AN: Hello...

I lied. I feel like such a bad Author, but this idea happened and it needed to be written, like now. I promise that after this I will actually stick to the schedule I promised I would on my profile.

So, what you need to know if you didn't read The Rise of Emrys, which is totally fine. These are rather different story types, so I get if this attracts a slightly different audience. Morgana, Morgause, and Mordred took over Camelot, and blackmail Merlin into serving them by threatening his friends safety. They are pretty mean, and each use their new powers to punish Merlin for all the things they blame him and Arthur for. Eventually, Merlin and co. break free, and fight back. They beat Morgana and co., but Arthur is almost killed by Morgause in the process. Merlin and Kilgarrah are able to save him though, and Arthur takes his place on the throne, with Merlin as his court sorcerer. I think that is a good enough summary to prepare you for this fic...

Ummm, a few last things. I wrote this all together, instead of in chapters, so it will be broken up into days. I think this should be slightly helpful as Merlin is pretty out of it for a good portion of this story, and him falling asleep and waking up definitely doesn't mean it is a new day. I will be uploading the rest as soon as I finish editing it, so it should all be up by the end of today. On that note, no one else is editing this as I am slightly ashamed of how dark I got. This will also be the only long author's note, so if you get through this you won't have to deal with any others.

This is still very much a Merthur fic, but there will be no written sexy times. just implied sexy times. Sorry, I have very little knowledge of the sexy times. I also have very little knowledge of medicine. In my defense, I kind of doubt Morgana does either, so there. But I should stop talking. Just, I would love to know what people think of my darker side, so reviews are greatly appreciated. And I don't own Merlin. All the characters should thank their lucky stars that this is true.

Emrys~

We need your help. Our people are starving. The summer was harsh for our small camp, draught destroyed our crops and we will not have enough to survive the winter. As many of our people who had to run during the purge return to us, we cannot cope with the number of mouths to feed and we find ourselves in need of your skills and resources as court sorcerer to Camelot. Please, find it in your heart to take pity on us, and send help to the valley past the forest of Ascetir. Our lives are in your hands.

Koun of the Eastern Druids

Arthur reread the letter for what felt like the fiftieth time. Merlin had been receiving letters like this since he had been appointed court sorcerer. Most of them weren't quite this desperate, more people asking for cures for strange illnesses, help repairing their homes, or the millions requesting to be the students of the "great Emrys." Although he did the best he could to answer each senders request, Merlin had turned each of the prospective students down, telling them he didn't believe himself to know nearly enough to teach anyone. But, with the constant pressure, Arthur was beginning to hope that he might at least take one apprentice to get the rest of the magical community of his back.

Arthur wasn't sure why, but something just felt off about this letter. Maybe it was because he and Merlin had gone and met with many druid tribes after they repaired the damage left by the battle with Morgana, and there had been no mention of a leader named Koun, or even a tribe from the east, or perhaps it was just the way it was written. There was no way Merlin, with his abnormally large heart, would be able to turn down this plea for help. Arthur had considered not showing it to him, and sending a few knights out with supplies to the area these druids were supposedly in desperate need of help, so he could keep Merlin safe in Camelot. Plus, that way he wouldn't have to greet the dignitaries from the Isle of Mora by himself. The past few months Camelot had been plagued by nobles coming to pay their respects to his father and congratulate him on his rise to power. Even though the reasons they gave were honorable, Arthur was getting tired of the constant visitors and had wondered how many of them were genuinely expressing their feelings and how many were coming for show or to judge the strength of the young king for themselves. Although Arthur was happy to have his kingdom back, being king got quite tiring, and he caught himself longing for the time he had spent as simply prince, when he could spend days out hunting, instead of having to stay inside and judge garland competitions, speak with stuck up courtiers, and write speeches.

