Arthur sat in front of his son, William, who had just arrived back from a hunting trip, his pale skin bloodied and his brown hair matted down.

"What has happened?"

The prince of Camelot looked up at his father King Arthur, his eyes filled with fear, the young prince stuttered to find his voice and it was higher pitched than usual,

"we were...ambushed by bandits, most of the knights were killed, Sir Gwaine grabbed me and we ran but the bandits followed ,we would have been dead but a man rescued us."

Arthur narrowed his blue eyes.

"You were rescued by a single man?"

Prince William nodded, and then he turned to face a rather shook up Gwaine who was shaking his head as he approached his king.

He knelt before and then stood giving Arthur the look of an old friend before William continued to speak,

"Father the man was a sorcerer, he said he knew you..." Arthur screwed up his face inquisitively,

"did he give his name?"

"He did."

"And?"

William paused and turned to Gwaine who for possibly the first time wasn't grinning.

"Arthur...It was Merlin."

The colour faded from Arthur' s face and he just stared at Gwaine with his mouth wide open, he stood from the throne and began to pace.

"Where did he go?"

"he left again my lord...I asked him to come back but...he wouldn't"

Arthur turned to face his friend and loyal knight.

"it was definitely him?"

Gwaine's smile returned and he laughed, "like anyone could forget that idiot..."

"if he won't come to Camelot...we'll go to him...Gather the knights of the round table, I think its time for a reunion."

Earlier that day...

Merlin looked back over at Camelot once more, shocked by how small it now seemed, it seemed like an age since Merlin had made his way through the bushes and laid his blue eyes on Camelot for the first time.

It had been a long time since he had spoken to his friends, leaving had broken Merlin's heart but had built his reputation.

Emrys was now recognized as one of the most powerful warlock's of all time and now known as king of the druids. A role that Merlin took seriously.

Before this druids had lived a life of solitude rarely meeting other groups of druids and rarely living together but now Merlin had established a kingdom for the druids and he was king ,he was the one that united them, the great Emrys.

Merlin came into a field and sat on the hard ground, it would not be long now, it wouldn't be long until he was reunited with Arthur Pendragon , King of Camelot.

Merlin had vowed not to interfere with Camelot and its business, he vowed to now allow Gwen and Arthur to live their lives in peace without every single up and coming sorcerer wanting a piece of Emrys , that is why he left.

When Arthur was Crowned Merlin revealed himself, Arthur took it harshly at first anger filled him for Merlin's deception but eventually he calmed and began to except magic, and magic was restored to the kingdom but then it wasn't long till people realised the Warlock standing by the side of the king was Emrys and although many rejoiced in this, many also wanted him dead.

With this Merlin left and left behind everything he had worked for, of course the druids welcomed him as their king and Merlin excepted his duties and the years past, it was not long until news of Camelot reached Merlin, the news of Arthur's wedding to a hand maiden called Gwen, the death of the court physician Gaius and the birth of Arthur's first son William Pendragon.

It was only later that Merlin realised the boy was named after his child hood friend and it was at that time he discovered the child's middle name was Merlin, this was something that filled Merlin's heart with pride, he then knew that Arthur had not forgotten him.

But of course as he was once told Arthur and Merlin are two sides of the same coin and Merlin knew that time would eventually throw the pair together once again.

Merlin was trolling through the woods preparing to reach Camelot where he would meet a most likely furious Arthur.

But his journey was interrupted when along the path he found a party being attacked. With little but a flick of the wrist Merlin killed and scared away the bandits who should have known better than to attack so near Camelot itself then Merlin turned to see a familiar face stare back at him with wide eyes, the man had age but he still looked no different, Gwaine,

Merlin closed his eyes and recalled the events of the passing day.

"Merlin?"

"didn't you hear? Its mostly Emrys now."

"you...you...have you come back," Merlin shook his head,

"No my friend, not yet"

Then Merlin remembered the voice, the terrified voice.

"Who are you?"

Merlin remembered laying his eyes on the young pendragon, he had pale skin and deep bright blue eyes like Arthur but Gwen's dark hair he held himself like Arthur had the first time he had met him and had a sharp sword pointed at Merlin's heart.

Merlin grinned from ear to ear.

"Gwaine, correct me if I'm wrong but this is...William Pendragon."

Gwaine nodded and Smiled. William did not lower his sword.

"Who are you? How do you know Sir Gwaine?"

Merlin laughed.

"You are more like your father than you know..."

"You know my father?"

"I have not seen him in many years, nor have I seen you Gwaine."

Gwaine grinned and began walking towards Merlin with open arms,

"Come here you idjit, you may be some wise sorcerer king, but your still Merlin to me" Gwaine embraced Merlin and it made Merlin smile like an idiot.

"I missed you Gwaine."

"and you mate, we've all missed you, not been the same without you."

Merlin nodded,

"and one day I will return...hopefully soon, but not now, you must return to Arthur. Tell him I saved you. It was a pleasure meeting you William, it has been a long time since I've saved a Pendragon from Danger, I miss it."

Gawain turned to walk away but froze,

"He'll come after you Merlin,"

"I'm counting on it."