A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's taken me forever to update! I really don't have an excuse, I'm just really lazy and forgetful. Sorry, I swear I haven't forgotten about this story!

This chapter's just a filler, it was supposed to cover the council, but I got a bit carried away with stuff and it just grew and grew. So, apologies for the lack of action/anything exciting.

Enjoy! :D

Chapter 28- Before the Council

A flurry of blurred visions swam in Arthur's mind. They came at him, forcing themselves to the forefront of his mind, hanging there, taunting him with their contents. Visions, sights he hoped to never see again.

Merlin walking calmly to the execution podium in Camelot.

The destruction wreaked by the griffin in its attack on Camelot.

The sight of Gaius' face as he watched his ward walk to his death.

Merlin disappearing into a rush of wind.

It seemed so long ago...

The emptiness that had filled his life when Merlin had been gone.

The new servant which came to replace him. A perfect servant, yet not so, simply for the fact that he was not Merlin.

The conflict and pain in his mind, as he contemplated Merlin's supposed betrayal.

Arthur pushed these aside. He did not want to remember that time.

Seeing Merlin again in his chambers, warning him of danger.

Gwen's pure and kind heart, assuring Arthur of Merlin's loyalty.

Riding right into a group of Druids, amongst them, Mordred.

Had that only been a few days ago?

Seeing for the first time all the things Merlin had done for him, fully realising Merlin's loyalty and courage.

Being ashamed of how he had treated Merlin, and in shock, at discovering the true reality of who his manservant really was.

The suffering Merlin had been through protecting him; Will's death, Balinor's...that girl Freya's.

The pain of realising it had been him who had killed Merlin's first true love.

And realising that Merlin had forgiven him.

The memories were painful in itself.

Finding Merlin again, and seeing him for the first time as he truly was; a friend.

The Druid village; the sight of so many people who had suffered, yet were still willing to risk their lives for Camelot.

Seeing Morgana again after so long.

Had it all really happened?

The decision of the Druids, marching to war, for his and his people's sake.

The carnage in Ealdor.

Merlin's quick thinking.

Seeing Camelot again, surrounded by enemies.

Her darkest hour.

Arthur tried to find his way out of these memories, but it was impossible.

The destruction of his city.

The dead.

The dying.

The homeless.

The pain.

How had it ended?

Merlin.

Fighting Byrne.

Winning.

The council.

The attack.

His father.

Here the memories grew less painful.

The sight of his father, caring for his son, declaring his intention to speak with the Druids.

Falling again into unconsciousness, hoping for a new beginning.

Arthur awoke with a start, and blinked his eyes confusedly.

He was lying in his bed in Camelot, the sun streaming through the windows, lazily casting a golden light over the room.

Arthur lay still for the briefest of moments, his eyes fixed on the canopy over his head, listening to his own breathing.

For a split second, he thought it had all been one great dream.

For one moment, he expected Merlin to burst his way through the door, talking loudly and irritatingly as he always did. Just plain, non-magical Merlin, come to wake up his master, and begin another day of nondescript work.

But it was only for the briefest of moments.

Arthur felt aches all over his body, injuries he knew he had sustained in battle. His limbs were weary, his head was thumping, and he knew that Merlin would never again walk through that door as a simple servant.

Everything came crashing back to him, and he was immersed in pain anew.

He lay there still, not moving an inch, lest he antagonise any wounds or injuries. He listened, wanting to hear the normal hustle and bustle of the streets of Camelot. The trader's cries, the gentle hum of conversation, the whinnying of horses and the trundling of carts.

What he heard was the shouting of men, the wails of the bereaved, the tramping of soldiers, and the sound of the clearing of rubble.

Arthur sighed, and squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to block it all out just for one more moment, before he fully rejoined the reality.

Now he had to take charge.

With a great effort, Arthur managed to heave himself up into a sitting position, ignoring the throbbing pains all over his body. From what he could discern, he had no visible wounds, only scars, and tender areas. No doubt due to Merlin's healing abilities.

