10: Return of the Past

Cleaning the flat didn't take too long thanks to the help of Merlin's magic. While Arthur took care of organizing his school work, Merlin picked up the clothes, made the bed, and rearranged the furniture.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Arthur asked as he placed his textbooks in a neat pile on his desk.

Merlin paused in his finger directing towards the broom that was currently sweeping the floor on its own. "What? Having a sleepover?"

Arthur let out a sigh as he collapsed onto the now straightened sofa. "I'm just nervous about how the others are going to react to Morgana. Heck, I don't even know how I'm going to react! How can you be so calm, Merlin?"

"I'm not," the warlock answered honestly, "But I know that fretting around isn't going to solve anything. So instead I'm focusing on magically protecting your flat just in case Morgana's magic comes back and she tries to kill us all."

"Really?" Arthur asked curiously. "I hadn't noticed amidst all the cleaning charms you were using."

Merlin prompted the broom to return to its rightful home now that it was done sweeping the floor. "Well, it's thanks to your sloppiness that I had to use so many." Dodging a pillow, he casually continued, "I've shielded the entire area, including your balcony. Even if magic is used, nobody outside the flat will be able to see anything."

Arthur looked around the room as Merlin returned the pillow to its proper place. "You know, I was going to hire someone to clean but it appears you did a good job without help."

Merlin smirked. "I suppose it was too hard for your prattish self to do it on your own?"

"Merlin, even in this lifetime I don't have to clean up after myself. I grew up in a mansion where maids and butlers did all the work."

"Of course," Merlin chuckled, "Should have guessed you'd be a spoiled little rich kid."

Arthur threw another pillow at him. Merlin ducked, dodging the projectile just as his phone started to ring. He smiled at the caller ID. "Hello Freya," he greeted.

"Hi Merlin," she replied, a smile in her voice. "Gwen and I finished shopping. Should we meet you at Arthur's?"

"Yes, please. Do you need the address?"

"That would be nice."

Merlin glanced at Arthur expectantly. The king rolled his eyes as he got up from the couch, walked into the kitchen, and came back with a letter. Merlin eyed him curiously but read aloud the address.

"Great, thanks," Freya muttered after writing it down. "Right, we'll see you two in a few minutes then."

"Alright, be safe."

"We will. I love you."

Merlin's face softened. "I love you too."

Arthur was watching him curiously even after he had returned the letter to its original home in the kitchen.

"What?"

Arthur grinned. "It's just kind of weird hearing you say those words to someone."

Merlin quirked an eyebrow. "As weird as someone not knowing their own address?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I haven't lived here long enough to memorize it. Seriously though, I'm happy for you, Merlin."

Merlin's expression softened as he thought of Freya. "I shouldn't have hid her from you before. It was always so hard to talk about her, given what happened."

"I'm sorry it happened in the first place," Arthur said regretfully. "But the important thing is that now things are different, the two of you can be together."

Merlin nodded even though he was still afraid that history would repeat itself. He decided not to voice his fears, however. It was Christmas Eve after all. Speaking of… "Well, since the girls are going to be coming in a few minutes, I should probably finish up."

Arthur looked around in consternation. "What are you talking about? The place looks fine."

Instead of answering, Merlin slowly swept his hand across the room, his eyes flashing gold. Large garlands of pine sprung up along the sides of the counter, walls, and ceiling, hanging in small arched patterns. In between each arch was a red bow with silver bells on either side. A bundle of mistletoe appeared over the kitchen doorway as well as the hall. Next to the fireplace a Christmas tree sprung into existence, decorated with red and gold ornaments, tinsel, and bows. Scented candles decorated multiple surfaces filling the room with the smells of pine and sugar cookies. Plastic snowflake confetti littered almost every surface.

"I would have added snow falling from the ceiling but that would have been overkill, I think," Merlin muttered, surveying his work.

Arthur looked around the room with his mouth slightly open. He barely recognized the place. "Please tell me you can get rid of all this as easily as you put it all up?"

