L'Enchantment de Merlinus Ambrosius

 

“Do you always have to hunt?” Merlin asked annoyed.

 

“Of course. Being a hunter is in my blood. I hunt things. Like I hunt you,” he purred out the last part, grinning teasingly at her.

 

Merlin glanced in panic behind them, seeing the knights lagging behind and talking to each other.

 

“Arthur, we’re with people! What if they’d heard you?” she hissed at him, glaring fiercely.

 

Arthur glanced quickly behind him and then surprised her by practically tackling her to the side, and hid them behind a tree. Pressing up against her, his grin widened.

 

“If they do hear us, I wouldn’t care.”

 

He kissed her slowly and unhurriedly, but abruptly cut it off, grinning smugly as he darted around her and smoothly joined the group who had caught up by then. Merlin leaned against the tree, breathing heavily and cursing in her head.

 

Arthur really was going to be the death of her.

 

“What is that?!” one of the knights yelled.

 

She snapped back into reality and raced out from the tree, seeing a huge monstrous scaled creature with the body of a leopard and the head of the snake attacking the knights, one dead to the side.

 

And of all things for her to do, she bloody trips on a stupid rock and falls flat on her face. Which meant she was easy prey for the monster, who snapped its jaws menacingly at her. Arthur grabbed her in a flash and had dragged her away before she could’ve been bitten. It was a very close call for her.

 

They retreated and reported back to Uther in Camelot.

 

“It is most probably a Questing Beast, milord,” Gaius advised. “According to myths, it only appears before a time of great upheaval.”

 

The warning was clear.

 

“Arthur, command your knights. You will ride out at dawn and hunt it down. It must be killed before it poses any danger to Camelot,” Uther ordered, alarmed and wanting to avoid Gaius’ warning eyes.

 

Merlin was supposed to be with Gaius then, so when Arthur left he looked back in worry at her before facing back forward and leaving without another look. She saw the slight shake in his body that said he had wanted to.

 

“The last time the Questing Beast appeared…it was just before Ingraine’s death,” Gaius said haltingly, and Merlin looked at him in surprise that he’d say such a thing so openly in front of her, when she was supposed to be ignorant of the situation and not have anything to do with it.

 

“Not now, Gaius,” Uther hissed, lips curling into a snarl. “I don’t want a reminder of that night. It will not happen again. And this is just a coincidence. The beast will be killed and life will go on in Camelot. Leave.”

 

Gaius nodded deferentially and turned to leave, with Merlin following behind.

 

“Merlin,” Uther halted her.

 

She stopped hesitantly, seeing Uther staring at her intensely and Gaius glancing between them with an unreadable gaze.

 

“Stay here a moment.”

 

Gaius left and she stayed, and she was sure this was going to be hard to explain to her uncle.

 

“Uther, did you really need me right away? Asking for me in front of Gaius, it really makes things hard to explain. It’s suspicious.”

 

Uther’s head was bowed and he was clutching his head tightly, his hands fisting into his hair. She could see the slight tremors of his shoulders, and immediately she knew he was crying or wanted to cry.

 

She strode quickly to his side and sat on the arm of his throne, gathering him into her arms.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Gaius is right. That Questing Beast appeared before Ingraine’s death and now it has appeared again. Who else will be taken from me?” Uther asked hoarsely.

 

“I promise you, I will not let Arthur die. I won’t,” she promised him determinedly.

 

“But what if it isn’t Arthur? What if I lose you? In death or in life? I had lost Ingraine that night. And now if I were to lose you? You are the closest thing I have left of her. To lose you would be like losing her a second time –losing you would be too close to how I had lost her.”

 

She blinked in surprise and froze, having not expected that.

 

“Y-you won’t lose me. I will be here, no matter what. I won’t die or leave you. And I’m not Ingraine, Uther. I’m not her replacement either. I’m not the ghost of her.”

 

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

 

She grimaced inwardly. Merlin knew alright. Uther had told her that there were times where he was reminded strongly of his wife when he looked at Merlin or when she acted in a certain way or said something that Ingraine might’ve. But he made it clear to her that he didn’t think she was Ingraine or her reincarnation. He just saw glimpses of her in Merlin, and he appreciated that fact for himself to look fondly on. Looking at Merlin, he could remember Ingraine happily and not be caught up in the worse of his memories. It just gave him a good feeling. And with him seeing himself in Merlin as well, he’d said that it was like Merlin really was his and Ingraine’s daughter.

 

“You are as close to me as Ingraine was. To lose you would be as painful as it had been losing her.”

 

And that worried Merlin. Because she was always on the frontlines and Uther had to have known there was always a danger of her getting hurt or killed. What would happen if she did?

 

“I’ll watch over him. Arthur will get through this. And I…don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” she said firmly.

 

She sounded sure, but why didn’t she believe herself?

 

“You promise, right? Arthur will be okay?” he murmured, avoiding talking about the worry he had for her as well.

 

“I promise,” and she knew she was making a lot of promises lately. But she knew this one she could not, at all costs, fail to fulfill.

 

So at dawn, she closed her eyes and muttered to herself.

 

“I guess it’s time to sink or swim.”

 

They rode out and in the forest, they started searching for the Questing Beast. Merlin was shaking, for once worried out of her wits, remembering one bite from it was certain death. She almost jumped out of her skin when Arthur gently touched her hand.

 

She looked at him and he mouthed, “Be careful.”

 

She felt somewhat reassured.

 

Giving him a shaky smile, they continued their search. Then the screaming began.

 

They traced the tracks of the beast to a cave and in it, only Merlin and Arthur were left, back to back and circling around the cave. They could hear the rumbling of the Questing Beast, but they couldn’t see it. There were times where the shadows flickered and they’d jumped to face it.

 

Merlin could hear her heart pounding in her ears, and the heat of Arthur’s body behind her. And then suddenly the Questing Beast leapt out and she shrieked, jumping away and once again stupidly tripping backwards. What the hell was wrong with her?

 

The Questing Beast was immediately on her, when Arthur leapt in the way and his shoulder was caught in its jaws. He cried out and Merlin felt fear strike her. When Arthur was thrown like a ragdoll and hit the ground with a dull thud that made her sick, she started to feel rage.

 

The beast headed for her again, and snapped its jaws at her threateningly. She snarled back, daring it silently. When it leapt at her, she dodged quickly to the side, and with surprising strength, she grabbed its jaws and slammed it close. She charged up a high voltage of lightning and directed it through her arms and conducted it first through its jaws, making an explosion of lightning emerge and burst around them, electrocuting the beat and making it shriek in pain.

 

It collapsed onto the floor. That wouldn’t kill a magical creature like the Questing Beat, but she was damn sure that that would’ve caused damage and extreme amounts of pain.

 

Taking Arthur’s sword, she whispered the words she used to magically enhance the lance she’d used against the Gryphon and it glowed. She stepped on its neck with her foot lightly, putting more pressure as she readied herself, staring at it blankly, before taking the sword and driving it into its neck.

 

She gathered Arthur into her arms, then she ran as fast as she could back to Camelot.

 

She bypassed the castle and headed straight to Gaius’ quarters, a knight helping by wiping a table clean of stuff and Gaius hovering nearby. Gaius diagnosed the bite, and had the knights go to fetch the King. Merlin ran to her room, grabbing her book of magic, and quickly ran back out.

 

“Merlin! The King will be here any moment!” Gaius warned in panic.

 

“I don’t care! Arthur cannot die! It’s my destiny to protect him! I love him!” she screamed hysterically.

 

Uther burst in at that exact moment, hearing her say those words.

 

“Then save him,” Gaius looked at her in amazement before realizing the King was there and his eyes widening in horror, glancing between the magic book, Merlin, and Uther.

 

“Save him, Merlin. Please,” Uther’s voice trembled, looking shocked and staring at his son’s body on the table. Gaius stepped back and observed the events, his mind working and putting things together.

 

Merlin couldn’t look at Uther. She refused to.

 

She magically flipped through the book for a spell that could save Arthur, landing on one quickly.

 

“Deficio!”

 

She started flipping fast and yelling out spells even faster, but none of them seemed to work.

 

“Maybe they need time to work,” her voice echoed Uther’s tremble.

 

“The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence,” Gaius said solemnly. “No magic can overturn it.”

 

Uther lunged forward, grabbing onto his son and sobbing incoherent words into Arthur’s unhearing ears. Taking Arthur’s arm, he threw it over his neck and pulled him closer, holding Arthur in his arms.

 

“I’ll take him to his chambers,” Uther gasped out.

