A Flash of Gold

Time stood still as his eyes flashed gold.

Morgana stood with a slightly crazed look on her face as she held a dagger in front of her, ready to join the chaos. Several knights lay unconscious on the floor, several more were frozen in various battle positions as they fended off the viscous looking creatures and Uther Pendragon's face was caught in an expression of horror as he surveyed the sorceress standing in the centre of the banquet hall. However Merlin did not see any of this. Instead his attention was solely focused on the arrow that was now frozen in mid air – aiming straight for Arthur.

Without thinking Merlin leapt to Arthur's side, pushing him out of the way just as time resumed. White hot pain shot through Merlin's body as the arrow embedded itself in his right shoulder, and a cry of agony escaped his lips. At almost the same time the sorceress let out her own cry of frustration.

'That arrow was meant only for Prince Arthur' she screamed, her voiced filled with so much fury that many in the hall visibly flinched at the sound. 'This is not the end' she continued, before dramatically vanishing in a howl of wind – the creatures she had conjured disappearing with her.

Arthur watched her disappear from his position on the floor where he had landed, with a confused expression on his face as he tried to understand what had just happened. He was about to push himself up and attempt to control the chaos that still reigned in the hall when he heard his name, and the sound made his heart turn cold, as he finally understood what had happened.

'Arthur' Merlin whispered. His voice came out strained and his face was contorted into an expression of agony.

'Merlin!' Arthur cried, turning around to see his manservant on the floor with the arrow he now realised had been mean for him, stuck deep in his shoulder. Immediately he shouted for Gaius, before ripping his shirt and carefully arranging the fabric around the arrow, in an attempt to stop the warm blood from seeping from Merlin's body. 'What did you do, you idiot? I could have handled it!' Arthur murmured. His voice was soft and gentle, and his eyes were filled with concern.

' Someone's got to look after you' Merlin managed to say, but his breathing was ragged and every word seemed to be an effort. Arthur looked like was going to reply, but at that moment Gaius suddenly appeared behind him. He took one look at Merlin, concern etched into his features and immediately started shouting orders. Merlin was lifted on to a stretcher, crying in pain every time he was moved and carried from the room. For a moment Arthur looked like he was going to follow, before thinking better of it and instead turning back towards his father.

While Arthur had been taking care of Merlin, the King had managed to assess the damage. By now most of the knights had disappeared from the room, and only Morgana remained by Uther's side. Luckily Merlin had been the only major injury.

'I want that sorceress executed!' The king demanded, his eyes filled with an uncontrollable fury. 'How dare she enter my Kingdom, she will pay. Arthur I want the knights to ride out in the morning and...'

Arthur knew he should be listening to his father. He knew it was important. He knew that the safety of Camelot always comes first. But, irrationally, the only thing he could think of was Merlin.