Chapter 16.

The return back to Merlin's house was a subdued affair none of them spoke, each of them radiating their own form of disappointment. Arthur was taking his anger out on the boat by kicking large chunks of wood out of it. Merlin had taken off his scarf and was twisting it into many different knots whereas Tawni was staring down, deep into the depths of the Lake as if she could see something very interesting down there. "The Lady of the Lake." she muttered under her breath as they sailed closer to the shore. Merlin glanced up at her and then turned his eyes towards the surface of the lake but Freya wasn't there. "No I doubt she'd know." Tawni muttered to herself. The boat they were in gently bumped against the shore and the three of them climbed out. It was just starting to reach around seven in the morning. The minute Arthur's feet touched the shore the boat disappeared.

The streets were empty as it was a Saturday and hardly anyone had to go to work. They walked down the empty streets and through the front door to Merlin's house. Arthur stormed off to his room, slamming the door behind him. "Shouldn't we…" Tawni started.

"Leave him." Merlin interrupted. "He has every right to be angry. The disappointment he went through today. Why did you even have to tell him? I told you not to."

"Oh so this is my fault is it?!!! I didn't know it wasn't going to work anymore than you did!!!" Tawni said.

"Then why tell him?!!!" Merlin asked.

"Because he had a right to know about the possible way to get back to Camelot!!!!" Tawni retorted angrily. Merlin sighed on the TV to block Tawni out.

"And in other news some books that appear to have come from medieval England have turned up in Chelsea library." Merlin sat forward in interest whereas Tawni stayed stood by the door staring at the TV without blinking. "We now go live to Chelsea library to an interview with a Mrs Henchman. Mrs Henchman what era do these books seem to have come from?"

A woman with triangular glasses and a long beaked nose with cold stony grey eyes glared at the camera. "These books seem to be dated around the late 5th Century, early 6th. So around the Arthurian era." she said.

"Arthurian era? Can you explain what that is?" the reporter said. The librarian sighed. "The Arthurian era is the age around which time people believed the land of medieval Britain was ruled by King Arthur Pendragon."

"Someone call me?" Arthur asked as he poked his head around the door frame. He was immediately shushed by Merlin and Tawni.

"Surely King Arthur's a myth?" the reporter said.

"Hey! Do I look like a myth to you?!!” Arthur asked the reporter.

"Arthur he can't hear you." Merlin said.

"Shut up Merlin. I'm talking to this person, who believes I'm a myth, at the minute." Arthur said. Merlin shook his head fondly at Arthur.

“No. No. Some people don’t believe that there was any proof that there actually was a King Arthur ruling over Britain, but some people do like to believe that the myths are true.” Mrs Henchman said. “I for one do not believe in him. I believe that it was just a story told to young children. But these books would prove otherwise. Or so it would seem if they are indeed from the Arthurian era.”

“Hellooooooo? I am right here. Listening to what you say. I am not just a stupid story!!!” Arthur ranted. Merlin and Tawni sighed.

“Will the library be open for anyone to view the books today?” the reporter asked.

“No. I will be studying over these books in great detail all of today. Then maybe hand them over to a museum.” Mrs Henchman said.

“Okay. There you go folks. A possible artefact that could prove that King Arthur was real. Back to you in the studio.” The reporter finished.

An image of the books popped up on the screen. There were three books all bound in brown leather with silver clasps. Arthur reached for the remote to turn off the TV when Merlin snatched it away. “That’s my book!! My spell book!!!!” he cried.

“What?” Arthur and Tawni echoed.

“My spell book. That one.” Merlin cried again, pointing to a brown leather book with bronze clasps and runes along the binding.

“Then let’s go and get it.” Arthur said.

“The library is shut today. Dollophead.” Merlin said, slapping Arthur’s forehead.

“I’ll have you in the stocks for that Merlin....when we get back to Camelot.” Arthur said.

“Like to see you try.” Merlin muttered.

“I beg your pardon Merlin.” Arthur said in mock hurt.

“Nothing.” The young sorcerer muttered.

“Yeah you bet nothing.” Arthur replied. “So what do we do?”

"We think of a plan.” Tawni hurriedly answered before Merlin could add a snide remark.

“But for you that would be hard. Seeing as your brain is so small.” Merlin said.

“Spoke too soon.” Tawni muttered as she moved more into the room and sat on the sofa joined by Arthur and Merlin again.