 

Gaius and Merlin followed reluctantly, watching as Uther carried Arthur in his arms and walked brokenly through the courtyard, Arthur’s arms hanging limply by his sides. Uther kept walking, stumbling and then falling to his knee on the ground, clutching Arthur closer as he cried over his son’s body. Gaius laid a comforting hand on Uther’s shoulder as knights hurried to his side, helping to take Arthur’s body and carry it themselves. Uther turned away painfully so he didn’t have to watch them carry his son’s body from him, crying uncontrollably.

 

Merlin watched numbly, body shaking and tears that she couldn’t feel falling down her face. She couldn’t look at Uther, didn’t want to see the blame in his eyes, didn’t want to see her failure reflected back at her.

 

She didn’t want to see that she’d failed him, that she’d failed Arthur. She didn’t want to see Uther’s pain, because she’d caused it. She didn’t want to see Arthur’s lifeless body, because him dead was unthinkable. She had no purpose without him…and really, it wasn’t just about her destiny. She could admit, like she did earlier, that she’d loved him. If Arthur was gone, there would be a gaping hole inside of her.

 

‘You failed.’

 

And it wasn’t just Uther’s voice saying it in her head. The older, colder voice of her future self sneered at her. Uther’s voice was just racked with pain. She was mocking and a strong tone of disdain could be heard.

 

Merlin turned and ran, without anyone the wiser.

 

Immediately, she headed to see the Great Dragon.

 

“Arthur is dying! He’s been bitten by the Questing Beast! What should I do?”

 

“The Questing Beast is from the Old Religion, which is magic of the earth itself. If the Questing Beast has chosen Arthur, then the Old Religion has decided his fate.”

 

“You said my destiny is to protect him! If there’s no Arthur, then I wouldn’t have a destiny! I will do anything to save him!” she pleaded, desperate for anything and willing to do anything.

 

“…As the Questing Beast is from the Old Religion, you must go to the Isle of the Blessed. There you will find a way to save Arthur. Whatever the cost, young sorceress, Arthur must not die,” the Great Dragon warned solemnly before flying off without saying anything more.

 

Merlin nodded and traveled quickly back to Gaius’ quarters. She called on Edwin’s spirit, who looked surprised to see her, but had that irritating smirk on his face.

 

“Now what, my dear?”

 

“The Isle of the Blessed. Where can I find it?” she asked bluntly.

 

His face blanked and he studied her for a long while, not revealing anything.

 

“Why would you want to know?” he finally asked with a hint of curiosity seeping in, as well obvious tension.

 

“Because I need to get there. Now tell me or else I’ll make your afterlife hell,” she glared.

 

He rolled his eyes and then told her, his angry outburst cut off when she dispelled him. She got ready and then left without another word.

 

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Her eyes narrowed at the woman standing before her, red lips curling into an amused smile back at Merlin.

 

“So you’ve arrived.”

 

“You can't be who the Dragon meant,” Merlin grimaced.

“Why is that?” Nimueh laughed.

Merlin sneered, “You tried to kill me.”

 

“Before I understood your importance.”

“And Arthur?” the younger sorceress frowned.

Nimueh shrugged, “Arthur was never destined to die at my hand. And now it seems I will be his salvation.”

“So you know what I've come to ask,” Merlin stiffened up.

“Yes,” was the simple answer.

“Will you do it?”

“I do not have the power to mirror life itself and yet give nothing in return,” Nimueh answered softly, all amusement wiped off her face.

Merlin trembled. “I know that a price would be asked.”

 

“Then would you give it?”

 

“Gladly.”

 

“To save a life, there must be a death. The balance of the world must be restored,” Nimueh said seriously.

 

Merlin already knew that. She already understood the consequence.

“I willingly give my life for Arthur's.”

“How brave you are, Merlin! If only it were that simple…” Nimueh’s amusement briefly returned.

“What do you mean?” Merlin asked hesitantly.

 

“Once you enter into this bargain, it cannot be undone.”

But Merlin had been determined from the start, “Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a hundred of mine.”

 

Nimueh produced a magical chalice, blessed by the Old Religion. She made it rain drops of sacred water, taking the blessed cup filled with it and then pouring it into a small ornate vial.

 

“Water from this cup must be brought to Arthur and he will be revived. However, there must be a death in exchange.”

 

“I promise my own life in exchange for Arthur’s,” Merlin declared, no other look on her face than resolve.

 

Nimueh considered her a moment, before a slow smile spread across her painted mouth.

 

“Very well then. I’d thought about tricking you, taking someone close to you instead, but you’ll do. Your life is mine.”

 

“Wait! I have to get this back to Arthur, don’t I?” Merlin was confused and panicking.

 

“No, not necessarily. I will make sure it gets to him in time,” Nimueh stated nonchalantly.

 

Her body blurred and then in the blurriness, Merlin could see Nimueh’s body shifting. As her body resettled, the blurriness began to fade until Nimueh was revealed in a red tunic, the same color as the dress and shredded in the same manner, black slacks and sandals. The big difference? She was no longer a she, but a he.

 

“How do you like my new look? I’d thought you’d prefer this more,” Nimueh’s deeper voice asked, once again amused but a hint of cruelness shown through.

 

“B-but how?” Merlin gasped, stumbling back.

 

“I’m a changeling, young sorceress. How else am I to look so young when I’d lived a long time, without an enchantment?”

 

Quick as lightning, suddenly Nimueh was right in front of her, his light blue eyes shining with cruel amusement. She could feel his breath fanning over her face, the heat of his body, and feel the power lightly pulsing around him.

 

She shivered, and she hated herself for it not being from fear.

 

“We’re very alike. You too are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me,” he purred into her ear.

 

“You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic? Never,” Merlin was still trembling, and she cursed the betrayal of her body.

 

“So be it,” he blew softly into her ear, lips enclosing around the lobe and nibbling, before trailing down her neck, tongue slipping out and licking a trail as he went.

 

“S-Stop,” damn it, why was her voice stuttering? How the hell did he have such a control over her? She didn’t understand it at all.

 

“You see, Merlin? Our power is calling out to each other, pulling us together. It’s magnetic.”

 

Her hand shot out and pushed at his chest, but she was horrified to find that she’d only weakly tried to push him away.

 

What was wrong with her?

 

He was attractive, very attractive, and she was very responsive to that. And the power around him called out to her and she felt fascinated by it, pulled towards him like he’d said. She was attracted to his power and it pulled at something inside her, something that couldn’t help but be drawn to that power he had.

 

When his lips touched hers and she immediately started to respond, her body on automatic as she wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed his hands to wander her body, allowing him to ravish her mouth –she desperately called up an image of Arthur. Remembering him and why she was there in the first place, gave her the strength to pull back and give a hard uppercut before she ran like a bat out of hell away from him.

 

Where she was going, she didn’t know. She just knew she had to get away from him at least.

 

Merlin would die at his hands. But she would die before ever letting him touch her in the way only Arthur could.

 

After running for so long, surely lost and knowing that since Nimueh knew that place better than she that it would only be a matter of time before the changeling caught up, she ended up near a more wilder courtyard, stone castle ruins structured around it. It was surrounded by growth and vines, weeds hidden in cracks. Swallowing harshly, she walked tentatively more into it, seeing a large fountain in the middle of the courtyard, very ornate and ancient. It was screaming absolute power at her.

 

It seemed familiar though.

 

“I see you’ve stumbled onto the heart of the Isle of the Blessed. This place is the oldest of this island, the magic strongest here,” Nimueh’s strong, clear voice rang out in the courtyard.

 

She whirled around, backing away slowly and staring at him in wariness.

 

“You shouldn’t go anywhere near that fountain,” he warned in a blasé voice. “No one has gone near it since before the Purge. Even then, no one had really had the bravery to venture here and visit this fountain.”

 

Merlin glanced behind her at the fountain before looking back, a plan forming in her mind.

 

“Really? Nice to know,” she said sarcastically.

 

And then she crazily leapt into the fountain without further thought, making a small splash as she entered it and disappeared into its depths.

 

She didn’t come back up.

 

“Pity. Together, we could have ruled the world.”

 

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A strange noise interrupted her sleep, and her hand banged on it instinctively. The noise immediately stopped.

 

“Marilyn! Get up! You’ll be late for school!” her mother’s voice called out.

 

Merlin slowly forced herself to get up.

 

Wait, her mother? What was she doing in Camelot?

 

“Come on, Merlin. Don’t get all shitty in the morning,” a familiar voice called out, and she blearily looked at the person at her door.

