Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter fifty-eight: A home away from home.
Gwaine walked back towards the council chamber from the courtyard, he'd just sent a message to Merlin. He couldn't help but smile, he really should have guessed Merlin had magic long before now. Ever since he had left Camelot the first time, they had stayed in contact…. Gwaine had simply shrugged it off, that Merlin's letters always arrived, even when Gwaine didn't know where he was going half the time.
But magic could do many things, so it was no surprises really. Gwaine grinned as he walked, it seemed the other were yet to find out some facts about Merlin and it seemed he was the only one who knew how to contact Merlin. Thinking about it, Lancelot would have known and so would Gaius, it was after all how his message was delivered that morning.
Reaching the council chamber, Gwaine nodes to the guards, who opened the doors for him. As Gwaine had predicted one of King Sarrum's men were present, checking the room, for what Gwaine guessed to be enchantments. He wasn't surprised really…. Many believed Arthur to be Uthur son, that he would continue Uthur's merciless hunts of those who had magic.
So for Arthur to refuse to sign a treaty his father had signed, would make many believe held been enchanted. Luckily the council hadn't agreed with king Sarrum, but Gwaine was guessing that was only because they had never agreed to the treaty Uthur signed anyway. Clearing his throat, Gwaine got the attention of the man from Amata, who simply glared at him.
"What do you want, knight of Camelot." He sneered.
"My king ordered me to give you a message," Gwaine answered, his tone holding a cold edge. "He didn't want a servant to interrupt any private talks he may have been having."
Gwaine holds out the sealed letter Arthur had written, telling King Sarrum the time the meeting would be restarting and an order not to enter the hall any earlier. This plan of course, wouldn't work, if Merlin couldn't make it. His kingdom after all was going to war tomorrow at dawn. But if this plan did work, it would break Camelot's alliance with Amata and hopefully avoid a war.
Peryglus and Camelot were both allies of Caerleon and there was little chance King Sarrum would start a war with Queen Annis. As the man from Amata snatched the scroll from Gwaine's hand, Gwaine frowned. He still couldn't understand why Sarrum feared Queen Annis and her kingdom so much…. Amata had been to war with kingdoms far stronger than Caerleon.
"Tell you king, knight of Camelot, if any further message are to be sent to King Sarrum, a servant can relieved them."
The man from Amata quickly left the hall to deliver the message to his king, but not before almost knocking Gwaine over on his way out. Gwaine clenched his fists and ground his teeth, getting into a fight would wouldn't help Camelot in any way, yet the man from Amata was just asking for a fight. Gwaine shook his head, some people just weren't worth his time.
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Merlin almost dropped the battle plans he was reading, as there was a tap on the window. Being on the top floor of the tower meant few things could reach such a place, meaning this was one of two things…. It was either a message or Aithusa up to his usual tricks. Merlin rolled his eyes, Aithusa seemed to find it fun to annoy Zafira. So every time Zafira got angry, Aithusa would come flying here, as a place to hide.
Walking over to the window, Merlin quickly opened it, only to find a small roll of paper lying there. Picking up, Merlin quickly unrolled it and read it. Merlin sighed, Arthur wanted to sign a peace treaty to make the peace between the druid and Camelot official. Apparently the kings' word and oath alone were not enough. Shutting the window, Merlin quickly made his way out his room and towards the stairs leading to the lower levels of the tower.
Finally he reached the physician chamber, knocking on the door twice, he pushed it open. Working at one of the benches was Gaius, whilst Freya was sitting at another, reading a book of healing spell. Alice, Hunith and Terrance had left with many of the druids who were making their way to Dinas Sicrhau. Terrance would be staying with the druids during the battle and well away from the fighting.
Alator and Iseldir were also travelling with them, most of the Catha had left that morning not long after dawn, Alator had only stayed to attend Merlin and Freya's wedding. Of course many who could fight had remained behind, they couldn't afford to leave the kingdom unprotected and it was quiet possible the Saxons could be landing on the opposite side of the kingdom to where the main battle was taking place.
Freya would be travelling with Merlin when he left for Dinas Sicrhau with the dragons and Gaius would be returning to Camelot. As much as Gaius wanted to help, he was Camelot's court physician, he couldn't just abandon his place in Camelot. Merlin sighed, the battle against Mordred the dark was going to be a long one he knew that much. This wasn't going to be a battle like one Camelot had faced when King Cenred had sided with Morgause, it wasn't going to be over in one night.
Freya looked up, hearing Merlin sigh and smiled. "Merlin."
"Freya." Merlin smiled back.
Gaius turned round and looked at Merlin. "My boy."
"Gaius," Merlin greets. "Freya and I need to go to Camelot."
"Why?" Freya frowns.
"Arthur wishes to sign a peace treaty with the druids," Merlin answers, running a hand through his hair. "I think it may be due to King Sarrum and the treaty Uthur signed when he was king."
Gaius nodes. "I'll be going with you, I have been gone from Camelot too long as it is…. There are still many who have yet to be treated, for injuries gained in the battle against Morgana and the Southrons."
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Camelot castle stood tall, against the woodland back drop that surrounded its white walls. Merlin couldn't help but be reminded of when he first saw the city, when his mother sent him to Camelot, in hopes Gaius could help him understand and control his magic better. Beside him Freya gripped his hand as she took in the sight of the city.
It was the first time she had truly seen the city. The first time she had entered the city, she had been in a cage, it was late and a storm had been raging. And when she had left, she had been in Merlin's arms slowly bleeding to death and nearly dead. This was the first time she had truly seen the city and it was beautiful. She could understand why Merlin missed living here, the place just felt safe…. Well it would have if this wasn't a place that executed her kind.
Gaius walked a couple of steps behind them, leaning on his walking stick and trying to ignore the aches in his bones. He smiled a small smile, as he watched Merlin and Freya ahead of him. He knew Merlin loved Freya and their love for each other was clear to see. It warmed his heart to see the closest person he had to a son, so happy and so stress free.
Both Merlin and Freya were dressed in plain clothing, they both carried a bag on their shoulders, containing their royal clothing…. They couldn't afford to draw attention to themselves until they were in Camelot. Sarrum wouldn't, hopefully, attack them in the castle, but as long as they were outside the castle and city, he wouldn't hesitate to try and kill them.
Merlin was dressed the same as he always was, he was just back to wearing cloths that were not as rich and well made. Freya was dressed in a plain dress, it was dark green and brown and she had a teal coloured cloak. It was old and thin and hardly held in any heat, but it was light and easy to move it and the hood hung low over her face.
"Do you miss Camelot?" Freya asked, as she noticed Merlin had a far off look.
"What?" Merlin asks. "Oh, I do miss Camelot…. It was my home, but I miss it no more than I miss Ealdor."
Freya nodes. "I understand."
"You miss where you grew up." Merlin mutters.
"I do," Freya answers. "But going back would cause too much pain…. I sometimes find myself missing Avalon and I couldn't stand it there, watching the world and knowing I could only watch."
Merlin smiles a small smile. "Sometimes we miss places and people more than we thought we would before we lost them."
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Hey, hope you liked that chapter. I'm so close to finishing this story now, only a couple of chapters to go!
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.