24th September
It was a Saturday morning. After another pub quiz last night, with Merlin as team captain, answering correctly the final question 'What c is the infection of the intestine caused by drinking dirty water?' answering 'Cholera'.
Anyhow, Merlin had agreed after yesterday's lecture and task for the students to meet Arthur at the Camelot Archives Centre to begin helping him tracing his family. Arthur knew of his dad Uther, and he had a mother called Ygraine, but she died at childbirth, which he never had known of the cause. Arthur had already gone to the registry office to gather documents there.
However, he not is the only one looking on family history.
…
Over in Limerick, where Morgana is living after becoming enemies with her former boss Uther after finding out she was a sorceress, Morgana grew tired of England and decided to move to Ireland for a new life. Not knowing much of her life after being kept in the dark for practically her childhood, being known as an orphan, Morgana thought it was about time she discovered the truth. Knowing Arthur, one of her former colleagues was a history teacher; he might be able to give her a hand.
(Ringtone of I Just Can't Wait to be King goes off)
"Hello?"
"Arthur, it's Morgana. I need some help. You aren't busy next Saturday are you?"
"Well, actually me and Merlin are working on some family heritage project, why?"
"Ah, you might help then. I'm working on my family tree, and since you know family heritage then I thought maybe you could help?"
"That's what I'm doing, I've got Merlin helping me out, since he's a specialist in it."
"Ah, that's brill then. We could all work together on it. Who's Merlin by the way?"
"My friend. Works at the college, started a few weeks ago."
"Who's giggling in the background?"
"It's Merlin. Something's happened. All right then, when are you coming over so I have an idea?"
"I'll be coming over early this year, so about Friday evening. Can you pick me up from the station around 5 ish?"
"Bloody heck. I get out the college for half four and the station is over 20 minutes away, I'll try and get out early though."
"Thanks mate. Got go to."
"Bye"
Arthur hangs up and puts his phone on the table, turning to Merlin with embarrassment.
"What the hell did you do with my phone? C'mon, I know it was you, I can tell."
"Erm, I might have changed your ringtone."
"I can see that."
"You like it?"
"Merlin, I don't I need the Lion King playing in the middle of the archive centre when I'm half-way through my twenties."
"You're 23 Arthur."
"Still. Anyway, we might as well leave it for today, since Morgana is working with us next Saturday, you know, the one who Uther fired through teaching magic."
"Yeah I know."
"Anyway, can't waste the day now, would you like to come back to mine for a bit?"
The pair left the archives centre and went back to Arthur's house. Arthur lived on the border of Camelot, well the posh part of it anyway. He explained driving back that Morgana had been a long family friend of the Pendragon's, that his dad and her mother were friends, but since Uther fired Morgana they haven't been in contact, but she won't let Arthur's father get in the way of still being friends with him. So every year around October she comes over from Ireland to stay at Arthur's for his birthday and Halloween, goes back to Ireland before coming over for Christmas, as she prefers to be with friends, due to having no family.
…
Opening the door for Merlin, both entered the detached house. Whilst Arthur went to the kitchen to make drinks, Merlin took a self-tour around the place.
"Arthur, the place is beautiful!"
"Ha, you should see my dad's place. It could fit a tribe in there."
"Arthur, you have four bedrooms, and only you live here."
"Well I do get guests some points during the year. Tea or Coffee?"
"Please."
For revenge for his earlier embarrassment of his ringtone being changed, Arthur decided to pull two pranks on Merlin. Arthur had already changed Merlin's ringtone earlier in the day when Merlin went to place one of the Parish Registers away. So this next bit would be prank no. 2. As Arthur had asked Merlin whether he prefers tea or coffee and Merlin never properly responded, Arthur decided to put both into the mug, a mixture of tea and coffee.
…
Carrying both of the mugs up to Arthur's room, where Merlin was to be found pondering, Arthur placed his on the end table near the bed before giving Merlin his, waiting for the reaction.
Merlin took a gulp at the warm drink in his hands, making a face of the taste when he swallowed the liquid down his throat.
"Jesus Arthur! What the hell do you call this?"
"Hahaha! It's 1-1 now."
"You pranked me!"
"Well, I asked you tea or coffee and you replied with please, so I made both."
"You clotpole!"
"Clotpole? Where do you come up with these things."
"I don't really know."
"Anyway, I haven't checked who's coming to the bash this year. Let's find out."
