Merlin's mind swirled chaotically and fear settled deep in his bones. He could tell that the others were horrified by what they heard. The Sekia seemed terrifying and indestructible and he couldn't believe that he had to face it.
'I apologise, Emrys, but the prophecies say only you are able to defeat it.' Moren's voice echoed in Merlin's mind, laced with a sympathetic undertone. Merlin had been speaking to Moren in secrecy ever since he arrived, asking him not to reveal his identity to Arthur and the knights.
Moren cast him a pitied glance that did nothing to quell Merlin's inner turmoil. So many druids and sorcerers relied on him for hope in dark times, relied on him to bring magic back, to defeat evil…it's a lot of pressure to put on him, especially when he didn't know what he was doing half the time. Honestly, Merlin was just fumbling his way through the world.
Merlin was about to reply when Arthur's voice rang out, loud in the tense silence. "If this…Emrys is our only hope then we need to find him." Arthur and the knights nodded in agreement and whispered to each other. Arthur looked hopeful even in his barely concealed fear and wariness.
"Do you know where he is?" Gwaine asked eagerly. He brushed his long hair out of his face and nodded encouragingly when Moren didn't reply immediately. "Where can we find him?" Arthur added unnecessarily after a moment of awkward silence.
Moren swallowed nervously and glanced at Emrys, silently pleading for help. Moren did not want to directly lie to Camelot's king, mainly for fear of repercussion, but he also would not dare displease Emrys no matter how kind he seemed. 'Please, just say you do not know of my whereabouts, it will be okay.' Emrys offered him a gentle encouraging smile.
"I am sorry, I don't know where Emrys is or where to find him" Moren murmured aloud. Arthur sighed deeply, disappointment heavy in his breath. Gwaine swore quietly and Leon's fists curled in frustration. Their hope dwindled, Merlin could practically feel it emanating from them. Arthur, especially, as it's his role as king to protect his people, and that responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.
"How will Emrys kill the Sekia if even the druids do not know where he is?" Arthur asked, the frustration evident in his voice. He ran a hand through his hair causing it to stick up in various directions.
"Perhaps he will come to you." Moren stated, shifting slightly on the log. Arthur suspiciously felt like Moren's words were not wholly directed at him. "How?" Arthur asked hopelessly.
Where could they even begin looking for this sorcerer, or warlock, as Moren called him. And did Arthur even want to? The most powerful warlock that has and will ever live…it was a rather frightening title. In fact Arthur, while brave as he might be, was trying his hardest to conceal his fear of the warlock. Sorcerers are not to be trusted and powerful sorcerers even more so. But the most powerful…Arthur shuddered even thinking about the irreparable damage that Emrys could do to not only Camelot but the five kingdoms as well. That was Arthur's main issue with magic, no one should have that sort of power. Even if Emrys was a peaceful magic user, like the druids (Arthur highly doubts it) there is still the fact that people can be easily manipulated, can easily be persuaded into committing heinous crimes. Most of the sorcerers that Arthur had the displeasure of meeting were entirely corrupt by magic. And so, how could Arthur even ask Emrys for help when he could very well be Camelot's ruin?
But if he did not ask the warlock for help…the Sekia will be Camelot's doom. Arthur could feel it in his very bones, like a creeping darkness that will consume everything in its path. Arthur thought of Gwen, Merlin and Giaus, of his knights and everyone who lived in Camelot, everyone who relied on their king for protection and safety…he would fail them because of his, albeit warranted, distrust of magic. He cannot allow that to happen. He won't.
"I'm afraid I do not know" Moren answered awkwardly, rubbing at the nape of his neck anxiously. He seemed to be getting increasingly uncomfortable with questions he could not answer. Moren gazed at the disappointed faces of the knights and straightened his shoulders, composing himself.
Arthur exhaled sharply once again in gradually increasing frustration. "If you cannot tell us of his whereabouts, then at least tell us of his dependability. Will he be a danger to us? To Camelot? Is he to be trusted? Does he not harbour any ill will towards the kingdom? I find it very difficult to believe he will help a kingdom that persecutes his kind and has abolished magic." Arthur's thoughts spilled into words. In the midst of his questions, he did find slight humour in the irony of his words. He is asking a druid who is currently helping him why another would do the same. But his questions, despite their irony, were entirely valid. There is absolutely no reason for a sorcerer to protect a kingdom that persecutes him and his kind.
