It had been a year since Merlin had last been in Camelot and it had not changed much, but small differences could be found if you looked for them. Ever since his magic was revealed, Merlin had been living with his mother and travelling, learning new spells and trying to keep the peace between rivals. When he had heard the news of Uther death he knew it would not be long till Arthur called him back to Camelot, so he had remained in Ealdor.
Word from Arthur reached him in the form of Gwaine, Percival, Leon and Elyan, who informed him Arthur would have come but had been forced to stay in Camelot and deal with the counsel and other matters that had arisen. On the way back Merlin told the Knight's stories of his travels and they told him of the things that had been happening in Camelot.
Now he was standing in the Throne Room waiting patiently for Arthur to speak, "Merlin Emrys, it's been a long time." He finally said, and Merlin tried not to flinch at the use of his druid name.
"Arthur Pendragon," Merlin replied not wanting to say more, instead he waited again for Arthur to speak. Although it looked more as if Arthur wanted Merlin to talk, but knew it was his duty as king to speak first. Even though that never stopped Merlin before, he thought, almost smiling, but then remembered how they had come to be in that situation and quickly stone walled his face.
"While my father was king you were found guilty of magic, and I lessened your sentence to exile rather than death. I have called you back because I feel that magic was wrongly accused for corrupting the user, instead I feel that it is the user that corrupts the magic. You have all been called here today to witness the dawn of a new age, it is so that I Arthur Pendragon here by repeal that ban on magic. It will no longer be punishable by death and sorcerers will be allowed to live in peace and without fear."
Arthur turned to face Merlin, ignoring the reaction of the crowd. "For this to happen I will need an advisor, someone who knows about magic in ways no one else does, they will also be the Court Sorcerer. This person will have the power to pass judgement over sorcerers who wrongly use magic for purposes against Camelot. It is with great pleasure that I appoint Merlin Emrys official Court Sorcerer of Camelot and first advisor to the king."
A week later…
Merlin was still settling into his new quarters, at that moment he was filling the shelves full of magic books Arthur had sent up to his rooms, Merlin hadn't asked where he had got them. A knock at the door surprised him, he wasn't expecting anyone and Arthur wouldn't knock, with a flash of his eyes the door opened and he yelled "Come in!" Picking up some more books he continued to place them on the already packed shelves. A messenger ran up to him breathing heavily.
"My Lord Merlin, the king requests your presents in the Throne Room at once, he says the matter is urgent." Merlin listened carefully, and when the messenger was done he thanked him and practically ran to the Throne Room.
Inside Arthur and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table, Gwaine, Leon, Elyan and Percival were seated. Gwen and Gaius were also present, so Merlin hurried to his seat knowing why ever he was called here was very important. "Thank you for joining us Merlin," Arthur said, not even a hint of sarcasm, things must be bad Merlin thought.
"What's happened?" Merlin asked.
"Morgana, she was spotted heading towards Camelot with an army of very powerful sorcerer's." Arthur answered gravely.
Merlin thought for a moment and then an idea popped into his head "Arthur what would you say if I told you that the Great Dragon wasn't dead?" he asked cautiously.
"I would say 'Merlin you're an idiot how does that help us?'"
Merlin looked to Gaius who nodded encouragingly, "Well before I was banished, I forgot to tell you something else about me. I'm also a Dragonlord, the last Dragonlord to be exact, Balinor was my father." Merlin trailed off, unsure whether to continue.
"Merlin, that's genius!" Gwen's outburst shocked him a little, "If you can control the dragon, does that mean he's on our side and will fight for us? She asked.
Before Merlin could answer Arthur spoke up, "You mean to say we went looking for Balinor, when you were a Dragonlord?"
Merlin shook his head, in answer to Gwen's question, yes he will help us, but Arthur I didn't become a Dragonlord until my father died. The gift is passed from father to son, I didn't even know who my father was until Gaius told me just before we left to find him." Merlin went quiet again, which unnerved Arthur, even more so when Gwen got up walked over to Merlin and hugged him.
It was then that a messenger ran into the room, panting but managing to breathe out words that chilled Merlin to the bone, "Morgana is approaching the outskirts of the Darkling Woods and is waiting for you on the plain of Camlann."
The next chapter should be up in about a week because schools out for christmas (I'm so excited!) anyway hopefull it will be up if not probally after Christmas.