Arthur thought of Merlin for a moment, remembering the eeriness of his appearance the last time he had laid eyes on him. Such power...

He pushed Merlin out of his mind. He couldn't sit around all day thinking, he had to get something done. It was time he learned to get used to Merlin's displays of magic. If all went well at the council with the Druids, he'd be seeing them a lot more often.

The council.

For a moment Arthur had completely forgotten about it. When was it being held? Where? Had he already missed it?

He swung his legs out of bed and tried to stand up, intending to rush off and find out, but the dizziness overcame him and he saw the ground rushing up to meet him.

He prepared himself for a fall when-

"Flēotan"

Arthur gasped in astonishment as he found himself floating inches above the ground, suspended in mid-air. What the?

"Going somewhere?"

Arthur's head spun around and saw Merlin standing in the doorway, a huge grin spread over his face, watching.

"Merlin!"

Merlin's grin just widened.

Arthur felt a grin spread across his own face at the sight of the gangly youth. He was glad he was here.

Merlin spoke:

"You know, it's rather tempting to just leave you hanging there all day."

Arthur sighed.

"After everything that's happened, you still find the time to make your pathetic jokes?"

Merlin frowned in confusion.

"Who said anything about a joke?"

Arthur shook his head in exasperation, wincing as his headache worsened. He found it curiously fascinating hanging there above the ground. His heart was thumping wildly with the exhilaration at being suspended, unsupported in the air. But his stomach disagreed. He was threatened with a huge wave of nausea.

"Seriously Merlin, put me down now."

"You can rip open a man with a sword and spill his guts but you feel sick when you're floating?"

"Yes! Now put me down!"

Merlin rolled his eyes, which then flashed golden, and Arthur felt himself being lowered gently to the ground.

"You know, you weren't complaining half so much when I was levitating you up the stairs, even when your head was bumping against every step."

"So you're the reason for the headache!"

Merlin smiled sheepishly.

Arthur didn't even bother to sigh in exasperation, or shake his head. He was getting far too used to situations like these.

He slowly found his feet, and made his way shakily to a standing position. His head was still reeling, but his trembling legs seemed to be supporting him for now. Merlin stood and watched, not offering assistance, for which Arthur was grateful. He needed to regain his strength on his own.

Arthur took a few tentative experimental steps forward, and, finding he could walk, made his way over to the table, where a small breakfast was laid out for him.

He suddenly found he was ravenous. He didn't think he had eaten in days.

Merlin still stood and watched.

"You sure you don't want some?" Arthur asked thickly through a hunk of bread.

Merlin shook his head.

"I've already had my share; why do you think your portion is so small?"

Arthur rolled his eyes.

When he had finished eating, he sat back and looked at Merlin, observing him closely.

"So what did my father have to say to you levitating me up the stairs?"

Merlin snorted.

"Do you honestly think he knew? He was called off by some of the Knights. He seems to be taking charge now. It seems almost losing you brought him to his senses."

Arthur considered this. There was truth in Merlin's eyes, and Arthur knew from his conversation with Uther, that something has definitely changed in his father.

"What's he doing now? Has he had the meeting with the Druids yet?"

"Nope. He wanted to, but Fyrmest said we had to wait for you to be there. Don't know why exactly. It's probably to do with some prophecy or other; it always is."

Arthur acknowledged the truth of this. The Druids held great store by 'prophecy' and 'destiny' and 'things that were meant to come to pass'. He wasn't exactly the biggest supporter of living his life by pre-ordained events, he preferred to just take each day as it came. The Druids seemed to already know what each day would bring. And where was the fun in that?

"Well it can go ahead now, I'll be there."

Merlin moved for the first time.

"No Arthur, you're still recovering. We've waited long enough, we can wait until you're fully healed."

"I'm as fully healed as I'm likely to be any time soon, and if you think I'm just going to sit here doing nothing when so much rests on this council then you've got another thing coming!" Arthur spoke firmly and regally. He could not afford any more delay. Then something hit him. "What do you mean 'we've waited long enough already'?"

Merlin looked at him strangely.

"I mean until you woke up."

