AN: Hey Guys! So sorry it's taken me this long to update. Things got a bit busy with school, then the holidays, then I had writer's block, etc, etc. But, I am feeling a lot better about where I'm going with the story now, so maybe the block won't come back.
On another note, I just realized that I am about to hit my 2 year anniversary on this story, so thank you all for sticking with me! I know it's hard to follow a story that's so sporadically updated and I truly appreciate those of you who keep coming back. I won't set any deadlines on when I plan to get chapters out, since that's never worked in the past, and things are going to get even busier with school, as I'm graduating a semester early!
But enough about me. Part of the reason this took so long is I did some rewriting of the past chapters, so you may want to go reread. I didn't change anything too substantially, I just fixed a few errors and changed the names of my OCs. I'm including a quick description guide for easy reference. (Original name listed, then new name and description).
Cai - Garrick, He has unruly sandy brown hair pulled back into a low knot and wise hazel eyes that almost glow with a hidden determination.
Dristan - Thomas, Older, with short black hair that was starting to go gray. He has a beard to match and soft gray eyes that sparkle with mischief.
Alain - Elias, A bit younger, with unruly reddish-brown hair and green eyes. He carries himself with an air of cockiness that rivals Arthur's.
Dynadin - Fynn, Much younger than the others. He has dark, curly hair and piercing blue eyes.
They all wear, to varying degrees, white tunics, brown pants, and worn boots, with only light chainmail, a sword at their hip, and travelling cloaks.
This chapter is a bit longer, so hopefully it'll make it up to you guys somewhat. Happy reading!
"Gaius!"
At the sound of his name, the old physician turned from the bubbling remedy he was working on to greet his ward, who stumbled through the door and slammed it shut with a huge grin on his face. The grin quickly dropped into a sheepish smile when the sudden noise was met with his mentor's famous eyebrow.
"Sorry, Gaius. But I have to tell you something!" The grin was back in full force. Merlin crossed to the table where Gaius was working and plopped down on the bench, rattling the various vials and bottles scattered on the worktop. "You'll never believe it!"
"I'm sure it's quite exciting, what with all the racket you made on your way in here." Gaius chided, settling a bottle before it could tip over completely. After a moment, the eyebrow dropped and he gave Merlin a soft smile. "I am glad you found something to be happy about today. I know it's never easy for you remembering what happened in Dreócræft." At the mention of the fallen kingdom, a somber note had entered the conversation, but before it could ruin the mood completely, Gaius prompted, "Well, what exactly is it that's so exciting?"
Merlin perked back up. "Well, this morning, as I'm sure you've heard, Arthur was called to a meeting with knights from another kingdom. Gaius, they were my knights." The physician drew back in surprise. "Garrick and Thomas and Elias and Fynn. They're all here, and they've heard from Aurelius. He's still alive, Gaius. They're planning to retake Dreócræft and came to ask for Arthur's help and he's going to say yes! Oh, and he told the round table about my magic and making it legal again and they don't all hate me for it! It's so much better that I could have hoped for!"
Shocked at the numerous revelations, Gaius could only stare open mouthed at the young sorcerer. Uncomfortable with the growing silence, Merlin ventured, "Gaius?"
"I-," the old physician cleared his throat, "Well, that is quite a lot of news, Merlin. And I am so happy for you." He smiled warmly at his surrogate son. "I knew they would accept your magic, no matter how surprising it may have been for them. They care quite a bit about you. You're their friend."
"I know, but after so many years of hiding and prejudice, it's hard to imagine a world where I can just be myself."
"I understand, my boy. It will take time, but as you know, this is your and Arthur's destiny. The time of Albion is coming, and you two will usher it in." Gaius paused a moment to let his wisdom sink in, then returned to his questions. "Now, what were you saying about your knights?"
Merlin began to recount the events of that morning: accompanying Arthur to his meeting, only to find that the knights were ones he knew quite well; them recognizing him; and his plans to meet with them again later, before Arthur officially offers them the aid of Camelot.
"Actually, I've got to go meet with them now, before it gets any later. They've promised to tell me what all has happened in my absence. And I suppose I have a few things to tell them," he finished grimly. Merlin stood up and began making his way back to the door. "Bye, Gaius! I'll be back for supper!" he shouted as he slipped into the hall. "Probably!"
Gaius shook his head and smiled at the young man's antics. Knowing he had few precious hours before his clumsy ward stumbled back in, he turned back to his remedies, intending to bottle and put away as many of them as he could before any more could end up smashed on the floor.
Merlin barrelled down the corridor, intent on making it to the knights without being stopped by anyone, but alas, as he turned the corner, he crashed directly into Arthur for the second time that day, this time sending them both sprawling to the ground.
Damn, he thought. He had been only a hall away from his destination.
"Merlin! For God's sake, you've got to stop tearing through the corridor like you've got Morgana on your tail!" Arthur's eyes grew round, and he moved his hand to the hilt of his sword. "You don't, do you?"
"What? No! I was just-" Merlin spluttered.
"Then what on earth are you sprinting around for?" Arthur interrupted.
