Fifteen Years Later

"Arthur…we're supposed to be studying the treaty, not staring into space." Merlin's voice rang out from across the room. Arthur just turned to look at him and smiled, but he didn't move from where he leaned against the wall. Merlin gave a soft sigh and set the aged parchment down. Standing, he walked over to him. "What is it?" He asked softly.

Arthur was fidgeting with his hands and when he looked, he could see his locket. He just waited, knowing what was going through his mind. He finally spoke up. "What if they don't like me?" He asked, voice small.

"Of course they'll like you. You're their son. They haven't seen you for fifteen years. They must be dying to meet you finally after so long." Arthur nodded slightly, but still looked worried. "Look, if they don't like you, than I'll turn them into toads for you." A small smile flicked across his face at the joke they'd made over the years.

"Do you want to get out of here?" Arthur asked him.

"What? Why? We need to be studying the treaty." He said, but there wasn't any conviction behind it. He would never admit it, but the treaty just bored the hell out of him.

"We already know it by heart and I just want to get some air. We can play the game we used to play all those years ago and see how long it takes them to find us." Merlin just sighed, but followed him as they snuck out of the room.

"Look, you can see it in the distance." Arthur pointed to the west, where you could just make out the open plains of Camelot over the tree tops. "My home, and kingdom to be." A soft breeze blew his blond locks into his eyes for a moment before he brushed them away.

He turned to look at Merlin, but the paler boy was not looking at him. He was standing behind him, back turned as he gazed out across the city. His shoulders were tense for some reason. "Merlin?" Arthur said softly.

"Arthur…" His voice was barely above a whisper. "Arthur I need to say something." He paused and continued. "The High Counsel called me to them the other day. I swear I didn't know, but…they asked me to go with you…as Ambassador for the Druids, but…if you don't want me to go, than I'll decline…" He stopped talking but didn't turn around.

"Merlin, is that why you're so nervous? That I wouldn't want you to come with me." He gave a soft laugh. "Merlin, I was going to go to the High Counsel to ask if you could come as Ambassador and if not, than just as my companion."

"Really?" He turned to look at him. "But I just thought, that you would want to go alone, since this is your home and all that. That you wouldn't want me to be there to make things strained."

"Enough, Merlin. You're going and that's final. Stop trying to make excuses for wanting to go." Merlin just nodded mutely, a smile on his face.

"Are you ready?" She asked him as he stood next to the horse. Arthur nodded to her, smiling at his foster mother. "Than may blessings and peaceful times greet you at Camelot." The incantation rang softly in the air. A ward and a blessing for travelers with a long road ahead of them.

He reached out and hugged her thin frame. She had aged greatly in the past few years and her plump frame had thinned. Her once black hair was now a steel gray, though her blue eyes remained clear. There were wrinkles on her face, laugh lines and frown lines that had not been there fifteen years ago. She was changed from the vibrant woman he'd first seen, but he still loved her.

"Merlin." She turned to him. "You will behave yourself, no using your magic for stupid things. You will show them what it means to be a Druid. Do you understand?" She asked threateningly. Merlin gulped and nodded. "Than come here and give me one last hug." She gave him a soft smile as he ran over and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Good bye, my son. May blessings and peaceful times always be near you." She kissed him on his forehead than stepped back.

"Now go. You have a long journey ahead of you and the guards may only go with you as far as the forest's edge. Sir Leon, Sir Owain, it was an honor to have met such noble knights and I hope you will honor us with a visit, if you so wish." They both bowed as well as they could from atop their horses.

Arthur and Merlin mounted up and soon, their group was off, only a few pack horses behind them to carry their clothing, food and gifts for the royal family of Camelot. Merlin and Arthur only looked back once, at the top of the ledge where the road went into the forest. They stood there for a few minutes, just gazing at the place they'd called home, watching sunlight play among the buildings and off water. Finally, they turned away, stepping into the shadow of the trees.

"There it is, your Majesty. Camelot, home of your parents and their court." Sir Leon's voice rang out as the crested a hill and a large city spread out below them.

For a moment, Arthur just stared than he looked at Merlin. Although he couldn't see his face underneath the billowing blue cloak, he knew his eyes were on him. "Ready?" He called to him. The hooded figure nodded. He set off, following Sir Leon down the road that would lead him to home.

"My King, my Queen. May I present Prince Arthur, your son and Human Ambassador ." The herald called out, as the doors were opened and four figures stepped through. "And also Merlin Emrys, Druid Ambassador, Sir Leon, and Sir Owain."

