I know it has been ages and I'm sorry for not updating earlier.

My only excuse is that real life got in the way, but believe me when I say that I'm not giving up on this story.

So with this I will present you my next chapter.

Enjoy it and if you want, please leave a review.

Yours sincerely,

Blue Wryter

It was halfway through on their journey back to Camelot that it occurred to Leon that their king hadn't had said a word since they broke op camp earlier this morning. He bumped his horse until he was riding next to Arthur and Leon couldn't help but notice the pensive look on his face.

"So… ready to tell me what the reason is why your mind is running in circles in there?"

"Hmmm what?", when Arthur finally looked up towards him.

"Exactly my question sire." Leon said with a knowing smile. He could only imagine what thoughts were whirling around in that head of his after Mordred's betrayal and Merlin's big reveal. To be honest it had been a trying day for all of them and they all have difficulties coming to terms with what happened… especially regarding the topic of magic. To find out that two of their own had magic all this time, after one of them turned traitor. It brought again the question to mind if magic is at fault, if all this could be blamed on the single thing that has threatened Camelot time after time. But still, Merlin only used his magic to protect them and then there are the druids, mostly a peaceful folk. How long have each of them known Merlin? For years now he has been their friend and to be honest Leon couldn't imagine him to ever stand against them, against Arthur. So what role does magic play in the world? Has Uther always been right or is there more to it than it seems.

Leon could almost hear these thoughts working through Arthur's mind, all of their minds. So it didn't surprise him when Arthur asked him the next question.

"Leon, can I ask you what your thoughts are on magic?"

"You mean if magic is evil or not, or to be precise whether Merlin is evil or not?" Leon said after giving Arthur a sharp look.

A guilty look crossed Arthurs face but got quickly hardened into determination.

"Yes, and please answer me honestly. I'm just looking for answers. So I'm asking you as a friend, a fellow brother in arms, and not as your king. So please, speak your mind freely."

Leon hesitated but for a short moment at the bluntness of Arthurs words before he looked back ahead on the road and answered.

"To be honest I don't think Merlin has a single evil bone in his body. He has always showed great loyalty and kindness, to all people. And I know that it is hard to believe, but I truly think that is his biggest strength."

Arthur looked up in surprise at the unexpected answer, but for he could ask Leon continued.

"If what Merlin told us about him being born with magic than frankly I'm surprised he hasn't grown up in hatred or resentment of Camelot. You know I've been a knight of Camelot for a long time and so I've witnessed the results of the Great Purge. I've seen what the purge did to people. After Uther declared all magic evil and started to execute everyone with just a ounce of magic… it wasn't pretty, it only created chaos. People lived in fear, fear of those of magic but also fear of being caught and arrested. It caused the people of Camelot to turn on each other, families and friends to turn on each other in fear of being accused and executed. In the end people with magic turned into hiding or decided to take matters into their own hand. Magic was always to blame when people did their evil deeds, but after knowing Merlin, knowing him as our friend, I don't believe it anymore. To be frank I doubt that I always believed magic was at fault, but I think it was easy to blame magic. Now I know for certain that it was fear that caused all this. I also truly believed that your father did wat he thought was right, but Uther was still just a man, and like every man he made mistakes."

"That's is the most I think I ever heard you say on the topic of magic. Seems you have already given this much thought". Percival commented dryly, not even trying to hide that he'd been listening in.

"Yes, well when the kings asks you to give him your honest opinion…" Leon trailed away.

"You're right Leon and I thank you for your thoughts." Arthur answered.

"Always happy to help sire." When Leon looked back at him he was pleased to see that Arthur was taking his words into serious account and he somehow couldn't help but notice that the mood had lightened up in their continued journey towards Camelot.

