A/N: Here is the next chapter... I'm actually not happy with it, but decided to post it, maybe I will rewrite it. But on the other hand I hope you will still enjoy and tell me what you thought of it.

X

It was the middle of the night when Merlin woke up, his eyes shooting open as they rapidly searched the room, searching for a treat that made his magic scream in panic, but as he let his magic spread through the room he noticed that there was no one there except Arthur and he.

He turned his head around to face a still sleeping king and a small smile spread over his face, Arthur looked rather cute asleep, at least now he couldn't open that big mouth of his. The raven carefully untangled himself from his lover's arms and placed a caring kiss on the man's temple. The touch made him remember the night before and a deep blush spread over his cheeks.

As he got out of the bed he felt a shiver run over his back, but it wasn't from the cold air that brushed over his body, but from a strange sensation spreading through his whole body. There was definitely something about to happen. He quickly dressed himself, still keeping silent as he didn't want to wake Arthur up, before walking towards the window.

As he glanced out he noticed a large dark clothed figure sneaking over the square, one he immediately recognized as Guy.

Merlin's eyes shifted to Arthur as he asked himself if he should say something to the king, but... he didn't want to worry him. And if this was something magical, as his instincts told him, then it was for the great warlock Emrys to handle it, right?

His eyes lingered a few more seconds on the blond as he said. 'I will be back soon.' With that said he opened the wooden door and sneaked into the hallway.

The raven quickly made his way out of the castle, avoiding the guards and Gwaine, who probably was trying to sneak into the kitchen again. He soon followed Guy out of the town and into the woods.

Merlin ran after Guy, soon catching up as he saw the man standing in the middle of a small clearing. He sneaked forward, hiding himself in the bushes as he slightly narrowed his eyes. He wasn't really sure what Guy was doing here, but it was definitely nothing good. The man nervously eyed around as he pulled his hood further over his eyes.

Merlin watched him for a good ten minutes before something happened, a cold magical feeling spread over the clearing and he shivered as he recognized the magic, Morgana.

As he felt her magic he could also see her tall dark figure entering the clearing. The witch made her way over to Guy, walking forward with her royal posture as she eyed the man with a mix of disgusting and irritation. 'So does he trust you?'

'Please be more patient, my lady.' He asked as he bowed for her. 'I'm not really favored in Camelot, I just need more time.'

'Then hurry up.' She hissed.

Guy sighed. 'Of course my lady... Then may I ask how you plan is coming along, have you already found this... Emrys?' She glared at him and Merlin could see him stiffen in return.

Merlin narrowed his eyes as he looked at them. It wasn't really a shock that Guy was working with Morgana, but still it worried him, one of Morgana's men in Camelot was definitely not good, but he would worry about that later. And then there was the witch her plans, so she was searching for him. His attention was turned back to the conversation as he heard Morgana asked. 'And is there something worth mentioning that has happened in Camelot.'

Guy glanced at her, looking as if he was in thought. 'Those two knights got married, Sir Gesmon died last week and...' A frown spread over his face. 'I'm almost certain that those rumors about Arthur and his servant are true, they are together.'

Morgana let out a deep his as her eyes darkened even further. 'I should have known, but we don't have to worry about my silly little brother for much longer.' A creepy laugh left her lips as Merlin's eyes grew wider, what was she planning on doing with his Arthur?

Guy asked the same question. 'What are you planning on doing?'

The wicked witch grinned. 'It's all just so simple, I have enchanted one of the servant's and he will take care of my brother, but what I fear more is Emrys.' She fisted her hands as she only toughed of her nemesis.

Merlin gasped silently, he had to warn Arthur. He stumbled backwards, but as he did so he tripped over a root, falling loudly on the twigs. He froze for a second, hoping that Guy and Morgana hadn't heard, but of course that wasn't the case. Soon the bushes were brushed aside and a rather shocked Guy stood over him.

'You!'

Morgana soon appeared next to the large knight. 'You little brat.' She hissed.

Two strong arms grabbed him and pulled him up, holding him tightly as Guy glanced at Morgana. 'What do you want to do with him?'

The witch cackled. 'Oh, we can definitely us him... So is it really true that you and my brother are a thing?' The last she asked as she let her hand caress his cheek. He shivered slightly at her act, but he didn't turn his eyes away from her as he glared at the witch. 'I'm so afraid of you now.' She said amused. 'What could a lowly servant like you do against me and a strong knight?'

He didn't answer her, he knew that he was stronger then she could ever become, but he feared to use his magic. On the other hand, he needed to free himself if he wanted to protect Arthur against the assassin.

