Traveling to the future had been an accident. Arthur had been close to dying and Merlin didn't know what else to do, but now he was standing here with an Arthur who was perfectly fine, in the middle of a strange place he had never been before.
"What the hell did you do Merlin?" Arthur asked, clearly irritated with their situation. Merlin was just trying to keep him safe but now they were stuck in a time that didn't belong to them.
"Uhm, it wasn't me?" Merlin tried but he knew it wasn't going to work.
"Oh and there was another sorcerer behind me muttering words then?" Arthur turned on him, sword dangerously close to his neck. "Merlin, where did you bring us?"
"You knew I was doing magic?" Merlin asked, shocked.
"I have known for over a year, you absolute idiot. And you call me the clotpole." Arthur was shaking his head.
"I uhm, I think I brought us to the present. Like future present." Merlin shrugged, but that was the only way to explain what he was currently looking at. "Maybe we're still close enough to travel to Camelot. We could see if there is someone there who can help us."
"You honestly believe that there is going to be someone there who will believe that we are from the past?" Merlin was starting to realize that Arthur really was a lot smarter than he was giving him credit for.
"Well it's worth a try." Merlin shrugged, making Arthur roll his eyes..
"You're already a terrible servant, you'd think that you'd be a better sorcerer." Arthur groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Well, I'm a warlock so that might be some of it. It's not like I chose to become a sorcerer one day. I was born with my magic." Arthur looked surprised, then his face closed off again.
"That's impossible Merlin, people are not born with magic, they choose to do magic." Merlin rolled his eyes this time.
"Seriously, I was born this way Arthur, now come on, if we really aren't in our time, someone is going to notice you in these clothes and wonder what the hell is wrong with us." Arthur shook his head but followed Merlin as he began to walk toward the woods.
"No, Merlin, they are going to wonder what is wrong with you." Merlin huffed out a laugh but continued to walk. Hopefully they were close by Camelot so they wouldn't have far to walk. With Arthur knowing he now had magic, he wasn't sure how much longer he would have his life. Arthur had been against all kinds of magic since Uther had died.
"Merlin?" Merlin turned to acknowledge that he had heard Arthur. "If you've had magic all of your life, why didn't you offer to help when my father was dying and you knew I was consulting a sorcerer for help?"
"That, sire, is a long story." just then the brush cleared and they came out into an open clearing that showed the castle of Camelot across a large body of water.
"Well, Merlin, it looks like you're going to have plenty of time to tell me." Arthur smirked and started to go off to the right of the clearing. Figuring it the best way to get around the lake.
"Right." Merlin sighed, he definitely wouldn't be keeping his life after this. Once Arthur found out that Merlin was the one to finish Uther off, even with Morgana's amulet around his neck, Merlin knew that he would have Arthur's sword through his heart. Not that it would be any different than it was when he was around Arthur. Merlin's feelings for Arthur always made him feel as though a sword was piercing his heart.
"Go on Merlin, start talking." Merlin shook his head and trudged after Arthur. It was now or never, he guessed. Merlin could only hope that after his tale, Arthur would be able to forgive him.
"When I seen Uther in the state that he was in, I had vowed to help. And I did help you."
"How did you help Merlin? By showing me where that dodgy old cot lived, and then he killed my father anyway? So really you didn't help at all. Seeing as it was the same man who had framed Gwen." Arthur's voice was bitter. Merlin could feel the bile rising in his throat.
"I was that dodgy old cot." Merlin said softly. Arthur laughed.
"Right, go on with your story Merlin." Arthur was shaking his head. Merlin could tell that Arthur didn't actually believe him.
"I really was that old man. I told Gaius that I was going to help you heal your father, even though he didn't think it was the best idea. I led you to that old cabin and I did an aging spell, and I told you I could help." By this time Arthur had turned around and was actively listening to him, a confused look on his face. "But by the time I did the spell again and started to heal your father, the spell went wrong. Morgana had already gotten to him. The amulet Gaius had found around Uther's neck was enchanted to repel any healing magic and kill Uther faster. So my spell would have worked, had it not been for Morgana, who wanted him dead." Arthur was quiet as he processed it all. "Please Arthur, you have to understand that I was trying to do everything in my power to heal your father."
