I've never written a fanfic before, so please be kind! This basically fits on to the end of 5x11, and happens instead of Diamond of the Day parts 1 and 2. It probably doesn't end the same way either.

IN THIS, LANCELOT DIDN'T DIE. By the way, I don't own Merlin.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 1: The Army

"Arthur"

The dusky sunlight filtered through the branches of the gently swaying trees, and danced across the faces of two young men, sitting on horseback and travelling along a well-worn forest path.

The first young man was fair-headed and well-muscled, his shoulders covered with a lustrous red cloak, and beneath that chainmail and armour. The second, who had spoken, was quite different. His hair was a shock of blackbird-ebony, his figure tall and gangly, and his clothes – a brown jacket over a red shirt, with a bright blue neckerchief about his throat – were scruffy to say the least. Yet they shared two things in common; first, their piercing blue eyes, (one pair clear as the sky, the other wild as the sea) and second, the air of nobility that clung to them; as they passed, all seemed to become quiet around them.

The fair man was a king, the blackbird-boy his servant, but in the peace and tranquillity of the forest, the boy Merlin's chin was raised high, his back was straight and his shoulders pushed back, whilst his eyes, wild as they were, held a wisdom in them that was hard to ignore. Though King Arthur didn't know it, it was the last of the Dragon Lords who rode by his side.

"Arthur, please listen to me" Merlin's voice sounded deeper than normal as he spoke, the voice he adopted when he was being serious. "You know as well as I do you won't find him."

Arthur remained silent, though a look of annoyance flashed across his tense features.

"You know he'll be with Morgana by no–"

"No, Merlin, I don't know that, and neither do you, so… shut up." Arthur snapped back.

Merlin shook his head slightly and stuck his lower jaw forward slightly, making a small smacking sound with his lips – a clear sign he was exasperated.

"Besides," continued Merlin, resuming his attack as if he hadn't heard Arthur's last sentiment "even if we do find him, there's no guarantee that he'll listen to you. I mean, you didn't exactly part on good terms last time you met."

"You don't know that either. Maybe he's just…scared." Arthur finished lamely.

For his part, Merlin snorted. "Arthur, he blew the door off his cell and ran away after you executed the woman he loved. I doubt he'll be running for a hug if we find him. More likely he'll try and stick a sword in you." The words had slipped unbidden from Merlin's tongue , and he grimaced as images flashed before him.

Red sky. A field of the dead.

Arthur sighed. "You're probably right"

Arthur turning. Mordred swinging.

"Merlin?"

Arthur falling, eyes wide and staring. Mordred, eyes hard and filled with hate.

"MERLIN!"

With a jolt, Merlin's head snapped towards his master's worried face. No whispered a voice in his head not your master. Your friend.

Merlin plastered a wide, mischievous grin on his face, to placate the king's fears before facing forward once more and resuming his thoughts. Whatever his face had been doing it must have been bad for Arthur to have such worry lines creasing his brow.

As the next few minutes passed, Arthur watched his servant curiously. Regardless of his words, Arthur could see that Mordred's disappearance had greatly affected Arthur's oldest friend. He seemed more…resigned since that day. And if Arthur hadn't known him better, he would almost have thought Merlin looked scared. Despite all that he said to the contrary, Merlin was without doubt the bravest man he knew.

Suddenly Arthur stopped. Displaying his sixth sense for everything that went on with Arthur, Merlin stopped too, and raised a questioning eyebrow. With a terse nod, they both dismounted, Arthur drawing his sword from its sheath, and Merlin peering into the growing twilight darkness. Wordlessly, they crept forward.

In a moment the trees ahead of them cleared, and Merlin pulled Arthur back just in time to stop him tumbling over the edge of a steep cliff –

– and into an endless plain of soldiers and tents, bristling with weaponry, bustling with activity and filled to bursting with…

"Saxons" Arthur breathed "They're coming for Camelot"

For a moment the two of them stood there in shocked silence. It was Merlin who spoke first; "Arthur we have to get back."

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I'm sorry so little happens in it, I promise there'll be more next time. Please review!