Sorry this is late guys! Been in hospital again…grr! Anyway on holiday now so should be back to normal (ish) now. Obviously revision is needed for exams but I think I can spare a few hours to write! Thank you all!

CamelotWolf x

#~#~#~#~

Gaius was sleeping peacefully, until his shoulder was roughly shaken. Grumbling he stood up only to see Merlin before him. 'Merlin…go back to bed, you can save Camelot in the morning.' With that he started to sit back down but Merlin spoke, Gaius sighed. He was very tired; old age has its toll. He heard pieces of what Merlin said, 'Woke up…lots of magic…odd…white light…going to go look. Gaius this is when you say don't go Merlin it's too dangerous?'

'Have fun Merlin.' Came the reply and Gaius happily slipped back into peaceful slumber. Not before he heard Merlin's 'Ok then…' in a voice of wonder and him leaving the chambers.

#~#~#~#~

Merlin was confused, this was a moment of complete panic for him and all Gaius could do was sleep? He didn't push it though seeing as Gaius was obviously unwell. With a shake of his head he moved towards the knight's quarters. Merlin wanted to go alone but knew that would be foolish, he also wasn't keen on waking up his royal prattness before dawn. Gwaine was his final option, he hoped he wasn't smashed.

Hesitantly Merlin knocked on the door, there was a gruff, vague 'enter…' so Merlin did. Gwaine was face-planted on the floor with a look of helplessness. Merlin couldn't help but smile at his friend, after murmuring a few words Gwaine stood up and said, 'Cheers mate, that headaches been bloomin' annoying! Anyway what brings you here? What have you done now?'

Merlin explained to Gwaine about his feeling, throughout Gwaine looked strangely serious. He also grinned at Merlin's explanation about Gaius and Arthur. Gwaine summarised in a cheerful voice, 'So you want me to come with you to head towards a large 'blast' of magic that is unknown and with no one knowing where we are?' After a moment of reflection he continued, 'Great! Let's go.' With that he strode out after grabbing his sword with a grinning Merlin in tow.

#~#~#~#~

Amelia, Lancelot and Elyan finally began to sit up. Amelia was the first to speak, 'Look at the trees…they're moving! We're back!' She felt wondrous; she was home with new friends. Better than anything she could hope for. After a while of staring she turned to see Elyan and Lancelot sharing the same look.

'To Camelot then!' said Elyan.

'Wait a moment Elyan. We need to think about this, how we get back. How we make an entrance. Don't forget we all died, might come as a shock that we just show up? I suggest we wait a few hours until dawn and talk. Then we go home.' Elyan nodded, eyeing Lancelot before giving in. 'I'll go get some firewood' said Amelia feeling that the boys needed time to talk.

'Fine but don't go too far, keep your sword out though. We are near Camelot, this area surprisingly large number of bandits.' Murmured Lancelot. He was rewarded with an understanding grin before being left with Elyan.

'We need to talk, I know it wasn't your fault but do you know what actually happened?'

'I have no idea, and that is what is haunting me. I remember being in the forest and then dying again with Merlin looking down at me. Then I was back in the forest. What did I do?' Elyan was surprised at how haunted Lancelot looked his fear evident. It was at this moment that Elyan forgave him. His brother was used and Elyan knew he would never forgive himself, but he needed to know. So he told him, guilt growing along with Lancelot's look of pure hate for himself. Sometimes Lancelot is too honourable, Elyan took it upon himself to see that Lancelot didn't tear himself apart over this.

Amelia came back to find Lancelot in tears and Elyan looking on with nothing other than pity. She smiled; they were going to be fine.

An hour later they were sitting around the dimming fire, 'So we go into the hall with cloaks on and ask for a private audience.' Said Elyan.

'We then show our faces and the mark on our wrists. Then we recite the number.' Continued Lancelot.

'And then we hope for the best.' Finished Amelia.

All present exchanged a look of concern before masking it up. 'If this doesn't go well then I would just like to say that Lancelot, I forgive you.' Said Elyan.

