AN: Hello! I was going to wait a bit longer to post this, but then people were awesome and I couldn't wait, so here it is, chapter two!
Before we get started I wanted to clear up a couple of things. Yes, I did start this with the same execution that starts the first episode, but this will not be a fic that follows the series while changing one little thing. There will definitely be some hints at that, but I wanted to make this my own thing as well. Some events are moved around, some are completely removed, and quite a few are of my own creating. I hope this doesn't drive too many people away, I think that this could still hold it's own, even though it may not be what was expected after chapter one. Sorry to anyone I disappointed.
I got asked a couple of questions in the reviews, and I would answer them here but I sort of think that this chapter may hold the answers to some of them, so I'm going to wait. If anything is still unclear please message me and I will try to explain (except for Merlin's friends backstories, those are coming, I promise! Two of them are in the next chapter, and the other is in chapter six. So they are coming, I promise)
Anyhoo, thanks for all the lovely lovely attention! I hope everyone can get a slightly better idea of what kind of story this is going to be after this chapter, and chapter three is slightly more fun, in my opinion... I hope you can see why it might be... It will go up soon if I get the same kind of response to this chapter as I did to the first one ;)
And I don't own Merlin. I can't even spell Iseldir' name so that should be pretty obvious...
Chapter Two: Chasing Emrys
Merlin stumbled slightly as his feet reconnected with the ground. He never really liked transportation spells. They were tricky, and required intense focus and some type of magical artifact to keep you from falling apart in the journey. He turned to the two who had come with him, asking "Are you alright?"
He paused, waiting for them both to brush themselves off and nod before he pulled back his hood and continued, "We're close to the village I spoke of, but I need you to promise me something before we enter. Most of the people living here are Druids. They are a very peaceful people. I don't expect you to adopt all of their beliefs, but I do expect you to honor their ways. Like I said, I grew up here; these people are family to me. I need you to promise me that you will not harm them or ever report their location to anyone who would seek to destroy them. Do you understand?"
Thomas and Mary nodded and Thomas said, "I owe you my life. I promise I would never do anything to harm you or your family."
Mary grabbed Merlin's hand and said, "You saved my son's life. Nothing I could ever do would repay that. I swear I will never do anything to wrong you."
"Thank you, now follow me, it won't be long before we get there." Merlin said, smiling at them both before turning in the direction he knew the camp lay. They followed as he pushed through the bushes and trees that had grown thick around the village, protecting the people who lived there from prying eyes. Merlin remembered climbing around in these trees as a child. He had only been four when he was forced to flee his home. He would remain forever in debt to Iseldir and the Druids who had found him. It had taken him a while to fully accept their hospitality, but they had been patient with him, explaining their views and teaching him how to control and use his magic. He had been happy here, but he had also been restless. He needed to do something to fight the king who had taken everything from him, even if he would honor the Druid beliefs in nonviolence as he did. The Druids had also taught him of his destiny, and he wanted to protect the people who believed in the future he was supposed to create. So, he had left the safety of the village in search of his destiny.
He had spent a few years traveling before he started to steal from Uther, learning everything he could about foreign magics and the beliefs of the people he had met. He hadn't gone alone, a friend of his from the camp, Percival, had gone with him. Percival and his sisters had been found alone in the woods and brought to Druid camp after Merlin had already been living there for a few years. They had both been outsiders and had bonded over that. But Percival had no magic, so when Merlin had been learning spells and such with Iseldir, he had strengthened his body, eventually growing larger than all the men in the camp. They had met others on their travels, and had formed a small troop that all believed Uther was not fit to be king.
As the small shacks and tents of the town came into view, Merlin was greeted by a group of children. He recognized one of them as Percival's niece, Miranda. She was the only one in the group calling him Merlin, the rest were calling him Emrys. He scooped up Miranda, who giggled and asked, "Did you bring me any presents, Uncle Merlin?"
"Not this time, princess." Merlin said with a chuckle. "But I do have something for you."
He then whispered "Blóstmá"and a red rose blossomed in his hand. He took the flower and tucked it into her hair before he set her back down with the other children.
"Can you do a trick for us, Emrys?" Elis, the youngest of the group asked. The rest of the children joined in, begging him to do some magic. Merlin smiled at them and said; "Not right now guys, I need to talk to Iseldir."
"Please Emrys, just one quick spell?" Annwyl asked, putting on a spectacular pout. The others joined her, looking up at him with their eyes wide and bottom lips trembling. Merlin couldn't resist that, so he kneeled down saying, "Alright, but only one."
The pouts vanished as they all rushed around him as he reached out a fist. He mumbled a few words and opened his fist, revealing a small glowing blue ball. The eyes of the children widen and Merlin said, "Take it."
