Part 1

Merlin hovered anxiously behind Gaius's stooped form as the old man studied the runes on the scroll. It had been dropped off by a bird, a merlin hawk, actually, which had rather unnerved Merlin the man, as it had been addressed, in druidic, "To the Body of Emrys."

"What does that even mean, 'to the body of Emrys?'" Merlin demanded; he'd been brushing up on his druidic, and had been certain that he'd read it wrong, "Why not just 'to Emrys?!'"

Gaius looked up, removing the glass he'd been using to magnify the runes. "In ancient druidic legend, the figure of Emrys traditionally represents all of magic, the very essence of the Old Religion itself, tethered to the earth by a human form. Technically, the proper way to address Emrys," he paused, gesturing vaguely at Merlin "Er... you, would be 'Body of Emrys' or "Mortal Emrys," to indicate that one wishes to communicate directly with the earthly vessel, the part of Emrys which is purely human-"

"I am purely human!" Merlin sputtered, affronted.

Gaius nodded tolerantly, "I know you are, Merlin, and so do most, which is why today you're pretty much universally referred to simply as Emrys, and nothing more, rather than, say, Emrys marwol. I'm sure this letter was addressed as such for the purpose of enchanting the hawk to find the human body of Emrys, rather than just the essence of your magic, as you've probably left your magical signature all over the five kingdoms."

"So no one's addressing my corpse?" Merlin asked bemusedly.

"I should think not."

"What about the fact that it's a merlin hawk?"

Gaius paused, tilting his head in consideration. "Hopefully nothing more than a coincidence, or a clever joke on the part of a friendly druid clan?"

"Hopefully," Merlin echoed, not wholly convinced.

"Well, are you going to answer the summons?" Gaius asked, finally putting away his glass. "From what I can tell, it is...legitimate."

"Well, I obviously can't," Merlin said, matter-of-factly rolling the scroll up and then standing fully. "I can't leave Arthur."

Gaius was silent.

"Gaius?" Merlin looked to him for confirmation.

Gaius stroked his chin, considering, and then, "I'm not so sure, Merlin."

"Not so sure?"

"Magical folk have waited and trusted and believed in Emrys for so long. They've been through so much...The Purge, being hunted, having to hide, living in fear. They're starting to lose hope. Maybe it would do them good if you made an appearance. Nothing big, just show them that you're alive, that you're fighting for them, give them hope?"

"Gaius I can't risk being recognized-"

"Wear a disguise."

Merlin paused- "What about this man they want me to fight?"

"I'm sure you're more than capable of taking him down."

Merlin stood, gaping.

"Close your mouth, boy, you look like a fish."

Obediently, Merlin pursed his lips. "Shouldn't you be the one trying to talk me out of this?"

Gaius smiled tiredly. "The people have lived in fear for too long. It's time you rewarded their belief in you by renewing their hope. You're ready, my boy."

"Why the hell would I give you a week off?"

From off to the side somewhere, Gwen tutted her tongue, and Arthur's face transitioned immediately from rude incredulity to polite inquiry.

Merlin covered a snicker with a cough, catching Gwen's satisfied smirk in his periphery. "My mother's sick," he explained quietly, internally shuddering at how easily the lie rolled off his tongue.

Arthur's face softened completely, and he turned all the way around to face him. "I'm sorry to hear that, Merlin. Take whatever time you need off. Your job will be waiting for you when you get back." He squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Give her my regards. Shall I have someone accompany you?"

"I'll take Lancelot," Merlin gave a quick nod of thanks, and then scurried off.

Arthur watched him go, and Gwen fell into step beside him, carrying a pile of linens. "He'll be okay. Sir Lancelot will take care of him."

"I'm not worried about him," Arthur scoffed.

Gwen gave him a sideways look. He caught her eye, her smile.

"What? I'm not!"

Gwen tucked her smile into the linens she was carrying as she bowed her head. "Whatever you say, Sire."

Arthur was distracted when she bit her lip, and he stared, perhaps a bit too openly. However, whatever sterling piece of wit he would have unleashed next was interrupted by the clattering of a guard rushing to intercept him.

"Sire," the guard bowed hastily and offered him a scroll. "Bird courier came for you, sire."

Arthur frowned and took the proffered scroll, dismissing the man with a careless wave- "Bird courier?"

"What's it say?" Gwen asked, overcome by her curiosity.

"I don't know…" He unrolled the parchment and read- "'To the storied Once and Future King of mortal men…'"

He looked back up at Gwen, and saw his own confusion mirrored in her eyes.

(...)

"It's a summons," Arthur explained to the assemblage of his Round Table knights in his chambers. "They're calling me to attend some druidic ceremony, to fight some fabled champion, and find my destiny-" He threw up his arms, "What does that even mean?"