 

“Lancelot?” she asked in confusion.

 

Lancelot rolled his eyes, “Even my own sister is calling me by that ridiculous nickname. Forget you.”

 

Merlin was confused and as she let her body go on automatic, she went over to her bathroom and let herself get ready. Since her body was doing all the work, she saw all the odd contraptions. She was taking a bath from an odd pole or something that let water flow from it, and there were all sorts of things her hands were automatically using to help bathe her. She got out, used a fluffy cloth to wipe herself down, and then dressed herself in odd garments. And then she caught sight of her reflection in a huge mirror.

 

She looked mostly the same, but there were key differences. She looked slightly younger. Her hair was shorter than she remembered it to be, instead of its long length it was cut short to the top of her shoulders. Her eyes were gold, when she knew it was only gold when she used magic. Her blue eyes were gone…

 

She was wearing a white dress shirt, with a small fitting black vest over it, a black skirt that was much shorter than the dresses and skirts she remembered women usually wearing, and odd white things on her feet that was covered by strange looking shoes.

 

“Merlin! We’re going to be late!” Lancelot yelled from outside her door.

 

Reluctantly, she followed after him.

 

She kept her fear in as Lancelot “drove” (with something he’d called a “car”) them to a large building that she assumed was school. He was wearing a similar outfit, wearing pants instead of a skirt, and leather shoes. He also wore a black jacket that went with the “uniform.”

 

“They’re going to have Fridays’ casual. Thank God! I don’t want to wear this uniform all the time.”

 

Merlin just nodded, taking her book bag from him and following. He raised an eyebrow at her.

 

“Merlin, your class is the opposite way.”

 

She panicked, “But I don’t know where my class is.”

 

He stared before looking behind her. “Well, you’re in luck. Morgana and…Gwen,” here he started blushing heavily, “are coming your way. Your friends have all of your classes. See ya, sis!”

 

Lancelot left her behind just as Morgana and Gwen reached her, Gwen staring only a little at her “brother’s” retreating back.

 

“There you are, Merlin! Come on! If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late for class,” Morgana grinned at her.

 

Both of them didn’t look all that different, though their hair was definitely shorter and they were a lot younger than she knew them to be. Merlin nodded hesitantly and followed them, not knowing what was going on and where she was.

 

They reached the classroom, and from there she was pulled into a seat in between the two girls. The teacher began doing a roll call and people were responding to their names. She waited patiently for hers.

 

“Gwenith Jennings,” Interesting. Gwen’s name was different.

 

“Morgana Pendragon.” Morgana’s hadn’t changed at all.

 

“Marilyn Amber.”

 

Morgana elbowed her in the side, and she turned to her in confusion.

 

“What?”

 

Morgana raised her eyebrows at her, jerking her chin towards the teacher. Oh. Merlin’s had changed. A lot.

 

But she was Merlin Ambrosius…

 

“Um, here.”

 

And things continued like that through the whole day. When it was lunchtime, apparently she, Morgana, and Gwen were popular –enough that everyone had wanted to sit with them. But the three stuck together and sat under a tree, eating their lunch.

 

Merlin stared in confusion at the food in her, uh, lunchbox.

 

Gwen peered over at her food. “Mm, custom-made sushi, no seafood, imitation crab and cream cheese. Ohh, lobster as your main course. And rice balls as a side. Is your mom on a seafood/Japanese trend?”

 

Merlin didn’t know how to respond to that. She didn’t know what any of that was. So she laughed nervously and shrugged.

 

“Who knows?”

 

The other two girls laughed, and that was that.

 

While they were talking, Merlin tried to cling to whatever leftover instincts Merlin of this place had given to her to survive. Merlin was called Merlin because apparently she was a wiz at everything. She wasn’t rich, she was middle-classed, but her Uncle Gaius was the personal doctor to the Pendragon family –Morgana’s family. And he loved to spoil her. Morgana and Arthur were loaded, and apparently the richest kids at the private school they were studying at. Gwen lived with them, working as a maid. Lancelot, named Lance in this place, was her brother.

 

And –

 

Her breath caught as she saw Arthur walk out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard where everyone else was eating, surrounded by his gaggle of friends.

 

Morgana snorted. “Like a schoolgirl crush. If you like my brother so much, why do you keep politely declining him every time he asks you out?”

 

“It’s because Merlin is trying to play hard to get with me,” Arthur’s smug voice cut in, he and his friends having made it over to them quickly.

 

Lancelot was part of their group, and Merlin had to fight to keep the smirk off her face. Well, he wasn’t a knight…

 

“In your dreams,” Gwen, though, did smirk.

 

Both girls draped themselves over Merlin, smirking widely at the blond teen.

 

“She’d prefer us over you any day, Pendragon.”

 

“I’m hurt, Morgana! You don’t consider yourself a Pendragon, and after we took you in and adopted you? Well, never mind that. Merlin, there’s a club party Friday night. Want to come with?” Arthur started mockingly before becoming serious and directing all his attention towards Merlin.

 

“Yes,” she answered without hesitation.

 

Everyone froze and stared at her, Arthur looking stunned.

 

One thing she hated knowing, even after everything, even in this place –she refused to get together with Arthur. This time, because she didn’t want to be just another one of the girls he dated. Well, she wasn’t in Camelot and she wanted to be with Arthur, even if only in this place.

 

“G-great. I’ll pick you up at 7 then. See you,” Arthur hesitantly smiled shyly at her before turning back into the arrogant ass he usually was, taking off with his friends.

 

Later, Hunith was hurrying her and Lancelot, saying that Gaius had wanted them to come to the Pendragon party being hosted that night. She’d already received a similar invitation from Morgana earlier in school, as well as from Arthur when he’d hesitantly handed her a formal envelope before she had to go to her last class.

 

She wore a simple black dress, though it was still much shorter at the skirts and more flimsy than the dresses she was used to. But there was no corset, so she still saw a win situation.

 

They quickly headed over to the Pendragon mansion, Merlin staring in disbelief. Even in this place, they lived in a castle. Smaller than the one in Camelot, but still.

 

Lancelot snorted, “Who do they think they are? The Luthors? Xanatos?”

 

Merlin stared at him in confusion. She hadn’t caught the references at all.

 

“Oh hush, you,” Hunith berated her son fondly. “It’s the same every time we come here. Be nice.”

 

The party was in full swing by the time they entered, and Gaius immediately spotted them, actually looking no different than she’d remembered him.

 

“Hunith! Lance! Merlin!”

 

He gave them each a huge hug, after which he and Hunith engaged in a long conversation about something. Lancelot drifted off and she decided to do the same thing, trying to look for Morgana or Gwen.

 

She saw a silhouette of someone standing on the balcony and suddenly her head started hurting. She gasped loudly, collapsing on her knees on the floor. The people around her, even the person on the balcony, hurried to her, but her vision was blurred and she couldn’t see any of them.

 

“Are you okay?” A familiar and comforting voice asked.

 

“No,” she breathed out.

 

But she couldn’t hear any more as she was caught in the throes of a vision from the past. The last thing she did hear was that familiar voice saying, “Bring her to my study and lay her on the couch. I’ll see to it that her family is informed and will look after her myself.”

 

Merlin walked across the soft-carpeted hallway, feeling a little insomnia. Maybe she shouldn’t have agreed to Morgana’s sleepover, not with the dreams she’s been having…

 

Seeing a silhouette of someone on the balcony, she cautiously came closer.

 

“Mr. Pendragon?” she called out, finally recognizing the figure sitting at the edge of the balcony and peering into the sky.

 

The balcony was dangerous because it had no railings, and with him sitting at the edge with his legs dangling over, he was in a precarious position that foreshadowed serious motives.

 

“I’m not here to kill myself, Ms. Amber,” he called her out on her thoughts.

 

She blinked in surprise, but came closer and sat next to him, folding her legs closer to her and tucking her knees under her chin.

 

“Sorry…I just assumed…Um, just call me Merlin. Everyone does, Mr. Pendragon.”

 

“How long have you been Morgana’s friend? I may not have met you before, but the two of you have known each other since you were kids. Call me Uther.”

 

She giggled, “That’s kinda funny. Morgana and I have been friends for a long time, and I’ve only met you now.”

 

His lips twitched upward. “Yeah. Interesting fact. I do seem to feel like I know you already, however. With how much Morgana talks about you. And occasionally, so does little Gwen. Well…so does Arthur. In fact, my son speaks very fondly of you.”

 

Merlin blushed terribly and muttered something under her breath. He laughed at her, but not cruelly, and she hesitantly smiled back and started to slowly laugh along with him.