They looked a little nervous, but eventually Llyr, the oldest of the group, stepped forward and picked the glowing ball up from Merlin's palm. It glowed more brightly for a moment before dimming and becoming a normal ball they would be able to play with. All the other children reached forward to touch the ball and mutter thank you's before they heard a voice above them.
"Alright children, I think you've bothered Emrys enough. Why don't you go play with your new ball."
The children nodded and ran off back towards the village as Merlin stood up and greeted the newcomer, saying, "It's good to see you Iseldir."
The Druid leader pulled Merlin into a hug saying, "And you, Emrys, it has been too long."
"When will you stop calling me that? All the others follow your example. I want to be called Merlin, you know that."
"You should be proud of your name, Emrys. Not everyone has prophecies written about them. But who are your friends? More enemies of the Pendragons?"
"I suppose you could call them that." Merlin said, turning to glance back at the Collins. "This is Thomas and Mary Collins of Camelot. They need somewhere to stay, and I thought you might be able to take care of them. Thomas and Mary this is Iseldir, leader of this tribe."
"It is good to meet both of you," Iseldir said, extending a hand in greeting. "Here we try to help all those we can. You are more than welcome to stay here if you are willing to adopt our belief in nonviolence towards all others."
Thomas and Mary both nodded. Merlin couldn't help but think they both looked a little overwhelmed by all that had just happened. Iseldir smiled at them and said, "Good." he then turned back towards the village and called a couple of young women over. They all smiled prettily at Merlin before turning their attention to Iseldir and the newcomers. "Camma, Ganna, and Aelwyn will take you to a tent you can stay in until we build you something more permanent. If you need anything, just ask. We will do our best to provide. I need to talk with Emrys for a moment, but I will check in to see how you are doing when we are done."
Thomas and Mary both nodded, and thanked Merlin before following the three young ladies into the village. Once they were out of earshot Iseldir turned back to Merlin and said, "I'm guessing that young man is the one Uther was going to execute today. You must have made quite the spectacle."
"I suppose so," Merlin replied sheepishly. "I just didn't think I could stand and watch as Uther killed any more innocent people. That man was caught fixing a cart, how is that a crime worthy of death?"
"It isn't, but you of all people should understand that Uther is blind when it comes to magic. You've remembered everything I taught you right?"
"I didn't hurt anyone, if that's what you mean. And I don't plan on it either. I have grown since you found me in those woods fifteen years ago. I know killing Uther won't bring my parents back."
Iseldir nodded and said, "You have. I am quite proud of how much you have grown, and I believe your parents would be proud as well."
"Thank you." Merlin said quietly. "You have been like a father to me ever since I lost my own, but I still wonder what he would think of me. His only son, a thief."
"His only son isn't just a thief, he's a hero. You saved that man today, and who knows what could have happened if you didn't. A mother who has lost her son can be a very dangerous thing. You're actions have far greater consequences than you could ever imagine. And as a warlock who uses his powers only for the good of others, you teach the people that Uther's beliefs are wrong. I cannot imagine any parent who wouldn't be proud of all you have done, Emrys."
Merlin smiled at the older Druid. He always seemed to know just what to say to help him find his way. He had comforted him when he cried out for his mother and father, stopped him from trying to seek his revenge on Uther Pendragon, and encouraged him to find his own path instead of spending his whole life in their small village. Merlin sighed and said, "I should probably be heading back to my camp. Who knows what kind of trouble the others will have caused while I was away. Thank you for taking care of those two for me. Is there anything you need? I can bring supplies back after the next raid; I've noticed the camp is growing."
"Thank you Emrys, but I believe we will not need any of your supplies. All our stomachs are full and our beds are warm. Take your profits to the people who really need it. But you should visit more often. The children miss you. And bring Percival as well; it has been too long since he has stopped by."
"I will try my best." Merlin said, walking away from the camp, "Goodbye Iseldir."
"Stay safe, Emrys." The man replied. Merlin pushed his way through the bushes, oriented himself, then headed in the direction of his camp.
His camp wasn't too far from the Druid settlement. It wasn't long before he could hear his friends celebrating something in the camp. It sounded a lot like Gwaine had gotten drunk again, which really shouldn't have surprised him by now. As he reached the small clearing that housed their camp, he was pulled into some type of dance by the inebriated man. They spun around the fire a couple times while Percival and Lancelot laughed before Gwaine fell pulling Merlin with him. Merlin joined the laughter as well, as he pulled Gwaine into a sitting position and asked, "What's happened to put you lot in such a good mood?"
Percival tossed Merlin a sack of gold as Lancelot said, "Uther might be missing a little bit more than a sorcerer's head. We figured we could use your little show as a distraction so we broke into the castle and took this while the guards were busy searching for you."
"That's brilliant!" Merlin cried. "Did you leave a note?"
"Yeah," Gwaine said, "but we had to sign it "Emrys' best mates" seeing as you weren't there."
