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Arthur paced his chambers, fussing with his clothes that were already perfect. He was nervous about being in front of all those people. He'd only ever done this a few times, mostly at feasts for the great holidays and that was only because he was part of the High Priestess's household.
"Sire." A voice called to him. He spun and looked at the servant in the door way. "It's time to go down to the banquet hall." The servant bowed to him and left.
Taking a deep breath, he followed close behind. No use getting lost. Some signal was made, because as he reached the door, it opened inward to let him through. He glanced at the assembled people. They filled the whole room, taking up every available spot at the tables laden with plates and silverware.
He didn't even pause. He just walked up to the royal family's dining table and went to stand by Morgana. He didn't have long to wait as the door was opened a second time and in walked Merlin. He was dressed in blue as usual, but it was the style of Camelot dress. Blue tunic over a white undershirt that was belted to his waist. Dark, form fitting breeches, and polished black boots.
Arthur was surprised. It actually made him look more human, though he was still really pale. Merlin walked forward to stand in front of the table. "Merlin Emrys, Ambassador of the Druid people. We formally welcome you to Camelot. We hope your stay among us will be pleasant. As they say among your people, may blessings and peaceful times be with you always." Uther's voice never changed in volume as he spoke, it showed no emotion.
Merlin bowed to him a smile on his face. "And may they grace you with their presence as well."
Uther nodded and motioned for him to rise. "Come, sit. Enjoy the feast." He motioned to the table just below the royal one. It was meant for visiting noble's or important persons, like Ambassadors. Merlin bowed again and went to the table to sit. There were four others with him. One was a visiting noble lady. The other three were all knight's from different parts of the realm.
"Let the feast begin." Uther's voice rang out and than all were sitting.
They were two courses into the feast before Merlin felt someone staring at him. Glancing over, he saw both one of the knights and the lady were watching him curiously. "Yes?" He finally asked, setting down his fork and turned to face them.
"May I ask you a question?" The lady asked him.
"My lady, the reason I am here is for people to ask me questions about my people. Please, don't be shy. Ask me your question." He smiled at her.
"Well, it's just that I heard Druid people don't eat meat, but you've eaten every piece of meat set in front of you that has come. Why is that?"
"It's simple my lady. That is only part of the truth. It is true that many of my people abstain from meat, but we still do eat it. But there is so little of it since we do not have pastures to graze the larger herd animals that we rely mainly on agriculture and what ever we can catch in our forests. Though even those are few because most of the animals that live in our forest are of magic origins."
"I also was raised to eat meat mainly because of Arthur. While he stayed in our household, my mother wished for him to be comfortable, so she tried to have meat on the table most of the time. I just grew accustomed to it's tastes and textures."
"Oh, that's fascinating. I would love to visit your home to see what it actually looks like." Her smile was bright.
"Who knows my lady. Maybe one day in the future it will be possible." He smiled back, but he couldn't fail to notice that most people had stopped talking to listen to their conversation. It seemed many of them want to know the answer to that question.
Ignoring them, he went back to his food, purposely cutting a large piece of meat from the dish in front of him, and eating it.
By the time the feast was over, Arthur wanted to bang his head against the table really hard. If he had to watch one more person stare in wonder as Merlin ate another piece of meat, he would strangle them. He was tired, too full for comfort, and just wanted to go lie down somewhere where no one would disturb him.
Instead, he had to sit here as his father gave a final speech, going on about how he hoped that this alliance with the Druids would last for a long time once they finalized the treaty and that one day, humans and Druids could walk amongst each other without fear.
Finally, he was excused as he followed them from the room. But he knew it wasn't over yet. His mother had asked him earlier today if he would sit with her and his father and sister after the meal to talk and continue to get to know each other.
Steeling himself for the evening, he settled into his chair. He wasn't prepared for his mother's first question. "What is Merlin like?" She asked him.
"What do you mean?"
"I just want to know if the way he was acting tonight was normal for him or just a mask." She said, looking over at him. "And who exactly is he?"
"Merlin acts like that sometimes, but mainly he's really goofy and clumsy and makes a mess of things. As to who he is. He is the son of the High Priestess of Avalon, Hunith Emrys who is equal to the High Counsel in power and influence."
"So he would be like a prince to his people?" Arthur nodded. "Will he become High Priest after his mother?" She asked.
"No."
"Why is that?" She seemed genuinely interested.
"He is not, as he would say, 'into the religion.' He never became a disciple. He is more interested in medicine and science, along with magic. He never wanted to join. The next in line will be the Master of Ceremonies. Maythn is just under her in the temple's hierarchy."
She seemed to think this over for a moment, than sighed. "It's amazing how little we know of these people. They seem so amazing. You were lucky to be able to live among them and learn. Even though I missed you, I would not change my decision."
She cupped his cheek and smiled at him. Standing back, she went to the window. "I think…yes. It is a fine night out. Would you care to go for a walk Arthur? You must be wound tight after your first feast here."
He thought about it than nodded. Some fresh air would do him good. Standing, he followed her out of the room. She led him through the castle until the reached the wall surrounding it.
They'd been walking in a comfortable silence when his mother stopped him. "Arthur, what is that?" She pointed.
"Hmm." He followed her finger and tried to make out what she had seen in the dark. One second, it was dark, than specks of gold light seemed to swirl dizzyingly around a silhouetted shape. It was leaning against the edge of the wall, facing east as it stared out over the land intently.
And than the lights seemed to get slightly brighter and he could make out Merlin's features. His eyes were open and staring, no hint of blue in the gold. As he watched, another gold light appeared, sliding down his cheek before it floated away from him. He was crying. His magic was mixing with his tears and changing them.
He took a step forward. "Merlin?" He called softly. The paler male jumped and than the specks went out. A light appeared over them, illuminating him in a pale yellow light.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to disturb your walk." He whispered as he wiped his arm over his eyes, but it didn't help since the tears wouldn't stop.
"Merlin, what's wrong?" Arthur asked him, taking another step forward, all but forgetting his mother behind him.
"I-it's nothing."
"Merlin." Arthur's voice held a warning in it. "What's wrong?"
Merlin stared at him, eyes no longer gold, just large, wet and deep blue. "I…I can't find her. She…she's not there. I can't find her Arthur." His voice was cracking, more tears filling his eyes.
"Who, Merlin?" Arthur felt his heart squeeze, knowing the answer, but dreading it.
"She's gone Arthur. My mother's gone. I can't feel her anymore. She…she's gone and I never got to say goodbye. I never…" His voice choked.
Arthur didn't think. He just stepped forward, wrapping his arms around his friend. "I never got to say goodbye." He wailed into his shoulder as he shook. He could feel his warm tears soaking his shirt. He could feel his own tears sliding silently down his face.
"Arthur?" His mother asked softly behind him. He turned to look at her. "How…" She didn't even finish.
"Druids are born with the ability to sense the auras of the ones they care most about. Mostly it's parents or siblings or close friends." He told her softly, holding the still shaking man.
He stood there for a while until he felt the change in him. His body became lax and started to droop. He looked down and could see that he had cried himself into an exhausted sleep. Sighing, he lifted him up.
"Mother?" He asked her.
"I'll show you where his rooms are." She said softly. She smiled sadly at the sleeping Druid. "Poor child. Just left home and this happened." She reached out a hand and hesitantly stroked his hair. Merlin didn't even stir. She sighed and turned away. "This way." He followed her along the wall, ignoring the looks of the sentries as he passed them.