Hey Readers :)
I shouldn't really be posting this, or really even writing it, but i just couldn't help myself! It's been a major plot bunny in my head for so long and I was so bored yesterday that I just started writing, then I got really into and now somehow I've already written 11,000 words and that's only like two chapters I think, which for some of you wont sound like a lot, but for me well it was a slight shock! :L. Hopefully you'll enjoy this story, I'm enjoying writing it!.
Warnings: Character death in this chapter. Other warnings for chapters will be said in later chapters as and when it's happening
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur (Main Pairing) Merlin/Will
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin as if I did things would be slightly different... oh who am I kidding things would be completely different ;D
Please read and review, as reviews make me smile and i quite like smiling :D- see?
hope you enjoy!
P.S this chapter is set when Arthur is five and Merlin is four, but it's only for this chapter! it does say in this story, but just in case it confuses anyone.
P.P.S The characters are slightly OOC in this story, but it's how it just worked out. :)
"Arthur it's time to go darling" Ygraine's sweet and calm voice called from the bottom of the staircase "We need to go pick up Merlin before school" she continued.
Arthur looked around his room for his rucksack picking up pens and pencils as he searched through his room "I can't find my bag mummy" the five year olds voice called from under his bed "I can't leave without it I've got Merlin's present in their" Arthur whined as he crawled out from under his bed
"I've got your bag here sweetheart, I made sure that Merlin's present was in there and that you had your books for school" she called midway up the stairs
"Oh" Arthur said running swiftly out of his door "Is it still wrapped up?" Arthur questioned running over to his mother and his bag
"Yes, it's still wrapped with the paper you wrapped it in" she laughed softly as her child unzipped his bag looking at the present "See" she gestured to Arthur "Now we have to go, or you'll be late and if we're late you won't be able to give Merlin his birthday present will you" she sweetly commented as she picked up the rucksack and put it on Arthur's back
"We can't be late" Arthur panicked pulling his mothers arm down the stairs towards the front door "Got to give Merlin his birthday present, he's turning four you know" Arthur smugly said running towards the car.
Ygraine couldn't help but laugh slightly as Arthur climb into the car, they had only been in the village for a couple of months but Arthur had already decided that Merlin was "his" best friend and that Arthur was the only one to give Merlin a birthday present as Merlin was "his" to look after and buy things for. She slipped into the car and put the keys in the ignition "You all buckled up Arthur" she said turning towards her son fastening up his seatbelt
"Yes mummy, can we go now?" Arthur smiled sitting up straight in his booster seat. As the car reversed out of the drive Arthur counted the time it took for his mother to drive to Merlin's house, he knew that it would only take three minutes and twenty five seconds, as Merlin only lived a couple of streets away in a small what Arthur liked to call "cottie" even though he knew how to pronounce cottage he still seemed to call the unique building "cottie". Arthur continued to count as he mother turned down the cobbled road directing to Merlin's house, Arthur knew by the feel of the road that he was only twenty seconds away from his Merlin and that he would be able to give Merlin his present. "Mummy hurry up" Arthur whined kicking his feet softly against the seat of the car "Merlin's waiting"
Ygraine sighed "Arthur, Merlin will still be there in a couple of seconds, and then you can give him your present" she smiled looking at her son in the rear view mirror. "Right" she said pulling the handbrake up and unclipping her seat belt "Remember to knock on the door before you walk in Arthur" she whispered as she opened her door and then her son's "You don't want to be rude do you now" she stated
"No Mummy, I'll knock" Arthur promised jumping out of the car with his rucksack in hand. Before Ygraine shut the door Arthur had already made his way towards the small Iron Gate that stood between himself and Merlin's cottage, he unclipped the lock and ran down the path being careful not to stand on any of Mrs Emrys flowers. Arthur saw the door and ran faster he needed to get his gift to Merlin. Knocking on the door was harder than Arthur thought it would be, normally he would play with Merlin in the front garden and the door would always be open, but this time he had to knock really hard *knock* Arthur wiggled in excitement as he heard somebody walking towards the door
"Arthur" Hunith smiled as she opened her front door to see the small blonde boy bobbing up and down "How ar-"she stumbled as the small boy ran past the side of her legs and up the stairs
"Sorry about that" Ygraine said walking up the steps "He's been like that all morning" she laughed slightly "Apparently he needed to give Merlin his present first" she said hugging Hunith
