Thanks to FireChildSlytherin5, DakotaBeor and D4rkenedSkies for reviewing. Here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Chapter 3
"So, this community is where?" Arthur asked.
"Hidden. We will set out for it tomorrow. I know the way, don't worry."
"Arthur, Lancelot and Gaius already know about me having magic. They don't know about me being Emrys. It's up to you when we tell them." Merlin whispered to Arthur, as they began to pack up the camp.
"We'll tell them before setting off. Do you want to tell them, or me?" Arthur asked, sensing the nerves of the young warlock.
"I'll tell them. We can trust Sir Leon not to hand me over? I trust Gwaine and Gwen, and Elyan is Gwen's brother. I asked Lancelot about Percival and he trusts him."
"Leon is loyal to me, if I ask him not to tell my father, he won't." Arthur promised.
"OK." Merlin agreed, looking through his bag, fingers skimming over his book and then the vial of water. Closing the bag, he slung it onto his shoulders and stood at the fire pit as Arthur called everyone over. They gathered around the fire pit, standing in a circle around Merlin and Arthur.
"There's something you all need to know." Arthur started to say. "But I need you all to swear you won't repeat what you are about to be told."
"Of course, sire." Leon bowed.
"I won't tell a soul." Lancelot promised
"My lips will be sealed to the grave." Gwaine winked.
"I won't say a word." Percival grunted.
"I'm certainly not going to repeat it." Elyan promised.
"I would never betray your trust, sire." Gaius vowed.
Gwen smiled softly at Arthur and said, "I will keep it a secret."
"It's not actually my secret. It's Merlin's." Arthur reiterated.
"That does not change a thing, none of us will tell anyone." Leon shrugged.
"Well, I, ah, I know where, where Emrys is." Merlin muttered, blushing a little at the sudden attention as everyone turned to look at him. Gaius and Lancelot shared a look, and put two and two together, just as Merlin said, "I am Emrys."
There was no response.
"Don't try to be funny Merlin, it doesn't suit you." Gwaine laughed, trying to break the awkward silence.
Merlin rolled his eyes and held out his hand, palm up. "forbaerne." A small ball of fire appeared in his hand, and flickered there until Merlin closed his fist and extinguished it.
"So, you're Emrys?" Percival asked. Merlin nodded. "Do you know how to get Camelot back? Because we just tried with you helping us and we failed."
"They were hiding the Cup of Life, what I thought was it was an illusion. If I can find it, empty the blood, then the army becomes mortal and dies."
"But you couldn't do it before. What are we going to do now?" Leon pointed out.
Merlin shared a look with Arthur then said, "We're going to get help to attack Camelot and get the castle back."
"They've got an immortal army." Lancelot pointed out.
"I know. Don't worry. We just need to get help!" Merlin grinned at everyone and lifted both arms straight out to the side, "Dōn mec tō se gelōgian hwider se gemōt wunian." There was a whoosh of wind and then all the travellers felt a moment of weightlessness and dizzying speeds before they found themselves in a different woods.
"Merlin?" Gaius gasped.
"Sorry, but it's more fun if I don't warn you." Merlin shrugged and then moved to his right. "It's this way. There's a community of magical beings that are living here, they'll help in any way they can."
"And we know this for sure?" Gwen asked, nervous.
"Yep. Come on." Merlin led them through the forest. They emerged from the trees to find a clearing of massive size, filled with tents, fires, horses, belongings and people.
Rows of tents were set up, with people going to and from them, as well as walking through the aisles with water, food and other equipment. They all wore cloaks with the hoods down, to reveal hollow, thin faces that were pale as the moon. Children ran in and out of parent's feet while the adults worked. As the group walked down the aisle to the centre of the camp, all stopped working and watched the visitors pass.
"Merlin, what is this place?" Gwaine asked, staring around in surprise.
Before Merlin could respond, there was a cry and a blur ran forward, running to Merlin and throwing itself on him. Merlin dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around the blur, which was a child wearing a pale blue cloak.
"Makala, it is OK. Calm down." Merlin muttered, stroking the child's head.
"Merlin?" Gwen asked, kneeling by the pair.
"Makala, you're alright now." Merlin soothed the girl. "Come on, I'll take you all to the council and explain everything." Merlin said, standing with the child in his arms still. Gwen stood as well, stroking the girl's back momentarily before stopping.
"She is going to kill us, she's going to find us and kill us all, and she's going to –" the child spoke, leaning back to look at Merlin. The girl's hood fell back, revealing thick curly blonde hair, bright green eyes and thin, dainty features; a small button nose, softly slanted eyes and full lips that were quivering with her supressed tears.
"Makala, what have I told you before?" Merlin interrupted.
