Hi, me again. And actually with a chapter.

I don't know how this is going to work out. I had an interview a couple of weeks ago and I am still waiting to hear how it went. If I do get that job, then I will have more time. In the meantime, I am just going to try my best to get this story out to you, even if it means just posting when I finish writing the chapter. At the moment, I am hoping for once a week. I don't want to do this but I also feel like I need to finish this story. We will see how things go.

Please enjoy this chapter.


Chapter 8

There was a part of Merlin that didn't want to leave Camelot. But he knew he had to.

He knew part of the reason was that he hoped that Morgana would walk back through the gates, having sorted herself out from whatever made her run in the first place. He also knew that he was putting off his own coronation. He didn't want to become King of Drugonia. It was his father's role. He just didn't feel ready for it.

He knew that he would never feel ready for the role. It was something that he would put off until the end of time. He never wanted to take over from his father.

His time in Camelot had been a success. He would leave Arthur with having found his feet and having a few of his own member in his council. It wasn't a lot but it would help in the long run. They had also managed to draw up a treaty between Camelot and Drugonia, which could only be signed when Merlin had been crowned King.

So that was his plan. He was going to return to Drugonia, hoping that Morgana had somehow found her way there, and start his rule. Then he could sign the treaty and they could start this age of peace, proper peace.

There was the other part of Merlin that couldn't wait to get back home.

It had been a couple of months now since he followed his father out of the gates and he would just like to go home. Camelot, no matter how hard it tried, would never be home to Merlin. He just didn't have the same feeling in Camelot that he did in Drugonia. But he thought that was just because he was used to Drugonia.

He looked up as Arthur gentle knocked on the door and entered. He looked around at the few things that Merlin brought with him.

"I will miss you," Arthur said.

"I will miss you too, Dollophead," Merlin said, a hint of laughter in his voice.

Arthur turned to him and stared at him. "Dollophead?"

"Yes, Dollophead."

"That isn't a word."

"It describes you well."

Arthur exhaled a laugh.

"Well, you prefer prat? Cabbagehead?" Merlin said.

"How have Gwaine and Lancelot put up with you for so long?"

"Gwaine calls you princess."

"Not weird at all."

Merlin smiled at him. "I am actually going to miss you."

"Me too," Arthur said. He paused. "Look, I will keep my patrols going. I will keep you updated unless I hear word from you that she has made it back to Drugonia."

"Arthur, you don't know what I would give for her to be safe in Drugonia."

"I know because I feel the same."


Merlin was confused when Gwaine and Lancelot joined him and Gwen at the border. He didn't miss the way that Lancelot's face lit up when he saw Gwen. He hoped that she was giving him the same sort of look. He hadn't missed the way that she had looked at Arthur, or how Arthur had looked at her.

"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked.

"Morgana isn't in Drugonia," Lancelot said.

"And some decisions have been made in your absence. I mean, your mother and council, both councils, have decided that once you arrive back in Drugonia, you should stay in Drugonia for a while." Gwaine explained.

"Just because of everything that has happened recently," Lancelot added.

"Plus they think that there might be some plot that the council in Camelot is making to try and kill you. Obviously behind Arthur's back."

"Obviously," Merlin muttered. "But surely I can overturn that."

"Actually, if your council think that the King's life in danger and there is no suitable heir to replace him, then they can, basically, confine you to the castle and potentially throw you in the dungeons," Lancelot said.

"And that is why you are at the border," Merlin said.

"If you don't cross into Drugonia, then you won't be under that law. We are free from it as well. It is definitely going to be best if you don't cross the border and we come over and we go and find Morgana." Gwaine said.

Merlin turned to Gwen. "I would say that you could go back but firstly, I think you want to help, and secondly, it might look a little weird if you return and I don't."

"I would be grateful to come with you," Gwen said.

He knew what she was thinking, mainly because he had thought of it a number of times before. She was blaming herself for Morgana's disappearance. They should have done more. He should have done more. He even had a warning about what could happen.

"Come on then. What are we waiting for?" Merlin said. "We have to find Morgana and quickly. We still don't know who tried to poison Morgana and if they find out, they might try and track her down as well."

"Hopefully we will also catch up with Morgause. She left as soon as your letter arrived." Gwaine said.

"And we will have to notify Arthur. He would probably help out." Gwen said.

"Well, as you said, what are we waiting for? Why are we still here talking about it?" Lancelot said.

Merlin smiled at his friends before he turned his horse around and headed back towards Camelot. He knew where Arthur had sent his patrols. They could carry on from where they left off the other day. Merlin did wish to return home but he knew the importance of finding Morgana. If the person who did poison her was still after either her or them, then it could be a lot worse.

Beware, Young Warlock more is at stake here than you realise.

The dragon was right. There was a lot more at stake. Morgana was his wife and queen. She could be used against him to hurt Drugonia. But there was also her connection to Camelot. Arthur still cared deeply about her. Her disappearance might have just derailed the golden age.

They needed to find her.