Hello, me again! I figured the first chapter was so short i'd put up chapter 2 as well... Please review if you like! X
"MERLIN!"
The voice echoed around the castle, and depending on how long they'd worked there, various servants winced, laughed or cowered.
Prince Arthur strode down the long halls, face furious. He made his way
"Gaius!" He barked. "Where is my incompetent servant?!"
Gaius looked up slowly, and arched an eyebrow. "I assumed he was with you sire. He wasn't here when I got up this morning."
Arthur let out a growl of frustration before storming out towards the great hall, vowing that this time Merlin would go into the stocks. "Gwaine!" he shouted as he spotted the knight in front of him. "Did you see Merlin in the tavern this morning?"
"Wasn't in it." The knight promptly replied, staring at him innocently. At Arthurs glare, he wavered slightly, and shook his head.
"No sire. He hasn't been there for a few weeks." He replied. Arthur glared at him suspiciously, before turning and walking away.
He spent several hours searching around the castle, eventually enlisting his knights' help in finding his wayward servant. When they didn't, he felt a flicker of worry. He sat in his chambers at his desk, brooding slightly as he tried to think where he could have possibly gone.
"Elyan! Check the cells- he managed to accidently lock himself in there last year." He called out to the man at the door, who grinned at the memory of the incident. But he came back a short time later and shook his head, causing Arthur to droop towards his desk again. He perked up as the door opened, but sighed when it wasn't who he was looking for.
"Guinevere? Have you seen Merlin?" he asked as she entered his chambers carrying an armful of sheets.
"No, my lord. Not since last night- he walked me home late, but left straight after. " she smiled at him, but it dimmed when she caught sight of the worry in his face.
"Arthur? What's wrong- where is he?" she asked, dumping the sheets on the bed and coming over to the desk.
"I don't know. I can't find him." Gwen frowned.
"He's ok though, right?" she asked, heart aching at the thought of losing another friend so soon. Arthur stood, and took her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead without replying. They jumped apart when a knock sounded, and Leon entered, followed by Percival.
"My Lord." He said respectfully. "Percival believes he saw Merlin leaving the city gates last night… it may explain why he's not here now."
"What! Why?"
"I'm not sure Sire. I merely saw him as I was returning home last night. It was past midnight, closer to one I think. He left on foot, with a bag. I assumed he was travelling to Ealdor, but now I think of it, he was acting like he didn't want to be seen."
Arthur cursed.
"What the hell is the idiot doing?" he pondered, but was interrupted by a guard entering the room.
"My Lord, the king wishes to speak with you immediately." Arthur cursed again, striding down the passage to the great hall.
He entered, finding a young man his own age standing before the king. He felt a flicker of surprise- his father had not held court in many months, instead leaving Arthur to perform this duty. Agravaine stood beside him, having arrived several weeks ago.
"Father. You wanted to see me?" he asked the king, who nodded and gestured to the man.
"Tell him what you told me." Uther commanded, and Arthur hid the wince at the lack of power in his voice.
"A… an army sire. Of magic-users. They intend on killing everyone, and are marching towards Camelot as we speak." The prince frowned at the mans disjointed speech, looking at him suspiciously.
"And you know this how?" he asked.
"We were sent a warning sire. Two young men rode into our village and warned us, told us to seek safety elsewhere."
"These young men, who were they?"
"I don't know my lord. They said they were part of the opposing army, and that they had no wish for innocents to get hurt." The man trembled slightly at the questioning.
"Opposing army?" echoed Arthur and Uther together, glancing at each other in confusion.
"Yes sires. Another army of sorcerers are marching against the first army. They're camped half a days ride north from here." Answered the unnamed man. Both Uther and Arthur stared at him, and he squirmed under their gaze, but did not retract his statement. Uther slowly turned to his son.
"If this is true, not only is magic being brazenly used in Camelot's lands,, but the results of such a war could overflow, and cause unknown consequences." Uther said.
"Sire, if I may, this may cause a rebellion of sorts. There are still some from the outlying villages who disagree with Camelot's law." Agravaine said with some concern.
"I'll take the knights, and ride out. If there is such a camp, it should be easy to find." Arthur said, turning towards the doors.
"I will ride with you." Said Uther, standing also. The members of the court shifted uncomfortably, exchanging uncertain murmurs.
"Father…?" Arthur questioned, leaning closer.
"I am capable of riding Arthur. If this is true, sending merely the prince will be seen as weak. If it is not, then we will simply have enjoyed an all too rare ride together. I'll meet you in the courtyard in the morning." Uther strode out, leaving a bemused Arthur staring at his retreating form.
