I do not own copyright claims over either J. K. Rolling's Harry Potter series or BBC's show Merlin. I do; however, own this story.
A deafening silence filled the castle. All remnants of a once happy time were sucked away. Located in a large study high up within a secure tower, surrounding a great round table stood four figures. A dimmed lighting by the flickering candles cast shadows over them. Hunched over and sulking, not one dared utter a word. Too much tension encased the group; a once optimistic set of friends. All friendly tidings seemed to vanish with the inevitable departure of their extraordinary companion and mentor. At last one man slammed his fists down on the table. All wandering attention fell to him as he stood to leave.
"Perhaps," said Rowena, "with the loss of our greatest member, it is time for our group to be disbanded."
This stopped Salazar dead in his tracks. Turning to look at his once happy companions, a slight burden lifted from his shoulders. He had been considering a dispersion of the group for quite some time and just couldn't figure out how to break it to the others. Now looking at all of their 'knowing' faces, he could tell the subject had been on everyone's mind for a while.
Rowena continues, "It is time we stop sidestepping the matter. Eight months have gone by and our group can not seem to regain its bearings."
"That is probably wisest," Godric agreed as Salazar retook the seat across from him and continues, "the school has been established and our purpose accomplished. The ideals, which brought us together, became far less what bonded us while he was here. Now both are gone."
"We have come to a decision then?" asked Salazar after a moment. Looking around at the faces of his three once close companions who all nodded. He too nodded in confirmation and leaned further back into his chair.
"Now that it appears we are no longer denying his absence, it is time we follow through on our promises to him," Helga finally inserted herself into the conversation.
"How shall we begin?" asked Godric as he peered around.
"We shall begin by removing any traces of his presence. It was his greatest concern that no evidence could place him here until the appropriate time. To the world he wishes to remain a ghost and he has entrusted us to ensure it. His destiny is far too great to be tampered by us." Rowena said with solemn finality before continuing, "But we must tread carefully. The next steps we take will have a lasting affect on future events. The school must be prepared when such a gathering unfolds."
"Then let us begin," Godric ends before all of the founders up and leave the room. There is much to be done.