PAIRING: Merlin/Arthur from the Television Series: Merlin.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the TV Series. I am not making any money. This is for entertainment only. This did not happen. This story is slash fan-fiction. Slash means that the main characters are Gay. If you don't like this sort of story, don't read.
SUMMARY: Rating MA. Angst/Humor Romance/Danger Merlin is body swapped to a future Merlin from a different world. Can he get back to Camelot or will Future Prince Merlin from another Timeline drive Arthur mad? Will Merlin be able to figure out how a toaster works?
RATING: MA
AUTHOR: Rufferto9 (rufferto9 )
CHAPTER :3 of 10
SO NEAR YET SO FAR
After a few minutes went by Merlin began to realize the precariousness of his position. They were almost at the hospital. Gwen was on the phone again and from what he could tell she was talking to either a boyfriend or husband and ignored him. As she talked on the phone, Merlin rubbed his forehead anxiously. Maybe this was some weird dream and tomorrow he would wake up in Arthur's arms. He didn't think so though, something was not right. How could he possibly have dreamed all of this? Truly the technology was amazing and he was feeling overwhelmed. The thing he was in moved at a speed that only magic would have achieved where he was from. There was instant communication and it was all its own kind of wonder and he was utterly fascinated by it.
Finally Gwen put her phone back into her purse and turned to look at him quizzically. "You're really quiet, Merlin. You haven't even texted anyone. What is wrong with you?"
"I –uh-" Merlin gave her a dear in headlights look which made her even more suspicious. "I have a lot on my mind. Sorry." He gave her a sheepish grin.
"THAT would be a first." Gwen snorted. She apparently didn't mind giving backtalk. "Ah look, there's the hospital!" She gestured towards a huge building at the end of the road.
Merlin peeked out the window cautiously. Goodness, it was huge! The building's architecture was quite a marvel with its semi-circle concrete and glass. He'd never seen anything like it. In fact, he'd been pointedly trying not to stare at all of the things he'd seen in the last ten minutes. He couldn't help a soft "wow."
His attention quickly drew towards the huge crowd outside the entrance. They were being held back by some kind of guards. Merlin had never seen so much chaos in one place except on the battlefield. They were in frenzy and clamored over each other and tried to get the right photography angle. His eyes went really wide in fear. He looked at Gwen, and she stared back.
"You have GOT to be kidding me. What's wrong with you? You deal with this every day!"
"Every day?" Merlin swallowed. He wasn't sure he could deal with five seconds. "I am NOT going out there."
People were already taking pictures of the limo and trying to crowd it to get the first shot of the Prince. He shrank into his seat. He looked so panicked it actually made Gwen start to feel a bit of concern and she never worried about Merlin's feelings. She pressed those feelings away, there was no time for this. "You have to. You have no choice. You're the crown prince for god sake."
"N-no no no no. No way. Uh-huh." Merlin shook his head rapidly and looked like he was about to hyperventilate.
"Merlin, what's gotten into you?" Gwen sighed in exasperation. "Just when I think you can't get any weirder. Look. I don't know what is wrong with you but you gotta man up. I'll be there with you. Ok? Every step of the way through that mess, just smile and don't tell them anything important, like you always do. Your parents are waiting and they'll have my head if I don't bring you."
"I have no idea what to do!" Merlin squawked and his voice cracked in abject fear. "Please, Gwen. You HAVE to believe me."
Gwen stared at him. He really looked truly terrified, the poor sod. She would feel sorry for him if she didn't know who exactly he was. "Look. All you gotta do is smile and wave, ok?"
"That's all?" Merlin thought that didn't sound so bad.
"Yes. All they want to do is take pictures of you." Gwen gave him a smile in spite of herself. There was something different in Merlin's eyes today. She couldn't put her finger on it.
He took a deep breath. The people wanted to see him. What would Arthur do? He stared at the faces and cameras and hoards of people. The guards had started to give them a path to get out of the limo and it was now or never. Merlin moved to get out of the car and was immediately pulled back by the seatbelt he'd forgot he was wearing.
Gwen snorted and indicated it, "Really, Merlin? How drunk were you last night."
Merlin just gave a little shrug and bravely stepped out of the limo. At first he was rooted to the spot with all of the clicking cameras and flashes and he couldn't smile fast enough. Questions were fired at him so quickly he didn't have time to react let alone move forward. Before he could answer one, another was asked and they were all invasive. The questions all began to swim together until he finally got fed up and turned to face the cameras and people. Clicks and flashes and questions. He wanted to run and hide. What would Arthur do? He would address everyone, calm them down and go about his business.
