Merlin felt his heart skip a beat. His mouth dried and became completely devoid of the moisture needed for any sort of comprehensible speaking. His spine was held rigidly upright, so opposite of how he normally stood with sagging shoulders, but was not a normal time by any stretch of the imagination. He stood tensely in front of a gathering crowd attempting to make himself appear calm and relaxed.

It wasn't working.

He tried to focus on what he would say to them. Catherine had told Arthur and him that they need not speak at great length. This was just a short introduction followed by a gathering in the main square with conversation, food, and mead- much to Gwaine's delight.

As he stared blankly ahead, Merlin found himself methodically rubbing the soft hemline of his shirt to help numb his racing thoughts. The knights and Arthur were conversing jovially. They laughed easily with each other, as they always had when there was a moment of repose in between patrol and training. Maybe he would have joined had he not been trying to quell his nausea through careful breathing. Catherine had just been by to inform them that they were still waiting on a few families with younger children as well as the older folk who, as she put it, preferred to go about their own time at their own time.

Even without those people being present, Merlin was already staring at a much larger crowd than he originally thought. To preserve some semblance of sanity, he had pictured the crowd to be smaller, and more personal than the reality standing out before him. Catherine had requested that they stand in one of the halls that ran above the main square. It had an open view to the square like the parapets overlooking Camelot from the castle. From their current height, Merlin could see across the crowd and to the other side of the vast room where the river continuously flowed next to the tree he had grown with his magic. In converse, that also meant that all the crowd could easily peer at him with their curious eyes from below- either listening intently to his every word or waiting for him to say the wrong thing and further solidify in their minds that he was not the proper person to help restore magic to the land.

He had been so wrapped up in his anxieties that when someone bumped into his shoulder with a quick jab he startled. Arthur stood next to him, biting his lip in what Merlin could only assume was his method to keep laughter at bay. Arthur brought his face closer to his own and began speaking to him softly.

"Your first instinct will be to babble." Merlin began to string together the beginnings of a snarky retort when Arthur continued. "I know that because I know you. It's one of your many nervous habits."

Merlin made a point at obviously rolling his eyes at the remark, but Arthur acted like he didn't notice.

"I also know that you have the ability to do this successfully." Arthur was firm and resolute in his words. "Channel whatever you found inside yourself when you addressed Catherine the first time."

Merlin peeked at Catherine who was gesturing at the crowd while talking to a frazzled looking man, no doubt addressing some sort of trivial issue that he had brought to her attention. She held herself in an approachable and kind way that was a far cry from the fiery gaze she had when exacting judgement on Arthur and the knights when they had first arrived. It kindling behind his own direct reaction. That, and the fact that the king and the knights could have been executed while he slept off an enchantment.

"Definitely a different circumstance." Merlin responded in his own low voice.

"It doesn't make the action any less brave."

Merlin felt his chest warm and began to regret the previous eye rolling. He felt a smile creep on his face. "Thank you, Arthur."

"Don't get sentimental, idiot." He ordered suddenly, wiping away any pleasant feeling.

Merlin raised an eyebrow at the king, caught off balance by the sudden change. However, Arthur continued without missing a beat.

"You need to stay focused. Remember that they want to hear what you have to say. Just make sure each word that comes out of your mouth is worth saying." Arthur grabbed his shoulders and pushed them back from their slouched position. "And stand up straight, will you? Your back will be bowed over irreparably long before you're Gaius's age with posture like that."

Merlin pushed his hands away and brought his up in surrender. "Alright, Arthur." He made an effort to sound as annoyed as he could, but his smile made it less convincing.

"We are just moments away now." Catherine said with a smile as she glided over to them.

Merlin's stomach turned again. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. A gentle hand on his shoulder pulled his attention.

"Look out at everyone." She commanded softly. Merlin glanced across the crowd humming in anticipating chatter. "These are your kin." She laughed gently and offered her hand to him which he took without hesitation. It was soft in his own calloused hand and offered a warm comfort felt deep in his chest. "You have little to fear when you address them. You and King Arthur are doing a wonderful kindness for them by giving them hope that you have already given me."