'Thank you,' Lancelot's face held a look of such gratitude it was unreal.

'It is time.' Whispered Amelia as she took Lancelot's hand.

Crack went a twig behind them, drawing their weapons they turned.

#~#~#~#~

Merlin and Gwaine had managed to sneak out of Camelot undetected, obviously magic helps but the Camelot guards are not the most observant of beings. They were now on their way into the woods. 'So where are we going Merlin?'

'Dunno.'

'Wonderful, so what are we following your nose or something?'

Laughing Merlin replied, 'Effectively, I can feel where the magic is, we are not far now.'

'So…that fire, do you reckon it has anything to do with the magic things?'

'Probably, let's go look.'

They dismounted the horses and moved forward towards the fire. Around the fire were three hooded figures, one a young woman.

'And then we hope for the best.' Said the girl.

The group around the fire exchanged a look of concern before masking it up. Who are these people? They could only see the face of the woman, she was rather pretty.

'If this doesn't go well then I would just like to say that Lancelot, I forgive you.' Said Elyan.

Lancelot? Was the thought resounding in Merlin and Gwaine's head. Instinctually Gwaine drew his sword and was about to move in but stopped when a hand rested on his arm. Merlin shook his head and gestured for them to go around the clearing to see the third person. Gwaine nodded. As he stepped a twig snapped. The cloaked figures jumped into a formation with their swords drawn. There in front of them was the girl, Lancelot and Elyan. But they are dead. At least the knights. What is this? Elyan forgave Lancelot? This can't be. The figures moved forward as an all too familiar voice called out, 'Who's there. Show yourselves.'

Hesitantly Gwaine and Merlin stepped out.

#~#~#~#~

'Who's there? Show yourselves.' Said Elyan.

Gwaine and Merlin emerged, Amelia shrank behind Lancelot. She didn't trust strangers after last time. No one moved. Gwaine drew his sword up to Lancelot's throat and muttered, 'What are you? This is impossible'.

'Gwaine listen…' began Elyan.

No! No… you died, both of you died! You can't exist! Merlin?

Merlin looked pensive, he too remembered Lancelot's betrayal but he could help but hope this was their Lancelot. 'Why are you here?'

'We need to speak to Gaius, then perhaps the rest of the knights and Arthur… and my sister.'

'What could you need Gaius for?' Elyan drew his sleeve up and revealed the swirl on his arm. Merlin's eyes widened, 'We take them to Camelot.' With that Merlin turned and left, with the others following, Amelia still behind Lancelot.

#~#~#~#~

'What!' yelled Arthur. 'They're gone, what do you mean they're gone?'

'What we say sire, Gwaine is not in his room, two horses are missing and Merlin isn't here either.'

'Then where are they? Ah Gaius, nice of you to join us. Where is Merlin?' All eyes turned to the physician who had just walked in.

'Out my lord, he will be back. Probably…'

'Do you know where they have gone?'

'Not exactly no, my lord. I seem to recall Merlin leaving last night to investigate a large magical explosion he believed he felt. He probably took Gwaine with him.' Replied the physician calmly.

'A large explo- am I the only one getting worried here?' shouted Arthur. The knights were silent, all thinking this was an all powerful Warlock…he can probably take care of himself.

A few agonising minutes later the throne room doors were thrown open and in walked Gwaine and Merlin with three hooded figures. Gwen's eyes lingered on the two leading hooded figures before dropping back to the third.

'Merlin, explain yourself.'

'Sire, may I present Amelia, Lancelot and Elyan.' The three figures took their hoods down and in front of them were the lifelike looking men they knew, and a girl at the back. Swords were drawn and put to the new arrivals throats.

#~#~#~#~

Meanwhile by the Lake of Avalon, a young druid girl with long, wet brown hair opened her eyes. Her first and only thought being, Merlin.

#~#~#~#~

Thank you! More soon and please review, favourite and follow, you make my day!