Chapter Text
Since his father passed away more than a year ago by now, Arthur has been concerned about much. He didn't expect to become a king this soon, he always believed it would happen much later in his adult life. Hell, he always believed that somehow, it was his father who would always rule Camelot with an iron fist. That his turn will never come. But now, here he is, on the throne once belonging to Uther Pendragon.
His entourage supports him in his new role to the court. Morgana, his dear twin sister, had even softened slightly in her famous older sister teasing role because she knew how much Arthur still doubted of himself. He had a discussion with Morgana, about the fact that she could rule Camelot as well as him since she is the eldest. Of a few minutes, certainly, but she remains the first born to the law, even if their father tell them the truth on his deathbed. However, she flatly refused. She had told him that she had great confidence in Arthur, that he would make a good king and her clairvoyant gift let her know that she was making the right choice. Arthur would be lying if he said he hadn't been greatly moved by his sister's words. Morgana has always been good at following her instincts and her own beliefs, so if he couldn't trust himself in his ruler role, he at least trusted her.
Morgana had confessed to him for her magic a few months before Uther's death. Arthur had been shaken, shaken that Morgana had been so scared she hadn't dared to tell him sooner, shaken to see his normally strong sister being totally scared and vulnerable. Her servant, friend and dearest confidant, Gwen, was the first to know. Arthur was glad she had at least been able to confide in someone earlier, but you could tell the blue-eyed woman was still frightened.
From then on, he did his best to protect her, to calm his father when he wanted to prepare the pyre for a sorcerer, regardless of gender or age. He had done his best to make Morgana no longer alone and less anxious, even though he knew he couldn't fully understand her fear. But, despite everything, his protection had limits, he was only the crown prince facing his father the king. If their father found out about it, the brother and sister doubted his reaction. They knew well that his hatred was too strong, that he would probably have been blinded and would have made an unjust decision. Exile for the sweetest, death for the most extreme.
Morgana was the first to give him a warning about their father's tyrannical behavior when Arthur didn't want to think about it. After all, he grew up with this mentality, his father told him that was what a king should be and do for the sake of his kingdom. But the day he realized that Morgana sincerely wanted to warn him was when his father had wanted to execute Guinevere, unjustly accused of sorcery because the young woman's father had recovered from an incurable disease that was ravaging Camelot. Fortunately, Gaius had arrived and found the true source of their misfortune.
Arthur, like the traumatized Guinevere and the angry Morgana at this moment, will never forget this incident.
So when Uther died, they had been relieved even before feeling a sense of sadness and nostalgia. They knew Morgana was finally safe, but they also knew that despite their difference, Uther loved them in his own way. It was a mixed feeling that Arthur knew his people was feeling too.
From now on, Arthur wishes to look towards the present and the future. He wanted to make Camelot a new kingdom that would heal his father's evil deeds on all magic users. Gaius, with his sage advice, backed him up and told him to take his time.
At the same time, Arthur had knighted commoners. His father is probably turning over in his grave right now, but Arthur will never regret his choice. His knights are his closest friends, people who gave him loyalty and duty as king but also teasing and antics as a friend, especially Sir Gwaine who had perhaps more promise for one than for another.
Arthur was well surrounded, perhaps better than his father ever was, the kingdom is getting better and better after the death of the former king. But, the answer to the question of magic was still missing. Of course, he wanted to lift the ban, but it was still too tense, too complicated. He could not do this suddenly, without security and without being certain that the people did not revolt out of hatred and fear. The council was never going to approve it.
It was then that Percival, at a meeting of the Round Table to discuss all this, brought up the Druids. He explained that he had grown up with these peaceful people and that many used magic. Despite the strong knight's positive commentary, the shamefaced faces of the king, Sir Leon, and Gaius did not go unnoticed. These three then explained that during the reign of Uther, the king had organized a raid to destroy a druidic camp. He had forced Arthur to participate. This incident, or rather this massacre, was a disgrace he would have liked to bury.
"It wasn't your fault." Morgana said, looking at them seriously. “What could you have done? No one had power over Uther's decisions. He was a man full of hate. But you are not. So now...it's time to fix it all.”
Gwen smiled, glad to see that Morgana had a more peaceful heart since Arthur took over. She seemed to have finally found her place, or rather, she was close to finding it. She had been afraid for her friend during Uther's reign, she had seemed so fragile and distant with others. Luckily everything was fine now. Everyone, or at least the people gathered in this room, knew about Morgana's magic.
