Chapter 7: Farewells

Merlin shuffled quietly behind Gwen into the hall for dinner. There wasn't any fancy occasion so it was mainly the knights and a few courtiers at two tables pushed together. He wasn't sure where to sit but Gwen motioned for him to take the seat next to Ambrose. It felt strange and he realised he never had actually sat down to dinner in the hall. He was always serving. It was quite a pleasant feeling.

"My lords, this is Drugen of Ealdor. Mary's son." Gwen introduced him when everyone had sat down. "He is visiting for a couple days and he is my guest." Merlin inclined his head shyly and took a drink from his glass to try to look embarrassed.

"Ealdor, you say." Leon leaned forward. "Has Merlin been back there recently?" Gwen quickly glanced at him but she needn't have worried.

"He has returned once or twice but I never really saw him. He stayed inside with his mother." That part was true. When Arthur had died he felt home was the only place he could go.

"Was he happy?" Percival asked. Merlin looked down awkwardly at his plate and took a deep breath.

"I couldn't say. That was five years ago and as I said, he stayed inside most of the time. Though my mother says he was always like that."

"I'm sure Merlin has carried on like we all have," Gwen smoothly brought the conversation to a halt. The rest of the meal continued with pleasant conversation and good food. Though Merlin would be hard pressed to say if Hogwarts or Camelot had better food. Small side conversations broke out, much food was consumed, and then they all dispersed to do whatever they were going to do before turning in for the night. Merlin followed Gwen back to her chambers in case anyone was watching. Ambrose tagged along as well, hoping to see some more magic. Gwen closed the door behind them and exhaled loudly.

"I think that went well," she exhaled. In the blink of an eye, Merlin dropped his disguise and put his arm on Gwen's shoulder.

"It was fine," he reassured her. "None of them suspected anything."

"How can you be sure?"

"Gwen." He gave her his sarcastic glare. "I've been hiding who I really am for how long? I think I can tell when people are suspicious." She rolled her eyes but was reassured. "After all, I knew when you had figured it out."

"That is true."

"However, I feel like maybe I should tell Percival and Leon. They did seem concerned for me."

"Was what you told them true? You did return home to Ealdor?"

"Yes. Why don't you invite Percival and Leon for lunch tomorrow, if nothing else is going on, and I can tell you more then."

"Can I come too?" Ambrose asked. Merlin turned in surprise; he kept forgetting about the prince. It wasn't that he didn't care, but Merlin's vision of Camelot was still stuck in pre-Camlaan days. He was surprised that Gwaine hadn't been at dinner before he remembered.

"Of course you can come. You are my nephew after all. Only don't spoil the surprise."

"I promise." He clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Good. Now off you go to bed," Gwen instructed. "Both of you. I know you've had a long ride and all the transforming you've done today has taken more energy than you are showing. Go get some rest." The boys both said goodnight and slumped off to their rooms. Gaius had already fallen asleep when Merlin returned so he went straight to his bed. It wasn't as comfortable as his bed at Hogwarts but Gwen was right. One more transformation and even he would've fallen over in exhaustion. He needed to exercise his powers more often; he hadn't even noticed his energy getting weaker again. It would be hard to push his limits while at school but he would find a way. And with that thought, the young warlock was fast asleep.

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He spent the rest of his visit talking with the knights but mostly sitting with Gaius late into the night, not wanting to leave his side. And so Monday morning found Merlin still fast asleep in his bed when Flora went to the Great Hall for breakfast. She asked one of the boys if he had come back last night and Tom said he had heard him come in really late; he was still sleeping when he had come down for breakfast. Flora thanked him and returned to the dorms to try and wake her friend. If he hadn't woken up already, he would have to rush for Runes. She didn't see him in the common room so she took the stairs two at a time up to his room. She covered her mouth to stifle a laugh at what she found. Drugen was splayed out on top of the covers, one arm hanging over the side. He was still dressed and even still had his boots on, his feet also hanging over the end of the bed so that his covers wouldn't get dirty. Whether that was a conscious choice or not she didn't know. What she did know was that classes started in less than fifteen minutes and her friend was still asleep.

