Another new chapter. I hope you'll enjoy it. Your reviews were amazing. It was so sweet of your to give me some of your time and write a few lines.

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The rise of Elmet. Forging alliances

After he helped Mordred to find the old hut, where Merlin had once taken Arthur to meet the sorcerer who was supposed to save Uther, Merlin started his walk or, better said, his flight (to Kilgarrah's annoyance) towards Elmet.

Kara hadn't been friendly with him during the trip, but she'd stopped criticizing his decisions. She was surprised by him giving her his horse while he went on foot. Though, whatever had been in her mind, she didn't voice it. In fact, she was very quiet even towards Mordred. Mordred, on the other hand, radiated with happiness and it was contagious for Merlin.

She was even more confused by his offer to heal her wound after they had arrived at the hut. She'd expected him to use magic, but instead, he did the cleaning and bandaging by hand. Only after that, he put a spell on her leg to heal quickly. She didn't bother to thank him, though.

Merlin took the magic creatures with him. He simply couldn't bear to see them destroyed and, as he couldn't let them roam free through the woods, he decided they would be alright in Elmet. He had the slightest idea how long they were going to survive or if they were able to hunt and eat like any other animals. He only hoped they wouldn't cause any trouble.

He couldn't believe how fast the dwarves had managed to finish the bridge. It was quite impressive. He'd never seen such a masterpiece. Stone delicately engraved and sculptures gave the impression that nature was frozen and turned to stone only to come back to life when the time would be right. Two stone dragons guarded the entrance to the bridge while nymphs and pixies with big, curious eyes emerged from cold ivory-like stone flowers or slept quietly on the back of a unicorn or a griffon.

As soon as they arrived, Merlin was greeted by a group of druids. They'd heard about Merlin's plans from the dwarves and had decided to join them and come to Elmet.

The druids had suffered a lot. Their leader had died recently and they had been struggling to survive since then.

They'd already started to clean the place and they'd raised some camps around the old castle. They'd cast some spells in order to keep the wyverns and any wild animal at a distance and they seemed very happy there.

His creatures enjoyed their new home, too. As soon as they put their paws on Elmet's land, the tigers started to run and play in the tall, wavy grass. The fire dragons flew around the place, carefree and happy like a kid. The horses filled the dry banks of the rivers with clear, cold water while the clay crocodiles lay lazily in the warm sun.

"They're beautiful," said a little druid girl who was watching the creatures for a while. "May I pat him?" The curious girl asked and watched Merlin with big, innocent eyes. She was around five years old, but she was too small for her age and very skinny.

Merlin smiled. "Sure". The tiger came at Merlin's call and he shyly approached the little girl. The girl laughed as her hand touched the moss on the tiger's back.

"He has a flower on his head." She said ginglling.

"He likes you." Merlin added as the tiger relaxed under her small hand. "Do you like your new home?" The girl nodded and she put her head on the stomach of the tiger. "Be nice with her." Merlin addressed his creatures. They nodded gently.

"What is their name?" The girl asked after a while.

"They don't have a name. You can name them if you want."

"Is it a girl?" The girl asked curiously.

"You can ask him…. or her."

"Are you a girl?" The tiger nodded. "I'll name you Lily. Because of the lily-like flower, you have on your head." The tigress agreed. Meanwhile, another tiger approached them. It was bigger and stronger. "You must be a male." The tiger nodded. "I'll call you Beasty. May I play with the crocodiles, too? May I?" She asked a crocodile which had come closer to her.

Merlin watched the girl happy. For the first time, he knew he'd made the right thing.

Kilgharrah had managed to spread the news about Merlin's invitation in all the neighboring areas, but many sorcerers had been afraid of meeting a dragon and treated his words with much suspicion. However, he'd been very successful with fairies and the spirits from the neighboring fields and lakes who promised to come as soon as possible.

The druids promised to help him spread his words to other druids. Some of them even knew sorceresses living in the surrounding towns. Including Camelot. Though, they needed proof that it was Emrys who was actually inviting them to Elmet. Their harsh lives had made them suspicious towards everybody.

Eventually, after a long, tiring debate with his new council, Merlin decided to write invitations and sent them with the help of the dwarves, Mordred and Kilgharrah. Eventually, those who would have received the invitations would spread the word further.