The King and Queen stared at the four figures, though one was cloaked. The whole court held its breath as they waited for their monarchs to say something. Ygraine was the first to stir, standing and walking down the dais to look at Arthur. "Arthur…my you've grown so much." She didn't even notice the tears on her face as she looked at him.

"M…mother." He said hesitantly. He stood there blankly, not sure what to do, but eventually some help was offered in the way of a pale hand shoving him in he back. Pushing him forward, towards his mother. Finally, he gulped, and reached for her. The hug was slightly awkward, but as he stood there, he relaxed into it. Her slightly familiar scent comforting.

They stepped apart, but she didn't let him go. Instead she pulled him along with her, up the dais, to his father. "Arthur." Uther's voice was gravelly from suppressed emotion, but he smiled at him. Arthur nodded, but didn't go to him. There was time for that later.

Uther turned back to the other three. "Sir Leon, Sir Owain. You two have been faithful to the crown these past fifteen years. If there is anything I may grant you, than just ask, though I'm sure you would like to go and visit old friends at the moment. We will speak further once things have settled down." They bowed low to him, turned and left.

Finally, only the cloaked figure stood in front of the thrones. He'd almost forgotten about them, they stood so still. "Merlin Emrys, why do you remained cloaked before us?"

He didn't speak, just bowed than pulled the hood back. He was pale. Paler than any there, with dark ink black hair that was wild looking. His blue eyes, which when younger had been almost all blue, were now streaked with gold that flashed in the light. His ears, though large, were slightly pointed, but it was subtle, and few noticed it at first. He had high cheekbones and an aquiline nose. Underneath the blue cloak, a long flowing robe covered sturdy trousers, a tunic and a neckerchief. Although few noticed, his feet were bare, skin just as pale as the rest of him, but they were clean.

"King and Queen of Camelot. I bring greetings from the High Counsel of the Druids and the High Priestess of Avalon." His voice was light, like wind though the trees. The two nodded. "They also sent gifts as an offering of good will." The court let out a gasp as his eyes flashed gold and a pile of packages appeared on the floor in front of them.

"We thank you, Ambassador. Tell me, what is it you wish to do while you stay here?" Uther's voice was soft and clear. His eyes were hard and assessing.

Merlin didn't even blink or look away. "I wish to study with your physician. To study human medicine and science. And in return, I will trade medical knowledge of our race with him. I have the permission of the High Counsel to do this."

Uther thought this over for a moment, than nodded. "Gaius." He called out, and old man stepped out from the crowd. "Gaius is the Royal Physician. You may study with him while you stay here." Merlin nodded in thanks.

"For now, we will call court to an end early today." He motioned to a pair of servants in the back of the room, and they came forward towards the packages. Soon, they were carrying them off to some place in the castle. He motioned for another servant. "He will show you to where you will be staying." Merlin just bowed again. His gaze flicked up briefly to Arthur, who stood beside the thrones, but didn't say anything. Just gave a small smile and left, following the servant out of the room.

Arthur looked around him, unsure of what to do next. He'd been wondering the castle for an hour now, and though his memories of it's halls were fuzzy, he could still find his way around to a degree. But he was now bored of this. His father was in a meeting, and though he would have like to join him, he did not know enough about the different sides of Camelot's political on goings.

He had fully realized this. But he only felt like he'd been dropped into stormy seas with only a small boat to maneuver on. There was no telling how Merlin was getting on. While he had a boat, Merlin had nothing. No way to tell what was right and wrong, whom to turn to, in this new kingdom.

His only contact with humans was limited to three people, until just recently. Now he was going to have to learn how to maneuver through court politics and fast. Thinking of Merlin made him wish to see him.

They'd never been parted this long, and it made him feel lonely. Deciding that a visit was due, he changed course and followed sketchy memories to where he assumed the Physician's quarters where.

Upon arrival, he was met with an odd sight. Merlin stood behind a table heaped with jars, beakers, test tube, all made from either glass, metal, or porcelain. He was bent over a small burner with two test tubes in his hands as he poured them into the beaker over the fire. A small spoon stirred the liquid on its own, guided by magic that flashed in his eyes.

Arthur just stared, a small smile on his face as he watched the emotions pass over his face which still somehow remained in a look of concentration. Thinking it unwise to disrupt him, he leaned against the door frame and waited to see what happened.

He didn't have to wait long as it started to smoke and than gave a small explosion in his face. As it wafted his way, he wrinkled his nose. It smelled like bad eggs and over ripe fruit. He felt sorry for Merlin, who'd gotten the full brunt of it. He could hear him coughing and hacking to clear his lungs.