"Yet you went behind my back and lied to me for the past four years while posing as my servant?" Arthur looked upset.
"I couldn't tell you, I knew you wouldn't lie to your father to keep me safe, so I lied to you to keep you from a situation where the only outcome would be my death." Merlin shrugged. "Call it self preservation, if you will."
"You lied all these years so I would not have to choose between you and my father?" Arthur asked.
"Seems to be exactly what I just explained to you." Merlin nodded. Arthur shook his head and changed the subject.
"And when you were impersonating that old man the first time, you did it because…?" Merlin knew Arthur was trying to stay calm as he asked. Merlin hoped he was starting to understand.
"I did it to save Gwen… I couldn't let Uther kill your love. So, even under the fear of being burned on the pyre, I dressed as that old man and I protected her." Merlin explained. "I've only ever used my magic to protect the people I care about. You've no clue the countless times I've saved you from bandits. Or even just made something easier for you to relieve some stress."
"I don't love Gwen." Arthur said evenly. Merlin was confused by the change of subject.
"What?" Merlin stared at Arthur with wide eyes.
"I lost love for Gwen some time ago. I gave her my blessing to start her own life with Lancelot." Arthur nodded. "But, thank you for protecting her and… and risking your life to heal my father, and help me." Arthur seemed to be piecing things together now.
"You aren't angry with me?" Merlin asked carefully.
"Oh, I am upset that you lied and that I had to find out on my own, but I do understand why you did what you did. You even said you helped me as well. I knew those falling tree branches weren't just luck." Arthur gave him a tight smile.
"So you aren't going to sentence me to death?" Merlin asked, grinning ear to ear. Arthur sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No, I suppose I'm not going to sentence you to death. I fear I have grown to like you too much for all of that." Arthur looked up at him and Merlin was blushing.
"I like you too." Merlin said softly.
"Merlin, you big girl. You sound like you're admitting a crush." Merlin turned away, much too embarrassed to reply to Arthur. "Merlin?"
"We should carry on Sire, we have to get back to Camelot soon. Hopefully find some help." Merlin began to walk ahead but Arthur caught his arm.
"Merlin wait, have you acquired… feelings for me?" Arthur seemed a bit too shocked by the revelation.
"Don't make it sound like that!" Merlin huffed. "Over the years I have… come to fancy you, yes." Merlin shook his head and took a step back. "Don't look at me like that! I was never inappropriate about it. I always turned away while dressing you and I know nothing can come of it. I understand Arthur." Merlin seemed to have a permanent blush covering his cheeks.
"Merlin, calm down." Arthur put a hand on each of Merlin's shoulders.
"Honestly, we need to get going." Merlin tried to save himself from further embarrassment, but Arthur had other ideas.
"Tell me Merlin, when did these feelings first come about?" Arthur was surprised to see Merlin's cheeks reddened even more.
"Arthur can we please not speak of this ever again?" Merlin whined, trying to pull away from Arthur but the grip on his shoulders was ironclad.
"Merlin, just answer the question." Arthur sighed.
"About a year after I was named your manservant. Honestly, Arthur, it really is nothing." Merlin tried once again to pull away but was unsuccessful.
"You have had feelings for me for more than three years and have kept it to yourself?" Merlin felt his heartstrings pull painfully. It felt as if Arthur was mocking him.
"Arthur-"
"That must have weighed on your heart quite painfully." Arthur sounded sympathetic. "I would know, seeing as about two years after you became my manservant, I began to fancy you quite a bit." Merlin's eyes widened.
"You… You fancied me?" Merlin stuttered out.
"Quite a bit." Arthur repeated.
"But nothing can come of it." Merlin nodded. This time when he pulled back, Arthur let him.
"I wouldn't say nothing can come of it. I say maybe we see where things can go between us, once we get back of course." Arthur smiled.
"Do you really mean that?" Merlin was in awe, Arthur wanted a relationship with him.
