Author's Notes: I am posting early this week, because I am going away on a trip for a week or so. There won't be a post the next Friday, though if I manage to write a bit when I'm away, I will post earlier the following week. Then things should resort back to normal after that.

Thanks for following and reviewing. I'm glad I seem to be picking up more readers, but I would love to hear from you all. To find out how you feel about the story; what you like and dislike.

Again, I don't own Merlin, but write for the love of the story and hopefully to entertain some readers.

Chapter Four

Home Is The Heart

In truth, Percival's words were prophetic, as long after dark the following day, the weary trio rode up to the gates of the city. Merlin had tried his very best to persuade Arthur that one more night away from Camelot would not matter much in the grand scheme of life. Percival had even suggested that resting for the night might be preferable to reaching the citadel tired and sweaty, but Arthur was deaf to suggestions.

He sensed that Camelot was within his reach and he'd get there this very night, even if it killed him. Watching their ashen-faced king reel in the saddle, neither knight nor warlock could say with any certainty that his might not be the outcome.

But the citadel had been on high alert. Sir Leon had posted guards outside the city walls, and the soldiers had sent messages immediately The King and his tiny entourage were spotted.

Guinevere needed no warning. For the past few days, The Queen had climbed to the highest watchtower to search the countryside for any sign of her husband returning. Till now, Gaius had coaxed her to her chambers to rest, but this night she had refused to move. Perhaps her heart knew, and Gaius hadn't the will to trouble her, for he too had a premonition that Merlin was near. Instead, Gaius brought Guinevere an ermine lined cloak to keep out the chill air, then he sat by her side as they waited for their loved ones to appear.

When The Queen's younger, sharper gaze first caught sight of the group approaching the drawbridge, she was off running, through the door and down the never-ending stairs, pelting helter-skelter, without thought for her own safety, to reach the courtyard where her husband was arriving.

From the top of the main staircase in the square, Guinevere halted, frozen, in the doorway, stunned by the sight of Arthur. Gaius had told her Arthur had been sorely injured, but since he had also added that Merlin had taken him to a place where he could be saved, she didn't expect to see Arthur so ghostly pale, or such dark shadows carved beneath his eyes, or the fact that Merlin and Percival were flanking him, apparently holding him erect.

But her hesitation lasted mere seconds, then she was hurrying to his side. Perhaps it was the trick of the fickle moonlight, or the shifting flames in the braziers that lit the quadrangle, which created the terrifying spectre in her mind that they had brought her husband home to die!

"Arthur!" Her cry burst forth, filled with both joy and dread.

Yet, his heavy eyelids opened, and he gazed at her with tenderness, and with love. The look he reserved for her alone.

"Guinevere," he said softly. "It's good to be home." He paused to recover his breath. "There was a time there when I thought I wouldn't make it."

"And it's a wonder that you did!" grumbled Merlin, showing his usual irreverence for Arthur's rank. "Guinevere, he wouldn't rest. We told him." Merlin gestured across Arthur's horse to Percival. "But the idiot pushed himself far too hard for someone just recovered from a life threatening wound."

Between his two friends, Arthur managed to dismount, or probably slipped from his saddle, into the arms of the guards who had accompanied The Queen. As they went to support Arthur, he batted their arms away.

"I can walk," he said, then promptly stumbled as his gaze took in the flight of stairs. They'd never appeared like a mountain to him before.

Fortunately, Merlin was not in awe of The King. "Don't be a dollop-head. You're exhausted, so just do as you're told."

Then Percival replaced one of the guards and scooped Arthur into his arms, continuing to climb the stairs and into the palace, with help from the guards who took some of Arthur's weight.

Gwen stood watching, fearful because her husband didn't object further, then a hand was placed gently on her arm, and Merlin leaned closer to her.

"Don't be so anxious, Gwen," he said, trying to sound reassuring, though, in all honesty, he too had concerns. "He probably looks worse than he is. We've been riding hard all day, with only short breaks to rest the horses. Arthur made up his mind to reach Camelot and you tonight, and there was no gainsaying him."

"He really is a dollop-head," she replied, with a tiny smile of wry humour. "Believe me, I would have rather waited another day, than welcome home a corpse."

Merlin and Guinevere followed the group carrying The King, though the others were already at the top of the inside stairs and well on their way to the royal chambers, where Gaius was waiting; a chamber which resembled an infirmary rather than a solar.

Gaius had known Arthur would need tending, and Gwen had insisted on taking on many of the nursing duties herself; therefore, the old physician had brought all his supplies and instruments with him. If Merlin got Arthur back alive, Gaius was determined to keep him that way, though even he was shocked at the sight of The King.

