Oh dear again by happy-rea

Chapter 15

(*_*) (*_*) (*_*) Chapter 15 (*_*) (*_*) (*_*)

The castle was full of noise, people who were running around trying to make sense of what had happened. Arthur stood on the tallest tower, looking towards the woods, where he knew that the druids were hiding.

He waited to watch Merlin and Gwen return.

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Merlin was tired although he did not show it, the whole day had been an emotional drain as well as a physical one and he was ready to sleep forever. But he knew that he would have to wait before he could fall into his small bed in Gaius' chambers, so he didn't let it show. He smiled and made the children laugh, keeping their spirits up on the long walk back to Camelot.

"I'm tired Merlin."

He smiled down at the young girl who was still holding the white rabbit, he bent down and allowed her to jump on his back, they walked out of the forest and Camelot Castle was in sight giving them all a bit more energy.

Ron has been shoved onto a horse –given to them by the druids – and was being pulled along unmercifully.

They finally walked out of the forest and into the castle's shadow, soon they were at the gate and Arthur ran to meet them. "Merlin."

He smiled wearily, "Hi Arthur, listen put Ron in the cells and make sure everyone goes home safely, I feel ready to collapse." Some of the knights grabbed Ron and dragged him to the cells, Arthur watched as Merlin allowed the young girl to slide of his back and to the waiting arms of her father. "Death count?" Merlin asked

"None" Arthur replied steadying his friend "listen I'm taking you to Gaius, you were fine before you left. Said you were on half power."

Merlin was now half-asleep, "why would Ron do that?" Arthur was confused but Gwen replied, now steadying Merlin on the other side.

"He was jealous Merlin."

"But I would have given him the money otherwise." Merlin mumbled

"I know that, but he didn't. He just wanted to be the best." Gwen continued as they guided Merlin towards the castle.

Eventually they got Merlin to bed; he was asleep instantly. Arthur looked to Gwen for an explanation.

"We went to go see Ron and Hermione, she's gone home, but Ron said Merlin had to go with them. He had to marry Ginny, he got really angry when he said that his name was no longer Harry James Potter. Then Merlin said that he would never leave my side because if I died he would grab the first sword he saw and kill himself with it, were it not for his promise to protect you and Camelot. That if Ron wanted to try and take him back then, if he succeeded they would just have a dead hero." Gwen stopped and looked into Arthur's eyes "Do I really hold that much control over the future of Camelot?"

"You hold that much control over our main protector" Arthur replied before signalling for Gwen to continued, Morgana, Uther and Gaius were all listening intently as well.

"Well, Ron was still angry that Harry would dare claim to hold the name Merlin, saying Merlin was a wise old man who was the only person who could cast wandless magic. He said that Merlin was a coward and had only come to Camelot to hide from an evil wizard. Merlin disagreed saying that someone called Nimueh was worse and that he had already killed her. Ron said that Merlin was turning dark. Merlin and he had a fight in which Merlin won, using magic but with no stick – or wand – and no words either. Again he told them to leave only this time we turned to leave as well. But Ron," she paused and tried to calm down from the shock, "next thing I know, I've been pushed to the ground by Merlin and a green light sped over our heads. Merlin got really angry – I've never seen him like that before."