A Herald of a New Age

Chapter five. A Shot in the Dark

|an| wow my chapter titles just get longer. As do the chapters, this is a big one.

Warning, there's suggestive Merthur. It's only there if you want it to be, I just happen to pick up on it as the writer- cause let's face it, you pick up on everything when you've written it

an|

Arthur hadnt seen Merlin so content for days. Since before the Druid boy had been awoken from the shrine. The young man practically smiled his horse into action as the prepared to say their final farewells. Was he pleased to leave? Somehow Arthur didn't think so. Maybe he was happy for Arthurs success in persuading the Druids. Though they had only really agreed on Merlins word, Arthur wasn't so stupid he couldn't see that. All the Druids looked up to him for some reason. Why? Arthur couldn't fathom, but Merlin was acting strange. Still, he was happy and so Arthur was content to let him go about his morning business not scrutinised, and the King turned his worries on someone else.

Elyan.

Whatever sickness he had felt last night must have been bad, because the knight looked rather dazed. It was strange though.. Maybe he was having a relapse possession and the Druids had helped him 'clear his head'. The incident with the Druid boy had obviously affected him in a big way. Mind you, Arthur thought, he wasn't the only one out at night..

Arthur mentally slapped himself. Merlin had just gone for a walk! Why did his thoughts always fall back to the servant!

"If I don't find out what's going on with him and everyone else at the moment, I shall go mad." Arthur growled to his horse as he hitched the girth strap a little too tight, causing the horse to grunt and attract Leon's attention.

"You alright sire?"

Atleast Leon was acting normal, and Percival and you could say Gwaine was.. Arthur snapped back from his manoeuvring thoughts. Just answer his simple question Arthur, he thought.

"Well, very well. Just a little hasty to leave- Ralfa said the Southern tribe move around a lot."

"I gather your pleased it's all falling into place then sire?"

"Yes, Leon, I am. Believe you me- nothing had worried me more than this in my life, it's so good to see I am making a change."

"As always sire, I stand with you," and indicating the rest of the Knights- and Merlin, Leon finished "We all do."

"Then let's make our leave." Arthur said, and the two men gripped each others forearm, and shook once in a gesture of brotherhood.

Arthur often wondered what he would have done all these years without Leon by his side, as they walked their horses through the Druid camp for the last time. Druids crowded either side to watch them go, and the three elders offered them luck and good fortune. And yet, the good wishes didn't seem directed at Arthur. They seemed rather much intended for the man, bumbling along on his left, eyes cast at the ground with shuffling feet and a scruffy neckerchief. What was it with Merlin and these Druids?

Either way, they had a long ride ahead of them, and Arthur couldn't afford to think on anything that might slow their progress. They had been successful here, but they had to focus ahead if they were to convince the Southern tribe that peace truly was in their hearts.

-+-+-

That night everyone was exhausted. They had ridden long into the darkness and had made astonishing progress. At this rate they may even reach the old camp by tomorrow, Arthur thought. But it wouldn't be until dark again, so they would have to wait to begin the hardest task. The Knights were talking about using Merlins little trick but Arthur had his suspicions that it had been a coverup for something else. Arthur had begun to piece things together on the ride and he now believed that Merlin had been searching for the Druids all night. After all- that had been what all the strange meditating had been about, right? And somehow Arthur had decided that Merlin couldn't possibly be a traitor. But there was one thing that still didn't fit the puzzle -( well, two if you counted the odd behaviour with Druids but that would sort itself out. Merlin couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it)- The conversation with Gauis the night after he had announced his plan. And as hard as the King tried it wouldn't fit. And so, with his ideas about Merlin and the mysterious attitudes of the Druids firmly in his head, he decided to confront Merlin once and for all.