Not too much later, after much groaning and some petulance, Arthur was ensconced in his large bed with Gwen sitting by his side.

"You're treating me like an invalid!" he announced, his blue eyes verging on stormy.

The group in the room had grown, since Sir Leon, too, had come to welcome his king home, and assure himself that Arthur was still in the land of the living.

Now they each exchanged uneasy glances, but it was Gaius who chose to speak.

"I'm sorry, Sire, if it upsets you, but you are only a day or two away from dying. When I left you last, I wasn't sure if we would ever meet again, and, I must say, it does my old eyes good to see you. But, you are still recuperating, and I would not be doing my duty if I did not advise you to rest, and take your medicine." Gaius spoke authoritatively, hoping to distract his patient.

"Please, Arthur, be good," Gwen pleaded, adding her influence. "You've had a long day in the saddle, and you need to do as Gaius says." She squeezed Arthur's hand which was clasped firmly in her own. "You forget, I thought I was going to lose you, but you've come back, and I'm sorry if you find my fussing annoying, but I can't help it. You'll just have to put it down to my being a silly, emotional woman." Gwen allowed her tears to fall, but whether to persuade Arthur, or were involuntary, she couldn't tell. Whichever they were, they did their job.

"Guinevere, don't cry. I too thought I'd never see you again, and though I was prepared to die to save my kingdom, the reality of it was much harder to bear than I'd supposed." With a trembling hand he wiped away her tears. "And if I'm honest, I am exhausted. Sleep sounds very welcoming, if you will stay with me."

"I will never leave you," Gwen promised without hesitation, meaning every word.

Meanwhile, Gaius approached the bed and handed Arthur a small vial. "Drink this first, Arthur. It will help you rest."

True to his word, Arthur did as he was bid, then scowled with disgust. "That's as bad tasting as the concoction Merlin's been dosing me with."

"That's because it is the same," Gaius answered with some relief. Merlin had transferred the recipe telepathically, and the old physician was just learning to use this form of communication, so was happy he'd got his instructions right.

"That was quick," Arthur said, handing back the empty glass, but then enlightenment hit. "I see. You've been speaking to Merlin all this time." Spotting the bewildered look on Leon's face, Arthur added, "Merlin, as Leon is the only person in the room who doesn't understand what we're talking about, I think you should explain everything. Guinevere, it's probably best that you listen to the whole story too, but please come back afterwards. Oh, and the information you're about to learn from Merlin, I don't want repeating to anyone else for the present." For a brief second, Arthur was the strong commander again. "This is important. We have to plan our strategy for announcing magic is no longer outlawed... safeguards will be needed to placate those who fear it. We will meet tomorrow..."

But this was the longest speech Arthur had given since returning, and he couldn't retain his composure. His voice faded as he involuntary relaxed on his pillows, his breathing deepening. Suddenly, he felt too tired to hold his eyelids open, and with a contented sigh, he sank into sleep, leaving his friends staring, with varying degrees of stupefaction, at Merlin.

Since Arthur was deeply comatose, his friends clustered round the table at the far side of the chamber. Gwen and Gaius had drawn the curtains of the four-poster bed, to give The King some privacy and quiet, but, with everyone conscious of Arthur's need to rest, they kept their voices low.

In truth, they kept silent as they listened to Merlin's tale. The Warlock literally obeyed Arthur's instructions of telling the 'whole' story and started at the beginning; how he was born with magic, and how as a youth he'd come to Camelot and, in a strange twist of fate, been appointed servant to Prince Arthur. How he'd discovered, from The Great Dragon himself, that his destiny was forever linked to Arthur's. Not that he'd been particularly happy with that news, at first, but how he'd accepted his role to protect Arthur during his many adventures, his ascension to the throne, and his dangerous battles to keep hold of his crown. How, over the years, the two men had been drawn together, despite their difference in status, then learned to love each other as brothers, and how, finally, Merlin had chosen to reveal his true nature to The King, whose first reaction had been one of shock and revulsion, then, little by little, Arthur had come to terms with Merlin's magic.

Merlin spoke quickly, giving his listeners a fairly abridged version of his earlier years with Arthur; after all, most of the people around the table were witnesses to parts of the story, if each had their own version of said events. However, he filled in more details of the days they'd spent together since Camlann, even going so far as to tell them of Kilgarrah's part in saving Arthur's life.

They listened carefully, and some were astounded by Merlin's confessions, though not all. Gaius had known Merlin's secret from the day they met, and Gwen had cleverly pieced the puzzle together in the past few days, while Percival had been with them part of the way home, but none had known completely what had befallen Merlin and Arthur on their journey to Avalon.