"We don't deserve all the credit, Catherine." Arthur stepped in. "I'm sure your son and your husband would have been proud to see how far you have come in leading your people to a time of peace." Arthur held out his hand for her which she held in her other.

She took a steadying breath and squeeze both their hands in hers affectionately. "Well then," She cleared her throat and looked up with wet eyes. "Whenever you both are ready."

It was several minutes later before Catherine stepped forward towards the railing to begin. The chatter began to die out. She bowed her head and placed her hand upon her own lips. When she spoke, Merlin felt himself jump at the sudden power and magnitude in her speech. It was louder than he had ever heard someone speak, and boomed across the crowd, dominating the floor.

"Can we please take a moment to welcome our guests King Arthur, his knights, and of course Emrys."

When Catherine finished, the crowd clapped for several moments respectfully.

"I think it is fair to say that the circumstances by which we find ourselves today are far better than the last time we all gathered."

Some uneasy laughter rolled across the crowed as the memories of yesterday's wyvern attack flashed across Merlin's mind. A good natured voice shouted, "I'll say!" Leading to even more laughter.

"As many of you already know, the situation yesterday with the wyverns was taken care of by the quick intervention of these men of whom we have the honor of hosting. They aided in preventing greater injuries to our people and home. I am also inclined to mention how happy I am to see those that had been injured have made it today thanks to Sarah and her talented team." Catherine paused for a moment and her confident voice echoed across the square. "Let us offer both our guests and physicians our gratitude."

Catherine smiled warmly at her people as they begun to clap, and Merlin was struck with a sudden awe at how naturally she led them, without any reservation. The fact that she had been voted into her position played a major role in her assertive and cool calm. She was there because the people wanted her to lead them. She didn't have to worry over proving herself as Merlin knew Arthur felt he did. No matter how many times Merlin would assure Arthur, he knew his friend still maintained his doubts, doubts that had led him to trust the likes of Agravaine and the lies he would whisper into the young king's ear.

"May it be a reminder to us all of their bravery and good nature. We will continue the investigations as to how the wyverns entered our home, but for now we have a different focus." Catherine paused and took a deep breath. "I believe that many in this room have felt ill intent towards Camelot at one point or another. Today, we must rise above that as King Arthur has in regard to magic. Walking alongside these two men the past days and getting to know them has been an honor. King Arthur and Emrys have been helping us ever since he got here. Both have given us new hope for the future and we have the honor of hearing them today."

With that, Catherine turned around and made her way over to him. Merlin felt a jab to the ribs from Arthur just before she made it over to them. Arthur raised his chin in a proud manner and stood up straighter, puffing his chest slightly. Merlin tried to copy his confident stature, but it did little to relieve the worry he felt. Catherine shook her head with a smile after seeing him readjusting his posture. She fussed with the collar of his shirt, adjusting it so that it was straight. "You'll do fine."

She touched his lips and Merlin felt a tingling in his neck as Catherine whispered a spell, igniting her eyes with a warm gold.

"Thank you Cath-" Merlin began before realizing that his voice had boomed from his throat. He sheepishly smiled at the laughter in her eyes. She gave his arm an affectionate squeeze and bobbed her head. Merlin breathed deeply and stepped out in front of the crowd where he could yet again look over everyone in their room. Each of their gazes were locked on him, and they waited silently in anticipation.

"Hello- umm-" Merlin began weakly. He caught out of the corner of his eye Arthur hiding his face in the palm of his hand to stop his laughing at Merlin's unfamiliarity with public speaking. "I've never done this before." Merlin admitted. He saw Arthur shaking his head. Merlin laughed shortly and felt his cheeks warm. "And perhaps for your sake we should keep it to a minimum going on."

There was warm laughter from many in the crowd. Merlin felt a nervous smile form on his lips, but as his eyes scanned the people, what he saw was an eagerness to hear what he had to say. His nerves began to lessen and his heart felt less like it would burst from his chest out of fear.

"At - uh- in Camelot, I am hidden away in the background as a servant to King Arthur. There's obviously not a lot of people seeking out my expertise in public speaking." Merlin stopped himself for a moment remembering Arthur's words before his lips began to move faster than his mind. "You all know me through a prophecy, and while I may have spoken and met with several of you in these last two days, I haven't properly introduced myself. My birth name is Merlin. I have been in King Arthur's service since one of the first few days I arrived in Camelot." Merlin felt a fondness warm his chest as he thought of the city he had made his home."I have been by his side since. Arthur Pendragon has been given a great destiny, one that will certainly be spoken of in the coming ages. It was for him that I was born, and it will be for him that I use my magic until the day I die."

