A few weeks passed, and Gwen wasn't sure who was more delighted that she and Arthur were seeing each other a few times a week: her or Merlin. As much as she missed her husband, she was genuinely enjoying the opportunity for them to fall in love all over again. With each day that passed, she was reminded more and more of the little things that had made her fall for him so long ago. His kindness to strangers, despite occasional bursts of insensitivity. The way he would surprise her with little romantic things, like her favorite flowers or pulling her down a corridor or into a secluded spot to kiss her. And the thoughtful intelligence he often concealed behind his casual demeanor. Having decided to run officially, he turned to her for support, even though, as far as he was aware, they had only just started seeing each other. After the disastrous start to their first date, he had done his best to avoid emphasizing his wealth and privilege, opting instead to make a name for himself on his own. Tonight, however, was an exception. His family had been offered tickets to a West End opening night, and since he was the only one who could go, he was taking Gwen to the opening night gala.

Which was why, when Arthur rang the buzzer to Gwen's flat that evening, looking very dashing in a black-tie suit, it wasn't Gwen who answered, but Merlin.

"Hey, Arthur. Come on in- Gwen's still getting ready," Merlin greeted him, opening the door and trying very hard not to lapse into his old, more formal habits instead of the casual way he addressed the man now. With a nod, Arthur entered the flat as Merlin closed the door behind him. Although the two young men had chatted a bit in the past few weeks, they had never really had a prolonged or meaningful conversation. Merlin flopped back on the couch, waiting for the two to leave before he left to take a walk through the city that night, then gestured at the cushion next to him as Arthur stood there awkwardly. "Go on, sit down. Might be a few 'til she's ready," he added. After a moment's pause, Arthur shrugged and sank into the couch next to the other man. Turning to glance at his king, who appeared lost in thought, Merlin sensed a familiar expression of concern on his old friend's face.

"Arthur? Not that it's really my business, but- something on your mind? You look a bit distracted," Merlin asked tentatively, praying that enough of King Arthur remained to let him in.

"Just...election stuff. Nothing really," he said, lying very unconvincingly. Merlin shook his head.

"Really? That's the best you can do?" Arthur glared at him in a most familiar manner, causing Merlin to stifle a laugh. "No, seriously, what's up?" Arthur sighed, running his hand through his hair, then turned his head to look at Merlin.

"I'm just...I dunno, sometimes all this-" he waved a hand vaguely- "just kind of closes in on me. Gets to be a lot, you know?"

Merlin chuckled. "Oh yeah. I know."

Seemingly encouraged, Arthur continued, shifting his whole body so he could face Merlin directly, relaxing a bit. "Look, I was brought up for this, for politics, okay? You know who my family is- there was never any other option for me. I mean," he paused, searching for words, "I think I would've ended up here anyways- I would've chose it on my own, I like the idea of... I dunno, making a difference. But the way things are now, not to mention being...well, my father's son- I don't know anymore." Arthur trailed off thoughtfully, then looked abruptly at Merlin, as if coming out of a trance. "I'm sorry, Rhys, I don't mean to burden you with all this. You probably just think I'm some spoiled rich boy whining about how privileged he is. Gwen's always telling me not to do that," he apologized. Seeing Arthur about to retreat behind his usual facade, Merlin quickly spoke.

"Arthur, it's alright. I don't mind, really. I understand. You feel-" he cast about for the right words- "you feel that you have a destiny that you had no say in. You don't really mind it, but it puts pressure on you nonetheless. You wish things were different but you don't know how to make them so. And sometimes it just overwhelms you, so much you think you can hardly bear it." Arthur stared at him in shock.

"That sounded almost wise, Rhys," he commented dryly to cover for himself. Merlin grinned, remembering when Arthur had given the same backhanded compliment in ages gone by. "Alright, then, what do you think, if you're so smart?" For once, Merlin wasn't out of his depth- he recognized the same insecurities the young prince of Camelot had revealed to him, and sought to reassure him similarly.

"I think...I think you need to have a few people who you can trust and ask for advice. But you can't just play the game if you want to make things better. You have to find others who can see the same vision you can, and work together to bring about a better time." Daring a gesture of comfort, Merlin reached out to put a hand on Arthur's shoulder as he looked firmly into his best friend's eyes. "You may be your father's son, Arthur, but you are your own man. Perhaps," the right words presented themselves to him in a crystal-clear memory, "perhaps we're heading for a new time."

Arthur was astonished and yet somehow comforted by the dark-haired man's words. He understands, he really does. Everything he's said, about destiny and change- it all makes perfect sense, it sounds...right. Why don't I have friends like him? Are we friends? He reached up to clap Merlin's shoulder gratefully in return, saying, "Thank you, Rhys. You've no idea how much that helps. You're..." he stumbled, then went on, "You're a good friend."

