Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Merlin lets out a roar. It still comes easily after all this time and is greeted with the sound of large wings flapping as a speck fills the sky. The ground shudders under his feet and he holds his friend steady. 

Leon goes to reach for the hilt of his sword, eyes glazed with memories of the past. He spent more time in the past than Merlin did these days. Long distance looks as if he is seeing another world

“DRAGON!” He cries indignantly, instead reaching for where his dagger had once stood but that wasn’t there either. 

“Yes, Leon. It’s a dragon but it’s ok. You don’t have to be scared Aithusa won’t harm you. He’s here to take us to Albion” Merlin speaks softly to his old friend. 

“Albion...Home” Leon says softly. 

“Yeah...Home. Come on Arthur’s waiting and this is the fastest way” Merlin’s voice cracks a little at the word home but he holds steady. He guides his grey-streaked friend towards Aithusa. 

He had grown wonderfully over the last millennium. Nothing like that brittle little white dragon that Morgana had used and hurt. He was strong now. His legs filled out with muscle. He wasn’t as big as Kilgharrah had been and Merlin felt a pang in his heart for his old smog-headed friend. 

But he just like everybody else had gone as well. Long turned to dust. Remembered only in Merlin’s mind.

“She really is lovely. Is she yours oh great dragon lord?” Leon asks, a little teasingly. 

“He belongs to nobody but himself but we have an understanding,” Merlin says softly. Correcting his friend softly. 

It had taken centuries to get Aithusa to understand that he had never meant to hurt the Hatchling. He still didn’t understand why he had saved Morgana but that was something that even Aithusa had refused to answer, whether or not he had one was a different question. 

He was also sad that Kilgarrah wasn't around to teach Aithusa the ways of being a dragon. The way he had promised to be. 

“I don’t think I would have liked him much from the way you talk of him” His haughty voice speaks. Reading his mind. 

“Still you deserved to be with someone of your own kind” Merlin says as Aithusa bends his graceful neck so Merlin can get Leon on to it. 

“I had you Emrys” The bastard reminds him, blinking at him softly. 

“I wish you’d stop calling me that and it’s not the same. You know that as equally as I do” 

“Merls...did you know that dragons can talk” Leon whispers, gently patting over Aithusa’s scales. Aithusa let out a snort of amusement. 

“Yes, I’ve known for a long time. Now I need you to look at me Leon” Merlin orders and his friend does so. 

And Merlin almost wished he didn’t. 

He can see it. Had been seeing it slowly over time. Merlin was immortal. He would probably exist after the sun had long given up but Leon had only drunk from the cup of life. While he was immortal to death by dangerous means that didn’t mean age didn’t slowly come for him. 

At first, it had been crow’s feet around Leon’s eyes. The softest hint of them but as time wore on they had deepened and his ruddy hair had started to grey and his once strong body, had ever so slowly been reduced. Merlin had tried everything over the years, out of selfishness to keep his only remaining friend close and with him but then these last three years. Leon had been mentally afflicted and he’d get lost in his memories for hours at a time until eventually, it was days and every time he talked. 

Gods it hurt. 

To hear him talk to Merlin about how Arthur will be pissed if his late with polishing his armour again. To hear him talk of Gwen and how beautifully she had led her kingdom. Asking if Gwaine was at the tavern again and if he had to drag that gully rat from the damn tavern and shake the mead from him. 

It was hard when Leon wouldn’t recognise his surroundings. Wouldn’t understand the TV or the microwave. When he had reached for a sword. When he had asked with fear in his eyes if Merlin had bewitched him. 

Scared in those moments that Merlin was a sorcerer. Merlin still had the scar from where Leon had cut him with his sword. Having not recognised Merlin at all. After that, it remained locked in a trunk. 

And then two days ago. In the brisk chill of the Autumn evening, Leon had clutched his left arm and hit the floor like a sack of bricks. He had been having a good day too. They had even gone to the flea market and Leon had picked up the most disgusting-looking necklace Merlin had ever seen. 

“Mithian would have loved this. She always loved green” Leon had said softly. The faintest smile on his face but his eyes crinkled in sadness. Merlin knew of Leon’s love for the Queen of Nemeth. Knew how he had watched wistfully as she had married some prince and had an heir. Knowing he like Merlin couldn’t stay, not if he wasn’t ageing like everybody else. 

Merlin had lent his friend the money to buy the gaudy thing and Leon had thanked him. Wrapping it thrice around his wrist, they had just arrived home when Leon had been struck ill. 

He had fallen like a sack of potatoes and first Merlin had thought it was that bloody necklace but no. It had been a heart attack. It seemed that even the cup of life couldn’t hold off the body's nature of giving up. At least...for everybody but Merlin it seemed. 

Magic had been Merlin’s first instinct. To hover his hands over his friend and he had felt it. Felt the way that Leon’s heart was constricting, was refusing to let blood flow normally and Merlin had let a single tear flow. He knew even with today’s medicine. With Leon’s age...there was no saving him. Not from this. 

So Merlin had eased his pain instead and had pulled up the floorboards of their shared flat. Stuffing all of Leon’s old armour into a satchel he had enchanted to hold it all. Next followed his sword and he had picked up Leon under the shoulder and dragged him to the car. 

Now they were here. 

“Leon...” Merlin whispered again and Leon gave him a soft smile. Clarity in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep up our promise Merls but don’t lose yourself ok? For me, please. For Arthur. He will return. That old coot of a dragon said so” 

“That old coot of a dragon got a lot of things wrong” Merlin muttered harshly before pulling himself up behind Leon. 

Aithusa had taken off so smoothly Merlin almost didn’t realise he was in the air until Leon whooped in joy and Merlin couldn’t help his smile as his friend casts his arms aside. Just as Merlin had done the first time he had ridden Kilgharrah. One more moment of quiet joy and it doesn’t take them long to reach Albion. Now Wales. 

The sight of the lake glistening under the night sky makes Merlin’s heartache. The last time he had been...the only time he seemed to come here was to bury friends and now he was here to do the same again. 

Towards the last hour of their journey, Leon had withdrawn back into himself eyes glazed and Merlin had to hold his waist so he didn’t slip from Aithusa’s neck. 

“You’ll be with Mithian soon I promise” Merlin whispers as they land. 

“He has only a few breaths left Emrys” Aithusa says softly. 

“I know” Merlin’s voice is taut as he starts pulling out Leon’s gear from his satchel. 

Slowly pulling the hoodie over Leon’s head and replacing it with a soft tunic. Drawing up the laces gently, with practised hands before he reaches for the padding to go underneath Leon’s armour. Slowly piece by piece reassembling his friend back into a Knight of the Round Table. Leon stumbling a little and clutching to his chest. His shoulders struggle to bear the weight of his gamberson and his mail after so long but he still does his best to stand tall. Merlin tames those greying ruddy curls a little before he finally pulls out that long red cape. The Camelot insignia still stands out against the blood-red dye. 

It falls around Leon’s shoulder like a friend he hadn’t seen in a very long time come home to welcome him. 

And Merlin is finally kneeling and holding out his sword. Leon gave him that small smile. That comforting one, the one that held Merlin together after Gwen had passed after Camelot had fallen to time. 

That one that held him together for so long he wasn’t sure he could function without it. Leon grabs his sword and sheaths it before grabbing Merlin’s hand and pulling him into a tight hug. 

“Just keep holding on” Leon begs him softly and a millennia later, he lets another friend die in his arms. 

He wonders if he has scars from them all. Maybe not visible on his skin but deep in his bones. Engraved there. From where Arthur had gripped to him like he was the last life preserver in the sea. The strong grip Gwen had on his wrist despite her old age as she had stepped into the waters of the lake. Lancelot’s sacrifice and love branding itself into Merlin’s soul like a permanent black hole.  Freya’s blood may have very well painted his hands a permanent shade of red. Will, Gwaine, Percival, Elyan....Gaius...his mother. All of them one by one had left him and now finally, once more he was here again. Saying goodbye and wishing he could die beside them. 

That boat waiting for Leon and Merlin wonders if he could lay beside Leon and join him but he knows fate is cruel and so instead. He makes sure to spend the rest of the night preparing the boat for his friend. Collecting his favourite things before gently using his magic to lay his friend inside. Folding Leon’s hands together around that gaudy stupid necklace. Binding them softly with it to make sure they didn’t get lost on the way to Albion. 

It’s just the start of dawn when he flicks his hand and the boat floats out across the lake but it’s not him that sets fire to the vessel this time. It’s Aithusa and he sits with Merlin for as long as they can. Just watching that still water take another friend and when Merlin is sliding onto the back of Aithusa’s neck. He ignores the scared-to-shit postman. 

“Emrys...Merlin” Aithusa’s voice is soft but he doesn’t seem to know what to say aside from that. 

“We really are the last of our kind aren’t we Aithy?” Merlin speaks, his voice is flat, laying down gently so he can rest his head just at the nape of Aithusa’s long elegant neck.

“Then we make a wonderful pair but hold on Merlin. Hold on. He won’t return without you here to guide him” 

And Aithusa says nothing to the tears that pour between their scales as Merlin laments his grief into the morning air. Feeling as if he was broken into too many pieces to ever really be The Great and Powerful Emrys ever again. Let alone just being Merlin. His half of the coin was shattered in pieces on the floor and he felt empty. 

Truly empty for the first time...ever. No sparks at his fingertips. No gold in his eyes. Nothing left but grief. 

Chapter Text

26 YEARS LATER

Merlin stares begrudgingly up at the cold Glasgow sky, looking to see if there was any snowfall tonight. Bundling deeper under his leather jacket and scarf as he lights up a smoke. Not like the smoke would affect him anyway. Cancer was the least of his problems and it wasn’t an addiction, it was just something to do with his hands and mouth. 

Easily lighting the end of the smoke with a click of his fingers and he takes a deep breath. Letting the night sky wash over him. He had ducked from the bar to take a breath...well a smoke but still some fresh air was good for him. 

“You know it’s illegal to smoke within 10 metres of the bar right?” A snappy prattish voice sneers and Merlin rolls his eyes. 

“Do I look like I give a shit whether I’m 10 meters or one from the bar? Anyways, I’m half of Finnick’s customer base so, get screwed” Merlin mutters around his smoke. 

Only to stare in horror when two fingers grab the smoke from his lips and it’s crushed under a leather business shoe. 

“Oi you Prat! That was my second last smoke” Merlin snarls finally turning and his breath catches in his throat. 

Standing before him was Arthur. Same angry sneer, same piercing blue eyes, same halo of blond silk for hair but Merlin knew it was just fate playing a sick joke on him. 

“Did you just call me a Prat? What are you doing?” Arthur snaps him in return. 

Because until he had the man’s real name that’s all that came to him for the man to be called. 

“Yes, I did and having a smoke. If that’s ok with you...My lord” Merlin’s voice is sardonic. Dripping with snide rudeness, he brings up his last smoke to his lips. Covering his mouth and smoke as he lights it once more with magic. Keeping his eyes closed he draws in another breath. Letting the smoke fill his lungs before he exhales. 

Snickering when the prat of a mimic coughs. 

“That’s disgusting. What’s wrong with you” Arthur snaps. 

“Long list, what’s a posh git like you doing this way uptown anyways,” Merlin asks, not looking the man in the eye. 

“Waiting for my friends, we’re having drinks. My friend Leon got a promotion today” The man snaps and Merlin has to remind himself that Leon was a common name. 

Even if he felt a spike pierce through his heart. 

“He a prat like you? Though from the way you're dressed, it’s a hard mark to surpass” Merlin says raking his eyes up the body in front of him. He can’t help the Northern Irish accent that drips through some of his words.  He had lived there for nearly 2 centuries somewhere along the way he had picked it up and it had stayed. Especially when he is cranky or tired. 

The man. The Arthur wannabe was staring at him down his nose, even though Merlin was taller by an inch or so. He looked like he was directly out of a magazine, definitely could have been centrefold if he wanted and Merlin watches as he fiddles with the blazer slung over his shoulder. A glare in his eyes and Merlin just raises an eyebrow. 

“I’ll take that as a yes” He breathes. 

“You’re going to make me reek like a cigar shop” Arthur snaps. 

“Hmm, not my problem. Might liven you up a bit, make your friends think you're actually exciting for once instead of some drab boring businessmen” 

“Yeah and what is it you do?” Arthur jabs back. Hand on his hip...a familiar gesture. 

“I’m a nurse” Merlin answers honestly. 

“So you should know that smoking kills” Arthur snipes and Gods Merlin wants to smack him. 

“Look, Mate. I’m not really bothered to deal with you right now. Not you. Not people like you. All high and mighty on your throne and looking down at me for a choice I didn’t choose. So get fucked and go meet with your friends already” Merlin snarls back. 

Merlin wonders if he could set those 400-dollar pair of shoes on fire just for funsies when the Arthur wannabe says something so softly at first that Merlin nearly misses it. 

“I feel like we’ve met before” 

“Trust me, kid, we haven’t. I’d know” Merlin sneers. 

“I’m bloody older than you! What are you 19!” 

Merlin is actually shocked as the Arthur creature steps into his space. Once more plucking the damn smoke from his mouth and ditching it into the wet drain. 

“That’s two smokes you owe me now.” Merlin breathes softly. 

“I don’t owe you shit. Where have we met?” Arthur squared asks. 

Merlin takes the anonymity to drag the man forward by his too-white shirt and he kisses him. Harshly. Biting at the man’s lip, licking into his surprised mouth but the second the guy starts to kiss him back. He pulls away, putting distance between them both. 

“Nope. Never met before. I’d remember someone that shite at snogging” Merlin shrugs. 

“YOU DIDN’T EVEN GIVE ME A CHANCE!” The turnip head yells, red-faced and his chest looks flushed from under his three top buttons that were undone. 

“Oh god not again. Arthur, you have the directional sense of a blind camel! Oi dickhead this way” A familiar voice says and both Arthur and Merlin are looking up and around. 

And Merlin’s heart near drops out of his throat. Feeling his magic trying to pry itself from his body but he keeps it tightly wound. Holding it to his chest tightly. 

Gwaine....Gwaine was standing there. Staring at them both like they had lost their minds. 

More people sticking their heads out of the door and with each person that follows. Merlin isn’t sure if he's going to be sick or pass out. Maybe both. Maybe he might just finally fade away. 

Percival, Gwaine, Lancelot, Elyan and Leon are staring at him equally gobsmacked. All of them looked like they had back in Camelot. It was as if time had brought them here...now...exactly as they had been before. 

“Whoa. Hey, what’s wrong?” Arthur asks. An arm on Merlin’s shoulder. That familiar comfortable grasp, a firm squeeze that used to hurt when Merlin was all skin in bone but now felt warm and soothing. 

“Just wondering if you wear a crown at work. You should get it etched with King Prat” Merlin remarks weakly, grabbing at his knees. 

It doesn’t quite come off as funny. More pitiful than anything as Lancelot comes over.

“Arthur don’t tell me you got into another bloody fight. Gwen will have my head if you get hurt” Lancelot mutters. 

“Gwen would have your head for less these days. How far along is she now?” Arthur replies and Merlin has been waiting for this moment for so long. 

He had been waiting for Arthur to return for so long but seeing him and his knights. And hearing that Gwen was alive. It was all too much for Merlin. All too much for his brain to handle. 

He thinks he might have finally snapped. Gone nutty with age. Immortality finally breaking him as it had Leon. Two strong familiar arms pick him up, asking if he’s ok. Asking if his having a stroke or a heart attack. 

Percival’s voice was gentle though from what Merlin can determine through his watery melting brain he’s called Percy now. And Lancelot is just Lance. Gwaine is still Gwaine and Elyan goes by Elliot in this century and he feels a laugh bubble out of his throat against his will as he finds them all sitting at a round table in the bar. His fault really, for hanging out at a Bar called The Round Table but still. 

“Dude I think his bonkers. Batty as a hatter” Percy whispers to Arthur. 

“Arthur, why do you have to find the crazy ones?” Elyan asks looking exasperated. Elliot now Merlin has to remind himself. 

“He said he was a nurse. Maybe he had a bad day at work” Arthur whispers. 

“Yeah, so that's why he was snogging ya then?” Gwaine asks. So he had seen that. 

“Something about not knowing me 'cause I”m a shite kisser” Arthur shrugs. 

Lance laughed a little. 

“What?” Arthur asks, eyebrows raising a little at Lance. 

“Well, Gwen used to say the same thing. Why do you think she chose me in the end Mate” 

“Gwen’s with you?” Merlin finds himself finally speaking. 

“Well yeah. Do you know her? She’s a lawyer...” Lance says and he's got nothing but complete love on his face. Pulling a phone from his pocket and sure enough there was Guinevere. His friend Gwen smiled so brightly as Lace kissed her cheek in the photo. She was...happy. 

“But she was...with...” Merlin lamely points at Arthur. 

“Yeah, when we were teenagers. Didn’t work out. Turned out I liked shagging men more and I’m still offended you think I’m a terrible kisser” Arthur huffs. 

The only one who hasn’t said a single word is Leon who is staring at Merlin so intensely. Merlin wants to just melt into the floor. Or disappear. Leon doesn’t remember him. He can’t. Not if the other idiots currently staring at him like he was 5 nuts short of a bolt were to be believed. 

“THIS IS ALL WRONG. All wrong. I’ve officially cracked like a nut. I’m just...I’m gonna...bye” And with all the gracefulness of Merlin being Merlin. He fucking trips over Arthur’s foot and smashes his hand into the floor. Screeching at the crack sound that goes through his wrist. Knowing instantly it’s broken. 

Trust Arthur to come back into his life and all of Merlin’s grace to leave his system. Dear god. He hated everything right now. He knew he should have remained shut up in that damn hut in the woods. 

“Whoa hey. Hey. Careful. I think you hurt yourself pretty badly, don’t put weight on your hand” Arthur whispers softly, gently grabbing him around the middle. 

Had he been alone he would have cured himself. It would have ached and would have drained his magic for a little while but instead, he had the fucking Knights of Camelot staring him down. All looking worried for his sanity and Merlin is gently pulled so his sitting on the floor of the bar instead of sprawled all over it. 

“Yeah that’s funky, guess we should get you to the hospital huh Merls,” Gwaine says softly. Giving him a small smile and it makes Merlin’s name flutter. 

He hadn’t told anybody his name tonight. 

“Sorry...I don’t know where that came from. I think I used to have a friend called that when I was little” Gwaine says softly. 

“My name is Merlin Emrys” Merlin’s voice is shaky from the pain. 

“Well, ain’t that a coinkydink then, Merlin and Arthur” Gwaine says and he distracts Merlin in his special Gwaine way that he doesn’t even notice Elyan calling an ambulance. 

“My ma was a fan of the bird” Merlin shrugged. It was true...Merlin’s were Hunith’s favourite bird but his heart stung at the mention of her. 

“We should...ice it?” Arthur suggests. His hands ever so softly brushed over Merlin’s wrist. 

“Sure if you want me pissing myself from the pain. Let’s just wait for the real heroes to get here yeah you Prat?” Merlin whines. 

“Ok well at least let's get you off the floor” Arthur says gently, not seeming at all offended by the name Merlin reaches out and grabs the blond’s forearm and sparks fly down his arm and to his heart. 

And the pain just for a second is gone. 

Percy supports Merlin from the back as they get him standing. Lance brings him a glass of chilling ice water but it’s nice of him and it clears his head a little. 

“The ambulance is on the way. They said if it’s only a broken wrist we really should have driven him but...I got my way in the end” Elyan says, a soft smirk on his face. The same one he wore when he had convinced Gwen or the other knights to fall into the plan or one of his schemes. 

“Are you and Gwen brother and sister sti...” Merlin has to stop himself from asking that last word. Still. 

“Oh yeah. Our dad was a farrier.” Elyan says and Merlin wonders. Some part of him wonders a little selfishly if even Elyan and Gwen’s father was back...then maybe Gaius....was back too. Maybe even his mother. But he doesn’t let himself get his hopes up. 

He had learnt what that meant. Hope. How he had dragged body after body off no man’s land in the First World War and prayed. Hoped to god that he hadn’t discovered Arthur too late. But none of them had been his King and each time that hope was crushed he sunk into himself a little bit further. 

The second he had scoured every piece of newspaper, every memo that came through. Had flown with Aithusa across the lake almost every night. Looking for any traces of that still water being broken and a man stepping from the lake. 

But nothing had come. It seemed Arthur didn’t deem World Wars big enough to come home to. So why here? Why now? What part of the world needed Arthur and why now? They had just made it through another bloody plague without the dickhead. 

Covid had been a killer but Arthur hadn’t been around for that....or well he had...but. Not as Merlin’s Arthur. 

“Shh. It’s ok. I know it must hurt. I’d offer to give you something but I think the paramedics would kill me” Leon says softly, finally speaking and everybody seems shocked when Merlin drags the oldest of the men into a hug. Not caring if it hurts his wrist more. 

Sobbing into Leon’s business shirt and he hates that he can’t stop it. That nothing can stop the flow of tears but Leon doesn’t try to push this random stranger off him. He doesn’t look down in disgust at the ugly fat tears rolling down Merlin's distorted red blotchy face. Instead, he just soothes him. 

Rocking him back and forth gently and then Merlin catches something green out of the corner of his eye and he cries even harder. Wrapped thrice around Leon’s wrist was that horrid necklace he had wanted to get for the memories of Mithian. 

Merlin does feel a little bad when he sees the wet blotches his left on the man’s probably costly shirt as the paramedics arrive and is gently guided out by the knights to the ambulance. 

“You all can’t come with him! One only!” The paramedic snaps at them when they all start trying to crawl into the back. Merlin can’t help the wet laugh that falls from him as they all stop in their tracks. Untangling themselves from the heap they had wound up in.  

“I’ll be fine. Thanks for your help. I’ll be fine it’s just broken” Merlin promises them all before the paramedic can slam the door in the knight's faces. Arthur is stepping into the Ambulance and sitting down on the spare chair. Doing up his seat belt. 

Staring at Merlin as if asking him to mock Arthur now but Merlin’s in to much pain to try and come up with something witty. 

Merlin just lets the paramedic strap him in and the paramedic asks if he’s a doctor or something since Merlin bats away his hand when he nearly misses with the IV. Inserting it himself. It stings but the paramedic has the sense to tap it down for him while he holds it in place. 

“Nurse. Merlin Emrys” Merlin mutters. 

“And this your boyfriend Mr Emrys” 

“He wishes. Just a friend” Merlin says softly as the paramedic pushes pain medication into his cannula. Arthur stares down at his phone. Typing away furiously. 

“The group says they wish you luck and hope you don’t have to have surgery and they want your number” Arthur speaks up. 

Merlin rolls his eyes and grabs his phone out of his back pocket with his good hand and throws it to the blond after unlocking it. The man doesn’t even have to look up to catch it. Bringing it down close and he starts adding numbers to Merlin’s phone. 

It’s an odd sight, to see Arthur...his Arthur who could at most skin a rabbit or write a shitty speech so easily use technology. And when Merlin squints his eyes he can see him in his chainmail and red cape. 

So used to seeing it on the man. So used to being the one to donne the man in it or undo it after every training session or hunting mission and Merlin’s fingers twitch against his will as he remembers the soft strong skin under his fingers when Arthur would Demand in such a small voice that it couldn’t have been an order even if he wanted it to be. That Merlin massages the knots from his shoulders. 

“Arthur...why now” Merlin mumbles and he realises that he hasn’t just been given pain meds. He’s been given a fucking sedative. 

“What’s wrong?” The paramedic asks. 

“Arthur...” Merlin mumbles again and Arthur reaches out a hand, gently resting it on Merlin’s thigh. 

“It’s ok. We’ll be at the hospital soon. Just get some rest. I’ll be here” 

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing” 

“You are one snarky little shit, aren’t you... you just...you remind me of someone...I wish I knew who though” Arthur says. 

“Hmm. You wish you knew someone like me. In your dreams maybe” Merlin slurs before the stupid sedative finally takes him. 

Chapter Text

He wakes up in a stiff bed, the smell of cleanliness filling his nose and he can feel the pressure of his arm being in a cast. An IV still in his arm and his uncomfortable.

“Hey you're up”

“No, I’m not. Get fucked” Merlin slurs. opening his eyes and he sees he's in his own room. Which is odd. He only had public health care. He should at least have some other unhealthy codger next to him. Whining and snapping at the nurses.

Only to hear a laugh. That beautiful stupid laugh that had him screaming internally. It was one of the few sounds he had never been able to forget. He had forgotten Gwen’s voice. He had forgotten Gwaine’s laughter. He had forgotten the smell of Gaius’ workshop but this sound, he had never forgotten.

It was too precious to him.

“I see your wit is still there...I’ll get the doctor for you”

“I’m a nurse. Give me the chart...chart!” Merlin says impatiently when Arthur stares at him dubiously.

But Arthur gives him the chart from the end of his bed and Merlin reads over it. It wasn’t anything he’d need surgery for. It was just a clean break that could be set with a cast for a few months....and a little magic when everybody finally left him alone. He was mostly just tired and drugged.

And for the first time in a while...he doesn’t want to be drugged. He had for the last 2 decades been sinking himself into drugs and alcohol to keep his pain away but suddenly. Arthur was here and he didn’t want it. He didn’t want the buzz cause his magic was buzzing for him. It was practically calling out Arthur’s name.

“So you dying?” Comes that persistent buzzing that is Arthur Pendragon.

“No. I’ll live why are you still here....it’s 7 am holy shit. Ok, really why are you still here?” Merlin asks catching his watch out of the corner of his eye.

“Because every time I tried to leave you started throwing a bitch fit, how you even knew I was leaving with how sedated they had you was weird though” Arthur shrugged.

Merlin’s face flushed against his will.

"I’m sorry for keeping you from your friends and I’m sure you have work. I should talk to that doctor about getting out of here” Merlin murmurs.

“It’s ok. I didn’t mind. I already told Dad I wouldn’t be in today”

“Uther Pendragon” Merlin huffs before he can stop himself.

“Yeah, that’s him. He runs Camelot, a giant hotel chain. We have 62 different hotels all over the world”

“Urg...right,” Merlin mutters, throwing the chart aside and he moves to sit up. Making sure not to put pressure on his bad arm. Smiling when he sees the cast is covered in Camelot red.

“I just picked a colour. I hope you like red” Arthur shrugs. Looking a little sheepish.

“It’s one of my favourites” Merlin promises, reaching out for the gloves above his bed and spelling open the locked drawer that holds the band-aids. Making sure to keep his eyes down so Arthur doesn’t see his eyes flash gold.

With a little manoeuvring, he manages to get the glove on. Ripping open the wipe with his teeth.

“What the hell are you doing? You're going to get hurt!” Arthur says trying to stop him.

“Nurse remember. I do this about 40 times a day. Just jam that band-aid over it when I pull this out” Merlin orders.

“So you keep saying. Are you sure? I don’t want you to be hurt further...or get yelled at by that Doctor again he was scary” Arthur whispers as Merlin peels off the translucent stuff sticking down the needle in his arm.

“Just open the band-aid you pain in the ass.” Merlin snaps, pulling out the cannula. Arthur quickly pressed the bandage into place.

“They better not have cut up my jacket. I had to save up months for that one” He mutters.

“No. They didn’t. Your clothes are all here but please. Just wait for the doctor” Arthur says.

And Merlin is sent reeling. When the hell did Arthur Pendragon say please?

“Fine...” Merlin pouts softly and Arthur grins like he won a jousting match.

Merlin all bout falls off the bed when the doctor walks into the room and he knows that arched eyebrow. He knows those deep-set eyes. Gaius. It’s Gaius.

“I’m sorry I tried to stop him but he was being a stubborn ass,” Arthur mutters when Gaius raises that eyebrow to see Merlin’s pulled out his cannula.

“Yes. That’s Merlin for you. His one of the most stubborn nurses we have in the hospital. He’s normally pissed off one doctor or another. I thankfully have never had the chance to be on the bad side of a very ticked-off Mr Emrys” Gaius chuckles softly.

He had been here. This whole time. He had been here. Right within Merlin’s grasp and Merlin didn’t even know. He didn’t know that Gaius worked in the same hospital as him. He had missed out on potential years of knowing Gaius in this life and then he feels the anger and bitterness take hold. Making him angry again. Angry at magic, at fate. At whatever bullshit punishment this was.

“It’s my job to keep you lot and your stupid decisions in line or else this hospital will fall into chaos. Let me go change into my scrubs and I’ll get to work” Merlin mutters. Wanting to distract himself from the fact that Gaius had been here the whole time.

“Mr Emrys you know you’ll be off work for at least two weeks and then reduced work when you come back”

“Like hell, I will. I have patients to see” Merlin huffs standing up, only to immediately careen forward.

Gods above what had he been given to keep him heady and out of it. He knew he was clumsy but this was bullshit.

Arthur gently catches him.

“Fiery as ever I see but doctors orders and when you do come back you’ll be working under my rotation so I can make sure you don’t go doing something stupid” Gaius says.

“What’s your name?” Merlin asks.

“What do you think it is Merlin?”

“Gaius” Merlin says softly. Waiting for this Gaius look at him and laugh and say his name was Edward or Felix.

“So you do remember me then, we’ve talked a few times in the break room,” Gaius says softly.

They had? When?

It doesn’t matter Merlin guesses.

“Should he stay the day if he’s still so faint?” Arthur says getting Merlin to sit down again. Merlin was irritated at the hospital gown his in, at least grateful he's got his own underwear on or he’d scream.

“I am not bloody staying here you git. I am going home.”

“He is right to go if he wishes since he’s already got himself all ready. If you’ll be so kind as to help him out though in the next few weeks. He's a stubborn mule. Always has been” Gaius asks Arthur.

“We only just met last night. He’s not looking after me. I will be fine on my own and I’ll be back to work in a week” Merlin grumbles.

“He said on your intake forms he was your partner...” Gaius says flippantly and Merlin wants to pull out his hair.

“Well, he's a bloody liar.” Merlin snaps and he has to stop his magic from lashing out. Curling his arms around his body, bringing his knees up to his chest. Trying to even out his breathing before he accidentally turns Arthur into a pig or something equally uiting for the blond idiot.

“You didn’t have good insurance. So I put my name down for you” Arthur says.

“Shut up. Just...Give me...a minute” Merlin mutters.

Refusing to open his eyes, knowing that familiar feeling in them. That warmth of his golden iris.

“Gaius what is it?... Is he gonna be alright?” Arthur’s voice is distressed and that makes Merlin’s magic flare up more. Tears starting to sting his eyes.

He had remembered those words. Is he gonna be alright? What is it? That’s not particularly friendly.

He had been only partially unconscious after drinking the poison for Arthur and he had heard every word between his father figure and his two friends.

“This way come on. Let’s give him some space” Gaius murmurs and two pairs of footsteps leave the room.

Merlin was so tired, he was sore, and he was bitterly angry at the world. Why did everybody else get to reincarnate? Oh Gods...what if Morgana was still alive? Mordred?! Merlin can’t go through that again. He can’t. He doesn’t know how long he sits there. In this empty quiet room.

Before he can help it. His magic hits its breaking point and he lets out a strangled scream as everything in the room floats, including the bed his sitting on before slamming back down with a startling velocity. Merlin’s arm jolted with pain.

“Holy shit!” A voice says and Merlin opens his eyes to see Arthur standing there.

Merlin can’t help the laugh that comes from him. It bubbles from his throat. Once more dissolving into hysterics as he had the night before. It comes hard and fast as tears stream down his face. Especially as he watches Arthur automatically reach for a sword that is no longer there. That hadn’t been for centuries.

“You’re magic” Arthur whispers, hands instead falling by his side.  

“Something like that” Merlin finds himself saying, his voice hoarse.

“I heard your scream so I came running. Wasn’t expecting to see everything...floating” Arthur says.

“Gods this is so fucked. This isn’t how any of this was supposed to go! This is...Just help me get dressed. I wanna go home” Merlin’s voice is pitiful. It’s ragged and broken down. He hadn't wanted to go through this again. Admitting to the man he loved he had magic and knew that man would look at him with nothing but loathing.

Reaching for his pile of clothing. Knowing he could probably spell them on but right now he doesn’t trust his magic. He hadn’t had an outburst like that for at least a century.

He almost expects Arthur to bring up the same point but the man is closing the door and reaching out gently. Grabbing Merlin’s good arm.

“Hey look at me please...” His voice is soft. So soft. It’s the same voice he had used when Merlin was dying from the Dorocha. That soft Trust me tone.

“I was born with it. I wasn’t...I was born Magic” Merlin whispers.

“Someone’s hurt you before with this, haven’t they? They found out and didn’t like it?” Arthur says softly.

“So many people hate the idea of it. Y....” Merlin stops himself. He refuses to tell Arthur that he is the Arthur. He’s not sure if that’s his place. He hasn't been sure of his place since the minute Arthur left his side.

“I think it’s cool. I’ve always loved the idea of it. Growing up...I’d make my nanny watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks with me over and over again” Arthur says softly.

“Of course, you had a Nanny” Merlin mutters, voice still shaking. Trying so hard to forget those words of Arthur dying but begging Merlin to leave him alone. Begging the wicked sorcerer to leave him be.

“She was the first person who loved me...Merlin, has anybody ever accepted this?” Arthur asks.

“A few here and there but...they’re all gone now” Merlin is honest. He means it. They might have reborn but they held different lives.

Arthur while still being...Arthur this time around it seems loved Magic. Well, the magic in the books and the movie screens.

The last thing Merlin expects is to be dragged into a hug. It’s tight and soft and...and it’s comforting.

Merlin ducked his head into the crook of Arthur’s neck

“Please don’t tell anybody else. Please.” Merlin begs.

“You’re secret is safe with me” Arthur promises and Merlin knows he means it. Knows that a Pendragon oath is an oath that can be only broken under strict guidelines.

“Did your Mother call you Merlin 'cause you were born this way?” Arthur asks softly.

“No, the bird story was true. They were her favourites” Merlin mutters.

“They’re mine too. Honestly. Always been amazed by them.” Arthur says pulling back but he doesn’t go far. He just grabs Merlin’s band t-shirt and Merlin stands. Allowing Arthur to rub a a hand through his hospital gown laces and he can’t help the giggle that falls from him.

That THE great Arthur Pendragon. The Once and Future King was undressing his manservant. His hands weren’t as calloused as they had been in his old life but there was still some there as he brushes them down Merlin’s back.

They have an indignant fight with the cast and the sleeve of the hospital gown, both of them laughing but eventually Arthur wrestles the beast off him and then he dresses Merlin with great care.

“When did you eat last? Your pants look like their about to fall off” Arthur has genuine worry in his voice.

“I could eat a whole boar and still remain the same...the person I loved...I don’t think he meant to but he gave me an order and I could do nothing but follow it. I must never change, I must always just be me” Merlin explains.

“Does that involve being a little shit that likes menacing my men?” Arthur teases.

“It was the kindest order he ever gave me” Merlin murmurs.

“Order. You make it sound as if he was your boss” Arthur questions both of them realising that Arthur won’t fit Merlin’s jacket sleeve over his cast.

“He was. He never knew I loved him...” Merlin speaks up gently as Arthur grabs his own blazer and slides it up Merlin’s arms. It fits over his cast. It enveloped him like a soft blanket and it smelled so softly of Arthur. That had always been Merlin's favourite part of the laundry. The soft scent of freshly laundered clothes that despite everything still smelt like Arthur. Of bark and nature. For a king...he had always smelt down to earth.

A look of sadness falls upon Arthur’s face.

“Then he was an idiot for not being able to see it. Let’s get you home.” Arthur suggests.

“He already had his person. I was just happy being his friend” Merlin insists.

Arthur doesn’t say anything else on the topic instead he waits quietly as Merlin signs his discharge forms and then they're heading out into the brisk air. He bats away Merlin’s good hand when Merlin tries to pay the taxi driver, instead handing over cash of his own.

His phone rings just as they get up to Merlin’s house. It was just a single-story, brickwork. It looked like every other house along the street but it worked.

After Leon...well Merlin had only stopped by the house for just a second to gather his most important items before Aithusa had dropped him in the middle of Scotland and here Merlin had stayed.

“Hello, Father. I’m fine. A friend got hurt. He didn’t have good insurance...Well, I don’t bloody care. I’ll be spending the rest of the day looking after him and you can take it out of my pay for all I care” Arthur snaps hanging up the phone and Merlin grimaces. He’s not surprised that Uther hadn’t changed.

Merlin finally finds the right key and he’s letting them in. Flicking his hand to start the candles. He had never quite gotten used to modern lighting. It was too bright. So he had stuck to candles and dim lightning where he could.

“Cosy” Arthur comments.

“Hmm” Merlin murmurs, not having anything else to say.

Arthur gets a few more calls over the next hour as Merlin brews them both a pot of tea. Apologising for not having coffee but he had never taken to the dark dirt like drink. He much preferred his herbal teas.

“Yes, his fine. God you lot need to really just sit down and talk to each other. I’ve already told Gwaine and Lance. The doctor asked someone to stay with him so he doesn’t do something stupid. He’s apparently very stubborn and doesn’t take care of himself when he's hurt”

“I do I just don’t see the point all the time” Merlin shrugs.

“Yeah, 'cause that’s healthy. I know Perc. I’ll try my best to wrangle him into following orders” Arthur says before he finally hangs up.

“What’s with the smirk” Arthur grumbles at him but it’s light. There’s a lilt at the corner of his mouth.

“I’ve never been good at following orders. Rather the opposite actually”  

“And they let you become a nurse. Dear Lord. I fear for your patients”

“My patients are the best looked after thank you” Merlin quips in return.

“Do you...use...uh” Arthur wiggles his fingers at him. His other hand grasped firmly around one of Merlin’s tea cups. It looks too small in Arthur’s hand.

“When necessary, for their comfort. To ease their pain. To...soothe those at the end of their lives. My magic isn’t evil” Merlin doesn’t mean to get defensive. He’s just so used to it.

“I didn’t think it was. Look you might be a bit of a ponce but I don’t think you’re a bad guy Merlin. I think despite everything you’ve been through. You deserve to be a little angry”

“You don’t even know what I’ve been through” Merlin grumbles.

“I can see it in your eyes and you said it yourself. Everybody who knows you have magic and who loved you for it is gone. Losing my mother destroyed my father. He was never the same and his still closed off. I think sometimes he blames me for her death you know...but I had my friends, even if I want to strangle Gwaine sometimes. What about your Merlin?...got any mates lying around?” Arthur’s voice has that gentleness to it again. Like he’s speaking from his soul and not just muttering nonsense from his brain like he uselessly did.

Merlin shakes his head.

“How long have you been alone for?” Arthur asks and Gods Merlin wants so badly to explain everything. All 1523 years Merlin had endured but he knows...he can feel it in his magic as it prods around the ropes of the universe. The fate holding this Arthur here and now that Arthur will have to remember on his own. He’d hardly believe Merlin if he told him anyway.

“Long enough to stop worrying about trying to make friends. It’s better alone. Safer” Merlin’s hand is warm from where it’s wrapped around his tea. It’s so well rehearsed now that Merlin feels it easily slip off his tongue and he almost believes it himself. Almost believes the loneliness was worth it.

To keep himself safe. To keep the others safe.

“For who...your friends? Or you?”

“Gods, what are you? A philosopher. Does it matter? It’s just better this way. It’s better alone because I may as well be a death omen. Everybody around me. everybody I care about died and some of them were my fault. I was born with Magic. I am Magic and yet...when it mattered most I still lost everything anyways” Merlin rants.

Arthur stays quiet for about 12 seconds before he speaks up.

“I’m so sorry that you’ve lost so many people but everybody needs someone. Even my Dad would agree to that and he hates people. So how about this? How’s about we make a deal? You’ll tell me more about this magic thing and in return, you have me and my friends at your beck and call. They all seemed smitten with you last night anyway. Didn’t give a shit to ask about how I was. All they cared to ask was How’s Merlin. Is Merlin ok? Did he need surgery? Make sure you stay with him. Don’t let him wake up alone ” Arthur mimicking his friends.

But there’s no annoyance in his tone. Just happiness.

“I’ll consider it” Merlin offers.

It would be nice to be able to talk to Arthur without constant worry Arthur was considering cutting off his head or tying him to a pyre. Maybe this is why Arthur reincarnated. So they could start fresh. So Merlin could show Arthur magic wasn’t evil. It was the person using it that had to be.

Surprisingly they fall into quiet silence after that. Arthur occasionally types away on his phone as they both sit on the couch, but no matter which way Merlin lays or sits. He can’t get comfortable. Not with the cast wrapped around his wrist.

“Merlin for god's sake. I know you were always a fidget but even this is going a little far! Stop it!” Arthur snaps after about an hour of it.

And Merlin looks up, ducking a little. Arthur for a second. Sounded just like he used to on hunting trips when the floor was cold and wet and seeping through Merlin’s roll. That tired cranky Prince was angry that once again he had missed the 8-point stag and was just as uncomfortable if not more than Merlin due to the chainmail he had to wear.

“I don’t even know what that came from. I am so sorry. I know I can be a bit of an ass sometimes but...your arm...it’s making you uncomfortable isn’t it?” Arthur says suddenly. Snapping out of it, voice softening.

It’s maddening really. How one minute he’s King Arthur of Camelot and then the next his just Arthur with shitty expensive taste and a soft voice that has Merlin wanting to curl into his side.

“Of course it is,” Merlin says, holding up the red cast and trying to itch inside it without hurting himself.

“Can’t you magic yourself more comfortable? Is that something you can do?” Arthur asks as easily as if he’d ask Merlin for a crumpet.

“Probably but knowing my luck, I’d miss and turn my bone into fluffy softness instead of the inside of this damn cast. Especially after the tantrum it threw today” Merlin shrugs.

“So you weren’t in control?”

“It’s happened a few times before. I just...it builds up and it’s got nowhere else to go...so it just goes everywhere. Last time I turned someone's car into a horse” Merlin explains.

Arthur just stares at him to see if his joking or not before he puts down that phone.

“I broke my arm when I was 10. My father being the lovely man he was, said I deserved it for acting like a child and I was to deal with it like a man. My Nanny got me to the hospital anyways and got it cast. Same colour as yours and she told me that I wasn’t yet a man. I was allowed to cry and need help and even when I finally was one. It was even more important I asked”

“Well, your Nanny seems wise” Merlin mumbles.

“She was. She also taught me this. Here. It’s ok” Arthur says softly holding out his hands, turning his body so his fully facing Merlin.

Merlin trusts him and holds out his hand only to laugh when Arthur blows gentle cool air down his cast. His touch is so light...like the touch he used to have on Llamrei. Another person Merlin missed. If you could call a horse a person. He missed his Mare as well. Gweiadur. She had been a beautiful horse with a dark brown coat. A noble horse.

“This surely can’t be helpful in any way whatsoever” Merlin snickers.

“I don’t know...made you smile, didn’t it? Seemed like it worked to me” Arthur says, those beautiful blue eyes twinkling. Before he does it again this time down Merlin’s palm.

Merlin wonders if he should move to Antarctica when he feels a zing up his arm when Arthur ever gently presses those plush pink lips to his palm. Feather light and Merlin is blushing as red as his cast.

“There...feel better now?” Arthur asks. Eyes half-lidded. He hadn’t let go of Merlin’s hand. Why hadn’t he let go? Why was he looking like that?

Merlin nods mutely.

“Good. Then my job was successful you might be the all-mighty Nurse here but I know how to make someone feel a little less shit about themselves. Years of practice” Arthur states so matter of factually.

Arthur spends the rest of the day with Merlin. It’s like...some part of Arthur needs it too. Needs the closeness and Merlin wonders if his soul is aching at the thought of Merlin too but Merlin keeps it to himself and eventually, he smiles as he’s shoved into the bathroom and once more Arthur undresses him, just to his underwear.

“I’ll uh leave you some dignity shall I? A bath...or just a sponge bath? One involves cling wrap” Arthur chirps.

And Merlin knows he should just take the bath option but there has always been this fantasy of his. That for once. Arthur would help him wash down and would tend to his wounds and then dress him up gently once he was dried. Just like the thousands of times that Merlin had done it for him.

“Sponge might be easier. I can do it” Merlin finds himself saying.

“If you can stay awake long enough. I’m not dragging you back to the hospital cause you brained yourself on the bloody sink after you fell asleep standing up. Dr Gaius might break his oath and kill me!” Arthur reprimands him softly already filling the sink and grabbing a cloth from the open cabinet beside Merlin’s mirror.

Merlin tried to ignore the mirror. Trying to ignore how gaunt he looked. How pale, how sunken his eyes were. He knew it all by now. That those full cheeks were missing leaving behind jagged cliff edges. He can’t remember the last time he had eaten, to be honest. He didn’t hunger like a normal man. Most of all, he tries to avoid the scars on his body.

They had never left him. All it would have taken was Arthur pulling down the Great Dragoon’s robes to see that sting mark on his back to know that Merlin was lying to him at the time. That he was a sorcerer.

“Do you have any soap in here? Here...teeth...brush...” Arthur orders handing him a toothbrush already with toothpaste on it. Merlin does as he's orders mumbling that his soap is homemade and in that beeswax wrapping on the bench.

“You make your own soap? It smells nice. Nicer than most store-bought ones anyway. Do you collect the material yourself?” Arthur says surprised.

“Yeh...allergic to most others” Merlin shrugs once he's washed out his mouth and stuck his toothbrush back into his holder after it's been cleaned.

That’s when Arthur seems to fully look at him. Mouth pulling into that thin line of worry.

“I’m starting to not like this old boss of yours” He mutters. Voice terse.

“Why’s that?” Merlin asks.

“Because what did he do? Throw you into boxing matches? There’s so many scars Merlin” Arthur says softly. His voice drawling softly on Merlin’s name. Reaching out a hand and dragging his hand across Merlin’s chest.

The multitude of scars that littered Merlin’s skin were mostly silver against his skin but those inflicted by magic. Like Nimueh’s fire or the Serket sting on his back were still red, scared over but looking like they had just happened a few years ago.

“I was his protector. Bodyguard you could say...”

“And how many scars did he take for you in return?” Arthur’s voice is bitter as he grabs the wet cloth from the sink wringing it out and rubbing Merlin’s soap over it.

“That wasn’t the point. He was mine to protect” Merlin finds himself getting defensive.

“And you should have been his to protect in return. How many of these were supposed to be for him” Arthur asks, his hands wiping over Merlin’s arms gently. Like he was cleaning down the finest crystal china. Hands sure but gentle.

“As many as it took” Merlin says honestly.

“Then he was a prat for letting you do that on his behalf. He should have been a man and taken them himself”

“I had magic. I can...I can survive what most others can’t and he helped where he could...he saved me a few times too” Merlin insists.

“So that gave him a right!” Arthur snaps and Merlin wonders if Arthur gets his memories back will he feel the same?

“He once...spent two days getting a flower for me. It nearly killed him but he brought it back to me anyway”

“Oh, how thoughtful. A flower. That’s worth it.” Arthur grumbles but despite his anger, none of it is aimed at Merlin. His hands are still gentle as he grabs Merlin’s chin and starts wiping down his face.

“This flower saved my life. It was used to treat a poison I had drunk”

That didn’t seem to ease Arthur’s anger at all. Just made it worse. Muttering under his breath as he turns Merlin around. Hearing the man gasp as he takes in the Serket scar on his back. He had gasped at it the first time he had seen it this morning but had quickly moved on. This time he wasn't moving on.

“What were you paid for this...kindness?” He snaps.

Merlin hesitates for a little too long. Trying to calculate the 4 gold coins he got a month for his services as a Prince’s manservant into today’s value. 8 gold when he was the King's Manservant. Though he’s sure that George had never gotten that much from Uther so...for all he knew Arthur had made up the 8 gold rule as his own way of helping Merlin.

“You weren’t paid were you”

“I was, enough for a drink or two at the bar. Food and board and I had my own horse...I was...his adviser. He’d listen to me. That was worth it enough for me”

“Sit please,” Arthur says gently and Merlin does. Sitting on the closed toilet and he tries not to blush when Arthur kneels in front of him. Not caring if he was getting Turnbull and Asser trousers dirty on Merlin’s bathroom floor as he wipes down Merlin’s legs.

“Where is he now? Your boss?” Arthur asks.

“Why going to give him a piece of your mind?” Merlin asks in return.

“Maybe,” Arthur says sincerely.

“Well, he's dead. So...I failed to protect him. I failed him...”

And for the second time that day, Arthur Pendragon pulls him into a hug. It’s one of those warm comforting ones and Merlin clutches to his shirt and tries so hard not to cry.

Because Arthur was here. He was right in front of him, even if he was a little different but maybe that was a good thing. He was still a royal prat when he wanted to be but the fact...that Merlin could hug him now.

Maybe that alone was worth it.

“Are you sure you're really Arthur Pendragon?” Merlin whispers.

“Hmm pretty sure. Come on let’s get you dressed and into bed. You’re exhausted”

Arthur dresses Merlin in bedclothes and the bloody git even tucks him in. As if he has any right to be so soft and caring. What had changed this time around...why was he so soft this time around? Maybe he had swapped personalities with Lance in the reincarnation process.

“Arthur...” Merlin whispers when Arthur turns off the light and he knows the man must be just as exhausted and he must want to shower and get out of those clothes but Merlin doesn’t want to wake up tomorrow and let this all have been some dream.

“Hmm,” Arthur says softly.

“Would I be selfish to ask if you could stay for a little while longer? Just till I fall asleep?” Merlin asks. His voice is barely there. A whisper but Arthur hears him all the same.

“Well you’re gonna have to move over I always sleep on the left” He comments and there he is. Merlin’s Arthur and Merlin accommodates the man.

Arthur kicks off his shoes and he’s groaning as he lays on Merlin’s bed.

“Oh shit. We haven’t eaten today” Arthur says just as Merlin’s about to nod off and Merlin can’t help but laugh.

“Don’t worry Sire. I’m sure one night of food won’t make you starve” He jests, jabbing Arthur in the side gently with his elbow.

“I’m fitting fit thank you!” Arthur says offended.

It seems some things never change.

When Merlin doesn’t stop giggling, the street light casting through his curtains is cut off by Arthur learning over him. One hand pressed down beside Merlin’s head. His legs caged in Merlin’s hips.

“Be lucky you're injured” Arthur murmurs but there’s no threat there.

They’re breathing the same air and Merlin swallows slightly. Feeling so small under Arthur. He was taller than the Blond but Arthur had just always been bigger. He’d take up the entire room without even trying. It was just how he worked.

“Or what?”

“Or I’d show you how fitting fit I really am”

Merlin has a distinct memory of being used as the training dummy for the knights but with the way that Arthur’s looking at him. The hunger in his eyes, the slightly parted lips. The...Oh.

“OH” Merlin squeaks.

“Oh,” Arthur repeats. Voice somehow drops further still and Merlin gulps as Arthur gently wraps a hand through Merlin’s curls.

This kiss isn’t harsh at all. It’s soft and sweet and while it doesn’t last that long. He feels like time stopped forever.

“Your eyes flash gold by the way. When you kiss someone” Arthur whispers when he pulls away, laying back beside Merlin like he hadn’t just broken Merlin’s brain in half.

“Here...let me show you something,” Merlin says, all his cocksureness from the night before gone after Arthur had done nothing but look after him today. He hadn’t had someone take care of him in a long time.

Merlin raises his hand and two knights appear in a jousting ring. Horses made of fire as they stamp their feet. Waiting for their rider’s orders.

Merlin finally lets them charge each other and he smiles at the sight. Ok...maybe as time had gone on. He had missed jousting and tourneys. He had missed watching Arthur just go feral. Completely unabashed as he stood victorious on the battlefield. Without meaning to.

An entire slew of knights appear. A pair of them wrestling...Gwaine and Percival fight over the last bread roll at camp. Arthur pulled off his helmet to grin at Merlin after he had won his latest jousting match before putting it back and returning to Llamrei. Leon and Elyan rode their horses through forests that Merlin missed more than anything. And Lancelot, riding for a griffin. Spear in hand. His knights...his family. Made of fire before him until finally, sleep takes him.

And one by one they flicker out as Merlin’s hand falls to the bed. Falling asleep was easy with Arthur in his bed. 

Chapter Text

Arthur watched in amazement as Merlin conjured up 4 4-inch knights in cloaks and armour doing different things. Jousting and sparring and riding horses but he finds his head turning to watch Merlin’s face instead. The concentration in those golden eyes as he spun the knights around like a child’s mobile. It was...amazing.

Everything about Merlin was amazing. Arthur had always thought magic was a myth. That it was something only to be found in books and movies but seeing it here. Watching Merlin perform it so easily. No staff, wand or words needed.

It was like he said. He was Magic.

Arthur hadn’t even known why he had walked up to the man last night. He had never particularly cared before about smokers outside of bars but Merlin it seemed had called to him.

And then Merlin had opened his mouth and Arthur had felt something warm in his chest. As if someone telling him off for just merely existing was fascinating. And Merlin truly was fascinating and broken. Watching out of the corner of his eye as Merlin falls asleep and those magical knights fade with him. One by one until it’s just that one knight from the jousting match and Arthur thinks for a moment. The knight looks almost like him but soon that to fades as the knight bows and disappears leaving behind no trace he had been there before.

The closer Arthur looked at Merlin over the past day, the more he saw the cracks in the man’s spirit. The hurt in those eyes, like he was seeing ghosts every time he opened those blue eyes. When had someone last taken care of Merlin’s needs instead of Merlin taking care of everybody else?

Arthur drifts to sleep with that thought on his mind. That he would be Merlin’s knight in shining armour. It seemed only fitting. The legend of Merlin and Arthur should be about Arthur taking care of his wizard for once. He laughs to himself a little at the thought.

As if Arthur would ever have the balls to be a king.

He wakes with the sun. Merlin still snoring softly beside him. Having curled onto his side. Curling up as small as his lanky frame would allow Arthur is easily pulling up the sheets to cover his frame.

He had dreamt of being on a hunt with horses and the smell of the forest and his friends beside him laughing. All of them wearing bright red capes and donning chainmail except for one of them. One of them wore just a tunic and trousers, a brown leather jacket over his thin tunic and a red neckerchief. His hair was shorter than the curls that Merlin bore in real life. But his blue eyes were the exact same.

“Oh whoops sorry Sire. I seem to have run out of food. My bad” Merlin drawls in his dreams. Holding a pot that had just been boiling over the fire. His accent that was in his real life was hidden behind a simpler one in Arthur’s dreams.

“Like hell you have Merlin. What are you dense as a fir tree”

“Maybe so Sire or maybe I just thought you didn’t need any more holes in that belt”

That had sent Arthur’s friends howling with laughter and Merlin’s smirk had been delicious to watch. To watch him laugh, the way he threw his head back, eyes crinkling. It was a pure laugh and something bout it made Arthur not so angry at his manservant.

But Arthur couldn’t just sit there and take it. He was the freaking King of Camelot after all and Merlin squeals, running for it. Still laughing Arthur follows him deeper into the forest.

Arthur had only just grabbed Merlin by the jacket and pushed him into a tree. Both of them near out of breath but smiling and before Arthur could see what would happen next. He'd woken as the sun fell through Merlin’s curtains. Bringing him back to the real world.

It had felt so real.

Arthur knows he can’t skirt out of work today. Not with setting up the new hotel. Feeling bad for dumping it all on Morgs and the boys yesterday but Merlin had needed him more.

He searches around the house. Not meaning to be nosy but he found the place interesting. Not a thing matched. It was a disaster. It was a pure disaster and yet it was perfect for it. It suited Merlin and his weirdness. It was magical just like him.

Arthur sighs when he opens the cupboards and finds a lonely packet of crisps. Nearly a year expired. So he does something that might get him punched. He calls Morgana.

“Little Brother!” She coos down the line and he instantly has a headache.

He loved his sister but she was a menace to society and Arthur was pretty sure she was a witch. Now he knew magic was real. Maybe he had always been right.

“I need your help with something and I need you to come and pick me up. AND...I need you to keep that fat mouth of yours shut for once ok” Arthur orders.

“And what do I get in return?” She asks simply.

“Gossip. Dearest Sister. Gossip” Arthur promises, having to pull the phone away from his ear when she lets out a maniacal laugh.

“This is about that boy that ended up in hospital. Dad was so pissed at you. He threatened to disown you twice”

“So a normal day then...I’ll text you the address” Arthur says, sticking his head out the door. Having not quite picked up the number yesterday morning.

Morgana pulls up in her Jaguar soon enough and Arthur is guiding her inside. Of course, she was wearing heels and a dress that would have most fashion designers crying. It was one of Gwen’s works, he could tell by the tiny G hand stitched at the very nape of the dress. A handbag on her arm that probably cost more than Merlin’s entire house.

Showing her the empty cupboards and fridge. Explaining their mission was to stock Merlin’s cupboards without him even noticing or god forbid waking up. That this wasn’t charity. That this was...pure care.

“Is he on food stamps?” Morgana asks a bit of seriousness in her voice. Worry to. Despite how vain she could come off. She cared for people. She’d fight for anybody if she felt they had been slighted ever so much.

“No his a nurse...but god Morgs, He’s so tiny. He's got...all these scars and the bloody guy who gave them to him he practically reveres! Like...like some freaking saint,” Arthur slams a hand over his mouth when hears the bed moan with movement and then the padding of footsteps.

Both he and Morgana watch as Merlin walks past, scratching under his shirt and Morgana holds a hand over her mouth at the scar that glances around his hip, a hip that is far too prominent for a body of his proportions. His casted hand reaches up to scratch at his hair before he decides better of it, changing hands. They both hide a little more in the kitchen when the toilet flushes a minute later and Merlin pads back to the bedroom. Even his feet had scars on them the closer Arthur looked.

Arthur and Morgana both wait for him to pass and they sneak out of the house when they hear him settle on the bed and then the soft snore that follows.

Morgana brings up the nearest grocery store and they drive out in remote silence. Morgana was still shocked at what she had seen.

“He's a nurse. He should know the fundamentals of preplanning meals and eating nutritiously. He looks like he hasn’t eaten in 2 months” She finally murmurs when they slide out of the car. Arthur grabbed a trolley.

“I think all his care goes towards his patients that by the time he gets to himself...he forgets that he needs care too” Arthur replies as he grabs a fresh loaf of bread. Morgana happily slipped apples into the trolley. They take it aisle by aisle, having to guess at what Merlin likes and dislikes.

“You sound like you care an awful lot about this guy Artie” Morgana chirps finally making a decision when Arthur can’t decide between Vanilla or Strawberry yoghurt.

“I just...I’ve felt like I’ve known him my whole life. Like he was always supposed to be around and now I’m seeing the world in colour. Gods I sound like one of those stupid cheesy romantic movies don’t I?” Arthur asks softly.

“Only a little. It’s cute. You should be happy Arthur. Despite what Dad says, when the old man carks it. It’ll be your business to run and then you can take your boyfriend all over the world. Show him how beautiful Paris is, or Venice or the Great Wall of China” Morgana shrugs like it’s that simple.

Like Arthur didn’t have a fake molar embedded in his mouth from the time Uther had knocked him out cold after he had caught him with another guy in his bed at the ripe age of 16. Like his Father hadn’t stormed around their house all day in 2014, cursing out the parliament for such a stupid ridiculous decision. Uther had made it clear that he thought anybody with LGBT proclivities was worth setting a pyre to burn on. He had refused to talk to Arthur for months after that incident and Arthur had learnt to keep himself hidden when he was home from whatever boarding school he had been at that time.

He wasn’t flamboyant or anything like that. He’d never been to a pride parade. God no but he also wasn’t ashamed to say he liked men, just like he liked footy, or fish and chips. It was just...what he liked. At least that was with anybody other than Uther.

Finally, they have a trolley full and then Arthur sees it and he can’t help himself. Really. He can’t. It was a beautiful black dragon plush animal. He’s throwing it in the trolley and ignoring Morgana’s Simp.

“Oh shut up Morgs,” Arthur muttered.

They get back to Merlin’s place and Arthur and Morgana set about putting everything away for him. Before Arthur is sneaking into Merlin’s room with a note in hand, the dragon plushy and some pain tablets with a glass of water.

He sets them down gently. Rearranging them until his happy.

The note was simple eat something when you wake up, take some pain meds. Text me. I’m under Prince Charming in your phone. Sorry to go before you wake but work calls. - Arthur.

With that he slips from the house, having to grab Morgana from where she’s starting at a book on Merlin’s lopsided shelf. Of course, even his shelf was lopsided. He showers quickly at home and changes before he takes a separate car from Morgana.

Arthur puts his head down when he gets to work and catches up on some paperwork. It’s nearly lunchtime when his phone is accosted with so many texts that Gwaine is raising an eyebrow from where he had just walked into Arthur’s office.

“Care to show me how to turn my phone into a vibrator too?” Gwaine teases, a file in his hands. Most likely with the new mockups for their next ad.

“Here have a look for yourself” Arthur says, handing the buzzing creature off to Gwaine.

Gwaine snickering as he reads through the texts. The phone still buzzing.

“Did you really buy him a full cupboard of food?” Gwaine asks.

“Fridge too. He literally had an out-of-date pack of crisps left. He's all skin and bone Gwaine. He needs food. And not just shitty hospital sandwiches I’m sure he eats on his break” Arthur shrugs.

“Well, ain’t that sweet. He...oh I don’t think I can read that one out in the office...HR will have my head” Gwaine says handing the phone back, setting the files down on the desk.

By the time Merlin would have finished his name-calling tirade and how he wasn’t a charity case and Arthur was going to return all this food and something unspeakable that he’d do to Arthur if ever tried something like this again he’d probably run out of data.

So finally Arthur calls him, if only so his buzzing phone doesn’t jump off the side of his desk right into the paper shredder.

“Well good morning to you to Merlin” His name is like a purr on Arthur’s tongue.

"YOU...You...I can’t believe you! I...I can bloody well feed myself you know. I’m not poor!” Merlin snarls.

“I didn’t think you were. I just wanted to help, that’s all it was”

“ALSO WAS THERE A WOMEN IN MY HOUSE!” Comes from Merlin next.

“Yes, my sister. She helped me stock up for you. Morgana helped me pick out some things we’d think you’d like. Though the dragon plush was all my idea. I was thinking of calling him something like Falkor the Furious.

“Morgana” Merlin whispers cutting Arthur’s rambling off.

“Yes, She’s a bit of a witch to me but to everybody else, she’s practically lovely. She’d give her shirt off her back to someone if it meant they were warmer. We didn’t mean it as an insult to you. We did sincerely want to help and I promise your secret is safe with me. She doesn’t know.”

“No, she just thinks I’m a poor freak you’ve taken pity on” Merlin snaps and that makes Arthur’s heartache.

“Merlin...you are not a freak. Far from it. Just take a deep breath for me yeah? This is what it means to have people caring for you. Get used to it. Cause I’m not stopping. No matter how many times you text me bad words, or call me names by the way. What does Dollophead even mean?” Arthur asks.

“Arthur Pendragon. It’s Dutch” Merlin sass back smoothly.

That makes Arthur laugh a little and Merlin lets out a small breath over the phone. Arthur just knows his smiling. At least a little.

“Have you eaten Merlin or do I need to come over there and force-feed you?” Arthur asks, voice dropping a little against his will.

“I have that quiet covered thank you,” Merlin replies softly.

“I want a picture as proof”

“My gods, what are you? My father!?” Merlin snaps.

“Well...I ...”

“DON'T! Merlin squeaks and Arthur laughs again.

He just can’t help it. Something about Merlin makes him light and bubbly. Like...like he could pick up the world in his hands and have it all right there.

Arthur can hear noise on the other end of the line and then an exaggerated moan as Merlin must bite into a sandwich but it doesn’t stop it from shooting straight to Arthur's groin.

“I think you should go get lunch too. I think I heard something about EL...Elliot said that you guys normally all get lunch together” Merlin instructs.

“Not every day and...and I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on” Arthur mutters. Clearing his throat.

“Ahuh...sure sent you that photo by the way,” Merlin says and

Arthur is flicking over to his messages and is jolting in shock. It was just a simple photo. The man was just eating a bloody sandwich for Christ’s sake but it’s beautiful.

And then he sees a shimmer of gold in those beautiful blue eyes and he realises both of Merlin’s hands are in view of the camera so that means he had used magic to lift his phone and take a photo.

“Cheater,” Arthur says bringing the phone back to his ear.

“Well I am an arm down, tis your fault by the way. It was your fat foot I tripped over” Merlin mumbles around another bite of his sandwich.

Leon sticks his head in the door, pointing to his watch and Arthur gives him a thumbs up. Leon disappears but Arthur knows he’ll be back in 3 minutes top to drag Arthur out of his seat if he doesn’t get moving.

“You have to leave to go do something don’t you” Merlin asks.

“Yeah, a meeting. What are you a mind reader”

“No I could hear Leon...it’s part of this magical thing I guess. Even over phones, I can sense people I know are close by” Merlin shrugs.

“That’s...in every story I’ve read magic has always made Technology screwy. So why doesn’t yours?”

“It did to start with. Trust me, Leo...Leo wasn’t happy when I blew up the third toaster but I learnt eventually how to control it and I guess after a while my magic just grew acclimatised. I’ll let you in on a secret Arthur...when we meet up next. If you’re up for it” Merlin promises.

“Sure who’s Leo? Was he your boss?”

“No. He was just a very good friend...he’s gone now” Merlin replies, voice quiet. He suddenly sounds drained.

“I’m sorry Merlin. Me and the guys are going out for drinks again tonight if you want to join?” Arthur asks as Leon appears again. Tapping his watch harder. Arthur ignores him.

“Can’t while I’m on pain medication but thanks for the invite”

“Well, what about my sister's birthday? Next Friday!?” Arthur says. Knowing his coming off desperate. Ignoring Leon staring at him pointedly. Ruddy curls held back from his face in a simple clip that Mithian must have forced onto him this morning.

“Morgana right?” Merlin sounds hesitant.

“Yeah”

“Sure ok. Sounds good. I guess. I don’t know if I have a suit fancy enough though” Merlin says softly, almost like his embarrassed for it after his stint of refusing to be called poor earlier.

“You don’t need to wear a suit...just...you're hot enough in band t-shirts and tight jeans” Arthur breathes before he can help himself.

When Merlin doesn’t say anything Arthur thinks his fucked up.

“Never been called Hot before” Merlin’s voice is sincere and soft but Arthur can tell his smiling.

“Smoking really...like fire...like Oh my god I’m gonna hang up now before you never want to be seen with me out of embarrassment!” Arthur says quickly. Leon pretended to hit his head against the door frame at the shame of knowing Arthur.

“Have a good day Arthur”

“You to Merlin,” Arthur says softly before he finally hangs up.

“Well nice to know that you are shite at flirting as a bumblebee is at swimming Arthur” Leon teases.

“Nobody else will know of this” Arthur threatens and Leon gets the devious smirk on his face that has Arthur taking off after him. Tackling him just before he can enter the meeting room.

Both of them laughing.

Agravain stares at them both disgusted as they squabble like children. Morgana was just recording it and so was Gwaine. The other’s laughing.

“YOU ARE A CEO ARTHUR! That is enough childishness!” Agravain snarls.

“Never enough in my opinion”

“And if anybody wanted your opinion Gwaine. We’d ask but nobody has” Agravain snaps.

Arthur sighs but gets up off the floor, giving Gwaine a consolidating pat on the shoulder. Gwaine just throws two fingers in Agravain’s direction when his not looking.

“So we open in two months. It’ll be all hands on deck. George has gone through the list of service workers about 30 times to make sure we’ve hired only the best people but we’ll be testing them over the next few weeks to see if they’re as good as he says” He states plainly when his upfront. Everybody else sitting down.

And with that, the meeting goes smoothly. Taking everybody’s ideas and suggestions.

This was his first hotel. The first one with his name on it, Not his father's and he needed it to be a hit. They had planned a masquerade ball in the spacious ballroom as an opening Gala to all the rich, famous and willing.

That was more Morgana’s area of expertise but Arthur would have to have some say in things.

“Percy? How goes the search for decent bodyguards? Ushers? Anything like that?” Arthur asks sitting there, spinning side to side on his chair as he waits for the meeting to come to an end.

He had a bit more paperwork to do but all he could think of was seeing Merlin again. Those blue eyes that looked like they held the universe and those shoulders that held too much weight and those soft plush lips that had a divet in the left side of his bottom lip. As if he’d constantly gnaw on it in worry.

Once Arthur got some weight on him again, he’d be stunning and Arthur was already considering him to be his plus 1 to the Gala. If Merlin could put up with him that long.

Arthur is smacked from his thoughts by his ever-loving friend.

“What Gwaine?” He grumbles a little, clutching his arm.

“Well, the meeting’s over...aren’t you glad that Lancey takes the minutes and not you. Or god forbid all it’d have is I love Merlin’s hair. I love Merlin’s eyes. I haven’t seen you this bent out of shape about anybody before” Gwaine murmurs low as he leans against the table.

“I haven’t felt like this about anybody before, it’s like being near him makes me just melt. Like I know with him I could say anything, I could just be me and he’d accept me flaws and all. I thought this crap was for the movies. Love at first sight and all that. Not that I do love him yet but I think I’m getting there and quickly but his so broken Gwaine. He’s...he’s so haunted by his past. He was a bodyguard apparently”

“That small shrimp was a bodyguard? Maybe we can get Perc to hire him” Gwaine says, eyebrows raising but he doesn’t make a mocking comment. He just looks genuinely impressed.

“I think he prefers helping people by healing them...he lost the guy he was supposed to be protecting. But the guy, god from the way Merlin talks...he was a dick. He treated Merlin like a meat shield and the way he tries to defend the guy. As if he was made from gold or something. I don’t know that Merlin will ever get over that enough to love anybody else” Arthur whispers, leaning back in his chair. Rubbing his hands over his face.

“Regardless...sounds like he needs you. Maybe he might never love you but I think you could still be pretty good friends and I think for the moment that’s what Merls needs. He just needs friends who he knows care about him for him. Rather than what services he can provide. And you don’t need for anything so I think it’s a pretty good match.”

“I think I’m gonna make him dinner”

“You don’t know how to cook” Gwaine says looking absolutely horrified at the prospect. As if Arthur had just suggested they go murder a bunch of orphans.

“No, but I can read a recipe. You don’t mind if I skip out on drinks again”

“Sure only if I get to come along. I’ve been wanting to check out the guy myself. There’s just something so familiar about him. That I can feel it at the tip of my tongue but nothing comes when I try to think”

“Maybe that’s cause you shouldn’t be thinking” Arthur replies. Laughing when Gwaine kicks him.

“Who has your stupid hotel on every damn billboard in Scotland. That’s right. Me Knobhead. You really should be nicer to me. I have so many blackmail photos.” Gwaine snickers.

“As you threaten me with once a day. We’ll meet up out front in 2 hours to head over and invade Merlin’s space.” Arthur orders.

“Aye aye Captain”

Arthur manages to get through most of his paperwork by the time Gwaine is all but bashing down his office door. Arthur had been so caught up that he hadn’t even realised the two hours had passed.

“I WAS THINKING INDIAN!”

“I was thinking Perc should get you a shock collar so you don’t deafen half the world with your shouting” Arthur mutters, grabbing his stuff and texting Merlin he was coming over and bringing a guest.

Fine but only if their a 10. Comes a reply.

“That’s actually a very interesting idea, though I wonder...how it would go aroun...”

“Gwaine...dear god shut up. I don’t want to think of you ending up in the hospital getting treated cause you shocked your own dick off” Arthur all but begs. Gwaine was an absolute whore growing up. He thought the man falling for Percy would have settled him a little. He had just gotten worse!

“You think Merls would be my nurse?” Gwaine asks.

Arthur rolled his eyes, ignoring the comment.

Gwaine bounced over to Percy who was still looking through bodyguard candidates and kissed him on the cheek. Percy gives that big doe-eyed grin as he tells Gwaine to be good and not to stir up too much trouble. Especially while Merlin was healing.

Merlin has books strewn over the entire lounge room when they get there.

“Uh...you look like you're having fun,” Gwaine says, looking equally as horrified as Arthur. Gently toeing at one of the books that was in a language that Arthur was pretty sure didn't exist anymore.

“I got bored and the History Channel was making me cranky” Merlin shrugs, wearing what looks like a cloak around his shoulders, it circles him up cosy until Arthur realises it’s his blazer. He must have left it here.

“Well, we’re here to cook you dinner. Do you eat Indian food” Arthur speaks up.

“It’s one of my favourites,” Merlin says finally turning to look at them and his eyes crinkle as he smiles.

Arthur can’t help but smile in return.

Gwaine grabs the paper bag from Arthur that held the ingredients they needed and heads into the kitchen. Arthur moves to help Merlin up to his feet. Asking how his arm is feeling.

“Irritating” Merlin shrugs, turning to look to make sure Gwaine is fully out of the room before he waves his hands, like shooing a cat out of the room and his books. About 14 of them all stack themselves neatly back on that crooked bookshelf.

Merlin’s eyes don’t even change colour. It’s like his so used to it. That it’s not worth showing power for.

“Here” Arthur says holding out his hand and Merlin with more trust than yesterday lays his casted hand in Arthur’s and Arthur blows softly across his hand. Making Merlin smile.

“Well that’s sweet as pot pie but if I could steal your Princess’s help that would be lovely. And yours too sweetheart. I don’t want to go poking where my nose doesn’t belong” Gwaine says standing there, having shed his blazer and opened up the top three buttons on his shirt. Looking more like a mother with a knife in his hand than even Arthur cares to admit.

“Sure thing” Merlin says and as he turns Arthur’s eyes feel like his seeing two different versions of Merlin. The one bundled deep into Arthur’s blazer and one that was wearing a sweeping cloak of dark green.

Arthur does his best to follow the instructions online but eventually, Merlin shoos both him and Gwaine out of the way. Asking them to cut up this or that but mostly he does the stirring and measuring and swipes away the recipe Arthur had spent the half an hour's drive to the grocery store trying to find.

Instead, Merlin does it almost like it’s an instinct.

“I lived there for a year” Merlin shrugs, like that was a simple answer.

He was so young and yet the more Arthur learned about him. The more he wondered how he had possibly done so much in such a short adulthood but some people were just like that he guessed. They were made to explore and do as much as they could with their lives.

Arthur had bitched the entire flight to Scotland, he very much preferred his hometown. Feeling out of sorts and displaced but then two months after being here...well there was Merlin and suddenly he didn’t feel so uncomfortable here anymore.

“Alright alright. Can you two slow down a tad? I’ve grown up with Gwaine all my life but even I can’t understand when he talks that fast” Arthur nearly begs when Gwaine and Merlin get talking about what they both do for work.

Arthur understood a little here and there but these two were off like two greyhounds chasing a rabbit. Their accents make it hard to keep up.

“Aww do you feel left out” Merlin says softly, grinning gently.

“It’s not my fault I was born in great old Britain” Arthur pouts a little. Only to grin when Merlin kisses his cheek.

“Don’t worry we’ll slow down just for you but I’m not kissing you on the cheek” Gwaine snickers.

“Merlin tongs!” Arthur chides when Merlin reaches for the Naan bread they had brought that just had to be heated over the stove with his bare fingers.

“What. It’s fine. It’s not even that hot.” Merlin shrugs. Not caring as the flames lick at his fingertips and turns them pink.

“Here let me Princess, need some more scars for Perc to kiss better” Gwaine says gently shoving Merlin out of the way to grab them instead.

Hissing and sucking his fingers after he was done.

“I said I was fine doing it. Let me get you some cooling ointment” Merlin says.

He returns in time for Arthur and Gwaine to have set up the bowls and plates in the centre of the small table in Merlin’s kitchen.

“Here. Seriously, it wasn’t even that hot. You’ve already got a blister forming” Merlin orders holding out his casted hand and Gwaine ever so gently lays his hand on top of it. Merlin rubbed the ointment into Gwaine’s fingertips.

Gwaine wiggles his fingers in shock when the pain seems to seep away almost instantly.

“Next time. Just let me handle it yeah?” Merlin orders softly.

Gwaine nodding.

“Next time use a pair of tongs. Come sit, eat” Arthur orders.

“But then you risk squishing the air from the Naan and it’s not as good...”

“Merlin it’s not a damn request. You have enough scars. You don’t need more 'cause you think you're invincible” Arthur snaps without meaning to.

Merlin’s shoulders cave in slightly and he mutters something under his breath.

“I just worry that’s all. I don’t want you to hurt yourself over something as silly as airy naan bread” Arthur softens his voice.

“I’ll tell you if there’s something I can’t handle Arthur but you can’t baby me just cause I have a few scars. I took each willingly, I knew what each one meant. I didn’t go in blind with my old job” Merlin says stiffly, using his naan bread to scoop up a bit of the rice and the meat. Seeming happy to eat with his fingers.

Gwaine just watching them. Looking like his been caught between his parents fighting all over again.

“Here. Teach me how you do that?” Arthur insists, holding up a chunk of Naan bread.

Merlin laughs when his first attempt ends up down his shirt. Holding out a napkin. The next time Arthur doesn’t miss his mouth and it’s better without the metal of the spoon in his way.

Gwaine tries his hand at it too and of course, he gets it the first time around.

“You're acting as if it’s chopsticks. It’s just like a chip butty except your bread is well the naan and the chips are the rice and meat” Merlin shrugs. Looking so at ease.

“Arthur’s never actually had one. He used to turn up his nose when my mother used to make them . I much prefer my chips and bread separately . Even as a kid, he was a tosser” Gwaine explains.

Arthur blushing.

“Well, then you're not officially British. I’m sorry but that’s the rule. No chip butty, guess we’ll just have to revoke your citizenship.” Merlin teases.

Finally, dinner is sorted. Merlin’s bowl is still half full but at least he had eaten twice today.

“You can take the leftovers home if you want Gwaine, my fridge is so full that I don’t think it’ll fit and I struggle with leftovers. They just...in some places we lived, me and Leo... We’d be forced to eat the leftovers for breakfast. Eventually, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I’d rather starve than eat reheated food again...especially in some places where the leftovers were dangerous to heat unless they were cooked to a specific temperature. It was just not worth the stomach pain.

“Thanks, Perc will love this. I think I can finally convince him to take a crack at Indian food if it’s come from someone as wonderful as you” Gwaine says as he starts piling the rest of the food into a takeaway container that Merlin hands him.

Merlin has Yatzhee and one of Arthur’s dreams comes back to him as Merlin shakes the dice.

Or a king to his servant . Before that beautiful laugh. Another dream that had felt real.

“Play fair” Arthur orders the warlock. It’s more of a request. Arthur’s voice is too soft for it to be an order.

“But it’s no fun playing fair” Merlin replies just as softly.

“Just so you both know, and before you try to collude I’m the best dice thrower out there” Gwaine chirps.

“No collusion. I was just telling Arthur he has to do the dishes since I can’t get my cast wet.” Merlin shrugs.

Arthur doesn’t mind that but first, they play. For hours, Gwaine texted his boyfriend a few times. Commenting when Percy says something to Arthur or Merlin.

Merlin is shocked when Gwaine adds him to the Round Table group chat.

“It was Elliot's idea. The name of it. We always found it funny that Arthur’s grandfather decided to try and force the raising of King Arthur again by forcing the horrible name of Uther back onto the world and Uther was forced by his father to name Arthur...well Arthur. The old man was a sandwich short of a picnic that’s for sure”

“While he was crazy he was still my grandfather Gwaine” Arthur mutters, a bit cranky.

