"What's wrong with you Merlin?"

"Hmm?" Merlin glanced behind him to see Arthur leaning against a tree, watching him closely.

"You seem off." Arthur explained. "Are you starting to have second thoughts about going?"

Merlin's brow rose. "What? No!" He said, quickly shaking his head. "No. Of course not. It's just...I just have a lot on my mind. Tha's all." He shrugged some, his stomach twisted as he thought back on his conversation with Kilgharrah. He had so much on him, so much he had to consider, that he had to think about. If only there was more time...

"Same here."

Arthur's voice pulled him back from his ever wandering thoughts and he watched as he made his way over to him. He had been so busy with his own worries and troubles that today he had hardly took the time to check on Arthur. He was going against everything he believed, after all. He had left behind his kingdom to go blindly into a impossible battle without any knights except for Gwaine - who seemed fix on flirting with Elaine as they rested from a long day's journey.

"You're doing the right thing, Arthur." Merlin assured his friend. "I'm proud of you, for coming to help the Druids like this."

"Is it the right thing?" Arthur asked, voice quiet. "Ever since I left Camelot, I've had this growing feeling like I'm doing something wrong. My father...he was against these people for so long, yet they've helped me countless times. How can I just overlook that?" He sighed heavily.

Merlin felt guilt. He should have been paying more attention to Arthur.

His friend and King needed him now more than ever.

"Arthur," Merlin placed a hand on his shoulder. Arthur instantly looked at him, holding his gaze. "Your father was blinded by his hate for all things magic. He couldn't see that it's the welder of the magic that you must be cautious of, not the magic itself. If someone used magic, then it was off with their heads! He didn't care. He didn't stop to ask," He saw Arthur start to look defensive and he held up a hand to stop him from speaking. "If a evil person uses magic, then their magic is evil...but there are good people out there Arthur, good, just, people who use their magic for the good of all and want nothing more than to see the world thrive. Their magic? It's nothing to be worried about. Elaine and her people? I have a feeling like they will be some of the greatest allies Camelot has ever had. They trust you Arthur. They stand by you. You ask how can you overlook that? The answer is...you can't."

Arthur stood there in silence, letting Merlin's words sink in.

Merlin let his hand fall to the side and turned to go, but, a second later, Arthur reached and and grasped his arm.

Merlin turned to him.

"Thank you, Merlin." Arthur said. "I find...that sometimes in my darkest moments of doubt...you are always there to talk some sense into me." He smiled a bit at that. "You are a good friend."

"I am always here for you, Arthur." Merlin replied. "I believe in you, for you are my King and friend."

Arthur was grateful for that, though he couldn't shake this feeling like something was wrong with Merlin. The way his friend looked like he held the world on his shoulders. "If there was something wrong, you would tell me, right?" He asked.

Merlin's heart began to hammer against his chest at just those words.

There were so many things going on. Nothing wrong, but things that were bothering him. Things he knew that needed to be out in the open but he was worried on the outcome. If and when Arthur found out about his magic, would he forgive him? Would he trust him?

Or would he put a sword to his chest and call him a traitor?

Arthur stepped toward him, letting his arm go. "Merlin?" he questioned. "What's wrong?"

Merlin took a deep breath. "Arthur..."

"Yes?"

"There's something that you need to know." Merlin felt like he was shaking to pieces, but, surprisingly, he was keeping things under control. He was proud of how his voice kept strong and didn't shake to show any sign of emotion.

Arthur gave a nod. "Alright, what is it?"

This was it.

The time had come to let him know.

Hopefully, things would go alright and if they didn't, then he prayed that Arthur learn to forgive him some day.

"Arthur, I have-"

"Hey, you two." All of a sudden Gwaine appeared at the top of the hill. "Are you ready to go? Elaine and I have things packed. We should probably head out."

Merlin felt like he was going to be faint.

He glared over at Gwaine, giving him an annoyed look.

He couldn't believe he had just interrupted one of the most important moments of his life!

Already, Arthur looked like he was ready to go. He turned to Merlin and Merlin quickly let his glare fall from his face. "We'll talk about this later, alright?"

Merlin nodded. "Yes. Later."

'If there is a later...' He thought to himself.

Arthur gave him a pat on the arm, then made his way up the hill to where Gwaine and Elaine were. Merlin watched him go and wanted nothing more than to collapse on the forest floor, his heart slamming roughly against his chest, but he forced himself to follow after him.


Caradoc had been a faithful friend and protector of his kind ever since the rise of his 16th year. His people were warm, welcoming, souls who sought nothing but the peace for all of Albion.

They had their hard times here and there, but his people never once complained.

They were grateful for what they head.

Their families.

Their homes.

Their lives.

They had gone through everything. Storms. Battles. The Great Purge. Anything and everything and yet these people still managed to stay optomistic about the future. A future that was told would bring about the rise of Albion and finally give everyone a rest from cruelty.
These wonderful people were now being hunted down and slaughtered like animals. Not by any great Kings, not by Camelot - but by one of their own.

And they were suppose to have hope for the future?

Caradoc was quickly losing all hope.

He had seen friends cut down before him.

Then there was Galahad. The one man that he was suppose to protect with his life or die trying and he had left him back there with the enemy.

To Caradoc, it looked like this would be the end.

There would be no help coming.

How did they even know if Elaine made it to Camelot?

Caradoc slowed his horse as he came to a old bridge. The others that had been with him had parted ways with him once they had found some horses and they had gone on to the haven to be with their people. To protect them if it ever came down to them having to battle there. He now was faced with finding Elaine.

If that was even possible.

But he had to try, for Galahad's sake.

He owed him that much.


CAMELOT -

How is the King?

When will the King get better?

Can we see the King?

Has the King ordered anything for us to do?

Is the King ever going to be alright?

Should we start preparing funeral arrangments?

Those were just some of the questions that Guinevere found herself being bombarded by on a daily basis. What part of 'The King will be ill for a week or two' did these people not understand? She wanted to snap at each and every one of them, but, thankfully, Leon was there to put people in their places and make them leave her when it was apparent she was becoming stressed by their questioning.

She wished she could tell them what their King was off doing.

She felt certain that his people would be proud, but, then it would alert Morgana that he was gone and they couldn't have anything happening while he was away.

Slowly pacing back and forth in the throne room, Gwen held her hands close to herself as she begged whoever was listening to her prayers that Arthur and the others would return to Camelot safely.

Not having him near and not hearing from him in so long worried her.

Shouldn't they have been there by now?

"They will be alright, Gwen." Gaius' fatherly voice met her ears and she stopped, turning to him.

"I want to believe that with all of my heart," She said. "But I'm worried."

"I understand, but they will be safe. I promise."

"How can you promise that, Gaius?"

He gave her a knowing look. "Because Arthur has someone on his side who will not let them fail. In fact, I don't believe he even knows how to fail when it comes to making sure Arthur is safe and that all turns out well for the good of others."

Gwen tilted her head to the side. "Who? Gwaine?"

Gaius gave her a faint smile, but said nothing more on it. "Come, I'll make you a sleeping draft to help you get some rest. While Arthur is away, the people need their Queen."