A/N: IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE END
A special gathering
Merlin really should not be surprised. Because, clearly, from all the druid camps around the five kingdoms, of course, Mordred had to be in the only one Merlin had decided visit. Because having one day where anything could just go right was asking for too much.
The moment the kid pulled the cloak off his face Merlin recognized his eyes. He had grown up several inches since the last time they had seen each other, and if it had been any other person probably Merlin would have forgotten about ever meeting such a person.
But this was Mordred he was talking about. His eyes. His voice. His magic. Merlin remembers all of it like they had met yesterday. Instinctively he took one step closer to Arthur. If Mordred even dared to look at Arthur in the wrong way Merlin was going to lose it. They had gone so far… to just end here? For a moment Merlin thought of taking Arthur by the collar of his shirt and drag him away, the vase be damned, but before he could even ponder on that option the woman, Mersan, was it? Was in front of them.
Walk away now—now that they knew he was Emrys—and they will suspect something. After all, he had just arrived. He was an important figure to the druids, he couldn't just leave.
So he couldn't leave but he was incredibly scared of staying. Mordred was older now, he wasn't a little boy who Merlin thought Arthur could fight or fend for himself now. The dragon had once warned him that prophecies were not meant to be ignored… but now that he had the chance again to right his wrongs… could he actually do it? Could he actually take advantage of a future that had yet to pass and just end this?
Merlin snapped out of his trail of thoughts when Mersan respectfully bowed from where she stood, still a few yards away out of respect. Mordred, and the girl, Lyaa, were a few yards behind her watching as things unfolded.
"My name is Mersan, and those two behind me are my ronins; Mordred and Lyaa." At this Mordred looked straight to Merlin, a gentle smile appearing on his face. Merlin internally cringed. He stuttered an answer, his mind going erratic with a million thoughts a second.
"I—uh, thank you." Merlin smiled but wasn't honest. "Although Merlin is fine." Mersan looked in quiet inquiry towards Arthur after a tense moment, "And, well, this is my friend—" Merlin doubted for a moment, he had totally forgotten about this part, who should Arthur be? Should they lie? One look at Mordred's face and he knew he was either ignoring Arthur or not paying attention to realize it was indeed him. Although four years had gone by… would Mordred even remember Arthur? They barely even saw each other back then...Arthur indeed looked different, wearing peasants' clothes and with a spot of black hair instead of golden, but could that be enough?
Merlin's brain was working over time.
"Edmund, my name is Edmund," Arthur said when Merlin failed to answer and the sorcerer had the grace to just nod jerkily.
"Yes, a friend from Ealdor," Merlin smiled softly.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Emrys," The woman smiled lightly, "When I woke up this morning I never expected to cross paths with Emrys in the middle of our training."
Arthur could feel the uneasiness radiating from Merlin, who managed a quiet smile and nodded in return but it didn't seem as honest as Arthur would've hoped, after all, these were druids, weren't druids somehow devoted to him? (Something Arthur was still trying to process)
"It's alright, "Merlin smiled as his hands tensed by his side. In hopes to avoid a nervous breakdown he clasped them around the satchel, trying to get a hold of himself; "We just walked in without announcing ourselves. Besides, it's sadly not the first time I am used as a tag and hit object."
Arthur's smile tensed visibly on his face. Perfect. Besides Hunith these were probably the only humans on earth with which Arthur had to respect Merlin. Brilliant. Now he wasn't just a peasant with Emrys, oh no, he couldn't even mock him.
He would hear about this in Ealdor.
The woman scoffed as she looked over her shoulder. Lyaa, who had been watching attentively, visibly jerked before stubbornly turning her eyes away, picking up her crossbow from the ground attaching it to her back, suddenly very interested in the pattern of her shoes. "You will have to forgive my ronins, they get too excited at times,"
Arthur smiled amusedly, he was still very aware of the Mordred kid but he decided that if Merlin was still going to be in shock about it then he would have to step in for the moment.
"No harm was caused," Arthur said in his characteristical princely voice, "So no apologies are needed."
Mersan narrowed her gray eyes at him for a moment before she nodded.
"Very well, Emrys, Edmund, I assume you are here with a purpose, am I correct?" Mersan waited for their nods before she started to turn to her Ronins, "Very well, Iseldir will be happy to have you by the camp and we will be just as delighted to show you the way."
