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„Not all of them are dead, my Lord" comes a whisper from the other side of a tree where the younger man had settled down for the night. Arthur raises a brow in a questioning gesture. How should that be possible. They must be nearly 150 years or older by now!
„The great Warlock is still alive" he mumbles before falling asleep only seconds later.
Arthur cannot sleep. His thoughts are running through his head like water through a sluice. He is pondering about possible reasons why he would be back now and more importantly how Merlin could still be alive. He must be like 150 years old by now. Maybe his magic makes him live longer? What is he up to these days? Since I was gone he must have had nothing to do all day...After a while even this discussion he was having in his head could not stop Arthur´s weary and exhausted body to get the sleep it needed.
Shortly after sunrise Arthur wakes up to the voices of Joseph and his wife who are packing for the journey to Camelot. He jawns and slowly stretches his muscles. He never was a morning person. But then the thought of going to Camelot and seeing what became of it appears in his mind and with a lot of energy he and the weavers start their journey. Out of kindness Joseph gave Arthur some of his clothes and since the armour is pretty heavy Arthur is very grateful for that. Besides it would be a little bit suspicious when a man dressed as a knight from over a houndred years ago walks around. After a few minutes of walking Arthur cannot wait any longer and slows his pace until he walks next to the young man.
„I did not get your name yesterday" he starts his small talk.
„My name is Jeffrey but everybody calls me Jeff" the younger man answers calmly.
„Nice to meet you, Jeff. Yesterday night I could have sworn that you were saying that Merlin was still alive but I came to the conclusion that I must have dreamt it because that would mean that he is like 150 years old right now" Arthur more states than asks hoping to hear that his friend really is still alive but still confused about how that could be true.
„No, I really said that. You were mumbling about how everybody you know is...dead...by now and that you have no idea why your are back. That is not right because Merlin lives and maybe..."Jeff stops and looks to the ground.
„Maybe what? You can tell me. I am lost without you and your knowledge of this time and I am open for every idea at this point" Arthur states looking at Jeff with pleading eyes.
„Well, maybe Merlin knows why you are back or...maybe...he is the reason you are back" Jeff adds with a slight pause and then looking directly at Arthurs startled face.
„What do you mean by he could be the reason? Do you think he...brought me back?" Arthur does not know anything anymore.
„No! That is not what I meant! After your death the Great Warlock...Merlin was still working in Camelot. He did a lot for the people and helped developing a society in which people with magic are accepted and even praised for their knowledge like healing for example. In a short amount of time he grew rather famous and people came from far away to seek his help. When the Court Physician died he undertook his work and even taught a few druids in this kind of work." Arthur closes his eyes. Gaius. That could not have been easy for Merlin. Gaius was like a father to him.
„The world around Merlin was flourishing but he grew more and more silent and people said that he had lost his spirit. He was still helping the people where he could and Queen Guienevere was very grateful for his support in the politics and the management concerning magic but something had a deep impact on him. I met an old man a couple of years ago who told me that an ancestor of his knew Merlin at that time and that he used to say that Merlin was still mourning over his best friend and that everything in Camelot was reminding him of his loss." Arthur feels sick and nearly falls over a branch on the ground. He stops in his tracks and looks at Jeff.
„Do you know what the old mans name was?" he asks to change the stories direction.
„No, sadly not. But I think he said something about that ancestor being a knight. A knight that was always drunk but was still one of the best fighters in Camelot. Does that help you?" A grin crossses Arthurs mind. Oh, yes. That can only be the most annoying knight in the whole land. Jeff looks at Arthurs grin and nods.
„Well, that knight used to say that at some point it was too hard to bear for Merlin. And since the situation was stable and no conflicts were threatening the people he made some arrangements and left Camelot."
„Wait what?" Arthur means to say but practically shouts in Jeffs direction loud enough that Joseph and his wife turn around to see what was going on.
„What do you mean he left Camelot? Where did he go?" he adds more quietly. He naturally had hoped to meet Merlin when they arrive in Camelot.
„Nobody knows where he went actually...the only thing that I can tell you is that he never was gone for good. At special occasions...a couple of times in a year...he returns to Camelot to see how things are going."
„You dont happen to know the next time that will be, do you?" Arthur asks with hope and fear fighting inside him. I could see him in a couple of days...or in a couple of months. What will I do then?
„You are actually really lucky. My mother and father usually go to the markets alone while I take care of our home. But this time we asked a friend to have an eye on it so I could come with them and see the Great Warlock who will be visiting on the little princesses birthday tomorrow." Jeffs eyes shine in glee. Arthur sights in relief. Tomorrow! That is not as long as I expected...but is this a coincidence? Maybe Merlin really does have something to do with me coming back. Well, there is no use to brood about it all day...my head does already hurt from all this. I will have to wait until tomorrow and hear it directly from Merlin.
„How far is it to Camelot right now?" he asks louder so Joseph can hear him.
„See for yourself" comes the answer and after turning the corner Arthur looks upon the well known walls of Camelot.
I have so much fun writing this fanfic! Finally I have the chance to write the story as I imagined it when I watched the series. Please let me know if you liked it. The next chapter will be longer since Arthur will be returning to Camelot and he will see how much has changed. Since then...take care!
