Hello, everyone! So, this is my first time ever doing something like this. I hope you enjoy these short stories!

Prompt: Merlin is injured by a creature while out on a hunting trip.

Idea by: Me! :D

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything from Merlin!! Only the idea is mine.
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Merlin's POV

Merlin had never loved hunting, but Arthur always decided to drag him along anyway. It didn't make sense really, especially since he was purposefully loud trying to warn the creature of imminent death. It always made Arthur angry, but he still insisted on Merlin coming, and truthfully, Merlin wouldn't let his King out of his sight anyhow.

"Merlin, you idiot!" Arthur screamed as Merlin came running noisily out of the bushes, a ten point buck prancing away. Inwardly, he smiled, but to Arthur he arched his brow and dropped his jaw. "Was that my fault?"

"Could you be any louder?" Arthur shouted aggressively before taking off running in a crouch the direction the buck had fled.

The Knights of the Round Table brushed past him as they followed closely behind their King. He turned to his right as Gwaine patted him on the shoulder; a wide grin on his face as he passed by.

Merlin grinned and let out a sigh before following in the Knights tracks. They followed the hoof prints left by the buck for what felt like hours until the sky began to held colors of a soft orange and pinks as the sun began to set.

"Let's make camp for the night," came Arthur's authoritative voice.

Merlin unsaddle his horse and unpacked the bed rolls while Percival volunteered to collect firewood. As he unrolled the first bed roll, the sound of twigs breaking peaking his attention. His head jerked to his right as the sound came once again, and he rose to his feet, his ears listening intently to nature.

"It's about time, Percival!"

He turned around to see Elyan greedily taking the wood from his friends hands. Merlin studied the expression on Percival's face. The gentle giant looked spooked like he had seen something to set him on edge.

Minutes later, Elyan and Leon got a fire going, and Percival glanced behind him ever so often, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword ready to withdraw it.

Merlin furrowed his brow but left him be for now. Arthur would kill him if he didn't get the rest of the camp set up. He finished laying out all the bed rolls, and began to cook dinner with the rabbit they had caught earlier.

As laughter erupted from the campsite, Merlin looked across the way to find Percival sitting in silence. He hadn't even touched the bowl of stew Merlin had put down beside him earlier.

"Percival," Arthur finally called, jerking Merlin from his thoughts. "What's troubling you?"

Percival sighed and thrust his thumb over his shoulder. "While I was gathering wood, something growled from behind me. I don't know what it was, nor could I find it." A grin tugged at his lips. "I'm sure it was nothing though, Sire."

Whatever it was had to be listening because a loud growl rang throughout the dark.

Merlin jumped to his feet along with Leon, the trees rustling behind them. Merlin ready his magic in case whatever it was decided it didn't want to be friendly.

The trees ceased their shaking, and the growing went away, the only sound now able to be heard was the thumping of blood in his ears.

"Maybe it's gone?" Lancelot asked, his hand slowly easing off the hilt of his sword.

Merlin began to inch forward toward the trees. Whatever it was, it was being quiet but it wasn't gone. He could still sense the presence of another being, something magically like him, stalking the woods. Unexpectedly, a creature leaped from the bushes causing Merlin to fall to his rear. The creature that stood before him stood on four legs with light blue fur and giant antlers, its eyes balls of blue fire.

Merlin's eyes opened wide as he quickly scooted backwards, and someone gripped his biceps yanking him to his feet. The Knights all had their swords drawn, and Merlin stayed behind them. Staring ahead at this creature, this buck, he squinted. He was almost sure that there was something familiar about the animal, and then it hit him. "Arthur, it's the buck," he said softly, trying to keep from startling the creature.

Merlin jumped as the buck launched into the air, jumping high over him and the Knight's, and landed in front of Arthur. It scraped a hoof against the dirt seeming like it would charge.

"Arthur, look out!" Elyan shouted.

Merlin watched in fear as the two hit each other head on, antlers clashing with metal. The Knights all joined in protecting their King, but Merlin stayed back hidden in the shadows watching closely in case magic was needed.