"Oh it's alright, I was quite surprised he knocked to be honest" she chuckled "You know what he's normally like, nothing stops him from seeing our Merlin" she continued gesturing Ygraine in the cottage closing the door "Coffee" she questioned walking towards the kitchen
"God yes" Ygraine quickly replied
"Merlin, Merlin" Arthur called running up the small spiral staircase in Merlin's house "Merlin" he called again walking towards Merlin's room
"Arthur" Merlin squealed running from his room and towards Arthur
"Happy birthday Merlin" he said pulling the boy into a tight hug
"Fank you Arthur" Merlin giggled into the hug "I'm a big boy Arthur" Merlin smiled pulling out of the hug
"I know Merlin, want your present" Arthur said walking towards Merlin's bedroom
"Yeah yeah yeah" Merlin shouted running after Arthur
As they got to Merlin's room Arthur told Merlin to sit on the bed and close his eyes. He looked at the young boy and smiled." Mine" he thought to himself as he looked at Merlin. He unzipped his bag and pulled out the present "Merlin you can open your eyes now" Arthur said jumping on the bed next to him
Merlin rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the light change and look at Arthur's hands. "WIZARDS" Merlin grinned taking the present into his own hands and looking at the wrapping paper. It was harry potter themed with wands and Harry's face. "FANK YOU ARTHUR" Merlin said giving Arthur a kiss on the cheek
Arthur gasped and brought his hand up to his cheek "What was that for?" Arthur questioned still slightly high from Merlin's kiss
"Mummy said when you are really appy and you want to show somebody you like them you kiss them on the cheek, like this" Merlin said whilst giving Arthur another kiss on his cheek.
Arthur grinned as he felt Merlin's lips on his cheek again "Thank you Merlin. But now open your present" Arthur said looking down at the present in the younger boys hands.
"This wapping paper is much better than the one mummy wapped her present in" he said whilst ripping the paper of the present
"What?" Arthur said stunned
"Harry potter wapping paper is better than mummy's wapping paper" Merlin smiled at Arthur
"I was meant to give you your first present" Arthur pouted and scowled "But now I'm the second" he crossed his arms over his chest
Merlin continued to unwrap the present as Arthur moaned how it was his job to give Merlin a present "ARTHUR" Merlin gasped excitedly "This is MAZING" he said pulling out the wooden wand Arthur had got him and the hat, the robe and also a small pair of round glasses and also a small blue box
Arthur pulled his arms away from his chest and smiled slightly "Bet that's better than the present your mummy got you" he smirked looking at Merlin dancing around with the wand and hat "Merlin have you looked in the box?" He smiled picking the small blue box of the bed
"No" Merlin said running over to Arthur "What is it?" he questioned as he opened the box. Inside the box was a small bracelet with a dragon hanging from the detailed chain "Is this for me?" Merlin questioned in shock
"Yeah! Do you like it?" Arthur said jumping of the bed
"Yeah!" Merlin squealed "How do I use it?" Merlin questioned sticking his tongue out of his mouth slightly to try and work it out
"You wear it like this" Arthur said pulling his sleeve up of his shirt and showing Merlin an identical bracelet to the one in the box
"These are the same Arthur" Merlin frowned
"There meant to be" Arthur said pulling the bracelet out of the box "Look" he said gesturing to the dragon "Yours says Arthur" he read the writing engraved into the dragon "And Mine says Merlin" he said lifting his own wrist so Merlin could see his name
Merlin's mouth opened as he grinned "fank you Arthur" he said kissing the boy on the cheek again. Arthur gave back the bracelet to Merlin and picked up his school bag but what Arthur hadn't noticed is that Merlin had already run down the stairs down to his mother "MUMMY"
"Yes dear" Both Ygraine and Hunith shouted in unison. Which caused them both to laugh
"LOOK" Merlin said running into the kitchen where his mother was sitting
"What are you wearing" she chuckled to herself gesturing to Merlin's robe, glasses and wand
"Arthur got me Harry potter birthday present" he smiled as he looked down at his clothing "And he got me this" he said dangling the bracelet from his hand
Hunith turned to Ygraine who just smiled "I couldn't stop him, that's what he wanted to buy Merlin, and there is point trying to stop Arthur doing something when he sets his mind to it"
Hunith smiled and shook her head and turned back to her son "Let me see it then" Hunith said whilst putting Merlin down and taking the bracelet into his hands
"Look at the wagon mummy" He smiled jumping about. Arthur had come running into the kitchen and stood next to Merlin
"This is very nice Merlin" she smiled "Arthur this is very nice of you" Hunith said patting Arthur on the head
"I know" Arthur smiled "Look I've got the same one" he said waving his wrist about "But mine says Merlin and his says Arthur" he said showing her the dragon. She looked down at the bracelet in her own hands and turned over the dragon there in italic script was Arthur's name
