My first Merlin fic (but not my first fic). Written a chapter for now and will continue if people like. As always i own nothing from the Merlin universe nor any characters etc. Enjoy. Please R&R.

Chapter 1

"You didn't mention there'd be bandits on this little expedition did you?" Merlin spurred his bay mare on following Arthur's chestnut steed.

"Don't try and be clever Merlin" the king barked without turning to his servant. He too spurred his horse faster. Both now at a full gallop through the forest, a band of renegade bandits were in hot pursuit on horseback. What was meant to be a quick errand to the forests of Camelot had now turned to a race back to the city walls for safety.

Arthur did not look back, he could hear both Merlin's horse and the distant hooves of the pursuers not far behind. He looked ahead, finding the safest and quickest paths he could through the thick foliage of the forest floor, his horse was well trained and carefully aided Arthur picking footfalls carefully even at full speed. Seconds past which seemed like minutes until Arthur heard Merlin's horse falter. He glimpsed back only to catch his servant waver on his horse and in what seemed like slow motion he caught him tumbling down the mares neck to the floor.

"Merlin you idiot!" he shouted pulling his horse roundabout only to see Merlin fall further as the woodland floor quickly dropped down to another level 20 or more feet below. Hesitating for a moment Arthur swung his horse around with precision and headed up the opposite embankment in the hopes to confuse their stalkers. Much to his delight within the next minute the small band of horses galloped by with no regard for King or servant. Once safe his retraced his steps back down the hill and dismounted looking down further in search of his friend.

"I swear Merlin, if you've banged your head again then i will not be responsible for what i do when you wake" Arthur cursed, pulling his sword from his saddle scabbard and marching to the edge. Before the King had a second to survey the area the sound of crashing leaves and twigs caught his attention. Turning to the sound a lone bandit came racing through the trees, sword held high running for him. The mans battle cry echoed through the nearby forest and metal hit metal as Arthur met him sword on. The enemy displayed a good resistance but he was little match for Arthur's swordsmanship who struck him down in a single blow. As the man went down he grabbed at the kings chain mail pulling him down with him in a last ditch attempt at victory. Arthur kicked him off and as his released his hold his footing wavered, Arthur tried to stay upright but instead his headed the same way as his servant had, down the sheer drop of the forest.

Arthur felt like he was moving at half speed as he felt himself fall. Leaves and twigs rushed past his face, grazing it in places. He tried to grab for branches and roots but found none and within seconds he hit the floor with a crack. He grunted, stifling a cry as he felt blinding pain shoot from his left arm. His vision blurred for an instant and then cleared and he began to get his bearings back.

"Merlin?" Arthur squeezed his eyes shut against the sheering pain. "Merlin, where the bloody hell are you, you clot pole?" He peeled his eyes slowly open as clearly his words fell on deaf ears. The king pulled himself slowly upward and his head swam causing him to grip the dirt with his good arm. He gazed slowly at his throbbing left arm noticing its odd angle. It was definitely broken, the pain was unmistakeable.

A small moan then came from Arthur right and the king craned his neck sideways meeting the view of his servant. Merlin was unnaturally still, too still for the kings likings. Arthur rolled carefully to him, struggling to keep the pain from his arm in check.

Merlin was pale, very pale, his lips were almost a tinge of blue. For a moment Arthur panicked he was dead, but he could see the shallow rise and fall of his chest under his tunic. The warlock's right brow was beginning to bloom with an impressive tinge of purple which even Arthur was worrying about. But what worried the king the most as he scanned his friend for injuries was the ominous crossbow bolt sticking rigid into his side; small trickles of crimson leaking slowly around it.

"Merlin?" Arthur shook his servant gently with his good arm, Merlin made no response. "Merlin wake up you dollop head!" Arthur's words were tinged with worry, but he would not easily show it.

The servant groaned and shook slightly. "Thats my word, you prat" he wheezed out, barely audible and without opening his eyes. The sides of Arthurs mouth twitched in a brief smile which quickly faded into a worried frown. Merlin tried to push himself up on his elbows but shuddered and collapsed back down groaning in pain.

"Hold still" Arthur gently pressed on his friends shoulder. "your not to move right now" Merlin detected the worry in his voice and slowly cracked his eyes open to meet the kings.

"It's bad isn't it?" Merlin half heartedly grinned in amusement at the kings furrowed brows. Arthur's expression didn't change and Merlin's finally matched his as he glanced down at the bolt embedded in his abdomen.

"Oh" he breathed out, the pain suddenly hitting him. "thats ... inconvenient" He prodded the wound and winced.

"Inconvenient!" Arthur angered. "have you seen where we are?"

Merlin slowly scanned around the area. They were in a deep ravine in the forest floor. Each side a steep elevation back up to the road were the horses were. They were concealed from all view of passers by.

"Its ok." Merlin was breathing fast now from the pain. "I'm sure you can go for help"

Arthur rolled his eyes and stared from his broken arm to Merlin's wound. How they were both going to get out of this one alive he didn't know. The forest was crawling with bandits and they were trapped in a deep gully where no knights of Camelot would notice.

"Marvelous" the king sighed. How were they going to get out of this one?