Merlin's heart soared when Arthur called him his friend. He could't help it- he had missed his best friend so very much, those words meant a great deal to him. Just then, Gwen finally emerged, looking red-carpet worthy in a sleek, elegant burgundy evening gown, her hair piled elegantly atop her head, and the amethyst necklace Merlin had insisted she keep, since it technically was hers anyways. Arthur got up, his face lighting up as he looked at Gwen. As he turned to leave, Arthur called back to Merlin, speaking words without knowing where they came from.

"Who knows what the future will bring."

"No, but that was the best part!" Gwen insisted, laughing as she and Arthur merrily argued the merits of the show they had just come from. As they took a turn down a strange road, Gwen looked up at Arthur questioningly and was rewarded with her favorite smile.

"Come on, just trust me," Arthur pleaded playfully. Upon seeing her faux-stern expression, he grinned and leaned down. "It's," he whispered in one ear, "a," in the other ear, "a surprise." Gwen shivered slightly in pleasure that quickly spiked up again as Arthur ended his sentence by pulling her into a deep kiss. All these years, you wouldn't think he'd still have this effect on me, Gwen thought, unaware that a similar thought (minus the years of knowledge, of course) was making its way through Arthur's mind at the same time. Taking her hand, he laced their fingers securely together as they entered a park.

"This is one of my favorite places at night," he explained as they strolled. "It's technically always open, but, I don't know, somehow I think it's all more beautiful at night." Indeed, Gwen was inclined to agree, as the handful of lights combined with the moonlight produced an enchanting glow. "Gwen? D'you really think I can do this? The politics, Parliament, all that?" he asked.

Gwen looked up at him, surprised. "Of course I do, Arthur. But, why do you ask? I'm just a girl you've only known a little while."

"And yet it is your opinion I most value," he replied, somehow knowing as he said them that the words were true. Reminded of the last time he said that, Gwen offered up her own familiar reassurance.

"Well then. I have faith in you, Arthur." He was startled, as a strange feeling of deja vu came over him. Changing the subject, Gwen looked around. "It is beautiful, Arthur. I'm so glad you shared this with me," Gwen murmured, squeezing his hand tightly. They were both so absorbed in each other and in contemplating the beautiful night that neither heard the slight rustle in the trees a short distance away.

Merlin was strolling through the city, absorbing all the knowledge he could. In order to be well prepared and always on alert, he had long ago begun taking long walks throughout every part of the places he lived. This served a dual purpose: time alone to think and sometimes practice a little magic unobtrusively, and gathering information that he hoped could help him and his friends someday when the time came. As a result, his knowledge of parks, streets, and shortcuts was second to none. Which is why, when he heard a sudden gunshot, his head whipped up and he ran without a second thought through the nearby park and toward the source of that sound.

When he reached the scene, Merlin's heart nearly stopped. In the middle of the grassy park, just a short ways from a cluster of trees, a pair of figures were on the ground. The smaller form of a young woman, her hair escaping into loose curls, bent over the slowly moving body of a man who lay on the ground, his blond hair glinting in the moonlight. Merlin didn't know he could run that fast, as he dashed to their side.

"Go get help. Take my phone, get where there's reception, call emergency, find someone!" Merlin cried to the woman, who was sobbing and shaking.

"Is he- will he be alright? Can't you help him?" she asked, drawing herself up to obey.

"I'm going to try. Please, milady, this is the best way you can help him right now. Just be careful, here," his eyes flashed gold as he touched her necklace, which glowed before returning to normal. "That should protect you in case the shooter is still out there." With a nod and a pleading look, she took off. Merlin looked again at the wounded man before him, his heart racing and genuine terror striking him for the first time in centuries as he gathered the man into his arms, looking briefly into the dazed blue depths of his eyes, and prepared to make some attempts at healing.

Please, God, no. Not Arthur. Not again. He didn't even realize that he'd said it aloud.

Wow, I'm evil, aren't I, to end on a cliffhanger like that? Anyone see that coming? Arthur's question to Gwen is a deleted scene from early season 4, while her reassurance comes from 1x10. Also, the conversation Merlin and Arthur have was a callback to the "you may become king" conversation at the end of 3x13; I hope I did a good job portraying an early version of their friendship. I need a disclaimer now: the next few "memories" may not agree perfectly with canon, and if it doesn't, let me know. I am a US viewer and have only seen up through 5x08 as of this posting. However, I know quite well how the legend ends, I doubt they would introduce Mordred again if he wasn't going to fulfill the prophecy, so I guessed the general gist of the ending. On a more specific note, I can't imagine this version of Merlin wouldn't be there for Arthur in his final moments; plus, an exclusively Merlin blog I follow had a "three words to make me cry" askbox meme, and someone gave them a certain line which I intend to use next chapter (you'll know it when you see it) that confirms my suspicions. So a lot of sophisticated guesswork, but I think it's accurate. Special thanks to starglen for delightfully detailed reviews lately. Thanks for reading, and see you next chapter! ~C