The tree's blurred together, the snapping of twigs was the only noise that Merlin heard, he was so vigilant, so wary. Merlin was traveling as fast as possible, he had already tried three different locations he thought that the Druids were. He had yet to find a trace of them. It had been 24 hours since Merlin had parted ways with Gwaine and Percival; he knew that it would only take the forces of Camelot two days at the most to meet Morgana.
Merlin knew that at the end of the day they were Morgana's forces, Mordred was just her lieutenant. Mordred was someone Merlin had difficulty predicting, but Morgana was a person Merlin knew.
She was powerful; she had always been powerful, but her foresight was always clouded by hate. Merlin knew that Morgana would want revenge against him; he knew he could distract her easily. His presence would be enough to get her to focus on him. Morgana's hate was misplaced, though her betrayal, well Merlin couldn't blame her for feeling it. The biggest regret of his life was the way that he had treated Morgana.
Merlin focused his mind on Mordred. He couldn't continue to dwell on Morgana. Mordred was cunning, and clever. He had extreme skill both with a sword and with magic. Merlin thought that perhaps he would face Arthur with a sword, no matter what Mordred would like the honour of a duel. Merlin feared though, when Arthur would beat him, Mordred would resort to magic. This was all good Merlin thought, but none of it was a fault that he could exploit. But he still didn't know Mordred's weakness. He didn't know how to through him off balance, he didn't know what Mordred would do next. It was the one thing that had him worried.
Merlin saw that the clearing was opening up; Gaius had mentioned offhandedly that some Druids made their camp there.
It seemed like an eternity since that conversation happened. The past few days felt as if they had been years. Merlin felt as if he was Dragoon. At least he was that old.
He saw the tents as he approached; they were light and easily moved. He could hear activity, people moving about, laughing and talking. It was definitely a community.
Now that Merlin had arrived, he suddenly felt clueless. What was he supposed to say? How could he erase years of hate and fear? How could he ask them for help?
One thought made him move forward; Arthur needed help.
When Merlin was visible everything stopped. All eyes were on Merlin. The Druids were shocked to see Emrys. They looked around, in fear that the Knights of Camelot, and or the King himself had accompanied him.
Mothers moved their children into tents, and then joined their husbands and friend in a crowd. No one's eye left Emrys.
"What are you doing here, Emrys?" A Druid asked suspicion was evident in his voice.
Merlin took a deep breath, and got of his horse. He stood in front of the crowd that had gathered. "Many changes have happened in the past few days. An event that affects us all as come to pass. Destiny's are coming true..." Merlin started; he felt as if he was babbling.
"We already know that the Lady Morgana has marshaled her troops, and has made her alliance with Mordred. Camelot's end is near." The same Druid interrupted.
The Druids faces conveyed their belief that Camelot was doomed. This was not what Merlin wanted to see. He had hoped that the Druids still believed in him. Merlin shouldn't have been surprised.
"Yes, Morgana and Mordred have joined forces but that does not mean that Camelot is doomed." Merlin urged.
"The prophets speak of this battle, when Morgana and Mordred join forces Camelot will fall." The Druid said with complete certainty.
"Camelot is not doomed, Albion will come to pass, I stand here, and Arthur is and will continue to be protected by me. You yourselves say that I am a great warlock!" Merlin said; he tried to keep his voice controlled.
"Arthur has to accept magic for Albion to occur, and Emrys you have failed to do that."
The crowd agreed; the King still believed the same twisted 'truth' as his father.
Merlin's eyes lit up. The Druids still held onto hope, they had not renounced Camelot. The Druids still wanted to hold onto the idea of peace. They were just skeptical. It was a Clot-pole move to not tell them that Arthur accepted magic immediately.
"This was my announcement I have told Arthur about my true identity. I have informed if of my purpose and his own destiny. Arthur has accepted magic!"
The deceleration was not met will the excitement that Merlin had expected. In fact no one looked particularly excited, some looked disbelieving, others weary, no one trusting.
Merlin realized this was not going to be easy. He wished he had forged a relationship with the Druids; Mordred's relations were paying off. He was a stranger.
Iseldir stood amongst the crowd. Merlin smiled finally; he saw a familiar face, he hoped that this gave him some leverage. Or at least someone would believe him.
"Emrys, why have you come here, what is it you seek?" Iseldir asked.
"Morgana and Mordred intend to fight with a separate group of Druids. I have come to ask for your help." Merlin asked sincerely.
"Arthur may have seen that you are not evil, but that does not guarantee our safety."Iseldir stated.
The crowd agreed with him. Before Merlin could respond he continued; "Emrys you ask a lot of us, you want us to fight, to risk our lives for a King who has spent years hunting us. We owe Camelot nothing."
Merlin knew that this was such a hard task. He had no right to ask for any favours. But for Arthur he would.
"This is our chance to show the world that magic belongs in Camelot, Arthur will free it. I guarantee it on my life, on my MAGIC!"
That was a oath that the Druids respected, but this was their own lives.
Isedir was considering the speech. He wanted to believe in the prophecies, but the image of Arthur threatening the life of an innocent child kept coming to mind, he wanted the cup of life so badly, was that really the Once and Future King that was worth dying for.
Merlin understood that Isedir was thinking about the cup of life. "Arthur has learned from his mistakes, but I will not force you to act for me. Just think about this; Morgana will do to the people what Uther did to the magical. History will repeat itself, this time you could stop thousands of people from suffering the way you did. You can usher in a new world where everyone is equal. I am willing to bet everything on Arthur, are you willing to bet on Morgana."
"We know that Mordred wants our allegiance, he asked us, and we declined. Isn't that enough?" A woman spoke from within the crowd.
Merlin sighed; he really had no right to ask for more. "I will leave you with a choice; it will be up to you. Arthur is a King that will right the mistakes of the past, he has seen past a life time of hate. Morgana is consumed by her own hate, she will create more misery. Those without magic will be subjected to the hate you all felt, if you want to change history and not repeat it, help the Armies of Camelot."
The crowd listened to Emrys, they knew that no one deserved to be hunted, Morgana was not a good leader, but this was WAR.
"Remember that the future of our kingdom will be shaped, you can play a hand or live with the choice of watching. The battle will be at Mount Badon, Morgana intends to attack from the peaks, with Druids. If you chose to help that is where you will be needed."
Merlin looked at the Druids one last time. "I accept whatever decision you make."
Isedir spoke in Merlin's mind. Emrys keep in mind the powers of the Dragon, no matter who crippled. That may very well be her secret weapon, and the Druids merely a distraction.
Thank you, Merlin replied. As he rode of he thought that he had just in countered another disastrous problem.
I hope u guys like the chapter, and there aren't any mistakes.
Enjoy :)