"Do you not like it?"

"No, it's not that. I just don't want my flat to look like a glorified Christmas social after the holiday."

Merlin grinned. "Don't worry; it'll be easy to tear down. One wave of my hand will clear it up instantly."

Arthur relaxed. "That's good. Right, well, you've really outdone yourself."

"Really? I thought the last time we celebrated your birthday was better than this," Merlin replied, remembering the grandiose decorations, fanfare, and magical entertainment he'd supplied at the sovereign's last birthday before his untimely death.

"Hmmm, well, you had all of Camelot to decorate versus a small flat," Arthur mused.

There was a knock on the door and Arthur allowed Merlin to answer while he continued to laze on the couch. Merlin wandered down the hall and opened the door. Gwen and Freya greeted him with a smile, both loaded down with several packages.

"Goodness, did you buy the whole store?" he teased as he eased their burdens with a flash of his eyes, the bags zooming into the kitchen.

"It's nice to see you too," Freya commented, kissing him on the cheek before she and Gwen followed after their purchases.

Arthur intercepted Gwen for a kiss to which she obliged. Pulling away she noticed the living room and her eyes brightened. "Oh, Arthur, the place looks lovely. All Merlin's doing, I presume?"

Merlin waved away her praise. "It's nothing really."

"It's perfect," Freya complimented, kissing his cheek.

Merlin smiled, pleased, before heading into the kitchen with Freya right behind him. The two set to work emptying the bags and preparing the food. Gwen wanted to help but Merlin forbade her from setting foot in the kitchen. Arthur didn't even try, knowing Merlin would have refused his help too; besides, he never was good in the kitchen anyway.

Merlin moved around the surprisingly fully stocked kitchen with practiced ease, Freya at his side. The two were almost dancing as they worked. Soon the turkey was in the oven and the ham was sliced and carved, covered with foil until the party would start. Potatoes were roasting on the stove along with several other vegetables. Smaller slices of meat and cheese were arranged around one plate with cut fruit in another. A bowl of mixed nuts sat next to a variety of candies near three bottles of wine. Merlin and Freya stepped back, admiring their work.

"Looks like we're ready," Merlin muttered, coming up behind Freya and wrapping his arms around her waist.

She leaned in to his embrace, sighing as he kissed the side of her neck. "And with twenty minutes to spare," she muttered, staring at the clock.

"Hmmm, twenty minutes," Merlin mused, kissing the back of her ear. "A lot can happen in twenty minutes…"

He buried his nose through her loose dark locks before he found the side of her neck, kissing it softly. Freya inhaled an excited breath, tilting her head to the side to further expose the area. Merlin gently spun her around in his arms so she was facing him. Her large brown eyes softened as she reached up to caress his face.

"How long I have wished we could be together like this," she whispered, searching his eyes.

"I know," he murmured, closing the distance between their lips, claiming hers with his own.

A thrill of excitement rushed through him and his hands wrapped around her back at the same time hers climbed into his hair. One kiss became many, the two enjoying the reactions produced from the other as each gesture was given.

"Merlin, have you finished in here yet –?"

Merlin hastily broke away from Freya to find Arthur standing in the kitchen doorway with a look of pure surprise on his face. Everyone turned the color of a strawberry.

Merlin coughed into his hand. "Um, we're just waiting for the turkey. I sped up the process with magic so it should be ready when everyone gets here."

"Oh – right – good," Arthur coughed too. "Well… I'll just leave then…" and the king made a hasty exit, leaving a rather flustered Merlin and Freya behind.

An awkward silence passed between the couple before Merlin sent Freya a sheepish grin. She smiled hesitantly. "I should probably change," she muttered. "Gwen and I thought everyone should dress up a little. We bought new dresses."

"Oh." Merlin ignored the slight disappointment in his chest from not being able to continue where they'd left off. There would always be another time, he silently supposed. His smile grew. "Then I'd best make sure to change too. Any suggestions?"

