Let the whump begin! Haha I'm really excited about this chapter, and I enjoyed writing it, so I hope you enjoy reading it just as much! Please review and let me know what you think. XD

The next day Arthur, Merlin, and the knights took off toward Avarian to inform Milo and the others of their victory.

The forest was still damp from the midnight shower and deep tracks were left in the mud by everything that had passed through since. The group took interest in studying the tracks while traveling, making out what the different animals were and approximately how large they were. Merlin didn't find tracking to be as much fun as the knights; however, it took his mind off other pressing matters – his dreams for one thing. Arthur was trying to ignore the fact that Gwain hadn't uttered a word since they left Corinth, and was constantly wincing in pain from his arm. They all were somewhat puzzled with themselves, wondering how they could miss Gwain's banter. It made them think of how constantly they were telling the alcoholic knight to shut up, even though they admired him for being upbeat and sarcastic even in the worst of times. Gwain truly roused there spirits when they needed it the most; of course, now that Gwain himself needed the cheering up, none of the other knights knew how.

Merlin, on the other hand, was not giving up so easily to the dreary silence and slowed his horse so he was beside the gloomy knight, who was trying his best to tame his roused horse with only one arm.

"What's wrong?" The question came from out of the blue and Gwain merely looked at Merlin curiously for asking such a thing in the first place.

"It could be the utterly painful burn upon my arm, but then again – who knows?" Gwain said sarcasticly.

Merlin put on a grin, "Alright, when we get back to Camelot I'll go to the tavern with you. How does that sound? Eh?" Merlin nudged his elbow into Gwain's good arm and hoped to the gods that this would make the knight perk up.

A smile started to form on Gwain's lips, "That sounds like a good plan…" the knight paused, obviously thinking about something, "is this going to be a once in a life-time opportunity to see you drunk, Merlin?"

They both let out a quick laugh and caught the other knights staring at them like they were pleased. "Perhaps so – we'll only have to wait and see!" Merlin winked at Gwain before riding ahead again to get behind Arthur.

The king turned to his servant, an impressed look in his eyes, "very well done, Merlin."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, sire, but thanks for the compliment." Merlin smiled and they continued on their way.

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Finally they reached Avarian and Arthur quickly met with Milo and the two other villagers, informing them that the sorcerer had been destroyed and would cause no further harm. The kind king also reassured that the reconstruction of their village would come soon, but until then they would be welcome in Camelot.

"We are very grateful for your kindness, my lord. Thank you for your aid." Milo bowed before walking away toward their small camp.

Arthur turned to his knights, "We start for Camelot now. We should make it through the Ebony forest before nightfall and then we can rest on the other side. We should make it home by tomorrow afternoon." With that he mounted his horse and they took for the trees. Merlin already preparing his torch to be lit for their journey the Ebony forest. He really didn't like it in there…

Bayard's camp early that morning…

Bayard was sitting on his cot not giving a second thought to the murmurs outside his tent. He didn't receive much sleep ever since Agravain came to visit, and his fellow bandits were keen on talking about his dear friend as if it were his fault. Even bandits, with their slick ways, and nasty looks, respected their leader enough to worry.

All Bayard could think of, however, was the thought of king Arthur's blood on his hands. Going into the darkness of the Ebony forest was risky – yes – but the very chance to kill the last living Pendragon took all fear away. He was merely a young adult at the age of nineteen when Uther had sentenced his mother to death for the use of sorcery. Bayard could only stand and watch as his mother cried and mouthed 'I love you' before she dangled by the rope around her neck. So to this very day, after all the nobles he was paid to assassinate and the things he was hired to steal from within the walls of the citadel, the one thing he every truly wanted was coming true. He would finally get to kill the one person he wanted to for so long – Arthur Pendragon.

The angst of waiting was causing Bayard's hands to tremble. He wanted to attack now – to lead his group into the Ebony forest and attack the pathetic king and his small gang by surprise. Bayard longed to see the shock on Arthur's face as he cuts into his beloved knights, oh and there was someone else Agravain had mention before leaving – A servant.

Agravain was positive that even if the king could not be killed, the death of his servant would surely break his spirit. In the end that's all Bayard cared for, to cause a Pendragon pain.

Bayard's thoughts were interrupted as one of his men strode into his tent.

"There is news from Agravain," the bandit continued, "Arthur as sent word to Camelot he plans on returning today. He'll make his way through the Ebony forest by noon."

