Labyrinth of the Lost

Summary: Arthur, Gaius, Morgana and Gwen become increasingly worried when a two week holiday takes Merlin more than four weeks to complete. And their suspicions are confirmed when his horse returns riderless.

Disclaimer: This is a Fan-fiction story of the T.V Series; Merlin, and is in no way affiliated with the actual series. All Characters and other materials related to the show that are used are not intended to infringe on any Copyrights. Elemental-Zer0 takes sole responsibility for any mistakes or offence that may be taken but truly not meant.

However, this story plot and all Characters not affiliated with the show are Copyright © 2009 to Elemental-Zer0.

Authors Note/Warnings: I don't think I like this as much as I'd hoped. I'll warn you now, I may take this story down as I'm not sure if I like it yet – usually I vow to finish all my stories posted here, but this may be the one exception.

Let me know what you think, but no flames please. If you have any criticism to make please do it politely otherwise I shall ignore your words. (It's happened before, I'm sorry to say, and I hadn't even posted any chapters…)

Labyrinth of the Lost

A cold and bitter wind whistled loudly through the trees, catching and sending a cloud of dry, winter-bitten leaves in a scattering race across the cold, hard floor. Merlin pulled his thin jacket closer around himself and wished ruefully that he'd taken his mother's warning of a cold journey more seriously. It would snow tonight, he predicted, and a frost would greet the morning sun too. He sighed, his warm breath escaping through his mouth and nose in a puffy cloud that was pulled away by the bitter winds. His horse snorted beneath him and shifted its weight before giving an impatient whinny.

"Yes alright, we're going…" He responded, with a little kick to the horse's flanks to get him to move. The horse fell into a casual walk, finding its way through the sparse undergrowth while instinctively heading for home; Camelot.

But, before he could leave the clearing behind completely, a sudden commotion caused Merlin to draw his horse to a stop. To his right, the bushes gave a cry and before he knew it, Merlin had fallen to the cold hard earth; his horse was stood only on its hind legs and in the next second had galloped off into the forest.

He was confused and dazed but was instantly on his feet, numb fingers searching his belt for the hidden dagger that Arthur had insisted he keep with him when travelling alone, and was searching the area visually for his attacker. His heart still beating a hundred a minute.

But no one was there. He frowned, his breath coming out in slowing gasps while his adrenaline started to ebb away. The cold biting again.

Odd. Why would bandits try and attack but leave when he was most vulnerable? It made no sense. "Who's there?!" He called, hoping that he'd receive no answer but also hoping it was all a misunderstanding and that it was merely another traveller who'd caught him off guard.

But still only the silence of the winter forest responded. That made him even more nervous; where were the animals? Not all of them were hibernating, he knew enough of winter's wildlife to know that there should have been at least some natural sounds around, but the forest around him was eerily still and quiet. Not even the bitter wind from before dared to penetrate the tense and rigid atmosphere.

With his dagger held out and his eyes constantly watching the trees, the bushes… anything that might move; Merlin slowly moved toward the track that would take him home. He was sacred and beyond confused, and just wanted to go home.

He heard it then, and felt it a second too late. A swish of material from behind, a large force knocking his feet from under him and a heavy weight suddenly atop his chest… his dagger was forcefully kicked from his hand.

Dazed yet again he blearily looked up; blinking back the stars that threatened to take his vision completely, and found himself looking up at a cloaked figure. The cloak seemed large and weather worn, a few holes were patched up too but the hood covered his attackers face completely. Even looking up from this angle, he could only see shadows and what looked like the reflection of light on a small shiny surface. "What…cough, do you want with me?" He asked, trying to lift the stranger's foot from his chest where he'd pinned him down. The ground was hard underneath him and there was a hard lump sticking into his lower back, a rock maybe? Either way he was uncomfortable and afraid but the damned foot wouldn't budge.

The stranger made no noise, but made no movement to release him or explain himself either. Merlin's heart starting beating hard again, his breaths escaping in small quick puffs of white in the chilly air. Whoever this was, he scared him. He was unpredictable; his motive unknown, his goals obscured. "Please, I have no money… take what you can find…argh!" The foot pushed down and a sharp pain cracked down his left side. Something was going to give if the guy didn't ease up. Merlin squeezed his eyes shut and tried to push the foot off him, grabbing at the shoe and tugging at the laces but nothing would budge.

"Emrys…" He stopped; eyes wide. That voice… the cloak, the shadows… of course, it was starting to make sense. But why him? Why had this spectre come for him?

"No, wait. I know who you are. You've made a mistake… I'm not-" He tried to explain, tried to reason but the old mottled whisper that rasped like dead twigs rubbing against dry leaves brushed against his mind, stopping him again.

"Emrys…" It wasn't listening. It didn't care.

"No, please! Don't take me there…" He begged, frantic now but the figure just leaned over him, reaching two of his old skeletal fingers out from under its cloak and pushing them to the young warlock's forehead.

"Emrys..."

"Please! No..."