Arthur felt a sense of dread.

"What do you mean? How long have I been asleep?"

Merlin looked slightly uncomfortable at this.

"Ummm...not long. Only about...three days."

"Three days!" Arthur jumped up, ignoring the thumping pain in his head. "I've been unconscious for three days?"

Merlin nodded.

"Your body suffered an extreme trauma Arthur, and then your body was filled with my magic healing you. You had to have time for it to take full effect, the magic inside you had to have time to sink in."

Arthur was still in complete shock.

Three days?

How much had happened in three days?

"How the hell have my father and the Druids managed to last in the city for three days?"

Merlin smiled roguishly.

"Because Uther's afraid of them."

Arthur blinked.

"What?"

"Oh come on Arthur! A bunch of Druidic warriors came storming into Camelot, with blue skin, yellow hair and giant tattoos painted all over them screaming bloody murder. Sorcerers and warlocks are roaming the streets casting spells here, there and everywhere! Do you honestly think Uther is going to try and throw them out with a bunch of Knights armed with pointy bits of metal? He's putting up with them, for now at least. Live and let live, for the time being. Of course once the council's finished it may be different. Uther may decide he wants them all killed after all. He'll fail miserably of course, but it won't stop him trying. The whole city's kind of at a stalemate. An armistice if you like. Everything's hinging on this meeting."

Arthur let this sink in. The thought of sorcerers and townspeople mixing freely in the streets was incredible to hear. The whole situation seemed to be balanced on the edge of a knife.

"Well, we'd better not keep them waiting any longer."

He began to walk hesitantly towards the door, swaying slightly, but resolute.

Merlin moved closer, concern etched on his face.

"Arthur..."

"I'm going Merlin."

Merlin looked into Arthur's face and saw the firm decision on it. He nodded, and stepped back.

"Of course, sire." And Merlin took a step backwards and sunk into a deep bow.

And for the first time in all the years he had known Merlin, Arthur knew he wasn't being patronising, or teasing him about his title.

He truly meant it.

Gwen moved through the corridors of the castle, her mind wandering as her feet strode purposefully towards their destination. Her arms were weighed down with the weight of a ton of bandages Gaius had asked her to fetch for him, and her lilac dress was stained with the blood of the patients in the make-shift infirmary. Her tousled hair fell about her face, escaping the knot she had hurriedly tied it in, no longer caring.

Despite all that had happened in the last month or so, Gwen refused to let herself be brought down. She couldn't let herself dwell on the past and things she could not prevent or change. Her heart ached as she heard the cries of the injured and the homeless and the orphaned. They were the priority right now, not the ghosts of the past.

She had to fix her mind firmly on the present. There was no point in lamenting for what was.

But above all else, her mind wandered to Arthur. Her heart had stopped when she had seen him in the courtyard, lying in a pool of his own blood. It was as though her whole world had been collapsing down on her, crushed, she hadn't been able to escape.

Until Merlin.

With everyone else in Camelot, she had watched in amazement as Merlin had enveloped both himself and Arthur in that glowing ball of light, and then, saw Arthur move his head feebly. Alive.

She didn't understand what Merlin had done, but she was grateful, grateful beyond imagining. She was truly thankful for Merlin, having him in her life. She had never been so pleased she had stopped to talk that day to a skinny boy stuck with his head in the stocks.

She had watched as the crowds had slowly dispersed in the courtyard, not moving herself, desperate to just stay with Arthur. The Druid ushering everyone away had stopped to look at her, but with a knowing look in his eye, had said nothing.

Uther was called away by his Knights, and reluctantly he had left his son in the courtyard. She had immediately rushed forward and reached for his hand, holding it in both of hers, tears streaming down her face, at the thought of what could have happened.

She had sensed figures coming up behind her, and she turned to find Merlin and Gaius standing watching her. For the second time that day, she had pulled Merlin into an embrace so tight she almost knocked the breath from him. He hadn't said anything, just returned the embrace fondly, all that needed to be said passing between them at the touch.

