Disclaimer: Don't own Merlin. I wish!

Author's note:

Got so many reviews for the last chapter! Thank you so much! And I know that many of you are eager to see what's happening back in Camelot, but I had this thing in mind to do alternate chapters with Merlin's POV. Next chapter, we get to see Arthur!

I found a place so safe, not a single tear;

The first time in my life and now it's so clear…

Feel calm, I belong,

I'm so happy here-

It's so strong and now I let myself be sincere …

I wouldn't change a thing about it

This is the best feeling …

This innocence is brilliant,

I hope that it will stay

This moment is perfect, please don't go away…

-Innocence

Avril Lavigne

Emrys.

The word floats in the still night, curling over you like wisps of smoke.

Emrys.

It sounds like a million voices speaking together at once, coalescing into a sibilant hiss that jerks you up from your sleep. For a moment, you are disconcerted- not recognizing the warm, comfortable feeling you feel on waking. Then you spot the thick, scaly wing draped across you and realization dawns. Kilgarrah. You smile to yourself, realizing the Great Dragon had been uncharacteristically concerned, and shown great patience in dealing with your puerile emotions.

With great care, you extract yourself from underneath the slumbering dragon, and stare at the huge creature. You feel a wave of affection and appreciation well up inside of you, and conjure a light, and leave it to float next to him. He'll know you are safe, you think, and turn to follow the mysterious voice beckoning you.

Emrys.

You follow the voice (or is it voices, you muse to yourself) and walk further into the forest surrounding the clearing. The voice keeps guiding you inside and inside the forest (Come Emrys, come) till the light of the moon barely penetrates the thick canopy of trees overhead.

You see a cave in the distance, and it seems as if the voice is guiding you there. Slowly, you make your way to the entrance, and the dark interior doesn't seem foreboding at all. With calmness in every fiber of your being, you walk inside till there's no more to go. You stand still, waiting, and in the next moment, a group of robed figures appear as if from nowhere around you.

The leader of the group removes his hood and speaks as usual, in your mind.

"Emrys. Come with us."

You gaze at the earnest stare directed towards you, and slowly nod. It's not like there is anywhere else you can go, to be honest. You can't go back to Ealdor, that's the first place Arthur would look for you. And if you're being fair to yourself, you would rather go to a place where you can be yourself (be who you really are), and be one with your magic, rather than go to a place where you are condemned by everyone.

You make the decision, and look into the calm eyes staring at you. "I'll come with you," you say, and the smile which blooms across the leader's face tugs an answering one from you.

He moves towards you, and reaches out a hand to rest on your shoulder. In a flash, the world around you dissolves, and when you next open your eyes, the sight that greets you robs you of breath.

A green field stretches out as far as you can see, surrounded by trees which are in full bloom, colorful flowers and luscious fruits hangs from them. A bubbling book meanders its way in the middle of the field, and there are tents all around it. People, Druids, more than you had ever seen in such a small space, move unhurriedly, going about their business. It's so peaceful, and the calm which you enforced upon yourself becomes real and tangible. The best thing about the place though, was the magic. Pure magic, around and inside and above and below, and your own magic was rushing up, out of you (out of the control you always, always had on it) to mingle with that of the earth, and it feels so… safe.

It feels like…home.

You grin then, letting all your restrains break, and embrace the magic tingling all around you. Your eyes close, involuntarily, at the mere feel of so much power, and the gushing warmth and comfort it brings.

When you open your eyes, you see that you are glowing, and all the people have stopped their work to stare at you. But the stare is not one of contempt, or disgust. It's one of sheer awe, and amazement. It's filled with all the things in your life which make magic good and pure and tears of happiness rise unbidden in your eyes.

You start, when all the people who had surrounded you drop to one knee. Each and every face, young as well as old, looks at you with hope shining in their eyes. As one, they all raise their right hand, and a deep voice booms in your head, "Emrys. We are yours to serve, and yours to protect. We swear our fealty to you and you alone."

The shock of such loyalty proves too much and you drop down to your knees in their midst. With tears streaming down your cheeks, you manage to say, "As you are mine, I am yours. I swear to you that I will protect you, at any cost."

Smiles bloom up on all the faces, and again as one, the Druids rise and the moment is broken. It's a momentous occasion for you, and you continue to sit there, gazing as the people go back to their work.

Your people.

You smile to yourself then. Maybe, just maybe you can forget Camelot (for a while). Arthur had Gwen now, he doesn't need to anymore, except to save his ungrateful ass sometimes. You will go back, you know that in your heart, but for now, you have found a place to belong. You can let go and be yourself here. Be who you are, and become who you were meant to be.

Maybe, just maybe, you can become whole again.

A/N: I've got externals coming up so won't be able to update till 19th!