"This is lovely Arthur" she smiled kneeling on the floor "Would you like me to put it on Merlin" she questioned which Merlin replied with a nod. She placed the bracelet on Merlin's wrist and did the small catch up before smiling at the two boys "There you go" Merlin looked down at his wrist before stepping closer towards Arthur and kissing him once again on the cheek "Merlin" Hunith laughed slightly "Why did you kiss Arthur on the cheek"
Merlin looked stunned "You said if I was really appy and I wanted to show somebody you liked them you kiss them on the cheek" he said pulling back from Arthur
"I guess I did, but you can't just go round kissing people Merlin" she laughed softly
"He doesn't" Arthur added "I wouldn't let him" Arthur smiled
"Why Arthur" Both Ygraine and Hunith spoke together
"Because" Arthur said standing closer to Merlin "Merlin is mine, and I'm the only person he can kiss" He smiled looking down at Merlin who just smiled back up at him
"That means that you can only kiss Merlin too" Ygraine said softly
"Yeah" Arthur smiled looking down at Merlin once again; he ducked his head and kissed Merlin on his forehead "See" Arthur smiled at his mother and Hunith
"Yeah we see" Both women smiled at each other "Right then" Ygraine said taking one last sip of her coffee "Time for school boys" she said whilst standing up "Thanks for the coffee Hunith. And are you sure it's alright for Arthur to come over tonight?"
"Yeah of course it is, it's a Friday so he can stay over as well" she smiled looking down at Merlin "Would you like Arthur to sleep over tonight?"
"YEAH YEAH YEAH!" he said jumping about which caused Arthur to jump about as well
"I think we have our answer" she laughed
Ygraine walked the boys up to the school entrance and kissed Arthur on the cheek "You both be good at school today okay, and Merlin's mum will be picking you up" she smiled "I'll see you tomorrow morning okay Arthur"
"Okay mummy" he smiled hugging his mum "Can you drop of my costume of please so me and Merlin can play later"
She laughed "Of course darling, have a good day" she turned and walked towards her car blowing a kiss to Arthur's direction
"Bye Mrs Pendwagon" Merlin waved as Arthur pulled him towards the door
"Come on Merlin, we'll be late if we don't get in the doors now" he said running with Merlin towards the large oak doors.
"MUMMY" Merlin shouted as he ran over to his mother who was waiting at the gates
"Merlin" she said picking her son up as he ran over "How was school today" she questioned
"Really good, they sung to me and everything" he smiled back at the memory
"That's nice, where is Arthur" she questioned looking towards the doors
"His class had to stay a little bit" Merlin smiled wiggling to get down
"Oh okay" Hunith smiled.
They didn't have to wait long before Arthur was walking out of the doors. Arthur's behaviour had changed at school during the past couple of months, Ygraine and Hunith put it down to Arthur being separated from the class he used to be with, as Merlin's year and Arthur's year used to be taught together but as Arthur was older he needed to start real lessons so they split the two classes up. Arthur hadn't taken it very well, he would still try and sit next to Merlin everyday but would always be taken to his class and told to stay there or he will be in trouble
"Arthur there you are" she said smiling at the blonde boy
"Sorry I'm late we had to stay behind"
"It's alright, now time to go home" she said looking at the two boys
"Okay boys go upstairs and play" Hunith said as she opened the door to the cottage "I'll call you down for dinner" she smiled "Oh and Arthur your mum dropped of your clothes and there on Merlin's bed"
"Thank you Mrs Emrys" Arthur smiled
"Hunith dear"
Arthur smiled as Merlin pulled him up the stairs "What are we going to play Arthur" Merlin questioned
"Your favourite game" Arthur grinned opening the door to Merlin's room
"HARRY POTTER?"
"yes Merlin" he said walking over to his clothes Arthur and Merlin had decided that playing harry potter was one of their favourite things to do and now Merlin had his "harry" outfit Arthur had his "Draco" outfit
Merlin grabbed his birthday present from Arthur and started to get changed. Arthur also got changed into his outfit
"DWACO" Merlin shouted as Arthur chased Merlin around his room waving his wand to Arthur
"POTTER" Arthur shouted back pulling Merlin down on the floor "Gotcha" Arthur said pinning Merlin below him
"NOO" Merlin shouted wiggling around underneath Arthur "Not fair"
"It is fair I caught you" Arthur said smiling down at the boy beneath him. Arthur couldn't help but grin when Merlin smiled his goofy smile back "Merlin" Arthur said as he got up of Merlin
"Yes" Merlin said laughing slightly following Arthur to his bed
"My mummy and father kiss" Arthur thought back to Merlin's kisses this morning
"Like us?" Merlin questioned sitting on the bed
"No, well kind of" Arthur said thinking back to his mother and father "They kiss here" Arthur said pointing to his lips
"Oh" Merlin said confused "Should we kiss like that?"