“If we want peace with the Druids, I can arrange a meeting, Sire. But it is better that we come to them. They will be wary of an invitation to the castle.” Gaius offered looking at Arthur who nodded. He understood, no one would want to be inside the walls where their persecutor had ruled.
“Let's do this. We will leave as soon as the druids accept our offer.”
"I must warn you, Sire, that the druids in the camp I have contact with have a very important figure with them, someone with extraordinary abilities."
Arthur arched an eyebrow in curiosity, letting Gaius continue while all attention was on him. “They call him Emrys. It is said that he is the most powerful sorcerer of all time.”
The blond immediately looked at his sister who looked as surprised as he did. He had never heard of an Emrys, even his father had never mentioned that name.
"I have heard of him, my lord." Percival looked straight at the king to confirm what he had said. "To my vague knowledge, the druids regard him as a god, I believe he is supposed to save and free them from persecution."
"A god ? Is he even human or is he some kind of magical entity?”
“I have no more information, Sire.” Gaius said, leaning his back slightly. “But if you want the druids to accept you, you must first have Emrys' trust. And, if I may say so, I think it will be just as important for the people to know that such a great being trusts you."
With these words, the meeting was over and Arthur retired to his chamber to eat the dinner which George, his servant, had sent him a few minutes ago. Sitting down at his table, he massaged his temples. The most powerful sorcerer of all time. Arthur wondered what he looked like, probably an old man since he must have had a lot of experience. According to Gaius, magic is a slow process for some people to grasp. The doctor had even told them that properly mastering healing magic had taken him years.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard someone knock on the door but enter without him even being able to allow them. Of course, he wasn't really surprised when he saw that it was his sister.
“Morgana, always badly brought up.” He said tearing off a bread roll and looking down at his plate.
She gave him a small smile before closing the door behind her. “Well, you really need company. I can hear your thoughts from my room.”
The dark-haired woman sat down in front of him, taking a white grape from the bunch of the fruit basket. She ate it in silence before looking her brother straight in the eyes.
“Do you think the druids will accept us?” she suddenly asked.
Arthur stopped eating for a short moment before resuming quietly, even though he knew that his concern showed as well.
“I don't know, but we'll make sure they do. Tomorrow I will write the letter myself.”
Morgana linked her hands, stroking her fingers with her fingernails in a nervous gesture before speaking again. “What if that wasn't enough? Uther persecuted them for years! I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't trust us. In their place, I don't know if I would have done it."
She sighed softly. "I wish I could finally master my clairvoyant gift, maybe I could have seen if it's a good idea or not."
“Morgana, I know you are worried and you have every right to be. But believe me when I tell you that we are not going to give up that easily. It is a peace treaty, everyone will see the benefit in it. I am sure."
Morgana smiled slightly, not entirely reassured but wanting to change the subject. “Tomorrow I will help you write the letter.”
Two weeks after the invitation was sent, Arthur had been quite tense. He dreaded the druids' response and thought back to Morgana's words. Maybe the druids weren't going to trust him because of his father's deeds, or because of his inexperience as a king, or maybe he was even going to curse Arthur-.
"My lord !" the messenger ran to the throne before making the curtsey. “The response from the druids has arrived. They accept your coming to their camp.”
Well, maybe he should start to stop being too pessimistic.
⚜⚜⚜
As soon as the good news arrived, a team was formed to accompany him. He would have wanted Morgana to stay to manage Camelot's affairs in his absence, but she had to come because she was the only current magic user.
Gwen, of course, wants to stay by Morgana's side so she comes too, including Sir Elyan, to protect his sister. Sir Lancelot and Sir Leon, by Arthur's confidence in them with their wisdom of mind, accompanied them. Sir Percival, who was the only one who had had long contact with the druids, had to be part of the journey. Sir Gwaine had no reason to be there other than the desire of adventure, but Arthur had to confess that he was just as trusting in the certain wisdom that Gwaine can have.
Arthur was not reassured about the governance of Camelot. Gaius had sworn to report everything to them if anything happened. Morgana had reassured him that nothing was going to happen in their absence as Camelot had been in a period of calm for some time now and even though the councilors were practically all fools, they would never betray the crown. Especially since everyone knew that Arthur considered this affair as a personal quest to prove that he was ready to do anything to prove his choices to his people.