Bayard's face lit up. "Have the men prepare. We ride for the Ebony forest in one hour." He ordered and his follower obeyed. It was time for Arthur's rein to come to an end…

The wood at which they were just about to travel through came into sight. The forests shadows lingering at its borders. Arthur held a hand up and stopped the group in their tracks. Percival and Merlin dismounted to light the torches. The warlock and large knight got the honor of holding the light sources as well as Arthur and Leon (Gwain and Elyan had only one working hand that they needed to hold onto the reins of their horses).

With that they headed into the darkness the trees overhead presumed to cause, letting no light through their canopy of branches and leaf's.

Bayard and his men were position on the other side of the forest waiting patiently, and stealthily, for the king of Camelot to ride right into his doom. They were at the forests edge so no one was to get lost in the darkness because they could see the opening into the grassy plain beyond. However, his best set of followers was set outside so Arthur and his Knights could not escape the Ebony forest and be forced to fight. Torches were ready to be lit when the ambush came time and they all waited with snarls on their faces to do just that. They were going to kill the king. So when the large group of murderous bandits heard the talk of knights and a slight bit of light illuminate the darkness in the distance, Bayard drew his sword and prepared himself for what was to come.

The knights weren't expecting it. How could they? They were simply following Arthur's lead through the frightening forest when suddenly Leon let out a loud cry. They turned to see him falling from his horse – an arrow embedded into his shoulder – and the loud thump that followed his hitting the ground. That's when they heard the shouting, and suddenly dozens of torches were being lit around them.

"We're being ambushed!" Arthur shouted, although it was obvious to the other knights as to what was going on. They battled the first set of bandits off with ease, slicing their way through the raggedy men and managing to stay on their horses, all except for Merlin who dismounted and rushed to Leon's side. Then all hell broke loose when a whole new set of men came running from behind and enclosing the knights completely, a furious Bayard joining them. Gwain was pulled from his horse as well as Arthur, but Elyan stayed firmly seated upon his saddle slicing away at whomever he could. Percival jumped off, throwing men down all the easier and cutting through large sections of them – before, of course, on came from behind and sent a dagger through his back.

"PERCIVAL!" Gwain yelled in panic from his spot on the ground. He tried to stand, swaying on his feet, before unsheathing his sword and all but cutting off the head of Percival's attacker.

They couldn't fend them off any longer and Elyan was finally pulled from his horse and cuffed before being dragged away into the dark. Arthur was still trying to fight, but all slowed down for the king when he turned toward his manservant – Bayard coming up behind him. Merlin was oblivious to that fact as he tried his best to slow the bleeding coming from Leon's wound. So he didn't expect the pain that came when Bayard fiercely cut his sword into Merlin's shoulder.

'This can't be happening! This isn't real!' Arthur thought painfully. Percival was lying on the ground possibly dead as well as Leon, while Elyan was being dragged off in the distance and Gwain was stumbling. Then the worst of things happened. Merlin got struck. A deadly blow to shoulder caused Arthur's servant to freeze, gasping for air as if he were drowning, and then falling to the cold ground.

"No! MERLIN!" Gwain spun around and thrust his sword into Bayard's back. The leader of the bandits fell, his last thought being that he couldn't kill Arthur in time.

However, when Arthur thought it was all over a blast of air came from nowhere and blasted every single bandit back, knocking them unconscious. Arthur ran to Merlin as well as Gwain, but before they had time to react some of the men whom were just attacking began to rouse.

"Let's go! Hurry!" Arthur picked Merlin up and began sprinting to the clearing, Gwain following close behind before stopping abruptly.

"What about the others?" Gwain questioned. Arthur's eyes filled with pain. Leon and Percival were most likely dead and Elyan had been dragged far enough away from the light he couldn't be seen in the forests darkness. So the king just shook his head, and Gwain understood, as much as he didn't want to; they had not choice. So they ran.

When out into the light they made their way toward a large rock that could hide them for the time being. Arthur looked down at his servant to see crimson blood already soaking through Merlin's clothes. The warlocks breathes were shallow and he was deathly pale. The king truly worried for his friend. So as he laid him down by the rock he quickly shook the still figure that was his manservant. "You are not going to die on me, Merlin. You hear?"

Gwain looked at Arthur sadly; the king didn't want to lose anymore friends today.

Okay so this is not as good as I had hoped but it's a start. :p Is anyone dying to know what happens to Percival, Leon, and Elyan yet? Well you'll find out once I post the next chapter, so until then, BYE! OH and thanks fro the reviews so far – I love writing this story for you guys!