Arthur nodded in gratitude, "That would be very helpful,"
"Follow me."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Arthur had never wished for anyone to read his mind. He even doubted it was a talent he ever wanted to have but at the moment, unable to talk about Mordred as freely as he would've wanted, Arthur wished he could just so he could talk to Merlin and snap him out of his shock.
Arthur and Merlin were walking side by side down an unused path in the forest, by Merlin's left side was Mersan, who was walking a step in front of them to guide them. Lyaa and Mordred were several yards at the front, talking excitedly between them. Every once in a while Lyaa would turn her head, cringe, and look ahead of her again.
They had been walking in amiable silence but it was becoming very apparent that every time Mordred moved too much Merlin visibly tensed, Arthur decided to stray Mersan's eyes away from his friend in case the woman started to notice.
"Mersan, right?" Arthur said, "It's alright if I ask a question that's been bothering me?"
"Anyone that is friends with Emrys is a friend of ours, Edmund, so you may ask,"
"I, uh—well, I was under the belief that druids were pacific people, at least that's how the vision of the druids are back in my kingdom, so I was wondering, well—" Arthur looked to the crossbow.
"We are pacific people, Edmund, but there's a very thin line between being pacific and being able to protect the ones you love," Mersan said wisely, "Lately this past year a lot of thugs have crossed this forest and attacks have been done against our people, we do not attack unless is necessary but we need to be prepared."
Arthur nodded, "That's wise, I should know."
Mersan raised her eyebrow in honest intrigue, "And how would you know that, Edmund?"
Arthur stammered for a moment still getting used to be called Edmund and also realizing that he wasn't a prince who knew about tactics, but just a friend of Merlin from Ealdor, so what does he know about protecting people?
"He fought against Kane, a horrible man that attacked our village years ago. We are pacific people in Ealdor, however, in times of needs warriors can be made," Merlin answered without a flinch and Mersan nodded, her eyes twinkling with approval towards Arthur.
"Interesting friend you have Emrys,"
Merlin smiled slightly towards Arthur, however, Arthur could see the apprehension. Arthur nodded just slightly, trying to convey that everything was going to be alright, he didn't know exactly what had to be right, but he would make sure of it. For starters, he could keep an eye on this Mordred kid, who—as he was trying to make Lyaa trip on her feet—looked rather harmless.
"Tensai! We are here!" Lyaa called from the front. The forest died to give way to a beautiful large lake with a magnificent cascade by the other side. The whole party gathered around at the shore, Arthur expected some kind of human life here, however, there was no sign of a camp.
Mersan separated herself from the prince and sorcerer and walked to her Ronins who had managed to drag a little canoe to the edge of the lake from some nearby bushes, where apparently it had been hidden; once the little boat was on the water both Ronins turned to their Tensai but other than that no one moved or said anything.
Arthur and Merlin waited patiently, however, nothing happened. Mersan hummed, like in deep thought and Arthur turned to Merlin.
"What is she doing?"
Merlin shrugged. They had just stopped there at the edge of the lake without bothering to climb on the boat. A moment later Mersan clapped her hands like she had finally got an idea.
"Very well, the one who manages to hit that apple in the first hit wins."
Impressively neither kid complained or questioned this. They just turned, sought the red apple Mersan was talking about and in a flash Lyaa had her crossbow in her hand and her arrow flying through the air at the same time Mordred pulled a little knive from his robes and expertly threw it too.
Alright, Merlin thought grimly, not just two swords, no, but also knives. Just how many weapons were kids allowed to have? He regretted coming here without Arthur's sword that very instant.
There was a cheer and a frustrated yell at the same time.
"That was cheating Lyaa!"
"It was not!" Lyaa smiled smugly, as the apple laid several yards away with an arrow right by the center. "I was faster."
"But arrows are not allowed… right?" Mordred turned to Mersan, "I mean last time you said no arrows allowed!"
"Last time I did say that, but I didn't say that now, did I? In wars, Mordred, the quickest thinker wins." Mersan said with quiet amusement, "Besides obeying me all the time is not wise either."
"So are you telling us we can like… defy your orders?" Lyaa asked confused.
Mersan grinned knowingly. "You can certainly try."
