A/N I knew there was something I forgot yet again! Huh I will get the hang of this at some point. I don't own Merlin any more than I own the moon, I just play with the characters from it.

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Keys to the past.

Chapter 2.

Merlin's persuasive skills were obviously on form as the arrangements had been made the same day for an early departure the next. Megan far from grumbling about the trip seemed curiously eager. It transpired that her parents had never actually let her take part in the festivals associated so intrinsically with magic and the druids. She was actually looking forward to seeing the celebrations firsthand.

For Merlin's part it would be a bittersweet occasion. The sheer number of dead he would remember was rather staggering. He had buried so many friends, family, his wife. As Gwen's advisor he had found love in the most unlikely place. One of Annis' granddaughters came to a feast celebrating the birth of Arthur's son. Born eight and a half months after Camlann, Merlin had been enchanted at first sight, not only of little prince Llachau but also of Princess Elaine of Caerleon. He had tried to resist, the woman was after all a princess despite not being in line for the throne, but they had kept meeting accidentally, and the relationship had bloomed regardless. Annis had had no real qualms. Merlin was by that point a landed lord and was a well respected member of the court. She had also seen Elaine's reciprocated affections for the warlock and they had married a year later. They had never been blessed with children, and at the time Merlin had regretted it, until had come the moment he had to say goodbye to his beloved wife and Merlin's discovered immortality had hung between them. He had been glad then when the pyre had been lit that he would never have to say goodbye to his descendents too. He decided then and there that he would never have another wife or children he could not bear to know he would outlive them all.

Merlin had always had a very good memory, a circumstance of his being made of magic he supposed. They called it eidetic or photographic nowadays. If only they knew that only those with a strong magical presence had such mental makeup. It was both a blessing and a curse being able to recall all his loved ones in such heart rending detail. Especially now whilst driving south down the motorway in his battered ford, Megan at his side complaining about his car, his choice of music and excitedly chattering about the upcoming ceremonies by turns. Merlin ignored her, the excuse of needing concentration for driving being rather convenient for his reticence.

Their host would meet them in Glastonbury itself. David was one of the few remaining true druids left. Those that had followed the old ways had slowly diminished over the centuries since Camelot's golden age. They became experts at hiding once again, especially when magic became persecuted during the witch hunts. Merlin had done what he could for them, but it had been little enough when the whole of Albion was affected. They had drifted away from the practices of the old ways and embraced more modern ideals to blend better, and in doing so had lost some of the wonderment a druid feels as he communes with the land. There were now only three clans who still stuck religiously to the old calendars and festivals. David's being the oldest as he was a direct descendent of Iseldir's camp, and indeed of that clan chief himself. He was also one of only a handful who still recognised him as Emrys.

The shock Merlin had felt at being addressed by that name after so many years had been rivalled only by that felt by the young man who had named him so. His eyes had been saucers. Mouth gaping and staring at the stranger in their midst with awe. The three others in the room with them had been exceptionally startled by the name crossing the lips of the chiefs then teenage son. They had given him a strange look and then examined Merlin more closely, finally concluding that he had in fact been much mistaken. Merlin hadn't been surprised they had failed to know him. As his magic had grown so had his control and it had become much easier to conceal his true nature from prying eyes. The exceptions were a very small number of individuals who could see through any glamour or spell he could throw out. Perversely since his magical awakening in the crystal cave it had always been the weakest magic users who could detect him rather than the strongest. Merlin had never yet figured out how they managed it. When asked those users could never explain how they knew either.

David had been baffled by his peers' reaction. He knew Merlin was Emrys and could not fathom why he was the only one to see it. Merlin had taken him aside and explained things, begging him not to say more. That he couldn't stand the attention or the pity that bloomed across people's faces when they realised exactly why he was called Emrys. David had reluctantly agreed. They had been friends of a sort since, hence the invitation.

…..

