AN: Sorry about the wait, school had been really demanding lately. To make up for it, here's a longish chapter. It's 1,475 words, and I'm exhausted. Waking up at 5:30am for training is hard. Thanks to Lya200, rmatri540, bubzchoc, NerdGirlAlert, Juliana Bradagamba, TheDarkestDreams and morningstar115 for reviewing the last chapter.

Extra, extra, extra special thank you to Lya200 for helping with this chapter (you'll see how at the end). It really would've taken so much longer to get this done without your help, so seriously, thank you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin


All but Lancelot fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the ground.

The next morning Elyan was surprised to see that Merlin woke up a good hour and a half before dawn, even more so when he walked into the forest to find breakfast. He came back about half an hour later with some berries. He then grabbed a loaf of bread, toasted it on the fire and spread the berries on top, essentially making a jam sandwich, which he cut into sixths.

A little later, Merlin helped Elyan wake everyone up about half and hour before sunrise and they enjoyed their breakfast together (although Merlin only ate half of his and gave the rest to Arthur, who refused but Merlin insisted). Then they packed up the blankets and cloaks, stamped out the fire and watched as Merlin sent out a telepathic message to the Druids.

"We need somewhere to stay. Can you help us?" Merlin sent his message to the Druid leader, Iseldir.

"Of course, Emrys. Walk north-east from where you are until you come to cave with three trees in a line directly in front of it. We are there." Iseldir replied.

"Thank you. I'm, uh, bringing the Knights…and Arthur." Merlin added, not sure where Arthur and the Druids stand after the whole 'Cup of Life' scenario.

"It was foretold that we would meet the Once and Future King and his Knights of the Round Table in their time of need. We can only assume that this foretold time is now." Iseldir cryptically replied.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "You remind me of a certain dragon I know. North-east until we get to the line of three trees in front of a cave?"

"Follow these directions Emrys, and we shall see you soon." And the connection broke off.

"This way." Merlin pointed north-east and started walking, looking over his shoulder to make sure the Knights following him.


They walked for about two and a half hours before finding the tree configuration they were looking for. The Druids had been buzzing around Merlin and Arthur's heads for the last half hour, so they knew they were drawing close.

They walked to the line of trees and found Iseldir standing behind them.
"Please step through the tree line. If you have any malicious intent, the trees will not allow you to pass. This is simply a test to make sure it is safe to let you in. We hold no grudges against you." Iseldir announced as they drew close.

The companions all looked at each other, none wanting to go first. Eventually, Merlin sighed and shook his head.
"I'll go first, then you can follow me." He exclaimed, exasperated. Then he walked straight through the trees with no problems.

Arthur went next and had the same result. Then Gwaine and Percival walked through and having spent time with the Druids before, were used to their methods and had no problems. Lancelot went through next and then it was Elyans turn.

Elyan was nervous. He had no conflict with the Druids themselves, but he was still frightened of magic after only knowing its true nature for less then a day. He wasn't sure if his wariness towards magic wold allow him to pass through. He sucked up his courage and stepped through the trees…which made no move towards him whatsoever, apart from a rustle that could have easily been wind passing through.

In front of the group stood a large clearing of tents. There were about twenty of them, with Druids milling around and going about their day-to-day business. When they noticed the new-comers, they all started to flock towards them. Though the Druids used no words, it was clear they were communicating using their mind speak.

Eventually, all the Druids in the camp were in front of them. Merlin could pick up on parts of their mind-conversations, as could Arthur, who looked rather nervous. Though it was understandable since he was hearing voices in his head, and was since he entering a camp of people he once helped his father exterminate, choice or not. After it was clear that each side was waiting for the other to speak first, Merlin sent out a message to all the Druids.

"We've come here for a reason. We need your help. We need somewhere to stay for a while, but we don't know for how long. Will you help us?"

"Of course, Emrys. We said we would help, and we will." The Druids sent back.

"Thank you. But can you please talk out loud? The Knights are probably feeling awkward because of the extended silence." Merlin sent back, then closed the connection.

Surprisingly, some of the Druids chuckled at that, effectively breaking the awkward 'silence'. Then Iseldir spoke up. "It was foretold that the Druids will help the Once and Future King, the Knights of the Round Table and Emrys when their time of need arrives. Here they are now. What shall we do?"

