Hi, sorry it's been a while, but here is a new chapter. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Merlin.
Merlin returned to the very subdued camp, Elyan's death had been hard on all of them but it had probably hurt Gwen the most, she had lost her brother once and had now lost him again. Merlin was surprised therefore when, as soon as he reappeared in the camp Gwen rushed over and hugged him.
"Gwen, I'm so sorry." stammered Merlin.
"Merlin you have nothing to be sorry for you tried your best." said Gwen glaring at him "Never let me hear you saying sorry again."
"Sor…" said Merlin before he caught himself.
"I hate to interrupt this beautiful moment but what do we do now?" asked Gwaine, Merlin and Arthur looked at each other. "We need to start building up an army, it's no use the seven of us alone against Morgana, her dragon and the armies of all five kingdoms, we need more people or we don't stand a chance." said Arthur.
"But who, there can't possibly be enough people willing to risk their lives like that." said Leon.
"You'd be surprised, the druids have offered their help and I have 100 magic users that I can contact."
"Woah Merlin, the druids are still around?" asked Percival
"Yeah they live in camps underground; can you believe this, but Merlin is some sort of lord for them, they call him Emrys."
"Arthur we know, after you… you know we made peace with the druids, they told us all about the prophecy," said Percival.
"Oh"
"Anyway, how do meet them, this place is crawling with guards remember."
"Ah there might be a solution there," said Merlin getting to his feet and leading them to one of the many caves that littered the walls of the Garden.
"Merlin we've explored these tunnels before there's nothing here," moaned Arthur, though he and Merlin had discussed raising an army; they had never talked about how they would ever meet their troops.
"When we first explored the caves I thought there was something odd about this one, I forgot about it until a few days ago, when I found this. Forbearan" he muttered and a flame appeared it his palm but it didn't burn Merlin, it only caused a pleasant tickling sensation. He let the light fall on some words carved into the wall.
"We didn't notice this when we first explored this cave but I came back and checked more thoroughly."
"What does it say?" asked Gwen eagerly.
"One path leads to many, I think."
"But this cave ends in a wall." said Leon
"I think it's an illusion," replied Merlin, who then with a wave of his hand and a flash of gold quickly got rid of the illusion. To the others it seemed has if the cave had suddenly elongated and it had a nauseating effect. Gwen felt so dizzy she nearly fell over and Gwaine actually did. Lucky the effect didn't last long and they were all soon looking down a long passageway leading away into darkness.
"Where does it go then Merlin," asked Arthur "It could end up in the Camelot dungeons for all we know."
"It leads to the druid caves at least I'm pretty sure it does."
"You're pretty sure, we could be walking into a trap then?" questioned Leon.
"Aw Leon, that's all part of the fun mate." replied Gwaine
"I want to explore it, if it doesn't lead to the druid camps, there would be another entrance into camp that possible enemies could use," reasoned Percival
"Right we'll go down," said Arthur picking up one of the torches they had left near the entrance to the cave, "Merlin, if you would." Merlin lit the torches and they set off. Arthur in front followed by Gwen. After Gwen came Merlin and Gwaine then Leon and Percival bringing up the rear. As they trudged through the cobwebbed filled, musty smelling tunnel, Merlin mused over how Arthurs reaction to magic had changed. He was becoming less hesitant in using it and was even started to respect those who practiced magic. Merlin only hoped that he would keep broadening his mind to magic and when Arthur became king again he would regard magic with the same respect as Guinevere had during her reign.
The tunnel sloped gently downwards and Merlin felt himself relax when he felt the familiar residue of magic that was definitely druid magic. Unlike Morgana's magic which felt cold, dangerous and dark and KIllgarrah's magic which felt ancient and mysterious, druids magic usually felt warm and inviting.
Gwaine, Percival, Leon and Gwen were incredibly curious about what the druid cavern would be like. During her reign Gwen had openly invited the druids into Camelot and had held many meetings with their leaders but she had never truly understood them. Gwaine and Percival had both met druids during their years of traveling before they were knights however most of these meetings were hostile. Leon had the best experience of druids has they had literally brought him back to life, since then he had researched them and probably knew the most about them after Merlin.
It wasn't too long before the delicious smell of roasting venison and the chatter of many voices wafted up the tunnel towards them and soon they walked out into a massive cave well lit by candles suspended from the cavern ceiling by what had to be magic. Charms and dream catchers were hung all over the walls and in the centre were the tents.
They were greeted by a large crowd of brightly dressed druids, they fell silence has the six visitors approached.
Then one child yelled "Its lord Emrys, he's returned!" and the crowd knelt apart from one woman who Gwen deduced was the leader. She had a cheerful face and long blonde hair that was braided down her back. She said, in a voice like running water, "Merlin, we did not expect to see you again so soon, nor you King Arthur, I assume your quest was successful,"
"Yes it was. Alba, this is Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Sir Leon and Guinevere, more commonly known as Gwen."
"Nice to meet you," said Alba holding out her hand for them to shake.
"Nice to meet you too." said Gwen has she shook Alba's hand, she was glad to finally have another woman to talk to.
The other knights all shook her hand, Arthur, not being oblivious for once, noticed that Gwaine blushed has he did so and made a mental note to see if anything developed between them.
Alba then said "I know you haven't come for a polite visit Merlin, - you never do - but whatever it is can wait, dinner is nearly ready and you all look famished."
"Thank you Alba." replied Arthur,
"Typical prat, always thinking about his stomach." joked Merlin and the other all laughed, Arthur blushed and mumbled something that sounded like "Do not."
"He's lost a few pounds since he came back to life," noted Gwaine
"I am not fat!" yelled Arthur indignantly.
"Of course you aren't love" said Gwen, her and Arthur were holding hands as they followed Alba to the large, roaring camp fire in the centre of the cave, on which several young deer were roasting. Terrowin stood by the fire ready to welcome them and invited them to sit on the wooden logs and eat.
As they ate, the venison was delicious; the druid children told stories about Emrys and the dragon as well as many of the legends that had sprung up around Arthur, Gwen and the Knights since their deaths. The stories were very farfetched and Merlin noted that they would do nothing to lessen the prat's ego but were, nevertheless, very much enjoyable. Gwen blushed whenever it was mentioned how great a Queen she was. Leon was praised for being a friend to the druids, Percival for his strength and kindness and Gwaine for his loyalty.
After they finished eating, Alba beckoned them all into her tent. Inside, there were sheep skin rugs on the floor and a large writing desk in the centre, which Alba sat behind.
"Emrys, I know you and your friends did not just come on a social visit, so why is it you came?"
"Thank you for your hospitality but you are, as usual, right, we came on an urgent errand for help," And with that he launched into an account of all that had happened since they had last seen the druids, aided in the appropriate places by the others.