Hi! I got a challenging request from Marcate to make that spell last for two chapters. However, I did it in my own style. Sorry, Maricate. I really loved your ideas and I think they will look great in a story if you decide to write.

I'm opened to all your suggestions and requests. Do not be disappointed if the story won't end as you've expected, though.

Eris, I`ll update every two Saturdays. I don't know if you consider it soon or not. However, I have other two stories I need to update and I prefer to keep the pace like that.

Merille Marc, I hope you'll enjoy what I have in store for you in the future a lot of new people, magic, mystical creatures, funny moments, but also disappointment and betrayal.

Dee, I'm so happy you enjoy the story. Thanks for your encouragement.

Enjoy! I'm waiting for your reviews.

The rise of Elmet. Old and new friends

"Look." Morgana insisted. "An unicorn. It's so... majestical."

The unicorn had noticed them and was watching the group with curious eyes. Merlin smiled and went closer. The unicorn came towards them and put his smooth nose on Merlin's hand.

"Come." Merlin called the magnificent creature. Soon another unicorn followed. "They are a couple," Merlin added.

"They had a baby, too. "Morgana pointed towards a unicorn foal which had appeared from the forest. It was only a few weeks old, but it kept his head high and when it walked it seemed as if he hadn't touched the ground so delicate it was.

"They'd sensed some changes in the air and they are following the magic waves." A girl dressed in a white gown told them. She'd come out from the darkness of the forest and join them. "It's a unique opportunity to see a family of unicorns. They usually avoid people. You are not an ordinary man, Emrys. And neither is the High Priestess. The unicorns know that."

Merlin was already used to people knowing his name so he gave little importance to the fact the girl seemed to know him well. "We are going to Elmet." He told her. "We want…"

"To build a place for us." The girl continued. "A lot of people have already gone towards Elmet. A lot is to come. Your plans are ambitious, but it won't be easy. You have already sacrificed a lot. You will be asked to sacrifice even more. You will need all the help you can get. Yet do not worry. Together you can achieve great things."

"Together with whom?" Merlin asked. " Who should I work with? Is it Arthur?" He'd spend the last years of his life keeping Arthur safe and helping him build a fair and just kingdom. Now, it was hard not to have Arthur around. He'd almost forgotten how it felt to do something else. To build a life where his best friend would never play a role.

"Arthur might make this a lot easier for you, but he will have to face his own fears. You do not have much power over his decisions, Merlin. What is left for you is to accept it. Either you agree or not. Yet am I wrong to say you will always cherish the memories you have together?"

"Are we going to get apart in the future? Won't he be my friend anymore?" Merlin asked a pang of sadness in his voice.

"I haven't said that. What I said is that you can't control everything. Sometimes you just have to let go. It is up to Arthur to decide how much he values this friendship. Yet, you'll have a lot of new friends. Do not underestimate their significance."

"Come with us." Merlin invited the girl. It was better not to think about the future for the moment."There's plenty of space for everyone."

"Thank you for your kind invitation. We'll gladly join you, Emrys. You've already gotten some friends, I see." The girl laughed as she greeted his companions. "I'm Medeea. The daughter of the Unicorns' Keeper. My father spoke to me about you. And Arthur."

Merlin answered with a smile. "Arthur shouldn't have killed the unicorn, but he is too stubborn sometimes. Yet he loves Camelot and his people more than anything. No one would sacrifice more for the country than him." The warlock continued.

"MERLIN" they heard a voice that reminded the warlock Morgana was Arthur's sister. "I'm hungry! And your conversation is boring." She complained and her face told more than her words. She was no longer smiling. The tips of her lips went down looking like a child who was on the verge of bursting into tears.

"You've already eaten two portions of stew and a lot of apples!" Merlin pointed out. "How on Earth can you be hungry?"

"It was stew. And the apples were small…and not sweet enough. And I've only eaten a few. Now I want chicken wings with a lot of vegetables. And a glass of wine." Morgana commanded. "What are you waiting for? Go fetch some. And Merlin, bring something sweet, too. Anything but apples."

"You were even more arrogant than I expected. If not even this spell could make you a bit more humble." He complained and he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not going anywhere. We are going to Elmet in this instant. So, go back to your spot in the carriage, and let's go."

"I've been told I'm arrogant and fool. I don't agree with that." Morgana declared as she sat down on an old trunk while the warlock watched her disapprovingly.

"I see."

