Finally, the new chapter. Surprise. Is Mordred really on Merlin's side? What do you think?

The rise of Elmet. Testing loyalties

"Have you met the druids?" Merlin asked as Mordred joined him in Gaius' chambers. Merlin had used magic to copy a letter he wanted to send to his people and now he was filling in the names of the leaders he addressed the letters. It was exhausting, but the euphoria of seeing his dreams coming true kept him going.

It had been a full week for Merlin. From the moment he had decided to give his people a peaceful place to live, the warlock had hardly had a moment to relax. At day, he was in Camelot, protecting Arthur and pretending to be his stupid servant. At night, he studied spells and met with leaders of the Druids, Fairies, and different magic communities as well as High Priestesses. By now, he had sent lots of letters with the aid of Kilgharrah and Mordred.

The first night, Merlin went to find their new home. Mordred had helped him suggest some suitable places. The warlock with the aid of his Dragon went to visit them all and noted down the advantages and disadvantages of them all. After a long debate with Kilgharrah, they decided the Perilous Lands were to be their home.

It was wild. Notorious due to the horror stories people had spread during the time and to the many wyverns. And most important, well hidden to everybody but his future inhabitants. With a bit of magic, Merlin could make it invisible, too. So, he took a note to search for such a spell. And he knew just the perfect place to look. Now he had Mordred as his friend and ally he could ask the knight to help him.

The place hadn't changed much. Yet there was something about that place that attracted Merlin like a magnet. It was like every inch of the realm was calling him, vibrating with every beat of his heart.

There was much to do. At that moment, Merlin had the slightest idea how many people would answer his call. The castle was a ruin. Apart from the throne room, there was hardly any spot in the old stone fortress that could be used as a shelter. But it was a start. Until they would manage to construct the first houses.

First, though, he would have to rebuild the wall around the country. His country was surrounded by hostile neighbors and Merlin was aware that it would be a suicide mission not to take some precautions.

He was sure Grettir would do his best not to allow anyone with bad intentions pass the bridge, but strong his magic might be, he could be overwhelmed. He would also have to widen and strengthen the bridge to support the carts that were to enter and get out of the country. Grettir promised that he and the other dwarfs from the land would take care of the rebuilding of the bridge as soon as the dawn came.

"We've inherited the gift of handcraft. Our magic is strong. A weapon forged by one of us can't be destroyed in wars. The jewelleries we give life are unique in the entire world. Marble softens in our hands and becomes a piece of clay we can mold and tender according to our wish. We would construct a bridge like no other in the world. A bridge fitted for the great Emrys." These were his words and as the hour was already late, Merlin didn't insist on meeting the others yet.

"I can't wait to meet you all. I'm honored by your confidence and by the respect you carry for me. I hope this land will thrive and the bare lands will be covered by crops and grass. I hope that magic will return to the land and give him life again. I will give my best to raise Elmet from its ashes and turn it into a home for all those who search for acceptance." His words echoed in the chill air of the night and they reached the ears of the spirits who loomed around the woods. And they all started to call their fellows and send the news to every corner of Albion that Emrys had come to bring magic back to the land.

It was almost morning when the warlock returned in the woods next to Camelot.

"Sorry. I hope you're not tired." He tried to apologize to Kilghararh, but Merlin could hardly keep his eyes open.

"Go to sleep, Young Warlock. You will need it more than me. I've got old, but I still have years left. My wings have waited twenty years to cover the sky. I've still not got enough of it. And a night like that is perfect for flying. And you are just the perfect companion, Young Warlock."

"Thank you," Merlin added as he bowed goodbye.

"Sweet dreams, Young Warlock."

It was late already and he still had a lot of things to do. He would need to find people to work the land, build the town and the surrounding villages and he would need an army. But first, he had to find Aithusa. Merlin suspected the dragon must have been very lonely and scared.

Before he managed to form a plan in his mind he was already in the realm of sleep, dreaming of the new land he would soon have in front of his eyes. And he dreamt of a young dragon and a dark-haired woman with eyes the colour of grass who was running in the moonlight while the cherry flowers fell in her hair, carried by the wind.

The day went by as usual. He was late and Arthur wasn't very happy, but he'd been there before. He wasn't sent to the stables, though. At least not for a while, but he had to go on a hunting trip. His favorite. Nothing special. Except for some dead Saxons who'd tried to steal weapons from a carriage that was bringing weapon supplies in Camelot. He'd thought that someone had managed to run away, but Mordred told them it was a deer. The warlock had some doubts. Could his eyes deceive him? Yet he'd decided not to question Mordred's loyalty. Not until he had some concrete proof. After all, Merlin was aware he could be paranoid sometimes. And he was tired. Very tired.

That and the flu he'd caught during the trip. Merlin had no intention of telling Arthur he'd wandered around Albion all night. Or better that he'd flown on a dragon back. Nice as it was, the air was cold up there. So, he'd allowed the knights to joke around on how "even Merlin caught something".

Though, as Merlin was mocking the stables, a token of affection from the king for being late in the morning, Mordred came. He didn't dare to speak first, but eventually, the knight told him he met a Druid girl.

"She's hurt. I fear Arthur might find her. Maybe, if you can...help her, please." His voice was hurried and Merlin could guess his affection towards the girl. Yet there was something the knight didn't dare to say.

"What is it, Mordred?" Merlin encouraged him. "You promised you won't hide things from me."

"Karla...the girl supports Morgana. But I can change her mind." Merlin remembered the last day's attack against the weapon cargos of Camelot. Mordred had let someone escape.

"So, it was her. The Saxon you allow to run away." The knight nodded."Why haven't you told me?" Merlin asked a bit harsher than he'd intended.

"I didn't get the chance. You were hardly alone and…..I panicked. I feared you might misunderstand my intentions."

"Alright. Could you stay on guard and tell me if someone comes inside? I need to finish this faster so we can talk." Merlin said. "Now, Mordred." He continued as the knight continued to stare at him.

"Right. Sorry."

Next chapter Merlin meets Kara and ...she's not really...friendly. Mordred is caught between…..

Do not punish me, please. I really hope to find some reviews on my phone tomorrow morning.