Hiya, guys! So, this is a brand, spankin new story that I've come up with! I just finished up season 4 of Merlin and I have to say, I loved it so much! So, I was inspired to make a story for Arthur! I've read a fair amount of stories and such, but there aren't that many OC stories, so I figured, why not! (not to mention Arthur's kind of my favorite ^_^) There is also a bit of MerlinXMorgana just because I love them! The story itself won't follow the exact plot, but it will have a general similarity. Hopefully you readers enjoy this story! I'm hoping everyone is in character and such, and if not or if anyone has a problem or a question, etc. feel free to let me know! Criticism is always welcome!

Well, anyways. Hope you guys like this! Here is the first chapter!

Also, I'd like to thank Belle of Roses for giving me the courage to post this and for helping me out! Super appreciate it!

Ok, now here is the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that's related to BBC's Merlin series.

Safe and Sound

The sun was shining brightly in the cloudless sky. It was early afternoon and all seemed well. Albion sat peacefully as its people went about their day as they normally did. The villagers smiled and the children laughed per usual. A castle sat behind its tall and strong walls and though many traveled in and out through the gates, there was one tiny figure that made sure to stay out of sight.

King Uther Pendragon of Camelot was known as a fair and just man or, at least, he once had been. These days, circumstances were different. The light that once existed in his eyes was gone. The smile that brightened even the saddest man's day was nowhere to be seen, completely wiped from existence. He was stricter, colder, and relentless.

Perhaps it had been the passing of the late Ygraine that had changed him so.

In a land where all people lived in harmony, things had changed drastically. Though most still lived happily, there were those who had been swiped away. Their lives had been forced from them by the hands of their very own king and only for one, sole reason.

Sorcery.

After the great purge, the villagers weren't sure just how things would settle back down. Lives had been taken, families had been broken and it seemed that the darkness would never clear away. But, in the end, it did. Daily routine returned to the land and those who lost mothers, fathers, friends and lovers all moved on—grieving as they did. The king successfully brought together his people and joined them together during this time, showing them, for the last time, the mercy in his heart.

Still, the pain and sorrow were never forgotten.

Now, several years later, as the king stared out at his land, at his people, he couldn't help but let satisfaction roll through him. His people were safe and his soldiers were all strong and loyal, ready to attack on his command. Though he had lost his wife there was still one light of hope left in his entire life. It was the one thing that pushed him forward when he felt as though he was losing grasp of himself. It was the single thing left in his life that gave him purpose.

His beloved son.

As for the young prince himself, the six-year-old could be seen sneaking around the kingdom. He dipped in and out between barrels and haystacks, glancing around innocently for castle guards. When noting that the coast was clear, the young boy grinned to himself, sprinting out from behind a tiny wooden cart and giggling to himself. Those who caught sight of the young boy—his blond hair almost impossible to miss—merely smiled and said nothing; his father loved him dearly, which was why he kept the young prince on such a tight chain.

As the prince ducked behind a large wagon, he smirked to himself feeling proud with the way the guards at the gate seemed to miss him. Once he was outside the castle walls, the young boy stood tall and dusted himself off, smiling widely out at the open forest. He laughed proudly as he placed his hands on his hips and nodded to himself.

Arthur had—at first—been apprehensive with his impulsive decision to escape the citadel. He was a mere boy, after all, and his father had always told him of the perils that waited outside the safety of the gates. As the days went by, the blond's curiosity for the life outside of his own only grew, and that was how he found himself standing on a hilltop. Never before had Arthur felt so alive—granted, he'd only been living for six years. He was young and had much to learn, but he was so sure he'd never forget the feeling of standing over the land. He wanted nothing more than to gaze out at the green pastures and trees forever.

But a prince is a prince, and with that comes a sense of duty.

The curious prince grinned widely like he never had before and ventured into the forest, ignoring his father's voice in his head warning him of the dangers lying ahead. The shadows from the leaves in the trees shielded the blond from the sun as he walked down the path silently, absorbing everything around him.

Yes, Arthur had traveled through the forest before, but never on his own and never for his own pleasure. His father had always marched with him on their trips, and other than that the prince was never allowed to leave the castle grounds. He was the single heir to the throne, and though he knew very little of what that meant, he had a strong feeling that meant he was important.

"Incredible!" Arthur cheered as he strolled down the dirt path, enamored by the way the birds sang so freely and the way the leaves moved with the wind. He stopped for a moment as he glanced down at the ground, staring curiously at a lady bug on a rock. He smiled as he held his finger out to the bug and watched it crawl cautiously on to the tip of his index.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you," he assured. How could he not? He had been born to protect his kingdom; didn't that mean the creatures in it too?

Setting the insect on a leaf, Arthur nodded to himself as he stood tall and began walking down a road less traveled. The path led astray from the main road but the prince paid no mind to it. He was a brave one, even at such a young age.

