Camelot was sizzling. Looking down at the reports made Arthur glum. Just from some wooden dolls, many people in the lower town were now suffering from burns and some even death. Smoke was sill fading from the air, and ashes blew through the towns. He thought he had prepared for everything, yet no weapon had been able to help them in this one. Camelot had recovered, as a whole, pretty quickly, which did come as some reassurance to Arthur. Seeing that his people and men would bounce right back gave him more strength. Knowing that food supplies, water and help was being offered everywhere meant that people were already building back up, ready in case Eernseth attacked again.

In fact, he was so absorbed in his musings and reports, Arthur did not notice his manservant slip into the room and start to tidy. It was only when the manservant came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder that the king jumped right out of his skin.

"Christ Merlin! What are you trying to do?"
"Um- pick up the pair of socks you're sitting on?"

"You idiot!" Arthur grumbled, before swiftly collecting the sock from his chair "There- happy?"
"Yes, very, thank you." Merlin chirped. Although, thinking about it, it wasn't his usual chirp. The thought of Merlin's earlier disappearance was brought forward into Arthur's mind

"Where did you get to earlier, Merlin?"

"Hm?"

"Earlier, just as the fire ended and we collected all the dolls, you ran off."

"Well, I wouldn't say I ran, sire."

"But you did go?"

"Yes; I was just-"

"Just what Merlin?"

"Going to see Gaius."

"Gaius? Whatever for?"

"Um… a book?"

"Must've been a book about fairy tales, Merlin, because your lying really isn't up to your usual standard today" Both boys smiled "Now what were you really doing?"

Sighing, Merlin explained "I had to go and get some water andapplysomeointmenttomyleg"

"Water and what Merlin? We both know you mumbled that last part."

"Fine. I had to find some ointment."

"See wasn't that bad was it?" Arthur mused automatically, before taking in what Merlin had said "Wait- water and ointment- why?"

"Um, for… me" Was the quiet reply "I mean- maybe I didn't need it, but from what Gaius has told me burns usually need ointment applying to them."

"Merlin! Why didn't you say something?"

"I didn't have to. I went and sorted it, and now it's fine"

"Show me."

"What?"

"Your burn- show me." So with another reluctant sigh, the manservant rolled up his trouser leg to reveal a slightly crusty burn that was red and angry.

"Merlin, that doesn't look fine. Isn't it painful?"

"A little- but, I mean, I took some painkillers so-"

"Your stupidity amuses me Merlin. I want you to go back and wrap that thing properly with a bandage. Drink some water, have some food and then come back, am I understood?"

"Yes Arthur… Thank you."

Arthur rolled his eyes at the retreating figure of Merlin. He could not understand why Merlin had been so reluctant to tell him about his injuries- probably some girly excuse about not wanting to worry anyone. Then again- Arthur would always worry for Merlin, his closest friend. As Arthur mused over Merlin, he realised that he hadn't actually seen any of the flames touch the boy. Of course, there was always the possibility that something happened while he wasn't looking, but there hadn't been a lot of fire around them, and what was there had died away quickly. That meant that the cause of Merlin's burns were from his doll! Of course, this wasn't exactly hard to figure out, but it had only just hit Arthur that his friends' lives were out there in small wooden doll forms. He had always viewed them as sort of invincible; especially when they were all together, but now the damage could be caused without anyone even realising it. That was terrifying. Arthur did not want to think about it, and so raced from the room, ready to collect up all the dolls of his closest friends. It was vital that they were returned back to their owners like Gaius said- or better yet, he mused, why not keep every doll safe in the castle? Then, he would be able to personally protect everyone, and it would be so much easier than having to give everyone their own at the risk that it could cause many consequences. If the wrong person was to come across them… Arthur shuddered at what could happen.

