Again, thank you for the reviews and follows. In particular the reviews as they have been very encouraging for a wannabe writer experiencing her first writer's block.
TimothyRiddle - Agree it is too OOC for Merlin to torture someone and enjoy it which is probably why I'm struggling to write such a scene. Not promising that there won't be some mild torture though, but let's see...As for an Arthur reveal, I wasn't original planning on one but it does seem like that's where the story is heading.
Madi - I like the idea of Mergana and the show should have played with that idea but I've always considered them a sort of star crossed lovers so any Mergana story I would write would have a sad ending :(. Maybe there could be redemption for Morgana in this story? I don't know yet.
So what's been happening in Camelot whilst Merlin and Morgana are off having fun?
Disclaimer: Merlin and it's character do not belong to me.
It had been over an hour since Merlin had disappeared to collect wood. The Knights and Arthur were sat around a fast depleting fire, awaiting Merlin's return with more wood. Arthur, already annoyed with Merlin was now simmering in anger, waiting for Merlin to lumber up so that he could let loose his rage. "Probably sat around somewhere having a nap or more likely sitting under some tree crying for the dead ant he's stepped on "Arthur muttered to himself. Gwaine and Lancelot exchanged worried glances. Arthur talking to himself was a tad...unsettling.
One hour had now turned into one and half. Gwaine and Lancelot were sat quietly talking to the other, every few minutes sending worried looks towards the path Merlin had taken away from them. Finally Lancelot had enough and stood up "I'm going to look for Merlin " he stated in a tone that brooked no argument. Gwaine stood up too, "I'm coming as well" and with that both strode off into the woods.
Arthur gazed at their disappearing backs and felt a frisson of fear run through him. Despite appearances, he was worried. Very worried. It was not like Merlin to disappear for so long on a simple task like collecting wood. Initially Arthur had thought Merlin was simply cooling off after their little spat but Merlin would never be so selfish as to disappear in a huff leaving his friends worried and in the dark over his whereabouts. Another thought struck him suddenly. Something which was always sat at the back of his mind, a thought he didn't like giving much time too. What if Merlin finally had enough of Arthur and his harsh ways and given up on him? Arthur had never understood the serving boy's unnatural loyal to him. Drinking poison on his stead when he barely knew Arthur, going to battle against a dragon with no armour or any redeemable fighting skills, Arthur had selfishly accepted his help not wanting to ask too many questions. Merlin was surely capable of making his own choices when it came to his own safety, Arthur reassured himself. If Merlin wanted to put himself in danger who was Arthur to stop him? only the King, a little voice in the back of his head said. "Oh shut up" Arthur muttered. Elyan looked over and gave Arthur a weird look which he did his best to ignore.
Arthur could no longer stand his thoughts. He stood up abruptly. "I'm going after Lancelot and Gwaine . And Merlin" he said almost as an afterthought. The skies were dark, cloudy and with the evening settling in, light was fast disappearing. Arthur hurried behind Lancelot and Gwaine, with Elyan and Leon stumbling behind him. As they walked deeper into the woods, tracking Lancelot and Gwaine, they stumbled into a small clearing where Lancelot and Gwaine were looking down at a pile of wood scattered on the floor. Both turned to look at Arthur. Arthur froze. From their worried and angry expressions, he knew all he needed to know. Something had happened to Merlin.
Night had now fallen completely. Moonlight was now their only source of light. Arthur quickly made his decision. "Let's go back to camp. There's no light so we can't look for Merlin now. We'll return back to the castle at dawn and send a search party back to comb the woods for him. And Gwaine, grab some of the wood. We don't want Merlin's hard work wasted now, do we?" Gwaine exchanged a disbelieving glance with Lancelot but bent down to pick up the scattered wood.
The worried party all turned back to return to camp. No one slept that night. They sat around the fire discussing what could have happened to Merlin. "He wasn't that far out from here so why didn't we hear him yell or struggle?" Gwaine asked with a puzzled frown.
"I would say from the way the wood was scattered and that there was no sign of a struggle, he ran. Away from the camp." Lancelot suggested.
Arthur frowned at this. "Idiot. He should have ran straight back here. We could have protected him. Dammit, where has he gone? " Arthur stood up and began pacing, frustration pouring out of him. No one dared to speak out loud of their biggest fear. The possibility of Merlin being dead.
The next day dawned far too slowly for the hunting party. As soon as the first tendrils of light was seen in the horizon, the party made their way to clearing where Merlin's scattered wood had been found. As noted by Lancelot, there were no signs of a struggle and any tracks led away from the camp, before coming to an abrupt end under a tree a mile away from the wood clearing. The Knights looked at each puzzled. This was rather bizarre. No one could disappear like this. Unless they had magic but no one dared to voice that particular thought.