Merlin laughed as Gwaine shoved him lightly. Percival offered him a hand and pulled him to his feet as he asked, "And how did your show go, Merlin?"
"It went quite well. I think Uther may have turned a new shade of red previously unknown to mankind when I said I was Emrys. Apparently he's not my biggest fan."
"You took the sorcerer to Iseldir, right? How was the village? Did you see my sisters?" Percival asked.
"No," Merlin replied, "But I did see Miranda. She is looking lovely as ever. Iseldir wants you to visit."
"But Percy has to stay here!" Gwaine complained loudly, "Who else will carry me back when I pass out from drinking too much?"
"Maybe you should try not drinking so much." Lancelot suggested.
"But then what would you guys do for entertainment?" Gwaine asked.
"He does have a point; things wouldn't be nearly as crazy without Gwaine making a fool of himself every few minutes." Percival added thoughtfully.
"Exactly." Gwaine said, trying to stand back up but stumbling and falling back onto his bottom. Merlin laughed along with the others before asking, "Do we have any food, I'm famished."
"Only if you say the magic word." Gwaine said in a sing song voice.
"Give me some food or I'll turn you into a toad. How's that for a magic word?" Merlin replied.
"That sounds good to me!" Gwaine said from his position on the ground. "Percy, be a good lad and get Merlin some food."
Percival walked past Gwaine and knocked him lightly on the shoulder. Of course, this was Percival, so the light tap sent Gwaine right back into the dirt. He returned with a bowl full of some type of stew. Merlin dug in, praying that this wasn't another one of Gwaine and Percival's pranks and he wasn't eating rat or whatever other terrible thing they decide to serve him. As he ate Lancelot said, "I was thinking we should try to get that gold delivered tonight. Uther's called for another tax tomorrow, it would be good if we could get the people money before they have to pay it."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Merlin said between bites, "The guards will have been increased after today."
"That's never stopped us before." Percival reasoned. "The people need this money now; it won't do any good sitting around our camp."
"Plus, the guards still don't know what we look like." Gwaine added, suddenly much more sober than he had been a moment ago. "I say we go tonight."
"I suppose you're right. Just be careful, alright? Uther's pissed off, and he shouldn't be taken lightly."
"We know, Merlin." Percival said affectionately. Even though Merlin was the leader of the group, he was the youngest so he often got treated like their little brother. They all knew he was much more powerful than any of them, but they still looked out for him and often, as Percival had just done, would ruffle his hair and give him affectionate pats they wouldn't give each other. Lancelot helped Gwaine up and they headed out of the camp and towards Camelot carrying quite a bit of the king's gold.
Arthur had been on patrol ever since he had been released from his father's chambers. The king had yelled at him for quite a while, telling him he was failing the kingdom by not being any closer to catching Emrys than they had been when the first letter arrived. Things had only gotten worse when a shaking guard entered the room to let the furious king know that he had been robbed once more. That had been it for Uther, and he had ordered Arthur to get out and bring him Emrys' head before nightfall. Arthur had looked around the courtyard for any clues and questioned anyone he could find about suspicious hooded figures, but he knew it was useless. Emrys was obviously a highly skilled magic user; he would know how to cover his tracks. Arthur was just about to head back to the castle for supper when he heard someone whisper "Thank you, Emrys." from behind him. He froze. He didn't want to give away his identity to the person who had mentioned the thief's name, so he tried to look casual as he turned slowly and looked down the street he had been walking down. Sure enough, about twenty paces away, a figure in a dark cloak was standing talking to a skinny woman who had two small children clinging to her knees. Arthur walked by them slowly, hoping to pick up on anything else they said. He needed proof that this was the man he had been searching for before he brought the wrong person to his father and ended up in even more trouble than he was in now. Unfortunately, nothing they said as he passed gave him any clues, so he decided to follow the cloaked figure and see if he revealed his identity, or if he possibly led him to his prey.
The person made quite a few more stops before exiting Camelot. At each house he would hand over a small bag to the people waiting inside, mostly families and elderly couples. Nothing he did screamed Emrys, so Arthur had no other options besides to keep following him. It didn't seem like the man had noticed his presence, which was one good thing. When he left the city Arthur wondered if he should call for backup, but realized in the time that would take he would lose the first real lead he had gotten since he had begun searching for the thief. So he followed the man out into the forest, ducking behind trees every time he turned his head. Arthur figured they must be nearing the man's destination as he began to slow and removed his hood. Arthur put a hand on his sword's hilt as he followed the dark haired man wearing the cloak. He felt his excitement building, his father would finally be proud of him! He would bring him the thief he wanted so badly, and he would have to congratulate him! Arthur was so lost in his fantasies that he didn't hear anything as another cloaked figure sprang from the trees behind him and yanked his hands behind his back. So much for finally getting praise...