His attention was suddenly drawn to the right as another buck, looking the same as the first, charged out of the woods and ran straight for the Knights.

"Lancelot!" Merlin shouted, hoping to warn his friends in time, but it was no use. They couldn't hear him over the rampaging animal.

His heart dropped as he watched those pointed antlers race towards his friends. With a nod of his head, his irises glowed gold and the five Knights were pulled backwards just as the other deer stampeded where the Knight's had just stood. Merlin sighed in relief as Lancelot eyed him, giving him a grateful nod.

His gaze was drawn back to Arthur who sliced through the bucks face leaving a large cut through its eye, cheek, and down to his nose. While the buck stood withdrew in a cry of pain, Arthur ran to help his fellow Knights with the opposing buck. The buck that had been fighting Arthur regained his senses quick and began to charge toward the King once more.

Merlin heart lept into his mouth. He had seconds before it would run Arthur through. "Arthur!" he shouted, but the King didn't hear him. Sprinting in front of the buck, Merlin thrust a hand forward and prayed none of the others would see. The buck skidded backwards, his hooves sliding along the ground as he tried to stop himself. His bright blue eyes glared at Merlin full of hatred and the fire burned brighter.

Leon was suddenly launched through the air, his sword falling to the ground beside Merlin. Merlin swiftly bent over and picked up as the buck advanced on him again. With a quick thrust of the sword, the tip penetrate the top of the animals head with only seconds to spare.

The buck fell to the ground in a heap, and the other buck, having seen that his companion was dead, took off in an attempt to flee the Knights.

Merlin sighed and yanked the sword free. This is the thanks I get for saving your life? He threw the sword to the ground.

Arthur and the Knights all started shouting praises that they were alive, and slapped each other on the back.

Lancelot came up beside Merlin and smacked him hard on the back in victory. "Thanks for saving us back there," he whispered.

Merlin chuckled, but unexpectedly was consumed by dizziness. He sank to his knees as the world swam, placing his hands on the ground as a sudden burning sensation filled his side. Lancelot must not have noticed his pain because he said, "Catch your breath, Merlin. That was some strange battle indeed," before walking off.

Merlin brought a hand up to his right side where the pain was resinating and he felt something warm on his tunic. Looking down, he removed his hand and noticed his palm painted in crimson. Gritting his teeth, he sat back on his heels and lifted his shirt to see a large gash trace from the right side of his rib cage down to his stomach. The bucks antler must have sliced him as it fell, and seeing as one of the tips of the bone daggers was a bright red, he knew it was so.

Arthur came up from behind and patted him hard on the back causing a wince from Merlin as the sudden jolt sent his side roaring with pain. "Oh, don't be so sad, Merlin!" he said cheerfully. "I know you hate killing animals, but this was not like that fluffy bunny we had for supper."

Merlin smiled and chuckled. "Yeah, of course. I don't know what I was thinking." He clambered to his feet, hiding the sign of pain. Luckily, his shirt was red and he hoped it would hide the blood until he was able to patch himself up. There was no need to worry Arthur over a scratch that he could easily heal.

"I'm very proud of you, Merlin," Arthur continued with sarcasm like he was speaking to a five year old. "Never knew you had it in you." Merlin snickered. "Well, maybe we should all finally get some rest after that," Arthur said to his Knights, who were still slapping each other on the back victoriously.

Merlin thought that some rest sounded like a good idea. He finished gathering up the Knight's bowls from supper and quickly washed them before carefully lowering himself down onto his bed roll. He laid down on his back, his blanket pulled over him to keep the others from seeing the blood patching coming through his shirt, and waited for the others to fall asleep. Once they had, he quietly pulled out the medical bag from his saddle bag lying beside him, and began to dress his wound. He would never tell Arthur what had happened. Arthur would just think he was being a sissy telling him about how he and his Knights have endured worse. He'd never hear the end of it. Once he had finished patching himself up, he laid down on his good side and fell to sleep quickly.