"A nice shirt and slacks would do," she replied, kissing his cheek. "Don't think about it too much. I'll be back in a minute."

And with that she walked out of the kitchen, Merlin watching her every move. Sighing happily, he wandered into the living room where Arthur was sitting alone, flipping through a magazine. The awkwardness from earlier returned as Merlin sat down opposite him in the armchair.

After a pause, Merlin tried to ease the atmosphere. "So, where's Gwen?"

"She's using my room to change," Arthur answered, setting the magazine aside. "Freya is too. Apparently we're supposed to dress up. They threw this at me before they shut the door." He held up a red button down shirt.

Merlin chuckled. "Well, red was always your color."

Arthur rolled his eyes before removing his current attire to change into the new shirt provided. Merlin used magic to transform his tee into a fancy blue v-neck sweater, revealing a thinner red shirt underneath.

Arthur cleared his throat. "Merlin… I want to apologize about earlier – I didn't know you two were, uh, having a moment…"

Merlin smirked a little from Arthur's discomfort even if he was a little embarrassed. "We may have gotten a little carried away… I kind of forgot where we were for a while…"

It was Arthur's turn to smirk. "That's usually what happens when you're in love with someone, Merlin. You tend to forget there are other people around you. At least you know what you're doing; I would have hated having to talk to you about women."

"Arthur!" Merlin cried, his face turning red. "I don't need you to explain that to me!"

The king's smirk deepened. "Out of the two of us, I think I have the most experience."

"I can't believe we're even talking about this!" Merlin groaned.

"Well, this is a particular topic we never really had in common in the past," Arthur mused before immediately regretting what he said since it was his fault Merlin couldn't be with Freya before. "Sorry," he hastily muttered, "I didn't mean to say it like that."

"Arthur, it's okay," Merlin assured, sending a genuine smile, "I've already forgiven you for what happened, remember? And you're right; this is something we haven't really had in common." He fidgeted. He kind of wanted to talk about his relationship with Freya but he didn't know exactly what to share so he lamely settled for, "It's nice."

Arthur chuckled. "Wait until you're married."

"Arthur!"

"What? You can't tell me that you don't want to get married." The king eyed him curiously.

Merlin's blush deepened and he rung his hands. If he was being truthful, yes, he did want to marry Freya. He'd been waiting for over fifteen hundred years! But…

"I'm afraid," he confessed, his eyes on the floor.

"Of what? Sure, it's a big change and a huge commitment, but it's worth it."

Merlin shook his head. "That's not it."

Arthur frowned. Scooting closer to his friend, he rested a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "What's troubling you?"

Merlin let out a long sigh, running his hands through his short hair, causing the ends to stick up. "I lost her once, Arthur. I'm afraid history is going to repeat itself. The Old Religion took her away from me before because it saw her as a threat to our shared destiny."

"I won't let anything happen to her this time," Arthur promised protectively. "We can still fulfill our destiny with you as a married man. Look at me! I was able to marry."

"Yes but Gwen played -and still plays- a key role in helping you be the Once and Future King."

"And Freya doesn't do the same for you being Emrys?"

"Emrys is the protector of the King, Arthur. I can't protect you if I'm trying to protect Freya too. I'm terrified that there may come a day when I will have to choose between you two… and I know who I'll choose – and that hurts, in a way, knowing that I will choose protecting you over the woman that I love. But I know I can't help it. It's in my genetic code to protect and serve you first and foremost."

Merlin wasn't bitter. He stood by his words: he was happy to be Arthur's servant until the day he died. But it still hurt sometimes, especially when matters of the heart got involved.

Arthur's frown was deep as he contemplated Merlin's confession. After a while, he filled with resolve. "If your job is solely to protect me, then I can assign someone to always protect Freya."

Merlin blinked. "What?"

"I hate to agree with what you've said, Merlin, but I know you're right," Arthur sighed. "And that makes me feel guilty, knowing that I'm the one coming between you two."

"Don't feel bad!" Merlin protested.

