I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I'm really really really sorry it took so long! This month has been so so so busy and my laptop kinda exploded at the start of January and I haven't been able to get anything done until now because of exams and performances etc. I know this chapter should be better than this but I had to write it really quickly because I felt so bad and because I have even more exams this week. Hopefully I'll get a new chapter out soon. Love you all! Thank you so much for all of your support! :D
"The citizens are scared my lady, they do not know what to believe," said Gaius who sat next to Sir Leon around the round table. The city council had been called to a meeting because of a rumor circling the lower town.
"We don't have much information to go on right now, I can't risk sending any men from Camelot because of a rumor. We have the constant threat of war now that Arthur is known to be…" Gwen gulped; she couldn't even finish that sentence.
Percival spoke up, "My queen, I will happily go check the isolated villages to find any information."
Gwen considered this for a moment, "Well we can't just ignore this, and rumors of dragons are not to be taken lightly. Take a handful of guards and return the instant you uncover this situation."
"Yes my lady." With that the court dispersed leaving only the Queen and the Physician sitting at the old, round table.
Gaius looked almost as troubled as Gwen, his brow creased and his lips tightly pulled into a worried frown. Merlin should be back by now; it had been nearly a week since he had last seen his apprentice and he was gradually becoming more worried that something had happened. Whatever had happened at Avalon, whether Arthur was still alive or not, Merlin should be back by now.
"Gaius, I can't do this…"
The old man lifted his weary head in surprise, Gwen; the strong, kind, powerful Queen was failing to hold back the tears. Her whole face ached with emotional pain and her eyes; her eyes were so…lost. She clearly didn't know what to do with herself, the dark circles on her skin was proof of the lack of sleep and her bloodshot eyes revealed the amount of feeling she had let out when she was alone.
"My lady?"
Gwen stared at the table weakly, "I need to know. Until I know, how can I possibly know, anything? How do I know whether I can do it without him? Gwaine is no better than he was days ago and Merlin still hasn't returned. I just don't know what to think."
Gaius just sighed, "Gwen, I know it all seems hopeless right now, but we just have to trust in Merlin, and prey they're both okay. But you can do it, you've lead the kingdom many times without Arthur, you are much more than capable."
Gwen held back her tears. She knew Gaius was right, but the thought of being alone, without Arthur? No. She couldn't even think about it.
"So you can ride dragons and take on an entire army, but you can't find our horses? Are you serious?" Arthur complained.
Merlin groaned, "Are you serious?" We don't have that much further to walk, be patient!"
"Are you forgetting that I'm the king here?" Said Arthur, his voice teasing his servant.
"Oops, I thought you were a clotpole? Easy mistake to make."
"Merlin!"
Both men grinned. Everything seemed to be going right for once. No secrets, no worries, no evil sister threatening to destroy your kingdom and your existence. It was looking up for the first time in years, and now, they were walking along the common road that would lead them directly into Camelot. Soon, they'd be home.
After about twenty minutes, they heard the familiar clip-clop of horse's hooves against the hard dirt path. They hadn't met anyone so far on their trip back to Camelot but now they could hear a fair few men chattering away on horseback. It was only when Arthur and Merlin saw the royal crimson capes flooding out from the men's backs did they realize they were knights.
"Hello!" Arthur shouted as he realized who they were. The knights who hadn't noticed the two travellers looked in surprise, only for their faces to contort into some sort of amazing mix between happiness, confusion and relief. The knight leading the party immediately kicked his horse into a fast trot and covered the land between the groups within a few seconds.
"Arthur! Merlin!" It was Percival. His weary eyes brightened at the sight of his friends, "what… where?" He jumped down from his horse and roughly embraced Arthur and Merlin, pulling them both into a bone-crushing hug.
"It's great to see you again my friend. I'm sorry for our absence; I will explain all once we are all home. How is everyone?" Arthur asked happily.
Percival's face fell slightly, "Once they all know you are okay, I'm sure everything will be fine. But as of now, all I know is everyone is unsure what to think. With you gone, Gwen has to take up the throne and Camelot has had to be told that you… you know."
Arthur nodded slowly, "I'm so sorry you've all had to go through this. I will make amends."
"You should both return as soon as possible. The whole kingdom is in mourning." Percival said, a sad smile upon his lips.
"We're on our way now, unfortunately our horses," Arthur glanced at Merlin, "ran off, so we're making our way on foot."
At this point, Percival, along with some of the other knights, began to chuckle, "you mean these horses?" Percival asked, leading two horses forward. "We found them walking along the path back to Camelot not five minutes ago. We wondered who they belonged too, they had no clues or bags or anything like that."
Merlin laughed, taking the reigns of one horse from Percival, "thank you! Are you not returning too?"
The knight shook his head; "We've had reports from the outline villages, saying a dragon has been seen stalking the forests. So far, no one has been attacked but we have to go secure these areas."
"A dragon?" The king and his servant muttered in unison.
Percival nodded as he mounted his horse, "We won't be too long, but you two need to get back to Camelot. It will put the whole kingdom at rest."
"Thank you Percival. It's great to see you again." Arthur said as the group of knights made their way along the road, Percival smiled and nodded at his friends then followed his party away from the two men.
"Well then!" Arthur said, finally, "better get home!" He mounted his horse, Merlin doing the same.
"Arthur," Merlin asked, seriously, "What do you think happens now?"
Arthur smiled, thoughtfully, "first, you make my tea. I'm starving!"
They both laughed as they kicked their horses into a trot and made their way home.