After they settled back down Merlin turned to Gwaine:
"What are you all up to know? I saw an article in a newspaper that said Arthur was trying to do something about global warming; do you think that's why he's back? To save the world!" Merlin thought that at least that would be a great cause, but how could one man do that, and why did he need magic.
Gwaine laughed "Oh no don't say that, he will be insufferable he was bad enough as a King! Mind you something has to be done. Well if that's it I expect you'll be doing all the work, like last time and he will get all the glory."
"That's not true he was a great king!" Merlin would never have anything bad said about Arthur.
Gwen looked at her watch "We need to put the television on Arthur will be on in a moment."
The two men stopped talking and Gwaine put on the large television in the corner of the room. Merlin had never seen one before and Gwen explained it quickly to him. They watched the interview with interest as Arthur explained what actions he felt needed to be taken and what his media empire intended to do to start the process. They watched in silence as Arthur spoke.
He explained that the time had come for action to save the world from the effects of years of neglect. Saying whether people believed there was global warming no longer mattered. That fact remained that mankind was using up the worlds resources at a pace that couldn't be sustained. That he and several other of the world's wealthiest men had decided to take action. He personally would be giving ninety five percent of his personal fortune, of billions, into a fund that would be used to help turn the tide. As Governments seemed unable to keep their promises, that were too little to late anyway, made at the Kyoto then others needed to take up the cause.
Arthur explained that full details on how all citizens could become involved would be freely available worldwide, and that anyone who could donate, not matter how much, would be encouraged to do so. He and a group of businessmen and other interested parties would work, at no cost, for the fund to implement changes worldwide. But that all those who were willing to be involved, would be encouraged to do so. Arthur went on to say that many of the plans already formulated would need large numbers of ordinary people to come forward. They would receive help, dependant on need, to meet the action plans both big and small.
No large scale developments would be undertaken without due regard to what it would destroy in the process. Arthur finished by asking all people no matter what their position in life to get involved so they could leave something better to their children and grandchildren. After Arthur had finished contact details were put up on screen as well as a list of newspapers that would print full details as they became available. Once Arthur's announcement had finished the host of the show said that there was to be panel discussion with Politicians and other influential guests at nine pm that evening, to debate the issues . Gwaine turned off the television.
"Well if there was one thing Arthur was always good at, it was a motivational speech. We now just have to hope others will come on board in enough numbers to make this work." Gwaine had known the basics of what was going to be said but was impressed once more with Arthur's commitment, both from a business and personal viewpoint. He had been the first wealthy businessman to commit fully to Arthur's plans as soon as Arthur had told him what he had planned.
"Well he has my vote. I'd better go and sort out the food, they will all be back soon." with that Gwen gave Merlin another hug and went of taking the empty cups and plates with her.
"I still don't see why I am needed." Merlin was puzzled.
"Maybe to save him from all the enemies this is going to make him? He won't be popular in some circles. A lot of people just don't care or don't believe the problems we are facing. They want things to carry on as they are." Gwaine looked at his friend.
"My magic isn't there to kill people, but I will always protect Arthur if I can. But what else can I do?" looking at Gwaine Merlin hoped the other man had some ideas.
"Don't look at me mate Arthur will be back soon perhaps he knows. Or perhaps we will just have to wait and see, your magic might have some ideas of its own."
About an hour later Gwaine heard the door open and Arthur and the others came back into the house. Merlin was asleep on the sofa, but he woke up as the group enter the room. He stood up excited at the thought of seeing Arthur once more. Arthur came in first followed by five other people. He saw Merlin and held his arms out, they hugged something that surprised Merlin. Arthur would have never hugged him in his previous life. They stood there for several moments before Arthur released him.
"It's good to see you Merlin. I've been dreaming about you for several months. I thought I was going mad, until I mentioned it to Leon and found he'd been having the same dreams. Then last night I dreamt of our last meeting when I was dying, and it all sort of made sense. How have you been my friend? You've had a long wait." Arthur looked into Merlin's face, gazing at the man who had been his best friend so long ago. "God, you don't have any idea how pleased I am to see those big ears again."
"It's been too long Arthur; I never thought I'd have to wait such a long time to see you again. I thought you would come back several times but it never happened. If it hadn't been for Aithusa I think I would have gone mad. She's a mum now!" A tear formed in the corner of Merlin's eye as he thought of the young dragon.
"Is she here with you?"
"No, we went to China after you died, she has a mate now. She flew me back here when I felt your presence, but then went back. She has other responsibilities, and I don't think the people of London would cope with a dragon flying overhead. She's the nearly size that Kilgarrah was." Merlin grinned at the thought of Aithusa landing in the street outside the house.
"Well I suppose I'd better let the others see you .I can feel them all dying to speak to you. We talked about you on our way back here." With that Arthur stepped to one side and there behind him were Leon, Percy, Lancelot, Eylan and Morgana, who looked a bit hesitant to come forward.