"[…] So you wouldn't believe it, but that idiot turns to the guy next to him and asks him if he has seen his wife somewhere. I mean the guy comes asking in a tavern, why did he think his wife was going there? So that's when I remembered I had a lovely lady waiting for me in the room upstairs…"

As Gwaine continued his rambling of his various adventures at the tavern Merlin couldn't help but roll his eyes with a little smile at the ridiculous tales. Honestly hasn't that man done anything serious in his life. Still.. he loved spending time with the carefree knight. He always helped him taking his mind of his problems, especially these days with his big reveal as an all-powerful warlock. It still surprised him that Arthur and the rest hadn't turned their backs at him, or put his head on a stake, or put him on the pyre or…"

"and that's when said wife started to screech like a banshee and I figured that was a good time as any to leave."

Merlin chuckled. Yes he really liked Gwaine at these moments. They had been riding for almost a full day now and Merlin had kept looking out with his magic for any sign or traces of the druid clan he was looking for, but so far they had no luck. He wondered where they had gone or if they had perhaps moved closer to the border now Arthur's turning more accepting and trusting towards the druids.

In the end it was a couple of hours later and midway on one of Gwaine famous stories that he finally picked up on something. Out of habit he closed his eyes to conceal his use of magic and sent forth a small burst of magic. At first he only picked up a trace of a single magic user, not very strong but still, enough to pose a threat. A scout he supposed, looking out for any danger for their tribe. As he broadened the range of his magic and pushed further he found more people and… there! Finally he'd found the person he was looking for. He was an elderly man and the head of this clan and also a man who had helped him before and maybe was willing to help him now.

"Isildur" The thought seemed to have reached the man because he felt an answering pull to the push of his magic.

"Young Warlock, to what do I owe the pleasure for your presence?"

"I bring a message- and a request from the king"

"Are you alone?"

"No, I'm accompanied by a friend."

He couldn't help his hesitation at the request part. He had no idea how the druids would act when he posed the request. If there were even people who would willingly help them in their battle against Morgana. He really hoped so. There is no way he could stand against Morgana and her army of magic users on his own. He needed all the help he could get.

When he opened his eyes a few blinks later he noticed that Gwaine had stopped his ramblings and was staring intensely at him.

"So, what did you do?" Gwaine asked him.

"Ah you noticed it then." Merlin sheepishly replied. Gwaine merely raised his eyebrow at him.

"I uhm" he awkwardly cleared his throat, "I've found the druids."

"You did? where are they then?" Gwaine said while he started to look around.

"No worries, they'll be here in a few seconds."

A slight hesitation and then, "Ah, I see. We will wait then."

Merlin noticed that Gwaine was still getting used to his use of magic and sighed. He really hoped that they could get this behind them as fast as possible and return to the friendship they had before all this craziness. He hated the tension and awkwardness it had created between them. He was still the same person and he hoped they would get that too in the near future. While he was musing he failed to notice that Gwaine had tensed up and was now gripping the pommel of his sword, while looking to the path ahead. It wasn't until Isildur, flanked by two druids, stepped forward and addressed them that Merlin noticed them. He slightly chastised himself for not paying attention to his surroundings.

"Welcome travellers, why are you trespassing?" Isildur formally stated with his hands fold in his robes. The two druids tensely standing behind him, ready for any outcome.

Merlin got off his horse and stepped forwards.

"It's alright Isildur. Like I said, he's a friend." Merlin looked back at Gwaine and saw that he still hadn't loosened his tense position.

"Gwaine, it's alright. Trust me." He slowly murmured to him while warily wondering how much his trust was still valued by the roguish knight. It seemed that some part of that trust in him was still there for Gwaine slowly let out a low breath and got of his horse as well.

"And does your friend know about your 'gifts'?" Isildur asked with caution looking at the interaction between them. His two guards exchanged nervous looks.

Merlin smiled. "He does, but he's not the only one. The king and his most trusted knights know now."

Isildur had raised his eyebrows at this and looked at him with astonishment and a rare combination of hope and fear. The two druids stared at them with pure shock.

"I see. It seems much has changed since we last spoke my friend. You must tell me all about it."