In the end, he knew he would show Merlin. Not because he decided the letter was genuine, but because Merlin and he had made a promise to never lie or hide anything from each other again. They hadn't been able to officially marry as the laws did not allow it, but they had gone out to the lake they had stood by after the celebration, exchanged a list of promises and two gorgeous rings. It had been more beautiful than any wedding Arthur could have ever hoped for, and Arthur knew he couldn't go back on any of the things he had promised to Merlin at that lake, underneath the moon and stars. He fiddled with the ring Merlin had given him, and began to read the letter again, as he waited for Merlin to return from his trip to the lower town. Merlin went down to visit the people, escorted by one of Arthur's most trusted knights, of course, almost every day. He would entertain children with tricks, heal those with injuries, and help in whatever way he could. Arthur loved to join him on his trips, where he would watch as Merlin did everything he could to make his people happy, but Arthur often needed to stay in the castle and attempt to keep the kingdom running, so he was forced to remain behind as his love went out to be with the people.

As he unfolded the letter to read it again, searching for some hint at its authenticity, or lack thereof, two slim arms curved around his shoulders, pulling him back against the chair.

"What's the matter?" Merlin asked, nuzzling against the back of Arthur's head.

"Nothing. When did you get back?" Arthur said, leaning back into Merlin's embrace.

"Not too long ago. I snuck in while you were worrying about that paper there. Now, what's made you so distracted you didn't hear me enter with all your amazing hunting skills?"

Arthur's face scrunched up as he handed Merlin the letter, slightly reluctantly. He stood from his chair and turned so he could watch as Merlin read what Koun had written. He watched as Merlin's smile fell from his face, and his eyebrows knotted together in a look of concern. Arthur guided Merlin back towards their bed, where they both sat. Merlin looked up from the letter and said, "I have to help them Arthur. Too many druids have died because of Camelot. I must do everything in my powers to make sure no more of their people are harmed."

"I know Merlin." Arthur said, standing so he could pace while he continued talking, "Something just doesn't feel right to me. What if this is some type of trap? None of the druids we met said anything about these eastern druids, and I have traveled to those lands, never once seeing another living soul. We could send knights with the food these people claim they need, but I don't want you getting hurt."

"Arthur, I will be fine." Merlin said, pulling Arthur back to the bed and stop his nervous pacing. "Do you forget who I am? They wouldn't be able to hurt me even if they wanted to. And you can't just send knights. They asked me, what if they need something more than food that only I can provide? What if they were attacked by knights in the past and want to know they will not be harmed for who they are? I am strong, Arthur. You don't have to worry about me so much. I can leave in the morning, take some of the food Camelot has stored, I know there is more than enough to last the winter, and ride to meet these Druids. I would be back within the week." Merlin ended with a smile. Somehow, this didn't reassure Arthur as much as he knew it should.

"Alright, Merlin." Arthur said, still slightly hesitant, "But you will not be going alone. I will send a group of knights with you. I would accompany you as well, but someone needs to stay and welcome King Henry of Mora. Just promise me you will be careful."

"I always am, Arthur. There is no need to worry. I will be back before you miss me."

"That would be impossible, Merlin. I find it quite difficult to go an afternoon without you, I don't even want to think about what a week would be like." Arthur said, pulling Merlin into a tight hug.

"Still not able to function without me, King Arthur? You really are going to have to learn how to dress yourself without my help some time soon." Merlin teased.

"And you're going to have to learn how to show your king the respect he deserves." Arthur said, trying to keep his voice harsh as a smile spread across his features, as he pulled Merlin down so he was lying on the bed, Arthur straddling him.

"Hmmm, I just don't see that happening any time soon." Merlin said, laughing. "And we really should get down to dinner soon. I wouldn't want to make Gwen angry, or hungry, or both." Merlin said, a look of horror crossing his face. Gwen and Lancelot had gotten married a few months after Arthur had been crowned king. After another season had passed, Gwen had gone to Gaius, feeling queasy, and had learned that she was pregnant. Now, about four months after that, her belly had begun to swell and she was slightly more moody than she was normally. Arthur understood Merlin's fear of the pregnant woman, and delaying dinner could very well insight her wrath.

