I'm so so so so so sorry! I won't bore you with excuses; the details of my technological breakdown are on my profile page. I'm giving you two chapters to catch up and as an apology.
Disclaimer: IDOM
"Percival?!"
All eyes turned to Merlin and Morgana at their sudden outburst, but Merlin hardly noticed. His attention was firmly stuck on the bear of a man who was accompanying Peter.
"Is something wrong?" Peter asked, smiling cautiously.
"Uh, no, sorry," Merlin quickly looked down at his lunch, sneaking glances at the ex-knight every now and then.
"Staff, I would like you to meet Percy Dykes. He will be working as our newest night security guard from today onwards."
There was a general murmur of welcome from the other employees, and Merlin and Morgana turned to each other, a silent 'are you seeing what I'm seeing?' passing between them. They watched, dumbstruck, as 'Percy' greeted them all with an inclination of his head before following Peter back out of the room.
In unspoken agreement, Merlin and Morgana rose from their sears and left also. They needed somewhere private to talk.
They had barely made it fifty metres before something grabbed Merlin by the arm and hauled him backwards. Too shocked to even gasp, Merlin staggered. When the world had righted itself once more, he looked up to see Percival standing protectively in front of him, staring down a rather wide-eyed Morgana, who stood a few paces ahead.
Before Merlin could so much as call out, Percival was advancing on the witch. He bore no weapon, but he didn't seem too bothered – the memory of Gwaine's death was likely at the forefront of his mind.
"Wait, Percival!" Merlin cried, but if the big man had heard, he showed no sign.
Morgana was speechless, taking a step back for every one Percival took towards her. Without warning, the knight struck out. Throwing caution to the wind, Merlin held out his hand, feeling the magic flowing through him.
"Oþstille!"
Percival froze, his fist mere inches from Morgana's gaping face. Wasting no time, Merlin moved between them, holding his hands towards Percival in a placating manner.
"Thank you, Merlin," Morgana muttered.
Merlin spared her a quick glance before turning back to his friend. "Okay, Perce," he said slowly. "I'm going to let you go, but you have to promise to calm down and hear us out." He released the magic holding Percival with a flash of his eyes, but kept it at the ready in case he needed it again.
Percival straightened his posture and looked worriedly between the two magic users.
"Let's go somewhere we can talk."
Percy was aware that he had a past life, back in the days of King Arthur and Camelot, when he had been Sir Percival. The memories had come to him in dreams, and their recurring nature indicated they were more than just dreams.
So when he'd followed his new boss into the staff common room and heard twin cries of 'Percival', well, that truly was the final confirmation, wasn't it? He had been delighted to see the young man with the red neckerchief staring at him in disbelief, but the woman next to him quickly replaced that happiness with icy fear and righteous anger. Anger for what she had done, and fear for what she might yet do.
He had been reluctant to leave the room with Peter – what if she attacked Merlin and he didn't get there in time to help him? The raven had been a powerful warlock in the past, but the present was undetermined.
Percival had excused himself at the first opportunity and was just in time to see the two people plaguing his thoughts leaving the staff room. Not willing to let the chance pass, he had grabbed Merlin and shielded the smaller man with his body. Weapon or no, he wouldn't let the witch harm his friends. Never again.
He lunged, ready to pulverize Morgana with his bare hands, but a single word uttered in the language of the Old Religion stopped him in his tracks. Percival couldn't believe his eyes when Merlin moved to protect Morgana. Had he sided with her? Or had she put him under some kind of enchantment like she had with Gwen?
"Okay, Perce, I'm going to let you go, but you have to promise to calm down and hear us out," Merlin said soothingly.
Percival could feel movement returning to his limbs as Merlin's eyes flashed a brilliant gold. Yes, he would allow his old friend a chance to explain. There was a perfectly good explanation for why the most loyal man he had ever met was protecting the woman who had caused the deaths of most of his closest friends.
"Let's go somewhere we can talk."
So Percival had willingly followed Merlin and a rather nervous Morgana to the literature and archive department of the museum.
When they had arrived at Merlin's office, Morgana made a beeline for the armchair before she fell over. Merlin had been genuinely shocked and impressed when she hadn't even tried to defend herself with magic or even more conventional methods.
Merlin leaned against the edge of his desk and looked over at Percival, who was hovering awkwardly in the doorway. He briefly wondered what he should say. The man was clearly waiting for an explanation. It was, surprisingly, Morgana who broke the silence.
"Percival, I am so, so sorry."
This hadn't been what the large man was expecting, if the look on his face was anything to go by.
"The things I did, I know, are unforgiveable," Morgana continued. "I don't want forgiveness. Nothing I ever do would make me worthy of such a thing. All I ask is that you give me another chance; a chance to prove that I've changed and that I'm sincere when I say I only wish to make it up to you." She glanced at Merlin. "All of you."