Arthur tried hard not to laugh, Mersan had turned to be quite an interesting teacher.
Mordred visibly looked deflated while Lyaa giggled, "Alright sailor, let's get going."
At this Mordred grunted once more before nodding and accepting his fate. He entered the boat first, taking a seat in the front, Lyaa followed after him. Mersan motioned for Merlin and Arthur to climb inside and after they managed, Mersan took the rear, however, she chose to stand upright instead of sitting.
After they managed to awkwardly fit in the small boat made for four and not five, Mordred's eyes shined gold before looking straight to the front. Merlin's hand had shot up to grab Arthur's arm in a defensive stance but instead, he managed to look as if he was torn between throwing Arthur off the ship or pushing him to the front.
The kids didn't notice this as they were staring ahead but Mersan did, she raised a brow and Arthur managed a little laugh to cover for Merlin. "Threating me to throw me off a boat again, Merlin? This is getting old."
Merlin's hand was trembling but he managed a snarky smile, "One day I will, you prat."
And with that, the boat started to move.
Merlin hummed, for the first time paying attention to the boat, "The boat is enchanted."
Mersan, who was standing and contemplating the lake around, nodded down in his direction. "Only druid magic can move it."
Arthur blinked, "That's… smart."
Lyaa, who was eerily quiet sitting by Merlin's side nodded, looking at Merlin with a red face but steel eyes. Probably still thinking about how close she was to actually hit him with an arrow.
Arthur scoffed at this, as if!
"You know, you couldn't hit Merlin even if you tried," Arthur said good-naturedly, "His magic literally just sparks to life to protect him, practically untouchable."
It was a partial lie, Merlin could have been hit, but hey, if this Mordred kid was a threat towards Merlin maybe this wouldn't hurt. Arthur was very, very aware that Merlin was not acting like himself. But the others didn't seem to notice and that was what mattered.
"So that's why you hid behind his back," The blond smirked.
"Lyaa…" Mersan called shaking her head.
"Sorry, sorry, I apologize… again," Lyaa said to Merlin and Merlin just smiled, relieved that Mordred was now invested in sailing the boat to… the waterfall?
"As uh—Edmund said, no harm was done. In any case, it was a good exercise," Merlin confessed, "Hum, my friend and I are also training."
"Magical training?" Mordred asked without turning, "I thought Emrys didn't need to train."
"Everyone needs to train," Arthur and Mersan said at the same time and Arthur knew right then and there that she was like him, he didn't know if she had an important status among Druids, but he knew then that she had gotten here by her efforts. Mordred and Lyaa, as Merlin, had gotten here by their magic. Mersan had done so without it.
Arthur instantly placed her on his list of people he thinks he can maybe trust.
They arrived at the waterfall, the sound increased making it impossible to talk, Arthur waited quite apprehensively for the cold water to knock them out the boat, however, Lyaa raised her hands above her head just in time and the water was literally diverted to the sides, it ran around an invisible force camp protecting them from getting wet, once they passed she dropped her hands down a bit paler than before.
"You were just lucky," Mordred snickered but he did not turn, apparently guiding a boat with magic was quite difficult. "Lyaa fails two times out of five."
Lyaa rolled her eyes but said nothing.
Arthur scoffed inwardly. Merlin could probably do it without hand gestures. And the water shield? Merlin could have stopped the whole waterfall. The prince blinked. Was he complimenting Merlin? He smirked to himself. Well, things had changed at last.
Arthur looked around as the light of the sun diminished as they sailed further and further inside the silent and dark cave, a minute later the boat got stuck on a rocky shore and they all disembarked. There, a few yards away, was a bright opening, signaling the end of the mushy cave.
Mersan smiled as she turned right at the entrance, the sun partially blinding them.
"Welcome to the camp, Emrys."
-o-o-o-o-o-o—o-o-o-o-o
The camp was different from what Arthur had envisioned.
He had expected poor tents, dark caves, old clothes, old people. Like the camps he had found along the kingdom. This one had some touches of the old druids, however, it was vibrant and new and full of life that for a moment Arthur forgot that most people here were sorcerers, magicians who could kill him dare they figure out who he was.
The cave opened to a wide field with a few trees here and there, at the edges of the field rose a high wall of rock, a mountain actually, that encircled the whole camp, however, the field was so wide and large Arthur thought that his castle could fit here easily around five times.