So on this three-day trip, Arthur tried to relax. Surrounded exclusively by his friends, having taken no other knights so as not to arrive as a threat to the druids
On the third day, in the daytime, on his horse which was then at a trot as they rode deeper into the forest, Arthur felt a kind of calm and invisible force in the air. Looking around, he had the impression that this part of the forest was more peaceful than the others, even warm. It was a very pleasant feeling.
Without having had time to ask the others if they felt the same as him, he stopped his horse to watch the spectacle in front of them.
A young man, perhaps a little younger than him, sat in the heart of the beautiful glade, his eyes closed, his face and body bathed in the rays of sunlight brought to him by the nature, as if all was a gift for him. There was something beautiful in it that Arthur couldn't immediately explain with his words.
The sound of a book closing sharply startled Arthur slightly, then a boy's voice coming out. “Urgh! Can I just stop for today? It's just annoying!"
Arthur blinked, his gaze falling on the young boy he had just noticed as he was clearly in his line of sight. The two strangers bore a rather striking resemblance, and when the one who had caught Arthur's eye stood up to see the other, he noticed a height difference.
The older looking one gave a small smile to the younger one. "Do you, Mordred, want to give up? That's quite unusual of you."
"No, I just know when to take a step back.” The boy, Mordred, handed the book to his eldest who took it in his hands.
"Well, it is true that remedies are hard to learn." said the other flipping through the book. "I didn't retain them all myself. But if you want to be a great healer, you will regret not having studied more seriously later.”
Mordred rolled his eyes but even from a distance, Arthur could see his little pout.
Realizing that he had been listening rudely and for too long when his two people were certainly druids in their attire, Arthur silently dismounted from his horse before glancing at Sir Leon to warn him that he was going to take the lead.
Arthur then stepped forward while hearing the rest of his companions cautiously dismount. Absorbed by the man whose name he had not yet heard, he had not noticed the circle of stones on the grass and continued to walk quietly to meet the two people who were teasing each other brotherly while laughing.
The sound of a twig cracking then resounded, causing Arthur to stop in his walk and the two druids to go into a state of alert. The stranger immediately grabbed Mordred to place him behind him, without breaking eye contact with Arthur.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
Arthur gently raised his hands in peace. “I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot. I mean you no harm.”
The stranger, who Arthur noticed had big ears, surveyed his surroundings before straining even further by, Arthur guessed, the vision of his knights behind him and the name "king", and certainly Camelot.
But to his surprise, he was not afraid. Instead, he relaxed to put his hands in a position Arthur had seen before. This man was therefore indeed a druid and a sorcerer.
Having finished looking around, he returned his hard gaze to Arthur. “And what's the King of Camelot doing here?”
Without further ado, Arthur answered. He wanted to calm this misunderstanding as soon as possible. "We received permission to enter your camp four days ago now, we have traveled so that our meeting takes place as soon as possible."
The dark-haired man certainly took on a confused look that Arthur had time to capture before taking his defensive look back.
“I certainly did not hear about this invitation. Are you trying to deceive me, my lord?”
The honorific title had been said with such sarcasm that Arthur could hear Gwaine and Elyan biting their lips to keep from laughing.
It was probably the blond's mistake not to have given an answer in the second and break the eye contact. He felt the wind becoming oddly stronger than it is on this spring day. A small, but dangerous, storm formed in front of him, blocking his view of his two interlocutors. He could hear his comrades shouting his name. He knew it was indeed the work of magic.
"I'm giving you one chance." it was the voice of the oldest, who sounded angry at his tone. “Go away from here, now.”
“Wait, no! The invitation is real! I wrote it!”
In the blink of an eye, the wind died down and the storm disappeared. The taller one turned sharply to face the one who had presumably saved the lives of Arthur and his knights.
"What ?"
"Some moons ago we received a letter from King Arthur... requesting a meeting between him and our side to arrange a magical treaty."
“Mordred.” he groans.
“I knew you were going to be reluctant and also you were with Kilgharrah at the time so I took care of that! Iseldir gave his approval!”
"And what about my approval?"
The boy grimaced, knowing he was at fault, before deciding to just ignore him and bow to Arthur.
“It is an honor, your Majesty. Allow me to apologize for this misunderstanding. You are welcome to this camp, you and your friends.”
“Mordred!”