"I don't know"
"Wanna try?" Merlin smiled looking at Arthur
"We could do" Arthur smirked
Merlin moved forward to Arthur and looked at him in the eyes. The boy in front of him was the only person he truly liked and would tell anything too. Arthur seemed to be doing the same. Arthur leant in and placed his lips quickly on Merlin's. They both giggled and smiled
"DINNERS READY BOYS" Hunith shouted from the stairs
"We kiss like that now" Merlin smiled pulling Arthur of the bed and down the stairs
"Mummy" Merlin smiled as he and Arthur sat down at the table
"Here you go boys" she placed sausage and mash down for Arthur and vegetarian sausages and mash down for Merlin
"SAUSWAGE AND MASH" Merlin clapped as he saw his dinner before him
Arthur smiled down at his dinner then at Hunith "Thank you"
"It's alright Arthur, now tuck in" she said looking at Merlin who had already started eating.
"Alright boys it eight o'clock time for bed" she yawned as she turned the TV off.
"But Mummy"
"No buts Merlin, its late enough as it is" she said leading the boys to Merlin's bedroom "Sleeping top to tail?" Hunith questioned getting more pillows out of the cupboard
"No" Merlin stated getting into bed which caused Arthur to bow his head
"Where is Arthur going to sleep then" Hunith asked her son
"Here" he gestured to the space next to him, Arthur's head and smiled, and he ran over to Merlin and jumped up into bed
"Okay" Hunith laughed slightly, she tucked the two boys into bed and smiled
"Night mummy" he said as he kissed her goodnight
"Goodnight Mrs Emrys" Arthur yawned
"Hunith dear" she laughed
"Goodnight Hunith" Arthur corrected yawning
"Goodnight god bless" she spoke as she walked out the room and pulled the doo too
"Arthur" Merlin whispered turning towards the boy
"Yes Merlin" Arthur replied, Merlin didn't say anything else but moved in closer to Arthur, lifting Arthur's arm up so he could slide in closer "What are you doing" Arthur asked bemused
"I want to sleep like this" he stated snuggling into Arthur's warmth
Arthur laughed and pulled the boy closer to him, he breathed in Merlin's scent and rested his head on Merlin's neck "Oh I forgot" Arthur said lifting his head and turning Merlin around
"What" Merlin smiled tiredly? Arthur placed a kiss on Merlin's lips and went back to the position they were in before "Night Arthur"
"Goodnight Merlin" he sighed letting the darkness fill his mind
What both boys didn't know was that Hunith was standing outside the door looking through the small gap. She smiled to herself as the boys fell asleep, she knew their friendship was different, but for now she wasn't going to tell them what kisses on the lips and sleeping like that means, for now she'll let them enjoy it.
Hunith woke up the next morning and walked towards her sons room to wake the two boys up, she was expecting the boys to have moved and be on opposite sides of the bed, but as she opened the door she found the boys in the same position that she had left them in last night, however Arthur's face was buried into Merlin's neck more. She walked over to the window and opened the blinds up "Merlin Arthur" she spoke walking over to the bed
"Errrrggg" came from the boys as their eyes slowly opened
"Time to wake up" she said yawning herself
"Morning Mrs-"Hunith looked at Arthur with the "Hunith dear" look "Morning Hunith" Arthur said pulling away from Merlin
"Morning mummy "Merlin said shivering slightly as Arthur pulled back
Hunith stood up and walked over to the door "Pancakes for breakfast this morning boys, come down after you've woken up" she smiled walking out the room
"Morning Merlin" Arthur said leaning over and kissing Merlin on the cheek, which caused Merlin to frown "What" Arthur questioned worriedly, Merlin said nothing but raised a finger to his lips and tapped twice "oh" Arthur said moving forward to place a soft kiss to Merlin's lips
Merlin smiled and got out of bed finding his dressing gown "Come on Arthur" Merlin said picking up Arthur's dressing gown and giving it to him. The two boys ran down the stairs and into the kitchen to find Hunith sitting on the floor staring at the phone
"Mummy" Merlin questioned walking over to his mother "Mummy what's wrong" he asked. Merlin could see tears running down her face and he turned to Arthur "Arthur" Merlin said with tears starting to run down his face
Arthur walked over to Hunith and sat beside her "Hunith" he said wiping a tear from her cheek "What's wrong, have we done something wrong"
Hunith looked at her son then at Arthur "No, no" she stuttered trying not to cry "Arthur you need to go and get dressed your father will be hear any minute" she said getting up and turning away from the two boys
"But Arthur hasn't had breakfast yet" Merlin frowned moving across to Arthur