 

For the rest of the night, she just sat there with him, talking about anything and everything. And she noticed, that as they talked, the sadness she saw in his eyes disappeared for then.

 

Groaning, she finally opened her eyes and pulled herself from the vision, feeling her head on someone’s lap and that same someone running their hand through her hair while the other held one of her hands.

 

“You’re finally awake?” Uther’s familiar, but less hardened voice asked her. It was more sad, a little more revealing than the Uther she was used to.

 

Funny. Even in this place. In this strange time (because she was starting to be certain that she was in some sort of future). She and Uther were still friends…

 

“I guess I am. Nice waking up to you, Uther,” she muttered.

 

His eyebrows raised and she tried to realize what she had said wrong. Her words were a little more sardonic than probably what this Merlin usually said to this Uther, and what her Uther was usually used to hearing.

 

But he’d avoided that and focused on something else.

 

“You called me Uther. Usually you would just call me Mr. Pendragon, even after I insisted on Uther.”

 

“Oh…um, it just slipped out. I’m sorry,” she turned red. She noticed that too. She, in this body, had less control of her emotions. In fact, she blushed far too easily. And it showed more. At least in her time, she had the control to blush unnoticeably. At times.

 

“But I do insist on Uther. So please. How are you doing? What happened out there?” he started in worriedly.

 

“It was nothing,” she gave what she hoped was a sure smile. “I just had a really bad headache.”

 

“Do you need Gaius to check on you? Or should I just take you to the ER?”

 

“No. No.” She shook her head. “I mean really. Just no. I’ll be fine.”

 

Wow, this Uther was really protective of her. And he didn’t stop himself from showing it either.

 

“So, there’s school tomorrow, right?”

 

She tried to think about it and nodded hesitantly.

 

“Do you feel like cutting? I’ll take you out tomorrow.”

 

She gaped at him openly. “What? I mean, w-why? Huh?”

 

He laughed lightly at her, but it seemed half-hearted. “The anniversary of my wife’s death.”

 

“Oh…” So it seems even here, Ingraine was dead. But Uther didn’t look as cold as he did in her time. He just seemed sadder.

 

He had less angry lines around his face, barely any frown lines. Without magic to hate and blame, Uther handled her death in a different way. More…depressing way, really…

 

“Sure.”

 

“Great!” he seemed immediately cheered up. “When you get to school, sneak ‘round the back and head to the park. I’ll pick you up there.”

 

“Okay then,” she hesitantly smiled at him, trying to get up. His hand tightened around hers before letting go reluctantly.

 

“Your mother should be waiting for you,” Uther muttered unenthusiastically.

 

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” and she allowed herself something she would’ve never have done had she been back in her time with her Uther. She kissed his cheek fondly and then darted out the door playfully.

 

The next day, she nervously snuck out of school and without anyone’s supervision, and thankfully made it to the park without any trouble. She figured she’d get lost at least…

 

One of those car things drove up to her and the window rolled down, showing Uther who waved slightly at her.

 

“Didn’t recognize my car?” he smirked at her.

 

She shrugged nonchalantly, unsure if other her was supposed to recognize it.

 

“I like it though.”

 

She got into the seat next to him, blinking when he handed her a new set of clothing.

 

“I can’t take you out in your school uniform. You are supposed to be in school right now, you know,” Uther smirked at her, much more like her Uther at that moment.

 

“Uh…what…change here?” she asked nervously.

 

“Merlin, I’m not –I’m not going to peek. I thought you trusted me,” Uther looked at her in embarrassment, apprehensiveness, and worry –worry that she didn’t trust him or thought he was capable or such things. Worry that she thought he was a pervert.

 

“No, you know. In a car. Weird,” she laughed it off, and he averted his eyes to the front as she started taking off her top and switched it with a nice white lacy blouse, repeating the switch with her pleated school skirt and into the paper birch corduroy miniskirt.

 

“I have black opaque tights to go with that. It’s cold out, so you might want to cover your legs. If you want to change out of your school shoes, I have a pair of black ankle-length boots in the back too. You know, um, it all goes together. At least, that was what the salesperson told me…” Uther rambled uncomfortably.

 

Uther buying things for her (totally obvious that he did, especially since they fit perfectly and he was using sales descriptions), spoiling her, and acting all uncertain and more emotional than her Uther was definitely something she didn’t mind.

 

She just smiled. “No, it’s fine. I love it all.”

 

“Like you like this car? Lamborghini Concept S, very sleek look, and the silver tone is my favorite.  I saw one that you might like, a black Lamborghini SPIGA Concept,” he was rambling again, though he avoided the fact that by concept car, it meant cars that haven’t made production…

 

“What does it mean if it’s a Concept?”

 

He winced. “Ah, nothing really. Just…cars that haven’t been made for the public yet. Or necessarily have been decided to have been made…I just have connections,” he muttered that last part.

 

“Right…you really like cars, don’t you? Especially this one,” she said mischievously. “And I’ll pass on the car. I’m nowhere able to drive.”

 

Remembering just riding with Lancelot and her full-blown panic and fear was enough to put her off driving. Speaking of, she hadn’t freaked out at all while Uther drove…

 

“I’ll teach you,” he said dismissively. “Then you’ll learn to drive. And in the meantime I’ll get you that car.”

 

He turned on the stereo, music somehow blaring from speaker-things. Uther softly sang along to it and she stared in awe.

 

He blinked at her. “I thought you liked the Beatles.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You and I used to always sing along to their songs. This song is your favorite.”

 

“Oh, uh yeah.”

 

Well, she did like the song of course…

 

By the next chorus, she was singing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” along with Uther. By the time they were finally close to their destination, she remembered her favorite Beatles songs (courtesy of some memories that weren’t technically hers; and because she herself really did like the songs).

 

He stopped by an expensive-looking restaurant, which she could tell just by looking from the outside, and he exited out first, walking over to her side and opening her door for her. She shivered once she got out.

 

“Cold?” he asked worriedly.

 

“Yeah. I didn’t think it would be this cold.”

 

“There’s a black long-sleeve turtleneck sweater in the back you can change into.”

 

She blinked at his preparedness, but went back inside the car, Uther closing the door behind her. She found the slim turtleneck and took off the blouse, exchanging it for the sweater. Tugging it down, she knocked lightly on the door and it opened for her. Slipping out, she was unsteady a little, though Uther quickly steadied her.

 

“We’ll eat lunch here first, and then I’ll take you shopping. Then we’ll stop by the cemetery before dropping you off to your home. You have an alibi?”

 

“Mom’s working, so if we’re back before three, I can beat L-Lance,” she stumbled over Lancelot’s name there, “back before he comes home. I’ll just say I wasn’t feeling well when I got to school and decided to walk home.”

 

“I’ll call school to call you in sick. I’ll tell them I was driving by while you were walking and gave you a lift, which both things should be fine since it’s a known fact I’m a close family friend. I’ll call Gaius and he’ll tell Hunith.”

 

“Uh, okay,” she agreed, his additions to her alibi making it easier.

 

They actually ate a quick lunch, very delicious but Uther wouldn’t let her see the receipt. She dreaded the amount. Skipping the local mall, Uther actually drove her an hour away to a nice outlet shopping mall, which she suspect was every bit as expensive as the clothing she wore. She wouldn’t be surprised if her clothing came from one of the stores there.

 

In a cool gaming store there, she stood in front of a TV, addicted to singing to a Beatles song from the Beatles Rockband game.

 

“Well, well. Ms. Amber, aren’t you cutting school?”

 

No way…

 

She whirled around, and there was Edwin Muirden smirking at her.

 

“Um, hey,” she said lamely and unsure what his name there was or how she knew him.

 

He snorted, “Nice one, Ms. Amber. You should be in 4th period right about now, but yet here you are. Playing games?”

 

He raised an eyebrow sardonically at her. “I would’ve thought better of the popular, everyone’s best friend, loved by everyone Merlin.”

 

“Um, please don’t tell anyone I skipped school,” she stiffened up.

 

Edwin gazed at her lazily, eyes trailing up and down her body.

 

“I’m sure something could be arranged.”

 

Uther slid right next to her at that moment, his face stony, smoothly slipping cash into Edwin’s front shirt pocket and smiling stiffly.

 

“I’m sure she was never even here, right Mr. Muirden?” Uther’s voice was polite, but both of them could detect the subtle tone of threat and danger.

 

Edwin fake-smiled back. “Right.” He looked to Merlin, his smile turning more amused and slightly lecherous. “I’ll just leave you to your Sugar Daddy then.”

