When the first day of school arrived Merlin was practically jumping up and down. He had visited Arthur only once more after his first visit and was seriously in need of the man's company even if it was just to yell at him for something. Morgana meet him on the front steps smiling so brightly it lit up the front lawn. "How slow could two months go, I was almost asking you to fast forward time Merlin." Lancelot came up from behind them and said causally, "I did ask him to." They watched as the students made a slow progress into the school most ignoring their group but some still stared.
Leon was the first to arrive and the rest got more anxious as they watched Morgana fling herself into his arms. Gwen was next and Lancelot picked her up and swung her around. Gawain arrived with a very relieved looking Arthur. Both Freya and Merlin jogged up to them. Arthur grinned looking at Merlin and they hugged though in a very brotherly sort of way. Merlin cheered himself up a,s in the hug, he sent images of what tonight held into Arthur's mind. For an instant Arthur tensed shocked then released Merlin and Merlin grinned seeing the intense look in Arthur's eyes. "Nice to see you again Prince." Merlin couldn't help but tease and clapped the blonde on the shoulder.
The group got together then and gave everyone else hugs. Ten minutes later Percival showed up looking a little shy but happy. Beside him was obviously a freshman, a girl by the looks of it only eighteen with long honey hair and the most beautiful sea green eyes that looked both happy and terribly nervous. "Hey guys." Percival looked to them back to the girl and coughed hesitatingly, "So this is Elaine she's from my hometown and we've known each other pretty much forever. I sorta convinced her to come here." His voiced trailed out sounding not at all like his usual confident self. Elaine smiled at him and it was then that Merlin decided he liked her, "No you didn't Percy, I've always wanted to attend Camelot. It has such a rich history and besides,' She looked to the rest of us and said quietly, "I'm a scryer." Gawain grinned catching on to one word that Merlin didn't, "Percy? Oh this is going to be fun." Percival groaned and Elaine smiled looking apologetic.
Merlin's brows had rose. Scryer's weren't magical at least less than mages and not important enough to end up in Uther's old book. The only thing they could do was see visions through their elements; fire, water, air (such as through incense), and crystals. Most of the time these visions weren't reliable and even less actually came true so again divination went to actual seers such as Morgana. Morgana smiled warmly though proud to know someone who was even a bit like her. "It's nice to meet you Elaine, We'll show you all around." Everyone nodded and smiled, Percival relaxed and put an arm over Elaine's shoulders. They waited five more minutes for Kay but gave up ready to move back in.
This time they were surprised and at their rooms, everyone turned to Merlin first but he shrugged then everyone turned to Arthur. Arthur clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes as they made their way towards their rooms on the east side of the castle. "What?" Arthur said as Merlin starred at him, "I might have told my father that I thought I needed to be surround by those I trusted and that it would benefit in the long run for emergencies." Merlin shook his head, "Well you could have to told me so that I wouldn't have had to pack everything up." Merlin knew that Uther didn't trust Arthur rooming with someone magical and had thought Uther would change their living situation. Arthur rolled his eyes, "Why would I do that Merlin, it would have taken the fun out of it."
Their corridor would now hold Arthur and Merlin in their old room Gawain and Leon were together still, but now Morgana and Gwen were together next door, Lancelot and Percival were across the hall and Kay was next to them. Freya was actually surprisingly assigned to Elaine and everyone agreed it was fate and not Merlin messing with both the computers and the paper. Though Arthur did give him a suspicious but mischief look.
It took only a few minutes to unpack Merlin doing most of the work but Freya and Morgana were getting more powerful and were able to use their magic as well to unpack. Within minutes Freya had posted a note to Kay's door telling him they'd be in the library when he arrived and that they were glad he was back. Making their way down the halls Merlin asked, "We didn't Kay arrive with you and Gawain?" Gawain rolled his eyes answering for Arthur, "He took off three weeks ago to the Isle of Wright to get away from my parents. Gods they drive anyone insane. And truthfully I think he just wanted to see if he could skip off to the continent before anyone would notice."