Arthur cleared his throat, still quite confused by his revelations and not necessarily knowing who to listen to. But, above all, he kept his royal facade. "Thank you..."
“Mordred, Sire.” he said, bowing even more. "As you may have heard more than once by now."
“Good, Mordred. You can get up now. We are equal here.”
The young boy stood up with a smile. Arthur remarked that he was likely to come of age in a few seasons. Looking at his left, he could watch the other man roll his eyes and sit on a rock in surrender as Mordred introduced the others.
Arthur, with his usual confidence, approached him to extend his hand. He had to start on the right foot with these people, and then despite the demonstration of magic earlier, this man younger than him looked harmless.
"And you, what's your name ?"
The man, who had quite beautiful blue eyes, looked at him with a look that was jaded to say the least. He sighed softly. “Merlin.”
Merlin...
“Merlin.” Arthur liked how that name came out of his mouth. “The situation must be... confusing for you. But I swear on my honor that this invitation is real. I have proof of that right here.”
He was ready to pull out the invitation as solid evidence but the man stopped him with a small wave of his hand. "No it's fine. I believe you." he turned his head. "...unfortunately."
"I heard that." Arthur said in a mock offended tone as he looked at his interlocutor raising his eyebrow slightly. He didn't even let his closest knights disrespect him like that, but something told him to retort later. “So who is your leader? It's not that I don't enjoy your company but I would be happy to meet him."
“We will guid you to him, he has just told me that he is indeed aware of your arrival unlike me.” He stood up and dusted off his tunic with a few strokes of his hands before moving forward. "I'm going to turn that moron Mordred into a toad in his sleep, that little..."
For someone who looked against their coming, the blond wanted to tell him that he talked a lot.
He followed him quietly, shaking his head. Carelessly, he missed the curious look Merlin gave to Morgana.
Walking alongside Sir Leon and holding his horse, Arthur turned his head to Merlin in front of him before frowning.
What does he means by "he has just told me"? Just... how?
A few minutes walk west, they arrived at the druidic camp where several druids were already waiting for them in front. Still all dressed in blue tunics, a man with mid-length greyish white hair took a step forward. Arthur differentiated him from the others by the black belt he wore around his waist.
“King Arthur. I am Iseldir, leader of this camp. I welcome you all.”
“Iseldir.” Arthur bowed slightly out of respect. "Thank you for your hospitality, Camelot will certainly not forget it."
Iseldir smiled slightly, tilting his head, then his eyes fell on Merlin and Mordred. “I see you have already met two of us.”
Merlin crossed his arms, meeting Iseldir's eyes with the same annoyed expression as before. If Arthur didn't know, he could believe that Merlin was the leader of this camp instead. Especially since his approval of their coming seemed to be quite significant given his reaction to Mordred. But not as important as Iseldir after all.
The druidic leader is addressing to Arthur. “Your journey must have been exhausting, we have set up additional tents for you. It's not the luxury you're probably used to, but if you need a rest before any discussions, let us know. We will take care of your horses.”
"I just think a discussion is necessary beforehand, maybe they will be no need for them to settle down once things are cleared up, right?"
Morgana looked worriedly at Arthur who was looking at the man who had spoken, Merlin. He was really going to be irritated by the non-information of this coming, huh...
He glanced at Iseldir who gave him only a small smile. Sighing, Arthur stood in front of Merlin. It looked like he had to seriously convince him that his presence here was legitimate.
"Look, I know it's frustrating not to be notified of such a coming but-"
"You're right," Merlin interrupts. "it's frustrating. Especially when your reason for coming here is hypocritical.”
At this word, Arthur was somewhat shocked. Hypocritical? Why would that be hypocritical when he wanted peace between several individuals?
Seeing that he had destabilized the king but also the people who accompanied them, Merlin could only smile proudly ignoring the looks of the druids and especially of Mordred on him.
He crossed his arms. “Now, after more than a year of rule, you say you want a treaty between the druids and the kingdom? To restore the magic?”
The blonde was silent for a few seconds before answering. "Exactly.". Arthur wanted to be quiet but no, he wanted to know how come Merlin spoke instead of his leader. "Who are you? Shouldn't your leader be the one talking or are you an counsellor or something?"
Seeing Merlin's mischievous smile growing, Arthur realized his mistake.
