It had taken the druids almost a year and a half to trickle back into Camelot, uncertain of their welcome and suspicious of the King's sudden acceptance. Only once the raids on their camps had stopped completely for over a year did they start to tentatively reach out to the King. He had calmly allayed their fears and repeatedly assured them that they would always have a place in his city. The townspeople were more hesitant to befriend the druids, only grudgingly trading with them and eyeing them suspiciously all the while. Vendors would quickly sell them their wares with guards nearby keeping a sharp eye on them. Eventually, however, the King's acceptance of the druids spread and, all at once, it became normal to see druids wandering around the city. No one dared speak it out loud but in the privacy of their own homes and in the dark corners of the kingdom, people began to whisper about the coming of a new age; the city seemed to be holding its breath with each change the King made, as though waiting for something though no one could say what exactly it was.

Every time he saw the townspeople mingle with the druids, Merlin would feel like he might burst with pride. This was what he'd been fighting for, and it was worth all the pain and loneliness to see people accept his kin so readily. In his heart, he began to feel that perhaps the future he so longed for was not as far off as he'd thought, for if the druids returned to Camelot then magic would surely follow.

Not long after, druids began to appear at court and approach the King. The first to do so was Aithne, a young dark-skinned woman with chestnut hair curled neatly on her head. She was brought before the King amidst whispers and disapproving glares as the last remnants of Uther's court made their displeasure clear. Arthur stood up, interrupting their discontented mutterings.

"I, Arthur Pendragon, welcome you and all your kin to Camelot," he began. "For too long, the druids have been hunted and persecuted, but no more. The people of Camelot extend our hands in friendship and hope that we can begin an era of peace and acceptance between our people."

The druid bowed low. Twice. People murmured in confusion but eventually settled, concluding that it was probably some strange druid tradition. Merlin had a horrible feeling that it was not.

"I speak on behalf of my people, King Arthur Pendragon. We are grateful to you, and our Lord Emrys, for allowing us back into Camelot."

Merlin tensed as a sharp gasp broke through the uncertain silence following her pronouncement. He turned to look towards Agravaine, who was staring at Aithne in shock.

"Forgive me, but I do not know of a lord named Emrys," Arthur said after a short pause, trying to sound kingly rather than confused. "How could he have brought you back to Camelot?"

Aithne stared at Arthur disbelievingly, as though unable to imagine anyone not knowing of Emrys. After a moment, she replied, "I was not aware you did not know of Emrys' presence, Sire. Perhaps he fears what would happen should he reveal himself to you."

"Who is he?" Arthur seemed a bit impatient now.

The druid woman cleared her throat, disconcerted. "Emrys is a figure of prophecy who has been foretold from the beginning of time. He is the most powerful sorcerer to ever walk the Earth and his strength and wisdom are unparalleled," Aithne seemed to be picking up steam, and continued to ignore the horrified gasps that echoed through the throne room at the mention of the word sorcerer. Merlin dearly wished she'd shut up. "He is destined to bring about an age of peace between magical and secular peoples, and guide the Once and Future King who will unite the lands of Albion."

Please change the subject, please change the subject, please change the subject,Merlin prayed. Was it too much to hope that Arthur would just drop it?

"... I'm afraid I don't understand." Apparently it was. "Do you mean to say that there is a sorcerer within my court?"

In any other circumstances, Merlin would have found the stupidly alarmed look on Arthur's face comical. You know, if his life wasn't currently in the hands of a seemingly obsessed druid.

"You need not fear, Sire. Lord Emrys serves you and is loyal to no one else," Aithne swore. For some reason, Arthur didn't seem all that reassured.

Trying to ignore his flushed face, Merlin glanced at Agravaine, only to find him staring intently at Aithne, barely able to conceal his excitement. Merlin had a feeling that, by the end of the day, Morgana would know of everything that had been said in this room.

"Why would any sorcerer serve me?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Because you are the Once and Future King of Albion, of course." This pronouncement was met with silence. Aithne continued, "My people are happy to serve you, as our lord Emrys does."

"The use of magic is outlawed within Camelot," Arthur said sharply. No, really? We couldn't tell, Merlin thought. "I cannot allow sorcery to run unchecked through my kingdom. Who is this sorcerer you speak of?"

Aithne stiffened. "I would not betray Emrys, Sire. No matter the cost," she said, anger colouring her voice. Merlin just barely held in a sigh of relief at that. He hadn't thought that a druid would willingly reveal his secret but he feared what Arthur might do should Aithne continue to deny him answers. What Agravaine might encourage him to do.

Thankfully, Arthur seemed to notice the woman's poorly concealed outrage and must have decided not to cause the druid ambassador further offense, for he quickly dropped the matter. "I understand. I thank you for coming on behalf of the druids and welcome you to stay in the castle. We shall hold a feast tonight to celebrate the peace between our peoples and the return of the druids to Camelot," he announced to smooth Aithne's ruffled feathers and assure her that she was still welcome in Camelot.

"Thank you for your generosity, Sire," Aithne replied gratefully, relaxing now that she was no longer being asked to betray Emrys. She bowed twice, much to everyone's continued bemusement and Merlin's mortification, and left the hall to be escorted to her room.