Chapter 2:

Merlin hated hunting.

The idea of killing innocent animals reminded him too much of what Uther had done to so many innocent people with magic. They were defenseless, and unsuspecting. How wrong it felt, for Merlin to be out hunting.

Merlin must've been thinking about that a lot, because before he knew it, his eyes that had previously been looking at the ground looked up, and Arthur was no where to be found. He looked around, frantically. "Oh, this is not good," he thought. "Royal prat, probably did it on purpose." Merlin grumbled.

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The young warlock had enough experience to now which way to go back to Camelot, but he decided to go look for the hunting party.

He wandered aimlessly thought the dense shrubbery, looking for any familiar sign. A broken branch, a hoof print, anything.

Then, finally! A dog print! "It must be one of the hounds." He found another, and another. Then he saw a hoof print, which confirmed his suspicions. He had found the trail. Merlin exhaled deeply, relieved.

The he heard it.

A twig snapping. His head whipped around, the opposite direction of the trail. He knew he heard something, it wasn't his imagination. Merlin proceeded to follow the noise, going the other direction of the recently found trail. It may not have been the best decision; but he was curious.

Arthur knew something was wrong. He hadn't heard Merlin's annoying voice in a while. No clotpoles or dollopheads in quite a while. Most unusual. Arthur wondered, "What does clotpole even mean? I'm not that arrogant, am I? No, Merlin's just messing with-"

"Is something on your mind, my Lord?" Mithian asked, trotting up alongside the prince.

"I'm not sure..." he said, his brow furrowed. "Where's Merlin?" he asked.

Mithian looked around. "He was here only a bit ago," she said, slowly.

"Hmmm," was Arthur's thoughtful reply.

"Does he know his way back to the castle?" Mithian inquired.

"Yes, we've been hunting enough, he should've memorized it by now."

"Then let us hunt! He knows his way, Merlin is smarter than you give him credit for."

To this, Arthur laughed out loud. "Merlin?"

Mithian smiled, "Or are you just a sore loser?" She knew Arthur was too competitive and gallant to let that go.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Onward," he said, quietly.

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Merlin had gone to the spot where he believed he heard the snapping noise. After scanning the ground and only finding one hoof print, he decided to search a little deeper. Then he heard the snort of a horse and immediately crouched in a nearby shrub. He looked in the direction of the sound. His jaw clenched. He didn't know the horse, but he know the rider.

Morgana was wearing a dark cloak, and riding fast.

Many thoughts crossed Merlin's mind. "Where is she going? Is Arthur in danger? Is she alone? I must find Arthur and warn him! Should I follow her?"

Merlin decided to follow her, because if she was here to harm Arthur, she would most likely lead Merlin right to him.

Merlin was definitely smarter than Arthur gave him credit for.

A/N Oooo, the story sets sail! I need some help, guys! I don't know what the heck language to use for a spell? Help! :0 R&R's are great!

Preview-

"Is that Gwen?"

There was blood on the ground.

Mithian gasped, eyes widening. "Did I...?"