Remember Me
Chapter Xll
"I think I need another drink," Gwaine groaned, reaching for the bottle of beer sitting next to him once Arthur finished the long story. Arthur yanked it from him, popping the cap from the top and taking a sip. He had figured it out eventually. Well, with a little help from Gwaine, but just a little! Arthur stiffened slightly, stomach spinning slightly. It was probably just the beer. They don't make it like they used to anymore. Gwaine glared at Arthur, watching his body stiffen, but then replaced the glare with a drunken smile. "So any luck with bringing back Gwen's memories then?" Arthur paused, glancing at where Gwen was now comforting the pub owner Mary as the police spoke with her about the ruckus. She looked up at him, smiling with those beautiful eyes of hers, but not with the affection they had held a thousand years ago. Disappointment drained through him and Arthur shook his head.
"No, she still doesn't remember me," Arthur sulked. Gwaine slapped his hand playfully against the king's shoulder.
"Come on now! Heck, I see girls all the time that claim the same thing," he joked. Arthur sent a glare his way and Gwaine held his hands up in defense, chuckling to himself. Arthur couldn't keep himself angry. It had been way too long since the last time he heard that laugh. He watched Gwaine swallow down half of his bear and noticed the serious look that made its way slowly onto his face. "Maybe we should continue looking forward to the others," Gwaine suggested. Arthur nodded, flinching suddenly as a burning sensation swept over him. It was dull, but it hurt like hell. Maybe it was Merlin's fever spiking? He would have to contact Gaius later.
"Yes, I believe that's all we can really do at the moment," Arthur sighed, forcing back the weird feeling. "The question is where-"
"Percy…I mean Percival is out camping this week." Arthur's head shot up to that.
"You know where Percival is?!" Arthur practically shouted. Gwaine nodded, looking very proud and pulled out his…what were they called? Mobiles? Cellphones? Its screen was shattered and the buttons were bent inward. The cause must have been the fight from earlier.
"Yeah, we've been buddies since high school. Talk about fate, right?" he added, looking rather happy when the memories danced through his drunken memory as he tried to get his blasted phone to work. Arthur smiled, but felt slightly jealous. Here he was sharing old sad memories with Merlin and Gwaine's were all happy and care free. Arthur knew it wasn't fare to hate the knight for his happiness, but he just wished that they all had memories like that. Arthur downed the rest of his drink, getting up from his chair and Gwaine followed, stumbling slightly. Arthur caught him, chuckling slightly. Gwain smirked drunkly at him, fiddling with his busted up phone in attempt to make its shattered parts work. "We also ran into Merlin in some pub in Germany when we were on a ski trip with some mates." Arthur listened silently to his old friend, remembering the photos he had seen in Merlin's room. "I don't know why we walked over and started talking to him. It was just like something was pulling us towards him."
"Destiny," a voice whispered in Arthur's mind. Whether it was Merlin or Arthur that thought it the king did not know.
"Stupid phone!" Gwaine shouted, glaring at the shattered screen. "Too bad Merlin is hospitalized. I wonder if he could have fixed this?"
"You are taking his having magic very well by the way," Arthur stated. Gwaine turned his head slightly to the side and stared of into the distance.
"Well, I guess I always sort of known. Plus, it's not like Merlin ever used his powers against Camelot right?" Arthur nodded, turning his gaze away. Guilt squeezed his insides again. Looks like everyone was taking the news of Merlin's secret better than him. Shows how great a friend he was.
"Gwaine, do you have a phone?" Gwen asked, as she walked over to the two of them, frowning at what Merlin had explained to Arthur as a mobile. A long crack was smashed against the screen and it looked like someone had crushed it with their boot.
"Yikes, what happened?" asked Gwaine. Gwen shook her head, fiddling with the phone.
"It got broke in the fight. You don't happen to have one do you?" Gwaine shook his head and Gwen looked to Arthur who also shook his head. Gwen let out a moan, pressing a hand to her head. "Someone's been calling me like mad, but I can't check," she moaned. Gwaine patted her gently on the shoulder.
"No worries, Gwen. My pal Percy is having a campout out in the country with some friends. His buddy Raya can fix it. She's a wizard when it comes to technology." A smile spread across Gwen's lips then and Arthur glanced to the doorway. The sick feeling in his stomach continued squeeze at him, but the king didn't complain over the pain. This was his motivation. He was doing this for his friends and Merlin. Taking in a shaky breath and stepping towards the door, the three went on to find the next knight on their list. It was about time they get going and finish this never ending destiny.