AN: Before you start reading, let me thank you for leaving reviews! They really make me happy and motivate me to continue writing :)
I'd also like to apologize for not writing a longer chapter, but I really wanted to update as soon as possible. Plus, this one's a filler, I guess, so I hope you like it.
Also, the hell was that finale? I don't know about you, but I kinda had bigger expectations. Oh, yeah, that reminds me of another thing: this fanfic will probably include the reveal we're all waiting for. Okay, maybe not the one we're waiting for, but yeah, there should be a reveal. I really don't know why I just told you that, but okay.

Disclaimer: If I owned Merthur, I mean Merlin, the finale would have gone a completely different route.

Mind Games, chapter 2

Sat by the fire, Arthur couldn't keep his eyes off his servant, who was sleeping peacefully on the cold ground. He looked weak, almost vulnerable, but Arthur knew he was much more than that. In the last four years, Merlin had proved himself as a brave fighter ready to stand up for whatever he thought was right. Arthur had never been sure how and why, but one of the things Merlin was particularly good at was seeing both bad and good in strangers. Having a friend like Merlin was like some kind of a lovely curse; as much as Arthur loved the young man, he couldn't help but feel like there was something else about him, something which made Arthur feel uneasy every time he thought about it. What was it, he didn't know.

Arthur managed to look away and focus on dark trees surrounding them. It was his turn to stay awake and make sure nobody attacked them, and he was happy they let him do it. It took a lot of talking before the knights finally agreed that they needed rest and that their king could take their duties for the night. If Merlin was right, the village where the druids and Guinevere were was not far from where they were, meaning that was probably their last night under the stars.

"Arthur," Merlin's drowsy voice made Arthur look back at his servant. He lifted himself in sitting position and stretched his long arms. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"An hour, maybe a little more," Arthur answered. "You should go back to sleep, Merlin."

Merlin shook his head. "No," he said, "I don't want you to be alone. It's my duty to protect you, Sire."

"So is obeying my orders," Arthur replied, glaring at his stubborn servant.

Merlin returned his glare, making Arthur feel that uneasy feeling again, and he quickly looked away. They remained silent for a few moments, and it felt strangely comfortable, like words weren't important at all.

"Tell me, Merlin," Arthur said, breaking the silence. His voice was hoarse, so he cleared his throat before continuing. "Do you ever miss your home?"

"My home?" Merlin asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

"Yes, Ealdor. Do you ever miss it?"

Merlin bit his lip and lowered his gaze. Arthur noticed the way he clenched his teeth, but decided not to interrupt the dark haired man in his thoughts. Merlin had never talked much about his home, probably because Arthur had never asked, and the way he reacted to the question made Arthur regret ever asking anything.

"Yes," Merlin said finally, sounding like he was on the verge of tears. When Arthur didn't reply, he continued, "I do miss it, especially my mum."

There were another few moments of silence, interrupted only by Merlin's snuffing.

...

According to Merlin, who knew where the druids lived, if they started going towards north before noon, they would get to their village before dark. It was already past noon and they still hadn't started going, mainly because of Gwaine's inability to wake up on time. Actually, he did wake up on time, but he didn't feel like getting up, so he continued laying until Percival kicked him and called him a lazy prat.

It was already close to one when they finally started going. The snow had already melted, so their horses didn't have much trouble galloping, but they were still shivering with cold.

"Are you sure this is the right way, Merlin?" Arthur asked after a while. It seemed like they weren't actually moving because the trees surrounding them had all looked the same. Arthur trusted Merlin, there was absolutely no doubt about that, but even Merlin looked somehow unsure about the way they were going.

"Of course I am," Merlin answered, smiling at his king.

"You know, you never cease to amaze me," Sir Leon said, making his horse gallop right next to Merlin's. "How do you know all those villages?"

"Well, I grew up in one, remember?" Merlin answered, suspecting the real reason behind Sir Leon's question.

"Yes, but..." the knight continued, confirming Merlin's suspicions. "I can't help but notice that you know quite a lot about magical creatures and villages."

"He's just educated, Leon," Arthur interrupted the knight, starting to feel a little annoyed by unnecessary chatting.

Merlin smiled to himself; Arthur had been so oblivious during the last four years, even when he had all the evidences that Merlin had magic. Merlin had had so many doubts in the past about coming out to Arthur, but got scared every time and decided to postpone the reveal. He knew the time would come eventually, he just didn't know how, why and when exactly.

But what Merlin didn't know, was that Arthur wasn't as oblivious as he thought. Arthur had noticed something weird about Merlin, and at first he thought that Merlin was just an idiot. When he thought things through, he realized that Merlin had always been there whenever something strange or unusual happened. Maybe it was coincidental, or maybe it was really something more.

An hour of riding, nagging and sighing later, they decided to take a short break, stopped their horses and hopped off.

"Wait," Merlin protested, still sitting on his horse. "I know a village not far from here, we can stay there."

"Here he goes again," Sir Leon laughed. "Another village you know, Merlin?"

Merlin grinned. "This one's different, I've actually been there, and so were you." When the knight gave him a puzzled look, he continued, "Come on, let's continue riding and you'll see."

"I believe I am the one ordering around here, Merlin," Arthur said, "but I trust you."

Merlin smiled at the king and started riding again.
If it weren't for Arthur's question not so long ago, Merlin wouldn't think of visiting his mum. Thanks to the king, the young warlock was just a few minutes away from finally hugging his dear mother again.

...

Arthur hadn't recognized the village until he saw a familiar woman walking quickly towards him and his men. He noticed the way her smile grew bigger with every step, and he remembered her. It was Merlin's mother, Hunith, which meant they were in Ealdor.

"Mother!" Merlin exclaimed, jumping off the horse.

She stretched out her arms and pulled him into a tight hug. Their faces lit up and a wide smile spread across Merlin's pale face.

Arthur hopped off his own horse and was standing behind them, trying his best not to interrupt their reunion. It reminded him of his relationship with his own mother, who had tragically passed away. Arthur had always blamed himself for his mother's early passing; if his father hadn't wanted a son so much, no magic, which caused his mother's death, would had been used.

Magic was the reason his mother was gone, and the reason the love of his life was in danger.

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