Chapter 25 - Arthur

Arthur was pacing. Merlin and Gwaine had been gone longer than expected, and despite a text from Gwaine to Percival assuring them that everything was fine, Arthur was still nervous over their prolonged absence.

Percival and Arthur looked up in tandem as the noise of a keycard swiping in the door lock alerted them to their friends' return.

"There you are!" Arthur declared as Merlin came into view, a grin on his face.

"Gwaine and I have a surprise," Merlin said with a broad smile, standing aside so Gwaine could come in. "Sorry we're back so late, but the sketches took awhile, then it was almost quitting time for a friend of ours, so we waited around for him."

Arthur's heart skipped, a sudden hope of another reunion springing to life. "Did you find...?" He trailed off, not sure who he most hoped to see.

Merlin stepped in and gestured with his hand for whoever was just out of sight to follow him in.

Percival reacted before Arthur could, exclaiming, "Leon!" and leaping up to give the smaller man a hug.

Arthur was on his feet and pulling his first knight into an embrace as soon as Percival had let go. "I have never been happier to see you," he announced, pulling back slightly and grinning broadly.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when Merlin did, well, whatever he did, and I realized Merlin and Gwaine were right in front of me! Speaking of which, our illusive warlock owes me an explanation." Leon turned and gave Merlin a pointed look, smirking when the warlock rolled his eyes in response.

Arthur gave Leon a closer look, raising an eyebrow at him. "What on earth have you got in your hair, Leon? Pig fat?"

Leon scowled at the former king, amusement in his eyes. "It's called gel," he replied wryly. "I don't think I'll continue with it. Now that I have my memories, having my hair slicked back doesn't feel quite right."

"Okay, so, context," Merlin declared, clapping his hands. "Arthur returned from the dead about a week ago, give or take. I've been waiting for literally centuries, so nobody was more shocked than me, trust me."

Leon held up a hand. "Sorry, centuries?"

Merlin made a face, and Arthur wondered if his friend would be forced to explain his long wait to each new person they found. "I never died," Merlin clarified, shifting uncomfortably.

Leon's eyes went wide, but he didn't inquire further. "Right," he replied, his voice slightly awed. He motioned for Merlin to continue.

"Arthur and I went to the Crystal Cave so I could get a new prophecy," Merlin explained. "I was given the impression that the rest of our group, as it were, would be returning as well, and we decided to head to London to see what we could find. We found Percival enroute, totally randomly, then we spotted Gwaine on television in the background of a report on a businessman. You we found by complete accident, and now you're up to speed."

Arthur blinked and rolled his eyes at the warlock. "Well, yes, presuming he only wanted the bare bones of it," the former king pointed out.

"Okay, you're up to speed on the most important bits," Merlin allowed. "Any questions?"

"The sketches?" Leon asked.

"Oh, right! Arthur, you have to see these, they're incredible." Merlin dug a folder out of the bag he had slung over his shoulder and pulled it out, fiddling with papers and pulling them out.

Arthur's brow furrowed as he noticed Merlin leaving some of the papers in the folder as he stuffed it back in his bag. Did they have secrets still? He hoped not.

Merlin moved to a clear space on one of the beds and began to lay out the sketches. Arthur was immediately blown away by how accurately detailed they were. Before him lay sketches of Guinevere, Elyan, and Gaius. Arthur tapped a finger on the one of the physician and raised an eyebrow at his friend.

Merlin looked a little uncomfortable at the unspoken question. "There's a chance he might not, but I figured, why not at least keep a look out? You never know, and all that."

Arthur nodded, allowing that. Even he was unsure if Gaius held a place in the prophecy bringing them back together, but he understood Merlin's desire to have the man back in his life. "What about the sketches you kept back?" He asked, meeting Merlin's gaze steadily. "Or were you attempting to be stealthy about that?"

Merlin flinched slightly at the accusation, but didn't argue. "I got a few other sketches of people I'm either hoping for or concerned about. I don't know if we should be looking for anyone other than Gwen and Elyan, so I'm keeping my hopes and fears to myself for now."

"All right, fair enough," Arthur allowed. He could make a guess at the other sketches, but he wasn't sure he actually wanted to know.

"Seriously?" Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow at Arthur dropping the topic.

"Oddly enough, I do actually trust you, Merlin," Arthur pointed out wryly. "I'd rather we didn't have secrets, personally, but it's your prophecy, so I won't begrudge you a few cards held close to your chest."

Merlin relaxed, and nodded in agreement. "Thanks," he offered. "I promise, soon as I have something to share, you'll all know about it."

"Good," Arthur concluded, rubbing his hands together absently. "So, what's the word on the computer thing we needed the sketches for in the first place?"

Merlin perked up. "Fate clearly wants things to work in our favour," he declared. "Leon here actually works for Scotland Yard, and he can take over looking for those we're missing like it's an actual missing person's case, and he can also keep it quiet so we don't attract unwanted attention."

"Sorry," Percival spoke up, "unwanted attention?" The large man looked mildly concerned at the statement.

"Ah." Merlin glanced around, seeming to remember that only Arthur knew of Morgana's followers. "So, Morgana left behind a legacy, of sorts. She has followers, who would quite like to see me dead, and I imagine all of you as well, especially Arthur. Or they may try to hurt you to get to me or any manner of other things. I haven't had any run-ins recently, but best not to tempt these sorts of things."

Gwaine looked up with a scowl. "I wouldn't mind going up against some of the witch's followers," he pointed out gruffly.

"We all have reasons to feel anger towards Morgana," Arthur pointed out, feeling a tinge of regret at the sound of the name, even though it had quite literally been centuries since she had been his sister. "I suggest we focus our energies towards uniting our group for now."

Merlin nodded in agreement, looking proud. "I agree. Trust me, if I hear anything that makes it sound like they're coming after us, we're going to be ready."