Megan's good mood and behaviour lasted longer than Merlin would have guessed but she had still reverted to whining before the druid village came into view. It brought back feelings of nostalgia to see these lands. They had once belonged to Merlin after all. Gwen had gifted them to him along with his title when he became her advisor. They had been empty then, just forests and a small hamlet surrounded by fields. He and his wife had worked hard to build it into a community. During the restoration of king Charles II he had signed it over to the descendents of Iseldir's Druid clan knowing it would become a safe haven for magic users. The wards he had placed around it at the time meant no-one with ill intent towards the community could find it. Now it was a show village. A reluctant tourist attraction with its exceptionally old buildings and the whole community comprising of openly practicing Druids. There were definite raised eyebrows from anyone new moving into the area, believing the stories of extreme cultist practices. But their curiosity soon made them visit it and realise the village had such a peaceful, normal atmosphere. And most Druids within the village could trace their families back for several generations. They were just another religious group like the Amish in America and there was a certain pride from the towns in the surrounding countryside to know they boasted such a thing. The council never murmured about them and just left them to it. Anyone wishing to cause any trouble never stayed there for long and left. It was probably one of the most sleepy villages within the county, tourists notwithstanding.

Which is why when Megan got her first glimpse of it she looked slightly horrified. With it being a tourist attraction she had expected more entertainment prospects than a tiny pub, shop and several streets of ancient stone houses surrounding a village green with a large carved stone in its centre. There was the manor house at the end of the main road but it was only barely visible through the trees as they drove across the bridge over the slow flowing river. There wasn't even a church since this was not a Christian community and most religious festivals were held outdoors. The feasts and celebrations after any ceremonies also either being held outside or in the long low hall at the side of the green.

Merlin could already see the bonfires being built to ward off the autumn chill when they feasted after the main rites were completed on the tor. It was a celebration that would last through the night and well into morning. The rites were a very solemn, traditional occasion and very formal up until midnight. But the event after they wound down from the hill above, oh now that was a sight to see. Most if not all the households in the area made their own wine or brandy and this was a chance to taste this year's batch. The stone in the centre of the village would be soaked with all the drinks poured on it for all those loved ones who had departed this life. There would be tables groaning under the weight of homemade food. Blankets spread and music being played by the gifted amongst them. Dancing, singing, stories and most of all magic. It was a night when the village came alive. No outsiders were technically allowed in for the festivals. The magic being a little hard to explain to non Druids, but there were magic users like himself who had invitations to attend whenever they could spare the time.

Merlin looked back over to Megan as the car pulled up in front of the imposing looking stone manor he had built back in the 14th century. It was the last in a long line of houses built on the same site dating back all the way to Gwen's rule. He was just in time to see her mutinous expression now fixed firmly in place, He would have to head that off before it became a full blown tantrum or they may not make it all the way to the celebration.

…..

The maiden, or rather the woman who was to play the part of the maiden in the celebration had become ill. David looked a little harried by this as he came down the steps of the manor to greet them. She had unfortunately discovered a mild allergy to some of the spices they were using in the food for the feast and had to be taken to the nearest A and E to be checked out. It meant that the role of maiden would have to be filled again fairly soon if they were to rehearse their part in the ceremonies before tomorrow evening and several of the young women of the camp were missing having gone shopping for the day. It was a problem he would have to work on later he thought as he spied his guests for the next four days climbing out of the car at the front entrance.

"Welcome. Welcome. I do hope you enjoy your stay with us. Martin my old friend it is good to see you again. It has been far too long. Would you introduce me to this lovely young lady." The one armed hug was reciprocated with enthusiasm and then he turned back to study the girl Merlin had told him needed this break. She was looking on in something like bemusement. Merlin hardly ever let anyone get close enough emotionally to hug anymore. A testament to his years of loss he supposed. It was a massive sign of trust and friendship that allowed David to invade his personal space and he was entirely cognizant of the fact he was only one of a very few afforded the privilege.

"David. Meet Megan Frier my newest pupil." She stuck out her hand almost reflexively when he did, eyes round and smiling faintly at the twinkle laying deep in his irises.

"Charmed!"

"Huh. It's good of you to invite us." The greeting had been slightly more civil than usual. Perhaps she could be trusted to be moderately well behaved. Hmmm he would have to see.

David glanced at the young woman Merlin had brought with him and pondered. Merlin hardly ever even came to these gatherings preferring to observe the old ways alone. And he certainly never brought anyone with him. This young woman must be worth a closer look. In fact if Merlin thought so highly of her to bring her along, he thought perhaps it would be more fitting to offer the position of Maiden to her, an honoured guest rather than select from those left in the camp. He knew if she were a pupil of Emrys she had magic and would most likely be able to perform the small spell the rites required with ease. There would be fighting amongst the camps younger set either way, but as a stranger this girl would fare better than anyone within their select community. Less jealousy at the very least and if anyone did begrudge her part she would be gone in a few days. Yes this seemed the best possible solution under the circumstances.

