I do not own Merlin, all ideas belong to the BBC.

This is my first fanfic, if you like it please let me know. I hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 1

Standing alone in the woods, a small pile of firewood cradled in his arms, Merlin stared unseeing into the trees, taking this time alone to let his mind wander through the events of last night- Again.

The feeling of the hard oak door pressing against his back, as strong, confident hands traveled over his stomach and down to his waist, stroking, lingering there before continuing to move further down to….

'Merlin!' Arthur's voice interrupted his daydreams. He turned slowly to face his king. 'Sire?'

Arthur's face was a mixture of exasperation and amused fondness. '20 minutes you've been gone collecting firewood and I come to find you standing around idle holding three sticks!'

Merlin felt his cheeks flush at hearing Arthur's words. Had it really been that long? 'Sorry, sire,' he mumbled, 'I got.. distracted..?'

'Distracted?' Arthur repeated, sounding unconvinced. 'And by what, Merlin, were you distracted by exactly?' he asked, stepping closer to his manservant. Merlin's cheeks blushed an even deeper shade of red as he recalled the memories he had been revisiting. 'Err…..' he struggled to think of an excuse.

'Yes?' Arthur pushed, continuing to move closer as he waited for a reply. Merlin began to edge backwards. He cleared his throat, staring at the damp forest floor, 'Umm….' His eyes flickered to Arthur's before darting back to stare at his feet, 'think think think!'

'I'm waiting, Merlin' Arthur purred playfully. He was close now, very close. Merlin felt his back come into contact with a mossy tree trunk and he leaned against it, just as Arthur leaned into him.

'Well?' Arthur asked, 'Are you going to speak Merlin or are you simply going to stand there and continue staring at the undergrowth?'

Merlin's lips quirked at Arthur's irritation and he looked up to meet the brilliantly blue, inquisitive eyes that belonged to his king. They did not meet his gaze however, but were instead staring intently at Merlin's mouth. Merlin quirked his lips again, before slowly, and pointedly, licking them.

Arthur's breathing hitched slightly as he lifted his eyes to stare into Merlin's, before stepping in to press their mouths together earnestly. Merlin saw stars inside his head as he felt Arthur's hands roaming over his body again, before moving to rest on the tree either side of his head so Arthur could press their bodies together more tightly. The wood fell from his arms and lay, forgotten, at their feet.

Arthur felt Merlin's body heat radiate into him as he deepened their kiss. Nothing seemed to exist beyond their passion. All the times he had imagined a moment like this with his manservant, he had never thought it could feel like this; so perfect, so right… so complete. This man made him complete. Arthur knew even now, that he could never be without him. His life was in the hands of this skinny, goofy manservant. He had taken his heart; a thought that both terrified and delighted him.

They broke apart at the sound of a twig snapping, both mouths panting breathlessly, both faces flushed pink, both pairs of lips red and swollen.

Gwaine came into sight. 'Sire' he acknowledged. He turned to Merlin, grinning; 'Ah, merlin, I see Arthur managed to find you at last. You were gone quite a while. We had begun to worry that you had been viciously attacked by a particularly overbearing twig.'

Arthur chuckled, 'They were sticks I think you'll find, Gwaine. Three of them'

'Three!' the knight exclaimed, 'Good god Merlin, you're lucky to be alive!'

Merlin grinned before hurling one of the sticks at Gwaine's head. 'Very funny' he said, still smiling.

Their laughter was cut short however when they heard shouts coming from the camp, and the ringing sounds of metal hitting metal echoing through the trees towards them.

'Something's wrong!' Gwaine shouted as he ran back through the forest towards the other knights. As Merlin made to follow him Arthur caught his hand, 'Arthur?' he asked confused- why was he delaying? 'Arthur, what are you doi..'

'Merlin' his king interrupted him, his piercing blue eyes boring into his own. 'What?' he asked.

Arthur looked as though he was struggling for words, 'Arthur what is it?' Merlin urged.

The blue eyes continued to look at him before Arthur sighed deeply, his hands reaching up to cradle his manservant's face. 'Please be careful' he cautioned quietly, 'Only, ..I..I cannot bear to think of losing you'

Arthur's head bowed at his confession, anguish crumpling his face. Merlin's hand cupped his chin and lifted his face up to look at him. 'Nor I you' he replied softly, before leaning in to kiss his king gently.

Pulling back he smiled at Arthur, before drawing his sword and running after Gwaine towards the sounds of the struggle ahead.

They had not gone far, however, when a huge man stepped out in front of them, a savage looking mace clasped in his oversized hand. 'Stop right there' he growled in a deep voice, raising his weapon a little, threateningly.

'What do you want with us?' Arthur asked. He shifted his body, poised for attack, face curling into a faint snarl as he assessed his opponent.

'Now now' a scorning voice purred from behind them. Merlin whirled round to face the owner of the voice; a lean unimpressive man with yellow rotting teeth. His thin hair was coated with grime and stuck to his oily forehead, which overshadowed beady green eyes and a think, beak-like nose. He smelt of sweat and stale alcohol, but that could not mask the stench of his breath. Merlin felt himself recoil in disgust.

The man smiled wickedly as he spoke again, 'no need to be so defensive, sire. After all, we only want to ask you some questions...' the sarcastic innocence in the man's voice made the hair on Arthur's neck stand on end. He barely had time to register the subtle nod of the head before the hulking man behind them knocked Merlin to the ground and a sharp pain behind his eyes caused the world to spin and darken, as the ground rushed up to meet him.

'Good work, Bekkron' the smaller man, Crone, said, 'Find the others and load these two onto the horses. We must bring them to Zabrack, he will be most pleased with what we have found'

Cruel grins formed on the men's faces as they grabbed the unconscious King and his beloved manservant by the feet, and began dragging them along the wet ground deeper into the forest.