Sure Uther was a dick but Arthurs grandfather had always cared about him. Constantine was the first person that Arthur had come out to. By complete accident. He’d only been 5 but his grandfather had just held his shoulder and told him he didn’t care as long as he was happy one day. Had told him he knew Arthur was different. Special. That he never watched the girls on the playground like the other kids did. Arthur had been ashamed at first but Constantine had reassured him it was ok. That he was allowed to love whoever he wanted no matter what Uther said.

“Right sorry” Gwaine murmurs.

Merlin looks between them but shrugs rolling his dice and picking out his numbers carefully. Getting Arthur to write down his score for him.

They are about 3 quarters through the game when Arthur feels a warm body slump against his, Merlin’s breathing evening out.

“I think you should get him to bed Princess. I’ll catch a taxi home. It’s nice to see you care so deeply about someone. Merls was in the lead by the way” Gwaine says packing up the game.

Arthur nods, gently scooping up Merlin and carrying him down to his room.

He shucks off his blazer from Merlin’s thin shoulders before turning to see Gwaine had followed them.

Arthur waves him over and Gwaine gasps in shock when Arthur gently lifts the front of Merlin’s shirt.

“Who did this to him?" The whisper is harsh enough that Arthur knows Gwaine is considering squishing whoever did it to a pulp.

“His old boss. The fuckers lucky he's dead or I’d kill him myself. Most of these should have been for his boss but he took each one instead” Arthur says dropping the shirt and tucking Merlin deeper into his bed. Pulling up the sheets, taking a second to run through his hair.

“Some of those don’t look like, he should have survived them” Gwaine whispers when they exit back out into the hallway.

“He’s got no self-worth left Gwaine. It breaks my heart. It’s like he’s so broken inside that he doesn’t even know what happened to him was abuse. Whether he was paid for it or not” Arthur replies softly.

“Just protect him, Princess. The kid needs it” Gwaine gets Arthur to promise.

“With my life. Get home safe. Text me when you do”

Gwaine nods, grabbing his take-out container and Arthur returns to the room. Pulling off his shoes as he lays on the bed beside Merlin. He didn’t even think of driving home and sleeping in his own bed. He just wanted to be here. In this quiet weirdly decorated place he smiles as Merlin curls into his side.

“Thank you” Merlin whispers and Arthur doesn’t know what his being thanked for but he’ll take it.

Pressing another kiss to Merlin’s hair he has a thought for a second, did Merlin spell him? Or...did he really just...had he fallen this quickly?

He turns to look at Merlin in the light of the street lamp. It cast shadows on his face but he still looks serene. Eyelashes long for a male, sweeping across those cheeks like a fan. His cheeks were cutting edge. They looked like they could cut diamonds and his lips...

Arthur wants to kiss him again and he decides he doesn’t give a single shit if he's been enchanted or not. Because he's happier here with a man he met 3 days ago than he has been in a long time.

Chapter Text

Over the next few days, Arthur repeats the process. His bed is long forgotten as he brings over one of his friends to introduce to Merlin at night. Lance and Gwen one night, Merlin having fussed over her all night. Treating her like a queen, making sure she had enough to eat and that the baby was feeling ok and her back was ok. The next had been Elliot, they had mainly just talked about work and Merlin had explained a little about all the places he had been to. Elliot had always wanted to travel the world so he had been eager to ask about everything that Merlin knew of different places. Merlin had warmed to Percival almost instantly, Gwaine happy to come over again and Arthur just watched Merlin's face fill with pure joy at seeing the couple together and happy. Percival's voice is soft and commanding and Gwaine listens. They either get takeout or make something before they watch a movie or play a game but eventually, Arthur crawls in right beside the beautiful man and sleeps easily. 

He had laughed more this week than he can ever remember. Merlin always had some look or witty remark to give him and a few times Arthur had let his temper flare when Merlin would do something partially frustrating but he’d quickly quell it because he knows Merlin has these weird eccentricities for a reason. Sometimes he didn’t even have a chance to get out a sorry before Merlin had snapped back at him for being a prat or a dollophead. Once he even called Arthur a cabbage head and Arthur had spent the rest of the work day asking his friends if his head was indeed cabbage shaped. 

Sometimes he spoke as if he had lived multiple lives. Merlin just shrugged and said he must be one of those Old Souls. Arthur knew there were still things Merlin wasn’t telling him but he never minded because he knew Merlin must have a reason and would tell him with time. 

Finally, there were three days when Merlin would only speak to Arthur’s friends and refuse his calls at lunch if Arthur had said something dumb or had let his temper flair too much.  One night that Arthur hadn't brought anybody with him, had been tense both of them eating and Merlin was only speaking to Arthur when spoken to but he’d still crawl into bed beside the man every night and press small kisses to Arthur’s shoulder. As if to say he was sorry for taking out his own anger on Arthur. Arthur would just hold him close anyway and reassure him that he hadn’t been offended...mostly. 

Arthur takes Thursday off early to drive Merlin to the Hospital. It had only been a week but Dr Gaius had been wanting to check on his progress. 

“Do you own a car that doesn’t cost more than my entire house?” Merlin asks as he slips into the passenger seat of his Bentley. 

“Nope, Dad refused to let us drive Commoner cars. Though I’ve always wanted an old American Camero. Those things are beautiful.” Arthur says making sure all of Merlin’s long limbs are folded into his car before he closes the door and heads around to the driver's seat. 

Arthur waits around near the Nurse's station for Merlin to get his X-rays done, Gaius politely kicks him out of the room, Saying there is nothing to worry about but Gaius needs to speak with Merlin in private. Catching a girl with soft features occasionally glancing at him, she was wearing bright yellow nursing scrubs and trainers. 

“Hi,” Arthur chirps after the 8th time she’s looked at him. She looked familiar and he wondered if he had ever seen her before. 

“Hi...uh your Merlin’s boyfriend right? I’m Elena. I work with him sometimes. He's our RN...well technically my boss actually, our Head Nurse....regardless. We’ve missed him this week at work. He normally has a flow chart and Excel sheets...We’re kinda headless chickens without him, to be honest,” Elena rambles. She was beautiful. 

Blond hair messily tied up behind her head, clipboard in hand. Despite the disarray of her outfit that must have come from running around after patients all day, she was graceful. Her back is straight, shoulders square. 

“Oh uh well we’re...courting I guess. I’m sorry you guys are so lost without him. Does he really have a flow chart?” Arthur asks. Surprised that Merlin would have an Excel spreadsheet and a flow chart at work when his house looked like 8 different cultures mashed together after a tornado had hit it. 

“Oh yes...you should see the meeting room once he had his tirade of IVs don’t go in like that or catheters aren’t supposed to be painful if you do them right. Or well...the normal hospital junk. We like to say he has the magical touch. He can make any patient feel comfortable. He’s especially good with end-of-life patients or kids...oh speaking off. Hello Issy” Elena asks softly. 

“Hi, Elena...is Merlin back yet?” Issy asks, spooking Arthur a little he hadn’t even seen the small creature come up to them. 

She couldn’t be more than 8. Wispy blond hair down her back and she was pale. She was wearing pink pyjamas with cats on them. 

“Isolde what have I said about you wandering the halls without a nurse or guardian!” A stern voice sounds and Isolde is lighting up, turning and running straight for Merlin. 

Merlin hugs her tightly. Asking if she’s feeling ok. 

“You hurt yourself?” She whines, glancing at his wrist. A new cast in place, this one a deep blue. 

“Just a boo-boo, I’ll be fine I promise. A few more days and I’ll be back to work and then me and you can continue that Scooby-Doo Marathon. Where’s Tristan?” Merlin asks easily scooping her up onto his hip. 

“Boarding school. His parents sent him away but he promised to write me letters!” Isolde mutters, looking upset at the prospect.

“Well he was a bit of a trouble maker but I am glad that he’ll be writing you. Now let’s get you back to bed. Do you mind Arthur? Mithian and Leon won’t mind if we're a little late will they?” Merlin asks softly. 

“Of course not. A princess’s need always comes first” Arthur promises. Elena babbles to Merlin a million miles an hour about the goings on of the hospital and Merlin replies simply and easily. All of it went straight over Arthur’s head. It seemed it did for Issy as well. 

Merlin was happy to carry Issy the entire way, Arthur followed them down 3 more hallways and suddenly the walls were painted with all sorts of things. Handprints with names and dates underneath them around every door. For every person that had come and gone....every child. 

Arthur’s heart hurts when he sees a date proceeding the first one on a few of them. 

“If they have a butterfly over them...they made it from the hospital...” Elena whispers. 

“But they still...” Arthur finds he can’t say the world. To know that children have left these behind and some of them are gone. 

“Yes they still left this world too soon” 

And Arthur’s eyes catch on a name and a date that had only been a few days ago. Freshly added but no butterfly. 

Tristan. 1/2/2014- 23/9/2023

“We haven’t told her yet, Tristan’s parents told her that he was in boarding school. We advised against it but she’ll grow to learn the truth eventually” Elena whispers. 

“Does Merlin know?” 

“Yes...he was with Tristan when he passed. He told him this beautiful story of him and Isolde being smugglers through old knight territory and so in love. He never got to hear the end of the story. Where they had a wedding and they had a baby...it was that night that Merlin came in with his broken wrist” Elena’s voice broke softly. Tears ushered down her cheeks. 

So that’s why Merlin looked so sad that day. Had looked like he had seen a ghost. 

Elena reaches down and she’s pulling something from her clipboard. A sticker. A butterfly and she sticks it above Tristan’s handprint. Arthur watches out of the corner of his eye as Merlin talks to Issy softly as she asks about his arm. 

“I know it seems cruel to lie but...the kids need it sometimes. It’s the only hope they have in this place” Elena says. 

Arthur's eyes don't leave Merlins as he nods. Merlin lets Issy draw on his cast. Her tongue sticks out softly as she concentrates. Merlin just smiling like she’s his entire world. Doting on the small girl. 

“A lie told with love...is better than a truth that will kill,” Arthur says softly. 

“Now I see why Merlin likes you so much. You’re wise and pretty” 

“What’s wrong with her?” Arthur asks after a minute of watching Merlin kiss her on the forehead, watching as he feels gently over her belly and asks her some questions. Nodding along, pulling a silly face before he reconnected her to the drip she must have been on before she had escaped before moving to write something down on her chart. Wincing at the pain in his wrist but he powers through. 

“Her liver never grew in properly, she’s on dialysis and finding a liver for an 8-year-old is hard but she’s one of our strongest patients.” 

“And Tristan?” Arthur asks. 

“His heart just wasn’t strong enough. He was lucky to make it to 9 and a half” Elena answers truthfully. 

“I don’t know how you guys do this job. Deal with it” Arthur couldn’t imagine it. That he had to make snap decisions that could lead to someone living or dying. 

“We all have our vices to survive” Elena shrugs. 

Like smoking outside in the freezing weather outside of a seedy bar. 

Merlin finally says his goodbyes to the sweet girl and he rejoins them outside of the room. 

“Is she ok?” Arthur asks. 

“I think she knows but she’s playing along to make us feel better. Just keep a close eye on her please Elena. Call me if she asks for me. Dr Gaius can beat me with a broomstick later for working with a broken wrist” Merlin requests. 

“Of course. Happy to, get some rest” Elena promises. 

And Merlin is grabbing Arthur's hand with his good one. Dragging him off. Almost seems like he's in a rush to leave and Arthur is all too happy to follow. 

Arthur drives in silence as Merlin uses the Cambridge hoodie he had stolen from Arthur that morning to wipe away his tears. 

“See even my magic’s useless sometimes” Merlin whispers eventually. 

“Elena told me you told him a story” 

“It was just a distraction...I used my magic to show him the story like I showed you the knights...he was smiling so widely. He asked me to protect Issy for him since he wouldn’t be able to anymore” Merlin mumbles. 

“I’m so sorry,” Arthur says softly. 

“He got to know love in his small life. Better than any of us do in our own” Merlin replies. 

Arthur pulls off down a side street, parking and he grabs Merlin’s good hand. Kissing it softly as he clasps it between his own. 

“You amaze me, Merlin. You really do. I couldn’t do what you do, it’s amazing. You’re amazing” Arthur’s words are soft and quiet but they drip with truth. 

“Thank you. I think you're pretty amazing too. You're opening your first hotel and from what you’ve told me and how your friends have gushed about you. Sounds like you're doing an amazing job” 

“Ah yes, another place for the rich and famous to hide away from the world with well-placed spots for paparazzi to see them and snap photos. Such an amazing thing I’m doing” Arthur says, rolling his eyes. 

“I think it’s pretty neat. Even if it’s silly that you have 3 types of caviar on the menu. Your dad is weird” Merlin mutters, a smile playing over his lips. 

“The menu sucks. It’s the one thing I wish I could change but they must be the same amongst all hotels. I feel like I’m waiting for the King Of England to walk in and ask for all types of fancy shit. I think the poor old bastard would just want a decent piece of steak or a piece of fish. I want to make the menu more...subtle. Homely. Home away from home you know. Of course, still have the wellingtons and the fancy chardonnay” 

“I think you should change it anyway. See what the public thinks...at that fancy gala of yours. There’s a sit-down portion, right? Ask them if they want to order from the posh stick-up-your-butt menu or the decent edible menu” Merlin shrugs. 

Arthur laughs and Merlin’s smile is soft and sweet.

“What’s so funny?” He asks. 

“Nothing. You’re brilliant and amazing” Arthur promises, leaning forwards and Merlin stills. Watching Arthur in return. Blue eyes scanned from Arthur’s hair to his eyes to his nose all the way to settling down on his lips. 

“You can say no” Arthur promises. 

“If I ever say no. Shoot me. I’ve been turned into a changeling or a troll or some other horrible thing” Merlin replies. 

So Arthur kisses him gently and when he pulls back Merlin is blushing. The entire car is full of a swarm of beautiful blue butterflies. 

“I’m sorry that...just...don’t ask me how I’ve managed to keep my secret so long but with you, it’s just...there all the time. It’s like it wants to show off for you” Merlin says nervously. 

“Well, I’m honoured” Arthur promises before he opens the window and the butterflies slowly filter out, gently nudging a few that don’t want to leave the cosy warmth of the car. 

Arthur starts the car again and soon enough they pull up to Mithian and Leon’s place. It was beautiful. Arthur had been shocked from his routine when Leon had asked if the could come to their place instead of them coming over to Merlins. But he had agreed when Merlin had nodded his head. 

“Sorry we’re late Leon, Merlin had a runaway patient he had to deal with,” Arthur says when Leon opens the door. 

“It’s ok...hey Merls do you think you can do me a favour? Mithy is being stubborn again and I was wondering if you help her. She sprained her ankle this week but she’s refused to see a doctor about it. I’m sorry to ask but....” 

“It’s ok. Happy to help. Anything for my best friend” Merlin promises clapping the man on the shoulder and walking into the house. 

“Best friend?” Arthur asks, which leads to Leon just shrugging. Equally confused. 

They both enter and Arthur is happy to pull off his coat in the warmed house. A fire stoking in the hearth and the smell of roast filled the air. 

“How’s he doing?” Leon asks, voice hushed as Merlin walks over to where Mithian was sitting on the couch. Her feet up on a foot stool

“He still...baffles me half the time but I’ve gotten him to eat lunch most days and dinner every night...” Arthur says proud of himself for that little fact. 

He had found he had enjoyed cooking for Merlin, even if it was mainly Merlin directing him around.

“My ankle is fine. Leon is just overacting like normal!” Mithian mutters only to yowl when Merlin pokes the swollen thing. 

“Oh yes, that’s perfectly fine. I was thinking before dinner we should go on a hike. What do you boys say?” Merlin asks turning to grin at them from where his balanced on his feet but curled one arm around his knees as he assess Mithian’s ankle. 

“Sound like a good plan to me. Mithy loves Hikes” Leon smirks. Arthur nodded, making a show of reaching for his jacket. 

“I hate you all!” She mutters but she lets Merlin mother hen her. Getting her foot up on a chair and wrapped with Leon’s help. Arthur swears just for a second Merlin’s eyes flash gold because Mithian suddenly looks like she’s pain-free. 

“That feel better?” Merlin asks. 

“Better than before. I...thank you, Merlin. So you're the nurse that has my Leon and his friend all enraptured. I can see why. You’re beautiful and so familiar. Have we met before?” 

“Probably not. Your ring is beautiful. It’s...gold right?” Merlin says looking down and away from her, fiddling with his fingers. 

“Yes. I told Leon I would have been happy with just a ring pop, to be honest, but he was insistent. It’s my most prized possession. Well aside from the wonderful man that gave it to me” 

“Careful Mithy you’ll make him blush as red as his hair” Arthur teases. 

“Oh, here we go, once more. At least I wasn’t born looking like every generic Tom, Dick and Harry out there. Half of Australia has men that look exactly like you” Leon says as he starts setting out the plates. 

“Well, they obviously copied it from me. I am the OG after all” Arthur says gesturing to himself. 

Making all three of his friends laugh at him. Merlin the most. 

For the rest of the night, the talk is simple and Merlin mother hens Mithian much to her amusement. 

Merlin is sitting on the chair beside her after dinner, ever so gently massaging her shin and calf. Humming to himself. Looking completely at ease with himself, making sure to only use one hand. 

Suddenly his head quirks up and he smiles. 

And Arthur realises his smiling at him, and his heart is beating fast and his palms are sweaty and oh dear god. He’s in love with Merlin Emrys. 

It’s as irrefutable as the fact that his favourite colour was Red and that his father was absolutely gonna smash his head in when he found out. Because this was something he wasn’t going to keep a secret. 

“Merlin,” Arthur says. His voice comes out in a purr. It always does for Merlin’s name. He can’t ever imagine screaming it. It wouldn’t sound right. Merlin was a name meant to be whispered with fervour and love. 

“Hmm?” Merlin asks softly. 

For a man who had lanky arms and a proclivity to run into things without thought. He's soft around the edges.

“I...Gala...me...” Arthur finds himself muttering, voice suddenly dry and he's out of his drink and Leon won’t give him his. 

Mithian is laughing at him and Merlin just has that wide-spread smile. The one that shows off his teeth and makes Arthur skip a breath. 

“What I think my idiot of a friend is trying to say Merls. He’d like you to go to the Gala with him when the hotel opens a two months. If that’s ok with you. It means being poked and prodded by his personal tailor because if Morgana’s gonna have you there, She’s gonna have you there in a suit that costs more than our houses combined. It’s a masquerade” Leon explains. 

“I’d be happy to...I’ll speak with Morgana about setting aside some of my pay every week to repay her for the suit” Merlin speaks up. 

“Don’t be daft. It’ll be a gift from me” Arthur says. 

“Oh so not only is my boyfriend a prat. His a rich one to” Merlin teases, no bite to his words. Instead, he has a warm smile on his face. 

“Of course! How else am I to take care of you?” Arthur asks softly. 

“You think I need taking care of?” Merlin says. Looking genuinely surprised. 

“I think everybody needs care in some respect, no matter their class or social standing. Whether they were born with a silver spoon or alone.” 

“He used to get angry at his dad when Uther would try to stop him from playing with the common folk like Gwaine or god forbid Lance! The screaming matches about that little common rat from down the street sullying poor Uther’s garden beds. You’d think he thought Lance was a literal plague. ” Leon teases. 

“You should have seen the right fury on his little face when Uther tried to set up an arranged marriage to me when we were about 8. Of course not to happen until we were 16 but by God's. You’d think I was an ogre or something. He was a brat of a kid but he knew when to stand for himself and more importantly when to stand for others” Mithian giggles. 

Arthur just pouts. Not like getting ganged up on. 

“It’s sweet that you care so deeply for your people sire” Merlin says softly. 

He did that occasionally. At first, Arthur had thought it was a joke about his namesake but sometimes it would just slip out. Like it was common practice. 

“Don’t call me that Merlin. Even as a joke. I am not your boss ok. I’m not someone to be held above you. We’re equals. Leon on the other hand” 

“Get bent” Leon replies.

Mithian’s giggle is sweet to hear especially when it makes Leon smile. 

Merlin looks down, nodding and Arthur sighs. 

Gently grabbing Merlin’s hand Merlin is moving to rest Mithian’s foot on the chair he had been sitting on. Arthur pulls Merlin towards himself. Despite those gangly limbs he fits well on Arthur’s lap. 

“Equals beyond measure. My nanny used to say something about your soulmate being the other side of your coin. Two sides of a coin make it whole” 

“It’s a Welsh proverb.” Merlin supplies. 

“I just called you my bloody soulmate and all you come with is It’s a Welsh proverb. You're weird, you know that right?” Arthur says softly. 

“So I’ve been told. Also been told I got big ears...” Merlin says, his good hand pulling at the lobe of one. 

“I think they're perfectly suited. Big ears for a great listener. Big head for all the knowledge you contain” Arthur teases, kissing across Merlin’s jaw. 

Merlin burns red under his touch. Red cheeks and a blush burning down his throat. 

This time he doesn’t miss one of Merlin’s many mutterings. 

“You always hated my ears...I’m starting to think I got the wrong Pendragon” 

Arthur just raises an eyebrow but says nothing. Just nuzzling further into Merlin’s side. Holding him close. Wanting to feel Merlin there in his arms. To know his safe. 

He was still broken. He had woken more than a few times shouting, or Arthur had woken to Merlin speaking in some old language. One lost to time it seemed but his eyes were molten gold. Sometimes he had wrapped them in a shield that rippled under Arthur’s touch. The worst time. The damn ceiling had been on fire. 

It had taken Arthur coaxing Merlin out of sleep for that one, a simple hand wave and the burnt wood had gone. He had just curled into Arthur's side and cried. Cried himself back to sleep and Arthur had done his best to soothe him. Curl him up and remind him he was ok. That the past was the past and he was safe here. 

 “I think it’s time you get Merlin home Arthur. He looks exhausted. The poor thing must be in terrible pain still and he told me about that poor girl while you two were finishing up dinner. To lose her true love at such a young age and while being so sick herself. I always thought you were a bit of a cabbage head Arthur but seeing you with Merlin. I can see how you need each other. Just know if you break his heart. I’ll break you with my bare hands” Mithian instructs. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be giving him that speech?” Arthur asks but sure enough curled against his neck softly breathing was Merlin. Having fallen asleep. 

“No. You aren’t...broken like he is. There’s something in his soul. I can sense it. It’s like a crack... whoever he loved before you broke something in him that may never recover but you have to hold strong that even if it doesn’t...you’ll still be there for him” 

“I’ll never leave him again Mithy” Arthur promises. 

He gently carries Merlin out to the car and with a little finagaling he manages to slide Merlin inside. 

Merlin only stirs just enough to put on his own seatbelt.

Arthur makes Merlin smile when Merlin requests the night alone and Arthur promises to call him in the morning and ask if his eaten before kissing the back of his hand. 

“You really believe it?” Merlin asks softly before Arthur can head for his car. 

“Believe what?” Arthur asks. 

“About that whole two sides of the same coin thing?” 

“All I know right now is that you have made me happier this past week than I’ve been in my entire life. It's like...some part of me is finally complete.” Arthur promises. 

And before he can set his hand on the car door, Merlin is grabbing him. Wrenching him around. Eyes glowing gold and he touches the side of Arthur’s face. 

“Tell me again...don’t worry I’m not...It’s a truthful spell. You can’t lie under it” Merlin says softly, realising how Arthur tensed. 

“You Merlin Emrys are the piece I’ve been missing my entire life. It’s like with you I can be myself and I’d give my life if it made you smile” Arthur promises him. 

“You’ve only known me a week” Merlin replies softly. That glow disappeared from his eyes, his hand leaving Arthur’s face. 

“And yet I feel like I’ve known you for centuries. I know your favourite food is Thai, I know that you’ve travelled to more places than my brain can comprehend. That your favourite flowers are purple forget-me-nots. I know you have two favourite colours, red and blue. I know that your favourite book is in a language I’ll never be able to speak, that has pages so soft from wear and use. That your favourite movie is Rabbit Proof Fence which honestly is sadistic really. and I know...without a doubt. I’ll spend the rest of my days proving to you that I’m worthy of your love” 

Merlin doesn’t kiss him. He just cups his face and holds his forehead to Arthur’s, eyes closed. Tears spilt down his cheeks. 

Arthur just watches him in return, reaching out to brush his thumbs across those wonderful cheeks and wiping away Merlin’s tears. 

“I'm sorry it’s freezing. I should let you get home. Thank you Arthur” Merlin whispers before kissing him. 

It’s chaste and soft and Arthur watches as Merlin disappears inside. The door closes and Arthur waits for a few more minutes before he knows he can get in his car and safely drive home. 

Chapter Text

Merlin slides down the back of his front door and he sighs. Rubbing a hand over his eyes. Trying to regain his breath, he waits till he hears the sound of the car start up and Merlin grabs his cloak and heads out into the night. Clipping it into place around Arthur’s hoodie before he heads deep into the night. 

Finally coming to an empty build site and the words come to him easy. He doesn’t have to yell anymore. It comes out as a request, not an order but soon enough Aithusa is appearing before him. Merlin waved his hands to fritz out the nearby cameras. To make sure nobody caught sight of Aithusa. 

“The normal place?” 

He asks softly. 

“Please” Merlin says and Aithusa is bowing her neck. Allowing him to climb on. 

He spends their journey explaining how Arthur was back but he was different this time. 

“It...It’s him but at the same time, it’s not. This Arthur...he cares...he feeds me with his own hands, he makes sure I’m warm. He...loves me Aithusa. Me but what if I tell him the truth? What will happen then? Will he be angry I lied again!?” 

“Did you tell him your favourite flower was forget me nots?” Aithusa asks in return. 

“No actually. I didn’t...do you think he’s already remembering?” 

“Maybe not consciously but eventually, his world will come to the light and I think you’ll find he’ll still be beside you regardless of what he remembers,” Aithusa says, tucking his wings in softly and angling down to land near the lake of Avalon. 
 
Merlin slips from Aithusa’s back and he strips off gently. Wading into the waters, not caring if his cast gets wet. Instead, he kneels once the water is up to his knees and he prays. 

Not to the Three Goddesses, not to any god. To his first love. 

“Merlin, my favourite warlock” Freya whispers softly and he opens his eyes to see her standing there. 

“Freya...” He whispers. Always revered for her beauty. The soft glow of her skin in the moonlight. Her dark hair was braided softly down her back. She was wearing a soft sparkly gold dress.  

“You haven’t visited since Leon” She replies, moving to kneel in front of him. 

“I’m sorry...I couldn’t. I know I promised we’d talk more but” 

“It’s ok. I wouldn’t have been able to answer you anyway. Avalon was in unrest for a while, I could not leave. Too many souls leaving...well in Arthur’s case throwing a fit and forcing his way out. He had the Sidhe up in arms over it. They were so angry at him for ruining fate’s plans” Freya explains. 

“Arthur chose to leave Avalon?” Merlin says shocked. 

“That’s the polite way to put it. He had the head Sidhe by the hair and told them if he wasn’t allowed to leave. He’d get you to turn them all into a bunch of feral toads...You...did leave Excalibur here...Arthur took full advantage” Freya says. A small smile on her face. 

She found Arthur amusing. 

“Why would he do something like that? He was supposed to be healing and resting for when the world needed him”

“He asked me...to keep it a secret. It’s not a bad one. It’s rather sweet actually but he’d prefer to tell you himself. And of course, his knights followed. So has your Arthur returned you” 

“Sure...last week. He broke my wrist...that’s a lie. I broke my wrist falling over him” Merlin says softly, holding up his cast. 

The waters of Avalon soothed the pain in his wrist. 

Freya laughs and it’s soft. 

“The Sidhe said they’d punish him and his knights and Queen for disobeying fate...what did they do to him?”

“He was reincarnated. To grow up all over again. Even Uther’s back and Morgana. Freya...I’m worried that it’s just fate repeating itself. What if Morgana snaps again? What if she...I don’t even know if Mordred is here. Where he is” Merlin rambles. 

“So he doesn’t remember you...but you’ve stayed close?’ Freya says grabbing Merlin’s hand gently, pulling off his cast. It comes off gently and without much pain. Gaius is gonna kill him if Arthur doesn’t first. 

“More than close. He treats me like stained glass. Like I’ll break if he raises his voice too much. It’s like he remembers bits and pieces but he can’t...he doesn’t know he is the Arthur. My Arthur...we kiss” Merlin admits, feeling like a giddy school girl as Freya washes Merlin’s cast in the water of Avalon before placing it aside. Gently grabbing his wrist and massaging it softly. 

“And Morgana is still good? Does she have magic?” Freya asks as she rubs gently, a glow imitating from his hands. Warmth simmering through his wrist as he feels it healing. 

“I don’t know. I haven’t met her yet. I’m too afraid to. I killed her. It was my fault the first time that she ended up the way she did.” 

“Well then maybe you can change things this time? What do you say to that? If you knew how it went the first time. It already sounds like things have changed. So why can’t you change Morgana’s fate too? Tell her Merlin” Freya instructs gently. 

They sit in quiet for a while, Freya gently sliding his cast back into place. Smiling as Isolde’s drawings on it. 

“When it’s Arthur’s time...which will be when he's old and grey and spoilt rotten with your love. I’ll walk you both into the lake myself. You won’t be alone again my sweet Merlin” Freya promises. 

Her words are so sure that Merlin almost believes them but she knows as well as he does. That after Arthur passes again. Merlin will be here and he will wait until he sinks into the earth but his heart will still beat. It was his duty as Emrys. 

To keep magic alive in a world that thought it was just Myth and legend. That he knows it would be unfair of anybody else to bear this burden. 

“The dawn is starting to rise. I don’t have much longer to speak with you. You may be Emrys but you're also a man. A man with a strong heart and so many lost lives. It’s time for the fates to repay you for your duty. Let Arthur take care of you for once” Freya says pressing a hand to his chest. 

“Before you go?” Merlin begs as she stands. 

“Right of course. How could I nearly forget? Here” She says pulling a basket from inside her cloak. A note is attached to the top of the basket. Scrolled up and bound with ribbon. 

“Your mother wishes you a late happy birthday and she’s proud of you” Freya whispers and Merlin grabs the basket as Freya disappears with the rising of the dawn. 

Merlin slowly treads from the water, basket cradled like gold between his hands. A towel covers the goods inside and Merlin smiles when he opens it to his old favourite snacks inside. 

Grabbing one and holding it between his teeth as he dries himself off and gets dressed. Aithusa gently dries out his cast completely with his dragon’s breath and Merlin is appreciative. Feeding Aithusa one of his mother’s treats before he climbs onto the dragon’s neck. 

He’s woken to his phone ringing and he yawns, looking at his watch to see it’s 7 am. Scotland deep below them. 

“Hmm Morning Arthur” He mumbles. 

“MORNING! THat’s all you can say! I came over with breakfast and you’re not here and Gaius said you weren’t at work and....” 

“Arthur....” Merlin says rubbing his eyes before he yawns. 

“What?” Arthur asks. 

“Shut up...meet on the field near my house in half an hour. Ok,” Merlin replies softly. 

“Fine. Love you” Arthur says before he hangs up and Merlin smiles wide. The soccer field had long been abandoned. Too many tree roots had caused holes in the ground to make it stable for the kids to play on without risking a broken bone. 

“Aithusa it’s ok. If you're not ready to meet him just yet” Merlin whispers to his friend as Aithusa’s tail swishes across the ground. 

Merlin gets a call half an hour exactly later. 

“I’m at the soccer field. Where are you?” Arthur asks and Merlin sees him standing there, in full business attire. Two cups in hand and tucked under one arm was a bag of food. 

“On the soccer field, walk towards the other end and don’t you dare drop my tea” Merlin says softly. 

Arthur sighs, grumbling about how he’ll spank Merlin if this is just some joke. 

“Oh really now?” Merlin snickers. 

“Oh yes really. If anybody bloody deserves it's you and that mouth” Arthur grumbles only to shudder as he steps through the magical barrier Merlin had set up.  

“Merlin...I don’t want to alarm you but there’s a dragon behind you” Arthur whispers down the phone. Even though Merlin can hear him quite fine. 

“Really huh? Aithusa did you hear that? There’s a dragon behind us” Merlin teases, hanging up the phone and taking Arthur by the hand.  Aithusa looking under his own wings. 

“None that I can see” Aithusa’s voice is filled with mirth. 

“You have a pet dragon!” Arthur says. Looking faint but still standing tall. Merlin gently removes the cups of tea and coffee from his hand and the breakfast burgers from under his arm. Setting them with the basket. 

“Not a pet. No. Aithusa is...” 

“His son. I’m his son. He named me...and helped me grow big and strong” Aithusa chirps. They had been having this fight for the better part of a millennium. 

“YOU...You are a menace to this world. Why I ever let you out of that egg I’ll never understand” Merlin grumbles. 

“This is the Great Arthur Pendragon. I thought his first bet would be to try and run me through with a sword” Aithusa says. 

Arthur was just stuck staring at him in awe and Merlin wished he could have seen Kilgharrah. Even if old smog head was a bit of an ass at times. 

“Aithusa is only small compared to other dragons” Merlin explains. Gently grabbing Arthur’s hand tugging him to sit down on the grass with him. 

“That’s small...” Arthur whispers. 

“Yes...my older friend...he was a dragon, like Aithusa but dark as night and he had the stupidest sense of humour. He laughed for hours when he learnt my father’s friend had married a troll. He refused to help me. He thought it was karma. His name was Kilgharrah. He’s gone now though” Merlin says uncovering the basket. 

“I thought you said you didn’t have friends” 

“Not humans anyways. Aithusa apple?” Merlin shrugs, holding out said apple from the basket with his casted hand without thinking. 

“Bah. Apples. Where’s the meat?” The dragon whines. 

“Apples are good for you Aithy” 

Aithusa’s eyes narrow but he takes the apple with gentle nibbles. 

“I should have brought more egg sandwiches” Arthur says, pulling one of the egg and bacon sandwiches from the bag and tearing it in half. 

“Aithusa can very well hunt for himself and he knows it.” Merlin chides. 

Groaning when Aithusa licks up the back of his head. 

“Here you can have half of mine. It seemed Merlin brought treats anyway so I’ll be plenty full” Arthur insists. 

Merlin watches in wonder as Arthur holds nothing but awe in his eyes at Aithusa. As the gremlin takes the egg sandwich he was holding out. Being careful not to nip him. Aithusa wiggles in happiness, snapping his teeth to make sure he gets every bit of the sandwich. 

“Actually they're from my Ma. It was my birthday last month and I forgot to visit. They're homemade. My favourites from when I was a kid” Merlin explains, holding one out. 

“How old are you now?” 

“24” Merlin shrugs. Ignoring Aithusa lashing at him with his tail. 

It was the way he’s body looked at least. For a while, he had let himself age with Leon. He no longer needed a draught to reverse his looks though. He could just..be whatever he felt like. Though from their second first meeting, he could have said younger and gotten away with it. He just picked the age that Arthur was. Yes, he had looked into the Pendragons on Google and he had smiled at the horribly dorky family photos. 

Arthur with braces grinning wide for the photographers. At least in this lifetime, Morgana was a rightful Pendragon and not some made-up ward. Every photo Merlin had seen of her...she looked happy and gentle. She looked sweet and kind like she had been before Merlin had...turned her against everything. 

“For your sister's party, are you sure I should go? I haven’t...I don’t want to intrude. I haven’t even met her. Technically her breaking into my house and filling my cupboards with food doesn’t count. I don’t want her to worry about some stranger at her party.” 

“I may have...uh talked to her a lot about you. Nothing about your spirit fingers but just you in general. She thinks you're sweet and she’s happy that I have someone who can put up with me. She’s excited to meet you. To see the famous Merlin that puts up with my arrogance” Arthur explains. 

“Ok. The others will be there right?” Merlin asks. 

“Yes, Gwaine and the others will be there. Speaking of friends. We’re all going out for lunch together today. I want you to join, please. Gwen will be joining us so it’s not a complete work personal only lunch and you can meet my uncle” 

“Does he have to come” Merlin pouts before he can help himself. 

“You sound as if you know him?” Arthur says shocked. 

“I might have met him a few days ago. I wanted to come and eat lunch with you at work and he met me in the Foyer.” Merlin sank deeper into his cloak. Cheeks flushing. 

Remembering the first time that Agravain had been in his life. How hard it had been to convince Arthur then that his uncle was against him. How Merlin hadn’t even felt bad that he had killed the man. 

“Oh. Why didn’t you call ahead?” Arthur asks. 

“I wanted to surprise you...I even brought cookies. He told me I wasn’t welcome...” Merlin ends it there. 

Preferring not to remember the words Agravain had called him. Let alone the horrid retching in his gut that all it would take would be a flick of his eyes and the man would be dead at his feet again. 

“Merlin, what did he say to you?” Arthur asks suddenly looking serious. 

“Just...baseless stuff made from ignorance that’s all. I didn’t have the heart to call you afterwards and tell you I was sitting outside. He said you had a meeting to get to anyway” 

“He called you bad words didn’t he?” Arthur asks. 

Merlin nods. 

“Aithusa may I steal your companion for the day? I want to show him where I work?” Arthur asks, beginning to stand and grabbing his rubbish up and collecting it in Merlin’s basket. Merlin can’t help but smile at least a little that his Arthur who had once been so scared of anything magical. Was talking to Aithusa like it was any normal day. Like Aithusa was just a human like him. 

Aithusa nods. 

“I should head home anyways, you know how to call me Merlin. Should anything come up...and you Arthur Pendragon....” Aithusa gets as close as he dares to the blond man. 

Snorting out a breath that makes Arthur’s hair flutter softly. 

“I’ll be watching to make sure you don’t harm my name giver. Trust me. Dragon fire...is a brutal death and befitting of anybody who hurts Emrys” Aithusa snaps, eyes narrowed. A low growl in the back of his throat. 

“I vow that I will never willingly harm Merlin. I only wish to see him safe and protected as you do. I love him Aithusa.” Arthur promises and Merlin’s throat constricts. Why did Arthur have to keep saying that? Why did he have to mean it?

Aithusa’s tail is wagging. 

“Then...you have my approval...for now” 

Merlin asks if he can stop by home first. Wanting to get changed. Arthur is happy to let him do so. Merlin trying to dress a little...presentable. Wearing a dark button-up top, and jeans, Spelling the arm of his leather jacket to fit around his cast. Wrapping a scarf around his neck. Setting the basket on the bench and pulling on his boots. He realised that his wrist barely hurt at all anymore but he’d still have to wear the cast for a little extra support. A reminder that he couldn't use it too much. Rushing out to Arthur and Arthur gulps a little at the sight of him. Asking if he can just take Merlin back inside and ravish him instead, which has Merlin tripping over his feet and trying not to combust into a pile of ashes at the blush that creeps up his skin. 

Merlin is still in awe of the size of the hotel. It looked like it belonged out of a movie or something and it wasn’t even finished. They still had decorating to do. He hesitates a little in the foyer. Waiting for Agravain to come bustling out of nowhere and yell at him again but the man doesn’t appear. 

Nothing would ever beat the real Camelot. The rising citadel and the lower town so full of life. Merlin hadn’t been able to stand to watch as his kingdom had crumbled to pieces. Left to be covered by ivy and moss. He had returned every century. To check on it,  the last time it had just been ...empty, desolate, dark and half covered with moss. 

Leon hadn’t been able to stomach seeing their old home torn down to nothing. So he refused to visit with Merlin. He'd always stay in their manor instead. 

“Where do you go? When you get that look in your eyes?” Arthur asks softly, squeezing his hand. 

“Just memories. Sorry. This place is beautiful. It's different from the other ones. It’s...homey. It’s just like you said home away from home” Merlin promises. Meaning it. 

The foyer alone was wide and opening but still had soft nooks and crannies tucked away with chairs and...

“Is that a book nook?!” Merlin asks excitedly. He had been so busy trying to deal with Agravain last time that he hadn’t even noticed. 

“Oh uh yeah. It’s a...um shared library. It’s so there’s always books for people to read when they’re here. I wanted to...I don’t know...I just felt like people that liked reading but didn’t have enough space in their luggage should still be able to do the thing they love you know” Arthur says, almost like his embarrassed by it. 

“I can give you a few spares I’ve collected over time. Some of my favourites to help fill out the shelves” Merlin offers. 

Arthur shows him the coffee shop next before he takes him over to the front desk. Talking to the lady there. 

“This is my boyfriend. Merlin. He’s allowed to come and go as he pleases. Can you please give him a full-access elevator pass? Also, tell Agravain when he comes in...I need to speak to him on an urgent matter” Arthur asks. 

“Oh uh sure. Mr can you fill out this form please” She says holding out a piece of paperwork. Merlin does so easily and 10 minutes later he’s handed a shiny red card, Merlin Emrys etched along the bottom. A crown beside it. 

“The crown means you have full access” Arthur explains. Before showing him the normal cards they have planned. Red as well but lighter, brighter so it won’t get lost in someone's wallet. 

“If you're a VIP, you get this dragon symbol on your card so you get access to the bar on the roof and a few other things. Just enough to make VIP worth it but not enough to make the others feel to left out if they can’t afford it or don’t want VIP. What’s so funny? It’s stupid, isn’t it? I knew Morgana was laughing at me for a reason” 

“I think it’s sweet, what do the peasants get as their symbol?” Merlin teases. 

“uh, Carla...thanks. Here...see..I kept dreaming of this sigil. You should have seen how many times it took me to draw the ass of a thing to get it off to the designers. 

Merlin’s breath leaves him when he sees it. 

“Ygraine’s sigil” He whispers. 

“What...what’s my mother got to do with it” Arthur asks. 

“I own a piece of the original Queen Ygraine's jewellery...and there was...come on...where’s a quiet place?” Merlin asks. 

Arthur takes him up to one of the top floors. Ushering him into a fancy-looking office. Merlin waved back when Elyan and Lancelot wave at him with giant smiles on their faces. Gwaine winking at him in a way that has him rolling his eyes. 

Merlin looks in awe at the size of Arthur’s office. It looks like it belongs in one of those cheesy romance movies. 

It was massive but unlike the movies. It was....cluttered and full of things. It was full of life and Merlin really couldn’t help the smile that brushed his face. The memory of Arthur throwing a tantrum every time Merlin would leave him alone for more than a day. Normally off saving his ass and his chambers would mysteriously look like a tornado had rolled through it. 

But this was organised chaos. Arthurs's desk was filled with paperwork and two monitors. It outdid Arthur’s old desk by a mile. It was beautiful. Then on both sides of the room, were various boards of things and a table laid out with different fabrics and swatches of colour. Then there were the giant windows with a windowsill, deep enough that Merlin could see himself sitting there and watching the world as he oft used to do when he had finished his chores. From Arthur’s window ledge he could see the knights training...Arthur training down on the grounds. 

“We’re still uncertain on how to theme the rooms. I can’t bear to deal with red walls, like in the other Camelots but red still has to be involved some way. I just don’t want to make it look like it’s a porno set. So I’m mostly just fussing I guess...anyways. Why did you say my mother’s name?”  

“It seems your family likes repeating its historic names...this has been passed down to me from someone very special. He said it was a sigil. Something to be given to someone of great importance. To someone you loved whether it be just as Family or as more” Merlin whispers a word and his eyes flash and there it sits in his palm. 

It was one of his most precious items. He still remembered their conversation before he had been gifted such a beautiful thing. 

The crackle of the fire and the worry on Arthur’s face but also the small hidden smile at Merlin promising he’d always be by his king's side. 

Merlin had always kept it close to him. It was proof that Arthur had cared. Proof Merlin could hold in his hands in his darkest moments.

“It was from the original Ygraine. Queen Ygraine and it was said this was given by King Arthur to his greatest friend and most trusted adviser. So that after he had sacrificed himself to appease the tear in the veil his best friend would always be allowed a life in Camelot” Merlin explains, blushing a little as Arthur sits down on his chair and pulls Merlin with him. Looking over Merlin’s shoulder so he can see the sigil better. 

“It’s beautiful. That story you said it’s...it’s exactly like I dreamt. I blame Finna for this. This old woman used to read me all sorts of Arthurian legends growing up. They would all contradict each other of course but sometimes. Even till this day, I dream as if the stories she read were true...so in this version did King Arthur sacrifice himself to close the veil?” Arthur asks softly. 

“He wasn’t king yet though his father had long waned. He was sick so Arthur may as well have been king and Morgana sacrificed her own sister to open this veil to the spirit world. Which unleashed these horrid beasts called the Dorocha. They were spirits that not even magic could affect. They were scared of the light though. So...”  And for the next hour, Merlin finds himself explaining all of it. 

How he had nearly died. How Lancelot had taken him to a special lake in the valley of the fallen kings and the good spirits had healed him and finally how Lancelot was the first person who had ever known about Merlin’s magic. The first one to truly love him for just being himself had sacrificed himself so Merlin could remain to help and Arthur could become king. 

Arthur doesn’t judge Merlin for his tears when they fall. He makes no snide comment or calls Merlin a daffodil. He just kisses Merlin’s cheek and thanks him for the story and Merlin wants so desperately to tell him it wasn’t just a tale. It was the truth but he knows he can’t. Arthur will have to piece it together on his own. 

“ARTHUR!” A familiar voice hisses and Merlin looks up, nearly falling off Arthur’s lap as Agravain stands in the door. Arthur steadies him gently with a hand. 

“Ahh yes, Agravain. Just the man I wanted to see. Come in, will you? Merlin, my sweetest can you please go get us both some coffee and tea? Whatever you like” Arthur instructs gently, before holding out a card to Merlin. 

Merlin takes it and his sigil but before he can fully stand. Arthur is pulling Merlin down to him, gently and kissing him. Merlin trying not to let his eyes close, knowing he could get lost in this but Arthur pulls away and tells him if he gets lost or confused to look around for one of Arthur’s friends. Merlin nods and leaves the room. Agravain glared at him the entire time. 

Merlin doesn’t cower under his gaze. He stares straight on back and he doesn’t mean to but he lets his eyes flash. He doesn’t cast any magic. It’s just a threat but Agravain’s sneer drops instantly. Instead, it’s filled with fear and Merlin knows he remembers him. 

“Emrys” 

“Still trying to put the moves on your Niece Agravain? She finds you disgusting you know. I know Uther would surely be disgusted that his own brother-in-law would think so disturbingly of his daughter” Merlin asks lowly, making sure to say it loud enough that Arthur hears it. 

“Agravain! INSIDE NOW! Close the door!” Arthur snarls and Merlin can’t help the smile that falls on his face. 

“Oh, I know that smile...That’s the same smile Gwaine has...or I have when we’ve done something naughty. What did you do dear Merlin?” A voice says that has Merlin forcing himself to take a deep breath.

Turning to look at Morgana. 

She was beautiful, her dark hair braided down her back but some curls still falling to frame his face. She was wearing a dark green pantsuit with a tweed jacket over her shoulders. She was elegant and her eyes....they were soft and open. They held no malice or hatred and when Merlin reaches out with his magic. He finds her magic unburdened by darkness or hatred. It was still sweet and unlearned. 

“I might have dealt with your Uncle problem” Merlin shrugs simply.

And as if to make his point both he and Morgana jump when they hear Arthur yell. 

“HOW DARE I! HOW DARE YOU UNCLE! Not only have you made unwanted advances towards my sister, YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD. You refused my boyfriend from the building, you called him a whore, a tart! Oh and let's not forget the actual slurs you used! You may as well have used them on me to” 

“Oh wow. You really got dear Artie’s engines running. Let's go wait this out in my office. I’ll get Morris to bring us up some tea. What’s your favourite?” Morgana says looping her arm with Merlin’s. Easily dragging him along. 

And Merlin can’t help but smile. He felt like he was back to the Morgana that had helped him hide Mordred all those years ago. The kind one that had sought justice over politics. It felt like he had a dear friend back and he felt his eyes sting with tears. He hadn’t realised how much he had missed Morgana. The real Morgana the one that had buried herself beneath hatred and bitterness. 

Gods he was such a crybaby lately. 

“Morris sweetie, tea for me and Merlin please.” Merlin gives his preferred tea order and Morris gives a soft bow before running off. Looking like a headless chicken. 

"Gwen when we first started used to be my assistant and then she finally got her fancy law degree and she started working here as our lawyer. She refuses to work for Uther but for me and Artie she's happy to. So I had to get a replacement. Morris came highly suggested. And now with Gwen so heavily pregnant, Morris has had to play her assistant as well since she can't move around as easily. And no matter how much me and Arthur tell her to take the last month off. She's stubborn." Morgana explains as they walk down two corridors to get to her office. 

Right, Merlin often forgot that Gwen was 8 months pregnant. It had been a shock when Arthur had brought her and Lance over and there she was belly as round as a beach ball and nothing but love in her eyes for Lance. It was what Lance deserved. True happiness. The family he didn’t get the first time. 

“You're truly kind,” Merlin says softly.

“It’s harder to hate than it is to forgive, come and sit” Morgana ushers him over. 

Her office was completely different to Arthur’s. For one it was neat, for two. Her desk was pushed over towards the wall…and instead, the main space was dedicated to two lounges and a coffee table between them. She mother hen’s Merlin and asks how his arm is. 

“Morgana...Can...I reveal something to you?” He asks softly once Morris has returned with the tea. Merlin and Morgana both thanked him as he scurried out the door, a handful of papers under his arm. Running for Gwen's office.

He would not let her be alone again. He would not let her suffer again. 

“Hmm. What’s that?” She asks.

“Do you have cameras in here?” Merlin asks looking around and sure enough. There in the corner. Was a camera. 

“Yes for safety why?” 

“Who sees the camera footage?”

“Me and my brother and Percy? Why’s that?” Morgana asks looking genuinely concerned. Whether for her safety or Merlin’s sanity his not sure. 

“Because what I need to show you is a secret but also can’t be caught on camera or else I’ll be putting myself in danger and you too” Merlin whispers. 

Morgana still looks worried but she stares him down before reaching for her phone. 

“Percy hi...can you do me a favour? Can you turn off my office camera, please? Well because I have a guest I’d like to...thank you” She says and Merlin watches as the camera in the corner of the room stops blinking. 

“Do you have nightmares?” Merlin starts with. 

“Always have, ever since I was a kid. Dr Gaius has me on sleep medication but it doesn’t always help. Did Arthur tell you?” 

“No...No...umm oh, I haven’t done this in a long time...The druids kinda...anyways doesn’t matter” Merlin closes his eyes and reaches out mentally. 

'Morgana, can you hear me? He tries to keep his voice sweet and soft.'

“Did you just? Did you just speak in my head!?” Morgana asks. Merlin opens his eyes nodding. 

'Yes. It’s something only certain people can do...people like me and you...Try saying something back. Just focus on the words and think of pushing them over to me. Don’t shout, please.'

He watches Morgana’s eyes screw up in concentration and at first, nothing happens.

“It’s ok. It took me a while to get it. Trust me. Getting yapped at and not being able to talk back gets old quickly. So I learnt both to let people in and to keep others out. There was once...” 

“Once you kept me out didn’t you?” Morgana asks softly. 

“Once I killed you...” Merlin whispers and the words taste sour on his tongue. 

He had thought he’d never be able to kill so easily but he remembers twisting Exacliber and it was too easy. To easy to take his anger and his pain out on her at the time. His frustrations. His morals had been so broken by war, by watching Camelot crumble around his ears, watching the man that meant more to anything fear him. 

“My dreams...” She says, hands shaking. 

“I’m so sorry,” Merlin says.

“I...I killed my own brother, I hurt everybody I cared about...I...I...” She wails and Merlin is instantly at her side. Dragging her into a hug. She clutches to him as she sobs. 

'I had my own hand to play in your creation. I hurt you so many times. I lied to you, betrayed you, let you fall into Morgause’s hands. I was your friend and you were there. You were struggling so badly and all I did was lie to you.  Merlin’s voice is soft in his head. Still carrying the heavy guilt on his shoulders.'

The door bursts open. Someone must have heard Morgana’s wailing. Percival and Arthur both standing there, looking ready to take down whatever baddie had befallen her. 

“Morgana! Morgs. What happened? Merlin?” Arthur asks heading over.

'Does Arthur know? Comes to his head.'

'No. Not yet. The others have to remember on their own. No matter how hard I try the words can't come out'. Merlin explains. 

“Merlin...was just comforting me over some of the thing Agravain...would say and do to me when nobody else was looking” Morgana explains, pulling back and rubbing a hand under her eyes. 

“I’m so sorry Morgs. I wish I had known sooner. Do you want to press charges? Because trust me. I’ll be adding that to the reasons he got fired” Arthur asks sincerely. Morgana shakes her head. 

And Merlin just stands back as Morgana hugs her brother. Arthur returned her hug, holding her tightly. Comforting her. 

“You know now. Now it’s all better...right?” She whispers. 

“He’ll never bother you again, or if he tries. I’ll run him through!” Arthur growls. 

Merlin...I don’t want to turn out like that again. Please. I don’t want to hurt anybody. 

Merlin just squeezes her hand. 

“Do you mind if I keep Merlin here until we all go out to lunch? I just...know you have work and Merlin here is so comforting and sweet?” Morgana asks Arthur. 

“If that’s what he wants. After Lunch, I’ll show you around the rest of the hotel. Thank you for taking care of Morgs for me” Arthur promises. Kissing Merlin softly, a hand pressing into Merlin’s hip. Merlin grips his bicep gently in return. 

Merlin waves to Percy who nods back and he and Arthur leave the room. 

“Percy... cameras remain down, please...I don’t need this all over the Sunday paper if a weasel hacker breaks into the system,” Morgana says softly before the giant man can fully close the door. 

Percy nods again. 

They wait until everybody’s gone before sitting down. 

“So I was magic?” 

“You were a high priestess. Had you not been you know...mad with power...I’d find it rather remarkable actually and I’m sure you still are magic or you wouldn’t have been able to talk to me. Only those with Magic, like Dragons or Druids or us, can talk to people without ever having to open our lips” 

“Dragons...Aithusa” Morgana says softly. A look of hope in her eyes. 

“When you're a bit more steady and if Aithusa wants to. I’ll take you to meet him. What do you say?”

Morgana nods. She falls quiet for a moment, trying to sort out what was dream and reality. 

“Morgause...she was my half-sister” 

“As was Arthur your half brother...Uther no matter what version has always been a vile bastard but where Arthur only saw the good in you. Morgause saw you as a vessel, A tool to be used to gain power for herself. Even to the very end, Arthur hoped you could have come back to his side. Once he even spoke about ruling the kingdom with you but you were both too far gone on your own paths of destiny” Merlin explains. 

“And what about you Merlin?” Morgana asks. 

“I failed my destiny...I failed Arthur. He died before we could reach Avalon and so I’ve been waiting for him. I just wasn’t expecting him to change so much or maybe he was always like this and destiny blinded me to anything aside from Arthur is the Once and Future King.” Merlin rambles without meaning to. 

“Merlin you didn’t reincarnate like the rest of us did you?” Morgana’s voice falters on the question, like she knows the answer but she wants Merlin to say it.  

Merlin shakes his head and for the first time in a long time. It all comes gushing out. Like someone had broken the damn in his head. He explained about Leon, about wandering the world, about the world wars, about waiting through every plague helping where he could only for Arthur to never appear. About how he had worked in the same hospital as Gaius for the last 5 years and hadn’t even noticed. All the cruel tricks that fate would pull on him. 

Morgana just sits and listens, tears occasionally dropping from her eyes and she holds his hand. 

“Well you have me again and the others even if they don’t remember yet. No. No more apologies Merlin. You only ever did what you thought was right. We’re all here again. Maybe not to rule some great kingdom. Maybe just to get a second shot at doing things right.  You’ve already changed some things” Morgana promises him. 

“But it’s Arthur’s future. He’s to be king again?” Merlin says from where he had fallen to sit on the floor. Resting his head on his hand as he leans against the couch. 

“Damned with fate and destiny and the future. Dammed the whole lot of it. Look what it’s done, Merlin. Look how it’s hurt everybody we cared about. It forced you to live without the love of your life for so long. Maybe it’s time we said fuck fate. Let’s just do what makes us both happy yeah?” 

Merlin finds himself moving to just rest his head against Morgana’s knee. Smiling as she runs her nails through his hair. Just enjoying her company. 

“Yeah,” Merlin whispers. Still uncertain. 

All of his talking had made him tired and he had prodded at Morgana’s magic for the last hour. It was tiny, new, completely unburdened and soft. There was no darkness hiding there so he felt safe enough to sleep. 

He dreams he's in their old great hall, dancing along with Arthur, laughing as Arthur says some stupid joke or another. 

He vaguely hears voices outside of his dreams but he's just focused on watching Arthur’s feet to make sure he doesn’t step on the man’s foot. Arthur was wearing his cloak, his crown sat off on its cushion at the head table. Others dance around them, creating some elegant circular pattern. 

“He does this sometimes. It’s interesting to see what he dreams about. Sometimes they're sad, sometimes they're like this. Filled with light and happiness. 

“They're beautiful. He’s been through so much Artie. Protect him, please. He needs it. More than you know.” 

“I promise now as much as I’d love to continue to watch his dreams. We need to wake him up or we’ll be late for lunch and Gwen will be in a righteous fury. She’s already snapping at Gwaine’s heels over text and we still have half an hour to get there.” Merlin felt a shoulder on his arm. Jostling him gently. 

“That’s because Gwaine has the time management of a donkey. He was always late” Merlin mumbles, opening his eyes to see he had turned Morgana’s entire office into a ballroom. 

Watching as Arthur and Merlin of his dreams bow to each other before they disappear into nothing. Looking up to see his Arthur. The real Arthur and he smiles. A genuine wide toothy smile. 

Chapter Text

Arthur extends a hand and he helps Merlin up from where he was curled on the floor. 

Kilgharrah would be throwing a fit right about now but Merlin found himself not caring. Letting Arthur hold his hand as the blond guides him out towards the elevator. 

“Nice to know you two wait for me!” Morgana huffs. 

“Never dearest sister. That’d be too easy and boring” Arthur says. Laughing when she punches him in the side. 

“See how he treats me...” No wonder I wanted him dead the first time. Morgana says but her tone is light. Teasing. Soft. 

“How I treat you! You used to spread out my legos across the floor in the middle of the night so Finna would go barmy at me for leaving my toys out again.” Arthur says. 

“Oh like you didn’t have the whole puppy dog eye thing worked out on her. You should have seen his face the day I convinced the others to help me paint his room pink. Ceiling and everything while he was off at which boarding school was it that time?” Morgana teases. 

“The one in Switzerland and I had to repaint the entire thing by myself thanks to you...” 

“Not my fault your friends were all mysteriously grounded” 

“You're a bloody witch!” Arthur says and Merlin is happy to let him go so he can chase Morgana to the elevators. Both of them laughing. 

“I see those two are at it again,” Percy says, catching up to Merlin. Half dragging Gwaine behind him. 

“But I just have to finish this deal or the ads won’t get put up in time!” Gwaine cries. 

“That’s why I told you to do it earlier” Percy grumbles. 

“I was a bit distracted earlier thanks to you” Gwaine shrugs. 

“I see you two are at it again?” Merlin snickers. 

Making Percy blush as red as a rose and Gwaine laugh. 

Merlin looks up when he hears a whistle and he sees Arthur holding a lift open for them. 

“Merlin, babe come on. Let Perc deal with the delinquent” Arthur calls. 

“Hey I only spent 16 days in Juvy for bad behaviour before they let me out on a warning” Gwaine grumbles but everybody is piling into the elevator. Gwaine furiously typing on his phone. Muttering under his breath as he goes. Percy looks at him like his completely utterly mad about the man. 

“That’s cause your father paid them off” Arthur mutters. 

“So you went to boarding school?” Merlin says seeing the discomfort on Gwaine’s face at the mention of his father. 

“5 of them before one finally put up with his bullshit long enough to get him to graduate” Morgana snickered. 

“Uther thought sending me to an all-male boarding school would stop me from shagging other men...Uther, brilliant at business. Dumb as horse shit when it comes to his children. Suited me just fine though, especially loved Campbell College. The accents were to die for. Turns out I got a thing for dark, tall and Irish” Arthur shrugs, turning his eyes to Merlin.

A smirk on his face. 

“His welsh you dumbass. I know to you anything outside of that gobshite British Accent you got, you can’t tell the difference but come on mate. Even you should know where your boyfriend comes from.” Gwaine speaks up as the ever-long elevator ride finally comes to a halt. Leaving them in the foyer. 

“YOU'RE WELSH!” It’s not shouted in anger. Just genuine surprise. 

Even Percy looks at Arthur like he's an idiot for not figuring that out. 

“Never said I wasn’t!” Merlin shrugs, looping his arm with Morgana and heading for her pretty Jaguar. 

Merlin finds himself being accosted the second he walks into the door of the restaurant by Gwen. Merlin was careful not to hug her too hard. Letting his magic feel around, smiling when he feels how healthy the baby is. Lance asks what’s got Arthur as red as a tomato when he hugs Merlin as well. 

“He thought I was Irish.” 

“But you're Welsh?” Lance says like it’s obvious. Gwen looks equally confused. Elyan, Leon and Mithian cackling when they get to the table and the story gets repeated. Arthur groaning and hiding his beet-red face in Merlin’s shoulder. 

“Why did you never tell me?” 

“I thought you knew,” Merlin says gently. Squeezing Arthur’s hand. 

Thankfully by the time the food arrives, Arthur has stopped feeling humiliated, instead the laughter turned to Elyan as he burnt himself on his chicken pot pie. Merlin is just happy with his bacon butty. Despite no longer having much pain his broken wrist. Freya having sped up the healing process heaps, he still didn’t want to overdo it and re-hurt himself. 

Arthur easily holds out a piece of banger for him to take and in return Merlin shares some of his butty with the cabbage head. 

“God. Are we that disgusting?” Gwen teases. The first time Merlin had met her and Arthur had all but ogled him right in front of Gwen as if she wasn’t even there. He’d expected his Queen to knock him out but she had just smiled and told Arthur she was happy he finally had his shit together. 

She was truly happy with Lance it seemed and Merlin was in return happy for her.  

“Worse. You’re actually married. They eloped...dragged us all down to the court house both of them giddy and laughing the entire time. The judge wasn’t happy they kept interupting him. They were only 18” Arthur snickers, easily holding out more sausage on the end of his fork for Merlin to take. 

“I thought it was sweet. Gwen even made her own wedding dress.” Morgana says softly. 

“Here...” Gwen says holding her phone and she shows Merlin the photos of the wedding.

“I wish I could have seen it in person. You looked like a queen Gwen. Really” Merlin promises her. His heart ached that he had missed something so beautiful and sweet. Something he should have been there for. Something else he had been forced to miss out on. 

He had just finished eating a Trifle with Gwen and Morgana. Both women had basically ensnared him into it when his phone rang. 

“Hi, Merlin. I’m so sorry to call you on your day off and I know you're still healing on my orders but we need your help” Gaius says and Merlin is already scrambling over Leon and Arthur to get out of the booth chair he was sitting in. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Code Purple and then after that... a pagan family needs someone to bless their child. They requested you personally but they’re happy to wait till we find Issy” 

Merlin muttered his apologies to everybody, rifling around his wallet with his phone jammed between his shoulder and his ear. Feeling dread in his system.

“Don’t worry about it, Merlin. Just go. We know that look. Work calls” Leon promises. 

“Thanks. I’m sorry. You look amazing Gwen...have a good day everybody...oh gods” Merlin mutters, speed walking out of the restaurant. 

Merlin is shocked when he's pulled to a gentle stop. 

“Merlin you can’t run all the way to the hospital. We’re a 20-minute drive away and you certainly can’t call Aithusa” Arthur whispers. 

“Issy is missing. I don’t have time to wait for a bus” Merlin grumbles back. 

“I know. That’s why Morg’s lent me the keys to her car. She’ll just catch a ride back to work with Elyan and Leon.” Arthur says softly, guiding him over to the car, lights flashing as it unlocks.

Merlin slides inside and is jittery the entire way there. 

“Babe, you need to calm down, or you’ll blow out the generators in the hospital, or turn someone purple. Your magic is all over the place” Arthur says reaching out to grab Merlin’s hand and kissing the back of it. 

“You can feel that?” Merlin asks surprised. 

“Yeah. Always know when you doing magic. You do quite a lot of it even without thinking. It’s how I knew you were talking to Morgana about it. I’m glad you could trust her enough...so is she? A witch?” Arthur asked in return like he hadn’t just dropped a massive bombshell on Merlin’s head. 

“Yes, but she’s not a witch. She’s a sorceress and I promised to help her get rid of her nightmares and help her train her magic and what do you mean you know when I’m doing it?” Merlin murmurs. 

“I feel it in my body. It’s like a tingly sensation, not that type of tingly sensation you Pillock.” Arthur says when Merlin raises an eyebrow.

“It’s like it’s warm and cosy and it lives beside my heart. Tells me that you’re ok. I can’t tell what spell you're doing or anything like that but...it’s just nice to be able to feel it” Arthur explains properly. 

Merlin raises his hand and feels around in Arthur’s soul and sure enough there it is. Connecting them both. A tiny thread, like spun gold. 

“I promise I didn’t...I didn’t do this. I don’t know why this happened?” Merlin says quickly. 

“I don’t care why it happened. It just makes me believe I was right when I told you we were the same coin finally whole” Arthur reassures him. 

It turns out that while everything Arthur had said is the truth he had also used it as a distraction because they're suddenly pulling up at the hospital and Arthur is parking and letting Merlin drag him inside. Merlin pulled his Nurse ID from his wallet. 

“Isolde is my ward. Mine to protect. Let me in!” Merlin all but rages at the security when they refuse to open the door. 

She was an orphan, someone Merlin was paying to take care of to protect. All her medical bills went to him. He had even considered adopting her a few times, he really still wanted to but he needed to make sure she had a donor first before he could take that next step. He wasn't sure he could handle it if he adopted her only to watch her pass on so shortly afterwards but he still tried to give her as much love as he dared. Wanting her to always feel special. To feel like even though she was one of many patients she was always his favourite. Cause it was true. 

“Merlin oh thank the goddesses. Let him and his partner in already!” Gaius says appearing. 

Looking like his been pacing. Worry lined his face, his deep-set eyes burning with worry. 

“Where was she last seen on the cameras?” Merlin asks. 

“Come. This way. Mr Pendragon...” Gaius says in greeting before dragging Merlin down to the security room. 

“Gaius, can I have the room for just me and Arthur?” Merlin pleads. 

“Of course. Do whatever is necessary to find her, including that special touch of yours. She took a turn for the worse last night. She learnt about the truth of Tristan. So we’re extra worried” Gaius murmurs before dragging the security guy out by his arm and closing the door behind him. 

Merlin closes his eyes and concentrates on gathering up the attention of every camera in the place. Feeling like he has hundreds of eyes as he searches. Trying to gather all the information as quickly as possible and that’s when he sees her. Sitting up on the roof. Shivering, Merlin takes off running. Not caring about waiting for the elevator. Having to shake his head to clear its connection from the cameras. 

Arthur right behind him and Gaius does his best to keep up. Merlin takes the steps in two. Finally seeing someone had locked the door from the inside. They had even jammed a chair underneath the handle and Merlin doesn’t even think. He just throws his hand out and the door and chair both crunch in on themselves until their bits of exploded wood and bent metal. Stepping over the metal to see Issy in her PJs, shivering. Not a sock in sight and Merlin is scooping her up gently. 

Shushing her as he presses kisses to her forehead and cheek. Drying off her tears, asking her what had happened. 

“A new kid...He said he wanted to show me something. I didn’t...He locked me out” Issy sobs into his chest and Merlin exhales softly. Letting off a soft warming spell. Not needing her to freeze. 

“Let’s get you back to bed and then you can point this brat out for me so I can deal with him myself” Merlin promises. 

Issy nods and Merlin turns. Ignoring both Arthur and Gaius to get Issy back to her bed. Making sure to reconnect her back to her drips, even though she whines that she doesn’t want them. Before he slips socks over her freezing little feet. Holding his hands over the tiny limbs gently as he warms them for her. Making her giggle a little. 

He checks her levels and gets out two warm blankets from the warming box. Bundling her up and grabbing the toy that Tristan had given to her when he had first become besotted by her. A Scobby-Doo plush animal. She cuddles it close and she thanks Merlin for finding her. 

“Just keep hanging on ok Issy? We’re still looking for viable donors but I promise we’re looking as fast as we can” Merlin says sitting beside her bed. Holding her hand. 

“Doesn’t matter anyways...Tristan’s not here” She whispers. 

“Maybe not but he’d be upset with you if you just gave up” 

“He did! He gave up!” She snaps, tears once more staining those beautiful little cheeks. 

“Isolde you know that’s not true. He fought every day to get stronger, to get better. Sometimes our bodies...just can’t hold on any longer. No matter how much we want to stay for our loved ones. So promise me Isolde. You won’t give up because I can promise you Tristan is watching and he’s cheering you on...can I show you something special? Something he asked me to do for you before he left? Something I had forgotten until now” Merlin asks. 

Isolde nods and Merlin gently grabs the Scooby toy from her. Making sure nobody else can see. He whispers a spell and with that. The toy doesn’t quite come to life. Of course not but it breathes with steady mechanical motions. 

She stares at him surprised when he hands it back. Pressing her ear to the toy, she smiles even though it’s one full of sadness. 

“Now his heart will always be with you, just as it was when he was here” Merlin whispers. 

“Thank you, Merlin” She whispers and it takes another 10 minutes before exhaustion and the pain medication make her drift off to sleep. 

Merlin looks over to the new occupant in Tristan’s bed. The boy was about 15. He had an ugly face and Merlin narrowed his eyes. 

“You...will be moved to another room” Merlin stays stepping up to his bed. 

“It’s not my fault she was gullible” The boy sneers. 

And Merlin has never wanted to punch a kid so badly. He checks the boy's chart. 

“Attention seeking, narcissistic...self-inflicted wounds” Merlin reads out. Reading between the lines. 

“I am not attention seeking!” 

“Valiant is an ironic name for you. I’ll be getting you moved up to the psych ward. They’ll assess you from there and one more thing...” Merlin sits gently on Valiant's bed. 

He uses a little power and the boy is forced to look at him. 

“You weren’t a good person in your past life, you were a horrid bastard. A cheat and liar. A killer and I won’t let you turn out like that again. So you listen to me and you listen to me good...” 

By the time Merlin is done talking Valiant is trembling a little. Merlin wrote on his chart his to be moved to psych. And he tells one of the security that he trusted to keep an eye on Issy so Valiant doesn’t lash out before he can be transferred. 

Surprised when Arthur isn’t around, only to see him talking to Elena. Nodding along, singing a bunch of forms. 

“What are you doing?” Merlin asks. 

“I have O-negative blood. I can be a donor for anybody. Turns out I’m a match for Isolde. They want to do a few more tests of course, over the next few weeks but as soon as I’ve cleared everything I can donate some of my liver to her. I can’t drink for the next...2 months but it’s worth it. If I can help that little sweetheart” Arthur says, poking at the band-aid sitting in the crook of his arm. His shirt sleeve rolled up.

Merlin drags Arthur into a deep kiss. Living donors were so hard to come by and there comes Arthur. His knight in shining armour and just sticks his hand up, like it wasn’t a big deal. 

“You’ll be off work for up to 2 months and you’ll be stuck in the hospital afterwards for a week. And...and...thank you” Merlin whispers when sees no doubts in Arthur’s eyes. 

“Good thing I’m dating this really hot nurse” 

“Oh trust me you don’t want Merlin as your nurse. He’s a tyrant” Elena says, giggling when Merlin flicks her the bird.

“She’s right you know. I’m a complete tyrant. Utter pain in the ass” 

“He once dragged a man out of his hospital bed because in his opinion he was being an ass and a faker” 

“I didn’t drag. I pushed and I was right. He was trying to scam for pills” Merlin shrugs. Watching as Valiant is wheeled past. Valiant shakes as he looks at Merlin before quickly looking away. 

Arthur just looks amused by Merlin’s little story. 

“I apologise I have a baby to go bless. Turns out the Druids are talking to me again. Didn’t bloody talk to me for a thousand years but here we go. Suddenly...it’s not...you can come and watch if you want. It is a rather beautiful ceremony” Merlin rants. 

Only knowing Arthur is following because he can feel the man at his back. 

“Are you really a thousand years old?” 

“Would you have a problem with that?” Merlin asks, walking backwards down the hall so he can see Arthur’s face. But there’s no shock there, not even a trace of horror or awe. He just looks placid. 

“Care to tell me your skincare regime, 'cause you look pretty amazing for someone a millennium old” Arthur teases. 

“You baffle me. I give up. I can’t even...surprise you anymore!” Merlin grumbles, throwing his hands up only to yowl when he smacks his casted hand into the door frame. 

That just makes Arthur laugh, covering his mouth and trying to stop himself. 

“I’ll explain why I’m not surprised later. Come on the parents have been waiting a while now” Arthur says gently grabbing Merlin’s good hand and dragging him further down the hall to the door Gaius was waiting at. 

“Sorry, that took so long...baby where?” Merlin asks like a stupified oaf. Still reeling from the pain radiating up his arm and through his fingers. 

“She’s in there with her parents. Mr Pendragon, please stay out here with me” Gaius says, not at all phased when Merlin shirks off his cast and hands it to Gaius. Letting himself fill the room with some power. Nothing to intimidate but rather to soothe. He rubs a hand down his clothes and they give away for druid robes. A final gift from the druids before they had just decided to stop talking to him for last...forever. 

“Hello, little one...Aren’t you the sweetest thing alive? I’m so sorry I took so long” Merlin whispers to the mother and father. Their baby bundled up in a shawl from their home. Runes stitched into the fabric faded with time. Health. Love. Prosperity. Brilliance. 

“It’s ok we heard about the missing child. Is she safe?” The mother asks. 

“Yes safe and perfectly fine...now...is this a name ceremony or just a blessing” Merlin asks. 

“Emrys, please honour us by gifting our daughter with a name,” The man asks, bowing low, hands clasped together. 

Merlin nods and asks if he can hold the new life. The mother nods and Merlin smiles like a dope when he sees that tiny baby gurgle at him. 

She was a few hours old at most and so tiny. She was strong though. Merlin could feel it. Looking up he catches Arthur watching in awe. Dumbstruck Merlin smiles at the sight before turning his attention back to the druid family. 

Chapter Text

“So you know about Merlin...” Arthur asks Dr Gaius. 

“I’ve always known about Merlin it seems though...until you came along...he had blinded himself to the world. Only the basic needs mattered. I see he's started putting on weight. He looks healthy again” Dr Gaius explains. 

Arthur goes to answer that but he watches as Merlin’s modern clothes fall away to elegant robes that look like they belonged out of a storybook. A dark green set of robes, it was hemmed with golden thread. Hemmed in symbols like the ones from one of Merlin's archaic books. It’s hood thrown back. Arthur felt a chill up his spine. 

“Merlin....is magic. Though I’m assuming by your lack of shock you’ve already spoken of that” 

“Yes, but seeing it...it’s still amazing...so this is really him? Now?” 

“Yes and No. There is Merlin, the nurse, the career, the lover and then there is Emrys. A name he was gifted with before he was even born. A name bound so deeply into his soul that the world knew of him even before his mother did. Merlin isn’t just magic Arthur Pendragon. He is everything, the earth, the sky and the sea but at the end of the day they are the same person.” Dr Gaius says with revere on his face. 

“Dr...Gaius...if his a thousand years old...does that mean...that his the real Merlin? The one from the legends?” Arthur whispers. 

“Maybe so. Maybe not. That’s a question for him. Now shh. It’s beginning” Dr Gaius orders and Arthur watches as Merlin summons 4 pillars to circle him and the babe he carried in his arm. Merlin speaks as he sets fire to the first one. 

“Gods of our home, gods of our hearth, today we present you with someone new.”

Before he moves to the next pillar and this cup he fills with dirt. “She is a member of our family, and this is her new home.” 

The next bowl fills with water as Merlin places a hand over it “We ask you to welcome her, we ask you to love her”

Before finally making his way to the final cup and a small tornado takes hold inside the bowl as Merlin speaks again. “we ask you to protect her, we ask you to bless her. For she is bound to you Mother, Maiden and Crone.” 

Merlin then moves to kneel down in the middle of the circle, his eyes glowing nothing but that beautiful gold as the four elements he had filled the bowls with stir to life with vigour and Merlin smiles, raising her as if he was offering her to the world. Or just showing her off before he brings her close. Pressing his forehead to hers. 

For about 30 seconds it’s just silence before Merlin looks up again. 

“Hello Maeve...welcome to this beautiful world” 

“Maeve...oh it suits her perfectly...Thank you, Emrys!” The woman says softly as Merlin gets back to his feet. 

“We promise we’ll do everything in our power to raise her to be kind and just” The man says gently and Merlin nods. Handing the baby off to the man and with a sweep of his hand. The pillars and circle disappear. Taking their elements with them. Merlin bows his head. 

Leaving the parents to fuss over their new family member. Arthur watches how he passes through the door and suddenly there’s his Merlin, wrapped up in that leather jacket and that soft scarf tucked around his neck. Robes gone and Arthur doesn’t even realise he is crying until Dr Gaius hands him a tissue. 

Arthur begrudgingly takes it as Merlin slips his cast back into place. Flexing his fingers a little. Tiredness and pain laced his face and Arthur knew he wouldn’t be up for any tours of the Camelot Hotel today. 

For once though. Arthur doesn’t drive them to Merlin’s. He drives them to his place. His apartment. It wasn’t as cosy or mismatched as Merlin’s place but he still liked to think it was nice enough. Merlin looks so drained by the time that Arthur is tugging him from the car and handing the keys to the hotel valet. That he knows Merlin will need a nap. 

Merlin doesn’t say anything as Arthur leads him to the elevator and swipes a special card that takes him up to the penthouse. He just curls into Arthur’s side and Arthur holds a man with more power than he will ever know closely and he kisses Merlin’s cheek softly. 

“Issy will be fine. You protected her” He whispers as the doors open to his apartment. 

“I’m just glad Elena and the other nurses constantly check on the children but a 15-year-old should have gone in a room with other male teenagers. Not with...not with a little girl” Merlin rambles. 

“I don’t think they meant any harm. They probably just ran out of beds” Arthur says trying to be optimistic. 

“I don’t care. I’m starting back at work tomorrow. Gaius can shove his time off up his ass” Merlin snaps, shrugging off his jacket, before ending up somehow managing to choke himself with his own scarf. It just tightens as he pulls harder, letting out a frustrated growl, before wincing in pain when he clenches his bad hand too much. 

Arthur grabs his hands softly, stopping him before he turns blue. He gently undoes the scarf and he rubs his thumb down the side of Merlin’s throat. Merlin took a few deep breaths. 

“I’m sorry” Merlin whispers. 

“What for?” Arthur asks, if Merlin thinks this was angry he had never met Uther Pendragon. If Arthur could take a hiding from that man. He could deal with his cranky warlock boyfriend. 

“I’m being moody, you have work, you have to do things not look after me. I’m sorry we couldn’t finish the tour. I was looking forwards to it” Merlin says, turning and kissing Arthur’s wrist. It’s a soft gesture but it’s enough to know that Merlin adores him just as much. 

“Morgs will have the place covered for the day. I’m sure she’ll call me if a bomb goes off but you are exhausted. Too much has happened today and you need to rest. Issy is safe, Morgs and Leon will make sure Gwaine doesn’t burn down my hotel, and Agravain is dealt with. I think that is a lot for one person, even a special thousand-year-old...” 