It was a tale of high courage, sacrifice and trust beyond measure, and Queen, Physician and Knights could not fail to be moved by what they heard. Still it was a lot to process, and Sir Leon, who had been the last to be let in on the secret, decided he needed time to become accustomed to the new order Arthur had decreed. He wasn't totally sure he felt happy about magic being part of the future Arthur hoped to build, and Percival, realising his friend's hesitation, decided to take him off for a little one-on-one discussion. Perhaps life would look brighter by morning.

"I hope Sir Leon can come to terms with this new age of Camelot," Gwen said slowly, her hand gripping the edge of the table so hard her knuckles paled. "His family were staunch supporters of Uther's purge on magic."

"I remember. His grandfather blamed sorcery for the death of Leon's father." Gaius stroked his chin, casting his mind back. "Sir Lionel took an arrow in his leg during one of Uther's forays against The Isle of The Blessed. It was not a mortal injury, but the wound putrefied and poor Lionel died. Since they were fighting sorcerers, magic was blamed, but I could find no proof to back up that claim. I'm afraid Uther's hatred for the Old Religion encouraged many grieving people to blame magic for natural occurrences." Gaius paused, his breath ragged as he contemplated that terrible time, then he shook himself. Thankfully, those days were long past. The laws against magic might still stand, but Arthur did not prosecute wilfully. "Gwen, I don't think you need worry over much now," the old physician said. "Leon has become one of Arthur's most trusted servants. I'm sure he'd follow him into the mouth of hell, even if he didn't wholly approve of Arthur's reasons for doing so."

Gwen offered up a grateful smile. "I expect you're right. Forgive me, I'm very tired," she addressed both men left standing at her side. "These last few days have been very stressful... for all of us."

Merlin nodded. "Perhaps we should take a leaf out of Leon's and Percival's book and sleep on it."

Another tired sigh escaped Gwen's lips. "That might be the obvious course of action, but I'm afraid, Merlin, we are not done here." She caught his gaze and stared him down. "Please be seated, both of you.," she suggested, sitting herself at her usual place by Arthur's empty seat. "Now, Merlin, tell me what you left out of your exceptional story."

Merlin almost fell onto the chair, looking flustered, for the first time. "I don't understand. Gwen, I have told you all that happened."

"Perhaps the actions, but not the consequences... and I have known Gaius long enough to know that he is also concerned about the missing details." Guinevere leaned over the table and placed her hand over Merlin's. "I'm not angry, but I need you to be honest about Arthur's state of health. I've nursed enough patients to know Arthur is not completely cured. Besides, after every injury he's had before, he's recovered quickly."

Still Merlin remained silent, feeling that in light of his promise to Arthur of full disclosure, Arthur really ought to be the first to know, but Gaius spoke up, stoically.

"Merlin, my boy, I think I understand why you are reluctant, but you are speaking to the two people in this world who have Arthur's well being at the centre of their hearts. Not to mention that you will need us to help keep him safe. The task is too great for you alone."

"Please, what aren't you telling us, Merlin?" Gwen did not let go of his hand, nor relinquish his gaze.

As if the air had deflated from his body, Merlin seemed to shrink. "You're right, both of you." His voice lowered to little more than a whisper. He rose and walked quickly to the bed, pulling back the drapes to reveal a sleeping Arthur. The last thing Merlin wanted was for Arthur to discover his true condition by eavesdropping, but The King was deeply unconscious.

"I'm afraid that Arthur still carries the shard of Mordred's sword in his chest. We only reached the shores of Avalon, and that only with Kilgarrah's help." Tears welled anew in Merlin's eyes, as he walked slowly closer to Gwen and Gaius. "Arthur was dying, in fact, I thought him dead for a few moments. I was beside myself with grief, my heart breaking, and finally Kilgarrah relented and told me, though he did not have the strength to remove the shard, he could halt its passage. It wasn't a cure, but it would enable Arthur to live on."

Guinevere smothered her tears, and distress coloured her every word. "But why couldn't the metal be removed?"

This time, Gaius took up the explanation, giving Merlin time to compose himself again. "Guinevere, as I explained, the shard is from a sword forged in a dragon's breath. It would take the strongest and oldest magic in the world to remove it."

The Queen fell silent, as her head sank into her hands. Had she truly found Arthur only to lose him again? Yet Gaius was continuing, and she knew it was important that she listen to all that was said.

"Merlin, why did you not continue to Avalon, after Kilgarrah worked his magic? The Sidhe have just as powerful magic as the dragons..."

"Do you really think we would have been welcome on the Isle of Avalon?" Merlin cut in, his voice harsh. "The Sidhe have no love for me or Arthur. And Kilgarrah taught me a spell that would continue to halt the shard's progress. I felt it would be best to bring him back here to recover some of his strength..."