"Of course I do Merlin. Maybe you could even show me your magic when we get back?"
"I would love to, but first we should try and get to Camelot or at least this Camelot, and see if there is someone who can help us get back to our time, I must warn you, Agravaine is not who he seems to be." Arthur nodded at his warning.
"Thank you Merlin, I will take that into consideration once we are back in our time." They began to walk again, trudging through the trees and underbrush, trying to make it around the lake to get to the castle. But on the way, they came across a body, lying on the ground wearing the same clothing and armor as Arthur.
"It's one of my knights." Arthur seemed shocked. Merlin made his way down to the bottom of the small hill and around the figures body to get a look at the mans face.
"Gwaine!" he exclaimed in shock.
"Are you serious? Out of all of my knights?" Arthur looked to the sky and groaned.
"Hey, don't you remember that small man at the bridge when you went on the quest for the trident? You are courage, he is strength, and I am magic. We're perfect for any quest. I mean, we found the trident, did we not?" Arthur rolled his eyes and jogged down the hill.
"Help me lift him against that tree so we can wake him." Arthur grabbed one of Gwaine's arms leaving Merlin to grab the other so they could sit him up and heft him against a tree. "Is there some way you can wake him up?"
"Uhm, I can try? I'm not sure anything can wake Gwaine though." Merlin shrugged. He lifted his hand up and his eyes turned gold. "Expergiscimini."
"What did you do?" Arthur looked interested. He had never actually seen Merlin perform any magic aside from the old man he now knew was Merlin.
"I just sort of said wake up. But as you can see, it isn't really working out." Merlin sighed and lifted his hand again. "Evigilare faciatis nos de somno surgere!" Again nothing.
"Maybe try something stronger." Arthur offered.
"That was stronger." Merlin sighed. This time he lifted his hand high and smacked Gwaine as hard as he could. Gwaine's hand shot up to his own face as he gasped..
"Well I could have done that." Arthur laughed.
"I'm sure you could have princess, but the difference between Merlin and you smacking me is that I would kill you, not Merlin." Gwaine smirked at him, Merlin turned his head and gave him a grin.
"Oh get off your lazy hide Gwaine, we need to get going before someone sees us." Gwaine looked around in confusion.
"We're in the middle of the woods, Arthur, we're obviously alone." Gwaine rolled his eyes and held his hand out for Merlin to help him up. "Why are you rushing us?"
"I accidentally brought us to the future. It was a spell gone wrong." Merlin said sheepishly.
"What do you mean us? I wasn't even near you two. Am I the only one here?" Gwaine asked.
"You seem to be." Merlin shrugged.
"I'm assuming by how casually you mentioned using a spell just now, that you told the princess here about your magic?" Gwaine asked.
"Excuse you, the princess- I mean I already knew about his magic for some time. I just never said anything because I didn't want to believe it was true. Especially after my father died." Arthur looked a bit guilty. "Not that I blame you Merlin. I know what really happened."
"Thank you, that means a lot." Merlin gave Arthur a genuine smile. Gwaine looked between the two of them and shook his head. He was positive that he could cut the sexual tension between them with his sword if he really tried.
"Where are we heading then?" Gwaine asked. Merlin began to lead the way ahead much to Arthur's chagrin.
"We're trying to get back to Camelot." Arthur said.
"How far into the future did you send us Merlin?" Gwaine asked. "If Camelot is still around we can't be too far ahead."
"Well, you see, I think the castle still remains but I cannot figure out if that just means someone preserved it or that we aren't that far ahead." Merlin shrugged. "Hopefully, we just find someone who can help us."
"I hope you're right." Arthur muttered. "Let's hurry up. Not too sure it would be very safe to stay in these woods overnight." with that, Arthur picked up his pace and began to walk ahead of Merlin, naturally taking the lead.
It felt like they had been walking for hours, Merlin was beginning to get tired and Gwaine was complaining about how hungry he was, it was getting on his nerves. He just wanted to get back to their time. Maybe even finish the hunting trip they were on. It wasn't that bad this time. The knights had actually been sharing their food, even though he was always the one who ended up cooking it. He also wanted to explore these new found feelings between himself and Arthur. Not only was he shocked that Arthur was accepting of his magic but to have his feelings returned as well. It was more than a bit jarring, but of the very best kind.