Arthur held up a hand. "Merlin, I'm the king and I'm not changing my mind about this. Since you have to protect me, I will make sure Freya is cared for. I'll assign one of the knights to be her personal bodyguard. Percival was my first choice. What do you think?"

Merlin's jaw dropped. "You're willing to give up Percival? He's one of your strongest fighters!"

"And he's perfect for the job," Arthur mused, ignoring Merlin's shocked expression. "He's faithful, kind, loyal, understanding, and protective. I'm sure he'll take the job without hesitation."

Merlin shook his head and sighed. "Fine, but let me run it by Freya first – and this only happens if Percival accepts after he has his memories."

"Deal," Arthur grinned. "So, when are you going to propose?"

"Arthur!"

It was then that the door to the bedroom clicked open, providing Merlin the perfect distraction for the king. Gwen stepped out first in an absolutely adorable knee length red dress with black boots and stockings. Arthur's eyes lit up, the current conversation completely forgotten. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the king slowly leave the couch and meet his wife – well, girlfriend, currently – to compliment her with a kiss.

Merlin would have paid them more attention except for the fact that Freya appeared. Her knee length dress was blue, the same color as his sweater, the lacy over layer exposing her shoulders and collarbone underneath. Her hair was pulled away from her face, her ears and neckline decorated with simple sparking white jewelry. Dark brown boots hid her calves. She was beautiful.

Copying Arthur, Merlin left his seat and met Freya halfway. "You look beautiful," he muttered, kissing her.

There was a knock on the door before it opened of its own accord.

"Arthur?"

"Come on in, Gwaine," Arthur called, rolling his eyes. "He's the only person – besides you Merlin – who simply barges in."

Gwaine appeared, wearing a rather nice green dress shirt and black slacks, his arm leading along none other than Morgana who wore a similar green colored dress that hugged her frame and exposed her back. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun off to the side, a few loose strands of hair hanging about her pallid features. She smiled warmly when she greeted Gwen and Freya extending a polite nod to both Arthur and Merlin.

Gwaine was staring at Merlin, his eyes narrowed and calculating. Merlin caught his gaze and grinned. The knight seemed conflicted so Merlin decided to make things easier on him. He winked. Gwaine's jaw dropped.

Arthur cleared his throat. "It's unusual for you to be on time, Gwaine."

Gwaine started, recovering from his temporary shock. Shrugging, he put on a smile. "Well, that tends to happen when you have a lady who doesn't want to be late."

"The place looks lovely," Morgana commented, eyeing the décor.

"Merlin really knows how to decorate," Arthur smirked.

There was another knock on the door and Gwen decided to be the one to answer it this time. Merlin was in perfect position to see the hushed exchange going on in the hallway between her and the new arrivals.

"Gwen," Elyan greeted though he sounded a little subdued.

"Oh Elyan, come here," Gwen ordered, wrapping her arms around her brother.

"I'm sorry," Elyan muttered, "I reacted the same way when father died the first time. I'm so sorry, Gwen. I shouldn't have shut you out."

"We dealt with our grief differently," Gwen soothed, smiling up at him before addressing the three men behind him. "Leon, Percival, Lancelot."

"My lady," Leon inclined his head.

"You all remember?" she whispered, glancing over her shoulder.

"We do," Lancelot answered, nodding.

"My lady, is the king…?" asked Percival.

Merlin glanced over at Arthur who appeared to be debating whether or not he should go to the door as well. Morgana was being perfectly distracted by Gwaine and Freya at the moment. Arthur caught Merlin's gaze and the warlock nudged his head to the side before kissing Freya's temple.

"We'll be right back," he promised.

She nodded, sending him a smile. Merlin got up and Arthur followed him. When they reached the hall, Arthur passed him, coming up behind Gwen and smiling widely at his men.

"Well, this is a surprise, isn't it gentlemen," he greeted, grinning at them.

"Sire!" Elyan breathed.

Gwen flapped her arms to quiet him. "Morgana is here," she whispered.