“Actually uh...1523 years” Merlin says like he just told Arthur it was raining. 

“Well for a 1523 year old today is a lot. I know I’m exhausted and all I did was have my blood stolen” Arthur teases. 

“Where’s your room?” Merlin asks and Arthur shows him. It was simple. Dark hardwood bed frame, white sheets, dark doona. Wooden bedside tables and a wooden cabinet against the wall opposite where his bed sits. Right to the left of that. In the middle of the wall was a fireplace. Fake of course but it still had a heater inside. 

Merlin’s mouth falls open. 

“I swear to the Gods...” He whines and Arthur is sheepishly moving to clean up his mess. Well mostly just shoving dirty clothes he had left on the floor in the hamper, and grabbing plates and coffee cups from the desk pressed against his window across from the door. Dumping the coffee cups from the coffee shop he normally visited on the way home in the bin. His actual coffee cups and plate get placed in the sink before scurrying back in. 

“Canopy really? Isn’t that so 6th bc?” Merlin teases. 

“what? I like it. It’s soft. Like a cave?” Arthur pouts as Merlin tugs gently at the curtain that can slide around Arthur’s bed. A shine in his eyes. 

“At least this time...there’s no flagstones...wood like a normal person.” He hears Merlin mumble but he lets it slide. He lets a lot of Merlin’s mumbles slide mainly because he couldn’t understand them. They were little nuggets of information he kept close but mostly they just confused him. It was like trying to do a puzzle blindfolded. 

He does reach into his cupboard and grabs some fresh clothes, for both him and Merlin. Having to find the smallest set of pants he had. Finally finds a set of tracksuit pants from his first boarding school, they must have come over with the rest of his things from his room. He and Morgana had decided if they were gonna be staying in Scotland for the foreseeable future, they wanted their own furniture. So they had it all shipped over. 

“Let’s go have a shower since you seem to be able to take that pesky cast on and off now” He gently pushes Merlin towards the door leading off towards the ensuite.

Merlin nods wordlessly and Arthur takes great care to be gentle as he pulls Merlin’s shirt over his head. Merlin gently pulled off his cast and set it aside. Arthur helps Merlin with his own shirt, the raven-haired sweetheart not game to put too much pressure on his bad hand. 

“Ahh yeah, was born with it. Birthmark” Arthur explains as Merlin rubs those far too delicate fingers down the side of his abdomen. Where he had always had a darker patch of skin, Morgana always used to joke that birthmarks were the way the person they were before died. 

Since she carried a similar mark just above her stomach. Arthur had joked in reply it seemed they had died the same way. The line they shared that tapered at at both ends. Both to the gut. 

Merlin just smiles at him but it’s not completely there, instead, he moves his hand down to start undoing Arthur’s belt. There’s no sexuality to what they're doing, it’s just intimacy. Humming between them as they share the water, gently cleaning each other down. Merlin favouring his hand gently against his chest so he doesn’t accidentally use it. Arthur was happy to let the other man fall back to lay against his chest, both of them taking joy in the water pouring down their bodies.

He only turns off the water when he sees Merlin’s eyes drooping. 

“Any chance you got any magic spells to dry us off quicker” Arthur asks softly. 

“Not without potentially setting us on fire, healing spells, drying spells and teleportation have never been my strong suit. Can’t teleport. Tried to find a spell for a long time, finally found it. It’s just not worth the price. Taking the life of an innocent creature isn’t a price worth paying just to beat the traffic” Merlin whispers. 

Arthur’s heart falters at that and he reaches for a towel. He dries Merlin down, helping him back into his cast after he tenderly dries his wrist. Merlin winces but aside from that he shows no other pain as Arthur tries to be as gentle as he possibly can. 

 “Not all magic is good, especially when it’s in the hands of bad people. There are people...sorcerers who will do anything for power including the sacrifice of innocents. Animals and people alike. Of their own family to achieve power. Magic is a beautiful thing but you have to understand its limitations and its burdens” Merlin says as Arthur dries himself off. Listening intently. 

“Have you ever?... Done something like that?” Arthur asks. 

“I’ve done a lot of things I regret. I have harmed a lot of people with my magic. I have taken lives...I killed the High Priestess of the Oldest Religion known to man because she tried to take away the only man I regarded as a father. I killed her because she tried to trick me. That’s...where this came from?” Merlin says pointing at the mark in the centre of his chest. 

“She tried to hurt you?” Arthur asks as he gets Merlin into his old tracksuit pants. Had it been a week ago they would have fallen off Merlin no matter how tight Arthur tightened them. But at least they hung on to his hips for dear life now. 

“She tried to kill me. Nearly succeeded. She didn’t have what I did though. She wasn’t fighting for what I was. She was fighting due to power. I was fighting for my family...I took her life to fulfil the sacrifice she had tried to make out of my mother and my father figure” Merlin’s voice doesn’t shake as he explains it. His eyes hardened, dark at the memory. 
 
“I think there’s more to that story but for now. Bed. I’m exhausted and so are you” Arthur says, easily guiding him over to the four-poster king bed. Merlin easily falls onto the right side of the bed. Sighing softly as he splays out. His casted hand above his head, his other hand splayed over his bare chest, the sheet pulled up to his waist. 

Arthur texts his friends to ask how everything is going. All telling him it’s going fine. That he’s not needed, asking if Merlin is ok and then raises his phone, aiming his camera at Merlin. 

“Hmm, careful...” Merlin teases softly, peeling open an eye. 

“Careful of what?” Arthur asks, blushing that he had been caught trying to take a photo of Merlin splayed out in his bed. 

“Careful or someone will try to snatch me away from you” Merlin says.

It was the first nice words that Merlin had said about his body, really about himself. 

“Like I’d let them. You’ve yet to see me fight” Arthur replies, snapping the photo anyways before sliding into bed himself. 

So what if he makes it his home screen? 

Arthur watches Merlin’s eyes cloud over slightly. Back in memories, it only lasted a second before he turned on his side to look at Arthur. 

“If you want. I can teach you sword fighting?” Merlin says so bluntly that it leaves Arthur shocked and a little flustered at the thought of Merlin. His skinny, lithe Merlin swinging around a sword. 

Arthur doesn’t even get to answer before Merlin is already out of it snoring softly. The man could sleep anywhere it seemed. It was like he just shut off as if someone had unplugged him. 

Arthur settles deeper into his pillows, reaching out and grabbing his boyfriend's good hand. His own eyes closed against his will. 

When he woke his on the forest floor, a mere roll of cloth under his body but that hadn’t been what had woken him. No, it was an out-of-place crunch of leaves and his reaching for his sword instantly rolling up to his feet. 

“For God's Sake Arthur! I had to piss! Sorry to disturb your peace” Gwaine grumbles but Arthur shushes him. They hadn’t been home for at least a week and Arthur was just as tired and cranky as Gwaine. Wanting to get home. 

The others are all stirring except Merlin and Arthur smacks him on the back of the head. His bedroll was right beside Arthur’s across from the others who were all sprawled out around the fire that Merlin had built them earlier for dinner. It had long dwindled now but it was still something that could be spotted by the enemy. 

“OW! What the he...” Arthur is dragging Merlin close, one gloved hand covering his idiot menservant's mouth. 

Merlin continued to mumble under his breath, the heat of his mouth warm even through the leather of Arthur’s glove but thankfully those big ears of his picked up the same noise Arthur had. Arthur watches as Merlin’s eyes raze across the forest in front of them. 

Merlin is reaching for Arthur’s spare sword, everybody crouches low in the dark of the night. 

Merlin’s other hand reaches for Arthur’s, pulling it from his mouth but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he uses his lighter form to creep across the ground, feet light enough to not make a sound. Before he disappears behind a tree. Arthur aches to follow to make sure his ok. 

But before he can even move Merlin is moving backwards into the clearing, holding a man by the hair. Sword at his throat. His eyes are so dark they look black in the night as he glares at their attacker. 

“Cenred’s men” Merlin snarls. 

Because what follows him into the clearing is another 10 men at least. Some held daggers, others swords, and one holding a crossbow. Their sigils are clear on their cloaks and belts. 

Arthur and his knights stand to full height drawing their swords. 

Cenred had been dead for near on 4 years, King Lot had taken over, and They had dealt with the whole cup of life bullshit. Gotten Morgana back off Arthur’s throne. So all that was left were a few outlying camps of his men. Either too dumb or too loyal to leave and find themselves a new kingdom. Arthur still struggled with the fact he was King. It had been nearly two years since his father had died. 

Merlin’s eyes were extra fierce though and Arthur reminds himself that for the first 17 years of Merlin’s life, he had lived in Essetir. He had lived under Cenred’s rule and had watched his village pillaged over and over again by the man who should have protected them. Had been the reason Merlin’s friend had died. 

“Sending a boy to do a man’s job Arthur” One of the men jeers. 

Before Arthur can stop Merlin, he draws the blade across his captive's throat. Throwing him dead at the leader of the bandit group. Easily flicking his blade to rid it of excess blood. 

“Who said I was a boy anymore Failion!” Merlin snarls. 

Arthur hears Elyan sigh and he wants to do the same. Of course, Merlin knew one of them. At least from the looks of things they weren’t under King Lot’s men. So it wasn't war. 

The leader of the group raises an eyebrow. 

“And here I thought you’d forgotten the last time we met little sorc...” The man doesn’t get a second more to speak because Merlin is moving forward, his sword ending up in the man’s thick neck. The man stares at him in horror. Merlin doesn’t even blink.

“What was that Failion you’re gonna have to speak up!” Merlin sneers and he doesn’t stand with his shoulder bent. He doesn’t bow his head. 

Instead, his footing is square and his shoulders look broader than Arthur remembered and he held his head high as he drew the sword back. But he doesn’t let the sword fall at his side, instead, he turns it in his hand in a move that Arthur himself had used countless times. Bunting the butt of the sword right into Failion’s second-in-command sending him sprawling. 

Arthur joins his manservant’s side at that moment, as the last eight start to crowd around him. The rest of his knights join the fray shortly after but Arthur can’t take his eyes off Merlin. He didn’t like that look in his eye. It wasn’t the Merlin he knew. This one was vengeful and played dirty. Stabbing his sword right through one of his attacker's feet, pinning him in place before he draws a dagger from under his tunic. Stabbing the man with it. 

Arthur didn’t know whether to be scared or impressed. He's so distracted that his swept off his feet, winded as he hits the floor and he turns to see a sword coming straight for his head. Before it can even make contact another sword is meeting it, a foot hooking around the bandit, sending him sprawling backwards. Sending his sword flying in the air and Merlin catches it easily before shoving it through the man’s chest. Pinning him to the earth and letting him bleed out, Arthur can only stare up at his manservant in shock. 

His eyes were wild, his hair tousled, blood coated his shirt and smeared across his cheek. Sword held loosely in his hand, like it had belonged there all along. He looked like a feral animal. He looked like the others who were standing there. Panting in deep breaths as they looked down at their kills except he didn’t have to hide behind chainmail or armour. He hadn’t even taken a single hit for himself. A few pieces of clothes were nicked but nothing seemed to be bleeding. 

Leon helps Arthur up to his feet and Arthur tries to shake that look from his head but it has been painted into his brain. Everybody scrambling to pack up their belongings and Arthur had just gotten Llamrei about ready when he felt a chill go up his back. Turning to see the second in command had woken up and was aiming a crossbow right at him. 

The man doesn’t even have time to pull the trigger before a dagger is slicing through his throat. Too much blood instantly pooled down his shirt, it had split open the soft flesh like it was butter on a hot day. Merlin’s hand was still extended when Arthur turned before he drew it back and stalked over to the man, ripping the crossbow from his hands and throwing it aside, kicking him in the chest as he clutched to his bleeding neck. 

Merlin doesn’t do anything further, he just reaches down and grabs the dagger from where it had landed in the dirt. Using the dying man’s tunic to wipe it down before it disappears back under Merlin’s tunic. The spare sword had been slid into Merlin’s belt. 

“So when are we knighting Sir Merlin?” Leon of all people asks. 

“You’re not. My place is as his manservant nothing more” Merlin snaps, finishing rigging up his horse before he easily swings himself astride the mare, nudging her into a trot. 

“Any male in Camelot would give their left arm to be a knight Merlin?” Percival speaks up, all of them scrabbling to catch up with the man. Arthur pulled Llamrei up beside Merlin’s horse. But it was hard to catch his face in the dark. 

“I’d much prefer my left arm attached thanks.” 

“When did you learn to fight?” Arthur asks. 

“Well, Sire. Eventually one gets sick of being beaten up all day long, so they start learning how to fight back,” Merlin shrugs. Like it was that simple. 

His hands on Gweiadur’s reigns are white as bone. He looks like a storm carved into the shape of human flesh and Arthur knows the last few years had been hard on everybody. With Morgana being somewhere, with the constant attacks on the border. It hadn’t been an easy transition for Arthur to Kinghood and now looking. He can see Merlin was just as equally affected by the transition. No longer the skitterish boy in the lower town market who dropped the mace, who spent more time at the Tavern than even Gwaine sometimes. The one who tripped over his own feet serving Arthur’s wine. Who used to put all others before himself, who hated the thought of hunting. Had just killed 4 men. He had taken out near half on his own...he had hardened himself, like a stone to the rest of the world. When had Merlin stopped curling in on himself...when had he gained fine-tuned muscle that peaked from where a sword had nicked his tunic? 

Arthur’s heart ached at the empty look in his friend's eyes. The softness of youth gone, his jaw and cheeks jagged with manhood. He even rode like a knight. Straight backed, and steady. And Arthur can’t remember the last time he had fallen out of Gweiadur’s saddle as he used to when he first started. 

When had Merlin grown up and why hadn’t Arthur noticed it? 

“We should reach Camelot by dawn’s rising if we follow this path” Merlin calls to the others and Arthur can barely see diddly squat under the moon's light. Llamrei though seemed to be following in Gweiadur’s footsteps. Following her mare home and so Arthur can only follow to because if there was anybody he trusted right now. It was Merlin. 

Arthur startles awake when he feels something move in his bed. Squinting in the dark only to see it was Merlin heading for the bathroom. A blue glowing orb hanging above his head. Not bright enough to light up the room but just enough that Merlin wouldn’t walk into a wall. 

The dream like the rest of his dreams about being King Arthur had felt too real. He could still feel the chill in the air. Could still smell the sting of blood in his nose and the sweat on his skin. 

But he still can’t get that picture out of his head and his swinging himself out of bed. Walking out into his living room, and he digs into an old cupboard he had there. Storing supplies he hadn’t used in a while. 

“What are you doing?” Merlin asks voice soft, leaning his head on Arthur’s shoulder just as Arthur looks over various paint colours. 

“I had a dream...so I’m going to paint it” Arthur says, setting up his easel and starting to pour colours onto his pallet. Mixing the darker shades he needed. 

“You paint?” Merlin says surprised. 

“I had...still have as I’m assuming you’ve noticed anger issues. Finna got me into painting it helped me calm my nerves. Also helped that for once I was better at something than Morgana” Arthur explains before pointing to his wall. 

There his three best art pieces stood. He always had painted from his dreams. Castles of grand measure, dragons as dark as night, a boy whose face had been hidden from him, golden eyes, thrones and grand ballrooms. 

But his best three were sat on his wall with great pride. The rest is at home in England. Stored away for safekeeping. The middle picture was the biggest. It was a castle, with turrets and spires and it was beautiful. Even Arthur could admit that. The second smaller painting to the right was of a beautiful village. Breathing and living with life off the canvas. Dirt paths, houses made with thatch roofs and brick walls and a woman tending the garden. She was plain but stunning in a way for it. A mother. She had to be. Her face was too kind to be nothing else but one. Wearing a shawl around her shoulders and a scarf wrapped around her head. A strand of hair fell down the side of her face.

The last one. Well, that had been Arthur’s favourite. He had woken up from a 4-day-long fever. It had him stuck in bed, literally being fed water and soup by the Nurse at the boarding school he’d been in at the time but in his sleep. All he had dreamt of was a boy. A boy his age, hands curled in front of his mouth as he sobbed. Bright eyes so blue they almost seemed to glow, the darkest shade of hair mopping over his head, that weird neckerchief thing and ears that stuck out just a little. He had been beautiful. An angel and when Arthur had finally woken, the boy’s face was forgotten but he had painted what he remembered. Smearing his hand across the face of the painting but leaving behind those two beautiful blue eyes, so light in colour. It had taken Arthur hours of frustration to perfect the colour. 

Arthur is busy starting to add colour to his fresh canvas. That he hadn’t realised Merlin had moved. He is staring at the paintings, his back to Arthur so Arthur can’t see his reaction to them but then his shoulders are heaving and a sob falls from him as he presses his fingers to the painting of the women in the garden. 

That has Arthur looking up in shock. 

“Merlin” he whispers. 

“She’s beautiful...” Merlin replies, quickly rubbing under his eyes. Nobody had ever cried over Arthur's art before. 

“I dreamt of her when I was 21. I was...so taken with how quaint the place was. How beautiful it was even though it was simple. It was...beautiful” Arthur shrugs, having to agree with Merlin. 

“What about this one?” Merlin asks moving to the next one and Arthur explains about his dreams of this grand castle. Always the same one. The one that felt like home. He uses Merlin as his direct model, making sure he got every feature of the man correct as he stood before his easel and applied paint upon paint. Forming the image from his dreams. 

The gleaming silver in the night from the sword that had been in Merlin’s hand. The feral look in his eyes, like he could have picked up a tornado then and there. He turns the easel anytime Merlin tries to get a peek though so eventually Merlin falls on to asking about the third painting. 

“Well it wasn’t until last week, that I realised I never had a face for the boy I saw in my dreams...because I hadn’t met you yet.” Arthur murmurs, laughing and fending Merlin off with his paintbrush when he gets too close. Smearing a splash of red of across his cheek from where he had been painting the knight's capes in the background. 

“You really are a cheesy fucker aren’t you?” Merlin teases and Arthur stops him from wiping the paint from his cheek. 

“Stay like that please” He begs. 

So Merlin does, at least for about 5 minutes before his stomach rumbles and Merlin looks sheepish. 

“Order whatever you like. My card should still be in your account” Arthur orders softly, having got the detail he wanted from the man down on his canvas. 

Merlin eventually falls to the couch, getting grumpy that Arthur won’t let him see what his painting and channel flicking. 

“At least this explains why you hate the History Channel so much” Arthur snickers when Merlin curses as some guy explains how someplace in Peru was the original home of Aliens. Merlin flicked to another channel. 

He’s surprisingly taken with cartoons. Arthur finds his boyfriend often watching them when he’d pop over, or even before they’d go to bed. So that’s finally the channel that Merlin lands on. Humming along to a theme tune that Arthur hadn’t really heard before but Merlin must have seen it often to be able to sing along. 

Arthur only stops his painting long enough to eat at Merlin’s behest. Smiling when Merlin sits on his lap. his knees curled up on either side of Arthur’s legs on the couch as he held out a piece of sushi with his chopsticks.

“I once got to eat with Master Yohei. The inventor of modern sushi. He was a wonderful man. He was fascinating to watch work, how quickly but effectively he could make all these beautiful rolls. It was art. It was the first time aside from Yule Feasts that I had ever seen art that could be eaten. That was...in 1873 if I remember correctly. He beat Leo with a broomstick for saying he didn’t like it” Merlin reminisces as he holds out a California roll for Arthur to take. 

“Leo was immortal like you? Was he a Warlock too?” Arthur asks once his swallowed. Merlin had taken a piece of tuna sushi for himself. 

“Nope. Human...but he had...long story short. Magic elongated his life and I was grateful for it or else I’d have stripped off naked and fled into the woods never to be seen a millennia ago. He only passed 26 years ago, even the Cup of Life couldn’t keep the human’s natural body from ageing. Maybe it was my punishment for destroying it. Better that he went though. His mind was starting to break. He had dementia in the end” Merlin explains. 

Arthur just rubs gently up and down Merlin’s sides as he explains it. 

“He was lucky he got to live such a long time with you Merlin. Not many men get that chance.” 

“My first best friend died when we were 18. So it makes sense that my last best friend passed at 1506” Merlin says voice trembling. 

That Arthur does apologise for even if he has no part in the man’s death but he still wipes away Merlin’s tears and makes him laugh when he fumbles with the chopsticks he takes from his boyfriend's hands and drops a piece of sushi right in the soy sauce balanced between them with Merlin’s magic. 

Merlin's laugh is a sweet sound. Wiping down where the Soy had splashed over the both of them. 

“Get back to your painting” Merlin orders softly and Arthur nods. 

Arthur is happy to eat with paint-coloured fingers as he continues on. Merlin finishes eating his portion on the couch, going back to watching cartoons. 

Merlin is asleep by the time Arthur is done and it’s 4 am. Thankfully it was Saturday, so he’d just have to check a few emails but he wasn’t needed. Arthur stares at the painting and it’s exactly like his dreams. 

“Baby....you can look now...” Arthur says waking Merlin up. 

“Well, what if I don’t wanna?” Merlin teases.

“Just come and see it...and don’t hit me” Arthur begs, 

“If I’m posed naked riding a bear. I might just...that was just once and I wasn’t naked fully, I still had my smalls on and I had eaten some mushrooms. Guess who figured out what psychedelics were that day? Me” Merlin snickers as he gets off the couch. 

“Bear?” 

“Bear...big grizzly mean fucker he was too. Tried to skin Leo but he liked me just fine...he was very soft” Merlin restates for Arthur, only to gasp when he sees the painting. 

Arthur explains his dream, the parts that he can remember anyway but he had put all his love and reverence in the paint and the detailing. The glint of the moon caught in Merlin’s eyes, blood smeared across his shirt and cheek just like the dream as well. The exhale of breath is just barely visible. His head ever so slightly tilted back. 

“You dreamt of me?” 

“I always dream of you” Arthur reassures him. 

“And you dreamt of this? Just earlier?” Merlin asks pointing to it. 

“Yeah, I think you telling me you could teach me to sword fight inspired it. You don’t hate it, do you? I think you're beautiful, even if you play horrendously dirty in my dreams” Arthur says bringing him close for a hug. 

“I love it because you painted it...I don’t think I’ve ever looked so fierce before” 

“You haven’t looked in a mirror very hard then...also again sorry to reinstate but a bear?” Arthur says. He knew he’s boyfriend was a warlock but he didn’t know that came with taming bears. 

“He was chill. Hunting some fish. He gave me one, followed me back to camp. Better than the time I let a goblin out to terrorise an entire castle...” Merlin shrugs, bundling in deeper so his back is pressed against Arthur’s chest. 

“I feel like I’d have to spend the rest of my living days catching up on all your exciting adventures,” Arthur says softly but he looks forward to it. 

Only for his phone to ring and he’s surprised that someone would be calling at this hour. Except it’s not his phone. 

It’s Merlin’s and it’s Leon. Merlin answers instantly and Arthur hears a very distressed Leon over the phone. Merlin nodded along gently, muttering something here or there. Grabbing his clothes from earlier, kissing Arthur’s cheek. 

Arthur just gets the explanation that Leon had requested that Merlin speak to him in private and it was urgent but that nobody was hurt so Arthur had let him go. Doing up his scarf for him and kissing him softly. 

“Get some sleep, Arthur. You're exhausted and don’t touch that painting. It’s perfect as is” Merlin promises him. 

Arthur can only obey, taking time to scrub most of the paint from his arms before he slumps into bed and is out in seconds. Not a dream in sight. 

Chapter Text

Merlin takes the walk to Leon to clear his head. He had been so in his own head when he got to Arthur’s apartment. Had been so exhausted he hadn’t even seen the paintings on the wall. 

So seeing them, he hadn’t meant to cry but it had been so long since he had seen his mother and here she was sitting on Arthur’s wall. Permanently existing. As if Merlin could reach into the painting and touch her face. Hold her close all over again. Arthur had explained these three were his pride and joy and Merlin begged to tell him that her name was Hunnith and she was the most important person in Merlin’s life. He had never expected to see Ealdor again but Arthur had even got their old rickety door that hung slightly at an angle. 

Then to see Camelot again, it was as if Merlin was standing at the gates, just as he had when he was 17, nearing 18 autumns. In what felt like 30 lifetimes ago but he still remembered that feeling of exhilaration. A big city unlike his small village and each inch of it was beautiful....at least until he got to the whole...Uther executing someone thing. Merlin shrugs off that memory. 

He was most surprised to see himself as one of Arthur’s greatest paintings. That Arthur had even before they met, thought he was anything worth valuing. Even if he couldn’t remember more than Merlin’s eyes after he’d awoken. To know that Arthur wasn’t just dreaming of made-up stories...he was dreaming of his past had Merlin’s head reeling. 

He could so easily tell him those dreams were real. That everything he dreamt about Camelot had been as real as Arthur’s skin and bones but before Merlin could think on it more. He is standing in front of Leon’s door. Knocking politely. 

The man sounded very upset on the phone and Merlin was once more shocked when he was yanked inside and pulled into a giant bear of a hug. Leon sniffled quietly. 

“Leon, is Mithian ok?” Merlin asks, genuinely worried. Leon had said they were both fine on the phone but what if he was just...

“Yes, I’m fine. Leon on the other hand...he finally remembers” Mithian explains, appearing in his vision. Her ankle wrapped still but it seemed sturdy again. 

“Remembers what?” Merlin asks stupefied. 

“Everything...gods Merlin. I...I...I left you all alone. I am so sorry!” Leon says, seeming panicked at the prospect and suddenly it clicks. 

Leon remembers his past just as Morgana had. Maybe by telling Morgana he had started a domino effect. 

“You stayed with me for as long as you could Leon, I’m grateful for that alone” Merlin promises. 

“But I had promised Arthur and Gwen...that I’d spend the rest of my days protecting you” Leon’s voice is strained. 

“I’m pretty sure I did most of the protecting” Merlin says hugging Leon again because he can. 

Leon holds him tightly, making sure to avoid putting pressure on Merlin's serket scar.

“Mithian how do you know what he remembers?” Merlin asks once he lets go and all three of them are sitting around the table. 

“Well, I was never sent to Avalone so. I wasn’t...I was born with my memories intact. Trust me. It took me a long time to not sound insane to my father and then our fathers introduced me and Arthur to each other but all I saw was Leon sitting outside and I knew that in this lifetime I had a chance to finally have my true love...my knight” Mithian says, grabbing Leon’s hand softly and squeezing it. 

“Did you remember me?” Merlin asks. 

“Sorta but not really. It was fuzzy, I knew that Arthur had a manservant who went with him everywhere. Who he sought the advice of and that he was a powerful Warlock but until I saw your face...well then finally that servant had a face I could remember but anyways. This isn’t a conversation for me and you. It’s for you and Leon to have and I am still tired. I’ll be in bed if you need me” Mithian says, walking upstairs and leaving Merlin and Leon sitting together. 

“This must be quite a shock for you,” Merlin says to break the ice. 

“Actually no...since we met again...I’ve felt like I’ve known you for my entire life. I just couldn’t place where. And then I had this dream that I was searching for you and I found you a hut in the woods, near Avalone, you were equally shocked to see me I think since you had led Gwen to the lake not but 6 months before.” 

“Yes, I thought at first you were some wicked sorcerer out to kill me and using one of my friends as a disguise...” 

“And you threw a pot at my head...I think I still have the scar” Leon says. 

“You never scarred in the first place you idiot!” Merlin grumbles.

“I’m glad you hung on old friend” Leon pats him on the shoulder. 

“I didn’t” Merlin admits softly. 

“But you're here...you're Alive? You are our Merls correct?” 

“Yes, but I didn’t hold on Leon. I just couldn’t anymore. I was so tired...so alone. Two years after your passing...I found the sword that Mordred had used to kill Arthur...” Merlin explains softly, his voice trembling at the words. 

Leon stared horrified. 

“I returned to the lake and I stood in its waters and I...turns out even a magic killing blade could kill me...death refused me again.” 

“Two years...Merlin Arthur was born that year.” Leon whispers. 

“Well, I didn’t know that did I? I didn’t know that he had reincarnated. That all of you had reincarnated. All I knew was that I was alone! I was so alone and it made me sick. It made no sense. It’s not fair. It’s not fair that I get burdened with the fact. I’ll have to watch you all die again. Will it be another century before you're reincarnated again? Or will I just be alone for good!? How is any of it fair? Leon, you left me when you made a promise you’d always stay. YOU LIED TO ME!” Merlin rants, tears pouring down his cheeks. 

“None of it is fair Merlin, I am so sorry you have been alone” Leon says grabbing his hand and Merlin grasps his hand tighter. Trying to steady himself. 

“I’m sorry” Merlin whispers after a few minutes, it wasn’t fair on Leon. 

“You are allowed to be angry Merls, but even now your heart is too kind to shake the earth” Leon says softly. 

“I got close a few times.” 

“I remember and I remember every time we’d go to the lake and you’d spend days in the water. I never understood if you were feeding it power or taking power?” Leon says truthfully. Making them both tea. Merlin sips as his before he replies. 

“I wasn’t doing either. I just was existing as close as I could to my loved ones. Morbid innit, floating in a graveyard of your best friends” Merlin mutters. 

“It still seemed to appease. Make you calmer” 

“Aithusa has missed you” Merlin says changing topics. 

“Ahh, how is my scaly friend? I’ve missed him too.” Leon asks. 

“Still a pain in my ass. Still trying to make me naturally grey from stress...can we go riding?” Merlin asks softly and Leon nods. 

Merlin grinning, Leon disappears upstairs for a few minutes, coming down fully dressed and Merlin leads him to an empty clearing. Casting a spell to hide Aithusa’s movement. Aithusa is letting smoke from his nose in joy as he headbutts Leon. 

“OLD FRIEND!” Aithusa squeals. 

“Hello, Aithusa. I see you’ve gotten bigger...I’m sorry I broke my promise to Merlin. I’m sorry I left you both alone” Leon says scratching under the dragon's chin. 

“It was hard without you...” Aithusa is honest. 

“Well, I’m here now. For as long as the mortal world will have me and I can’t wait to watch you grow more” Leon reassures the dragon. 

Leon easily slides onto Aithusa’s neck when he bows down for them. They're nearing Camelot within the next two hours. Leon smiles as he and Merlin talk the entire flight. Both of them laugh over memories and Leon looks just as relieved as Merlin felt to be on the same page. 

Merlin explains the painting to Leon that Arthur did. 

“Yes, I remember. He’d often proudly show me. He only has about 15 paintings of you, well 16 now” Leon teases. 

“He doesn’t” 

“He’s been painting you since Finna taught him how to paint” Leon explains. 

“He should have been painting Gwen” 

“He did once but it was her and Lance. It hangs on their living room wall. It was his gift to them for their marriage” Leon shrugs, patting gently along Aithusa’s scales. 

“So he really...” 

“Well, I think when he was a teenager. He tried you know to fit in. To be the Arthur that Uther envisioned. Thankfully this time Uther seemed to approve of Gwen. Though Arthur could have brought him someone from Botched and had they been female Uther wouldn’t have cared. You're in for a fight when the bastard inevitably comes to visit to tell Arthur about everything he’s done wrong with the new hotel but Arthur’s already told me like 8 times. He refuses to hide you, he refuses to hide himself anymore. Even if that means Uther would disown him” 

“He’d do that for me?” 

“You know he was looking at repealing the ban on magic for you right?” 

“No, he wasn’t” 

“Oh trust me. He was...He wanted it to be a surprise. After Camalan, after everything was over and Morgana was gone. He wanted to surprise you with it. Why do you think it passed so quickly after he died? He had all the paperwork ready to sign and everything. He deeply regretted what he did to Kara. But if he hadn’t she would have killed him, you know as well as I.” 

“Why did you never tell me?” 

“You wouldn’t hear of it. Any time I brought up Arthur in the early days you’d storm off and return days later looking like you’d been killed.” Leon murmurs and Merlin feels bad for that. 

“But he told me...if I had magic. He would have known. He told me to leave him be. He was...” 

“Merls hate to say it....but the glowing golden eyes and the mysterious falling branches that only ever seemed to hit our enemies. Grows a little suspicious eventually. He didn’t know for long. Don’t get me wrong. Our King was a great battle tactician...he was oblivious as a blind man without a cane when it came to you. He...might not have been totally unconscious the day you two dealt with Uther’s ghost. He’d heard every word” Leon fiddles with his wedding ring as he talks. Chuckling a little. 

“He was so angry when I told him” Merlin is disbelieving. 

“He was angry you didn’t trust him enough to tell him sooner. That you thought he’d tie you to the pyre himself. If you couldn’t see that man loved you last lifetime. I’m glad you're seeing it this time. Even if Arthur has wrecking balled his way into your life.” 

“How do you know all this” Merlin asks. The hardest thing for Leon to get out of Merlin was those last two days of getting Arthur to Avalone. Merlin had always just frozen up, felt like he had failed the man who considered himself Arthur's best friend. 

“Cause he dreamt it once, and he told me that a black-haired man with the brightest blue eyes had saved him. It’s one of his paintings actually, I’ll get them shipped over. You should see them” 

“Hold on you two. Descending” Aithusa speaks up. 

“Thank you Aithy” Leon murmurs before Merlin grabs his hand and wraps them both in a protective bubble. 

“Ahh home...” Leon says and that alone reassures Merlin that he does indeed remember everything. Merlin looks around and takes in the sights. It was still the same but still so different. More modernised than when he and Leon had built it with their bare hands...ok...and a little magic...Merlin wasn’t building an entire manor with bare hands alone. 

Aithusa shook himself self out from his landing in the courtyard, ambling off to the cave. A boy ran after him, asking if he was hungry. if he wanted something to eat and that they had gotten him fresh furs for bedding while he was gone. He nods along to the boys rambling. 

“Hilda passed about 10 years back” Merlin speaks up softly as he looks around. Thanking the stable boy who was brushing down a beautiful speckled horse, nearby. The horse was happy to be in the sun. The boy looks positively shocked to be thanked by him, but he bows nonetheless. Something that Merlin could never get them to stop doing. 

“I figured she’d be gone by now...she was a beautiful horse though” Leon murmurs a little sadly. 

Merlin smiles when he sees the statue of Kilgharrah still sitting in front of the manor.  It’s stone guardian. A plaque underneath it. Merlin had built this place to be comfortable and homey. He and Leon tilled the earth themselves until they had farmlands to work with. He remembered the hard days and the joy from both of them when they got to harvest their first crops the following year. Forests expanding behind him. 

“My Lord Emrys...Master Leon!?” A woman in about her 40s says, looking shocked. Her big green eyes are wide. Coming rushing over from the main manor. For the first time in her life not caring about crushing flowers in the garden underfoot as she ran for them, skirts curled up under her hands so she didn’t trip. 

Leon ran to hug her in return. Grinning wide. 

“Daisy you look splendid, as beautiful as the last time we said our goodbyes” Leon says softly, making Daisy blush. 

She had only been 22 the last time Leon had seen her. 

“How...how is this possible? Lord Emrys said that you had passed from a heart attack and you look so young...it’s as if we swapped places. Does this mean King Arthur is back!?” She whispers. Hope in her eyes. 

“Aye, he is, but not as the tales we told. We were reincarnated. I only got my memories back today but Arthur has always been dense. So it’ll take him a little while longer but the minute he is. I promise you an introduction. Today though, me and Merls are just here to take a ride like old times” 

The few people that attended to Merlin’s land in Wales, were druid in nature. The only ones who didn’t abandon him over something unspoken when the rest had. Daisy’s mother had once been a caretaker before her children had taken over the job when they had been old enough. A few others tended to the fields and cattle and made sure that Merlin’s ward stood strong to keep Camelot from crumbling any further. 

“How fares Camelot?” Merlin asks gently. 

“Same as ever Sire. The holding spell you have on it. Still stands strong but me and the boys make offerings every full moon like you asked. Leon...I have wonderful news, you know that boy I was talking about last time? We got married. We have two boys...we named one for you Master Leon” She chirps. 

Leon thanks her gently for the kind gesture. Saying how much he had missed this place. 

“Leo! Get Master Leon one of the finest horses and get Lord Emrys Harmony please!” Daisy calls to the boy brushing down the speckled horse. He’d be 15 at most. It had been 5 years since Merlin had visited and he felt bad for it. 

“Don’t go getting that look on your face, My Lord. We are happy to help keep your home, farm and stable standing. We made good harvest this year as you’ll have noticed and we ever so appreciate you allowing us to live in the manor. We are happy to serve you, just as our future generations will” Daisy reassures Merlin when he gets a bit twitchy. 

They speak for a few more minutes Daisy congratulating Leon on finding his true love again and grinning at the ring he wore. Fussing over him and Merlin even if Merlin told her they were both fine. They didn’t need riding boots or breeches. Their jeans would be fine. 

“We’ll be back for lunch, could you please prepare one of Leon’s old favourites” Merlin instructs as a boy who looks just as Daisy had done at his age despite the more masculine features leads over two horses, saddled and ready to go. 

Merlin is easily sliding himself up and onto Harmony’s back. The mare snorted softly in greeting. 

She was starting to wear on in years. Merlin should visit more for both her and Daisy’s sake. Leon on the other hand falls flat on his ass when Figaro gets a little unsteady of a strange man climbing on his back. 

Merlin laughs as Leo stables the horse for Leon, clicking softly to soothe it and this time Leon manages to get on without any trouble. 

“Been a while” He says sheepishly. 

But that doesn’t last long. Eventually, he and Merlin are pushing their horses into a gallop down and across valleys. Through forests. Laughing and whooping as they go. They race for a while but they slowly come to a halt. Both of them laughed and Merlin felt warmth in his chest at having Leon back. 

“Show me please?” Leon asks. 

“The last time you couldn’t stomach it” Merlin reminds his friend. 

“I need to see it” Leon begs and Merlin nods, guiding Harmony back down the trail they had taken. 

An hour later they pulled up to a valley but this valley was dotted with stone and marble. Leon gasped at the sight of it. 

“I only wish I could have preserved it sooner...” Merlin explains as they stare up at their old home. The dungeons had long been buried, walls broken down, some completely missing. Gaius’s tower was still in some tact thankfully. The ramparts crumbled in on themselves and Leon is spurring Figaro to cross over Merlin’s wards. Merlin can only follow. Their horses’s hoofs are soft on the dirt as they head down what had once been Camelot’s main street and Merlin wants to imagine a world where Camelot still stood. Houses moving from thatch and straw to plaster and timer. The Citadel still standing proud over the place but the past had not been kind, once all those who loved Camelot had passed...so it seemed did Camelot. 

Finally, they wind their way to the citadel. The once great courtyard fallen around their ears, those beautiful statues crashed onto their side and Merlin slid off Harmony and climbed the front steps with familiarity. 

Leon himself was heading for the training grounds. Even after all this time, Merlin knows the way to his King’s chambers and he takes the stairs with ease. Slowly pushing open the door, it takes a little force but eventually, he does so and is greeted with a room he hadn’t entered...since Arthur had scorned him. 

I always thought you were the bravest man I’ve ever met...I guess I was wrong.

The way that Arthur had walked away from him. If Merlin had just explained then, if he had known that Arthur knew! He...he could have told Arthur that his magic had been taken...instead they had to watch each other walk away. Again. 

The room had worn with age, Merlin walking over and tapping gently against the bed frame. 

What are you doing!?

Looking for Woodworm. 

So many lies Merlin had told in this room, he had never once...once just been himself. Not completely. He hadn’t walked these halls with his head held high. It was a tomb...Arthur’s tomb. Gwen had moved bedrooms after he passed, unable to bear sleeping in his room without him or so Leon had told him. 

And while he knows now, things were different. He had Arthur, he had his love, he just wished Arthur remembered as much as he did. Finally, Merlin can’t take the heaviness of the room anymore and his feet take him straight to Gaius’ workshop and his old room. 

It had changed, differently organised and yet Merlin found himself sitting at that table and wondering if he ever showed Gaius enough appreciation for all he had done for Merlin. At least in this lifetime, he could make it up to the man.

So far a handful of people had remembered him...Gaius had explained it to him as he was examining his wrist a few days ago. Recasting it. He had known it was Merlin since the moment saw Merlin walk in with a scarf around his neck, looking too skinny and tired... too old for the young face he wore when Merlin had come in for his first interview. That he could feel his power and his memories had returned to him. Swift as a bird, but he said that Merlin had put himself in a haze. Had wilfully blinded himself to the world. A way to protect his mind from the grief and the pain of losing his loved ones. 

Merlin eventually knows he can’t stay any longer, not if their to be expected at Daisy’s home, his home technically but he hadn’t stayed here in a long time even if he and Leon still had their rooms. Merlin knows the wrath of Daisy if they miss lunch and as Merlin walks through the castle. He’s hit with so many memories that he can’t help but smile at them, frowning at others. At the time he hadn’t known what it was back then...but now he knew. It was a photographic memory. He had always had one, maybe just due to his magic or maybe just cause of the way his brain was wired. But he could remember everything. From the minute he came to full consciousness at 3 years old, throwing a tantrum. Wanting to continue to play with Will, fingers sparking as he tried to latch onto his equally tiny friend. To now. 

Maybe it was another part of his curse. A walking encyclopedia Leon had once called him but even an encyclopedia had an ending. 

“Am I allowed to take anything from here?” Leon asks softly when they meet up out front. 

“This is as much your home as it is mine, take whatever you like,” Merlin says and Leon smiles brightly. A belt at his waist with a scabbard on it, chainmail and cloth tucked under his arm. 

“It’d just feel right having it back with me” Leon explains and Merlin understands. They eat lunch happily, Daisy blushing when Leon kisses her cheek in thanks for the wonderful feed. 

She gabs to them about this and that, letting Merlin know both sides of the Druids were all in a fuss that their Emrys and Once and Future King were together. Again and finally. 

“And Aithusa has given you no trouble here?” Leon asks. 

“He always gives trouble but in the best way possible Master Leon” His little copycat murmurs. 

“Good I’m glad he’s had you lot to look after him. Merls we should get going or everybody will be worried and it’s mine and Mithy’s date night” Leon says standing as the day heads towards evening. 

Merlin nods and he spends most of his flight, spread out along Aithusa’s back, watching the open sky above him. Leon lays with him so their heads are beside each other. 

“It’s nice to see you smile so easily again my friend. Properly smile I should say” Leon murmurs. 

“I have you back again, and I get to change things this time. For the better. Morgana remembers everything as well, but I plan on teaching her this time. Magic, she won’t be alone. I won’t let her slip away from us again and trust me if I find out Morgause has returned. I’ll gut the bitch myself” Merlin mutters. He still cared for humans don’t get him wrong but...if it hadn’t been for him and Morgause then Morgana would have had a shot at staying kind and compassionate. 

“What about Mordred?” Leon asks tentatively. 

“I’ll strangle the brat if he ever shows his face again,” Merlin says sincerely. 

“So your views still haven’t changed on that then” 

“Morgana...is different this time. Maybe Mordred would be the same but...even I’m human and I will never forgive him. Morgana was my making. Mordred was just a little stuck-up snarky brat who didn’t deserve to even wear a knight's cape!” Merlin says getting heated a little. 

“But once you thought he was kind and innocent” Leon restates and Merlin sighs softly. 

“It was the mistake I will regret for the rest of my life. If I had just listened to Kilgharrah the first time. If I had just let him die...turned my head...ignored him...” 

“Then you wouldn’t have been Merlin, we both know it. If Mordred turned up tomorrow on your doorstep bleeding, you’d heal him. Your soul is too kind, even now. You literally saw Arthur for the first time since he passed, insulted him, kissed him which I still have yet to hear the bloody end of by the way, broke down and then broke your wrist. You will always be Merlin, no matter how tough things get. No matter how much changes” 

Why did Leon have to be so right? He was a bastard for that but he was right as well as much as Merlin was angry, vitriolic, venomous at the thought of Mordred if the whiny little brat showed up bleeding out and begging for help. Merlin would patch him up and get him to a hospital. He has taken many lives but that doesn’t mean he’d ever try to take another willingly. Not unless they were going to harm his friends. 

“Gods don’t remind me that was embarrassing” Merlin whispers. 

“It seemed to make Arthur smitten with you” Leon shrugs. 

“I much preferred our first meeting, at least there I was at some sort of advantage” Merlin whined. 

Leon laughing. 

They land shortly after, right out front of Leon’s house and Leon hugs Aithusa gently. Wishing the dragon well and that he’ll see him soon. 

Merlin stretched and yawning thanking Aithusa and telling him to grab something to eat from one of the local farmers on the way home. He nuzzles into his neck as best as she can and Merlin scratches under his chin. Thanking him again. 

He hadn’t realised how much he had missed the manor. How much he had missed home but right now his place was here. With Arthur and the others. 

“I can drive you home if you want,” Leon asks. 

“No, I’m fine walking. I think I need it. Thanks for today, Leon. Thank you for remembering” Merlin assures his friend. 

Leon stares him down before he gives one of his famous Leon Nods and Merlin hugs him tightly. Mithian waved from the front door.

He’s halfway home when he groans, turning his head to stare down an alley. Sometimes he hated how connected he was to the druids. 

“What do you want?” He asks, voice bitter. 

He was exhausted and he suddenly regretted not asking Leon for that ride. 

The druid just stares at him in shock. 

“Is it true?” The Druid asks, looking at him hopefully. 

“Is what true?” Merlin asks, as much as Air Aithusa was a quick way to travel. His constant jostling and moving as he flaps his wings always made Merlin feel like he had been tossed through a washing machine. His back was sore and he was tired and he missed Arthur. 

“The Once and Future King has risen?” 

“Well...risen sure but remembers everything. Nope. In his mind, he’s just a dumb 24-year-old who grew up this century, which according to nature he did. Give him time ok...and also tell your little Druid friends that it’s not fair. I lost everybody and when I went to you, to my kin. You all turned your back on me! You wouldn’t talk to me for nigh on a century! So why the fuck should I care if Arthur remembers or has risen or will one day be king!” Merlin’s voice ends somewhere towards a snarl. 

“We were angry...destiny hadn’t gone to plan” The druid tries to defend himself. That just makes Merlin angrier. 

“AND HOW DO YOU THINK I FELT! I had to carry him for 2 days as he died in front of me! I had to watch the man I love DIE! I felt his heartbeat stop in my hands. I felt his breath stop! THE MAN I LOVED DIED AND I COULD DO NOTHING BUT WATCH” Merlin screams the words, magic pouring through him. He doesn’t let it go anywhere near the Druid or the ground around him. But he does notice storm clouds rolling in when just before had been a peaceful blue sky. His anger was making it storm. 

The druid gulps when the first crack of thunder sounds. 

“So tell me...were my 10 years of service as his side not enough, my 2 days of watching him die before me enough. FUCK DESTINY! Be lucky I didn’t snap like Morgana after you turned your back on me. Be thankful that Leon had the foresight to keep me away from your tribes and camps until I calmed down because I would have made Uther look like a saint!” Merlin’s threat is clear. He had been so angry at the time. The earth had shaken under his feet, the sky had cried and howled with him. He had flooded the valley they were living in twice. 

“Emrys we meant you no harm. We were grieving the Golden Age that never came. It was wrong of us to hurt you in such a way” The druid whimpers, cowering a little. 

“Nobody ever means me any harm and yet I’m the one that still ends up getting hurt anyways. Destiny’s punching bag. I will do your blessings, I will help you name your children, I will look after the druids who have looked after me for years in return but I refuse anything else you ask of me. My destiny is my own now, and you can all....well you know the rest” Merlin says, flicking his hand in a dismissive gesture. One he had seen Arthur and the other Lords do multiple times. 

“Yes Lord Emrys” 

“And you are to leave Arthur alone. He’s not to be pestered. He will remember in his own time. If you try and interfere I will make you regret it!” Merlin promises. 

“I promise Lord Emrys. I will pass the news to the others.” 

The druid disappears after that and Merlin is shocked when he gets home to see Arthur sitting on his front steps. 

“What’s wrong?” Arthur asks immediately standing, coming over to him. Checking his face and his hands. The rain bends around him so he doesn’t get wet. Merlin’s magic still protects Arthur, even in his anger. Even from something as simple as rain.  

“How did...how did you know?” Merlin says wrapping his hands around Arthur’s shoulders. Just needing to hold him. 

To reassure himself he’s real. That Arthur is real. 

“I was halfway through an aggravating phone call with my father about why I fired Agravain but then. I felt you but this was different. It was so much magic...it was anger too...and sadness. What made you so upset?” Arthur asks softly, leading Merlin up his stairs. 

“Just the druids and their stupid cryptic bullshit. The normal...You have a destiny...I never bloody wanted one! They keep waiting for...” And Merlin feels his tongue leaden. He physically can’t say the words. 

“For what?” Arthur asks gently undoing Merlin’s scarf and then pulling off his jacket. Hanging both of them up with great care, Merlin gets the fire going with just a look. 

“For something that might never happen...you didn’t have to rush out here to see me just cause I was upset,” Merlin says softly. Remembering all the times that Arthur despite being a douche, would still notice when Merlin was down and upset. 

He’d give Merlin the day off or drag him on a duo hunting trip except...well they’d never actually end up hunting anything. They’d just ride their horses and talk, or they’d sit by a river bank and talk and Merlin would be thankful for the slightly smooshed apples and the smoodgy cheese that had melted a little from the linen wrap that Arthur had wrapped for them and Merlin would tease that he didn’t know Arthur even knew were the kitchens were. 

“And what type of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t? A rather shitty one I think? Have you eaten today? What did Leon need?” Arthur asks, putting around the house, stoking the fire and feeding it another log even though he doesn’t technically need to before moving to start grabbing ingredients out of the fridge to start making dinner. He was practically domesticated. His coat hung on the rack beside Merlin’s. His shoes at the door. 

“Just to ask me some things, he caught me doing magic the other day and was curious about it but feel free to talk amongst yourselves...and yes we ate lunch together” Merlin promises. 

Watching as Arthur easily moves his knife across the board, cutting up Basil and stewing onion and garlic in a pot. Capsicum roasting under the grill. 

“Considering a week ago you couldn’t cook to save your life” Merlin says, happy to sit at his kitchen bench and watch Arthur. Emptying the basket he got yesterday. Chewing on one of the biscuits from his ma he sees something glint at the bottom of the basket. He grabs the small scroll tied to the top of the basket and he grins. 

There was writing on both sides. 

The first side was a letter from his mother. Saying how much she loved him and missed him. Hoping he had reached his happiness. 

“I’m getting there” He promises her, smiling up at Arthur as he hums some song or another. Putting those old sword skills to good use, his knife was sure and sturdy in his hand. Never wavering as he cuts up the fresh tomatoes. Sprinkling some flour into the onion and garlic mixture before asking if Merlin can do a blending spell for him when he adds the tomatoes and roasted capsicum in. 

He flips over the paper and this handwriting is different. 

Merlin. 
This no longer belongs in Avalone. It would only do harm in the hands of the Sidhe. Return it to our Once and Future King when he is ready to be so again. It’s better in your hands.
-Love Freya.

“Merls...did you hear what I said?” Arthur asks catching his attention.

“Apologies no...what’s wrong?” 

“Did you have to make it rain the night before I was going to play footy with the boys?” Arthur says softly. 

“How’d you know it was me?” 

“Hmm let's see. The sky suddenly goes black, I feel like I’m shy of a heart attack and despite the roaring downpour, every time I tried to touch the rain it would move out of my way...” Arthur explains moving to add a can of passata to the soup mixture. 

“I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable” 

“Don’t be. It’s nice being able to know when you're upset or you're happy. Your happy magic is warm like a fire and a picnic and apple pie...your angry magic is different. It’s sad and sombre like...a cemetery. Like someone has risen from the dead and is haunting your soul.” 

“That’s very poetic” Merlin teases but he's shocked that Arthur had only felt his magic for a week and he could already determine the likes of what Merlin’s magic felt like...could Arthur feel it at the end of his life last time? No...they weren’t close like this last time. 

Arthur has dinner on the table shortly after, looking eager and waiting for Merlin to take the first bite. Wanting to make sure he did ok. 

“You did amazing Fy Trysor” Merlin promises him and if Arthur had a tail it would be wagging like mad. It was good, it seemed despite his past life, he had taken to cooking like a duck to water. 

“What does Fy Trysor mean?” Arthur asks softly after a few minutes of quiet eating. The only sound is the TV playing in the background. 

“My treasure” Merlin says simply but it still has Arthur blushing up to his hairline. 

“So you're fluent in Welsh what other languages?” 

“Hmm Latin, Tamil, Sanskrit, Spanish, Fasi, Aramic, Swedish, Icelandic and Faroese...I know a lot of them. Pretty much...if there’s a language I desire to learn it...oh and not to forget Dragon...Draconic I think it’s referred to by now but still” Merlin shrugs. Happy to explain. 

Arthur just stared at him open-mouthed. 

“I know Aithusa...could speak but he was speaking English?” Arthur squeaks. 

“It used to be Welsh. I had to teach him English when the languages changed around but it’s the only way he can hear me. He could be halfway across the world, if I call out in Draconic he’ll hear me. And it’s also a commanding language. I don’t like using it because I don’t like Aithusa to think he has no free will with me” Merlin shrugs. 

“So it’s like a magic language” 

“Ahh yes, that reminds me. I can also speak the Old Religion...it’s how I do my spells, they are called incantations. I rarely need it now but to start with I could barely even start a fire without saying Forbearnan” Merlin explains holding out his hand a fire glinting softly but with a curl of his fingers. The flames extinguish. 

“Is it just cause you're old?...sorry that came out wrong. Do others need incantations?” Arthur asks. Wincing at his own words as if it isn’t true. Merlin almost felt like a cradle snatcher. 

“Yes. Skilled ones, like your sister, will be able to do the basics without needing them but for stronger spells, she will always need words to guide her will. I’m long past needing a guiding hand. Hey...so you said you had a reason as to why you weren’t surprised I was...old?” Merlin asks. 

“Yeah, For a supernatural creature, you really weren’t that good at hiding from painting and photos” Arthur shrugs like it was that simple. 

“How come you thought they were me and not just my great grandfathers or something?” Merlin grumbles around his buttered toast as Arthur hands him his phone. Screenshots of photos and paintings Arthur must have found online. All of Merlin in some sense. Him sitting in an apple tree, watching the world with forlorn eyes. A painting of him sitting on a hillside. He didn't even know some of these had been done. And then there was the photos. Merlin had been fascinated by the invention of the camera and happily stood there and smiled for one of the first-ever pictures to be taken. The next photo is from when he was working the soundboard in WW2. His eyes concentrating as he writes down memo after memo. 

“Hmm let's see...your eyes mainly. I don’t think anybody else in this world has those beautiful eyes, I could search through every photo of everybody dead and alive and they wouldn’t have your eyes” Arthur states like it’s fact and Merlin is blushing against his will. 

Merlin flicks his fingers once their bowls are empty and everything makes its way to the sink. He’s not thinking about it though cause Arthur has to catch the pot of soup before the leftover food ends up under soapy water. Merlin whispered out a sorry. Arthur just tells him it’s ok, putting it into a leftover container and letting the wiggling pot go so it can settle in the sink with the other dirty dishes. Arthur puts the soup in the fridge. 

And before Merlin can say otherwise. He’s being manhandled from the breakfast bar stool he had been sitting on to eat and pulled to the couch. Bundled up the same way he had been yesterday when they had eaten dinner. But this time he puts his head on Arthur’s shoulder and they just curl up together. 

The next morning, Merlin yawns and grumbles as Arthur gets out of bed far too early for a Sunday morning. 

“I thought you said you were going back to work yesterday by the way?” Arthur teases. 

“I figured I’d start fresh on Monday...seriously who plays footy...at 6 in the morning? What’s wrong with you cavemen!?” Merlin asks, trying to roll over and go back to sleep. 

“Hey...don’t go to sleep...come on. I want you to come with me!” Arthur whines. 

Merlin flicks him off and buries himself deeper in his blankets. 

“Aww come on baby. It’ll be fun” Arthur chirps. Like a nattering pigeon. It was rather irritating. 

“Aww yes, real fun. Sitting there freezing my bollocks off while you and the boys play around in the mud. Brilliant” Merlin grumbles. 

“I’ll buy you breakfast on the way?” Arthur murmurs. 

“Hmm nah” Merlin says burying down further in his blankets. 

Only to groan when Arthur sits on his back. 

“Gods. You really should get to that game. You are getting a bit portly!” Merlin huffs, smirking into the crook of his arm at Arthur’s sound of horror. 

“Did you just call me fat!?” 

Merlin doesn’t know how it happens, but he ends up at the damn footy field. Gloves, Arthur’s hoodie and a scarf wrapped around him tightly. Cursing out his stupid boyfriend. 

“ARTHUR! Y-you clotpole get over here!” He calls after Arthur has said hello to all their friends. Merlin had waved from where he had curled up on a blanket at the edge of the field. 

“What’s up?” Arthur says running over and kneeling. and Merlin pulls out one of his old neckerchiefs from his pocket. 

“I want you to wear this for me. I know this is just a skirmish. It’s not a real game or anything but...here hold out your arm” Merlin says softly. 

Arthur looks confused but he does so and Merlin pushes up the sleeve of his jersey a little. Wondering how Arthur isn’t freezing his ass off. Tying the neckerchief in place, hissing a little when it puts pressure on his wrist but he smiles as he tugs down Arthur’s jersey to keep it safe from the mud and dirt. 

“What is it?” Arthur asks genuinely confused

“A favour, it was given to Knights before they went for a joust or a battle. So their loved one was with them in some regard” Leon speaks up, joining them. Setting his stuff down with the rest of the guy's junk.  

“It’s a good luck charm...without it being you know actually spelled or anything. It’s just....” Merlin fumbles for the words. 

“It’s a high honour for you to wear one. Mithy always gives me one of her scarves to wear” Leon says lifting his jersey sleeve. Showing the green scarf wrapped around his bicep. 

That makes Arthur grin like an absolute moron. Running his fingers over Merlin’s neckerchief.

Merlin out of habit had made sure his knights wouldn’t come out of it extremely tired. He with Arthur’s help had made up a small feast for them when they were done mucking around. Soup that Merlin’s magic was keeping warm, sandwiches. Merlin has to smack Arthur’s hand when he goes to put peanut butter on Percival’s. Reminding him his allergic. Tea and coffee in some thermos with water bottles and Leon’s favourite mango juice. 

Turns out habits die hard. He’d never been able to deny taking care of the Knights. It was so ingrained in him and he’s setting out the food as he watches the boys start to tire. Elyan groans as Percival claps his hand onto his shoulder. Gwaine and Lance lean against each other as they breathe out ragged breaths. The only one still looking ready to go as always was Arthur. 

Whistling in a tone he always used to, not even thinking about it. It used to get their attention that dinner or food was ready while they were out camping or sparring on the training grounds. It had been easier than yelling himself hoarse over the ringing of blades and shields and men yelling. So Merlin had developed a two-note whistle to let his knights know. Something only they could tell. It had taken about a year for all of them to learn what it meant. 

Leon looks up and smiles but what shocks Merlin is that the others do as well. He hadn’t...they shouldn’t remember that but Merlin’s heart stirs at the fact they do. 

All of them head over and Merlin groans as Arthur picks him up and places him on his lap. 

“You’re getting mud on the blanket” Merlin whines. 

“You are such a fuss pot” Arthur snickers as Elyan and Gwaine fight over who gets to the crisp packet first. 

Everybody sitting around happily eating away and talking and it makes Merlin happy as well. 

“Someone has to be. The only other reasonable one here is Leon...and Percival...on weekdays” Merlin jibs back. 

“Hey, I’m reasonable!” Lance grumbles, ruffling Merlin’s hair. Merlin grumbled trying to straighten the mess Lance had made. 

Percival just gives him a grin as he sips on the soup Arthur had made last night.  

“Gwaine fyi. Here are yours and Percy’s sandwiches” Merlin says handing over two wrapped sandwiches that he had kept away from the others.

“Ahh, thanks. No peanut butter right?” Gwaine asks. 

“Of course not” Merlin offended. 

“God I love you Merls,” Gwaine says, handing one over to Percy and grinning as he bites into his. 

Merlin finds his next week is a blur. He starts with Morgana’s training, small things. Pulling out the old spell book that Gaius had given him. Spending his afternoons or mornings teaching her the basics. She was progressing well. Though her magic was timid and shy. It didn’t want to hurt anybody and Merlin promised her, he would contain her magic if she ever got out of control.

He starts back at work on Monday as he had said to Arthur. Just half days but it’s a start. Mainly getting things back under control and he checks on Issy every day. Keeping it a secret that Arthur might just be a match for the little sweetheart. She was struggling with her grief and Merlin had found her once sitting outside her room, her hand pressed to Tristan’s handprint. So they had got a therapist in to talk to her and every night Merlin would either go back to his place or Arthur’s but neither of them slept alone. Always making sure to eat dinner together. 

It was their time to be together, to just talk. Merlin would speak of his adventures over time and Arthur would cook for him and tell him about how the menu creation was going. Merlin is his tester. Telling him whether something worked or something didn’t. Arthur would nod and send off an email to the chefs he had hired. 

Merlin finally realises his actually....happy. Truly happy. He smiles so often that he feels odd when he frowns and he lets Arthur dress him to the nines on the night of Morgana’s party. 

A dark blue button-up shirt, that Arthur refused to let him see the brand name off. 

“Arthur you realise I own trades and stocks right?... Just cause I dress like a normal human doesn’t mean I’m going to faint at the sight of a Turnbull and Asser brand tag” Merlin grumbles as Arthur does up the buttons for him. He had explained it just a few days beforehand, when he had brought Arthur an expensive watch and Arthur had worried he had spent too much on it. 

“Yes yes I know you're immensely rich and you’d make my father faint at the sight of your bank account but just...let me pamper my boyfriend yeah!” Arthur grumbles. 

“Fine, this is very soft,” Merlin says, feeling over the fabric. He’s got on black jeans and black boots. Arthur wraps a new scarf around his neck and Merlin realises it smells of Arthur. 

“It’s one of mine” The blond man explains. 

He was dressed in red like normal. Can’t beat the red out of a Pendragon it seemed. A dark red button-up that brought out his eyes and dark slacks. The watch Merlin had brought him sitting on his wrist, a few of his normal rings in their place.

“Merlin...what’s that?” Arthur asks and Merlin looks down to see Arthur’s old circlet in his hands. 

“Nothing important...Just a memory...a token...I hadn’t...I am Magic and yet Magic is still an unpredictable asshole” Merlin says looking down at Arthur’s old prince circlet. 

“A memory?” Arthur asks, holding out his hand gently asking if he can hold it. 

Merlin hands it over. 

“Yeah, it belonged to one of my best friends. He was a turnip head like you...better than his crown though. That thing was ridiculous and horrid. I would have happily melted it down” Merlin explains. 

That’s as close as he could to saying it was Arthur’s. He was learning the limitations of this weird curse of not being able to tell Arthur or Gwaine or...anybody else who they were until they brought it up first. It was like someone had clogged up a dam and the only one who could free it was the person themselves. 

Arthur stares at it in wonder. 

“Your friend was very lucky to get to wear something like this...” Arthur says softly before his raising it and Merlin is shocked when it’s placed on his head. “...though I’m certain for tonight he wouldn’t mind someone as beautiful as you wearing it”

Arthur takes a second to adjust it and he smiles. 

“Beautiful. Keep it on please” His voice is soft as he stares at Merlin with shining eyes. 

So Merlin does. 

Chapter Text

Arthur watches as Merlin fiddles with his fingers in nervousness. 

They had rented out a restaurant for the evening, Morgana’s favourite that she had found since arriving here and Merlin constantly fiddles with the sleeve of his leather jacket, or the circlet he was wearing, or his eyes would twitch between gold and blue. 

“You haven’t been to a party in a very long time have you?” Arthur asks, gently grabbing Merlin’s good hand. 

“Uh... let's say the last party I went to was in Salem...I got strung to a pyre...it had been a trap but I got my fellow sorcerers out. They survived cause of me. It was worth it” Merlin whispers. 

Arthur’s heart crushes at the thought of Merlin tied to a pyre screaming but he is always amazed that Merlin would put others before himself. He still couldn’t quite grasp the whole...my boyfriend can’t die no matter what you do to him thing. But he was glad to know that Merlin would always be safe. 

“I had to spend 3 weeks floating in the lake...till I was healed enough...Leo was so angry, He left no witch hunter alive and got me off the Pyre as soon as he could but I still felt it. Every agonising second” Merlin explains softly. A tremble in his voice that most others wouldn't pick up but Arthur knew Merlin by now. 

Arthur kisses Merlin’s knuckles. Thankful for this Leo. If he had ever the chance to meet the man he would thank him for looking after his soul mate until Arthur could come along. 

“Well, I promise you this is no trap. This is just a bunch of idiots getting drunk, eating too much food and being henpecked by Gwen all night. It’ll be fun and I’ll be right beside you ok? I promise you I will do anything to keep you safe” 

Merlin nods and holds his head up higher. 

“Fy rhyfelwr cariadus,” Arthur says, and he knows he’s butchered it when Merlin covers his mouth a little. A glint in his eye. 

“Did I get even close?” 

“Close enough for me to understand Fy Trysor” Merlin promises. 

Arthur hugs his sister gently and hands her, her card. She had asked for no presents this year but there was still a table of prettily wrapped gifts. Morgana squeezes Merlin tightly and Arthur rolls his eyes as they talk through their telepathic link. Merlin touches his circlet, grinning wide before he looks around and makes sure nobody else is really looking and he holds a hand over her head. A circlet made of pure gemstones forms around her hair. The white gemstones stood like ice against her dark hair. Dripping across her forehead in a way that makes his sister look pretty...not that Arthur would ever tell her that. She might actually explode from the size of her ego. 

“Will it stay?” Arthur asks. 

“It’s one of my many old heirlooms, I’m happy to give it to such a good friend,” Merlin says. 

Morgana thanked him softly, hugging him tightly. It’s just as Arthur promises. It’s fun and full of drinks and Gwaine nattering off Merlin’s ear. Merlin nodded along, his cheeks already rosy. 

“Arthur...” Leon says gently when Arthur goes to order more drinks. 

“What?” Arthur asks in return. Turning to look at his friend. 

“Merlin’s a lightweight. Anymore and either he’ll be puking, most likely on you or passing out and he’ll be upset that he missed most of Morgs party” Leon explains. 

Arthur nods and instead orders himself another scotch and Merlin a soda. It seemed some days that Leon knew more about Merlin than Arthur did but Arthur was just happy that Merlin had someone who he could confide in and have care...for him.... 

“LEO!” Arthur says staring at his friend in shock. 

“Uh, what?” Leon asks, looking genuinely confused. 

“You’re Leo!? But your...we grew up together” Arthur whispers. 

“He reincarnated” Merlin shrugs, butting into their conversation, sipping at his soda. Gwaine trying to steal food from Percy’s plate, Whining when Percy refuses to give any of it up. Easily batting his boyfriend's hand away. 

“He did what now?” Arthur says surprised. 

“Reincarnated. I was reborn. Immortality is a lot harder for humans but I took care of Merlin for as long as my body would allow me” Leon explains. 

“So you're back again?” Arthur asks confused. 

Leon nods, looking like he wants to say something else but he just smiles. 

“I’m back to protect Merlin. I made him a promise after all.” Leon says but Arthur can tell he wants to say something else. 

“Oh does Arthur know yet?” Morgana asks, sitting at the end of the table. Pulling a chair away from the other table that was nearly empty. Where their less close friends were sitting. Morgana hadn’t sat all night, having been on the move gossiping. She looked tired but happy and despite their pesky sibling relationship. Arthur will always value his sister's happiness. 

“That Leon reincarnated yes” Merlin chirps, clapping when Morgana clicks her fingers and his cup is refilled with more soda. “You're getting better at that, a few days ago and it would have ended up on Arthur’s head” 

“Trust me. I considered it” Morgana snickers. Lance excuses himself as he gets up from beside his wife and heads for the bathroom. Gwen takes the opportunity to steal some of his chips. Ok...most of his chips. The poor man wouldn't have any dinner left by the time he got back. 

Arthur suddenly feels very ganged up on. 

Merlin kisses him on the cheek. 

“I wouldn’t have let her...maybe...but yes. Leon reincarnated. He protected me for a very long time before his body just couldn’t bear it any longer.” Merlin says catching Arthur up. 

Arthur can just nod. A little dazed and confused. 

“It’s why I called Merlin in a panic the other night. All my memories came rushing back to me. It was disconcerting.” Leon explains. 

Arthur feels Merlin go tense beside him, staring frantically at Morgana and then he's closing his eyes and Arthur feels Merlin’s magic dim. Almost to nothing. 

“What’s going on?” Arthur says, looking around in a panic as he’s friends all start yawning and resting their heads on the table in front of them. Gwaine slumps into Percy’s shoulder. Until the only ones remaining awake are Morgana, Arthur, Merlin and Leon. 

Leon immediately moved to pull Morgana behind him, pulling a steak knife off the table. His body is also positioned in a way to protect Mithian and the rest of their table of friends. Holding it out in front of him. Arthur is standing in shock as a blonde woman walks through the restaurant door as if she isn’t even there at all. Merlin just remains sitting. Watching placid at first Arthur had thought he had fallen under her spell too. 

“Little Sister. So good to see you again. I was wondering when I’d find you and then to my surprise. Suddenly I felt your power again last week and I knew I had finally found you. My precious little sister” This woman murmurs, reaching out her hands in a placating gesture to Morgana and Leon. 

“Sorry, you seem to have me confused for someone else. This is a private function. You weren’t invited” Morgana snaps back. 

“Right...reincarnation you might not remember me. I’m Morgause. Your half-sister.” 

“Not this time. I’m a full Pendragon this time you bitch” Morgana replies. 

This Morgause person looks genuinely stunned as if she never expected Morgana to back-talk her. Well, she was in for one hell of a surprise then. 

“Look I’m just here to help. I want to train you. Teach you the ways of magic, show you its full potential. What a high priestess of the Old Religion can do” Morgause’s voice is sweet but something in her voice makes Arthur feel sick. 

A soft scoff comes from beside him, Arthur looking down to see Merlin rolling his eyes. 

“No. I don’t want anything from you” Morgana says. 

“Everybody wants power, dear sister. Even you” 

“Not this time. Not like last time. I won’t hurt anybody again Morgause and you can’t force me to go with you” 

Morgause’s eyes narrow and before Arthur can move to tackle her, he's pinned down to his chair again. Leon was thrown aside like a piece of meat, falling limp on the floor as his head collided with the bar.  Morgause’s eyes flash a cold dead version of the beautiful gold Merlin and Morgana’s eyes flash when they use their magic. Morgause’s magic was cold and vile. Arthur felt like he needed a shower. 

A golden shield forms between Morgana and Morgause. Morgana frantically whispers words in the old tongue Merlin had spoken of, but all it takes is Morgause clicking her fingers and the shield disintegrates. Appearing closer than before and grabbing Morgana by the arm. 

“Let her go you vile witch” Arthur snarls. Fighting against his bonds. Trying to free himself as Morgana tries to break free from her grasp. Even going so far as to kick the other woman in the leg and stepping on her foot. 

Arthur is so focused on the girls he doesn’t even feel Merlin move, he just watches as Merlin wraps a hand through those blonde locks and he tugs hard. 

“Hello, again Morgause. I was wondering when you’d show up” Merlin’s voice is dark and he looks sober as a judge. It’s like he hadn’t even drunk at all tonight. 

“Merlin. I see you reincarnated too” Morgause mutters and Arthur feels her magic snap free his wrists and legs and he's rushing over to check on Leon. The man was unconscious and he was bleeding from where he had hit his head on the bar top but it only looked superficial. It didn't look deep and Arthur could feel his pulse. 

“Sure. Maybe also one small thing...There are no more High Priestess of the high religion. You wanna know why?” Merlin asks and Arthur watches something in his eyes darken, Merlin pressing something to her throat. 

“Why?” Morgause says letting go of Morgana when he presses harder, drawing a drop of blood that falls to the floor. Arthur realised it was a thin almost pencil-like dagger with a golden hilt.

“Cause I killed them all. I’m the High Priest now” Merlin sneers. 

“No, your old self did but you...barely have enough power to summon that dagger?” Morgause sneers and before Morgana or Arthur can react. Merlin is being thrown into a nearby wall. His dagger falls out of his hand and disappears the second it does. 

Merlin’s head bounces off the wall and Arthur tries to run for him but Morgause holds out a hand. Stopping him in place. Her eyes turned to him fully. They make Arthur feel Nauseated. She was unsettling. She was...just out for power. He could only 

“Oh, Arthur. You just can’t help but get wrapped up in places where you don’t belong. Come with me Morgana and I won’t kill your brother” Morgause threatens and Arthur watches Merlin’s eyes snap open. Flaring gold. Brighter than Arthur had ever seen. 

“I don’t think you should have said that last part” Morgana whispers, a glint in her eye. A smirk on her face. It sends a shiver down Arthur’s spine. 

“Why, you're so weak, you couldn’t even harm a fly Morgana” Morgause replies. 

“I wasn’t talking about me” Morgana replies simply and Morgause is gasping as Merlin grabs her by the throat. Lifting her off the floor, throwing her so her head bounces off the front door she had entered through. 

Merlin waves his hand and this time a ceiling-to-floor golden shield appears, the spell on Arthur once more broken. He and Morgana move to drag Leon onto their side. Arthur presses a napkin to his best frineds head. 

"I'm sorry your parties gone to shit" Arthur whispers, watching out of the corner of his eye as Merlin stands in front of that shield, shoulders heaving and Arthur swears he hears the man snarling. Each breathe in leaving a rumble in the air. 

"It's not a Pendragon Party without a little drama" Morgana shrugs before she looks up at the others sitting asleep at the table outside of the shield Merlin had formed and starts whispering a spell and every one of their friends outside the spell gets up and walks through the shield before once more slumping to the floor. It was like she had puppeted them. He thought Merlin was teaching her basic spells, not some weird voodoo shit. 

“I don’t like that spell” Arthur murmurs. 

“Don’t worry they’ll be fine I just needed to get them to safety...because the wicked witch of the west is getting up again” Morgana replies. 

And sure enough. Morgause was dusting herself off as she stood. 

“HOW DARE YOU!” She snarls, throwing a fireball at Merlin. Merlin falls to the floor screeching as he’s shirt catches on fire, trying to pat it out. His pained screams hurt to hear. 

Before Arthur can do anything though Lance of all people is helping Morgana stop him from passing through Merlin’s shield. Both of them caught him by the arm, Lance having to put all his weight into holding Arthur back 

“Trust me. Merlin has it covered!” Lance yells at him. 

“He’s BURNING!” Arthur yells back. Merlin would never trust him again after this. He’d never want to go with Arthur to another party again. He was being burnt all over again. 

“Little Brother...look at him...really look” Morgana whispers and Arthur does. And he sees that Merlin is flailing a little too much, a smirk hidden in the corners of his mouth. He was fucking with the witch. Screwing with her head. He was protecting himself from her fire somehow. 

And Arthur feels it. That build-up of magic in his chest. Merlin had been hiding his magic on purpose but suddenly he unleashed it through the entire restaurant as he brought himself up to his knees. Flicking his hand and the flames extinguish. 

Looking down at where there were burn holes in his shirt, Arthur feels sick at the amount of power coursing through his system. He probably had only a bare trickle of what Merlin was feeling as the place around them started rattling. Bottles on the shelf slowly reach the edge of their shelves, the cutlery banging themselves against the table, the sound of plates crashing hard in the kitchen. 

“This shirt was brand new and a gift. How dare you” Merlin sneers, pushing himself up to his feet. Throwing Morgause’s words back in her face. 

Morgause starts shaking like a leaf. 

“Your....Emrys...You're really...but you're...you have to be over... you're indeed immortal” 

Merlin holds up his hand and 7 knives appear floating above his hand. Spinning in lazy circles. Each of them spins a different way, like an intricate dance. 

“One of these...let’s say it can kill any magical creature on this planet. Even a faux High Priestess. Wanna guess which one?” Merlin asks and he flexes his magic a little. 

Morgause tries to shield against him but the first knife breaks through her shield. Shattering it on impact and embedding in the wall behind her. 

“Hmm, not that one” Merlin mutters. 

Another flex of magic and this time the next blade easily tears through two shields she had pulled up. Taking a few tresses of hair with it and they fall to the floor and smash into the wall. Straight through it. No just stopping in the wall but going through it. 

“Not that one either. You see that’s the problem with spelling common day knives, you really can’t tell which is which, nothing like Excalibur. Now that was a beautiful sword” Merlin’s voice is too calm. 

His eyes are glazed over in anger. 

“Arthur...you need to calm him down before he does something he regrets. He might have killed before but he hasn’t in years. I just know ok. So...just...get him to calm down” Lance begs. 

All three of them watched in horror as the next two knives kicked through Morgause’s cheek and arm. Morgause was unsure which to clutch to first as both started bleeding. They hadn’t cut deep, but deep enough to obviously. 

“Hmm...these really are confusing oh well only three left” Merlin says and all three blades dance on their tips before they turn to face Morgause. 

“MERLIN DON’T!” Arthur calls. 

“Why not!? Last time...Last time it was her fault I lost everything! Why shouldn’t I cut the head off the snake now!” Merlin snaps back. 

“Because that’s not you. You're too sweet for that. Kind. You read to me and you let me paint you and you wear scarves all the time, which is weird but I love you regardless. So, please. Don’t hurt yourself for me. Don’t hurt your spirit to protect us. There has to be another way to deal with her. Take away her magic. Lock it away...but don’t kill her” Arthur begs. 

Merlin sighs and the blades disappear but Morgause doesn’t move a single inch and it wasn’t Merlin’s magic holding her there. It was pure fear on her part. 

“Be lucky Arthur is far more kind than I am, you come near my family again, the man I love again! You come near Morgana or any of them and next time I won’t hesitate to kill you!” Merlin sneers before he starts muttering a spell. Something that has Morgause screaming. 

“What are you doing to me!” She manages to whisper, her voice strained and Arthur watches as red knots and lines appear over her skin, appearing for a second before they sink into her skin and she screams, every time a knot of red looking rope sinks into a joint of her body. 

Merlin continues to speak and Arthur feels around his magic and he knows he's not killing her. It’s not dark magic. It’s old magic. It makes Arthur feel like his bones have aged in seconds. 

Finally, Merlin’s eyes stop glowing and he stares the woman down. 

“Every time from now on you use magic, or try to. It will feel as if your very bones are trying to rip themselves apart as if your head is going to explode. The only one who can reverse it is me and well...from experience. I can’t die. Trust me I’ve tried” Merlin says and he lets the shield drop. People already starting to stir now that Morgause’s magic is locked away. 

Morgause stares at him in horror before she bolts out the restaurant door. Arthur moved to grab Merlin gently around the waist. Asking if his ok. 

“Take me home” Merlin’s bottom lip wobbles and Arthur nods. 

Gwen and Mithy help Leon to his feet, Leon holding that bar napkin to his head. Talking between themselves, Leon reassures Mithy it's just a small concussion at most as she fusses over him. Lance stares at Merlin in shock. Gwaine, Percy and Elliot looking confused but unphased. 

“You can talk to him tomorrow. Right now I need to get him home” Arthur orders. 

Lance nods and sets to help out the others. Just explained that they must have all gotten tipsy. Morgana follows Lance around, gently touching the person's face and the suggestion is swallowed easier. All of them wished her a happy birthday. Ignoring the holes in the wall. The bottles of alcohol that have smashed on the floor. Arthur just takes Merlin out to the car and drives him home. Getting him inside and the second their inside Merlin is falling to his carpet and sobbing his eyes out. Arthur scoops him up gently and he carries Merlin down to the room. Sitting him on the edge of the bed and kneeling. 

