Merlin stood between two sides of a war, part of both but neither at the same time. The red and yellow of Camelot's colours met the brown and green of the Druids. Standing in his blue cloak, Merlin had never felt so alone. The confrontation had come to an impasse. The two sides now had no interest in the other, their attention all drawn to the figure in the centre, dividing the conflict. He was the leader of the magical community, yet the servant of Camelot, friend of the king himself.
"You all have a choice," Merlin announced, gazing at each side equally. "The same choice. You can trust. Trust in a future where this kingdom can stand united with magic, not in fear but in peace. I've seen it." No one doubted his words. The truth of them lay in the fervour of his voice and the wisdom in his eyes.
"This war, as you know it is over, because there is another choice. You can fight. You can fight me. No matter who you are or what you stand for I will stand in your way. No magic user will die at the hands of Camelot and no knight will die at the hands of a sorcerer while I'm alive. Whether you like it or not you are already united. Whether that unity will be of peace or pain I leave for you to decide."
Merlin stopped talking and a tense silence fell. There were no whispers, each and every man and woman standing now absorbed in their own thoughts. Wordlessly and invisibly, Merlin sent out a spell. In his mind's eye, all those gathered with magic now appeared green, while the other side appeared red. His heart hoped with all its might that they would choose peace. Just in case, his head urged him to take precautions. Hopefully, he could stand by his promise, and any possible conflicts could be prevented. He knew that if this went the wrong way he was effectively isolating himself from both sides.
Not for long, his heart whispered again.
"Who will speak for magic?" he asked. Slowly, a group came together, made up of all the druid leaders gathered and came forward, Morgana at the front.
"Who will speak for Camelot?" he asked of the other side. That group had already been gathered, the knights of the Round Table with Arthur at the head, gazing at Merlin with unreadable eyes.
Merlin was careful to keep the shield between the two, a gap in the fold where only he stood.
"What is your decision?"