"Did he?" Arthur asked genuinely interested. Gawain shrugged, "Don't know, he hasn't called." Merlin's senses went on alert from that but as they entered the library he felt no stirring from his magic. Kay was physically fine. Sitting down in lounge couches they finally got to talk, Lancelot and Morgana explained all about Merlin's lessons over the past couple of weeks, the others spoke about their summer most of which came a lot of complaining. And everyone got to know Elaine better. She and Percival obviously very much cared for each other, Merlin couldn't figure out whether it was romantic at all since Elaine seemed so tiny and frail and in need of Percival's protective instincts that showed so marvellously or if Percival was being protective because he actually fell for her. Either way Merlin was rooting for them, Percival hadn't seriously dated anyone (if at all) since Merlin had known him and Arthur had known him longer and said it was normal.
After a half hour Kay walked in looking like he just got up from a seriously bad hangover. He stopped in front of the group and burst out talking. "So I went to Ryde and there I was minding my own business getting smashed and having a lark when I was truly and over the moon smashed mind you, I met this person and we talked for like hours. But by this time I am without a doubt out of my mind. The next morning I woke up beside them and was completely horrified and obviously wanting nothing more to do with them and basically ran across the island. Only then of course before I could actually leave what happens but they gets attacked like three days afterwards when I'm trying to ignore them. So there I was hurting this person's feeling harshly, so harsh they were crying, actual tears were flowing, and there this person is getting beaten up and I have to play this big stupid hero and save the bloody guy just making them fall more in love with me and now I don't know what to do."
He flopped down on the couch and put his head in his hands, "He will not for the life of me leave me alone." Kay sounded more and more desperate throughout that conversation and when he finally stopped Merlin broke out laughing. Kay snapped up starring at Merlin in horror as Merlin had to clench his stomach because he was laughing so hard. In between breathes he said, "You slept...with a...dude." And he broke out laughing again. Everyone chuckled including Arthur who was the only one who held a straight face. Kay's eyes narrowed at everyone but finally when they got their composure together, Kay spit out, "And he's my roommate this year." Which only made Merlin laugh again.
Merlin finally sobered when his magic flared and in walked a beautiful blonde boy. He wasn't as beautiful as Arthur though truthfully Merlin was biased but he was delicate and lean though didn't have much muscle. Merlin sat up straighter not believing his eyes as the boy approached. Closer Merlin could sense a feminine air about him, pretty, that's what thought thought when he looked at the boy. His hair was so blonde it was almost white and was slightly wavy giving it an impression of never being untidy or too neat, his eyes were a soft honey colour and he walked as if on air. Only a grace of magic could have made.
Merlin felt both Kay and Arthur tense as the boy reached their group. The boy's eyes light up making his whole face look divine almost-angel like. Kay glared at the boy standing up and rudely asked, "What do you want?" Merlin could physically see the boy shrink back and his eyes glance around unsure, "Um, I just wanted to say hi and I thought maybe we could have a coffee and talk before classes start tomorrow?" Merlin stood swiftly as he saw Kay's jaw clench.
"Hey, I'm Merlin who are you?" Merlin asked as warmly as possible. It might have come out too silky though from the stare he could feel from Arthur behind him. The boy brightened immediately and smiled widely as he extended a hand to reach Merlin's "I'm Galahad White, a friend of Kay's." When their hands touched Merlin couldn't resist sending out his magic to see if it was true and Galahad's eyes widened as he felt Merlin's magic. Both starred at each other seeing exactly what the other was.
Then they were slapped out of it at the same time. Literally. Arthur hit the back of Merlin's head; hard. While Kay smacked away his hand. Both at the same time looked pissed and said, "Honestly Merlin!" Arthur continued and added, "Can't you keep it in your pants for a freaking day?" Merlin blinked and said, "I have for like a week, I can't help it if he's pretty and I'm gorgeous." That earn him another smack. "Ow! That hurts you know." "Damn straight it should, seriously picking boys up from the cradle you should be ashamed of yourself." Merlin rolled his eyes as Kay blushed, Kay was twenty one turning twenty two this month and was two years older than Merlin. "He's only a year below me Arthur."