"Merlin, wake up."

Merlin jerked awake, Leon leaning over him. "It's morning already?" He cringed as he rolled over to his back.

"Afraid so," Leon replied. "I wouldn't have expected you to sleep in."

Merlin squinted. Slept in? He rolled himself into a siting position, his mind groggy, and he glanced around the camp noticing how everything was already packed, finishing tying their bed rolls to their horses. "You didn't wake me?" he asked, and for the first time, he realized how weak his voice had sounded. Luckily, no one else had.

"Figured we'd let you sleep," Percival said as he stuffed something inside his saddle bag. He smiled, spreading his arms out to the side. "You did, after all, save our lives last night by killing that creature."

Merlin couldn't suppress a grin.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Arthur butted in. "I tried to wake you, but the Knights insisted you needed a break." He rolled his eyes. "Like you actually need one." He gestured for Merlin to hurry. "Come on now. Your rolls not going to pack itself. We're leaving for Camelot."

Merlin shook his head thinking maybe he had heard the prat wrong. "Wait, Camelot? I thought we were continuing west?"

Arthur gave him a look of annoyance. "Yes, that was originally the plan, but now it's changed. After our little run in last night, I figured it would be best to return and inform the council. They need to know there's magical creatures inside our boarders." Again, Arthur rolled his eyes as he turned and walked off.

Merlin lowered his head and shook it, trying to chance away a wave of dizziness as he placed a hand on his aching head.

"You alright, Merlin?"

He looked up and smiled at Elyan. "Fine. Just getting my brain to wake up." Elyan snickered as he walked off. A few minutes later, he had his bed roll packed, and the company headed for Camelot.

Merlin discreetly glanced down at the dark circle on his shirt. He had intended on redressing the wound before leaving, but unfortunately, since everyone had already been awake, he didn't get the chance. Not with a Knight constantly on his hip. By the wet splotch on his shirt, he knew the bandage was already soaked in blood. It needed a change and it needed one soon to keep back an infection.

They rode through most of the day none stop, with the exception of Merlin cooking lunch. He tried sneaking off to the river, claiming he was refilling his flask, but Gwaine had just tossed him his for a sip. Merlin let out a long drawn sigh. If this wound got infected, Gaius would have his head.

The road to Camelot was treacherous on Merlin. As the day went by, he grew more dizzy, light headed, and fatigued. All he wanted to do was sleep, and his wound burned as he felt an occasional blood gush from the awkward movement on his saddle. The stinging ache only became more unbearable the closer they got to Camelot's walls. He bit his bottom lip and grimaced trying to hide the pain from the sudden jerks. Just a few more miles.

He rocked on his horse feeling himself sliding to the left, but he couldn't find the strength to righten himself. His energy was draining, and it was draining fast.

"Hey, Arthur!" Lancelot's voice called, but it sounded like his voice was bouncing off of cave walls. "I think we should stop for the night and make camp."

"What for?" Arthur called back from the front. "We are mere miles away and can be there an hour after dark. We ride on."

Merlin's head bobbed, and he could almost feel the color drain from his skin as his face suddenly flushed.

Lancelot road up to Merlin's left. "Merlin, are you alright?" he whispered. "What's going on?"

Merlin could barely lift his head to address his friend. "I'm fine." He meant for his voice to come out strong to not alarm Lancelot, but his voice only came out in raspy breaths.

Lancelot reached for the reins on Merlin's horse, and Merlin didn't have the strength to resist. "No, you're not, Merlin." He pulled Merlin's and his own horse to a stop. "Arthur!"

Merlin's eyelids were extremely heavy. He didn't know how much longer he could hold out. Unexpectedly, his body grew limp as his strength left him. He slid to the left off his saddle expecting to hit the ground, but thankfully someone was there to catch him. He lifted his eyelids barely an inch — which was all he could muster — to see Lancelot's worried gaze.

