The crackle of a fire filled the mid-afternoon air, with the scent of burning flesh to accompany it. Bilbo grimaced as he waddled closer to add another branch to the roaring blaze, breathing through his mouth so as not to smell the horrible stench. It was an uncommon sight to see sic a huge fire so early before nightfall but Gandalf was adamant that they leave no more trail of the battle. He had let a few Wargs get away but he was determined to not let anyone else know of what happened. Ever wary about the threat of enemies, Bilbo felt that maybe it was best to listen to the wizened wizard. After all, Gandalf knew more than most about this sort of thing.
"Gandalf, are you certain that this boy could be the source of all that magic?" Bilbo asked, retuning to his friend's side.
"Hm? Yes. Yes, I do believe so." Gandalf replied, blowing a silver smoke ring from his pipe.
"What does this mean? What are we to do now?" The hobbit continued.
"Well Bilbo, I'm not quite sure what this all means but I am certain that out time with these Men is not over yet." He told him.
"Gandalf, are you sure that they would permit us to stay with them?" Bilbo squeaked, looking nervously up at the royal ship.
"I don't believe that they even want us here right now." Gandalf admitted, following his gaze to where a man with a red cloak watched them talking suspiciously.
"Then why are we still here in plain sight?" Bilbo wondered.
"We're waiting until their leader comes out to us. I have no doubt that it is the man of magic."
"Who are they? Why are they here? Why did they help us?" Arthur mused in frustration, pacing back and forth on the deck of the ship. Merlin just watched him quietly, unable to answer him. Lucifer and Alys were both watching too.
"Maybe they were simply passing by and wanted to help?" Alys suggested but Arthur shook his head.
"No, no, that can't be it. One of them is a sorcerer." Arthur reasoned and Merlin struggled not to roll his eyes.
"Maybe they were tracking that group of wolves?" Gwaine suggested from his position at the side of the boat.
"Possibly but even with magic, you would need at least some hunting equipment." Arthur countered.
"What if they came here specifically for a person on this boat?" Lucifer said quietly.
"Who would that be?" Arthur asked, frowning. He was still obviously suspicious of Lucifer.
"My most likely guess would be yourself, my King." Lucifer replied.
Arthur nodded before striding over to the edge of the ship where a huge plume of smoke was rising. Merlin jumped up and ran over to join him.
"Arthur, what are you doing?" Merlin asked.
"I'm going to ask them why they're here." Arthur responded.
"I don't trust them." Merlin admitted.
"Me neither, but I must find out what they want." Arthur told him, before slightly leaning over the side of the boat. "Who are you?"
"Ah, our survivors come at last. I am Gandalf the Grey wizard and this is my amiable companion, Mister Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit." The old one in the grey cloak revealed, his tone friendly.
"I am King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot and this is my manservant, Merlin." Arthur introduced.
The hobbit's eyes widened and he rushed over to whisper in the wizard's ear. Gandalf just nodded in understanding and placed a reassuring hand on the shorter man's shoulder. Merlin saw Arthur tense beside him and he knew the young King desperately wanted to know what they were talking about.
"Why have you come here?" Arthur demanded.
"We were searching for something. Thanks to you, we have found him." Gandalf answered.
"Why were you searching for me?" Arthur assumed.
"Not you, young King. Him." Gandalf announced, motioning to Merlin.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked in disbelief. "Why were you looking for Merlin? We only recently arrived in this 'Middle-Earth'."
"I'm not so sure myself." Gandalf replied. "May we come on board your great ship? I wish to speak with you instead of shouting."
"Yes. Do you have food?" Bilbo squeaked and the wizard laughed.