Here's the next installment! Probably not as exciting as the others as this is more of a filler chapter to keep the story continuity, but enjoy all the same!

"Gaius?" the aging healer heard his name being called from the doorway.

"Come in," he ushered his guests inside.

Gwaine, Percival, Leon, and Elyan entered his dwelling.

"Gaius, is everything alright?" Elyan asked, concerned.

Gaius was popular among the court and in Camelot. He was kind, patient, and compassionate. Therefore, when he sent for an urgent message to the knights, they immediately responded.

Gaius began, "Have you received any word from Arthur or Merlin?"

Immediately, their expressions darkened. The feast was approaching, evening taking place of the day. Arthur and Merlin were supposed to return that morning. Uther failed to listen to his worrisome claims, so he had to resort to another avenue.

"No," Gwaine said, head bowed, "we have all grown concerned."

"We need to allocate a search party," Percival intervened.

"I have already attempted to speak to King Uther about it," he sighed, "but he will not see reason."

"Then we must go," Leon looked up, chin held high.

"But King Uther-" Elyan started.

"He's right," Gwaine's jaw was set, "It is our duty to Arthur and Merlin to ensure their safety. Let us ride out and find them."

Both Percival and Elyan agreed. Gaius felt the tightness in his chest release slightly at the prospect that these four trained knights were to venture into the forest looking for Arthur and Merlin.

"I thank you all," Gaius bowed his head, "you must go immediately, I fear danger has struck them."

"I believe they traveled to the Northern Camelot forests for their hunting expedition," Elyan said, "we have a heading."

"I'll prepare the horses," Percival stepped out of the dwelling.

"Do not fear, Gaius," Leon placed a hand on his shoulder, "We will find them and bring them home."

"Good," Gaius tried to put up a smile, "and may the heavens watch over you all."

Four brave knights galloped out of Camelot's gates minutes later. The powerful pounding of the horses' hooves rocked the cobblestone streets as they sped out of the kingdom gates to find Merlin and Arthur.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"I think it's sufficient to float," Merlin commented, admiring their good work. Arthur and he stepped back, observing their small but suitable raft.

Arthur had a proud smile on his face.

"Don't look too proud of yourself," Merlin joked.

"Let us set sail," the Prince said, "we need to gain ground."

Dawn was approaching. Uther's feast had already passed, and, with the absence of Prince Arthur, surely a disaster. He wondered if his father had mobilized the knights to search for them. Shame ran through him as he looked at his injured arm still in Merlin's leaf sling. How could he claim to be leader of the Knights and the future King in this state?

Merlin interrupted his thoughts as he pushed the raft towards the river's edge. He waded to his knees, pulling the raft with him. He balanced onto it, and, miraculously, it took his weight and floated. Merlin shouted in triumph as Arthur joined him.

"Brilliant!" Merlin yelled with joy.

Arthur and Merlin crouched on their raft, slowly paddling with their hands along the current. Thankfully, the current did most of the sailing as they followed it downstream. The raft allowed them to travel rather comfortably and much quicker than walking.

They didn't realize they had a follower traveling behind them.

"We've been searching all night!" Gwaine shouted, frustrated, as he thrust his sword into the dirt. Elyan, Percival, and Leon surrounded him, sharing his disappointment.

Gaius had entrusted them to find and bring Arthur and Merlin back safely. Yet, they had been scouring the forest for hours, lasting the whole night, with no avail. There was no sign of the Prince and his servant.

They were all panting and breathing hard. The four knights decided to retire for the knight and resume their search in the early morning once they recharged themselves. As Percival started a fire and Gwaine and Leon tended the horses, Elyan noticed something shining catch his eye.

He drew his sword, curious but wary, as he ventured into the forest. After a few moments, he found the source of the shine.

An empty, metal dart capsule lay in a pile of grass. The ebbing sunlight must've caused the glow. Elyan picked up the dart, examining it between his fingers.

"Elyan!" Leon called, "Where are you?"

"Leon, come look!"

The knight followed his voice and appeared a few seconds later. He saw the object Elyan was holding.

"What is that?" he asked.

"I don't know," Elyan pondered, "It appears to be some dart capsule. But the source of such an object in these woods are beyond me."

Leon's face darkened, "I fear it holds some significant meaning."

"You think it has something to do with Arthur and Merlin?"

"Think about it. The disappearance and lack of communication from them is unexplainable. And here before us," he gestured to the dart, "is the unexplained. It could be something to note."

Elyan nodded, pocketing the dart, "We will keep our eyes open and fresh come morning."

They returned to their camp, still piecing together the beginnings of their puzzle.

As morning approached, the knights quickly packed up their camp and were on the move again. All of them were determined to find their friends.

"Did Uther postpone the solstice feast?" Percival asked.

"Without Arthur's presence, I'm sure," Gwaine spoke quietly, "I hope they're alright."

"They will be," Leon assured, but he himself was doubtful.

"Look!" Suddenly, Elyan went galloping forward on his horse. The others followed urgently.

Elyan dismounted and crouched, shuffling through the grass and weeds.

"What is it?" Percival pressed.

He held up another empty metal dart capsule. Leon's eyes widened at the find, his theory validated.

"We are dealing with something very strange," Elyan concluded, "but one thing is for certain: Arthur and Merlin are in trouble."

The knights rode on, reinvigorated at the prospect of foul play regarding the disappearance of their friends. As the sun rose higher into the sky along their route, the knights saw more of dart capsules and signs of scuffles in nearby clearings.

"We can't be far," Gwaine announced, "let us continue."

After another few hours of riding, they reached the edge of a large steep hill.

"My goodness," Leon huffed, "careful not to fall over the edge," he warned the others.

"Strange," Percival narrowed his eyes, "I see something down there."

"What?" Gwaine questioned, trying to squint at the bottom of the cliff.

"I will go," Leon dismounted from his horse, "Elyan, bring me the rope."

The knights all set into motion. Elyan produced the rope from their supplies, tightening it securely around Leon's armor. They tied the other end to a strong tree trunk, all of them holding the cord for good measure. Slowly, Leon began to descend the cliff. It took him a while, but by the time he reached the bottom he was breathing heavily and sweating.

"What do you see down there!" Gwaine called from above, his voice echoing.

Leon walked over to where Percival spotted something. There was a large, hollow log. It was scratched and scuffed from the outside and seemed to unnaturally lie on the empty, dirt path. Leon looked from the log to the top of the cliff.

"Strange," he muttered to himself. Then, he saw what Percival had spotted.

It was a piece of red fabric. He picked it up between his gloved hands. It was a patch of cloth from Merlin's shirt. He wore the same, distinct cloth meant for servants of the castle. They had been here!

"Merlin and Arthur were here!" Leon called to the others, "They were down here not too long ago! This cloth seems fresh, we must follow their path!"

As the others understood his message they climbed down using the same rope Leon used. The knight tied the rope around another strong tree as the remainder of the knights descended.

"We were forced to leave the horses at the top of the cliff," Elyan dipped his head, frustrated, "It will take us twice as long to travel by foot."

"There was no way to bring them down here without endangering them," Percival sighed, "let us continue, we have no time to waste."

"I believe they headed East," Leon said, "that directs towards the Avalon River."

"The one that flows to Camelot?" Gwaine asked.

"Precisely," Leon nodded.

"Then let us go."

The four knights began their trek to Merlin and Arthur, unaware of the danger lurking ahead of them.

Leave me a fav/follow/review!