The Outlaw and the Warlock

Being different is nothing to be scared of

Arthur's POV:

Winter had come to the city of Camelot and the kingdom was covered in a light covering of snow and ice, my day had been filled with training the new knights and all I wanted to do was spend time with Gwen but instead I was sat in my fathers chambers going over the new trade routes with him we were just getting to the end when there was a knock on the door and Morgana walked in tears streaming down her face and a cut on the left side of her forehead. My father got up and quickly walked over to her and helped her to a nearby chair, he sat down beside her and said 'My dear tell me who did this to you I'll see that their punished severely'. 

Nothing could prepare me for the answer that she gave as he looked at my father and said 'It was Arthur's servant Merlin he has magic and he used it to hurt me, I was so scared I thought he was going to kill me', I didn't believe Morgana for a second I'd known Merlin for three years and he has always proved himself loyal to me there was no way he'd hurt Morgana I shifted on the spot and said 'It can't have been Merlin, I don't believe he'd ever hurt anyone especially the kings ward'. 

My father placed a comforting hand on Morgana's shoulder and said 'I don't care what you believe Arthur, you will find Merlin and bring him to me alive and un-spoiled where he will be sentenced to death by hanging'. I gave a quick nod and swiftly left the room running down the hallway and up the stairs to my chambers where I found Merlin turning down my bed for the night. 

Merlin's POV:

I'd just finished turning down the princes bed and I was just about to go and fetch his evening meal from the kitchens when he burst through the doors I jumped slightly and said 'Arthur is everything okay, your as white as a ghost', I felt my magic spike as I saw Arthur lock the door and I prepared to defend myself but then Arthur approached me and said 'Your leaving Camelot tonight, Morgana has made a very serious allegation against you. She's saying you attacked her using magic'. 

It felt like my whole world was stopping I knew Morgana hated me but I never thought she'd do this I walked up to Arthur and said 'You have to believe me I didn't attack Morgana I would never hurt her', Arthur took my right hand in his and said 'I do believe you Merlin, but if my father gets a hold of you I won't be able to protect you and I don't want to see you hang. So please just do as I ask and go, you'll find a horse saddled in the stables take it and get as far away from here as possible'. 

A sudden banging on the princes chamber doors made me jump, I turned and ran through the other doorway and down the staircase into the courtyard, I hid in the shadows as groups of guards crossed the courtyard once the coast was clear I sprinted across to the stables and found one Arthur's horses saddled for me. I lead the mare out into the courtyard and looked up at the window and saw Arthur stood looking at me I climbed onto the horse and looked up at him one last time before riding out of the city as the warning bell sounded. 

Arthur's POV:

With Merlin safely out of Camelot it was now time for me break the news to my father that he'd escaped, I walked into the council chambers my father and the other council members all stopped talking and looked towards me I bowed my head as he said 'Well where is the boy Arthur' I looked up and said 'Unfortunately he escaped father, the stable boy reports that one of the mares has been stolen'. 

My father slammed his hand down on the table and said 'Double your efforts send riders to the outlying villages I want Merlin caught', I nodded and said 'I will send only my most trusted men sire' my father waved his hand dismissing me from the room I turned to leave catching Gaius's eye as I did so.