A/N: I know, I know, it's been almost two months and this chapter is mad short, I'm so sorry! Exams are coming up, and it's rugby season, and I have this job thing I have to do, but six more weeks and it's summer and I'm all yours!

Arthur stood at the round table, facing his knights. Each seat was taken apart from the two immediately beside the King. Merlin and Gwen would not be present at this particular meeting. He leaned heavily on the table as he poured over maps and diagrams. "Based on Merlin's vision, I would say they're around here." Arthur traced a single spot softly: the Evergreen. It was a forest right on the border of Camelot. If you wandered too far into it, you ended up in Cenred's kingdom. "This is not a rescue mission, you have to understand that. Most of these people are probably dead, and Morgana has most likely moved on. This is reconnaissance. We're going to find any potential leads, and see who're left of the druid people. I don't need all of you, but if you wish to come feel free to volunteer yourself."

"Well you know me Princess, I'm always up for a ride." Gwaine stood at his seat.

Percival stood without saying anything, and they looked around the table for any other knights.

"I'll watch over council while you're gone. The Evergreen is a three day ride from here. Slower, if Merlin's going with you."

"Thank you, Leon. No, Merlin isn't coming with us. He's still severely injured and I wouldn't risk reopening a stab wound."

No one missed the change in Gwaine's expression. He had been the first to truly become friends with the manservant, and it was glaringly obvious that he thought Merlin should be with them.

"If there are any druids left they won't want to speak with us. They'll be looking for Merlin. He should come."

"You would risk his recovery for a little social awkwardness?"

"That's not what I-"

"I know Gwaine, but that's what would happen. I don't know how this place would affect him. It's going to be ruins and bodies; he already feels responsible. These people may feel that he is responsible, you all know how Morgana reacted when she found out he has magic. It could be the same. He's not coming."

Gwaine nodded stiffly, "I'll go prepare the horses." He turned and walked out of the room, Percy close behind him.

"Leon has already volunteered to watch council, so Elyan you're to lead training for the next week or so." Arthur turned to go, but Elyan's voice stopped him.

"Arthur. Merlin will recover, and we'll win against Morgana. Everything will work out as it's meant to."

A small smile fluttered over Arthurs lips before he walked away, Elyan was a good man if not a bit of an optimist.

Gwaine was exactly where he said he would be (for once), in the stables. It was fascinating how quickly the man could work when he was thinking about something else entirely. All three horses were already saddled, fed and watered. They could leave as soon as Percival brought out the actual gear.

"He worries me sometimes you know." Gwaine said suddenly.

"Who, Percival?"

"No you idiot, Merlin."

"He worries me all the time."

"Arthur, I'm being serious. Do you know how much he's done for us?"

"I only know what he's told me."

"Exactly. He's had magic for as long as we've all known him. We've had so many close scrapes, so much luck. It's never been luck, it's been Merlin. I went to visit him last night Arthur.." Gwaine trailed off and took a deep breath, shutting his eyes for a moment.

"What is it Gwaine, what did he say?"

"He didn't say anything. I just.. I helped Gaius change his bandages. He has scars everywhere. He has a massive one on his chest that you can't really see, but it looks like he was set on fire or something, and all down his back. It's crazy Arthur, the things he's done for us, and we never even knew."

There was silence after that until Percival showed up.