Arthur sets about getting off Merlin’s shoes first. Setting them in Merlin’s preferred spot before he reaches for his scarf. It was surprisingly intact and so was Merlin’s jacket. Both are hung inside the door. 

“Arthur you don’t have to. Gods you saw what I did. You saw...I never want you to see that side of me” Merlin whispers. 

Arthur cups Merlin’s face gently. 

“You were protecting us. You...you said you loved me, Merlin. You were doing it out of love. For me. For my sister. For our friends.”

Merlin stares at him and he nods slowly. 

Arthur throws the shirt in the bin, not bothering to deal with that now. Instead, he gets Merlin dressed in bedclothes easily. 

“My circlet! It must have fallen off when I...oh Arthur...I can’t lose it. It’s...it was his. it was his...!” Merlin panics reaching for her hair. 

Arthur hadn’t even realised in the mess of the evening it had fallen off and his calling Gwen. Telling her about the issue. 

“I have it here. The bartender found it, Lance might be banned from the restaurant cause the bartender wasn’t gonna give it back. He wanted it to pay for the damages for the knives in the wall. Lance knocked him out...Tell Merlin I’ll keep it safe ok” Gwen promises. 

Arthur relays the message and Merlin calms down. Knowing Gwen will keep it safe until he can talk to the couple tomorrow. The last thing Arthur expects is for Merlin to pull him into a kiss. 

This one has been nothing like the soft ones they share while sitting on their couch and watching TV or the greeting kisses, or the goodnight kisses. This is fever, passion, burning and biting. 

It’s like that first kiss all over again and Merlin must have taken his cast off cause his running two bare hands up Arthur’s stomach. Sparks tingly over Arthur’s abdomen. Arthur not meaning but squeaking into Merlin’s mouth when Merlin drags his nails down Arthur’s stomach.

Merlin laughs a little and Arthur doesn’t quite know what has happened but suddenly his on the bed, Merlin sitting on his waist. Every kiss has Arthur both gasping for breath and for more. 

Chapter Text

Merlin's eyes settled between that beautiful blue and that bright gold. Merlin growls when Arthur’s buttons don’t come apart as quickly as he wants for his satisfaction. Not with his hand still weak from its break. The last thing Arthur expects is for Merlin to just rip his shirt off him, buttons popping as he does so. Tossing it aside. 

“I’ll buy you a new one” Merlin promises leaning up only enough so he can get the bed shirt that Arthur had just got him into can be wiggled out of it. Arthur groans as Merlin rubs against him, whether intentionally or not. His blood flowed south very quickly. 

“I just...uh...Merls...Merls...Are you sure?” Arthur asks. 

And Arthur gulps when Merlin looks down at him. Wondering if this is what a god looks like. Merlin’s skin was pale in the moonlight streaming through his window, his hair tousled, limps red and plump from where Arthur had been kissing him. Even his scars seemed to shimmer in the night. Those eyes, flashing between blue and gold, unsure what to settle on. Arthur was dating a god. That had to be the only explanation for this. There was nothing else that could describe it. 

Arthur was in love with a god, Arthur was about to defile a god and suddenly he felt like he needed to head to church to confess his sins. Especially when he whines, HE WHINES. He had never whined a day in a life as Merlin grinds down against him. Merlin leans over, hand over Arthur’s heart. His hot breath was right in Arthur’s ear. 

“All you have to do is say no” Merlin purrs. Groaning right in Arthur’s ear as he grinds down again. It sent shivers down Arthur’s spine. 

“Do I look stupid to you?” Arthur says. 

“Debatable...” Merlin chuckles before nipping at Arthur’s ear. 

“Merlin” Arthur asks again. 

“Arthur...please so kindly shut up. I do have a ball gag you know” Merlin states so simply and yet that has Arthur standing upright and attention. 

Merlin laughing. 

“I’m magic, don’t worry. I’m clean you on the other hand...I worry about” Merlin snickers. 

Arthur offended. 

“You make me sound like Gwaine” 

“Nah way worse” Merlin says before he seemingly disappears he’s just moved to kneel over Arthur’s thighs but Arthur aches at the lack of pressure against his cock. Which was now at full attention. Pressing against his jeans. 

“I got tested only a few months ago” Arthur promises. 

“Let me repeat. Magic. I can’t get nor give venereal diseases. Aren’t you lucky” Merlin snickers. Those long slider fingers make Arthur jump near a foot in the air when he brushes the knuckle of his pointer right up the bulge in Arthur’s pants.

Merlin’s erection nudging against Arthur's thigh and Arthur doesn’t know where to touch. He wants to touch all of Merlin, and his hands are almost at a loss. So instead he draws the man into another kiss, wrapping his hands through those soft dark locks. Catching onto the curls and tugging slightly when Merlin teases him by taking off his belt far too slowly. 

Merlin just licks into his mouth in reply, moving to finally undo Arthur’s belt, throwing it aside. 

“Sorry Falkor” Merlin whispers and that makes Arthur laugh without meaning to, turning in time to see Merlin raise a hand gently and the stuffed dragon that sits in the corner of his room is floating out of the room. The door slammed closed behind it. 

“Should we give him earmuffs to?” Arthur teases. 

Merlin grumbles. 

“You're a prat” 

“Hmm, only yours though” Arthur promises, dragging his hands down Merlin’s back. Merlin whines when he accidentally brushes against the scar on his back. Arthur kept that in mind and made sure to avoid it. 

Arthur wonders when Merlin got so strong cause his being pulled to the side of the bed. 

Head spinning at the fact his suddenly sitting up. 

“Magic is cheating” He grumbles, crossing his arms when he realises his prick is cold and that’s because Merlin’s eyes are still dripping with gold. He had magiced Arthur out of his clothes. 

Merlin just smirks at him. It’s got a dangerous edge to it, one that has Arthur’s blood boiling. That had Arthur’s animal instincts wanting to pin Merlin to the closest surface available and take him, show him who's really the boss. That Merlin might be over a millennium but that doesn’t mean he was any better than Arthur. That he had anybody better than Arthur in his entire long life. 

Slowly Merlin sinks to his knees in front of Arthur. Arthur helps him a little, not completely a baseless animal and not wanting Merlin to rehurt his arm but the second Merlin is on his knees. Arthur is having a flashback. 

Except well it’s a flashback to a dream he's had before. But it felt like a dream in a dream. Merlin had been staring up at him with those beautiful blue eyes, hands on his thighs, waiting for an order. He was wearing that stupid neckerchief too and Arthur wanted to grab it and twist it. To watch Merlin gasp for breath that only Arthur could supply him with as he pressed him down. Merlin’s mouth opened only for him. 

“Next time” Merlin says snapping him from his thoughts and he realises that Merlin had drawn the image from his mind. It playing in front of Merlin’s eyes, a glint there before the image made from Merlin’s magic disintegrates before them. 

“I’d never...hurt you like that” Arthur whispers. 

Merlin rubs a hand down Arthur’s leg, tracing light patterns. 

“And who says I wouldn’t want it?” Merlin questions, nothing but want in his eyes. Reaching to grab Arthur’s hand with his own. Pulling it around till it’s sitting in that dark hair again. Arthur grasps at the soft strands and Merlin grins at him like he's just won the lottery. 

“I’ve wanted to do this since our first meeting” Merlin whispers. 

And Arthur feels like a teenager again trying so hard not to blow his load as Merlin wraps those slender fingers around him. Just a simple touch and Arthur was almost ready to cum. What was wrong with him? 

He hadn’t been this raring to go over a man since...ever...

“Merlin dear gods do something please” He begs and Merlin can only obey. Arthur’s hand curls deeper into Merlin’s hair as a mouth descends on him. Sucking softly before he licks just under Arthur’s head. 

Arthur has to take every fibre of his being not to completely embarrass himself in front of the love of his life. Surely Merlin would laugh at him, tell him about some Tsar that had him or some other royal dollop head that could do it better and leave him here. 

“Merlin...” He whines as the other man sinks deeper. Easily swallowing him down and making Arthur almost whimper. Merlin’s fingers traced lightly down the side of Arthur’s abdomen. It takes Arthur a few seconds far too long to realise Merlin is spelling out letters as he goes. Cariad. Love.

“Hmm,” Merlin whines in return. Sending vibrations up and down Arthur’s body. Arthur tensing

“I...I would really like to fuck you now...if that’s ok?” Arthur gets out, through panted breaths. Not caring if this is the first time he's ever had to beg in his life. He'd spend his days begging Merlin if that's what it took. 

Merlin sinks once more before he pulls himself free. Arthur released his hand from Merlin’s hair. 

“Are you sure?” Merlin asking. 

“Don’t tell me you're a top?” Arthur grumbles. 

That makes Merlin smile. 

“Arthur I have never topped a day in my life, well when it comes to men anyways.” 

“Whe...you're not gay?”

“Really? I have magic that doesn’t stump you. I’m over a thousand years old. That doesn’t stump you. The dragon doesn’t get you. Neither did the magical reincarnating long-living friend but the fact I am what do you call it now...uh...the one where you...fuck anything humanoid?” Merlin asks. His eyebrows pinching together softly, tapping at his bottom lip with his pointer finger. 

“Pansexual?” Arthur states dumbly as Merlin pushes himself to his feet. 

“Yeha that one...I think...anyways. Look let’s not get into right in the middle of this ok. If you really wanna know about all the druid, fae and royalty I’ve fucked over the years we can do so later but right now, I want my boyfriend. Who I love with my entire soul to fuck me until my legs are jelly and my brain is all melty and soft...Think you can do that?” Merlin says sliding onto his lap, kissing Arthur. 

“Fae?” Arthur whispers. How could he ever live up to something magical like Merlin? Something that was probably stunning and fair and all the type of stuff he had read over the years. Arthur’s human body, while he liked to admit he found nice. He was fit, he could flex and show off his abs. He was happy with his body but the fae...weren’t they supposed to be so beautiful that compared then humans looked like trolls. How could Merlin stomach looking at him after lying with a fae?  

“Arthur, look at me!” Merlin says, gripping Arthur’s jaw softly. 

Arthur’s blue eyes find Merlin’s own. There’s that look in Merlin’s eyes like he wants to say something. He had it often. Throwing the words around his head, like he was trying to find the right combination. 

“I love you, I meant it. I mean every letter, every vowel...I’ve...always loved you...I think and there is one thing I have never done. In my entire life...is make love. I don’t think of this as some quick fuck Arthur, a fling or a one-night stand. I have never been loved before. I was hoping you could show me” 

Merlin’s voice is soft, almost desperate. Any teasing from earlier is gone. All that’s left is just want and hesitation. 

Arthur kisses Merlin. It’s all he can do. Moving to gently roll them over he asks Merlin about lube. It appears with a flash of gold and Merlin hands it over and Arthur does his best to make Merlin enjoy every second as he opens up the other man. Kissing at Merlin’s knees. Gently nipping at the skin of Merlin’s thigh which makes Merlin yelp beautifully, bucking up into Arthur’s fingers, only to cry out again when Arthur brushes against his prostate. Tears fell down Merlin’s cheeks. 

Arthur looks at the man before him, looks at how he had started to fill out again. No longer gaunt, instead he was perfect. He really was beautiful. He almost fit the description of being fae himself. That moonlight-pale skin, the dark hair curling in perfect waves, the blue eyes that seemed so bright they were almost glowing. 

Arthur presses kisses further up Merlin’s leg. A scar on his upper thigh, tinged silver under the rays from the window. A brutal jagged scar across his right hip. Arthur wants to kiss every scar Merlin had better as if one magical kiss could wipe them from the man’s body completely. 

But he knew that Merlin for whatever reason....needed them there. As a reminder of what he had survived. 

“Arthur, please. Please!” Merlin begs by the time Arthur has three fingers curled into him and he's kissed half the scars on Merlin’s torso and arms. 

And Arthur can’t deny the other man any longer. Removing his fingers he pulls Merlin up onto his lap, slowly pushing inside his boyfriend. His desire to take care of Merlin has tampered down his need to climax so quickly. Merlin wraps his arms around Arthur’s shoulders as he whines, burying his head into Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur holds him in return, one hand on Merlin’s perfect ass and the other wrapped around Merlin’s lower back. Making sure not to touch the scar on his back. 

He doesn’t go rough as much as some part of him still wants that. Craves it. Instead, he takes it slow. His pleasure derived from Merlin panting softly in his ear, the way that Merlin sucks hickeys onto his skin. The way Merlin feels around him as they rock together. Wanting to show Merlin the love he had asked for. 

Arthur was angry and saddened that nobody had ever looked at Merlin the way he did. That they couldn’t see the wonderful man beneath the pain and suffering, beneath the bravado and lame nicknames. How many people had just used Merlin as a conquest because he was magic? Because he was something rare they could brag about to their friends. The thought of bragging about bedding Merlin to the guys at work disgusted him. 

Not because he was ashamed but rather...he couldn’t stomach the idea of treating Merlin as if he were just an object. Nothing more. A thing to get off. A living fleshlight. The thought disgusted him. How many people had promised Merlin love and then discarded him with the triumph of bedding the most powerful warlock in the world? 

Arthur would make sure that Merlin would never feel used again. Would know Arthur didn’t love him for the magic he could do, didn’t love him for the power he held, the money, the dragons. He loved Merlin for Merlin. For the man who set plush animals outside of bedroom doors to not ruin their innocence. Who dreamed of dancing with Arthur at grand balls? The man who seemed to adore everybody he came across. Arthur was starting to realise Merlin wasn’t just magic or humanity. He was love. 

His love for plants and nature, for animals, always thanking some god or another whenever they ate meat for meals. For the way, he wore scarves every day and he groused at Arthur for leaving mudstains on the carpet. 

“I love you. You Merlin Ambrosius. You, the man who loves everybody else without ever demanding a thank you back” Arthur whispers. 

Merlin pulls back to look at him shocked. 

“My last name is Emrys”

“No. No, it’s not. It’s Ambrosius. It’s beautiful and sweet. To everybody else you might be Emrys but to me. You will always just be Merlin. My Merlin” Arthur promises. 

Merlin nods and kisses Arthur but it’s gentle. His hands moved to cup Arthur’s jaw. It doesn’t take that long for either of them to come apart and Merlin is a crier. It’s cute.

Arthur lays him back on the bed, promising him he’ll be back in a second but before he can even leave the bed. Merlin is wiping himself down and his eyes glow. The mess they had made was gone. Looking tired, but blissful. Content. 

“How...How...do you know my real name?” Merlin asks, staring at him as if Arthur had just removed a heavy weight from his shoulders. 

“I dreamt it once, I prefer it...” 

“Well, technically Emrys really is my name...Ambrosius is Emrys in Welsh” Merlin says gently as Arthur lays beside him. 

“And who influenced that I wonder” Arthur speaks up, watching Merlin’s eyes widen in shock. 

“You really think...my name was that influential. It’s been so long, I actually forgot it” Merlin whispers, curling up into Arthur’s side. 

“Just get some sleep. It’s been a long night. I promise I’ll be here when you wake” Arthur says gently, tracing letters of his own across Merlin’s shoulders. 

“That’s not how you spell captivating” Merlin teases and Arthur pinches him instead. Arthur feels relaxed and at ease. For once, he was in no position to leave early to get back to his place. To hide anymore. He can be here, with his boyfriend and actually enjoy his time. 

“After you're healed from your donation to Isolde and she’s stable. I’d like to take you to visit my home. The place I was born...I want to show you something there” Merlin whispers. 

It takes Arthur a second to realise what Merlin has just said. 

“I’m a match? I really can donate?” He asks, excited to get that tiny sweetheart a chance at life again. 

“Yeah. I only found out today. I haven’t told Issy yet. You still need to stop drinking for the next two months. 

“Oh my god. I’m such an idiot! I drank at dinner!” Arthur grumbles to himself, pressing a hand to his forehead and running his fingers through his fringe. Suddenly feeling like an idiot. 

“You only had two drinks, just don’t drink from here and you should be ok.” 

“No. I need to..I...” 

“Arthur you clotpole. Lay down. Just relax...here...” Merlin says softly, sitting up on his knees and he holds his hands over Arthur’s stomach. Feeling around. “Well, I think you might want to get banned from that bartender too. He was watering down your drinks...you may as well have had a single shot. He was watering down every bodies drinks” 

“That...I am so blaming Morgs for this...” Arthur says. 

“For now, let’s sleep” 

And Arthur does just that, happily curled up in Merlin’s lanky ungraceful limbs. 

He wakes up to said boyfriend jabbing him in the side. 

“ARTHUR!” His brain finally discerns and he realises he pinned Merlin to the bed. The second he lets his boyfriend go and by the time he opens his eyes and stretches Merlin is gone. 

Arthur wonders when he got so used to magic as he watches the door of the cupboard open and clothes come out before the shirt is put back. 

“Your magic is such a fashionista!” Arthur calls as he starts getting dressed himself.

“Is not. I have to get to work...just pick a shirt already” Merlin says appearing in his ensuite door, Merlin glaring at the wardrobe. Most likely glaring at the tendrils of magic he could see. Arthur though takes his time looking down at the man's body. Still naked and beautiful. Wondering if he can convince Merlin to go back to bed with him but he's distracted when two shirts get held up and Arthur realises that he’s being asked for a verdict. 

“I like that one better,” He says softly, pointing to Merlin’s favourite band shirt. The one they had met in actually. The magic seems to nod in agreement. The other shirt flew back into the cupboard, almost like it was in a tiff about it. 

“Well that’s lovely and all but I need my scrubs...gods. Magic...be grateful you're not a warlock. It’s useless half the time” Merlin grumbles only to groan when the toothpaste tube smacks him in the back of the head. Rubbing his head and cursing in some language or nothing. 

“It’s just trying to take care of you” Arthur says, grabbing the shirt still hanging in the air and he moves over to Merlin’s backpack. The one he took to work every day. The shirt folds and he sets it inside, jeans follow after and Arthur makes Merlin up some sandwiches as Merlin showers. 

Holding it out and the magic sets them gently on top of the bag, holding out Merlin’s water bottle next which Arthur fills for him as well. It finds its place in the bag once his done filling it. 

“Oi no squishing the sandwiches...I just made those...”Arthur chides and the water bottle takes it easier. The sandwiches were moved aside for it to fit. 

Merlin appeared, hair still slightly damp, in his blue scrubs, and trainers on. 

“Thanks, Arthur. Gods I love you” Merlin says kissing Arthur on the cheek and Arthur makes sure he has everything as he follows him out the door. Feeling giddy as those words circle around his head. 

Easily holding open his car door for his soul mate. Merlin thanks him again as he drops Merlin off at the hospital. Merlin promises he’ll stop by Arthur’s work after his shift is over to talk to Lance about last night. 

He’s halfway to work when he realises Merlin’s bag is still on the passenger seat floor. 

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere else?” He asks it and with that, it disappears. Hopefully to Merlin’s locker or the man is gonna pitch a fit. 

He manages to catch the lift up with Gwaine, whose eyeing off his clothes and trying so hard not to laugh behind his coffee. 

“Gwaine...” 

“What?” Gwaine asks, laughing fully bubbling out of him. 

“You're a clotpole” Is all Arthur can come up with. 

“What does that even mean?” Gwaine asks as they step out of the elevator. 

“PERCIVAL! Percy! Come and get your monster of a boyfriend already!” Arthur calls. 

“Percival? Wow, you must be really mad to use a nickname” Gwaine smirts but sure enough Percy appears. Percival...that was odd. Arthur didn't even know why he had thought of it. 

“Do you need to go talk to Elliot? I’m sure he’d love the visit from you again Gwaine?” Percy asks crossing his arms. 

“Trust Arthur to make our stick in the friend mud the HR director” Gwaine says but he runs to catch up to Percy. 

Dragging his partner into a kiss, even if he has to stand on his tiptoes when Percy won't submit and bend for him a little so he can reach. Arthur laughed at the sight, especially the pout on Gwain'es face. Glad for once he was dating a man who was always in kissing range. 

“That stick in the mud friend can hear you Gwaine” Elliot says, poking his head out of his own office. 

“Come on Elli. Admit it. You are the biggest stick in the mud and we love you all the more for it” Gwaine says heading over and screwing with Elliot's suit on purpose. 

“Not bigger than Leon” Elliot grumbles, trying to straighten his suit. 

“OI! For that. No coffee for you” Leon says looking offended. Handing Elliot’s cup to Arthur instead. Elliot whining, Gwaine and Percy laughing. 

Arthur just snickers and heads to his own office. Thanking Morgana when there’s a fresh pile of clothes sitting on his desk, moving behind the changing screen he has in the room and doing just that. 

Feeling a bit better once his in fresh clothes and he calls Morgana into his office, so they can talk about design choices. They had to be finalised today. So the painters could get to work. 

“Merls thinks we should go with the red and gold with white undertones. Black is too gothic” Morgana says after holding up a few swatches of colour. Takes a second to stare at each of them before she puts them down. 

“Black is half of your wardrobe...Thanks, Merlin...” Arthur mumbles. Knowing Morgana will pass along the message. 

Arthur spends the rest of his morning looking between swatches and fabrics and signing contracts. Morris runs around like a headless chicken, Arthur finally telling him to sit down before he has a heart attack and collapses. Grabbing a water bottle out of the fridge under his desk and handing it over to the man. 

“Thank you,” Morris says after taking a second to breathe and sit. 

“Trust me between you and George, you’re going to run yourselves into the ground. I swear” Arthur grumbles. 

“We just aspire for this hotel to be as wonderful...better actually than the other ones. We want to help prove to your father that we’re....you are far more capable than he thinks though uh. Please don’t take this as an offence. I adore Merlin. He lights the place up but you know if you're seen with him. If your father knows you're dating a man...he might disinherit you...I just want to keep your safety and especially someone as kind as Merlin’s safety...well safe” Morris rambles before he shrinks under the gaze of Arthur. The same way he did when Uther used to look at him. 

He lightens the look on his face, not wanting Morris to feel bad for just trying to protect Merlin. 

“Thank you for the concern, Morris. Really. I think it’s sweet of you to care so much but I’ve already decided that when father finally comes to scorn me for my mere existence. I refuse to hide the love of my life because Dad is a bigot and if that means that he disavows me. Kicks me to the curb. Leaves me with nothing. Then I don’t care. I’d rather have nothing and be with Merlin” Arthur’s words are simple. 

But Morris nods and he smiles. Like he had just passed sentencing on Arthur and deemed him worthy. 

“We’ll all back you. Completely. Your father will be forced to see that your love of Merlin doesn’t stop you from being a great man. If anything sir...I um...You’ve worked harder these last few weeks than I’ve ever seen you. You used to hate paperwork, but now you make your way through piles of it without a problem. You...I’m happy to be under your payroll and I will back you, in the upcoming war that will certainly wage between you and your father and if he takes over this hotel. If he forces you out. I will quit. Most of the staff will we’ve all been talking about it. We’d rather go without pay than serve under him” Morris says, head held high. 

“Thank you, Morris, you should get these to Gwen so she can read through them. I appreciate it really. I...am thankful to have friends like you” Arthur says, holding out a stack of paperwork. 

Laughing as Morris bows before he leaves. 

Arthur hadn’t realised it would have been something that the others had talked about him and Merlin. That they would all risk their jobs if Merlin or Arthur were affected by the man. 

When had he built up so much loyalty? All he did was his job, he made sure everybody got their fair wage, and he made sure they got breaks when needed. He was just doing what any boss should be doing...right? 

Arthur decides to bury himself into more contracts and paperwork and before he knows it. Merlin is knocking on his door and Arthur can’t help the smile that blooms on his face. Even if he had wanted to hide his love for Merlin....well...he’d give it away in an instance the second the man was standing in front of him. Merlin wearing the shirt Arthur had picked out today. 

“Elena made biscuits and Issy is doing good. She managed to walk around the entire courtyard before tiring and I had to carry her back to bed but that’s a great sign. It means she might just be strong enough for this surgery after all” Merlin rambles and Arthur nods along, nibbling on one of Elena's biscuits as Merlin lets his fingers dance around Arthur’s wrist. Drumming out whatever song was in his head against Arthur’s veins. 

“Led Zepplin...stairway to heaven” Arthur guesses. 

Merlin smiles, nodding. 

“Pick a harder one next time,” Arthur says softly. 

“I will. Hey, don’t eat all of them. These are for Lance to...to explain I’m not some murderous psychopath...” Merlin says, grabbing the box from Arthur’s hand. It was easy since Arthur had a cookie in both hands. 

“I’m sure he still will adore you. You are a rather cute murderous psycho” Arthur teases. 

“Did you get the clothes I asked Morgs to set out for you?” 

“I knew the witch wasn’t smart enough for something like that, nor would she pick my favourite shirt” Arthur grumbles, grabbing Merlin’s hand setting the biscuits on the table. 

“What? I have to go talk to Lance?” Merlin whines. 

“My kiss” Arthur pouts. 

Merlin shakes his head in disbelief. 

“You are the biggest, strongest, absolutely most...” Merlin leans in and kisses him. Before flicking him on the nose. “Cabbage-headed man I’ve ever met.” 

and with that, his gone. Dark jeans disappear out of Arthur’s office. 

“Oh, are they Elena’s biscuits!” Arthur hears Elliot call. 

“Elena made biscuits again!” Comes from Gwaine and Arthur watches out of his hallway window as Merlin is accosted. 

“And she wonders why I started paying her for double batches” Merlin grumbles

“You're paying her? Here we should at least chip in since we eat most of them” Percy says, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. 

Merlin sends a help me look through Arthur’s window as money is shoved at him from all three directions. Arthur just holds up his own 20-dollar note and Merlin groans. Taking them all, closing his eyes and Arthur’s note disappears from his hand most likely into the pocket that Merlin had just stuffed his hand into. 

“I’ll give that to Elena on Monday. Now shoo!” Merlin orders. 

The three men scatter back to their offices. All of them giggling at the biscuits in hand. Arthur rubs across his brow in exasperation but he can’t help the smile on his face. Especially when Merlin starts whistling Stairway to Heaven, eyes alight and holding a biscuit out to Morris who thanks him as if Merlin had just given him gold. Merlin just rolls his eyes and disappears out of view. 

Chapter Text

Arthur decides half an hour later biscuits aren’t good enough for lunch and Merlin’s sandwiches would probably had been nice, but after running around all day today. Well...Arthur wanted to get him something bigger. Better. He was on his way to the kitchens to pester Audrey when he saw through the window of Lance’s office. Gwen was also there and Merlin was fiddling with the circlet he had lost the night before. 

Arthur doesn’t know what makes him do it but his ducking. Gently opening the door as quietly as he can, just a fraction so the voices filter out. 

“So you're really not mad at me Gwen?” Merlin asks. 

Why on earth would Gwen be mad at him? 

That gets a laugh from Gwen. 

“Oh you really would, wouldn’t you? Give him up if I said yes. You’d put yourself through that pain again?” Gwen’s voice is soft. Give who up. What the fuck were they talking about. 

Arthur loved his boyfriend he really did and he loved his friends but why did it feel like he was the only one missing out on some big secret? 

“He was your husband...” Merlin’s voice sounds pained as he says it. Oh god. Had Merlin cheated on Arthur with Lance? No...no Lance would never. He had Gwen. His very hormonal homicidal wife who he loved too much but Lance was the only husband that Gwen had ever had. 

“Death do us part Merlin...and if you couldn’t tell I’m kinda with the man of my dreams and about to have his baby...” Gwen says. Like it’s obvious. 

“I know I still...” 

“You’re still Merlin, You always want to do the best for everybody else even if it hurts you in the meantime but please Merlin. Don’t you dare give up your happiness for a life long passed? It’s time for you to be happy. We’re happy. We’re grateful to get to be together in this life. So stop being a dimwit and stop trying to apologise over something you haven’t even done wrong” Lance speaks up. 

“Little Brother? Why are you stalking your boyfriend?” Morgana asks and Arthur is looking up at her sheepishly. She looks just like he used to imagine their mother would look when she was annoyed. Her heeled foot actually tapped against the floor just enough that Arthur could see the red sole, arms on her hips, and a despondent glare on her pretty face. 

“I fell?” Is all that comes to him. 

“Oh, I know that. You fell on your head at birth, how else could you be so idiotic” She says rolling her eyes. 

“I just...I don’t know there’s...” Before Arthur can finish his sentence. A scream comes from Gwen that has Arthur whirling to his feet and following Morgana into the room.

“What’s wrong?” He asks frantically. 

“Oh I don’t know...ask the women in labour!” Morgana says smacking him on the shoulder. 

Arthur’s face pales at the realisation. At the pain on Gwen’s face. Merlin’s holding his hands over her belly, instructing Lance to lay her back. 

“Hey Gwen, I know you wanted to do this at the hospital but the best thing you have is me ok. The baby is coming and she’s coming now. Morgs, Arthur, I need towels, a bucket of cool water, an emergency kit and one of you need to call an ambulance” Merlin explains. 

When nobody moves Gwen cries out again. Lance clutched her hand tightly. Trying his best to soothe her. Merlin turns those golden eyes on Arthur and Morgana. 

“Did I stutter!” He yells. 

Arthur and Morgana ran into each other, groaning but quickly regaining their bearings and running down the hall in two different directions. Elliot runs straight for his sister when all Arthur gets out is the word baby. Percy and Gwaine help him gather the water towels and the spare medical kit from the bathroom. Arthur thanked them before taking off again. Leon was on the phone talking to the ambulance when Arthur got back to the room. 

Merlin had closed the door and drawn the curtains on the widow. Leon and Elliot pacing outside. Arthur knocks and lets himself in. Gwen cries out and Merlin orders Arthur around. Arthur can only obey. Helping Gwen cover up, so she has some privacy. Listening to every one of Merlin’s orders. 

“Morgana, do you remember that spell I taught you? The one for relieving pain, hold Gwen’s hand and do not stop reciting it ok” Merlin instructs. 

Morgana kneels down and she grabs her best friend's hand. Squeezing it tightly. Gwen leaned against Lance’s chest. Lance looked close to a panic. 

“Gwen...just focus on breathing and when you get the urge to push do so” Merlin instructs. 

Gwen nods and Arthur feels useless as he watches the others all do something. 

“Shit. Shit...this isn’t good. Gwen.. your baby is breech. Trust her to be a troublemaker. Just like her bastard father” Merlin says softly as he sets his hands on her belly. 

“What does that mean?” 

“Means I’m gonna have to turn her and it’s going to hurt but I’m gonna need you to bear with me” Merlin promises. His voice trying to sound as calm as possible. Reaching out a hand to tug Arthur down beside him. 

“Just...steady me ok. Steady me” Merlin begs him and Arthur nods, setting his hand on Merlin’s back. Merlin’s eyes glow a soft gold as he holds his hands over Gwen’s belly. Lance whispers soft words into her ear though he looks pale as a ghost and Morgana is holding her hand, continuously reciting the same words over and over again. 

“Three...two...one” Merlin whispers and Gwen’s screams might haunt Arthur for the rest of his life. She wasn't crying for herself, it wasn't out of pain. All she was doing was begging Merlin to be gentle, to make sure nothing happened to her baby. He closes his eyes when he sees her stomach move unnaturally. As if there was a chest burster inside her. If Arthur hadn’t been 100 percent sure he was gay by now. He was certain of it at this exact moment. 

The next half an hour is a blur and Arthur wonders where the hell are the paramedics. Especially when Merlin’s hands are covered in blood and his holding a newborn baby the size of his hands. 

She was so tiny. Merlin immediately pulled off his shirt. Curling the babe up in the soft cloth. 

“Come on. Come on sweetheart. You need to show your ma and da that beautiful cry” Merlin whispers. 

“Why isn’t she crying!?” Lance asks distressed. 

And Arthur sees it. She wasn’t breathing either. His heart fell out of his chest. 

“I’m working on it. Morgana...check to make sure Gwen isn’t bleeding excessively please!” Merlin begs and Arthur follows him over to the corner of the room as Merlin rocks the babe back and forth. Whispering under his breath and a golden light seems to swirl over her. 

“MERLIN!” Lance yells and Arthur sees him coming straight for the man. Arthur standing between them. 

“Let him do his work!” Arthur orders. 

“Why isn’t my daughter crying!” 

“She’s stillborn. Just give me a second!” Merlin yells back. Looking truly distressed and his kneeling. Still cradling the babe in his arm, that golden light swirling over her.

A hush fell over the room. Lance covering his mouth with his hand, tears springing to his eyes. Morgana stared in horror, Gwen begging Morgana softly for her baby.

 “Arthur...come here” He begs and Arthur falls to his knees beside Merlin. 

“I will be gone for a few days, well my spirit will but my body won't...It's like those movies. Like a cryopod but I’ll be fine I promise. Take her” Merlin says holding the baby out and Arthur scoops her up. 

Before Arthur could even think of what Merlin meant, a sharp cry bursts forth from the baby just as Merlin slumps to the floor. 

“Merlin!? Merlin! MERLIN!” Arthur cries and Leon finally decides he can’t wait outside anymore. Bursting into the room looking frantic. Arthur hands the baby to Lance who coos at her even though his face is tear-streaked, walking over to Gwen, though his eyes linger on Merlin’s pallid unmoving form. 

Arthur reaches and he feels Merlin’s skin. It’s cold as ice, Arthur drawing him up into his lap. 

“Merlin come on. Come on. Please. I can still feel it. I can still feel your magic” Arthur whispers. It was a faint hum, like a flickering light. 

“We need to get him out of here, the medics are on their way up now” Leon says. 

“Arthur” Gwen gets out as he picks Merlin up. Lance looks torn between taking care of his new family or trying to help Merlin out. 

“Just take care of your baby. I’ll take care of Merlin. He’ll be fine.” 

“When he's better. I want to thank him...for giving our daughter life” Gwen murmurs. Her daughter curled up on her chest. Bright eyes staring out at the world. As if minutes before she hadn’t even been alive. Elliot lets Arthur pass with Merlin before he enters the room to congratulate his sister and brother-in-law. 

Arthur gets Merlin to the nearest bathroom, laying him gently against the wall, up on the counter. Taking great care to wash his hands down with a paper towel. His heart was beating but by Arthur’s count...he shouldn’t even be alive. 

“He’ll be fine Arthur. He’s immortal remember, not even blades made to kill the magical can kill him. All he did was transfer some of his life force into the baby. He’ll be fine after a few days. You can feel his magic, right? Focus on it. Bring it back to the surface. Take him home and look after him” Leon instructs. 

“I’m assuming you’ve been through this before then?” Arthur asks. 

Leon nods. 

“The minute he woke up. I knocked him out cold for pulling such a stunt but if he hadn’t. A little boy would have died. Merlin will always give parts of his life if it means others will be ok. I give him 3 days. Me and Morgana will hold the fort until he’s awake but for now. You should stay with him. You're like a conduit. A place for him to attach his power to. He used to have a staff. When it exploded...he was unconscious for nearly a month” Leon explains. 

“That’s why I can feel his magic?” 

“Yes, he told me you could, just think of it. Like the tide. The push and pull. Get him home” Leon says, holding out a spare shirt as well as Merlin's circlet. 

Arthur has to puppet Merlin into the shirt before he lifts him up and over his shoulder. Grabbing the Circlet and hooking it around his arm before he picks up Merlin bridal style again. 

It's weird to drive home without Merlin rambling his ear off but his getting Merlin into his house. Almost feeling bad for having to grope through Merlin’s pockets to find his keys. Laying him down in his bed. Hoping that Merlin being home in his own bed would help him heal quicker. Arthur makes sure his warm. Bundling him up before scooping him into his arms and holding him close. 

“Arthur” Merlin whispers and Arthur knows with that alone Merlin is gonna be ok. Kissing Merlin’s forehead. Rubbing his hands down Merlin’s arm and grabbing his hand. Rubbing soothing circles on the back of it. 

----------MERLIN-----------

Merlin sighs as he sits through another lecture from the bloody Cailleach. 

“You might be immortal young warlock but do not push its limits!” She yells at him. 

Merlin just raises an eyebrow. 

“How many times have you and I talked now?” 

“213 times...” Cailleach huffs, rubbing a weathered hand down her face. 

“And yet you still can’t hold me here. Thanks for trying though. Makes me feel wanted” Merlin chirps as he swings his legs back and forth on the sacrifice table on the Isle of the Blessed. “Hey...how do you feel about old men with weird eyes? Gaius reincarnated and I think he’d like you...if you, you know...didn’t wear a robe older than time itself”

“I am the Gatekeeper of the spirit world young warlock! I do not have time for dates” She huffs. 

“Ahuh...come on, I know this is the form you died in but surely even you were a beautiful young maiden once” 

That earns him a well-earned smack from her staff. Merlin rubbed his head. He forgot how hard that thing hurt. 

“Arthur is gonna be in a fuss over this you know. Come on. Even you surely can leave the spirit world for half an hour to woo my father figure? He deserves someone nice.” Merlin grumbles. 

“You think I am someone nice?” Cailleach asks. Looking genuinely surprised. Merlin wonders how long it’s been since someone has told her something as simple as that. 

“Well yeah. You take care of me every time I die, you took care of Lance when he passed through the veil. You might be some old evil hag to everybody else but I think you're pretty neat. I know you have like 30 thousand years on me but I’m starting to learn that no matter how much time passes we truly remain the same. And you have always been kind, or else you wouldn’t warned me about the Dorocha. Or take me into your care every time I gave 80 years here or there to those who needed it” 

Cailleach sighs and then she closes her eyes. Merlin claps his hands together in glee when she ages down from...honestly who knows to a beautiful 50-year-old lady. She was really beautiful. Her blond hair shone with vigour and life and even her robes looked like she had just had them freshly tailored. Her cheeks were plump and rosy. Her eyes less sad. She looked exactly like Gaius’s type. 

“Hmm, way too out of his league” Merlin teases and it makes her smile. 

“Too young?” She asks, her eyes look nervous. 

“You look perfect. Though uh you leaving the Isle of the Blessed every few weeks for a date...won’t like make the place collapse right? I really don’t want to see you hurt or more dorocha around. Once was enough thanks” Merlin asks, fiddling with his fingers. 

“I leave quite often. I really on return when a certain pain in my tuckus returns to pester me” She grumbles but it comes out soft. Merlin had worn her down over the years with his charm. 

“Can I go back yet? You’d think this place would have cell reception at least” Merlin asks after he had spent about 4 hours plaiting and braiding and twirling Cailleach’s hair into beautiful rosettes. 

“You gave life to a babe, who should never have lived...3 days Merlin. That is what we agreed on the last time you did it” 

“Fine...then we’re playing chess” Merlin says, grabbing the board from where he placed a stash of stuff here after the first few times. It turns out that every time he died, the Mortaeus flower, Nimeuh's fireball, all of it. He would come here. He just had come back too quickly but after the whole veil-tearing shenanigans. Merlin would start to remember his times here. So he had stashed a bag of stuff here around 1575. Updating it over time. Deciding if he was gonna spend up to a month with a crazy old hag. He was gonna do something with his time. 

“Chess it is. Let’s see if you’ve gotten any better Young Warlock” She teases him and they set up the board between them on the altar. Sitting on either side of it. Merlin taking white as always. Neither of them had to move their hands. Their pieces move of their own accord as they talk. 

Merlin tells her all about Arthur and how happy he’s been. He just wished that Arthur would hurry up and remember already. There was still so much he wanted to say to the clotpole but no. This Arthur had to be as stupid as the last one. 

Cailleach makes her dislike of the Sidhe known as well. 

“When he passes on again. Can you look after him for me? I...I think the Sidhe won’t want him back or...if they do it’ll be permanent. At least with you, I might be able to see him from time to time?” Merlin's voice is soft, near on begging. 

“I’ll see what I can do but only because you're my favourite” Cailleach gives him a soft smile. A comforting one.

Two lays later, Merlin hefts himself back atop that table and he lays down. 

“Try not to die again so quickly,” Cailleach asks him. 

“Come visit let's say....next Thursday...A week from now. I work most mornings. I can introduce you to Gaius” Merlin promises her. 

“I will see what I can do” 

And Merlin closes his eyes, opening them to his bedroom. Arthur sleeping beside him. Looking so worried even in his sleep Merlin reaches out and brushes aside some of that soft blond hair. 

“Arthur” He whispers. Shuffling himself closer only to hiss under his breath when he puts pressure on his casted hand. Right...real life him still had an aching wrist. Well...not dead him...whatever you wanted to call it. 

He gets close enough so he can kiss Arthur gently. Tapping out the beat to dancing in the moonlight, into Arthur’s jaw gently. Arthur’s body reacts first, moving to cup Merlin’s hip and kissing back before he opens his eyes fully. 

“Hey,” Merlin whispers, pulling back just enough so Arthur can take him in. 

The last thing he expects is for Arthur to smack him in the face with a pillow. 

“YOU ABSOLUTE...You...you messed with life and death Merlin! How dare you!” Arthur yells. Continuing his battering of Merlin with his pillow. 

“Immortal remember and stop hitting me. Cailleach will kick your ass if you send me straight back you know!” Merlin grumbles back. 

“Cailleach? Who the hell is that!?” Arthur says. Almost panting. 

“Death...Goddess of winter? The veil keeper? She’s pretty nice” Merlin shrugs. 

Groaning when Arthur hits him with the pillow again. 

“Only you would make friends with literal death. You are the worst” He huffs. Arthur looks exhausted. He looks like he had just been scared half to death himself but Merlin doesn’t regret what he did. 3 days of his life for a girl to grow up bright and beautiful in this world. That was a pretty good deal to him. 

“How are they?” Merlin asks. 

“Get dressed, I’ll take you to see them” Arthur orders and Merlin can tell by the way he holds his shoulders, the way his hands flex. He’s angry at Merlin. Arthur all but manhandles him into his hoodie. 

Arthur manages to make it to Gwen and Lance’s house before he starts yelling as he gets out of the car. 

“You may be immortal Merlin but I don’t want to have to spend my life caring for your half-dead body while you just vacation with death for a few days. It’s not fair to me! I get you for 80 years if I’m lucky...I want every one of those days. Not just half days. Not just days watching your body to make sure you're still breathing twice every minute.” 

“I wasn’t going deprive Gwen and Lance of something they’ve wanted for lifetimes” Merlin snaps back. Following after him. 

“I get that. I just...I’m allowed to be angry ok. I thought you were dead! I can’t do this without you Merlin! This life...god I’d be nothing without you. Don’t you get that? You fucking swing into my life like some sort of...some sort of god and then you make me fall in love with you as if it’s as easy as breathing and then you fuck off for three days! What if next time it’s longer? What if you one day make a deal that leaves you dead permanently? That gives you to Calli...whatever the fuck they're called forever. YOU ARE MINE TO PROTECT! Mine to care for!” Arthur yells. Holding his hands out to his side as if daring the universe to fight him for Merlin’s sake. 

“I need you to, I want to take as many memories of you as I can get but that doesn’t mean I won’t stop helping where I can” Merlin replies. 

And Arthur is kissing him. It’s sweet and soft and hard. It conveys everything that Arthur feels and Merlin just holds his waist. Gwen was right when she had spoken to him. This Arthur here and now...this one was his. His entirely and nobody could take him away. Not even Gwen.

“Are you two done being public nuisances? We just got Merlyn to sleep” Lance calls breaking them from their little bubble. Standing in his front door. 

“Did you just say...Merlin? Like me?” Merlin asks stupidly. 

Lance waves them inside and Merlin is the first to enter. Lance hugged him tightly. Thanking him over and over again until Merlin tells him to stop. 

“Gods Merlin, I can’t...I can’t ever pay you back for this. You brought our daughter back to life” Lance whispers, moving to wrap an arm around Merlin’s shoulder and leading him down to the nursery they had set up. Arthur headed to the kitchen to make the new dad a cup of coffee. Lance had only been a dad three days and he already looked shattered. 

Gwen was sitting inside, gently rocking a crib side to side humming under her breath. She looks up and she’s running for Merlin on sight though. 

“Oh thank you. Thank you.” She gushes, crying into his shoulder. 

“Can I see her?” Merlin asks and Gwen nods grabbing his hand and dragging him over to the crib. 

“We were gonna name her Mary Lyn, and then it hit us...that maybe we weren’t trying to name her that at all. We just couldn’t remember the person we wanted to name her after. I hope it’s ok?” Gwen asks and Merlin can just nod his head dumbly. 

Only to gasp when she opens her eyes. She has gold eyes and Merlin is covering his mouth as things in the room start floating. 

“Yeah, we were just as amazed. She was barely half a day old when we got home and she made everything in the lounge room float” Lance whispers. 

“Can I bless her please?” Merlin begs. She had her mother’s curly hair, and Lance’s nose and when everything settled back in its spot her eyes were a soft brown. She was perfect. 

“I think you already have Merls. She’s magic like you” Gwen says. 

“I promise I’ll help teach her. I won’t...I let her be left alone to figure it out. Not like I had to” Merlin promises. 

Merlin stares down at his namesake as he sits on the floor, watching her through the bars of her crib as she settles back into sleep. 

Lance and Arthur talking in the hallway. Gwen just still softly humming as she takes up the rocking chair again. Merlin doesn’t know how long he stares at the little sweet but he does know he can’t stop smiling. 

“Arthur I want one...I wanna adopt Isolde after she’s fully healed from the transplant” he finally whispers when Arthur joins him. 

“Gaius told me you’ve got her adoption papers sitting in your office. I think she’d love that...would you mind if...maybe I got to help out with that?” Arthur asks bumping his shoulder into Merlin’s. It's Arthur's way of an apology without actually having to say the words. 

Like they had been together for years not a few weeks at most. 

“I’d love that” Merlin promises. 

They stay for as long as Gwen and Lance let them and Merlin doesn’t know why he can’t stop crying. That’s a lie he knows. Dying and coming back to life always made him extra emotional. Everything in his soul felt raw. His love for Arthur, his care for his friends. Arthur holds his hand the entire way home. His still angry. Merlin can read him like an open book, his jaw is still tense, and his hand while it’s gentle is rigid. His eyes stare empty at the road ahead. 

He’d stay like this for a few days and Merlin could understand why. Merlin is just glad when Arthur takes him to his apartment and still makes him dinner. That he doesn’t leave him or force him away like he used to. At least that’s a step forward. Maybe. 

Merlin can’t feel bad about it though. Not when he saw the life brimming in those beautiful golden eyes. Of course the first person out of his family that had ever accepted his magic. Had loved him with all of his parts would have a sorceress of his own to raise and care for. 

“Did you make her magic?” Arthur asks softly as they lay on the bed. Both lying on their back and staring at the canopy together. 

“No. No...every one of us...has the chance of being magic. Some just can’t reach that potential. My best friend, my boss. He was born of magic and yet the turnip head didn’t have a single inkling of magic in him” Merlin explains. 

“The one that hurt you?” Arthur asks. 

“He didn’t hurt...he didn’t even know I was protecting him half the time. To him...I was his servant. Nothing more but I would go with him everywhere.”

“That makes it worse. You were his slave?” Arthur’s words are practically spat into the air. 

“Servant and slave are two very different definitions, Arthur. I was free to leave whenever I wanted, just as he was free to fire me...it was only at the end of his life that I told him I had magic.” Merlin tries to keep his voice soft. To try and keep Arthur sated. 

The words are heavy on his tongue. His descriptions are vague enough to skirt around the curse. 

“And yet he refused to accept you as you are” Arthur’s eyes are sceptical. He has that look on his face like he can’t believe people refuse to love Merlin for simply just being himself. 

“He thanked me with his last breath. Told me he understood at that moment...everything I had done for him” Merlin whispers, forming a mirage of stars to appear above the canopy. 

“It’s still...I still don’t like him” Arthur huffs. Gods he forgot how stubborn Arthur was when he didn't like someone. 

“To not like him is to not like yourself” Merlin mutters. 

“I am nothing like a fool who so easily lets the love of his life get hurt. Take scars for him. Take...deaths for him!” Arthur spits the last three words and Merlin feels the urge to smack him again. Just for being such a dolt, why couldn’t he just put the damn pieces together already!

“As I remind you, Arthur. I loved him but he loved his Queen” Merlin’s words are no longer sour as he speaks. That had been Arthur yes but the other Arthur. The before Arthur. 

“Well his Queen has nothing on you” Arthur squeezes his hand, kissing the back of it and Merlin finally turns to him. Watching Arthur’s face ass over so many emotions. From angry, to annoyed, to sadness.

“Says the openly gay man...if you knew her...you’d understand her draw. She was sweet and kind and a servant like me once...my first friend after Will” Merlin murmurs. 

“She was? But I thought servants couldn’t become Queens” Arthur says. His jaw clenched. 

“And a common man couldn’t become a knight. Still, my King did both” Merlin whispers.

“And yet you remained at his side, for years, loyal as a lap dog and he gave you nothing in return? No title? Just take out my bathwater Merlin. Shine my Armour Merlin. How is that fair?” 

Merlin can’t help the giggle that falls from him. It comes far too easily. How easily those orders still slipped from his King’s lips. 

“You remind me of him sometimes” Merlin says testing the boundaries of this curse. 

“I abhor that thought!” Arthur sneers which just makes Merlin laugh harder.

“What. I do! I will not be compared to such a nasty git!” Arthur continues with every insult to himself Merlin laughs harder. 

“I don’t understand what’s so funny!?” Arthur finally grumbles exasperated as Merlin clutches to his sore stomach, tears leaking from his eyes. 

“Nothing. Nothing. I just...admire your tenacity...it’s cute” 

That has Arthur glaring at him again but it barely holds a temper before it fades. 

Merlin curls closer to Arthur’s side and he kisses at his throat. 

“I know you're still angry about what I did but... you still too angry to...I don’t know...Love me?” Merlin asks softly. Pleadingly. 

Arthur’s face softens completely. 

“Is it safe?” 

“If you can kill me by screwing, Cailleach might just decide to walk into the veil herself” Merlin teases. 

“I just...don’t want to strain you or hurt you” Arthur whispers. 

“Arthur if you’re not comfortable I understand” Merlin says. Going to retreat back to the right side of the bed, knowing he had pushed his luck enough today. Arthur might not be telling him to get out of his sight, but it was still there in his eyes. 

Before Merlin can move far, Arthur is tugging him to his chest. 

“Where do you think you're going?” He asks, voice low and soft but his hand hesitates as he rubs a hand down Merlin’s waist and Merlin almost feels a sob rip from him. Arthur couldn’t bear to touch him but he was trying to put on a brave face but he could see it in his face. The tenseness there. 

“Your hands and eyes betray your voice Arthur Pendragon” Merlin huffs, getting up and sliding from his touch. As much as the mere thought of being apart after three days already doing so could keel Merlin over then and there. 

He wasn’t exactly... stable-minded...his temper around Arthur had always been a precious balance beam. 

He slides his feet into his trainers and heads straight for the elevators. 

“Merlin. What the hell are you doing!?” Arthur snaps. 

“You might not realise it but you can’t even stand the thought of touching me. All day...ever since I came back. Your hands on me are stiff, unyielding, showing...I’m not a zombie but your hands treat me as if I am a monster anyway” Merlin speaks up. 

Refusing to look at Arthur. Heading for his front door he grumbles that his exit can’t be swift and effective. There are no slamming doors. Just slow elevators. 

“Merlin. Of course, I love touching you. I just...” And Arthur stares at him in pure anger when Merlin silences him with a raised hand. 

It’s not a spell. It’s just...a simple hand gesture. 

“No wonder you and King got along so famously. You both had heads to far up your own asses. I bet it’s him, isn’t it? You're not asking me to love you. You were asking him!” Arthur snarls as the doors finally slide open. 

Merlin glares straight on back as he steps into the elevator and presses the button for the ground floor. 

It’s you you Prat. You’re My King. You're My Arthur. Why can’t you just get that already? Why can’t you remember? I’ve given you all the pieces! Merlin wants to yell. 

But all that comes out of that dreadful curse is.

“Careful Arthur. You almost sound like your father” 

Merlin knows it’s a low dig but it’s all he has left in him. When he can’t say what he really wants to say. 

“MERLIN!” Is the last thing he hears before the doors close. 

Merlin doesn’t make it far. Mainly cause he doesn’t want to. He’d never leave Arthur, even after their biggest arguments. He’d just stand behind him as always if they had a meeting, or if not. Well, then he’d sit outside the man’s chambers. So Merlin curls up in the foyer instead. Kicking off his shoes and bringing his feet up until all of him is curled up on the chair. 

“Sir, are you ok? Did you and Arthur fight?” The doorman asks. He was a lovely man. Older in age but sweet Merlin could feel him the first time he came through the front doors and Freddrick was on that he was magic. The man himself had seemed shocked at the power Merlin put off but had only ever treated him warmly. 

Merlin just nods. 

The last thing he expects is Freddrick to come over, those older eyes swirling a soft gold as he chants and he holds out his hands. A cup appeared on it, filled with hot chocolate. Steaming warm with two pink marshmallows floating atop the warm milk and chocolate mix. Merlin thanks him and the man nods.

"A nice hot chocolate always makes my granddaughter feel better when she and her husband fight," He says softly before returning to his post. 

Merlin has barely even taken a sip of it when he watches Arthur practically bolt out of the elevators. A jumper hanging on his arm but none for himself. He was still only wearing the shirt and trackies they had gone to bed in. 

“Freddrick! Which way did my idiot boyfriend go? It’s like 2 degrees outside and we fought and...I need to find him before he freezes his ass off” 

“Well sir if he left, maybe he needs a little space to clear his head” Freddrick replies. Placid and simple. 

“And bloody freeze, he can yell at me all he likes in our apartment where I know he won’t keel over from a cold!” Arthur is trying so hard not to raise his voice at the man. Trying to be careful and soft but still firm with his wording. 

Merlin's chest warmed from the wording Arthur had used. Thier apartment. Not his. Just...theirs. Ours...

“I apologise Sir but maybe...he got off on a different floor” 

“No. I watched, the elevator never stopped. Were you asleep on the job again” Arthur huffs. 

“Clotpole...leave your poor doorman alone,” Merlin speaks up. Arthur turns to see him and he flushes at the fact he had walked right past Merlin. 

Arthur comes scuttling over to him, all but wrangling Merlin into a jumper. Looking a bit happier that Merlin isn’t going to freeze. 

“Why are you sitting here?" Arthur asks dumbstruck. 

“You said it yourself? Why spend half days together when we can have full ones? I didn’t want to leave you completely.” Merlin murmurs. 

“But you still left” 

“Two halves can not hate that which makes them whole, we can yell and scream at each other all we like. But I know regardless, we will always love each other. Having space and leaving are two different things. I’ll return your cup in the morning Freddrick” Merlin promises as he stands, sliding his feet back into his trainers. 

Freddrick just nods and Arthur grabs Merlin’s hand. Holding it tightly as he grabs the cup of hot chocolate off Merlin. 

“I do not fear touching you” Arthur says once they're in the elevator. 

“You’ve barely touched me all day” He mumbles softly. 

“I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t know if you were ok with it. If you’d be extra sensitive or in pain? I’ve noticed you’ve been more emotional since you came back” Merlin stares deep into Arthur’s eyes and he sees that genuine care there. That he had just been nervous about touching Merlin and causing him more harm. Ok, maybe Gwain, Kilgharrah, Aithusa, Gaius and Leon were right. He could be a bit of a drama queen. 

“I would have told you, you idiot! and I wasn’t thinking of him when I asked you to love me, Arthur. You are the one who loves me. You are the one that cares for me” Merlin’s voice cracks a little but he means every word. 

“I know. As soon as I said the words. I regretted them.” Arthur admits. 

Merlin is gently shoved back onto the bed and Arthur hands him his hot chocolate. 

“Why? How...is Freddrick magic too?” Arthur asks. 

“Yes, you're getting better at recognising my people. His kind though. A dottery old man who makes really nice hot chocolate” Merlin promises. Sipping at said drink. It warmed his belly. 

Arthur nods and he pulls off Merlin’s shoes, looking at Merlin gently and Merlin realises his waiting for consent. 

“Remember how I promised you if I ever had a problem if I was ever in pain...I will tell you. I’m always a bit raw after coming back from the Isle of the Blessed. It’s hard knowing my spirit and my mind are somewhere else while my body is around out there somewhere but truly the only thing acting up is my scars from the cold I guess” Merlin admits softly. 

Feeling sheepish. Feeling undeserving after the hell he had put Arthur through these last few days. 

“How can I help?” Arthur's voice is that soft timbre. 

“Touch them? Just...pressure helps sometimes” Merlin explains. 

“Which one first?” Arthur asks. 

“My first one” Merlin explains, holding out his arm and he sips on his hot chocolate as Arthur does so. Holding a warm palm to Merlin’s arm. 

Ahh your first battle wound.  Rings in his head. 

“What happened?” Arthur asks, he is sitting between Merlin’s legs, Merlin happy to curl them around his boyfriend's back. 

“Honestly Wilddeoren, I think...kinda can't remember if it was them or just a sword from a bandit...they were like these giant...” Merlin starts and he watches Arthur’s face bulk so he brings his hands closer together “...baby rats....” 

Arthur lets out a laugh. 

“You amaze me” 

“I know I do...here...” Merlin hands his hot chocolate to Arthur to summon the bestiary. 

Flipping through it easily. 

“See...” He turns the book to show Arthur. Grinning as Arthur looks it over. 

“Honey I think those are just naked mole rats” Arthur says looking at the drawing. 

“As big as a person. As big as my...well...” 

“Your king?” Arthur finishes for him. 

Merlin nods looking down. 

A finger catches under his chin, forcing him to look up to meet Arthur’s gaze. 

“While I don’t like the prat...I would never stop you talking about him. He was important to you.” 

“You're more important” Merlin replies, only to groan when Arthur lays him down and lays atop Merlin but the pressure is nice on his scars. 

“Merlin...you're immortal. Another after me will come along and be equally as important to you as I and your king” Arthur murmurs, his hands curled over Merlin’s chest. Chin sitting on them. 

“I think you are the only one I have room in my heart for” Merlin replies honestly. 

“Maybe now. Sure. But I do not want you to mourn me for the rest of your life. I do not want you to become the way I found you again. More bone than skin, more nightmare than dreams...I would hate myself if you spent the rest of your days hung up on me. On a man, you’ll have known for one of your hundreds of lifetimes. Promise me that” Arthur begs him. 

“That’s not how the heart works Arthur. Your father has spent more than half his life mourning your mother...how is that any different to what I’ll be doing” Merlin’s voice catches. Tears pricked his eyes at the thought that 100 years from now...he wouldn’t have Arthur anymore. 

He wouldn’t have anybody human left. 

“Just promise me ok” Arthur begs. Merlin promises.

Chapter Text

Their still not completely ok but they’re working through it. Slowly. Untangling their bad feelings from their good ones and three days later Merlin finally gets the courage to visit Arthur at work. As much as they would talk over the phone at lunch, they would still spend their nights together. Arthur’s temper would still flair easily. Sometimes to easy for Merlin’s liking but he refused to take it lying down and would fight back. 

He brings Arthur a treat from himself and one from Aithusa after his shift at work that morning. Issy had lit up upon seeing him and Merlin had missed the little angel dearly. She shows him the drawings she had been working on. Including one of him and Arthur. Arthur had visited her a few times when he had brought Merlin lunch the last few weeks and Merlin had just explained Arthur was his boyfriend and Issy had been often asking if Arthur had proposed yet. Merling didn't bring up the fact he had done something better. Today Issy had with as much seriousness on her face as possible handed him a drawing. A timid smile on her face. It was a child's drawing of Merlin, Arthur and Isolde watching TV. Including that Scooby plush that Tristan had given her. Issy asked if he could give it to Arthur. 

So really he stood here with three treats actually. His being food, Issy's drawing and Aithusa's gift being from his personal treasure hoard. Merlin had asked Aithusa to visit yesterday, missing his scaley gremlin and Aithusa had explained how he had searched for days for the right thing to give to a man of Arthur’s calibre. A man of few worries and yet to many, a warrior and an artist, a lover and a leader. So she had finally found the right thing. So Merlin had a bracelet and a burger from Arthur’s favourite shop. 

He knocks gently on Arthur’s door and the man calls him in. 

He gives a small smile when he sees Merlin. 

“I bring lunch...if you wish for it. If not I’m happy to give your burger to Gwaine” Merlin says after he shuts the door. 

“My favourite” Arthur says. Merlin nods setting the bag on the table. 

Merlin goes to sit down on the chair opposite him but Arthur might growl at him. He's not sure but it sure bloody sounds like one. Merlin would have to test if maybe he had dragon blood somewhere in his ancestry one day. 

“What?” Merlin asks. 

“That’s not your seat” Arthur grumbles. 

“Well I’m not sitting on the floor” Merlin says. A little confused and a little outraged at the idea. Was Arthur still really that angry at him? That he'd confine him to the floor. 

Arthur pushes his chair back a little, patting his thigh. Oh. 

Merlin circles that beautiful desk and he gets a dirty little thought in his head. 

“Not at work!” Arthur groans when he catches Merlin’s eyes falling to the floor and then to his groin. 

“So you’ve never had the fantasy before?” Merlin teases him as he takes his place on his king's lap. 

“Trust me. I’ve had plenty but not today.” Arthur grumbles. Grabbing the take-out bag and handing Merlin his chips and burger. They eat in silence. Merlin happily curled against Arthur. They don’t speak. 

Not until their done eating and Arthur is huffing at Merlin when he goes to wipe his hands on Arthur’s trousers. Only teasing. Arthur groans again when Merlin licks his long fingers clean. 

“What not my fault they didn’t give us napkins. Oh, also Aithusa wished to give you something from his hoard. Meaning you have to take it...or he may very well roast me alive and he’ll know if I haven’t given it to you.” Merlin says pulling the bracelet out of his pocket. 

“It’s a Celtic Sailors knot. It means protection. He wanted you to be safe in case I wasn’t around. It was forged as a way to originally try and protect Leon from ageing further but that didn't work, so it's mostly just there as an omen of good luck. Aithusa helped me forge it” Merlin explains.  

Arthur holds out his hand and Merlin slips it onto his wrist. Arthur fiddles with it for a second before he smiles. 

His grin is widest when Merlin gives him the drawing from Issy and he promises to get it framed for his desk. 

Their quiet time is disturbed by a particularly ruffled Morris slamming into the room. 

"If you found Gwaine and Percy screwing in the bathroom again please report it to Elliot. I don't wanna hear about it" Arthur grumbles. 

“No. No...that's not an issue this time! HIS HERE! HIS HERE! Oh gods. He even brought the creepy car!” Morris cries. 

“Who? What?” Merlin asks. 

“My father,” Arthur says, standing and Merlin has to as well before he ends up on his ass. He drags Merlin to the window and sure enough there getting out of a car that looks like it belonged to the cartoon villain was Uther Pendragon. Not even looking at the valet as he throws the keys at him. Turning to glare when the valet nearly drops them. 

Merlin feels a little sick at the sight of him. The last time he had seen him. He had been a ghost. He had nearly told Arthur his secret, he had nearly killed Merlin and Gwen. The crash of the chandelier on the round table that had Arthur and Merlin nearly jumping from their skins. Merlin still feels goose-pimply at the memory. 

“Seriously? What is he? Dr Doom!? Who even drives a car like these days!” Merlin grumbles. Hands on his hips. 

That makes Arthur laugh. Genuinely.

“Fy rhyfelwr cariadus...I think you’re thinking of Dick Dastardly” Arthur says. Except he wasn’t speaking English. He was speaking...old Welsh. It slid off his tongue as if he didn’t even notice. Maybe he hadn’t and now Merlin really wanted to shake the bastard for it. 

“No, I am most certainly not! Definitely Dr Doom” Merlin huffs, replying in their tongue and Arthur it seems either doesn’t notice or just wasn’t giving it away. 

Their conversation continues for a few more minutes before they are distracted by Morris, still standing there. Fear sticking his feet in place. 

“Sir. I think I broke them, They're speaking gibberish!” Merlin hears Morris whisper. 

“That is far from broken. Trust me Morris” Gwaine snickers. 

“Broke who Mr Green?” A thunderous voice says and Merlin looks up to see Gwaine’s mouth tighten in a line as Uther digs his hand into Gwaine’s shoulder. A show of domination. 

“Father come sit” Arthur says. Snapping back to English as if he hadn’t just been speaking in their Original tongue. 

Merlin stares at the man. He looked like he had stepped out of time but instead of robes and mail, he was wearing a dark suit with a red silk undertone. He even had a god-forsaken cane with a swirling silver metal dragon embossed from the handle downwards. Merlin would almost mistake him for one of those cheesy mob bosses. 

“Fy rhyfelwr cariadus...do not...set my father on fire” Arthur whispers in his ear. Feeling Merlin’s magic spike up. 

“No promises Fy Trysor” Merlin grumbles back. Crossing his arms. 

“Is this your new secretary? Get us two coffees. Black. And from a proper coffee store, if the name of the store is Starbucks. Keep walking and make it snappy” Uther says raking his eyes down Merlin the second he sits down. 

Merlin stares down his nose at the man as Arthur takes a seat of his own and out of spite and hoping he’d give the bastard a heart attack right then and there. He instead curls himself back up in Arthur’s lap. Sitting sideways, arm curling around Arthur’s shoulder. Playing with the back of Arthur’s hair. 

“You heard Mr Pendragon, Morris dear. Two black coffees and you know my order by now” Merlin says. 

Uther looking scandalised. It’s a beautiful sight. 

“Yes, Lord Emrys. Right away” Morris says before scurrying away. God Merlin hated Morgana and Arthur had insisted the entire place call him by his Title. He was fine with just Merlin. Merlin was his name, Merlin got the job done. Lord Emrys made him feel like a stuffy old asshole...though maybe they weren't too far off he guesses. 

Gwaine looked seconds away from howling in laughter. Going bright red around the ears. 

“Door Gwaine” Arthur suggests and Gwaine closes the door but Merlin can still hear him cackling as he runs for his boyfriend's office. 

Arthur’s hand is tight on Merlin’s thigh but it’s not so he can push him off. It’s just there and warm. A comfort that Merlin is doing the right thing. 

“So Father. You came to see the hotel? You know we still have a month before the opening correct? I nearly have everything perfected. I’m sure you’ve been getting my emails. I was thinking of having a more simple menu. Something so the rich and famous can taste some true Scottish cuisine. No haggis, of course, we’re not barbarians but fish and chips and scotch pies. Of course, still have the menu filled with all those wonderful delicacies. Caviar. Lobster Risotto. Etcetera. That way it gives people more of a choice. Makes them feel more comfortable. More willing to spend on the fancy wines and cheese platters” Arthur continues on but Merlin knows Uther doesn’t hear a word of it. 

He’s stuck staring at Merlin as if he were a wasp that he could crush in his hand. Merlin just stares back placid but smiling. 

“You should see some of the ideas Arthur has come up with. Their truly spectacular, you wouldn’t have thought they were just simple dishes. They're presented so well they could pass for a multi...” 

“Did I say you could talk!” Uther snaps cutting him off. 

“No, but I didn’t think I’d need the invitation considering I’ve been helping develop the menu, as I’m worldly travelled. How’s London holding up? Still grey?” 

“ARTHUR!” Uther’s voice rises in pitch more so than volume. 

“Cariad...stop teasing him please...” Arthur whispers. 

Merlin pouts but he nods. 

“Only if you kiss me” He rambles slowly in their original tongue. 

Arthur looks exasperated before he gives in. Kissing Merlin, gently, chaste and Merlin really wants to hang Uther’s face on his wall. He had gone near purple in rage. 

“ARTHUR PENDRAGON! THAT IS ENOUGH! What is this foolishness!” Uther finally rages, Merlin sending streaks of calming urges down Arthur’s neck. 

“Pretty sure his name is Merlin Emrys, Father. Not foolishness, though he certainly acts upon it often. This is my boyfriend. Fy rhyfelwr cariadus ” Arthur explains. 

Merlin watches as Gwaine and the rest of the knights but one new daddy, all peek up over the window leading out to the hallway. It doesn’t work too well for poor Percy though. His shoulders easily budge him so his clearly visible, no matter how much he tries to scrunch down. 

“Hello Sir, Lovely to finely meet you. Your son speaks only highly of you” Merlin says. His lying of course but he was Merlin, he’d always been good at lying. Holding out his good hand. Uther’s hands only tighten over his cane and Merlin draws back his hand. 

“And yet I have heard nothing of you” Uther sneers like that’s a victory. 

“Ah yes. I’m new...we met recently and it was love at first sight. Well...actually broken wrist at first sight...” Merlin snickers holding up said cast. Wiggling his fingers. Arthur groaned, resting his head in his hand. 

“That’s what this is, isn’t it? Arthur you childish fool, this strumpet wants nothing but your money” Uther claims and Merlin watches Arthur look like he's about ready to jump over his desk and knock his father out cold. Merlin presses a hand to his chest. Trying to soothe him. 

“Mr Pendragon I assure you, if anybody is the gold digger here it’s my treasure. I make more than double what you could even dream of in a year” Merlin boasts. 

“And yet you are what?” Uther asks. 

“Nurse, stockholder, farm lander owner, a land owner in general...generational wealth extending back to the time of Myth and Legends” Merlin explains, like his speaking to a child. 

“Enough lies” Uther sneers. 

“Arthur...may I have access to your computer for a second?” Merlin asks. 

Arthur nods and Merlin types in all his details, bringing up his main three accounts before turning the screen to show Uther. 

“One Lord Merlin Emrys at your service sir.” Merlin snickers as Uther’s mouth all but falls open. His severe raising is the only thing keeping him composed but Merlin can see the drool in his eyes. 

“Holy shit! I think Merlin owns...the entirety of Scotland with that” Merlin hears from Elliot. 

“So now that is out of the way. Can we get back on topic? Menu changes?” Merlin asks. Merlin bringing up the various emails and other things. As well as grabbing samples of how the menu will look once it’s completed from one of Arthur’s desk drawers.

Merlin spends the next hour explaining to Uther all the changes that had been made to be more suitable while still upholding the name Camelot. Morris with the protection of Merlin the room denies Uther his coffee until he says a pleasantry. Uther begrudgingly says thank you and Morris all but skips out of the room with a smile. 

“I even had some personal tapestries flown out from my home, to give this place an air of nobility and pride, you’ll love them, they’re said to be based on the real Camelot's tapestries from time itself” Merlin explains. 

Arthur interjects here and there. Explaining some of the finer financial details but Merlin never leaves Arthur’s lap. Never leaves the loving embrace of his boyfriend and for that his thankful. That Arthur doesn’t push him away. Instead holds him closer. 

“Since...this...Mer...” 

“Lord Emrys” Arthur’s voice is sharp. Merlin’s heart warms at Arthur’s defence of him. 

“Lord Emrys is so well acquainted with this place. Maybe he should give me the tour” Uther suggests. 

Arthur looks distressed. 

“Sure sounds good to me. I have nothing else to do for the afternoon, my shift at work was this morning.” 

“Cariad” Arthur whispers. 

“I’ll be fine. Worst that happens...you find him...asleep somewhere. But I will not harm him ok. Not even if he tries to harm me first” Merlin whispers in Arthur’s ear before kissing Arthur and standing. Straightening out his shirt “... let’s show you around the offices first. Maybe we’ll run into Morgana and you can catch up with your daughter for a few minutes but regardless. It’ll be good for you to see where everybody’s offices lie” Merlin says. 

He watches his friends scramble back to their offices. Getting the message. 

“Well right across from Arthur’s office is Percy’s. He is Arthur’s number one bodyguard and has been setting up bodyguards and security for the rest of the hotel. Hello Percy” 

“Lord Emrys, Mr Uther,” Percy says, waving from his desk. Files in hand. Trying to look busy even though he looked shy, timid and worried that he had been caught spying. Merlin just waves back and continues on with the tour. 

“Back towards the first set of elevators you came through is Gwaine’s office, he is Arthur’s ad campaign manager. He is rather great at it actually. Your son had to spend 2 days going down a list of guests wishing to visit the opening night gala. He of course has invited many of the great. Sir Elton John and his Husband have said to be coming. He even managed to ask for Prince Beatrice of York to attend, which reminds me. Morris honey, can you set a reminder for this Saturday to see Princess Beatrice.” Merlin asks. Morris had been following them both as they walked.  

“Right away my Lord” Morris says setting it into his calendar. A step behind Merlin and Uther. 

“That’s a good boy. Here we have the head of HR, Elliot Garlin and across the hallway sits Arthur COO, Though I’m certain you remember him. Hello Leon” 

“My Lord...Sir” Leon says bowing at Merlin before moving to hold out his hand to Uther. Uther begrudgingly takes it. Shaking once firmly before Leon settles back in his seat. 

“Normally Arthur's financial officer would be here but his on paternity leave for the rest of the week. His wife Guinevere works here as Arthur’s lawyer but in the meantime, we have one of the best lawyers in Scotland looking over things. Hello, Geoffrey” Merlin calls the man. Sitting behind Gwen’s desk. 

“My Lord...Sir Uther. I didn’t realise you’d be visiting so soon. It’s a pleasure to see you.” 

“Ahh yes, you to Geoffrey” Uther says. 

Merlin starts walking and finally, they reach the last of the importants. Knocking. 

“Yes...oh Father. Hello” Comes Morgana’s cool voice when she opens the door. 

“My beautiful daughter. You look absolutely...wonderful. Better health than the last time I saw you. I was fretting that the change around and extra work would be too hard but I see you have the truest form of Pendragon blood in your system. You are a fighter. That’s my girl” Uther says. 

Morgana rolls her eyes when she hugs him. Merlin had to stifle a laugh. 

“Morris. Please place a reservation at Celetano’s. Tell them Merlin Emrys is booking for a surprise event. That the Pendragons will be with me...and get Gwaine to set up some paparazzi to be outside waiting for photos.” Merlin asks quietly as Uther and Morgana speak. 

Morris nods and sets about doing so. 

“Merlin is a wonderful father. He practically whipped Arthur into shape, now he has all his paperwork done on time. In legible handwriting too. It’s wonderful what happens when you have someone to motivate you. He’d work himself to death if Merlin and I didn’t get him out of here, but I should let you continue with the tour” Morgana chirps and her father almost looks disheartened by the news. To be honest, Merlin was a little annoyed too. Hoping to have shafted the crazy old git onto his daughter. 

Merlin flips her off behind her Dad's back as she waves him away with a grin. 

Merlin shows Uther most of the hotel, explaining the VIP suites and how they differ from the normal rooms. Showing Uther the workings of the kitchen and the elegant grand ballroom they had set up in case of Gala’s or wedding before finally taking him up to the top floor. 

Nobody else was here but them. Morris had stayed with Morgana to help assist her with a few things. 

“As you can see it’s all nearly enclosed, to trap the warmth in winter and keep away the rain. The bar is nearly set up, we’re just testing Bartenders now. We want only the best. No slippery fingers. Don’t need someone’s beautiful dress to be covered in wine. And the pool over here has been filled and tested. I haven’t been able to but Gwaine and Morgana both say it’s splendidly warm. Not to include the two spas” Merlin rattles off before leading Uther onto the balcony that leads out to the fresh air. 

“And here of course will be more seating options for when summer comes around, and if anybody wishes to dine outdoors for the evening. See these tags here, all people have to do is order with their phones and their food is brought up promptly to be enjoyed under the starry sky. As well as being able to order cocktails from the bar...that way....they” Merlin is cutting off when he’s smacked so hard in the back of his knees he can’t help but fall to them. 

Cursing under his breath when he lands on his bad hand. Cradling it close to his chest. 

“You really think you could just walk into my son's life, dominate his world and get away with it!” Uther snarls and Merlin whines as his head is pulled back by a harsh hand in his curls. It hurts. 

“Well actually he walked into mine, and the rest as they say was beautiful history” Merlin points out. 

He thought an Uther backhand was bad enough, turns out being clocked in the face with a metal-plated cane. Must worse. Merlin feels blood fill his mouth and he turns his glare onto Uther once more. Spitting the blood onto Uther’s pants. 

“He fucks like a lover you know. He knows just how to treat a man. Makes me love him all the more that he worries about hurting me when all I want for him to do is go harder.” Merlin spits out of spite. 

It earns him another smack to the face from that pesky cane. Coughing up blood he swears if he loses one of his teeth. He’ll push the prick off the building, promise to Arthur be damned. 

“How dare you speak of my son that way. How dare you infest his mind! You are nothing but a sick delinquent and you have sullied him” 

“He's a top sir. If anything he sullied me” Merlin can’t help himself but then again when had he ever kept his damn mouth shut. Even if it killed him. 

The man hooks him around the back of his neck with that bastard cane forcing his head to the ground. 

“I can’t pay you off like I could his last trysts, so instead I’ll give you one warning boy! You continue this horrific relationship and I promise you harm will come to you.” 

“How original, try something more...I don’t know menacing. Should you ever see my son again I shall rain upon you a thousand deaths. Now that is catchy and villainous. Seriously have you ever threatened someone before” Merlin asks, feeling the split in his lip as it stings. His cheek is searing. 

Morgs...can you send Arthur up to the roof, please? He calls out with his mind. 

Why what’s wrong? Comes quickly. 

Nothing. His father just has some questions that I don’t have the specificity for. Merlin keeps her blocked from any other part of his head. Just making sure she hears his words. 

Merlin groans when Uther kicks one of those shiny shoes into his jaw. Merlin had nowhere to go with the cane still wrapped around his neck. Feeling like his own brain was pinballing around his skull. 

“Kicking. How original. My god you really are a fool. An idiot as you were in death and life before. You can’t see past your own nose Uther Pendragon and I feel sorry for you. Ygraine is the only reason Morgana and Arthur have a caring bone in their body. Had you sired them alone, they’d be as cold and lifeless as you” Merlin snarls. 

Merlin is pulled into a standing position and the cane is unhooked from around his neck, instead catching around his foot and sending him sideways. Hitting his head off the glass fence around the borders of the roof. 

He goes down hard, his vision doubles and he laughs. It’s all he can do not to cry from the crushing pain in his skull. He wonders if his skull has been fractured. Arthur is gonna be so pissed if he visits Cailleach again so soon. 

Merlin can’t stop the scream that comes from him when Uther presses down on the centre of his back. Right over his Serket scar and he can’t help it. He can’t help the tears or the screaming. He feels like his been stabbed all over again. 

“FATHER! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!” He hears. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees not only Percival but Gwaine and Morgana following behind Arthur. All 8 of them looked livid. 

“He attacked me first” Uther’s lie is smooth. 

“LIAR!” Morgana screams and Merlin tells her not to use her magic, he can see the way her hands tighten but his order is firm in her mind. 

“Why would I lie about such a thing? The boy is mentally afflicted! He attacked me out of nowhere, of course, I’d do anything to protect myself” Uther says. 

Arthur grabs his father’s cane and Merlin feels instant relief from where it’s no longer pressed into his back. Arthur snapping the wretched thing over his knee and throwing the pieces behind him. 

“Percival grab him, Merlin baby are you ok? Come on...hey...look at me” Arthur says kneeling and dragging Merlin onto his lap. Brushing the hair back from Merlin’s forehead. 

“You will not dare if you try it, boy. I will pull everything of this shoddy place you call a hotel from under your feet. Even more so if you continue this abhorrent relationship.” 

“Good luck with that. Merlin owns the building Sir” Gwaine snaps. 