Strong arms lifted him into the air, and transport him away from the horses. He was placed on the leafy ground, and a cold sensation overcame him, like he had suddenly teleported to a snowy wasteland surrounding the Fortress of Ismere, and his teeth chattered as he began to shake.

"Merlin's, what's going on with you?" Lancelot placed a hand on Merlin's forehead, but quickly withdrew it.

Merlin's strength vanished as his eyelids closed and his head rolled to the side.

Arthur's POV

Arthur raced to Merlin's side, the Knights following closely behind. His heart pounded, afraid of what could have happened. Leaning over Lancelot's shoulder, he stared down at his pale servant who's eyes were closed shut and he shook violently.

"He's burning up," Lancelot said, glancing up at the King.

"Has he fallen ill?" Percival asked.

Arthur gave Merlin's body a glance over. There was nothing visible that would suggest something was wrong so maybe Percival was right. Maybe Merlin was just sick.

He patted Elyan's shoulder who knelt on Lancelot's right with the medical bag. "Do what you can for him."

As Arthur turned to walk away, his eyes were suddenly drawn to a dark splotch on Merlin's side, hidden by his leather jacket. He squinted his eyes, and pointed. "Lift his shirt."

Gwaine knelt on one knee and did as his King asked, lifting Merlin's shirt. Shocked, he dropped the shirt and stared at a bandage soaked with blood. He glanced back up at Arthur, and Arthur returned an equally shocked expression.

Grimacing, Gwaine carefully unwrapped the bandage and cringed at the sight underneath. Dark colors of grey and purple circled around a large gash, green veins tracing through the discoloration of his body.

"That's infected," Leon said with a look of disgust.

Arthur clenched his jaw, not in anger but out of fear and confusion. Merlin was badly hurt and for some reason he had felt like he couldn't come to Arthur and ask for help. Arthur looked away feeling the rise of guilt. He made his servant, his best friend, feel like he couldn't come to him in a time of great need.

"Can you help him, Elyan?" Arthur mumbled.

Elyan nodded. "I'm no physician, but I believe I can. If I can stop the infection from spreading any further, and clean out what's already there ..." He paused and glanced up. "Then I think he'll be alright."

Turning his attention back to the injured servant, Elyan got to work.

Arthur swallowed a lump in his throat and crossed his arms. Elyan definitely wasn't a physician, but Arthur trusted him when it came to patching up wounds. He had proven himself to be skilled even if it was limited. Arthur allowed a small amount of relief to enter, but Merlin wasn't in the clear yet.

Time went on, and Merlin's screams became unbearable as Elyan cut away the infected flesh. Arthur had to step away. About an hour later, Merlin's screams died away. Fear gripped him, making his heart leapt into his throat, and he raced back to camp. He glanced around at the faces of the Knights and asked, "What happened?"

He made his way to Merlin, and found him panting as Elyan placed a clean bandage against the wound. "I got what I could," Elyan explained. "It should be enough to help him until we can get him back to Gaius."

Letting out a sigh, Arthur sunk to ground. He placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder and let a small grin pull at his lips. He stayed by his servants side, pulling his knees to his chest, and waited.

A few hours passed before Merlin's eyes finally started flickering. Arthur sat up straight and watched Merlin's blue eyes look around until they finally met his, a smile growing on his face.

"You sure gave us a scare, Merlin." Arthur crossed his legs.

Merlin grinned sheepishly. "Sorry," he apologized.

Arthur snickered. "Don't be. I guess I owe it to you for saving my life. If you hadn't killed that creature, I'd be in your spot right now."

Merlin chuckled and his face twisted with the pain it brought. "You'd be in the ground," he muttered.

His smile grew and he laughed, noticing a small portion of Merlin's coloring return. "I'm just happy you're alright."

Arthur stood up and stepped back allowing the Knights to crowd around their friend. Crossing his arms, he let out one last sigh as a great weight lifted from his chest. Merlin was going to be alright.

A/N- Hope you liked it! If y'all ever have an idea for a short story, I'd be happy to fit it in! :D