But before he could decide he was shoved forward as they returned to the clearing. He knew that it was now or never if he wanted to run and so he did. He struggled out of the knight's arms and ran forward, hoping he could get a head start. He heard Morgana yell and Guy curse behind him. He was halfway over the clearing when he heard Morgana cast a spell.

A fireball was send towards him and he reacted in instinct, his magic creating a barrier to protect his body from the hit. He stopped as he realised he had just used magic in front of Morgana, the one that wasn't supposed to know. The raven saw her eyes grow wide as she spoke in shock. 'You have magic?' Her words darkened. 'You could have joined me, you could have helped me free our kind.'

'By killing innocent people?'

She growled at him and lifted her hand again, sending another fireball towards him. Merlin quickly pulled up another barrier to repel the magic and it bounced off, but as he did this he didn't notice how Guy came closer to him until it was too late. A large fist hit the side of his head and before he reached the ground everything turned black.

xxx

Arthur moaned as he woke up, turning around again as he groaned in the cushion. He hated mornings... but waking up next to Merlin was definitely the plus side of it. He slowly let his hand brush towards the raven, maybe they could even have an early round before he had to get to training.

But as he let his hand slide over the sheets besides him he slowly started to frown and opened his eyes to see the empty spot next to him. The king pushed himself up and looked around, but he didn't spot his idiot.

He quickly got up and dressed himself before waiting for his lover. A small smirk spread over his lips as he decided to 'punish' his little servant when he got back, Merlin should be here when he wakes up!

But the raven didn't return and Arthur began to get worried, not that he would ever admit it. After half an hour he walked to the door, glancing outside until he spotted Gwaine. 'Gwaine.' He called out.

The brunette turned to his king. 'Hi, what's it?' Gwaine said happily as the said knight walked to Arthur, but Gwaine's smile soon fell as he noticed the expression on the blond's face. 'What's wrong?'

Arthur bit his lip. 'I... Have you seen Merlin?'

Gwaine's eyes narrowed slightly. 'No, did something happen?'

Arthur gulped. 'I don't know... He was gone when I woke up.'

The brunette lay a reassuring hand on the king's shoulder. 'Arthur, it will be right. He's probably just helping Gaius or something like that. I will keep an eye out for him and you will see that he's back soon.'

'I'm just worried with Guy in the castle...'

'It will all be right.'

Arthur went to training with much concern in his mind and he couldn't concentrate with the training of the young knights. The training lasted three hours and when it was finally finished he hurried back towards the castle, but as he reached his chambers there still wasn't any sight of Merlin.

He hurried back in the hallway, stopping Gwen as she passed him. 'Gwen.' She blinked shocked at him as she apparently hadn't seen him. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, but have you seen Merlin?'

'No.' She answered him before her face turned in one with concern. 'Did something happen?'

He opened his mouth to comment, but was stopped as Gwaine, Percival and Lancelot joined them. Gwaine was looking nervously at him and Arthur felt his heart sink in his chest as he saw the way the brunette look at him. 'Gwaine?'

The knight looked at the other knights before looking back at the king. 'Guy's gone, no one has seen him since last night.'

Arthur froze in shock, this wasn't happening, this couldn't be happening. Quickly there were two arms placed around him as Gwen embraced him. 'I'm sure he's alright, Merlin can look after himself.' But Arthur wasn't so sure about it.

Lancelot lay a calming hand on his shoulder. 'He's probably just searching for herbs for Gaius or doing rounds in the lower town.' He glanced at his fellow knights. 'We will look for him.'

Arthur gave him a slight nod, still in thought of what could have happened to his lover, he feared the worst. 'I will look too.' He murmured as he gave them a quick nod before turning around and walking down the hall, he would first see if Gaius knew something, maybe it was all just a simple mistake... he hoped it at least.

But he hadn't gone far before he heard Gwen shout behind him in warning. The king spun around and could barely jump away as he saw metal lung for him. He fell with his back against the wall and he slid down it, avoiding another slash. He prepared himself for the pain that never came. He looked up and saw how the knights were holding down one of the servants, but shock spread through his mind as he stared in the boy's eyes, they were pitch black.

The servant kept struggling until Percival knocked him out with the back of his sword. Gwen hurried herself towards the king as she looked concerned in his eyes. 'Arthur, are you alright?' Arthur gave her a small nod as he was still unable to speak to her.

Lancelot stared at his king before saying to the other knights. 'Get the boy to Gaius, maybe he can get him out of his trance.' He turned back to Arthur as he offered the blond his hand. 'I fear that this is the work of Morgana.'