heolstor

Chapter 4- Traitor

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Aaannnddd here's chapter 4. Where it all begins! Enjoy! =]

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Summary: His magic under control of an evil sorcerer Merlin is forced to betray Arthur and Camelot. Unable to see what's truly right and wrong will he be able to overcome the sorcerer and get his destiny back on track? Or will he be lost forever to the powers of the dark?

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"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress"- Bruce Barton

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The forest was quiet; the only sound was that of horse hooves and the rustling of bushes as a group of 7 people made their way home in an uncomfortable silence. None of them spoke as none of them knew what to say. Yes, of course they were happy to see their friend again but a small thought at the back of their heads kept screaming that something was wrong that they had found their friend too easy. They ignored it. They wanted everything to be ok. They wanted for everything to be back to normal.

Then there was the fact that Merlin didn't seem to remember what had happened to him in his 2 day disappearance. It really did worry Arthur. He, too, had that nagging thought that something wasn't right but he didn't listen to it he was just glad to see his friend again. To him things couldn't be better.

He glanced over to Merlin. Said servant was sat behind Gwain staring intently at the ground. His eyes are still unfocused Arthur thought slightly concerned for his friend but he just put it to the fact that Merlin had woken after a long time unconscious. He didn't know if that was true but it seemed the most logical explanation, well that or Merlin was blind.

He scolded himself for thinking such stupid things. There was no way Merlin was blind... right? He did look at them and recognise who there were but that could have been from their voices... He was suddenly worried. Looking round he spotted a tree with a few berries on it. As the horse walked passed it he grabbed a few of the berries then with a handful of berries he turned to face Merlin and picked a berry up in his other hand. He grinned. Moments later a berry was thrown across the air hitting Merlin on the head and bouncing off. Merlin flinched but didn't move his eyes from the ground. Arthur frowned and tried again but this time with two berries one straight after another. This time Merlin reacted by lifting his gaze off the ground and glaring at Arthur who, when Merlin had looked at him, had dropped the berries.

'What was that for, Arthur?'

'Just checking your still with us, your being quiet Merlin.'

'I'm tired. Give me a break Arthur.'

He earned a grunt as a response.

'Well that's nice.'

'Just ignore him Merlin.' Gwain cut in 'He's been really worried about you. He's been stomping round the castle for 2 days in a foul mood.'

'Yeah, the poor practice dummy is now unrecognisable.' Lancelot supplied. Merlin chuckled slightly 'I feel sorry for anyone who just walked past him. No one's safe when Arthur's in a bad mood.'

'Oh so when it comes to insulting me you have loads of energy.' Arthur grumbled.

Merlin yawned 'How close are we to Camelot...' He yawned again 'I want to go to bed.' Not turning to face him Arthur replied 'You should know where we are Merlin.' He gained no response. He looked over to see that Merlin had fallen asleep and was now leaning against Gwain.

'Looks like he really was tired.' Elyan chuckled.

'What happened to him though?'

Arthur turned to face Leon. 'That is a question that only one person here can answer.' 6 pairs of eyes turned to look at the now sleeping manservant.

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Camelot, 1 day later...

Gwen smiled at the unconscious man in front of her. She was so happy to finally see her friend after constant worrying over where he had gone. As happy as she was she was confused as to how exactly Merlin managed to go missing for 2 days and then turn up in the middle of the clearing without anything wrong with him. Why would someone kidnap him only to let him be found? It was strange and confusing; yet it was better than Merlin being hurt. Merlin shifted next to her, snapping her out of her thoughts, and she found herself staring into confused blue eyes.

'Gwen?'

'Merlin, it's good to see you're awake.'

Merlin paused, sat up and looked around. 'Am- Am I in Camelot?'

Gwen nodded. 'Merlin, what happened to you?'

'I'm sure Arthur told you that I don't remember.' Merlin replied sounding quite angry. Gwen was quite shocked 'I just... I just thought that...' Merlin sighed. 'I'm sorry I snapped at you Gwen. It's just all so confusing. I mean, one moment I'm talking to Arthur and the knights then bandits are attacking and next thing I know I'm waking up and Arthur's telling me I've been missing for 2 days!'

Gwen looked at her friend in sympathy. Merlin was a good person and no one like him should be forced to go through anything like this. Another thought popped into her head, why take Merlin? There was nothing special about him. Surly Arthur or one of the knights, even though she would never wish for anything bad to happen to any of them, would be a better choice to kidnap. They knew lots of information and everything about the castle.

Merlin knows things like that too, she reminded herself, maybe it would've just been easier to kidnap a servant. Then why doesn't he remember anything? It was all so confusing. Just what had happened to Merlin in those 2 days?

In a cave far away from the city of Camelot and its inhabitants a dark figure chuckled as he stared at the images in a stone bowl in front of him. Slowly the figure moved to the other side of the cave and grabbed a small grey and blue stone and brought it back to the bowl. He whispered something and the stone in his hand seemed to light up. The light from the stone illuminated the man's face revealing red eyes with a lust for blood and power. He smirked. It was time to begin.

Back in Camelot in the physicians chambers Gwen was just about to check Merlin over when he suddenly went ridged. Confused and worried Gwen went to see if Merlin was ok but was stopped when Merlin looked up at Gwen and smiled.

'Ah Gwen, may I ask where Arthur is?'

'Why?'

'Am I not allowed to ask where my master is?'

'Your... Master?'

'Yes Prince Arthur is my-'

'You're not Merlin.'

'Oh?' Merlin asked, faking innocence 'I think I know who I am.'

'No. Merlin would never have said Arthur was his master or call him Prince.'

'People change.'

'Not in 2 days.'

'Merlin' seemed to be changing tactics by just ignoring her now and switching back to his original question. 'Where's Arthur?' He more or less demanded. 'I'm not telling you.' Now Merlin had stood up and grabbed a knife that had been left on the side and was now advancing towards Gwen. 'I'll only ask one more time. Where's Prince Arthur?' Gwen would've run but she had been backed into a wall with no way to escape. She was trapped.

Slam!

The door was thrown open and Arthur walked in. 'Gwen how's-' He stopped seeing the sight before him 'Merlin! What the hell are you doing!'

A menacing laugh. Yes, yes, it is beginning! Red eyes glinting in amusement and excitement. Come on Prince, move forward!

Merlin turned to face Arthur, his face showing no emotions, and just stood there looking at him. 'Merlin?' Arthur was about to step forward.

'Arthur don't! It's not Merlin!'

Finally showing emotions Merlin turned and glared at Gwen and took a step towards her. He raised his knife.

'Leave her alone!'

Arthur took a step towards Gwen to try and save her. A fatal mistake.

Yes! Another crazed laugh. "Emrys go, this is your chance. Kill Arthur Pendragon!"

In one fluid motion Merlin had turned around and, with a slight pause, lunged at Arthur, knife in hand; ready to kill.

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Mwahahahaha Cliff Hanger! Bet you weren't expecting that ending.

Sorry for the long wait and I shall try to get each chapter up quicker from now on. If any of you are slightly confused, when the sorcerer says "Emrys go, this is your chance. Kill Arthur Pendragon!" He is talking using that mind communicating thing like in S1E8, the one where Mordred first appears.

I hope you enjoyed it and remember, Review! ^-^