Days turned into weeks, which quickly became months. Merlin and Freya kept working on their magic, while looking into Nimueh. They ended up moving out of Gaius's apartment into one a floor above. Merlin quickly began drowning in his school work as well. He hated to admit that his only saving grace was Arthur. Due to the fact that Morgana was wrapped up tight in her relationship, Arthur had taken to spending time with Merlin at the coffee shop. On Tuesdays when the shop was exceptionally slow, Arthur would come in for most of the day and help Merlin with his studies. The kiss at the Rising Sun was all but forgotten though, every so often, they would catch each other's eyes and quickly look away blushing.
Morgana gushed about Mordred every class Merlin had with her, until the day she stopped sitting with him in History. When she didn't appear at his side when class started, he swung his head around searching for her, only to see her in the very back of the class. She was pressed up against a tall slender blonde. Merlin didn't try to hide the hurt look on his face when she caught his eye, but she turned away quickly. After class she was gone before he could talk with her. Knowing he had to talk with Arthur, he made a beeline for the café. As he suspected, Arthur was reading a book with a cup of coffee.
"I swear you don't actually take classes here." Merlin started. Arthur just chuckled before putting his book down. "Morgana won't talk to me." Arthur looked up sharply.
"Why, what happened?" Merlin shrugged.
"I don't know. When class started I saw her sitting with a blonde girl in the back, but when I caught her eye she looked away, and wouldn't stay to talk with me." Arthur leaned back in his chair, a concerned look on his face.
"I don't like this crowd she's running with. Mordred isn't a good guy." Arthur huffed. Merlin scoffed.
"If only you knew," he muttered. A small espresso was slid onto the table. Merlin looked up to see Aithusa smiling sadly at him. She patted his shoulder and floated away.
"She gets weirder with every day," Arthur said. Aithusa sent him a withering glare.
"I was going to help you, but with that attitude Arthur Pratdragon, I guess you can figure it out yourself." Aithusa snapped.
"Why does everyone keep calling me Pratdragon?" Arthur huffed.
"Because you are, princess." Gwaine had just walked in with Freya on his arm. They pulled up chairs and joined Merlin and Arthur. Aithusa quickly brought them coffee.
"Freya, why aren't you in school?" Merlin probed.
"Well… I had a feeling I was needed…" She hedged.
"And?"
"And that Agravaine gives me the serious creeps. Almost as bad as our other least favorite person." She sniffed. Merlin raised his eyebrow but nodded.
"Agravaine?" Arthur asked shocked.
"You know him?" Merlin asked.
"My uncle."
"Well your uncle is creepy and up to something." Freya grumbled into her coffee.
"Okay back to Morgana. Aithusa, please tell us what you know." Merlin pleaded. Aithusa sighed.
"I hate that I physically can't say no to you. Tomorrow night, go to the pub on the other side of town. The one the Gyphons frequent. You'll find it." Aithusa winked and swished into the back room.
"She's really getting the mystic half-truth shit down." Freya muttered.
"Oh please, you have no room to talk. Every time you say something to me it's worse than Aithusa and Kilgharrah combined." Merlin accused. Arthur snorted and Gwaine nodded his agreement.
"Well you all know I'm always up for a pub crawl!" Gwaine crooned. "Remember when I got drunk the first time?" Freya snorted.
"You serenaded me thinking I was Merlin." She chuckled.
"How long did you guys hang out?" Arthur asked. He wasn't jealous of Gwaine anymore, knowing that he and Merlin were very much just friends.
"We were in Aberdeen for about a year and a half, and I met Gwaine at the pub one night. I introduced him to Merlin, and we became inseparable." Freya supplied.
"Where have you guys lived the longest?" Gwaine asked, taking a swig of his latte. Freya and Merlin shared a sad look, but didn't say anything.
"I think we're missing something." Arthur growled at Gwaine, who nodded. Merlin gave him a mild glare.
"We grew up in a teeny tiny village. Nothing special. I was about nine when we left. Freya, I believe, was seven." Arthur surveyed him.
"Why did you leave?" He asked. Merlin glared at him again. Freya and Gwaine shared a look. The look that said they had been forgotten about again.