 

He turned on his heel and walked away.

 

Merlin blinked. “What’s a Sugar Daddy?”

 

Uther was torn between fidgeting uncomfortably and staring at her.

 

“It’s nothing. Did you like this game?”

 

She nodded enthusiastically. “It’s fun.”

 

“I’ll buy it then,” he said immediately.

 

Merlin shook her head. “It’s fun, but expensive. Besides, how am I going to explain how I got it?”

 

Uther shrugged, “I’ll leave it at my house. My kids will assume it’s for them and this way you can come over all the time. Besides, Arthur loves these kinds of games and it’ll give you an excuse to come over.”

 

But what kind of excuse? An excuse to use while visiting him, or just an excuse to use as an explanation for her coming over all the time because she liked the game? Former or latter? Serious or more playful?

 

Would other Merlin assume that Uther was just teasing her by saying she kept coming over for the game, when she knew that Uther was really hoping for the former?

 

But Uther backpedaled and retconned his statement in a way that was more joking and less subtly depressing.

 

“I mean, by keeping the game at my home, it gives my family an excuse to keep dragging you back there,” he chuckled lightly.

 

She forced a smile onto her face and hoped it looked real.

 

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Gaius sighed as he packed some of his things in his quarters, going to live next door to Arthur’s room for awhile. He saw a vial to the side, with an elaborate flourish of Merlin’s name on a parchment next to it. Opening the folded parchment, he read the contents quickly.

 

Arthur Pendragon will live.

 

Dropping his bag, he practically flew off and ran to Arthur’s bedside.

 

Uther was still there, exhaustedly sitting by Arthur. Gwen was off to the side, helping with little things, having been told by Morgana to help in whatever way she could.

 

“Milord, I think I may have a cure.” Gaius hesitated, but continued on. “Merlin has retrieved it, so it is much better hope than we could have now.”

 

Uther sat up quickly, much more alert than he had been. He gestured for Gaius to quickly hurry up, and he moved to Arthur’s side and tilted the vial into the Prince’s mouth.

 

“We might need to give it some time…”

 

“Alright, then we have no choice but to wait…” Uther reluctantly acceded.

 

Gaius nodded and excused himself, worry only now starting to set in for his young ward. Where was Merlin and how did she come by that vial? He should’ve looked more into the vial before using it, but there had been no time. And now, as he looked back, there had been no sign of Merlin in the past few days, ever since she’d brought back Arthur.

 

Where had she gone?

 

A deep needling feeling set in his gut and he traveled down to the caverns, seeking out the Great Dragon that he knew resided down there. When he got there, the dragon was already seated on his rock and staring straight at him solemnly.

 

“Where have you sent Merlin?” Gaius asked sharply.

 

Smoke billowed forth from it. “Where she needed to have gone.”

 

“Be more specific, dragon! I have no time to indulge you in your cryptics,” Gaius sneered, panic and worry settling in quite heavily, knowing for certain now that Merlin was in probable danger.

 

“She said she was willing to do whatever needed to be done to save Arthur. I gave her a way.”

 

“And what way was that?” Uther’s cold voice interrupted them, appearing behind Gaius and glaring straight at the dragon.

 

The Great Dragon considered him heavily, but decided to speak. “I sent her to the Isle of the Blessed. The Questing Beast is a creature of the Old Religion, so only the Old Religion could save Arthur.”

 

“The Old Religion dictates that for a life another life must be taken. Who was Merlin forced to sacrifice?” Gaius echoed Uther’s glare, while Uther stiffened up at his words.

 

“I was hoping it would be the King, but truthfully, Nimueh probably would have chosen Merlin’s mother.”

 

Gaius recoiled while Uther frowned and didn’t loosen up. Uther thought there was something else. Both, however, were slightly reeling from the fact that Merlin had to deal with Nimueh.

 

“So that’s where Merlin is. Tending to her mother.”

 

The dragon hesitated and they caught that.

 

“What is it?” Uther asked cuttingly.

 

“…You are quite wrong, and I am sure of it. I have not felt Merlin’s presence back since she’d left, so the vial was not delivered by her. I am almost positive that Nimueh had changed her mind on tricking Merlin, and decided to accept the young sorceress’ offer. Her life for Arthur’s.”

 

Silence.

 

Uther, surprising the other two, turned and walked out first. But Gaius followed soon after, without another glance at the dragon.

 

“I haven’t mentioned it before, Uther, but…I had the feeling of something going on between you and Merlin. While I was unsure of exactly what, I did notice things that were unusual. Barely though. You and Merlin are rather excellent at acting and hiding…”

 

“But we’ve been slipping,” Uther acknowledged, knowing that was what helped Gaius put things together more solidly. “It is a long story, my friend.”

 

“One, I hope, you will tell me on the way there?”

 

“…Very well.”

 

“How’s your magic, Gaius?” Uther unexpectedly asked next.

 

Gaius hesitated, but answered nonetheless. “A little rusty, but I can still use it.”

 

“No good then.”

 

“…No good…”

 

The sound of hurried footsteps heading towards them made them hesitantly slow down, and they saw Gwen breathing hard as she came to a stop near them.

 

“Milord, Gaius, these letters were left for you. I just found them when I went to go pick up the medicines you told me to fetch in case for when Prince Arthur wakes up. They look to be from Merlin.”

 

Uther immediately snatched his from Gwen, reading it quickly. Gaius was slower in taking it, reading upon opening it.

 

Dear Gaius,

 

It has been a long journey for me, from just a girl magician in my village to the sorceress I have become today, finding out my destiny and experiencing things beyond my life of a peasant. You have always been kind and caring to me, and I could always count on you to help me. You are like a grandfather, my dear old man, but this time –you will not be able to help me. Arthur must live at all costs. Even if I will need to sacrifice myself in order for him to live. He will be a great King. Stand by his side and advise him in my stead.

 

You mean so much to me.

 

With love and fondness –and much thanks,

Merlin

 

He finished reading in time to see Uther already striding away in the direction of the stables. Gaius hurried to follow behind him.

 

“Guinevere, please look after my son until I get back. It will be much appreciated,” Uther called out over his shoulder.

 

Gwen hesitantly called an affirmative, watching stunned as they left.

 

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Dear Uther,

 

I’m sorry. I failed you and I failed Arthur. I will not allow this to happen and will do everything in my power to save him. I swear on my magic that he will live. Please, trust me one more time, for this I will not fail.

 

I know I have not always been the easiest to deal with, or the most reliable. And I know that sometimes, I’m not very showy with my emotions. You told me, if anything were to happen to either you or Arthur, I’d promised to show more of my emotions for either of you two. Well this is my last chance and will to show that. This is for me to show you I do care for you both, and I do love you two. I am sorry it had to end this way.

 

Do not attempt to find me, you won’t be able to. I’m going to go somewhere to save Arthur, and offer my life in exchange for his. He cannot die and you know that. I may be part of his destiny, but without him there is no destiny to speak of. His life outweighs the importance of my own, and I will be proud and happy to give up mine for his. He needs to live, and I don’t necessarily have to. Please stand by him, my friend. You asked me to show more how I feel, then please –take your own advice. Your son needs you. Be by his side, as I cannot.

 

You said I was your daughter. Well, I have never known my father, have no knowledge of him at all. You have been the father I have never known.

 

Thank you,

Merlin

 

The letter was crumpled in his hands, as he refused to let it go. He and Gaius had saddled the horses and were riding as fast as they could to the Isle of the Blessed, determined to reach Merlin before something irreparable could happen. And if something had happened to her, then Uther had everything planned out.

 

They were there in no time, greeted by a grumpy Nimueh, who had resorted back to her feminine guise.

 

“Oh, you two,” she rolled her eyes.

 

“Where’s Merlin?” Uther asked threateningly, sword in hand already.

 

Nimueh sneered, “I don’t know. I lost her.”

 

“What do you mean you don’t know?! How could you lose her?” Uther roared, Gaius letting him take the lead. At the moment, Uther was the more aggressive of the two, so he stood back and observed the surroundings, trying to see any evidence of Merlin’s presence.

 

Nimueh looked at them, a slow cruel smile spreading across her face.

 

“Alright, I’ll tell. If only so you could find her and bring her back. I still have to kill her in order to fulfill her bargain.”

 

Uther snarled, “I don’t think so. I’ll bring her back. Then it’s my life for hers. Now tell me where she is.”

 

“Interesting,” Nimueh muttered to herself. “She’s at the heart. The fountain in the courtyard. The girl fell into the waters. I have no idea where she has gone.”

