AN: Hey Guys! Sorry for the long wait. I got pretty busy with school last semester, then I've been trying to get a job, so I haven't had much time to write. I have a bit more freedom now, but I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out. As I've said before, this fic will not be abandoned, it just might take me a while to finish it, especially since I have to start applying to grad schools.
Anywho, hope you enjoy!
The next morning, the party of ten set out from Camelot to find the Dreócræftan resistance. The journey began well enough, with excited talks of battle plans and exchange of jokes and stories. But by the third hour of riding, only Gwaine had not run out of things to say. It was more that the new knights had not yet heard his stories, giving him an excuse to repeat the ones that even Arthur could now recite word for word, but the king chose to ignore his knight's foolish tales and concentrated on staying on the right path, since they had finally crossed the border out of Camelot. After all, he had never been to Dreócræft, and was somewhat uncomfortable with the terrain's lack of familiarity. It was similar enough to Camelot, with a large forest, but he remained uneasy.
By the time the fourth hour rolled around and Gwaine began his sixth tavern story, Arthur couldn't take any more. Rolling his eyes at the drunkard's embellished tale of single-handedly fighting off wilddeoren and bandits, Arthur called for the men to stop.
"We'll rest here to water the horses and take a meal, then we will continue until it is too dark to ride."
The knights from both kingdoms nodded their obedience and moved to unpack provisions for their meal. Arthur turned to Merlin and dropped his voice.
"Go check the stream for the best place to take the horses. And keep an eye out. We don't know if anyone might have followed the Dreócræftans to Camelot."
Merlin nodded at Arthur and headed towards the stream to look for a clear area.
Looking around at the knights as they settled down to eat, Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. In fact, he'd been ignoring that same feeling since they left the woods surrounding Camelot, but now he wondered if he'd made a mistake in doing so. He surveyed the small clearing once more, but couldn't see or hear anything ominous that would indicate his feeling had any merit. Chalking it up to paranoia from being in unfamiliar territory, he shook himself and moved to join the other knights. But just as he sat down, he heard the distinctive snap of a twig.
Within seconds, all nine knights had drawn their weapons and jumped to their feet, turning to face whoever, or whatever, was lurking in the trees.
~~~~Break~~~~
As Merlin walked toward the stream, he couldn't help but revel in the feel of the familiar forest. Seven years had passed, but it was still much the same. It was always so much more vibrant around the equinox. Though the chill of autumn was beginning to make its presence known in the absence of the sun each night, it was pleasantly warm during the day, with cooling breezes chasing away any true heat. Bright sun filtered through the trees, the light dancing across the forest floor, and the Earth sung with the last vestiges of summer.
However, his reverie was broken as he remembered the purpose of this journey. He could not afford to daydream when he was so close to saving his kingdom. Merlin continued to the stream, where he quickly found an area suitable to the large number of horses they were travelling with, then he turned back to retrieve the animals. Hopefully he would be able to finish his chore quickly enough to have a normal meal for once.
As he walked back through the trees to the clearing where he left the horses, he tripped on a root, falling to the forest floor with a crash. Stumbling back to his feet, he was startled to see nine knights, swords at the ready, swing around and brandish their weapons at him. Merlin felt his magic surge to protect him, but he could tell he was in no danger. But wait, what was that...feeling niggling at the back of his mind? Something familiar…His thoughts were, however, interrupted by an outburst from his king.
"Merlin!" Arthur reprimanded, dropping his sword to his side, the other knights following suit. "You really are an idiot, aren't you?" He was overcompensating, of course. He knew Merlin was in fact, quite wise. However, he would never admit that and the young king could hardly allow the other men to realize that he may have been afraid. Well, not afraid. Arthur was never afraid. He was merely startled by that idiot making the loudest sound he'd ever heard from someone who'd only tripped on a root. But what about the twig snapping? It was on the other side of the clearing from where Merlin fell. He couldn't have possibly been in two places at once, could he?
The knights, no longer on alert, laughed at the look on the manservant's face. Gwaine moved over and clapped Merlin on the shoulder, and they all dispersed once more to finish their meal and repack. In order to expedite things, Arthur decided they should finish eating first, then they would all take their horses to the stream and refill their water skins before continuing to Dreócræft.
~~~~Break~~~~
When the large group finally gathered around the fire that night, Merlin was exhausted. In addition to riding all day, which would make even the strongest knight weary, he had had to tend to the horses, unpack the provisions, make the stew, and clean the dishes. And those were just his official duties as the king's manservant. Despite Arthur's new views on magic and his plan to overturn the laws, Merlin had to remain in his servant's position until the official announcement. On a normal trip, they might have been able to pretend otherwise, but with four visiting knights, Arthur had to keep up appearances. It's not like he knew of Merlin's connection with their visitors. So Merlin still worked his magic in secrecy, casting protection charms and sending out feelers for his uncle and his men. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. He had felt...something back in the clearing and could tell Arthur had as well, so he refused to let his guard down. He knew the atrocities his uncle was capable of, and he refused to allow any more of the people he loved to be hurt by that villain's actions.
