Arthur sat on the window seat, staring down into the courtyard. It had been a few days since they had returned from the druids, and he knew that people were starting to worry about him. He hadn't been eating, and had been in the same place for the vast majority of the past couple of days. Considering what he had seen in the vision. Countless scenarios raged around inside his head, and each time he had come to the conclusion that the only by banning magic from Camelot could he stop it from happening. That way… That way they could find those who were using it for evil.
His thoughts came back to the present at the clatter of hooves in the courtyard. Looking back down, he saw Merlin, Bedivere and Galwin riding in. Against his better judgement, he had let Merlin ride out to the druids with Archie, even though he still wasn't up to full strength after the curse. Bedivere had insisted on accompanying them, though that may have been more to do with the druid woman than anything else. Galwin, a sorcerer, had insisted on going with them too, and Arthur recalled that he and Arvin had been friends… Best friends in fact, since childhood.
From the lack of Archie in the courtyard, Arthur could only assume that he had decided to stay with the druids. After all, Merlin had said that they made great teachers. Watching the trio jump from their horses, Arthur found that he was sure of what he wanted to do… though he realised that Merlin would not act favourably to it.
Merlin handed the reins of his and Archie's horse to one of the stable hands, and turned to see Leon walking towards him.
"Merlin! It's good to see you back…"
"Good to be back…" Merlin answered, grinning ruefully. "The druids are nice and all that, but nothing much going on there…"
"I'm guessing that Archie decided to stay?"
"For a couple of weeks, to start with," Merlin explained. "If he likes it, it may become more permanent."
Gwaine strolled over.
"So no more pranks played on me? Or walking suits of armour?"
"Nope…" Merlin noticed the worried expression on Leon's face, and, saying bye to Gwaine, he turned to talk to him as they head back into the castle.
"What's up?"
Leon sighed.
"It's Arthur. Ever since you left, he has been cooped up in the bloody council room. He has barely eaten, and no-one has been able to get a civilised response out of him, not even Gwen. From what I can gather, the druids showed him some kind of vision, and, though he's trying to hide it, I can tell that what he saw scared him…"
Merlin froze, causing Leon to stop too.
"Merlin…? What…"
"What vision?" His voice was urgent.
"No-one knows… he won't tell anybody what he…"
"He'll tell me…"
Merlin ran up the stairs, leaving Leon bemused.
Merlin knocked on the door, and got a "Come in…"
Walking in, it took him a couple of seconds to notice Arthur, sat in the window.
"Merlin… Archie stayed then?" His voice seemed empty…
"Yeah. Couple of weeks to see what he thinks…" Merlin sat on one of the chairs, his feet on the table. After a few seconds, he sighed.
"Well then, that does it. Not complaining about my boots on the table? What's wrong?"
Arthur attempted a grin,
"Oi… boots off the table…" the attempt fell flat. Merlin decided that he wasn't going to get anywhere by messing about.
"Soooo… Leon tells me that the druids showed you something…? A vision?"
Arthur tensed slightly,
"Yeah…"
"And?" Merlin shifted his boots off of the table and stood up, facing Arthur and leaning on the table.
"Are you planning on telling me or…?"
"Actually… I don't think it matters that mu…"
"Storm clouds? You cursed? Me dead?"
Arthur froze, then got to his feet.
"Well… Yeah… How did you…" He slumped down. "At the cave? You saw the same thing?"
"Yeah… But it doesn't mean anything… It isn't definitely going to…"
"But what if it does? How are we going to stop all those sorcerers who want to destroy everything? Didn't the druids know anything about this Brotherhood of the Priestess or whatever it was?"
"Brotherhood of the High Priestess… And no. They didn't. That means they're new…"
"And dangerous. One of them got into Camelot… and there are probably more here. How can we stop them from repeating things like this with everyone using magic around here?"
Merlin pushed off of the table, his face changing to an expression of surprise.
"What exactly are you trying to say Arthur?"
Arthur went defensive.
"What if the only way to stop what I saw is to stop the use of Magic?"
Merlin shook his head, anger warring with the surprise.
"No. After everything we went through to get this far… You can't change it again… The fact that your father did is the reason Morgana attacked Camelot… It's the reason that this group has sprung up… You said it yourself, since the sorcerers started helping things; Camelot's a better place…"
"But what if…"
"I don't care. You know what I've risked and given up to get this far."
"You could die Merlin…"
"I know. I've always risked that…" Merlin calmed slightly, realising he was shouting, "Arthur. Don't ban magic again… Else there is no point in me being in Camelot."
Arthur looked up at that.
"You wouldn't leave… "
"Yes, I would. If I can't do any good here, then I may as well go somewhere where I can."
"Merlin…"
"No Arthur… You know… I… I just can't believe this… believe you…" Merlin turned and walked to the door, opening it up. Before he walked out, he turned back.
"Tell me what you decide… That way, I'll know whether to pack."
He walked out just as Gwen entered.
"Merlin, glad to see…"
"Hey Gwen. I'll c ya round…"
"Oh… Okay…"
He walked off and Gwen walked up to Arthur.
"What was that all about…?"
Arthur thumped his hand down on the table.
"I… I don't know…I…" he sighed, "What do I do Gwen…?"