To the utter amazement of everyone present he raised his voice and began to fire off one or two word answers. He summoned up a smile and a wink and a shoulder pat or two. To questions that were truly ludicrous he simply grinned and asked about how they were doing instead. It threw the reporters completely off guard until finally they began to give him a little room. To Gwen's amazement, he was actually working his way the crowd. She'd never seen him do that. She'd never seen him sincerely smile, or bend down to pick up a notepad that a female reporter dropped. Once he got to the door of the hospital he turned around to face everyone. "Listen to me everyone. I know you all want answers." He told them calmly and with great respect. "I have none to give you. I know that my Step father would appreciate if you would kindly keep your distance on this day." That smile, those eyes. Gwen wondered whether or not Merlin had a twin. "His son has returned to him. It is a glorious day, people of..." he was just about to say Camelot and stopped himself right away. "er... London. Tomorrow I will hold a... what do you call it?... Press Conference, and answer all your questions then. Today, please disperse from the hospital. Give your information to my Secretary." He pointed at Gwen. All heads swiveled to her.
Gwen just stood there, opened mouth. "What the f—" He was actually smiling kindly at them all.
And it worked. Somehow, magically, they all one by one handed their information to her and Merlin was free to go inside. He waved and smiled and they swooned and fell over themselves to give him room. Merlin headed into the hospital lobby and tried hard not to feel smug. He was glad of all the times he'd watched Arthur control a crowd.
Gwen was a tiny bit impressed and a whole lot suspicious. What was he up to?
He was quickly led to the hallway where Arthur's room was and the family waited. His speech was already on televisions around the hospital. Many people stared at him as he passed and he began to feel more uncomfortable by the moment. Really had he done such a strange thing? He tried to smile at them as they passed to put them at ease and eventually he saw his mother.
His heart clenched slight, she was still as she always was though dressed in much fancier clothing. Her smile was welcome however it was meant and he went right to her. Much to her surprise he gave her a warm tight hug. "Mother."
"My dear sweet boy" Hunith crooned and stroked his cheek, then slapped him... and brushed away the sting of the slap with her thumb. "I do not know how you managed it but you cleared the press for the first time ever. Thank you. I'm glad you are here." Every word seemed to give the veiled innuendo that she was not pleased about how late he was no matter what it was he'd done.
"Sorry I'm late. It won't happen again. Is he awake? Can I see him?" Merlin looked towards the door where he supposed Uther must be with Arthur.
Arthur. His mouth became dry. Would it be him? His Arthur? And if it wasn't, what would he do? Probably cry and rage at the same time. Who had done this to him?
"Are you that anxious to have an older brother? Well, step brother." Hunith smirked at him.
"I need to know." Merlin muttered.
Hunith stared shrewdly at her son. "You may go in if you wish."
And he did wish, he wished it with all his heart as he pressed his hand against the door with no handle and pushed it. He wished it so much he was terrified. "Arthur..." He looked around the room and settled his gaze on the man the hospital bed, heart in his throat.
When he met Arthur's gaze it was surreal. The man in the bed looked back at him without recognition.
Merlin's face fell. "You don't know me."
As luck would have it, Uther Pendragon was not there. He was in the middle of a discussion with one of Arthur's doctors.
"No, but you look like you lost your best friend, mate." Arthur offered a cautious smile. "Surely can't be that bad? I'm Arthur."
The smile was genuine as he looked at Merlin and it broke his heart. "I'm Merlin." A sob stuck in his throat and his lips quivered.
**MEANWHILE BACK IN CAMELOT**
Arthur was anxious. He was never more anxious in his life. He hoped this was not some kind of joke or that Merlin was mad at him for some reason. If that was the case, he'd do whatever it took to make things right. He loved that idiot sorcerer so much it hurt. They had only just got things to this point. They had discovered love and he'd learned of Merlin's secret. Uther semi tolerated his "Obsession with his manservant." He could allow Merlin to spend the night in his room most of the time. People in Camelot treated Merlin well. In fact, they almost fell over themselves to help him. He was loved and had a lot of friends.
He clenched his fist again and nearly drew blood. How could something like this happen? All he wanted was to walk back in that room and see his Merlin. He was dying to know what was going on in there and it took almost every ounce of his self control to stay where he was until Gaius told him it was safe to come back in.
Gaius had managed to get Merlin to settle down which was a feat in itself. He'd taken away the poker and put it back in the fireplace while Merlin watched him. He had conducted an initial examination after directing the sorcerer to take his shirt off. He'd noticed the young man's confusion when he saw his body in a mirror.
"What is the matter now?" Gaius inquired as he conducted various tests.
"I don't know how you've managed it!" Merlin hissed, eyes sparking. "That is not me. Well, it's me... but it's not."
"I'm afraid I don't understand. Explain, please."
"I look much better than this weakling." Merlin snapped. "Where's my muscle? And my tat? What have you done to me!? I got rid of any hair on my chest a long time ago."
Gaius regarded Merlin with pursed lip. "Merlin. If this is some sort of prank it is gone on long enough. Can you tell me anything? Have you tried using magic to sort yourself out?"