Everybody was now focused on them. Even a few children were waiting to see how it was going to end.

"She looks like a princess." A blond girl whispered in the ear of the boy next to her. "Do you think he is a prince or something?"

"I've heard mummy said he is some sort of king. She used another word, but when I asked her she said it meant king." The boy answered.

"Is he going to marry her?" The girl asked again.

"She seems annoying and arrogant. I wouldn't marry her if I were he." Another boy, a few years older declared.

"Like a princess would ever want to marry you." The girl snapped at him.

"What was that?" Morgana reacted. "Did you just say I see? Are you looking down on me?" She raised her voice.

"What's wrong with her?" muttered Mordred. "I've thought the spell was meant to last until tomorrow. At least."

"She doesn't sound like the real Morgana, either," Merlin answered back. "Does the spell have side effects?" The warlock couldn't decide if it was funny or annoying. "At least she doesn't want me dead." Merlin laughed, but the laugh turned bitter as he realized the spell wouldn't last long and Morgana would really want to kill him.

"Do not think about tomorrow. Today is great. Maybe the best day I had in years." He encouraged himself as he didn't want to ruin the moment with fears for a time that may never come.

"I can hear you." Morgana cried as she felt ignored and wanted to get their attention. "Now, bring me the food. Otherwise, I'll fire you." She threatened them. Kara had already burst into laughter while the bandits looked from the witch to Merlin and back to the witch, studying their reactions.

"You can't fire us because we're not working for you." Merlin pointed out.

"Really! But you said you're my servant." She reminded him. "Good joke. Now back to work!"

"When did I say that?"

"At the tower." Kara couldn't lose the opportunity.

She had listened quietly up to that moment. She knew little about Merlin and even less about his relation with Morgana, but even though, she could bet that he cared for her a lot. She could only guess how hard it was for him to joke and laugh with her as if she were to always be that kind and innocent girl.

"He's chosen his way when he decided to stay by Arthur's side instead of protecting her. She could have been a queen now. They could have ended together. Yet whatever he may do now, he would never make up for everything he hesitated when he should have dared to act." Kara was decided not to let herself feel pity toward him. She'd promised he would have to work harder to get her approval and compassion and she was willing to honor that promise.

"Thanks, Kara. If I ever need to be stabbed in the back…"

"You can ask me…Anytime."

They may be working together in the future, but she wouldn't make it easy for him. He would either be the best leader the land had ever known or she would make sure he would fail dramatically.

"You're acting like kids. I'm hungry." Morgana insisted. "My servant or not, you can't let a queen starve, can you?"

"I haven't told her she's a queen, have I?" He looked at Mordred and Kara, hoping they would support him, but it was Mordred's turn to make things complicated.

"I haven't heard you, but..you may have," Mordred answered amused by the situation.

"Fine. Go and find some chicken wings and some vegetables." He ordered Mordred. He hoped the boy wouldn't take offense by Merlin acting so bossy. The warlock was shocked at how little he knew about the knight. He'd meant it like a joke, but he wasn't sure Mordred would play along.

"Where can I find chicken wings?" The knight inquired. He couldn't figure out if Merlin was joking or he was really furious. He'd spend so much time in Camelot and yet he'd never managed to understand what lied behind the mask Merlin was wearing every day.

"Attached to a chicken. Where else?" Morgana answered. Now everybody was laughing. Everybody except Mordred, who muttered quietly.

"Where the hell can I find a chicken in the woods?"

"That's not my job. Put that annoying creature back into the carriage and let's go to the castle." Despite his peaky mood he still couldn't help finding Morgana's witty answer really funny.

"Why it has to be me? You do that. Equality, do you remember?"

"Fine" he declared and before Morgana had time to run away he lifted her. "Let's go." He carried her to the carriage. Morgana seemed to enjoy being in her arms.

"To the castle!" She exclaimed happily. Merlin took her to the carriage and then he threw her on some blankets that were inside. Her smile faded her face speaking volumes.

"Let's go." He declared.

"If I may," a bandit decided to intervene. "I think she's eaten a poisoned mushroom." And he showed some pink mushrooms next to an old tree.

"Since when do the mushrooms make people act like queens and kings?" Merlin threw tired.

"It wasn't an ordinary mushroom." The bandit added. "I've heard a lot of stories about this type of mushroom. Do not worry, though. She will be alright. Eventually."

"Morgana, what the hell have you done this time?"