Darkness

He's gone

Arthur was holding his weekly audiences when it happened. It had been two weeks since Merlin was supposed to be back, but he still wasn't. Arthur had his hand over his face for a second and when he looked up and saw Hunith standing in the middle of the room, his heart sank. Arthur got to his feet quickly, rushing forward to the woman. Gwen had her hand on her mouth, knowing this would not be good. Her best friend's mother was here in Camelot. And he was not.

"Hunith?" Arthur said questioningly when he reached her. She gave him a small sad smile, but it quickly fell as did her tears.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Sire-" She started.

"Arthur. You can call me Arthur, Hunith. Please." Arthur coaxed.

"Arthur. He asked me to wait before I came to you. When he was gone for a week I knew it was too long. Merlin only stayed in Ealdor for a few days before he went on his way. He was on some sort of self designated mission. He does that a lot, I think, so he won't worry anyone. But he must have known something would go wrong."

"His funny feelings." Arthur said softly.

"He asked me to come to Camelot, to you." She pulled out the letters that Merlin had left with her. Arthur noticed his name written on the top letter in Merlin's elegant script. He thought his heart would stop when he took it. His jaw was clenched so tight, he thought his teeth might break. The other letter had Gwaine's name on it. That surprised him, but he was more focused on the one in his hands. Hunith looked up at him, hoping he would point out the Knight for her. Arthur motioned to the side where Gwaine stood, unsure of what was happening. He stepped forward though at Arthur's motion. Hunith looked up at the handsome man with sad eyes and handed him the letter with his name scrawled across. Gwaine took it and stared at it before looking up to meet Hunith's gaze, and then Arthur's. He looked back at the letter in his hands and slowly went back to his former position, trying to keep his face expressionless, but failing. Hunith and Arthur both see the pain and sadness cross his features.

"Can you tell us anything?" Arthur asked her.

"No. He said he'd explained everything in his letters. I know he was looking for someone. If...if it's alright, Arthur, I'd like to stay here. Until he returns. He always comes back and I know he would do everything he could to get back here." Her voice cracked a few times at the end. Gwen had rushed forward and wrapped her in a hug, which Arthur was thankful for.

"You are always welcome here, Hunith." Gwen reassured her. "Let's get you to Gaius. Let me walk you." Arthur smiled softly at his wife and it was returned with affection. After they were gone, Arthur ordered the throne room emptied except for Gwaine, Leon, Percival, and Elyan. He broke the seal and opened his letter to read what Merlin had to say. The further he read, the paler he got.

"No!" a yell resounded through the room as Gwaine let out his frustration. After the long silence the sound had made everyone jump. He looks up at Arthur then, and grits his teeth, before heading for the door.

"Stop him." Arthur directs the others.

"Arthur. Let. Me. Go." Gwaine growls.

"No. They deserve to know what's going on. After that, we'll plan a patrol for tomorrow." Arthur told him. Gwaine had turned to face Arthur at this, and was clearly angry, but gave a short nod.

"What is going on, Sire?" Leon asked.

"Merlin has gone in search of Morgana." He paused registering the shock and anger on the faces of each of his most trusted Knights. "It seems he had gotten knowledge that she was traveling along the border near Mercia and decided to investigate himself. The letters...the letters were given to Hunith to bring to Camelot should he not return to her within a few days. He didn't return. Gwaine..." Arthur paused, unsure how to continue. "How long?"

"Most of the last year. Started out as just a bit fun, which is all he was wanting. A distraction, he'd said. I, uh, may have gotten a bit attached. I suppose." Gwaine said, clearing his throat.

"It's alright, Gwaine. The fact you were able to keep it secret so long means you weren't letting it interfere with your duties. Was he happy?" Arthur asked the last bit after a short pause, genuinely curious.

"He was always himself around me, you know? I know that you are aware of certain things, based on his letter. He didn't have to hide anything when we were together. He was...we...were happy." Gwaine's eyes were shining, though whether it was from anger or sadness, no one could tell.

"Leon, Percival, Elyan, before we go any further in discussion, I need you to swear that what is said in this room will never be repeated, on pain of banishment." Arthur said, looking at each of the men in turn.

"We swear, Sire." They repeated.

"Merlin, is not helpless, or defenseless. He has been protecting me, all of us, really, since he came to Camelot. Merlin has magic." Percival hid his reaction fairly well, but he looked relieved, not apprehensive in the least. Elyan was stunned. Leon pursed his lips. "Based on your reactions some of you knew, or guessed as much already." Percival nodded.

"Lancelot was always on edge, worried and anxious when he went too long without getting a letter from Merlin. I cornered him about it once and swore an oath to him that I'd take it to my grave." Percival answered.

"Leon?" Arthur asked.

"Sire." Leon straightened his shoulders. "From the moment I was healed with the cup of life by the Druids, I was imparted with some...clarity for lack of a better term. I did what I could to keep him safe on patrols, when Lancelot couldn't be there." Arthur watched them all. Gwaine seemed relieved after hearing the confessions.

"Now, we need to set up patrols. Let's take this meeting to my chambers where we have less chances of being overheard." Arthur said. They headed out of the throne room then to begin the planning.

Patrols went out the next morning and were out monthly thereafter. 

For nearly two years, the Camelotians patrolled refusing to accept Merlin was gone.