A Herald of a New Age

Chapter One. A Herald Of A New Age

The Druid boy leaves a lasting impression on Arthur and in an attempt to fulfill his promise to the spirit he sets out to find the Druid tribes of Camelot and bring them together to make peace. He learns of stories, prophecies and of Emrys. He also can't get it out of his mind that the Druids are acting strange around his manservant, but he is sure the truth will come out soon enough, after all- Merlin couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it.

Everything held its breath, the trees, the insects and birds, the men in the hollow, even the air around them, grew stiff as the former Sir Elyan drew his sword. Water streamed from nowhere, drenching the possessed knight in freezing liquid and running down his fingertips, sliding down his drawn blade like blood. The Once and Future King knelt before him, tears- as opposed to water, sliding down his own face and his manservant was frozen behind him. The King composed his rapid breaths and made one final attempt to truly show how much he regretted his actions, how much he wished he hadn't done what he had done here, just a few years prior. But there were no words that could express the memory that added the weight of a thousand ages to the Kings head every time he brought it to mind, it haunted him, like the spirit before him and Arthur had often felt he may be possessed by it- consumed by regret.

"I truly am sorry."

It was pitiful by comparison. The King began to lose control of his breathing again as the sword came up to his side, and then-

Dropped with a clash to the floor.

His manservant gave a start from behind, as if emerging from one of those dreams where you cannot move, and jolting awake. Arthur stared in shock as soaked ebony arms pulled him back to his feet and pulled him close into what he then realised was an embrace. Arthur was too numb to consider the swing of the tide and simply let the spirit hold him, child holding adult. Adult crying, child comforting. It was the last thing you would expect. Then came the sound. The sound of a child's voice in his ear, so surreal from Elyans mouth, but it spoke the most vivid words. The words Arthur had most wanted and least expected to hear.

"I forgive you."

And then the child fell back, and the man fell forward into Arthur's chest. The spirit drifting away on the air above them and releasing the pressure in the hollow as well. A great weight lifted from the Earth, a great wrong righted. What Arthur had said he meant. He may have wanted to be his father then, but no longer. He would always honour his reign and Strive to make him proud, but there were some things that had to change. Suddenly he was decided. He would take action, now, before anything like the massacre that caused the events of the unfortunate week, should chance to pass again. Never again, would the Druids have to fear. Yes, Arthur thought, they shall be shown the respect they deserve. I must right my predecessors wrongs and make peace among them, and respect their practices as neutral and lawful, not the evil source that corrupts the soul. No, it was magic that corrupted the soul- but the Druids Arthur realised had long found ways to keep out of the dark, and though his father may have thought otherwise, Arthur believed that the Druids kept their hearts and minds safe from magical twisting through their traditions. Those traditions should have been able to be in practice, yes, that was why the Druids turned- they couldn't keep up their traditions and so succumbed to the dark. The realisation hit Arthur like a breath of fresh morning air.

"Arthur?"

It was Merlin from behind, he looked seriously concerned. Oh, right, yes- he was standing there, frozen to the spot, sopping wet, with a man of wavering consciousness leant against him- having previously been possessed. Yes, he had every right to worry.

"I'm fine, Merlin," Arthur said waving a hand to pass off the serious look on his servants face- he realised his voice came out as a hoarse whisper and cleared his throat,