AN/ sorry this chapter is kinda short. But on the bright side, it'll make the story just a little bit longer. I wanted to update this last night but as most of you probably know, the Doc Manager was down. So here it is... the next chapter! ENJOY!

"You got the message to Morgana then?" Leon asked. Merlin had never seen the man acting so cautiously before. Then again, this wasn't a situation that Leon was used to. He was a loyal knight of Camelot. He had been there even under Uther's rule and therefore still had many doubts about magic. It was only to be expected. The plan that they'd just set into action involved magic, and lots of it. Almost every one of Leon's instincts told him that the users of magic couldn't be trusted, yet every fiber of his being screamed that Merlin could. Still, the wariness toward magic remained.

"I got the message to Morgana," Merlin confirmed. "And she is furious," the warlock laughed. He'd done his job well.

"So, it's set then. We will set off for Camelot at once. I'll explain the plan to my men," Arthur announced heading towards the edge of the trees.

"And we'll explain it to everyone else," Merlin confirmed. But he didn't really need to explain anything. He and Iseldir had kept the rest of the druids updated as they worked out the plan, telepathically. They knew what was going on, and even though the druids were mostly against violence, they all completely agreed that the witch, Morgana, had to be stopped. Strangely enough, Alator had managed to inform the rest of the Catha of the plan without Merlin noticing.

"They will be at the gates of Camelot with us," Alator assured. Merlin replied with a 'thank you' and sat back to wait. Sure, they still had lots to do, but that included preparing Arthur's men to leave as well. Nothing could be done until everyone else was aware of the plan, and at the moment, Arthur was still explaining it to the knights and citizens.

"I don't like it!" one peasant shouted. A knight stepped closer to Arthur.

"We should cut down every last one of them, sire. Were your father still alive, he would strongly disapprove of this. This could be a trap! You know you cannot trust a sorcerer!" he growled through his teeth in a hushed tone.

"We can trust Merlin. He has been a faithful and loyal friend of Camelot for years now! He's been a loyal friend to a friend to me…" the shouted back. His voice quieted as he mentioned Merlin being his friend. Arthur had admitted it openly. Merlin was his friend.

"He could be dangerous! He chose to practice magic after all!"

Merlin's gaze drifted to the shouting king and his subjects. 'Merlin can be trusted,' the blonde had shouted. 'He's talking about me,' Merlin confirmed. Arthur was standing up for him, but his people still feared magic. Merlin walked over to the king and the entire group seemed to tense.

"Ah, Merlin," Arthur said smiling, clapping his hand on Merlin's shoulder. He almost immediately regretted it, remembering the boy's injuries, but Merlin didn't mind. Actually, he didn't seem to notice them at all, so Arthur left his hand there.

"My people don't believe they can trust you," Arthur stated in a disapproving tone. "Can you help me put this ridiculous belief to rest?"

"It's not ridiculous," Merlin announced, saying it as if it were obvious, because, it was. "They've lived in a kingdom with a king that has told them that magic is evil. It's only natural that they'd be skeptical."

Arthur stared at Merlin a bit confused. Merlin seemed to be okay with everyone not trusting him, but the young man began talking again, directing his attention at the citizens and knights.

"I know you fear magic," he said. "It is what you've been told to do probably your whole life, but, I assure you, not all magic is evil. Magic can be used for good, just like a sword, or a crossbow."

The people didn't seem to believe him, but their faces did soften considerably. They almost all knew Merlin, or at least knew who he was having seen him about the town with Gaius or King Arthur. They loved him for his cheerful nature and constant, caring smile. Honestly, how could anyone hate Merlin?

Arthur confidently decided that if anyone could change his peoples' view on magic, Merlin could, just like he'd done with Arthur.

Merlin stepped forward and clasped his hands together, taking a deep breath. He was going to perform magic in front of them, so what would he do if they got scared and decided to try and kill him? Everyone held their breath, awaiting the dark-haired man's next action.

"Blostma," Merlin whispered. His eyes flashed gold and a woman standing nearby, no older than Merlin himself, gasped in surprise and probably in fear as well. Merlin opened his hands, revealing a small, red rose. Merlin let a small smile slip onto his face. He'd hoped that the spell would do that, just as it had when he was trying to make a strawberry for Freya. It was a simple, harmless spell, and was just what he'd needed.

A rose? The young woman couldn't fathom why the boy, who they called Merlin, had only conjured a rose. Merlin held the small flower out to her and shyly, she took the stem. Merlin gave her a kind smile and her cheeks burned a rosy pink. This boy was so kind and gentle. She'd seen his smiling face around the town before and never once seen an ounce of evil in the boy's heart. She even remembered him tending to her ill, younger brother at one point with the Court Physician. The young man, Merlin, had magic, but he was far from evil.

Everyone was amazed with the beauty of the rose, and some, like the woman, began to feel their fear and hatred melt away.

"Not everyone who practices magic is evil," Merlin said softly. "But there are those who abuse the power they have. Morgana is one such person," he explained, his tone becoming serious.

"It was magic that corrupted the Lady Morgana's heart!" someone shouted. They were obviously still a nonbeliever.

"No. Her heart was corrupted long before the magic was ever there."

The man was about to protest but Merlin continued talking, deciding he wanted to get his point across.

"I didn't choose to practice magic, I was born with it. I just chose to use my magic for the right thing. I have protected Camelot and all who live there for years now. If you choose not to trust me, then don't. I can't force you to change your mind, but know that if you do choose to fight today, you aren't fighting for a sorcerer or a warlock. You aren't fighting for the Druids or the Catha; you aren't even fighting for your King. If you choose to fight today, you will be fighting for your family and friends, your safety and your freedom… you will be fighting for your home. You will be fighting for Camelot!"

Everyone found themselves nodding in agreement with the warlock's words. This fight was for Camelot and everything it stood for, nothing more.

Arthur felt a spark of inspiration and motivation surge through him as Merlin's words rang through the air. The man's speech was astounding and he even felt himself nodding in agreement. No wonder the king allowed his manservant to write some of his speeches.

The king stepped forward and unsheathed his sword.

"What say you?" Arthur asked the group. The air was filled with an assortment of yells and battle cries all in favor of fighting for their home. Arthur lifted Excalibur high above him, posing tall and proud.

"For the love of Camelot!" Arthur shouted, and his people echoed his cry. Merlin smiled with satisfaction.

"For the love of Camelot!" Merlin shouted, joining in with the chanting.

END NOTE- again, sorry its so short. and sorry for not paying attention to grammar or anything in these AN's in this one. i've got school this morning... well i hope they cancel it. Have one hint for you all... it starts with 'r' and ends in 'eview'! LOLZ

~Allie-K