A/N: Alright guys, what is this? The one time I try to anticipate your demands and write a connected piece right away no one even asks for it! This is crazy!
Whatever. Here's like, the predecessor of "Any Port" if, y'know, anyone's interested or something.

Nance: Thank you :) Did you have any requests? I don't think I've gotten any from you yet.

The warm summer day and birdsong lulled him into blissful unawareness as he meandered about the meadow gathering herbs. No one was expecting him back until the evening meal and he certainly wasn't inclined to return early, not when he could spend the afternoon napping beneath a tree.

He'd just settled into a light doze when a twig snapped behind him. Expecting a deer or other fauna, he turned slowly – only to be hit in the side by a pair of manacles being wielded like a flail.

Tree roots made for a harsh landing as he fell, dazed and reeling at this turn of events. A rotund blur above him slowly resolved itself into an unwelcome shape.

"Halig." The name was like a curse on his lips. It had been some time since the filthy man had come to Camelot, seeking to sell Freya to Uther, but neither had forgotten.

"You cost me a pretty penny, boy," the bounty hunter spat and twirled the chains in preparation for another blow.

Merlin could have escaped at this point - being much more fleet of foot and magic besides - but he hesitated, contemplating revenge. This short delay was all Halig needed to kick his victim in the ribs, right where his first blow had landed, and let out a shrill whistle.

Raising one hand to force the other man back, Merlin found his concentration broken when a set of teeth sunk into his leg and began tugging at him. He'd just managed to force the first off when a second hound latched onto his other leg and the manacles crashed into his skull.

Things got a bit hazy after that. He must have passed out for a moment as he suddenly found one hand had been shackled and the other was about to receive the same treatment. Fear rose up in him at this point and he fought mightily, wrenching himself out of the restraints – he heard something crack, but for now the pain wasn't registering – and magically hurling his foes back as he struggled to his feet and began to flee.

"Sorcerer!" Halig cried in a mixture of fear and delight.

Merlin sent another wave of force behind him, hoping it would be enough to keep the hunter down as he escaped into the forest.

Idiot. Didn't Gaius tell you just this morning to be more careful?

Not that his guardian didn't say that every day...

The pain in his head spiked and he crashed into a tree, vision going white. Need to find help...

He half jogged/half wobbled his way between and into obstacles, unable to discern how much time had passed or where he was. In fact, what was he even doing here?

Find shelter

Right, he had to find someplace to rest, his head was killing him! He reached up to massage his forehead and was startled to find a wound there. How had that happened?

He tripped and fell into a shallow ravine, lying there for a short time before pulling himself up with some protruding roots and rocks.

This looks familiar...

It was as good a path as any, so as soon as he'd gotten his legs under him he resumed the trek.

Surely wherever this led would be better than wandering about the forest alone.