I don't own Merlin

This will be broken up in to three chapters!

I will also be only showing Arthur's POV in this chapter.

Set: 2x11

Chapter 3: The first sparks of the flame

Arthur marched through the faded white bricked halls of Camelot with a very different perspective on his own life and that of others, especially those who practiced magic.

Two months ago the Prince of Camelot had seen his manservant consorting with a druid who took on the form of a dangerous creature under cover of darkness and who claimed a victim per night. He had also found that his manservant had developed a romantic relationship with the woman in human form and that her bastet form was the cause of a curse. Unfortunately, he learnt this after driving a sword through her abdomen whilst she was in bastet form.

That same night Arthur had seen his friend use magic in Camelot. Confusion and anger rotted his brain in that moment and he did the first thing that came to mind, the first thing he was told to do when facing a sorcerer. Kill instantly or bring them to Camelot to await trial. The Prince knocked him out, dragged him back to Camelot and put him in the dungeons and was going to alert the guards of the traitor's crimes when Arthur looked upon his manservant. He saw that Merlin hadn't really changed. His manservant didn't suddenly look evil or twisted or demonic, he just looked like Merlin. So he waited for the traitor to wake so he could see the change for himself.

What the Prince actually saw was worlds away from his expectation, he was expecting a true persona to emerge forth, an evil, a disease, an unrecognisable anger but he still acted as kindly, as loyal and as noble as Merlin always did. Magic hadn't changed him and if Merlin had magic as long as he said he did it wasn't going to change him anytime soon.

There was also the problem of Morgana. Merlin had explained the day after being locked in the dungeons that Morgana had Seer magic and although Arthur was still a little hazy on what that meant he wanted her to know that Arthur would accept her no matter what. Merlin had protested for some stupid reason which Arthur had decided to promptly name 'Merlin reasons' but for the time being the Prince said he wouldn't say a word to her.

During the two months Arthur had been subject to a whole new aspect of Camelot, the 'Merlin aspect'. Arthur had been enchanted by King Alined's jester and had almost started a war with his foolishly fake love of the lady Vivian and this was the first instance that he realised that Merlin never once stopped protecting him and Camelot. He also saw the first instance of Morgana's turn to the dark side of magic. He was sure her love for Mordred had been the cause for it but Alvarr's sweet talk seemed to seal the deal. However, giving up on his adopted sister was not an option.

Arthur strode through the huge oak doors and in to the council chambers. He noticed Merlin first and smiled in acknowledgement which was quickly returned discreetly and he then bowed to his father before taking his throne next to him.

"I am a herder from the northern plains, Sire. Three nights back, we were camped beneath the walls of Idirsholas." Arthur had heard of the place, it had some old wives tale behind it but of course he didn't believe in it nor recall it.

"I'm not sure I would've chosen such a place." His father mocked. Arthur found himself disliking how the King seemed to treat his subjects, he would never stop loving the man for he was his father but that didn't mean he couldn't disagree quietly.

"Good pasture is scarce at this time of year, sire" Arthur nodded his head and thought on how he would be treating the man as king and how he would be solving such tribulations as the quality of pasture in his kingdom.

"And what is it you have to tell me?" His father spoke in a neutral tone but with an edge that demanded importance. Despite disagreements of his acts there were many times where his father was a good king. He could be concise and straight to the point, honourable and just in judgement, apart from when it came to magic of course.

"While we were there we, we saw smoke rising from the citadel" Arthur's brows furrowed and he saw the same look on Merlin's face. He should stop spending so much time with him or he'll end up with the same stupid grin as well.

"And did you see anything else?" Gaius stepped forward and enquired the man with his 'eye brow of doom' as Merlin put it.

"No" The peasant replied quickly.

"Did you go inside?" The King prompted leaning far forward on his throne for what reason Arthur could not fathom surely whatever the tale behind this place was it was a myth. Not every myth and legend was true.

"No. Nobody has stepped over that threshold for 300 years! You must know the legend, Sire." Fear was stretched across the peasants face and Arthur desperately tried to recapture the memory of when he was a child and Gaius taught him of the legend.