"You're right." Arthur said with a sigh, "We should really head down."

"You know, you're going to have to get off me if you need me to help you change for dinner." Merlin said, gently pushing Arthur so he could move off the bed and over to the wardrobe that now held both of their clothes. Arthur had insisted on commissioning a tailor to completely redesign Merlin's look. Arthur was pretty certain it had been one of his best decisions as King, even if Merlin had complained about it being too much, insisting he was fine with his old, threadbare clothes. But, he had eventually given in, and had admitted that the new deep blue and bright red tunics made from the finest materials, that fit him so much better than his baggy shirts, and the tight, black trousers that showed just how skinny his long legs were really were much more comfortable than his old clothes. Arthur had also bought Merlin a couple of new coats and cloaks, seeing as Merlin never seemed to be able to keep himself warm. Now that winter was approaching, Merlin was rarely seen anywhere without one of the long, dark trench coats, it's silver fastenings locked tightly together to keep his skinny body warm in the drafty castle and cold streets. Arthur watched silently from the bed as Merlin undressed and pulled on a clean set of clothes in preparation for dinner. He couldn't help but admire the beautiful, pale body of his love. Anger stirred in him as Merlin removed his shirt and Arthur saw all the marks that Morgause had left on the man who held his heart. He had seen them before, of course, but that didn't stop him from wanting to find the sorceress and rip her apart each time he saw them. Once Merlin was fully dressed, he pulled Arthur up from the bed, saying, "Come on Arthur, It's almost six bells. If we don't head down soon, Gwen will have our heads!"

"Alright, Alright I'm coming." Arthur said, rolling off the bed lazily. He moved over to the wardrobe where Merlin had pulled out one of his clean, red tunics. He grabbed it from Merlin, wanting to prove that he could dress himself, thank you very much. He proceeded to do just that while Merlin watched, grinning at him. When he was done, Arthur put his hands on his hips and said, "See, Merlin, I am completely capable of dressing myself."

Merlin smiled and walked behind Arthur, and pulled down his shirt so it was covering his entire back, and replied with a chuckle, "Of course you are Sire. Now shall we head down?"

Arthur just glared at him before grabbing Merlin's hand and pulling him down to the dining hall.

Dinner had been a rambunctious affair, as always. Ever since they had retaken the castle, he had never eaten alone, as Merlin had decided it would be fun to have all their friends eat with them in the large dining hall. It was so different from the quiet, proper dinners he had shared with his father and Morgana, and he had to admit he liked this way much better. Leon, who had taken over Arthur's duties as first knight of Camelot, made sure that all of them had the dinner hour off from guarding the walls of the kingdom, so they could all join together for the meal. Arthur couldn't help but feel slightly sad though, as he realized this would be the last time Merlin would eat with them before he left to visit these druids who apparently needed his help so desperately. After they were done eating, Arthur told the others of the letter, and Merlin's desire to go to them. He wished he could send more of his closest knights with Merlin, but seeing as Lancelot and Elyan would not want to leave Gwen in her current state, and Leon and Percival had to stay behind and keep the kingdom safe, the only one he could really spare was Gwaine. Gwaine saluted and pulled Merlin into a half hug, and told Arthur he would keep the warlock safe on the journey. Merlin just laughed, clearly glad he would have Gwaine's company on the trip. Arthur also told Leon to organize a troop as large as he could spare to accompany the two on their journey. Arthur then dismissed them, and watched as Leon went down to decide who would be sent with Merlin, while Merlin, Gwaine, and Percival went down to Camelot's stores to gather some of the excess and pack it into a cart that Merlin would be able to take with him. Arthur went back up to his chambers and worried about the strange nagging sensation he had every time he thought about the letter.