Previously on The Story of Us: Merlin~ I huddle on the floor, listening to Arthur's rhythmic breathing. I lie there in the darkness, not really caring exactly where we are, because all that really matters is that Arthur is alive.
Chapter Four: Destroyed By Time
Arthur:
I open my eyes as the sun filters in through the windows of room 857. I get up and almost trip over Merlin on the way to the bathroom.
It's been a couple weeks since we arrived in New York. It turns out we're much farther away from Camelot than I thought we were, both through space and time.
Since then, I've learned many things, both about myself and this world. I've learned how to hail a cab; I now know how to flush the toilet (trust me, I learn from my mistakes), how to text, how to use a microwave; I've discovered television...
I run the water in the sink, splashing my face, and the droplets run down my cheeks, almost like tears, taking me back to that day. I don't usually cry. I guess, I'm kind of a macho guy. But I cried that day, and who can blame me, really?
Merlin and I were just settling into the hotel, and I was busy discovering it's many wonders. I had unknowingly sat on the remote, causing the TV to turn on, with a loud static burp and a flash of light.
"Merlin!" I had cried, "What sorcery is this?"
"Arthur, what did you do? This is no sorcery," he replied, and I scoffed.
"So, you're the expert on sorcery now?"
"Shhhh..." Merlin nodded at the screen, and I curiously gazed at the images displayed before us.
I had never seen anything like it before: the moving pictures were animated on this strange surface, as if they were alive. I flinched- expecting them to jump out at me, but to my relief, they remained in the television.
"Merlin, look," I pointed, because there we were. Our likenesses: captured on the monitor- an exact replica of me in my armor and Merlin, standing towards the back, a look of utter bewilderment frozen on his face: an echo of the one he had in reality.
We both jumped as a stern voice spoke out, and it took me awhile to realize that it was emanating from the screen.
"Reportedly unstable, these men were last spotted by Officer McKinley in Central Park, and are most likely armed and dangerous: If spotted, make sure to contact the New York City Police Department," the voice proclaimed.
"Oh, this is just great. We've barely been here a couple days and we're already wanted by the bloody police department, whatever the hell that is!" I shifted my weight, unintentionally flipping the channel.
A different voice, this time deeper and gruffer, explained, "Tonight on the History Channel, we take a look at the Legend of King Arthur Pendragon and the Knights of the Round Table...We don't have any contemporary evidence for King Arthur as a historical figure, although he may have existed centuries ago; he certainly existed in the minds of the Britons, and as a figurehead for their resistance against the Saxons..."
I felt sick. Contemporary evidence? Historical figure? Centuries ago?
Calm down, I told myself, It must be a different King Arthur Pendragon, but I didn't really believe that. I turned to Merlin, his face a reflection of my nauseating realization, a horrified look pasted on his features.
"Tell me, " I was almost begging, "that this isn't happening," but Merlin wouldn't return my gaze. That's how I found out.
I suppose I shouldn't have been so shocked; it all makes sense in a twisted way. It explains a lot about this place: why everyone dresses differently, why they all talk weird, why my home, my kingdom, my people seem so distant- it's because they're all gone. Dead. Destroyed by time.
I remember, that day, I had stormed into the bathroom, which I had just discovered how to use the night before. I'd locked the door and ran the bath water, turning the unfamiliar metal knobs. I stripped, and sat in the tub, not caring that the water was way too hot.
"Arthur! Arthur?" Merlin pounded on the door, but I ignored that too. Right now I needed to be alone. I clenched my jaw, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to keep the tears that had begun to form from escaping, without much success. A couple droplets of salt water managed to slip out, gathering momentum, rolling down my cheeks and I caught them in my mouth, sinking beneath the scalding water. I'd rather have died than have everyone I know, everyone I care about, be gone, I thought bitterly. Well, not everyone- I still had Merlin; thank goodness for that.
Ω•Ω•Ω
Now, I'm brushing my teeth in the mirror and through the reflection I see Merlin walk in behind me, yawning the sleep from his eyes.
"Morning, Arthur," he mumbles, taking his place beside me, at the sink. It's funny- our relationship has changed since we arrived in this new place. Merlin still does a lot for me- too much- but lately I've been doing things for Merlin too.
"Want me to bring you back some coffee?" I offer, as I get dressed and head out for my morning run.
"Yeah, that would be great," he smiles, a token of gratitude. When Merlin smiles, the room lights up: I light up.
"The usual?" I ask, and he nods. By now, I know Merlin's order. We've been doing this for a while now, and we've almost settled into a comfortable routine. Almost. Part of me doesn't ever want to get used to this place- to this time.
As I leave, I catch Merlin's eye, "See you soon," I say, and as the door shuts behind me, I feel a strange longing- without him I feel empty, like something is missing. I am overcome with a burning hunger- a hunger for Merlin, a strange kind of passion: a desire to protect my manservant in this mystifying city we have found ourselves in. No- we didn't find ourselves here. We were uprooted: stolen away from our time and place in history and abandoned to fend for ourselves. We didn't choose this! I feel a surge of anger flow through me.
I will find whatever-whoever- did this to us, and I will make them pay.
A/N: Ugh- I know this one was short, but I hope it was sweet! I had trouble with Chapter Four, and it was originally about 2,000 words, but I decided to split it up and revamp :P Also, I just watched World War Z, and boy am I glad Merlin doesn't have any zombies... well... erm, nevermind. Skeleton warriors? Totes dif o.O Anyway, make sure to review. Please? Pretty please? So I won't have nightmares about zombies and skeleton warriors?