 

“The fountain, you say?” Gaius tensed.

 

“Yes, the one.”

 

Gaius looked furious, for once looking different from his usual mild self.

 

“No one goes in that fountain.”

 

Nimueh huffed, “Like I could’ve done anything. She jumped in.”

 

“Tell me where this fountain is, so I can get her,” Uther gritted his teeth.

 

Nimueh pushed herself off the stone slab, smirk growing wider as a small idea grew in her head.

 

She jumped towards him in a small leap, shifting to look alike someone very familiar to the two.

 

“Do you really miss me that much? Do you really want me that much?” Nimueh purred in Merlin’s voice, in Merlin’s body, leaning in seductively to Uther and fingers trailing up his chest teasingly.

 

Without hesitation, Uther backhanded her and she landed harshly on the ground. But she still chuckled, blood dripping down the corner of her mouth. Looking up, she tilted her head and considered him closely.

 

“What? Do I not please you, milord?” Nimueh asked, still in the image of Merlin.

 

“Merlin, yes. You, you treacherous witch, no. Never use her image again, you wretched creature. I will kill you without a single thought, if you do,” he threatened.

 

Nimueh laughed harshly, transforming back. “I don’t know. I kind of liked her body. Makes me look younger…and rather prettier, I’d say.”

 

He scoffed degradingly, “She carries herself far more superior than your best try. You wouldn’t hold a candle.”

 

“Fascinating,” she commented dryly. “She’s in that direction. Hurry up and bring me my death.”

 

Uther scowled at her before turning his back and walking in the direction she’d pointed. She smirked and decided he could be hurt just a little.

 

She shot a quick elemental lightning spell, but it hit an invisible shield around him, that glowed a slight golden tone before disappearing. But it had alerted both Gaius and Uther to her small attack. Both men whirled around and glared at her warily.

 

She sneered, “Well, well. I guess Merlin blessed you with the ancient protection of magic. That’s powerful magic there. What a lucky man, you are, Uther Pendragon.”

 

“Attack me again, Nimueh. You will regret it,” Uther said softly, unlike his usual threats.

 

“Is that a challenge?” she answered back just as softly.

 

Uther lifted his chin in defiance. In retaliation, Nimueh cast the same lightning spell at him, but he lifted a rock and the lightning hit it, where it then shot her own spell back at her and she didn’t have time to move away. She was knocked out by the attack.

 

“Is that…the Maidstone?” Gaius asked in wonder, staring at the glowing golden rock in Uther’s hand.

 

“Yes. I was going to give it to Merlin, but I’d forgotten about it…until I’d gone here.”

 

Uther uncomfortably avoided Gaius’ gaze and stuffed the stone back into his pocket, starting on his way again.

 

“I’ll stay here and watch her,” Gaius informed him.

 

He nodded and tried not to think about not getting there in time. By luck, he actually reached the courtyard easily and saw the ornate fountain in the middle. Thinking nothing else but to save Merlin, he jumped into the waters.

 

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Merlin didn’t want to admit it. She didn’t even want to think about it. But truth was, she really didn’t feel like going back now. She was happy there. She was about to go on a date with Arthur, Morgana and Gwen were her friends and she didn’t really have to lie to them, Uther and her were close without the extra baggage that came in her time. Fact was, in this time, in this future –Merlin could be who she wanted to be without lying about everything, worries about someone finding out her secrets, trying to please everyone, worrying about her destiny, about protecting Arthur, about him getting a proper wife…None of that mattered here.

 

She could easily lead a happy life here without her usual problems.

 

As seven struck, she wondered why Arthur wasn’t there yet. She was worried, but Arthur seemed genuine enough. Peering out the window, she found out why Arthur was a little late. He was busy staring at her door in trepidation, mouth opened, eyes wide, and hand ready to knock but not willing to actually do so.

 

So she opened the door herself and smirked playfully.

 

“Were you planning on staying on my doorstep the whole night as a date?”

 

He blushed heavily. “N-no. I was just. Look, Merlin, I’m nervous. I really like you and you know that, but you’ve never said yes to me before. Um, I don’t really know what to do.”

 

She took pity on him and hooked her arms around one of his, starting to lead him to his car.

 

“Well, you did invite me to a club. I guess we were going dancing tonight?”

 

He stopped and averted his eyes, “I, um. Yeah. We could do that. It’s just…for our first date, I wanted to do something special. I don’t wanna go hang out at a club and dance there. It’s not romantic.”

 

She gazed at him in wonder. “We could…we could just stay here at my house and dance to whatever songs we wanted in my room?”

 

“Yeah, that would be nice,” he smiled shyly at her. “I’d like that. It would just be the two of us…and I wouldn’t have to share you with anyone.”

 

She smiled back just as shyly at him, not able to help it. This Arthur was just so adorable and hesitant, but still as…loving towards her as ever.

 

“Um, why don’t we go to my house though? My room has a real nice stereo system and there’s a lot of room,” he rambled nervously.

 

“Okay.”

 

“Okay?”

 

She nodded and he grinned, grabbing her hand to lead her to his car.

 

Arthur took no time getting to his house, probably breaking a few speeding laws and running a couple red lights, and scaring the living daylights out of Merlin, but he’d wanted to get there as fast as he could.

 

Without pause, he dragged her into his room and then offered a seat on his bed while he’d scampered over to his computer and started searching for songs. Selecting Ben Taylor Band’s version of “Time of the Season,” he went back to Merlin and nervously offered her a hand.

 

She accepted it graciously and he pulled her up, holding each other close and dancing slowly to the song.

 

“It’s the time of the season, where love runs high,” he sang into her ear, hands drifting from her waist to her hips sensuously. Feeling her shiver, he smirked against her neck where his lips brushed against softly. “In this time, give it to me easy and let me try.”

 

Experimentally drawing her closer, he aligned their bodies together, causing just slight friction. When he didn’t hear a protest from her, taking it as a good sign, he slid his hands farther down and slid them under her blouse, hands trailing lightly up her back to rest against the clasp of her bra.

 

“With pleasured hands, take you in the sun to promise land. Show you everyone, it’s the time for the season of loving,” he murmured into her ear, fingers unhooking her bra.

 

He blinked when she stepped back and shook her head, smiling sardonically at him and hooking bra again.

 

He blushed and inwardly beat himself up. “Sorry, Merlin. Too far? Can I just blame it on teenage hormones and male idiocy?”

 

She laughed at him and smiled warmly, “You go and do that.”

 

He chuckled lightly and then held out his hands to her, shrugging slightly and offering her a goofy grin.

 

“Finish the dance?”

 

When he was like that, sweet and adorable, could she really say no?

 

After that they danced to a couple more songs, before Arthur successfully needled her into just lying down on the bed with him, letting him wrap his arms around her and hold her to him. Not disagreeable, she wrapped her own arms around his waist and settled her head comfortably on his chest.

 

They had been so comfortable and relaxed, that when Uther burst through the door an hour later, they looked at him bewildered and slightly embarrassed.

 

“Dad,” Arthur looked at him in embarrassment and shock, recovering and silently signaling for his father to leave them alone.

 

Merlin flushed red.

 

“Um, never mind. I’ll just leave you two alone and come back later,” Uther started to back out.

 

Merlin shook her head, “No, it’s okay. I have to get back anyway. It’s late.”

 

“It is late, Merlin. Why don’t you stay here? You can call your mother and tell her. We have some of your stuff stored in the pool house from the last time you stayed over. I’ll lead you there, since I was just heading there myself,” Uther said.

 

Merlin nodded an okay and was about to slip away from Arthur when he hesitantly grasped her wrist.

 

“Can I…can I kiss you, Merlin?” he mumbled anxiously.

 

That’s right. This Arthur had never kissed Merlin before. Letting him tilt her head and pull her down slightly, he angled his mouth to meet hers and kissed her softly. It was brief but very sweet, and she turned bright red as she rushed to Uther’s side.

 

As they were walking, Uther’s lips were twitching upwards.

 

“You and my son, huh? About time. I was wondering when you two would finally get together. Hey, I thought you two were supposed to go out to a club or something. That’s where Morgana and Gwen still are.”

 

Merlin blushed again, “We decided to just stay in his room and dance to songs there. And then we just lay down on his bed and relaxed.”

 

He smirked at her and his eyebrows rose up.

 

“Shut up, you!” she scowled at him.

 

“I didn’t say anything.”

 

“You were implying something with your look! I tell you, we didn’t do anything naughty in his room. Why do you tease me all the time?! Why don’t you tease your son?!”