Though the group should be going to sleep, considering they had had a full day of riding and had another tomorrow, the knights were lounged against logs and bedrolls around the fire, continuing the conversation that had sprung up toward the end of their ride. Garrick, having established himself the leader of the Dreócræftan knights, was questioning Arthur about his change of heart regarding magic.
"King Arthur, though I know it is not my place to question your judgement, I must ask." The hazel-eyed knight paused to make sure he was not angering the monarch. At Arthur's nod, he continued. "After so many years of continuing your father's legacy, why have you now changed your mind about the intention of magic?"
Arthur took a deep breath and sighed, knowing he at least owed these knights some sort of explanation. Especially since four months ago he would have immediately attacked them upon the revelation of their kingdom's magic.
"I am aware that this change of heart must come as a surprise. I myself can hardly believe it sometimes. But I had an...epiphany, per se. Someone I know quite well revealed their magic in saving me, and I was forced to realize that if such a person could be so loyal while also having magic, then it must not be quite as evil as I was led to believe." He caught Merlin's eye as he shared what had happened to change his mind, and noticed the slightest smile on the warlock's face.
The Dreócræftan knights, of course, had their suspicions as to who this person with magic might be, but Fynn, being the youngest and still learning to hold his tongue, was first to voice his curiosity.
"If I may ask, who was this person? They must matter a lot to you in order to change your mind so severely?"
Arthur couldn't help but notice the young knight's resemblance to a certain warlock, what with the raven hair and bright blue eyes, not to mention the immediate questioning. Though this man certainly had much more tact than the wayward manservant. Glancing at Merlin for approval, he noticed an odd look in the man's eyes, but he nodded nonetheless, giving permission for his secret to be revealed.
"Actually, it was my manservant, Merlin. He has proven to be a loyal friend and I fully intend to make him my court sorcerer once the laws are changed."
A flicker of confusion passed over the faces of the Dreócræftan knights at this news, but Thomas quickly covered for them.
"I see. I am glad that you were able to see the true intention of magic, especially aided by your friend's actions." Turning to Merlin, he asked, "May I ask how you came by the craft? Many of our citizens are brought up learning their generational magic, but I am uncertain of how it is taught outside of Dreócræft." The older knight, of course, knew the answer, but would not risk compromising his prince before he was ready.
"I was born with it," Merlin answered, thankful for his knights' discretion.
"That is a rare gift indeed. Our princes are also blessed in that way, though theirs comes from a dragonlord lineage. Our king is the last dragonlord, and when he passes the gift will transfer to our eldest prince."
Merlin paled at Thomas' words. He knew Arthur would quickly make the connection to Balinor, and he hadn't yet had the chance to explain everything that had happened in the past seven years to his knights.
"Your king is the last dragonlord?" Arthur looked surprised. "I thought Balinor was the last dragonlord." He turned to look at Merlin.
"Balinor is the name of our king," Elias cut in. "How did you come to know of him?"
"A couple of years ago, the Great Dragon escaped and attacked Camelot. I left to find Balinor and seek his aid in slaying the beast, lest the city be destroyed. But he was killed in battle shortly after Merlin and I found him."
"The king is dead?" Thomas looked devastated, as did the rest of the knights.
"I had no idea he was your king," Arthur tried to calm his companions. "My deepest sympathies. He died with honor, defending myself and Merlin."
"Thank you. He was a truly great king and will be mourned by all those still loyal to Dreócræft." Garrick glanced at Merlin, who looked away, reminded of yet another of his failures. He looked back to the rest of the group and continued, "Aurelius is now the king. We will have to make his title official when we reunite with the resistance."
There was a pause as the announcement sunk in, then Garrick continued.
"I'm sure you must understand. This has come as a shock to us. We believed the king to have escaped, though we knew not where. I believe it would be best if we all turned in for the night. We have another day's ride before we reach the resistance meeting point."
The rest of the group nodded their assent, and moved to their bedrolls. Merlin, furthest from the fire in his role as manservant, turned his back on the group and focused on the line of trees around him as he heard Arthur murmuring to his knights about who was to take which watch. It was pointless though. Merlin knew he would not be able to sleep that night, too worried about the conversation he would have to have with his knights and who could be following them.
AN: Thank you to everyone who favorites, follows, and reviews! You make my day!