“I wanted to make sure that Camelot, would always belong to Arthur and it’s an untradmarkable name. Therefore. You may have your chain of Camelot but Arthur can have his own. A better one” Merlin rasps, feeling wetness spew down his lips. 

It had been a precaution that he and Arthur had spoken about after the whole watch incident. It was still Arthur's hotel. His name...Merlin was just effectively the landlord.  Arthur's baby to run and grow. Merlin though...well he could never not help Arthur secure his way to being at his greatest potential. 

“Oh my god Arthur, his bleeding...I think his bleeding internally!” Morgana whimpers. 

Percival has to stop Uther from whatever it is he plans on doing. Which looks like trying to strike Arthur. Harshly pinning the man to the nearest table. Looking rather pleased with himself when the man curses him out from the bloody nose. 

“Are you able to be moved?” Arthur asks softly, not even sparing a glance towards his father. 

“Yeah...just take it slow...” Merlin finds he’s tongue is struggling to work and so he tells Morgana what to do. She nods and guides Arthur on how to grab Merlin. Gwaine hovering like a worried bee. 

“I think we should call an ambulance,” Gwaine says worriedly.

“No...no...Aithy...the bracelet...It’s not just a token of protection...tap...” Merlin grabs Arthur’s hand and taps on the bracelet to the tune of Scarborough Fair. Merlin doesn’t get much more than that. Eyes closing. 

He wakes up to the wind brushing across his body, Morgana holding his hand and whispering the same pain-easing spell she had used on Gwen. Another hand was rubbing gently across his face. His head is in someone’s lap. 

“Descending” A soothing voice murmurs. 

Aithusa. That must be the heartbeat he can feel beating beneath his own. He was on Aithusa’s back and he looked up to see bright blue eyes. 

“Arthur” He whispers. Trying to reach out but he can’t find the energy. 

“Hey, hey. Aithusa said he was taking you home to the Druids. How are you feeling?” 

“Like I was a boxing bag. Did your Father see Aithusa” Merlin croaks truthfully. 

“No. Percival and Gwaine had gotten him inside by that stage. I was so stupid to let you go alone with him. I should have known he would have tried something like this. Why didn’t you put him to sleep? Why didn’t you defend yourself” Arthur’s voice is strained. Thick...he had been crying. His face was red. Even Morgana had been crying by the looks of things. 

“Because...it would have given him what he wanted” Merlin explains. 

“So you choose a broken face instead” Arthur whimpers. 

Merlin grunts in pain when Aithusa lands in the courtyard of his home.

“MAMA!” A boy cries, sprinting for the manor. “LORD EMRYS IS HURT!” and Merlin shifts in and out of consciousness over the next few hours. 

Finally coming to, awakening in a clearing. A Triskelion carved across the ground under him. Eyes roved the clearing to see Daisy, her husband and her children as well as the others who worked on Merlin’s land and even druids he hadn’t seen before. Kneeling. Murmuring the same thing over and over again. Surprised to see even Morgana was kneeling amongst them. Her hands and head were on the ground, whispering with them as they sat circling the knot. Even Aithusa...his precious sweetheart was there. 

He could feel the dried paint on him. Swirling over his body. Celtic knots binding and forming together. If he had any sense about them, they would be healing and prosperity. He finally looks up and sees Arthur staring at him. 

He was shirtless, his own body swirled with red paint. A mimicry of the older rituals that would use blood. The knot for love over his heart, a shield knot painted across each shoulder. Probably across Arthur’s back too. A trinity painted over his stomach, summoning the powers of the earth, the sky and the sea and two swirls up either side of his arms, the sailors knot. Protection. 

“Daisy he's awake!” Arthur calls. 

And with that, the whispering stops. 

Morgana and Daisy by his side in seconds. 

“The swelling in his skull has gone down. That’s good. It means the clot is gone. He’ll still be brittle for a little while but he’ll live. He’ll be fine Master Arthur” Daisy promises after prodding and poking him. 

“Thank you. Thank you so much. I can’t repay you for this. I know his immortal but I wouldn’t...I can’t spare the thought of losing him regardless. I love him” Arthur replies and Merlin reaches out a hand. Wanting to hold Arthur’s. 

“You...anchored yourself. You participated in a magic ritual” Merlin teases softly. 

His King...while he had sought penance from the druid boy had never taken part in one of their many rituals. Mind you back then neither had Merlin. 

“I didn’t do much. I just sat here and prayed you’d wake up” Arthur replies. 

“And who’d you pray to?” Merlin asks. Wondering which God this Arthur sent his wishes and hopes to. 

“You, I prayed to you” Arthur admits and gods Merlin loves the idiot. He loves him more than life itself. 

Merlin groans when he's picked up. Arthur took him gently up to the manor. Merlin realises he and Arthur aren’t wearing more than their underwear. Arthur’s legs swirled in knots and lines and Merlin is sure he looks the same. 

“You will have to wash the marks from one another tomorrow but right now, you are helping Merlin heal. Do not disturb the markings, or he might get worse” Daisy instructs as Arthur gets him into bed. 

“Aithy?” Merlin asks. 

“Burnt down one of the derelict stables out of sadness but he is better now you are. He asked to see you but I told him tomorrow. Do not make me break that promise, My Lord.” Daisy chides. 

“Yes Daisy” Merlin whispers, curling up against Arthur. Tracing the knot for love over his heart with a single finger. His broken hand...felt completely better and he’s pulling off the cast. Wiggling his fingers. 

Whatever they did in the ritual had completely healed his wrist. 

It seemed they had worked from the inside out though cause his eye was still swollen, his lip still cut and he could feel bruising upon the back of his neck. 

“So...you own...your own manor and...farmland?” Arthur starts. 

“I did say I was a farm owner and land owner. I wanted a place for my druids. The ones that never lost faith in me to live and be happy. They can be themselves here. No hiding, no wilting away in cities when they need to be around nature. Even I gain more from being near nature than cities but Glasgow...just called to me. So I went. Now I know why. You were gonna be there and I just had to wait for you to arrive” Merlin explains. 

“How long did you wait?” 

“24 years” Merlin answers honestly. Sorta. He couldn’t very well tell Arthur he had waited 1500 years for the man.

“My entire life, you stayed in Glasgow on the chance one day I would end up there?” Arthur is surprised. 

“Don’t ask me why I picked Glasgow. I didn’t even really pick it Aithy did. He just dropped me off there after Leon passed and there I stayed” 

“Well, I’m glad he did. I’m glad I got to meet you without my father around. I am so sorry about what he did Merlin. I promise you he will never be allowed near you again. You should have defended yourself. He was hurting you” Arthur whispers, Merlin looks up at him to see tears in the corner of his eyes. 

“He isn’t the first man to punish me...for being me. Trust me. I’ve been in the court of kings since I was 17. I understand what it is to be punished for just being myself. Whether that be magic, or being caught with a man. I have always been persecuted. Uther is not a man I am scared of. There was a man once, that was like him that used to give me nightmares. He had locked up my first dragon friend.” Merlin explains, voice soft and contemplative. 

“Kilgharrah” Arthur questions and Merlin nods. 

“He had kept him as a trophy and I was always so scared that if he found out I was magic...since magic was outlawed back then. That he would...chain me up like some pet too. So if I could survive the reign of a tyrant like that. Until my King could take his father’s throne. Then I could survive your dad’s baseless threats and rather weak kicks.” Merlin keeps his eyes down as he traces across the shield knot on Arthur’s shoulder. 

Relishing in the fact that Arthur had picked Merlin over his father. Had picked Merlin over the self-imposed law of the Pendragon family. It was endearing and Merlin wondered if...he had told Arthur sooner. Would Arthur have protected him back then? If he could be like now. Teaching Arthur and Morgana that magic was good and beautiful. Things could have been so different. 

“Did you free Kilgharrah?” Arthur asks, Merlin knows he knows the answer but he must need to talk. Worry still lingering in the tenseness of his body and the gravel in the back of his voice. 

“Yes and me and My King went on an adventure to find the last Dragonlord when he lashed out. At first, I couldn’t understand why. Why he’d hurt an innocent town when it was just one King he blamed but I get it now. Being locked up, being treated as nothing but an animal, to have your magic chained away, left with just your wings and breathe. He had every right to be angry but that didn’t mean I forgave him for taking his anger and pain out on innocents. But he knew he wouldn’t have been able to reach the king...” 

“I think I had a dream like this once. Me and you were in the dream and we met this grizzly old asshole in a cave. He refused to help. Said that we deserved to burn for ever banning Magic. Your king...was the Arthur wasn’t he? The Arthur I was named after?” 

Merlin nods. Arthur had finally given a name to Merlin’s king. Now he just had to piece together he was that king but Merlin had an idea that first he had to get the others to remember. Like the trinity knot. The earth, the sky, the sea. He needed all of his friends to remember before Arthur could finally put all the pieces together. Those that made Arthur into the king he once was, remembering one by one and slotting into place like a giant puzzle. The final piece would be Arthur. 

“Maybe your magic is linking me to your memories of him but regardless. You found the last dragonlord right...and then he died...” Arthur’s voice falls soft towards the end. 

“He was my father” Merlin whispers. 

“I’m so sorry from what I remember of the dream you only got to know him for a day....your king told you no man was worth your tears but he didn’t know did he? That you were the new Dragonlord? Or that Balinor was your father?” 

“I couldn’t risk it. I’m sure for the fact I was the reason we needed my father in the first place. That My King would strike me down. To commit magic might have been treason but to speak and command dragons back then. Was heresy. Even My King wouldn’t have been able to turn a blind eye to what I had done. The damage I had caused.” Merlin hates the fact he’s decision to let Kilgharrah go had led to people’s deaths. 

“Merlin in my dream...your shared memory. People were injured but...nobody died? Did they?" Arthur's voice is almost hopeful. 

“A lot of people did" Merlin shrugs a little. 

“But nobody in the lower town was injured. Kilgharrah only aimed for those with noble blood. What if he wanted you to find Balinor...to find your father?” 

“I don’t know. I don’t think...it matters much anymore. Both are dead and when Aithusa passes on to in...who knows? I will no longer be a Dragonlord. Wyverns are also near extinction but they do not have the capacity to think like Aithy does. They are no smarter than wolves. They listen but they do not speak” Merlin’s voice is small at the thought of even Aithusa leaving him one day. Retreating to some cave far away, Merlin never getting to see him again. It was a soul-crushing thought. 

“What if...what if there was another dragon egg out there?” 

“I’ve been searching for the last millennium searching Arthur. If there is. It’s well hidden. Aithusa has no clue where any of his kin would be, Kilgharrah couldn’t tell me either. He just told me how to hatch Aithusa. To speak his name” Merlin tried his best to explain but it was complicated.

“Merlin...my great grandfather was a collector of all things rare and unseen. When I was very small I saw an egg. Decorated in jewels” Arthur starts but Merlin squashes his hope. 

“It was most likely just a Faberge Egg Arthur, though I appreciate the thought” 

“I’ll still get it shipped out from the vault so you can check for yourself” Arthur promises and Merlin can only thank him. The thought was sweet. Despite the fact, he had probably been asleep for most of the day. Merlin is tired and his eyes droop against his will. 

Chapter Text

Arthur watches as Merlin sleeps, the delicate swirls of paint on his skin standing out in such a deep red. Arthur at first feared that the Druid, the keeper of Merlin’s land and manor was coming at him with a paintbrush full of blood. 

It had been such a whirlwind, the rage he had felt when he had entered the rooftop bar and seen his father send Merlin careening into the glass. Arthur was thankful that Merlin was light. If he had been Arthur’s size he had feared his soul mate would have just gone through it and fallen. 

Could Cailleach even heal that? Heal a body so broken? What had made him angrier was that Merlin’s magic had never once flared. Not even when he had screamed and cried as Uther had pressed his cane right into Merlin’s Serket scar. The screams were nothing like Arthur had ever heard from a person before. It had sounded like a roar and something in Arthur had trembled. 

Merlin had explained it to him. That was the one scar that never truly healed and would always hurt. Merlin still tried to grin at him with blood-stained lips, trying to reassure Arthur he was fine as if he wasn’t bleeding from the head, as if his eye hadn’t already started turning black and swollen. 

Morgana had looked ready to throw their father from the roof herself and probably would have if Merlin hadn’t shaken his head. Staring directly at her. As her elder. It was an unavoidable order. 

Aithusa had only taken 15 minutes to reach them at most by the time Merlin had tapped against Arthur’s bracelet and it had been then that Arthur had realised. Merlin was screaming for Aithusa, whether he meant to or not. That’s what it had sounded like to summon a dragon. 

Aithusa had taken great care to hold himself steady so Arthur could climb across a strong wing. Aithusa had growled when Morgana had gone to step after him but a mumbled word from Merlin had Aithusa allowing Arthur’s sister across to his back. 

The flight had been long but short at the same time, Arthur’s hand constantly pressed to the pulse point of Merlin’s good wrist. Felt that heartbeat stir and pulse as Morgana repeated the same spell she had over Gwen. 

Arthur never thought he’d be taking a call on a bloody dragon but here he was, Telling Gwaine and Percival to let his father go but to tell him that this will not be forgotten and to tell them he and Morgana would be out of town for a few days. So Leon was in charge. 

Gwaine had started screaming about Merlin’s safety but Percy hung up on him before he could continue his tirade. 

“If I find him dead on that rooftop you gobshite Princess, I’m going after your Father first and then you!” 

Arthur hadn’t expected Aithusa to be able to fly so quickly but from the way the dragon was panting when they had reached their destination, Arthur had wondered how hard the poor thing had pushed himself. 

Arthur had taken in the Manor staring in front of them. An imposing statue of a Dragon stood by the door and it looked sharper than Aithusa. Deadlier and Arthur has a name spring to his mind in a second. 

“Kilgharrah” He whispers as Aithusa had laid himself on the floor, so Arthur could step off his back without hurting Merlin. 

A woman had bustled out of the manor, in a huge fluster and had screamed at the sight of Merlin. Before quickly pulling herself together and ordering around people. To do this and that and grab the paint. 

The last place Arthur had been expected to be dragged out to was a giant clearing. Being devested of his clothing and Merlin of his own before they were painted in those delicate swirls. 

Merlin stirred every half an hour or so but mostly he was still unconscious and Arthur had watched in awe as Druids, that’s all they could be had poured out of what seemed like everywhere. Some wearing farming gear, and one still had an axe in hand from where he had been chopping up firewood. Women wearing skirts and dresses with flour up their arms and paint. Every Druid that Merlin had working for him had come to kneel in a circle around them. All falling into harmony. Even Aithusa had laid his head down in one of the vacant spots. Speaking in the same tongue as the others. Morgana who had always detested the dirt and would refuse to get her clothing even so much as a splattered with dirt had knelt beside the Druids. Her head and hands pressed to the earth. 

Arthur at first had refused to believe anything was happening. None of Merlin’s magic was stirring but then the ground started to glow. The triskelion they were sitting in the middle of had started to glow from the outside. Slowly curling itself in until that bright golden light had reached where Arthur had Merlin bundled in his arms, the swirls adoring their bodies had started to glow as well and finally, Merlin had opened his eyes and Arthur had felt like he could finally breathe again. 

Arthur finally lets sleep take him as he curls up closer to Merlin. Feeling the man’s heart beating against his ear. Trusting the leader of the druids when she said that the clot in his brain was gone. While he still looked like hell on the outside. He wasn’t thrashing anymore. 

The next morning Arthur is awoken by Merlin slowly scrabbling himself out from under Arthur's hold. Arthur can only follow him to the shower. Merlin seemed practically chipper but Arthur could feel it. Could feel the power resonating around the place. It was like it was healing Merlin to be here, they took the time to wash each other down with particular care. Merlin explained that they couldn’t wash off their own marks. It had to be done by the partner or else they had a chance of cursing their relationship. 

Arthur finds clothes his size sitting on the bed as he gets out but they weren’t...what he was used to. Jeans the pants certainly weren’t and the top... 

“Merls I think they gave me a girl's blouse?” He questions and that makes Merlin laugh. 

“No, you clotpole. It’s a tunic, here” Merlin says grabbing the fabric from his hands. Tightening up the laces on the front of the tunic so Arthur’s bare chest wasn’t showing.

“How the hell does a belt work...when...your...Why are you wearing a belt over your shirt?” Arthur grumbles, getting confused but soon enough Merlin has him rangled into the clothing and it’s comfortable. Soft. 

“A cape?” Arthur asks feeling like a twit. Holding up the red fabric. 

“Cloak Arthur, my god. Did you ever study in history class or just drool over your teacher” 

“He was a very beautiful man...but I’m not into dating myself” Arthur snickers and Merlin ties the cloak around his shoulders. Hands practised at it. 

“As if anybody else but me could put up with a pompous prat like you” Merlin says before easily dressing himself. Including a small flower wreath. 

“Don’t laugh,  They’re pains in the ass for customs...” Merlin explains. Looking sullen at having to wear the wreath of flowers. 

“I wasn’t going to. You look beautiful...You are their lord correct? It’s only fair you show it off” 

“Technically maybe their king..sorta...it’s complicated...anyways. Come on. Morgana and Aithusa I’m assuming have been running Daisy ragged” Merlin says turning, his cloak billowing out behind him as he does so. 

His back is straight and he walks as if he owns the place. Arthur has to remind himself that Merlin does in fact own the place. However, he is weirded out when two druids bow to them in the halls. 

“Lord Emrys, Master Arthur” The druids both murmur before heading into the room they had just been in. As if they had been waiting to spruce it up. Of course, Merlin had servants.

“Did they just call me Master” Arthur whispers. 

“Yep. You're my consort be lucky they're not calling you lady” Merlin says quirking an eyebrow at him. 

“I’m not your bloody consort. I’m your boyfriend” Arthur grumbles. Not liking the idea of being someone's consort. It sounded like a nasty word. Something to be said when you thought the person was just a cheap lay. 

“Well, technically you're not my consort yet, since we’re not married but maybe one day. Regardless thought they would just refer to you as Lord Pendragon anyway. Master and Mistress are reserved...well for you and Morgana” 

“That’s going to go straight to her head” Arthur huffs as they walk down some stairs and he’s amazed at how agile Merlin is. His head was stuck on that word though. Marry. Marriage. Was that something he wanted with Merlin? All he can come up with is the words yes but not yet. 

Finally, they enter a large wooden kitchen, food laid out like a King had come to visit but well as Merlin had said. One practically had Arthur guessed. 

“Lord Emrys, how are you feeling? Master Arthur. It’s good to see you up. I was starting to worry you’d sleep have the day away” A man with a balding head and long sweeping robes said as he brought over fresh tea. 

“Hmm I considered it Branwen and it’s only 8 in the morning. Thank you for the tea. Morgana, did you settle well?” Merlin asks. 

Morgana nods her head, looking up at him in shock. 

“I still can’t believe you're alive, that you survived that. It was amazing Merlin...The druids. Their magic is so different and yet...” 

“We’re kindred spirits. Yes. I know.” Merlin finishes for her and for the first time in his entire life. Arthur noticed Morgana was actually...smiling and glowing. She was happy and bright-eyed. 

A giant white head pokes through the open windows. 

“FATHER!” 

“Aithusa...inside voice and what have I said about shoving your head through the window like a common horse? It’s not becoming” Merlin chides. 

“Well, you're obviously well enough to be grousing at me!” Aithusa grumbles. 

“It’s my job” Merlin reminds him, moving to scratch under his chin. Aithusa’s eyes close as he almost purrs. 

Merlin lets him steal a few things off his plate as they eat breakfast. 

“Do not scare me like that again please” Aithusa begs. 

“I will try not to” Merlin promises him. 

Morgana seems hesitant after breakfast to even go near Aithusa. 

“Aithusa wants to spend time with you, he just...” 

“Remembers being crippled because of me?” Morgana says sadly. 

“Because of the men you trusted but not because of you, he might have been a baby when he picked to save you but you still gave him a home” Merlin explains softly. Arthur is taken by a large black stallion in the stable. A stable boy called Leo helps him through how to brush the beautiful creature. 

Arthur knew Morgana knew how to ride. She used to have dressage lessons when they were younger but Arthur had been trained in the business. Uther had explained he didn’t have time to learn how to ride. 

“His name is Hengreon” Merlin speaks up and Arthur turns to see Aithusa and Morgana talking softly in the courtyard. Rolling over and letting Morgana curl into his belly. 

“What does that mean?” 

“It was named after the horse King Arthur...y...y...” Leo turns to look at Merlin in distress. Merlin grabs his hands softly. 

“It’s ok. He was named after My King's Horse. He’s a descendant. He looked so identical that I couldn’t help but give him the same name of nobility. Have you ever been riding before?” Merlin asks. 

Arthur shakes his head. 

“One day, I wanna teach you. Hengreon seems to like you. It must be your namesake. From now on, he belongs to Arthur” Merlin teases as the horse nuzzles at Arthur’s hair. 

“Yes, Lord Emrys. I promise to take great care of him for you Master Arthur!” Leo chirps excitedly. 

“Thank you that’s very kind. Merlin, I don’t need a horse?” Arthur grumbles. 

“I am allowed to give my boyfriend whatever I want as a gift” Merlin says crossing his arms. Eyes sparkling as he stares at Arthur. 

“How will I visit him?” 

“Scarborough Fair on your bracelet. Tap out the tune and Aithusa will come, the only way you can enter or leave this place is by a dragon or by horse. We may have electricity but I don’t like cars or motorbikes ruining the gardens or forests” Merlin explains. 

“That’s what you were doing?” Arthur says looking at the bracelet. 

The longer the day goes on the more Arthur wonders if he’s entered some fae land. Morgana’s magic springs to life as Merlin and Daisy show her certain things. 

Arthur tries to figure out what all the scurrying around is about but nobody answers with anything more than Lord Emrys told us to keep it a secret. So he spends time with Aithusa as the morning sun rolls lazily over the sky. 

“If you are dating Father, my name giver...does that make you also my father? Da?” Aithusa questions and Arthur stares at the dragon shocked. 

“I...uh would be honoured if you thought of me that way” Arthur says. Finding he means it. 

“What happened to your shoulder?” Arthur asks softly. He had noticed it the first time they had met and as they flew as well. Aithusa's left shoulder was more pronounced. It stuck out more. 

“I was kept in a well for 3 years...at first I fit...eventually, I stopped fitting. Father has felt bad about it forever...but he didn’t know. He and the druids have fixed what they could over the years...but my shoulder was too disfigured to fully repair. Father couldn’t stomach the pain of having to hurt me to heal me and I fly just fine with it. I feel no pain in it”

“But if Merlin gave you a name? Why did you end up in a well?” Arthur asks softly. 

“I trusted the wrong person...and she trusted the wrong people. We were both hurt by it. I’ve made my peace with it. I was on my first solo flight and I found her dying. A wicked sorceress but at the time I didn’t know she was evil. I just knew she was magic like me...Kilgharrah refused to speak to me after what I did. Father hadn’t called for me. The ban on magic would have had me killed on sight. I was alone. I sought refuge with the sorceress” 

“You were just a baby. You were just seeking comfort.” Arthur says disgusted that someone Merlin regarded as smart and thoughtful would leave a baby for a mere mistake. 

“Do not be angry at Father. He was so angry at Kilgharrah. He yelled for hours, I could hear it from my well. They didn’t speak for a year after that and Father spent as much time as he could trying to find me between his duties to his King” Aithusa's voice is gentle and soft. 

Arthur hugs Aithusa’s cheek gently. Patting the small ridge above his eye. Aithusa purrs softly. 

“You make a good Da” Aithusa says eyes closing softly and Arthur can’t help the smile that blooms on his face as Aithusa settles into sleep. Sunning his beautiful wings. 

Arthur finds himself curled up on his front leg and he dozes as well. The warmth of the sun is not too harsh in winter, wisps of snow just starting to appear and the steady breathing of Aithusa almost lulls him to sleep. He wonders if he’ll be stuck here cause he ate food. That was the rule, right? You can’t eat anything a fairy gives you. 

But then these were druids, not fairies...maybe. For all he knew they were all the same and Merlin had said he had laid with Fae before so...

Regardless. It’s all a garbled soft dream that’s disrupted when his phone goes blaring off in his pocket. 

Arthur pulled it out and grumbled a hello. Unhappy to be disturbed from his sleep. 

“How’s Merlin doing?” Gwaine’s voice is softer than it had been. All it had left in it was the soft care of a friend. 

“A lot better. It looked worse than it was. His fine Gwaine I promise. Just a black eye and a split lip. We’ll be back tomorrow. How’s everything going on your end?” Arthur hates lying to Gwaine but Merlin had said nothing on whether Gwaine knew of his magic or not. 

“Uther is looking for any loophole so he can buy the hotel back but the contract that Merlin had drawn up to good,” Gwaine explains and Arthur pinches the bridge of his nose. Feeling anger at the thought of his father. The man that was supposed to care for him, had nearly killed Merlin. 

“Yeah that’s not surprising Merlin has a way with words when he needs them. We’ll see you tomorrow” Is all Arthur can get himself to say. 

“Everything ok sleepy head?” Morgana’s voice is a soft trickle down his spine. 

“Just Gwaine henpecking as usual. I swear he never cared this much until Merlin came along” Arthur says slipping his phone into his trouser pockets. 

“He’s a good man when he wants to be. Gods, it’s amazing here Artie. Can’t you feel it? The earth is practically alive” Morgana looked better than he had ever seen her. No more nightmares seemed to plague her and instead, she flourished. Her dress and cape swirled around her like they were made of air and light. 

“With the sound of music?” Arthur teases his sister. Letting her zap him on the arm with her magic. It’s just the small sting. 

“I wish you could feel it. Feel what it is like to be so connected” 

“I can remember. I can feel Merlin’s magic. It’s peaceful here. Soft, like this sleeping baby” Arthur explains patting gently along Aithusa’s neck. 

“I forgot about that little connection of yours...did you just call a 30-tonne dragon a baby?” She continues to tease. 

“Aithy might be bigger than a barn but in my heart. He’ll always be a baby to me” Patting Aithusa gently on the cheek. 

“Da” Aithusa whines and Arthur grins. Seeing one of those blue eyes open. He wanted so badly to find Aithusa a friend, to find her another family member a sibling. Another dragon for Merlin to raise. 

“Only you Arthur Pendragon would somehow end up being called Da by a dragon...the world we live in is so weird sometimes” Morgana titters to him. 

Arthur notices people were starting to walk from the manor and from the small village behind the manor. All of them dressed up in finery. Dresses prim and sparkly and tunics and trousers freshly pressed and looking their best. Carrying items and tables. Baskets and baskets of covered things. One young druid girl runs after her mother’s skirts to keep up as she carries cloth of some type. 

They all head towards a different part of the forest than they had been in yesterday. 

“What’s going on?” Arthur asks. 

“The King and his Consort are home. It’s time to celebrate” Morgana explains. 

“I’m not his bloody consort, I’m his boyfriend” 

“Ahuh. Well regardless. They wanted to celebrate Merlin being home and bringing his family with him. Bringing you. It’s a party, Artie. Lighten up relax. It’s gonna be so fun” Morgana says, trying her best to soothe him. 

“If there’s some sort of sacrificial deer or daggers I’m out” Arthur grumbles.

“And yet...you're one of the men set on the hunt...” Merlin says, appearing beside Morgana. 

“I am not” 

“You're a man in a relationship, and you're of age. A New Moon hunt is when we share our wishes and dreams under the new moon...our strongest men prove their relationships by hunting but if you're not ready yet. You don’t have to participate” Merlin explains. His voice is soft and reassuring. Eyes wide and open, Arthur knows Merlin really wouldn’t care if Arthur didn’t participate in the hunt but something in him stirs. 

Maybe Merlin wouldn’t mind but the rest of the Druids would. They would stare Arthur down. Whisper on how Merlin could pick a man who couldn’t even provide for his partner. They would doubt Arthur as being able to protect and provide. It’s a primal need that rises in him. To protect his Warlock. Arthur despite the bowing and the Masters, had heard a few whispers here and there of why didn’t Merlin use his magic to protect himself or why didn’t Arthur stop his father sooner. He knew how cruel the man could be. 

He wonders if Morgana or Merlin had explained to them what happened. Merlin would have had to, at least to Daisy. As to why Arthur had shown up crying with Merlin beaten black and blue. 

“If you're a male in a relationship...why aren’t you hunting?” Morgana asks. 

“Because it would be an unfair advantage, I can sense every footfall of the animals on my land. I could kill them with a snap of my hand...it was decided it was unfair on the other men if I participated. This was a long time ago. A few generations at least. Aithusa...do you think you could get back here in time to grab Leon and Mithian? They would love this. I’d ask you to bring Gwen and Lance too but Gwen will still be in pain and Baby Merlyn won’t be ready for travel yet” Merlin asks. 

Aithusa shifts to his feet and Arthur has to move out of the dragon's way. 

“Of course but I expect Da. To bring back the biggest stag for my efforts” Aithusa says crouching low. Wings spread wide before he jumps into the air. 

Buffeting cool air around them and Merlin has to stop his flower crown from falling off. 

Well, that seals the deal. Arthur’s urge to fight and protect grew at the expectation that Aithusa had for him.

“Da?” Merlin teases but there is no malice in his voice. No bitterness. He honestly just seems happy. Even if he winces when he smiles it causes his eye to hurt. 

“You don’t mind right?” 

“It’s Aithusa’s choice. He can make his own” Merlin shrugs but there’s something sweet about his smile and Arthur lets him nuzzle into his arms. Merlin is happy to hold him. 

By the time Aithusa returns it's about 2 pm. The sun is at its highest peak and Arthur watches as the men of the tribe. The strongest, strip off their shirts and he tries not to get jealous as Merlin paints knots on them. 

“So are you joining the hunt?” Leon asks as Merlin paints swirls over his arms and back. 

Arthur nods and that makes Merlin break out in a giant grin. Leon grins as well. 

“How many of these have you participated in?” 

“One. I brought back a doe, but my beloved wasn’t here and I had no one in the tribe I wished to court” Leon explains. 

“But now you do” Arthur says seeing Morgana and Mithian giggling to themselves from where they were watching the men get painted. 

“Yes, and I plan on bringing Mithian the biggest Buck I can find. What about you?” 

“Arthur will do what he deems necessary” Merlin says, and his bringing out a different colour to the red he had been using. This paint unlike yesterday and unlike what the others are wearing is Gold. He presses the paint to Arthur’s shoulder and it’s cool but Arthur stays still. 

“Why Gold?” 

“What colour are my eyes when I do magic?” Merlin says softly.

“Merlin has chosen you as his champion, he expects you to bring back the biggest hunt” Leon explains. 

A few men look at Arthur with jealousy in their eyes. 

“And if I don’t?” Arthur asks worried. He had never hunted before. 

“Then the person who does has a chance of bedding Merlin if he so wishes,” Daisy speaks up. 

Arthur swears a growl comes out of his throat, at the mere thought of someone else that wasn’t him...some druid using Merlin as a conquest. He’s handed a dagger and a crossbow before he even realises that Merlin has done painting. Whispering a spell so the paint dries quickly to Arthur’s skin. 

“Merls...I don’t know how to...” Arthur whispers. Watching as Leon easily loads his crossbow. 

“Yes, you do....just focus, breathe, let the earth guide you. I believe in you” Merlin says softly. 

Merlin strides away from him then. To the middle where a giant bonfire had been set but yet to be lit. Raising his hands to the sky, Aithusa settled behind him and Arthur knew when he got home. He was going to paint this. 

“Thank you everybody for coming today. I am proud to be home not only with my tribe but with my new family. By the way of the hunt, the men of this tribe show they are willing to protect the weak, feed the hungry, to give without needing anything in return. Every man who participates is required to bring us something to feast upon, to eat together. To join this tribe in its closeness. That no member shall be left hungry, wary or tired. You have until the sun crests the land to return, or your kill is forfeit and you gain no favour. Are you prepared?” 

Merlin’s voice calls out clearly over the forest clearing they are in. It was bigger than the other one. Tables were laid in three different sections, low to the ground with scores of pillows and blankets to sit upon. Plates and cutlery are already laid out. Fruit platters and cheeses and breads already laid on the table. 

Merlin’s flower crown seems to glow in the daylight. His cape billowing softly in the wind. 

“Yes Lord Emrys” Arthur finds himself calling with the other men. 

“Then you have my blessing. May the hunt begin!” 

And Arthur feels like a feral beast has stripped his mind down to the barest of bones. Sprinting deep into the forest. Leon is one minute behind him before he splits off and slowly so do the others. 

Once Arthur is deep enough into the forest, he stops to take a second. Looking around, looking for anything to help him out and he does exactly what Merlin had said. He takes a deep and he lets the earth guide him. 

Eventually, he stumbles across a set of hoof prints in the cold earth. Arthur himself though wasn’t cold despite the fact that winter was settling in. Instead, he feels rather warm and he follows those tracks. Looking up occasionally to see the sun had been moving with him. He’d need to pick up the pace if he wanted to prove to the other druids he could protect was his. 

He comes across broken branches and foliage and the footprints seem fresher. Ending up following a stream until suddenly he comes upon them. A herd of Deer curled up in a clearing, the pure white Stag with his giant antlers looking around surveying. Keeping his family safe as they dozed and even as Arthur loaded the bolt. He finds he can’t do it. He can’t shoot a man trying to protect his own family nor can he think about shooting one of the does. Especially when he sees them with Fawns. They weren’t newborns but they would still need a mother’s touch. 

Arthur’s heart was too fresh for something so cruel. The stag is snorting though and Arthur turns thinking his been caught but no the Stag is staring at something else and Arthur raises his crossbow just in case. 

The Stag lets out a trill that has his herd getting to the feet and bounding off into the forest. Straight past Arthur, Arthur ducks behind a giant boulder so he doesn’t get trampled but the Stag continues to stand his ground in the clearing. Raising his head as he stamps his foot. 

And that’s when Arthur sees it. 

A boar. A massive boar, Which was almost monstrous in size, had entered the Stag’s territory. That’s why it had sent away the herd and Arthur felt the earth jolt under him as the Boar charged the Stag and both of them caught each other. Tusks interlocking with Antlers. Both refuse to budge but Arthur is free to move and he aims for the boar's flank. Letting a bolt fly. Actually impressed with himself when it sinks into the boar's flesh, it lets out a ghastly squeal and Arthur gulps as it staggers back and turns its attention to him. 

Quickly pulling another bolt into place as it stamps its feet. Getting ready to charge at him. Arthur groans when it makes contact and he feels the skin of his bicep tear against one of the beast's tusk. Losing his crossbow in the process but the last thing Arthur expects is the Stag to come to his rescue. Catching the boar in its antlers and tossing it into the large rock that Arthur had sequestered himself behind. The rock cracks at the sheer force of the massive beast hitting it. Seeming dazed Arthur knew it wouldn’t be for long and he scrambled for his crossbow. Aiming for the things dark cold eyes. So unlike the Stag that had nothing but light in its eyes and he takes in a deep breath. Putting his finger on the trigger he presses down as he breathes out. 

The bolt flies with accuracy and Arthur cringes as it sinks deep into the beast's eye. The thing flails but eventually, it stops moving altogether and Arthur is drawing his dagger just in case. He finds it easy to draw it across the thing's throat. Making sure it truly wasn’t getting up again. Once he’s done. He turns to see the Stag staring him down, pawing nervously at the ground and Arthur puts away his dagger. Instead bowing low. Trying to show he means no harm. He looks up in surprise when the Stag bows its front leg in return, kneeling to him. 

Chapter Text

Arthur spends far too long trying to figure out how to carry the boar back to the tribe as the Stag wanders off in the direction of its herd. 

After far too many minutes, he realises vines were climbing the trees, thick as rope and he slowly starts to dislodge them. Tying together the boar's legs and ever so slowly wrapping the boar up, leaving him with threads of vines he can drag along and that’s what he does.  Grateful when the thick vines hold and he watches as the sun starts to descend but light still fills the sky. He had probably an hour to get back and despite the weariness in his bones. He pushed forward by the sheer courage and refusal to give up. Wanting to prove to Merlin that while he might be an all-powerful Warlock, Arthur can do things too. Arthur cuts the vines free when he sees the final 100 feet in front of him, hearing the noise of people chatting and he grabs the boar. Hoping he doesn’t tear a muscle as he slowly picks the beast up.

He feels like his shoulders are about to snap and his feet are going to be pressed so deeply into the earth he’ll be stuck there but he sucks in a deep breath. Focusing on Merlin’s magic settled beside his heart and his first step is tiny but the next step is quicker and steadier. Taking him further.

Finally, he breaks through the trees. Out of breath, the other men were already back. Even Leon with a buck he had found, was standing there. Arthur was the last but the sun wasn't on the edge of the land just yet.

Merlin stands from where he’s sitting at the head of the table talking to Mithian and Daisy and he stares at Arthur in shock. Arthur drops his kill at his feet once he's standing beside the others. It makes the ground shake under its weight as it hits the earth. 

A murmur runs through the tribe and Arthur looks amongst his competitors. 

“Seriously? Only you Arthur” Leon says, nudging his buck gently. 

“Please don’t tell me I killed some sacred evil boar” Arthur whispers back. 

“No, you just outdid everybody by at least a solid 100 kilos. How the hell did you even lift it” Leon whispers back. 

“Merlin’s mine and mine alone” Arthur shrugs.

Leon looks at him in awe and what Arthur thinks is horror. Most definitely horror. 

When Merlin has yet to recover from his shock, Daisy stands. 

“It seems we have our winner, Merlin’s Champion. Master Arthur has brought back the biggest kill. He has defeated the Black Boar that has terrorised these lands for the last 12 years...we owe you a great debt Master Arthur” Daisy says 

“I told you Da could do it” Aithusa crows in excitement and Arthur just gives Merlin a grin. Merlin’s smile is so bright, that Arthur is certain he will never be able to forget it. Morgana looked equally impressed. Clapping with the rest of the druids. Mithian comes up to kiss her husband. Congratulating him on his catch. 

“Does it count if I had help? A stag...he was massive....white as Aithusa...he helped me? That doesn’t mean I’m disqualified right?” Arthur calls only to hear more whispering. 

“Oh so not only do you kill the big scary Black Boar. You get visited by the King of the Deer. You really are a spoil prat” Leon grumbles but it’s only half-hearted. Arthur can tell Leon is proud of him.  

“The king of...Oh...well I’m glad I didn’t shoot him then” Arthur gulps. 

Merlin comes over to him, a cloth in his hand and he wipes down the blood that had spilled down Arthur’s side from where the boar had continued to bleed. 

“You got hurt?” Merlin says worried. Once the cut from the boar is uncovered. 

“I’ll be fine...did I do good?” Arthur asks. 

“More than exceptional. Come sit. Let the butcher deal with our feast. Everybody rest and relax. Those who brought something back, you may try your luck at courting but Morgana is off limits.” Merlin orders. A few of the younger men that had hunted with them groaned at that. Whinging at Merlin but he holds up a hand and they stop instantly. 

Arthur thanks his boyfriend silently as Merlin grabs his hand and leads him to where Aithusa is sitting with Morgana, Mithian and Daisy. Mithian like Morgana had been given their own flower crowns. Merlin gets Arthur to sit and continues to hold the cloth to Arthur’s bicep. Leon sitting on Mithians side as she hands him his shirt.

“See Little Brother, you really can do something when you put your mind to it” Morgana teases him. Arthur nudged her gently. 

“Aithusa, my love can you disinfect your Da’s wound for me?” Merlin asks and Arthur holds his arm up for the dragon to breathe on. He feels it burn and tingle a little. Aithusa wasn’t using actual fire but his breath burnt enough to scald Arthur’s wound shut. Arthur thanks him as Merlin grabs another strip of cloth, wrapping it around Arthur’s bicep. Making sure it was secured before holding out his tunic and cloak. 

Arthur lets Merlin fuss over him and it’s only after his done, Arthur leans in to kiss him. Merlin grins against his lips as he kisses back. 

"Fy Trysor, you really do amaze me. Thank you for taking heart not to kill the King of the Deer. He protects my woods. I would have been very cross if you had dragged him back here dead” Merlin whispers. 

“I couldn’t help but think of the fact he was just standing there protecting his family. They had fawns with them. Their spots were only just disappearing. I couldn’t bear the thought of taking away a parent from their baby” Arthur replies. 

Merlin holds a hand over his mouth as tears sparkle in his eyes and he doesn’t say anything. He just curls into Arthur’s side and Arthur happily wraps a possessive arm around him in return. 

“I love you so much” Merlin eventually manages to whisper. Arthur and Merlin take their time to relax. Aithusa’s belly warm against Arthur’s back. Sticks of meat being set to roast on the bonfire Merlin starts with a wave of his hand. A few pheasants are being roasted as if they were a chicken from the store. The smell is nice. 

“I love you too” Arthur replies. 

“I know. You just proved that. I think you made a lot of the others jealous. That you...a human killed the Black Boar and met the Great King and that you get me all to yourself for the night” Merlin teases softly. 

“I get you to myself every night. I would have knocked out anybody who had tried to touch you, regardless of if they had brought back an elephant or a mouse” Arthur grumbles. Making Merlin giggle, saying he had wished to see that. 

Arthur might have to make it a promise with how one of the other Druid hunters was staring Merlin down. Like a piece of meat. 

Merlin’s eyes are so soft and when it finally starts to get too dark. Merlin holds up his hands and lights spark from everywhere. Seeping from the ground and floating up above them. Almost as if someone had strung fairy lights across the clearing but no strings held these lights in place. Instead, they hovered there like fireflies. 

Arthur finds himself enjoying his night, happy to eat. Not even caring that he can’t drink. Not if it meant he could save Issy’s life. He just sticks to water and juice. Double checking with Daisy before he takes a drink and she reassures him it’s alcohol-free. The bonfire roars high into the sky and he stabs his dagger down into the table when the same druid from earlier comes up to talk to Merlin. Making his threat clear without a single word. The boy was dark-haired and blue-eyed with a soft round face. Still trying to shake the baby fat. 

It made Morgana burst into a fit of giggles as the Druid had stormed away flustered and even a rosy cheek Merlin had laughed. Leon just shook his head, muttering something under his breath. 

“I think the poor boy pissed himself” Morgana continues to howl, clutching to her stomach as tears dotted the corners of her eyes. Leon, Mithian and Daisy catch onto her contagious laughter.

Merlin eventually stands, attending to more of his lordly duties. 

“This is the best part” Leon says excitedly and Arthur watches as Merlin stands. Pressing one more kiss on Arthur's cheek, Arthur feels the build-up of magic in his chest as Merlin steps out to the bonfire.  Aithusa even stirs from his food-induced coma. Resting his head beside Arthur’s hip and he watches with excitement. 

Arthur watches as Merlin almost dances in a way, drawing pieces of fire away from the bonfire and curling it up into a shape. It weaves its way through the air and sprouts wings and a tail. Taking shape. It was only about the size of a small child but the dragon made of flame danced over the tribe. All of them cheered and a few smaller children reached out to touch the dragon. Arthur laughs when he holds out his hand to touch the firey beast, it slithers down his arm before moving to perch on his shoulder. 

It was warm but not hot at all. Aithusa puffs smoke at it and the fire dragon sets out a puff of smoke in return before leaping off Arthur’s shoulder and climbing atop Aithusa’s head. Arthur turns just in time to see a deer spring forth from the fire, heading for Daisy. Daisy greeted it like an old friend. Slowly Merlin forms more and more animals, all made of that same beautiful fire and they skitter and dance around the tribe. All seem to select a single tribe member to settle themselves with. Some recognised the spirits, and the younger ones of the tribe were in awe boasting over who got what. The spirits sat with their Druids. As if to guard or protect...and that’s when Arthur understands. It was a blessing. All sorts of creatures. some magical. Others not.

Leon jumps as a Lion comes to a halt in front of him, tail swishing back and forth as it chomps the air close to his face before turning on the spot like a cat trying to get,  before it rests there. Mithian gets a beautiful cat that looks like the orange tabby she had when she was little curled up on her lap. For all Arthur knew. It was. 

A fox springs from the fire and curls up around Morgana’s shoulders. Nipping at her shiny earrings. 

Suddenly a huge burst of fire rings through the crowd and Arthur stands worried, even Aithusa looks up wary-eyed. Leon’s hand goes to his dagger but the fireball passes over Merlin without harm and takes the shape of a Unicorn. It canters softly, shaking out a mane of fire before it heads straight to Arthur and something in Arthur’s soul tugs at the sight of the beautiful creature. It seemed so pure and fragile even though Arthur knew a creature of that size with a massive horn on its head could cause harm if it wanted. 

Instead, it nuzzles into Arthur’s hand and Arthur feels sadness and pain swept over him. Whatever happened to this creature had been cruel...sad. Who would kill such a beautiful beast...it curls up beside him. Slotting itself between Aithusa’s head and his hip. Its head wasn’t heavy at all as it rested on Arthur’s lap. 

“Each of you now has been blessed by the spirits of the past, and they seek for you to only go forward with love in your hearts and minds. To care for the forests and streams and rivers. To care for the sky and the wind. To care for the sea and the salt it brings to the land. They seek your penance and forgiveness to yourselves and your loved ones and wish for you all to be happy and full of life...oh hold on” Merlin says softly. Another fireball erupts from the flames...confusing him. 

He catches it and in it is a stoat. Tiny and small. Still a kit. Peaking out a head and looking around. 

“I...have everybody don’t I? Who...which if our blessed tribe is with new life!?” Merlin calls excitement in his eyes. 

Arthur can’t help the grin that breaks out on his face when Merlin sets the Kit on the ground and it runs straight for Mithian. Mithian looks equally shocked and Leon is cheering from the rooftops. The lion roars with him in joy. 

“I had a suspicion but I hadn’t tested yet,” Mithian says surprised, picking up the kit and letting it nuzzle her cheek. Morgana reaches around Leon to squeeze her friend's shoulder telling her how excited she is to have another baby to coddle. 

“Merlin...what about you?” Arthur asks softly. Bringing attention to the fact everybody else had an animal but Merlin. Why did no spirit want to grace his presence? 

As if the fire senses Arthur’s words, it grows larger than when the unicorn had come from it. It explodes in a giant light that even Merlin shields himself from and from the flames. Rising up and out of it rises a dragon twice Aithusa’s size. The Great Dragon swirls through the air before finally landing beside Merlin. It was the biggest of the creatures summoned tonight. Having to tuck its large tail in so it doesn’t disturb someone. 

Merlin has tears dotting his cheeks and Aithusa also looks at the dragon with sadness and whimsy. 

“You called Young Pendragon. Nobody has ever asked for a spirit for Merlin before! Not even himself” The dragon speaks. Its voice deep and soothing. Arthur didn't even know the spirits could speak. 

Arthur is standing and the Unicorn stands with him as he steps over the table and heads up to where Merlin had fallen to his knees. 

“Kilgharrah. It is a pleasure to meet you. You have my thanks for coming to Merlin’s aid when you were once alive. For saving him from the many times his King or others endangered his life” Arthur says bowing. 

The last thing he expects is for the dragon to laugh. It’s throaty and deep. 

“I see this one is far nicer than the last Arthur” Kilgharrah teases Merlin. 

“I’ve missed you old Smog Head. I always miss you” Merlin admits and Arthur feels it’s wrong to see everybody else spectating. This should be a private moment for Merlin and his old friend. 

“And I you Young Warlock, you have done well. I watch from beyond and I see how you’ve flourished again recently. You are almost back to the boy I once met when you were 17 Autumns. Sassing me about wrong Arthur’s...I think you might have found the right one this time” Kilgharrah says low. Nudging Merlin gently with his massive snout. Merlin wrapping his hands around the dragon as far as he can. 

Merlin pulls back a little bit and stands. Rubbing a hand once more down Kilgharrah's snout before he steps back. Kilgharrah sets those eyes on Arthur. It was like he could see all possibilities and endings. So much knowledge swirled in his eyes. 

“Keep protecting him Young Pendragon. He needs you far more than you know. Be well my Young Warlock. Hopefully next time, you will call on me again” Kilgharrah says and Merlin nods. 

“I never knew I could...be well Kilgharrah”  Merlin’s voice is soft and sad and Arthur watches as the creatures around them. Including his unicorn that nuzzles into him once more start to turn back to embers and flutter up into the air. Everybody staring in awe. The bonfire still roaring high and Arthur drags Merlin close. Kissing his cheek before going to lead him back to the table. Knowing Merlin will need a drink after that. The last thing he expects when he turns is to see everybody but Leon, Mithian and Morgana bowing.

Even Aithusa had bowed low. 

“Lord Emrys, only your spirit would be that of the mightiest dragon to ever exist” Daisy’s husband hums in awe when they all stop bowing.

“More like the most cryptic pain in the ass to ever exist” Merlin says rolling his eyes but he's teary. Muttering about his eye being sore that’s all. A lie but Arthur lets him have it. Merlin sculling his wine down and then Morgana's. Arthur has to stop him when he goes to reach for the jug. 

Leon is unable to stop grinning and whispering to Mithian. Looking completely in awe at her as if she was made from diamonds. 

“Merls. Would it be weird if I said I never wanted to go back? To forget about the whole hotel business and just live here with you” Arthur whispers low. 

“No. I don’t think so but I think before you make that decision you need to see the hotel through and you promised me a Gala with The Sir Elton John” Merlin reminds him. Giving him a rosy-cheeked smile. 

“Very well. I’ll see the Hotel through for you” Arthur promises him and Merlin grins. 

Arthur doesn’t know when the dancing starts. It starts almost all at once and yet one by one. Drums starting up and violins and lutes. All of it comes together to stir something in Arthur’s heart. 

Leon having already dragged Mithian out to dance and Arthur watches as Merlin drags out Morgana. Dancing in the firelight and it was beautiful, watching Merlin completely lose himself in the dances. But they were dances like nothing Arthur had ever seen and he was a little confused about where Leon and Mithian had learnt to dance like that as well. But the whole tribe. Well, those who were dancing were doing it, almost in an elegant swirling pattern as they danced around the bonfire. 

Two steps this way and then back one before moving again forwards and to the left before spinning back in closer to the fire as they did so. Every second set of partners would go in while the others went out. It was like watching one of those hypnotic patterns. Couples dancing in and out of and that’s when Arthur realises what it is. 

It’s like the dancing that Arthur often saw in his dreams. He wished to join. He felt like a schmuck to sit here and watch his boyfriend and sister dance as if they were part of the Fae all along. All of  Merlin’s clumsiness gone in practised steps. His face alight with mischief and joy. 

“Master Arthur...You can’t remember yet, can you? It’s ok. I got you something better. Here...” A hunter from earlier says coming up to him. Arthur was surprised he had the balls after how he had scared him off earlier. 

“You really don’t have to call me Master...are those swords?” Arthur asks gobsmacked when the boy unwraps the cloth surrounding what he is holding. 

“Aye they are, care to duel with me? Don’t worry their edges are blunted see?” The hunter boy says, running one across the palm of his hand. It doesn’t even leave a scratch behind before doing the same with the other one. Again no marks are left. 

“I don’t know how to sword fight. I’d just make a fool of myself” 

“Then we can make fools of ourselves together” The boy suggests. 

“Da, Go on. Do it!” Aithusa nudges him. 

So Arthur sighs and reaches out to grab one, using it like a crutch to stand and he moves to join the hunter boy. The boy grins as he loosely flicks the blade around in his hand. Making it swirl. 

Right sure...fools together. The only one going to make a fool of himself was Arthur and then Merlin might very well go off with this little bastard instead. 

Arthur takes a deep breath and raises his sword. Trying to shake himself loose. Having a feeling being tense would only worsen things. He thought the sword would be heavy in his hand but then he had lifted a boar far above his weight level today so who knows what type of magic was in this blade. 

He watches as the hunter druid widens his stance just a little, squaring his foot and Arthur takes advantage. Swinging down hard on the other man’s blade. The ringing of the blades together causes him to grit his teeth but he ignores it and steps back when the hunter manages to push him away. 

But Arthur refuses to fall on his ass so he steadies himself, pulling his blade up so it crossed over his body. To protect it and this time he lets the hunter come at him. Catching the other man’s sword in between the blade and the hit of his own. This time the hunter is the one to move back. 

They trade blows, the hunter taking it easy on Arthur and something about it pisses him off. That the Hunt was treating him like a child. The next time they clash, Arthur lets out a low growl. 

“Start fighting like a man or go and hide behind your mother’s petticoats!” Arthur snaps. 

“If you wish Master Arthur” The Druid Hunter snarls low in reply. Sarcasm dripped over the words master.

Arthur stumbles a few feet back at the next hit. Regaining his bearings quick enough to stop himself from end up embarrassing himself. He takes what Merlin said to heart. Breathe. Allow the earth to guide him here and his sword loosens even further on his hand. 

It’s only some baseless animal instinct that his sword coming up to meet the Druid Hunter’s next blow. He knows the swords were blunt but that didn’t mean a whack with a piece of steel wouldn’t hurt. Casting the druid back with a sweep of his sword. The Hunter looks surprised and quickly rightens himself but Arthur is already advancing on him. 

While the boy might be more agile, he isn’t stronger and Arthur is forcing him back with every blow of the sword. People had started to watch now Even those who had been dancing but Arthur ignored them. 

“You know Arthur...I was wondering if beat you, I wonder if his Lord would let me fuck his brains out. I’ve heard the few druids that have gotten the pleasure walked around for days afterwards with a blissed smile on their face, he must be wonderful then” The boy sneers and Arthur feels his blood boil in his veins. 

Arthur shifts his feet and his shoulders. Sword held out in a threat. 

“He is not a piece of meat for your enjoyment you child. He is a human being who could devour you with his magic if he so wished. Be lucky he is kinder than I or else he would have ripped you apart far before you got near the table. Do you know the true stories of Merlin’s feats? The army of Saxons he rained lightning upon. Killing every high priestess that threatened the world with their old religion. He is a summoner of Dragons and a man who means more to me than every penny I have to my name. And it’s not for the Dragons or his power. I would care not if he was as powerless as you and I. I fight solely for Merlin because he is mine to protect, to defend and I will never let anybody else lay a hand on him as so long as I live. I love him for being just Merlin. So come at me boy and I’ll show you what type of man it takes to love someone as beautiful as that. This sword may be blunt but I can still drive it through that thing you call a brain” Arthur growls back. 

The Druid Hunter only has a mere second to stop Arthur’s brutal swing aiming at his jaw. His arms tremble as Arthur presses down harder. Enjoying watching him tremble. There was something in his eyes. Fear...Arthur determines. It set a purr in his belly. Merlin was his to protect and he refused to be bested by some little boy. 

Arthur draws back and gives the Druid Hunter a second to regain himself. Straightening himself out and that is all the courtesy Arthur allows before he comes at him again. Swinging for his open flank. The Druid has to hold his arm at an awkward angle to achieve it and he turns away to mitigate the pressure on his feeble arm. Arthur’s swings become faster, looser and harder. 

It’s as if his muscles remember what he doesn’t. Could someone really learn to sword-fight from dreams? Maybe so because his blood sang at the beauty of the blades clashing together. He and the druid boy fall into a dance of their own. A clash of steel and the whine as they drag against each other. 

“Come on Boy...if this is how you fight. No wonder you only brought back a pheasant” He sneers as the boy stumbles and trips over but before Arthur can draw his sword to the boy's throat his already up and stumbling back upright. Clutching his sword harder.

“Not all of us cheated” The boy replies. 

“You mean not all of us had the charm of meeting the King of the Forest. Pity that. He is beautiful. Does that make you unworthy?’ Arthur jabs back. 

A fire finally lights in the boy's eyes and that’s when Arthur sees him finally start to flag as he wails down on Arthur’s steady arm and then Arthur sees it. He leaves himself open for too long and Arthur slams the flat of his blade into the side of the boy’s ribcage. Sending him sprawling to the floor, kicking away his sword before Arthur holds his upon the boy’s throat. 

“You ever have an elicit thought of my soul mate again. I will certainly rip you to shreds with a proper blade next time” Arthur promises, pressing the practice blade into the earth. Letting it stand there. Right beside the boy’s throat. 

Arthur reaches out a hand for the boy to take and he does. Arthur pulled him up to his feet. 

“Yes, Sire. I will keep Lord Emrys from my mind” The boy promises, bowing low and Arthur nods. Staring him down. The boy grabs both blades and Arthur sees it before it happens. He ducks just as the swords go swinging past his head in opposite directions. 

Arthur is reaching out to grab the boy's shirt and pulling him close, the boy having to stand on his tiptoes to keep himself from choking in his tunic. Arthur’s other hand swept up both blades. Easily wrestling the blades from the boy's hands. 

“Merlin speaks highly of his tribe...I think you should be careful before you push your limits too far” Arthur snarls before he pushes the boy away. The boy stumbled and fell directly at the feet of the crowd that was watching. 

Directly at Merlin’s feet 

“Someone take these away before I desire them to be sharpened!” Arthur calls and a man. Daisy’s husband comes forward. Grabbing both blades and scuttling by. 

Arthur decides he may as well get it out of the way no. 

“Any old ways...old rewards of the hunt are now off limits for as long as I shall live. I will be the only one to bed my partner. I am not a man who is willing to share so easily. No matter if you brought back a whale. I will be the only one to know him inside and out. From now on you succeed in the hunt then you may have a blessing from him but you may not touch him in any way that I deem suggestive. That is my order as his soul bonded, as his boyfriend and I will be rudely disappointed if anybody else thinks they can take what is mine” Arthur speaks to the entire tribe. 

Ignoring Morgana snickering in Mithian’s ear. Instead, he stares straight at Merlin. Something was dancing in Merlin’s eyes and he stepped forwards. 

“So it’s been decreed. I shall no longer be a favour to win, instead, I will bless the winner of the hunt. I bid everybody a wonderful night. Party as long as you desire. Aithusa, my sweet bed. Now. Before you fall asleep there and whine in the morning your scales are cold” Merlin chides. 

Aithusa grumbles but stands and ambles off towards his cave. Taking a second to stop and nuzzle into Arthur’s side and kissing Merlin’s cheek...in a way. It was a small lick that showed Aithusa’s care as Merlin giggled. 

Once Merlin has gotten the children out of the way. He's dragging Arthur along back to the manor. 

“I hope I didn’t cause you offence. I just...the thought of others touching you. It pain...” Arthur is cut off by Merlin kissing him and Arthur is easily picking up those lanky legs. Letting him curl his graceless legs around Arthur’s lower back as he kisses Arthur like he is trying to steal his breathe from him. 

Merlin whines and whimpers as Arthur carries them up into the manor. Merlin’s eyes flash gold when Arthur can’t let go of Merlin’s waist to open the door without fear of dropping the man and the door opens for him. Arthur kicks it closed behind him as he groans when Merlin runs a hand through the laces on Arthur’s tunic. Undoing them easily. 

Arthur finally has to pull away before he faints from lack of air and lack of blood flow since it was all sitting south. 

Merlin groans as Arthur instead moves to kiss his neck. Nipping at it. Wanting to mark him up, make him scream so every druid on Merlin’s land would hear him screaming Arthur’s name. 

Chapter Text

Merlin runs his hands over every inch of Arthur he can reach as they make out in a way that would make even a streetwalker faint. Merlin not caring if his lip stings from where it had split. Not caring about the pain in his eye. 

All he wants is his warrior. His King. His Arthur making him quiver body, soul and mind. He wants him more than Merlin thinks he’s wanted anything before. Like Arthur was the cool drink of water after walking through the desert. 

Arthur’s hands are gentle but firm on his hips as Merlin undoes the laces on his tunic. Wanting to see more of that beautiful skin. Wanting to see it all. Groaning when Arthur moves instead to nip and suck at his throat. Merlin whined against his will at the action. 

His neck was never really touched by anybody, except for himself when he would tie up his neckerchiefs or scarves. It was only recently that Arthur would touch him there and Merlin wonders if it’s possible to fall apart just by someone sucking on your neck. He sure as hell is certain Arthur would never let him live it down if he did. 

But he was also currently stuck in the man’s grasp. Arthur seems content to just stand there and hold Merlin up. 

“While I’m really enjoying this. The bed would be far more comfortable...” Merlin whines only for something short of a squeal to come from him as Arthur genuinely bites him before it dissolves into a groan. 

Setting his teeth right across the side of Merlin’s neck, pressing down hard enough that everybody would be able to see it. Especially since he hadn’t brought his scarf with him. It has Merlin’s back bowing at the pleasure that screams through his system. 

Arthur gently settles him down on the bed as he licks over the mark, before nipping up higher. Near where Merlin’s hairline ends and Merlin can’t help it. 

Not after a day of being home. His magic comes to him as easily as breathing and Arthur laughs deep, throaty when both their clothes are suddenly a rumpled pile on the floor as Arthur lays him down fully on the bed. Kneeling between his legs. His hands danced across Merlin's waist. The golden spiral and knots Merlin had painted still his arms and torso. 

“Arthur gods. I love you” Merlin whines when Arthur grinds against him. 

“I love you too Merlin...You're mine, you understand that right? Mine as long as my heart beats and my blood sings...You are mine, not some little druid boys. Not some fae. Not some other dragonlord. No more kings. Just me” Arthur growls. Hands tightening on Merlin’s hips as if to make his point stronger. 

And this time Merlin can feel it due to their closeness. Arthur’s chest was rumbling as he spoke. Putting a small threat behind his words. Not for Merlin but for anybody stupid enough to try their luck with what was his. 

Merlin knows technically, of course, once he had been Arthur’s servant and Arthur had been his master but there was something different about this. It was an unbreakable promise. In Arthur’s head, Merlin was completely his. Utterly, Wholly his. 

“All yours” Merlin promises in return. 

That gets him another bite, this time to the shoulder, again just hard enough to bruise and stay but all it does is make Merlin cry out and grind up against Arthur in return for some sort of friction to his rock-hard dick but Arthur moves himself away from Merlin. Laughing as his cry turns into a while of disappointment. 

“Don’t need this going too quickly. I want your legs trembling tomorrow and I want everybody. Every one of your tribe, our friends, and the entirety of the world to know you are mine. I wonder if I could make you scream loud enough that it would be heard over the music downstairs” Arthur whispers in Merlin’s ear.

Merlin throws his head back in frustration. Wondering what he had gotten himself into. Arthur’s next bite lands right across his ribs. Nipping at the skin there as Arthur’s hands rub across Merlin’s hips, up his sides before retreating down further bringing them down to drag his nails ever so gently down Merlin’s thighs. 

“Arthur” He whines, his own hands clenched into Arthur’s shoulders when the man sucks one of Merlin’s nipples into his mouth. Merlin groans only to squeal and Arthur’s hands are the only thing keeping his hips on the bed when he gently sets his teeth around one. 

“What were you saying?” Arthur’s warm breath against his wet skin is great and then he blows on Merlin’s nipple instead and that drives sensations all the way down his toes. This should be highly illegal, it was intense and mind-blowing. It had Merlin scratching down Arthur’s back. 

“Don’t know” Merlin replies truthfully, it can’t have been that important if it was forgotten just like that. His heart pounding in his throat. His erection was hard and straining between them, his skin wherever Arthur touched it, felt like it had lightening bouncing through his system. 

Arthur pays attention to Merlin’s other nipple next, Merlin’s hands moving to tug at Arthur’s hair. Keeping it gentle. Just enough to anchor himself. They were almost too sensitive but at the same time, he didn’t want Arthur to stop. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. Wanting more or wanting to scream due to the overdrive running through his body. Letting out a very unmanly cry when Arthur actually flicks his nipple with his fingers. 

That seems to be enough torture on Arthur’s end or so the prick decides cause he moves down further. Licking down Merlin’s sternum before kissing across his naval and Merlin is fearing he might cum with every bite Arthur lays across his hips and belly. Sure with the way that Arthur’s acting like a feral beast right now, his certain he could definitely get hard again within seconds. 

“ARTHUR!” He whines, having to practically smack Arthur on the shoulder in full force to get his boyfriend's attention. 

“What?” Arthur whines in return, looking thoroughly upset at having been stopped in his ministrations. 

“The whole point of new moon fucking is that I...finish the first time....with my partner you know” Merlin flounders about. 

“Fucking your brains out?” Arthur teases and he has no right to look so good while he says it. He has no right to be that amazing and wonderful and Merlin wants to retreat to a cave somewhere far, far, far away so he doesn’t have to be compared to such a beautiful creature. They had determined that while Merlin had slept with a lot of people. Arthur was the one with the experience. With the ability to drag Merlin apart and put him back together all over again with practised hands. Confidence was key Merlin guesses.

Merlin mutely nods his head. 

“Well, then we’re gonna just have to see how well you can be a good boy and sit there and wait until I’m done” Arthur orders. 

Something in it starts a raging inferno in Merlin’s belly and he nods his head at that challenge. Arthur returns to nipping, sucking and biting at Merlin’s hips and waist. Merlin considering sprinkling a cooling spell through his system. 

“No Magic” Comes the stern warning and Merlin grits his teeth in frustration. Arthur bites hard at his hip when Merlin pulls his hair too hard. Arthur’s hand came to grab at Merlin’s hands, gently guiding his hands from his hair down to his shoulders. 

Merlin apologises and Arthur kisses him gently on the hip in forgiveness. He’ll leave Arthur to explain that later, just grateful he hasn’t completely killed the mood when Arthur runs his fingers down Merlin’s stomach, kissing a trail after it. 

A mantra is said over and over and over again as Arthur kisses and nips his way down Merlin’s thighs. Licking the inside of his thigh ad it has Merlin shivering. He wouldn’t break. He wouldn’t break. He refused. He was the greatest warlock in the world. Arthur couldn’t break him apart that easily. 

Something in his brain short circuits when his dick is taken into his boyfriend's beautiful mouth. It’s like his entire brain just switches off, Merlin has a flash of fear running through his brain can getting too much pleasure make you blind? Oh god. He can’t see, hear or feel anything. 

His hands scrabble for purchase as he feels around and something firm grabs them. A buzzing fills his ears and he slowly has light filling his eyes again. Arthur stared at him worried. 

“What happened?” Merlin whispers, Arthur’s hands firm in his own. Grounding him and he takes in the room around him and the bed underneath him and despite the fact he had just disappeared somewhere else, his cock was still hard. 

“I overstimulated you too much, you were holding your breath, and you fainted. Are you ok? Do you want to call it?” Arthur asks. Looking nervous and a little upset. 

“Well that’s a new one...do you?” Merlin asks. 

“I’m not the one fainting like some damsel in distress” Arthur chides softly, kissing the inside of Merlin’s wrist. Merlin knowing the pressure on his wrist is Arthur feeling his pulse. 

Merlin gently pushes himself up and he kisses Arthur gently. Trying not to wince against his split lip before he turns. Taking it slow, letting himself take some energy from the earth around him so he doesn’t faint again. Knowing if he does that’ll definitely ruin their night and then Daisy’s gonna have to see him like this...and well...he just wanted Arthur. 

“I’ll remember to breathe. I promise. Just...please...Arthur. Please I need you. Only you” Merlin begs. 

Arthur hand’s caress down his sides, his hands gentle. 

“Don’t treat me like I’m made of glass please” Merlin begs. While their first time had been gentle and sweet and passionate. It had been beautiful and right at the time. It was what he needed. To be proven to that Arthur loved him, soul, body and mind. Right now he just wanted Arthur to fuck him like the Kingly Pendragon he was. To take what was rightfully his, to make Merlin scream. One tiny blackout shouldn’t change that. 

“But you are the most precious thing to me in this world Merlin” Arthur says softly, breathing gently over the scar on his back. But for once it doesn’t hurt. It feels nice. The warmth of his breath. 

“And you’ll be even more precious to me when your fucking my brains out. Or should I go find Henry and tell him you couldn’t follow through?” Merlin teases. 

Knowing his pushing his limits. Knowing Arthur could have easily killed Henry tonight even with a blunt sword and while he’d never willing put a tribe member in danger. Well right now he was desperate and Henry could run fast. 

That seems to get him the attention he wants. Arthur gently grabs him by the hair and pushes him down to the bed so his ass is raised in the air. 

“He’s little prick wouldn’t last a minute with you and you’d still come back begging to me” Arthur snarls in his ear. Pressing his cock up against Merlin’s backside and Merlin whines at the feel of it. Wanting it so badly. 

“I’ve heard he's got quite the stam...” Merlin’s words are cut off as his head is pressed harder into the bed. Forcing him to shut up or else he’ll eat the mattress. 

“One more word and I’ll find you a cock cage so you can’t cum for the next month” Arthur’s chest is at a full rumble now. Animalistic and primal and Merlin in reply, rubs his ass against Arthur’s cock. 

He releases Merlin and pulls him up a little so his lip and eye aren’t pressed into the pillow too hard. 

“Oh good you do know how to keep that beautiful mouth shut” Arthur teases him. 

Merlin almost opens it out of spite but a palm landing harshly on his ass has him groaning instead. 

“Can you summon some lube without saying anything?” Arthur teases him. 

Merlin rolls his eyes. Feeling insulted. Making a gesture with his hand and Arthur copies him. A simple flash of his eyes and the tube of lube appears in Arthur’s outspread hand. 

Merlin jumps a little when Arthur presses a finger straight into him, lubed sure but the sudden stretch had him surprised. 

“Breath Cariad. Breath...” Arthur orders. His other hand moved to press gently against Merlin’s chest. So he can feel Merlin’s breath under his hand. 

Right...yes...breathing was good. Breathing was necessary. 

Merlin focuses on that as Arthur opens him up. Arthur continued his biting and nibbling. Marking up Merlin’s back gently, making sure not to touch his scar. 

“Arthur...can you...touch my scar? Just gently? Just...a little please?” Merlin asks softly. He doesn’t really know what his asking, not really he just...wants relief from the pain that was still plaguing him ever since Uther had shoved his cane into Merlin’s back. 

Arthur’s hand moves from his chest. His other hand still working on opening Merlin gently despite his rutting against Merlin’s cheek, he seems held together. The hand is gentle as it hovers over Merlin’s back. He can feel it before Arthur even touches him. The heat of his hand hovering there. 

“Please I don’t want the last person to have touched my back being Uther” Merlin whispers. Feeling vulnerable. 

The pressure hurts when Arthur presses down but Arthur rubs gently over the scar. Taking it slow and soft. Applying gentle pressure and its pain and pleasure rolled into one. The first reaction Merlin wants to give is a wince to the pain he feels but the second that comes from him as Arthur gently rubs his fingers outwards from the middle is a sigh. It’s like Arthur is rubbing all the pain from his spine and muscles, from the scar there but as relieving as it is. Eventually, he can’t handle it anymore and Arthur seems to notice, so he backs off. 

Merlin feels a few tears leak from his eyes as Arthur leans down to kiss the scar. A mere brush. Gentle as a butterflies wings but it felt nice. 

Merlin had been distracted by the pressure on his scar he hadn’t even realised that Arthur had three fingers in him. Crooking up to search for his prostate, Merlin cries out when he finds it. 

Arthur lines himself up after that, taking his fingers from Merlin and Merlin doesn’t...black out again. He thinks. He can still feel. He can definitely still feel, because he can feel Arthur trying to push himself as deep into Merlin as he possibly can. He can feel Arthur gently holding a hand to his chest. Feeling the brush of Arthur’s other hand on his hip but it’s like the rest of his brain has just fried itself. 

It’s so much pleasure that Merlin doesn’t even know the noises his making. Just eventually Arthur hooks his arm around Merlin’s chest properly and pulls him upright. Somehow pushing his cock deeper into Merlin in the process until he's sitting on Arthur’s lap. Thighs spread around Arthurs. Grateful for his long legs. Arthur’s hands supported him. His back pressed to Arthur’s chest but the pressure didn’t hurt his scar. The warmth of Arthur’s chest is warm and comforting. 

“Eyes open Cariad, I wanna see your eyes. No matter their colour” Arthur whispers in his ear. So he can hear too. That’s good. He had just closed his eyes out of shock and pleasure. What had Arthur done to him to turn him into such a lewd doe-eyed mess? 

Merlin reaches up to brush away the tears coming from his eyes as he opens them. Looking out of the corner of his eyes to see Arthur. To see the pleasure on his face as well. That he was enjoying this just as much as Merlin was. Once Arthur is sure he’s given Merlin enough time to adjust, he moves his hands to hold Merlin’s hip. 

Merlin eventually leaned back to rest his head on Arthur’s shoulder. Letting him guide their pace, floating around in his brain somewhere, just absorbing the feeling of being loved and fucked and having Arthur all to himself. 

Arthur had shown his face more today than he had in the recent weeks. His King slowly rose to the surface. Not only was he an exceptional tracker still, but his sword fighting had made Merlin’s blood sing but even then. Merlin had already come to his mind that if Arthur really never remembered. If he chose to stay as Arthur Pendragon CEO of Camelot Hotel. Then Merlin wouldn’t care, he loved Arthur for the man he was now. Sure he had always loved his king but this man here and now. The one that showed off for him, that fought for him, that chose him over anybody else. This was the Arthur that loved Merlin and he would do anything he could to protect that love. To protect his Arthur, whether he be King, CEO or Hunter. Merlin would always love him. 

Merlin feels tears fall down his face as Arthur wraps a hand around his long abandoned cock. A single pull is all it takes for Merlin to come apart, crying into his hand. Arthur wipes his hand off and reaches up to grab Merlin’s hand pulling it away from his mouth. 

“Don’t hide your thoughts from me. Show me Cariad. Show me how I make you feel. Am I hurting you? Or?” 

“NO...No I don’t think you could ever hurt me if you tried. I’m just happy. That I get to be here with you. Fy Trysor, My love.” Merlin promises. 

Arthur nods against his shoulder. 

“If you're overstimulated, I need you to tell me. I’ll get off some other way” 

“No. For the new moon ritual to work...I please...continue. I want you to continue” Merlin begs, even though his thighs are shaking and his breathing is ragged. 

“Then breathe for me ok, breathe...don’t worry I’m just turning you around so I can see your face” Arthur says, when he gently pulls from Merlin. Leaving him empty, a wanton beg already on his lips before Arthur cuts him off. 

He turns him gently and lays him down against the pillow. Merlin’s eyes flash Gold to remove to stickiness pressing against his lower back. His eyes not moving from Arthur’s face as Arthur presses into him again. 

It has him keening, feeling overstimulated but he wants Arthur close. As close as they can get to each other. Pulling his soulmate down into a soft kiss. His cock trying its best to rear back up but all it gets is half way Merlin is tired and drained. Emotionally and physically. 

“Fuck me, please. Fuck me until I can’t walk tomorrow. Fuck me until I scream” Merlin begs. 

Arthur makes true on that, grabbing Merlin’s legs, lifting them so they're wrapped around his shoulders, his hand wrapping around Merlin's thighs and he snaps his hips forwards. Merlin cries and begs for more. He feels like his floating and he has to check to make sure he isn’t. He just feels happy and floaty and like his legs are jelly as Arthur drives into him, in search of his own release after so much teasing and build-up. It has Merlin making noises, he’ll never admit to. Even if you slapped him in iron chains and stuck him to a pyre. Those noises he will take to his grave. Only in times and places where Arthur can hear them. 

Arthur speaks in his ear, it comes out ragged and breathy. Merlin knows that their words of love, of lust. All building up and Merlin swears he’s thighs will bruise from how hard Arthur grips them as he comes apart. Those harsh Pendragon teeth fell onto his neck again. Branding him as Arthur’s in the most primal way possible. In the most beautiful way possible. 

Arthur rested against his body, gently rubbing a hand across Merlin's thigh from where he gently placed Merlin's legs back on the bed as he breathed hard, Merlin knew they should shower but he wasn’t sure he could even remotely roll over to sit up right now. Let alone stand and he wasn’t keen on trying it. Instead enjoying the soft comfort of Arthur resting on him. Pressing him down onto the mattress, it’s nice on his scars and his chronic pain dissipates. 

Leaving him with just the aftermath. The leftover pleasure, the soft lingering sweetness between them. 

“My scarf isn’t going to hide this” Merlin teases after he flicked his hand and the sweat and cum are gone. Leaving them somewhat clean. Clean enough to sleep, anyway. His head reached up to the last place Arthur had bitten. 

“Good. That was the point. The rest of the marks I’ve left are just for me to see. This one is for everybody else.” Arthur teases, pressing a kiss to it before he gently pulls away from Merlin, making Merlin groan as Arthur instead moves to curl Merlin up in his arms. Holding him close and it’s comforting.

“You know no matter who won the hunt or the sword fight? It was still, you, I would have picked right?” Merlin asks, and with a thought, the candles in the room are doused casting them into darkness. 

“I know, it wasn’t you, I was proving myself too. You're the Tribe’s king. Their Emrys. I am just some random guy from London who has suddenly come into your life. I bet some of those hunters have been vying for you for years. I wanted to prove that even if I was raised as some posh git, I could still provide for you. Show them that I could do everything it took to take care of you. I wanted your tribe’s approval, I know I already had yours” Arthur explains. 

“You are such a dork. They approved of you the second you brought me home when I was hurt” Merlin says shaking his head a little. Unable to believe his idiot boyfriend.

“Do we have to leave tomorrow?” Arthur whispers. 

“Yes, 'cause I miss Issy and we both have work,” Merlin says softly. As much as he too would love to stay here. To stay in his home. It brought him a sense of peace but every fairy tale ended eventually. They just had to be paused for a while. 

“Can I visit with you again? I wanna see her, get to know her some more” Arthur asks. 

“Of course, you can” Merlin promises. 

Merlin doesn’t even remember falling asleep. One minute he was talking to Arthur about future plans, Arthur wanting to see if Isolde would be into painting like him and how Arthur wished Aithusa lived closer...and something else...that falls through Merlin’s mushy brain. His eyes closed on his Arthur. His sweetest treasure and those blue eyes watching him in the dark. Their limbs tangled together in a way that Arthur can’t possibly find comfortable but there he stays regardless. 

Merlin is woken up to the smell of food and Arthur all but falling through their door. Merlin saved their breakfast from ending up all over the floor. His magic places it all back gently on the tray as Arthur rights himself. 

“I was...gonna wake you up with kisses...and uh...whoops?” Arthur says, eyes wild, hair a mess. His tunic was terribly laced but he looked happy and that was the main thing. His arm was freshly bandaged and he was holding something behind his back. Which is probably why he dropped the tray in the first place. Arthur grabs it from underneath with one hand and he continues to come over to Merlin. 

Merlin sitting up and stretching slowly. Arthur’s tongue darted out to wet his lips as he stared at Merlin and probably the thousand marks he had left behind. Merlin probably looked like he had been mauled by a bear. 

Arthur sets the tray across Merlin’s lap before sitting across from him and finally producing his hidden secret. A bushel of Forget-Me-Nots in hand. Purple ones at that and Merlin’s smile is massive as takes hold of them. Smelling them gently. Only to see a slip of paper wedged between some of the flowers. Conjuring up a vase. He slips them inside and takes the note gently. Opening it. 

It was a promise. 

I’ll love you until the last petal falls. 

But what makes it sweet is that there amongst them all was a beautiful glass woven forget-me-not. 

“How did you get this made so quickly?” Merlin asks. 

“Morgs helped and Daisy helped her with it. It’s unbreakable, unshattereable. It’s...as immortal as you, so even when I’m finally gone. You’ll have something to remember me by. That idiot who got in your face about smoking and fell in love with you from the very first kiss...I want you to remember him” Arthur explains. 

