I wrote and rewrote and wrote again. Argh, and I'm not still happy with this. Maybe the next chapter is better, and maybe longer too.

Tristan felt strange to be back in Camelot. He had left soon after Isolde's funeral, even though Arthur had offered him a Knighthood and the place to stay. Tristan had wanted to visit Isolde's family, and told them the news of her death. But after that his path was diverted back to Camelot. Something drew him there. King Arthur was different to the ones that Tristan had come to know, including his own uncle. Arthur had taken a blacksmith's daughter as his wife, and his most trusted friend was his manservant. Merlin; that's right. Something in that young man itched at Tristan's mind. That man was wiser than his years; a little bit of naïve maybe, and good hearted; but clever and sneaky. And without doubt loyal to Arthur.

Deep in thought, Tristan didn't notice when he turned around a corner of the tent and someone ran into him. He cursed when he fell, and only then realised that he had come across a woman.

"I'm sorry, I didn't look…" Tristan muttered. Judging by the woman's clothes she was an aristocrat. He helped her back to her feet.

"It's alright, really. I just ... Tristan?" The woman looked at him with astonishment and Tristan frowned.

"Excuse me, but ..."

"Merlin said that you left. Oh, I'm so sorry. She was such a sweet woman."

"Hunith?" Tristan could hardly believe that the woman in front of him was Merlin's mother.

"Oh, I should go. Gaius sent word that Merlin was hurt." Hunith sounded worried and Tristan started to follow her.

"How?" he asked.

"With Merlin, it could be anything," Hunith sighed. "He was in Gaius's tent, helping to examine the knights who got hurt because the tournament." From the way she said that, Tristan guessed that Hunith didn't approve of tournaments.

They reached the tent, and when they entered thy heard an odd sigh. Though perhaps odd was the wrong word. Tristan couldn't think of anything else by then. Gaius, a couple of knights, and some were druids were gathered. And Merlin was in the middle of everyone. One of the druids was speaking to him.

"My people are loyal to you, Emrys, but there are others who follow Morgana because they want revenge on Arthur. And then there are those who want to test you, to see that you really are Emrys, and then they will follow you."

Merlin nodded and sighed. "I know, Iseldir. I… Mother!"

"Merlin, I though that you were hurt? But you seem to be fine." Hunith rushed to hug her son.

"Hello Merlin," Tristan greeted.

"Tristan?"

"I met your mother and heard that you were injured, so I followed her to come say hello." Tristan could feel how the atmosphere tensed suddenly. "So, I should go. I can see that you're busy." Tristan backed up, but Gaius stopped him and looked to Merlin.

"Merlin, I think you can trust him. And you need allies," Gaius said. "And, in a week this is going to be public anyway."

Tristan felt all eyes on him, and Merlin watched his mother nodding. "I think Gaius is right."

"We stand behind you whatever you say," one of the knights said.

Merlin seemed to though carefully and then he looked Tristan.

"Then, Tristan, I'm going to ask your help." Merlin's voice was lightly different than before. Stronger, less hesitant.

"Go ahead. You are my friend. What it is?" Tristan was curious now.

"You heard about Arthur's decision about magic?" Merlin started. Tristan nodded. It was practically all anyone talked about. "Then, perhaps you noticed that these are druids. They have helped me, and Arthur, from time to time. Iseldir is a local Druid Chieftain. Alator of the Catha is a High Priest of the Old Religion. Gilli, sir Heylan, sir Clegis, sir Safer, Enid and Thomas are all magic users," Merlin explained.

"So, someone of you is going to fight at last day?"

"Yes. Me," Merlin said.

"You? So you… you really have magic?" Somehow, Tristan wasn't so surprised at all. "And from what I heard, you are already Arthur's advisor. But, you didn't know about Arthur's…"

"No, and he don't know about me. And there's more. This man here, is my father's relative and follower, Delwyn Hier*."

Delwyn grinned. He was small man. Tristan grinned back.

"My father was…" Merlin hesitated and blushed. He sounded really embarrassed.

"Merlin is son of Balinor Ambrosius. He is the last Dragon Lord." The little man smiled proudly.

For a moment, Tristan didn't understand. Then it hit him.

"Ambrosius? Like that Ambrosius? Like Aurelius Ambrosius? You are his descendant?"

"Yes," Merlin said simply.

Tristan stared him, then he started to laugh. "So, you don't have to worry so much, not when you have that kind of bloodline. No one would dare touch you."

Tristan didn't notice how Merlin started painfully.

"And, aren't you and Arthur related"

"How did you…?" Merlin asked, but his mother stopped him.

"And, there is more," Hunith said suddenly. she took hold of Merlin's hands. "Merlin, I have to tell you something. Something about my family."

* Hier = hir = tall, long

And the story 'Are you there with me?' is in my beta and ending soon, so I'm thinking about Modern AU story.