Supposedly every single doll that had fallen from the cloud had been gathered and placed in the main hall. There were thousands; many stacks littered the floor with knights counting the numbers of each. Seeing every single person who lived under his rule suddenly all in one room almost mesmerised Arthur. He often forgot just how big Camelot was, but after seeing such a symbolic reminder of just how many people relied on him as a king, the numbers were hard to ignore. He had called a short round table meeting in his chambers, seeing as the main hall was otherwise occupied. Soon enough everyone was present. They stood and sat around the table in Arthur's room, all quietly murmuring before Arthur spoke.

"I'd just like to say that you've all done a great job in rounding up every doll you can. However, I need to know- were you all able to find your own dolls?"

Out of the 6 men present, only four raised their hands to display their dolls.

"Lance, Leon, Elyan and I all found ours, sire." Percival stated. At this, Arthur gave a nod in acknowledgement.

"So that means we haven't been able to find mine, Gwaine's or Merlin's?" He clarified.

"No sire, unless they have only been discovered recently, we have not seen them."
A small silence fell around the group as everyone tried to figure out whether this was very serious at all. The dolls could be safe and sound; possibly being carried here now… Or they had been picked up by some bad people, to which anything could happen.

"Let's hope it's not too serious, eh Princess?" Gwaine joked.

"I'm glad you find it funny Gwaine… Although I can only hope you're right." Talk was about to turn to how they should act now when Gwaine noticed -for the fifth time- Merlin hurriedly glance behind him, his eyes slightly panicked.

"Merlin? You alright mate?" At this everyone turned to look at Merlin.

"Fine fine…" The manservant distractedly replied.

"So what's so interesting behind you then?"

"There's just… I don't know, there's something there, can't you feel it? Like someone is just breathing down my neck, but every time I turn- there's no one there."

"Whoa mate- I think you've been reading too many ghost stories!" Gwaine grinned.

But just as Gwaine said this Merlin froze completely- if anything it looked like he was even holding in his own breath. His eyes flashed in alarm for a second, before growing stronger and braver.

"Arthur" Merlin called.

"Yes?"

"E-Eernseth has a message for you."

"What?"

"I can hear him Arthur. He's whispering in my ear- Ow!" The manservant suddenly jumped, rubbing his shoulder "Sorry- Eernseth says… H-hello Arthur Pendragon. I hope you've enjoyed my games so far. After we had such fun with the last one, I thought getting the whole of Camelot involved this time would be a right party!"

"Eernseth! Stop hiding and show yourself!"

Again Merlin was forced to answer. However, this time it was Eernseth's voice that rang out "Now, now- we can't ruin the surprise. I won't take up much more of your time, I just haaaaad to tell you… Lucky me found two particular dolls today. Yes now- this one really does capture Sir Gwaine's hair rather well. And Merlin- why do you feel the need to wear these stupid neckerchiefs? I've got two of your friends Pendragon, I've got a deadly weapon hanging over Camelot- what have you got?"

"I, have the greatest most loyal friends, a strong kingdom and confidence that you will not get away with this." Arthur proudly said, standing up towards the voice of Eernseth.

"Oh but I already am…" Eernseth sung with a cackling laugh before snapping into being deadly serious and speaking breathily "Just a little heads up by the way Merlin, this next one is for you, just a little something from me… to you." And with the Eernseth's voice was shut away, Merlin wavered slightly before slowly sinking to the floor clutching his head in his hands. Immediately everyone was by his side.

"Are you alright Merlin?" Lance asked squeezing one of the boys shoulders

"Yeah… Yeah I'm alright just, sorry, just a little dizzy!" Merlin gasped seeing two of everyone

"Let's get you up" Gwaine huffed as he hauled Merlin up "There we go, tough as nails eh Merlin?"

"Sure" Merlin replied somewhat distracted, one hand still subconsciously on his head as though it was his only means of support. "Arthur, we have to go we have to defend something's coming. I could feel it in him he- was all too ready to let loose whatever he has planned next."

At Merlin's slightly hysterical speech Arthur addressed the group with several tasks on how each person was to ensure they were fully prepared, whilst giving Merlin a reassuring nod. With fuelled determination and a better inkling of what Eernseth had at hand, everyone prepared to up their game.