YOU'VE PROBABLY GUESSED BY NOW, BUT YEAH, NO SLASH

Disclaimer : *sigh* I still don't own anything, except for that sorcerer dude around chapter three and that mouse (you'll see). But Merlin and his buddies belong to the BBC.
Warning : Set after season four, Reveal fic, Terribly written spells, Catboy!Merlin, King Arthur Pratdragon, the Knights of Camelot, GWAINE, and a whole lot of MAGIC~
Again, I'm really sorry if anything seems out of character!

Prepare for an original character (cuz I had no ideas.) Don't worry, she's just a mouse. Please don't be bothered by her lol she's a dead plotbunny!

When the knights eventually yelled at him that Merlin wouldn't answer his questions and that he should just go to sleep, he reluctantly complied. He wanted answers.

But you couldn't get answers if it was so late at night is was early morning, and you were in great need of sleep, and you probably wouldn't remember a thing by tomorrow. Arthur sat down on his bedroll, staring over at the purring lump of Merlin on the ground. He glanced over at his empty bedroll, and back at the warlock. The King sighed, unsure about what he was trying to do. Then Merlin started shivering.

Looking around to make sure no one was awake to see, Arthur tiptoed over to Merlin's bedroll, picking it up and walking silently back over to where his manservant was asleep. He tentatively set the mat down next to his head and waited for something to happen.

Then his sleep-deprived brain told him that nothing was going to happen unless he did something.

Glancing around once more, Arthur gently prodded Merlin's twitching ear with his foot, running quietly but hurriedly back to his own mat and plopping down, trying to appear asleep, when Merlin showed signs of waking. He kept an eye on the cat-thing-that-was-his-manservant as it opened a single blue eye halfway, looking around lazily before his gaze rested upon the bedroll beside him. Merlin didn't even get up, or even pause to question it-he simply rolled over so he was on the mat instead of the hard ground, and promptly went back to sleep.

Arthur stifled his laughter as he let sleep claim him.

Merlin was the first to wake up the next morning. He looked up groggily, not fully awake yet as he sat up.

All the knights and Arthur were dead asleep. They would be, after having been awake most of the night. Merlin decided that he could wake them later, since sleep was usually hard to come by. He stood up, stretching, and ran a hand through his dark hair. His fingers rubbed past his soft ears, which was still surprising, even when he knew they were there. He twisted his body so he could look at his tail. It was long enough to just touch the ground from where he was standing if he extended it fully, and it was all black except for a bit of white by the tip. But if he tried to move it himself, it didn't do exactly as he pleased. He tried to move it to the left, and it teetered to the right. Same thing the other way. He could move it up and down, but then he felt like he was going to fall over. His tail was pretty much useless, in his opinion.

Then Merlin saw a mouse. It was a small, dark thing, scurrying along in the underbrush, but it seemed to be... beckoning to him. It needed him. Or maybe he needed it. Either way, Merlin the cat felt a rush of adrenaline flow through his body, right down to the tips of his tail and ears. Nothing existed anymore, except for him and the mouse.

He got down low on the ground, immobile. He would wait for the mouse to get close.

And get close it did, unfortunately. It only took a quick swipe of Merlin's hand to grab it.

Merlin felt gleeful at his catch. He now understood why cats liked to hunt so much; it was fun to outsmart the other animals.

And then there was a voice. Please don't eat me! it said. It was quiet and high-pitched, and a little feminine. It resounded in his head, like when the Druids spoke to him in his mind. He looked around wildly, trying to pinpoint the sound.

I'm in your paw, silly, she said again, still fearful, but laughing a bit. Merlin looked down at the mouse. It stared back at him.

I don't have paws, Merlin thought experimentally.

Then what are these things? the mouse asked, pawing a little at his fingers.

Merlin frowned at the tiny thing. They're hands.

But... you're a cat, aren't you? No wait... what are you? The mouse didn't sound too scared anymore, just a little apprehensive as it cocked its head.

I'm not a cat, I'm human. He tried to ignore the fact that he was picking up a conversation with a mouse.

