Title: The Merlin Circle, Chapter 14: Reminders of Friendship

Characters in this set: Merlin, Gwaine, Freya, Arthur,

Pairings: Freylin, Arwen, and Hints of Romione and Hinny so far.

Summary: Four Wizards time-travel back into the days of Camelot, where sorcery is still outlawed to help Merlin find his destiny. But an old enemy stalks among them… even in the past. Merlin/Freya, Gwen/Arthur, Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione. AU

Warnings: Spoilers up to S5 in Merlin and Book five in HP. Major AU now (Harry, Lancelot etc.). (Slight) OOC!Arthur (Or Caring!Arthur or Not-as-Obvious!Arthur) but he's getting more IC.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or Harry Potter. They belong to BBC and J.K. Rowling, however I do have roughly $15.00 on hand. All I own is the plot and any characters that aren't seen in any series.

Thanks go to Emrys is Merlin for betaing, as always.

Chapter Fourteen: Reminders of Friendship

Sir Gwaine watched as Trouble rested on Merlin's shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "The pesky little bird has taken a liking to you Merlin." Trouble fixed a beady eye on the knight as Merlin snorted. "Anyways," Gwaine continued on blissfully ignoring the hawk's glare, "how are we going to explain to Arthur that a giant, talking, bird of prey has taken a liking to you and won't leave?"

Merlin's face went blank, Gwaine started humming and Freya groaned. "I have no idea." The dragonlord simply said. Gwaine looked at the castle and smiled. He liked this time of day, when the sun was beginning to set, the shadows were long and the golden rays seemed be rest on the summertime leaves. He grinned when he saw Arthur leading a patrol of knights and nudged Freya.

"Here's your chance Merlin. Trouble, would you like to leave or stay?" Gwaine cheerfully asked. Merlin groaned loudly.

"Sir Gwaine," the hawk said clearly. "I thought that you already knew that I am bonded to Emrys."

Merlin let out a weary sigh and he rolled his eyes. "Fine, Trouble, you can stay but I have a few guidelines." His tone made it very clear that he expected the bird to listen and obey. Gwaine had to stifle a laugh. Arthur had rubbed off on the servant a little bit. "First, you must not call me Emrys. Second, try not to talk too much when we're in public."

Trouble ruffled his feathers importantly. "I agree with your first guideline, but not the second." Merlin raised an eyebrow so that he imitated Gaius. Gwaine shivered dramatically and Freya sighed.

"Merlin," she said soothingly. "Arthur's almost here."

Merlin groaned then glared at the bird. "I mean it Merlin. The people of Camelot must learn to not fear magic." Trouble almost growled (which should be impossible) the last three words out and Merlin blinked.

"Fine." Merlin huffed and Arthur came into hearing distance. Merlin looked up and smiled at Arthur but then remembered their falling out. He quickly averted his gaze and tried to ignore Arthur's piercing gaze.

"Gwaine, Freya, Merli- wait, is that a hawk?" Arthur began but then changed his direction as he noticed the bird. His voice was full of shock. Merlin looked up and grinned at his face. It was better than when he had the ears of a mule.

"King Arthur of Camelot," Trouble said fixing his eyes on Arthur whose mouth flew open. "It is a pleasure to meet you. There are many things written about you in legend, Once and Future King. Protector of his people, High King of Albion, uniter of Albion, Leader to his people, friend of many, and so many more."

Arthur gaped at the bird before looking at Merlin. "It... it talks!" He said in shock, Merlin glared at the bird. "It actually talks." He continued in awe.

Merlin smiled more warmly at Arthur. "Yes, there's a lot you need to know. And this bird is complete and utter rubbish."

Arthur slowly nodded. "You. Will. Explain." He said very clearly.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't have it any other way, sire."

Arthur paced around his chambers rubbing his hair and fighting the urge to repeatedly bang his head while sneaking peaks at Merlin, whose eyebrow was raised in a good imitation of Gaius.

Finally he let out a huff and turned to the manservant, unable to stop his curiosity. "How in the world did you get a talking bird? A merlin no less. Is this like some omen from the druids? That you're going to turn into a bird?"

