Chapter XXI: Friends Reunited

Arthur and Merlin sat in the café with Gwaine, Percy, and Gaius. Gwen had rented the whole place to themselves to they could all take some time to relax and celebrate Merlin's amazing recovery. Merlin's only been up and about for a few days, but at least he has gotten most of his strength back. Plus, now they don't have to worry about Arthur burning down the kitchen now that Merlin cooks for them.

"Everyone I'd like you to meet my brother Elyon," Gwen said, once she had arrived. Everyone looked up at the dinging of the bell, smiling widely at Gwen. Elyon stepped out from behind his sister, holding a cake. Several eyes widened around the room, but nobody broke their cover. Though, the majority of them wanted to engulf their old conrad in a tight embrace. The last time they saw the knight was when they pushed his body out onto the lake and watched him become nothing but ash. Elyan stared at them for a moment, frowning slightly. A small tear rolled down his cheek slowly and the knight swiped it away.

"Sorry, allergies," he explained, smiling at the group again and setting down the cake Gwen had baked for the day. Arthur stared at the alien looking dessert, earning a chuckle from his sorcerer and a few others. Gwen and Elyon didn't seem to understand, but they didn't question.

"Merlin, how much power must you use to bring back their memories?" Gwaine questioned the warlock when Elyon and Gwen went to the main kitchen to grab some plates. Merlin was silent for a moment, but Arthur could feel Merlin searching through his very soul to judge.

"I may be able to bring both of them back without fully zapping my strength, but it will take a while before I can return Leon's memories then," Merlin decided, opening a Pepsi for Arthur. The young prince frowned at the drink, taking a tentative sip. The whole crowd laughed when Arthur's let out a sputter when the bubbly drink tickled his throat and nose.

"Ugh, what was that?!" he spat, pushing the drink away.

"That is pop, Arthur," Merlin explained. The prince glared at the drink and then his friend.

"Why would anyone want to drink that?" Merlin just rolled his eyes, chuckling slightly before turning back to the matter at hand.

"They are already slowly remembering because of the first spell I let loose. It's working even faster now that I'm back on my feet. It's only a matter of time. In fact, Elyon looked a little teary eyed for some reason when he saw us didn't he?" Everyone paused, thinking back to when Elyon and Gwen had entered the café. Elyon had simply said it was allergies, but maybe it wasn't. "It's just a matter of time before they remember on their own, but that also means a few of our unwanted friends will be remembering too. It's probably better off if we speed up the process before others remember and we have to worry about Morgana, Mordred, Uther, and anyone else that could be a threat."

"You know where Mordred is?" Percy questioned. Merlin paused and Arthur could see a few visions swipe through his own mind as Merlin remembered.

"Yes, I ran into him at a high school right before Uther took him. I'm sure Morgana has already freed him though. Their destinies are entwined just as Arthur's and mine-"

"Got the plates!" Gwen called, walking over to the table with Elyon by her side. Everyone quieted, smiling up at the two. Gwen handed them each a slice of cake and Gaius took control of the situation and leaned over to whisper to Merlin. Arthur listened through the link to hear what he was saying.

"Best to do it now," Gaius was saying. Merlin nodded, glancing over Elyon and Gwen briefly before standing from his chair. All eyes were on him then.

"I have an idea for a game," Merlin began. Gwen's eyes lightened up to the idea.

"Brilliant! What game is it, Merlin?" she questioned. Merlin smirked cunningly to himself.

"First, everyone close their eyes." Gwen and Elyon closed their eyes, but the other's kept their own open as they realized what Merlin was planning. The warlock drew in a deep breath, holding up a hand towards his two friends. A strong wind blew around the room, but it only seemed to touch Merlin, Gwen, and Elyon. Merlin's eyes glowed a vibrant golden color as strange words were whispered from his lips. Arthur was now standing, watching the sight. It reminded him too much of their time at the lake. Arthur chewed his lip as he watched, praying that there would not be a repeat of the past. In only a minute or two Arthur felt his knees shaking and his stomach turning. His eyes trailed over to Merlin. The warlock looked like he was running on auto pilot now, but he was weakening. Arthur could feel it.

"Merlin, stop. It's draining you," Arthur called out through his mind. Merlin didn't answer, he only kept muttering his spell. Fear began to bubble up inside Arthur then. "Merlin?" Nothing. "MERLIN!" he screamed out loud, lunging at his friend and closing Merlin's eyes with a gentle hand. A gasp left Merlin's lips and the wind slowly disappeared as Merlin stopped chanting. The warlock collapsed into Arthur, breathing heavily. "Merlin, you idiot!" Arthur shouted at his friend. Merlin smiled wearily up into the king's face.

