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 (seriously though, she's amazing. Go check out her stories)

Chapter Fourteen: And When the Time Comes...

It had been two months since the expedition to the druid camp. Freya had settled into Camelot, along with Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione and she had taken to helping Gaius with his herbs. Harry and Merlin had taken to each other so that now they were good friends, Harry learning magic along with Ron (who had walked in on them one day and asked Merlin to teach him) and a little swordplay with Arthur, the king saying that 'he is surprisingly good at it, just a little rough'. Hermione had taken to Geoffrey, the librarian while Ginny had started learning how to use a knife much to Ron's displeasure, Arthur's dismay and Merlin's delight.

They had also found out that Hermione and Ginny had magic, but it was not yet strong enough that they needed to work with spells. Although Merlin had found out they were elementalists one day by accident. Hermione was an earthen one while Ginny was a fire elementalist. Harry was surprisingly a bit of all four, although he had more tough time with Water and Earth, as was Freya but vice versa. Ron also was able to command an element, everyone thought it would be fire like Ginny's but they had quickly eliminated that one once Gaius's potions had set on fire. Ron was actually water.

Once when Harry had asked Merlin what kind of elementalist magic he was, Merlin refused to answer, blushing madly and he ran off to Arthur's chambers, and refused to be seen for two days after that.

Anyways, it was a normal day in Camelot. Or about as normal as it got.

"MERLIN!" The king's angry voice sounded through the halls of the castle. None of the servants jumped, they simply rolled their eyes and continued on with their normal business.

Said manservant skidded to a stop at the door and barged in without knocking and the king raised an eyebrow. "So-rry... Slept... in..."

The king remained unimpressed. "Again, Merlin? And I bet you just didn't want to get out of bed. Why don't you just marry her already? You already act like you are."

Merlin blushed cherry red. "Arthur." He complained.

Arthur smirked and crossed his arms. "Merlin." He shot back in the same tone. Merlin pouted and Arthur stuck his tongue out at him. Arthur chuckled before he became serious. "There's a delegation coming from Daobeth."

Merlin stared at Arthur in confusion. "I thought Daobeth fell to dragons." He said tilting his head.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, thought. Apparently it hasn't." He looked annoyed.

Merlin tilted his head to one side. "We walked through the ruins of it when the Dorocha attacked." He pointed out mildly. "How can there be a delegation from a place that does not exist?" His tone became suspicious and Arthur sighed.

"That's what I thought as well." Merlin poured a cup of wine and gave it to Arthur who took it gratefully. "But then King Odin sent word that it did not fall and that the ruins were only a disguise. His son is here, well almost here. His name is Baldulf." Merlin choked at the name Odin.

"Anything you need me to do?" Merlin asked tilting his head clearly itching to go. Arthur frowned at the manservant but shook his head.

"I always have something for you to do Merlin." He said rolling his eyes. "But be back before midday. The delegation is here at one and I need you to be with me."

Merlin flashed him a relived smile and ran out the room. Arthur shook his head. "Hopefully you'll figure this out Merlin."

Merlin skidded to a halt at the knights quarters but instead of knocking like he usually does he just barged in. Sir Caradoc and Sir Tor looked up and at the manservant in surprise. "Where's... Sir... Lancelot?" Merlin panted leaning onto the door. The two knights glanced at each other.

"I think he's training the squires Merlin." Caradoc said in his deep voice. "Why do you- Wait, Merlin. Merlin!" The manservant was already gone and Sir Tor sighed.

"I'll never understand him. I'll leave that to Sirs Lancelot, Gwaine and Leon."

Caradoc let out a chuckle and patted him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit Tor."

Lancelot was indeed training the squires. And that meant that Merlin was allowed to give many mental groans but he settled down to watch the knight as he went through a series of complicated moves. A twirl, step, and thrust in only three seconds. The squires stared at Lancelot in awe before clapping. Lancelot smiled modestly and walked off the field toward Merlin.

He leaned casually against the fence. "Anything up with Arthur and evil sorcerers?" The knight asked conversationally.

Merlin leaned his back against it and put a foot on it. "Oh no, nothing like that. Hey Lance, didn't you say that your father's name was Odin?"

Lancelot blinked. "Yes, my father's name is Odin, why Merlin?"