Percival's face was a mixture of emotions, all fighting for dominance. It was like he was battling wanting to believe her and the memories of everything she had done. It was how Merlin had felt and was the reason he doubted he would ever fully trust her. Trust was much like glass, after all.
"If it makes you feel any better, if she tries anything she'll be dealing with me. And I can assure you that I've gotten in a lot of practice over the last 1500 years. I can even hold a sword without impaling myself now."
That got him a ghost of a smile… until the comment about his lifespan sank in.
"Arthur's willing to let her try and prove herself."
Percival's head shot up. "Arthur?"
Merlin grinned at hearing the large man's voice. "Yeah, he's back at my place. Came out of the lake last week."
Percival's smile dropped as he looked over at Morgana. "You took away so many people who were important to me. You tortured Gwaine. And I'll never forgive you for that."
Morgana nodded, her eyes wet with unshed tears.
"But if you truly have changed, then I will trust my king and Merlin's judgment."
Morgana was practically beaming at him and Merlin was sure that was the longest string of words he'd ever heard Percival utter in one go.
"I swear I'll do everything I can to prove it to you. And Merlin," she looked from one to the other. "If I ever go back on my word I give you permission to kill me."
Merlin frowned. He hoped it would never have to come to that.
Percival crossed his arms and rose his brow. "So, Merlin, what was that you said about 1500 years?"
"Merlin's coming," Aithusa hummed, getting up from where she'd been trying to get comfortable on the rug.
Kilgharrah raised his head towards the door and Arthur sat up straighter in his chair.
As if on cue, the front door sung open and in walked Merlin, a grin splitting his face. "I'm home."
Aithusa hurried over and danced around his feet. "Welcome home~"
I found two more today, Merlin's voice spoke in her mind.
Who did you find? Kilgharrah asked.
And why are we talking using mind speech? Aithusa chimed in.
"You're cheery," Arthur noted.
"I had a good day. Am I not allowed to be cheery?" Telepathically, he added, Leon and Percival. Percival remembers, but I'm not sure about Leon. I think he at least suspects the truth. I don't think we should tell Arthur yet.
"At least one of us did," Arthur grumbled. "There has to be something decent to do around here."
Why not? Aithusa frowned.
Because that way I can bring them all around at once and surprise him. "You could clean up."
Arthur looked very much like he wanted to protest – no doubt saying something about kings and servants – but instead sighed and put his head down on the table.
What happened to 'no more secrets'? Kilgharrah accused.
Well, this is a good secret. Like when you plan a surprise party. Ooh! Can we have a party?!
Hmm, maybe we could do something. But let's wait until we find the others. "So, there was a break-in at the museum last night."
"And you're happy about that?" Arthur looked at him like he was insane.
"What? No, I'm not happy about it! I just thought you would want to know."
"What was taken?" Kilgharrah asked in concern.
"That's just it. Nothing was taken. I don't know who they were or what they were after, but they didn't get it. It might not have even been there for them to find."
"Do you think it might be linked to the reason we all returned?" Aithusa sat down, growing serious.
"I don't know. It might be – it was the medieval section that was broken into – but what were they looking for?"
"Maybe Excalibur," Arthur suggested.
"Well, if that is what they're looking for, they'll never find it.
"I'm still not happy about that."
"If we need it again, Freya will return it to me."
Arthur fell silent. It was quite clear that he still wasn't okay about that, either. But the only one who blamed him was himself. Kilgharrah blamed Fate, Aithusa the witch who had cursed the druid girl, and Merlin (like Arthur) himself (Merlin). That was something they all tried to change.
Conversation having dwindled, Merlin set about preparing dinner, muttering something about Morgana and approval.
Merlin decided that it might be a good idea to get himself a phone. He had never needed, nor wanted, one before, but with Leon's number sitting in his pocket like a hot coal and the increasing amount of Camelotians popping up, he was starting to think it would be worth it. Besides, if he got a high-tech model, it would give the prat something to do to pass the time.
And so it was that Merlin returned home that day with two new, top-of-the-range phones. He had taken the liberty of setting Arthur's up for him and adding his number to it. He had even gone so far as to using magic to call Gwen and get her number.
Arthur had been greatly confused (and, dare Merlin say it, slightly fearful) by the piece of technology and Merlin was happy to note that the device would keep the king amused for a great while.
Aithusa had been very excited and practically demanded that Merlin take photos of her. He had been sure, much to Kilgharrah's distaste, to get a shot of the two of them together and set it as his wallpaper.
The next day when he went to work, he managed to catch Percival, who was on his way home, and added both his and Morgana's numbers to his contacts list.
He would later find himself to be incredibly grateful for investing in the device.