There were tents scattered around, all in different states of wear. There were fires burning with people sitting around them talking and laughing. Others were coming and going not really minding them, some were brewing things on the side while some women were putting clothes to dry on the other. The more he walked, the more he saw. At the farthest side, several yards away, he could spot a large space with trees, as if a piece of forest had made its way inside the guarded camp.
He noticed that some people nodded towards Mersan as they walked and she nodded back but otherwise they kept walking.
A few kids ran by their sides as they played some child game and Arthur felt a pang of guilt. Maybe… Maybe this is how the druids were before his father decided to annihilate half their population. This was the most secure camp he had ever been on and he wondered if it was for that very same reason life was different here than in other camps.
Maybe this, this shattered life the druids have now, was the first in the long list of sins his father had to pay for in his afterlife.
"I have never seen such a druid camp in my life," Merlin said with thick emotion, eyes glinting with happiness and Mersan nodded in agreement. Arthur feared what would his father or Morgana do with this knowledge and thinking he knew this now put a weight on Arthur's shoulders, "It's… amazing,"
Without even thinking about it the prince decided he was going to protect them. Even if it was by the meaningless act of keeping his mouth shut. Something like this in the past would have been the first thing he would tell his father.
Well, a lot has happened since those days.
He wasn't just Arthur of Camelot, he was going to be King of Albion and the druids were his people now… unknowingly to them yet but still the fact remained.
"It's the only safe place for children to live from all the five kingdoms, they use magic more irrationally than adults and it's harder for them to… shut their magic, per say" Mersan explained and Merlin smiled with nostalgia. The things he would have given to be born here.
No limits to his magic but himself.
Arthur, on the other hand, was trying to not look like he was not about to faint, or as Lyaa had eloquently said; hide behind Merlin. It had gotten normal for him to see Merlin do magic, he had grown used to it even. But other people? They passed a man that made fire roar out of nowhere under a cauldron he was working with, a girl was playing with a knotted twig as she was saying some intelligible words. A young man had gotten tired of fighting with this tent and instead of doing it manually his eyes shined and with a quick motion of hands and golden eyes the tent stood upright and still.
Arthur swears he saw ten different types of spells by the time they crossed the field, (Of which he managed to identify six as Merlin had thought him) which were more than his father had probably seen in his life.
They stopped several minutes later right at the other side of the camp near the area of trees Arthur had seen from afar. The tents began to be scarcer and separated until there was none, the vibrant and busy life of the druids, even though it was near, suddenly seemed to be divided by an invisible wall. The little party stopped. On Arthur's right, near the rock wall, were only three tents on this side of the camp settled at equal intervals, these were equally old and rattled as the ones previously, however, they were bigger and they held an air of significance that the others didn't have. Standing in the middle were them, a long space between them and the tents, and to his left, several yards away started the tiniest of forest Arthur had ever seen.
Mersan looked to her Ronins,
"Lyaa, can you please go and find Linorien? She might be doing some potions this time of the day, by the herbology section, on the east side (Lyaa waved a hand like saying, yes, yes, I know the drill) tell her to come here, Edmund has a broken wrist and he might as well get that checked while he is here."
Merlin and Arthur shared a glance as Arthur pushed his wrist up for a second, it was barely noticeable and it barely hurt but Mersan had noticed. Impressive.
Merlin looked funnily offended though. Broken? Bruised maybe, but broken? He had fixed that, thank you very much.
"I don't need—" Arthur tried but again Mersan shot him a look and Arthur sighed and shrugged. This druid woman was very strict at times. Merlin snickered at the sight. Arthur was really behaving for once in his life.
"After you find her go and join Marcus in his hunt party. Make sure you hunt enough for today's dinner. And Ronin Mordred, your training keeps standing, so grab something to eat and then go to the lake and practice the water spells we were talking about yesterday. I'll send Emjen to check on you later."
Lyaa and Mordred exchanged a look, neither seemed eager to go, however, after a long pause—and a final glare from their Tensai—they finally bowed towards Mersan and left.
Before leaving Mordred looked towards Merlin with his keen green-gray eyes. Merlin could feel the pressure of Mordred's thoughts against his own mind, trying to make contact, maybe trying to tell him he will see him later but Merlin had gotten mentally stronger since he had met Mordred and he didn't let him in.