Both took their drinks and went into the study. Arthur turned on the PC and loaded up Facebook, where he created the event.
So far the guests attending were Morgana, Elyan and Gwaine. However, not everyone had Facebook, so he opened up a new tab and checked his Tumblr account to see if there were any messages on there. Freya had replied that she was coming which with Merlin and Arthur made six. Thankfully, Arthur's house was large enough to host a party for a legion.
All would have to reply by next Friday, where at the pub Arthur would bring a bag for pick and dip.
…
30th September
Friday morning, Merlin walks in to work to find a different person preparing the coffee bar by putting cups out.
"Ah, you must be Merlin? Sorry, I'm Dr Geoffrey Monmouth."
"How come I've never seen you before?"
"I used to work here. I retired last term, opening up a position, which you got. I used be the head librarian, since then, Dr Gaius has taken over. We've worked here for years. I said to Dr Gaius that whenever he couldn't make it in I'd take over his shift."
"Oh, is he ill or something?"
"I don't know."
What actually had happened to Dr Gaius was that he wasn't ill, but Uther was. Uther had suffered from a mini-stroke during the night and Dr Gaius had gone to the hospital to visit him. This was when Merlin's phone began to ring, noticing the second prank that Arthur had pulled, the ringtone of 'It's a Kind of Magic'.
"Arthur?"
"Merlin. Dad's been taken in ill."
"I know, Dr Gaius isn't at work. He's gone to see him at the hospital."
"I'm there at the moment."
"How is he? And are you alright?"
"I'm fine. He's in a stable condition at the moment, but will have to kept in for a while. I need to get back to work, I've left the car at work with my keys."
"Do you want me to come and pick you up?"
"Please."
"Alright, I'll be there in 20 minutes."
Within an hour both returned to Albion College. At the time, Leon had to stand in as 'acting principal' until Uther was in a position to return to work. During the lunch break, a meeting was called, involving Arthur, Leon and Merlin.
"Arthur, you might have to be a position at the moment where you have to stand as principal." Leon mentioned, sipping his tea in Arthur's office.
"I'm not ready to take over."
"Arthur, I know I've only known you for about a month but I know you can do this, and you know we will all support you every step of the way."
"You think I'm ready?"
"Arthur, you are a right ass, but you're a great leader."
"Alright, depending on how Uther goes over the next few weeks. Leon, you'll continue as acting principal, if Uther does decide to retire, then I will take stand. If, which nobody hopes of, Uther does die, then I will take stand."
"Alright, I'm guessing the meeting comes to a close."
Leon headed out of the door after the meeting ended and went back to his office to keep the smooth running of the college going. Merlin was about to leave when Arthur called him back.
"Merlin?"
"Yes Arthur."
"I'm scared. I'm scared Uther will die. He hasn't been in the best of health lately and I think this might be the final nail in the coffin."
"Arthur, you know whatever happens I always be at your side."
"Thank you Merlin."
Of the reassuring words that Merlin have given to Arthur, Arthur pulled Merlin into an intimate embrace, and just stood there a few moments, trying to sink the reality of all what was going on inside him. After a few minutes, Merlin went back to work whilst Arthur headed towards the locker rooms to prepare for his next class.
…
Later that afternoon after all the students have gone home, the clock was approaching 4:20 in the library when Arthur found Merlin finishing stacking the remainder of the shelves with books left on the trolleys.
"Why don't you use your magic?"
"I can't let myself be seen."
"But it is just you and me here. I know of it and I wouldn't tell anyone of it. I never did it with Morgana and I wouldn't with you."
"Fine."
Merlin whispered a spell, his deep blue eyes flashing gold for a moment when the books elevated off the trolley and slotted into the correct position of the shelves, some of the books flying through the nearby corridors until books were where they should be, his eyes changing back to their original colour. Arthur just stood there gobsmacked.
"How much magic do you know?"
"Too much I think."
"There's never enough of anything to know. Now, since we're all done here, would you like a lift home? Saves you waiting for a bus in the cold. I have to pick up Morgana from the train station anyway, and the station is in the direction of your house."
"Oh alright then. Let me grab my things."
It was a short drive from the college to Merlin's house, Merlin arriving home at least 20 minutes earlier than usual.
"I'll guess I'll see you tonight then? 6:30 at The Dragon again?"
"Yep, same time, same place. Just one thing before you go. What is it with you and neckerchiefs?"