"Don't be a clotpole. We moved. People do that." Merlin rolled his eyes and looked at Gwaine. "Speaking of, how is your sister?" Gwaine huffed a laugh.
"She's the same evil old toad. Married now I think to some poor sap." Freya laughed. "But, not that this hasn't been fun," he winked at Freya again, "But I actually have to go to class." He ruffled Merlin's hair and jogged out of the café.
"If only he didn't get to you first," Freya chuckled, watching Gwaine leave. Merlin gave her a look of complete horror.
"Freya! I so did not need to hear that!" Freya just shrugged.
"I'm actually here to see Lance, I'm probing for Gwen. Have you two seen him?" Freya smirked at them. Merlin shook his head.
"Usually around this time he's on the field. He likes to do solo training." Arthur answered helpfully.
"Damn, I thought it was just Merlin you stalked," She smirked again. Merlin's ear turned cherry red, matching the blush spreading across Arthur's nose. "Well I'm out. You too have fun with your study date, and don't stay out too late stalking Morgana's tool." She kissed Merlin on the cheek and skipped out. It was only uncomfortable for a minute or two, but it felt like hours.
"So, the pub, shall we meet at seven?" Merlin asked, trying to move on. Arthur grunted but nodded.
"I should… I should uh… I should go do some… thing." Arthur half fled from the café. Arthur practically ran back to his flat. When he managed to close the door behind him, he began to focus on his breathing. Fuck, he was actually that transparent. He knew Morgana was aware, but Gwaine and Freya? He was so ruined. They had to have told Merlin, who was just looking for a way to let him down easily. The kiss was obviously a mistake.
Back at the café, Merlin was banging his head against the table. Aithusa gently laid a hand on his shoulder. He stopped the banging and looked up at her.
"Wanna talk about it?" She asked sweetly.
"I am so transparent. He practically ran out of here to avoid having that conversation. He just can't bring himself to let me down easy." Merlin slammed his head on the table one more time. Aithusa gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"Emrys, if anyone has eyes, they can see he never takes his off you." Aithusa winked. Merlin gave her a skeptical look. "Now if I heard anything correctly, it's that you have kind of a pseudo date in a few hours. You might want to knock him dead." She patted his shoulder one last time and bustled away. Merlin's eyes went wide and he scrambled home to find something suitable to wear.
Arthur looked at himself in the mirror one last time before he left. It wasn't a date. They were going to stalk Morgana's boyfriend for Christ sakes, but it didn't hurt to make a good impression. He was determined to win Merlin over, and this was practically a pre-date, so he better start now. He picked at the top two buttons on his crisp white dress shirt one more time, deciding to leave them unbuttoned. He slid into his most form fitting black sport coat before heading toward the pub.
He knew he would have to wait, as Merlin was always late, but he didn't realize it would be this late. He nursed his scotch while he waited for him in a secluded corner table. When the crowd parted finally, Arthur found himself frozen, his drink sitting on his lip. Merlin had forgone his usual handkerchief. Arthur hadn't seen him friends neck since he had cut himself months ago. Merlin was wearing a simple grey t-shirt, with a very form fitting leather jacket over it. Arthur wondered to himself why Merlin had never worn it, especially if it made him look that good.
Merlin caught Arthur's eye and waved before joining him. Arthur noticed the way Merlin's eyes traveled to his unbuttoned dress shirt and smirked. Merlin sat down next to Arthur and grinned.
"Okay so we don't actually know what we're looking for. And I hope we see Mordred first, because we aren't exactly blending. Well I am. You look just like you always do." Arthur noticed an edge to Merlin's voice, but he didn't know what it meant.
"I suppose we wait and drink till something happens. What will you have?" Arthur gave Merlin his most dazzling smile, but the man just raised an eyebrow at it.
"Scotch neat, you know what." Arthur nodded and went up to the bar. Most of the night was spent laughing with Merlin, their mission practically forgotten. It wasn't until several hours later that Arthur happened to look across the bar and spy Mordred. He jabbed Merlin with his elbow and nodded toward the door. Mordred was leaving. Merlin downed his drink and stood. Arthur looked up at him surprised. "What are you doing? We have to follow him." Merlin took off. Arthur jumped up and followed quickly.