For a moment he saw the confusion in Mordred's face, however, before he had time to ask, Mersan clapped her hands.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Go, go, go."
Lyaa rolled her eyes but obeyed while Mordred quietly followed after her.
Mersan sighed loudly as she pushed her ponytail out of her shoulder once they were finally gone, "They are usually not this obedient, especially Lyaa, but well, I guess having an important figure in front helps."
Arthur couldn't help but scoff and Mersan threw him a scandalized look. Merlin rolled his eyes and waved a hand. "It's alright, that's how we get along."
Mersan shot them an incredulous look again but did not comment. What a weird friendship.
Merlin felt more like himself now that Mordred was gone and for the sake of everybody, he hoped it would stay that way for the rest of the day.
"Very well, I bet you are tired from your long trip," Mersan said as she pointed to one of the great, huge tents, "Please, take the second one, it's mine and you are welcome to stay there and rest for a few hours. There's food inside too so feel free to take anything you want. It will take a while to contact with Iseldir, he will be with Arya in the woods at the moment. Arya is our high priestess, and they get immersed in their work, so you might as well get yourselves comfortable."
Merlin was really uncomfortable at how he was being treated. Like… royalty, however, and without even meaning to, he turned towards Arthur, years of doing this—turning to Arthur for diplomatic decisions—were some days hard to erase. Arthur seemed to just go along with whatever was happening so Merlin nodded.
"That's will be alright. Iseldir…I remember him." Merlin said after as he unconsciously hugged the satchel with the golden vase inside closer to his body.
"And he remembers you," Mersan assured him.
There was an awkward pause, clearly, Mersan saw the conversation over.
"Well, then I—we'll wait then," Arthur said dragging Merlin backwards in the direction of the tent.
Mersan nodded and waited for them to enter the tent, after that she entered the woods herself, it was a very small forest but God knew finding Iseldir and Arya here could take hours.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
When Lyaa walked inside the tent of Linorien she did not expect to find the druid's more exceptional pair there.
The twins. The lucky charms around the Druids camp. Saimri and Shuri. They were identical; deep blue eyes, black hair, pale skin. Teenagers. The only difference was their hair cut, their powers, and their weapon's choice. While Saimri had hers in a long high ponytail Shuri had hers in an elegant braid. Really, it was because of their haircut that the druids were able to tell them apart.
Lyaa knew for a fact that sometimes just to annoy people they changed their hairstyles but she had no proof of that yet.
The twins were seated on an empty table. The other table was filled with vases, herbs and medical things that clearly belonged to Linorien. Shuri was reading an herbology book while her sister was playing to throw and catch a knive with her hand.
Showoff. Lyaa had tried that and had cut herself. Lyaa sighed as she glanced at Shuri, who was her eternal rival with the crossbow... even if the youngest girl didn't know that yet. They were always trying to best the other. There was this unspoken rivalry between all archers it seems: who could throw the fastest? Who could hold the longest? Who could hit more targets in a row? It looked like Shuri and Lyaa were in a constant silent archer battle. On the other hand, Saimri and Mordred got quite along, they were both good with knives and Mordred often offered to teach Saimri something whenever he had time.
At seeing the twins Lyaa doubted about staying or not. It wasn't that the twins were annoying, or hateful. Lyaa was in peace with them. Somewhat. She just disliked them because their powers annoyed her to no end. The druids were used to them, but Lyaa, even though she had magic, still thinks was unfair. Even amongst druids, they were the exception. Finally, she decided to stay.
They raised their brows at her when she entered. The blond looked inside the clearly empty-from-Linorien tent and looked towards the twins, she opened her mouth but before she could say anything Saimri answered;
"Not here, went to pick some herbs but she will be coming soon, around… five minutes." She nodded to herself before she looked towards Lyaa and smiled amusedly, "So, you met Emrys, how did that go?"
Lyaa opened her mouth, closed it and sighed, "You will probably meet him later… he is… kind of… lanky."
Saimri stopped playing with her knives and furrowed her eyebrows, "But… tall and handsome right? Green eyes?" She smiled, "Like in the stories?"
Lyaa scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You have a sister that can predict the future and you are asking this?"