"So…I'm guessing you are enjoying yourself here?" He asked as the smoke cleared in a magic breeze the shooed it out the open window.

"Arthur? How long have you been there?" He asked as he wiped his face on a piece of cloth to remove the soot.

"Before it started to smoke. So what was that?"

"It was supposed to be a tonic for stomach cramps, but I think I got it slightly wrong. What are you doing here?" He turned the fire off and came around the table, leaning against its edge as he looked at him.

"Just visiting. Wanted to see how you were settling in after a week here. Nothing to horrible has happened to you, I hope?" He asked in a mocking voice.

"No, it's been fine here. Though I've spent most of my time in here or in the library so, few have 'approached' me for engaging conversation, if that's what your worried about." He smiled at him.

"It's just– "

"Ah, Your Highness, what do we owe the pleasure for your visit?" Gaius asked from behind him as he entered the room.

"Oh, hello. Just seeing how he was getting along. He's no trouble to you, is he?"

"Oh no. I've learned a great deal from him in the last week alone. He's definitely no trouble at all." Gaius assured him.

"That's good. Than I guess I better be going." He nodded to them both and beat a hasty retreat, though he wouldn't admit it.

So Merlin hadn't been approached by anyone yet in a hopes of gaining influence over him. He wasn't sure if that worried him or made him feel relieved. Either someone was stopping them from approaching or they were all planning something which would not be good for anyone.

He was so preoccupied in his thoughts that he almost ran his father over as he came out of the meeting room.

"Ah, Arthur. Just the man I was looking for. Come, let us have lunch with your mother." He turned to the others behind him. "You are dismissed. Keep me informed on the reports from the north." They bowed to him and left him alone with Arthur.

"Come." He lead the way down the hall to where the family dining room was located. Inside, his mother was seated with Morgana, his adoptive sister, her handmaid stood a discreet distance from the table with the other servants, waiting to serve them lunch.

"Ah, Arthur, so good you could join us." Morgana's tone was sweet and light, but he knew it was false. The first time he had met her, in a deserted corridor his second day here, she hadn't tried to hid her true self from him. She was rude, annoying as only girls could be and she always seemed to know what he was thinking. That and the fact that she liked to look down on him, because he was younger than her by two years made him dislike her. Or more like dislike being alone with her. Around others, she was as pleasant as could be.

"Thank you." He said softly. Sitting down, he let the servants set his plate in front of him, than started to eat. It was good, but to be honest, it had a little too much meat in it for his liking. He was used to lighter meat like rabbit or pheasant. This meat, beef from the taste, was heavy with lots of excess fat in it. But he still ate it. It would be rude to not eat, though he did stock up on plenty of vegetables.

"Oh Arthur, I forgot to mention this morning. In two days time, there will be a feast in celebration of your return and to welcome Merlin officially to the court." His mother told him, a bright smile on her face.

"That should be nice. I'll tell him later and help him out with any questions." He said, not really paying attention. She just smiled again.

"So tell us. What was it like living among Druids?" Morgana asked, genuine curiosity in her voice. "Is it true they don't eat meat?"

"To a point. Because most of the creatures living in there forest are of magic, they can not hunt them. They rely mostly on agriculture to eat, though there are some who raise a few animals, mainly rabbits or chickens. There aren't any pastures to raise the larger animals… As to what it was like living there…"

Arthur ran behind Merlin, following the younger boy as they ran through the garden towards the back wall. 'Merlin, where are we going?' He asked him though he hadn't slow down.

'You'll see in a minute.' He called out. He watched the paler boy disappear around the corner of the hedge they'd been following. Rushing to catch up, he was cut short by the wall. Looking up, he could see Merlin just pulling himself onto the top of the wall.

Following his path, he climbed up next to him 'So, what am I supposed to be looking at?' He could only see tall bushes in front of them.

'This.' Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the bushes parted, revealing a view of the city. It was better than the one he'd had on his arrival. He was closer now, and could make out details.

'It's pretty.' He said softly.

'It's home.' Merlin said loudly, a lopsided grin on his face. Arthur couldn't help but smile back.

"Well, it's hard to explain. I guess you could say it's like a fantasy world, what with all the magic you see and yet it's just like here. People going about ordinary lives, making a living, raising families." He let the silence range on as his thoughts traveled back to that sun lit city.

"It sounds quite lovely." His mother said softly a few minutes later. "Who knows, maybe one day in the future, more humans will be able to look at that city hidden in the forests." She smiled at him again than stood. "I'll be going now. I will see you all later." She turned and left.

Arthur watched her leave, than stood. "I'm going to go inform Merlin of the feast." He nodded to the last two seated and left them.