"Sounds fun," Gwaine shrugged nonchalantly, biting into an apple.

"Gwaine," Gwen intoned, her voice warning. "It's too dangerous. We don't know anything about the sender- it could be a trap."

"Since when," Gwaine took a final bite from his apple before tossing the core carelessly on the floor, heedless of Arthur's glare, "Is the princess one to back down from a fight?"

"I think Gwaine may be right," Leon piped up unexpectedly as he stepped between the two, clearly sensing a budding fight. "You've expressed your interest in mending relations with the druids, yes? You said you were in contact with some tribe elders?"

Arthur nodded in affirmation.

"Well," Leon continued. "What if you reach out to your druid friends, make sure this is legitimate? And if it is, wouldn't attending this ceremony as king be the perfect symbolic gesture?"

Elyan nodded, slowly. "You could bring us with you as your retinue; we could keep an eye out, be your extra eyes and ears-"

"And muscle," Percival grunted in agreement.

"It is, of course, up to you, Sire," Leon amended hastily.

They all looked to Arthur, who appeared to be mulling it over. He met their glances evenly-"I think that sounds like a great idea." He turned reflexively to his right-hand side, as if to say something to Merlin, and was temporarily disoriented to find his manservant missing.

The gesture was not lost on his knights.

"Where is Merlin, anyway?" Gwaine asked, looking around, "And Gaius and Lancelot?"

"Merlin's gone to Ealdor to tend to his mother-she's unwell- and Lancelot's gone with him," Gwen explained, "I think Gaius is dealing with a bug in the lower town."

There was a murmur of sympathy amongst the knights for their friend.

"So it's settled?" Arthur looked to his men.

Before they could answer, Gwen stepped forward, eyes strong and fierce. "When do we ride out?"

"We?" Arthur asked, smiling wryly.

"Yes, we, don't be silly. Where you go, I go."

"I'll make arrangements to meet with Iseldir in the morning," Arthur decided. "At his okay, we'll leave immediately. Pack lightly; we'll be gone for a week. We leave at first light." Turning to Gwen, Arthur smiled broadly- "Come, milady, I'll escort you to your chambers."

"It's legitimate?"

Iseldir paused, and then looked up from the scroll, meeting Arthur's eyes with care. "Legitimate? Absolutely. The eclipse marks the date of one of our people's most sacred festivals. That there is no danger to you, I am certain."

"Brilliant," Arthur grinned, extending his hand to shake- "Well, thank you very much-"

"It's the danger to another I am concerned about," Iseldir interrupted.

"Another?"

Iseldir hesitated-"It is not my secret to divulge, nor my place. But I will tell you this. There have been many great forces- benign forces- some beyond your comprehension, beyond your knowledge, forces that have been at work, at your service, since before you became king. I do not know what you will find in this sacred time to come, but hear what I say next: Do not for a second doubt the loyalty of those who have stood by you and who stand by you even now."

Arthur hated riddles-everyone knew that- but he bit his tongue and gave Iseldir a curt, gracious smile (or so he hoped). Trust his men? He could do that.

He extended his hand to the druid elder once again; "Thank you," he said sincerely, shaking Iseldir's hand, "I will heed your wise words. I wish you well."

"And I wish you the best of luck, Arthur Pendragon."

(...)

Merlin felt the presence of the druids before he saw them- his head was suddenly crowded-but in a good way-as merry, motley chorus of voices greeted him enthusiastically. He couldn't help the grin that stretched out his cheeks as he turned to a black-clad Lancelot, riding beside him- "We're here!"

Lancelot frowned, looking around at the empty woods, "How can you be su-?"

"EMRYS!" A voice boomed out over the trees like a shot from a cannon, sending shockwaves rippling through the air and across the ground.

Merlin barely had time to pull his hood up and grab onto Lancelot before they were instantly transported.

In a blink they had arrived in a crowded clearing, Merlin landing gracefully and Lancelot tumbling to the ground looking queasy as cheers and cries of happiness erupted from around them.

Merlin hauled Lancelot up- "you okay?" to which the knight in question nodded unconvincingly- and then looked around at the waves of magical folk gathered around him and laughed, incredulous.

"Emrys!" The same rich, throaty voice intoned from somewhere behind them.

Merlin spun to meet the greeting just in time to grasp forearms with its...gorgeous...owner- "You called?" Merlin asked, almost cheekily, smiling broadly, but internally wincing at how caddish he sounded.

"You came," she returned simply, her fingers still locked around his forearm.

Merlin battled with the sudden urge to flex the muscles in his arm just below her fingers, but before he could act on it, her hand had traveled down to meet his; she entwined their fingers and then raised his hand to the sky.