Emrys

Suddenly the box went black. For some reason it was no longer working. Merlin frowned at the box but as it was not magical there was nothing he could do about it. Maybe it was because they had caught up to present day that it no longer was going to do anything.

'Why has it stopped?' Arthur asked frowning.

'I don't know,' admitted Merlin.

'But you have magic,' Arthur said frowning.

'I do,' Merlin said, 'but the box does not as I said when we started watching my life.'

'Our life,' muttered Arthur.

Merlin rolled his eyes, 'point still stands.'

'I didn't know you had magic at the time,' Arthur pointed out.

'Still point stands,' Merlin said.

They turned sharply when they heard the door going. The knights going for their swords instantly without any hesitation. Merlin remained seated but kept his eye on the door ready to curse whoever came through the door if they were a threat to Arthur.

And now he didn't even have to hide what he was doing. Now Merlin could be as obvious as he liked with no fear of what Arthur would do to him if he failed. A great weight seemed to have been lifted off him.

The person who entered was the last person any of them had expected to see.

'Merlin?' asked Arthur in surprise.

This other Merlin wore similar clothing to Merlin but to Merlin they looked of a finer quality. He still wore black trouser but they looked a lot smarter than Merlin's had. He wore a black leather jacket over blue tight fitting shirt.

The thing that Merlin noticed the most was not this other Merlin's missing neckerchief. No it was his eyes and Merlin didn't mean that this Merlin had more frown and smile lines than he did. There was something in his eyes that looked like he'd suffered and lost more than Merlin ever hoped to understand.

And then there was the power in the air. Merlin thought that he was powerful and he was but compared to this Merlin is power was nothing. This Merlin radiated pure power and energy that left the air feeling like a storm was about to blow in at any day.

'But how?' Arthur asked glancing at the Merlin in the room.

'I think it would be easier to call me Emrys,' the other Merlin said sounding a lot older and wearier than Merlin had ever been. 'To save confusion,' Emrys nodded at the younger Merlin.

'Right,' Arthur said sounding more confused than Merlin had ever heard him sound before. 'How are you here? What kind of magic is this?'

Merlin rolled his eyes, 'I'm not sure but I think err I … Emrys is going to tell us.'

'This is the future,' Emrys says.

'The future,' Gaius says sounding interested. 'You managed to summon us from the future. How many years are we saying?'

'About two thousand,' Emrys replied.

'How am I still alive?' demanded Merlin.

'You are aware that you survived looking into Gates of Avalon,' Emrys said softly. 'Something that no mortal has ever been or ever will be able to do.'

'What are you saying?' Merlin asked gulping.

'Gaius, do you know what Emrys means?' Merlin asks.

'It mea-'Gaius began but then his eyes bulged. 'Oh.'

'I can't be,' Merlin said desperation in his voice. 'I just can't be!' Merlin said horror in his eyes. 'I can't watch everyone I love die!' Merlin rambled.

'Merlin, what the hell are you talking about?' demanded Arthur. 'What does it mean?'

'Immortal it means immortal,' Merlin said pain in his voice.

'You mean you're immortal?' gasped Arthur.

'Oh my son,' Hunith said running over to her younger son.

'Yes,' Emrys said gravely. 'And I have lived for two thousand years and I could live for another two thousand.'

'It must be lonely,' Gwen said softly.

Emrys gave a sad smile, 'it can be. It can be very lonely but I am able to converse easily with Freya and I have my students.'

'Students?' asked Gaius.

'I did not help Morgana when she needed someone so I keep an eye out for children who have magical talents,' Emrys said. 'I seek them out and teach them how to control their abilities. How to use their abilities for good.' Emrys smiled sadly, 'I have been doing so for two thousand years. It brings me such joy to see the young blossom. And I can cut ties with them after they've finished their education.'

'Why do you?' asked Arthur frowning. 'Surely they want-'

'Some do,' agreed Emrys, 'but to do so would mean watch them grow old and eventually die. I watched that happen once before,' Emrys swallowed looking around the room. 'I don't think I could do that again.'

