Uther didn't hate Arthur's manservant: he just wanted the boy dead. Arthur risked too much already- even disobeying Uther in order to save him from poison. They were far too close, and the manservant seemed to be a magnet for trouble.
Uther sent Arthur's manservant with the Knights of Camelot to hunt down the wolf Gaius was so concerned about. With any luck, the boy would be killed.
Merlin's senses were on edge; he could practically taste the magic in the air.
His foot hooked on a tree root and he nearly fell over. Before he even got his arms out to catch his weight, Arthur grabbed the back of his shirt and jerked him upright.
"I think we should keep with the original plan." Arthur was smirking now. "You know, the one where we sneak up?"
"I know," Merlin grumbled irritably, trying to find out where the magic was coming from.
"Don't lead," Arthur added seriously, shouldering in front of Merlin so that Merlin was in the center of the knights, all of who looked at him as though they sincerely questioned why Merlin was there.
Merlin's question was answered as a shadow leapt from the trees, taking out seven knights. There was a bloody print identical to the one he had seen two days ago, the one he had told Gaius about.
"That's it," Merlin whispered, air catching in his windpipe, and Arthur jumped in front of him, sword at ready.
"Run, Merlin!"
They're incredibly strong and fast.
"No!"
"MERLIN!" Arthur said, partially a groan, partially a growl, and completely annoyed. The beast lunged and Arthur took a swipe.
The next second the crown prince was on the ground, and the monstrous wolf was leaning, bloody fangs glittering in the moonlight, over Arthur.
Merlin heard Arthur's leg snap and screamed. The werewolf looked up and then stepped on Arthur, causing more bones to crunch. And then Sir Gaimar hurled his sword at the creature, and it collapsed, shrinking into the form of a thin, middle-aged, stone-dead man.