Arthur huffed and dropped to the couch glaring at both Merlin and Galahad. Galahad blushed beat red but his eyes were lit up looking at Kay who had unintentionally drawn him to his side holding the younger boy there. Merlin finally shook his head telling everyone the truth, "I wasn't checking him out or anything." No response except Morgana's smile, Merlin huffed now sitting down, "No seriously my magic picked up on Galahad's magic." Everyone now looked at the young boy who in turn nodded.
Kay relaxed and Galahad immediately looked disappointed as he shifted away. Arthur looked at Merlin and asked, "So, your magic is responding to his?" Arthur did not look pleased at all, Merlin nodded not noticing too excited. His eyes didn't stray from Galahad. "Your a fey." Merlin's voice was breathless and Galahad shifted looking both proud and nervous. "Yeah, but only half, it's on my mom's side. Apparently I'm stronger than most of my kin."
Kay frowned looking at Galahad, "You have magic?" Then Kay's eyes widened, "You spelled me?" He hissed and Galahad looked like he was going to cry as he hurriedly shook his head. "No! Of course not. That's horrible." Merlin nodded completely agreeing, "Kay, Galahad isn't capable of doing that. His magic is all about truth and nature, light, it's more about purity of magic, his type of magic wouldn't let him do anything like that. Galahad could spot a lie a mile away but mostly he works with the ancient forests and sea's. His race is extremely rare these days. I think there is only about five hundred fey in the world. They've declined with the industrial age, even those who are alive, I've never thought they'd be as powerful as you." Merlin tilted his head as Galahad nodded and asked, "Would you like to show me some of your magic later on?" Galahad glanced at Kay who was still stiff and then nodded. Merlin grinned, "So Galahad welcome to the group."
Kay nodded and Galahad wrapped his body around Kay's arm and grinned again brightening up the room. A fey, a powerful fey was an amazing ally to have. Fey's were emotional creatures, but they were loyal immediately if they trusted you, that loyalty would stay until they died, it wasn't breakable unless betrayed. Merlin felt jealous that Kay had gotten that loyalty and wasn't basking in it. Though he probably didn't know anything, Merlin would have to inform him. After all, fey's were great allies but as enemies they were known for taring the very fabric of the veil's between worlds in their fury. Again emotional creatures. And Gawain knew of Avalon, had been there, they needed him on their side.
Galahad curled up next to Kay and for an instant Merlin saw a flash of pleasure on Kay's face so maybe they'd be okay.
The semester started quickly. Known now across the town, their group made people whisper, stare and try not to show just how much they were furious. After all no one wanted to get Arthur upset, he was known to make more than a few cry, and others completely humiliated if not fired at whatever job they had. Merlin and Arthur's relationship heated up, Arthur spending more and more time with him. Sophia was furious.
In the middle of September it became clear why Arthur was always grumpy. Sophia was in their dorm when Merlin returned and he heard her yell at Arthur. "Sophia, I don't need to be with you all the time. I don't give a damn about any parties right now." Sophia threw up her hands not noticing Merlin's presence. "Arthur you are going to it and that's final! We are getting married in May!" "Fine!" Arthur then noticed Merlin and sat down on his bed, "Just leave me alone right now." Sophia glanced over at him now then glared, "So what you'd rather hang out with the freaks then with your friends? God you really fell this year Arthur, just think what your mother would say to you." As Arthur's head snapped up at that Sophia tossed her head and walked out knocking into Merlin in the process.
