are they going to return to the question of whether arthur was responsible for the deaths of the druids, or whether that was a tavern rumor without truth to it? seems like that might be a biggie for arthur's character...

and how did alvarr know to take merlin to try to use his magic with the crystals? i mean, when he and mordred tried to steal the crystal before, he said that no one with arthur was able to use it (merlin standing right there)... so alvarr must have found out something... or did mordred tell him?
also, nice to see arthur failing to cope with merlin's affliction, preferring action (and now there's none for him to take) i rather thought it would be harder on him, having his father already in this condition...

now i'm wondering if alvarr found anything out, using merlin in the cave, and what...

sometimes no (or slight) visible injury is worse...

it's an interesting parallel, to have merlin's symptoms so similar to uther's, to compare arthur's feelings and reactions to these two (normally) very different men who play such different roles in his life...
my guess is that merlin was taken to the crystal cave... but for several days? *cringe* several minutes is too much for merlin in that place... :(

Profound. In other versions, Merlin has been shown as an old man, wise from years of living; as a magician who lives backwards in time (T.H. White); as an immortal, wise from centuries of life, but here you've presented another possibility, your own slightly unique contribution to the body of Merlin lore existing today. Merlin's near otherworldly wisdom as a product of the Crystal Cave's visions. "A wise man grown old before his time". Just amazing thought put into this story. Sometimes I just can't believe the quality of stories I encounter in fanfiction, especially the Merlin fandom! Who needs real books when people like you write such stuff?!

The Jewel of this story I feel are those two paragraphs: "And all fates are thus. . ." and the last line of it the core philosophy (I think) of the Arthurian tragedy that strikes a chord in my heart and in my own life: " And between where you stand and the future, lie all those days in between."

Wow. Gaius's little lecture at the end of this chapter was quite powerful, especially in the context of the way the show ended. Great chapter!

Brilliant! Well done!

Found this through a video. I like it.

Really didn't like Gwaine assuming that Gwen chose Arthur over a "poor knight". Lancelot actually left Gwen, then she fell in love with Arthur, that's why she chose him. Gwen is your friend Gwaine how can u think so little of her? :( otherwise this is such a good fan fic!

Very beautifully written, interesting spin on the traditional and BBC version of events. Your imagery was excellent.

This is heartbreakingly sweet. The end if the tale is the big reason I was never a huge fan of the Camelot stories, but you handle that elegantly and beautifully here. Very nice work, if a little sad. I can't say I'm too upset about the disney-fication the BBC has done.

so all of its inevietable is it, soo depressing, i wished u had had a better !

First Gwen-centred fic and I enjoyed it a lot xD I did miss Arthur a bit though.. Can't wait to read sequel and continue this story xD