The Aftermath 2 (Merlin) ON HOLD

Chapter One: Tears Fall

In the weeks that followed Camelot rejoiced at the return of their beloved Knights: Sir Elyan, Gwaine and Lancelot back from the dead, back to serve their beloved kingdom.

Of course in the beginning, this caused much confusion. The King could not deny his people the answers they sought and so with the reluctant agreement of his manservant Merlin. Arthur announced that it was a Warlock, who under the supervisions of the sidhe spirits and with the triple goddesses guidance had brought the Knights of the round table back. The Warlock who had done so? Why it was none other than the King's manservant himself - Merlin.

Many people were shocked at the revelation of the King being so close to a magic user, but for others, others who practiced magic and were still wary of the King's change in ruling, saw this as reason to place trust in the man. He had a powerful Warlock by his side, as his friend, there could be no room to doubt that the King had accepted magic in his mind and in his heart.

Many celebrations, festivals and feasts took place in the Knights honour, in the King's honour and most surprisingly: in Merlin's - the first feast the boy had not been made to serve at.

Gwaine and the Warlock rekindled their mischievous relationship immediately as they stole apple pies from the kitchen along with the help of Percival. Gwaine had become a tad curious at the closeness between the giant and serving boy. They had never been this close before and now here they were calling each other nicknames. But even if he was slightly jealous, being with the pair of them, being alive, knowing that the two men had found friendship between each other provided the shaggy haired Knight enough happiness to last him a lifetime. Speaking of Gwaine's happiness... the tavern. Oh wow was the knight glad to be home with actual drinkable ale that wasn't of his own concoction. The tavern owners were definitely pleased with the overwhelming new amount of profit the returning Knight brought.

Elyan had spent many a time with his sister in the first few weeks of his arrival, he had missed Guinevere dearly as she had him. Their relationship as siblings grew stronger than it had ever been, as they both knew what it was like to live without the other. Neither of them would take a second for granted in the time they spent in each others company.

As for Lancelot? Very early on his return, him and Arthur had had a heart to heart. It was no lie that the pair had never been the closest of friends, after all pining for the same woman would do that to a friendship. But Lancelot was very clear in that he had absolutely no intention of rekindling any past extinguished flame he had with the Queen. He also begged for Arthur to understand that it was not him who kissed Gwen, yes he remembered it, but it was not him. The king assured the honourable knight that he believed him and that Merlin had explained it all. Arthur and Lancelot, although it may sound unlikely, considering their history, became quite close friends in the weeks that followed.

Much to the dismay of Merlin: Leon, Percival, Gwen, Gaius and Arthur all agreed that the returning knights of Camelot should be made aware of the Warlock's suffering in the past few months in case for some reason, something was to happen whilst one of the three knights were with him. Once Gwaine, Elyan and Lancelot had found this out they immediately felt guilty as it was of their belief that all the not sleeping; poisoning; nightmares; burns and the uncontrollable magic was all because of them. And whilst they were right to a degree, Merlin could not tell them the true reason for all of this. He couldn't tell anyone.

Merlin's experiences in the past few weeks had been both the most amazing and worst time of his life. His body was now a canvas of black lines and roots, even with all of his scars he had never felt as much as a monster as he did now. Looking into the mirror only brought him sadness and fear of what is to come.

Although physically the boy looked as though he had been taken over by the so called curse, the veins stretching up to his neck, rest assure his mind and magic was still fighting with every inch of their being.