Arthur's eyes widened. This wasn't where he expected Merlin to go. He had perhaps expected for him to bumble through a few words about himself and then look pleadingly at Catherine to end it.

"A lot has changed very recently. There are those of you who are confused- or angry- with Camelot or me. Know that these are the changes that will bring about Albion." Merlin couldn't keep a small smile from growing on his face at that thought. "I look forward to working towards that time with you."

He dipped his head slightly as though suddenly getting bashful and glanced to the side at Catherine who looked as proud as Arthur felt. She stepped forward as the crowd began to clap and removed the spell.

"You're lucky all that speech writing you did paid off." Arthur said.

Merlin scoffed. "You'd have a better chance hunting for a deer down here than gratitude for that. You should be the one thanking me."

Arthur smiled and for a moment he barely recognized Merlin. Arthur truly saw the man standing in front of him as if for the first time. It wasn't the gangly boy he would tease for one clumsy action or another. This man standing in front of him had a powerful and commanding presence, one that Arthur never thought he would associate with Merlin.

"What?"

Arthur cleared his throat, and the moment passed, "Nothing."

Merlin raised his eyebrows in a way that meant he knew Arthur was full of it. Rather than continue Catherine gestured toward him and a sudden rush of nerves got the better of him. He moved forward, but felt no sense of confidence he typically held. How was he even supposed to address them after the cruelty they had faced at his kingdom's hand. He was never at loss for words and often found it easy to web together a concise and strong speech that could either rally the people or assure them of their safety.

Arthur glanced to Merlin and knew in an instant that his friend sensed his nerves. Merlin's eyes danced with a sudden gold before sparking out to return to the normal blue. A warm breeze floated gently by that brought with it a fluxing smell. The smell of the hay they used to stuff the inside of the training field's practice dummies drifted by as though carried through the air all the way from Camelot. He could almost hear the rhythmic hits of a dulled sword sinking into its soft side. Arthur's thoughts drifted to Gwen's smiling face as he caught the familiar scented perfume she wore since becoming his queen. Although she had the option for much more luxurious scents, she had settled upon a simple lavender perfume that Arthur longed for when away on long journeys.

As the breeze dropped Arthur felt calmer than he had in days. Catherine moved in front of him. Her smiling eyes were framed by several deep set wrinkles that aided with the look of unending wisdom he had grown accustomed to over the last few days. She held her hand above his lips awaiting his command. Arthur breathed in the light scent of lavender one last time and nodded.

The magic tingled on his lips, warming them ever so slightly. Catherine stepped aside, and Arthur stepped forward.

"For too long have innocents been persecuted by me and my kingdom." His confident and firm words echoed loudly across the expanse. There was not a single sound made in the reverberations as the people stood without fidgeting. "In my blind devotion to Camelot and her laws, I committed as well as organized crimes against you. On behalf of all of Camelot as well as the Pendragon name I offer you my apology. I know that words will never make up for what has been lost, but I hope they will begin building the bedrock of peaceful relations for all those dwelling in Camelot's lands."

Arthur paused for a moment and looked to Merlin. His friend's eyes were shining with pride. "For I have been shown the good it offers. Magic is a beautiful power to be able to wield. I vow to you to make Camelot a place where all are accepted whether they have a magical talent or not. A place where judgement is executed in a just manner, reflective of the crime and not of the person. A place where we can all come together to build a new age of peace and prosperity. As Merlin said, I look forward to working together."

Arthur nodded at Catherine who stepped forward and removed the spell while the crowd clapped. Arthur stepped backwards back towards Merlin while Catherine made several closing remarks to the people. Arthur leaned towards Merlin and whispered to him while she continued speaking.

"I don't believe I asked you to use your magic on me, Merlin."

