Summer came quickly. Too quickly for Arthur and Merlin. Last night they had made love slow and unhurried. Almost as if the longer they held on, the longer the night lasted, morning wouldn't come. But it had and Merlin stood hugging Gwen, Gawain, Kay, Leon and Percival. Tears were running down most of the girls faces and even some of the guys had to compose themselves. Lancelot and Gwen didn't let go of each other for the better part of an hour. Gawain and Freya now officially a couple for the past month kept on making out. Morgana was cursing Uther, she wouldn't be able to leave Camelot either except for royal occasions, ruining her plans to stay with Leon in Edinburgh where he's working in an internship at a law firm. Percival was grumbling about his five brothers and the work he'd have to over the summer on the farm. He wanted to stay in London but with mounting tensions in the Cold War his father told him he'd be disowned if he stayed.
Merlin was really going to miss them. Camelot University had the longest term in the world. It shortened the amount of years you had to take but most of the general population didn't come to Camelot not only because of the rigorous lessons but the fact that School let out in June and not April. That said, summer courses weren't offered. Those who weren't magical left, summer was two and a half months, those with magic stayed shackled to the castle. Merlin was already trying to keep from tearing up so as he ran back to his room, when he bumped into Arthur who was looking equally upset.
"Gwen, Leon and Gawain are already gone. Percival is heading out in a few minutes." He said informing Arthur who nodded stiffly. "Gawain is staying with us at the castle. His mother wants him to get used to his duties as eldest, his father is not getting any younger and he will be the next Duke of Caerleon. Kay's planning on giving him lessons on procedure that are sure to stir up the castle." Arthur was rambling, Merlin thought with a small smile. "Yeah he told me that part. Said summer is going to be hell." Both of them chuckled. "Come on Merlin he's spending the summer with me, he should be grateful." Merlin rolled his eyes and said, "Even more torture," and quickly kissed Arthur chastely.
Merlin smiled trying to hide the knot in his stomach when Arthur's eyes darted around the empty hallway. "I'll see you later then." Arthur nodded, "Right." Merlin passed him and was about to turn the corner when he heard, "Merlin!" Turning Arthur was right behind him and slowly leaned in and kissed him, deep, slow, perfect. Merlin's arms were around Arthur's waist and when they parted it was with reluctance. "So I'll see you right?" Merlin grinned, "Sure Arthur. Try not to get yourself into trouble this summer." Arthur rolled his eyes, "Same to you Merlin. You're the one who draws danger every time I turn my back." When they parted this time it was with both of them smiling.
Lancelot sighed again. Three weeks, only three weeks and Merlin was dying, he was pretty sure everyone was dying now. He loved the silence of the castle, with over half of the tenets gone, it was beautiful and he had more confidence in exploring the halls and even dungeons. They spent most days in the gardens, training with Nimueh and Merlin teaching Lancelot Morgana and Freya. They were getting very good and Merlin grinned as they performed magic on the flowers they had conjured. He understood what they meant now how teaching was so difficult, all three of them responded differently to Merlin's lessons.
It disheartened Merlin to see the lessons taught here, nothing about the balance, about consequences of magic though if truth be told no one in Camelot was powerful enough to have devastating consequences. Nimueh was the most powerful druid here besides Mordred. But seeing his friends gain confidence in themselves and actually feel the magic coursing through them was a proud thing to behold. Merlin had always had confidence in his magic, had always known what it was, where it was everything came down to his father teaching him, moulding him to be aware. His mother was the one who taught him empathy and compassion. Kilgharrah and Aithusa came around more often with most of the castle tenets gone, in the past three weeks they visited seven times. Even his father communicated more often with him with magic. But it was still short and a constant reminder of not being foolish.
Lancelot sighed again and Morgana snapped, "Will you stop! We all miss the group, I miss Leon but you don't see me pouting about. We must concentrate." Her last sentence was so commanding it made everyone look at her. She raised her chin defiantly but then said kindly, "Uther is trying to convince France to start executing those criminals that were convicted. If France does so by August, America is going to follow their lead with Germany and Spain not too far behind." Freya gasped looking shocked, "But that would cause full blown war." Morgana nodded, "And it does what Uther wants, France starts it and Uther is cleared of starting the war merely finishing the threat it proposes."
"The threat he caused." Merlin finished for her. Morgana nodded again. Everyone was quiet after that but within the next few hours everyone started using their magic at full force, now truly dedicated. Merlin couldn't stop his worry. War was coming he could feel it in the air. It was only a matter of time. Merlin had grown up with those words branded in his mind from his father but this was the first time it truly sunk in. He really looked at his friends, imagining them being hurt or worse and it made him sick. He thought of the man he killed with such guilt it threatened to consume. His mother had cried when he got to communicate with her. His father had been silent, his last words being, "I wish I could protect you from this my son. I love you no matter what happens, you remember that." He couldn't imagine losing any of his friends. He trusted them, it was such a new concept, to trust, to need. It made him both weak and strong, they trusted him with everything but at the same time they could be used against him and that was what Merlin feared the most. Having them take his place in a cage.
