That evening, dinner rolls around in the Great Hall. Everyone is still reeling from earlier events. To Merlin's left, located at the Round Table, is the very same Arthur that used to order him around all those many years ago. With everything that happened earlier, he is only finally grasping the undeniable truth. Arthur is here! But that also means that Albion's darkest hour approaches.
By the demeanor of everyone surrounding the table boarders, it is easy to see that most of them have already become great friends. Merlin notices that the natural dynamic is still the same before. Arthur is back to his arrogant self that Merlin first met all those years ago. His behavior appalls Guinevere. Elyan is Gwen's brother. Lancelot, Gawain and Percival are somewhat out of the loop. It had, after all, been Merlin who had originally introduced them all those years ago. As much as it pains Merlin to admit it, they are acting the same as last time. Lancelot is humble and honor bound, Percival doesn't talk much, and Gawain has absolutely no filter for what comes out of his mouth. But new things have happened. For one, they all have magic. Such an event would have had everyone at this table beheaded with the exception of Arthur. The King would not have executed his own son. I don't think… No, I doubt he would have. Mordred is so small and young compared to everyone else. He is an outlier by several years. His persona remains that shy, vulnerable part of himself that Merlin had originally met. Everyone seems to be the same. The only problem now is that Merlin is different. The innocence that surrounded him when he first came to Camelot is long gone. By now, he has witnessed too much dread. Will it be so easy to revert back to his old self and once again form those strong bonds with these people he had originally? I guess we'll have to see.
At the moment, Arthur is being a little rude to Gwen on his left. If the frown on her face is any indication that she doesn't like him, there is also the glare in her eyes.
"Alright, that's enough."
Arthur turns around. "Excuse me?"
"You've had your fun my friend." Merlin is smiling. He pretends not to notice some of the stares at him by others from around the table.
"Do I know you?"
"I'm Merlin," he holds out his hand.
"So I don't know you," Arthur smirks.
"No."
"And yet you called me friend," Arthur pushes the subject.
"That was my mistake."
"Yes, I think so."
All right here it goes. "Yeah, you're right. I could never have friend who could be such an ass."
Arthur stands up and faces Merlin straight on. "Nor I one who could be so stupid. Tell me Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"
"No." Merlin stands up and faces Arthur.
"Would you like me to help you?" Arthur pulls out his wand.
"I wouldn't if I were you."
"Why? What are you going to do to me?" He's laughing now.
"You have no idea."
"Be my guest." Arthur throws out his arms in an exaggerated manner. Looking around to his buddies for ego support he says to Merlin, "Come on. Come ON. COME ON!" Pretending to quickly reach for his wand behind him, he simultaneously lunges forward. Arthur yanks him by the arm and spins him around so he is hunched over with his arm crossed uncomfortably behind his back. "I can have you thrown is jail for that!" Arthur growls at him.
This makes Merlin smile. "What jail?" He asks innocently.
"The…" Arthur trails off. He honestly didn't know what caused him to say that. Thinking quickly he releases Merlin's arm and shoves him away. "Never mind," he says quickly. "Just don't do that again or you'll regret it." Arthur took one glance around at the surrounding table, then another at his half eaten food before he quickly strode out of the hall towards the new 'Emrys' common room to think things over.
Also not liking the attention, he too strode out of the room before anyone else could utter a word to him. Rather than heading back to where he knew Arthur would be, he decided to venture somewhere else. Arthur is going to take time; he knows not to push too quickly. With the teachers preoccupied at the feast, Merlin decided to venture into the 'Forbidden forest' to visit an old friend.