That's right.
Shuri, the youngest twin, could predict the future... for five minutes. Lyaa wondered if that wasn't a boring life, already knowing before time what was going to happen. Shuri and Lyaa tended to be court and amicably whenever they were alone but every time they see each other it was like a cold wall was built between them. Shuri had predicted Lyaa's brother death two years ago, and sadly, knowing five minutes beforehand were not enough for Lyaa to save him.
Shuri knows Lyaa was resentful with her. Lyaa knows she was being stupid. But she couldn't help it and Shuri was not going to apologize for something that wasn't her fault.
"I can't do that all the time," Shuri said as she closed her book, "I saw a glimpse of him entering, that's all. Though it would be nice to meet them in person. How was he like?"
Lyaa shrugged, "Normal, incredibly normal but… kind of amazing. You feel magic literally radiating from him. He stopped one of my arrows—"
"Why did he stop one of your arrows?" Saimri asked confused.
"—wanted to stay and ask more but Mersan sent me here, the friend is injured so she wanted him checked out."
"Friend?" Saimri asked and then turned to Shuri with a very eloquent stare.
"His name is Edward or something, apparently, Emrys invited him." Lyaa said with a wave of her hand.
"Edward?" Shuri asked confused as her eyes narrowed.
"Or Emmet, something like that," Lyaa said looking outside the tent, "What is taking Linorien so long? Why are you here anyways guys?"
Saimri raised an arm were a deep bleeding cut could be seen, "Cut myself while training, stupid really,"
"Believe it or not I did not see that one coming," Shuri laughed and her older twin rolled her eyes.
They didn't talk for a minute after that, and soon, as Shuri had said, Linorien entered her tent. She had bright red hair pulled up in a bun to keep it out of her face. Her green eyes were covered behind glasses and her long figure was partially hidden due to her arms that at the moment were full with medicinal plants. She looked unimpressive towards the three girls in her tent like she had been expecting nothing less.
The twins smiled and Lyaa pushed her hands in front of her like saying 'about time'. Linorien sighed as she placed her items on her table, three Ronins in one place? Never a good sign. Lyaa talked first.
"Linorien, Mersan wants you to meet uh… some important people back her tent." Lyaa said quickly, watching by the corner of her eyes that Marcus was already leaving with his team to the hunt party. "She wants you there immediately."
"People? Who? I'm in the middle of brewing a potion, should I leave this unattended my whole effort of the day will be wasted. Tell her I'll go in an hour." Linorien said but Lyaa shot her a look and Linorien laughed merrily, "You Ronins being scared of Mersan is the most amusing thing in this camp, alright, I'll hurry."
Saimri's eyes flashed with mirth. "You are lying."
Linorien scoffed down jokingly towards Saimri, she was Saimri's Tensai and still the girl had the nerve to call her on her lies—just on occasion, though, she was a good Ronin like that— you see, while Shuri can predict the future, Saimri could tell apart lies from truth as telling sky from land.
"Linorien!" Lyaa complained like the teenager she was.
"I said I'll go!" Linorien said easily.
"I think you should tell her," Saimri said to Lyaa as Linorien noticed her bleeding arm and sighed, for being such a clever girl she gets injured a lot.
"Definitely tell her," Shuri said but Lyaa kept silent, Mersan will kill her if she dared to say out loud that Emrys was here without her permission first. "Mersan will be angry if you don't."
"Tell me what?" Linorien asked as her eyes looked around for her green vial that could cure and stop the bleeding, her eyes shined gold when she found it and the vase flew to her hand, "If you tell me Lyaa I'll give you a week off from Herbology."
Being a Tensai around this camp was definitely the best thing, Linorien thought as she dropped a few droplets in Saimri's arm. Shuri laughed as she saw the indecision in Lyaa's face and that's when the blond decided that whatever the case Linorien was going to find out sooner rather than later.
"Make that two weeks."
Linorien looked about her glasses and shrugged, "If it amuses me, if it doesn't you have to wash my potions vases for a month." Linorien smiled before turning her eyes again to Saimri who gave her a flat stare. Linorien narrowed her eyes and knew she had made a big mistake.