"Arthur," Gwen scolded as she rounded the corner, a little out of breath. "You have no right to be yelling at him when you were doing nearly the same thing. We were supposed to be walking to the meeting together, but you took off walking so quickly I couldn't keep up with you."
"Sorry, dear." Arthur, for his part, looked properly chastised. "I didn't even realize. I suppose I lost my head thinking about how exactly we're meant to help these foreign knights."
Gwen gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "It's alright. I know you're stressed. But you must try to relax."
"She's right, you know."
Arthur glared at the outspoken manservant. "Merlin…"
"Shut up? Yeah, I got it," Merlin quipped as he rolled his eyes. Why could they never have a nice moment?
Gwen lightly slapped Arthur's shoulder. "Play nice you two. Now, we have a meeting to get to. Merlin, would you like to walk with us?"
"Actually, I-" Merlin started, only to be interrupted once again by Arthur.
"Of course he would. This way I can make sure you're on time for once," Arthur replied, punching Merlin's shoulder.
"But I-"
"Come on, Merlin!" Arthur had taken off down the hallway again, this time with his queen by his side.
Rubbing his shoulder and cursing the prat under his breath, Merlin began following his friends to the throne room. His meeting with the knights would just have to happen after Arthur promised them his help.
When they entered the throne room, all of the knights, both Camelotian and Dreócræftan, were already assembled. As Arthur moved to the head of the room with Gwen by his side, Merlin took his place slightly behind and to the side of the monarch. Even though he'd already met with his knights, he still tried to avoid making too much eye contact for fear of someone figuring out any connection between them.
There was a moment of tense silence, where the knights from opposite kingdoms seemed to carefully size each other up. Camelot to determine how well the two of them might work together, and Dreócræft to discern whether they were going to be helped or attacked. Before the uneasiness could lead to any untoward action, Arthur stepped forward to speak.
"I have made my decision." His voice echoed in the silence of the room. "These are changing times and I have long considered what Camelot's place will be in such a new world. I no longer hold the belief that magic is as evil as I was taught to understand and, regardless of circumstances, no people should be subject to a cruel and inhumane leader. Especially one that is a usurper." Strong with passion, the young King's voice bounced around the chamber and back to his ears, startling him to the realization that he had briefly allowed emotion to take him over. He may be much different from his father, but it was still hard to shake Uther's expectations after having them drilled into his mind for over twenty years. Collecting himself, he leveled his voice again and continued, "Camelot will assist Dreócræft with the mission to restore peace and their rightful ruler. Leon"-he motioned his oldest knight forward-"will meet with you to discuss any pertinent details. We ride at dawn. Servants will be sent to help you gather any necessary provisions and repack."
"My Lord-" Garrick kneeled, the other Dreócræftan knights following, "-We cannot thank you enough for this service. I will be happy to meet with Sir Leon to discuss the details of our journey."
Arthur nodded and dismissed them all to begin planning and packing. As Merlin slipped into the crowd of knights, intending to get away before he could be ordered around, Fynn caught his shoulder.
"Merlin, we didn't have time to tell you this before," he whispered, "but Aurelius is here too."
"In Camelot?" Merlin's eyes widened. "Where? Why isn't he with you?"
"I don't have time to tell you everything right now, but he said he'd be waiting for us in the woods when we left. I was supposed to meet him later to tell him about King Arthur's decision, but it might be better if you go. He can explain everything."
Shocked into silence by the revelation, Merlin at least had the sense to look to make sure no one was watching their conversation. When he saw Gwaine making his way over to them, he quickly dipped his head to Fynn in the way a servant is expected to show respect. "Thank you, Fynn," he whispered. Then, at a normal volume he said, "Of course, sir. I will bring it by your chambers later this evening."
Catching on to Merlin's sudden odd behavior, Fynn took his leave before the drunkard knight could stall him in conversation.
"What does he have you running around after?" Gwaine asked his friend, still concerned about the way he had been acting that morning.
"Just some dinner and provisions. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Not like the dignitary that visited from that odd kingdom in the south."
They both laughed, remembering the ordeal that involved knights and servants alike chasing chickens through the guest corridors, and the feathers that were found in the strangest of places for another month after the dignitary left.
"Well, I'd better get going before Arthur sees me and sends me to do some ridiculous chore on top of packing his entire wardrobe." Merlin rolled his eyes at the excessive nature of Arthur's packing list.
Gwaine laughed again and slapped his hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Mate, couldn't you just.. magic it all together?"
"I suppose I could, but I think it'd be better to hold off on blatant displays of magic until it's fully legalized."
The drunkard nodded in sympathy. "You'd better go then. Princess is turning this way." He gave Merlin a shove towards the servant's corridor and turned to distract the King before he could notice the manservant slipping away.
Merlin shook his head at his friend's antics. He truly felt lucky at how well this day had turned out. He got to see his knights again for the first time in seven years, magic was going to be legal and his friends accepted him, and now he knew where Aurelius was. After fearing he was dead for seven years, he was finally going to get to see his brother again.