"What?!" the three cried in horror.

"Perhaps we should take this out into the hall?" Merlin suggested.

"Merlin!" Lancelot shouted, finally seeing his friend peeking out from around his sovereign's shoulder.

"Shhh! Outside!" Gwen ordered, flapping her arms again.

The knights stepped back so the three could exit, Merlin shutting the door quietly behind him. There was a round of firm embraces amidst laughter before everyone stepped back to admire the miracle of living again.

"It's so good to see you, Sire," said Percival with a grin.

Arthur smiled warmly. "And you. Merlin tells me he ran into the four of you the other night. Is that when you remembered?"

Leon was the one to answer. "It was. We woke the next morning from dreams of the past. As we were sharing them with each other, our memories returned."

"Though I have to admit, it was weird remembering that I died during the Hogwarts battle instead of in our own time like the rest of you," Elyan muttered.

Guinevere wrapped her arms around her brother. "That was one of the worst days of my life. I didn't get to say goodbye."

"And hopefully you won't have to this time," he muttered, smiling comfortingly.

She smiled warmly at him, trying to keep her tears at bay. Arthur looked at all the knights with fondness. It was so good to see them all together again.

"I suspect Gwaine's memories returned similarly to when the rest of yours did," Arthur speculated.

"Gwaine? Is he here?" asked Lancelot.

"Yes and he brought a date," Merlin smirked.

"Why do I get the feeling I already know who it is?" Leon murmured with a sense of foreboding.

"He's dating Morgana," Gwen revealed.

There were exclamations of surprise and shock.

"Does she remember?" asked Lancelot frantically.

"No," Arthur replied with a sigh, "which poses a problem since the rest of us do."

"Well, this is going to be a fun evening," muttered Elyan, troubled. "What if she remembers like we did? She'll surely try to murder us all in our sleep!"

"I'll stop her before that can happen," Merlin assured. "Besides, I don't believe Morgana has magic this time. The couple of times I've run into her, I haven't sensed it."

"But could it come back?" Leon pressed.

Merlin shrugged. "I don't know. We'll just have to wait and find out."

"Something none of us are fond of doing," Arthur sighed. "But, this is a party. We're gathered as friends to celebrate the holiday so we need to pretend that's the only thing we're doing. We can't let Morgana sense our anxiety or she'll grow suspicious. I'm not saying to become careless; be on guard but do so in a fashionable way."

The knights all nodded.

"And I think it best to drop any titles for now," Merlin advised. "I'd rather avoid having to explain that."

"Agreed," Arthur muttered.

"Well, now that's settled, shall we go back in?" asked Gwen.

"Lead the way, my lady," Arthur grinned, taking her hand.

"Arthur, what did I just say about titles?" Merlin griped.

"There is no shame in calling one's significant other by a term of endearment, Merlin. Perhaps you should try it."

Merlin could feel the knights' stares of curiosity but chose to ignore them. They'd find out soon enough anyway. Reentering the living room, all of them were therefore very much surprised to see Gwaine and Freya both hovering over Morgana who appeared to have passed out on the couch.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Arthur muttered after surveying the situation.

"You and me both," Merlin whispered. "What happened?" he asked in a louder voice.

"I don't know," said Freya, slightly worried. "One minute we were talking and the next she fainted clean away."

"I experienced something similar after getting home to my place the other night," Gwaine muttered. He then noticed the others. "I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that everyone remembers?"

Merlin caught Arthur's eye, seeing that he too was tempted to mess with Gwaine but the two silently agreed against the idea; although, if the situation wasn't so delicate, they probably would have.

"Sorry we hid it from you earlier, Gwaine," Arthur grinned. "Tell me, what on earth made you decide to date the woman who killed you?"

Gwaine was about to reply when Morgana's eyes flew open, her body jolting upright as she cried out with a gasp.

I know, I know, cliffhangers make you angry. Don't worry though. I won't leave you hanging on the edge for too long...

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