Now Gwen interrupted. "Some of his strength? Are you telling me that Arthur will never be completely well?"

"I'm sorry, Gwen," Gaius answered again, since Merlin was having difficulty containing his emotions. "I believe that is what Merlin is trying to say."

Guinevere sat back in her chair, her warm skin blanched the colour of ancient parchment. She swallowed. "He doesn't know, does he?"

"No," Merlin shook his head, his cheeks now wet with his tears. "I know I promised him complete honesty, but I felt he should be here with you when he heard the whole truth."

"Arthur, my poor love," Gwen groaned, her eyes closed tightly, and her hand covering her mouth to still her sobs. This would not be a good time for Arthur to wake. "He will hate that," she whispered.

"But, Guinevere, it is better than dying," Gaius said gently. "Arthur is much too valuable to you and Camelot to lose him now."

"You talk of him as if he were an object!" Gwen hissed in frustration.

"No, never that," the old man denied her accusation. "I have known him since he was a babe, and I love him dearly. But he is a king, my dear, and kings have a duty to their people. Arthur is more aware of that than any other ruler I have ever known. He might not like being... less than he was," even Gaius was reluctant to mention the word invalid. "But he will understand his kingdom needs his wise council."

"And more than that, Gwen," Merlin, at last, joined the conversation. "The people love and respect Arthur. I doubt they would follow any other in what he means to do. For the love of Camelot, Arthur will learn to fight a different kind of battle."

Guinevere stifled another sob, her chin lifting in determination. She knew Merlin was right, her husband was one who would never quit a fight, and there would be a fight ahead. And this time, she could stay by his side, lending him her strength. "I'm sorry," she said, swiping her damp eyes with her hand. "Of course, you are right. Both of you. But Arthur will need our support. When you tell him, Merlin, and tell him you must, I want to be there."

"Yes! Of course." Merlin nodded with conviction. "It's why I chose to bring him home. Arthur will need you more than anyone, Gwen." Merlin moved round the table to Gwen's side, his hand resting on her shoulder. He felt rather ambivalent at what he was about to say. Was it wrong to offer a glimmer of hope, when there might be none? Yet he must do what his heart told him. He plunged ahead. "And things might not be so hopeless as they seem. Dragon's magic is also very powerful. Kilgarrah couldn't remove the shard because he himself was old and dying, but there is another dragon. She is called Aithusa..."

"The white dragon that attacked us on the battlefield?" Gwen asked, her spirit reviving at the merest hint of good news. "But if she attacked us, why would she help us now?"

"Because I am a dragonlord, and, when I speak to her in the ancient tongue, she has to do my bidding."

"You could command her to heal Arthur completely?" Guinevere pushed herself back from the table and stood. "Why didn't you say?"

Merlin didn't flinch from the blaze of happiness that flared in his friend's eyes. "Gwen, it might not be as easy as that. For one, Aithusa was bound to Morgana, though why that should be so, I couldn't say. Since Morgana's death, I have no idea where she has gone, and she may not be inclined to help those who killed her mistress."

With a shake of her head, Guinevere replied, "But you are a dragonlord. Doesn't she have to obey you? She did at Camlann. She flew off at your command."

Merlin considered his reply for some moments. "That is also true, but she might have gone too far away for me to reach her. I'm still learning the extent of my own powers, and of what being a dragonlord entails. And, in all honesty, I'm not comfortable ordering anyone around..."

"Merlin, you must!" Guinevere backed away, standing tall. She looked every inch a queen.

"I will, if it means Arthur can be well again," Merlin quickly assured Gwen, taking hold of her trembling hands and leading her back to her chair. "That is not the only problem, however. Aithusa is only a few years old, very young in dragon terms, plus, she is not well. She has been treated very badly, and it has left her deformed. She has no voice." Sorrow leached through Merlin's every word. "She may not have the power we need."

"Wait! I know something of this dragon," Gwen said dazedly, her eyes staring at nothing at all. "She was imprisoned in a dungeon with Morgana. A pit so small, she could not grow properly. Her gaoler was a cruel man; he revelled in Aithusa's screams..."

Guinevere shuddered, and it seemed she stopped breathing for a long moment. Finally, her glance stricken, she turned to Merlin. "How do I know that?"

Some time ago, Gwen had been kidnapped by Morgana and subjected to the terrifying ritual of The Teine Diaga, where she had lost her soul to The High Priestess. For weeks, under the influence of Morgana, Gwen had carried out some dreadful orders, including trying to kill Arthur, murdering an innocent servant who might betray her, frame Merlin and undermine Camelot's peace.

