Right time for a slightly longer sequel to Prisoner.

Thank you for all the reviews on I'm On My Way.

For where Ireadal is, I picture it still in Albion but just outside of the five kingdoms.

This is set a couple of years after Prisoner and I'm On My Way. Please enjoy this first chapter.

Did You Hear the Rain?

Tearing at the chain
Means I'm coming home again
Means I'm coming home my friend

Did You Hear the Rain by George Ezra

"I thought you were trying to get out of this."

"I did try."

"Well I gave you a spell that I was sure would work."

"And he saw straight though it." Merlin said through his teeth.

Morgana gave him a sad look. "Just … I don't ..."

"I know."

Merlin looked over at Morgana. They had come so far since they arrived in Ireadal a little over two year ago.

Acelin and Tobias had been good to them, giving them the time and space that they all needed to get settled. There was questions raised when the other's in the castle started to notice how close them seemed without being married. They sort it all out for them.

It had taken Merlin a long time to accept this new life. He was amazed for weeks about how everyone could just openly use magic. As he learnt more about his magic and the way he could have total and utter control over it, he became more open with it.

He watched Morgana as she explored her magic that once terrified her. He would watch her as she scanned over the books to try and help the dreams that had plagued her for years. He would listen to her as she explained a dream that she thought was more than a dream.

Somehow he knew it was coming but he was still surprised when Acelin asked him to become his chief advisor on magic. He still didn't feel ready. He still felt like his imprisonment with the Sarrum was holding him back. Morgana and Gwaine had managed to persuade him to take the role, stating it is the role he was meant to have.

It may have taken him a while but he had finally managed to bury that life and those memories. Druids from all over were coming to Ireadal because they heard that he was there. These people still had so much faith in him even thought at one point he had thought he had failed them.

"I really don't know what you guys are so worried about." Tobias said as the joined them.

"It's kinda hard to explain." Merlin said.

"Emrys, if there is one thing that I have learnt about you, it is that you are a worrier."

"When he says it is hard to explain, it is." Morgana commented.

"Now you Morgana, I saw you as a risk taker. Look it might not have the best reputation when it comes to magic but I have heard that Camelot is a wonderful place. It is the place that people dream of visiting."

"Only to have them crushed." Merlin muttered.

When the invite to Camelot came, Acelin was very certain that they were going. They had all tried their hardest to either stop the trip or try and get out of going.

Gwaine gave up first. Acelin and Tobias kept remarking about how he was one of the best knights that they had ever had and that they were sure that nothing would happen to them if he was there. Gwaine had just blushed at their compliments and then ranted to Merlin and Morgana because he was going back.

Morgana was the next. She told them that she had spent some time in Camelot and that the stories of it were more impressive than what it actually was. She told them about how it was Camelot that started the purge of magic that they hadn't been included in. Acelin just said that it was even more reason to go, to show them that magic can be a force for good and that she would be the perfect example of it.

She had told Merlin that and they ended up both laughing from it. She was the perfect example that in the right environment, she could reach her magical potential. Maybe she was a perfect example that people could change. They both knew that it wouldn't change Arthur's mind.

Merlin was still arguing his place on the trip. He said that he wasn't important. He had tried to fake an illness. He had done everything in his power to try and stop the trip. He couldn't go back. He couldn't see those walls again. He couldn't see Arthur or Gwen or Gaius or anyone else.

It was going to be a disaster. Everything was going to go wrong. The last couple of year would have been for nothing.

Arthur fiddled with the laces on his cloak before groaning in frustration as he couldn't undo them. He took a deep breath to calm down before trying again. Once he got them undone, he pulled the cloak over his shoulders and tied it around his neck.

It would have been easier for a servant to do it but his had disappeared to somewhere. He cursed all the useless servants he'd had over the time. He angrily pushed back one name. He still wasn't over the fact that Merlin had lied to him but the anger was more over the fact that he had lost such a great friend.

He now knew that it was wrong to hand him over so easily to the Sarrum but he was sure that if he could do it over again, he would make the same mistake again.

"Ready?"

He looked up and smiled at his wife. "Yes."

"Well they are in sight."

"Good." Arthur walked over to her and gave her a kiss before holding out his arm to her.

"I still don't understand why you sent the invite out." Gwen said as they started to walk towards the courtyard.

"We need everyone we can. We will be stronger if we have an alliance with every kingdom. Camelot was untouchable at one point and it want it that way again."

"But really Ireadal? It is a bit far for them to come."

"There are kingdoms that are further away."

Gwen sighed. She really didn't understand her husband sometimes.

Merlin was glad that they were such a big group. He managed to get off his horse and walk over to Morgana before a servant had reached his horse.

"I can't do this. I really can't do this." He said.

Morgana looked up at him and pulled him into a hug. "My promise still stands. I will allow nothing to happen to you. I will protect you."

"I am meant to talk with him. I am meant to help advise them both."

She held his face in her hands. "And you are the better man, Emrys. You will always be the better man. You have helped him so much over the year and not sort after one thank you. I will be by your side. We are stronger together."

"Emrys, Morgana. Come on, Father wants to introduce you." Tobias said as he ran up to them.

Merlin grabbed Morgana's hand. "Don't leave me alone." He whispered.

"Never again." She whispered back to him.

Arthur watched as the party came into the courtyard. There seemed like there was loads of them but he was sure that Acelin had brought his own advisers and with the bandit threats, probably needed every knight he had.

The older king came up to them.

"Acelin." Arthur said. "I hope you had a pleasant journey."

"Pleasant enough. We cannot help the weather now can we? We are grateful for your invitation."

"I am glad that you accepted it."

Acelin looked behind him. "May I introduce my son, Tobias."

"Pleasure to met you." Tobias said, holding out his hand.

Arthur shook it. "Likewise."

"Where are ..." Acelin started.

"Oh, I'll get them." Tobias interrupted, running off to get who he was talking about.

"I am sure you are proud of him." Arthur said, his eyes following him.

"I am. He still has much to learn though."

Arthur's expression changed as he watch the two people fall in step with Tobias. He was sure that he recognised them. It wasn't until they were standing in front of him that he knew exactly who they were.

Morgana hadn't changed that much. She looked like she did before she was taken by Morgause. Her eyes were lighter and there was just something about her that made her seem different.

Merlin, on the other hand, looked totally different. His eyes were a darker blue than he remembered and he couldn't deny that the little bit of stubble that he had, suited him.

"Let me introduce my two advisers on magic, Mor ..."

"Morgana Pendragon and Mer ..." Arthur interrupted.

"Emrys." Merlin said, interrupting him

"Emrys?" Arthur questioned.

"Yes Emrys." Merlin said.

Morgana moved closer to him and held onto his hand with one of hers and his arm with the other. Arthur was taken a back by the strength of his voice.

"And I am Le Fay now, Arthur."

"Really? I thought you were all for the name Pendragon or was that only when you wanted my throne?"

"And we are going to bring up old grievances on the steps of the courtyard. You may say that I am no different to Uther but neither are you the golden boy everyone thought you were, dear brother." Morgana gave him a smirk as he started to feel uncomfortable.

"The servants will show you to your rooms." Arthur said before he turned around and started to bring in the welcoming committee.