"That the future isn't set in stone until it happens, but I can't see any other version of it and she's going to burn us!" Makala buried her face in the servant's neck and her body shook with fear and silent sobs.
Merlin rubbed her back soothingly and said, "Remember what Frelaine told us a week ago? We will save the kingdom and Morgana and Morgause will not be able to hurt any of us." Merlin kissed the top of her head and turned to Gwen. "Do you mind taking her? I have to explain everything to you all and the council."
"Of course not." Gwen offered her arms out to the girl, who looked up at Merlin.
"Makala, this is Gwen, a friend of mine. She will look after you while I talk with Frelaine and everyone else, OK?" Merlin explained to the girl.
"OK Emrys, but I'm not leaving you." Makala obediently moved to Gwen's arms and wrapped her arms around the maid's neck.
"Of course not. This way guys." Merlin led them to the middle of the camp where there was a ring of 13 men and women, the youngest around 30, the oldest older than 70, sitting in a circle with 8 empty spots. Merlin gestured for everyone to sit, before sitting down between Arthur and a member of the council.
"Emrys?" the oldest member spoke, a question in her voice.
"I had no choice but to bring them all here. They won't tell anyone else. We can trust them." Merlin promised the council.
"Merlin, what's going on?" Gwaine asked, a little nervous and curious.
"These people are hiding in the forest so they are protected against being found."
"By who?" Leon asked, starting to guess who and what they were.
"Uther." Merlin answered calmly.
"They're sorcerers." Gaius stated, a little unnecessarily.
"They're magical beings who are hunted down by Uther in his blinded hate and ignorance of magic until the time comes for which magic is returned to the land." Merlin explained, his matter-of-factness voice surprising everyone as they expected the boy to still be the bumbling, fool, boy they thought they knew, not a wise sounding sorcerer.
"What makes you so sure magic will return?" Gwaine asked, glancing at Arthur then at Merlin.
"The prophecy that the Once and Future King will reunite Albion and return magic to the world, righting the balance of the world and creating a time of peace for all of the citizens. It's about Arthur." Merlin recited, grinning a bit at Arthur.
"How do you know it's going to be Arthur, for sure?" Gwaine asked, trusting Arthur, but not a random, vague prophecy.
Merlin looked around at the knights (and Gwen and Gaius). The servant's pure and utter loyalty and belief in the Prince evident on his face. "He's going to be a fair and just King that punishes people for the crimes they committed, not for saving a baby from dying, or keeping their family from dying by helping crops grow." Merlin explained passionately, his faith in Arthur evident, causing the Prince to be touched (and embarrassed).
"There is more to this prophecy. This King will be accompanied by a powerful warlock, named Emrys, who protects him and guides him, watching over the Prince's path as he becomes King and guiding him through life without being killed." A young woman with brown hair and a plain face added.
"So you're telling us that Merlin, who is actually some powerful sorcerer is going to help Arthur get Camelot back, then help the Prince to be crowned and become the best King ever, and King Uther is just going to step down and let this happen?" Gwaine asked, confused.
"Why do you think we're hiding?" the old woman in the circle snapped.
"It's why I couldn't tell anyone, I still shouldn't have but we needed help, which is why I brought you all to the council, to ask for help." Merlin gestured to the circle.
"Uther is adamant that magic is evil, how can we trust you, after all, there must be some truth to his words, otherwise he would not be so obsessed with it." Leon pointed out.
"Look around you." Merlin said, gesturing to the people around them. "Do we look evil?"
The group looked around at the circle of witches, sorcerers and warlocks, watching the members of the camp gather around them, curious as to what was happening. A group of children were sitting playing, all around the age of 5. Their eyes' flashed gold and the small fire in the middle of them sparked and fire animals danced around them, electing laughter and giggling as each child tried to outdo the others.
"I believe we can trust them, and we would be grateful for your help, whatever you can do, whatever you can spare." Arthur announced, his face honest and open. He was telling the truth, he trusted the council and community of magic.
Merlin visibly relaxed, a relieved sigh escaped his mouth.
"You didn't believe I would accept help and see the truth of things?" Arthur demanded, a little hurt.
Merlin shrugged and grinned, "There are those who can see parts of the future, but nothing is determined until it actually happens. In any moment there is a major turning point in which the future relies on to determine the path. You deciding to accept us, or deciding to leave us and then have us killed if you regained the city was a major point which no one could see any outcome until your decision was made."
Arthur, Lancelot, Elyan, Leon, Gwen, Gaius and Gwaine blinked and stared at the boy in surprise. "When did you get so smart?" Gwaine demanded.
Merlin grinned nervously and said, "I'm not that smart, really."