"Well one I like wearing them. Two it hides away the mark on my neck."
"What mark? A burn or scar?"
"The mark to show that I'm a sorcerer. That's why every time I come to work I always wear one. Tell you what, tonight at the pub I won't wear one, then you can see the mark for yourself."
"Can't I look now?"
"No, you have a guest to pick up. Oh and thank you for the ringtone. Nice touch."
"Your welcome Merlin."
"Clotpole."
…
Arthur arrived at Camelot station at five minutes to five, where the train coming from Holyhead, Wales would arrive in Camelot for five, bringing Morgana with it.
"Arthur!"
"Morgana, how have you been?"
"I'm fine, just a little knackered and with the need to unwind."
"No need to worry, we're going down the pub tonight anyway. Fancy coming?"
"We're, who's we're?"
"You know, me, Merlin and the rest of the gang."
"Oh you mean your boyfriend."
"Merlin is not my boyfriend!"
…
Arthur and Morgana arrived with the lucky dip bag and a couple of pens at 6:20, where Percy and Gwen we're sitting at the back at their usual tables.
"Percy, Gwen, you remember Morgana."
"Hello guys, long time no see."
"You've developed an Irish accent." Gwen commented.
"Ah please, I've barely been out of England for two years."
Within the next ten minutes everyone had arrived. Lance had finished work early so he joined the regulars at the pub, Gwen introducing him to everyone.
"You must be Merlin?" Morgana spoke to the young warlock across the table.
"Yeah that's me. I'm guessing you're Morgana."
"That's the one. Say, how does Arthur like to take you then? Top or bottom?"
"Morgana!" Arthur and Merlin spluttered over their drinks when Morgana began the cheeky comments.
"Ah, young love."
"Who's in love?" Gwaine muttered whilst in conversation to Percy.
"You two by the looks of things. No Arthur and Merlin."
"When did you pair get together?"
"We aren't together." Arthur commented, trying to hide the blush.
"Yeah, you won't be saying that for long though." Morgana continued.
For this week's team quiz, Morgana was offered to pick a name out of the bag. With Percy and Merlin already been team captains in the previous weeks, there were four remaining, with this week's winner being Leon.
Three weeks in a row had team captains got their question correct, Leon's being 'Which gas makes up approximately 21% of air?' answering with Oxygen.
…
After the quiz came the lucky dip. Arthur announced that this year's theme would be based on the Arthurian legend. People found this quite ironic, because many of their names first came from here, maybe their parents were huge fans of it?
As the bag went round, many were quite happy with their choice, and knew exactly what they were going to pick out.
Percy went to take a pick of the bag, and read the name off the paper.
"I've got Gwen."
"You better make my fiancé look good." Lance teasingly added.
"Yes sir."
Percy then passed the bag on to Elyan to take his pick.
"Hmm, Arthur, I'm doing you."
"Merlin won't be too happy then. Better make his boyfriend look good."
"Will you shut up Morgana?" Arthur uttered.
"Not until you confess that you're doing each other then no."
The bag was passed around until it reached Arthur.
"Well, most people have been picked so I've got a few choices left. Oh yes! This one should be fun! You'll never guess who I've got to dress." Arthur having a huge grin on his face looking at the name on his paper.
"Oh god no!" Merlin pronounced, face palming his head in distress.
"You mean undress."
This is how the lucky dip turned out:
Party guest - Person to dress up
Arthur - Merlin Lance - Morgana
Morgana – Mordred Mithian - Percy
Merlin – Freya Freya - Elyan
Mordred – Gwaine Nimueh - Lance
Will – Leon
Leon – Mithian
Percy – Gwen
Gwaine – Will
Elyan – Arthur
Gwen – Nimueh
At the same time, Merlin promised Arthur that he wouldn't wear a neckerchief on the night so that Arthur could take a look at Merlin's mark on his neck. With his converse, Merlin wore a pair of blue jeans and a blue t-shirt with a green jumper, leaving his neck visible. Whilst everyone was in conversation later into the night, Arthur scooted up the booth to where Merlin was sitting and asked to take a look, knowing Merlin promised.
Merlin arched his neck so that Arthur could take a better look, his fingers tracing the mark's details, Merlin feeling a little ticklish by the touch.
"It's gorgeous Merlin."
"It was a pain in the ass as it developed."
"But it's one of things that make up you."