Chapter 2

Merlin was not looking forward to the hunting trip Arthur had planned. It was so early. The sun was barely up and he had dark circles under his eyes. He just finished preparing his horse in the stables. He was pretty sure Arthur just wanted to get revenge for making him fall on his face the other day in front of several knights(especially Gwaine) when Merlin "forgot" to tell him he didn't dry the floors yet.

'Ah, that was so funny,' thinking to himself. Almost worth the long day of torture that was ahead of him. Merlin smiled his sheepish grin to himself, then looked at Gwaine and Percival noticing they were also mimicking the same smile but quickly removed it when Arthur came into the stables.

"Wipe that stupid grin off your face Merlin. You look like a complete idiot." Arthur, still in a foul mood apparently, fixing the straps on his brown stallion. He was about ready to mount his horse but turned around abruptly pointed his finger and his "menacing eyes" at Merlin's face. "If you try ANYTHING clever today, you'll be wearing three shoes. Two on your feet and one shoved down your throat."

Merlin trying not to be amused. "You try so hard at threatening me. If only you had that kind of zeal in other areas." He shook his head in mock disappointment. Arthur, at the brink of losing control of his temper, "What.. is that supposed to mean Merlin?"

"Oh Nothing Sire" Merlin smiled and walked away. "I just wouldn't have to make more holes in your belt thats all," He muttered under his breath.

"MERLIN!"

He ducked instinctively as a horse shoe went flying over his head.

Merlin sighed, "This is going to be a very long day"

They rode most of the way in silence, Merlin not wanting to cause Arthur unnecessary anger but Gwaine never kept quiet for long. He talked about THIS time he was in a tavern, and THAT time he got drunk. Most his stories were all the same. Him, a tavern, too much mead, and him getting drunk. Everyone knew he was making half of these up. But it was Gwaine after all. But then He just had to do it. Gwaine had to say it. Merlin wasn't really paying attention until the last part of the conversation.

"...and then I threw up all over the bartender. It was very embarrassing." Percival chuckled. "Only you Gwaine, could get yourself into a mess like that." Elyan replied. Gwaine smiled and winked at him. "What's life without a bit of excitement eh?" He looked over towards Arthur. "What about you, Oh fearless leader?"

"What about me?" Arthur replied.

"Haven't you ever 'slipped' up before?" Merlin along with Gwaine couldn't control their laughter as it burst out. Percival and Elyan were wiser for keeping their mouths shut, although keeping a straight face was completely impossible for either one of them. Then Gwaine has to add to it. "Arthur, look out! Here comes a puddle." At this point, the other two couldn't help but silently laugh. The laughter continued for several minutes until both Merlin and Gwaine were crying from all the laughter.

After it stopped, Merlin looked cautiously over at Arthur who just stared straight ahead. Obviously not effected nor offended by the remarks made or the mocking by his Knights... Or so it seemed.

Merlin was going to pay. BAD!

He knew it too. He could tell by the calm, unreadable emotions playing on Arthur's face.

Arthur turned back to others who immediately resolved straight expressions on their faces, trying not to crack a smile, which for some, was extremely difficult.

"Lets dismount here and rest a while. We'll continue in an hour" Arthur barked the order still showing no emotion. Everyone dismounted, tied their horses to separate trees and all sat on the ground around a small clearing. Merlin came straggling behind, having had trouble tying his horse, he didn't see the fallen branch laying on the ground as he tripped.

The metal dishes in his pack were strewn everywhere. "My, my Merlin. Have you been taking lessons from Arthur?" Gwaine yelled in his direction. Merlin could hear a smack and an "Ow" as Percival hissed at Gwaine to shut up. He couldn't help but smile.

Mentally smacking himself for looking so stupid, Merlin started to pick up the scattered dishes. "Here. Let me help you." Arthur had said right behind him. Merlin was getting a very uneasy feeling about this. They headed back to where the rest of the Knights sat.

Arthur clamped a hard hand on his shoulder "Merlin" Which made him jump. 'Uh Oh'

Merlin swallowed as Arthur only smiled at him. It was an evil smile. He could see the diabolical plans forming in his master's mind... "Why dont you build a fire and fix us some lunch eh?" Merlin left out the breath he didnt know he was holding in.

He was unsure of what to say or even think "Sure Arthur. Anything you say." 'Phew Close one.' This wasnt like Arthur to be so calm. It was driving him mad. Merlin didn't look him in the eyes afraid he'd see "I'll-get-you-for-this-later" look.

Merlin finally started a fire with two rocks he found earlier. The stew was near boiling. He handed out bowls and spoons. Merlin noticed they were one bowl short. "Has anyone seen the other bowl?" He asked.

The Knights and Arthur ignored him and scooped hot stew into their bowls.

It was Arthur's doing. He was sure of it.

By the time the they were done eating there was barely enough left for Merlin. 'Well I guess I shouldnt complain. Pay-back could've been worse.' He thought. But that wasn't all Arthur had planned for his idiot servant. Oh no.

Merlin finished cleaning up and packing the stuff. The mounted their steeds and rode on.

Several hours later... No head nor tail of any creature living within miles whatsoever. Gwaine was getting bored...again, so he started up a coversation of meaningless chatter. In the middle of his sentence there was a loud rumbling noise. Almost like thunder and lightning crashing together. All of them froze at once and looked around.

"Did you hear that?" Arthur thought out loud.

Merlin opened his mouth about to answer as another loud rumbling noise interrupted his speech. Merlin's horse, frightened by the sound, took off without his riders permission. His horse jumped suddenly over large tree trunk and Merlin was thrown from his horse. He watched as his steed sped off into the distance before disappearing. He heard somewhere a far off "Spread out" Arthur ordered.

A minute later Elyan called out. "Did you find anything?"

"I think I see something" Percival yelled.

"What is it?" Gwaine asked

Merlin stopped listening to Arthur and the Knights when He suddenly felt magic. Someone was using powerful magic close by. Then he saw a brilliant light shine over the top of a small hill. He half ran half sprinted towards it. Tripping several times to rush to the top.

When he reached the top, what he saw stopped him dead in his tracks.