All of them drew in a collective breath and fell silent. It was a long silence, but then Merlin found the courage to speak.
"This is good news and bad news. One, we have Igraine returned to us." Merlin smiled and shook his head.
"See, she died very shortly after Arthur was born. That's why she doesn't remember anything about it. She didn't leave her baby in Camelot. He's right here with us all grown up and the king of those lands." Merlin smiled sympathetically at the look on David's face. He could relate to meeting his child after they were already grown.
"But see, Igraine gave birth to Arthur through Nimueh's magic. Uther, Arthur's father, made his war on Mage-kin because Nimueh's act of magic that helped Igraine have a child also took her life. It's the price of that magic. Uther is the reason why Morgause made war on Camelot, cursed me, and why Nimueh helped Arthur so she could lead Uther into the magical trap she set ages in the making..."Merlin paused.
"If Nimueh raised Igraine, then it is only for the cruel punishment she intends for Uther. She means to take everything that magic created for him before his eyes..."Merlin was suddenly shaking, and titled his head.
"She raised his wife...She still holds his son's soul in her hands... Arthur isn't free of the terrible witch yet, or the consequences of what he did to save my life...save his kingdom." Merlin shook his head. He looked intently at Emma. Emma was looking back.
She breathed a deep breath. Then, she tilted her head.
"Well, whatever is coming, you know we can't just break this to Arthur or Igraine. We have to go easy..." Emma locked eyes with Merlin.
"As someone who grew up without her parents...I know. It's gonna be hard for Arthur to wrap his mind around the fact that the girl that's no older than he is and that he found in the woods is his mother, alright?" Emma sighed.
Merlin nodded.
"I agree...I will have to find a way to tell them." Merlin wrung his hands.
"Let us help you. I-I and my wife know first hand what the experience will be for Igraine..and-well and Uther too should he come around. To not have had your child since they were a just-born newborn and then to wake up one day and they are 28-years-old? It's the strangest feeling in the world, but...the love is there...The emotions are all gonna be there. She's...it's going to be really hard for her too." David swallowed and put his arm around Emma protectively.
Merlin studied David and Emma for a moment. He looked then at Henry. He smiled.
"I know what it's like too. Meeting your Mom for the first time is awesome but pretty scary." Henry laughed. Merlin smiled then, knowingly.
"I too know what this is like. I never knew my father growing up, but I met him once, and only briefly...I understand." Merlin studied his new friends.
"It's decided then. Because I am the one to know, I will break it to Arthur and Igraine as gently as possible. Then, you will be there to help them through the muddle of whatever mind game Nimueh intended..."Merlin sighed.
"But, let us not do so tonight. I still have yet to know what the Sorceress means to do with the newly-raised queen. I have yet to understand what holding Arthur's soul in her hands means for her great plan. She still holds your life in her fingertips, and she still uses your son as leverage against you. All is coming together in the trap she sets, and yet nothing is certain." Merlin fell silent. They all studied him and nodded a silent agreement that Merlin would be the one to handle this situation.
It was just then that Arthur came down stairs, face pinched with worry.
"The poor dear is frightened properly! I-I cannot for the life of me guess how it is I know her, but she is very familiar to me..."Arthur came to a stop, studying them all with keen interest.
"But it cannot be coincidence that others of Camelot are emerging in the forest, can it, Merlin?" He frowned.
"No, Arthur...it cannot. We must keep our eyes open. Who knows how many of our people shall come to this place in great confusion and peril before Nimueh has had her revenge." Merlin frowned.
Arthur nodded.
"If the legends are what I read in those books my Mom brought back from the Enchanted Forest, then all those people will be coming to look for King Arthur. You've got a big job ahead of you, I think." Henry smiled up at Arthur. His shoulders sagged suddenly, as he studied the boy, remembering the full weight of kingship he had put out of his mind for the few days he'd been in Storybrooke.
"Oh, I know, little one...It's a task I do not take lightly." Arthur sat beside Merlin then, and folded his hands in deep thought.
Granny, who had heard everything, had felt her heart moved with compassion for the shock Arthur's poor tormented soul was soon to have.
"Well, there's no task that isn't made easier with coffee...here you go." She set a small cup in front of him.
"Ah, yes, thank you. Merlin...this is that magic draft I told you about...Granny gives it to me for free and it gives me strength. You must try it..."Arthur took a sip.
"Magic?" Emma raised a brow, chuckling.
Merlin laughed.
"Indeed, for most of us. I'm well aware of its merits, Arthur..."Merlin chuckled then and placed a hand on his shoulder, noticing with concern that it shook beneath his fingers. He wondered then how he could add to his care. Body and soul, the resurrected Arthur had worn out like a garment unraveled by the sea. Merlin feared that there would soon be nothing left of his soul for Nimueh to grasp onto, or even for him to save. It took all of his power not to pull him into his arms and hold him for the rest of their lives.
I'm going to save you this time if it absolutely destroys me...Merlin thought sitting beside Arthur in silence as he drank the coffee and stared into oblivion.