'You're talking about us?' asked Gwen softly.

'Some of you,' agreed Emrys.

'Why did you bring us here?' asked Arthur.

'I want you see,' Emrys said. 'I want you to understand. There are mistake … huge mistakes I made … we made … mistake I cannot correct in my life. The only way to change them is to change the past is for you to see.

'Now here you have a choice,' Emrys said his voice grave. 'You can leave now with the knowledge that has been imparted and my advice for the future.'

'Or?' asked Arthur.

'You can see my past and your future,' Emrys said. 'On one hand you can correct my mistakes that I made in the naivety, stupidity and arrogance of youth. Choices I made out of fear. Lives may be saved,' Emrys' blue eyes swept around the room.

'Who died?' asked Merlin.

Emrys gave a bittersweet smile, 'it's been two thousand years. All but us are dead in this present time.'

'That's not what I meant,' Merlin said. 'Who was killed?'

Emrys gave a sad smile, 'do you really want to know without knowing how. Without knowing how because that is your decision to see the future and be able to change it. Or go back without knowing what will come.'

'But?' asked Arthur. 'What are the negative consequences of seeing the future?'

'I am sure you have seen that knowing the future comes not without risk,' Emrys said gravely. 'There is always balance. Some lives may be saved but other lives may be lost instead. By knowing the future you may inadvertently cause it.'

Merlin shivered, 'you mean Morgana.'

'Yes,' agreed Emrys darkly. 'I might have been able to save her had I told her that she was not alone but I did not. I believed in the prophecy so much that I drove Morgana down the path of vengeance and anger.

'The ripples in time will have unknown consequences for all. It could completely alter the tracks of destiny or it could remain the same. I do not know. I have lived a long time but I will never claim to be all knowing.'

'Then I did not learn from my past mistakes. I repeated them and drove Mordred down the same path and his destiny was fulfilled just as Kilgharrah had predicted,' Emrys said blue eyes fixing themselves on Arthur.

'So he killed me,' Arthur said grimly.

'Yes,' Emrys agreed. 'I caused that because I was frightened,' Emrys then sighed. 'Maybe knowing the truth will change nothing. Maybe destiny is set in stone or maybe it is flexible. I am not sure but if there is even a chance that I … we can change what was … I'd like to take it. Just be warned that sometimes knowing the future causes the future.

'I beg of you no matter what you chose to take these words to heart. The stars have been read wrong in the past and they will again in the future. Mordred may be the one of prophecy but it does not have to be true.

Whatever it is you chose, chose wisely,' Emrys said.

'What do you think?' asked Arthur frowning as he turned to the others. 'I can see the definite benefit of knowing what will happen beforehand and if we take the proper precautions. If we don't act rashly maybe we can save lives without dooming others but what do you think? Gaius? Merlin? You know the most about … this sort of thing.'

Merlin frowned, 'I don't want anyone to die,' Merlin said looking around the room especially at Arthur, 'but I've seen the consequences of seeing the future. It is dangerous and everyone gets hurt. I would like to take the warnings to heart but I can't agree with seeing the future.'

'I understand,' Arthur said. 'What about you Gaius?'

'I agreed with Merlin,' Gaius said. 'The future is a tricky thing. Seeing it may be the very thing that causes it to happen that way.'

'But hasn't it already happened without us knowing?' argued Arthur. 'Because I don't think Merlin would be showing us this if it caused our lives to go the way they did. If Merlin wants to fix it.'

Emrys smiles, 'you are right, Arthur. This happened without me knowing the majority of what was to come.'

'If seeing the future will save Arthur I want to see,' Gwen said.

Gwaine laughed, 'I think we could spend a few more days here but I would really like some mead.'

Emrys smiled in a sad way that one did when remembering dead friends, 'I am sure that can be arranged.'

'Oh good,' laughed Gwaine.