“Oh, my bad, I introduced myself in the name of Merlin." he says, smilling to him. "They also call me Emrys. So everything about magic goes through me, my lord.”
In his own surprise, he heard Percival's gasp of shock and even without watching, he felt the disapproving looks of Morgana and Gwen.
Gwaine sighed watching Arthur from afar. "It's official, we're screwed."
Arthur frowned as he looked at the man in front. Him, the most powerful sorcerer? "I...I imagined you more older, I must admit."
Alright, maybe he should shut his mouth because he felt even more Morgana and Gwen's stares telling him to say less but also Emrys' annoyed one on him.
He cleared his throat before continuing in a more serious tone. “Well, Emrys. Yes. We want a peace treaty between Camelot and your people. I am here to fix the mistakes of the past.”
Merlin, or Emrys from now on, slowly uncrossed his arms. Arthur took that as a sign of compassion before he said those words. "I refuse."
“Emrys.” Iseldir called to him with a voice of warning, but also of understanding. And maybe of sorrow.
“Why should I, Emrys, listen to the words of the King of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon, who has done nothing for us all these years of persecution?” He turned to the druids and then to the concerned, as if he was waiting for an answer.
But of course he was met only with a silence filled with pain by the druids and shame by the people of Camelot. So he continued smiling, still mischievously, as if he was still one step ahead, which was starting to frustrate Arthur. “Is it because now you know your dearly beloved sister has magic? You want to help her, don't you?"
Morgana raises her head up in their direction, too surprised to say a word. How could he have known? Could this be seen?
Emrys looked at the brother and sister before sighing.
"Don't get me wrong. What you are doing for your sister is surely admirable, but that's none of my business. I refuse to make any treaty just because of such selfish reasons. Tell me, what are you going to do when your sister, the only person close to you who uses magic, is no more? Are you going to abandon the treaty and persecute us like your father did before you? Or maybe use us as slaves for your court?”
The thought that someone he barely knew could believe he would do such things made Arthur nauseous. "No. No. Of course not. I would never do such a thing.”
Emrys looked him in the eyes and Arthur felt like he could see his insides like that, staring at him without flinching. But he decides to look at him too, he could not weaken. He was ready to do anything for this treaty.
It was the sorcerer who broke their eye contact, setting his eyes on his knights, Gwen and Morgana. Then, after taking a breath, he said to Arthur. "I don't have to talk to people who don't even understand magic, let alone discuss a pact with them."
The sorcerer frowned, installing a very short silence before continuing his sentence. "I, Emrys, decide not to engage in any further discussion."
And like that, with a elegant wave of his hand and a look to Arthur, Emrys disappeared under the amazed eyes of the inhabitants of Camelot but also surprised of the druids. Arthur widened his eyes and opened his mouth but nothing came out of it. Morgana walked directly over to where Emrys was landing a few seconds ago, then spoke.
"How is it possible?" She whispered softly. “Gaius told me it was not doable...”. When Uther was still king and took sorcerers to the dungeon to be executed the next day, Morgana asked Gaius if they couldn't just teleport themselves with magic to flee. The court physician sadly told her that he had never seen anyone achieve such a feat and continued to talk about all things physical and spiritual soul transport and that it was taxing and consuming too much magic.
Mordred took off his shocked look at Emrys' decision before answering. “Emrys is the strongest sorcerer who has ever walked this land. He can do anything. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
The young man rushed towards the camp and Arthur can only watch him go.
"What are we doing, Sire?" Sir Lancelot asked him.
"We stay." He says after a minute. "Let's rest the horses and settle into our lodgings."
“Arthur, the strongest sorcerer on earth just rejected you! What do you want to do?" Morgana asked irritably. The others seemed to agree.
The blond simply shrugged, hiding his surprise that his companions hadn't understood the words behind this refusal. "He said he doesn't agree with the idea of talking to people who don't understand magic. So we will figure it out magic by staying here.”
He looked at Iseldir to see if he approved, this one nodded with a smile.
"Good. Follow me, sires, my ladies.”
⚜⚜⚜
“Emrys!”
Mordred jerked the curtain of the tent where Emrys was. He walked over to the man who didn't seem bothered by his anger as he was quietly reading the book he had given him earlier, lying on a table.
“You ignored me when I was talking to you! And teleportation, really? You show-off!”. He clenched his fists. “What got into you?”
