In a land of Myth...

Chapter 3

As Arthur and Merlin ride through the forest, they come across an abandoned Druid camp. Merlin asks if they could rest for a minute because they had been riding all morning and his stomach was starting to growl at him. Arthur looks back at his manservant and in that glance, he realizes that he has to stop because Merlin's soft eyes were pleading for food. He came to realize that he too was hungry and while Arthur didn't like staying in what appeared to be the remnants of the Druids since he doesn't know if they might come back.

"Sure, but let's make this a quick lunch, I dont really want to stay here long," Arthur said.

"Okay, I'll get lunch ready. How do sandwiches sound?"

"That sounds fine."

While Merlin prepared lunch, Arthur went and searched for evidence of the Druids returning to the camp. He pauses in the entrance to one of the larger tents. Arthur looks amazed at the number of books that are housed inside, he has never seen so many beautifully crafted book covers. While he is looking at the different covers, he doesn't notice Merlin walking up behind him with two sandwiches in his hands.

Merlin comes up from behind Arthur, and he notices all the books, knowing what they contained, and smiled slightly to himself because of the wonder that is in Arthur's profile.

"Lunch is ready," Merlin says, making Arthur jump a little bit at his words. Even though he takes his sandwich from Merlin's outstretched hand.

"Really Merlin, did you have to startle me like that?"

"I didn't mean to startle you. What are you looking at?"

"Just this huge amount of books, I know that the libraries in Camelot have a lot of books, but never such pretty covers, and the gems in the covers," Arthur says as he slowly goes in and pics one of the books up. "I dont know what language this is, but it looks pretty."

Merlin wants to respond and tell his Prince what they are, but he knows he shouldn't. "I'm not sure. but I don't know why the Druids would leave them behind."

"Neither do I, but I don't believe they are coming back. I have to assume these are books that contain magic spells. So I think a few of them need to come with us and we can determine if they are dangerous or not. If we deem them unsafe, then we will destroy them if we find they aren't the Druids that come here can claim them, and we can keep these on a shelf in my chambers. "

"But your father won't allow us to keep them in the citadel, He has deemed them all to be destroyed right away, I don't think we should take them back," Merlin says and then thinks. {Do I ask him to trust me and I take him to the Druid camp that helped me on my way to Camelot?} "Arthur, what do you think of the Druids?"

That question made Arthur stop and think for a moment, then he answers, " Well I know they practice magic and all I have ever know is magic is an evil force in the world. But, spending this afternoon in this camp I don't see any weapons and I see that they are a community that cares for one another, I think that if they were truly evil, then there wouldn't be such care put into this place. But honestly, I have never met a Druid, so I dont know what their character is."

As Arthur is answering Merlin's question Merlin, decides that he can and should tell him about the Druids he met. "Another question, have I told you about my travels to Camelot?"

"Not in much detail, other than you took about a week." as Arthur says this he finds a seat amongst the books.

As Merlin sees Arthur move, he sits as well, while saying, "I had one pleasant experience on my journey. I was walking for almost four days when I came upon a Druid camp." As I say that Arthur looks even more engaged in what Merlin was saying. Merlin continues, "They were some of the most helpful people I had come upon on my walk. I felt like I had a place I could call my own after leaving home, even if it were only for a night. They welcomed me as if I were a distant relative." Merlin says and thinks to himself I suppose I am, but Arthur can't know that.

Before Merlin could continue Arthur says," well that's very kind of them, but I dont suppose that they would ever welcome the Crown Prince of Camelot. I know what my father believes, but I want to think that for the darkness of magic that my father has experienced that there are an equally as powerful light and kind magic." I have heard the witches who have tried to kill my father say that The Old Religion demands balance, and I have yet to see the balancing good."When Merlin hears Arthur say that he responds, "Its sentiments like that make me believe even more in the world you will build once you are king, and I think if you really wanted to meet a druid or a group of druids. If you trust me, I can take us to that camp, and I'm sure they would be just as friendly to you as they were me."

Merlin was watching Arthur's face so intently to see if he would be angry with his offer, but Arthur just smiled slightly while thinking, Do I trust you, Merlin, Yes with my life. You should know that by now. I know you are the good that balances out the evil, but if you know of other good that does the same then... "Yes." comes out of Arthurs' mouth, and with that Arthur saw Merlin light up with happiness. 

"Alright, do you want to leave soon? We could even take these books with us and leave them with them. I think the Druid camp I know would appreciate them. They dont have much, but they do have enough for each other." Merlin says still with that beautiful smile on his face. 

"Sure, I trust you, Merlin. If you think it's safe for them to have them. I think I will still keep these few books and I can look at them and try to understand some of what their purpose is. And I believe I can trust you to help me." Arthur says that and has a small mirk on his face because he hopes that this is the avenue to have Merlin tell him his secret. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A/N~~~~~~~~

I was told 3rd person was better for readers so I gave it a crack.