Merlin turned around and leaned back against the fence this time his arms were dangling over it a little. "Oh no reason. There's just a King Odin who is from Daobeth coming here today."

Lancelot stiffened next to him. "Let me guess," He sighed, "Along with his son, Baldulf?"

Merlin shrugged. "You guessed it. What I'm trying to figure out is how there is a Daobeth. We saw the ruins, well... some more than others." Merlin looked into the distance.

Lancelot sighed. "I lived in Daobeth. Odin is indeed my father and Baldulf is my brother." The anger in his voice surprised Merlin.

"What's wrong with this... Baldulf?" Merlin asked cautiously.

Lancelot tensed next to Merlin. "What's wrong my brother? He has a really sick way about how to rule. And what honor is about. He isn't coming... is he?"

Merlin bit his lip. "Uh..."

Lancelot growled and grabbed Merlin's arm. The manservant was so shocked by the knight's odd behavior that he made no protest and jogged after him.

"Arthur!" Lancelot's voice sounded through the halls and several servants jumped and stared at the knight that dragged the king's manservant behind him. Sir Gwaine and Leon were among that crowd of servants and decided to follow him as he banged the king's chamber's door open.

All four men gaped as they noticed the king and queen who were formally locked in a very passionate embrace jumped apart. "Lancelot!" Queen Guinevere exclaimed.

"Gwaine!" King Arthur yelped (a very manly yelp).

"Leon?" Gwen.

"Merlin." Arthur and Gwen both groaned at the same time then blushed.

Lancelot cleared his throat awkwardly, Gwaine grinned cheekily, and Leon looked at his toes while Merlin just facepalmed.

"One word Gwaine..." Arthur said threateningly as he pulled on a shirt.

Gwaine pouted. "Why not Merlin?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Because I trust him. It's you I don't..."

"And why didn't you knock?" Guinevere asked patting her hair down. Three fingers pointed at Lancelot who blushed.

"I panicked."

Arthur looked at the knight strangely. "You Lancelot?" He asked dubiously. "I really do not believe you... no offence." Lancelot waved his hand in a 'doesn't matter' motion. "Anyways, I need you four, along with Percival and Elyan down in twenty minutes. The Daobeth delegation is coming."

Gwaine made a sound that sounded like he was being strangled. The two royals, knights and manservant looked at him strangely. He made the same motion as Lancelot and the two royals focused back on him. "I was raised in Daobeth." Lancelot said sheepishly.

Arthur raised his eyebrows. "But Daobeth was razed twenty-five years ago. Well... I can understand if you were raised there until you were like... five but-"

"No," Lancelot interrupted him. "I mean I lived there for half of my life until my brother and I had a falling out."

Arthur blinked. "You had a brother?" He asked incredulous.

Lancelot shrugged. "I don't like to acknowledge it. Badulf is a complete utter non-righteous evil slimy evil git." He said it mostly calm but with a hint of anger.

Arthur, Gwaine, Leon and Gwen blinked. Merlin raised an eyebrow. "My sister is worst." Gwaine said calmly. Merlin turned to look at the rogue.

"I thought you were concerned about her." He said in confusion.

Gwaine rolled his eyes. "I'm worried about Grace, she's my younger sister. No, Anna's an evil old hag."

Lancelot blinked, "You haven't met my brother, and he'll put Anna to shame."

Gwaine shrugged. "Have you seen Gareth by any chance? After he got into an argument with father he ran off, although he told me he was going to Daobeth."

Lancelot looked at Gwaine in amazement. "Gar's your brother? No wonder you remind me so much of him, only you drink a lot more than him."

Arthur cleared his throat and the two knights jumped then blushed as they noticed the stares they were getting. "Right." Arthur said eyeing the two knights suspiciously. "Lancelot will you tell me what is going on? Otherwise I'll get Ginny on your case."

Lancelot blinked then blushed. "Oh. Right. Remember when I said I was a peasant? I'm not. My father is King Odin and Baldulf is a complete ass. Well, that and he mistreats peasants. He also doesn't even understand the meaning of nobility!" Lancelot glared at the ground and Arthur blinked.

