Merlin Oneshots (and some multi-part stories)

Nightmares Part Two

Title: Nightmares
Description: Merlin looks like he's been through hell and back. His face is pale, he has huge eye bags, and he almost never genuinely smiles anymore. Not that Arthur has said anything about it (yet). But, he's worried. Something is wrong. And he's going to find out what. Oh yeah, and they also get kidnapped.
Word Count: 2,050
Part: 2/3

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So, I know I said two parts before, but I think this is actually going to be three parts! Sorry. I'll get part three posted next Saturday!

"Another hunting trip? Seriously Arthur."

"Oh, don't be such a girl Merlin! We haven't been on a hunting trip in months. I think we're due for another one."

Arthur tried his best to act as normal as possible, but Merlin was looking really bad, so he added a short, "Although, I don't suppose we'll need your useless backside scaring away all the animals."

Merlin looked at him like he'd lost his mind, before he replied, "Like I could leave you on your own for even a day. You'd get yourself kidnapped. Or killed."

"I won't be alone. I've got my knights, and we certainly don't need you to hunt."

"But who'll cook your dinner? Not any of you, you can't cook."

"We'll be fine. I'm sure I can handle Leon's cooking for a couple days."

"Leon is going to cook your food?"

"Well, I'm certainly not letting Gwaine cook."

"No. Im going with you."

Arthur, knowing there was no way he could convince Merlin to stay behind, simply said, "I'll expect you bright and early tomorrow then Merlin."

"Yes, sire," he said, making Arthur's title sound like an insult.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merlin walked out to the others after getting his horse ready.

"Where's Mordred?" Merlin asked the knights, unable to see him anywhere. He was counting on him to help hide his nightmares, as Lancelot was sick and unable to come with them.

"He hasn't shown up yet. We aren't sure where he's at," Arthur replied.

"That's not like him. He's usually the first one here."

"I know. Maybe he caught whatever Lancelot has? We'll have to leave him if he isn't here soon, though."

"I'll go look for him," Merlin offered.

Arthur nods his approval. "Okay, you've got ten minutes. If you can't find him in that time, come back."

"Okay."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mordred?" Merlin called, checking the knights chambers first. He called again, and when there was no reply, he slowly creaked open the door.

When he looked about his room, he saw nobody in there. His bed didn't look slept in and his armor was gone. There was no sign of him. It's like he just disappeared.

Discouraged, Merlin shut the door and ran to the physicians chambers next. When he didn't find the Druid there, he looked in the armory and the training grounds. Both places turned up empty. Sighing, he headed back to the knights, already a little over the ten minutes he'd been given.

"You're late," Arthur said upon seeing him.

"I couldn't find him."

"I guess we'll just have to leave without him," Arthur said.