Merlin snorted. "You've never asked for it. Arthur," Merlin began as if he were a small child trying to understand a complicated subject. "Everything that you wear leaving for a hunting trip has magic in it. Your chainmail, breastplate, gauntlets-" Merlin counted off on his fingers before gesturing off at nothing. "Hell, even your sword has magic in it."

"You magicked my chainmail?" Arthur made a concerted effort to keep his surprise quiet while Catherine still had the floor.

"Yes," Merlin responded. "It kept you safer which then kept my secret safer because I didn't have to keep using magic to knock down trees or cause rockfalls for all the bandits that came after you. And I didn't have to clean it as often."

Arthur laughed in disbelief. "And what about my sword?"

"Oh-well, that's a long story- a long complicated story." Even in a whisper, Arthur could hear the condescending tone Merlin would use right before he implied that the king was stupid.

"I'm sure if your mind can string it together it can't be all that complicated."

"Hang on!" Merlin's whisper rose louder and Leon glanced around from beside Merlin at the pair.

"Ignore him," Arthur said. "He's an idiot."

Merlin looked as though he were about to respond when the crowd began an applause for Catherine. She ushered them forward again, and the two of them looked at each other, each with a dumfounded expression of their own. Fortunately, Elyan had been paying attention to Catherine rather than the two of them bickering.

"Go shake her hand."

Arthur straightened his jacket with a pompous finesse and raised his head in a kingly manner. "Don't think you're getting out of an explanation."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Merlin smirked and they both stepped forward to accept Catherine's expression of peace. Arthur shook her hand first and Merlin fell in step behind him afterwards. Merlin stood slightly behind Arthur and to his side as Catherine made her final statements and dismissed the crowd. Arthur moved out of the sight of the crowd and Merlin fell naturally in step behind him.

"Your belt, on the other hand has no magic." Merlin said continuing their previous conversation. "I am still looking for a spell so it expands as you do."

Try as he might, Merlin wasn't fast enough to dodge Arthur who whipped around with a well practiced finesse and swatted the top of his head at the comment. Arthur was raring to throw his own insult at Merlin when they heard a distinctive shout.

"Oi!" Gwaine's voice came at them as the knights began following Catherine down towards the square. "I'm not saving you any mead if it runs out."

They began to make their way out towards the courtyard, but had only walked several paces when Arthur was speaking again.

"That spell you did before my speech, what does that spell smell like for you?"

Without missing a beat, Merlin responded with a half smile. "A day off."

The event afterwards was better than Arthur could have ever thought a gathering surrounded by sorcerers in a cavernous room crafted by magic could go. The drinks were good and the food was satisfying. For a people who spent their days deep beneath the surface, they sure did know how to get their hands on fresh produce and delicious herbs that Camelot rarely had access to.

Catherine had made a point of introducing Arthur and Merlin to the heads of each specific group personally. Arthur knew she was keeping herself available to them so if even the simplest question were to graze their thoughts she would be immediately there to clarify.

Arthur also knew that she was remaining by their sides in the event of what was currently happening. Much to Merlin's obvious embarrassment, a man had confidently walked up towards them with very little regards to those he was barreling passed. He bowed lowly once to Arthur and then to Merlin. Merlin continued to grow redder as the man began a well developed pitch as to why he would be Merlin's perfect personal assistant, detailing for him all the ways that he could make sure his every need was met

"Yes, well thank you very much for your thorough explanation. " Catherine ushered the man towards a serving table of mead. "I'm sure that Merlin would keep you in mind if that need ever arises."

Arthur shoved Merlin with his shoulder. "Well, I think he's got a lot of potential."

"Shut up," Merlin said under his breath and shook his head. "I would go mad if someone were to dote on me constantly like that."

"From my experience the opposite is arguably worse."

Arthur couldn't fight the smirk when he saw Merlin roll his eyes. They moved forward and back under the cover of Catherine's buffer as the man was directed away towards the bar by her carefully chosen words. There wasn't even a moment of reprieve before they were being approached, this time by a familiar face.

"My apologies for the interruption." Steven stepped forward, bowing his head slightly. "Catherine, there are several individuals who are-" He broke off glancing awkwardly at Arthur. "They are having a difficult time adjusting."

Arthur looked to Merlin who had a grim expression as he watched Catherine. She clasped her hands in front of her. "I suppose it would be fool's errand to hope that all hearts and minds had changed."