And so, the future king played out in the forest for an hour, and in that hour he had discovered so many things. He had discovered just what if felt like to fall without having someone to catch him. He learned that indeed, the branches did not move out of his way when alone, and he also learned that there was nothing like listening to the hums of the birds and the bugs in silence. By the time he had begun making his way back to the trail, he was so entirely spent that he was sure he could have fallen fast asleep on the grass.

The day's peace was quickly ruined with one single moment.

Arthur frowned slightly as he glanced around the trees, noticing just how similar everything was beginning to look. He had been sure he had come from the east, but as he walked and walked he realized that perhaps he had come from the north. Or maybe it was northeast? The prince wasn't so sure anymore. He was so tired and so young; how was he supposed to figure these sorts of things out alone?

Not noticing the tiny precipice ahead, the blond turned around and began stepping backwards, trying to decide if he should make his way back to where he had started. He had little time to react to his foot slipping and to the way his body began tumbling to the ground. He had fallen so quickly that the pain hadn't registered in his mind until after he had stopping rolling and stilled. His eyes remained closed as he winced, trying to move and only causing himself more pain. He forced his deep blue eyes open and gasped as a sharp pain from his leg coursed through him.

Narrowing his eyes, Arthur glared up at the miniature crag before trying to sit up. After several minutes of working, the prince finally sat up, leaning back against a tree stump. He wheezed, his sides sore and his body aching everywhere. He didn't bother trying to stand up for he knew the consequences from those actions. He could easily tell he had broken his ankle, and from the looks of it, rather terribly. He grimaced but nothing more; king's never showed signs of fear nor pain.

The dizziness from the collapse began to present itself to Arthur, his head spinning and his visioning fading and blurring. The trees and bushes began to double as the blond closed his eyes and tried to control his breathing. He tried to stand and grit his teeth, his leg screaming, begging for him to stop; he didn't argue.

Father will be furious. The young prince groaned before he tried once more to stand; he did not want to disappoint his king.

"It's no use!" Arthur stiffened before his eyes snapped open. He looked up and stared at an unfamiliar face. It was a face belonging to a young girl. She was probably no older than Arthur, but she was rather peculiar. The prince knew all of the children in town; this stranger was not from his home. "You won't be going far with wounds like that."

"Wh—Who are you?" The blond tried to keep the trembling out of his voice as he glared at the little girl standing a few feet away. He wanted to be brave like his father was, but he had never faced anyone alone, hell, he'd never face anyone at all. If he had to defend himself in the condition he was in then he was fearful for his safety.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you," the girl said with a grin as she walked up to the injured boy.

The six-year-old wasn't the most observant child, but he easily noticed many things about the stranger strolling towards him. Her hair was straight and hung down to the top of her shoulders. It was as dark as the night, much like Morgana's hair, but her eyes were unlike his friend's. Her eyes were a deep brown color and her skin was a bit darker than his—she had the advantage of being in the sun more than he. She wore a dark gray dress and a pair of white slippers, though her shoes were faded and smudged with dirt; didn't she have someone to polish them for her?

"I can make the pain go away," she explained sweetly as she knelt down beside Arthur, the boy leaning away from her. He frowned at the way she giggled at him but said nothing as he watched her gently place the tips of her fingers to his head. He blinked, slightly surprised by how carefully she handled him. His blue eyes fluttered shut at the way her hand carefully brushed a bit of his hair to the side.

"Does the cut hurt?"

"Does it look like it hurts?" Arthur snapped back as he rolled his eyes.

Some things never truly change.

The dark haired girl scolded the boy but continued as she closed her eyes for a moment. Arthur watched her for a second before his own eyes widened. He stiffened as he felt a strange warmth spread through his head, the girl's fingertips placed right over his gash. There was only one explanation for the way his cut was suddenly healed and the way he was no longer lightheaded. If it wasn't that, it was they obvious way the girl's eyes had flashed into a light gold color.

Magic.

"Y—You're a sorcerer?"

"A what?" The girl blinked curiously at him as she tilted her head a fraction to the left. She shrugged as she stood to her feet and made her way to his broken angle. She stared at it for a moment before she frowned.

"I've never healed a wound like this before."

"Don't!" Arthur snapped as he tried to scoot away. "I don't want your magic!"

"What's wrong with my magic?" the stranger asked with a scowl as the prince rolled his eyes and glared at her.

"It's bad!"

"Says who?"

"Says my father!"

"Well, he's wrong!"

"He's king! He's not wrong." For heaven's sake, this girl was daft!

"If it's so wrong, why did I just heal your cut? Huh?" the sorceress challenged with a smirk as Arthur blinked. He quickly reached up with his right hand and felt for the gash, only to find his soft forehead scar-less. He blinked before he looked up at the girl as she laughed at him. Not appreciating the condescending tone in her laughter, the prince glared up at the young girl and shook his head.

"You're not supposed to do good things with magic. It's bad, and bad things don't do good." He was almost mystified with what had just happened.

