Arthur had been secretive. This was never a good thing. Merlin had learned that whenever Arthur thought it was best to be secretive from everyone – even him! – it was a bad idea. Take the Perilous Lands for example. The man gets to choose his quest, and while being very secretive, finally reveals it's in a land no one charted with monsters no one had seen to search for some obscure trident which didn't really seem to do much of anything at all.

Yes, Merlin concluded. It was definitely something disastrous if Secretive Arthur was involved.

Finally Arthur stopped for the night and gathered his band of knights together. Leon, Gwaine, Elyan and Percival all listened avidly while Merlin stared slightly off into the distance. He'd already been warned about the sphere by Kilgarrah and then by Gaius once he'd told him about it. Arthur, miffed that his moment of revelation wasn't having the desired effect, challenged the servant.

"Are we boring you Merlin?" asked Arthur sarcastically.

"No…" Merlin answered slowly, confusion evident in his expression.

"I was just explaining to all of you that if Morgana gets hold of Eladrian's key she could lay waste to Camelot. You were just sitting there looking incredibly stupid with a bored expression on your face. Did you not hear a word?"

"No, I heard. Another magical object of doom. Another sorcerer hell bent on killing you. Another quest to save Camelot…"

"What are you jabbering on about Merlin?"

"Well, it's getting a bit…too repetitive don't you think? You realise this is the third magical object that we've set out for in the past year?"

Everyone stared at Merlin incredulously. Gwaine roared with laughter. Elyan paused for a second.

"He's got a point, you know. We do seem to have a lot of these quests. And if it's not a magical object, or beast it's a sorcerer or a curse…"

"One of the many plagues magic has brought to this land," Arthur affirmed, darkly.

Well, Merlin thought. That killed the mood.

"Be a bit boring without it," Percival remarked. Merlin stared at him shocked and a small smile crept on to his face.

"I like trouble. Where else to find it, then a kingdom where trouble is banned, eh?" joked Gwaine. Gwaine winked at Merlin who immediately had to control his expression, or he'd be chuckling along with him.

Arthur didn't know how to react. You didn't talk about magic. You just didn't. Taboo. Then, he reminded himself, these men weren't from Camelot. Hell, not even Merlin was, so they couldn't be expected to fully understand the danger of magic like Arthur did. They were rather ignorant in that respect.

In truth the said knights didn't know how to react either. They knew Arthur's views on magic and respected him for it. But that didn't necessarily mean he was… right. Then, they reminded themselves, Arthur was from Camelot so he couldn't be expected to fully understand the nature of magic like they did. He was rather ignorant in that respect.

"So, what's the catch?"

"What are you talking about Merlin?"

Merlin fought the urge to roll his eyes. "The catch, Arthur. There's always a catch, something ridiculously dangerous in the way. None of your quests have ended well there's always lethal magical curses, crazy witches, wyverns, afancs, a cave of blind rats –"

"Merlin!" Arthur interrupted.

"Shut up?"

"Such a pessimist Merlin, I'm sure princess has everything under control. He won't let the nasty witch get you," Gwaine reassured grinning. Merlin rolled his eyes, somewhat immune to the knight's taunts by now.

"We must be on our guard. We don't know what the territory is like here," Arthur warned. The gathered knights nodded grimly before preparing for the night. It would be a long day tomorrow. If only they knew how long.

"Wake up, Merlin! We've got a big day ahead of us!"

Merlin startled awake and looked up at Gwaine in horror.

Gwaine tensed, immediately trying to sense any incoming danger. "What?"

"You said it. I'll never forgive you," continued Merlin. Gwaine saw the glimmer of humour in his eyes and played along.

He narrowed his eyes. "Said what?"

"The jinx! Whenever people say it's going to be a big day something bad always happens!"

"Jinxed, eh?"

"Don't be ridiculous Merlin, there's no such thing as a jinx," Arthur jibed.

A great shriek sounded in the clearing ahead. All the knights swiftly drew their swords and silently moved behind their nearest tree. Arthur grabbed Merlin and pulled him back stumbling behind a tree just in time before a gargoyle came into view.

Arthur gave Merlin a piercing glare. "Don't even think it."