Author's Note: Please enjoy!
Two months had seemed a long time back before Merlin had departed Camelot, but the last 24 hours were the slowest yet. He had spent the last several days on his own, practicing with a sword and going on walks around the woods. With only his horse for company, Merlin was more than anxious for the dawn of the next day, when he would finally be able to step back across the border and in to Camelot once more.
"Just a few more hours," he whispered to the horse, patting his nose complacently. He glanced at his water skin and noted it was almost empty. He walked forward and scooped it up, heading through the trees to the river a mere 50 yards away. He hadn't wanted to set up camp too close to its shores, in case the water lapped up over the edge and soaked his bag, which contained the clothing and supplies he had needed for his months away from home.
He had been using magic to assist in hunting, since no matter how hard he tried, he was never good enough with a bow to catch more than a few slow-moving critters in the forest. It made him feel slightly guilty to use his magic in this way, as if combating a natural force against natural creatures would upset the balance of things. But he was only taking what he needed to survive, and since he could be as accurate as he wanted with magic, he knew he was bringing no pain to the animals he killed for his own sustenance.
The river was cool and refreshing, and Merlin knelt by the bank and splashed some water on his face before leaning over to fill the water skin. He was humming to himself lightly, which was perhaps why he didn't hear the sound of footsteps coming up behind him until it was too late.
"Hello, Emrys," a voice said. Merlin tried to throw out his magic to defend himself, but the stranger's approach had been too sudden and stealthy. He had no time to react as he felt the man behind him hit him over the head with the blunt edge of a sword. Darkness took him instantly.
"It's today!" Gwen's voice said as she sashayed into Gaius's chambers, with Arthur following behind. She was coming to check on one of the palace kitchen maids who had fallen ill the day previous, and Arthur decided to tag along, loving any chance to spend with his wife and not with the various nobles and common folk he had to deal with every day as king.
Gaius smiled and looked up from the cot where he was examining the young girl, Emily. "Yes, indeed."
Arthur couldn't even pretend not to know what they were talking about – all week, he'd been growing more and more anxious for the arrival of this day. Today, Merlin was set to return to Camelot. According to what Merlin had told him, the spell that he and Kilgharrah had begun two months previous had been growing to eradicate the spell placed over Merlin and over the whole of Camelot. Today, it was set to be complete, finally knocking away the spell that "Harvey" had cast for good.
"How is she?" Arthur asked, staring at the pale face of Emily with concern. Although he had only met her once or twice himself, Gwen often spoke fondly of the young girl. She gave such good attention to the maids of the palace, perhaps because she so strongly remembered the days when she was among them.
"She will be perfectly alright. A common illness, coupled with exhaustion. She merely needs rest and water."
"Exhaustion?" Gwen said, a frown puckering up her smooth forehead.
"Apparently her mother just had another child, and the small boy won't stop shrieking at all hours of the night," Gaius said, smiling at the thought of such a nice family. "Has Merlin signaled you anything today?" he asked Arthur.
"No. Generally he sends a message at sunset, but I suppose today there will be no need of that. He'll be back here by dark, I'm sure."
Gaius chuckled. "If I know Merlin at all, he'll be back within the hour. I just know he's been waiting right at the edge of the kingdom's limits, ready to come home the second he was able."
Arthur smiled at the thought of seeing his friend again. As he and his wife took their leave of Gaius and the sleeping Emily, he could hardly keep himself from bouncing through the halls in anticipation.
"Are you excited to see him?" Gwen asked knowingly.
Arthur attempted to keep his voice nonchalant as he shrugged. "I mean, sure. Yeah."
Gwen laughed, her voice delightfully free and happy. "I know you've missed him terribly. You've been moodier lately than I've seen you in a long while."
"Well, I've been worried."
"Yes, I know."
"About Camelot, Gwen. Not just about Merlin."
"I know that too," Gwen answered. "But I think we'll all feel much better once Merlin is with us again. One less thing to worry about, yes?"
Arthur nodded in agreement. One less thing, indeed.
But as the day wore on, his worry did increase. He still had Lords Samuel and Phineas on his back about Merlin and magic in general, and he was increasingly anxious about the reason behind the lack of attack on Camelot. And beyond that, Gaius was right – Merlin would have been set to show up as soon as humanly possible once the curse was lifted. And if that was the case… where was he?
Morning turned to afternoon which turned to evening, yet no matter how many excuses Arthur made to stroll out to the courtyard, hoping to catch a glimpse of Merlin's return, he could see no sign of the young warlock.
As sunset lit the skies of Camelot, Arthur took out the stone, waiting anxiously for Merlin's signal. He waited, hoping for the tell-tale flash of blue which would tell him not to worry, that he'd just been held up an extra day, and that he'd be back the next morning, no worse for wear.
He went to bed that night beside an anxious Guinevere, the stone gripped in his hand. There was no message, and no Merlin.
Author's Note: Hit me with it. I wanna know what you think!