Merlin sets it gently between the other flowers again. Trying not to tear up at the thought. Instead he sets about eating breakfast. Talking to Arthur about random things and his morning is spent in comfort.
“Will Aithusa be able to carry 5 grown adults?” Arthur asks once they’ve finished breakfast. Merlin had sent the vase to sit on his bench top so it would be waiting when he got there. 

“Don’t know. Nobody has been able to find him” Morgana says appearing. 

“What do you mean nobody’s been able to find him!?” Merlin asks, standing out of bed and Arthur is dragging the sheet across his body. 

Merlin really couldn’t care less if he was wearing just his scarf. Morgana had probably seen worse. 

“Exactly as I said. After you sent him to bed, the boys went to check up on him this morning. Feed him breakfast but he was gone. Leon even tapped the ring you gave him. Nothing” Morgana explains, looking wary. 

“Why didn’t anybody wake me up sooner!” Merlin snaps. Ignoring Arthur’s grumblings about his modesty as he starts pulling clothes on. 

Let Morgana stare if she wishes. Merlin didn’t really care, as soon as he had his last boot buckle in place he was running out of the door. Scaring one of the maids half to death when he goes running past. His cloak billowing out behind him. 

Entering into the courtyard he calls for him. 

“O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd’hup’annakes!” 

The ground shakes under his feet. Startling his tribe. A few of the kids ran straight for their parents. Arthur and Morgana standing there, staring at him in awe. 

And then he hears it. Aithusa’s cry in return.

“Saddle up the horses immediately!” He orders. The stable boys and a few others working overtime and Merlin is sliding up onto Harmony’s back. Leon at his side. Morgana taking a younger mare. 

“Arthur stay here. We’ll be back soon” Merlin orders. 

“What!?” 

“You can’t ride, Aithusa is hurting. I am not wasting time teaching you to ride. He comes first” Merlin doesn’t mean to come off as cruel but he’s already pushing his horse into a canter out of the courtyard. 

Chapter Text

The second they're out of the courtyard, Merlin pushes Harmony as fast as she can go. Sending her soaring through the trees. Knowing Leon will keep up and Morgana will just have to figure out a way. 

He calls for Aithusa again and gets the same distressed call back. Harmony follows the noise and Merlin feels bad for pushing her so hard but Aithusa needs him. That call was only for whenever his sweetheart was in danger. It was the same cry that would come from Aithusa’s well. 

An hour later the horses are panting and Merlin pulls to a stop. Knowing their close and that’s when he sees his dragon. A bunch of poachers had entered his land and he hadn’t even noticed. He was so stupid. He should have been more aware. 

Aithusa had been wrapped in iron chains, His wings bound to his side. His claws pinned. A hole in his left wing where a bolt was still sticking out of it. The bandits. Poachers, whatever you wanted to call them all carried guns. One of them ordered the others to put a muzzle on Aithusa. 

He hears the draw of a sword beside him. The thought of his baby. The dragon he had hatched from an egg. Had spent the last thousand-plus years caring for was in pain had Merlin so enraged that the sky was starting to darken. 

“Well...well...well...If it isn’t his Kinglyness Emrys or whatever. I told you catching that infernal dragon would get his attention.” The boss sneers. 

“And I’m telling you to let him go before I kill you all and feed you to him!” Merlin snarls. A bolt of lightning flashed above his head. 

“Nah can’t do that...you see...I have a dragon egg...A real deal one but I need you to hatch it for me. Do that and I won’t kill this dragon” The boss gloats. 

“Merlin?” Leon questions. 

“If I go with you now. You are to release Aithusa. If you truly claim to have a dragon egg. I will hatch it but it will be mine to care for!” Merlin agrees. 

“Then that means you’ll stay with me” The man continues like it was that simple. 

“Merlin don’t trust him” Morgana begs.

“I would Sire...seeing as well they know all your secrets” A familiar voice speaks up and Merlin sneers at the boy. Of course. Of fucking course. Henry was standing there,  arms crossed. Looking rather pleased with himself Merlin’s chest is tightening. How hadn’t he noticed? The blue eyes, the dark curly hair, the look in his eyes. He had been too stupid. To caught up in Arthur and his celebrations. 

“MORDRED!” He rages. 

“Nope...though I’m said to be a distant relative. You are far too trusting Merlin. Now it’s your choice. You come with these men. Now...wearing a set of these....or they kill Aithusa. I’ve already told them if they aim a bullet straight at his wingpit. Well, then you won’t be a Dragonlord at all. Doesn’t it say that if a Dragonlord runs out of dragons to care for? He can no longer speak the tongue. It will disappear” Henry explains, holding up a pair of Iron Cuffs. 

“Leon put your sword away...Put on the stupid cuffs” Merlin orders holding out his hands. Henry comes forward and does so. The pain is excruciating. To the point, Merlin swears his blood is physically boiling. 

Leon and Morgana rush for him but Merlin shakes his head. Forcing himself to stay standing straight even as blood drips down his fingers. The iron searing his flesh, he had been through this before. Cuffed. Leon had found him before. He would find him again. 

“NOW LET AITHUSA GO!” Merlin yells, lightning striking above him again, causing more blood to pool down his fingers. 

“You have what you want boys...take him to see that precious dragon egg of yours” Henry says, pressing a dagger to Merlin’s throat. 

Aithusa is thankfully let go. The chains fall away. The only thing remaining in his wing is the bolt. 

“Go...Go please.” Merlin begs him. 

Aithusa is bounding up into the air, his wings don’t catch the air properly though. Landing just a few feet down the road. 

“Leon. Morgana. Escort Aithusa back home. See Daisy about treating his wing. Tell Arthur I’ll be ok...Tell him to check the basket...the one my Ma gave me when he first met Aithy. All he has to do is use my magic to call it” Merlin orders. 

Merlin gets dragged towards the wagon being led by two Clydesdales, his friends taking off after Aithusa and Merlin prays them a safe trip back. Harmony is attached to Leon’s saddle and Merlin wishes they get back soon. Especially with the way that Aithusa was limping. His wing dragged gently beside him. 

The cage was made of Iron. Merlin could feel the sting of it from here. The burning sensation in his wrists. 

“Wow, I see you're just as stupid as Mordred. Siding with people who don’t give a shit about you Henry. Do you know what Morgana did when Mordred was dying? She didn’t soothe him. She didn’t comfort him. She didn’t even try to save him. She never even searched for his body. Her mind was too filled with revenge to comfort the monster she had created...we had created. So he died a boy alone, begging, do you wanna know what his last words were!?” Merlin sneers as he's pushed into the cage. 

The door slams shut and Merlin feels like he can’t breathe. Feeling his power stirring in his chest but he keeps it stagnant for the moment. 

“and what were they? Mummy?” The boss of the poachers sneers. 

“No. Why me? He was asking why it was his destiny to destroy Albion. It didn’t have to be of course. He could continued on the path of good but he was just a dumb boy, we all were once. Why me? He asked the world. Why me said the boy cursed with a fate more important than he’d ever comprehend” Merlin says jutting his chin out. 

“You weren’t at Camlan. How the hell would you know his last words!” Henry snarls. 

Because they weren’t spoken with his mouth, you moron. Every Druid alive that day heard the boy pleading to the Gods to amend a mistake he had made out of fear. Merlin responds. 

“He was allowed to be angry. Arthur promised to lift the ban on magic! HE LIED!” Henry yells. Moving to stand on the back of the wagon. A bandit aiming a gun at Merlin, just a fear tactic.

“No, No he never lied. It was only a week after his death that the ban was lifted. Arthur had signed the papers himself. You know me and Mordred both fell in love with someone only to have Arthur kill them but you know the difference. I saw past my love and grief and I moved on! I never let it stain my heart. Our loves both tried to kill the king but at least I saw the truth. Mordred only saw a reason to betray the first man who ever truly cared about him. Who had saved him multiple times? You foolish boy” Merlin explains. 

“Right yes. That pretty Lady of the Lake.” Henry says rolling his eyes. 

Merlin spends most of the ride. The very long ride, focusing on his breathing. His magic was mostly bottled to try and mitigate the sting of the iron. The drip, drip, drip of his blood hitting the wagon below him. The clatter of the front left wheel when it hits a specific point it’s rotation. The sound of thunder looms overhead. The rustle of the woods around them. 

“Why was Aithusa even out that far?” Merlin asks. 

“Oh, I just borrowed this” Henry says, holding up Arthur’s bracelet. When had it been taken? The sword fight could be the only time that Merlin could think of. 

“Pretty nifty. Took me a while to figure out which tune you would have forged into it. Scarborough Fair really? How cheesy?” Henry says before he throws the bracelet behind him. 

It falls into the dirt of the trail. 

“It’s Aithusa’s favourite” Merlin shrugs before he falls quiet again. 

The only other time he reacts on the journey is when a wolf pokes its head from the trees. Inspecting the noise. Their den must be near and Merlin forms a shield between the wolf and one of the bored poachers before he can even raise his gun to take a shot. The shot rebounds and crashes into the wagon but it doesn’t cause much damage. The drip of Merlin’s blood comes faster after his spell but he doesn’t care. 

“It was a father checking out the noise to protect his pups you fucking asshole. How dare you try and kill an innocent creature!” Merlin rages. 

“What did you say to me!” The poacher sneers and Merlin groans when a gun is pressed against his shoulder through the bars. Forcing his other shoulder into the cold iron of the cage where it sizzles. 

“I called you a fucking asshole. Go ahead. Shoot me. I’ll wake up in a week...or a month? Really whenever...Never died by being shot before” Merlin sneers. 

“Not even you can escape death” 

“Actually Death and I are quite good friends. She would hate you on the other hand. Senseless killing for sport. What disgusting creatures you are” Merlin sneers. 

He watches out of the corner of his eye as the man puts his hand on the trigger. 

“Let’s see then, shall we? If you really are immortal” 

The last thing Merlin expects is Henry, forcing the gun up as it goes off. Aiming it off in the path they had been going down. 

“YOU IDIOT! His Lord will not be happy if you kill the last dragonlord. We don’t know how long it’ll take him to heal!” Henry yells. 

“I knew the guy driving wasn’t the boss. To ugly. So I’m being brought to a lord huh?” Merlin murmurs. 

Merlin knows they pass through his wards just as the sun sets and he groans as they pull up to a stable house. The man that owns the Clydesdales happily retrieves his horses and disappears down a trail probably leading to a farmhouse. The poachers pick him up to be dragged onto the back of a pickup truck. It jostles the handcuffs on his arms and wherever iron touches his skin. His head is so fuzzy and painful. His body feels like it’s going to ache forever. 

“Well thanks for your help kid...but we don’t need you anymore” The boss sneered and before Merlin could even lift his head. He hears a bang and even though Henry had got him into this position. Had gotten him and Aithusa hurt. He was still a druid. Merlin uses his biggest power surge yet to bend time to slow it down for the rest of the world except for him and the boy. Just as he had done when he was a boy himself to save his King from that Dagger. 

“RUN NOW! But know if I ever catch you on my land again. I’ll kill you myself” Merlin orders. 

Thankfully Henry isn’t a complete stupid moron and he bolts into the line of trees. Merlin holds the spell for as long as he can until his eyes become fuzzy and his head struggles not to explode. His hands are more red than skin-toned by now and when he lets the spell drop he’s eyes fuzz over completely. 

He wakes up to someone tsking and muttering under their breath. The smell of herbs and the sound of a boiling pot made Merlin wonder for a single second that the last 1500 years had been a dream and he’d wake up in Gaius’ workshop and yet while the thought sounded nice. To know he could maybe do it over in a way that would mean Arthur wouldn’t die...he would also mourn the life he had built. His life. His Arthur would be gone and King Arthur who loved Gwen would be back. 

No, he just wanted to stay in his dreamland. Let him stay, please. He begs fate. He’d rather have those 26 years old loneliness and those 200 years of watching Leon age before him all over again if it meant he could be as happy as he was with Arthur and their friends in the modern world. 

“What were you trying to do!? KILL HIM! The King will have your head for this you idiots!” A voice says shaking Merlin back to reality and he opens his eyes to a room that wasn’t Gaius’. A grizzly old man was standing there sure but his skin was as brown as Rosewood. 

“It’s not our fault he kept using magic. You told us Sorcerers couldn’t use magic in iron” One of the poachers snaps back. 

“I told you normal sorcerers couldn’t you twat. Emrys here is a Dragonlord, A Warlock. He is Magic and nothing can truly stop it. Not even Morgana herself all those years ago. I wish you didn’t kill my apprentice. He could have helped me heal Emrys quicker but no. He wasn’t important to you anymore. You idiots! Now I have to find a new apprentice!” The man snarks. 

“He was trying to protect Emrys” 

“At least one of you was. The Lord of the Manor is upset enough that it’s been 2 days since you got him here and his only just woken up. If you had shot him he could have been out for months. Meaning My Lord would have had your heads, instead of paying you. Master Emrys, how are you feeling?” Despite his nasty tone with the poachers, he only defers to Merlin with a soft tone. 

“Like shit” Merlin replies honestly. 

“As expected. I was waiting for Cailleach to bust down my door in a fury with how close to death you were. You go tell his Lord that Emrys is finally awake! NOW!” The man says as he gets Merlin to sit up. 

The poacher glared but walked out of the room. Slamming the door. 

“I’m sorry about how those poachers treated you and your Dragon Emrys. I told Henry that they were the wrong sort to get involved with. That if he just told you...that there was a dragon egg around. You would have come willingly. Now the boy’s gone and gotten himself killed. How am I gonna ever be able to face his mother again” The druid whispers to himself, Merlin taking in his wrapped wrists. He was wearing new clothing. More modern clothing again. 

“He's not dead but he’s also never allowed back on my land again. I’m sure once it’s safe he’ll return to your side” Merlin promises the druid. 

“You spared his life...even after he...you really are too kind Emrys,” The druid says bowing. 

“Take me to this Lord. I wanna get this over with. Especially before a very cranky Arthur gets here. I’d prefer as minimal bloodshed as possible if you please” Merlin asks softly. 

“Yes, my Lord. I am Archna...” The druid says bowing again. 

With a little help from Archna Merlin is led up to what could only be a mockery of a throne room. A blond-haired boy sitting upon said throne, adorned in rings and jewellery. For a second Merlin wonders if his staring at an alternative Arthur. Blue eyes, blond hair, pale skin. He was wearing a suit and beside him sat on a pillow was an egg. It was near black but in the light falling from the lights embedded in the ceiling Merlin could see its true colour. It was the same brown as deep fresh earth. 

“Ahh Lord Emrys you finally awake. I did tell those idiots you were to be handled with care. Oh well, you're here regardless and I need you...” 

“Blah blah blah. Yeah, I know why I’m here. Dragonlord. Dragon Egg. I get it” Merlin says cutting him off.

He already felt bad enough that he had been away from Issy for so long. Let alone Arthur was probably panicking but if he counted his days correctly. Cailleach was supposed to meet with him yesterday so he could introduce her to Gaius. 

The lord grimaces. Looking upset at being interrupted.

“Do you want me to hatch this egg or are we just gonna stand here forever, 'cause trust me. I’ll win that staring contest until you're literally decaying bone.” Merlin grumbles. 

“Is this really how the great Merlin speaks to a descendent of his great King Arthur!” The Lord spits and Merlin can’t help it. He does try. 

Oh, he tries but his slipping to his knees, howling with laughter. Cackling something fierce. Clutching to his ribs. 

“You...My gods. You are not Arthur’s decedent. Trust me. You might be some blond hair blue eyed git but you are not....his...He never had kids you twit” Merlin howls. 

“YES HE DID!” The lord snaps like a child. 

“Oh no trust me. He didn’t. I would have known. Arthur...shot blanks if you get my gist” Merlin says. 

“What?” The Lord says shocked. 

“He and Gwen tried and tried and tried for a child...eventually Gaius found out that he couldn’t have kids. It was the repercussions of being produced by magic” Merlin explains, pulling himself to his feet. 

“But...Princess Vivian was...with...” 

“Ahh, that’s who you're related to. Princess Vivian was rather sweet when she wasn’t playing pompous blond. I’m sorry but you aren’t a descendent of Arthur. I’m sorry but I’m sure whoever you are descended from was a good man.” Merlin promises him. 

Feeling a little bad for laughing. 

“But why...why would my mother lie? And her grandmother!?” 

“Maybe to protect the man that truly sired your line, Princess Vivian’s father was a cruel possessive man. He refused to see his daughter was grown enough to make her own choices. I’m assuming she found a way to be with the man she wanted and the lie was told to keep your family safe. Arthur was heartbroken when he was told he could never sire a child. Now. May we continue” Merlin says. Keeping his voice soft. 

Feeling bad for the Lord. That he had been lied to his entire life. 

“I...I’m sorry for how the men I paid to grab you treated your dragon. I really meant no ill will. This was supposed to be...better...go better. I’ve never been good at this...Lordly thing. My name is Daine” He says, dropping his shoulders. Looking tired and honestly a little like Arthur did after he broke that pot all those years ago. He was just a boy trying to fit into his father’s very large shoes. 

“Daine. All things can be fixed with time. We are neighbours. It’s better to get along but I will be firm, That if that is indeed a dragon egg. She belongs with Aithusa and if I deem you befitting...over time. You may come and visit.”

Daine nods. 

“WHOA. Hey no. That ain’t what we agreed on pretty boy!” The boss of the poachers sneers. Appearing out of the dark. His band of merry idiots accompanying him. 

“I agreed to pay you, to bring him here. I never told you to hurt him or his dragon!” Daine snaps back. 

“We did what we deemed necessary to get the job done and a few thousand dollars. I feel isn’t enough for the pain of listening to that little whiny bastard gripe the entire way here” The head poacher grumbles. 

“You killed my Physician’s apprentice? I think it warrants you taking what I’ve already given you and leaving” Daine says standing. 

Merlin raises his hand and forms a shield around Daine and the egg. Pushing Archna into the shield as well. 

“You’ve been told. Now it’s time for you to go” Merlin says only to panic when his shield stutters and falters before falling away altogether. 

“We injected you with cold iron just before we got back. Figured that would keep your magic at bay for a while if a cage wasn’t doing it, or handcuffs. Why not put the source directly in your system” The poacher laughs. 

Merlin forces the magic through the air to fill his veins, allowing that to form his shield for him. It’s weaker than normal but for the moment it should last. 

“You know I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a pet sorcerer...what do you say, boys? We take the wizard and the egg and get out of here” The poacher cackles. 

Merlin juts his chin out in defiance. Already feeling exhausted beyond compare. Like he had just lifted a truck. 

“I will never bow to a man like you and you will never touch that egg,” Merlin promises the man. 

Staring down him and his comrades. There had to be at least 15-20 poaches standing there. All of them leering at him. 

Before any of them can say anything though. A large crash sounds. The wall of the throne room caving in on itself and Merlin smiles at the sight of his Arthur and his Aithusa. Aithusa spewing fire towards the poachers. Most of them ducking out of the way but one asshole gets burnt to pieces and Arthur is sliding from Aithusa’s back. 

Sword in hand, wearing beautiful armour and a red cloak Merlin feels his body tire. Knowing his king is there. That his king will save him.  

“DAINE. RUN!” Those are the last words he orders before his body falls faint and he hits the floor. 

The last thing he sees before his body wears too thin is Arthur and Aithusa fighting together. Daine grabs the egg gently and he and Archna bolt for it. Merlin’s eyes shut against his will. Why did he always have to be the damsel in distress? 

------ARTHUR------

Arthur paces nervously around the courtyard. Waiting for them to return. It had been hours and he was certain that Merlin was gonna be cranky at him for potentially wearing a circle in the cobbles that lined the courtyard. 

There was something wrong, Merlin was dimming his magic for some reason. Why would he be dimming his magic? 

“Master Arthur...You should really come and eat it’s nearly lunch” Daisy suggests. Mithian standing beside her looking just as worried. 

Before Arthur can reply they hear the clattering of hooves and Arthur looks up only for his heart to shatter to pieces. 

Leon and Morgana trailed behind a limping hurt Aithusa, a bloody hole in his wing and Merlin’s horse was riderless.

“Aithy!” Arthur rushes to the dragon’s side. 

“This was in his wing. It was better to get it out than let it keep catching on things” Leon says holding up what looks like a harpoon. 

“And where’s Merlin? Where’s my bonded!” Arthur asks. Letting Aithusa whine and nuzzle into his chest. Running his fingers over those scales. Wanting to take Aithusa’s pain. 

“Poachers took him. That boy you fought last night was on their side. They speak of having a dragon egg. Merlin went with them willingly...we tried to stop him but the boy had a dagger to his throat and Aithusa was wounded...Merlin gave himself in Aithusa’s place” Morgana explains. 

The druids rush to Aithusa’s aid and Arthur tries to take deep breaths. Morgana takes the call from Gwaine when he calls because Arthur can’t stomach talking to his friend right now. He can't hear past the buzzing in his head.

He felt like a failure. He felt worse than a failure. Not only had Aithusa been hurt but Merlin had been taken who knows where. 

“Da...we have to find him” Aithusa whines. 

“I know but right now, your wing needs to be fixed. You're in no state to go searching Wales with a torn wing. You can fix it right Daisy!?” Arthur begs the Druid. 

“I will try my best but you must let Aithusa rest in his cave. We’ll treat him there” Arthur nods going to follow but Leon stops him. 

“You have another task, Arthur. The druids have Aithusa sorted. Merlin requested you channel his magic to summon a basket. Something that you’ve seen before. He said you would have seen it when you first met Aithusa” Leon says putting a hand on his chest. 

“I can’t channel his magic, just feel it and right now it’s quiet. Dull...it’s like it’s behind a glass wall” Arthur says watching Aithusa limp towards his cave. A bustling of druids followed after. 

“I don’t think Merlin meant for you to summon it but rather. I was to use his magic through you as a way to scry. So I can see what the basket looks like and summon it. Gwaine is a little confused but he said the hotel is still standing and that he hopes we return soon.” Morgana explains, grabbing his hands. When did Arthur’s hands start shaking? 

“Alright...show me how we do this,” Arthur says. Needing to pull his mind off the fact he can feel Merlin’s magic flare before disappearing before flaring again. 

Morgana leads him back up to his and Merlin’s room. Grabbing a bowl of water and asking Arthur to envision the basket as Morgana raises her hands to hover above the water bowl. Both of them sit on the bed as Arthur concentrates on the basket he sees every time he enters Merlin’s place. How it held kindling in it normally, hanging off the mantel of the fireplace. How quaint it was, closing his eyes, he thought of reaching out and grabbing it. Picking it up off the mantel, feeling the soft weight of the woven handle in his hand. 

“Oh...wow...” Morgana says and Arthur’s eyes snap open. He hadn’t even realised they had closed to see he was holding the basket. Kindling included. 

Morgana grabbed it off him and tossed bits of kindling aside, in desperate search of something. Some jewels, gems or pendants but all of Merlin’s precious things weren’t in that basket. 

“There’s nothing in here!” Morgana cries in distress. Tipping the basket over and shaking it. The last bit of kindling dislodges but aside from that nothing else comes out. “Why would he ask for this basket? When there’s nothing here. There are no enchantments on it!” 

“Morgs...it’s ok...we...What do you mean there’s nothing in it?” Arthur says leaning over. Seeing something shiny at the bottom of it. 

“What it bloody means you idiot!” Morgana says smacking him on the shoulder. 

“But there is something there! See” Arthur grabs the basket from her. Reached in to touch the shiny metal and his surprised when his hand sank deeper than it should have into the basket. Until he's reaching down further to wrap his hand around what feels like leather. He’s stepping up off the bed and gently pulling. At first, it doesn’t budge. 

Arthur reaches for Merlin’s magic and he takes a deep breath. Knowing Merlin needs him and what it was in this basket. 

“Come on Merls...come on Fy rhyfelwr cariadus...give me strength” He whispers and he feels the thing dislodge. Sliding free he holds it up. Placing the basket back on the bed as he stares at the sword in awe. 

It was beautiful. More than beautiful, it was...

“Watch where you point that thing!” Morgana snaps, Arthur whispering a sorry as he realises the sword was pointed at her. Fear in her eyes. More than fear...absolute terror. 

“Morgs, it’s just a sword. It’s not like it’s Exaculiber or something...” Arthur grumbles. Not seeing what the fuss was about...right...actually Merlin...was the Merlin which meant...Oh Gods. Arthur was holding the real Exaculiber. He was holding a mythical sword only worthy of kings.

He was so fucked. The original Arthur was gonna smite him from the afterlife. This...felt like a sin. 

“Take it. Take it. I...I don’t think I should hold it. It feels like a farce!” Arthur panics, holding it hilt first to his sister. 

“I’m not touching that thing! You saw it, you pulled it. It’s yours. Merlin obviously wanted you to have to it!” Morgana yells. 

Their yelling draws the attention of Leon and Daisy. 

Leon stared shocked and Daisy was holding a hand to her mouth. 

“I can’t have a dead king's sword. It feels wrong!” Arthur whines. 

“If Merlin has gifted you the sword he thinks you're worthy. Not just because of your name but because of your heart. Your heart is pure enough to wield Exaculiber.” Daisy reassures him gently. 

“I barely survived the sword fight last night and it doesn’t matter. Those poachers have guns anyway. Leon said so. What can a sword do verse guns?” Arthur asks. 

“It doesn’t matter. We don’t have time to fuss about it now. You can yell at Merlin when his safe and back home. Until then. We best get you some armour. You to Lady Morgana...and Sir Leon...Armour...yes...” Daisy heads over to the window, opening it. 

Giving out orders but Arthur is left staring at the sword in shock. Merlin had only known him for a month...and he already felt Arthur was worthy enough? Or was that just love blinding Merlin...Arthur couldn’t wield something like this. 

He...wasn’t the Great King that Merlin always talked about. He was just some pompous asshole from London who grew up with too much money and too little care about others. Why would Merlin trust him with something like this? Arthur felt like someone had just put the entire world on his shoulders. What if he failed...what if they did something that took Merlin from him permentally? 

Merlin should be here. Telling him it was ok. That things were gonna be ok. He was just being a Dollop head. That he was overthinking but...

“Arthur” Leon says softly. 

“You should have it...you were a knight of Camelot, right? A knight of the Round Table? Merlin told me. It should be yours to wield” Arthur almost begs his best friend. 

“Only three men have wielded that sword, Arthur, one of them was not me. It’s for you. Only you. Morgana can’t touch it. It would hurt her and for me to even think of picking it up...it would be like if you tried to touch my sword. The knights...we all had our own swords...they were extensions of ourselves. Our arms. It wasn’t just plucking a sword off the wall and bobs your uncle. It was time and effort to weave and sharpen the sword to your liking. You’ll be the fourth to wield this sword but first, you need to make it your own. Here...this leather wrap was from its first user. He didn’t like the original...the inscriptions were from where Merlin wielded it to defeat an unkillable army...cast me away and take me up are the words he inscribed on it. Still can’t bloody figure out what he meant by that after all these years. And here...see here...this notch...our king...he doesn’t know how it happened. Merlin wouldn’t ever say but somehow our king chipped it. You will add your own touch to the sword but give it time”

Leon always knew how to say the best things and the next hour was a whirlwind. Arthur put in armour. It was simple. Not extravagant but hopefully it would be enough to stop a bullet. A scabbard for the sword attached to his waist, it hung there, heavy at his hip. Reminding him of what it really was as he slides his cloak from last night into place. Tying it together, before he grabs one of Merlin’s scarves he had here, from the cupboard. It’s surprisingly hard to wrap the favour around his arm but he gets it tied securely in place. He’s calmed himself a little. 

Leon and Morgana wearing something similar though Leon’s red cloak bore a golden dragon over his heart and Morgana’s armour was slimmer fitting. 

Leon kisses Mithian softly as he says his goodbyes and Arthur sees Aithusa walk into the courtyard. His wing patched for now and he was still limping but he had that determined look in his eye. Like the one Merlin got when he was planning on doing something even if Arthur told him it was stupid. 

“You can’t ride a horse...but I’m sure as hell as fast, even with a limp and a torn wing” Atihusa says bowing his head and Arthur sliding onto his neck. Morgana and Leon climb onto their horses and Daisy wishes them well.

Aithusa takes off and Arthur just hunkers down and hopes that Merlin hasn’t gotten too far. Feeling for that feeble spark of magic. 

Night falls only a few hours later and Arthur watches as the horses flag behind. Growing tired from being pushed so hard, Arthur knew that Aithusa would need the rest himself. Asking him to help Arthur make a camp, finding an overhanging rock for all three of them to sleep under. The horses were tied close by, unsaddled for the night and nibbling on grass. Having water close enough by if they needed one. 

Aithusa starts a fire and curls himself up against the side of the overhang. Closing them in so they stay warm. 

Arthur finds he can’t eat as Leon hands him some bread and cheese from his pack. Shaking his head. 

“You’ll need to eat or you won’t be strong enough to fight” Morgana chides. 

“No point in eating if I’ll hurl it back up in your lap Morgs” Arthur says making her grimace and move a little away from him. Arthur moved to check on the horses, rubbing a hand down their snouts before moving to look at Aithusa’s wing. Peeling back the bandages and whispering out a sorry as he applies the salve that Daisy had given him. Aithusa growled but did his best to hold his wing steady. 

“I’m sorry I know it hurts...hey look at the bright side? If this egg thing is real. You’ll have a friend. You won’t be your only kind anymore” Arthur says distracting Aithusa as he re-bandages the wing. 

“I won’t abandon them, not even if they make mistakes,” Aithusa says softly. 

“I know you won’t” Arthur says moving to check the binding wrapped around Aithusa’s back ankle. Making sure it was still tight but not too tight before moving to wash his hands off in the chilly stream of water. 

His surprised that Leon and Morgana are staring at him. 

“What?” He asks. 

“Nothing. It’s nice. Mind you I don’t think Dad expected his first grandchild to be a dragon but we are Pendragons for a reason I guess” Morgana teases. 

“That we are. Here Aithusa...you need to eat” Arthur says returning and searching through his pack for the few hunks of meat that Daisy’s husband had wrapped for the dragon. Unwrapping one. A leg of something stripped down to the bare meat underneath. 

The last thing Arthur expects to be doing with his life is trying to pry a dragon’s mouth open because it is acting like a petulant child. 

“AITHUSA!” 

Aithusa lets out a squeak in return as Arthur finally hooks a hand around one of those deadly teeth. Wrenching the dragon’s mouth open and shoving the piece of venison into his mouth before he moves to sit on Aithusa’s snout so he can’t spit it out. 

“Do not waste that food! Leon caught it!” Arthur grumbles, staring Aithusa directly in the eye. Aithusa spits it out regardless, nearly bucking Arthur straight into one of his head horns in the process. 

Leon and Morgana both cackling like it’s the funniest thing in the world. Leon even had his phone out recording. 

“Your father is gonna be rightly pissed off at you for wasting food.” 

“Dad will be pissed that you didn’t eat at all!” Aithusa grumbles shaking Arthur from his face. 

“Aithusa Emrys you are eating even if that means I have to shove this leg down your throat with a stick!” Arthur huffs back, picking up the leg of venison he spat out. 

“Dragons don’t have last names,” Aithusa says trying to change the topic but Arthur takes the talking to shove the leg back into his gremlin's mouth. 

15 minutes later Arthur’s won his battle and he slumped on the floor, head between his legs as pants. Out of breath. Aithusa has finally eaten. Pouting and shoving his snout into Morgana’s hip. Who was patting his snout telling him it was a good thing he ate. So he was strong for when they found Merlin. 

“Let’s hope Issy eats easier than you do” Arthur grumbles. 

That gets a tail whipping in his direction and he catches it. Pinning it down, patting those beautiful scales. 

“I miss you Father to Aithusa. I promise we’ll find him, we’ll bring him home safe. I can still feel him” Arthur promises. Reaching for that barely there flickering flame of magic that sat beside his heart. Hoping to keep it there. Relying on the fact it was still there. That he's bonded. He's boyfriend. His everything was still alive and Arthur would find him and bring him home. No matter who stood in his way. 

Chapter Text

Arthur is waking everybody just before dawn crests. The horses seem unhappy about it but Arthur doesn’t really care. He had just finished helping Morgana pack her bedroll up back onto her horse when he saw something glinting in the dirt. Leaning down to pick it up he stares at it in shock. 

It was his bracelet. How did it end up out here? When had he even lost it? 

“That’s what I was gonna tell you when I got back. I knew you were out picking flowers and I heard that. I thought you got lost...that druid boy you fought. He must have taken it when you were fighting” Aithusa says as Arthur dusts it off. Placing it back on his wrist. He would have to figure out a way so that can never happen again. Hefting himself up onto Aithusa’s back. 

“We’re passing through Dad’s wards in the next hour” Aithusa calls out, Arthur just trying to hold on, telling Aithusa not to push himself too hard. Aithusa seems keen on ignoring him. Pushing ahead anyway and just outside of Merlin’s wards sits a stablehouse. 

“That’s the wagon!” Leon calls. Sure enough, a rickety old stable stood there. A wagon sitting beside it and Arthur gulps at the dried blood on the bottom of the wagon. It was still red, but it had dried against the wood. Merlin's blood. Merlin had been bleeding and Arthur reached for that spark of magic beside his heart. Keeping hold of it to reassure himself that Merlin was alive. 

A road leads off to a house behind the stable house. A note on the door of the stables to call a certain number to rent out Clydesdales or any other sort of horse needed. But if they wanted to use the wagon, the Clydes were needed. Arthur just hopes they have a register inside the stables so he doesn't have to worry about disturbing the owner. 

“We stop here for a minute. Let the horses and Aithy rest. I’ll ask around” Arthur instructs. Dropping from Aithusa’s back, making sure to bend his knees as he hits the floor so he doesn’t hurt himself. 

They had been split up for all of 5 minutes when Arthur heard screaming. 

“Keep screaming and I’ll eat you, you little shithead!” 

“Aithusa language” Arthur says sticking his head out of the stables only to see Aithusa standing on his back legs. A boy clutched in his claws. The same boy from last night. “Aithusa put him down” 

The last thing Arthur expects is for Aithusa to drop the boy. He lands hard and with a groan. 

“You. You asshole! It’s your fault Merlin was taken!” Morgana rages and neither Arthur nor Leon can reach her quick enough to stop her aiming a well-heeled boot right into the boy's ribs. 

“I had to. It was orders from my Lord!” The boy cries. He looks distressed and tired. 

“There were better ways to go about it. If your Lord really has an egg. Then Merlin would have come willingly” Arthur says, stopping Morgana from kicking him again as much as he also wished to kick the little prick. 

He needed answers. 

“He would have thought I was lying. I’m a descendent from Mordred. From the man that killed King Arthur...He wouldn’t have trusted a word I said. Emrys hated Mordred with a passion. He hated him for taking his true love but it was the king's fault...” The boy gasps when Arthur draws his sword. Pointing it at his throat. 

“There would have been a better way than chaining him in iron. Which way would they have gone? You’re going to take us to him and I swear on this sword. If I find him dead. I’ll run you through” Arthur orders.

“Yes Sire” The boy says. Leon approached with rope and binding his wrists in front of him.  Patting him over for any weapons. Pulling a dagger from the boy's boot and putting it in his pack. 

Morgana rides with Leon as they follow the boy...or Henry as he calls himself takes her Mare. 

They eventually have to stop to rest for another night and it pisses Arthur off but he knows that Merlin would kill him if he pushed Aithusa, their friends or the horses too hard. So he sets up camp. Tying Henry to a tree and telling him that he best stay where he’s put or Aithusa will find him. 

Arthur does give Henry his food though and tonight there’s no fight on getting Aithusa to eat. Henry explained that they’d be there halfway through the next day. They were nearing the Manor of his lord. Some Lord Daine or something. A Lord who came from a long line of royalty and was probably 129th in line for the throne of England. Arthur couldn’t really care less. 

Once more his up at dawn and Aithusa is up with him. Catching some fish from the stream they had camped nearby before he all but shoves Arthur onto his back. 

Arthur was tired, dirty, angry and wanted to see Merlin with his own eyes so when he finally saw the manor spring up in front of him. He can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Aithusa also seems to surge forward. 

“We’ll meet you inside” Arthur says and he uses Merlin’s magic to pinpoint exactly where he is. Arthur had to hang on as Aithusa scrabbled over the walls of the manor. 

“Here...in here...” Arthur finally calls and he really considers getting Aithusa some sort of harness made when he nearly falls from Aithusa’s back as he rears up on his back legs. Letting out a roar and bringing his front paws down. Ripping the walls to shreds in a single hit. The rest of the wall breaks underneath Aithusa’s weight and what they come upon is a sight that has Arthur enraged. 

Merlin was shielding two men and an egg, but his shield was stuttery and he was sweating bullets, looking pale as a ghost. Arthur is sliding from Aithusa's back. Not caring that close to 20 enemies are scattering like rats when Aithusa sets one of their friends on fire. Eviscerating him into nothing. 

Arthur hears Merlin yell something and the two men behind his shield scoop up the egg and run. Arthur would deal with that later. Aithusa smacks two more men into a wall in a fit of rage as they both watch Merlin hit the floor. Eyes rolling into the back of his head as blood pools at his lips. The men Atihusa had smacked into the wall don’t get up again as Arthur quickly disarms a gun from a man and he finds it a little too easy to slide Excalibur through the man’s body. 

He didn’t feel the slightest bit remorseful or sad. Merlin’s life was at stake here and Arthur would stop at nothing to get him back. His hands are steady as he cuts through the men keeping him from his soul mate. Aithusa takes on half of them but Arthur takes the other half with vigour. Relying on old instinct to keep himself going. Even when his knocked back a few times. He wastes no time retaliating. To cast his sword into whatever flesh of his enemies he can reach. He shoulder slams into the largest man of them all. His sword is like butter through the man’s rifle. Forcing him to drop the broken weapon instead, drawing a hunting knife. 

“You must be the...” The man looks confused like he has honey in his mouth and his tongue is sticking to the roof of his mouth. 

“What did you do to Merlin!” Arthur says holding the man at sword point. 

“The shackles and cage didn’t work. So we injected him with cold iron instead. It seemed to do the trick well enough” The man sneers. 

Arthur is reminded of the painting he did of Merlin as he slices through the man’s neck. He wondered if he wore the same feral look. 

A shot rings off but thankfully it bounces off his armour and before he can so much as run to meet the guy. Aithusa is gobbling him up. Sticking his tongue out in disgust. 

“Is that all of them?” Aithusa asks. Tail thrashing. 

“I think so,” Arthur says. Realising his exhausted and panting. Feeling sweaty and god he needed a shower. He puts his sword away and picks his way across the bodies to wear Merlin had fallen. 

Arthur easily scoops him up. Feeling his pulse and kissing his forehead. 

“You’ll be fine. Don’t go visiting Cailleach for me yet ok. Come on Merls. It’s just some iron. You're the strongest warlock in the world. You can fight it off” Arthur begs Merlin. 

He doesn't think of the fact that Merlin's tunic is gone and so is his cloak, that he shouldn't be so angry at the fact that someone had dressed Merlin in clothes that weren't his own or Arthur's. A tracksuit covers his body. Arthur sees the bandages on his wrists and he remembers the blood in the bottom of the wagon. Archna and the Lord must have changed him out of his bloody clothes. 

“Arthur...we found these two hiding away...I see we weren’t needed” Leon says, Arthur looks up only to see the two men from earlier being dragged back into the room. The oldest of them, clutching to Henry’s shoulder. The blond one, the one wearing a suit and jewels must be lord Daine. Morgana held a dagger to the Lord’s throat. 

“This is my Court Physician. Archna. Please allow him to treat your Emrys...I made sure no harm came to the egg. I’m so sorry. This wasn’t how any of it was supposed to go. It’s the last time I trust Henry with anything” Daine says looking scared and sheepish. 

“Very well..” Arthur says picking Merlin up and he follows this Archna. Only to turn and growl when Henry goes to follow them. 

“I know you do not trust my idiot grandson but he will be of great help healing Emrys. Let’s call it the start of his atonement” Archna says. So Arthur relents. Leon stayed behind to make sure nobody had escaped and so Aithusa wasn't lonely. Being unable to fit down the corridors. 

Arthur, Daine and Morgana sit side by side as they watch Archna and Henry work with deft hands. Henry grinds herbs and mixes things while Archna holds his hands over Merlin’s body. Whispering words. 

“Here...I think you should hold this...You're...him after all. The Arthur” Daine says holding out the egg. 

Arthur had forgotten in everything that’s what Merlin had come here for. Was an egg. It was hefty and warm...it was like holding a small candle in his hands and he gulps when he feels something in the egg move. Causing it to jostle a little. 

“It’s why I sent for Emrys...it’s been doing that a lot recently...for about a month...it’s like it wants out but it can’t hatch without him. Hunting him down was harder than I thought it would be. Henry has been biding his time with your tribe since the moment the egg started squirming...I never thought he’d approach poachers. We don’t have knights at our disposal. I’m a Druid by nature. Raised on Druid lands even though I have royal blood. My great-grandmother's castle is long gone, this manor is all I have left of my family...all the rest are gone. Left to find better jobs or just...because they didn’t want this lifestyle” Daine explains. 

And Arthur can see the sadness in his eyes. 

What point is a manor with nobody to share it with? What point is money for nobody to spend it on? 

“I’m sure when Merlin is better, this baby dragon will be sorted and we sort some things at home. Merlin will seek to help you do the right thing” Arthur reassures the boy. 

“Thank you, Sire. It’s very kind of you...When you hear the greatest warlock in the world some part of you expects...” 

“An old man in robes with a pointy hat?” Morgana teases. 

“Yeah kinda. I didn’t expect him to look so young...I knew he was Immortal but seeing it for myself” Daine rambles a little. Watching Merlin with fascination. 

“Well there’s times when he can look like that...though from what he explained, he normally used that form to screw with King Arthur and his knights” Arthur explains. 

“He once used me as a bloody step to get on his horse!” Leon calls from the window. Aithusa has peeked in a few times before finally giving up and just curling up. Lean curling up against Aithusa's side. 

It makes Arthur laugh a little at the image. 

“Arthur” a voice mumbles and Arthur is standing instantly. Curling the egg closer to his chest. 

“Hey my love” Arthur says softly, staring down at Merlin. 

His eyes were still hazy but he was awake. 

“Arthur...you...look beautiful in armour...egg” Merlin rumbles, it all slurring together and if Arthur didn’t know Merlin so well by now he’d be completely lost. 

“Yeah the egg is safe and so are you...and so is Daine...I think you should talk to him about sharing land and people between you. He's very lonely. The poor sod only has Henry around his age to hang out with...how are you feeling? Your magic is starting to feel better” Arthur murmurs. Thanking Henry when he brings him over a chair so he can see beside Merlin’s cot. 

“Let me...see” Merlin says reaching out his hand. 

Arthur isn’t sure about it but he gently rests the egg on Merlin’s chest. Merlin’s arms moved to wrap around it. 

“Itswarm” He mumbles. 

“It is” Arthur replies, pulling off his glove and running his hand across Merlin's brow. He was still warm but he was awake, and his eyes weren't bloodshot anymore. Hazy sure but not bloodshot. He was less cold to the touch. 

“I know her name...Nymphaea...” Merlin whispers and Arthur watches as cracks start to form in the egg. Merlin's eyes flash gold as he says the name. 

Everybody watches in awe as the egg continues to break before finally a hole appears and with a bit more pressure. A beautiful dragon the size of a small cat is spilling out onto Merlin’s chest. Shaking off the broken shell bits. She was beautiful, stunning. 

Her scales were dark green but they shimmered in the light and her little chirps pulled at Arthur’s heartstrings. She chirps again and pushes herself to wobbly feet. Moving up to curl up on Merln’s shoulder. 

‘Hello, Nymphy Your beautiful. Aithusa is gonna be so pleased.” Merlin whispers, rubbing a hand down her back. She peels open a bright amber eye before letting it close again as she purrs. 

“Well, congrats. You're a daddy” Morgana teases, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. Arthur was enamoured completely and utterly. He didn’t know dragons could be so...small. So tiny and fragile. Unlike Aithusa who was smooth and soft except for a few horns and ridges and Kilgharrah who seemed to be all horn and brutality. 

Nymphaea was a mix of the two. The end of her tail was shaped like a leaf, at first Arthur was worried she had ripped her tail in escaping her egg but no. Her tail was just three-pronged, two prongs stuck out at angles and and curved down to the base of her tail. Her body was a deep green but every time she moved, a slight tinge of brown would appear under her scales. 

“Forest...She was named for being of the forest” Arthur whispers. 

Merlin nods, smiling, muttering something in the course language of the dragon and Nymphaea opens her eye. Looking upset at the prospect of being moved. 

“We need to get her to Aithusa” Arthur reaching out to help Merlin sit up. 

Whatever Henry and Archna had done had helped but he was still pale and looked like he'd hit the ground with the slightest breeze of air. 

“I’ll get a wagon set up for you all, so Emrys can rest on the way back. Henry with me!” Daine says, all but manhandling the younger boy from the room. 

Arthur reaches out to steady Merlin as he stands. Pulling him in close to his hip and Merlin happily wraps an arm around his shoulders. 

“Let’s get this sweetheart home and then we get get home ourselves...Morgs...think you can buy us flights back to Glasgow?” Merlin asks. 

“Already on it. Are you sure you wanna leave just yet though? I mean Nymphaea was just born. What if she needs you?” Morgana asks gently. 

“She’ll be in the care of Aithusa and the druids. Daisy will have her so chunky she won’t be able to fly from being overfed, but when Aithusa is better. We can visit...or when Nypmhy is bigger, Aithusa can bring her. But I promise, she’ll be safe and loved with my tribe” Merlin soothes Morgana gently. 

“Here Lord Emrys. For the next seinnight, you should take these in the morning, noon and night. Trust me. It’ll help the taste” Archna promises, holding up a satchel of vials. Morgana grabs them for him and Merlin gives his thanks. 

Arthur slowly leads him out to where Aithusa and Leon are sunning themselves just outside the building. Leon talking on the phone. 

“Gwaine I’m sorry we’ve been gone so long. Is the hotel on fire, under siege, flooded or has a massive structural flaw?” Leon asks. 

“NO! But you’ve been gone nearly a week. You and the boss both fuck right off and then Merlin is hurting still and I AM NOT MADE FOR BABYSITTING A HOTEL LEON KNIGHT!” Gwaine’s screams of frustration can be heard from here. 

Arthur watches Nymphy squeal and hides her head under Merlin’s shirt at the sound. 

“Gwaine...I have to go. We’ll definitely be back...sometime. I’ll be back at the very least ok...tomorrow. Tomorrow stop your fussing my god.” Leon says before he hangs up on the man. Holding up his hand gently before Arthur can talk. He calls someone else. 

“Hey Percy...can you deal with your stresshead of a loser boyfriend before he actively sets fire to the hotel out of spite? Thanks. We’re all doing...dandy...have a good day” Leon says before hanging up again and thumping his head back against Aithusa letting out a strangled groan. 

“You insisted on hiring Gwaine again why?” Leon asks finally standing. 

“Because he’s too good at campaigning” Arthur reminds Leon. 

“Aithusa...my love. How’s your wing?” Merlin calls. Stepping away from Arthur Arthur watches with a critical eye as Aithusa opens an eye and then stares in shock at Merlin for a very long time. 

“Meet Nymphaea, my love...” Merlin says, gently setting Nymphy on the ground at Aithusa’s feet. Aithusa bent to sniff at the sweet dragon and Arthur didn’t even know dragons could cry. But they were tears of happiness and Merlin patting Aithusa's cheek gently. 

“She’s beautiful” Aithusa whispers. Nymphaea puts her tiny paws up on his snout as she chirps. 

“She is and you have to promise me that when I’m not here, Your going to be the one to care for her. You’ll have Daisy’s help and the tribes and you’ll have mine but she’ll mainly need you” Merlin says softly, helping Nymphaea up onto Aithusa’s snout properly. She runs down his snout and snuffles at his scales. Aithusa stays as still as possible but his eyes are shining with adoration. 

Aithusa gently lifts his head. Making sure to keep her balanced and gently sliding to rest on his forehead. Where she plants her butt and looks up at the sky with him. 

What surprises Arthur is the roars that follow. Now just from Aithusa but from Nymphy and Merlin. A family celebrating the birth of something special. Morgana just watches with a small smile on her face and Leon tries to look away but Arthur can see his eyes are watery. 

Arthur immediately rushes for Nymphaea when she gets too excited and slips off Aithusa’s head. Her wings are not strong enough yet to catch her weight and he catches her easily. 

She roars at him but it’s not dissatisfaction it's something else. 

“Aithusa has already told her, your Da,” Merlin explains. 

“Yeah...I’m your da...I’m not a dragon like you or a dragonlord like your very beautiful name giver but I promise to protect you with everything I have in this world” Arthur says reaching out and he's surprised when she lets him pat her so willingly. 

She curls up against his chest, yawning, her little mouth showing off tiny spindly teeth and Arthur feels like his chest is rumbling but he thinks it’s just her purring. He hums a soft lullaby Finna always used to sing to him when he was going to sleep as a little boy and she drifts off. Claws buried in the links of his armour to keep herself secured. 

“The wagon is ready...oh wow...Aithusa is stunning” Daine whispers appearing. Two giant horses leading a wagon, the other horses saddled up and ready to go. Henry standing off nervously to the side. Looking sheepish. 

“Thank you. I appreciate it. We’ll speak more. I’ll send Daisy out to liason with you” Merlin promises and Arthur guides him with one hand to the wagon. Getting him inside and Merlin slumps against the soft pillows there. Arthur every so gently gets Nymphy to let go. Placing her in Merlin’s lap where she remains sleeping. 

“Here you’ll need to eat” Arthur says softly, setting his pack in the wagon with his loved ones. “Me and Aithusa will follow ok, fy rhyfelwr cariadus. Eat and rest. We’ll be home soon” 

Arthur leans in to kiss Merlin, Merlin smiles at him and nods. Curling up around Nymphaea and Arthur watches his eyes already start to droop as Arthur scales Aithusa’s back. 

The journey back is better now he has Merlin safe. Merlin feeds Nymphaea scraps of meat when she wakes up and Aithusa natters about how amazing it is to have another dragon in the world. Arthur was happy to let him do so. 

They journey quicker to, Merlin using a little magic to cool the horses off and make them go a bit quicker. Stopping just for one a single night this time. The first thing Merlin does is shove Nymphaea at Leon who holds the baby dragon away from him slightly, watching her in wonder...at least until she hiccups and a small spurt of fire nearly catches his hair. After that Morgana takes her. Cradling her close laughing a little. Aithusa laughing as well. 

Arthur asks Merlin what they're doing once they're far enough away. Guided only by the light of the stars and the moon, still only a Cheshire's smile in the sky but Merlin's footsteps are sure on the ground underneath him. As if he's walked this path a million times.  

"Bathing. I need one and so do you. I'm not sleeping next to someone who reeks like blood" Merlin says. With methodical quick fingers Merlin has Arthur stripped bare and is pushing him into the river they had made camp nearby.

Arthur comes up for air and brushes the hair back from his face. Gasping as the cold of the water. Suddenly feeling wide awake and trying not to shiver. 

Merlin stripping off as well and he wades into the water. He seems rather unaffected. Arthur wrapped his arms around his boyfriend to try and steal the man's heat. 

"I still don't get how you used to do this all the time" He grumbles. 

Merlin just kisses him. 

"When it's all you got, you make do and it's refreshing" 

"N-no this is ball shrinking" Arthur whines. 

Merlin sighs and Arthur swears he calls Arthur a baby in some language or another but suddenly the water warms around them, Merlin's eyes glowing golden in the night. Like two little torches. 

Arthur relaxing against the warm water of his bones but he doesn't let go of Merlin. So Merlin has to scrub him down as best as he can while being encased in Arthur's arms. Eventually, though the drain of the iron in Merlin's veins gets too much and Merlin's eyes grow dim before returning to that beautiful blue and the water once more turns freezing. Like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice down Arthuer's back. 

Arthur gently catches a swaying Merlin and helps wash him off in turn before carrying him from the river. Using his cloak to dry them both off before getting dressed again. Arthur gets a bit grumbly at having to wear this heavy armour for another day but he lets it go. Merlin's hands are a little shaky as he straps the pauldron back into place. Arthur really hated how uncomfortable it was but if there were any more poachers out there. At least he can use himself as a body shield for Merlin. 

Merlin seems to fall into old habits after they get back to camp. Leon has brought back a rabbit and soon enough they're sharing bits of the fresh-roasted rabbit as they sit around a campfire that Aithusa had started. Nymphy running around chewing on different things. Exploring her world. Aithusa uses his large body to encircle their camp. Letting off warmth as Merlin rests against his belly. Merlin insists Morgs take the pillows in the wagon to sleep in.

"How about no! Let our little Princess Arthur sleep in it" Morgs teases. Arthur elbowed her in the side. Telling her to fuck off. 

She just sticks her tongue out in return. 

Nymphaea seems to make up everybody's mind for them. Slowly grabbing Merlin's pant leg and dragging him towards the wagon. Too small to climb into it herself. Merlin can only oblige, laughing when Nymphaea jumps out of the wagon and grabs Morgana and Arthur next before retrieving Leon. 

"She's hoarding us...it's an instinct" Merlin explains. Morgana happily curled up towards the back of the wagon, a pillow curled under her head. Stealing one of the blankets. Nymphaea wanted to lay with her Aunt, her tail still wrapped around Merlin's hands gently. Merlin was happy to lay in a slightly awkward way to appease their baby. Leon sitting at the front of the wagon, sword pressed in the the dirt as he keeps watch. Merlin and Arthur take up the most space. Arthur has no choice in his space awareness due to the whole armour thing. 

Aithusa keeps them all warm with body heat and Arthur sleeps well with Merlin in his arms. Being jostled awake by a tiny tail smacking him in the face. Nymphaea chirping and whining.

Arthur gets up with her. Leon snores and he slides out of the wagon gently. Getting Nymphaea to eat something before she runs around. Just playing with the leaves and grass. Blowing smoke out of her nose when she tries to start a fire but only coughs up a single spark. Arthur still commends her for her efforts and holds her gently so she can play in the river. She splashes around gently and squeals out in happiness. Little wings flapping. 

"You two having fun there?" Merlin asks with a yawn. 

"We are having great fun. Our beautiful daughter can swim...look" Arthur says pleased. 

"Of course, she can. She's a bloody dragon Fy Trysor. It's instinct but don't let her get too cold. She might be able to breathe fire but she's still cold-blooded." Merlin says softly. 

"You heard your Father, Caru. Time to get out" Arthur says scooping her up. She shakes like a dog before clinging to Arthur's armour again. Arthur swears she's smiling. Arthur warming her gently as they get the horses up and going. 

Morgana woke up screaming halfway through the morning. Leon groaned when he was kicked in the back, cursing Morgana out and then immediately apologising even as he rubbed his back. Muttering about how Mithian is gonna kill him if he comes back bruised. 

"I am so sorry Leon! I thought the wagon had been stolen. Why didn't anybody wake me!" Morgana cries. 

"Because we love you too much" Arthur snickers. Riding on Leon's horse to give Aithusa a break. His ankle looking swollen today, Morgana had tried her luck at a healing spell last night but it hadn't done much. Merlin rode along on the mare that Morgana had been riding. Staying close to Arthur as he can. Nymphaea curled up on Merlin's shoulders. Chirping away at different things they pass. The two horses that had been lent to them. Easily pulling the wagon along.  Merlin guided them with his magic. 

It's lunchtime when they arrive back in the courtyard. People clamouring around and Nymphaea hides under Arthur’s cloak. Scared of all the people, all of them 

“Alright enough! Enough! Leave us be!” Arthur eventually has to yell over the crowd. Feeling Nymphaea shiver. 

Merlin thanks him as everybody but Daisy and her husband stay behind. Merlin had to help retrieve Nymphy from where she had hidden under Arthur’s cloak.

“You need to let go of your Da my Caru. Come on. We’re all tired and you are a pest” Merlin grumbles a little bit eventually getting tired of trying to chase the little dragon around. 

“Come on Nymphaea, enough playing. Your Father is tired, I’m sore and we need some sleep. Tonight you can sleep in me and Father’s room ok but after that. We have to go home and you can start your hoard with Aithusa” Arthur placates. 

That finally gets her to stop moving and getting her dislodged from Arthur’s back and untwisted from his cape. Merlin cradled her close. 

“Food, shower and bed I think is in order. Our flight is booked for tomorrow.” Merlin mumbles. Looking tired and about ready to drop where he stands. 

Arthur is grateful to get out of his Armour. He felt like it was practically glued on. 

“You're saying, The king used to wear these all the time” Arthur grumbles trying to get his gear off. Watching Nymphaea run around their room, pulling things out and playing with them. Daisy’s husband had brought up food for him and Merlin. The others are off doing whatever. Aithusa’s getting his swollen ankle re-wrapped again. 

“Yes, not all of the time but a majority though when he was just around the castle it was mostly just his mail shirt. Just in case. You know... assassins, murders, sieges on the castle. My god you are just as useless as he was getting out of his armour” Merlin says standing from where he had been shoving his face full of food. 

“I am not..” Arthur says but he was still struggling with the first gauntlet wrapped around his wrist. He had managed the cape and the boots and the scabbard belt. Even the gloves but the gauntlets wouldn’t come off. Neither would the metal plates across his shoulder. 

Merlin works with deft fingers and in seconds Arthur feels like he can breathe again. The armour is placed gently to the side as Merlin continues to strip Arthur down before pushing Arthur towards the bathroom. 

“I’ll take the first watch of Nymphy while you shower. After you're done you can watch her. Hey, don’t take your Da’s gauntlet. He might need that” Merlin grumbles, immediately chasing the tiny dragon who had set her teeth into the strap of the gauntlet and was trying to tug it under the bed. 

Arthur is grateful after they’ve eaten and showered to be able to wrap Merlin up in his arms and hold him close. Merlin just holds him in return. Neither of them says anything and when Arthur finally gains the courage to. A squeak and a head shoving its way between their bodies distracts him. He moves back a little bit and smiles when he sees Nymphaea chirping and moving to curl up between them. 

“I wish we could take her home with us...” Arthur finds himself saying and he means it. He wants to take her and Aithusa home. 

“I know but she needs Aithusa right now and Aithusa won’t fit in my house let alone your penthouse. Not without feeling claustrophobic” 

“Maybe I can buy a warehouse?” Arthur mumbles. 

“We’ll figure it out. Just give the hotel a few months ok and if you really wanna move here...well then we can but we have to get issy sorted first and my work needs me and the hotel will need you to baby it for the first few months....Now you know what it’s like. To try and live two lives at once. When I was younger. I struggled with it. Playing Merlin and Emrys as two different people. I should have realised sooner, that I should have just been myself...maybe things would have been different. Maybe my king's father would have lopped my head off but give it time. Things will fall into place.” Merlin says softly. 

Arthur is sad to be leaving the next day. Snuggling up with Aithusa and Nymphaea most of the morning. Promising to let Aithusa know that they're ok. Setting a new system up on his bracelet Aithusa nods along happy to learn. That if he wanted to check on Nymphy it would be you are my sunshine. If he wanted to check on the tribe it would be Wonderwall. Simple songs with strong beats. 

He sees Merlin and Daisy talking and Morgana just sitting in the middle of the courtyard. Taking it all in. Letting her magic course through her body. Leon and Mithian on a morning date and Arthur just exists for a while. It's nice. 

Nymphy squeaks at them both when they say goodbyes and Merlin has to use his dragon tongue to explain to her that she has to stay with Aithusa. Especially after the third time, she jumps onto one of them. Arthur longs to stay but he can’t. Not yet. 

Arthur almost feels empty stepping off the plane that night. Back home sure...but suddenly it didn’t feel very much like home. It felt cold, lifeless, dark. Morgana steals a ride with Leon and Mithian when Elliot picks them up. 

Merlin and Arthur catch an Uber back to Merlin’s place and Merlin only speaks once their inside and Arthur is shoving a triangle of sandwich in his mouth. Not up for doing much else than that. 

“You got used to the magic...Nymphaea will be fine I promise. Aithusa would tell me otherwise” Merlin says grabbing his hand. 

“See isn’t there some way for you to give me the ability to be able to talk with them like you and Morgana can?” Arthur whines a little, biting into his own sandwich. 

“I wish I could Fy Trysor but then you’d regret it in a day. Aithusa still hasn’t quite figured out what thoughts to keep for himself or what to tell me. I’ve learnt to drown most of it out...like now...he’s teaching Nymphaea the Welsh National Anthem” Merlin says stopping for a minute, a small smile on his face. 

“Great. Our daughter is going to be a communist” Arthur huffs. 

“We’re Druids Cariad. We’ve always been communists” Merlin shrugs before gagging after he takes one of those tonics Archna gave him. Merlin had sent a few things home that wouldn't exactly have been flight kosher. 

Including Excalibur which was once more hiding in the basket on the mantel. Arthur almost felt defenceless without it but he reminded himself that the corporate world was brutal. It wasn’t life-threatening. Well not now that Uther was banned from the building and Arthur isn't sure if he could wield the sword again. While he had done what he had to, to keep Merlin safe. Ever since then, he'd looked in his reflections and he'd see the blood splattered on his body. He'd showered three times now but the reflections still bore the blood on his face and hands.

Merlin seems to notice cause when they're crawling into bed that night. He's curling up with Arthur and grabbing his hands. Having to repeat his name a few times to get his attention. 

Arthur finally finds his eyes in the darkness.

"Arthur...Arthur...What you did. The people you killed, you did it to save me and Nymphaea. You and Aithusa both. I know it's hard. It doesn't get easier but don't let it swallow you either ok my love. I still remember it you know...every kill. Every person I've harmed...with my magic, with a sword...I poisoned my King's sister to save the rest of the kingdom. I hurt her beyond compare. I hurt so many people and I will never forget their faces...but my first kill." Merlin pauses for a moment before he continues. Seeming to steady himself as he brings it to the forefront of his mind. 

"The first person I hurt with my own hands was a mother who only a few days before had watched her son be executed by my King's father. I didn't mean to. I did it to stop the spell she was putting on everybody else...I dropped a chandelier on her. I still remember her crying that day her son was killed but that didn't stop her from continuing to hurt people with her grief. She wanted to take My King as penance, so I did what I had to and I will never forget it but I moved on. With time and help" 

Merlin raises his hand and Arthur smiles as he watches a mimicry of Nymphaea jumping around Aithusa, playing with his ears and his tail. Arthur lets it lull him to sleep, reassuring himself that he did what he had to do. Otherwise, Merlin would have died and so would Nymphaea, and that would have left Aithusa devastated. 

Thankfully only dreams of home accompany him. Dreams of dancing with Merlin around the fire and having Nymphaea jumping between their feet as Aithusa watches. Chuffing along. 

Chapter Text

Arthur finds the next month blurs by, way too quickly. Between his painting which he spent most of his free time doing. Which was now hung up behind his desk, Merlin kneeling in front of the fire-born Kilgharrah. Merlin wearing his Emrys garb and calling on the hunt. Paintings of Nymphy and Aithusa. Paintings of home. 

Eventually, he runs out of space to hang them up in the penthouse. So they start getting hung up in the hotel. 

When he's not painting or working or dealing with Gwaine fussing over Merlin like he had birthed the Warlock himself, he was taking Merlin on dates, always somewhere in Nature. Picnics even as the snow starts to fall. He once even takes Merlin camping under the stars. He gets Merlin for about five minutes before the man is snoring softly into his shoulder, exhausted from being back at work full time. 

Arthur smiles every time he gets to talk to Isolde. He tries to visit her at least 4 times a week. To see her drawings, to watch Scooby-Doo with her. Just to ensure to himself that he wants this more than anything. Wants her drawings to keep lining his fridge, the first one she gave him still sitting on his desk. Framed and he smiles every time he sees it. He asks her next time if she can draw two dragons with them. So she does. Taking what Arthur describes and draws them out with her crayons and pencils. So that photo also sits on his desk. So does the photo of himself and Merlin. Morgana had taken it for them one day. Just randomly while they were eating lunch and no painting Arthur could ever do justice. Would ever come close to the love he sees in Merlin’s eyes? Arthur shares the same look. 

Arthur wondered how long till they could take a true family photo. Merlin had already talked about introducing Isolde to the dragons. Knowing she would love Nymphaea but she would have to get stronger first. Healthier. Let alone Arthur and Merlin trying to figure out how to deal with the whole whose house are they both moving into, why it should be Merlin's and how they're going to combine their furniture. 

Halfway through the month, Leon steals him for dinner.  Just the two of them. Arthur had been wanting to ask more about King Arthur and while he knew Leon had been his First Knight. He still wanted his perspective on the man. Still wanted to know that if Leon had come back, there was a chance of King Arthur rising. Cause Arthur might be dense sometimes but even he could cross-reference names to history. Gwaine. Percival. Lancelot...Lance with his magic baby that Merlin had to rush over to the other night because she had set the roof on fire cause she wanted her dadda. Lance had returned to work and working a bit of overtime to catch up. Merlin had dealt with it easy enough but he had been impressed at the same time. He and Arthur were Merlyn's godparents after all. So when they had the time they would visit their friends. Would spend time with Baby Merlyn. The only one who didn’t fit was Elliot but Elliot seems the most clueless out of them all. Even about his magical niece. 

One night she had literally floated her cot and teddy bear right behind him as he held her in his arms. He didn't notice her golden eyes. Just cooed like she was the most adorable baby in the world and that he was the luckiest uncle in the world. Merlin had gently overtaken her spell and forced the cot and teddy bear back to the ground. So nothing got broken. 

Gwaine was stupid but that was a deception too. Arthur knew the man better than that. To know he was smarter than he let on. He wouldn’t be surprised if he had already clued into something special about Merlin. Something that would have him questioning his own history and memories. 

Leon had told him a lot that night. The sacrifices that King Arthur had made over and over again for his Kingdom. For its people, Arthur feels a chill go through him when Leon explains about the time he had been tested to restore the balance of nature. After killing a unicorn. How he and Merlin had been forced to sit at two sides of a table and try and figure out whose goblet was poisoned. That Merlin had been shocked when Arthur had poured both into one cup and drunk it. 

“I think Arthur would have known Merlin for about...7 months then? But it didn’t matter. To him. The thought of losing Merlin was inconsequential to himself drinking the poison. It was just a sleeping draught though but he proved even from the youngest ages that if there was a mistake made. He would fix them. No matter what it took” Leon explained as they ate. Arthur nodded along. Listening as Leon explains King Arthur’s follies and failures as well as his brightest moments. 

Once even wanting to stop a quest completely because Merlin was on the brink of death after being hit by some ghost-like creature. King Arthur had refused to see his friend die and Leon had to be strong for both men in that time. To remind the king if they didn’t do it then, others would die as well. The King had planned on sacrificing himself to end it all but another knight had stopped both he and Merlin from making the same stupid mistake. 

“Lancelot” Arthur had spoken up before he meant it but Leon had just nodded. 

“Yeah. Lancelot was the bravest of us knights. The most Noble. The first who knew of Merlin’s magic. The first Merlin could truly trust outside of his own family. I think Merlin still blames himself for that day. He blames himself for a lot of things. Too many things that he could never control. He was only a boy back then...we all were” Leon had replied honestly over lunch one day. 

“A boy playing at King?”

“And boys playing at knights, even a decade later...we were nearly 30 but we were still just children...in those ten years. The only two who really grew up were Merlin and our King. They helped raise each other, saw each other at their hardest moments and dealt with each other at their cruellest. Arthur always sighted that Guinevere cheating on him was his worst moment of betrayal but his worst moment was when Merlin didn’t join him on the journey to Camlan. They started their journey together...Arthur thought they should have ended it together...” Leon explained, voice soft. It felt odd hearing his own name from Leon’s lips but knowing he was speaking of someone else. 

“But they did in the end, didn’t they? Finished their journey together?” Arthur had found himself asking. Merlin had told him before, how his great King had died in his arms. That he had been there. 

“Arthur did. Merlin was left waiting...he never got to finish their journey. The Greatest Warlock and the Once and Future King were supposed to build Albion together. Merlin hoped at least if Arthur was going to die, he’d get to die beside him. Instead, he buried us, one by one. That kid has never got to end his journey, Arthur. Not really. He’s been waiting...for Arthur...King Arthur to rise again. To take back his throne. To let Merlin go” Leon’s voice was soft as he ran his finger around the rim of his glass. His eyes distance as he talked.

“So you think...if his King rose again and ordered Merlin’s death? He’d die...for real? No more coming back?” 

“No. Our King might have been confused and angry but he’d never order Merlin’s death. I wouldn’t be surprised honestly if his last order is why Merlin is immortal. Never change. Always be you. Always be Merlin. Death can’t destroy Magic’s greatest order but Merlin will always be, just as the grass will always be green” Leon looked horrified at the thought that he’d king would do such a thing. 

“And if King Arthur rises again? Will I lose Merlin to him? Because I’ll fight the prat if I have to. Throw down the gauntlet or whatever. I won’t let Merlin be reduced back into some meat shield servant. Merlin’s mine now. Not his anymore” Arthur’s voice shook with something. Anger. Irritation at the thought. 

“And what if Merlin wanted to go with him?” 

“I’d still spend every day fighting for him regardless,” Arthur says, defiant. 

“King Arthur was the best sword fighter in all five kingdoms, better at a crossbow too, the only one who could keep up with him was Merlin himself...never got beaten in a sparring challenge either. Are you sure you could face that? He had been trained from the minute he could stand, to wield a sword” Leon had said with a raised eyebrow. A smirk on his face. 

“With both hands behind my back,” Arthur promised his friend. 

“Now that I’d like to see” Leon had laughed. 

“So did he really pull the Sword from the stone” 

“Oh, that was a lie. Yeah, Merlin set that up but yes, technically it was pulled from a stone...and no not on faith alone. Excalibur was first built to deal with a knight who had come back from the dead. Nothing could kill him and King Arthur...Prince at that time had thrown down his gauntlet but it was his father’s battle. So Uther had Arthur drugged and Merlin had Excalibur forged with Kilgharrah’s fire. He thought it was to be only for Arthur to use but Uther used it instead. So Merlin hid it in a lake...and then the second time it was needed...was an undead army Morgause had wrought against Camelot. Merlin wielded it that time.”  Arthur remembers, some of Merlin's shared dreams. The fear as they fought against something that couldn't be killed. 

How spectacular Merlin had been with a sword back in the day. 

“So that’s the other two people who wielded it. You said only three had wielded Excalibur...” Arthur had murmured. 

“Without Merlin or Excalibur that army would have never been defeated. Lancelot had his back the entire way...while we dealt...with other issues...after that Merlin placed the sword in the stone with his magic. So should Arthur...the King ever need it again. It would take a test of courage, of faith. Merlin was the one to restore Arthur’s faith in himself, Merlin was always with Arthur. I think in the end Merlin was King Arthur’s faith.” 

Arthur could understand it. These last few weeks alone. He had felt not only more confident in himself but like he could do nothing but be strong if only for Merlin. He had stared down men with guns without an ounce of fear. Two months ago. Arthur would have probably just given them whatever they had wanted but Merlin had given him something to fight for. Something to die for. 

Maybe King Arthur had thought the same. That Merlin was something worth fighting for. At least he had felt better after his conversation with Leon. Felt like King Arthur wasn’t some masochist prick that just sent Merlin towards danger willingly. Even at his wit's end, his first thought was on protecting his people. Including Merlin. 

He was working late today, sat at his penthouse. Unable to handle Morgana fussing over whether they use silk or tulle or something else that Arthur couldn't even pronounce. So he had excused himself, gotten a message from Merlin he was out late and not to bother with dinner for the man and that he loved him and would see him when he got home later that night. 

The Gala had somehow turned into a freaking Masquerade and thankfully Morgana had somehow managed to get Merlin a suit tailored for the event even if she wouldn't let anybody else but Merlin see it. Arthur was putting together the final paperwork for the gala in 4 days. And a week after that he was set to give Issy a new life. A start to one anyways. He was happy and content. He doesn’t even realise that it’s nearly 2 in the morning when his elevator doors slide open and there’s Gwaine, holding Merlin up as they both stagger into the room. 

At first, Arthur thinks Merlin has been hurt and then he sees him giggling like a mad little man. Gwaine laughed along with him. Both men just barely supported each other. 

“You should have seen his face. I don’t think they'll be yelling any more slurs out any time soon!” Gwaine sniggers. 

They were plastered. 

“Well, at least not any Warlocks that can speak fire into existence” Merlin slurs and Arthur is moving. Already rounding the desk and making it to the lounge room just as Merlin completely loses hold of Gwaine. 

Gwaine scrabbled to catch him. Arthur manages to do so. Carrying Merlin over to the couch. 

“MERLS! Merls you have to show him! You have to show Princess your magical glowy swirls!” Gwaine grins wide. 

Arthur was trying to catch up on when and how Gwaine had gotten his hands on Merlin and why Merlin was so drunk he was slightly cross-eyed. 

“Your what now? Why were you with Gwaine? What’s going on Fy rhyfelwr cariadus?” Arthur asks. 

“Asked him to pick me up after my shift...take me drinking...I needed to escape, Aithusa’s still not cleared for flight. So I couldn’t see Freya...I have glowy magic swirls...look!” Merlin pulls off his shirt and he raises his hand. The light in the room turns into that blue light that filters through bowling alleys and nightclubs and Arthur watches in awe as Merlin’s body lights up. 

It blooms out from his heart, like Ivy or vines, seeping forever onward. Swirling up over his shoulders and down his chest, circling around his ribs. Intricate lines of colour unfurling and curling up into spirals. A delicate swirl of gold rested around his throat, circling his Adam's apple. His dragonlord power Arthur realised. Red lines his shoulders like a Camelot cape, power... the strength of his magic on his shoulders. His face lit up with Gold spilling down his cheeks, like tear stains. Purple and green brushing up his cheeks, every once in a while stopping to curl up before another line springs from that and continues on. Moved to connect down to the arch in his upper lip. 

Purple danced down his sides, intermingled with green and blues. Blue sitting across his chest, the branches thinner there and Arthur realises it traces every line of his lungs. His arms are the most covered in that beautiful swirling colour. Colour, upon colour, upon colour. All of it is stunning. It doesn’t blend into brown like Arthur expected, the colours stay vibrant, swirling together like the intricate knots of the Celtics. 

Gold seeps from his palms while the colours swirl around his fingers. 

“It’s all my magic. All the magic I’ve used...It’s like it’s permanently there...permanently with me at all times” The only place that held no colour was the place where Nimeuh had hit him with that fireball, and Arthur had a feeling so would the Serket scar on his back. 

“This is amazing Cariad.” 

“It’s like his a living tapestry,” Gwaine says softly. 

“Paint me!” Merlin begs. 

“I promise but not right now ok. Right now you need bed...and a bucket. Gwaine you're taking the couch. I’ll tell Percy you're with us. You throw up on my carpet. Your paying to have it replaced” Arthur orders.

Gwaine gives him a thumbs up. Face planting happily on the couch, just using enough energy to kick off his shoes. Arthur throws a blanket over him and calls Percy as he gently guides Merlin to the bedroom. Getting him to sit on the edge of the bed. Percy thanks him for looking after Gwaine for the night and he’ll see him tomorrow at work. 

Arthur placed some painkillers and a glass of water on the coffee table for Gwaine who was already snoring. Bringing some more meds and a glass of water into their room. Merlin sitting on the bed as Arthur closes their door. Gwaine’s snores being cut out. 

The last thing he expects is Merlin to be sitting on the bed sobbing. 

“Whoa hey, Fy rhyfelwr cariadus...what’s wrong?” Arthur says setting the stuff down. The colours were gone from Merlin’s skin now they were in the soft life of Arthur’s bedroom. Arthur had moved to using mostly candles in the bedroom now. Installing candle holders on the walls to help comfort Merlin. Knowing Merlins struggled with modern lightning after spending all day in a white clinical-lit hospital. 

“He died...he died and I couldn’t save him. Nothing could save him...He was so young...” Merlin sniffles. 

“Who? Your King? You know that wasn’t your fault Merlin” Arthur whispers. 

Merlin shakes his head. 

“Someone at work. He came in...he had been stabbed...it...it was like I was living it all over again. Nothing could help him. He couldn’t stop bleeding. I couldn’t get him to stop bleeding...he had a wife waiting for him...she was screaming when I left...She was screaming...I keep thinking what if...what if Guinevere screamed like that to when she learnt I failed at keeping her husband safe” Merlin whispers. 

Arthur grabs Merlin and pulls him up towards the head of the bed. Curling Merlin up in his arms. 

“You did everything he could. Sometimes. It’s just someone's time to go Cariad. Sometimes...we just have to deal with the fact that nothing we can do will save them and that’s ok too. It’s ok because it means you at least tried” Arthur soothes Merlin as best as possible. 

Running his hand through Merlin’s hair. His other hand moved to press gently at Merlin’s scar on his back. Making him gasp. 

He doesn’t press hard. Just enough to get Merlin to start breathing again. He had noticed when Merlin was stressed he would just...stop breathing. As if he had forgotten how to. 

Arthur just holds him as he cries himself to sleep. It amazed Arthur. It really did. At just how human Merlin still was, a millennium and a half and he still got upset when human life was taken too early. When he couldn’t save everybody. Arthur and Gaius had spoken a few times after Arthur had realised Gaius was a reincarnation too. That he had been Merlin's father figure back in the day. Gaius had explained that Merlin had always been soft and sweet. Had always done everything in his power to help people even when he was just 17. Had even burst into the throne room of King Arthur’s father demanding he was the sorcerer they were looking for, to keep the other person who was accused safe and King Arthur...well as time wore on. Arthur had to at least give it to the man on that front. 

He protected Merlin from his own stupidity. From stopping it being Merlin’s head on the execution block or chained to the pyre. While he still hated the prick for his reaction to Merlin’s magic. He had slowly come to admit that The King had tried his best to protect Merlin whenever he could.

Arthur had only tried to bring up PTSD to Merlin once after that conversation with Leon..it hadn’t gone well...so he hadn’t broached the subject since. Maybe once they’ve known each other for a bit longer but now. Arthur would just help in whatever way he could. Including softly holding Merlin as he shivers his way through a nightmare. Whispering Arthur’s name over and over again and Arthur wasn’t sure if was for him or the King. But regardless. He didn’t care. He would hold him anyway, whisper soothing words when he could. 

Thankfully Merlin was too drunk to cast any shields or fires or cry out for Aithusa. He just shivered in his sleep. 

Arthur is woken by noises in the kitchen the following morning. Talking low. Felt the faint humming of magic in his chest. 

“She’s beautiful Merlin” Arthur hears Gwaine says. Arthur rubbed the sleep from his eyes and checked his phone. It was only 5:40.

“I know. Daisy sends me and Arthur photos. I wanna see her but with the Gala, it’s all hands on deck. So I was thinking before Arthur does the transplant in 2 weeks. We’ll head out to see Nymphy and Aithy. I miss them both so much but right now my life is here and they understand that. I’m just glad Facetime exists...ARTHUR COME AND SAY HI TO NYMPHY”

“Coming Cariad” Arthur calls back. Standing up and stretching. Groaning as his back cracks. He had fallen asleep leaning against the headboard. 

Arthur exits into the kitchen to see Merlin and Gwaine sipping at tea and coffee. Merlin having kidnapped Arthur’s computer is sitting on his breakfast counter. Merlin opening Facetime. Floating the coffee pot over for Arthur to grab. Arthur thanked him with a kiss on the cheek as he poured himself a cup. 

