The Aftermath (Merlin)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Visitors

It was a new day, Arthur, Percival and Leon were all stood in courtyard each holding the reigns of their steeds. They were about to set out on a hunting trip, much to Merlin's dismay, but with the kingdom finally seemingly at peace and the reintroduction of magic going better than anyone could have hoped the King had suggested this trip as a reward. The three men were waiting for their fourth member who had to go back into the kitchens to grab the food supplies he had forgotten to pack.

"What's taking him so long?" The blonde asked exasperated "You would think he would just use his magic to make the food appear in front of him"

Leon chuckled at his friends statement "I don't think he always remembers that he's free to use magic, it's ingrained so deeply into his mind that he can't use it, we should probably remind him that he can actually use his magic now."

As the the three Knights continued into a conversation, it stopped when Percival suddenly froze going silent mid sentence. Leon and Arthur looked at the giant in puzzlement.

"Sire?" Percival began and nodded forward, indicating for his friends to turn around, the royal and older Knight did so.

Entering the gates were a group of nine people, whilst they all walked together there was two distinct groups within the big group. These groups were distinguishable because of the clothing choices. Four of them wore only grey, black and purple (two men and two women) they also had a multitude of tattoos visible, most notably the most forefront bald man in purple and black who was quite short, held a staff and had dot tattoo's around his neck. Meanwhile the second group of five wore a multitude of colours but mostly reds, oranges, greens and little bit of blue (three men and two women). The most forefront member of that group was easily recognisable to Arthur and Leon. It was Iseldir, the elder of one of the local druid camps. Since the lift on the magic ban the druids had been seen more frequently in towns but they still stayed mostly in their camps, it was their way of life now and they enjoyed it. It allowed them to be closer to nature and magic or so they said.

The group attracted a few stares from servants and citizens as they strode into the courtyard. Arthur looked to Leon and Percival before handing the reigns of his horse to the stable boy, the Knights followed suit and the three men walked towards the new arrivals. The bald man and Iseldir were both at the front of the group, like two leaders of different clans discussing peace (or at least that's what Arthur thought it looked like). As the Camelotians and new arrivals met, Iseldir lowered his head out of respect, the rest of the group did so too but the ones dressed in black and purple were much more reluctant but did so anyway.

"Arthur" Iseldir greeted.

"Iseldir, to what do I owe this pleasure?" The King returned, he never had a quarrel with the druids nor did he have a quarrel with any magic users anymore.

"You remember me?" The tall man in a green cloak queried.

"Of course, you helped save my friends life." The blonde turned to face Leon at that point before bringing his attention back to the group.

It was now the bald man spoke, his voice was rough and deep, but he didn't speak to the Knights, he turned sideways to look at Iseldir "We don't have time for this, where is he?" His voice was quiet but not so quiet that the royal couldn't hear what was said.

"Who is it you are looking for?" Leon asked as he too overheard. "Maybe we can help you find him."

"We don't need your help" the short man snapped, which caused the druid leader to look disapprovingly at the speaker.

"Don't give me that Iseldir, we've been trying to contact him for a week and he is yet to reply, it's worse than we thought, and these Knights will be of no help."