The party made their way quickly back to Camelot, hoping to get an experienced search party out as soon as possible whilst the tracks were still fresh. They galloped into Camelot, urgency radiating from their very pores. People sensing the urgency moved away as they approached the castle.
Arthur on arriving immediately made for the throne room, his Knights following behind him. As he approached the throne room, a guard made his way towards Arthur. "My Lord, there's a man here to se..." but before he could finish Arthur interrupted . "I don't have time, John. I'll see him later."
"But he said this is about Merlin."
Arthur stopped abruptly, leading to Gwaine and Lancdelot to bump into him, the force strong enough to send Arthur tumbling on to the floor. "Sorry, Sire." Lancelot said, not looking particularly sorry at all. Gwaine said nothing, just returning Arthur's glare with his own. Suddenly Arthur realised neither Lancelot and Gwaine had said much to him this morning. They obviously blamed Arthur for Merlin's disappearance. Arthur was aware Lancelot an d Gwaine were close friends with Merlin but hadn't considered they might hold him responsible for Merlin disappearing. He felt himself flush out of guilt remembering his attitude towards Merlin, blaming him for their lack of success in hunting and then ordering him to collect wood. Arthur shook his head trying to clear his head of all emotions. Now wasn't the time for recriminations, that would come later when Merlin was back in Camelot safe. Right now there was a man claiming to have information on Merlin and he wanted to know what it was.
He stood up quickly, offered one last glare at Lancelot and Gwaine and strode into the throne room. A man was sitting facing the throne, surrounded by four guards. Arthur frowned in confusion. His guests were not normally treated in such manner. When the guards saw their King enter the room, they quickly stepped back leaving room for Arthur to see the back of his guest's head. All he saw was a non threatening grey head. Arthur's confusion expanded. What possible threat could an old man be to the four guards?
The man with the grey head stood up and turned to face Arthur. And Arthur had his answer. He knew this face. It was the druid from whom he had taken the Cup of Life from.
"You." Arthur hissed. "What are you doing here? you dare to enter Camelot when you know magic isn't tolerated here."
"Quiet" said the druid an annoyed expression on his face.
Arthur spluttered in disbelief. The guards once again surrounded the druid. Lancelot sniggered but quickly turned it into a cough as Elyan and Leon sent him confused glances.
"I have information on Merlin's whereabouts. If you want to hear it, your guards will step away from me now" said the druid.
Arthur fought the urge to have the arrogant druid thrown in the dungeons. "Move away from him" he ordered reluctantly.
"Good boy" the druid said with a haughty sniff.
Dungeons and then execution Arthur thought, his hands tightening around his sword hilt. The druid cast an amused look towards his sword but wisely said nothing. "Tell me what you know." Arthur ordered. For the first time since they had met this morning, a worried expression fell across the druid's face. Arthur didn't understand but for some reason the druid was concerned about Merlin.
"Merlin has been taken by Morgana. Morgana currently resides deep in the Forest of Ascetir and we believe that's where she's taken Merlin. If you find her, you find Merlin" said the druid.
Morgana. Should have guessed, Arthur thought angrily. "Who is this "we" you speak of?" asked Arthur challengingly.
The druid now had an impatient expression on his face. "Merlin does not have the time for your games, my Lord. "We" are the druids, as you already know."
Arthur was now feeling like the little boy the druid had insinuated him to be earlier. "Why should we trust your information?" Arthur asked.
"Let's just say Merlin is equally important to us as he is to you" the druid said mysteriously.
Arthur stiffened. "Explain yourself" he ordered. "That isn't for me to explain" the druid replied. From the stubborn expression on his face , Arthur could tell he wasn't going to get anything more out of him
"I have told you everything I know about Merlin whereabouts. Now I request that if my information proves correct, you will allow me safe passage out of Camelot. As you can see I have not come to cause harm but in peace" the druid asked.
Arthur stared at him, hand still gripped around his sword hilt. "If your information proves correct, if, you have my word that you will be allowed safe passage out of Camelot. " Arthur then turned towards the guards, "Guards, take our guest down to the dungeons. Thank you."
The druid gave a mocking stiff bow and allowed the guards to escort him down to the dungeons. As he passed Lancelot, he whispered to him "save Merlin from himself." Lancelot gave the druid a confused look but didn't dare reply.
"Let's go " said Arthur with a grim expression.
Within an hour the same hunting party was galloping away from Camelot, towards the Forest of Ascetir.
AN: Thank you for reading :). Feedback and reviews will be much appreciated.
Hopefully next up Morgana and Merlin.