A series of knocking suddenly went on and Merlin crossed the room and yanked the door open. "Sire! The Daobeth delegation is arriving in ten minutes." A messenger said breathing heavily. Then he gave a hasty bow and retreated.

Arthur blinked then looked at Lancelot. "You don't mind grabbing Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Freya? I think they're down at the library."

The knight shrugged but with a wry smile. "Sure. Just... be careful Merlin."

Merlin smiled at him and Arthur rolled his eyes. "Come on idiot." He grabbed the manservant by his ear and dragged him down the halls, the queen and two knights chortling behind them in merriment.

Once the knights, Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, Freya, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny along with a verity of servants were down at the doors of the castle they saw several horses and a carriage and the people of Daobeth appeared.

Arthur waited on the steps for the guests so that he could greet them and Baldulf did indeed come.

The man was about six feet tall. His sharp black eyes looking around him, landing on Guinevere then Arthur. There was a smile on his face, but it looked more forced then anything else and his curly black hair was shoulder-length, although it looked rather oily.

Baldulf walked up and bowed politely at the King, who nodded his head at him. "Hello, King Arthur." He said in a bright tone, almost too bright.

Arthur smiled back although it looked slightly forced to Merlin. Apparently, he had noticed it as well. "Hello, Prince Baldulf."

Baldulf smiled at him and spoke up. "My father was unable to come. Just before we left a warlord called for his aid on regaining his kingdom."

Arthur smiled at him but his eyes looked behind him and looked at the faces of the servants and... "I wish your father luck. This is my wife, Queen Guinevere. My brothers in arms, Sir Gwaine, Sir Elyan, Sir Leon, Sir Percival, Lord Ronald, Lord Harry and Sir Lancelot." Baldulf's eyes widened and his sharp gaze rested on Lancelot who returned it steadily. Harry and Ron blinked in surprise and Harry looked at Arthur strangely. "My sisters, Ladies Hermione, Ginevra and Freya." All three girls blinked but stared determinedly ahead of them. "And my... brother, Merlin." Merlin blinked in surprise and he felt Mary push him up.

"Get over by the knights Merlin," the kindly cook hissed into his ear. Merlin looked at her in surprise and confusion and Mary rolled her eyes. "You've heard the rumors and I'm sure the king has as well about Baldulf."

Merlin looked at her in confusion but stumbled over to the knights.

"Lancelot?" Baldulf asked hesitantly. Lancelot stepped up his head tilted to one side and gazing at the prince analyzing him.

"Hello Baldulf. I haven't seen you in a while." Lancelot replied evenly.

Baldulf tilted his head and shifted. "You've grown. And you're a knight of Camelot."

Lancelot raised an eyebrow. "And I said I would be." He said almost cheerfully but there was an edge of suspicion in his tone.

Baldulf seemed to be repressing the urge to roll his eyes. "You were supposed to be a knight of Daobeth."

Lancelot's eyebrow went higher as the crowd of peasants seemed to have grown more curious as they started gathering between the knight and royal. "You remember why I didn't." The knight shot back.

Baldulf actually rolled his eyes. "Why is it we can't avoid two minutes of non argument?"

Lancelot let out a wry smile. "If I knew that Baldulf, then we wouldn't argue so much, would we? Plus father wouldn't have 'mares of us."

Baldulf chuckled. "Good to see you too brother."

Notes: Daobeth is a real kingdom mentioned in a deleted scene by Arthur. Daobeth was the most powerful of the five kingdoms, until it was brought down by dragons. Baldulf is a saxon leader that probably has no reference to Odin at all but I found. Sir Caradoc and Tor are also knights, but not of the round table. The links I used are the Merlin wikia and Timeless Myths and Wiki. I'm just twisting the legends... again

Author's Note: Oh the next chapter... x) He he he he he. This is slightly choppy (just noticed that when I reading through it quickly to make sure I actually edited it). I like the beginning though...and I'm way to proud of the next chapter for my own good... but I think I finally did this story justice. Whump is hard though... I just realized that. But BAMF? x) Now that's fun. *Grinning evilly literately* And it's finally on time! One week exactly! Yes! (Actually I already have up to 20 pre-written and working on 21 so that's not much of an accomplishment I suppose...)

Also please could you vote for the name of the sequel? It's on my profile and I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!