Merlin had then uttered a strange word and Arthur's body had lifted from the ground and he had taken him to his chambers, Gaius following, and Gwen scolding Merlin for allowing him to let Arthur's head hit the ground.

Gaius and Merlin had then tended to him, both magically and non-magically, and Gwen had sat beside him all night, never taking her eyes from his face.

That had been three days ago, and Gwen had been so busy tending to the wounded in the Infirmary she had had no time to visit him, other than to stick her head around the door each time she passed, and listening to his steady breathing.

As she walked through the corridors, a Druid suddenly stepped out in front of her, his long robes billowing behind him.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she stopped suddenly, but the Druid kept on walking, nodding his head and smiling at her as he passed. Gwen cursed herself for her stupidity. The Druids were now everywhere in Camelot, helping here and there, wherever they could, but Gwen still felt a flicker of fear whenever she caught sight of one, even though they gave no reason to be afraid. She supposed a stereotype painted for her whole lifetime would be hard to overcome. But she knew it would be. No matter what happened at the council, things wouldn't be the same again.

Especially Morgana. The day after the end of the battle, Morgana had come to her house, dressed in one of her old dresses that Gwen had kept for her, faithfully waiting for her return. She was no longer painted as the Druid warrior, but the friend she had had and lost. Gwen hadn't realised how much she had missed her.

Bur Morgana had changed. She was now some sort of Druid Priestess, and the thought frightened Gwen, although she didn't know why it should. Perhaps just the thought of everyone she had been close to was suddenly using magic overwhelmed her. Magic had been foreign and strange to her, and now it was commonplace, and that would take some getting used to. She had even seen Gaius mumbling some suspicious words and letting his eyes glow an alien colour while he tended to some of the injured and thought no one was looking. She had to accept it. Magic was now a part of Camelot again.

And judging on what amazing and compassionate things she had seen magic do in the last few days, she wasn't entirely sure that was a bad thing.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts, that she almost didn't notice two of the subjects of her reverie materialise in front of her until she had walked right into them, spilling the load in her arms onto the stone floor.

"Sorry, I-" She stopped as she saw Arthur looking at her.

Her heart soared and she forgot all about the mess on the floor as she took in the sight of him. He looked tired, and weak, but his eyes were strong and resolute, and fixed upon her face.

"Guinevere." He said, a smile touching his lips.

She felt her heart melt at just the mention of her name, and she smiled broadly in happiness, knowing he was all right, that he was truly here and alive.

She almost forgot about the other presence.

"Hem, hem..."

She turned to face Merlin, who stood with an amused expression on his face.

"Meerrliinn" Arthur spoke with gritted teeth.

Merlin smiled knowingly.

"Oh,...right...aloooone."

He bent down and picked up the bandages Gwen had managed to drop and made off in the direction of the Infirmary, trying to hide his grin. They heard him laughing as he turned the corner out of sight.

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Merlin's not one for subtlety is he? How he managed to keep a secret so big for so long is utterly beyond me."

Gwen giggled. It felt right, after so many weeks of death and suffering, to be able to laugh with the man she cared more for than anyone else.

Arthur fixed her with a gaze so intense, Gwen felt as though he was peering straight into her soul. All the emotions she had been feeling when thinking of him welled up inside of her until she thought her heart was going to burst.

She reached up and placed her hands on either side of his face, feeling his soft skin under her hands and rejoicing at the touch.

He reached up and enclosed her own hand in his and held it tightly, before pressing her fingers gently to his lips. Such a simple gesture carried so much weight with it.

He reached forward and pulled her into an embrace, and Gwen felt herself melting into his arms. Embracing Arthur was different from anything she had ever experienced. Her father had given her his protective bear-hugs, Merlin had given her awkward brotherly hugs, but with Arthur, it was as though he was encasing her in a world that was entirely their own.

She pulled him closer to her, not heeding who else may be watching, just relishing being here with Arthur.

He kissed the top of her head, and nothing needed to be said between them.

For how long they stood like that she didn't know, but it wasn't long enough. Arthur gently pushed her from him, reluctantly, but firmly.