Luckily, Gaius was on hand to do so again "When the fires of Idirsholas burn, the knights of Medhir will ride again."

"See to it this man is fed and has a bed for the night." His father dismissed him with a wave of his hand and turned to Arthur "Take a ride out there."

"Why?" Arthur questioned, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"So we can put people's minds at rest" Sighed the King.

"Surely this is superstitious nonsense?" The prince lifted his eyes to meet his father's which were hard as always.

"Gather the guard and do as I say" His father spoke sternly and sharply and that was enough for Arthur to take his leave. He knew Merlin would come. If the legend was scaring his father then they would need him.

Arthur's small party of knights along with the prince's secret sorcerer Merlin rode through the forests towards Idirsholas. Arthur had spoken with Gaius and Merlin about the Knights of Medhir, if they had in fact risen once more then a sorcerer was behind it and he hoped to any god that would listen that it wasn't Merlin.

"What's that noise?" A sudden voice spoke from behind him. He turned to see Merlin looking quite distraught. Usually he would smile or grin at the servant's cowardice but now he was equipped with the information that Merlin was perhaps the bravest man in Camelot.

"What noise?" His instincts were on full alert however he schooled himself as much as possible as to not worry his knights or seem informal in taking a servant's word over his own highly trained instincts.

"A sort of trembling sound" In reality, he had heard it. He was a hunter, his senses were always in maximum usage but for the benefit of the younger knights he had with him on this trip he resolved to a hearty joke.

"That's your knees knocking together" He smiled and laughed with the other knights but turned to show Merlin he believed him with a simple nodding gesture.

After an hour or so of riding, an unusually quiet party of knights came up to Idirsholas. Each knight leapt off their horses and Merlin slipped off his own and trailed a little behind Arthur. The Prince glanced around to see his faithful manservant at his side and he hoped that his magic would not be needed today.

Taking the lead Arthur lowered his hand until it hovered above the camp site fire; he felt the heat rise from the ashes and it was obvious that someone had been here not only an hour ago maybe less.

"It seems part of Josephs story was true. Probably just travellers passing through." Arthur more wished than stated. He took a quick scan around himself before he heard Merlin from behind him.

"Or maybe not."

Arthur unsheathed his sword and span to face his enemy. They were clad in metal armour but it had suffered what seemed to be years of weathering, the chainmail were cut in places and they all wore metal masks hiding their faces.

Arthur charged forward knowing his full party of knights were behind him, they clashed steal and he could see in the corner of his eyes several men going down. Finally, Arthur struck a blow but the knight didn't even flinch as he moved forward towards the Prince. Another swing to the knight but it made no difference and Arthur lost his sword in the gut of one of his enemies.

"Arthur" The prince turns to find a sword land in his hands and he grins but he turns to see the onslaught of metal knights coming straight for him and his manservant.

"Run, Merlin. Go!" He shouts. Arthur makes a defensive blockade between him and Merlin but he sees Merlin stop just before the entrance. "What are you…? Do as I say!" The much stronger knight gave his friend a hard push through the entrance and batted away the incoming swords.

"Arthur get back, let me handle this!" Arthur moves back through the entrance but his sword is kept up and forward as he watches the knight's approach at a brisk pace. "Astríce" The Prince of Camelot watched in awe as all the knights were forced at least 10 metres back. "Ahríes þæc!" Arthur then shielded himself as he watched the rocks collapse covering the chamber.

"Amazing." They stood in contented silence for a few moments until the prince recollected himself "We need to mount up and get to Camelot as quickly as possible. There we can gather reinforcements and then we can begin the hunt for the sorceress who woke these…Knights of Medhir."

The two smiled at each other for a moment before breaking in to a sprint to get to their horses. Both quickly jumping on to them they galloped at a break neck pace towards Camelot.

However, they didn't see one of the older knights slack jawed as he witnessed the Prince of Camelot and a sorcerer acting like the best of friends.