"Drugen?" She put her hand on his shoulder and gently shook him.

"Just five more minutes Gaius," Merlin mumbled.

"Drugen! Class starts in less than fifteen minutes. You need to get up now." Merlin opened one eye to look at her.

"You're not Gaius." He opened both eyes and shifted slightly. "How long until class starts?"

"Ten minutes now." Merlin sighed; it would've been really nice to stay in bed. With practiced ease, he tucked his legs and rolled off the bed, landing in a crouch and straightening up. "I'll meet you in class. Don't wait up." Satisfied that her friend was at least awake and out of bed, Flora went to go grab her bag and meet up with Libæna. Merlin turned to his closet and pulled out his school clothes. Half heartedly he changed while he mindlessly caused his books to fly into his bag. He had, after all, resolved to use more of his magic to keep his skills sharp. With that same thought in mind, he grinned as he used his magic to slow down time. Flora said ten minutes until class, but it was up to Merlin how long those ten minutes took. He sauntered down to the kitchens and grabbed some bread to eat while he walked to class. He allowed time to sped up only just before he entered the classroom and slid into his seat just before class began. Libæna looked over, impressed, but class started before she could comment. On the way to Herbology, however, Flora questioned him.

"That was a close call, you were almost late." She eyed him suspiciously. "I was surprised you weren't. I'm assuming you ran straight from your dorm?"

"No, I stopped in the kitchens for some breakfast first," he responded nonchalantly as he twirled his staff in his hand.

"I don't believe you. There is no way you could've come from the dungeons, gone across the castle to the kitchens and then met us up in the tower all in ten minutes." They walked out into the sunlight, blinking in the brightness and pulling their cloaks a little bit tighter around them in the autumn air.

"You would be surprised with how fast I can move sometimes." He winked at her.

"Then how come you were late to Astronomy last Saturday?"

"I wasn't there at all. Remember I went home for the weekend." Now it was his turn to be confused.

"The Saturday before that. You missed Professor Slytherin explaining the origins of the zodiac and how to know which zodiac you are."

"Oh that Saturday. I simply lost track of time." It was true. He had been researching protection spells and hadn't heard the single toll of the bell marking the hour. "And I will need you to tell me what I missed this weekend too."

"You're a mystery, Drugen." Merlin simply grinned as they entered the greenhouse.

"You wouldn't be the first to tell me that."

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Thursday evening, Merlin was given a letter with his false name written in beautiful font on the front. Usually messages from home were distributed at breakfast but the messenger must have said it was urgent. Knowing this and recognising Gwen's handwriting, Merlin excused himself from the table and went to read the letter in the privacy of the Room of Requirement. He walked back and forth three times, hardly able to contain his anxiety. The room appeared smaller this time, more homey. There was a large cushioned chair in front of a gentle fire that Merlin walked immediately towards. He sat down and hesitantly opened the letter.

Dearest Merlin,

I wish I did not have to be the bearer of bad news but since I do not trust the knights to deliver the message with much tact, the responsibility falls to me. As you may have guessed, I am writing to you to tell you that Gaius is no longer with us. He passed peacefully last night as I sat by his side. He spent his last moments telling me stories of when you had first arrived at Camelot. The memories made him happy. I could tell that he had been very glad to have seen you before he left this world for good. You always were like a son to him.

Because of his services to Camelot, the Feast of Samhain will be dedicated to his honor this year. I would like to, therefore, extend an official invitation to you to join us at the feast. Now that the celebration can also be recognised for its roots in the Old Religion, I believe it would be good to have a representative of the magic community there. But also everyone knows Gaius was very special to you and we would love to have you by our side as we honor him.

I hope to see you again before long. Stay strong.

Gwen.

Merlin let the letter fall from his hands and the tears flow freely from his eyes. It would be a while before he could pull himself together to return to his dorm.