Leon frowned, 'I think seeing the future would be the most strategically sound.'

Elyan frowned, 'I don't know admitted. Seeing the future seems a good idea. Maybe too good. I think we should go with those knowledgeable on that subject.'

Arthur nodded, 'you have an excellent point Elyan.'

'I agree with Elyan,' Percival said simply.

'I agree with Merlin,' Lancelot said assuredly.

'I don't think it's my place to say,' Hunith said quietly. 'I don't have much to do with the happenings at Camelot.'

Arthur nodded, 'so myself, Gwen, Gwaine and Leon are for whilst Merlin, Gaius, Percival, Lancelot and Elyan are against.'

'It is fairly even,' Emrys smiles.

Arthur frowned, 'what do you think?'

Emrys sighed, 'there are things I did in the future I am not proud of and there are things you did I wish you hadn't. Quite honestly I don't know but if you do chose to go back I am going to give you advice.'

Arthur nodded and sighed, 'What is it you would tell us if we were to go back?'

'Merlin, the Isle of the Blessed has no High Priest or Priestess to protect it because to Nimueh's apprentice. As she had none left alive by the Archaic Laws of Magic it would have gone to you as you vanquished the previous High Priestess.

'The Isle of the Blessed is a powerful location. Leaving it unprotected is not an option,' Emrys' eyes glanced in Lancelot's direction. 'I would suggest you revoke your claim of the Isle. Then find Iseldir. Iseldir has proved he has mastered the Magic of Life and Death he and his clan will be safe on the Isle of the Blessed.'

'Merlin, you are a Dragonlord. You have a duty towards your kin. Protect them and guide towards good otherwise you will have more to worry about than just Morgana,' Emrys said softly.

'Kilgharrah would never side with Morgana!' Merlin argued.

'I know,' Emrys said softly. 'Arthur. Everyone in this room you can trust with your life but remember that there are still those you cannot. Be cautious,' Emrys suggested, 'remember even your closest advisor could turn out to be an enemy. There is more to family than blood.'

'What are you saying?' Arthur demands.

'There's a spy in the courts,' Gaius says grimly. 'Someone close to Arthur … family.'

'Agravaine?' gasped Arthur.

Emrys did not reply, 'now I leave this warning for all of you. Watch out for each other. If someone starts behaving unusually for whatever reason remember it is more than possible that it is an enchantment or possession.

'If someone betrays you,' Emrys said looking at Arthur sharply. 'They may not being doing it on their own stead. Remember that. No one in this room would do a thing to hurt you either in mind or body but others might force their hands.'

'So what is your choice?' Emrys repeated.

Merlin could tell that Arthur had no clue what to do. Merlin had rarely seen Arthur looking so lost as he did now. Really the only time that Arthur had looked like that was when Morgana had just betrayed him.

'Arthur,' Merlin said. 'In this case I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. I … I just fear what we will see as I apparently have made mistakes which no longer has a bearing on us because we are on a new path. A new path that I want.'

Arthur sighed, 'okay let's see it even though everything is different at least we can find out what Morgana is planning. Maybe we can stop her.'

Emrys nodded, 'if that is your wish.'

'It is,' Arthur said but he didn't sound sure of himself at all.

'Are you going to stay here?' Merlin asked his older self.

Emrys looked pained, 'I think I shall even if it is just to explain things to you.'

'But you don't want to?' asked Merlin frowning.

'No I do not,' agreed Emrys. 'To do so I have to relive past mistakes and past losses. I may have come to terms with them eons ago but they still hurt. But I think first we should have a night's sleep. It is very late.'

'You're right,' Hunith said.

Merlin was just going to sleep when he thought about the strangeness of today. If Merlin had thought his life was strange before it was nothing compared to being confronted by his much older, immortal self who had suffered through losses that do this day weighed on him. Merlin didn't want to know what had happened to that man but knew that thanks to Arthur's choice he'd see every bad decision he would make and every loss he would suffer which caused Merlin a lot of pain.