Chapter 2: Emrys' Plea


Meanwhile, in Camelot...

The young queen caressed her ring. She nodded slightly to the knight next to her, gesturing for him to speak.

Sir Leon finally said the words that broke her heart. "The King... is dead."

With that she raised her head, trying not to show the painful emotions she was feeling.

"Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!" the crowd chanted. It all felt like a dream, like it wasn't really happening, at least not to her.

It seemed only yesterday that she was just a servant with a crush on the handsome blond prince. And now she was there, sitting on the throne, the shining crown on her head. She was usual posed to be strong for her people, but she felt anything but.

"No one can ever understand how much it hurts", she thought miserably. No one else had the right to wear sorrow or dismay on their faces.

She glanced at her knights, her people, her friends. Leon, the king's most loyal knight; Percival, the huge and kind man who loved children; Gwaine, the mot cheerful of all them, who was now heavily leaning on the wall, still tired from his encounter with Morgana, with a defeated and resigned expression on his face.

Guinevere Pendragon held back her tears, standing up straight. She couldn't let her weakness shown. Then she noticed Leon's slightly damp cheeks and red rimmed eyes and she realized that she didn't have to hide her feelings. Everyone, just like her, would be distraught. They feud understand, for she might have lost her husband, her love, but these men had lost their friend, and the people their leader.

The heavy burden of the duties she would have to take over rested heavily on her shoulders, but not as heavily as the crushing weight on her heart when she heard the terrible news.

Staring silently at the crowd, she realized that someone else was missing. Someone even more important to her than the Knights of the Round Table. Someone who had helped her become who she was. Someone she called a friend.

She tried to find a mass of black hair and a red neckerchief but instead met the eyes of the Court Physician, full of sadness and resignation. In that moment she understood that she had never felt so alone.

Her father, her brother, her husband... And now her friend.

"What have I done to deserve this?" she thought, finally letting a tear slip from her eye.


They entered a big chamber. The room had a big table in the centre, surrounded by seven seats, on which sat seven people.

"My task is completed. I'm going back to my prison," Morgana said, bowing respectfully and sending a glare at Merlin and Arthur. The two friends waited, taking in their surroundings.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? The great Emrys and his King. It's a pleasure to see you both. I'd offer you a tea, but I don't think you came here for a friendly chat, did you?" a familiar dark haired woman teased.

"No, Nimueh. We are here to have a second chance. I am here to have a second chance," the warlock explained calmly. "I failed in my destiny. It is my fault that the King is now dying and we are all aware that without the prat, Albion will never exist and magic will never be freed."

He looked pointedly at Nimueh. "I also have reason to believe that upon this day, the balance of life and death, the balance of the Old Religion, was disturbed."

His eyebrows furrowed and he paused a moment in sadness. "Too many died, and the deaths of the Druid, the Witch, and the King were too much. Death is swallowing Life. We cannot allow this to happen."

He breathed in deeply, his heart beating fast with anticipation. "I am asking for a second chance, I wish to make amends for my errors and faults. Please, I beg you, listen to me," he pleaded, his eyes bright with unshed tears as he feel on his knees, while Arthur continued to look at him in wonder.

A man with long red hair got up, his green eyes full of wisdom. "Rise, Emrys. We will discuss the matter between us. You will receive the answer soon," he said, with a deep and intimidating voice, before he vanished, along with the other councilors.

The room was left in total silence, broken by the King with a sigh. "You know what? You are quite good with words. You should write all my speeches."

"I already do that, sire," the former servant answered with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, well... If we manage to survive this, remind me to thank you."

"Alright. And if we manage to survive this, remind me to hit you."

"Are you threatening your king?" Arthur asked, pretending to be angry.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" the servant answered feigning shock. He was unable to stop himself, and his face broke into a wide smile.

The blonde laughed heartily for the first time that day. "Have I ever told you what an idiot you are, Merlin?"

"No, never, sire," the raven haired man replied sarcastically.

"Oh, shame on me. You're an idiot, Merlin."

"And you are a prat."

"Clotpole."

"Dollop-head."

"Idiot."

"You already said that!" Merlin exclaimed, mockingly outraged.

"Well, it's true!"

They continued to banter, with wide grins on their faces, not caring about the danger they were in.


(06-12-13)

EDIT: Alright, this is completely different from the first version. I've changed the order of some parts and the length.

Thanks to my two betas: Cordelia Rose and Box of Frogs.

Lots of love,

-MildeAmasoj ❤