The Indigo wolf

Chapter 4 - The start of the hunt

After another week, Morgana couldn't take it. Arthur had searched and searched for Merlin, and still no sign. He was getting unbearable. Finally, she had enough of it and walked up to Arthur.

“You, take a few knights and go for a hunt. Unwind. I can take care of the search now.” She says kindly, yet forcefully, to Arthur. He was beyond disheveled. His hair was unkempt and somewhat matted, his clothes wrinkled and the shirt was on backwards.

“No. We have to find Merlin.” Arthur says, being the stubborn little prat he was.

“You need your sanity more than the search. Go.” Morgana says. Arthur sighs.

“Fine. But if I hear anything about the search letting up even a little, I am coming back. Got it?” He says to Morgana.

“Trust me, of anything the search will become more intense.” She says. Arthur smiles half heartedly and stands up to go get some of the knights. He chooses Percival, Gwaine, and Lancelot to go with him. By Noon, the entire party is ready to leave, and starts riding out.

As they are about to stop and make camp, Arthur sees an unusual sight. A wolf ran through their camp, with a dead fox in his mouth. The unusual thing, was that the wolf was a deep blue color. The wolf stopped and looked at the king with knowing eyes for a few seconds before leaving again.

“Is it just me, or did that wolf look intelligent?” Percival asks.

“It looked intelligent, and like it knew us. Or rather, Arthur.” Gawain says. The other knights all nod their heads in agreement.

“Either way, we need to set up camp. Come on, let's get started. Maybe we could ask the locals about the wolf tomorrow.” Arthur says, getting off his horse, and starting to, hopelessly, set up his tent.

Merlin was out on his nightly hunt and had just gotten a nice fox and was walking back to the old castle when he came across Arthur. Merlin decided to look at him for a few seconds to see what he looked like. His hair was disheveled, probably lost his comb again, and he had shadows beneath his eyes. He looked at Merlin in wonder, then Merlin left again. He decided to eat then follow them to watch Arthur.

Merlin had noticed that Arthur didn't have another manservant, so he guessed that Arthur had decided to take care of himself. Merlin decided to eat in wolf form and watch them. He chuckled slightly at seeing Arthur attempt to put up his own tent. After giving up after a half hour, Arthur started to set up just his cot. Apparently he was just going to sleep under the stars.

Gawain had made a fire, and was now cooking some meat on it. ´He better put the meat higher or else it will burn.´ Merlin thought to himself. When Gawain called to the other knights to come get food, he got himself a bunch of meat.

After a little bit,the knights all went to sleep, so Merlin decided to curl up and sleep there as well, because there was still the need to protect Arthur.

The next day, Merlin woke up to the sound of the knights putting their swords on their belts. They had already packed up all their stuff, and were about to head off to the nearby village.