Merlin stared, "Using Magic? You mean like Harry Potter? You're joking." His laugh was bitter and mocking. "There's no such thing as magic, you old fool."
Gaius suppressed an urge to cuff Merlin upside the head. "So you don't remember that either. Heaven help us. Well. I have a few theories of what has happened to you but you must remain calm and I must do some research."
"Remain calm?" Merlin certainly wasn't calm and he hated being talked to as if he was some kind of idiot. "You have altered my body and I'm supposed to remain calm!?"
Gaius looked at him shrewdly. "Settle down, your highness, or I will have to prescribe you a sedative."
Merlin puffed up his chest and sighed. "Obviously I've been kidnapped by this country of yours to extract some sort of ransom from my mother. You must have given me drugs of some kind and I am sure that that this ridiculous body is a result of that. It's a hallucination. Give me back that shirt I don't want to see it." He grabbed the shirt and shucked it back on.
"I've read cases about multiple personalities but I've never seen one. That's one theory. The other is that somehow a curse has been cast upon you and you are indeed another person trapped in the body of the Merlin we know. I have to do some research."
Merlin looked incredulous and gave Gaius a scathing look. "Serously? Magic again. You're mental." He scoffed. "I'd buy technology, but Magic?" His stomach rumbled. "Bloody hell, I'm hungry. I hope this place has edible food at least."
"I will try to accommodate. In the meantime, Prince Arthur will look after you."
"Are you serious? Him?" Merlin scoffed. "That bloke is a pig. He'd better not touch me again! Anyone but him!"
Gaius sighed. "Merlin, Prince Merlin. This is a very serious situation. Your very life is in danger if you don't let us help you." He tried to figure out how to get Merlin's cooperation. "The people who live here are dangerous and would hurt you if you got out of line."
"Bring it on. I'm not afraid!" Merlin's chin jutted out in defiance.
"If you do not cooperate I will let Arthur knock you out and tie you up again, this time he will use tighter restraints."
Merlin balked at that. "I don't like being restrained." He said in a quieter tone. A long time ago, someone had kidnapped him before and that's why he got out of those bonds so fast. He'd learned how years ago in case something like this happened again. "If you bring me food and bathwater and nicer clothing I will not try and fight my way out." He crossed his fingers behind his back and looked at Gaius with fake innocence.
Gaius wasn't used to detecting guile from Merlin and so he accepted the man's word. "I will see to it. Arthur means well, please don't be too hard on him. I will send someone up with what you have requested and will be back in a few hours."
Merlin just nodded because Princes do not say thank you.
Gaius gathered his equipment and went out to talk to Arthur. "He's calmed down but I fear that there is some powerful sorcery at work here, Arthur. He's not himself and he truly believes he is someone else entirely. I feel it is best to humor him until I find out more information. He should remain in your chambers. He put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "I know this is hard. Try to remember that in there somewhere IS Merlin. We'll get him back."
"I hope you're right." Arthur exhaled. "He acts like he hates me."
Gaius had never seen the Prince look so miserable. "Everything will be alright."
Arthur nodded sadly and watched Gaius leave. He looked towards the door of his room with trepidation, sighed and went back inside.
Merlin was still in his chair and watched him like a hawk watched a baby deer. It was unsettling to say the least. That cold, calculating expression made his skin crawl.
It was Merlin who spoke first. "If you touch me again I'll break your hand. Are we clear?"
Arthur felt his heart tighten in his chest. "Crystal." He couldn't hide the pain in his eyes.
Merlin crowed when he saw it. "Oh I see now. You're in love with me. It happens all the time, mate. I'm used to it." He gave a magnanimous grin. "You're completely not my type. I don't like blonde jocks. I prefer my men with a little more grace."
Arthur's mouth opened as if to say something and he snapped his mouth shut. He moved around the room to pick up a few things since it was clear that he wouldn't have a servant today.
"You're bums not bad, I have to admit." Merlin told him cheekily as he watched him bend over and then the insufferable Pratt leant back comfortably in his chair and put his feet up on his table.
Arthur schooled his emotions and tried to remember Gaius' words. This wasn't Merlin, not really. It was a evil spell.
"Listen." Arthur turned to face him. "I'm going to do everything in my power to protect you, Prince Merlin. But if you keep that up I'm going to..." He clenched his fists.
Merlin seemed to enjoy getting a rise out of him and he chortled, pleased with himself. He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax mate. Tell me about this Kingdom of yours."
Mordred looked at his computer screen with a smile. He was a scrawny teenager with glasses and a Mohawk. His room was full of conspiracy theory memorabilia. "It is done. Did you see the news?"
Mordred, the younger more confidant version looked back at himself from his crystal ball. "Very good. Contact Nimue at the Delphi Institute and proceed to the next phase. She is waiting for you."
TBC