Merlin was not enthusiastic once he had explained the situation and offered up the option despite Megan's eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree.

"David she has never even been to a ceremony before, you can't expect her to remember what to do and when in so short a time." He ignored the hurt look in the girl's eyes as he said it, knowing that though the magic was rather simple to perform it needed a greater control than Megan possessed right now.

"I would love to!" Megan could be very determined when she wanted something badly enough and she was extremely flattered by the offer. What she did not realise was how much work it would take. He would have to try and convince her not to accept the role. Merlin drew her away from the clan leader. He may not think much of her attitude but he was not about to embarrass her with what he had to say in front of the man.

"Megan it's more than wearing a pretty dress and saying a few words. It's a great responsibility and I'm not sure you…." She cut him off angrily. Why did he always have to spoil everything?

"No. He asked me and I'm going to. Stop trying to control me! You're just like my parents." Merlin doubted that. For one her parents were entirely too indulgent with her. Not curbing her excesses at all. Coming up with excuses for her behaviour rather than doing anything about it.

"Megan that is enough! You do not have the finesse needed for it and this display of temper just proves it. You're 19 not 9 stop acting like a spoiled child."

"You keep telling me I'm not good enough but you never teach me anything worthwhile. Maybe if you did I would be good enough."

"The magic you wish to learn is not true magic. It is manipulative and I will not teach it to you. It is against everything Magic is and we have been through this before. I will not stand by and watch you willingly walk down a path of self destruction."

"I never asked for you to teach me. My parent's picked you and quite frankly I don't see why they have such faith in you. You're rather pathetic really."

That was it! He knew the girl was trying to manipulate him. Using her barbed tongue to hurt and get a raise out of him. But Merlin had lived more lives than she could possibly fathom and he was done pandering to selfish people. He wondered what she would say if he told her she sounded just like Morgana had the year she had turned on everyone. Always willing to wound and hurt others with her tongue lashings to alleviate her own low sense of self esteem if things did not pan out exactly as planned. His tone became low and dangerous enough to make her take a mental step back but not knowing his true worth and stubborn as ever it did little to deter her.

"These people have lived through these rites, you have not. You have no clue what will be required of you and I am quite frankly amazed that David thought it a good idea. Your magic is all over the place and though the spell should be simple, you lack the self control needed to perform it. You will embarrass not only yourself if you pursue this but could ruin the whole celebration. I will not be a party to it. If you do this you are on your own."

"Oh and what could you do anyway? Quit? It's not as if I can't get another tutor."

"Oh I wouldn't be too hasty in your assumptions. You ruin this and I will be forced to inform your parents…" She snorted as if this threat didn't faze her in the least. But she hadn't let him finish. "…that you are in need of specialist instruction and we need to step up your training, since your magic is becoming dangerously unstable. Wherein you would be under my orders, moved to my warded house with a chaperone and magic would become all you do until I know your control is sufficient to not hurt anyone." Megan had paled considerably. But she was brave even if stupidly so at times and her squared shoulders and determined expression merely signs she was far from giving in. "You have no authority to do that!"

"Oh but I do. That is why I took your case. You don't think they would just draft anyone in for a newly manifested gift as strong as yours do you? I am the best there is and if I believe your magic to be beyond your control I have the power to deal with it." She was tenacious he would give her that. Even in the face of laying the facts out straight for her she didn't quail and fold under as so many other stubborn young people had. She still stood tall gave him a narrow eyed glare and strode off towards their host. Where her gaze softened and became downright flattering as she accepted with pretty compliments and soft smiles.

She would learn, Merlin thought, that he never made idle threats. She was in for a lot of hard work rehearsing her part in this and if she ruined it, well, he would do exactly as promised and make sure she realised magic was not a game. It was a responsibility. And yes there was great fun to be had, but first you had to know where to draw the line. Where the silliness and light hearted mischief turned dark and became a path too twisted to find your way back. He would lose no more people he cared for to that black road. He had made a promise to himself, after he killed Morgana, his creation.

He would never let anyone else fall because of his mistakes, he was not about to start now.