The longer her enchantment lasted, the further the true Guinevere drifted from her loved ones, yet Merlin had been determined to save The Queen, for Arthur's sanity and for her own dear sake. Finally, he'd discovered a way to rescue her from Morgana's deranged clutches.

At the Cauldron of Arianrhod, she had been brought back by Merlin's magic and Arthur's love, but the unexpected, yet probably kindest result of the cleansing had been that Guinevere had no recollection of the crimes she had committed. Knowing well Gwen's kind and compassionate nature, Arthur, Merlin and Gaius had concluded that her lack of memory was most likely a blessing.

Now, both Merlin and Gaius were troubled by Guinevere's words and her final question. Was she beginning to remember, and how devastatingly traumatic would that be for her?

Unconsciously, both came to the similar conclusion... to stall for time until Arthur could be consulted.

"Perhaps you overheard a conversation, milady," Gaius proposed, as casually as he could muster. "We've had a lot of state visits to Camelot these past months, and many boring banquets with people I'm sure you'd rather not socialise with. It's one of the lessons of kingship that Arthur has learned well, that you cannot always choose your allies on their strength of character. Anyone of them could have recounted that story."

Merlin leaped to support Gaius's misdirection. "Oh, yes. Wasn't there that awful leader, eh... can't remember his name right now..."

"You mean Sarrum of Amata," Gaius added helpfully.

"Yes, that's the one. Now he was scary. I'm glad I was away for most of his visit." Merlin pushed his hand through his hair, totally ignoring his memory of what had really happened to him while Arthur signed an alliance with Sarrum. "What did you think of him, Gwen?" He held his breath while waiting for an answer, praying that The Queen wouldn't remember her part in the attempted assassination, yet anxious to sound out what she really did recall.

Her brows drawn down, it was clear Gwen was searching her memory, and both men waited in trepidation. "Yes..." she answered, as if feeling her way. "He was a fearsome man. Thank god his assassin failed to kill Arthur and struck down his master instead. They did try to kill Arthur, didn't they?"

"Indeed they did, your highness, and I'm glad the alliance was never formed. Camelot can well do without friends such as those. " Gaius allowed himself a small sigh of relief, but decided a change of the subject might be necessary. "But that is all behind us now. You look tired, Gwen, and we must be rested to answer Arthur's questions in the morning."

Merlin dived right in. "I'm sure he'll have plenty of those. I don't know about you two, but I'd like to have a clear mind when I face him."

Guinevere had lifted a hand to her head as Gaius had been speaking, but she lowered it now and regarded Merlin with tired eyes. "You have a point, Merlin. Gaius, you should go to your rooms to rest, I've kept you up far too long."

Gaius bowed. "Don't worry about me, my dear," he said, with a depth of kindness that gave balm to her soul. "It's very strange, but the older you get it seems the less sleep you need. Goodnight, Guinevere, and try not to worry."

Merlin too bowed and was about to take his leave with Gaius when Gwen forestalled him. "Merlin, I've had them make up the room next door for you. I, and I'm sure Arthur, feel safer having you close at hand."

"Thank you, Gwen. If you, or Arthur need anything during the night, just call me."

"I intend to," Gwen answered with a faint trace of a smile. She walked quietly to the side of the bed. Her hand reached out to stroke Arthur's blond hair, discovering, with relief, that his skin was just warm to the touch. "But he looks peacefully asleep. I'm sure he'll stay that way till morning."

"That's because I put a sleeping draught in the potion," Gaius explained. "Rest is one of the best medicines for him. You should sleep too, Gwen. Physician's orders."

"Wait, Gaius. I didn't think. Perhaps you would like a bed closer than the one in your quarters?"

"No, no, my child. Old bones also like familiar surroundings, but thank you for your care of me."

"Then I bid you goodnight," Gwen smiled tenderly on the two people she considered part of her family.

"Will you be able to sleep?" Merlin couldn't help but worry for the one-time serving girl who had been his first friend in Camelot, and who was now this enduring and compassionate queen.

"Now he is home with me, I think I could sleep through a thunder storm." And to reinforce her words, she laid gently on the bed by Arthur's side, careful not to wake him.

Merlin and Gaius made to depart, when she called to them, quietly but tensely, proving she wasn't totally at ease. "Have either of you decided what we should tell him?"

Merlin glanced quickly at Gaius, but didn't need his support. "The truth... all of it. It's what I promised him."

What do you think of this part? I hope you found it interesting. It's a sort of lead in for what happens later, and I'm sorry there will be a week without a chapter. Please let me know what you think. I love reading your reviews.