A/N: Yeah, so this'll probably be more like four or five chapters- and I was so sure this time.
I should've known it was too good to be true.
Anyway, Mood Switch!
Arthur rubbed his eyes, trying to stay awake as he stared at the mound of reports he still had to work through. He was beginning to regret his decision to give Merlin the afternoon off- even though the servant's prattle often distracted him from work it also made the whole mess more bearable.
Still, the thunderstorm beating on his window that morning had effectively scuppered plans for a day out on the training field and Merlin had been looking rather tired of late- not that he was keeping an eye on the man, of course.
The king was just about to push the whole pile of parchment onto the floor in disgust when a knock sounded at his door.
"Enter!" He called, desperately hoping for something to pull him away from this mind-numbing task.
Leon came through the door, standing at attention.
"What is it, Sir Leon?"
"Sire, the sky... well, perhaps it is better if you see for yourself."
Brow furrowed in confusion, Arthur turned and opened the door to his balcony.
"The sky is green."
And really, what else is there to say in this situation?
"Yes Sire, and the clouds- people are beginning to panic, thinking it's an attack."
"Hm."
He was still absorbing the sight before him.
A faintly green sky was visible in the sudden lack of heavy rain, oddly bubble-like clouds highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
They bore a bizarre resemblance to soap suds clinging upside-down to the firmament, in fact.
"I'm not entirely certain it isn't. I-"
A great crack of thunder rent the air and balls of ice ranging in size from throw-at-Merlin-small to Percival's-fist-huge pelted down on the city along with renewed rainfall, several of the chunks knocking colored panels from his glass doors.
"Spread the word- everyone is to get under cover. The castle is open to all for shelter."
"Yes, Sire."
Leon turned to begin carrying out his orders.
"And tell them to stay away from the windows!"
Arthur was taking the longer route through the corridors to avoid crossing the courtyard in the tempest, a good thing since he was then able to intercept the very man he'd been looking for.
"Gaius!"
"Sire?"
The king pulled aside the elder so they were standing in a relatively private alcove.
"Please tell me you have some idea what this is all about."
"I'm afraid this is outside of my knowledge, Sire. I have never seen or heard of the like."
He had been half-expecting that answer but nonetheless felt disappointment creeping up on him.
"Do you think it could be a magical attack?"
The physician's brow wrinkled.
"I suppose it is possible, but highly unlikely. Influencing the weather to this extent would take a truly unbelievable amount of power. It-"
Whatever Gaius had been about to say was interrupted by a quickly-building buzzing noise.
"What is that?"
It sounded like a giant cloud of bees...
Ignoring his own advice the royal crossed to a window and pushed it open for a full view of the raging tower of dark wind making its way through the city walls, a smaller funnel seeming to dance around the larger.
He watched in horror as an entire section of hewn stone was sucked into the atmosphere like so much chaff, the houses of the lower town beginning to follow.
"Into the catacombs."
His voice was flat with dread as he gave the physician his command.
"Tell everyone you see- get underground, now!"
The monarch rushed off, not waiting for a response as he ran toward the great hall where the castle's inhabitants would undoubtedly be gathering.
Crashing through the door he launched right into shouting.
"All of you down into the crypts- quickly!"
Having initially hushed at the sudden entrance of their ruler, the people now began to panic.
Chaos erupted as the human stampede made for the relative safety of the subterranean passages.
Arthur stayed by the doors, holding his position by sheer force of will as he surveyed the faces for- there!
"Guinevere!"
The queen was coming toward him, trying to maintain a semblance of calm.
Fighting the flow, the blond grasped his wife to his chest for a moment before pulling her along behind him.
Wind screamed through the corridors, blending with the voices of the citizens fighting against the force of the air along with the various tapestries and rather more damaging items flying into them.
Eventually the group managed to pile into the poorly-lit tunnels, huddling together for warmth and comfort.
The noise was overpowering now, and Arthur had the capacity for only one thought.
Where is Merlin?