Chapter Text
Merlin was on edge the entire time he was packing Arthur's items, his magic telling him something was wrong. Merlin didn't know why he was so on edge, it was just going to be another hunting trip.
"Ah, good morning, Merlin. Saddling Arthur's horse I see, another hunting trip?" Gwen's voice breaks Merlin's train of thoughts and he jumps back a bit.
"Oh, Gwen! Good morning to you too, ehm, yea king prat just loves to kill animals." Merlin sarcastically remarks, Gwen chuckles and shifts her hold on a basket of laundry.
"Oh, Merlin! You act like you despise him but you like him." Gwen teases, "Well, I best be off."
"Gwen, I don't know how anyone likes that prat. Tell Morgana I say hello." Merlin waves off to a smiling Gwen.
Arthur's horse, Chance, nickers and attempts to fully turn around at his owner approaching. Merlin stumbles at the sudden movement and fumbles with Chance's reigns, Chance continues to turn around and pull Merlin with him. Chance was a specially breed chestnut coat Palfrey stallion, he was strong and he could be sold for much gold if one wanted to do so. Merlin spots Arthur in the corner of his eye and turns his head to look directly at him.
"And you want?" Merlin snaps sarcastically with his normal grin to an unimpressed Arthur, he ignores the sarcasm in Merlin's voice and continues to walk towards them.
"To get going is what I want. The knights are packed and their horses are saddled, is Chance ready." Arthur says as he pats Chance on the neck.
"Oh of course, my lord." Merlin says in an irritating tone that he knows will piss Arthur off, accompanied with a mocking half-bow. Arthur quickly and unexpectedly grabs Merlin's shirt collar and pulls him to where he could hear him whisper.
"I will have you on your knees if you disrespect me like that again." Arthur then drops Merlin's shirt collar and punches his shoulder before he mounts his horse, with his stupid grin.
"Prat..." Merlin whispers before walking to and mounting his mare, Ezra. Since Merlin was just a servant (and wasn't supposed to be on hunting trips anyway) rode a short dark brown coat mare, common for lower class and not nearly worth as much as a nobles horse. Merlin mounts Ezra and catches up with Arthur and the knights who have already started leaving the castle walls, he rides next to Lancelot who had slowed down for Merlin.
<================>
"Lancelot, I have a bad feeling. Something is going to happen." Merlin whispered to Lancelot, since he was the only one who knew about Merlin's magic and never made fun of him.
"Do you need me to do something?" Lancelot whispers back to Merlin without hesitation. Lancelot trusted Merlin, he went along with Merlin's plans and helped cover for him if Gaius hadn't already said Merlin was in the tavern. While Lancelot knew he could confide to Merlin, Merlin also confided in Lancelot but there were things that Lancelot couldn't help him with and Merlin didn't want him to feel bad.
"No... I, still don't know what its about..." Merlin whispers to Lancelot while scanning the surrounding area.
"Let's set up camp here and start hunting." Arthur yells to all the knights and basically telling Merlin to set up. Merlin dismounts Ezra and starts unpacking, gathering dry wood for a fire and staying on guard. The knights set up their packs and Lancelot helps Merlin gather wood, and Gwaine helps after he got an apple.
"So, Lancelot, Merlin, when are you guys going to come out for a night of fun with the rest of us?!" Gwaine yells out from the area he was collecting wood, Lancelot laughs and yells a quick 'soon, Gwaine'. Merlin, while walking to drop off the collected wood, makes a comment about Arthur already thinking he was useless and incompetent while laughing at the thought of how Arthur would react to what Merlin has done.
"Well, I am going to get you both out and soon. You better clear your schedules and prepare yourselves for a lot of mead." Gwaine yells out as Lancelot and him catch up to Merlin.
"Ah, Lancelot, speaking of schedules, have you made any plans with that lady you were talking to a day ago?" Gwaine switches conversations with a flirty tone, yet with a smile with unnoticeable uneasiness. while Lancelot and Gwaine talk about girls and nights out Merlin is scanning the area looking for Mordred. Merlin spots Mordred approaching Percival and Elyan who were talking.
Mordred.
Mordred's walk staggers a bit and he shoots Merlin a glance, who was tending to the fire, but he quickly makes it up and continues to walk.
Emrys.
Has your magic been feeling off lately?
A bit, but nothing nauseating like those other times. Has yours?
Yes, I'm not sure what its all about but keep guard.
Yes, sir.
Mordred I swear.
Merlin chuckles at Mordred's response and decides to join the cluster of knights who are talking about a variety of things.
"Merlin! Have you got the water yet?" Arthur yells over to Merlin. Merlin simply ignores the king and continues talking to Lancelot, a chuckling Gwaine and a tired looking Mordred.
"Merlin!" Arthur yells, again.
"Your royal prat!" Merlin yells back before walking to a river behind a lining of trees after grabbing a bucket. Merlin's uneasiness had since lessened but was not completely gone, his attention being caught on the line of fog hovering over the water. Merlin crouches down and fills his bucket and stares at the fog. Merlin knew fog spreads, he just didn't know how fast it could, especially magic created fog.
Merlin's magic spikes as he suddenly feels an aura of powerful magic, he stands and runs. He uses his magic to call out to Mordred, the fog already surrounding his feet. Merlin's magic clawing, trying to warn him of danger and to be let loose. Merlin feels his limbs go numb and his vision blur as the fog completely surrounds him. And then nothing, the knights are soon sealed to the same fate.