A deer running through the forest. A flash of red. Arthur. Shooting. Arrow flying through the air. Deer lying on the forest floor, bleeding. Only now it isn't a deer lying there on the ground, dying, it's…

Morgana woke, sweating, from another nightmarish dream. Her maid, Gwen, rushed in flinging her pale brown arms around her mistress in an attempt to comfort her, all the while knowing that there was nothing she could do to stop the dreams and hating herself because of it.

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'Merlin, you are an absolute klutz!' Arthur shouted at his manservant in frustration after Merlin had managed to spill Arthur's soup in his royal lap, 'Remind me again why you were promoted to manservant?'

'Um, I saved your life.' Merlin replied in a tone which implied Der, that's obvious; or had you forgotten?

Arthur scowled, 'Go and find something to clean up this mess with,' he commanded, 'Actually, on second thoughts, I better go. You'd probably fall down the stairs and break your scrawny neck.'

'Um, Sire?'

'Yes?' replied Arthur, exasperated, as he reached for the door.

'I think it would be better if you stayed here,' he said, gesturing at the wet patch on the front of the prince's pants, it looks like you've, um…'

'What, Merlin. Looks like I've what?!'

'Well, you know, wet yourself. How can your subjects respect you if you appear to have no self control?'

'Self control? Self control? Moreover, this coming from the idiot who manages to scare aware any game we might be close to catching when out hunting. The one who is able to find the only stick willing to crack under your meagre weight and then use it to your full advantage. How dare you speak to me of self control? Do you know who I am?'

'Yes, Sire.' Merlin replied, 'You're a royal pain in the proverbial and a prat.

'I don't think I'll bother to bring you on any more hunting trips, I'll find someone who can actually complete the job!'

'Yes, Sire,' the young warlock sighed, 'Do you want me to go get a cloth to clean up the soup?'

'Fine,' Arthur snarled, 'But hurry.'

Merlin scampered from the room, not waiting to be told twice.

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He met Gwen in the hallway, almost running her down in his haste.

'Oh, sorry,' he apologised, before realising who it was and stopping to say hello, deciding that His Royal Prat-ness could wait an extra moment or two, 'Hi, I didn't see you there. How's things in your part of the castle.'

'Well, thankyou,' Gwen replied, 'How's Arthur?'

'He's…well, he's Arthur.'

Gwen smiled in response, 'I'm making the most of Morgana's absence to clean her chambers.'

'Absence?' asked Merlin, puzzled, 'Where has she gone?'

'To greet our new guest,' Gwen replied, barely veiling the contempt in her voice.

'What's that tone for?' Merlin asked indignantly.

'I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have said that, it's just, girls you two manage to find in the forest usually want to kill you.'

'Gwen, don't be silly. Have you seen her? She's perfectly harmless.'

'I suppose you're right, Merlin. Thankyou for helping me to see sense. Were you heading anywhere particular or…?'

Merlin swore. 'I'm sorry, Gwen I have to go, His Royal Highness is in a cranky mood today, bye!' and with that he ran off down the corridor leaving a bewildered and slightly bemused Gwen behind.

00000 – 00000

A/n I know this is a short chapter but if you want more you must review. It only takes five or so seconds. The story will get better.