I know it's been a while, but I'm still writing, just more slowly. I don't own Merlin.


"Arthur!", Merlin hissed at his friend's back.

Arthur didn't move. His arms were still wrapped around Gwen. The others were looking around and slowly standing up from their places at the table. Merlin finally grabbed Arthur's shoulder and smiled briefly at Gwen as he pulled Arthur aside.

"Arthur, I really need to know that you understand this."

But Arthur shrugged Merlin's hand away. The knights were now gathered in a clump. Gwen smiling tearfully as she greeted Elyan. The other knights and Gaius were sharing less emotional reunions. Arthur rejoined them and the sounds of all the knights talking over each other filled the cavern. They seemed oblivious to Merlin, standing on the other side of beam of light stretching to the ceiling. He pushed through the group, his gaze set on Arthur and pulled him aside yet again.

"Arthur, you need to listen to me, don't get your hopes up."

"I came back and you haven't given me any good reason that explains that. Why is this any different?"

"That's what I'm trying to say. You need to understand!"

"Merlin." Gaius moved around the table and approached the pair. "I think we'd all like to understand."

Merlin turned and cleared his throat. When he spoke his voice shook slightly. "Well, uh, it's been 1500 years since Arthur died and, well, he's back. And all of you are too, only not the same way." His brow furrowed, "You're...'borrowed' is the best word. You're not alive again, you're more like ghosts with...mass. Only, you don't know what mass is. Ghosts with substance."

"Then why do we look like this? Most of us were older when we died", Gwen said.

"I'm not complaining. It might not make a difference for me, looks-wise," Gwaine grinned. "But I imagine for most of you it's quite refreshing."

Merlin ignored this comment. "I think that it's because of the last time you were here. Maybe something about the magic preserving this place and the table. Arthur came back in a different way... He'll age and all that, so he looks like himself when he died." He paused at Elyan's startled reaction. "And I'm not really sure why I'm...young."

"Why do you think Lancelot isn't here?" Gwen asked. Arthur looked at her sharply.

Merlin answered softly, "After what happened with Morgana, I think he probably can't, or maybe won't, come back."

Questions broke out among the group, mixed with quick and incomplete attempts at explanations. Arthur cleared his throat loudly. He addressed their newly arrived friends.

"Alright! I don't understand this any better than you, but we should take things one at a time. Except Merlin, we've been gone...a while. But we're trying to save Albion from a civil war."

"Why except you?" Leon looked at Merlin for the answer.

"I never died." No one said anything and Merlin suspected that they'd need a lot of time to understand. He looked at Arthur.

Arthur coughed slightly, "Well, we need a plan, but let's start with tonight. Merlin?"

"We, uh, that is to say, you... You can't keep wearing those clothes. I'll change them to something more like this," he gestured to his and Arthur's clothes.

In a minute, the armour of the knights had changed into jeans, t-shirts, and jackets; Gwen's dress much the same, and Gaius' clothes had become khakis and a button up shirt. Merlin left the knights' swords, just as he had Arthur, and with another spell he transformed the knights' capes and a portion of Gaius' robes into sleeping bags for the new arrivals.

"Sorry I couldn't make enough." He turned to Arthur and Gwen, "You two might have to share."

Over dinner, Arthur and Merlin did their best to explain everything that was happening. It took longer to explain to Elyan, though the others helped, but eventually they'd sorted out everything to their satisfaction and their talk turned to what they would do next.

...

"You mentioned that the soldiers are unhappy?" Leon asked.

Merlin nodded.

"That could work to our advantage", Leon mused.

"If we could get enough of them together, without the leaders..." Percival added.

Gwain waved the knife he was fiddling with. "But how? We can't be expected to wander the entire country for a few months."

"We might not need to." Gwen turned to Merlin, "Are there new ways to get messages to people?"

"Lots, though only a few are still reasonable."

"A good idea", Gaius nodded, "Perhaps you could help us with the more practical aspects, Merlin?"

"Maybe. TV and internet are too spotty... If we could find a way to get a message on the radio..." He grimaced, "I'll explain what that is..."

As Merlin spoke, Arthur watched quietly. There was something different in how the others, with the exception of Elyan, were addressing Merlin. The way not only that they spoke to him, but how they listened. Merlin held himself differently in response, and he seemed to lose some of the weight he carried himself with. Crossing his arms, Arthur tried to catch the end of what the others were saying.

"Assuming we get a message to the soldiers, what would we tell them to do? Meet somewhere?" Gwen leaned forward.

"Why not? Just tell them to gather somewhere and have our erstwhile king give them an inspiring speech." Gwaine shrugged.

"Where?" Arthur asked, "And will they even listen?"

"We have to assume they will," Merlin answered. "Regardless, we should pick a place to meet."

"Why not here?", Elyan suggested.

"Not enough room. What about Camlann, just like old times?" Gwaine grinned.

"No. Certainly not." Gwen's eyes flashed.

"It was just a joke!"

"Not a good one." Her voice was firm.

"Gwen, don't worry." Arthur took her hand, "I think we should just continue to Camelot. We were going there anyway."

Merlin nodded, "I think that makes the most sense. We can figure out more details tomorrow. As for now, I'm getting tired, and we'll need to get going at a good time in the morning."

The knights, Gaius, Gwen, and Merlin rolled out the sleeping bags and all found space on the rough floor. Though they didn't need it, the newly arrived members of the group were still able to sleep. After a few minutes everyone was asleep. Several hours later, Merlin awoke and wriggled out of his sleeping bag. It was still dark, and he rubbed his eyes as he fumbled his way to get a drink of water. Looking up, he saw a silhouette in the largest opening. Walking closer, he realised it was Arthur.

"What are you doing awake?"

"What? Oh, Merlin. Hello."

"Why are you awake?"

"I couldn't sleep." Arthur shifted his seat as Merlin sat next to him. "I still don't know what we're going to do."

Merlin licked his lips before speaking. "Neither do I. But we've got the start of the plan now, and more people on our side."

"But what makes you think anyone will even meet with us?"

"They're unhappy with the war. People need something to believe in."

Arthur was quiet for a long time. When he spoke, it was carefully, "You said I was a legend."

Merlin nodded, "One that's endured."

The pair sat together, looking out at the night, neither of them speaking. With a sigh, Merlin shifted his seat on the rocks and leaned back, supporting himself on his arms.

"Since neither of us are sleeping, do you mind if I talk?"

"Well, as unpleasant as your voice is, it's no worse than silence."

"Better my voice than yours."

"Hardly," Arthur scoffed.

"Well, I don't suppose you'd want to hear more about my life?"


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