Guys, again thank you so much for the comments. I love signing in to see a few more. The chapters will get a bit shorter from now on just because of the way I've split them up, and I'll probably upload one a day now incase I get busy over the christmas period. :)

'Merlin?'

'Merlin?

'MERLIN!?'

'Where is he!? Where the hell is he!?'

'Everybody just calm down! He probably went out for a pee!' Trust Gwaine.

Arthur ran to the mouth of the cave, and looked outside. it had been raining none stop, so the ground was a wet muddy painting of any movement.

'Gwaine. I hate to say this but he hasn't gone for a pee! Hoof prints head off right into the woods, onto the path over there and his horse has gone.' He pointed at a greyish looking gravel track a couple of metres away from the cave.

Without a second hesitation, the party collected their belongings and pushed past their King, exiting the cave to head off in the direction of the footprints. The thing ringing through everybody's mind... Had Merlin gone off of his own accord? Or was it Morgana controlling him again?

'Is it just me? Or does this seem like some kind of trap?'

'Gwaine. Everything seems like a trap to you. Must be Merlin rubbing off on you...to him, even a free apple off a stranger is a trap!'

'Hey! It was poisoned, do you not remember, it killed my favourite horse!'

'Will you two SHUT UP!' Arthur had had enough, Gwaine and Percival were always bickering, and usually he laughed along, but this was more serious, he was on his last nerve.

'Sorry sire. Though, I can see where Gwaine's coming from. It's obvious we're going to see the footprints, and there is no evidence of him trying to hide them. Though it may not be a trap, he could want us to follow.'

'What are you saying Percival?' Arthur sort of knew, but he wanted to hear it from someone else.

'I think Merlin wants to do this alone, whatever it is he wants to do. And he's tired of holding us back. So he's gone off on his own, to try and end it. Either that or Morgana has...' He didn't finish the sentence, he didn't want to.

The storm had receded enough for the valley to become clear again, and everyone could see for miles in front of them. It was strange, the storm seemed to leave just when Merlin had. Gwen broke through the crowd and rode on ahead obviously upset. She sat upon her horse at the top of the hill in front of the group, but turned around when she saw the view.

'Camelot!'

'What!?' Everyone followed their king to the crest of the hill and saw they were just a couple of hours ride to Camelot. How had they not known this?

'It must have been the rain sire, it messed with us all. We had no idea where we were.' Arthur was reassured to have Gauis around, he always made things seem better than they were.

'You are right Gauis. So, let's go. Depending on how long ago Merlin left, he could be at Camelot by now. And I don't like the thought of him being so close to Morgana, and alone.'

They rode on, with more purpose than they had ever had before. This was Merlin, their friend, the most trusted man any of them had ever known. It did not matter he had magic, they knew he would not do a thing to harm them, how could he have put up with them for so long otherwise. Morgana, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. She wouldn't be happy until she saw them all die and Camelot burning with them- no, she wouldn't let Camelot burn, she wanted it for herself.

The ride was long and lonely without Merlin, even though all were used to missions without him. The atmosphere was somehow darker, heavier, and damper, like the clouds of the previous night's storm were weighing on all of them, following them. Everything was tense, no-one laughed, smiled, or even spoke, their gazes were set firm, their backs were straight, and their heads held high. This was Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, his gracious, loving and intelligent wife Guinevere, the courageous Knights of Camelot and the finest physician in all the lands, Gauis- Nothing was going to stop them, nothing was going to go wrong. By the end of the day, both Merlin and Camelot would be safe, and Morgana... Morgana would be dead!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As they rode over the bridge into the gates of Camelot, all noticed how eerily vacant the courtyard was. Not just the courtyard, but everywhere. Not a soul could be seen or heard, the doors to all homes were shut but no lights came from the windows; it was nearly evening and all houses would normally be candlelit by now.

Everyone dismounted their horses and looked around. It was so wrong, reminding them all of the old ruined and abandoned castles they had at some point visited. Damage could still be seen from the fights earlier that week, the smoke still rose from some recently deceased fires, and blood still splattered walls or discarded weapons.

Arthur shivered, 'where do you think he is?'

'I don't know sire, but do you think it wise for me to get my books in case we find him and he needs our help?'

'Yes Gauis, then we won't waste any time should he need us. We'll meet you in the throne room, Leon, go with him.'

'Yes Sire.' And the two left towards the tower, whilst the remaining party slowly headed up the steps inside the building. Arthur was not looking forward to this.

Well, we're back in Camelot. Best get Morgana the hell out of Merlin and then kick her ass...am I right!? :)