"MERLINNNNN!"

The dark-haired servant rolled his eyes as Arthur's call echoed down the castle halls. He sped up his walk as he approached the guarded wooden doors to his master's bedroom. Sounds of objects crashing to the floor sounded from behind them. The Prince of Camelot was in a poor mood, and now Merlin had to deal with him.

"I'm here, I'm here," he muttered under his breath as he entered, "don't get your armor in a twist."

Arthur glared at him with annoyance, hands on his hips, dressed in his royal undergarments, "I wonder, Merlin, how you expect me to present myself as the Prince and future King of Camelot when my dimwit of a servant forgets to dress me every morning!"

Merlin tried to suppress his laughter as the half-naked Arthur paced the room, complaining. He removed Arthur's armor from his closet and laid them on the bed.

Arthur stood relatively still as Merlin began to dress him in his strong, trusty armor. When he finished, Arthur had already found new ways to insult Merlin.

"There's something wrong," Arthur eyed him, "you're not as quippy as usual. You look happy."

"Because I'm in the presence of the great Prince Arthur of Camelot, of course," he joked.

Arthur scoffed, but a ghost of a smile played at his lips, "Oh, please. Go on, tell me what's really got you excited."

"I'm to meet with a girl tonight."

"A girl?" Arthur almost choked.

Merlin nodded as he could barely contain his big, goofy smile.

"What girl would be desperate enough to accompany you for the night?"

Merlin rolled his eyes as Arthur laughed heartily at his joke, "I dare not encumber you with the matters of a servant, my Lord."

"Well, I can only hope this girl you mentioned isn't horribly disgusted by your stench. You reek of the stables, Merlin."

"And may I remind you who ordered me to clean the stables this morning, sir?" Merlin raised a dark eyebrow.

Arthur cracked a smile as Merlin finished applying his armor. He admired his physique in the mirror, and the servant shook his head, smiling.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Merlin opened the door.

Guinevere entered with a smile, curtsying in Arthur's presence.

"Guinevere," Arthur dipped his head, trying to conceal the blush that crept up his cheeks, "what can I do you for?"

"Good morning, my Lord," she formally greeted him, "I've come to deliver a message. Your presence is urgently requested by Sir Leon."

"Is something the matter?" his blonde brows furrowed as his suspicions grew.

"I was not granted any further information, my Lord," she shook her head, "only that he wishes to meet with you in the Royal Court."

"Very well," he nodded, "thank you, Gwen. Come, Merlin."

The Prince adopted a more serious demeanor than minutes before as his responsibilities as future King of Camelot dawned on him. Guinevere waited for Merlin and Arthur to exit before she too left the Prince's bedroom.

"Sir Leon," Arthur called as one of his most trusted knights awaited him in the Royal Court. The thrones stood empty, as King Uther had not yet taken his seat this morning.

"Good morning, my Lord," Sir Leon bowed in the Prince's presence.

"Sir Leon, I was told there is an urgent matter to discuss," he stopped before the knight, Merlin close behind.

"Yes," Sir Leon nodded in acknowledgement of Merlin, then redirected his gaze to Arthur, "our morning patrol reported a strange sighting on the Eastern Plains, my Lord, an occurrence that may bear the signs of illicit activity."

Arthur's gaze hardened, "What form of illicit activity? What did the patrol find?"

Sir Leon gulped nervously, "The patrol founds signs of magic, sir. They reported a young man of slim build to be chanting spells and practicing the dark arts. When the patrol attempted to confront the man, they claimed he disappeared. This man is on the prowl, my Lord, and could be a threat to the safety of Camelot's people."

Merlin felt himself go pale and a wave of nausea struck him. He faltered slightly, catching the attention of Arthur.

"Merlin," he furrowed his brows, "are you alright?"

"Yes, sire," he dipped his head and didn't look him in the eye.

Arthur turned his attention back to Sir Leon, "Thank you for your vigilance, Sir Leon. We must deal with this magical threat immediately. I shall alert the King of this presence. Prepare the afternoon patrols, I will ride out with them."