No matter how hard he tried for the next few days images of war came flooding back at him. He stretched out on the north tower's roof and tried to calm himself. When night finally fell he tried to gain some form of reason but then his magic following his emotion instead of his head made action for him. Merlin gasped finding himself in the one place he really wanted to be and the one he dreaded with everything inside him. His father was definitely going to kill him.
The room wasn't as grand as Merlin had always pictured though, it was as large, hardwood floors, french styled windows, a king size bed stood in front of Merlin. To the left he amused a door lead to the bathroom, cautious he walked around getting to know the area, he looked out a window and saw Arthur's room was the third floor on the east wing. Snapping to attention at how ridiculously stupid this was as he heard footsteps he hid behind the shower door.
He breathed a sigh as he heard Arthur's voice, harsh and snappish Merlin stayed hidden not knowing who Arthur was talking to. Stepping in the room Merlin heard a door shut and Arthur was saying, "I don't care Sophia, indigo is fine. Well then ask your mother...I'm not being difficult...I just don't..." Merlin could practically hear Arthur's frustration, he knew now Arthur was talking into a phone since he couldn't hear Sophia herself. A few mumbles later that Merlin couldn't hear properly and really didn't wish to he heard Arthur yell, "No! I don't care how about that. This is your day so why don't you plan it! Leave me alone about it!"
Merlin jumped as a door slammed and within a second the shower door was retched open and Arthur jumped looking shocked. "Shit!" Then in another moment Arthur was reaching for Merlin grinning. "Oh thank the gods your here. Take me away with you." Merlin grinned back before they were kissing and Merlin was running his hands over Arthur's bare chest. "I've missed you so much." Arthur said as they pulled away for breath. Merlin grinned again but it faded as Arthur's eyes went from lust filled to furious. "What the hell are you doing here? Gods Merlin what if I was a servant? Or gods forbid my father! Do you know who stupid it is for you to do this. I was right about you being an idiot!" Merlin rolled his eyes and said, "I didn't intentionally come here you fool. It's just my magic reacts."
"Great so tell your magic it's an idiot!" Merlin could only shut him up with another kiss, hungry, needful, and wonderful beautiful. Needless to say Merlin spent the night with Arthur who constantly shifted from overwhelming joy and tremendous worry. When Merlin woke up he smiled feeling the warmth of Arthur's body at his back. It was interesting how familiar it was, as if it was fate, as if this was the only possible outcome. He felt Arthur stir and Merlin turned over to face him. The sun was rising outside sending in streams of soft light onto Arthur's skin making him look made of light, as if his golden hair was a halo. It was awe inspiring at how beautiful Arthur truly was. Arthur opened his eyes slowly and Merlin could tell by his expression that he was wide awake but didn't wish to be.
Like clockwork Arthur's arm shot out to wrap around Merlin and he said thickly, "Let's go back to sleep." Merlin smiled and slowly raised his hand to brush against Arthur's check against soft clear skin and slight stubble. Arthur's lips twitched in a smile but still kept his eyes closed. Then Merlin grinned wickedly to himself and raised his body slowly so that he could lean over his prince and whispered in his ear, "I know something better we can do."
Arthur's eyes snapped open, alert and wide. "No! I am not going another round Merlin. I'm going to be limping as it is." Arthur's voice was serious but his eyes held interest and Merlin bit his lip trying to stop himself. They had gone at it a fantastic number of times and though the first time was slow and magical in a way that showed just how much they missed each other, the next couple of times had been hard and rough. Merlin had indeed lost his famous control many times before but this had been the first time that Arthur had responded in such a unashamed way in being just as rough and needy as Merlin. His back he knew was torn as well as a few scabbed over bite marks on his shoulders.
Merlin leaned down and kissed Arthur thoroughly and then groaned in defeat. Touching foreheads softly he said softly, "I better go before I do get caught." Arthur looked upset but nodded stiffly reason winning out. Before he left Merlin healed Arthur's pain and when he tried to heal the marks he made Arthur snapped his hand away. Looking away from Merlin's surprised expression he mumbles, "That's what sweaters are for idiot." Merlin grinned and then said, "Well I promise it'll rain so you can wear a turtleneck then." Merlin laughed as he saw Arthur's face go red and was still laughing as he disappeared.
It was only in the evening that his smile faded. There on the telly was a report that made every magical creature in the land tense. France would be holding an international meeting to decide together what to do with their captives. It said it was on September nineteenth and Merlin knew from his training these meeting took no longer than four months to conclude. By New Years Day they would either have peace or outright war.
Mordred was at his door in a matter of seconds and Merlin soundlessly let him in.