What's Not There Chapter 1, a merlin fanfic

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Disclaimer: I own no Merlin rights, but nor does any other fanfic writer.

Chapter 1

Merlin knelt down and examined some plants he suspected to be holly. Gaius had sent him out on another herb gathering expedition. As Merlin picked the plants, he just hoped Arthur didn't hold this against him or need him for anything important. Come to think of it, how was Merlin supposed to know when Arthur needed saving if he was always out on these stupid herb runs?

A gust of wind caught the young warlock's attention. His insides stirred. Something told him this wasn't a normal wind passing through the forest. Merlin stood, guard up and ready. He looked around, his breathing deep and steady. He couldn't hear anything unusual; no footsteps, no other breathing, no more magic being cast. Then what had the wind meant?

Merlin grabbed his basket and what herbs he had already gathered. He should go tell Gaius as soon as possible. But it seemed fate had another idea. As Merlin walked, he suddenly came face to face with a giant statue. It stood as tall as a man and seemed made of pure marble. Merlin had never seen its equal save for inside the King's halls, and even then they barely matched this statue's perfection. It was an odd statue though. It was a man with one hand over his heart and one hand over his face so that all you could see were his eyes. They were piercing eyes, the cold eyes of a statue that made Merlin shiver. The man was dressed in fine clothes, the kind you would see on Arthur or another knight. He even wore chainmail like Arthur's, the kind that came up over your head. As such, Merlin saw no hair on the statue.

It was strange, and it had come out of nowhere. Merlin knew it had to be magic and yet he found himself reaching out to touch it. His hand seemed almost drawn to it, as though by string. Merlin's face developed a frown and he consciously told himself to pull back his hand… but he kept reaching forward. Merlin's heart sped up. He couldn't stop!

The wind blew again just as Merlin's fingertips brushed against the knight's hand that covered his mouth. Merlin gasped as his mind raced. He closed his eyes. He heard words, lots of words. He heard himself. He heard Morgana, Gwen, Gaius, and Arthur. He heard everyone, or at least he recognized them. He couldn't understand half the words as they were all said at about the same time. It was like standing in the middle of the market place on a busy afternoon and trying to hear everyone's conversation at once. It hurt his ears. It hurt his head!

'Good luck,' Arthur's voice broke apart from the others. It began to single itself out amongst the other voices. 'It's been an honor.'

'It's okay to be scared, Merlin.'

'Merlin, come here.'

'I am a knight of Camelot.'

'And I'm trying to warn you, Merlin!'

'Then I shall die!'

'I trust you.'

Then the voices died down to a soft murmur. Arthur's was still a bit louder than the rest, and he could faintly catch other people talking about Arthur from his memories of conversation. Merlin felt his other hand connect with something and heard his basket hit the leaves. He gasped and opened his eyes. His other hand was on the statue too! This one was on the knight's other hand, over its heart. Merlin tried to pull his hand away, but a pulse ran through his head and almost caused his knees to buckle.

Now Merlin saw images, scenes playing out behind his eyelids. Every memory he'd made since coming to Camelot rushed past his closed eyes. Just like last time, he saw Gwen, the Lady Morgana, King Uther, Gaius, and Arthur among the plenty of others. And just like last time, the memories involving Arthur came to the forefront.

'I must warn you. I've been trained to kill since birth.'

'Oh? And how long have you been training to be a prat?'

'Ha! You can't address me like that!'

'Oh, I'm sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat… my lord?'

'I can't order you to lie to the king, but… you'd be a friend for life if you did.'

'You better get going then. Don't want to keep her waiting.'

'Thanks, Merlin! I won't forget it!'

'I'm going back to Ealdor.'

'I understand.'

'… It's been an honor serving you.'

'… You'll be coming back?'

'I need a servant I can trust!'

'But you can trust me!'

'I'm glad you're here, Merlin.'

Merlin gasped as every vision of Arthur he had rushed through his mind. What was this? It hurt his head to see it all flash by so quickly. It hurt… It hurt his chest. Merlin tugged his hands, tried to force them off the statue.

'Who are you?!' he screamed in his head.

'What is more important, the prince or the knight?' a curious male voice asked.

'Who are you?!' Merlin cried out again.

'More importantly, who are you?' the man asked in replied.

Merlin felt like his head was about to explode. The memories rolled by faster and were pulled from even way before Camelot. Merlin squinted his eyes shut. Someone was inside his head! Someone was looking for something inside his memories! He couldn't let this happen! Merlin forced his eyes open and willed magic through him. His eyes flashed golden, and he was flung back from the statuary.

