Well here it is Merlin's return to Camelot. Sorry if its not as Merlin/Arthur dramatic as you thought but there are reasons... :)
APOV
--Flashback--
I breathed a sigh of relief as the alarm bells rung, if Merlin had (as he promised) left before sunrise he had several hours between him and the search parties. For the first time in 4 days I could relax; Merlin was out of Camelot and it was unlikely anyone would find him - and even if they did he could use magic to escape.
--Two Months Later --
"You are a traitor to you're kingdom and you King, I have made it very clear that ALL magic is forbidden and yet here you are! Another of my subjects practicing sorcery. You are hereby sentenced to be burned at the stake at sunrise."
"Please sir I didn't -"
"Take him away"
I sat, glued to my chair while all this was happening, father had been arresting a least 1 person every week for 'sorcery'. He was obsessed, in the beginning I tried to defend them but it only got him more frustrated and ended me in the stocks for a day. Now all I can do is watch and bite my tongue – if he suspected I was against him Camelot may never see an end to his tyranny.
Morgana was obviously having a harder time at controlling her temper – her knuckles were white as she gripped the side of her chair. One day she is going to explode, I hope she can control it; she's the only one keeping me sane. I couldn't bear to lose another friend.
--End Flashback--
MPOV
It's just how I remember it. The busy streets are almost their own world, oblivious to anything else. Except now as I walk through people glare. I did expect this, we knew our presence would not be welcome in Camelot but it still hurt to see old friends disowning you.
Roran, Eve and I had arrived the day before but camped in the forests outside - masking our location with magic. Not a particularly hard spell, but tiring.
I was ecstatic to be back but terrified of why we were here. The mix of both emotions made me feel ill.
APOV
I stared around the courtyard at the assembling guards. Did father really think that they could stop a group of sorcerers? Not that I'm going to say anything, I'm not going to let my father have the option of actually capturing these magicians, especially since they came here at their own risk to negotiate a truce.
I felt my father tense up, sigh, he was going to rant
"I told you they wouldn't come – their promises are as false as their beliefs". I kept calm, we had differing views on the subject and an argument wouldn't help the situation.
"We haven't been waiting very long father, we should stay a little longer before destroying any hope of a peaceful solution,"
He glared "Five minutes"
MPOV
"Are you sure you're ok with this? We could turn back now and no-one would know." Eve whispered, she didn't look round, she seemed to be documenting every person we walked past.
"I'm fine, it's not like he'll get anywhere near me" I replied giving her an uneasy smile; while I was confident in Eve I was dreading Uther's reaction, maybe I should have stayed behind...
Eve nudged me when I nearly walked into someone - breaking my train of thought.
Looking around now I noticed Eve was getting more glares than I was, not surprising really a woman walking around in tight trousers and a t-shirt suggested entirely the wrong thing, but it was practical for her talents.
"Eve, keep to the shadows and watch us. Only intervene if you are certain we are in danger or I call for you of my own free will." Roran's voice was strong but I could see the fear in his eyes. Eve nodded before slipping into a side alley and vanishing into the crowd.
APOV
What!? Why? Merlin you idiot you're going to get yourself killed...
"Guards!"
Don't be stupid father he can do magi -
"I thought you weren't meant to attack people you summoned to your City?" The man (presumably sorcerer) next to Merlin stated. Father raised his hand to stop the Guards.
Please don't offend them.
"My apologies, but I did not realise you were going to bring a 'criminal' he spat the word "Into my kingdom" Merlin looked terrified.
The tension was tangible, I couldn't look away from the mans face – this is where it could all go horribly wro-
"By you laws Uther, I too am I criminal and it will do you no good to arrest me or Merlin" Good answer; father can't be seen to start the war in front of all these people but I better take over: father's getting less rational everyday and I reckon he'd happily disown me if he thought I was a sorcerer. I need him to trust me or Camelot will never have a just, (sane) King.
Of course no harm will come to you ..."
"Roran"
"Roran or Merlin while we are discussing a treaty" I shot father a meaningful look which he seemed to understand.
MPOV
The courtyard was silent as we rounded the corner. As I looked up at Uther, his face seemed to change into 3 different shades of red before he shouted
"Guards!"
Ha, look at Uther's face. It's the first time I'd seen him speechless, Roran chose exactly the right thing to say.
However my happiness subsided quickly as he spat the word "criminal" at me, oh god I shouldn't have come, my presence might ruin everything we came here for… Focus
My eyes drifted to the surrounding guards - and Arthur. It had been so long, too long since we last joked around - spoke - even communicated. I try to catch his eye but he seems too concerned with the conversation.
As I study the castle more I notice Morgana's missing? Surely the Uther would want her here to 'show off' like he normally does.
"Concentrate Merlin!" Eve hissed in my mind "You are the ones in the most danger - don't miss anything"When I looked back at the group Uther and Arthur were having a whispered argument - Arthur seemed to have won.
"Sorry"
"It's fine, it's just it'll be harder for me to protect you once you're inside so you need to be careful"
"Ok, I'll keep that in mind"
"We will show you to your chambers now" Uther's irritation was clear - I wonder what they had agreed?
-- 10 Minutes later--
Arthur pulled me off down a corridor as Roran was taken into his room. I followed him in silence. He seemed withdrawn; there was more caution in his eyes than I had ever seen before. We ended up just outside Gaius's quarters.
"I thought you might appreciate a familiar face and your old room," he said with a small smile.
"I - uh - thank you!" I stammered before hugging him. He half-laughed but didn't hug back and broke away very quickly. (A/N: I know this is a bit OOC but Arthur misses Merlin and because he can't joke around like normal he allows the hug)
What was wrong?
"It took a lot to make father let you back in here - please don't do anything stupid." he joked uneasily "Seriously though, don't get yourself hurt. Father got even more paranoid about magic after you left and it will only take a small mistake for him to condemn you and everyone else. Trust me no-one is safe"
Does he mean Morgana?
"You should see Gaius he's really missed you." He said as he turned and walked away
"Oh and Gwen might throttle you with a hug so beware!" he called over his shoulder laughing.
"Thanks for the heads up" I muttered.
Why did he leave so quickly? - and I swear he's deliberately not talking about Morgana...
"Eve? Could you do something for me? "
So what do you think? Reviews are loved 3
Any POV preferences for the next chapters?
Any thoughts? - anything really :)