"Just keeping you on your toes, Prat," Merlin teased. Arthur just shook his head, helping Merlin to his feet and steadying him.

"Arthur?" Arthur looked up at Guinevere. Her eyes were filling with tears as she stared at him and Arthur felt his heart begin to gallop. Without a moment of hesitation he enveloped her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Percy and Gwaine made barking and cat noises from their seats along with Elyon. Arthur pulled away, holding his queen in his arms and not wanting to ever let go. He could feel Gwen's tears soaking through his shirt and his own falling down his cheeks. He glanced back at Merlin, who was now smiling at them with the biggest smile Arthur has ever witnessed on him before. Arthur never wanted the moment to end. The café doorbell dinged as the door opened. Merlin turned his head, eyes going wide at the sight of who entered.

"Guinevere?" Ice ran through everyone's blood at the familiar voice. Heads turned slowly towards the door that now held a most familiar figure. There was a man with long dark hair and an army uniform on. His arm was in a sling and a bandage was wrapped around his head.

"Lancelot," Merlin whispered in a hushed voice. Gwen pulled away from Arthur eyes looking between her two lovers. "What are you doing back so soon?" Lancelot didn't move his eyes to meet his old friend. He only kept staring between Gwen and Arthur as he answered.

"I was injured and they sent me back," Lancelot stated. "I see you managed everything without me." Merlin walked over to his old friend, holding him by the shoulders.

"Lancelot, listen-"

"It's alright, Merlin. I knew it was only a matter of time anyway," Lancelot stated, giving his friend a calm smile, but the hurt was evident in his eyes. Gwen opened her mouth, but Lancelot waved an absent hand at her, forcing a smile. "I'm so happy for the two of you. You're finally back together," he said hugging Gwen tightly.

"Lance…"

"We'll talk about this later," Lancelot interrupted. "Right now we have to worry about Zachariah and Leon." Everyone in the room nodded and they all took a seat at the table, completely forgetting about the party they had planned. Arthur sat next to Merlin and Guinevere while Lancelot remained standing, looking too uncomfortable. Arthur couldn't blame him. Not only had the man been named as a traitor of Camelot, but now he had walked into his king and lover being reunited. Thanks to Merlin's sharing of memories however, they all knew that Lancelot wasn't a traitor. It had all been just a spell.

"I suppose the first thing we must worry about is getting Leon to remember," Merlin decided. "We need to do it when he isn't working or we may accidently run into Uther or Morgana. That we do not need."

"If we follow him to his home maybe then we can?" Percival offered. Lancelot shook his head.

"It's clever, but Leon's home may be prepared for intruders. He is a guard after all. It's too risky," Lancelot explained. Arthur held his head in his hands, trying to think.

"What if we do it on his way home? He'll be unprepared and we'll have the element of surprise."

"That actually might work," Lancelot agreed. "But when shall we start?" All eyes turned to Merlin and the sorcerer shook his head, clearing his throat and running a hand through his hair.

"Give me a week at most," Merlin offered. "If I don't use my powers and rest I should be perfectly fine-"

"That's what you said 10 minutes ago and I had to snap you out of it!" Arthur shouted. A flare of irritation snapped inside Merlin's mind, but Arthur didn't back down. "Merlin, I will not have a replay of what happened at that lake! You're resting for at least two weeks like it or not!" The irritation left Merlin and the warlock sighed, defeated.

"Fine, but in the meantime we should try and find out where Zachariah may be," Merlin decided.

"And rest," Arthur added. Merlin rolled his eyes, but nodded.

"Yes, and rest. Now can we go back to having the party? That cake looks delicious," Merlin asked, licking his lips as he stared at the chocolate cake in front of him. Smiles returned on everyone's faces and Gwen took out a knife and began to cut a square for everyone.

"Always's thinking about your stomach, Merlin," Arthur teased, taking Merlin's piece from the warlock's hands and biting into it himself. Merlin glared at the king, flicking a fleck of frosting of his fingers and onto Arthur's cheek.

"Says the one who needs a new whole punched into his belt," Merlin snapped back. Arthur glared at his ex-manservant and laughter exploded around them. It was just like the good old days. Arthur looked up from the tears building up in his eyes from laughing so much towards Lancelot. The knight was laughing with them as well, but every so often the knight would glance at Gwen. Arthur's stomach knotted. Yes, everything was back to normal. Maybe a little too much.

Uh oh! Lancelot is back and that means the beginning of the love triangle. Also, I wanted to know who you all wanted Gwen to choose. Lancelot or Arthur? That topic will pop up a bit now and I wanted to know you guys' thoughts. The character with the most votes wins and gets to live happily ever after with Gwen. Well, unless something happens to her or the boys ;)