 

Uther rolled his eyes, “It doesn’t have the same effect. Every time I try with Arthur, he just blanks out at the mention of you, and just starts daydreaming. If it’s not about naughty things with you, it’s probably about you two living here happily with kids. And a dog. My son can be a real sap sometimes, when it comes to you.”

 

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye before looking back forward.

 

“So, you’re staying here, right?”

 

“I guess,” she drawled, rolling her eyes. “Since I was cornered into it.”

 

“Well then, I’ll cook dinner tonight.”

 

“Looking forward to it,” and to know he’d cook (well, that he could actually cook at all) warmed her up inside.

 

She loved this place.

 

At the pool house, he directed her to a room while he took out some boxes from the fridge.

 

“You want some pie?” he called out to her from the kitchen.

 

“Yeah, sure!” she yelled from the bedroom, changing into pajamas.

 

When she’d finished, she exit out and saw a strange sight. Uther was sitting at the table and staring at the boxes, a confused look on his face.

 

“Uther, what’s wrong?” she asked in confusion. “Are you okay?”

 

“…Merlin, is that you?”

 

She laughed, “Well, yeah. Who else?”

 

“Merlin, we have to go back,” Uther said urgently, shooting out of his chair and grabbing her arm.

 

“Go where, idiot?” she smirked, leaning against the table.

 

“Back to where we should be. Somewhere not here. Back in, you know, Camelot,” Uther gestured violently with his hands, a little weirded out about the strange things around him.

 

Merlin reeled back, jerking her arm out of his hold and staring at him in horror.

 

“No…No! I can’t, Uther. I like it here. I’m happy. I don’t have as many problems here than where we belong. I-I can be with Arthur, just like you keep pushing me to. And-and Morgana and Gwen are my friends, and we don’t have to worry about anything except just regular girl things. And you care about me –you love me here!”

 

“But I do love you! Haven’t I already told you that? I’ve seen everything that’s happen since you were here, I can read my mind from this place easily. If you want me to buy you things, I’ll buy you things. If you want Arthur, just give in to him! If you don’t want to keep secrets from Morgana and Guinevere, then you can tell them whatever you want! Tell them the truth!”

 

“Please, just go back by yourself.”

 

He sighed in frustration, moving to be in front of her and grabbing her face, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

 

“You are happy. But we need you back in Camelot. And we can be just as happy there. It might take more work because of the problems we always have there, but Arthur and I, Morgana and Guinevere –we can make you happy. Please, come back with me.”

 

Merlin looked at him and started to cave.

 

“You have Arthur here…but what about Arthur back home?”

 

Arthur…home…

 

How could she be so selfish? And the referral of Camelot as home, her home, cinched it.

 

“Okay. But I want some of this pie before we leave,” she sniffled. “I’m not going to ever be able to have it again and I would very much like some comfort food right now.”

 

He quickly cut a piece of pie from both boxes and put them on small plates, letting her take a first bite out of either of them and then taking the fork from her and trying it himself.

 

“This is good. What is this?” Uther commented.

 

“That’s lemon pie, this is chocolate,” her voice was morose.

 

“They’re…good. Really good…”

 

“After this, we have to leave, don’t we?”

 

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

 

They finished off the pies and Uther gently led her out of the pool house and to the pool.

 

“We went into water to get here. It makes sense that we would need to go into water to go back,” Uther reasoned.

 

Merlin nodded stiffly, “Water is a big power source and generally considered to be used for magical portals. When we picture our pool of magic inside of us, it’s through water…a portal into our inner core of magic power if you will.”

 

“You’re stalling, darling.”

 

She let a small sob, “Other Uther liked to call me that…”

 

He tightened his hold around her comfortingly in response. Then, while holding onto her, he lunged into the pool. The two made a splash and when they resurfaced, they were two different people.

 

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“What a relief. You’re not going to die, and I knew it. And one day you will be King, and a far better one than your father could ever be. It's what keeps me going. You are going to live to be the man I've seen inside you, Arthur. I can see a Camelot that is fair and just. I can see a King that the people will love and be proud to call their sovereign. For the love of Camelot...you have to live. For the love of…Merlin…

 

“I see how you look at him, and I’m not blind to it. In fact…I see how he looks back at you too, and it hurts so badly,” Gwen let out a sob, burying her face into her hands. “My Lady Morgana was one thing, but you…Merlin actually returns your feelings, I know it. The gender thing doesn’t bother me, it’s that it’s not me he likes –he likes someone else, someone that is you, milord. It hurts inside, it really does. But I want him happy. And if I cannot be the one to make him happy, please, Sire…you have to live. Live and be the one to make him happy.”

 

Gwen admitted it. She’d seen her friend return those longing looks at Arthur when he thought no one was looking, but Gwen was. And she’d seen Arthur longingly look at Merlin as well. While she wished it was she who could make Merlin happy, she would settle for any way, anyone to make her dearest friend happy.

 

“I’m sorry, Gwen,” Arthur’s tired voice said from the bed.

 

She turned horrified in his direction, blushing greatly and apologizing profusely. He waved it off.

 

“It is alright…and I am sorry that you are hurting inside. It is not my intention, and you know Merlin would never wish for it either. And while I am sorry, I cannot be sorry I feel the way I do for Merlin. I will never regret my feelings or compromise on them. I don’t want to hurt you, Gwen, but I love Merlin and I will fight for…him every step of the way. I cannot give him up. I promise you, Guinevere, I will live and die to make Merlin happy. You don’t have to worry about that.”

 

“Yes, yes. Of course, Sire. Um, I found this and it was addressed to you from Merlin.” She handed him a folded letter and he took it eagerly.

 

“Gwen, have you seen my father?”

 

“Oh…Well, the King was by your side the entire time. He’d only left in a hurry. I think it was…an emergency with Merlin.”

 

Arthur looked at her in alarm, “What? What’s wrong?”

 

“I’m not sure, milord…He just seem worried and anxious. When he stayed by your side, he seemed dead on his feet and resigned. Almost as if he had nothing left to care for…when I gave him a letter from Merlin, he’d read it quickly and he’d just practically ran off, but he seemed the opposite than when he was with you. More alive and determined to do something,” she answered hesitantly.

 

Hearing that his father also received a letter made him worry. Why would Merlin send so many letters, if not to mean she had something important to say? It was all very worrying and he wanted to be alone soon so he could read Merlin’s letter already.

 

“I’m…really sorry again for my father,” Arthur winced from the pain.

 

“…I know. Your father…he apologized to me earlier when you were still unconscious and we were alone. I believe him.”

 

Another surprise, but one that could wait to be questioned later.

 

Gwen finished up and left him alone and he went to read his letter.

 

Arthur…

 

You know you’re a prat, right? A royal one at that. And yet, I am still very fond of you. So please, promise me if you get another servant you won’t get a bootlicker. Just know that I will be happy to be your servant until the day I die. I know you well, my Prince, and you are a great warrior. One day, you will be a great King. Just remember to listen as well as you fight…and don’t be a prat.

 

If anything, that would be all that I would say. But if something happens…there are more important things I have to say, a lot of things too numerous and things I’d rather say to your face. But as it is, I fear that I cannot. So I will say the most important thing and the only thing I wish to say to you now.

 

I love you.

 

Merlin

 

He wanted to crumple the letter and cry over it, but he didn’t want to ruin the precious letter –a letter that indicated may be the last thing he had of Merlin. As it was, he was already crying over it and staining it with tears. No need to ruin it even more. He refolded it carefully and lay back on his side, facing the wall and holding the letter close to his chest.

 

He cursed his weak body and hoped his father would be able to do something.

 

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“Ah, so they return,” Nimueh’s masculine voice echoed into the courtyard as soon as Uther and Merlin resurfaced in the fountain.

 

Water dripped down their faces and their hair weighed heavily down, as well as their clothes, and it was not a good thing for them if they were to fight Nimueh. Gaius was slumped over to the side and he saw their gazes directed at him.

 

“Don’t worry. He’s still alive. Just unconscious,” the changeling smirked at them.

 

“You will pay for hurting my friend,” Merlin said coldly, turning her attention back to him. Uther watched the exchange silently, hand gripping his sword that was returned to him when he’d come back.

 

“Back so soon, sorceress? You know, Gaius tried to offer his life in exchange for yours, but I told him that it was nonnegotiable. I only want yours, you see. The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies. Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken. Gaius knew this.”