"Always the bloody idiot running into the nearest danger, aren't you?" Arthur asked.
"Guilty," Merlin smirked. Arthur shook his head but took the lead, holding Merlin back to peer around the corner when Mordred stopped in the alley next to the bar. A girl emerged from the shadows smiling.
"Mordred." She said. Her voice was silky and inviting. Mordred looked up and grinned.
"You weren't supposed to be in until next week Kara, but I must say I'm happy to see you." The girl smiled wider and jumped into the Mordred's open arms. He spun her around and pushed her back against the wall. Arthur was frozen. Merlin had enough sense to whip out his phone and start recording just as Mordred kissed her. Arthur came to at that point and was about to run for his sister's supposed boyfriend, when Merlin grabbed his arm. Arthur tried to pull away, but somehow Merlin was too strong. Merlin felt his magic release as he held Arthur back. It was a draining spell, but effect. Too bad as soon as he released it Mordred stopped kissing the girl. "Whose there?" He called to the open alley. Merlin met Arthur's eyes and began pulling him away, toward Arthur's car. Merlin could feel the heat of Arthur's glare as he slid into the passenger's seat
"Why did you stop me?" He hissed. Merlin sighed.
"I hate to say it Arthur, but Mordred could kick your ass." Arthur's lips parted in disbelief. Merlin couldn't help but track the movement. "And it would be useless to get beat up without proving to Morgana that he's bad news. So, it took this." Merlin pulled his phone out of his pocket and played the video for Arthur. "Now we need a plan, and I think we need more than just the two of us." The heat of Arthur's glare lessened, but he was still bristling with what he just witnessed. He turned the key in the ignition and violently threw the car in drive. It took half the time to get to Merlin's flat than it should have.
Arthur slammed his door shut as he got out, still fuming. Merlin sighed, but got out as well. He didn't notice the figure leaning against the wall of the apartment building. "Is Freya home?" Arthur bit out. Merlin nodded. "Good, she can fix this."
"Wow, I'm glad to see you have so much faith in me." Merlin grinned as he walked toward the building. Arthur sent him an exasperated look. Arthur didn't feel the eyes following him as he opened the door for Merlin. Merlin raised an eyebrow and smirked. So, the dance continued.
When they were nearing the apartment, Merlin heard someone cough lightly behind them. He turned, expecting his neighbor Geoffrey to be scowling at them. Instead, he was met with familiar pale blue eyes.
"Merls," a riche voice says. Merlin's eye widened. Arthur turns and notices a light glassy sheen form over Merlin's eyes, before taking in their visitor. He had long brown hair that clung to his forehead and pale blue eyes.
"Will," Merlin breathed. Arthur felt the tension in the air. It was cut as Merlin launched himself at Will with a grin. Will laughed and hugged Merlin tightly. Merlin pulled back and stared. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asked. Will grin and pushed Merlin away playfully.
"Well it's been a while. I was hoping to make sure you and Freya were still around and fighting." Merlin barked a laugh.
"Oh, we're fighting all right." He said somewhat bitterly. Will raised an eyebrow in question, but Merlin waved his question away. Will finally took notice of Arthur, and silently asked Merlin another question with his eyebrow. "Oh right. Will this is my friend Arthur. Arthur, Will and I grew up together in our teeny tiny village." Arthur held out a hand which Will shook.
"Pleasure to meet you," Arthur practically grunted. Will jerked his head in acknowledgement. "How do all of your old friends just keep finding you?" Arthur asked Merlin.
"Probably because we have to fight in our lives. Things aren't just given to us." Will smirked. Arthur bristled at the comment. Merlin stepped forward before more words could be shared.
"How did you find us Will?" Merlin asked skeptically.
"Wasn't hard really. Did a google search. I found a picture of a football game with you tagged in it." Will shrugged. Merlin visibly paled. If it was so easy for Will to find them, it was only a matter of time until other's came looking to. At that moment Merlin's door flew open and Freya stood in the doorway.
"Would you two stop yapping and just kiss goodnight already!" She half yelled. She froze when she noticed Merlin and Arthur weren't alone in the hallway. Will's eyebrow rose again in question. Merlin and Arthur both turned tomato red again. "William."