You don't look human. And humans hate mice; they wouldn't even think to touch one.

Merlin shrugged. I don't mind mice, but a sorcerer, the Keeper of the Forest; he put a spell on me...

The mouse nodded. It was strange to see a mouse nod; her head did a funny jerking motion up and down. The Keeper does that. He turns people into cats. He thinks that if they hunt his animals, then they should be doomed to hunt forever.

Merlin sat down on the ground as the mouse spoke. He set down the small rodent, a little surprised when she didn't run away. Why aren't you running away?

The mouse stood on her two hind legs, cocking her head. Why should I? You don't seem to want to kill me, or eat me. I don't think humans eat mice... do they?

Merlin chuckled. I once fed my master rat.

Your master? the mouse asked. So, you're a house cat?

Merlin sighed, crossing his arms and resting them on his knees. No, I'm just from Camelot. I'm King Arthur's servant. I got turned into... this... yesterday.

The mouse bobbed her head again. What's your name, mister human-cat?

I'm Merlin, what's your name?

She paused nervously. I don't have one. Mice don't have names... since we usually don't live long enough to make use of them.

Merlin frowned. It sounded... sad. I can name you, if you'd like...

Oh please! I'd love to have a name, the mouse exclaimed excitedly.

Merlin chuckled at the mouse's jubilance. How about... Margaret?

The mouse shuddered. No. I was once attacked by a dog as I sat beside a marguerite.

Hildegard?

Try again.

Jacquelyn, then?

No, thank you.

Merlin thought for a moment, trying to think of something that would suit the little mouse. Then he thought of something that sounded right, much like when he had named Aithusa. Ayleth, he suggested.

The mouse cocked her head, testing it out. Ayleth? Ayleth... Alright, I like it! I am Ayleth the mouse.

Are you certain?

Yes, thank you! Now let's go.

Merlin frowned. He was sure Ayleth would just go back to her family, if she had one. You're coming with me?

She frowned up at him like he was insane. Of course! You named me, so I belong to you.

You do realize I'm a cat.

You do realize you're human.

Merlin laughed. He liked Ayleth; she was easy to talk to. So, Ayleth, there's a thing that has been bothering me...

You can understand me because of your spell, yes. You are technically a cat, in a way, but you're also still human.

The warlock frowned in bemusement. How-

I'm a mouse, Ayleth said, as if that explained everything.

Erm... right, of course... let's be off, then.

He stood up and brushed off his trousers, walking back to the camp, Ayleth hopping behind him at a steady pace.

When Merlin returned, Leon was the only one awake. Arthur was snoring contentedly; he probably didn't realize that he was clinging to Gwaine's arm like a teddy bear. Merlin snickered at the sight.

"Ah, Merlin, good of you to return... from wherever," Leon said quietly, if not a little accusingly.

Merlin smiled sheepishly. "I was talking to Ayleth."

Leon frowned. "Ayleth?"

Ayleth chose that moment to scamper in front of Merlin, making herself seen. Hello.

"She says hello," Merlin translated.

Leon looked a little worried. "'She' said so?" he repeated uncertainly.

Merlin shrugged. "Yep," was all he offered as an explanation. He was still coming to terms to all the animals he could suddenly understand.

"Well, when Arthur wakes up, he's going to want more of an explanation," the knight eventually said, not bothering to try and decode Merlin's words, or word.

The warlock looked over at his King. He laughed softly as Gwaine tried to pull his arm back, but Arthur simply tightened his grip and pressed his face into his friend's forearm. "Oh, I know."

Leon sighed as he gazed over. "They're like children."

Merlin grinned and plopped down beside the knight, Ayleth scampering over and climbing to his shoulder. "I suppose we all are."

Yep, not much fluff here... just an introduction to a mouse.
But there will be fluff next chapter, you can be sure of it (I hope)!

I'm not too proud of this chapter... which is why it took so long. Did it take long? I can't tell... well, I'm sorry if it did!

WELL that's all for now. Think about Ayleth and her mouseyness while I go hunt for some plotbunnies *brandishes axe* ahahaha... to be continued.

Please review!