 

Merlin examined her foe carefully, “When it was Ingraine who died, you did not have the power yet to decide. But you have grown more powerful since then, and now you can choose. The Old Religion did not do this, it is you. And you have chosen my death.”

 

Nimueh shrugged nonchalantly. “He offered his life as well, you know,” he gestured to Uther. Merlin glanced in surprise at him but focused back on Nimueh when the changeling moved slightly. “I’d consider his death for yours. After all, we are too valuable to each other to be enemies. I’d rather his death than yours, and then at least together we can prove useful to each other and guide Camelot to a golden era.”

 

“There will be a golden era. You just won’t be in it,” Merlin pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes dangerously.

 

Uther had been about to interject, but Merlin was handling it fine so said nothing.

 

And Nimueh cast a lightning spell at her and Merlin responded by activating the bioelectricity she had been harboring around her, jumping out of the water and to the ground over it, stopping the lightning spell midway and inducting the spell into the electricity surrounding her. Uther barely missed being electrocuted by either one. He scrambled out of the fountain, dripping wet, watching as the two magic-users battled it out. He hated the feeling of being useless and unable to do anything to help, but he’d probably get in the way at this point.

 

The wet clothing Merlin was wearing was drying up a little from the heat of the battle and the electricity surrounding her, but Uther knew that a wrong move could cause the controlled electricity to be conducted into the wet clothing and electrocute her.

 

“Pity it had to end this way, youngling,” Nimueh began scornfully. “You have so much potential. What a waste.”

 

“This will end with your death,” Merlin hissed, creating a huge explosion behind Nimueh as she threw a lightning bolt at her and the changeling dodged.

 

“Try that again,” Nimueh taunted, and she was about to when the changeling pulled a fast one, changing into Arthur’s form.

 

“After all…I am no one…important,” and then he changed into Uther.

 

Shocked and paralyzed in it and in fear of hurting people she cared about, she just stood there and stared. And then Nimueh charged up some kind of attack, in Uther’s body, and it looked strange to see Uther about to perform magic. And as she was about to be either killed or severely injured, that was a strange thought to have at that moment.

 

And then to have Uther, real Uther, throw himself in the way of the attack –well, that just fucked things over and brought her back to reality.

 

“You idiot!” she couldn’t help screaming, as she scampered over to him and he was gasping out heavily.
 

“I’m okay, I’m okay. Your blessing made a shield and stopped it, but the force of the attack really pushed it,” Uther breathed out.

 

“Uther, Uther, Uther. You may have the blessings of magic, but I can just as easily take it away,” Nimueh sneered.

 

“Over my dead body,” and really, this was a crazy idea and she knew she shouldn’t do it and that it was dangerous…but she’ll be damned if she let that changeling bastard live.

 

So she created a micro-scaled electrical storm behind Nimueh, letting it grow slightly and then harnessing the electricity inside of it. Nimueh sneered, but fear was growing in his eyes. He stepped back and tried to form a shield, but Merlin started to draw on the electrical build-up and then struck a magical/electrical combined lightning against it. Once, it hit the shield and it flickered, weakening. The second time the shield completely collapsed and then struck against the changeling.

 

Nimueh seemingly evaporated in his death, and Merlin collapsed to her knees, shaking.

 

Uther hurriedly ran to her side, stumbling only slightly from the effects of the earlier attack.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

She nodded shakily. “It was just too much. I have better control, but barely, and the attack took a lot out of me.”

 

“Here,” he muttered, taking a vial out of his pocket and helping her to drink it.

 

“You came prepared,” Merlin smiled in disbelief.

 

“I know you enough to know that it’s become your favorite attack, so I made the antidote in case. Better?”

 

“Better,” and at least she stopped shaking.

 

“Let’s grab Gaius and go home,” he pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “It’s over then?”

 

“Yeah…Nimueh’s dead. The balance of the world has been restored.”

 

Gaius groaned, waking up to that. “I missed a lot, haven’t I? Oh, you amaze me, Merlin. You’ve mastered the power of life and death itself. We’ll make a great sorceress out of you yet.”

 

“So…you believe in me now?” Merlin cracked a grin, although a bit painfully.

 

“Like we ever doubted,” Uther snorted.

 

“Well, I would…if you could stop this blasted rain!” Gaius rolled his eyes.

 

Merlin looked sheepishly at the electrical storm that had mixed in with the blessed rain of the heavens of the island.

 

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As Merlin went to talk to the dragon, Uther slipped back into his son’s room. Seeing him sleeping but thankfully alive, he was about to slip back out when Arthur spoke, actually not asleep.

 

“Is she back?”

 

Uther watched his son’s back, before deciding quickly and moving to the chair he had been sitting in while praying for Arthur’s life.

 

“Merlin’s okay. She’s home.”

 

Arthur turned around to face him, a grim look on his face. “Thank you then. For whatever you did.”

 

“It’s fine. Are you alright?”

 

“Good. Better if I were to have Merlin. Well, at the least have her in my room.”

 

“I’ll send her over later…though she’s probably already planning on coming here when she’s ready.”

 

Arthur nodded in relief. Uther hesitated, but plunged on.

 

“When…when you were about to die, I thought I had lost everything. You are my sole reason of being,” Uther choked out painfully, though he did not include that Merlin had become that as well.

 

“Yeah…I, uh, heard how you reacted,” Arthur said uncomfortably, hand hesitantly reaching out to touch his father’s lightly. “I’m sorry you had to feel that way. I’m okay now. See?”

 

Merlin had said to wait to tell him the truth, to make himself look like a loving father. Well, here was his chance.

 

So he began telling Arthur the truth of his birth, from Nimueh’s involvement, to his mother’s death, to Tristan’s revenge-filled anger and to his conjured wraith that Uther had fought against.

 

“All of that has made you the most important thing in my life,” Uther held his head in his hands. “All of that pain I’d suffered and caused others to suffer with me…I had already suffered the pain of losing Ingraine. I feared I was to suffer the pain of losing you as well.”

 

“I’m here, Father, I’m here.”

 

And to hear those words from his son’s lips made everything okay.

 

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“You knew something bad would happen, didn’t you?” Merlin asked quietly, staring at the Great Dragon.

 

“You said you would do anything.”

 

“And yet you knew the price was probably my mother’s life. You did know, didn’t you?”

 

“I knew the price would be a heavy one…” at her hardened look, the dragon conceded. “And most probably would be your mother.”

 

“And yet you sent me anyway.”

 

“We needed Arthur to live.”

 

“I’m not one of you,” Merlin stated coldly.

 

“We are both creatures of the Old Religion. It is the source of your power,” the Great Dragon stated indifferently.

 

“What is that supposed to mean?” Merlin frowned.

 

“Your destiny is to protect the young Pendragon until he claims his crown. And when he does, magic can be returned to the realm. Only then will I be free.”

 

“Is that all you care about?” Sarcasm leaked into her words. Hurt started to mix in. “I thought you were my friend.”

 

“I am more than that. I am your kin.”

 

“No, the only real family I have is my mother.” She didn’t include Uther because she knew that would exacerbate things even more rapidly. “And you almost had me murder her.”

 

“It would not have been taken in vain. We will achieve great things together, you and I.”

 

“You will never be released. For what you’ve done, I’ll make sure you never see the light,” her tone was icy.

 

She turned her back to it and began walking away.

 

“MERLIN!” the dragon roared, terrible anger rivaling that of when she’d broken her word and allowed Uther to use the blessed sword. He breathed a huge blast of fire at her, but she didn’t even turn as she created a shield around herself and kept walking.

 

“You won’t see me again,” her voice echoed behind her as her form was swallowed up in the darkness of the tunnel.

 

When she got out of there, she immediately started to head towards Arthur’s room. She’d opened the door and saw Uther and Arthur talking, for once amicably.

 

“Sorry, I’ll come back later,” she was about to duck out again when Uther stopped her, getting up.

 

“It’s okay. I was just about to leave. I’ll leave you two alone,” he walked passed Merlin, stopping next to her and clasping her shoulder firmly, giving her a fond and grateful smile.

 

He left and Merlin saw Arthur watching the proceedings carefully. She could see the wheels in his head turning.

 

“Come here,” Arthur gestured for her to come closer and sit at Uther’s chair. She did him one better and came next to him, lying by his side and keeping close. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, remembering a similar position with another Arthur.

 

He was surprised but pleased, and wrapped his own arms around her.

 

“I love you,” she mumbled, burying her face into his chest.

 

Arthur swallowed happily and tightened his arms, burying his own face into her hair. It meant a lot for her to admit that, even on paper. It meant so much more that she would actually say it to him aloud.