They all patted him on the back and talked at once. Merlin was pleased to see them all but moved forward to speak to Morgana. He held out his hand for her to shake.
"Hi Morgana it's been a long time."
Morgana looked at him her expression unreadable. "Hi Merlin, last time I saw you kill me. You seemed to make a habit of trying to kill me didn't you?" she sounded bitter.
"You tried to kill me as well. I'm surprised to see you're with Arthur, are you friends this time round?"
"Yes well, I'm still his half sister but we are friends, I had the dreams all my adult life, but never understood them until recently. I knew you would be back. Uther didn't know about magic this time round so I wasn't worried he would burn me at the stake! Arthur found someone to help me who believed in the paranormal, so I could cope." She looked at Merlin trying to gauge his reaction to her.
"Can we be friends Morgana? I know it will be hard, but we were friends once, and a long time has passed." Merlin hoped they were on the same side and was willing to take the chance if she was.
"We can try." She took Merlin's hand and they moved together into a loose hug.
With that the rest of them crowded round once more. Gwaine joined them as they all sat down and started to talk. Merlin told them what he had told Gwaine, more than one of his listeners had damp eyes by the time he had finished. The time scale of Merlin's wait and the way he had cut himself of from people surprising them the most.
In an attempt to bring the focus of off Merlin's life for awhile Arthur asked them what they had thought of the programme.
"You put your point across well, but what I don't understand is why I am needed." Merlin was still puzzled.
"I don't know, but I do know we've all come back for a reason." Arthur turned to the others. "I'm taking Merlin off. You lot have something to eat and we will get together to watch the politicians pull me to pieces later." Not waiting for any arguments he put his hand on Merlin's shoulder and they left the room. Going along the corridor Arthur opened a door and ushered Merlin in.
"Welcome to my sanctuary. Take a seat and we can talk without the rest of them. I want to know how you have coped living so long without me." Arthur grinned.
"You still think highly of yourself I see. I coped very well. It was lonely but I had the dragons." Merlin wondered if Aithusa was safe on her journey back.
Merlin asked what the others were doing now they were back.
"Well Gwaine, as I'm sure has told you, has made obscene amounts of money in computers, Gwen in my housekeeper and Lance is my P.A., Leon is a scientist working on renewable technologies, Morgana works in publicity and has come on board to help with our plans, Eylan is an engineer in hydro electrics and Percy is my body guard. Uther died last year and left me Pendragon Corporation, the largest, most successful multinational media empire in the world."
"Wow! Have you heard if Gaius is back?" Merlin asked hoping even if Gwaine hadn't heard anything Arthur might have.
"No sorry, but I can put out feelers for you, I should be able to find something out"
"Please would you? That's great. What about Mordred, Morgause, Agravaine and any of the others? It would be good to know if they have come back, and what they are up to."
"Well you're a cheerful one; I know Agravaine is back, He's still my Uncle and tried to take the corporation over when Uther died. The courts threw his claim out. I suspect he will use what influence he has to try to interfere with our plans. I don't know about Morgause or Mordred though."
Arthur and Merlin sat and chatted about what changes had occurred in their lives. The time flew by and several hours passed. They were interrupted but a knock on the door.
"Princess, the programme is about to start." Gwaine's voice shouted.
"OK we're coming." Arthur stood up and motioned Merlin to follow him.
The programme was much as Arthur expected. All the Politicians said his plans were of limited effectiveness. Two of the panel said there was no proof of global warming or that anything mankind did would make any difference. Only the Member of Parliament for the Green Party thought that Arthur was making a very good first step, and should be encouraged.
On the whole Arthur wasn't discouraged; he knew he had an uphill struggle. He would now wait and see who would come forward from other companies and industrial leaders both in the UK and abroad.
Merlin was given a very nice room to stay in, and Arthur, the girls and Knights spent the next day talking and exchanging stories. Later that evening, when everyone had gone home, Merlin told Arthur that most of the gold in the cave was still there, if it was needed. Arthur told him off for not using it.
"I didn't need it, I had all I wanted."
"But you lived in a cave!" Arthur shouted at him.
"It was a very comfortable cave, and lasted longer than any house would have."
Arthur gave up knowing when he was beaten. "We will leave were it is for now. Anyway you are immortal you might need it yet."
"Don't say that, now you've come back I hope I am allowed to age and die."
"No you can't die" Arthur was horrified at the thought.
"I want to; I've lived to long already. I want to age and die now you are all back. I don't want to be the last to go"
"That's alright you won't, I'll kill you now if you keep speaking like that."
"Boys stop shouting!" Gwen came into the room with coffee for them. "I could hear you two down in the kitchen. You haven't seen each other for 1,500 years and you're arguing stop it."