“Hi..honey. I have this right don’t I?” Daisy’s voice says coming over the screen. 

Merlin had sent her a computer the minute they got back. Wanting to be able to Facetime and see Nymphaea and Aithusa, and keep in contact with the tribe more. Leo and the other younger ones did have phones but it had taken Daisy a while to understand the modern technology.  

“Sorta. Uh, you need to lift the screen a little more...right now...we can see your décolletage...” Merlin says softly. Arthur politely adverts his gaze as he comes around to sit on the stool. Forcing Merlin into his lap. Gwaine just trying to be polite but a small huff of laughter still coming out of him. 

“OH my. I’m sorry! This is still really...LEO! Can you fix this for me dear? Lord Emrys and Master Arthur want to see their babies” Daisy says, covering her chest with a hand and moving out of sight of the camera. 

“Coming Ma!” Leo says and quickly enough he has the laptop positioned well enough so Arthur can see his babies. 

“DA!” Aithusa says, tail wagging in excitement. Nymphaea sitting on his head, chirping away. Like she was trying to tell them something. Only Merlin seems to understand. 

“Yes, Hello my lovely Nymphy. I’ve missed you too. I promise me and your Da will visit in a few weeks ok. A few weeks. I promise” Merlin says softly. 

Aithusa has to gently scoop Nymphy up in a paw when she tries to jump on the laptop. Grumbling at her in his draconic language. 

Gwaine just watches in awe. 

“Whose...the man with the long hair?” Aithusa asks. 

“This is Gwaine. A friend of ours” Arthur explains. 

“It’s my honour to meet you both,” Gwaine says softly. Looking in true awe. 

They spend the rest of their early morning talking to Aithusa, Leo and Daisy. Merlin thanking them and Arthur almost doesn’t want to hang up but he knows he has work. 

Merlin has the day of thankfully to recover his massive hangover and yet his slipping into the car when Arthur drags a grumbling Gwaine with him to work. 

“I don’t wanna be alone...also uh...forgot to mention something else...Me and Gwaine might have got into a fight with your uncle last night. I think he was trying to kill me. So keep an eye out” Merlin mumbles into Arthur’s knuckles, it sends such a shock through Arthur’s system that he nearly rear-ends the car in front of them. Thankfully Merlin is sober enough to pull the car to stop by force. Gwaine bitching about the sudden stop. Merlin turned to put a hand over Gwaine’s mouth, whispering a spell. 

Thankfully they arrive at Arthur and Gwaine’s work, car crash, vomit and death free. So that’s a win in his book Now he just has to get the rest of the story out of Merlin and Gwaine. Dragging them both to his office. 

Percy held up a hand in half a wave. Looking worried when none of them wave back. 

“You may as well bloody come to!” Arthur grumbles and Percy can only follow his order. Arthur slammed the door behind him. 

“Tell me everything...”

Chapter Text

For Merlin the past month had been long and tedious but also filled with love and happiness. Getting to see photos of Nymphaea catching her first mouse, he had shown Arthur with glee. Arthur had been proud but queasy at the picture. 

He had struggled a little afterwards. It would hit him at random times, Merlin would find him staring at his hands and probably remembering the blood of their enemies on them. Merlin didn’t know how to explain to him that it got easier because for Merlin it never had. King Arthur had been raised as a child with a sword in hand. This Arthur while he wielded a sword exceptionally or so Aithusa had said. Had still struggled with the fact he had taken lives. 

So in those moments, Merlin would just hold him. Reassure him that he was ok. That he did what he had to, to survive. To save Merlin and Nymphaea, Merlin understood why Arthur had asked Merlin to put Excalibur back. So Merlin had but had told Arthur should he ever need it. It would be there. 

Most of his month was split between being Arthur pretty much every moment he could be. Going on beautiful dates even if he felt bad that he’d fall asleep only a few minutes into some of them. Being back at work full time. 12 hours, getting home to Arthur having waited up for him so they could eat dinner together. Arthur getting up with him every morning and making sure he had everything he needed for the day. 

They would take turns visiting each other at work over their lunch breaks. Arthur was always happy to visit and they’d eat lunch with Isolde and Gaius had finally permitted them to tell her. That Arthur was a match and in only a few weeks she would be getting a transplant. She had hugged Arthur so tightly as she cried. Thanking him. Arthur had just held her, rubbing her back and for a second. Merlin could almost imagine that Issy would have been Arthur’s biologically. Same blond hair, same blue eyes. Merlin was the oddball out of the three of them. 

Merlin thought of the papers in his office, of the fact that Arthur had signed next to his name. As her other guardian. That they really were going to adopt a child, whether Arthur knew it or not, his 10 years of having Merlin beside him as just a servant seemed to add up in his soul as the time they had been together when they had only met each other two months ago. It was as Arthur has repeated oft and without hesitation. They were made for each other, made to be together in all factors of life. Arthur was the light to his darkest hours and Merlin wasn’t loved for his party tricks or his magic. 

Arthur made sure to often remind him that while he loved Merlin’s magic. He loved Merlin’s smile more. He loved his eyes, his lips, his fingers, his wrists and ankles and hips. He loved the way that Merlin would spend hours working in a hospital when he never needed to work at all because he loved helping people too much. When he and Elena would bake cookies. When he would help calm down Morgana from a bad night or help take care of Baby Merlyn. Spending hours just holding the sleeping babe when they would visit Lance and Gwen. When Merlin would just be Merlin.

He had never had someone love him for just being him before. It was a beautiful and frightening experience. To know that Arthur had chosen Merlin more these last two months than anybody ever had in Merlin’s entire life. 

They had only fought once since being home. Arthur had brought up that Merlin might have PTSD. Going through what he did at a young age, and all the sadness and grief in his long life. Merlin hadn’t meant to lash out. Not really, he knew he probably had some form of it. You could only watch so many of your friends die but to be confronted with it just after he had gotten off a shift dealing with a man trying to kill himself because he thought demons had infested his skin, that an evil sorceress had tried to infect him. 

Arthur didn’t know of course. Merlin while he spoke about work, he never liked bringing Arthur into the know-how of a bad case going worse. On how a man who had a daughter never got to say goodbye or the little boy who died alone because his mother shook him too hard. So sure Merlin might have PTSD but it wasn’t fixable. There was no spell to fix it. Therapy could only do so much.  His PTSD...wasn’t a problem. He refused to let it get in the way of his job. Once upon a time, he would have gotten drunk after a shift like that or even found someplace to shoot up but that wasn’t his life anymore. He didn’t need drugs and alcohol to forget anymore. He had Arthur’s soft touches and loving words. His kind hands brought Merlin back to reality and let him focus on the now and the fact that he could reach out and touch Arthur. Reach out and feel loved and it was like Arthur was keeping him held together. Like a piece of fine china.

So Merlin had lashed out and curled up on his couch, in a fit of anger but Arthur had crept from their room and had curled up with him on the couch even though together they could barely fit and the only thing stopping Merlin from rolling off the edge was Arthur’s arms wrapped around his waist but he never let Merlin go. 

He refused to let him go. Told him that he would never let Merlin go to bed angry at him. That they would figure it out. 

So Merlin had gone to bed annoyed but not angry and he had gotten up and gone to work and Arthur had brought him lunch. So they could visit Issy together. 

That had been two weeks ago. Merlin's day had been good today. At least it had started that way. He had woken up to Arthur kissing his neck, kissing the mark he had put there the night before. Arthur had made him breakfast in bed and all his patients were doing well. Arthur had stopped by at lunchtime to bring Issy and Merlin lunch. All three of them had watched Scoob. For Merlin, it had been about the 8th time he had seen it with her but Merlin never minded cause it made her smile as she sat curled with Arthur both of them eating far too many shortbread biscuits to ever be healthy but it gave Merlin something to look forward to. 

To coming home to Arthur and Issy, probably asleep on the couch. A movie playing in the background, and popcorn sat between them. Merlin tried to be as quiet as possible as he heated up the dinner Arthur would have left him in the microwave. Eating it before waking Issy up to put her to bed. To tuck her in, read her a bedtime story and then drag Arthur to bed. To wake her up and walk her to school after feeding her breakfast. Wishing her a good day at school...maybe when they were...maybe when she was healthy enough. Merlin would quit so he could be there for her. A full-time parent for the first time in his long life. 

Merlin could envision it so well that Arthur had said that he had watched Merlin’s dreams a few times. Come to life. They were sweet to watch. Issy playing with Nymphy and Aithusa. All of them live with the druids. 

Merlin had just been getting ready to leave for his shift. Talking to Elena who was handing him some more cookies from where she was playing ER shift nurse for someone else who was away when the medics pushed a wheeled gurney past and all Merlin saw was that blond hair and Italian-lined business jacket and his heart had leapt into his throat. 

Merlin had rushed over and immediately kicked the medic out of the way who was applying pressure in the wrong way. 

“A blond male in his 20s, his wife called in after he was stabbed in a street mugging gone wrong. Was with his wife at the time...she’s fine, a concussion at most but he most likely has a punctured bowel let alone a kidney or a liver” The medic explains. 

Merlin just ignores him, focusing on trying to find where he was bleeding from. Trying to at least get a hold of it so he could staunch the bleeding until they could get to the OR. 

Merlin never looks the man in the face. He doesn’t care about anything but keeping that man alive. 

He had to be wrenched off the man as the world came back to him. The man is unbreathing, unmoving. Blue eyes stare up at the ceiling, nothing behind them and he realises it’s Gaius who has dragged him away. Whispering that there was nothing that could have been done. He was dead before he even came into the hospital but Merlin had given a valiant effort. 

Merlin had just stared at the blood on his hands and then the screaming had started. The screaming had him shaken to the core. Watching the man’s wife fall to his knees, screaming. Merlin had screamed like that. He remembers it well and he had been plagued with the question of whether or not Gwen had screamed like that too. 

He doesn’t know who drags him off to wash his hands. He doesn’t know who gets him out of his blood-covered scrubs. All he knows is his sitting on the curb in the clothes Arthur had packed for him that morning, scarf, boots, jeans and jacket and he doesn’t want to go home to Arthur. Not tonight. He just wants to forget and he calls out to Aithusa. 

Daisy still won’t let me fly...said my wing isn’t healed enough. I’m sorry. 

Merlin understands. He’d never force Aithusa to fly while he was still healing, even if he just wanted to see Freya. So he reached for his phone. 

“Hey Merls. My beautiful friend. What can I do for you?” Gwaine asks. 

“Come and pick me up from the hospital and make me forget...I wanna forget. Can you do that?” Merlin asks. 

His voice sounds raw as he speaks. When had he started crying? 

“I can...I’ll be there in 15. Do you want Arthur to know?” 

“No...No” Merlin begs. Merlin does text Arthur he’ll be working late and not to worry. That he loves him. He gets a quick love you text in return. 

15 minutes later Gwaine is showing up in an Uber. Merlin crawls into the car and before he knows it they are at some nightclub or another. All he knows is that Gwaine is pushing a drink into his hand as they sit at the bar. 

“So what’s going on? I’m assuming something with a patient” Gwaine speaks lightly. 

“He looked...he looked like Arthur” Merlin mumbles. Raising his hand to catch the bartender's attention. 

“And it reminded you of the last time Arthur died? The battle of Camlan? I didn’t deserve it you know. To go to Avalone. I fucked up Merlin. It was my fault Morgana found you both. I...I failed you both and yet you and Percival still gave me my rites and sent me to Avalone” Gwaine brings up and Merlin is downing the drink the bartender gives him in one. Coughing a little. Gwaine smacked him on the back. 

Merlin holding the glass out and the bartender fills it again easily. 

“You know? How long have you remembered!?” Merlin wheezes. 

“First night we met..again...Only you Merls could have a hysterical breakdown and then break something. At least it didn’t end up in a bar fight that time” Gwaine teases. 

“You’ve known this whole time! Why didn’t you ever tell me!” Merlin asks. 

“Well, I thought you were gonna tell me, I actually thought it was punishment. Not letting me in again because of how I failed you last time” Gwaine’s voice went sombre for a second. 

Merlin is grabbing his friend's shoulder. 

“You never failed us. To withstand what you did, to go through that. To go through the torture of Nathair’s. Not just anybody could have done that. You held out for hours. You were brave to the end and Percival could see that and so could I. I’m just sorry that’s how it...how it happened” Merlin says gently. 

Gwaine gives him a half smile. 

“I’ve missed you, old friend. Missed you so much” Gwaine says, grabbing Merlin’s hand gently and just holding it. 

“And I you Gwaine. Been boring without you, nobody to run up my tabs, or get me thrown in the stocks or to steal food with me. I got stuck with Leon” Merlin snickers. 

“See now that’s real torture. Stuck with Mr Fussy Britches for a thousand plus years” Gwaine teases. 

“I didn’t tell you because I couldn’t. You have to remember on your own and bring it up to me. Whatever Arthur did to get you all reincarnated pissed the Sidhe off so that you’d come back without your memories. It’s like a curse. I seem to be the key to unlocking them, but you have to be the one to push that last flip in your brain” Merlin explains. 

“So does Princess know yet?” 

“Nope. Still dense as Camelot’s walls but he pulled Excalibur the other week. Rode a dragon to” 

“Look if that’s an euphemism I don’t wanna know. Once upon a time I mighta had a crush on ya Merls but Percy’s my man now” Gwaine says.  

Merlin grabs his phone out and he shows Gwaine the photo he had taken of Arthur curled up with Nymphy in his arms, curled in Aithusa’s front paws. All three napping the day they had left to come back to Glasgow. 

“Oh...wow...Uther would be spitting fire himself at the prospect...his son a dragon rider” 

“Aithusa calls him Da. So does Nymphaea” Merlin snickers putting his phone away. 

That makes Gwaine laugh. 

“Merls...I’m glad you're happy. I’m glad Arthur sees you this time. It’s rather a funny thing actually...how many of us knights were besotted with the thought of you. We all protected Arthur but for you...that was worth dying for. A vicious cycle that. Percy for I. I for you, You for Arthur, Arthur for Gwen, Gwen for Lance and Lance for you...always you Merlin. I think the only person that ever truly hated you was Agravain but he is a prick” Gwaine rambles a little. 

“Agravain definitely hates me this time but at least this time Arthur believed me upfront. It’s odd. He is the same but so different. It’s like his got two people living in one body. Sometimes he's my King and sometimes he's my Cariad.”

“Who says they have to be any different?” Gwaine asks. 

“I don’t know but sometimes I just w...” Merlin is ducking just in time, his magic throwing up a small invisible shield and pulling Gwaine down with him. A glass smashed above their heads. Merlin does not appreciate the alcohol leaking through his hair but he'll take it over glass shards.

“YOU! You faggot! You ruined my life!” A familiar voice sounds. 

“Well speak the devil’s name and thy shalt appear” Gwaine snickers. 

Merlin looked up to see Agravain standing there. Looking beyond wasted, staggering on his feet. 

“IT’S YOUR FAULT! Your fault I got kicked out of my family” 

“Um no...pretty sure that was you hitting on your niece that did that. I’m not the incestuous freak here Agravain” 

“And not just that. No. No...I won’t let you kill me this time either. You...You won’t get the upper hand on me again. You might have Morgana fooled and Arthur but do either of them know that you're a cold-blooded killer.” Agravain’s words are slurred and his voice is jumping between yelling and not. 

Chucking another glass at Merlin and Gwaine. Gwaine pulled Merlin out of the way. 

"They know Agravain and they love me regardless because it was for them...for him" Merlin snaps in reply Gwaine continues to drag him away. 

“Well, so much for no bar fights” He chuckles when the glass hits another guy on the back who turns with a snarl. Ditching his own glass directly back at Agravain who runs after them, ignoring the glass that misses him and hits someone else. 

It devolves quickly from there into chaos. People throwing fists and drinks and threats around. 

Merlin laughs against his will as Gwaine continues to drag him along. 

“EMRYS! GET BACK HERE!” Agravain yells, trying to get through the crowd without getting hit. 

Gwaine waves at him with a wicked smile on his face and Merlin flips the man off, both of them laughing like maniacs as they exit out into the alley. Thankfully unscathed but stumbling. 

“NEXT PLACE WE GO!” Gwaine crows with excitement and Merlin isn’t sure whether he wants to cry or be happy to have his Gwaine back. To wish that Gwaine didn’t wait two months to come forward about knowing it was really Merlin. 

“Trust you to pick the only bar Arthur’s uncle would have been and you say I’m the trouble magnet” Merlin giggles, already having to lean on Gwaine’s arm as they walk down the street. 

“I think Agravain took us there when we first got here. Probably why I remembered it...so I have a question. What’s with the scarfs, back in the day as well? Scarfs all the time? Covering up Arthur’s hickey’s?” Gwaine teases, pulling gently on the cotton wrapped around Merlin’s neck. 

“No. No, to start with they were just comforting, Ma made them for me...you know a going away gift for my journey to Camelot. They were from some of her best dresses. And then I did the whole...get possessed by Morgana and wanted to kill Arthur thing. So now I have a scar from the Formora..." Merlin lifts the back of his scarf and Gwaine hisses as he takes in the scar. "...so it helps hide that. Also still a comfort thing...About a year before he passed Arthur gave me a purple one...” 

“Ahh yeah, that one...you wore it all the time. I remember hearing one of the laundry ladies yelling at you that you needed to wash it more often and you said no, 'cause the colour would fade quicker" Gwaine says smiling at the memory. 

“He said my others were getting raggedy and unsightly and if I was gonna wear a godforsaken Neckerchief like a baby needing their bib. I’d at least wear a nice one” Merlin chuckles at the memory. 

“After he became prince reagent...didn’t all male servants have to wear a neckerchief” Gwaine snickers. 

“Oh my god. He did too! I thought that was just something George did...I’m so dogging him on that when he finally remembers” Merlin can’t help his loud laughter. 

Gwaine laughing with him. 

“OI YOU FAGS! What the fuck do ya think you you're doing in our streets!?” A voice slurs from across the road. 

Merlin rolls his eyes and shushes Gwaine with a finger to his lips. Taking in the two drunkards. Both of them holding bottles in hand, swaying on their feet. 

“Didn’t you know by being gay? You get magic?” Merlin speaks up, sarcasm dripping from him and with ease, he sends an Aithusa-sized dragon made of fire heading straight for the two assholes. There was no heat attached to the fire but it sent both of them screaming in two different directions. 

“Well fuck me...” Gwaine whispers in awe. 

“Oh...that’s nothing. I’m a lot stronger than I used to be. Dragonlord, Warlock, Emrys, High Priest...I carry a lot of titles but the one I’ve missed the most is...Best friend of Gwaine” Merlin says softly. 

“Come on then Mr High Priest, Dragonlord, Warlock Emrys...as your best friend it’s my duty to take you to a rave!” Gwaine says in return bowing low, both of them cackling as they head down the street. 

The rave is loud and bright flashy and fun. It’s so fun. Merlin lets Gwaine hand him drink after drink. Not caring what it is. Just dancing along to the music as he laughs along with Gwaine as a girl storms off fuming when all Merlin has to do is put his head on Gwaine’s shoulder and flutter his eyelashes. 

“She was pretty” Merlin comments drily as they stop by the bar for more drinks. 

“Yeah totally shaggable...why’d both our boyfriends have to be gay? Poly is so in right now” Gwaine asks in return. 

“Destiny? Fate? Some bullshit. I should ask Cailleach next time I see her” Merlin shrugs. 

“Let’s not do that too soon or Arthur may actually bust a vein in that pretty forehead of his,” Gwaine says. 

“Oh no. She can visit the human world. She has a date with Gaius next week. Gaius just knows I’m taking him to dinner. Father-son bonding time. He doesn’t know I’m taking him on a date technically and me and Arthur will be a few tables away. Arthur wants to meet her but his also scared shitless.” Merlin explains. 

The song changes then and so does the lighting. To that black lightning, you see on the movies and Gwaine drags him out to dance some more. Only to stop in shock. 

“What’s wrong now? Don’t tell me Agravain followed us?” Merlin asks. 

“No...I um...you're glowing...” Gwaine says grabbing Merlin’s hands and holding them up. 

They were bright gold but his fingers were wrapped in a cacophony of colour that bleeds down his wrists and up his arms. Gwaine holding up his phone and he takes a photo. 

Merlin stared at himself in awe. He was glowing. 

“I guess dark light makes the magic in you come to life,” Gwaine says. 

Merlin thankfully doesn’t stand out. A few others are painted up to the nines and they’ve just stepped out of the rave, early in the morning when Merlin sees two Agravain’s staring at him. 

“Either I’m hallucinating or Agravain’s learnt how to copy himself” Merlin whispers in Gwaine’s ear.

“No my friend you are very drunk and Agravain...you need to go now. Before I knock you clean out” Gwaine says having to steady Merlin, whose feet felt like they were made from Jelly. 

Merlin is so drunk he doesn’t trust his magic. The last thing he expects Gwaine to do is step forward and deck Agravain in the face. Agravain cries out as he hits the floor, covering his face. Merlin has the sense to grab out his phone and start recording. If only so he can show Arthur. 

“YOU FUCKING WHORE!” Agravain rages. It comes out nasally. Gwaine must have done some damage to his nose. 

“Not the first time I’ve been called that. We both know how powerful Merlin is. So are you sure you really wanna try and kill him again? You think last time...it took him two hands to kill you. What do you think a fifteen hundred years of power would do to you now? I think Merlin personifies If looks could kill don’t you Agravain? So it’s time to leave the Pendragons and Merlin alone or I’ll come for you personally” Gwaine’s voice is low, slow and spoken so every vowel is clear. 

“Can’t do that if you're dead” Agravain spits in return. 

“My father’s been threatening to kill me from the minute I was born. Some washed-up incestuous ass hat ain't gonna scare me none.” Gwaine sneers before rightening himself. 

Agravain tries to get himself to his feet. 

“YOUR DEAD EMRYS, You hear me. You and your friend. I’ll make sure you're both dead before the month is out” Agravain spits once he’s finally standing straight...somewhat. Leaning on someone's car for balance. 

Gwaine just gives him the two-finger salute and Merlin has to step out of the way when Agravain spits at him. Only turning off his phone recording when he and Gwaine are hailing a cab. Merlin is grateful to have Arthur’s address on his phone. Showing the cabbie. 

He had watched Arthur’s face light up in amazement as he showed him those colourful swirls and had Arthur hold him as he cried himself to sleep and now he was sitting in Arthur’s office and showing him the video from last night. 

“I’d offer Gwaine a bodyguard but I’m assuming you already have that covered Perc?” Arthur says. Looking distressed over the video. Rubbing his free hand down Merlin's hand. Soft soothing motions. One day Arthur might actually let Merlin sit in a chair...that Arthur wasn't already occupying but Merlin never minded too much...actually always enjoyed feeling close to Arthur. 

“Of course. Do you want me to suggest someone for Merlin? What about Morgana? Should we tell your father?” Percy asks. 

“Oh, I’m definitely telling my father...but no. I’ll be with Merlin most of the time and other times...Agravain would be stupid to deal with him in his place of work. Extra security at the Gala. I want everybody to take their mask off at the door. So we can make sure nobody sneaks inside that shouldn’t be there. You can talk to Morgana about security but I highly doubt she’ll take it. Merlin and Leon have been teaching her how to fight recently. I think she’ll be well handled.” Arthur says. 

“Sir...Arthur, I say this politely but boxing on occasion for fun...won’t be very good protection for Merlin. Not that I’m saying you can’t protect him. I just...worry” Percival scratching the back of his neck. Looking like a kicked puppy. 

“I can protect myself but thank you Percy” Merlin says gently, reaching down and pulling a dagger out of his boot. Holding it up with a smile on his face. He had kept one on him at all times since he had been kidnapped. Wanting to make sure that he didn’t have to rely on his magic if he was ever cast in cold iron again. That he felt silly for not thinking of it sooner. 

“Right of course. No offence meant Merls” Percy says gently. 

“None taken. Just focus on keeping Gwaine safe for me” Merlin asks of his friend. 

Gwaine looking offended. 

“I can handle myself” 

“I..just...let Percy take care of you please,” Merlin says grabbing his friend’s knee. Staring at him imploringly. Begging with his eyes not to put Percival through that again. That it would kill Percy if Gwaine died in his hands again. 

Gwaine nods. Letting it go. 

“I’ll call my father...Gwaine take Merlin to get something to eat please” Arthur asks gently. 

Gwaine nods again and Merlin is happy to follow the couple. Merlin is happy to listen to Percy fuss over Gwaine as they eat brunch. Raving how Gwaine never should have laid a hand on Agravain but at least he did it well and with a good bit of force behind his hand. That the man deserved worse than a broken nose. 

After breakfast. Merlin checks in with Arthur before he runs off to find Morgana. Stealing her for the day, it had been preplanned but Merlin had forgotten in the whole Agravain...Arthur like man dying drunkness fiasco. 

Merlin had the privilege of taking Issy dress shopping today. He had to sign about 30 different insurance forms. That he would return her, that she wouldn’t get sick and if she did. He would be held liable. 

But he wanted the girl that was going to be his daughter to start living and the second Arthur had dropped the word Gala. Well, all bets were off. She had begged Merlin for days to go and Merlin had never been good at saying no to blue eyes. 

Chapter Text

So he and Morgana had planned today to scoop her up all while keeping it a surprise from Arthur and wanting him to be surprised. Merlin’s suit had already been sorted and his mask...well Daisy had crafted it for him. It had appeared in a small box on his nightstand one night. Multiple others follow over the next few days. All were crafted from a fine metal that felt light and easy on the skin. Arthur, Morgana, Mithian, Leon and Isolde had all had one crafted.

Merlin hands them out but hangs onto Isolde’s and asks Morgana to hang on Arthurs. Merlin makes sure she’s wrapped up warm when they get to the hospital. Isolde lights up at the sight of Morgana and Morgana can’t help but hug her tightly in return. 

She had visited a few times. Not as often as Arthur but whenever she could. 

“You ready to go pick out a pretty dress? Though which colour do you like more? Blue, like Merlin’s eyes or red, like my nails?” Morgana asks, wiggling her pointy claw-like nails at Issy. 

Merlin would never understand how Morg’s got anything done with nails like that.

“Red!” Isolde murmurs. 

“That’s my girl” Morgana chirps. 

Gaius and Elena wish Issy a good day and tell her to enjoy herself and that she will be beautiful in anything she picks. 

Merlin had brought the mask with him and Morgana had brought her a beautiful diadem of jewels to wear for the night. Merlin is a little on the confused side when they enter the dress shop, not quite knowing exactly what to be looking for but is thankful that Gwen is there, Baby Merlyn tied gently to her chest. Sleeping soundly. 

Isolde grinned at the sight asking gently if she could touch. Gwen nodded and let Issy touch Merlyn’s little curls that had already begun sprouting. 

“She’s so pretty like you” Issy whispers. 

“She is. You’re beautiful too” Gwen had replied easily. 

Merlin offers to hold baby Merlyn while his friends fuss over Issy. Helping her go through dresses upon dresses. Gwen’s critical eye and Morgana’s eye for fashion built up a sizeable try-on pile. Merlin grabs Gwen gently at one stage. Reminding her that Issy couldn’t wear a dress with long sleeves. Her catheter couldn’t have any pressure put on it and Gaius would kill him if Merlin somehow damaged her catheter. Nor would Merlin put her through the trauma of having to get it replaced. 

Which had led to Isolde collapsing at Merlin’s feet half an hour later sobbing. Merlin ran his fingers through her hair softly soothing her. 

“I don’t want it on display...it’s so gross. Why can’t I wear long sleeves? It’s not fair! Can’t we take it out!?” She sobs. Pulling at said catheter, Merlin gently stopped her.

Morgana reached for Merlyn so Merlin could focus on his daughter-to-be. Pulling her up gently into his lap. 

“No Unigryw. I’m sorry. I wish I could but then you’d need to have surgery all over again to put it back and it’s not worth the time or recovery pain...After your transplant if all goes well. Then it can come out ok but until then, you just have to be my strong sweetheart. It is not gross. I promise. It is what gives you strength and the ability to keep on going. My Unigryw...my unique flower yes?” Merlin says softly, carrying her over to look at the dresses they had picked out. 

“This one is beautiful..hmmm... let's see...Gwen, how long will it take you to add bell sleeves?” Merlin asks holding up the one that he had seen Issy go to over and over again. It was a beautiful dress. Bright red, Camelot Red, just like Arthur would be wearing but it had those tight sleeves.

It looked like a smaller version of something Morgana would have worn back in the day. Just thankfully more modest than some of the things that Morgana used to wear

“Only a few hours, where would they have to start?” Gwen asks softly. 

“At the elbow preferably but not too tight. Can you sew in some golden lace around the elbow and the waist? What do you want to be paid for your services” 

“3 hours of babysitting while I do this. Issy will have to come home if that’s ok. So I can make adjustments” Gwen says gently. Nervously. 

“You have her until sundown. That’s when I’m supposed to return her” Merlin says softly. Issy smooshed her cheek into his shirt. Sniffling but at least she seemed to accept the idea of bell sleeves. It would be a way to stop the dress from constricting her catheter but also allow her to hide it. 

“Then we best get this one back to my place so I can make adjustments” 

Merlin was happy to buy two of the same dresses, so Gwen had plenty of fabric to work with and on the way back to the Gwen’s they had stopped at a fabric store to grab some extra things to make the dress stand out as well as some shoes. 

Red sparkly shoes that looked like they could have outshone Dorothy easily. That had been Morgana’s treat before she had to return to work. Arthur having called her stressed about decorations. 

Merlin told Arthur he was getting the last bit of his suit fixed up and that he would see him at dinner. With a surprise. 

“Why can’t we tell Arthur?” Issy asks gently. 

“Because we want to surprise him” Merlin explains as they eat lunch. 

“But why?” Issy asked again. 

“Because it would make him so happy to see you there, to see you having fun. He would love to dance with a princess of the ball. Which means when we have dinner tonight you can’t tell him ok. You just say I grabbed you so we could all have dinner together. It’s not a lie. It’s just omitting something to make someone else happy.” Merlin promises her. That makes her smile. 

Issy helps Merlin take care of Baby Merlyn as Gwen works to fix Issy’s dress for her and even Merlin has to admit his a little teary-eyed when she smiles so brightly, her face has entirely split into a huge toothy grin. He can’t remember her smiling like that since Tristan had passed. She sat there fluffing out the skirt of the dress and fiddling with the bell sleeves. Running her fingers over the golden lace and pearls fitted to the dress. Her blue eyes and gold hair stood out against the red. Just like Arthur’s did when he wore red. 

“Tristan would have loved this,” She says to herself and Merlin just nodded, helping fix the Diadem so it was resting properly on her head. Gwen does her hair up for her gently and Merlin gently ties her mask in place. 

“He would have been speechless, just like Merlin is” Gwen promises her. She really did look like a beautiful princess. 

“Me and Arthur are gonna adopt you!” Merlin blurts before he can help himself. 

Gwen rolled her eyes but she was smiling regardless.

He watches Issy turn to him slowly and he fears he had said the wrong thing. That he had hurt her. The last thing he expects is her to be trying to smother him to death as she sobs her little heart out. 

“This isn’t a joke right?” She mumbles. 

“No, I would never joke about something like this my Unigryw. I have been thinking about it for a long time and Arthur...having Arthur around helped reassure me. That you are what we are missing from our lives. He’s gonna be so cranky I broke the secret...we were gonna tell you in a week” Merlin whispers, kneeling. 

“This is like the magic secret, right? I can’t tell anybody else yet?” Issy asks. 

“Yes, this is like the magic secret. Nobody else can know just yet, except Arthur and Gwen and Auntie Morgana. Not until after your transplant and not until all the paperwork is finalised but I have always cared for you. Ever since you came in at just 2 years old...so tiny and frail...why do you think you’ve always been my favourite patient” Merlin asks in return, gently undoing her mask so she doesn’t stain it in tears. 

Pulling the pin keeping up her hair and letting it fall down her back. 

“It means you get to come home finally and I get to introduce you, to your two siblings but only when you're strong enough ok” 

“I have siblings!?” 

“Yeah... they're very special” 

“Aithusa and Nymphaea! The dragon’s Arthur made me draw. Their real!?” Isolde says. Putting it together all on her own. He always forgets just how smart she is. 

“Yes, I hatched both of them, they are like my children,” Merlin says softly, pulling out his phone to show her the photo of Arthur curled up with the two of them. 

“They're beautiful...What if they don’t like me?” 

“They already love you. I’ve spent years talking to your Big Brother about you Unigryw. He’s been wanting to meet you for years” Merlin promises. 

Merlin takes her home after that. Asking Gwen if she can keep the dress and jewels at her house for the next 3 days until the Gala and Gwen is all too happy to. Merlin is happy to walk home with Issy. Even if that means he has to carry her most of the way. He doesn’t mind. 

“Hey, Cariad. I’m making...tac...ISSY!” Arthur says excitedly the second he sees her little face curled up against Merlin’s shoulder. Issy beaming in return. 

“I uh legally kidnapped her for the day and I...might have let slip...the special surprise we had for her” Merlin says gently, giving Arthur a sheepish grin. 

“You did? But...I wanted to be there too...Isolde. Is that ok with you? That we want to be your parents?” Arthur asks gently coming over. 

She nods and reaches out her hands. Arthur easily scooped her up. Hugging her tightly. 

“She’s very tired. We had fun with Gwen and Baby Merlyn for the afternoon” Merlin says. 

“Can she stay the night?” Arthur asks. Issy nodded at the idea. Looking around Merlin’s place in awe. 

“I’ll...I’ll see. I’ll call Gaius” Merlin says softly. 

Gaius is surprisingly lenient. 

“Just as long as you have her back here tomorrow for her dialysis and make sure she sleeps well and absolutely no funny business and don’t let her get too cold...and...” 

“Gaius. I understand thank you” Merlin says. 

“I have to go back don’t I?” Issy asks with a pout on her face. Where she was curled up on her good arm, watching Arthur continue to make dinner. 

“Nope, you are all ours until I have to take you back for dialysis tomorrow ok” Merlin promises. 

That makes her smile widely. 

“Which means you’ll need this” Merlin says, summoning her pyjamas and her Scooby plush. 

She grabs it gently and Merlin watches as Arthur pretty much turns into a giddy fool for the rest of the night. 

“Do you like this place?” Merlin asks only a few hours later as he tucks her into the spare bed. Making sure she’s warm enough, setting a small spell so she can see the stars on the ceiling. 

“It’s homey...I’ve never had a home before...I like this one” She mumbles. 

Arthur leans gently on the other side of the bed as he watches Issy curl into Merlin’s side. 

“Then this will be your home...but things might change as me and Arthur finally get around to moving in together and you know you’ll have to wait for a few months until your transplant is successful before you can come home full time but maybe we can start with weekends? Start with little trips home. So you get acquainted slowly” Merlin murmurs. 

“And we can start taking you to the park, and the movies. Even the zoo...Glasgow has a zoo right Cariad?” Arthur asks. 

“Yes. It does” Merlin says. 

“When I’m better...I wanna meet my brother and sister” Issy’s voice drops slowly as her eyes flutter shut. 

“I promise Unigryw...I promise.” Merlin whispers, feeling as her breath evens out and he finds himself just watching her for a while. 

Arthur doing the same. Both of them just watching the beautiful little creature. It was like the night that Nymphaea had hatched all over again. Both of them just watched Issy sleep softly. She was sleeping sounder than Merlin had ever seen her without the need for pain medication. 

For the first time in her life, she was sleeping without the aid of sedatives and pain medications. She was just sleeping. 

“Soon enough this will be real, for good. Permanent. She will be ours to care for and love. Morgana will get to spoil her rotten with pretty clothes...she’ll get to be our kid Arthur...we’ll have a kid Fy Trysor” Merlin says softly. 

In all his years. He had never truly thought of adopting until Isolde had come along and he knew one day her memories might come back but he thinks she needs to be older for that and he worries about her heart breaking all over again. But until then. Until she was an adult of her own and even after that. Merlin would shower her with as much love as he possibly could. Even if that meant he had to eventually one day let her go.

But he refuses to think of that right now. She was only 8, she had her entire life before her and Merlin would make sure every minute of it was filled with as much love as he could muster. So she was never left wanting for anything. 

He grumbles when Arthur picks him up. 

“I’m sorry but you can’t sleep there. If you roll on her arm Gaius will kill you if you don’t maim yourself out of guilt first” Arthur says softly. 

Merlin grumbles but nods letting Arthur carry him to their bedroom. 

“I’m sorry I told her. I know we wanted to tell her together. I just...saw her so happy and I wanted to see her smile even more” Merlin mumbles as Arthur dresses them both into sleep clothes. Merlin makes sure that his scars can’t be seen by Issy if she needs them during the night. 

Merlin hadn’t even taken notice of when his and Arthur’s clothes had started filling both their wardrobes. When Arthur had a spare toothbrush at his he had one at Arthur’s. 

“Arthur..until we get Issy and the Hotel settled...I want you to move in with me. We’ll figure out how our furniture mixes. We’ll figure it out but she is not living in a penthouse. She needs a normal life and she’s scared of heights” Merlin says softly. 

“And I don’t have a spare room either. But we’re moving my bed in here and I’ll need your third room for an office?” Arthur requests in return. 

Merlin smiles. 

“And you’ll have to hang your paintings up. I’ll see if I can do a growth spell on your office for you. Also, your TV is better” 

They spend hours talking over whose furniture they are keeping and whose their storing away and Merlin falls asleep. His magic gently ruffled through the house to check in on Issy. Feeling calm and serene knowing she’s in the house. That she’s with them. Even just for the night. 

‘We’ll figure it out...”Arthur says softly. Kissing at Merlin’s shoulder. 

Merlin is woken by a small hand patting him gently on the shoulder. 

“Merlin...Merlin...” He hears and he startles awake. 

He hadn’t realised he had fallen asleep so quickly or that deeply. Smiling when he opens his eyes to see Issy knelt on the bed, blue eyes bright and wide. 

“How’d you sleep?” Merlin asks. 

“I had really nice dreams. Me and Tristan were smugglers and you were there and so was Arthur...and he was acting really dumb for some reason...but in my dreams, me and Tristan were fully grown and I knew how to sword fight” Issy chirps, moving off the bed so Merlin can sit up and move to get out of bed. 

“That’s amazing my Unigryw” He says, voice cracking with sleep. Rubbing his eyes. Looking around for Arthur, only to find his side of the bed empty and cold. 

“He had to go to work early. A man called George called him. He was crying. Said that the tables they had ordered had come in the wrong...type of wood. Oak instead of mag...mahog...something"  Issy explains with a shrug. 

“Then I guess it’s just me and you for breakfast and then...we’ll have to get you back before Gaius hunts me down and kills me” Merlin says. 

Grinning like a madman when Isolde grabs his hand. He takes her out to the kitchen counter. His bag was already packed for work, a note of love from Arthur tucked into the handle. Reminding him to feed Issy breakfast. Merlin gets some toast into the little gremlin. Easily wiping down her face before they catch the bus to the hospital. 

“Why don’t you own a car? Arthur and Auntie Morgana own cars? So do your friends?” 

“I just...never could get used to it. I can drive one if I have to but I much prefer riding horses or Dragons” Merlin explains as they hop off the bus. 

“Really? They let you ride them?” 

“Aithusa yes. Nymphaea won’t be big enough for quite a while. It took Aithusa nearly 300 years to grow big enough to fly on and even then it still took a lot of effort” Merlin explains softly. 

“300 years! That’s a long time!” 

“Yeah it is” 

“My little Poppet. Look at that giant grin. Did you have fun dress shopping?” Elena coos, coming to steal Issy from him. Dragging her into a hug. 

Issy rambling about how pretty the dress is that Merlin brought her and how her Auntie Morgana brought her a pretty set of jewels to wear in her hair on the night. 

“Auntie huh...so Merlin finally told you,” Elena says. Grinning wide. 

“Yeah. Me, Merlin and Arthur are gonna be a family” Issy cheers. 

“I know. I’m so excited for you. You're gonna be running rings around all of us but you can’t forget to visit yeah? I’ll miss my favourite patient once you're better!” Elena says. 

Merlin just watches them with a giant smile before he heads to the lockers to get ready for work. 

Over the next day, he watches Arthur and Morgana both turn into stress heads. 

“What the hell are you smiling for? The chairs are the wrong colour this is a disaster!” Arthur asks the next day. Merlin asked if he could take some time off over the next few days to help Arthur around the hotel. Taking Issy on small little trips in the daytime with him. Her mouth gaped in awe when she saw Arthur’s office and his paintings. 

Thankfully Issy wasn’t here for Arthur’s very childlike outburst. Merlin was smiling because it was just like every other tantrum he used to throw about balls. 

“This tunic is the wrong shade of red. It should be Camelot red, not...not old grandma red!” Arthur had yelled, holding up the faded fabric off his favourite tunic. That was no longer matching his red jacket with the buttons. 

“That’s cause it’s faded you Clotpole!” Merlin had explained. 

"Well get me a new one. I can’t possibly wear this! You can keep it!” Arthur had snarked throwing the shirt at him. Merlin scrambled to catch it.

Merlin had worn that shirt until it was threadbare. Near tatters. Even after Arthur’s death. Leon had held him afterwards. When it had become too broken to function and that was the last neckerchief Merlin had ever made. Using the best part of the shirt to remind himself...to hold on. 

“Arthur look at me,” Merlin says in modern times. Arthur looked a wreck, he had somehow managed to put his blazer on backwards, his hair hadn’t been brushed and he looked like he was 4 seconds from just hiking it out the ballroom window. 

“What?” Arthur asks. 

Merlin holds up his hands and the chairs slowly change colour. It was only a glamour nothing permanent but at least for future events Merlin could change the colour of the wood again.

“You are dating a 1523-year-old Warlock remember?” Merlin says putting his hands on his hips once all 100 plus chairs are stained with a cherry red instead of being the oak colour that had sent Arthur spiralling.

“Right...yes...I love you” Arthur says pulling him close and kissing him on the forehead. 

“I love you too, you fuss pot. You and Morgana are just as bad as each other” Merlin sighs, moving to fix up Arthur’s blazer for him and running his hands through his hair, taming the blond locks. 

Arthur relaxing under his touch. 

“How have I made it this far without you” Arthur asks softly. 

“Natural selection went for Gwaine more” Merlin reminds him. It at least gets him to smile and Merlin smiles with him. 

“Let's go get lunch before I starve” Arthur says dragging him down to the kitchens. 

Merlin looks over the menu one more time as they eat and nibble at things. Hors d'œuvres and the like. Merlin makes sure it’s all to perfection, Arthur thanking him for the final checkover. Thanking him for everything as Merlin helps with everything he can over the next day and a bit. Even Issy helps one time she’s out with them, spending lunch exploring the hotel. Running around the hotel in pure joy until she finally tires enough to curl up in Arthur’s arms. Yawning and struggling to keep her eyes open. 

“I think it’s time we take this one back to the hospital. Don’t need Dr Gaius screaming at me for wearing her out” Arthur murmurs softly as she falls asleep on his shoulder. 

“Sounds like a good idea Fy Trysor,” Merlin says, using his magic to grab a few of the things she had brought with her. Putting it all back in her bag and picking her back up. 

Morgana stopped them just for a second to kiss her on the cheek and wish her sweet dreams. Casting a gentle spell to help along said dreams. One Merlin had taught her a few weeks ago.

Issy’s face melted into a smile in her sleep and Merlin finds he couldn’t help the reflex of smiling in return. 

Arthur is happy to help Merlin drop her off at the hospital. Gaius and Elena always fussed over her and asked how her day was. Elena helping her shower and dress. Merlin kisses her on the forehead as she curls up with her Scooby toy, eyes falling shut. 

“Sleep well Unigryw” He whispers. Arthur gently makes sure she’s well tucked in after changing her socks for her. Knowing she always liked sleeping with clean socks on.

“I’ve never heard you call her that before?” 

“I never wanted to get attached. Now I can. She’s gonna be our daughter Arthur. I want her to start feeling that now. Not after we get her home. So that way...that way if the transplant doesn’t go right. If she...if the unthinkable happens. I will gladly carry that broken heart knowing she went loved” Merlin says without meaning to get caught up in his thoughts. 

Tears prick his eyes. He would be in that OR with her. He would see her through it every step of the way. Both his loved ones. He would make sure that both were safe but even his magic could only do so much. 

Arthur pulls him into a hug and kisses his cheek. 

“She is going to be perfectly fine. We’ll both have you there, with us and I want you to promise me. Whatever happens, you will fight for her ok. Let Gaius and the others take care of me. She’ll need you more” Arthur says. 

Merlin nods and buries his head into Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur just holds him. Reaffirming that everything will go perfectly. 

Two days later, the ballroom is ready. The Gala was in only a few hours. The smell of the food is making Merlin hungry and he reminds Arthur to go get dressed and he has to go dressed himself. 

Arriving at Gwen’s just as the sun starts to fall from the sky, Issy waiting there with Gaius. Gaius wearing a simple suit, mask hanging around his neck. Merlin had asked him to come just in case. He had happily agreed. 

Merlin gets dressed first, his suit a beautiful deep blue. Two dragon heads that he had shaped to look like his babies were being used as his cufflinks. Each one is gold but the eyes. One eye was amber and the other bright blue, in honour of Merlin’s babies. 

He ties his mask to one of his belt loops, shaped like a dragon. Horns extending from the top of it. It cut in curves down his cheeks but aside from that, it didn’t hide his mouth or his smile. The same blue as his suit. Making sure everything is in its right place. Asking Morgana if she had given Arthur his red one yet. Merlin’s was slimmer, while Arthur’s was wider. Making sure to accompany their faces perfectly. Henry had made sure of it when he had crafted each mask with magic. Making sure that once it was worn by his owner, it would fit their face perfectly. 

Merlin gushes the second he sees Issy completely dressed to the nines. She really did look like a beautiful princess. Like she belonged in any court in any kingdom anywhere. Gwen having done her hair gently in a braid down her back. Her diadem stood out against her hair. Her mask is still in its box. Merlin didn’t want her to have to wear it until they got there. Not wanting to irritate her too much. 

“Is Auntie Morgana gonna be there?” She asks softly. 

“Yes she will, she’ll be wearing green and any of our family...all of your new family will be wearing crests like this ok” Merlin says softly. Kneeling down to show her his cufflinks of the Pendragon symbol. 

“It means if you need help or aren’t feeling well. You find someone with this crest ok if you can’t find one of us. Though I’m sure one of us will always be around” Gwen affirms for Merlin, showing the inside of her wrist and the Camelot crest stitched there. 

“It’s so pretty...it looks familiar” 

“It’s your...Arthur’s family symbol and mine. Isolde Pendragon. It’ll be your symbol too” Merlin reassures her. 

That makes Isolde light up like the Christmas tree in New York. Smiling so brightly she might burst into tears.

“What about your last name? Emrys?” She asks. 

“Merlin has been a Pendragon for far longer than even my name successor was. He bears the original crest of Ygraine. The original Queen of Camelot. King Arthur was said...that when he thought he was going to die. He gave Merlin, yes our Merlin his mother’s crest. So he would always be welcomed home as family. As a Pendragon” Gwen says kneeling softly in her pink dress. Her own mask hanging from a sash around her waist. 

Lance just smiling from where he was fussing over Baby Merlyn. 

“He did? That makes you super old” 

“Yes, I am very old. I was lucky to know two Arthur’s but this one is my favourite” Merlin says, holding out his hands and the sigil appears. 

Issy stares at it, gently reaching out to touch it and she smiles. 

“He loved you very much. The first Arthur. Didn’t he?” She asks. 

“Not as much as ours does. This one loves us the most” Merlin says closing his fingers and the sigil disappears again. “Now let's get those beautiful shoes on or we’ll be late” 

Merlin helped her into her bright red Dorothy shoes and their all finally ready. Merlin holds a hand over the suit of Gaius’ shoulder so the Pendragon crest forms there. Just in case. 

Merlin carrying Issy in through the side entrance so they don’t have to deal with all the people. Morgana cooing over Issy until Merlin tells her to ease up so he can set his plan in motion. Asking how much of a tantrum Arthur has had. 

“Oh, you know the normal by now. I swear, his gonna give himself a coronary at this point. He’s out greeting guests. We should introduce him to the guest of honour. What do you say?” Morgana asks gently. 

Leon and Mithian both gushing over Isolde when Merlin walks past with her. 

“Pendragon crest. Family?” Issy asks. Catching gently onto Leon's grey sleeve. The Pendragon crest was stitched into place. 

“Yes. The best family. This is Leon and his wife Mithian. Leon has some great stories to tell you one day” Merlin says softly. Both his friends demasking, so they can show Issy their faces. 

“And you must be Isolde. Merlin and Arthur have been so smitten with you...and Aithusa is so excited for you to get better so you can meet him. He’s always wanted a sister. Now he has two” Mithian says softly, kneeling so she can hug Issy gently. Issy relaxed into her arms, Mithian smiling softly against her will. 

Merlin lets Morgana take Isolde from him. Trust her not to get the sweetheart hurt and his entire world falls out from under him. 

Standing there is Arthur, clasping onto some important person’s hand. Greeting them, asking how they were. His mask clung to his cheeks perfectly, the horns extending up but they don’t give him a devilish appearance. If anything they make him look regal. He was wearing a red suit that made the blue of his eyes stand out and a blue pocket square the same colour as Merlin’s suit. Merlin’s own pocket square is the same Camelot red. 

Merlin’s mask sits in place as he watches his King greet his people. All of them babbling to him excitedly. Saying they haven’t seen a Camelot hotel so beautiful before. Merlin is happy to watch from the shadows as Issy and Morgana slip into line. 

The grin falls onto Arthur’s face when he sees their daughter. It might be the best smile Merlin has ever seen. It’s beautiful. It’s... breathtaking. Arthur picked her up and spun her around. Exclaiming how beautiful she is. 

Everybody stops to watch and photos are taken. Especially when Issy cries out Daddy in a squeal of joy. It was the most beautiful noise and Merlin is so glad, that he will always remember this. This one moment of pure love. A living memory, forever his to have. 

“How’d you get here? You look like a princess? Are you my date for the night?” Arthur asks gently, helping fix her mask when he puts her back on her feet. 

“Papa brought me, said you needed a princess to dance with. That a ball always needs a princess” Issy murmurs and Merlin is grateful his wearing a mask, so nobody can see his tears as they burn down his face. 

Pure happy tears. 

Arthur spinning then and he stops when he sees Merlin. Picking him out of the crowd and he smiles just like the night he thought he'd defeated Kilgharrah. He smiles like he has the world in his hands.

Arthur strides forward, Morgana gently scooping up Issy so she doesn’t get flooded and Merlin’s mask is removed along with Arthur’s. Arthur kisses him boldly, so brightly that Merlin can’t help but do anything except clutch to the lapels of Arthur’s suit and try not to have his knees cave in. Arthur’s hands wrapped around him, holding him afloat. 

Merlin can feel more than see the thousands of camera’s going off and he knows it’s going to be all over the news tomorrow but he finds he can’t care less. Let it be in every newspaper from here to Connecticut. Arthur gently drags him to the centre of the floor and with one arm he picks up Issy. All three of them dancing together as the first song starts to play and Merlin can't stop his smile. 

Chapter Text

Arthur’s face hurts from smiling as he dances with his family. Seeing Issy standing there, all glamoured up. Looking like a perfect little princess, it had nearly made him weep with tears of joy. To see her giant smile and then to see Merlin’s smile on top of it. It was perfect.

He couldn’t care about the fancy rich guests there. He was there with most of his family and he couldn’t break the smile from his face. He felt like he was floating and at one stage he even had to look down to ensure that Merlin hadn’t made them float. 

“This is like a birthday present and a Christmas present rolled all into one” Arthur whispers to Merlin as they dance amongst the others. 

Percival had asked if he could steal his future niece for a dance. Gwaine was happy to watch them, eating his way through way too many mini quiches to be healthy as Percival swung Issy around gently. He was easily encompassing her tiny frame in one giant arm. She had squealed with joy. Asking him to spin her again. 

“Well in that case you're not getting anything for Christmas” Merlin teases in reply. His mask was back in place but it made him look angelic instead of devilish. His eyes stood out from behind his mask. 

“I have you and Isolde. I have all I need and I’d say this Gala is a success” Arthur shrugs, looking around. 

There were so many people dancing and laughing. All of them were having fun. Even George was dancing with a beautiful girl who looked like she wanted to eat him alive. Morris humming and swaying side to side as he holds a tray of champagne flutes for waiting guests. 

Morgana and Gwen danced softly together, laughing at inside jokes as Lance happily sat at the table, happily holding his daughter. Having to stop her from making the dishes and plates they had set out for the dining portion of the evening float. 

“MERLIN!” Lance finally has to call and Merlin kisses Arthur gently before heading over. Scooping up the sweet love she settles softly with a few words from Merlin. Lance quickly moved to fix up the table that she had magicked around. Including pulling a napkin out of his pocket that she had replaced with her toy keys. 

Merlin singing to her softly in Welsh. A soft little lullaby about water lilies, rocking her. 

Arthur takes a second to just watch his family. All of them dancing and laughing intermingled with important guests. Arthur...gets the feeling he's been here before. That his...memories are fuzzy but his here and somewhere else all at once. An image comes to him and he smiles at the ridiculousness of it. He doesn’t know why but all he can see is Merlin wearing a red cloak with giant poofy feathers extending from the headpiece. Peacock and red feathers curled up from his head. 

He looked young too, younger than even now as he shook his head at Arthur in disgust but the room they were in was different. Older woods and Gwen was standing beside Merlin wearing something simpler than she was at the masquerade. She was wearing yellow. 

Arthur has a massive headache all of a sudden. 

“Woah. Artie you ok?” Morgana asks catching him by the shoulder and suddenly his back in the masquerade. Issy’s little hand pawing at Elyan for candy. Where the hell Elyan had even gotten candy from was beyond Arthur but he seemed just as enraptured by Isolde as the rest of them. Merlin had explained while he was dancing with Arthur that she knew anybody with the Pendragon symbol was family. 

“Merlin? Can she have candy? Is that ok?” Elyan asks. Merlin nodding. 

“Yeah...just haven’t eaten yet...hungry I guess. I’m glad after tonight this is all finally over” 

“You know we have about 8 weddings already booked out and a Quinceanera. But I think we can leave George to plan on that one. Let's get you a drink and food” Morgs says dragging him towards the head of the table. 

Getting him to sit by Lance and handing him a glass of water. 

“You’ve done amazing Arthur. It’s time to relax and party. You know that as well as I do” Lance says to him gently. 

“Yeah. I guess so. Have you got a pen?” Arthur asks. 

“Hmm yeah...somewhere? Uh...it was somewhere...Merlyn you little witch of a thing...” Lance says pulling out a small toy rabbit from his pocket. Nothing but love in his voice for his daughter.

Her namesake kept her distracted, twirling little sparkles between his fingers, her eyes wide in wonder. Her hand clasping gently at his blazer. Her other hand suckling softly in her mouth. 

“Here” Morgana says producing one out of thin air. Along with some paper. Arthur thanks her and he starts sketching the image from his head. Merlin sketched out with the feathers coming from his headpiece. That wide collar that came up around his throat. 

“Oh my god...MERLIN!” Morgana says grabbing the piece of paper before Arthur is finished. Arthur grumbles at her but she just shoves a savoury tart in his mouth. Telling him he should eat something.  

“What?” Merlin asks softly coming over. Lance is happy to take his daughter and Morgana holds up the piece of paper. 

“Look at what Artie just sketched. You hated that outfit so much. You told him you were gonna set him on fire with it...” Morgana says handing the piece of paper over. 

Merlin looks horrified as he takes in the thing. 

“I think I had one of those shared memory dream things your magic gives me. Please tell me your king. Never made you wear something so hideous?” Arthur asks. Not noticing Lance muttering under his breath. 

“He tried often but thankfully it was only the once. God, I hated that thing” Merlin says gently. Even as a small smile plays over the corner of his lips. 

“Shared memory dream things?” Morgana questions. 

“I’ll explain later but first I need to find Issy and make sure she’s drunk water,” Merlin says, folding the piece of paper and it disappears into his blazer. 

Arthur is grateful when the sit-down portion starts. Even if his nervous about making his speech but he stands nonetheless as his family joins him at the head table. 

“As you’ve noticed. Some things have become different to what you're used to in other Camelot hotels but this hotel...was mine to make. To care for and while my father’s creations have led to success. It was time to forge my own path. Make my own way. So this Camelot hotel isn’t like the ones you're used to. I wanted this one to be different but just as good. I wanted this place to focus on the good of life. On family and prosperity. As someone who is in the process of adopting my own family, a family where everybody is safe to be who they are. I wanted this place to represent that. So everybody please enjoy yourselves...let yourself be happy, joyous, brave. Let tonight be a new way forward for the Pendragons and the Camelot. To my family, old and new. Who have my back in every decision? It’s thanks to my family that this hotel is even standing. I want to thank not just them but the cooks, the helpers, especially George and Morris.” Arthur says, holding his glass up in a toast. 

He doesn’t care what the rest of the people think. He just looks across his family sitting at the head of the table. All of them look like royalty. Like they were carved from another time. A time of knights and kings and Arthur smiles wide when he sees Merlin staring at him. Something burning in his eyes as Issy sits on his lap. Colouring in on a piece of paper. 

“You are an inspiration” Merlin teases softly when he sits down after everybody has toasted along with him. George looks like he's going to faint when someone compliments him on his hard work. Morris burst into tears, Mithian gently patting him on the back. 

“You're the inspiration Fy rhyfelwr cariadus. You and Isolde both” Arthur promises him, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Squeezing Issy’s hand as he does so. 

Issy gave him a brilliant smile in return. 

Arthur finds the night is a blur, between talking to people and taking care of his family. Dancing with Isolde and the others. Always making sure everybody else is having fun until finally Issy starts to tire and Arthur and Merlin take her up to his office. Merlin waves his hands across the couch and it makes itself into a warm bed for their tired sweetheart. Merlin it seemed had come prepared with a bag for her. Her PJs and Scobby tucked inside. 

“I wanna keep dancing” Issy whines through a yawn. 

“I know but you are exhausted and it is getting late my love. You have my phone if you need to call me ok? See Arthur...is right there under Prince Charming” Merlin says gently handing over his phone as Arthur gently places Issy’s jewels inside the box Merlin had pulled from the bag. Her mask followed gently. 

“Nobody but your family can get onto this floor. So you’ll be safe. I promise...” 

“I can look after her for a while?” Gwaine says speaking up, startling them both. “I need a break from everything. I came up here to get some peace and quiet. Even a drunk like me needs some time to himself” 

“Thank you that would be appreciated. If you can’t get hold of me and Arthur, call Gaius. He’ll be up as soon as he can. Thank you Gwaine” Merlin says hugging their friend. 

Issy is tucked in tight and warm on the couch and Gwaine is dragging Arthur’s tablet from the table, sitting beside her on the floor. 

“Let’s see what can we watch...what do you like?” Gwaine asks softly. 

“Scooby-Doo” 

“I already have some movies and episodes downloaded on my tablet for her” Arthur promises. Gwaine just grinned at Arthur like he was seeing someone else entirely new. 

“Scooby-doo it is” He chirps. 

Arthur knows that if anybody will protect that little sweetheart with his entire life. It was Gwaine. 

They head up to the rooftop. Arthur had found it easy to avoid all the alcohol swimming around the place. He found he wasn’t aching for it. Happy with his punch as Merlin sips on Merlot. Both of them curled up against the balcony just watching the city of Glasgow pour out around them. 

“You know despite it being more than a century, my favourite place has always been up high where you can see all the town lights. Of course back then they were lanterns but they still lit the city up beautifully. It was so serene” Merlin murmurs as he leans into Arthur’s side. 

“It is very pretty. Thank you, this hotel would have been a shit show if you hadn’t been around Merls” Arthur says. 

“You are capable when you put your mind to it Arthur, I didn’t do anything except back your decisions,” Merlin assures him. 

They’d been out there about 30 minutes when a blonde girl tapped him on the shoulder. Her mask was scaled and beautiful. Reminding him of a fish. 

“Hello. Mr Pendragon correct?” She asks. 

“Yes, and you are?” Merlin asks. 

“A reporter for the Daily Sun. I was wondering if I could steal you for half an hour to talk about how successful this hotel already is” She continues. She was American from the sounds of things. 

“Sure. I guess that’s ok. You’ll have to take the interview in my sister's office though. My daughter is asleep in my office” Arthur offers. 

“That’s fine by me. Oh, your...Merlin right? A lady called Gwen is asking for assistance with her daughter”  The girl says. 

“I’ll go figure that out. Meet you after the interview” Merlin says, squeezing Arthur’s hand before he heads off. 

Arthur was happy to lead the interviewer down to Morgana’s office. Letting her inside. Pouring them both glasses of water. Setting down the waters before he grabs the recorder Morgana used to talk to herself about ideas. Returning to the couch and setting it down between them. 

“For my own prosperity. So we both have a copy of this interview” Arthur explains before taking a sip of his water. The interviewer nods and he gestures for her to start her questions. 

They're basic. Easy to answer and Arthur has to shake his head, feeling lightheaded. Like his limbs are heavy. He must be more tired than he thought. 

“You don’t mind if we continue with this tomorrow. I didn’t realise how late it was. I need to get my partner and daughter home” He questions. 

“Just a few more minutes...so Arthur...what’s it like running a corporation against your father?” She asks. 

Why was she standing? Her eyes were beautiful as she pulled off her mask but they were the wrong shade of blue. Merlin’s eyes were prettier. 

“My father and I have gone our separate ways after a family disagreement. I prefer it that way...I don’t think Merlin will like you doing that” Arthur says softly, feeling his head sag against the back of the couch. 

Feeling more than seeing as the girl sits on his lap. 

“What a sad name for a sad man. Named after such an amazing creature and yet...no matter what happened. He wasn’t powerful enough to keep you alive. For the second time,” The woman says. 

When did she start undoing the buttons on her dress? Arthur felt coolness on his chest. Arthur reached to grab her waist. Wanting to push her off as she drags her nails through his hair. It made him uneasy. 

“I have to die once before to consider this a second time. Please get off me” Arthur says. 

“You still don’t know, do you? What you really are? Who you are?” She questions softly and Arthur feels sick when she grabs his face. Her nails feel like claws as she digs them into his cheeks. He felt wrong. This was wrong. 

Merlin was waiting for him. 

“Mm..” Is all Arthur gets out before she kisses him despite how hard he pulls at her. She won’t let go. 

The door slams open and Arthur whines when he sees Merlin and Lance standing there. Lance was staring in shock and Merlin’s eyes were flashing gold. 

“I should have known. The mask was a dead giveaway. Now get off my partner before I set you on fire!” Merlin snarls. 

She pulls back and Arthur feels like he can breathe again. 

“Merlin...Merlin...I didn’t want it” He promises. It doesn’t stop him from flinching when Merlin sends a fireball straight at him. Except it wasn’t at him, it was at the girl. 

She easily brushes it off, looking almost disgusted by the mere thought of Merlin’s magic. 

“You really thought that was going to work against me? I’m immune to your little magic shows” She sneers. 

The last thing Arthur expects is Merlin to suddenly be standing next to them and grabbing her by the hair. 

“Couldn’t have hurt to try” He murmurs, easily wrenching the creature off Arthur. Throwing her back she ends up going through Morgana’s glass coffee table. Landing harshly with a groan. The thing that stands can’t possibly be human though.

It had fangs pouring from its mouth, its eyes completely black, nails extended to claws. Snarling at Merlin. 

“I hate Sirens” Merlin murmurs more to himself, Lance pulling his pocket square from his pocket and dabbing at where the thing...the siren had scratched Arthur. He hadn’t even noticed until there was a stinging pain against his chin. 

“Merlin...her claws have...” Arthur starts mumbling when she swipes those vicious claws for Merlin’s throat. Merlin grabbed her wrist and spun, making her squeal.

“Yes, Cariad I know. I’m immune. Just let Lance take care of you” Merlin orders. 

“Magic?” Arthur asks. 

“True love Fy Trysor. Proves you love me too if you're still conscious against a siren’s venom” Merlin says, half cut off by a scream from the siren when he knees her in the stomach. Throwing her further through the room. 

"Of course I love you" Arthur mumbles watching Merlin send the siren across Morgana’s desk, her computers flying everywhere. Smashing when they hit the floor. Merlin easily hopped across the desk and grabbed the siren by the hair. Smashing her head into the bookcase. 

Morgana was gonna be so pissed at the damage. 

“I’m gonna call Morgs. She’ll have to bring up a medic kit. You’ve got cuts everywhere.” Lance says reaching for his phone. Arthur looks down at himself and sure enough...he’s shirt is undone and he has scratches everywhere. When had that happened? 

Wincing when Merlin lands at their feet, skidding to a stop. A trail of blood trickled from his nose. 

“Cariad” 

“I’m fine. Just...don’t go bleeding out on me” Merlin insists, getting up to his feet. Raising his fists. 

Arthur nods as Lance continues to blot at the damage. 

“He is the tastiest meal I’ve had in a long time. All that time stewing in Avalone must have made him delicious” The siren sneers. Her voice was rough like sandpaper. 

“And you're never gonna touch him again” Merlin promises. 

“I don’t know. Last I heard you rely on your magic for everything” The siren sneers only to reel back when Merlin punches her straight in the nose. Clutching to her face. 

“You ever thought maybe that’s what I want people to think. I’m older than you. You're not the first siren I’ve fought. You are the ugliest though” Merlin rebuttals, taking a swipe of her claws through his chest but he rebounds quickly with another punch. Sending her back again they go toppling over the other chair. 

“What the fuck is happening in here. Oh my god Arthur “ Morgana says, appearing by his side. 

“Siren...I can’t get the bleeding to stop on some of these. At least she didn’t go for any arteries...He’s been drugged” Lance explains. 

Arthur watches as Merlin and the Siren go rolling past, trading blows with each other. Merlin has a vicious sneer on his face, finally managing to grab her by the throat and pinning her. The dagger he normally keeps safe in some subspace appears in his hand. 

She screams when he drags it through her shoulder. He is barely missing her throat because she moves but he seems to have her pinned. Arthur feels as patches are applied to his skin along with bandaids. Morgana whispered something, her eyes golden but he was too focused on making sure Merlin was ok. 

Merlin manages to get to his feet, dragging the siren with him with the blade still in her shoulder and Arthur’s entire world fails as she throws them both back out the window. The 38th story window and Arthur is screaming as his courted falls out the window with her. Both of them tumbled out of sight. Hearing screams from below. 

Adrenaline coursing through his system and he pushes himself to his feet. Rushing over to the window he sees Merlin and the Siren still brawling a few balconies below only for Merlin to finally get his feet under him and kick the siren off the balcony completely. Sending her smashing through the glass of the balcony. Arthur winced when she hit the street below. Arthur sees the siren staring vacantly up at the open sky, her body smashed into the roof of someone’s car. Merlin glances over the side of the wrecked balcony before he rolls over onto his back and collapses there.

“Arthur you're not fully patched up,” Lance calls after him but Arthur doesn’t care his counting how many stories Merlin is below and he’s getting to the room he thinks Merlin’s landed on in only a few minutes. 

Using his card to get inside, grateful nobody had taken up residence yet. Arthur slid open the balcony door and pulled Merlin to him. 

“Hey...” Merlin says giving him a soft smile, relaxing back against Arthur’s chest. He looked like a mess.  

“Why do you constantly have to have me worried” Arthur asks. 

“Why do you always have to be enchanted with anything with pretty eyes” Merlin replies. 

“I never once thought of her. Only you” Arthur murmurs, rubbing his hands down Merlin’s face. Merlin’s magic was flaring. He wasn’t dying which was good but he’d be sore in the morning. 

Morgana and Lance manage to find them quickly enough. 

“Leon’s dealing with it. Says that she went at you with the dagger and that it was all self-defence to anybody asking.” Morgana says softly.  

Merlin raises his hand and his eyes flash gold for a second, Arthur knows that everybody who just witnessed the girl crashing from the sky suddenly believed that story a little too well.

Morgana moves to help Merlin up and they get him up to Lance’s office. Morgana ran her hands across Merlin’s arms and back gently. Murmuring that pain-free spell as Arthur is patched up even further. 

“Issy is gonna be so upset that we got hurt. I don’t...even know how she...drugged me. I poured the water...” Arthur mumbles. Grabbing hold of Merlin’s hand gently. 

“She must have put the venom in your water when you grabbed my recorder” Morgana explains.

“True love is what saved me?” Arthur asks. 

“You would have fallen under her effects immediately otherwise,” Merlin explains, squeezing Arthur’s hand in reply. “Aithusa wishes he could ease your pain but too many people are around for him to fly out” 

“It’s ok” Arthur gently tapping against his bracelet. Telling Aithusa in his own words his ok. That he's safe. “Remind him we’re visiting this week anyways...” 

“I already have. He's just worried about his Da is all” Merlin says softly. Kissing at Arthur’s knuckles. 

Arthur had more bandages and band-aids attached to him but Merlin had a few as well. Both of them decide that Leon and Percival can handle the rest. Merlin repairs Arthur’s suit before doing the same to his own so they don’t raise Issy’s worry any and Arthur is happy to have his daughter in his arms. Not caring about the ache in his body. 

Gwaine asking if they’re all ok. Issy sound asleep. Not even stirring. She must be so exhausted. 

“Sirens...pains in the ass...I should have been more careful” Merlin murmurs. 

“It was supposed to be a night of fun and relaxation. Even for you Merlin. Don’t blame yourself.” Gwaine says softly. 

“Arthur could have been killed if I didn’t realise sooner” Merlin whispers. 

Gwaine squeezing his shoulder. Saying something softly that Arthur doesn’t hear. Too busy grabbing up Isolde’s stuff with one hand. Tucking it all inside her back.

“I don’t get a second shot at this Gwaine. His it. He's my love. His Issy’s hope. I...” 

“Merls enough. You do this every time. He is alive cause of you. You’re lucky you didn’t break your back or worse tonight. Just get this little lovely lady home. She only just got to sleep” Gwaine says and that finally soothes Merlin enough for Arthur to get him downstairs. 

Gaius asks if they want him to take Issy back to the hospital. Checking over Arthur and Merlin’s wounds but Merlin shakes his head and Arthur notices a blond lady in a crow mask watching them with soft eyes. She made his skin crawl but she was only smiling. 

“We’re fine Gaius return to Calli. We’re just gonna head home. I’ll make sure Issy is returned to the hospital tomorrow” Merlin promises. Gaius nods and the last thing Arthur sees before his taken out to the car park is Gaius dancing along with death. Both of them laughing at some inside joke. The rest of the place not caring about the dead siren on someone's car roof. Arthur felt bad for Leon having to deal with it but Morgana was on the ruddy-haired man's trail. Her eyes flashed gold as she went. 

“I thought Gaius deserved a night of fun and don’t judge. We can’t help who we fall for” Merlin chides gently at Arthur’s gawking eyes. 

“I just...he does know that...that’s the woman that takes care of you every time you die right?” 

“Yes. He knows that Cailleach. He's not stupid. She’s not here to hurt anybody, Arthur. She’s not working. She’s just on a date with a man she really likes” Merlin says gently. 

Arthur gently tucks Issy into the back of his car, doing up her seat belt and Merlin drives them home since Arthur still feels sluggish. 

Making sure Issy is warm when she’s tucked into bed. Merlin sighed and put an image of the stars on the roof again. Just enough so the room isn’t in complete darkness. 

“Also where the hell did Gwaine get a goddamn sword?” Arthur asks as they strip and get ready for bed. Merlin has to help his dopey fingers with his own buttons. Arthur had noticed it sitting beside the man when he was guarding Issy. 

“Gwaine, Lance and Leon all have their swords. For protective purposes only. If you’ll have noticed” Merlin shrugs. 

“Well, I obviously haven’t. I want you to start teaching me. Properly. The last time I fought with a sword I was flying by the seat of my pants. I don’t want to do that again. I need to know how to wield it properly. So teach me, like Leon has taught the others” Arthur begs. 

Merlin nods. 

“Tomorrow. We’ll start, it is best if Leon trains you though. He’s the most skilled at it” Merlin murmurs finally undoing the last of Arthur’s buttons. Pulling off his shirt. Tsking at the blood stains, and throwing the shirt in the bin but he does his best to save Arthur’s red blazer. His own getting hung beside it in the wardrobe. 

Merlin made sure they were both dressed fully and he's pushing Arthur towards the bed. Arthur slumps into the side of it. 

“You are the bane of my life Arthur Pendragon” Merlin says, gently rubbing a finger down the band-aid on Arthur’s neck. 

“I live to please,” Arthur says meekly. 

Merlin leans down to kiss him and Arthur wraps his arms around Merlin. Snuggling into him. He still felt like he could smell that siren’s scent on him and he wanted it gone. Wants it replaced with Merlin’s smell. 

“Arthur...hey look at me” Merlin says softly. Arthur set his eyes on Merlin’s face. “You didn’t do anything wrong tonight” 

“She took advantage of me. I should have noticed. I should have said I would take the interview with you by my side. I...should have done more to get her off me” Arthur whispers. He felt dirty. Felt wrong. 

Merlin caresses his shoulders gently. 

“I should have noticed sooner something was wrong with her but you're safe. You're with me. I don’t blame you ok. I never could. I never would. Being enchanted...you may as well have been roofied. You were at a disadvantage from the start but that doesn’t make you less Arthur Pendragon. That doesn’t make you any worse, any dirtier. Makes you strong that you tried to resist. Tried to fight back. To fight a siren’s venom. It takes true love, yes but courage as well.” Merlin whispers. 

His voice is soft. Soothing. Rubbing gently over the bandages covering up those scratches the siren had left on him. 

“Have you ever been enchanted?” Arthur asks. 

“Yes. I was once, enchanted to do the most unthinkable thing possible. You know that scar on the back of my neck? That was caused by a Fomorroh. My King’s sister. She captured me. Luckily she didn’t know I had magic but she enchanted me to want to kill my king. The entire time I was screaming in my head to stop. To be let out. To stop but it was like someone else had my body. I was just a puppet on a string. Gaius and my Queen saved me. That and...pure luck honestly. Otherwise, I would have done it. I would have killed him” Merlin explains. 

“Was your king ever enchanted?” Arthur asks next. 

“Only about every other week. His mind was as malleable as clay. The number of times Guinevere had to kiss him or I had to drag him out of some freaking Fairy Ring but it made him no less a great king or a great man. You are still the man I love Arthur, this doesn’t deter you from that.” Merlin promises. 

Arthur just hugs him closer. Needing him closer. Merlin happily goes. Whispering everything he loves about Arthur as they lay there in the dark. 

“Your smile. It’s always been my favourite. I love the way you smile. It’s like seeing the sun for the first time in days” Merlin whispers, brushing a hand across Arthur’s jaw. 

“I count your smiles you know. I count how long it’s been since you smiled last” Arthur admits. 

“I know,” Merlin says and Arthur’s eyes droop against his will. 

“It’s just a soft sleeping spell. Let it take you” Merlin whispers and if there’s anybody Arthur trusts it’s Merlin. 

“Sleep Fy Trysor. Sleep” 

Arthur's dreams are foggy but he dreams about talking to something blue. Hissing at him that he wasn’t going anywhere. That he was stuck with them. No matter what Merlin says. That he wasn’t needed anymore. But he was needed. 

Merlin needed him. Issy did too. So many people needed him. Why did so many people have to need him? He just wanted to be Arthur Pendragon. Just a boy without the weight of the world on his shoulders. Only one person ever made him feel like that. 

Blue eyes stare at him from above the water. So bright they almost shine and Arthur swims towards those eyes. Merlin’s eyes were splashing with tears. Falling down his face as he held a sword to his chest. It was snapping in half. The jagged piece pressed to his bare chest. Sobbing as he knelt in the water of a beautiful lake. 

“Why do I have to do this without you? IT’S NOT FAIR!” Merlin cries to the water. A woman with dark hair falling down her back, wearing soft robes was trying to stop him but she was just as stuck as Arthur was. Both of them watched through what felt like a glass wall. Unable to break through the water. 

“Merlin it’s ok. It’s ok. I’m right here! I’m here!” Arthur screams for him but Merlin can’t seem to hear him or even see him. Arthur reaches out to grab his shoulder. Begging his best friend to stop. Covering his mouth in horror when Merlin presses Mordred’s broken sword into his chest. 

Blood pools far too fast and yet Merlin doesn’t sag. His eyes don’t droop. He doesn’t even scream. He just watches the blood pool into the lake below him with vacant eyes. So scarily vacant. He was so sad and lost. 

“Arthur...you can’t help him like this. He can’t see you...or me...the Sidhe are keeping us from him. Torture if you will” The woman with the dark hair says softly. 

“But his all alone. He doesn’t deserve that. Why can’t we be with him? Why can’t he...be with us?” Arthur asks the lady of the lake. 

“Fate is not kind Arthur Pendragon. It never has been. It takes and rarely gives. You have to fight for what you want. What is it you want Arthur?” She asks turning to look at him. 

“Merlin...I want Merlin happy and safe. I want him to be ok” Arthur says watching as Merlin pulls the sword from his chest, throwing it down onto the sand and he wails. 

It’s the most heartbreaking sound in the world, nothing could ever break Arthur’s heart more then in that second. Watching Merlin clutching to the hole in his chest as it knits together and wailing. 

“PLEASE! PLEASE! Just let me be with them. With him. Please that’s all I ASK. WHY! Why can’t I have this one favour? I have done everything you’ve asked of me! I’ve done everything you wanted me to. Just let me go!” Merlin’s wails bubble out of him. Every sob brings a tear to Arthur’s eye himself and he knows in that moment what he has to do. 

That he would cleave Avalone apart to make Merlin smile again. No matter how long it took, he would get Merlin to smile at him again. That eye crinkling beautiful smile that meant the world to him. 

Arthur bolts awake. Gasping for air he reaches out. Touching Merlin softly. Merlin was lying on his back, snoring softly. Splayed over their bed as normal. Hair a mess. Nose crinkled a little bit. Arthur reaches down gently and he places his hand across Merlin’s chest. The same place he had pressed that broken sword into his skin and he felt Merlin’s heart beat through his own body. Feels him breathing and softly shifting. 

Merlin’s hand came up to grab at his own. 

Arthur really never would know what Merlin had been through, but he was breaking at the thought of what his dreams held. He would never let Merlin feel like that again. He refused to hear Merlin wail like that ever again. Arthur stares at their entwined hands and the ring that has always sat on his pinkie finger. A family heirloom from his grandfather. The Pendragon symbol is engraved on it and he’s gently dislodging his hand from Merlin’s. Pulling the ring off gently and grabbing Merlin’s left hand. It fits well as it slides down his ring finger. Fitting too well into place. 

The gold stands out against Merlin’s skin and Arthur reclasps his hand. Holding it tight. His eyes fell shut to that reassuring thump of Merlin’s heart against his hand. This way...Merlin would have him with him always. His own personal favour to the Warlock. Maybe more than that but for now...when Arthur falls asleep this time. He dreams of floating beside Merlin in the lake but this time they're together. Laughing over stupid jokes. 

Chapter Text

Arthur was sweating bullets as he battled against Lance. He was trying to gain the upper hand. Gwaine and Merlin laugh as they trade blows, quoting the Princess Bride to each other as they move easily. Leon chided them for being idiots but he was smiling regardless. 