"No. Emrys is destined to protect the land, not destroy it. Even though you do not realise it, Emrys has been defending Camelot for some time now." Moren said tersely, in a defensive manner which caused Arthur to remember that Emrys appeared to be some sort of god to the druids, someone important and powerful that they apparently worshipped. The thought only solidified his fear of Emrys power.
Moren's suddenly guilty gaze snapped to Arthur's side where Merlin sat. Arthur found it incredibly strange how often Moren looked at Merlin, and not just Moren, everyone in the camp kept discreetly glancing at Merlin and Arthur could not fathom why. Regardless, there were more pressing matters than strange looks directed at his servant.
Arthur considered Morens words carefully. Emrys has been protecting Camelot? After some thought Arthur surprisingly, in a way that made him push past his initial disbelief, believed it. It made a lot of sense once he truly thought about it. So many strange events occurred that helped them win battles, so many mysterious things happened with absolutely no explanation. Arthur wasn't foolish or prideful enough to believe that all their strange accomplishments were wholly due to the fighting ability and battle strategy of him and his knights. He subconsciously knew something else was at work, that something powerful was protecting his kingdom. He always just thought it was some abnormal divine luck…how idiotic.
As Arthur thought about all the past fights with magical opponents, the knights did the same. Percival however, did not seem the least bit surprised about this unexpected revelation. Arthur gave him a quizzical look when he noticed. The knights and Merlin all turned their gazes to Percival.
"I always figured someone was looking after us…I mean it's quite obvious isn't it? We win unwinnable battles extremely often, don't we." Percival said, almost shyly once he realised all the attention was placed on him.
Gwaine laughed aloud. "Well, once you put it like that, it's obvious." Gwaine's lighthearted comment and wide impish grin seemed to lighten the gradually darkened mood. Even Merlin, who up to this point has been eerily still and tense, laughed alongside them.
Arthur glanced at a chuckling Merlin and felt a surge of affection towards his friend. A servant's duty does not include dangerous quests and yet, here Merlin was, by his side like always.
"Does that mean Emrys is in Camelot…he would have to be close by when we get attacked. And how about when we venture far from Camelot, we all have been inexplicably saved a multitude of times on quests beyond the border. So he must live in Camelot" Leon pondered aloud, his words ceased the lightheartedness in the air.
Emrys living in Camelot actually made a lot of sense. He would be close by when magical attacks occurred and he would be aware of when Arthur was leaving Camelot. The realisation made the hair on his neck stand.
Elyan frowned in thought, "Perhaps he lives in the castle or the upper villages?"
"What?! Why would you think that?" Merlin asked, his voice shaking slightly. Arthur turned to look at Merlin, his leg was bouncing and he was twisting the hem of his shirt anxiously. Merlin looked panicked at the thought of Emrys living in the castle and Arthur felt the same. It was such a nerve-wracking thought, that a powerful sorcerer would be living so close to him and everyone he loved. Even if Emrys was protecting them.
"I don't know, doesn't that seem dangerous, living right under the king's nose where he could very easily be found out?" Leon commented.
"Yes but, if he is as powerful as Moren says, if he's ever caught doing magic he could just escape." Gwaine said thoughtfully.
Arthur shook his head. "Regardless of Emrys protecting Camelot, we still cannot trust him."
A moment of silence passed as everyone gathered their thoughts. Percival sighed deeply, his grim eyes finding Arthur's. "Does it really matter, sire? We have no other option. It will be impossible to fight the Sekia on our own."
Arthur nodded in resignation. There was no other option. The druids could be lying, but Arthur didn't think so, Moren's story seemed too convoluted to be false, and his emotions were not faked either. Arthur closed his eyes momentarily and rubbed at his forehead where a mild headache had formed. Arthur could not believe that the fate of Camelot rests in the hands of some unknown sorcerer.
"Alright, we will ask Emrys for help. But we still don't know with absolute certainty that he lives close to the castle. And more importantly, we don't know his identity" Arthur announced.
"There must be someone who knows something about him." Gwaine stated hopefully. Gwaine was hardly the optimistic type, but he was sure that they could find out who Emrys was. Or rather, he was determined.
Authors note: Btw I haven't watched Merlin in a few years so please let me know if anything's canonically incorrect.
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