There was a long silence that was interpreted as the Elders deciding wether or not to help them. Finally, Iseldir nodded and addressed the Knights, Arthur and Merlin.
"The Elders and I have decided to follow what has been written in the Book of Destiny and help. We shall provide food, water and shelter and you will protect us from bandits and slave-hunters. You will help us hunt and cook the food we will eat, and in return we will provide for you as our own. Do you agree to these terms?"

They all looked at each other and nodded. Arthur stepped forward. "We accept your terms and thank you for your generosity and good-will. But I have a question."

Iseldir nodded. "Ask away. If we know the answer, we will give it to you."

"Why did you call us those strange names? You called my Knights something about a table, me something to do with the future and you called Merlin, Emmie*. I know he's a girl, but I didn't think you'd call him one."

The was a second of silence. Then…
"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" The Knights were literally leaning on each other for support, they were laughing so hard. Merlin was laughing almost as loudly as the Knights, and the Druids were killing themselves. The children were rolling on the floor with laughter, the adults were chuckling, even the elders were snickering behind their hands. After a minute or so, the laughter dies down and they all looked up to see the very confused and disgruntled face of the Once and Future King. His expression set them off again and it took several minutes for the laughter to die down completely.

"I am truly sorry, but could you repeat the question?" Iseldir asked, looking embarrassed.

"Why did you call us the strange names?" Arthur repeated, deliberately leaving out the part where he guessed them, as he knew that's what set them off.

Iseldir looked sharply at Merlin. He spoke in a disapproving tone. "You haven't told them of the prophecy?"

Merlin had the feeling he was being examined on the inside, just by looking at those eyes. "I was getting to it." The he realised something. "I've never actually heard the prophecy. Is there any way to hear it?"

"What prophecy? What is he talking about Merlin?" The Knights asked. Arthur just stared at Merlin, not sure what to think. Merlin kept another secret. When will they end?

Before Merlin could answer, Iseldir spoke up. "Seeing that Emrys has never heard the prophecy, and has requested to do as such, I propose we hear it. Then Emrys and his companions shall be up to date."

Two Druids ran off into a tent as soon as he was finished speaking. They reappeared a few seconds later, clutching a scroll in hand. They gave this to Iseldir, who opened and quickly read through it. Then he looked up, and began speaking. But the voice coming out of his mouth wasn't his own. It was the voice of a thousand people. The voices of all the men, women and children who had been executed in the Great Purge, they all meshed together to read the prophecy of their saviour, the prophecy that so many people died in the hope of accomplishing, the prophecy that is a beacon of light in the darkness for so many people all around Albion. It reads:

"Two halves of the same whole,
Born of magic and of soul.

In this kingdom, magic returned
Once the warlock's secret hast been learned.

At the hands of a Druid, the great king dies,
But when Albion's need is greatest, he shall arise.

The Once and Future King will rise again
When greed and evil plague the hearts of men."**

The sound echoed around them, as silence stole through the caves.


*I literally had tears in my eyes writing that sentence, I was laughing so hard.

**CREDIT TO LYA200 FOR PROPHECY. THANK YOU SO MUCH!


So there you go. I meant to make it a bit longer, but it's already 7:50pm and I still haven't eaten dinner. Special thanks to Lya200, rmarti540, NerdGirlAlert, Juliana Brandagamba, TheDarkestDreams and morningstar115 for answering the Question of the Chapter.My favourite Merlin spell is ástríce because I really wish I could use it on teachers who annoy me. Just imagine.
Teacher-Ok class, we are having a surprise test today that I am giving you the time it takes for me to hand this out to study for.
Me-ástríce! *class all cheers* I mean honestly, who hasn't had a moment in their life when they haven't wanted to stun someone into oblivion?

The Question of the Chapter is: What is your favourite Merlin episode out of all five seasons?
See you in another life. ScruffydaDruid.
Ps, can anyone guess where the 'see you in another life' thing comes from? Two hints. 1-The actual phrase is 'And I will see you in another life, brother'. 2-It's from a Youtube channel that specialises in Disney/Pixar theories. (I know I said two hints, but I looked it up on Googles, and it it NOT from Lost)