“Feet wider Arthur...” Leon calls but it’s too late Lance is crashing into Arthur and sending him to the ground. Sword pressed to his throat. Arthur groaning. “...or that’ll happen” 

Arthur sighs as he rests his head back against the snowy ground. Over the last few days it had finally started to fully come into winter and yet as he lays against the slushy ground, he’s boiling in his armour. 

Lance, Gwaine and Leon all wearing their own gear. The only one not wearing any armour was Merlin. Leon had been kicked politely out of the house by a hormonal pregnant Mithian who couldn't get comfortable. Gwaine was only out of the house so he didn’t get Percival’s cold. It was like clockwork. Winter hit and Percival came down with a cold. Today Morgana was running the hotel with Elyan and Gwen. 

Merlin had promised Arthur lessons and they were brutal. Leaving his arms feeling heavy and his body exhausted in ways he didn’t think possible. Leon had reminded him gently not only had he trained as a knight from birth but he fought in 2 world wars. So for 2 hours every day, Leon would drag him out to the field near Merlin and Arthur’s house and would smack him to the ground over and over again. 

It had only been 4 days but god Arthur was sick of getting pummelled, pelted and pushed around. Nothing he seemed to do, seemed to be able to stop Leon’s advancements and that wasn’t even compared to Merlin’s skill with a sword. Every clumsy tendency from Merlin’s brain was hidden away as he carved at Arthur’s defences like he was carving apart a Christmas Ham. Arthur was on the constant defence against Merlin whereas at least with Leon had the occasional opening to try and cleave his own hit. 

Merlin was brutal, quick on his feet and efficient. Every move had a purpose, every sword stroke meant to cause harm and every flick of the wrist meant to cut and hurt. He moved with magic on his side, quicker, and more agile than the average man, Arthur swears that if his boyfriend grows pointy ears and starts weaving yew into a bow. He wouldn’t be surprised at this point. 

It had been a worthy distraction since for the last 3 days Issy had been on lockdown and would be until next week. Until their transplant date. Only Merlin could visit her and Arthur understood why but he still missed his baby girl. Merlin would bring home drawings upon drawings and messages from her and Arthur would video time her at lunch but god he missed his little Princess and he was jealous that Merlin could visit her. 

“Up you get” Lance says grabbing Arthur’s hand and wrenching him back to his feet. Lance brushed himself off before resuming his stance. Arthur can only follow. 

“Can we break for lunch soon? I’m starving?” Gwaine asks half an hour later. 

“Or a shower” Arthur grumbles. 

“You’re thinking too much. You don’t think when sword fighting Fy Trysor. You just act. Thinking gets you killed” Merlin says appearing at his side. Looking completely fine and unfazed. He wasn’t even sweating. He looked perfect. God Arthur really wanted to smack him sometimes. Just for having the sheer audacity to be so damn amazing. Merlin touches Arthur’s shoulder and Arthur suddenly feels clean as if he had just stepped out of the shower. 

“I’ll make you guys lunch. One of your old favourite’s Gwaine...but only if Arthur can land a hit” Merlin chirps and Arthur stares at him in horror. 

“Come on big man. I haven’t had pork pies in years...centuries now that I think about it” Gwaine says thunking Arthur on the back. 

The others clear off, standing and watching as Arthur lifts Excalibur and Merlin lifts a darker blade. Arthur was wielding Excalibur at Merlin’s insistence. He was surprised when he didn’t feel dread at touching the sword again. Instead, it almost felt right in his hand while Merlin held a blade called Skofnung. From some Danish king that he had picked up along the way. Something about it containing souls. Arthur had learnt a lot of Merlin’s things tended to contain souls. Thinks that he had picked up along the way anyway. 

It was one of the few swords that was said to be able to go against Excalibur. Merlin had hoarded them like some sort of crow. His boyfriend hoarded a lot of junk actually. 

Merlin gently taps his sword to Arthur in a teasing gesture. A smirk on his face and Arthur has a feeling his gonna end up with his face in the mud and his body thoroughly sore. 
 
Arthur slowly falls into step with Merlin as they circle each other. Eyes roving over each other for a weak spot. A way in to break the other down. Arthur looks and he looks but he finds nothing. Nothing of Merlin gives away any hint of weakness and Arthur is a little intimidated in the way that Merlin just stares him down. The sword hanging loose in his hand. 

“You can’t actually hurt me remember? They won’t operate on me if my ass is broken” Arthur half jests. 

“Now there Love. If I’m gonna break your ass it’s not with a sword” Merlin replies, a slight smirk on his lips. Their friends howl with laughter and Arthur holds his sword tighter as he tries to stop his blush. 

Merlin laughs. He laughs and it’s beautiful and it’s breathtaking and it’s unfair and Arthur swings for him. Hoping to catch him off guard. Merlin catches his sword easily. Excalibur grumbles as it clangs into the metal of its darker counterpart. Merlin looks like his barely even flexing his arm. 

“No magic to cheat” 

“I don’t need magic to defeat you in a sword fight. The King Arthur himself taught me to fight and so did his first knight. So did Beowulf.  Master Yoshitsune. Lady d’Aubigny...At this point it’s pure skill ” Merlin says. Stepping back he swings his sword down for Arthur’s bad shoulder. Arthur has to swing his own sword awkwardly up to catch Merlin’s. Spinning a little so his arm isn’t bent awkwardly and hurt. 

“Ti’n tawn, del?” Merlin asks mockingly. Arthur is slowly able to understand Merlin’s Welsh. He had been studying in secret. Wanting to know Merlin down to his very core. Every dark crevasse and dark core. Every part of his heritage. Every step of his travels. 

Arthur rolls his eyes, continuing his spin, not caring that he has to duck to his knee to stop Merlin from going for his head again. Sweeping for Merlin’s slender long legs. 

Merlin is dancing out of his way. Grinning like a madman. 

“Dw i'n iawn, Fy Aur” Arthur replies with a smirk. Catching Merlin off guard for a second when he replies in his beloved’s mother tongue as he slips back to his feet. Rolling his wrist to aim for Merlin’s waist but Merlin is there to greet him regardless.  

His arms are already aching as he and Merlin trade blow for blow, never seeming to be able to land a hit on each other. Merlin is happy to trade barbs with him as snidely as they trade sword blows but none of them truly sting. Arthur is immune to being called a cabbage head or turnip head or dollop head. Really whatever way Merlin cared to disparage his skull. 

Arthur had just taken a step back out of the way as Merlin swung for his side but before he could adjust, Merlin had easily changed hands and was swinging for Arthur’s leg instead. Arthur doesn’t quite know how he does it but he has himself straining as he pushes back against Merlin’s sword once more. He actually manages to push Merlin back quite a ways. Merlin digs his sword into the ground to bring himself to a halt and when he looks up there’s a wicked glint in his eye. Something devious playing over his face and Arthur steadies himself.  

Forcing himself to take a breath. To focus on his target. Letting his mind clear and he lets himself focus just on landing a single hit. The rest of the world falls away as he steadies his grip on his blade. His teeth bared as he stared down his partner. 

If Merlin wanted a fight. He’d get a bloody and proper one. 

“Mae fy rhyfelwr ffyrnig” Merlin grins as he runs at Arthur, sword in hand. It’s just like fighting Henry. Fighting those men all over again. It’s like something else takes over Arthur and his body reacts before his brain can. Sword raising and he doesn’t feel as tired any more. Gaining a second wind. When their swords meet this time Arthur doesn’t stutter in his movements. 

He throws his arm out and forces Merlin back once more but as quickly as he does Merlin is back on his feet and aiming that sharp sword straight for Arthur’s head. Only to kick out his foot and send Merlin sprawling but before he can land a hit of his own. Merlin is rolling away from him and somehow getting back up to his feet once again. Simply quirking an eyebrow before he smiles wide but it comes out threatening. 

With a simple swipe, Arthur is suddenly on the retreat as Merlin brings his sword down harder on Arthur’s own. Arthur glared him down with absolute concentration. 

Arthur is surprised when he actually wins that small duel. Using his extra weight against Merlin and that black sword is going flying. Lance yelping and back peddling as it lands upright in the grass. 

Merlin steps back and starts to put his hands up. 

“Do you submit?” Arthur asks, holding his sword up and by his shoulder. Point aimed at Merlin. 

Merlin moves and Arthur’s mistake is thinking it’s to kneel. He doesn’t expect Merlin to do it so fast. He had only gotten low to kick Arthur in the shin. Sending his legs out from under him. His sword gets kicked from his hand next as he groans in pain. 

Merlin puts a foot on his shoulder and he kicks him over onto his back and Arthur is wrapping his fingers around that delicate ankle. Dragging Merlin down with him. Merlin groans as Arthur rolls, still keeping a hold on the little pest's ankle. Trying to move to pin him down. Merlin hooks his free leg around Arthur’s shoulder and he flips them both again. His hand wrapped around Arthur’s neck, his other hand wrapping around Arthur’s dominant hand and the ankle that Arthur had trapped in his other hand had escaped and he now had a boot standing on his wrist and Arthur was set to look up at those blue eyes. Arthur tries to get them rolled again but Merlin has him pinned. 

“I believe this means you are making lunch Cariad” Merlin snickers before letting go of Arthur’s throat. Leaning down to kiss him softly. Arthur yields to that. Finding himself exhausted beyond compare. 

Gwaine genuinely looks upset at missing out on Merlin’s pork pies as they make the walk back to their place. Arthur is happy to get changed when they get back. Merlin chided him for just dumping his armour. 

“I am the one who takes care of that you know” 

“Sorry Merls but my arms feel like they weigh a thousand pounds. How did your king do this every day?” Arthur asks as Merlin gently sets Arthur’s armour back in its proper spot. Because that was a thing now. 

“Helps when your father’s a megalomaniac who puts a sword in your hand when you're three and sends you out to play with the knights so he doesn’t have to deal with you” Merlin shrugs, easily folding up some loose laundry as Arthur finishes getting dressed. Arthur jumps when Merlin yells. “GWAINE DO NOT TOUCH THAT!”

“Jesus Christ Mum! What the hell do you do? Have eyes spread throughout the house?” Gwaine grumbles as Arthur and Merlin walk back into the main area of the house. 

“No, it’s called magic you dipshit. Do not touch my magic books. One of them might accidentally teleport you who knows where and I am not finding you. Nor will I be telling Percy a magic book ate you” Merlin huffs snatching a book from Gwaine’s hands and sliding it back onto the shelf with all the care in the world. Rubbing a soft finger down its spine like his apologising to it for letting Gwaine get his dirty fingers on it. 

“So cruel. You never used to be so cruel” Gwaine murmurs, clutching his heart. His grubby little Raccoon hands already reaching for something else on Merlin’s shelf of weird stuff. 

Merlin smirking at him. 

“Time changes all things except you are still a menace to society. Don’t change Gwaine. It’s not becoming. And stop touching my stuff! That is a priceless near 3000-year-old artefact that holds...cursed energy, the ass was annoying the first time to get back in there. I nearly died, hell I nearly got possessed so put it down. No Cornelius you are not getting out again...because you wanted to destroy Camelot you douche. It’s long gone! You may as well just call it a day” Merlin says snatching a blue gemstone-shaped heart back from Gwaine’s hand as it flashes softly. It stops flashing after Merlin tells it to shut up, his eyes flashing before he sets it back in its box on the mantel. 

It was all stuff meant to be moved once Arthur fully moved in here. They had already started the process. His bed was in here now and boxes lined Merlin’s extra spare room with his office inessentials. Merlin was going to stash it away somewhere. Who knows. All they knew is that Issy didn’t need to touch any of it. Even Arthur had been told not to touch some of it. Merlin had spent years struggling to learn how to control some of it. Let alone keep some of the worst stuff contained. 

Lance and Leon rolled their eyes at the duo. Arthur was not far behind, grabbing the stuff for sandwiches. Arthur watches Merlin's mother hen the other three. Helping them out of most of their armour so they're a bit more comfortable but unlike with Arthur, he doesn’t let his hands linger. His quick, efficient. Getting them all comfortable. 

Merlin thanks Arthur for the sandwich as he sits down with the rest of them. 

“So...were you two ever gonna tell us when you got engaged? Was the proposal sweet?” Lance asks. Arthur watches as Merlin blushes bright red, fingers moving automatically to twiddle with the ring on his finger. He doesn’t hide it though. He just smiles softly. 

“Oh, that’s...just more of a promise. So Merlin always has a bit of me. A promise ring that he's my only intended and loved and when he's ready to take it further. Then I’ll happily accept” Arthur says. 

Merlin doe-eyed as he stared at the ring. He had been confused the morning after. When they had woken up Arthur had explained it was just that. A favour, a promise. Nothing too serious unless Merlin wanted to be. If he wanted to take as much time to decide as possible. Merlin had just spent as long as he could kissing Arthur until Isolde had woken up. 

“That’s very sweet Arthur” Leon says, meaning it. 

“After the Siren fiasco. I just...needed the reassurance” Arthur shrugs. 

He still had nightmares about it and Merlin would just reassure him it was ok. Even though Arthur felt like he should be reassuring Merlin. Merlin had killed her. Had kicked her off a balcony and he had shrugged it off like it was a random Tuesday. Merlin had simply kissed him on the cheek and told him that it was Merlin’s life or hers and he’d do it again if it came down to it. He mourned her life but didn’t mourn what he did. 

It had taken a lot of sweeping under the rug on Arthur’s political end. An assassin of all things in this day and age. Sent to kill him and Morgana. Leon had even added a small and Uther had he been there. Luckily their security team was on the ball and was well-commended. Life had moved on rather swiftly from that. Everybody raved over the success of the hotel. Every room for the next 4 months was booked solid. Not to mention the events they had coming up. Morris had nearly fainted when Arthur had promoted him to events manager, thanking him profusely. 

Arthur spends most of his time at work over the next few days preparing everything for his few weeks off and then working from home.  Morgana is happy to take over where she can and Leon is there to help her out. Everything had been going well. At least in Arthur’s opinion. 

Getting a call and he smiles when he sees his Baby girl. 

“Daddy...Papa said I could borrow his phone to talk to you. His busy...someone is really hurt so his helping. He’s sorry for missing lunch with you” Issy chirps. 

“It’s ok. Just means me and you will have to have lunch together then.” Arthur says smiling. Setting his phone against his laptop so he can grab the lunch Merlin made him out of the fridge under his desk. 

“Papa said you're taking him on a special date the night before our surgery. Said you won’t tell him anything about it though” Issy questions. A devious look in her little eyes. Merlin really did have a hand in raising her, even if he claimed to just have been a nurse to her all these years. She was too much like him. 

“And I am not telling you anything either. Not until after at least. You are a blabbermouth.  A very cute one but Merlin will get that secret out of you with a flutter of his eyelashes. You can wait till after the date and we’ll tell you all about it then ok” Arthur promises. 

Issy pouts, crossing her arms. 

“Have you left your broccoli behind? Issy you know Merls will be cranky if you don’t eat your magic trees” Arthur chides softly. Noticing the little green plants still sitting on her lunch tray. Everything else is gone. 

“They're just...so gross and they're not really magic! Why do I have to?” She whines. 

“Unigryw, if Merlin is making me eat a salad for lunch you are eating your greens too,” Arthur says, showing her his noodle salad. It was nice. Arthur just would have preferred a steak. Or...well...anything but lettuce...but Merlin had Arthur eating like a goddamn rabbit these last few days so he was in perfect condition to have his organs harvested. 

That gets him a sigh and a huff and a whine and a very high-pitched keening whimper before Issy eats her broccoli. Showing him her empty plate and a lovely mouth full of food. 

Arthur praised her gently. 

He stays on the line with her as she slowly drifts off to sleep, she had been explaining how Dr Gaius had taken her on a small walk around the hospital and it had tired her out more than she must have thought. Arthur is happy to stay on the line with her. Even as she sleeps. Doing his work. 

“Issy...oh she’s asleep...” Merlin’s voice sounds and Arthur watches him appear. Hearing him tsk at the fact that she had managed to get her IV tangled again somehow. Arthur lets him fix it before he speaks up. 

“Hey Cariad” Arthur whispers. Trying to keep his laughing to himself as Merlin jumps a foot in the air. Whirling to glare at the phone. 

“You are a menace. Thank you for talking to her over lunch. I’m sorry I was busy. I’ll see you at home tonight Baby” Merlin says softly. 

Arthur gives him a gentle wave before Merlin hangs up. 

Arthur is nervous the night before his surgery. They were heading out early for their date so he could make sure to eat something properly before the cut-off time. He wasn’t nervous about the surgery through, more so the date.

He had it planned at least since he had talked to Leon. Leon’s words were heavy on his heart and he had planned the date down to the last detail. 

Merlin happily steals all the orange sweeties from the bag of sweets Arthur had brought with him as he sings along to the music playing over the radio. Thankfully today had been a good day for him. No emergencies or things going bad so Merlin was in a decent mood. 

Arthur drives them out to the Holy Loch. Sending a small thank you to Morgana when everything is set up when they get there. The boat, the picnic. All of it just as he had asked. He had set the picnic up he had just asked her to transport it all there for him so it was ready. 

“Alright you are gonna call me a little crazy but I...I was speaking to Leon a while ago and he explained that you had to bury all your friends but you never got to move on. I love you so much and you should if you want to of course...move on.” Arthur says sheepishly. Hoping Merlin doesn’t hit him or hate him. Hoping he doesn’t make Merlin feel bad. 

“So this is a date and a burial?” Merlin questions. He looks hesitant but not angry. 

“In a way. Burial and date in one. Merlin...I love you. I know you look at Leon and the others sometimes and I see it. The jealousy in your eyes that they got a second chance. That they got to rest while you had to let all of them go. I’ve never found that fair. So tonight we bury Merlin the King's Servant and you rebuild yourself as Merlin Emrys. Protector of everybody but owned by nobody. Nobody owns you anymore Merlin. You get to choose your love and your life now. No more destiny crap. No more Once and Future King bullshit. Just live with me here and now” Arthur speaks up as he guides Merlin over to the wooden boat. 

It was lined with pillows and a basket sat in the middle of it. Arthur helps Merlin step into the boat and he pushes it gently into the water before jumping into it himself. The Holy Loch was really beautiful, especially as the moon glints off the water. Merlin forms small lights that surround them like little fireflies so their not completely in darkness as Arthur rows them out to the middle of the lake. 

They eat and talk about random things. Merlin doesn’t stop smiling and he looks beautiful as he points out the different constellations. Merlin sends the picnic basket home after they are done eating so Arthur isn’t tempted to eat past his time and Arthur gets Merlin to lie down. 

Merlin rested his head in Arthur’s lap, closing his eyes. The last thing Arthur expects is for Merlin to start humming to himself. Just a soft lullaby and then the words start and Arthur at first would believe it was a spell but it was a lullaby in words he didn’t know. A language that felt lost to time but something about, pulled at his heartstrings. 

Arthur was never one to cry. Never one to shed tears over something as simple as a song before. Uther’s fault really but Merlin singing softly, his eyes closed. He looked so peaceful. So content. Had Arthur’s eyes prickling. He wasn’t the same man Arthur had met. His face was full and soft and his body was firm with muscle and no longer showing bone where bone shouldn’t be. He didn’t hide away anymore and those eyes. While they still held the weight of fifteen hundred years behind them. Of so many lifetimes. They weren’t as sad anymore. He was still as sassy, and still called Arthur a cabbage head quite often. Still liked to point out all of Arthur’s obvious flaws with that same wicked smirk on his face. 

“If you're gonna cry like a little girl, can you not do it on my face?” Merlin requests and it breaks that reverie that had filled the air. Merlin reaches up to wipe down his face in an exaggerated manner. Smirking up at Arthur. 

“Be lucky I don’t drown you on principle” Arthur grumbles but Merlin reaches up and gently wipes away his tears for him before bringing him down. It hurts Arthur’s back a little at the way he has to bend but he goes anyway. Letting Merlin kiss him softly. 

“Thank you for this” Merlin whispers. 

“I should be the one thanking you Merls,” Arthur replies. 

“No...this..for telling me it’s ok to move on. For letting me move on. I love you so much and I’m grateful for everything you’ve given me. I hope one day you can truly understand the scope of everything you have done for me Fy Trysor” Merlin says. 

Merlin ends up falling asleep in Arthur’s lap. Both of them just float on the water. Arthur enjoys the tranquillity of it all. Watching Merlin’s dreams come to life before him. Tonight was just simple. It was Issy running around with Nymphaea in the park. Playing tag. Both of them laughed. Aithusa sunning his wings and Merlin curled into Arthur’s side. It was one of Merlin’s most often dreams lately and Arthur lets him sleep for a while before he knows they should head back but before he can wake Merlin up something shifts. 

A nightmare formed around them. Boats lining the water in Merlin’s sparkling fire, boats upon boats. To many of them and when Arthur looks at the first boat he sees Leon’s face. Completely placid, almost as if he was asleep. A sword lying across his chest but his hands were wrapped...in a familiar bracelet. The same one Arthur had always seen him with. The second he finds Lance’s face. The third Percy though his face was wrinkled, elderly. The more Arthur looks around the more he feels panic almost taking hold of his heart. Seeing the youth of some of his friends and the age of the others. 

Gwaine looked just as he did now. Young...so young. So did Lance. Elliot looked young too. To young. The knights all wearing their capes, swords in hand no matter their age. Gwen wearing a circlet and jewels, wearing the most beautiful dress even as the age shows in her weathered hands and Arthur’s heart catches in his throat when he sees his sister. She looked like a wreck. Her hair was a tangled mess and her dress was torn and shredded in places. She looked...sad even in this facsimile of death. Nothing like his beautiful sister of today. If Morgana saw this, she’d be disgusted that was what Merlin dreamt of her as. 

More boats float past and Arthur finds himself looking at their faces. Wanting to see just who Merlin had buried. Had been forced to let go off. Far too many...so many it almost makes Arthur sick. 

Dr Gaius, his hair longer but his face was still the same. Wearing robes that looked like they were hemmed with gold. A woman...the woman from Arthur’s painting curled in a boat. A neckerchief curled in her hands. The painting that Merlin had cried at when he had first seen it. She was beautiful even with an aged face. She looked just like Merlin how had Arthur never seen it before? How had...he never realised he had painted Merlin’s mother? Before Arthur can look in the last boat though. The boats around them catch fire. The fire blazing so high that it makes Arthur jump.  He can feel the heat. 

“Merlin! Merls. Baby...come on wake up. Wake up” Arthur says softly, gently shaking Merlin before he starts shaking harder when Merlin barely stirs. 

“Wha...what’s going on...” Merlin asks. Their voice raspy with sleep as he sits up. He stares around in shock. He claps his hands and the boats all vanish, leaving them just with the darkness of the lake and Arthur is pulling Merlin into a hug. 

“Let’s go home. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to cause you nightmares” Arthur whispers. Feeling bad. 

“Arthur I’ve had these nightmares for as long as the first time I buried Freya...I’m sorry if I scared you. You shouldn’t have had to see that. Any of it.” Merlin says leaning into his arms. Grabbing Arthur’s hand and pressing a kiss to his wrist. 

“Some of them were so young” Arthur murmurs as Merlin's eyes flash and the boat starts moving on its own. Towards the shore. 

“Percy was the only one...only knight who made it to 80. Aside from Leon but those were different circumstances. The other knights had so much time left and it was taken from them but I’m glad now, they get to have a second chance.” Merlin explains softly. 

“How...how did each of them? I thought Lancelot walked into the Veil?” Arthur asks. 

“He did and then he was forced to come back by dark magic as a shade...he.. let's not speak of it just yet. I can’t, I’m sorry. I feel it’s bad luck before tomorrow. I need your mind clear and open. Set on the positives” Merlin begs, staring at Arthur. 

Arthur just nods. Wrapping Merlin up even tighter if that was possible and Merlin lets his head rest upon Arthur’s chest. Arthur doesn’t miss the tears that slip down his face and he just whispers words of love into Merlin’s hair. 

“I saw Elliot? I looked through the Arthurian legends. There was no knight Elliot” 

“There was no Knight Leon other. Names change over time as things are translated....he used to be called Elyan. He was the one who kept his head on straight most of the time but it never stopped him from getting in on teasing each other...or me” Merlin explains gently. 

The boat hits the shore gently and they step out of it. Merlin ran his hands across the boat and the pillows and blankets that had been inside it disappeared. 

Merlin drives them home. His eyes glowed softly in the night. Keeping his eyes on the road but he never lets go of Arthur’s hands. Arthur happily lets him. Fiddling with the ring on Merlin’s finger. His ring. 

The next morning is a big rush and Merlin asks Arthur 400 times if his really sure this is ok. Arthur finally shuts him up with a kiss and tells him he wouldn’t do it for anybody else. Arthur getting texts upon texts of well wishes and one from Morgana to be good for Merlin or she’d kick him in his incision spot. 

Arthur grins when he gets to see Issy. She runs up to him, hugging him tightly. Thanking him over and over again. Arthur tells her, she has nothing to thank him for. 

Merlin promises to be in the operating room with them both and Arthur is sent off to get ready, wrapped up in one of those medical robe things and his boxers. Gaius checked him over once more. Making sure his really good to go before his being pushed onto a bed. 

Smiling when he hears giggling from Issy as he's wheeled into the same operating room. 

“Alright, my Unigryw...I want you to do me a favour...can you wear this for me?” Merlin asks, holding up a strip of cloth. 

“What for?” Isolde asks. 

“For luck, it’s a piece of cloth from one of my older scarves. I’ll be wearing a bit of it too and so will your Daddy.” 

“Only the highest warriors get the privilege of wearing favours” Arthur says to his daughter. 

Isolde’s eyes widen at the thought of being seen as a warrior and she holds out her arm. Merlin gently wraps the cloth around her wrist. Arthur noticed he was already wearing his, on the same wrist. His ring hanging from a chain on his neck and Arthur had to admit his partner was hot in his Nurse scrubs. 

“Not too tight?” Merlin asks. 

Issy shakes her head. 

“Ok, my love...” Merlin leaned down to kiss her forehead before coming over to Arthur. Arthur watches as Elena coos at her as she presses something into Issy’s cannula. Arthur happily holds up his wrist and Merlin wraps the last piece of scrap cloth around his wrist. 

“See you soon,” Merlin says, leaning down gently on the edge of the operating table. 

“Love you,” Arthur says, feeling something cool flow under his skin as Merlin pushes something into the cannula they had inserted when he was getting ready. 

“Count down from 10 with me Cariad” Merlin instructs. 

Arthur doesn’t even remember doing that. Just seeing those blue eyes watching him with care and love.

When he wakes up, he feels groggy and like his eyes are being weighed down by the pressure of the world but he looks around and he smiles when he sees Merlin sitting there. His stomach had an ache to it but it wasn't too bad. At least not while he was hopped up on every damn drug they probably had. Next to him reading a book and just beside Merlin asleep on another bed was their daughter. Still sound asleep but her heart was beating strong if the heart monitor next to her bed was anything to go by. 

Merlin looks tired and Arthur reaches out a hand. Running his hand down the back of Merlin’s wrist. 

Merlin looks up and his grin...Arthur will remember that grin forever. It was perfect and he knows what it means. That the transplant was so far successful. Merlin kisses the back of Arthur’s hand. 

“Thank you Fy Trysor. Thank you. I owe you my own heart” Merlin whispers. 

“I already have it” Arthur reminds him, it comes out slurred but it makes Merlin smile more. Leaning down and kissing him properly. Arthur feels like a slug and he's sure he accidentally bites Merlin’s lip but Merlin doesn’t seem to mind. 

“Do...you two have to do that in front of me...it’s gross” A voice whispers and Merlin is rushing over to their daughter. He does some fiddling and with a bit of magic, he has Issy and Arthur’s beds right beside each other. Merlin checked over Issy's vitals. Looking pleased as punch.  

Arthur is happy to have her tiny little hand in his own, as Merlin moves to sit on the end of Arthur’s bed. Just watched them both. Issy’s eyes drooping again and Merlin reassures her it’s ok to go back to sleep that Arthur and Merlin would still be there when she woke up again. Merlin rubs a hand up and down Arthur’s leg gently. 

“You to Arthur. Some more sleep would do you well. Don’t fight it” Merlin says, his voice sounding echoing and Arthur recognises the spell. 

The sleep spell that Merlin had used on him after the siren incident. Arthur’s eyes fall shut once more and he sleeps without dreams. He sleeps peacefully. 

Chapter Text

“MERLIN!” 

It’s the first thing he hears when he unlocks his and Arthur’s front door. Arthur’s stuff officially moved over and Merlin was exhausted. Even with their friend's help especially cause Arthur couldn’t carry any more than a box of marshmallows without potentially tearing open his stitches. So he was mainly there to direct things around how he wanted them. 

Merlin stared at the paintings that now lined his walls as well as the photos. Running his fingers across his mother’s painting. 

“Give me strength...” He whispers to her as he sets his bag down. 

Arthur hadn’t meant to be of course. He knew that Arthur must be in pain, he couldn’t imagine what it felt like to give up part of your body, while Arthur didn’t regret it. He was slowly making Merlin’s days hell without even trying. With every unnecessary gripe and whine Merlin understood he needed the help he did. He knew what he was getting into when he brought Arthur home but it was suddenly like having King Arthur that couldn't even brush his own hair back and Merlin finds. He hadn't missed the Prat all that much. Not when this new Arthur. The Arthur that took him on romantic dates and sought to make him comfortable as possible was being taken over by the same arrogant ass that used to send him lugging 12 buckets up the servants stairs in Camelot cause he wanted a bath in the middle of bloody winter. 

Issy still had to stay at the hospital until they knew for sure the transplant had been successful and that had been half of Arthur’s bitching. That it wasn’t fair that Merlin got to see her every day but he didn’t. He was confined in bed or his office chair answering emails and Merlin really was trying to be compassionate but he was also working doubles as well. One of the night nurses was off and somehow Merlin had been stuck with her shifts even with his healing partner at home. Elena had tried to take the shifts for him but the dick that ran the hospital was being particularly annoying to Merlin for some unknown reason. 

Over the past three weeks he couldn’t think of a single moment he had gotten to himself and he was about ready to scream...or jump off the hospital roof so he could vacation with Cailleach for a few days. 

If it wasn’t Arthur being an absolute pest. It was the hospital. It was moving their stuff. If it waiting nervously by Issy’s bed three times now as she had grown a fever and her heart rate had dropped to dangerous levels as her body got used to the new liver powering it. It was Aithusa whining in his head that they hadn’t ended up visiting like they promised and that Nymphaea was getting cranky about it. It was their friends. It was like Merlin didn’t know where to turn because everywhere he looked, there was someone who needed him and he was trying so hard to keep it together. 

He was trying to be brave for Issy, trying to be complacent for Arthur, trying to be reassuring for Nymphy and Aithy, and trying to be attentive to his friends. He can’t remember in the last three weeks when he had just taken a single breath for himself. When he hadn’t woken up and reached for Arthur’s pulse point. Worried that he had slept through his passing. 

So Merlin had stopped sleeping. It was easier. He would spend his nights, looking over some of Arthur’s paperwork and watching Arthur sleep. His heart felt calmer that way and the nightmare had stopped plaguing him. Not like he needed sleep anyway. 

“MERLIN!” 

“I’m coming” He calls back. 

“I need your help for you a shower! Sorry. Also, we’re out of soup” Arthur calls. 

‘I’M GETTING THERE!” Merlin yells. He doesn’t mean to come out as cranky as he must do but he was just...

Merlin blinks and suddenly his on a horse. Not any horse, Gweiadur. 

“My Gods Merlin what are you thinking about now? You keep zoning out on me! What are you away with the fairies” Arthur snaps and Merlin looks up to see Arthur wearing his chainmail. Llamrei snorted under him as if to agree with her master. 

“Sorry Sire. I'm just...tired. Didn’t sleep well last night with Percival’s snoring is all” Merlin replies. Already holding out his hand to catch the water skin that Percival ditches at him. 

“I’ll take it you mean Gwaine’s snoring. That idiot snores like a Wilddeoren” Percival says looking offended. 

“Merlin...hey keep your eyes open for me. Merls...I’m calling an ambulance ok. Where are you hurt” Arthur says but when Merlin looks at the blond man’s mouth isn’t opening. He stares ahead, hand on his sword. Eyes scanning the forest. 

He was alert for danger. 

“Arthur...oi turnip head...” Merlin says and Arthur’s blue eyes flick to him, giving him one of those side eyes that he was so good at. “Do you think parallel universes exist?” 

“Parallel what? Merlin have you been reading Gaius’ science books again” 

“Parallel universes. Where we all exist but in a different time or place. Like...what if there was a world where you had magic? Or were a troll? You have the nose of a troll” Merlin comments. 

“I DO NOT! My nose is perfectly formed thank you, at least I don’t have a horse face” Arthur grumbles even as he rubs across his nose. Going cross-eyed trying to look at it. 

“You so do. Come on his Kingliness or else Gwen will be upset that you're late for supper and I am not fighting Audrey again. That woman is a witch. I swear by it. She’s out to poison me” Merlin says pushing Gweiadur into a quicker pace. 

“Merlin, can you hear me, my boy? I need you to respond. Arthur, when did he sleep last? Eat?” Gaius’ voice rings out in his head and he whirls around. What sick joke was this? Who was speaking in his head now and why were they pretending to be his father figure? 

“He sleeps beside me nightly. I know he had dinner with me last night. He said he’d been eating with Issy” Arthur says and Merlin whirls around but Arthur’s still rubbing at his nose. Llmarei nips softly at Gweiadur’s tail in a playful gesture. Gweiadur snorted in replying, shaking herself gently. 

“Arthur did you hear that...I think there’s...magic close...I just have this bad feeling” Merlin questions his king. 

“You always have bad feelings, Merlin,” Arthur says with another roll of his eyes. 

“For valid reason and one day maybe you’ll listen to me you ass” Merlin grumbled. 

“Treason Merlin? This early in the morning. Between your bad feelings and your weird dreams, I’d never get anything done” Arthur questions but Merlin looks around confused because it wasn’t morning. The sun had just started to set. 

“So what was I in this parallel universe of yours?” Gwaine asks softly. 

“Uh...a clerk? You worked in something called advertising and Arthur ran an inn but it was the size of the citadel...” 

“Me run an Inn!? Did you sneak into Gwaine’s booze before you fell asleep last night Merlin” Arthur asks and when Merlin looks back at him his not wearing his knight’s garb. His chainmail is gone and his wearing jeans and a button-up shirt but he doesn’t even seem to notice. 

“Arthur...I think somethings wrong” Merlin whispers. Turning and his friends have disappeared and they're suddenly in a far deeper part of the woods. The old trees curled around the path, forming almost a tunnel. 

“We’ll be home soon, God you are such a Girl’s Petticoat. Don’t worry, I’ll leave your chores for tomorrow. Even you deserve a break after a delegation with King Lot” Arthur says, voice softening. 

Merlin pulls Gweiadur to a halt and Arthur continues on talking about how King Lot had been very accepting of their peace treaty. Not even noticing that Merlin has stopped and then he disappears. 

Merlin whirls when he hears voices again. 

“Alright come on careful...don’t need your stitches open my love. Or mine. He’ll kill me otherwise. Lay down next to Papa. Did he eat lunch with you today?” Arthur asks but it’s the Arthur in his head. 

“No. He said he was going to but then he got called off on an emergency. He said I could have his grapes” A soft voice says and Merlin realises the Gweiadur has gone missing too and Merlin is standing on this empty dark path. Trying to figure out what was going on. 

Who was calling him Papa? When did he gain a child? What happened? 

Merlin hears laughter behind him and he turns, suddenly he's standing on the edge of the Lake. Shielding his eyes for a second from the bright sun before he sees them. Arthur is sitting with his family. All of them dressed in their knight's garb. Arthur’s crown sitting on the ground beside them. All of them laugh loud and it’s sweet to hear. Morgana sitting with them, she didn’t look like she had when he last saw her though. She looked like the girl he had met when he had first come to Camelot. Her hair was shiny and silken, and her dress was beautifully crafted. 

Before Merlin can take a step towards his friends though the ground between them cracks and shifts. Merlin screaming for them. Screaming for Arthur but they can’t hear him. 

“Emrys...they won’t be able to hear you. No matter what you do. They’re dead...that version of them anyways” A voice says and Merlin looks to his left, keeping his friend’s in his eyesight as Kilgharrah comes into sight. 

“What’s going on?” Merlin asks 

“A curse. You’ve been cursed my oldest friend but unless Arthur...the real Arthur can figure it out in time...you’ll be stuck here. Slowly losing your mind. Having it eaten from under your feet. This is a dream and you’ll need to figure out something. A way to get a message to Arthur and Isolde before it’s too late.” 

“Take me to the Citadel. Please. Take me there” Merlin asks. 

If that was true then...he was in his head. He was stuck in his head and he needed to get out before whatever it was that he had been cursed with turned him catatonic. 

Kilgharrah brings his neck down and Merlin is clutching on for dear life as his friend spreads that massive wings. Merlin takes one last look at his family laughing, smiling, all of them looking at peace before Kilgharrah is taken to the air. 

The flight to Camelot isn’t that far and Merlin hears the screams. Hears the yelling and the fighting and he realises when his being dropped. The night that he had freed Kilgharrah. 

Kilgharrah drops him atop one of the turrets and he’s running for it. Running for Gaius’ chambers. Running into knights going the other way but he just barges through. Merlin pours through all of Gaius’ ingredients. Grabbing what he needs. 

“Papa...Papa....I’m sorry if it was my fault. If I was too needy after my surgery. I know you’ve been working hard and taking care of Daddy at home too” That same soft voice says and Merlin looks around. Almost expecting the owner of the sweet voice to appear but she doesn’t. Merlin wants to reassure her, it’s not her job to worry. 

Merlin grinding up some Yukka root and some flaxon. Adding it to the fire before grabbing some of his hair, tugging gently and pulling it from his scalp. Putting it into the fire with some daisy roots and Merlin starts chanting the words. 

Hoping it works. He was never one for scrying that was more Morgana’s work, as he comes to his last words, he pours in the water and for a second nothing happens Merlin wants to scream but then suddenly he sees it. Himself lying in a hospital bed,  Arthur sitting in a chair beside him and Morgana was pacing the room as Issy curled up beside him. 

“MORGANA!” He yells and she nearly hits the roof. Turning around and looking at him. 

“Merlin...what’s wrong?” She asks. 

Arthur looked up. 

“I’ve been cursed...I..don’t have long this spell is already fading. I need you and Arthur to...Morgana” The water grows fuzzy as the walls around him crumble and he's standing in a field. His hands are on the basin still. “Morgana...” 

He watches as his family disappears and the basin under him disappears and he looks around. He knew this field, he knew this field too well and he sighs as he heads over to the gravestone sitting there. 

He hadn’t visited it in years. 

“Why here? Are you trying to tell me you're alive too? Out there somewhere? That I need to find you ?” He asks Will’s grave. Will doesn’t reply of course. 

Why would he? 

“I miss you, I miss you more than anything Will. You were my first-ever partner in crime. The first one that never looked at me like I was a freak. I’m so sorry that you never got the life you wanted. That you never got to marry Kerrie Labell and have 3 kids and become a blacksmith. She died a spinster you know. I think she loved you just as much and she couldn’t bring herself to love anybody else. I hope wherever you are. You two are happy together” Merlin speaks to the gravestone. 

He's not surprised when he blinks and his moved again. Freezing in the pits of Ismere but this time he was sitting in a well, Aithusa curled up on his lap. He could have only been a year old and he turns to look at Merlin then he starts speaking but it's in Morgana’s voice. 

“Merlin, can you hear me? Can you...oh thank god. I...transferred your consciousness to my head. Your memories are too important to lose. I could do with losing a few of my darker ones. Newt’s eyes are very hard to get without some weird questions. Good thing Daisy knew what I needed and sent some over. What do you mean you're cursed...” Before Morgana can finish asking though. Merlin is being transported somewhere else. 

Merlin was surprised when his lying in bed with Gwen of all people. Gwen laughing over something. She looked young. Younger than when Merlin had known her. She couldn't have been older than 12.  Morgana’s laughter comes from him. 

“Oh, I remember this. Her father had the flu so she stayed with me for a few days. Curse. Go. Shoot!” Gwen says but it’s not Gwen’s eyes staring at him it’s Morgana’s. 

“Something on me...” 

Merlin throwing a tantrum when the world changes again. 

He’s tiny. Curled up in a cape too big for him, staring up at Uther Pendragon with fear in his heart. The castle was cold in the winter and he sinks deeper into his cape as Uther peers down at him. Face open and soft. 

“Morgana. I promise you will be safe here as my ward. This is my son Arthur you will be good friends I’m sure of it. Arthur come say hello” Uther says and a little blond boy who couldn’t be more the Issy’s age is moving forward. 

“Your...lady...uh you're very pretty” The tiny voice of 8-year-old Arthur squeaks out before bowing. He was already wearing chainmail, a small sword at his hip. He looked almost exactly like Issy and Merlin smiled at the sight. 

“MERLIN! STOP MOVING! What am I doing?” Morgana’s voice comes from Uther’s mouth this time. 

“I’m not doing it intentionally. If there is anything on me. Take it off and burn it. All of it. Except for Arthur’s ring. Everything else needs to come off”  Merlin orders. 

And then he's whirled through time and space again and he’s sitting across from a curly dark-haired boy with blue eyes. 

“My Queen. I hear we are making good work on the mines. Especially with the men the trappers bring in” Mordred says. 

Merlin can only watch the scene play out and after dinner, his feet...Morgana’s feet take him to a derelict room. The bed sheets had holes in them. The room was dusty but she headed over to a mirror. Merlin looks upon his friend in her worst state and his heart aches for his friend. For how broken down she looked. 

“I think...that’s...ever...do you have a tattoo?” Morgana asks in the mirror. 

“No. No tattoos. They don’t stick. Arthur’s whole don’t change rule. Why?” 

Merlin groans in frustration when he slips through time again. But this time he’s back in his own body and he’s screaming as he feels something burn across his hip. Going to bolt upright but two sets of hands hold him down. 

“Stop. Cariad stop. Morgana is trying to help I know it hurts but stop!” Arthur orders and Merlin finds his partner. His soul mate and he takes a breath. Tears streaking down his face as Morgana burns off the tattoo on his hip. 

Gaius is the other set of hands on him, pinning him down. 

“Percy and Gwaine are with Issy. She’s ok. Are you ok?” Gaius asks. 

“Ask me that when I’m not getting my flesh seared off. MORGANA!” Merlin yells. 

“I’m nearly done. I don’t want any of it to linger” Morgana yells back. 

Merlin is finally released and Gaius pats him on the shoulder. Returning to wrap his new wound. 

“You seemed to have gotten it all my dear. Your Magic is going well under Merlin’s tutelage” Gaius says gently. 

Merlin just looks at Arthur and he reaches out a hand. 

“I...I’m sorry if I’ve said or done things this week...or however long I’ve had this thing. I love you. I love you so much, Arthur. I really do” Merlin whispers. 

“I know and I know you’ve been strained with work. I should have stayed at the hospital longer. It would have been easier on you” Arthur replies, grabbing his hand. Squeezing him tightly in return. 

“No...you had to work and we had to move the stuff and...then I got these bastard doubles and...Arthur I’m so tired but every time I close my eyes you die. I watch you die” Merlin whispers. 

“I promise you, I am not going anywhere. Never ok. You and Issy are my entire life Merls. For now, we figure out who tried to curse you and you get some sleep ok?” 

Merlin nods and he wonders how it always ends up with Arthur taking care of him these days. Arthur’s stitches had ripped a little in Merlin’s thrashing but he had just pulled free a few loose stitches and smacked a chunk of gauze over it. Telling Merlin not to worry. Gaius and Morgana help Merlin get dressed again and despite his protesting Gaius forces him to at least go through a bag of saline before he’s allowed to go. 

Merlin looked over the symbol that Morgana had sketched out for him. He knew what it was but....he’d deal with it later. Right now was just cuddling Issy and watching shitty daytime TV as Arthur slept in the chair beside his bed. 

Arthur had fallen into a self-blame spiral. Muttering how it had been his fault. That he had been too much on Merlin’s shoulders. Merlin had just shut him up with a kiss and told him to chill out before he gave himself a hernia. That it wasn’t his fault. 

Thankfully Gaius gets Merlin a few days off and some part of Merlin gets this feeling. A feeling he hasn’t had in such a long time but his signing his daughter out. Legally able to take her home now. Gaius thankfully understands him when he says he just needs his family home with him and not split between two places. Merlin checks over all of Isolde’s stuff as he packs it. Running his tired magic over all of it. Checking it for any other curses but he finds no weird inscriptions or any ill feelings off her things. Packing all of it. 

“Wait...does this...does this mean I’m coming home for good?” Issy asks as Merlin makes sure he has even her drawings off the walls. 

“Yes. You're coming home for good. You’ll still have to come in for visits and for the next few weeks, you still need to take it easy. Rest and do everything your Papa says...but yes you're going home Issy” Gaius murmurs. 

Grunting a little when the 8-year-old menace slams into him full force. Sobbing her heart out. 

“Thank you. Thank you” She blubbers and Merlin’s heart warms at the picture. Especially when Elena lets her pick her butterfly. 

Merlin watches her take great care with picking it. Blue bright wings and she’s sticking it above her hand print. She had picked a matching one to Tristan’s. 

“I’m going home...You were right after all.” She whispers tracing her finger over the outline of his handprint. 

Arthur looks at Merlin a little confused. 

“Tristan always told her she’d go home one day. That she’d get better.” Merlin explains. 

Happily taking his daughter's hand as they leave the hospital. Morgana drops them home, having come back to pick them up and Merlin thanks her. For everything. 

When they get home Merlin starts putting Issy’s stuff away as Arthur helps her fold down the sheets on her new bed.  

Merlin and Arthur might have gone out and brought her all the princess stuff you could imagine. A canopy around her bed, all of it in soft purples. Issy stared in shock at her new room. 

“This...is all for me?” She asks softly. Staring around, her Scooby toy in her arm. 

“Me and Arthur...might have gone a little decoration happy...do you like it?” Merlin asks, turning to give her a soft smile as he finishes putting her Pyjamas away. Moving on to putting away her day clothes next. 

“It’s so much” Issy whispers. 

“We wanted you to be happy here, to be comfortable. If you don’t like the colour. I can change it for you?” Merlin says, Arthur taking over putting away her day clothes. 

Merlin waves his hand and her walls change to a soft green, he waves his hand again and it turns into a soft pink. 

“Anything you want” He says kneeling in front of her as she sits on the side of the bed. 

“The pink is pretty. Can I think on it?” She asks. 

Merlin nods and helps her to bed properly. She was exhausted from all the excitement and crying. 

Gwaine despite Merlin protesting he had it covered had even gone out and brought her a TV and a DVD player. 

“This is a gift from your Uncle Gwaine and Uncle Percy,” Merlin says setting the large case on the bed. Letting her open the box and she squeals.

Merlin didn’t even know they did it but they had managed to get her every single Scooby doo movie, series and everything else in between. 

“Can I put on one?” She asks and she reaches for the second live-action disc. Merlin nods and sets it up for her. Moving the box out of the way to sort it out later. She curls up happily. Arthur and Merlin just standing there watching her for a moment, just taking a moment to realise this was real. This was genuinely real and she was going to be happy and alive and safe. 

Merlin makes sure her water is filled and he orders in dinner before he ushers Arthur to bed. Arthur grumbled but let him go and fuss over him. 

And everything Merlin had been annoyed at this morning is all washed away. Arthur despite his grumbling wasn’t being a bitch about it. He just didn’t want to leave Merlin alone. 

“I’m fine. Morgana burnt off the last of the curse. Or else I’d still be rummaging around in her head. Move over” Merlin insists and Arthur being Arthur never bloody listens to him. Is picking Merlin up, sitting him between his legs. Just rubbing his hands up and down Merlin’s side. He was careful to avoid his new wound. Merlin raises his hands and his books appear on the bed in front of him. Pulling the first one close as he grabs the drawing from his jean pocket. 

Arthur looked over his shoulder curiously. 

“How do you read any of this?” 

“Lots of time and practice...and time...I swear I’ve seen this symbol before. I just can’t remember where. It’s not a rune. I don’t need that book. It’s not a Roman symbol” Merlin murmurs, casting two books back to his manor in Wales. 

“It looks like one of those...gender symbols...you know...male and female sorta...” Arthur comments and Merlin could kiss him. 

“God you're amazing” He says, casting away everything but his books on Greek Mythology and spellwork. 

“Nice to know you think so. What did I figure out?” Arthur asks scratching at his slightly scruffy jaw. The scruff suited him...Merlin would have to convince him to keep it. 

“Phobos...the God of Fear. It’s his symbol...not that he really had one but...technically it’s the astrological sign still the intent is clear” 

“I thought Deimos was the God of Fear” 

“No that would be Terror but it does get confusing sometimes. They were sons of Ares...” 

“And Aphrodite I know. I did listen in some of my history classes Merls.” Arthur says softly. 

Merlin smiled and leaned back to kiss Arthur on the cheek. Arthur smiled a little. 

“It means whoever cursed me was a Greek witch. I swear if it’s a Fury I am not gonna be pleased. Those witches are horrid creatures. Only had a single run-in with them once. Took a lot of convincing that no matter what they could do, I couldn’t die. They called me Prometheus no matter how many bloody times I told them I was Merlin. Nasty women...thought I was screwing with fate and that I couldn’t possibly be the source of all magic...That all things have a death date...I’ll talk to Gaius about this more tomorrow but if someone tried to send me crazy then they know I can’t die. So they tried to take me out mentally. Interesting tactic gotta give them that” Merlin rambles as he reads through the spell work. 

Merlin suddenly remembers something and grabs his phone. Calling Gwaine. 

“Sup. What can I do you for my dearest friend?” Gwaine asks. 

“You need Percy to look you over for any new tattoos. Tattoos that you know you didn’t get.” Merlin explains quickly. 

Gwaine calls for Percy and Merlin hears the phone get put on speaker and the sound of clothing being removed. 

“This one?” Percy’s voice sounds over the phone. 

“Considering you were kissing it four months ago and saying how pretty I looked with it...no...what’s this magic tattoo thing supposed to look like...” 

“That one you’ve had since University...that one was after our first date....that...” Percy mumbles more to himself. 

Merlin takes a photo and sends it through. 

Another minute of silence later. Percy finds it. 

“Merlin, how do I get this thing off me? What’s it going to do with me? What cursed me?” Gwaine’s panicked voice asks. 

“It’s a curse symbol biased on Phobos the God of Fear. It’s going to try and send you crazy. Pull at your deepest insecurities. The only way to get it off is to burn it off. I think...I think Agravain sent a sorcerer after us” Merlin explains. 

Hearing his doorbell and Arthur moves to grab the food they had ordered. 

“That little weasel...it’s on my ankle...this is gonna hurt like a bitch isn’t it?” Gwaine asks softly. 

"At least it's not somewhere more vital" Percy mutters, laughing when Gwaine must pinch him. 

“Come over and I’ll sort it out for you” Merlin promises. 

If Merlin screamed. Gwaine cried like a baby when Merlin burnt off the symbol. Percy holding him down as Arthur keeps Isolde distracted with dinner. 

“You little...ahhh...It’s your fault Agravain wants to kill us.” Gwaine hisses at him before continuing to ramble as Merlin wraps his ankle. “Where would he even find a sorcerer and how the hell would they have managed to touch my an...When I tripped over the other week...Percy dragged me to the hospital cause he thought I broke it. The doctor was new...Lysander something...He wrapped my ankle for me” 

“Lysander...he started in the ER recently. I’ll deal with him tomorrow. You should be fine now. Just don’t let Lysander touch you again or I’m gonna have to burn more parts of you and neither of us want that” Merlin says gently. 

Gwaine nods and while they’re on the topic. Merlin gets Gwaine to check over Percival for him but no marks are hidden anywhere for which Merlin is grateful. Fearing Percy might have tried to knock him out if he had to burn off a mark. 

Percy and Gwaine move out to the kitchen. Gwaine limps softly and Arthur offers them both some of the Chinese food they had ordered. Isolde thanked them both for her welcome home present. Percival just ruffling her hair. 

“I’m glad you liked it. I’m glad you're finally home for good. My Mama always said one heals better at home surrounded by love and one's own pillow” Percy says gently. 

“And my mother sent me to Lance’s every time I had the sniffles. I am glad you are home Little Bird. It’s good to see.” Gwaine speaks up. 

Merlin spends that night curled up in Arthur’s arms, wondering how much he had overreacted this past week due to the curse. Wondering how he even let something like that slip past him. 

“It’s partially my fault Sweetheart. We haven’t been showering together otherwise I would have noticed first thing” 

“Well, not like we can. You were on a shower ban for a week and then the whole...I didn’t want to hurt you” Merlin replies, Arthur having pulled Merlin close despite his protests. 

“You hugging me isn’t going to make me fall apart. I’ve missed you these last few weeks” Arthur says gently and Merlin rests his head on Arthur’s chest. 

Hearing Arthur’s heartbeat he lets it lull him to sleep. His magic curls through the house sluggishly, keeping an eye on their daughter and it eases his mind when he feels her sleeping. Happiness rolled off her as she dreamt of happy things. This time Merlin’s dream isn’t some tripping nightmare. Instead, it was peaceful darkness. 

Merlin’s brain was too tired to even dream and he was perfectly fine with that. 

Chapter Text

Arthur never did find out what happened to Lysander. Just that one day he was there and the next. He had been magically moved back to Greece with fear in his eyes and an absolute that Merlin had been right. He had confessed with a truth spell that Agravain had indeed hunted down a sorcerer and tried to drive Merlin mad. 

Arthur hadn’t been the happiest peach in the pit when he learnt that. It took all his restraint not to find Agravain and strangle him. To make him feel the same pain he had put his partner through. 

Surprisingly it was Merlin who held him back. That begged him not to do anything. Those soft blue eyes pleading, looking at Arthur with all the sincerity in the world. 

“I killed a man like him once to save my king...I think it’s what broke me. Nobody ever knew. They all thought the King's advisor had just run for it but I left his body in a desolate cave and I never told anybody because I couldn’t back then. So I’m asking you now. Just...make him move back to London. Get him away from our daughter but don’t harm him” 

So Arthur had told the Scottish government that since Agravain was no longer working with him at the Hotel. His work visa was null and void. He had only gotten one call from the man while he was at the park with Isolde. Watching as she played and danced around and laughed. Her transplant was a full success...she was going to grow up to be just as happy, healthy and beautiful as all the other little girls out there. Enjoying being a kid. Merlin was at work and Issy had finished the work that Merlin had given her early so Arthur had taken her out to get some sun and enjoy the day. 

Arthur had thought it had been Merlin calling and had sighed when he heard that slimy voice. 

“You really think it’s a good idea to call me. My father might not be talking to me but he is still doting on my loving sister.” Arthur had snapped, smiling and waving to Issy when she had looked over. 

She had waved back before going down the slide again. How she wasn’t dizzy. 

“I will find a way to ruin your life” Agravain had snarled. 

“Good luck with that...Isolde do not stand on there!” Arthur had hung up after his daughter had tried to crawl atop the playground. 

Thankfully no more calls had come through after that and two months into having Issy home. They had headed home, back to Wales. Aithusa had just stared at Isolde for minutes when Merlin had called him. Wanting to give her the full experience of arriving home. 

Lance, Gwen and Baby Merlyn flying over with Leon, Mithian and Morgana. Gwaine wanted to go but knew Percy and Elyan would need help to run the hotel for a few days before the Christmas rush. It had been a slow progression in Arthur's mind and the others had just started calling Elliot, Elyan...he had adapted well to the new nickname even rolling his eyes but letting them go. 

Issy had just stared back in awe. 

“Chwaer, you are finally healing. You are as beautiful as the picture Da shows me. Do you mind...having a dragon for a big brother?” Aithusa had finally asked. Voice soft. 

Tears brimming in his eyes. Finally breaking free when Isolde had hugged his snout tightly. 

“Thank you. For looking after Papa for me” She had whispered and Arthur had been shocked when Aithusa had let out a shuddery breath and just cried. Cried tears of joy and sadness and so many other emotions. Leaking down his scaly white cheeks in rivets. 

“Just as I promise to always protect you Chwaer” He whispers in return. 

Arthur had helped her onto his back after that. Merlin follows and Arthur makes sure they have everything. Clutching to Isolde when they finally level in the air. Issy is standing and running her hands through the clouds. Laughter loud and bright. Something a kid normally only dreams of and she was doing it. Getting stronger every day, getting better every day. Running faster. Getting stronger. Growing her own set of morals though they were strictly guided by Arthur and Merlin. Mainly Merlin. 

“Issy” Aithusa rumbles as they finally pass over Wales and she stirs from where she had fallen asleep in Merlin’s warm arms. A blanket wrapped around her shoulders. 

“What...are we there?” She mumbles. 

“Not yet but I thought you’d like to see your home” Aithusa replies, wing beats steady as he tips slightly and she gasps as she takes it in. 

A shining lake, bright in the day of the sun. Half frosted over with ice. An island in the middle with a tower standing lonesome. 

“Avalone” She murmurs. Merlin nods, eyes holding a hint of sadness across them and they spend the last bit of the flight just talking. Merlin pointed out interesting spots. Arthur just taking it in. 

“Camelot! It’s...so broken...” Issy whispers as they pass over the broken turrets and the overgrown gardens. The buried houses and broken statues. 

“Yes, it is. For now but maybe...one day someone will build it again. Better than before” Arthur speaks up. 

“You think so?” Merlin asks, giving him a soft look. 

“Of course. You said it yourself. Albion will be united one day. Maybe not in my lifetime but in yours” Arthur reassures his partner. Kissing him on the cheek. 

A small hoard of people waiting for them when they get there. Nymphaea was getting bigger slowly and she had figured out her powers. The numerous videos Arthur and Merlin got from Leo of Nymphaea running around after Aithusa and leaving flowers of all types in her wake. Now Arthur would get to see it first hand. Opening his arms to catch her when she meets them halfway. 

“DA!” She coos before moving to nuzzle over Merlin’s shoulders. Chirping and chittering. 

Sniffing at Issy and chirping louder. 

“Yeah, she’s your sister. Your wings are getting strong sweetheart” Merlin murmurs,  praising her.

Issy waved gently. Arthur is happy to hold her as she curls into his side shyly. 

Their people. Their home had accepted Issy with so much love and wonder. She’d beam every time someone would refer to her as Lady and Daisy had sewn her some new clothes. 

“You can’t wear jeans to a Yule Feast. That’s not the Druid way and you get to see your Papa bring spirits back to the earth. What do you say?” Daisy says when she seems nervous. Arthur wrapped her in a fur-lined cloak. Making sure she was warm enough as they prepared for the feast. He’s cloak and tunic in Merlin’s arms. Wearing just his pants and boots instead.

“He can?” 

“Yes. The men of the tribe like your Da, make sacrifices to the universe and I draw on that power to bring forth spirits” Merlin explains gently. Arthur smiles as she smiles. 

“Every time he does it. I get to see a Doe I was friends with when I was a very little girl. Her name was Flora” Daisy murmurs, holding out warm boots and helping Issy into them. 

Then their all lead out to the field from the last time Arthur was here and Arthur tries hard not to whine like a little bitch about the cold chewing into his skin. Lance and Leon standing beside him. Coated in red paint. Merlin bringing out the gold paint for Arthur like last time. 

“I’m not finding you another Great Evil Boar” Arthur teases. 

“Then the only way is down” Merlin chirps in reply. 

“So endearing. You are so kind to me...it almost hurts” Arthur gripes. Laughing when Merlin swipes at his cheek with the paintbrush. Smearing his cheek in the gold paint but he doesn’t wipe it off. 

Morgana whispers in Issy’s ear as she sits between her and Gwen. Picking at pieces of bread as Merlin casts good luck on them all for their hunt. 

Arthur returns this time, with two deer. Bucks. Old enough to be out on their own and Merlin had shaken his head when Arthur had dropped them at his feet. The 4th back this time. Daine was participating as well. Holding up his hare with pure triumph on his face. Henry clapped him on the shoulder in joy. His eyes sparkle as he looks upon his lord. Something there that Arthur wasn’t touching. He’d let the two men figure it out. 

“Two really? You never follow the rules” Merlin teases as Gwen and Mithian congratulate their partners as well. 

“One for you...one for my princesses. Seemed fair to me” Arthur shrugs. 

“Where’s mine?” Aithusa grumbles, a grin on his face. 

“You're a man of age. Why aren’t you participating lazy bones?” Arthur chides in return. 

“Because you men would have nothing left to catch” Aithusa gwuaffs, baring his teeth. 

“Alright, you two enough bickering! Come on. You need to get warm and I have some things I need to do as Lord” Merlin chides. 

Issy holding out Arthur’s tunic for him. He takes it and the cloak. Wrapping it around his shoulders. Watching as Merlin lights the bonfire and has sparks of light fill the air. 

“This is the best part” Arthur whispers as Merlin starts dancing in front of the fire. Roast venison, boar and pheasant laden on the table. Their stomachs are full. Arthur sipping mulled wine as he watches his partner swirl through the motions. Smiling when his greeted with the same Unicorn as last time. 

His family grins wide as they greet their own spirits. Lance stares in awe at the Griffin that comes to him, screeching and flaring his large wings. 

“Nice to see you're not trying to kill me this time” Lance murmurs. 

Gwen getting an Otter of all things. Merlin smiled when Mithian’s Baby Stoat was bigger than last time. Just as her belly had started to grow. Arthur knows Merlin is drawing forth a new spirit when the fire explodes like it did last time. 

A wolf. Small and tiny but strong comes padding over and Arthur holds his daughter as she cries. Rubbing a hand down the wolf's snout. His tail wagging as he licks a fiery tongue across her cheek. Trying to wash away her tears.

“It’s him, Daddy. It’s Tristan” She whispers. 

“I had a feeling he would find a way to visit” Arthur whispers back. 

Merlin rubs a hand down his face. Another new spirit forming and it's another baby dragon. Curling up beside Baby Merlyn. Arthur smiles as his partner summons Kilgharrah. 

“Young Warlock. Let me look at you, let me see my kin. My new Grandchildren” Kilgharrah crows. Joy in his face. 

Arthur helps Issy to her feet and Nymphaea follows along. Letting lilies pour from under her feet. Bursting through the snow on the ground. 

“Beautiful. Both of you. I have few regrets but the ones I do...hurt me so...Aithusa, I am proud of you. For doing what you thought was right at the time. I never should have turned my back on you. So long I have hidden from apologising. You will do what I can’t. Protect your sisters? Don’t be rash when they make mistakes” Kilgharrah’s voice is soft and filled with sadness. 

Aithusa standing gently and moving towards the Elder dragon. Head held high. Bumping heads with the old coot. Wrapping a tail around all four of them. Issy holding Nymphaea gently. Nymphaea squealing. Holding out a paw. 

“You are no longer alone...the child with your namesake. She will grow to be a Dragonlord, the spirits have spoken. You are not the last anymore My friend. The golden age is upon you Young Warlock. It is beautiful. Something I never thought I would get to see” Kilgharrah whispers, starting to shimmer and flicker. Arthur gently rubs the snout of his Unicorn as Issy hugs the wolf. 

“I promise you will see him when we come next time. I’m sorry it can’t be for longer” Merlin whispers when her hands fall empty. Scooping her up gently and cradling her close. 

“It’s the best Christmas Present ever. Thank you, Papa!” She whispers. 

They had enjoyed spending those three days with their children. Their family. Almost complete. 

Returning home on Christmas Eve and Arthur promises to see Aithusa and Nymphaea soon. Their next Christmas is spent at Percy and Gwaine’s place, once their home in Scotland. Gwaine wearing the most disgusting ridiculous ugly Christmas sweater. He and Percy had decorated the place to the point Arthur was sure even Santa would be nauseated. 

“Did you buy all the Christmas lights? Your apartment is like a mini rave” Gwen teases. Baby Merlyn reaches out a hand. Trying to touch the lights squealing in joy. It was a beautiful evening and Arthur enjoyed his first Christmas with his family. With Merlin by his side. With his daughter. All of them grinning and smiling and Arthur felt like he ate way too much food. Watching as Merlin smiles. 

God, he loves that smile. 

Over the next 4 months. Things had been quiet but a nice quiet. No attacks. No unruly fathers. No aggravating uncles. Taking a few days every month to visit their family in Wales. 

The best thing was watching Merlin. His smile was so beautiful that it could make the Mona Lisa look as if she was frowning. His eyes still held their darker moments but they were few and far between. Instead, they normally remained a light blue to accompany that toothy smile. 

Arthur’s life fallen into a pattern and yet unlike when he was back in London. He never doubted that while his day was monotonous he didn’t feel bored. He didn’t feel unhappy. He felt complete. His days were filled with watching Merlin wake up Issy to get ready to go with Merlin or to go with him or to get Gwen to take care of Issy for the day. Always with some work to do to get her into school work. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Arthur and Leon would take half the day off to practise their sword fighting and Arthur would like to say he was getting pretty good. When night fell and the Pendragon-Emrys were all tucked inside their house Arthur would be the one to make them dinner every night except Fridays and Sundays, every Friday they’d order in and watch movies and then on Sundays Gwaine and Percy or Elyan would watch Issy for them so they could go on a date. 

Their life was beautiful and full. So full and Arthur loved seeing Merlin just being happy. He rarely spoke of his King since the night before Arthur and Issy’s surgery. He still told Isolde stories from the time of course but it was as if Merlin truly had let go of love for his king. 

Right now Arthur was staring at paperwork but his mind was in his memories of the night before. Merlin had stolen the keys from Arthur’s hand. Something he rarely did. Arthur knew he could drive of course. Knew Merlin even had a licence though he wasn’t sure if he actually had sat a test for it...or just magicked himself one. But regardless. Arthur had put his life in Merlin’s hands and bit his tongue when Merlin messed with all his comfort settings so those beautiful long legs would fit. 

And Merlin had driven, getting out onto the open road. Where nobody came this late at night and had laughed. Laughed until he couldn’t help but snort as Arthur had clutched to his seat belt when Merlin had put his foot down and the car had accommodated his request. Merlin had never lost control of the car. Keeping Arthur’s car perfectly on the road as he sped like he was trying to win the Grand Prix. 

“This is your idea of a date? Trying to give me a heart attack!?” Arthur had asked. 

“Oh lighten up Clotpole...have some fun” 

“I swear Merlin if you crash my car. I will find a way to kill you!” Arthur chided. 

Merlin nearly had Arthur squealing like a girl when he had taken a hand off the steering wheel and grabbed Arthur’s. 

“I will never let you get hurt, Arthur. You have my word” Merlin had even kissed the back of his hand. 

“I don’t know you let Leon clobber me 3 times a week” 

“That Fy Trysor is your own making” Merlin’s face had been alight with so much mischief. 

He had pushed Arthur’s car to the limits. Eyes glowing golden as they hit a darker part of the world. Natural lanterns to light the way and sometime along the way Arthur had found himself enjoying it. Enjoying watching Merlin let the world race past. Just for a few hours. The two of them, speed somewhere unknown. It makes something in his heart soar. 

Especially when he gets to play passenger princess and stare at his boyfriend. Just watch every facet of his very being. The way his long legs were sitting, the way his delicate fingers that held magic in them daily and braided their daughter's hair with efficiency tapping against the wheel. The way his eyes took in every part of the road ahead of them. Completely focused even if the rest of him was relaxed. 

And Arthur goes to one of those places again.

They had been riding their horses through some of the most beautiful forests he had ever seen. 

“Describe Dollop Head?” He had asked the beautiful man riding beside him. Others were riding with them as well. Squires walking beside them. It must have been a hunt of some kind. 

“In two words” Had come that sharp reply and Arthur had tried hard not to laugh. 

“Yeah” 

“Prince Arthur” Merlin replies while simply looking around the trees. Worry skittering off him. Still making Arthur laugh regardless.

“Merlin...” Arthur asks aloud. Squeezing the hand still holding his. 

“Mm, my love?” Merlin asked. 

“Never get your hair cut, short I mean. I swear you look like a toddler. I like your curls” Arthur had cooed, letting go of Merlin’s hand to instead move to run his fingers through the man’s curls. 

Merlin had just poked his tongue out at him before turning those eyes back to the road. Eventually, Merlin had to pull over when Arthur’s hands and words had gotten too much for even a man of magic to bear. Arthur purred in his ear how he’d love to make Merlin scream. Out here in the middle of nowhere where they could be as loud and as long as they wanted. Where they could be men in love. 

Arthur had tried to ignore the squealing of his tyres as Merlin had come to a stop so abruptly that Arthur was thankful for his seat belt. Merlin took a deep breath and pulled more delicately over to the side of the road before he got out of the car and Arthur had only followed. 

Both of them giggled like schoolboys as they had fallen amongst the forest surrounding them. Arthur made sure to cushion Merlin’s fall. Kissing him hard, and Merlin had used his fingers instead of his magic for once to undress them. Taking it slow. Reaching his hands to undo the buttons on Arthur’s shirt as Arthur gets rid of his leather jacket. His shirt follows. 

Their union is soft and caring and sweet and passionate. So passionate that Arthur sees the stars in Merlin’s eyes as he drags him through climax after climax. Both of them shudder under the other’s touch. Taking the time to reacquaint with each other’s bodies as they hadn’t in a while. 

And when Arthur is coming apart at the seams, Merlin is there to hold him together. One hand rubbed across his shoulders. The other caressed down his cheek. Tears as always doting Merlin’s cheeks and bite marks from Arthur littering his skin. When they finally break apart they don’t go far. They lay beside each other on the grass and they watch the stars between the canopy of the trees. And for that single moment in time, Arthur feels like time had stood still. 

He had known that no matter how long he lived, that one benign moment of spontaneity would always be remembered. Even if illness tried to take his brain. He would never forget his hand curled in Merlin’s. Nothing but the quiet sound of their breathing and the warm breeze of the summer. The way his heart beat was so loud in his ears but he had never felt more alive. More awake. More connected to Merlin, to magic, to nature. To all of it. The entire cosmos. As if he could reach out a hand and swipe his hand across the stars and send them spinning like a globe. 

Merlin’s soft breath alerted him to the fact he’s beloved had gone to sleep and Arthur found himself falling asleep as well. 

Both of them woke up with the dawn. Laughing and cursing out the other for being a terrible influence. Arthur driving them home. Not quite as fast as Merlin had driven them out but Elyan thankfully hadn’t said anything. Just said Issy had slept through the night and that they might both want to shower before waking her up or heading to work. 

So now Arthur was here doing work when he heard tapping on his balcony window. Turning around and staring in shock. 

Opening the door. 

“Nymphaea. What on earth are you doing here? Where’s Aithy?” Arthur asks, happy to catch the baby dragon that flings herself at him. Nuzzling against his cheeks. She was 7 months old now but he was still so tiny. Barely as big as small terrier not counting in length. Her tail long and curly. Wrapping around her favourite things. 

Chittering

“Right, Fy Rhyfelwr Cariadus said your first solo flight would be coming up soon. Long way to fly sweetie. You must be exhausted.” Arthur hugged her close. Patting over her scales gently. He calls in Gwaine knowing George would have a conniption and he didn't need his best organiser to stroke on him and die. 

“Aye Princess. What...Do..NYMPAHEA!” Gwaine immediately rushed over. All his sauve pirate-like vibe going at the window as he coos at Arthur’s daughter. 

“She needs water and probably something to eat. I’m gonna call Merlin...otherwise, he’ll kill me if he finds she was here and he didn’t know” Arthur asks softly. 

Gwaine nodding. 

Arthur lets Nymphaea walk around his room. Pawing at this and that. It’s only after she’s eaten and drank some water with some pats from Gwaine that Arthur goes to call Merlin. Gwaine muttering about a lunch date with Percy.  

“Hey, you don’t call this early. Is everything ok? Gwen didn’t call you about Issy right” Merlin asks. 

“Uh no Issy’s fine I think. Gwen takes great care of her you know that...I just thought you should know...” Arthur hears the sound of his door opening and he turns in shock. Stupid. Stupid idiot man. Keep your eyes on the baby dragon at all times. “That I love you lots and I will be missing our lunch call. Busy client meeting. Love you...Bye!” 

This was so freaking bad. This was bad. Oh so bad. What if she got into the elevator? Arthur sprinting out of the room. Already seeing her little leaf-shaped tail whipping into someone's office. 

Arthur had just caught up and stared in horror at Elyan’s desk. His shiny monogrammed pen is in his daughter's mouth as she slides right between Arthur’s legs heading off to pillage a new office. Thankfully Elyan must have been down helping with one of the guest's concerns. 

Nymphaea squeaks when Arthur nearly catches her ducking into another office. Thankfully this one is also empty and Arthur’s eyes widen with Nymphy’s as they take in the chaotic mess of George’s office. 

Nymphaea already running inside scoping out anything shiny. 

“Nymphaea Emrys you get you scrawny behind back here or so help me.” Arthur hisses. 

She squeals when Arthur picks her up and drags her out of his office. Closing the door behind him. Only able to hold onto her long enough to get Elyan’s pen out of her mouth before she kicked off his chest and bolted further down the hall. 

Alright, Arthur was starting to believe either nobody bloody worked in the daytime or something had happened he wasn’t privy to after the 4th empty office. Nymphaea comes and hands her collectables to Arthur before running off again. Always leaving a swatch of flowers in someone's office as a thank you. 

Arthur had just pocketed them all. Promising to get Elyan a new monogrammed pen because he knows if he doesn’t give it back to Nymphaea a tantrum including fire will happen and fire by dragon is not something his insurance can handle. 

Arthur is unable not to laugh when she jumps out of Morgana’s office door growling. Having pulled Morgana’s raincoat hood over her head. 

Arthur taking a photo of it. Reaching out to grab the coat so she doesn’t get tangled in it. 

So far he had one pen, one raincoat. 14 paperclips, a staple, a rattle that baby Merlyn must have left behind when she was here last. He knew currently Gwen was taking Issy to the park. Leon’s entire office plaque and a glove...Lance must have left it in his office from winter. 

Arthur hears footsteps and Nymphy takes off. 

“No!...no Nymphy. That might not be family!”

“AHH, what the fuck! Uh hello, little one. You can’t have that...It’s mine. It’s very special to me. No...no” Percy whines. 

Arthur bolted into his office and sighed. Closing the door behind him as he hears more footsteps. 

“Nymphaea Emrys you leave him alone. You have enough shinies!” Arthur hisses. 

Nymphaea’s claws wrapped around Percy’s necklace. A thick chain Gwaine had gotten him at Christmas. The date they had gotten together was engraved on a tag that was attached. Percy had worn it every day since. 

“Nymphaea...is that your name sweet thing? You’re beautiful...” Percy says gently rubbing across her head, His other arm curled around her. Holding her up. 

“Yeah...uh...surprise...” Arthur’s voice is lame. 

“You painted her...when you got back from Wales after your father ...she’s your daughter isn’t she,” Percy says. 

“Did Gwaine tell you?” Arthur asks, ready to strangle I can keep a secret Gwaine. 

“That Merlin was Emrys and 1500 years old no...I figured that one out on my own and I knew about Aithusa...my parents were druids Arthur but this must have been the new dragon that my parents had called me about. I couldn’t believe it. A forest dragon. Alive again. Means the world is healing” Percy says, something soft in his eyes. 

“1524 actually but he doesn't like celebrating Birthdays. Trust me that was a bitch of a fight...Why did you never bring it up that you knew?” 

“I haven’t been a part of the druid lifestyle since I was like 15. I’m out of touch with it. My magic is minimal. Merlin probably hasn’t even sensed it but as soon as I saw him that night we met. I knew who he was. My parents have tapestries speaking of his triumphs and woes” Percy shrugs, using his large fingers to unwrap Nymphaea’s claws from his chain. 

“Makes sense I think” Arthur had always known Percival’s parents were eclectic. Moving to grab his daughter. Thankfully she goes with him, curling around his shoulders. 

“Here little one...you can have this but you have to promise to take very good care of it. It was a ring that I got when I graduated from Cambridge. Can you keep it safe for me?” Percy says pulling his school ring from his finger and holding it out. 

“Da?” Nymphaea questions. 

“Hmm if he says so, then you can but if me or your Dad go through your horde and it's missing there will be hell to pay” Arthur hums gently. 

She squeals in joy holding out a paw palm up and Percy places the ring in her claws gently. Smiling when she holds it close to her chest. Her tail smacked Arthur in the face due to her excitement. 

Percy laughs when he sees the horde she has gathered. 

“You Uncle Elliot isn’t gonna be happy you stole his pen little one.” 

He was helping Arthur wrap all the stuff she had taken in Morgana’s raincoat. Making sure it’s all safe and secure. Nymphaea chirped in happiness when she could lift the bundle with her front claws and keep herself flying. 

But that doesn’t last long eventually she tires and Arthur catches her easily. 

Hearing others around him start filtering back into their offices after their lunch break is over. Hearing a knock on the door. 

“Arthur...Percy...It’s me and Isolde” Merlin calls before he opens the door. 

Nymphaea forgets her horde in place of her sister. Running for her and Issy opens her arms. Both of them laughed. Arthur standing to greet his partner. Smiling when Merlin kisses him. 

“You know all I’ve heard for the last hour is Uncle’s pen. Uncle’s shinies and aunties pretties. And this is shiny. I’m glad she felt safe to come here. You haven’t let her take anything too important right?” Merlin asks. 

“Ehh..nothing that can't be replaced but maybe you can teleport her stuff back for her?” 

“That would defeat the point of Nymphaea’s first flight. She’s to return with her own horde on her own merit.” Merlin explains holding his arm out and Nymphaea climbs up it easily as Arthur moves to hug Issy. 

“I’ll call Aithusa when we get home, he’ll help guide her home but she has to do the heavy lifting. A dragon’s first flight is their most important one.” Merlin shrugs scratching under Nymphaea’s chin. 

“Percy...I should have known you were a druid. You are so soft-natured. I’m glad you know about it all now..get Gwaine to explain more to you tonight. I should get these two homes. Especially this one. She’ll be exhausted after gathering her horde. Come on sweetpeas” Merlin coos and it’s Arthur’s favourite thing to watch. His partner just be so at ease with their children. Nymphaea slides under Merlin’s coat as Issy grabs his hand. It was another of Merlin's eccentricities even on the hottest days he would always wear a jacket. Arthur had tried many times to reassure him that Issy wouldn't be scared of Merlin's scars but he still woe his jackets and Arthur never fought him on it. His other hand carries Nymphaea’s horde. 

Arthur seeking a kiss. Apologising for keeping Nymphaea a secret. 

“It’s ok, I knew she was safe with you. You're allowed to want to spend time with her on your own...We’ll see you at home” Merlin promises. 

Arthur just nods. Leaning down to kiss Issy’s forehead with a smile. 

“See you tonight Caru. Be good for your Papa, both of you...” Arthur orders. 

Issy and Nymphaea both nod. Nymphaea blew out smoke gently in reply. Arthur waves his family away. Watching as Merlin and Issy head towards the bus station. He feels something tickle up his mind. A brushing sensation and he tries to grab hold of it but it’s like grabbing oil out of water. It’s...difficult and then he finally manages to wrap his fingers around it his glad his back in his own office otherwise Percy would have seen him cry like a chump. 

“Papa. I made it to Da...all by myself. Does that mean I’m a big girl now?” 

He was hearing the same thing Merlin could hear....he was hearing their daughter...in his head. Like Merlin gets to every day. His tears are just happiness. That he's that bit closer to his family.