A Herald of a New Age

Chapter twenty. An agreement.

|an| I should be revising for exams but here we are. Starting the next chapter the day after posting the last one? Unheard of. Well uh, here we go |an|

"Wonder what they'll feed us this time."

"If it's gruel I'm not eating it"

"Hopefully we won't be prisoners this time."

"Yeah, try not to draw your sword on them before Arthur even has a chance."

"A chance to do what, unleash his diplomacy?"

"Yes." Arthur quipped back at Gwaine. "Leon's right, no sword drawing inside the wards. In fact we should leave everything with the horses."

Arthur and the parade wandered on through the trees looking for a good place to tie up their steeds. Hopefully they would be better received at the Southern Tribe this time around. He'd speculated all day, barely noticing the sun rising and beginning to fall as landscapes had blurred past him.

The goodbyes had been harsh that morning, Hunnith had given up so much for them and Merlin especially would miss her. To be honest, Hunnith was the figure closest to a mother in Arthur's life, as weird as it sounded. Morgana had chastised him all his life and Uther had been a hard father, but neither had a motherly instinct like Hunnith. Arthur guessed that even Morganas feisty nature couldn't rival the lioness that Hunnith concealed.

He couldn't ball it up this time. He owed it to Derec and his son, to Nai and Noren and all the Druids affected to try and amend the Purge. He so wanted the war tribe to be forgiven, but it seemed unlikely, as there was only one standing member left. A small, mousy haired boy. Arthur glanced over to him, watching as he lead the pony he and Nai had been sharing through the undergrowth. The girl, ever at his side, was perched on the horses back in anticipation. She was going home.

"This looks a good spot." Percival called, pointing to a bare patch some ten metres ahead. The bear lead the way over and scooped Nai off her pony and onto the floor with the others, earning a squeal of delight. Gwaine reluctantly sheathed his sword and attached it to his saddle girth, kissing it goodbye. Arthur took off his red cloak and also set his ever loyal sword beside it. He shoved down the building tension in his stomach.

"Okay, I'm going to try and reach them." Merlin said, squaring his feet and screwing up his brow. Arthur had no idea what it was like to perform magic, but it seemed it took all your concentration at times, yet Merlin could also light a fire without thinking. It confused him no end, but he resolved to try and understand it as best he could once they returned to Camelot. He hadn't had much time to ponder his prosperous city during the quest. He wondered how Gaius was fairing, whether Agravaine was making any progress on finding a traitor. He was sure his uncle would be dedicated to Camelot though. If there was one thing he wouldn't do, it was reject the city and its people for some other cause.

Merlin stirred, blinked and just about managed to stop himself toppling over. Arthur shook his head, laughing under his breath, whatever powers Merlin possessed his clumsy limbs would surely counteract.

"We are allowed in."

Everyone sighed in relief.

"But no weapons, and I have to bring Nai through first."

Arthur had suspected a catch, but this wasn't so bad. He checked no one had left penknives on them and that the horses were secure before following Merlin through the woodland.

Had he stepped here before? Maybe. They had approached the Southern woods from a different direction, but it couldn't be more than ten miles from the river they had camped at when they had first arrived and departed from here.  He was certainly a different man though, this time he would make sure he stayed conscious and free from dark curses. This time he'd be there for everyone.