He'd really meant to push the statue away, but it mattered little. He was off of it, and that's all he cared about. The statue seemed to enlarge before him, casting its shadow till it covered Merlin on the ground at its feet. Then, without warning, the statue shrank rapidly until it was no bigger than a hand. Merlin's breath was labored. What had just happened?

He watched the statue closely, unable to will himself to move. The statue had changed. It stood with its arms at its sides, and its face was blank… save for its eyes. Its clothing had changed as well. It now wore a simple robe that covered the entire figure, but its hair was still hidden. Merlin held his breath until he thought he could breathe properly.

As he let out his air, his vision flashed white and then sank into darkness as he passed out.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Arthur stood up on the battlements and watched the land before him. Merlin hadn't been there when he'd awoken. However, his breakfast had been laid out as well as his outfit for the day. His curtains were pulled back to let the sun in, his shoes were shined and ready. Everything was perfect save for the fact that his manservant wasn't there. He must have just left, however, because Arthur's breakfast had still been terribly hot.

Gaius had probably called on him again. Sometimes Arthur felt sorry for Merlin. He worked for Arthur, Gaius, and most of the guests that passed into the city. He also helped out with tournaments and stable work. Then Arthur would drag him out on hunting trips… and Merlin had taken time to help save Arthur a few times. How Merlin managed all this without just collapsing was amazing to Arthur.

Still, if Merlin hadn't been there this morning, he was probably out in the forest collecting things for Gaius that could not be found in the market. Arthur sighed a little. He debated on the tasks to assign Merlin when he returned. Should he have Merlin wash his clothes? Polish armor? Be his training dummy? Serve him an early lunch?

Well first would definitely be the straightening out of his room. When Merlin didn't follow him and clean up, the prince's chambers quickly fell into disaster. Morgana had seen a glimpse of how bad it could get a while ago. Arthur didn't know where all the clothes came from and the dishes, but when Merlin was gone for any period of time, it was as if three people suddenly lived in Arthur's room and had been living unattended to for twice as long as Merlin had been gone.

Honestly, Arthur didn't know what he'd do without Merlin. He supposed he could always get another servant and they'd get the hang of the job soon enough… but they'd probably do everything he said. Merlin was a worthy servant because he wasn't just a shoe licker. He challenged Arthur, told him what to do. Merlin made jabs at him, teased him, even talked about girls with him. They were more like best friends than master and servant. Sometimes Arthur forgot Merlin was supposed to follow his orders… other times he got upset because Merlin had forgotten that as well. But he wouldn't trade Merlin's jokes for anything in the world. His servant's personality was what made life interesting these days. He couldn't imagine a day without Merlin's expressive outbursts.

"Arthur!" a voice called out.

The prince looked down at the road and the trees. Walking up the center was a very familiar face. On their shoulder was a bag used to gather herbs. Arthur couldn't help but smile. Think of him and he shall be there. It was Merlin!

"Come on, Merlin! You know you can't address me like that!" he called down. Merlin's returning smile was bright and made Arthur proud of himself. He was sure Merlin had laughed, but he couldn't hear from up here. Still, that meant Arthur was funny and that was something to be proud of.

"Right, right. Sorry, your highness! I'll be up to see you soon! I'm finishing an errand for Gaius!" Merlin explained. He was right up to the gate now. Arthur nodded and waved.

"See you soon then!" he called, a small smile on his face. Even from the distance, Merlin could spot the prince's canines in that smile.

As Merlin entered the castle courtyard, Arthur ran to the other side and watched Merlin walk quickly away. He smirked and gripped the edge of the landing.

"Faster, Merlin! Or I'll make you practice walking on your knees!" he jeered. Merlin made a wave to show he'd heard and began to jog. Arthur grinned widely. He loved to taunt his servant. It somehow made the day brighter.

Arthur cast a quick glance sideways and saw one of the guards staring at him out of the corner of his eyes. When he saw Arthur look over, the man looked back forward. Arthur smiled wickedly and strolled over to him. He placed a hand on the man's shoulder and sighed as though pleased with himself.

"It's not every day you find a servant willing to be yelled at all the time. Don't you agree?" he asked.

"Of course, sire," the man replied robotically.

"See? You would be no fun as my servant. You are so predictable," Arthur laughed as he walked away from the man and returned to the dimmer halls of the castle. He was getting hot out in the sunlight.

A/N: Please review. It makes my world go round.