Arthur's usual reaction to claims of this nature was to laugh. What business would the clumsiest servant in Camelot have with a very powerful - very dangerous - sorceress? But as of late he noticed Merlin throws himself at any problem, magical or otherwise. Not three months ago he saw the man chase a dragon to create a diversion, then once again he stayed behind on the way to the cauldron. It dawned on the king that Merlin did not only highly respect the druids and their customs, but also held no apparent ill will towards those with magical abilities. It had come as a surprise to Arthur that Merlin would say there was no room for magic in Camelot, when he knew that Merlin's best friend in Ealdor was himself, a sorcerer.
"What business did he have with her?" Arthur asked
Arthur noted the expressions of his closest friends. Everyone in the room would lay down their lives for Merlin, of this he was sure. But he doubted anyone other than Mordred knew what was going on. Gwaine for sure would never have let Merlin go alone. Leon would not have allowed him to go at all. If Percival knew he would have told Gwaine.
"I'm not sure, I told him I didn't need to know." Well now we do. Arthur thought as he tried to keep breathing properly. His fists curled on the table, not out of anger, but out of frustration. "But I've heard stories from the Helvan refugees. Morgana was searching for information on a sorcerer named Emrys..."
While the king missed the slight lilt in Mordred's voice, Percival did not. Percival had become quite chatty since joining the knights, but he still clung to his old habits from childhood. The habits formed through many trials, the habits that kept him safe. He knew it wasn't a person's words that mattered, but how they delivered them, and so he always watched the manor in which someone behaved to receive the information he needed. Mordred had gotten carried away, given them something he hadn't meant to.
"Someone you know?" He inquired.
Mordred's gaze shot to the burly knight, his face softened and he continued to speak.
"All druids know of Emrys." he said.
"And anyone who has spent five minutes with them." Gwaine said as he drank from his water goblet. "He's a fairy tale."
"Prophecy." Mordred corrected.
"Every holiday I've spent in a druid camp was met with merriment. Loud retellings of the once and future king and his sidekick Emrys."
Mordred breathed deeply, trying to stay his anger for Gwaines disrespect. on a normal day it did not bug him, but this time Gwaine had insulted his hero, his friend. He knew Gwaine's words would not be so harsh if he knew that his best friend was the man of whom he spoke.
"Mordred, care to share these-" Arthur nearly said fairy tales, but caught himself in light of the current situation. "Prophecies."
"The once and future king will unite the land of Albion and restore magic to the land." Mordred started. There were many versions of the prophecy he could draw from, many possible futures. So he tried to stick to the most often agreed upon stories, and maybe some of his own favorites. "It will be an unparalleled time of peace between the kingdoms. But if he is ever to make it to that day, he will need Emrys. The one who walks behind, and beside. A mentor, a savior, and a friend. A sorcerer with power beyond comprehension. A creature of magic in as much sense as a dragon."
Mordred had considered holding back, however he did not want Gwaine's version of the tale to be the one held in high regard. He had seen first hand how Merlin had lived up to every single one of the titles he spoke of today. He envied Arthur for having the undivided attention of someone so important to him. And yet he also knew that he should not be jealous of the once and future king, he knew from boyhood that their bond was destiny. A destiny not meant for him.
"Is Arthur the king mentioned?" Guinevere was silent until this point, soaking in all the information she could get. She knew of no fairer king at present day, no one who could turn the war torn countries to peace like Arthur could.
"Yes."
"That doesn't matter." The king dismissed the subject, waving it away with his hand. "If we contact this Emrys, could he save Merlin?"
"If Morgana doesn't even know much about him, how are we supposed to find him?" Gwaine interjected.
"I'll ask Gaius."
AN: So I fixed some issues in the past chapters regarding a certain dead knight, and also have made a brief outline for the next few chapters. I did find the previous version of this story and my really old fanfic account. But rest assured the moment I regain the password I will be deleting that because it is hot garbage and no one should suffer through it. ~~ Myrien
