There can be no place for magic in Camelot

Druids

The day was spent much the same as the previous afternoon. Riding, stopping briefly for food and water breaks. Everyone stayed mostly quiet, lost in their thoughts from the previous evenings' conversation. While most of them were subdued, Gwaine was constantly smiling and even humming a few times, until glares from the King and a few others caused him to stop. He may have gotten some news that he had been hoping for, but Merlin was still gone. The thought that kept him going, was the thought that he was going to properly take Merlin out when he caught up with him. They caught sight of the caves, and were there about an hour before the sun set. As they neared, several druids were lined up like they were waiting for the party to arrive. They dismounted and as they neared the cave entrance, a middle aged man approached them.

"Welcome, King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Knights of the Round Table. Please, come inside. We have much to discuss." The man motioned for the Camelotians to come inside the cave. They looked at each other, wary. Well, Gaius wasn't wary and was welcomed in warmly. As they entered they were ushered to some tables that were set up and had stew and bread put in front of them. Gwaine shoveled his stew in like he'd been starving, which caused the druids to smile at him. If these were Merlin's people, Gwaine was determined to make a good impression. Percival found this extremely amusing, but followed suit. As they ate the man who welcomed them in, talked.

"I'm Iseldir. I'm the Elder of this camp. We were told that you might be passing through. Though it was a very brief message. We aren't entirely sure what we're meant to tell you. He was fairly cryptic." At the mention of he Arthur nearly choked on his food.

"He? Merlin? Was he here?" Gwen asked hurriedly.

"Yes. Well, not exactly." Iseldir wasn't being very clear.

"It's alright. They know he's Emrys." Mordred told the man. Iseldir nodded then and gave Mordred a sad smile.

"Thank you, Mordred. It has been too long since we've seen you. I'm glad to see you are doing well. To answer your question, then, he passed by near here. He sent us a message." Iseldir tapped his finger to his brow. "He seemed...distant. Not like he was far away, but like he was shut off. Or trying to be. He informed Mara that he had told you to seek us out in regards to him, his magic, his destiny. We will tell you what we can, but there is much that even we cannot tell. He wouldn't tell us where he was going, or what he intended. It was most...distressing. He's always been so determined, so encouraging. But it was almost as if he was...giving up. Emrys is a great many things; powerful, compassionate, wise. But never hopeless. Never...empty. I don't know what has transpired recently that may have caused this development. After we tell you what we know, then you must share what has happened on your end. When you are finished eating, we'll move further inside to sit by the fire." Iseldir said and then left them at the tables.

They were hungry, but they were all also anxious to hear whatever the man had to say about their friend. Gwaine, Percival, Mordred and Elyan were the first done and already over by the fire while Arthur, Gwen and Giaus were finishing their meals. Gwaine and Percival were playing with the children that were running around. At least three had climbed on Percival like he was a mountain and another pair were wrestling with Gwaine, while Elyan and Morder laughed at the sights. When the royals approached, the children scampered away. While Arthur didn't hunt down those associated with magic, or even hold executions for those using magic, he hadn't made any changes to those unjust laws that his father had installed. Arthur couldn't hide his wince. Gwen was just as disheartened by the reaction as Arthur, so she just patted his arm as they took their seats. Iseldir gave them an apologetic smile. The King, Queen, and Gaius quickly spoke of the events that led them to the camp.

"What is it that you would like to know?" Iseldir asked afterwards, looking around.

"How often is someone born with magic?" Gwen asked, before anyone else could say anything.