Sir Leon bowed slightly, thanking the Camelot Prince, before turning away to carry out his duties. Merlin followed Arthur, heart pounding in his chest, as he went to find King Uther.

"Keep pace, Merlin," Arthur looked over his shoulder as he saw Merlin slowly following him.

"Yes, my Lord," Merlin took a few jogging steps to catch up to the Prince, but his heart still felt heavy.

The guarded entrance to King Uther's room loomed before him. Arthur dismissed the armed men barricading the doors as he entered swiftly.

"Father?" he called.

King Uther sat at his desk, mulling over various royal documents. He was dressed in his customary robes, and looked up at his son as he entered.

"Ah, Arthur," a small smile spread on his lips upon seeing him, "you look troubled this morning."

"I've just received word from the knights that they witnessed a man practicing magic on the Eastern Plains. The man escaped in their pursuit of him, but I am to ride out with them this afternoon to apprehend the suspect."

Uther's jaw set tightly, his expression becoming angry and impatient. His eyes burned as he slammed his hand on the table, "Nonsense! If this magical man could escape from your patrol this morning, then what leads you to believe he will not be able to do it again? We must take swift action! We must drive this cursed plague from the borders of Camelot! We must eradicate this damned disease! I will hail the Witch Hunter. We must utilize his expertise to catch this fiend and he will face the consequences."

"A Witch Hunter? Aredian is gone, My Lord, we cannot trust his services in aid of Camelot again. He besieged the Royal Court," Arthur argued.

"Not Aredian," an evil smile spread across Uther's face, "I know of another who will be able to cure us of this rampant problem. Send word to Terrowin, the most famed and feared Witch Hunter in all the lands."

Arthur bowed, "Right away, my Lord."

Merlin and Arthur both left Uther in peace as they prepared to find the Witch Hunter, Terrowin.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Gaius was mixing herbs and potions at his apothecary table, when Merlin came sprinting through the door. His breaths were heavy and panicked.

"Merlin?" Gaius looked at his, brows furrowed, "you look as if you've seen a ghost, what's wrong?"

"Uther ordered for a Witch Hunter to come to Camelot," he panted in between breaths, "He's planning on eradicating all magic from the city, Gaius, I'll be found!"

"Calm down, Merlin," Gaius set a steady hand on his shoulder, "Aredian will not be able to harm us again, you know that."

"Not Aredian," Merlin shook his head, "He's a hunter named Terrowin."

Darkness dawned upon Gaius' face. His eyes went wide as Merlin spoke the name.

"What is it? Gaius?"

"Are you absolutely sure he called for Terrowin?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, dear," he whispered to himself, "Merlin, I do believe we are in trouble."

"Why? Who is he, Gaius?"

"Terrowin the Killer. Terrowin the Serpent. Terrowin the Terrible. He holds many names across the kingdoms, and was a key figure in eliminating magic in Camelot twenty years ago. He orchestrated the murder of so many witches, wizards, or innocents who practiced magic, that it's rumored he used the bones of his victims to forge his impenetrable armor. Terrowin hasn't been seen in countless years, only a few know of his exact location. Uther was one of them. Aredian was the least of our worries, Merlin, Terrowin will bring panic upon Camelot."

"How do I stop him?" Merlin felt his fear climbing.

"You can't," Gaius shook his head, "Terrowin will come to Camelot and ensure that the kingdom is completely eradicated of any magical beings. That means you, Merlin, you need to leave. Protect yourself."

"But fleeing will only make me look guilty!" Merlin paced, "I have to stay and act normal, I have to be there by Arthur. He protected me against Aredian, I can't leave him."

"Terrowin is not Aredian, my boy," Gaius shook his head, "He is full of rage and vengeance, and he will tear this city apart to find any signs of magic and kill it. He will arrive by the morning, Merlin, you must go!"

"I cannot!" Merlin stood firm, "I must stay, I cannot abandon my duties to stand by Arthur's side, it's my destiny."

"Fine," Gaius sighed, "then get rid of the magic book and any other materials that can incriminate you. Whatever you do, do not use any sort of magic until Terrowin is gone. He will find you, Merlin, and he will kill you."