"We have to build trust." Arthur said. Catherine gave him a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Go, Catherine. Your support and guidance are what they are looking for."

Catherine bowed her head towards him and followed Steven. Arthur noticed the darkened expression on Merlin's face. "I'm sure you can scrap together enough of a backbone to say no if you need to."

"I should have done more sooner." Merlin's voice was low.

"I shouldn't have killed children."

Merlin's head shot up. He gaped at Arthur as if unsure of how to respond. "Hypotheticals get messy, Merlin. Best to keep moving forward. You taught me that."

Merlin pushed a breath out through his nose and responded with a short nod.

"I know how to help. Here-" Arthur thrust his empty tankard into Merlin's hand. "Go get me another drink."

Merlin scoffed. "How will that help?"

Arthur shrugged. "It'll help me."

Merlin rolled his eyes, but began to make his way over to the bar regardless. Arthur looked out and watched the crowd. He saw very little difference between the people here and those in Camelot. The children chased each other around, much to the dismay of their parents who appeared to be caught up in the latest gossip. He caught sight of a scene between a group of boys and the tavern owner. Between the fist shaking and the sick looking boys, there was little doubt in his mind as to what had happened. Arthur quirked his lips as a familiar memory of his own flashed in his mind, only it had been his father shouting at him for getting into his expensive wine gifted to him from a nobleman.

Gwaine and Leon had also stepped away to fetch more drinks while Percival and Elyan remained at the table they had been able to find among the mess of people in the tavern. Merlin's mop of dark black hair appeared to be bobbing around the heads of those shorter than him. It bobbed around people and backtracked to find the easiest route around the tightly packed crowed. Just when he was a short distance away, he stopped and turned his attention to an eager group of men who he hadn't succeeded in evading.

Arthur remembered Merlin's face the first evening here when they had that awkward dinner. He had been wide eyed and overwhelmed by the questions filtering in. Now, Merlin held within himself a quiet confidence that Arthur was seeing more and more with each passing day. Watching him now as he interacted with the group filled Arthur with a warm pride that did not come under the influence of the mead he had been drinking. Arthur shook his head thinking back to the times when he had called Merlin inept or that he could barely find his own backside.

"Always knew Merlin had it in him." Came Gwaine's voice to his left. Arthur didn't even know the knight had been next to him, but there he was, sliding up next to the king with a newly topped off pint.

"You were the only one."

Gwaine scoffed. "You knew there was something different about him." Arthur raised an eyebrow, but the knight continued. "You just might not like to admit it."

"I'll be damned," Gwaine said with a laugh after he caught Merlin glancing briefly at Arthur before returning back to the conversation. "He's like your nursemaid always checking in on you."

"Shut it-" Arthur shoved the rest of his response down as they were approached by several women who bowed and introduced themselves. Arthur allowed Gwaine to handle the majority of the conversing after making brief introductions. The knight went off to discussing his favorite topic, himself, while Arthur stood by half listening.

"Next round is up!" Shouted the tavern keeper.

The crowd began shifting towards the bar to collect their next drinks. Arthur felt someone brush passed him with what he could only assume was a mumbled apology. It hadn't been the first time as the enclosed space was so popular that it had been happening with increasing frequency. It had come at first as a shock as people typically kept their distance from the king to refrain from anything that could upset him. Without his armor on, he was not as easy to spot among the crowd. A reality that occurred for him only in isolated circumstances.

Not a moment after being bumped into did Arthur feel an acute sense of anxiety. Arthur nearly jumped when those being entertained by Gwaine laughed suddenly, but it was a shrill and unpleasant sound. It didn't just grate on his nerves, it sent them soaring. The chatter of the crowd grew in volume to a roaring unintelligible mess of sound. Arthur took a deep breath in an attempt to quell them, but they continued to jump edgily.

"I'll be back shortly."

Gwaine turned away from the women. "Is everything alright, Sire? Would you like accompaniment."

Arthur shook his head jerkily. "Just need a little air."