Arthur shook his head but shared a grin with his manservant as Gaius looked up at the council and asked, "May I ask your names? I wish to know who we are working with."
As a group, everyone turned to look at Merlin who nodded at them. "We can trust them, I thought we already agreed on that."
"There are those of us who disagree, Emrys, but it is a minority of us so we don't count." A man snarled, openly glaring at Arthur.
"I know that Guines, just as I know that if you give Arthur a chance, he will show you that he is able to be trusted and will help us when the time permits him to do so." Merlin soothed.
"Very well. I am Guines, leader of the Garath Druids." Guines introduced himself. His close-cropped black hair and hooked nose giving him a dark appearance.
"Crowell of the Magith." An old man bowed his head respectfully at Arthur, who bowed his head back.
"Frelaine of the Epsid Druids." The eldest woman spoke up.
"Garyina of the Gypsies." The youngest woman spoke, the one who had explained some of the prophecy beforehand.
"Heathen of the Faeries." A small, pixie-like man spoke.
"Jorn and Keat of the Miliara witches and warlocks." One man spoke, gesturing to himself and his twin brother.
"Horth of the Fiola."
"Freylin of the Fey witches."
"Weslea of the Edin Druids."
"Quelina of the Quailin people."
"Eliza of the Greensboro Druids."
"Narla of the Lioness Clan."
"We are the leaders of our people, and have joined under Emrys to save Camelot from the sister witches and see you on the throne, Princeling." Frelaine spoke up.
"I am grateful for your support and loyalty, but why?" Arthur asked, curious. "My father has had innocent people, magical and non-magical, killed for 'having' magic which he believes to be evil. Why help me?"
"There must be balance in the world. For every life taken, one is born. For every life created, one must be taken. Every death that Uther had caused has shifted the balance further and further apart, until it has gotten to the point where it must be fixed or the whole world will suffer. It is the same for magic. The world must have magic to be in balance. These past 20 years have thrown it out of balance, only the return of magic can fix it. And to do this we need a ruler who is loyal to the people, passionate, fair, just and loved. And one who accepts magic. If we had approached you a few years ago, you would've handed us over to Uther, with regret and guilt but without a second thought. Emrys changed that. He helped you see the truth behind magic and yourself. And he protected you and kept you alive so you could fulfil your destiny. His destiny is your destiny. You are but two sides –" Frelaine explained.
Merlin interrupted, and finished the sentence for her, "of the same coin, I understand the importance of this Frelaine, but we also need to stop Morgana and Morgause. The charms and enchantments around this place will not last long under their scrutiny. Morgause has already started scrying; it's only a matter of time before they break."
"Wait, wait. You and Arthur are two sides of the same coin?" Gwaine stopped them, amusement in his voice.
"Trust me, it's as bad as it sounds." Merlin nodded, ducking under Arthur's hand that flew to slap the back of his head.
"Back to business," Arthur turned to Frelaine who seemed to be in charge. "What do you propose we do? Do you have a plan or idea of how we can stop the Immortal army and rescue my father?"
"Emrys?" Frelaine asked, turning to Merlin who didn't blush and stammer like Arthur thought he would.
"We need to infiltrate the castle, find the Cup of Life and spill the blood." Merlin declared.
"There's only an immortal army in the way." Gwaine pointed out.
"And the sister witches are using Hyaline Crystals to enhance their powers and hide the cup." Frelaine explained.
"That makes sense. I was wondering why I could sense the cup but it turned out to be an illusion." Merlin muttered.
"A friend has reported of a dragon flying about the castle, listening to the witches and doing their bidding. He tells me that the dragon is searching for someone or something." Garyina shared.
"That's impossible." Merlin frowned.
"Maybe the dragon's helping them now?" Arthur suggested, remembering that Merlin said the dragon hadn't been killed, but Merlin and sent it away.
"No, he hates Morgana and Morgause, there's no way he is helping them." Merlin insisted. "I'll call him tonight and see if he knows what or who that is."
"Wait, the dragon's alive?" Gwen asked, fear in her face and voice.
"I'm a Dragon Lord. He is under my control, don't worry."
"Dragon Lord as well?" Gwaine asked, shocked.
"Don't worry, I'm fairly certain that's the last secret I have. Now, to plan our attack." Merlin said, going from smiling to serious in seconds.
TBC
Please read and review.
The next chapter is really everyone's reactions to Merlin as in this chapter they were all a little in shock (and acting OOC a little) so if the way this has happened isn't how you think the characters would respond, the next chapter is going to be each person confronting Merlin individually. Then the story starts to get into fighting and planning and attacking.
Please read and review.
Let me know if something doesn't make sense, if there are mistakes, if you like it, if you hate it, just let me know what you're thinking, doesn't matter what that is.