Merlin was jerked from his thoughts as he bumped rather hard into Arthur's back. "What's wrong, why did you stop?"
"There's a hut in front of us, if you haven't noticed Merlin." Arthur tugged his arm and pulled him around so that the hut came into view.
"Why haven't you gone to knock, princess?" Gwaine asked. Arthur scoffed.
"We have no clue what time we are in and you expect me to knock on some random door. What if we get ambushed? Attacked?" Merlin rolled his eyes as the two began to bicker. He walked up to the door and knocked lightly. There was a thump inside before he could almost feel someone standing on the other side of the door.
"Who is it?" a voice that sounded oddly familiar called out.
"Uhm, my name is Merlin. I just have a couple of questions, could you let me and my friends inside?" Merlin asked.
"No." he heard shuffling. Merlin figured he'd give it another go.
"Please, we only have a few questions. You don't even have to let us in. Just answer them. Please." Suddenly the door whipped open and he was standing face to face with himself. Expect he was older, like when he did his aging spells.
"What do you want to know?" his voice sounded so bitter, Merlin wondered what had happened to him.
"What year is it?" he asked softly.
"2016, what else do you need to know?" Merlin turned and seen that Arthur and Gwaine were now standing behind him.
"Uhm, is there any way you can help us get back to our time?" Merlin asked. His other self seemed to be staring at Arthur with wide eyes.
"You're still alive?" the other Merlin asked. Arthur looked at him oddly but nodded his head all the same.
"Yes I am." he nodded.
"You already died in my time." the older Merlin had longing in his voice. Merlin felt sick.
"Arthur died?" he asked. "I… were we there? Why couldn't we stop it?"
"We were not there, we barley just made it." the older Merlin sighed. "Come inside for a spot of tea. I'll tell you everything." Merlin followed his older self inside of the small hut. Just big enough for the older man to live comfortably.
Once they were settled with their tea, the older Merlin began his tale.
"Mordred stabbed him." the older Merlin said, voice cracking. "I was too late to help but I had tried everything I knew." Merlin felt numb. "Just before I got him to the lake of Avalon, he died in my arms. There was nothing I could do. He was gone. I still brought him to the lake and Kilgharrah explained that when Albion was in a time of great need, that Arthur would return."
"It's my fault. I killed him." Merlin said, the older version of himself looked at him sadly, as if he had been living with the same thought for years.
"Merlin, you couldn't have known then, but you know now." Arthur said helpfully. Merlin looked up at him, close to tears.
"The entire time it has been my destiny to see you become the greatest king Camelot has ever known, and I failed you, you die." before Arthur could say anything else, the older Merlin spoke up once again.
"Listen, I am only going to tell you this so you are prepared." the other Merlin began. "Mordred isn't on your side. He works for Morgana, but Morgana is being controlled. You need to help her escape and kill the druid boy before it is too late Emrys." Merlin looked up at the older version of himself.
"How can we trust you?" Arthur asked. Gwaine shook his head.
"You idiot." Gwaine sighed. "He's already lived through it and he sat here and told us everything, do you really think he would need to lie about this?"
"It would seem you are still the same Gwaine." the older Merlin smirked. "Make sure you do what needs to be done Emrys."
"I'm assuming that is you?" Arthur asked as he turned to Merlin. Merlin nodded.
"It's a story for another time Arthur." Merlin said, knowing Arthur was curious. He still felt so terrible about Arthur dying, even if it hadn't happened to him, but another version of himself. "Can you help us get back?" Merlin asked his other self.
"Of course I can. But remember to take care of Mordred and Agravaine or all hope of winning will be lost. Take care of him Arthur." the older Merlin smiled sadly. "We have a tendency to over work ourself. Now, I have been saving this spell for a long time. Dychwelyd i amser yn ôl!" the last thing Merlin seen was a flash of golden eyes and then everything went black.