"Baby Frey." Will tackled the girl in a hug. Freya laughed and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm seventeen William!" She squealed. "I'm not baby Frey anymore!" Will laughed and let her go.
"Always gonna be baby Frey to me." Freya stuck her tongue out at him.
"Just get in here you three." Freya and Will let Merlin and Arthur pass them. With their backs turned away. Will point at Merlin and Arthur, asking Freya a question. She tilted her hand back and forth. Almost. They're just ridiculously think headed. She said in his mind. Will rolled his eyes.
Isn't he always? He said back. Freya laughed. Merlin shot them a glare, knowing full well what was happening. Arthur collapsed on the couch. Merlin looked at him sadly before going to make them all drinks.
"Okay, what happened?" Freya asked. Arthur looked at her sadly.
"Mordred's cheating on her." Arthur answered dejectedly. Will sat in an armchair, and gave Arthur a hidden, but sad look. Freya wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Pig. Did you hit him?" She asked. Arthur glared at the kitchen.
"He wouldn't let me." Arthur ground out.
"Probably a good idea. Sorry Arthur. He could kick your ass." Freya nodded. Arthur gave her the same look he gave Merlin earlier. Freya shrugged. "It's true. You'll see one day."
"We talked about the riddles Frey," Merlin scolded as he brought drinks from the kitchen. He gave her a glass of juice, handed Arthur his scotch, and held out a mixed dark rum drink for Will.
"Still make the best drinks?" Will asked. Merlin rolled his eyes and collapsed on the couch next to Arthur.
"Only that crap you drink. We need a plan of action Freya. Probably a large scale intervention. Can you call some people? I'll text Gwaine and Lance." Merlin added. Something big is going to start. The girl I know her from somewhere. I doubt she's in town for a coincidence. He spoke to Freya. She nodded in understanding and pulled out her phone.
"Well I'm here so I might as well help. Fill me in." Will grinned. Arthur sent him a heated glare.
"I don't thin-" Arthur started, but Merlin cut him off.
"Your help would be great actually. I'm assuming you didn't make any arrangements for the night." Merlin accused. Will just grinned. "Figures. Well Morgana, Arthur's sister, is seeing this guy, who is all bad news in all the bad ways." Merlin raised his brows to Will would see. His friend nodded in understanding, so Merlin continued. "Well she's been spending way too much time with him and his friends, so we got worried, and somehow ended up stalking her boyfriend." Will snorted.
"Still run into the nearest danger then I see." Arthur and Freya both laughed at that. Merlin glared at them both.
"We found him cheating on her tonight, and we're hoping she sees he is no good." Merlin finished exasperatedly. Will nodded.
"Okay well I'm at your disposal." He grinned.
"I'll let you know. Everyone should be here soon." It was silent as Merlin filled Will in telepathically. Her boyfriend has a huge store of magic, and we believe he's working for this sorceress that tried to kidnap me and steal my powers. Will looked at him sharply before shaking his head.
The apartment slowly started to fill with people. Aithusa and Gwaine were the first to arrive. Gwaine and Will immediately had a connection, instantly seeing the connection they had each had with Merlin. It honestly made Merlin want to rip his hair out. Leon arrived after them, looking much too smug with the situation. When Gwen arrived, she brought her brother Elyan, who was quiet but kind. When Lancelot arrived, he was trailed by a behemoth of a man names Percival. When Percival entered the room, Gwaine's eyes locked on him. Merlin and Freya shared smirks. After all this, they would be their next victims.
"I thank you all for coming. I know Morgana can be a little shy, but thank you for helping." Arthur sighed.
"The knights of the round table." Freya mused, looking at all the people shoved into their living room. Merlin slapped his forehead.
"Cryptic witch," he groaned. Freya just smirked. "Okay, so we have evidence of Mordred cheating on Morgana, but we aren't totally sure how to go about this without her feeling cornered." Merlin explained. The reactions from the 'knights' was astounding. Merlin smiled, noting that Morgana was well loved. They talked well into the night, deciding that Gwen, as she was the most gentle, and Merlin, who made her become herself would be the ones to approach her. They would meet her in the café where Arthur and Freya could be backup if needed.
Of course, that isn't even close to what happened.