Merlin chuckled slightly. "I honestly have no idea, sire. He started to follow me and wouldn't leave me alone." Arthur tilted his head at the manservant, and felt a bang of sadness in him.

"There you go again," he sighed. "You've changed, Merlin. You haven't called me Arthur in ages." Arthur turned around and so he missed Merlin's brief expression of shock then sadness. "Why have you changed?"

"I guess it's because I grew up." Arthur spun around and glared at Merlin.

"You're not allowed to grow up Merlin! You're supposed to be the younger brother that everyone teases constantly, while secretly being the wisest one of us!" Arthur half shouted. Merlin blinked then he slowly began to smile, not one of the half smiles that he used nowadays but the full on, bright, sunny Merlin smile. Arthur felt the corners of his mouth lift. "That's better." He said more warmly. "Now, how about you tell me what you did with the druids."

Merlin's eyes twinkled. "Well, I gave Gwaine and Freya mysterious cloaks." Arthur facepalmed but let Merlin go on. "Gaius and I talked, Morgana attacked a village, we got to the camp after about two days, met Trouble, who Thalia had called 'bloody bird', Freya scolded me, and we left the druid camp."

Arthur blinked. "You've been busy, and I assume that's the quick version."

Merlin shrugged one shoulder but his smile told it all. "Yep. Did you get to know Harry Potter better?"

Arthur leaned against the wall his arms crossed but relaxed. "Yes I did. He's a little strange for some reason though." Merlin tilted his head. "Not a bad strange!" Arthur said somewhat hastily. "It's more of a I've-seen-to-much strange. He reminds me a bit of you actually." Arthur said tilting his head a little at Merlin who copied his motion.

"Really?"

Arthur nodded looking at Merlin curiously. "Yes, really. I think he may have magic." Merlin blinked then tilted his head to the right.

"And you're okay with that?"

Arthur paused for a moment, considering his question. "Yes, I believe I am." He paused for a moment. "Do you think Gaius could know what's going on with him? I mean, I'm sure he still knows something about magic users."

Merlin blinked. "Arthur, are you asking me to ask Gaius to teach Harry magic?"

Arthur smiled more cheekily this time. "Whatever gave you that idea, Merlin. I mean, it is against the law to know magic."

Merlin blinked before he realized what Arthur said and he gaped at the king. "Oh. I guess Gaius needs help picking herbs. Yes, yes he does." He said in a completely shocked tone.

Arthur smiled, he had his friend back.

Merlin ran into Harry and he looked at the boy suspiciously. "You didn't enchant him, did you Harry?"

Harry blinked. "Enchant who?"

Merlin sighed and began walking, Harry following him determinedly."Arthur, of course. Or maybe you did but you didn't realize it..." He gazed at Harry suspiciously again.

Harry slowly nodded as they made their way to Gaius's chambers. "I don't think I enchanted him. Although I could have..."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "I didn't sense anything on him so I guess he's acting of his own free will..."

Harry's expression became steadily more confused. "Uh... why would he not act of his own free will?" He asked curiously as they rounded the last bend.

Merlin shot him a look. "He's decided to let Gaius teach you magic." He opened the door to Gaius's chambers. "Which translates to I get to teach you magic."

Harry slowly opened and closed his mouth. "Isn't that good?"

Merlin shrugged. "I have no idea, probably though. It means he's become more accepting to it."

Harry blinked again and Merlin smiled sympathetically. "Stay here." After making sure Harry stood where he was he ran upstairs to his room and grabbed his magic book.

He smiled at the book, his first and only book of magic before running down stairs with it.

And then he smiled again when he saw Harry's bemused expression.

The warlock put the book down on the table and opened it at the beginning. "Forebearnen." He intoned and a fire lighted up in his hand. "Your turn, Harry." Merlin said with a grin this time.

And so began the story of the Warlock and Wizard.

Author's Note: So, you got a chapter earlier then August, I'm four chapters ahead. Hopefully, we're both happy. And hopefully you like the interactions between Arthur and Merlin and Harry (because Harry's the best). No, this is not the end, it is only the beginning x). No seriously, the real whump and bamf parts are coming. And my muse is kicking my butt. Also, who's excited for characters from the legends to come in? :D I'll update in a week, and this time I can promise it because I have four chapters prewritten! :D