A Herald of a New Age

Chapter two. A Goodbye

|an| well, here we go. Enjoy umm yea. I've had exams and have been stealing away to write. Enjoy the chapter. |an|

"Gaius, you're awake."

Merlin hadn't expected the physician to be up for when he left with the Knights and it was therefore rather embarrassing to walk down the steps, neckerchief still undone, rubbing his eyes with his fists and with hair that look much like that of his younger self, into the barage of Gaius' disapproving gaze.

"Well, I can't have you leaving like that." The old man said abandoning his breakfast and coming over to help tie the worn red scarf around the warlocks neck. He had a gentle yet purposeful touch, that made Merlin feel strangely safe. Having barely known his father, he would miss the man who had come to be one to him. Gaius had a pure heart and a clear head, one day, Merlin hoped he might grow old to be like him, to make him proud.

"And also, I wanted to give you some advice."

"Don't be stupid?" Merlin chuckled moving over to the table where a candle burnt to illuminate the slight darkness that came with the early hours of the morning, he sat down next to a plate of a few slices of bread and an apple, taking his rucksack from beside the stool leg and plonking down on said stool to check the contents.

"Well, yes," Gaius said coming to sit down opposite Merlin and placing his hands together on the table in front of him, to watch Merlin tuck into his bread. "But also something you might listen too."

Merlin looked up from his bag, having wolfed down the first slice of the warm bread- probably Gaius had gone out to the baker in the lower town earlier this morning to get one still warm, and turned to meet the old mans eyes.

"The Druids will recognise you."

"I know. That's what I'm worried about."

"You must show them an example, they will- when it comes to it- follow you, not Arthur, that's why you need each other to unite both sides of our community."

"That's why we're "two sides of the same coin." Or something." Merlin said vaguely and Gaius smiled, recognising the words of the dragon.

"Yes, I simply ask that you are careful, that you lie low, and- that you learn from this trip."

"Learn? You want me to find out about magic from them?" Merlin was shocked. That was the last thing he expected from Gaius' mouth, but now he thought of it.. The amount of knowledge about magic that was purely orally passed on was much greater than the portion that was written down. Especially the Druids magic, their healing- which Merlin struggled with- was unrivalled in the five Kingdoms and to be able to learn about it..

"There is everything to gain from this journey, I don't want you to miss out on anything because I have said not too, just so long as you're not-"

"Stupid." Merlin laughed.

"Well I was thinking more along the lines of careless, but if you would like to be that abrupt, then yes, don't be stupid."

Merlin and Gaius chuckled together before Merlin realised he should have been with Arthur five minutes ago and dashed back up to his room to messily roll up his sleeping mat and shove his magic book and a pile of herbs into his bag.

He was about to launch himself out his bedroom door, but at the last second decided to grab a pencil and paper- to write down anything he found out- and flung himself down the steps. A hasty hug with Gaius, and an apple in his hand, Merlin sprinted for the courtyard to help the King get ready.

-+++-

Merlin was late. But that was hardly what was on Arthur's mind- he had spent all of the night wondering about the trip ahead and of the conversation he had overheard last night. His dreams had even been occupied with whispering behind closed doors and dark shadows with Druids eyes shining from the dark. He had never had such vivid dreams that reflected what had happened during his waking hours, that showed how much it was on his mind- he had wondered twice this morning whether he had actually slept at all and had just sat there with his eyes closed and thought for six hours on end. It wasn't unlikely, Arthur was exhausted.