The day passed quickly as there were a lot of things to do. Merlin's magic proved quite useful as he managed to complete a lot of chores at the same time while looking for new spells in the numerous books the dwarves and the druids brought to him. Tiring as it was, Merlin felt free and happy.

The wyverns helped by bringing wood and stone necessary for rebuilding the great wall that surrounded the realm. The dwarves carved the stones and put them together while the druids started to build shelters for the animals they'd managed to bring with them.

When Merlin left the place in the evening, a part of the wall was already up and the first magic creatures had already settled in the woods.

His next destination was finding Aithusa.

This time, Kilgharrah was happy just to remind Merlin he wasn't a horse. He'd expected a more aggressive reaction. At least three-four insults at his address. No, the Great Dragon helped him again. Quietly.

Aithusa was still mad at him. At first, she was scared. Then she remembered her master. Yet it didn't stop her from challenging him. They had a long argument which resulted in Merlin promising the young dragon to take him to see Morgana.

"She misses you." Merlin spoke gently to the dragon. "You want to see her, don't you?"

Aithusa instantly calmed down.

"I'm sorry for not being there for you. I know I have no right to demand something from you, but I need your help. Would you help me save Morgana?"

The dragon watched him with blue, teary eyes. Merlin felt a warm magic engulfing him. He let her enter his mind. He understood her not trusting him. He would need a lot of time to rebuild the bond that once united him and Aithusa. After a very long time, Aithusa nodded.

Merlin used that opportunity to visit Finna and Morgana and to introduce Mordred and Kara to Finna. He'd told Finna about his plan as well as the role Mordred would play. Merlin decided to let go of his fears and treat Mordred as the young man deserved.

Kara was still cold but obeyed him anyway. Her leg was much better already and she was sick of just lying in the hut. Despite her dislike of Merlin, she was very friendly with Finna. They talked for a very long time while Merlin and Mordred planned their next move.

Aithusa couldn't wait to see Morgana. She ran like a kid to her. As the High Priestess was still asleep, she cuddled next to Morgana and stood there quietly. From time to time, she searched for Merlin's glance as if asking him to help Morgana.

"Has she eaten anything?" Merlin questioned Finna. He'd brought food and blankets to her and the four of them were eating happily. Aithusa refused the food as a sign of protest towards them for keeping Morgana hungry and in chains.

"I didn't dare to wake her up," Finna answered. "But I think she needs food or at least some water. She's very skinny and pale. Have you decided what to do with her?"

"Not yet. Are you ready to go to Elmet? The cover of the night will protect us from any curious eye." Merlin questioned them. Mordred looked towards Kara. "It's not so far" he continued "and she will be riding the horse. Her leg shouldn't bother her."

"I'll be alright," Kara assured Mordred.

"What about Morgana? It will be very uncomfortable to carry her asleep." Mordred pointed out.

"She will come on her own feet. I'll wake her up. I've brought a dress from the castle for her to wear in case someone sees us. It will make it more difficult to recognize her. Let's hope the queen won't miss it." Merlin presented his plan while he took the dress out from his package.

"You've stolen the queen's dress?" Kara asked, shocked. It was the first time she addressed him directly after the morning's bitter confrontation.

"Just borrowed," Merlin answered cheerfully.

"You know she won't come quietly. She's very stubborn." Mordred had a point, but the warlock had already thought about it.

"That's why I'm going to put a spell on her to make her….a...more cooperative." Four pairs of eyes were watching him. "Don't you suggest dragging her after us, do you? She's not only stubborn. She's proud as well. She won't obey no matter what. She is Arthur's sister."

"At least you didn't have to cast a spell on Arthur, too." Mordred laughed.

"In fact, I won't believe how friendly he was. He even apologized for being a prat and he washed the dishes." Merlin laughed as he remembered the moment.

"How have you managed to hide your magic?" Kara joined them. Finna watched them from a distance. They were such kids. Well, they were very young, anyway.

"I think the prospect of me being a powerful sorcerer was much difficult to digest than any other stupid explanation for everything that happened around us," Merlin added with a pang of sadness.

"Or maybe, he refuses to believe it because he doesn't want to lose you," Mordred said. "He cares for you. Even if he hardly shows it."