Merlin shook his head feeling numb as he dropped his bag and sat on the couch without a word. Arthur sighed, "Don't do that Merlin." Merlin didn't respond, the prince sighed again and walked over to sit beside him. "I was going to tell you, I just didn't know how." Merlin snorted, "'Hey Merlin, by the way I'm getting married in less than a year but I love the way you go down me so don't stop,' anything like that would have appropriate." Arthur glared at him, "I don't want to marry her. My father set it up with her family. She's a duchess and has old family money almost as wealthy as I am." Arthur shook his head, "I knew it was coming last semester, it just sort of steam rolled and then it just happened. I didn't even propose myself. It's a joke."
Merlin dropped his head back against the couch and sighed then said, "No one's laughing." Arthur slowly leaned down so that his head rested in Merlin's lap. It took a long time before Merlin's body betrayed him and his hand wandered up to run his fingers through the blonde's soft hair.
The party it turns out wasn't an engagement party as the weeks skipped by Merlin found out in October when it was happening. Two weeks before Hallows eve Arthur was invited to the part of the year. Merlin had proposed a magical party earlier at twilight. Elaine and Galahad who had merged into the group as if they had always been there nodded eagerly. Freya, Morgana and Lancelot smiled. Magic was coursing through them now constantly. Merlin could feel it open and free. Lancelot could now heal cuts and burns without feeling tired or experiencing any pain. It was wonderful.
At the lunch table that day Arthur sat down heavily. It was the first time in a week since he sat with them. He looked tired and Merlin knew his insomnia was back in full force. Not even Merlin could help unless with magic. Arthur eyed them all intensely then said firmly, "You're all coming with me to Marcus's." Everyone looked at him. Arthur's voice held no give to argue, it was commanding. Merlin frowned, "Why?" Arthur rolled his eyes now looking playful and not angry, "Because Mer-lin, if I have to suffer through it so do you." Everyone sniggered and in the end agreed.
The circle at Twilight went well. The group gathered around the lake as usual now. Even the professors knew to find them sitting or laying around the lake. The weather was a bit chilly now, very rainy but tonight it was clear, perfect, without any wind. Elaine's magic had shown Merlin that not all scryer's were wrong. She was more than accurate and Merlin now trusted her completely with her predictions. Unlike Morgana she could control when she got them, though was now learning from the princess to control what was important when she scryed.
The group raised magic right as the sun was setting and it was beautiful, Merlin could feel each of their energies perfectly, they were growing so fast. Galahad had taken to training immediately wanting to know everything and set out to master it almost just as fast. This dedication had lead Kay to respecting him more and Kay was warming up to the younger boy. Though he still complained to them how the blonde would sneak into his bed at night, now though it didn't lead into a rant, and it wasn't said with much heat behind it for the past week or so. Though the whole not gay speech came out every other day. Arthur immediately went silent whenever it came up. They didn't talk about their relationship since it came out that Arthur was engaged, nothing differed. They still spent their nights together, having sex, teasing, or just sleeping, with Arthur molded into his side.
Now they all made their way to the party where they definitely were not invited. They all showed up to a mansion just outside the school gates. Arthur explained as they walked, "Marcus is the son of Lord Fredric. But his uncle is the Professor of Law." Lancelot, Kay and Percival all nodded as the rest just gave blank stares. "Since his uncle is a...human professor he doesn't have to stay om campus, instead they get houses provided for them. It also frees up room since they don't have huge office spaces in the castle."
House really wasn't the word for Marcus's uncle's place. It was a bloody mansion, with its own gardens, surrounded by iron gates and had at least five floors. It was fabulously British re-done in an Victorian style, though they could see parts of the mansion that looked much older. Both Merlin and Galahad looked to each other, they were the only ones to feel the ancient power in the gardens. This was sacred ground. It made Merlin furious that not only was a private house built here but that idiot humans were defiling the land.
He felt Galahad wince when they got within ear shot of the blasting music and screams and laughter from the students. "Maybe we should just hangout by the lake." Kay looked down at Galahad and frowned, "Do you wanna leave?" Tonight he was being extremely attentive to him. Galahad leaned against him and looked to Merlin. Merlin stood straight against Arthur's glare. It clearly stated, 'no way in hell are you leaving' so Merlin said, "We just leave early." Arthur nodded only seen by Merlin and he smiled softly.