"I must go. I must meet with my father and the Druids."

Gwen nodded.

"I know. That is far more important than me."

Arthur chuckled slightly.

"Gwen, nothing is more important to me than you."

Gwen blushed slightly.

"I am just a lowly servant. Your kingdom is far more important."

"And it's a kingdom I would give up in a heartbeat for you."

Gwen looked up at him in shock.

"Don't say things like that."

"It's true Guinevere. It took almost losing this kingdom for me to realise it. I almost lost Merlin completely from my life, and I saw, that no matter how great the kingdom, it's nothing without the love and support of its people. 'Lowly' servants like you and Merlin. Don't tell him this, but I was a wreck without Merlin, and I would be the same without you. It's people like you who make this kingdom, and that's what is truly important."

Gwen felt tears welling up at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away furiously, trying to think of something to say back, but she didn't need to. Arthur pulled her into a close embrace and pressed his lips to hers and all else was forgotten; it was the reply she needed.

"Hem, hem..."

They broke apart, and once again saw Merlin watching them both, back from delivering the bandages to Gaius.

"Haven't we got a kingdom to run Arthur?" Merlin asked with an innocent expression.

"We?" Arthur replied in a sullen manner, evidently annoyed.

"Well of course! Wasn't it just ten minutes ago that you were dragging yourself out of bed and racing down here to convene a diplomatic peace conference, which is probably one of the most important moments of your life that you'll ever, ever experience, and is of the utmost importance and urgency, and I find you canoodling with a serving girl in a corridor? Honestly, where would you be without me?"

"In the realm of peace and quiet Merlin."

Gwen stifled a giggle. It meant so much to her to see them back to their old selves, the gentle teasing and comradeship that had defined their friendship. Gwen was glad they had resolved their differences, they truly needed each other.

She smiled at Arthur and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"You should go. No matter what you say, at the present moment this council is of far greater importance than any other thing. Go."

Arthur locked his gaze with hers, and nodded slightly, before covering her mouth in a quick kiss, ignoring Merlin's meaningful cough.

He looked at her one last time before moving past her and heading in the direction of the Throne Room. Merlin made to follow him, but Gwen held out a hand to stop him.

"I'm glad you're back Merlin; he's been lost without you."

Merlin nodded with a slight smile,and Gwen reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Merlin grinned and followed after Arthur.

Gwen resumed her walk down the corridor, her arms freed of the burden of bandages, and touched a hand to her lips, feeling the presence of Arthur's lips there.

She smiled to herself, and for the first time in weeks, saw hope for the future.

Merlin followed behind Arthur in the corridor, their footsteps making echoing noises off the stone walls. Though Arthur was still weak, he strode forward purposefully, never stopping, never ceasing in his mission.

Merlin had already contacted the Druid Elders with his mind. They were waiting in the Throne Room, with Uther and the Knights. Waiting for Arthur.

The doors to the Throne Room loomed up in front of them, heavy oak doors which towered above their heads, the final barrier.

Arthur didn't stop to prepare himself, he didn't stop to think, he just seized the giant brass handles of the opposing doors, and heaved them open.

He swept into the room, Merlin following in his wake. The occupants stood up to greet them.

Arthur marched up to the head of the polished table which was aligned down the centre of the room.

The Knights and the King sat on one side, the Druids on the other.

Arthur stood and looked at them all, his head held high, betraying none of the weariness Merlin knew he felt.

In that moment, Merlin saw the king that he would become.

A/N: Not a very good chapter, just a bit of a filler :) Someone had asked for some Arthur/Gwen interaction, but I suck at writing any romance-y things (hence why this story's been mainly about Arthur and Merlin friendship and not any pairings) but I did my best! Thought it a bit of a shame to leave Gwen out completely :)

Next chapter's probably gonna be the last...noooo! Well, unless I get carried away again, which tends to happen.

Anyways, please review, and tell me what you'd like to see at the end, I've got a couple ideas but nothing definite yet, so...please review! :D

P.S Any constructive criticism on the romance parts would be GREATLY appreciated! :)