AN: I would like to thank my reviewers: JisbonFriend, FireChildSlytherin5, ruby890, unicorndiva, BiteMeBlondie, krissystvs and CassandraPendragon

Thanks guys, you made my day!

Disclaimer: OMG I totally forgot about this in the first chapter

I do not own Merlin, if I did; Uther would be long dead, as would Lancelot, Freya would be alive, cured and with Merlin, Arthur would be king and with Gwen, Gwen's father would be alive and Mordred would be dead. Magic would be returned to Camelot and Morgana would not be evil.

But enough of my ramblings, here you go...

Chapter 2: The journey

Merlin sat on his horse — well the horse he'd been given — following the knights of Camelot, he wondered why the king had sent so many, after all, he was no-one special. They ended up stopping once it got dark. They made a fire and ate some of their rations. After that the six knights went to sleep.

Merlin stared into the fire they had made. He was thinking, he remembered telling Will of his soon departure.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes, the king of Camelot has summoned me, I must go," Merlin's voice was quiet.

Will had let out a low whistle.

"What would a king like him want with a peasant like you?"

"I don't know, Will. But that's why I've got to go, and find out,"

"Will you come back?"

"I don't know," The young warlock had looked away from his friend, biting his lower lip.

"You don't know? How can you not know, you either are or you aren't!"

Merlin had placed his hand on his friends shoulder.

"I'm sorry Will,"

He had turned around, away from his oldest friend.

"I'll miss you Merlin, Ealdor will be boring without you,"

Merlin had smiled sadly. He walked back to his mother's house to pack.

When he had been ready, he had left the house, walking to the waiting Sir Leon. They had walked slowly back to Ealdors entrance. A small crowd had come to see him off. Hunith was there and Merlin had hugged her in farewell. She had whispered into his ear.

"Don't let the king find out about your gift,"

Merlin had pulled back and looked her in the eye, he nodded to show he understood. He turned to Sir Leon, who had a horse waiting for him, his pack already tied onto it. Luckily he had learned to ride one summer in Ealdor with Will. As they set off he had turned and waved to the two lonely figures still standing there, the ones he would miss the most, his mother and Will.

The fire crackled loudly as another branch was swallowed up. Merlin was jerked out of his memories. He again thought of Ealdor; when would he see it again? Would he ever? Merlin felt sadness creeping up on him and instead turned his thoughts to what awaited him in Camelot. He just couldn't figure it out, it was very strange. There had to be a reason though, Merlin highly doubted it was his magic, but what other reason could there be?

He supposed he'd just have to wait and find out. According to Leon, they would reach Camelot late tomorrow, so then he would get his answer. Merlin decided to try and sleep, though he knew there was little chance. However, he had a hard days ride to look forward to tomorrow and would need to be well rested. Merlin lay on his back and gazed up at the stars, the events of the day still running through his mind, twisting and dancing like the flames.

Merlin woke at daybreak. He sat up and stretched his arms above his head. Yawning, he looked around him. The knights were still sleeping, though Sir Leon was absent. Merlin got up and walked over to his horse. She was a black horse with a white star on her head and white socks called Yayni.

Merlin stroked her nose after securing his bedding to her saddle. He heard the snap of a branch behind him and swung round, his heart beating wildly.

He breathed a sigh of relief; it was Sir Leon, his hand on the pommel of his sword.

"Ah, Merlin," he spoke to the younger man.

Merlin bowed "Sir Leon,"

"Are you ready to set off lad?"

"Yes sir,"

"I'll go wake the others, if we leave now we might make the gates of Camelot before dark, saddle the horses will you?"

"Yes sir,"

Merlin did as he was asked and he was just tying the final strap when the knights came for their horses. He retreated back to Yayni and mounted, seeing the knights do the same.

They set off riding, Sir Leon leading the party. As they rode, Merlin was feeling both anticipation and excitement. He had heard so much about the great Camelot, and now he was going. He didn't think he'd like to be a knight though, although that was probably because he had never wielded a sword. In Ealdor he had never needed to and he hoped he never would. Life in a village growing crops was much nobler, he thought, than watering the ground with the blood of man. They rode hard, through countryside, though they did pass a village once. They stopped for an hour to get supplies and to water the horses. Again, Merlin was left to tend the mounts, but he did not mind, animals seemed to like him.

Then they were off again, Camelot growing nearer by the minute. Merlin felt tiredness and hoped they would be there soon. Luckily for him, half an hour later a magnificent white castle came into view. This could only be Camelot. Merlin stared at it in wonder; he watched the flags flapping high on the turrets. He looked at the path ahead; to him it looked as though another half hour ride and they would be at the city gates.

As he predicted, they reached the gates. Though it was now quite dark, although Merlin saw Leon talk to a guard, who opened the gates and allowed them passage. Another knight leant sideways toward Merlin and murmured.

"Welcome to Camelot,"

AN: How was that? I hope you liked it. Please tell me what you thought, though again, don't go easy on me, I can take it.

December 2010: This chapter has been edited

S