"Merlin, Arthur needs to go and get dressed" she said not looking at the boys
"But" Merlin looked behind him to see Arthur walking up the stairs "Mummy"
"Merlin" she turned around "There has been a really bad accident" Hunith stuttered trying to control her tears
"What mummy" Merlin said hugging her
"Arthur's mummy" she chocked
"What?" Merlin's lip quivered
Hunith swallowed "Arthur's mummy has been in a very bad car accident Merlin" she breathed deeply
Merlin looked at his mother and looked back to the stairs. Arthur was walking down with his bag. Merlin started to walk to over to Arthur when there was a violent knock at the door
Hunith ran passed the boys and opened the door. Stood there was Uther Pendragon with blood shot eyes. "Father" Arthur questioned walking over to him
"Arthur" he said kneeling on the floor opening his arms. Arthur ran over to him and entered his father's embrace, his father never hugged him
"What's wrong" he said looking at his father
"I'm so sorry" he said pulling away from Arthur and standing up. He looked Ygraine in the eyes and shook his head and he tears poured out his eyes "She's gone" he breath hitched like he's been punched in the stomach several times "she's gone" he chocked the tears streaming down his face
"Merlin, go upstairs with Arthur" she stuttered
Merlin took Arthur's hand and walked him up the stairs and into his room, all that could be heard in the house was crying and shouting, Merlin himself started crying, he didn't like it when people cried, especially when Arthur cried. Arthur had entered Merlin's room and sat on the floor, the tears ran down his face he couldn't stop himself, his father had always told him crying was something for the weak to do, not for a Pendragon, but seeing his father cry he couldn't stop himself, he looked up at Merlin and stood up, he needed Merlin, he needed Merlin to be close. He stood up and before he realised it Merlin was already there hugging him tightly. Merlin pulled back and pulled Arthur to sit on his bed, which turned out to be them both laying in the bed staring at each other, they both didn't know what they were supposed to be crying about but that didn't stop them from crying. Arthur put his arm around Merlin and pulled him close to his body like they slept last night, Arthur needed Merlin to be close again, Merlin was the only one Arthur knew wouldn't leave him and would stay with him.
Hours later Hunith and Uther walked into the Merlin's room to find the two boys sleeping cuddled close and softly breathing "I found them like this last night and this morning" Hunith said walking over to the bed "Do you really have to go?" she sighed looking back at Arthur
"I can't stay here, it's too much of a reminder" he said walking towards his son "I don't want to look at that road" he took a deep breath to stop the tears starting again "Ever again, I'll take Arthur to America with me and we'll live out there, I've already lost Ygraine I'm not going to lose my son too" he said lifting his son up from the bed "I'm going to be a better father, I'm not going to be the man Arthur has grown up with so far" he said placing a kiss to his sons forehead, he looked down at the pale faced boy on the bed who seemed to shiver once Arthur was taken away "I can't bring him back here you know" he sighed as did Hunith
"I know, I wouldn't put either of the boys through it, Merlin will get over it he's younger than Arthur" she rubbed her eyes and sighed once again "Arthur will hurt more"
"He's strong, he'll be alright" he said walking towards the door picking up Arthur's coat and draping it over the small boy "Hunith" he whispered "I ask you that you don't let Merlin contact Arthur" he sighed "I know I sound so horrible but I can't have him living in the past"
"If he asks I will not lie to him though" Hunith stated "And I ask you to do the same for Arthur"
Uther looked down at his son and across the room at Merlin "I will. Thank you Hunith for everything" he kissed her on the cheek and walked down the stairs with Hunith behind
"Please contact me if you need any help" Hunith sighed opening the door for Uther and his on
"I will, we'll see each other again Hunith, just not now" he smiled slightly "Goodbye"
Hunith watched as Uther put his son in the car and got into the car himself she waved slowly as she watched the care reverse out of the drive "Goodbye" she mouthed as she shut the door, she took a deep breath in and walked back up the stairs to see her son still asleep under the covers "I'm so sorry Merlin" a small tear ran down her face "You'll see him again one day" she said as she stroked her son's face softly...
You know you want to review and tell me if this story is either good or bad? If you do, that smile at the top would be like ":D :D :D :D" instead of just ":D"
Thanks for reading
Tegan
xx