Summary: Merlin and Arthur go on a hunting trip, but what will happen when Merlin loses control of his magic which gives him and Arthur a stronger bond than before?
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin unfortunately.
A/N: Well, this is my first fanfic so I should probably have done a one-shot but I decided not to. Just to let you know, I'm a bit comma happy so I overuse them... a lot. I am working on that :P Hopefully the story is better than the summary *fingers crossed*
Also, this first chapter is kind of just setting up the characters and their relationship so the plot will get better in the next one or two chapters.
Chapter One - Captured
The cool breeze washed over the warlock's face, a small relief from the blazing sun that was threatening to burn Camelot. He was working in the courtyard cleaning Prince Arthur's armour, when the man himself stepped in front of him blocking out the sun completely and sending Merlin in to the shadows, which although he wouldn't admit, he was glad for. Merlin could tell that the prince was in a cheery mood from the way he grinned down at his manservant, observing his handy work. 'Did you want something Sire?' Merlin asked grinning back, which Arthur swiftly wiped away with his reply 'Yes Merlin, we are going hunting, so go get my stuff ready and meet me at the stables within the hour'. Merlin groaned inwardly, hating hunting enough normally, let alone when the sun was about to cook him alive.
Merlin got up, rather slowly, causing Arthur's grin to vanish and pull Merlin up by his neckerchief in impatience. Maybe he wasn't in such a good mood after all. Still grumbling Merlin made his way to the castle entrance, his workload balancing precariously within his grip, until he tripped, sending Arthurs armour flying into the air. Without thinking, Merlin threw his hand up stopping the armour in mid air, luckily no one was around and realising what he had done, shoved his arm back by his side in a panic which sent the armour back on its journey towards the ground.
Picking it back up he made his way to Arthurs chambers to get his things ready for the hunt, moaning to himself about Arthur being a 'Prat' and a 'clotpole', but the Warlock knew he couldn't stay mad at his master, because since long ago he had decided he actually liked the prat of a prince, and would even call him his best friend in Camelot.
Late as usual, Merlin entered the stables panting and out of breath from the dash he had just made from his spot in the castle chatting to Gwen to here with Arthurs stuff. Tutting, Arthur informed Merlin that he had got another 'more competent' servant to tack up the horses, to make up the time that his manservant had wasted.
'On your knees' Arthur commanded giving his manservant a mischievous grin.
Merlin looked at Arthur perplexed, and confused at this strange request. Arthur waited for several minutes obviously waiting for Merlin to catch on and looking at him as though he was half-stupid.
'Get on your knees' the prince repeated but this time with the explanation of 'so I can use you to get on my horse.'
Although Merlin had been working for the Prince for over 3 months now, this request had never been issued, and even though they were alone in the stables Merlin decided he did not want to embarrass himself.
'You're joking right?'
'No way. On your knees' Arthur replied, repeating the command for the 3rd, and judging by his tone, the final time.
Begrudgingly, Merlin knelt down beside his horse, his face glowing a bright red, feeling the embarrassment from his best friend making him do such a degrading thing. Arthur, obviously not noticing his manservant's embarrassment looked down at Merlin allowing a small smile to creep onto his face at the sight of his manservant in such a position.
The trees were getting denser, and the two friends had been riding for around four hours without any luck of a kill. This only meant two things: Arthur was very unhappy and Merlin had a very sore arse.
He had begun to daydream out of boredom when Arthur called him name.
'We aren't going to make it back to Camelot tonight, we are too far into the woods, and unfortunately I believe we are lost'
Arthur wouldn't normally have admitted this but since it was just him and Merlin he couldn't be bothered to care, he wouldn't judge him like his knights or his tyrant of a father.
Merlin agreed, nodding his head vigorously at the thought of dismounting his horse and being able to stretch his legs. They rode onwards until they came across a clearing large enough for them both to lie in and a small patch of grass where the two men tied their horses and left them to graze.
After collecting the firewood, and Merlin using his magic to light it as Arthur set up their beds, they were chatting animatedly as if there was no barrier between crowned prince and servant, no social status to keep them from being friends, when Arthur raised his hand to silence Merlin. He obviously didn't understand Arthurs signal as he continued to talk, even if he was giving the prince an 'what in hell are you doing' look. Arthur knew telling Merlin to shut up would just make him talk much more so instead he tried poking him to try and silence him a different way which just made Merlin give him an indignant look, when neither of these things worked Arthur punched him, not too softly, in the arm.
'Hey! What was that-' Merlin replied indignantly as he was unable to finish his sentence as a hand flew across him mouth and he was dragged to his feet by a large, bald man, who looked as though he was about to eat him. Merlin let out a terrified whimper as he looked over to Arthur to a deathly glare.
'You just couldn't keep your mouth sh-' this time it was Arthur who never got to finish his sentence as they both had a piece of rope shoved unceremoniously into their mouths, making Arthur scowl and the treatment and Merlin to roll his eyes, wondering how Arthur expected to be treated like a prince by these Bandits.
Their hands were tied and their eyes covered as they were pushed out of the clearing, Arthur fighting until he realised he would not be able to win. Merlin, being his clumsy self, could not walk two steps without tripping when he couldn't see, and after roughly the fifth time he had almost fallen flat on his face, the larger man behind him lifted him onto his shoulder and carried Merlin the rest of the way.
A/N: I don't think this is any good, but you can be the judge of that (though you'll probably agree it's not). If anyone wants me to carry on the story then I will, if not then I will just give up xD The plot will mainly begin next chapter (if anyone actually wants there to be another one) so yeah Feel free to let me know how to improve. Also, after reading that I realised I change who's thoughts you get to hear and I expect I will do that throughout this Fanfic so I'm sorry about that in advance. R&R