The party was loud and after a stunned silence as a student opened the door for them, staring at the guests Arthur brought did people just chose to ignore them. Since Gawain and Kay were royalty they had a lot of admirers, though people weren't comfortable with Freya or Galahad (never mind a gay relationship, the girls were quite upset) they were more open than with the rest of the group. Merlin himself sitting alone on a couch was left completely alone. Arthur had been dragged out of the room but a tipsy Sophia, Lancelot and Gwen were dancing along with Morgana and Leon. Morgana wasn't getting shunned though people were afraid of her. She was just to beautiful he supposed seeing all the stares she was getting, and how Leon was being very possessive not that Morgana minded at the moment.
It was just after midnight that something interesting happened. Merlin was getting more drunk and even more depressed even though his group said hi to him and made a little conversation, they had each other, no one else approached him, once around eleven a drunk girl flopped down beside him with a sigh. Then she turned her head towards him to say something, her eyes went wide, the only thing she said before she hurriedly left was, "Oh."
Merlin was just going to get up and leave when everyone stopped hearing Sophia's screeches. "You don't mean that Arthur! I can't believe your acting this way!" "Acting this way?" Merlin froze, this was the first time he had heard Arthur really yell, as in actual screaming. It was frightening, made even more so since he was feeling the crowds fear. "This is who I am and if you spent anytime getting to know me instead of dreaming up this fucking fairy tale you would have known that!" Arthur walked into the room looking so much like Uther that the crowd parted away from him gratefully. "Arthur, get back here we're not finished! If anyone is guilty about not spending enough time together it's you! You avoid me at any chance you can get!" Sophia looked like an angry banshee and since Merlin had met one before he quickly sat down to get out of eye shot.
Arthur turned to her, ignoring the whole crowd and spoke his voice now completely under control, "No Sophia. We are finished. I don't want to date you never mind marry you. It's over." Sophia looked like she'd been slapped and laughed before she said, "Right Arthur whatever you say." Arthur just turned his back and she went from shocked to fury. Arthur was scanning the crowd as Sophia screeched, "At least I'll be able to be with someone who can actually have sex." Arthur had laid eyes on Merlin a second before but they snapped back to her as she continued, "When was the last time you got it up?" Merlin looked down trying not to smile as he thought, two nights ago, to himself. But the crowd was utterly silent, a person could have heard a pin drop and Arthur's reply was as silent as it was scathing. "And who's fault is that?"
Merlin's eyes widened as Arthur then turned from Sophia who had blanched from the insult, the prince made his way calmly to Merlin and said, "Let's get out of here already. I'm tired of pretending these backstabbers are anything worth of honour." The crowd recoilded from this insult, looking a mixture of anger, shock and wretched.
Gawain then made a decision that this was a perfect opportunity to say, "You know a year ago I never would have guessed this day would come." He was tipsy and grinned wildly as he put an arm over Arthur's shoulders and continued, "But Arthur you are showing real promise getting ride of these pansies." Merlin couldn't help but burst out laughing and their group was still shaking their heads as they walked out.
That night Merlin grinned just as wildly as Gawain had, though for an entirely different reason. "Merlin..." Arthur breathed out his name as if it were divine, needing to be cherished, as if he looked away for a moment Merlin would disappear. Merlin moaned as Arthur leaned down to capture his lips. When he lifted his head Merlin couldn't say what emotion was in Arthur's eyes. But the look was intense and Merlin couldn't help but through back his head as Arthur started to rock on top him. Arthur was actually ridding him slow and intense for the first time and it was testing Merlin's stamina seeing the blonde like this.
Arthur's hands roamed over his chest more confident than ever and Arthur threw back his head in pleasure. No one more words were needed, not right then anyway, but when Arthur finally collapsed next to Merlin, they both drifted off to sleep. Merlin knew Arthur would sleep peacefully from now on.