"Well, very well, guess who just arrived at the camp?" Lyaa crossed her arms smugly, "The greatest sorcerer of all times, Emrys. Now, how about a month off?"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
From the first tent, at the north side of the camp, a little girl with dark hair in short soft curls was observing the scene unfold. She watched as Tensai Mersan, talked with two strangers, both tall and with dark hair, although one distinctively paler than the other. The girl with her vibrant green eyes stared until the figures turned and began walking in her direction. Anxiously she clasped her hands together and retreated back a step.
Did Mersan send them to her? Why?
The men, oblivious to her staring, passed her tent as she scurried out of sight, and instead of entering her tent they entered the second one, the one that belonged to Mersan but at the moment the little girl couldn't care less. The moment she had sensed it she had forgotten about everything else. She felt it when he passed and even after he was gone it stayed in the air: The magic.
She gasped again, this time in happiness. She thought she had imagined it but it couldn't be a mistake.
It was Emrys! The last Dragonlord!
She quickly turned to the center of her tent where a white dragon egg was resting on a high blue pillow. She went and whispered excitedly to it.
"Did you feel that?" She asked like expecting the egg to talk back, "Emrys is here!"
And for the first time in a hundred years, the egg moved just an inch.
The girl giggled as she took the egg and carried it with her to the edge of her tent again, in hopes of seeing Emrys one more time, whoever, the drapes were closed. She sighed sadly but then she smiled again to herself.
She could meet him later. She had waited long enough, she could wait a few more hours. She hugged her egg closer to her chest. They had both been waiting for this way too long and in happiness, she went inside her tent again.
A/N: I HAVE NEWS GUYS, IMPORTANT NEWS. After much thinking about this I decided something, I will stop writing this fic, I've decided this is the farthest I will go and-
NAH IM KIDDING. Of course not, it just two am in the morning and I wrote all this in a sitting. Sorry. Sorry. BUT I HAVE NEWS.
One: IM LEAVING TOMORROW TO EUROPE FOR A MONTH. AND I LEAVE IN 10 HOURS. And the last thing on earth I should be doing is this. I have 29348934 things to do, like prints tickets, but alas, almost 85% ready I was incredibly nervous! And… I wrote. It was the only thing that calmed my nerves.
So this chapter is like 100% unedited but I didn't want to post that I was leaving for a month without giving you something. I'll get more profound on the characters when I come back, but don't expect a chapter for a least a month and a half, but I WILL COME BACK, If I don't, start annoying me, that will be incredibly welcome.
So, Characters!
Lyaa. I love you. You are around eighteen. Same age was Mordred. Everything else about you, you know in this chapter.
So Linorien! You are a Tensai too! But you are a physician, like Gaius but druid. You are Saimri's Tensai. Straight to the point, unamused, secretly loves being a teacher. More to come in the next chapter. Hope you like you in this universe!
Mersan, quite important around here uh, Tensai of Lyaa and Mordred, no magic, but you are a weapon expert and you are like the Tensai of Tensais.
Twins! Suricata you are Shuri! Hope you don't mind! Special power is that you can tell when people are lying or telling the truth, you were born with that. You are a knives expert though sometimes clumsy. Smart. Kind. The more responsible one out of the two. Loves Herbology. Friends with Mordred. Around sixteen.
Saimri, you can tell the future! But alas just five minutes and not all the time, though you get important glimpses from time to time. You are Lyaa's rival with the crowsbow, you are both always competing in everything when it comes down to arrows. Note: The only one who was a grudge against you is Lyaa because of her brother, but everybody around in the druids camp is fine with your powers, after all, most druids have powers so it's not that surprising. Iseldir often comes to seek help from you.
And the little girl with black hair and a dragon egg (That's Aithusa) Is Eliane! I won't spoil it and tell you what exactly you are, but have fun (: You have a dragon's egg, make of that whatever you want.
And Arya! That's NerdGirlAlert. I know I only mentioned you like once but you are important for the next chapter! So just wait for me.!
AGAIN I WROTE THIS ON A SINGLE SIT. IT'S 3 AM NOW. I. NEED. TO SLEEP.
Wish me luck in Europe guys! Im going there with a friend for 30 days, 16 cities, 6 countries, an ocean away from home… im excited but incredibly nervous. If you pray, pray for me. If you don't, send me good vibes!
I love you all! Will answer everyone whenever I have wifi!