Before the girl could say much else, a rustling from the left caught the children's attention. The two quickly looked over and Arthur blinked, slightly taken aback by the way his companion stood before him, like she would protect him from whatever was to come; wasn't that to be his duty?

"Who's there?" Arthur called out, trying to gain back some semblance of control. He tensed as a woman, looking almost identical to the young girl, appeared from the bushes. Her hair was much longer and her face aged with experience and life.

"What are you doing with him?"

"He was hurt!" the girl explained to what Arthur quickly assumed was her mother. His eyes softened at the way the woman knelt down and held her child by the shoulder's, a concerned gleam in her eyes.

He sometimes wondered if his mother would have ever worried for him like so.

"I was just trying to help him."

"Did you use magic?" the woman asked fearfully as the little one nodded innocently. Her mother closed her eyes before she grabbed her daughter's hand and pulled the hood to her cloak over her head. She glanced at the prince before she hesitated and bowed her head, Arthur merely blinking and watching her. There was no time for him to question the situation as the angry shouts and screams of Camelot's guards filled the silence.

"Find the prince!"

"Split up!"

"Don't let the sorceress get away!"

"We must leave," the woman warned the girl as she tugged and dragged her daughter along. The little girl glanced back at Arthur as he stared after her. He kept the stupid expression on his face, not quite sure if he truly understood what was happening.

"Goodbye!" And without another word, the girl and woman disappeared into the thick of the forest.

Arthur sat quietly as he thought to himself. He didn't have much time to mull his questions over as the castle guards emerged from the trees, relief spreading on their faces as they found the prince propped up against the stump.

"My lord!" one of the guards called out as the king himself shoved past his men. "We've found the prince!"

"Arthur?" Uther frantically called out, the prince looking up and smiling widely as his father rushed forward and grabbed him by the shoulders. "Are you alright, son?"

"Father! I'm sorry. I just wanted to go out," the prince began explaining. "And then when I was trying to find my way back I fell and then a girl—"

"This is a disaster! Look at yourself! You've almost gotten yourself killed, and with a sorceress on the loose!" the king snapped angrily. "What you did was ridiculously reckless. How can I trust the future of Camelot to a prince who acts as though he's still a child?" But wasn't Arthur just that? A child?

A guilty expression washed over the six-year-old as he stared down at his hands and nodded. "I'm sorry, father."

Uther sighed as he stared down at his son. His expression softened as he not only stared down at the heir of Camelot, but his wife. His grasp tightened on his son's shoulders before he gently picked the boy up from underneath his arms, carrying him carefully to his horse. He helped Arthur on to the saddle, making sure to leave his injured leg untouched. Then, turning to his guards, he nodded.

"Find that sorceress and bring her to me! I will not let her get away when she has broken one of the most sacred laws of Camelot!"

"Yes, sire." And then they were off.

Arthur scooted forward, allowing his father more room to sit behind him, and he sighed, relieved he could finally go home and have Gaius look at his ankle; his foot was beginning to go numb. He closed his eyes and leaned back against his father's chest and relaxed as the king glanced down at him with a small smile on his lips.

"…Don't scare me like that, Arthur."

"I'm sorry, father," the young prince repeated as he felt drowsiness consume him.

"…You're all I have left now. I won't lose you."

And then, suddenly, Arthur felt someone shaking his shoulders. He kept his eyes closed, too tired from the day's adventure to pay any mind to the voice calling his name from a distance. He frowned, the shaking never ceasing. It was only until the young boy opened his eyes that he realized that he had been dreaming. He was no longer a child leaning against his father.

He was the crowned Prince of Camelot.

"Arthur! You have to wake up!"

"M—Merlin?" Slightly shaken from his dream, the prince blinked a few times, his manservant leaning over him with an exasperated look on his face. The darkness of the night was fought off by a single candle stick on the prince's nightstand, probably left by Merlin. "What is it? What's going on?"

"Someone's broken into the castle, you dollop head!" Merlin snapped; he must have been trying to wake his master for ages.

Immediately, Arthur jumped out of bed, pulling on a red tunic his servant had already grabbed for him. Luckily, the prince already had breeches on so the transition from sleep to consciousness was a smooth one. The prince grit his teeth as he shook his head and gracefully grabbed his sword. He looked back at Merlin as he followed close behind, and shook his head.

"Why wouldn't you come wake me sooner, you bumbling idiot?" Arthur snapped as he turned ahead and continued on, Merlin stopping for a moment. The warlock refrained from casting a curse on his prince as he shook his head.

"I really shouldn't be so surprised by your royal pratness anymore."

"What was that?"

"Nothing, sire!" There was a time and place for certain things.

Merlin quickly fell into step with Arthur as the blond glanced at him and smirked, the servant smirking right back at him; though their arguing was constant, there was no one else either wanted by their side.

"Let us find this intruder." And find the intruder they would.