Hello everyone! This is something that's been spinning around in my head for a while. There's going to be a lot in here. You're going to see a little bit of the Hogwarts Founders, Morgana may or may not appear, it's pretty safe to say that Voldemort is going to be there too, and Guinevere may make an appearance as well. This story takes place during the seventh Harry Potter book and after the battle of Camlann at the end of Merlin season 5 but since this is fanfiction don't expect it to be completely the same as what is canon. I'm gonna get creative so, let's hope you like what I come up with! Oh, and Arthur didn't die in the battle of Camlann so Gwaine didn't die either - because I love them both too much to kill them. :)

Reviews would be appreciated as they help spur me forward. Happy reading! :)

01

Merlin couldn't believe their luck. Why was it that when all seemed to finally be at peace, a band of renegades had to show up to attack them in the forest? Even though magic had been restored to the land and the five kingdoms had united, Merlin found there were still plenty of people who despised Arthur Pendragon and everything his family stood for. Hence the reason why at the moment Merlin was aiming spell after spell on any man who dared threaten the life of the King of Camelot and the Knights of the Round.

After taking down a particularly large man holding a frying pan of all things, Merlin glanced around and noticed that Arthur and the Knights were winning. Only five bandits remained and in less than thirty seconds they too joined their comrades in the dirt. The men of Camelot were just beginning to relax when someone let out a bloodcurdling scream. Merlin whipped around just in time to see a man swinging an ax directly towards Arthur who was alarmingly in the perfect position to be hit.

Merlin threw his hand out and felt the magic flow from his fingertips in a force of wind. The velocity not only took down the man with the ax but sent Excalibur straight out of Arthur's hands, the sword spinning several times in the air before – SPLASH – it landed in a pond.

Nobody moved and then…

"MERLIN!" Arthur shouted in annoyance, twisting around to face his manservant/ Court Sorcerer.

Merlin grimaced. "Oops."

"Oops? Oops?! When you said you were going to protect me, I didn't think it entailed removing my sword along with the attacker!" Arthur snapped.

Several of the knights chuckled while Merlin rubbed the back of his head. "I didn't aim to do that. It sort of just happened."

Arthur scowled. "Just happened? Merlin, you're the one who cast the spell!"

"That doesn't mean I can control it all the time, you prat," Merlin retorted. "I tend to act a little impulsively when it comes to immediate danger."

"Well then you can act impulsively and take a swim," Arthur commanded, pointing at the bottom of the pond where Excalibur now rested.

Resigned, Merlin wandered over to the pond's edge and frowned. Though it was his fault, he didn't enjoy the idea of swimming in the filthy, mossy water before him. The murky depths made it nigh impossible to see the sword and the slime on the rocks and loose tree branches was a combination of green, black, and brown. Merlin scrunched up his nose as the foul stench of the place wafted through his nostrils. He was about to turn around and beg Arthur for a different idea on how to retrieve Excalibur when someone – probably Arthur – shoved him in the back, sending him careening into the pool of muck.

Spluttering, Merlin twisted around in the water to find Arthur smirking at him while several knights laughed. "Sorry, Merlin, it looked like you needed a little bit of a push," the king grinned.

Merlin's eyes narrowed before a cheeky idea struck him. Eyes glowing gold, he silently commanded some of the water to fly up and smack Arthur full on the face; he also may or may not have added a fist full of muck to the water in the process. Arthur reared back, coughing and wiping furiously at his face, the muck smearing into his hair and across his cheeks.

Merlin grinned. "Oh, sorry Arthur, I thought I saw something on your face."

The knights were all laughing now while Arthur, glaring at him, snarled, "Merlin!"

"Don't worry, your royal pratness," Merlin smirked, pleased with himself. "I'll be back in a moment with your precious sword in hand."

And before Arthur could throw the handful of muck he'd scooped up into his hands, Merlin took a deep breath and plunged into the nasty water. Ugh, if this sword wasn't so blasted important I'd just convince Arthur to get a new one, Merlin silently thought as he plowed through the disgusting pond. Half way towards the sword Merlin felt a strange tingling sensation and froze. Oh no! Not good! Throwing his hands forward, Merlin desperately tried to reach the sword…

Meanwhile, above the water, Arthur felt the air grow completely still. "What –?" A sudden shockwave rippled the surface of the murky water followed by a blinding flash of white light. Several shouts rent the air all proclaiming the same thing – the king's voice being loudest among them: "MERLIN!"

Arthur rushed forward but the next second he was blasted backward, flying hap hazardously through the air before landing in a heap on the forest floor. The brilliant flare disappeared as the king scrambled to his feet and frantically ran back to the pond. What he saw chilled his blood.

The pond was empty.