion that his injuries and fear had exacerbated.

"Hunith are you sure this is a good idea?" Hunith thanked whatever gods there were, that it was Matthew asking and not Simmons. Matthew was far easier to deal with.

She turned to the brown haired and beared man, meeting his blue eyes with her own. "I don't know Matthew. But I do know that if I left him I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. He's hurt, scared and lost and I won't abandon him in the wild, I'd much rather give him a home." She countered honestly. She didn't know, couldn't know. She'd gone with Matthew to trade for supplies, she hadn't expected to find an injured frightened child on the return trip, none of them had, but alas they had.

They didn't know who the boy was or where'd he'd come from and they couldn't change that little fact but Hunith for one could try and give him a new start. It was the least she could do, so she would.

Matthew nodded silently agreeing, and knowing that it was the right thing to do. He sat at the head of the cart next to Old Man Simmons. He gripped the reins and with a slap they set about home.

Well I hope you liked it, and please review and tell me what you think and whether I should continue.

If do go on I will be using some parts from canon but i'll be manipulating it to fit the verse I've made. And as for pairings, there will be Arwen not Argana (Incest creeps me out), and may chuck some Mergana into it.
Though I think for the first part of the story is going to be them growing up in Ealdor, so if you have any ideas for some brotherly shenanigans please so I always appreciate inspiration.

Hopefully i see you next chapter.