With that, Arthur turned and made his way out, breathing deeply through his nose and out his mouth- long and drawn out. When he made it to one of the quiet halls that lead into the square, Arthur leaned against the cool stone wall. Taking several deep breaths cleared his head enough so that he was able to consider what had happened. He was always fine in a crowd. Hell, with his life he had to be. It was something of a prerequisite for a royal. There had been a flip quite suddenly in his mind that he had never experienced before.

"That was one speech." A woman said off to his right, interrupting his thoughts. Arthur made sure to keep the disappointment at being found off his face. When he turned, he recognized her from the previous day at the bar and then again at dinner.

"I appreciate the sentiment- Anne." Arthur said after a moment. She reached out her hand as if to introduce herself despite the activities of the previous day. Arthur took it.

"Good memory, sire." She said with a nod of her head. She released her hand and her narrow eyes flashed to his chest. "What is that, my lord?"

Arthur looked down to where she was looking to see his own hand, which had inexplicably moved to the front of his chest about heart level. It was open and in it lay the note damning Merlin's actions. Arthur blinked several times to ensure he wasn't imagining it.

"My lord?"

"A note I received yesterday." Arthur answered automatically. Why was he telling her this when he couldn't even mention it to Merlin earlier that morning? He blinked and looked back to his hand. When did he remove this again?

She held out her hand. "May I?" She asked earnestly. Arthur shoved the note in her hand as though it burned him. He could hear her muttering, but his mind was totally out of sorts. The anxiety he had felt earlier morphed into a jumbled mess of never fully completed thoughts. Each time he made an attempt to focus on the issue, it slipped just out of his grasp.

"Not to be too forward, Sire, but I think it's important Emrys know."

"Why?" It was the only thing he could think to say- that he could get passed his lips.

Again, she chose to ignore his question. She reached for his arm and turned it over easily so his palm lay open faced. He didn't pull away or tell her to stop, finding that his body was not his to control anymore. She placed the note in his hand and turned his fingers over, obstructing it from view.

"I think that you should go give Emrys this note."

She gave him a smile that would have been sweet to anyone passing by them, but her eyes were sharp, calculating. His heartbeat began to quicken as his muddled mind began to get some semblance of understanding over the situation. He tried to make a sound, but he choked on the unformed words as his breath stalled in his throat.

"You've enchanted me." He was unable to say it much above a whisper. An unseen weight held his chest in tight compression, not granting much more than pathetic gasps of air.

"Shhhh." She said reaching for his other hand. His breathing eased and he saw gold of magic fade from her eyes. "Just a simple voice blocking spell. It shouldn't hurt when you're not trying to speak."

She again opened his hand where the note had bene clutched in his fingers. Arthur attempted to reef it away from her, but she tightened her grip on him with a surprisingly strong hold. She huffed angrily upon seeing his pathetic movement and closed her eyes tightly in a grimace.

"Although, this wouldn't be happening if the spell had taken the first time."

Her steely eyes flashed open and settled on him bringing with them an ice that flooded his veins. "Now, let's try this again."

Her eyes began to glow and Arthur had barely registered that she was casting a spell before pain hit. Sharp stabbing shot its way throughout his head like a bolt from a crossbow ricocheting inside his skull. He gripped his temples and found himself falling against the wall for support. His mind that had been racing so quickly suddenly came to a blank halt. He reached for any memory that could tell him what was happening, but it slipped just from his grasp each time he reached for it.

His gaze darted around confusedly. He reached a shaking hand to his forehead and brought it back slick with sweat. Arthur squinted his eyes open to scour each face as he looked for Merlin, but another round of pain made him double over. He slid down the wall and brought his knees to his chest. His lungs were burning and he was breathing heavily as though he had just run a great distance in blazing summer heat. The last place he remembered being was at the tavern surrounded by women Gwaine was attempting to charm. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something- something that was vitally important he address immediately.

"Let me help you, Sire." Came a woman's smooth voice. Arthur lifted his gaze and saw a familiar face. It was the woman from yesterday at the tavern and then later again at their dinner. She had a kind look in her eyes that was mixed with concern for what he could only assume was his poor outward appearance. She extended a hand to him and helped him back to his feet.

"Thank you." Arthur said. The pain diminished a bit. "It's Anne isn't it?"

The woman smiled at him almost too sweetly. "Good memory, sire."