Thank you for your nice reviews. Eris, I'm glad you like it. The story has got bigger than I expected.

The rise of Elmet. "Faber est quisque fortunae suae"

Mordred kept pacing around the room nervous. A lot of things had changed recently. He wanted to trust Merlin, but every moment that passed made him more and more irritable and lost.

What if Arthur did not want to let me go? The knight couldn't help doubting Merlin's plan. What if Merlin were to make things worse?

Eventually, Arthur entered the room, followed by Merlin.

"Merlin told me a friend of yours is ill and you need some days off." The king addressed him.

"Yes, Sir. I fear not to get too late, My Lord." The king nodded.

"Merlin will help you carry everything you need. Gaius has a lot of work in Camelot so I can't send him now. Is it really that bad? Merlin, are you sure you can handle it?" Arthur continued. "If you need something just let me know."

"Thank you, My Lord. I'm sure Merlin will handle it well. You should have more confidence in him, My Lord."

"Are you sure you don't want me to send some knights with you?"

"She's living with the druids, My Lord." Merlin said. Mordred's heart started to beat faster and faster. Merlin was walking on a broken string and he was risking to drag him along. "It won't be wise to bring some knights along."

"Of course." The king admitted. Mordred could finally breathe freely. "I guess it's too early to ask them to trust us. Tell them that they are always welcome in Camelot as long as they don't get entangled with the dark art of sorcery."

"They are peaceful people, My Lord. They mean no harm to the land." Mordred tried to chase away the tension. The knight realized Merlin was right. Magic can't be free in Camelot. He imagined the pressure Merlin had to feel being forced to choose between sides. Arthur was his friend. Camelot had been his home for a lot of years. Yet magic was a part of him. It was no wonder Merlin had gathered so much frustration over the years.

"I'll start to pack," Merlin announced. "Take care of you, Arthur. I've spent a lot of time cleaning those clothes and polishing your armor to have them destroyed."

Arthur answered with a smile.

"Merlin, don't stay long. My chambers need cleaning, my…" He started, but Merlin cut him before he could finish the sentence.

"You'd be safe," Merlin assured him. He'd made sure he'd know if any danger were to threaten Camelot. The warlock wondered why he had to wait so many years until he finally dared to test his limits of magic.

Lots of magic barriers would prevent any ill-intentioned person from getting close to Camelot and Arthur. They would not only warn him but they were also meant to change the plans of any criminal.

Soon Merlin was back with two horses, the packages already on their backs.

"There are lots of things I need for this trip. It may take some days." Merlin clarified as he noticed Mordred's eyes on the packages. "First, let's see Karla. She must be scared and hungry. Then I'll go to look for someone else."

"Your plan was great. Arthur has a good heart. Maybe, one day he will understand magic isn't his enemy." Mordred couldn't find the right words to describe his happiness.

"He is a great person, but he carries a heavy burden."

"So do you. I hope Kara will understand."

"I can't help her if she goes against us. You'll have to convince her."

The knight nodded. "Thank you. For helping me" Mordred spoke after a while.

"I have a debt to pay. I've just realized I can't control everything. It's too tiring." The warlock admitted.

Kara was where Mordred had last seen her. She gladly accepted Merlin's help, but as soon she realized he didn't share her view towards Arthur, Kara got cold and spiteful towards Merlin.

"Please, Kara." Mordred tried to convince her. "Just listen to what he had to say. Arthur isn't a bad person. He is just confused."

"He's just a servant" she threw spitefully, the same way Morgana had used to speak with him. "And I don't believe in Emrys. If that sorcerer existed we would have known by now."

"Just because I'm not interested in sacrificing hundreds of people for a crown, doesn't mean I can't win a war." Merlin started. It was now or never. The warlock was sure she wouldn't listen to him. Yet he couldn't blame her. He knew his plans were too ambitious for a single man, but he didn't see another. way So, he would have to make himself heard. "I am Emrys."

"You are Emrys." Kara laughed. She thought he was crazy. The idea of a realm only for sorcerers and magic creatures was amazing. Tempting. But she lived in the real world. And the real world was cruel. If she had been 10 years younger she would have joined him immediately. "How are you going to protect all those people, Emrys?" she mocked him. She very soon regretted her words as the air got tense, stuffed with tension. Mordred grabbed Kara's hand and kept it tightly in his.

"Yes, I'm a servant and I'm proud of it," Merlin spoke. "I haven't served Arthur because I had to, but because I wanted to. I could have had the throne at any time, but I only wanted acceptance. Power means responsibility and Morgana has forgotten that. She only cared for herself and for her obsession. I was beaten, stabbed, poisoned, piled with fruits. It has never bothered me because I did it for those I love. I fought for those who couldn't protect themselves: ordinary people, soldiers, knights and even the young prince and future king, who had so great ambitions, but was too fragile to get there." It was quite funny to admit that Arthur Pendragon, one of the finest knights of the land was nothing but a fragile man, but Merlin knew better. And Mordred had seen enough to believe him. "I gave up my own happiness so the people can have a better life. I sacrificed my own sleep in the hope that the bloodshed will end one day." Merlin continued and the memory of the day he had to poison Morgana came back to his mind. "But I can be unmerciful. I will do whatever it takes to protect my people."

He'd never shown his true powers in front of someone. In fact, he hardly knew himself what he could actually do. Yet he knew that a tiny flame wouldn't get her loyalty. Yes, they need someone strong. Beyond anything they'd seen before in order to trust into his capability of protecting them. So, for the first time, he looked at nature and ordered it to obey his command. His eyes shone gold and the sky got darker and darker until all the light was gone. Thunderbolts fell down from the angry skies and at his command, they united and took the form of dragons of fire who circled the area the three of them were standing.

Kara and Mordred watched the fire dragons with both fear and awe. It was a unique show. Such a display of power and danger, all in the hands of a single man.

Yet Merlin felt it wasn't enough. He asked for the help of the Earth and it opened in front of him to let some strange creatures out. They had the body of a tiger, but they were made of stone and soil. Their skin was covered by green moss and tiny flowers were scattered around. Crocodiles with sharp teeth emerged from the water of the lake of Avalon and came to his call. They were made of clay and, a fine layer of water silk clothed them like a festive gown. Merlin called the rain and the raindrops turned into stallions who galloped around the field, rivers, and springs following their way. Huge snakes climbed down from the air, bringing the storm with them.

Kara could sense their piercing eyes on her. Mordred tightened his hold on her hand. He wanted to beg Merlin for mercy, but he didn't have the words to do so.

"Where have you been all those years?" Kara cried furiously. "You've hidden while thousands of people were begging for your help. You've spent years mopping floors and polishing armours and now you dare to ask me to believe in the world you want to build? You may be strong, but you did nothing to gain my respect. What good does your saving Arthur has brought to this land? How your defeating Morgana made our lives much better? It doesn't and you know it, Emrys. If I am to die, I'll die gladly, but I won't bow to you. Never." She was afraid. She didn't want to die, but she had to do it. She had to be brave for her people.

"Please, Kara." Mordred muttered. "Merlin, I can convince her. Please, she's all I have."

The creatures gathered around them and watched each of their moves. They seemed so real. So alive.

"Die? Why should I kill you? I don't punish people for speaking their minds, Kara. In fact, I think you would prove very valuable as an adviser to me. Few people have the courage to see such a display of power and look so unimpressed." He extended his hand to her. "Would you help me do it right this time?" Both Kara and Mordred watched him shocked. Eventually, Kara spoke.

"Do not fail us, Emrys."

I hoped I kept you on the edge of your chairs...evil smirking.