Merlin closed the book staring at Mordred, he looked annoyed. "Of course I ignored you, I was talking to the King of Camelot whose arrival you hid from me! Mordred, what got into you? You cannot believe that's a good idea!"
"Why would that be a bad thing?" The boy's voice quivered slightly. “He wants peace! This is what we have wanted for so long!”
The older one didn't answer, so he took that as a sign to continue.
“Why did you refuse so brutally to converse with him? You haven't even tried!"
Mordred was still going to argue until he heard the sounds of horses. He turned to look and gently pulled the curtain from the tent to see that the guests were still present and settling into camp. He then glared at Merlin with a hopeful eyes and voice. “They didn't leave...”
Merlin frowns before straightening up. “Since you want to act like a rebel now, you will be their guide until they leave.”
"Really? Me?" Mordred answered with great enthusiasm and a smile on his face.
"It's meant to be a punishment, Mordred. Therefore, you will not be exempt from the exam. You better know everything about the virtues and the use of meadowsweets and be ready for a potion exam in three moons. Manage your time well.”
Mordred restrained himself from grimacing by this news which did not delight him at all. “Thank you, Emrys. I will do anything to make you proud."
He rolls his eyes at this act of loyalty. "Just go see your knights. And call me Merlin, by the Triple Goddess!”
⚜
Once alone, Arthur let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding back since his more or less lively exchange with Emrys. He had settled into his tent half an hour ago now, giving his companions time to rest for a few moments.
After he came to his senses, he opened the tent to find his friends waiting for him right outside. He waved them in, luckily it was large enough to accommodate a lot of people.
No one really knew where to start so it was Gwaine who spoke up. "So..." he began, glancing at everyone. "How do we do it when the most powerful sorcerer won't listen to our princess?"
Morgana looked at him. “Better for us to be natural. He managed to guess my magic so I guess he can probably see if we're lying."
"I wasn't planning on lying to him, princess." he'd used another tone that regulars knew to tell when he was addressing Morgana or Arthur. "He seems likeable, and then his remark about the hypocrisy of the princess was on point."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, glancing at Gwaine who required elaboration on his part to say such a sentence.
He really didn't like that term "hypocrisy".
"Well, what do you really know about magic other than the evil things your father has been telling you all your life and the fact that Morgana has magic?" Gwaine asked, looking at him with the seriousness he could show when he was sincere. “Hell, I don't know much about magic either, but what if we see that from his side? This is not the best approach for a treaty, especially after the Great Purge.”
Gwaine's words had the effect of a silence, not a bad one, but rather one that leaves room for reflection.
"My lord." Lancelot stood up. “I agree with Gwaine. Also, I think it will be more nice for both druids and you to raise the question of magic when you will see and know more about it.”
Gwen smiled. “We must, for once, apply the advice on patience that Gaius keeps repeating to us. Perhaps we will have pleasant surprises afterwards?"
Arthur seriously hoped that they would have very good surprises then.
He nodded. "You are right. Let's be sincere.”
"Excuse me Sire." A voice he had heard before interrupted them. "It's Mordred. If you allow me, I'll give you all a quick tour of the camp before night falls. There will be a party in your honor.”
⚜⚜
After a very quick tour of the important places to remember to live in the camp like the physicians' tent, Iseldir's tents and Emrys', night fell. Mordred promised to give them a more complete and in-depth visit tomorrow after breakfast. The camp was livelier than Arthur had imagined, there were all ages but there weren't too many of them either, like a small village.
Dinner time arrived and the little party in their honor began. There was music, good mostly meatless food and mead.
Arthur discussed and laughed with some druids and his friends around the camp fire.
Merlin, standing well out of the way, near to the entrance to his tent, watched the group of newcomers and Mordred chatting cheerfully. He heard footsteps coming towards him and recognized those of Iseldir after years of living in community with him.
“You gave young Pendragon a hard time today, Emrys.”
“Well,” Merlin smirks “someone had to do it.”
"You gave him a chance to prove himself, though."
Merlin remained silent while Iseldir smiled tenderly at him. "It's maybe the time to face your destiny, Emrys."
Merlin watched Arthur chatted with the others, watching how well he seemed to fit in despite his showy anxiety with the way his shoulders were tense. “...Yeah. Maybe, like you said.”
He retired to his tent to go to sleep, definitely wanting to forget this too long day.
And Arthur tried to continue his night without thinking about the way Emrys had looked at him.