29. Family Ties

"And how it it exactly that you know her?" Lucy asked skeptically. She had never met him before today so how did he seem to know so much about her.

"I'm sure you will be less than surprised to hear this, but she was my daughter, one of three." Merlin explained simply as can be. Lucy was a little baffled for a moment, all the pieces sliding into place.

"That would make you me grandfather..." Lucy sighed.

"Indeed it would." He nodded.

"That leaves me with a lot to think about, may we continue this conversation in the morning?" Lucy asked politely as possible. She felt so overwhelmed that she just wanted to runaway. Every time she thought things would start to return to normal she was thrown again and again. Was a simple and boring life too much to ask for?

"Yes, we are in no rush to leave just yet." Merlin replied humbly and Lucy responded with a curtsy before swiftly exiting the library.

Lucy's mind ran ragged. It all made sense, so much it actually hurt. Merlin's bloodline would obviously be strong and there was no doubt that it paired with a Pendragon would result in a whole new meaning to the word. The prophecy had meaning now and Lucy couldn't deny it. She thought for so long it was all about her but really it wasn't, she wasn't that special, but if she were to have a child, Arthur's child, then she would be. Everyone had wondered why she hadn't immediately fallen in love with him as he seemingly has with her and it was clear as to why now. She didnt want to give up her freedom. Her freedom of choice.

She had made it back to her room quicker than she had anticipated and to no surprise found Arthur waiting for her. He looked up at her intently from his chair as she entered the room, anxious to hear what she had to say.

"We need to talk,'' she sighed, closing the chamber door behind her. He nodded in agreement, "Where should we start?"

She smirked sarcastically, "Good question."

The room was oddly quiet for a few moments, nobody really knew what to say. They just stared at each other, having a conversation that went beyond words.

"What did Merlin have to say to you?" He finally asked.

"You first." Lucy retorted.

"Well not much before he excused himself to the library. I have invited them to stay awhile."

"Yes, and Mága? What did she have to say?"

"She voiced some concerns about your abilities and understanding them."

"Have I hurt anybody thus far?" Lucy inquired, while wondering why they were treating her so oddly.

"No."

"Then what is there to be concerned about?" She asked. She had no intentions of hurting anyone.

"I defended you, surely you would know that." Arthur replied, hoping she would understand that he was on her side.

"And how would I know that? We've barely had more than one full conversation. You think you know me, but you don't. No really anyway." Lucy argued. She felt so frustrated lately that she just wanted to scream. She felt out of control and alone. She didn't even know who she could trust anymore.

"I understand that the circumstances around our meeting has not been conventional, but I assure you I just want what is best for you." Arthur explained. His voice revealed the pain he felt by her assumptions about him. He would never tell anyone he was perfect, but he never thought himself as a monster.

"And for yourself. Look me in the eyes and tell me that you genuinely love me and that these feelings you have aren't just coincidental lust." She challenged him. She needed proof, something to believe in because certainly right now she didn't believe in herself.

He never hesitated to stand up and step in real close to her. His hand reached out to her and gently drew her chin nearer, making her look at directly in his eyes.

"I genuinely care about you Lucy, and I will go to the end of the Earth to protect you, no matter what." He told her, his voice deep and dripping with desire.

"And how can you be so sure of such an ambiguous feeling?" She asked apprehensively.

"I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you were my future and I will let nothing come in the way of that." And his lips ever so gracefully landed on hers. It was a quick chaste kiss but it left Lucy wanting for more. She was tired of running and hiding, right now she just wanted to feel and right now all she could feel was his body standing so close to hers.

Her hand reached out and grabbed his then pulled him into the bed with her. He willing followed but the look on his face changed from caring to confused. She wasted no time to get what she wanted as she attacked him with her lips. He readily kissed her back until she attempted to undo his pants buttons. He jumped back and grabbed her hands and removed them and gave her a questioning look. What was going on with her?

"Lucy what are you doing?" He asked concerned.

Suddenly she looked embarrassed, what was she thinking? She was looking for a distraction and never thought he'd question her about it. He claimed to have loved her but yet here he was rejecting her.

"Nothing." She replied dismally, looking away from him, trying to hide the blush that developed on her cheeks.

"No, that was definitely something and while I am incredibly honored, I would never take you to bed without marrying you first." He tried to explain the situation.

"Yet sneaking into my bed and sleeping with me is completely fine?" Lucy rolled her eyes.

"That was different, I was never compromising your purity." He argued.

"So this is about my purity? A virginity is hardly worth anything." Lucy sighed frustratingly. Her sister wasn't a virgin and it hadn't ruined her ability to fornicate with several men.

"Yet to me, it means a lot." He replied looking away from her and scratching at his head.

For a moment Lucy was stunned. Could it be possible that the boy who grew up in a brothel was still a virgin? She, herself had never given such an insignificant detail of her life very much value but suddenly she understood why virginity would mean so much. She would be the only one and vice versa. The possibility of the idea alone was enough to make her heart swell.

"Would you answer me one question about yourself?" She asked cautiously.

"Sure." He sighed.

"Have you been with a woman before?" She inquired.

He stared back at her, seemingly formulating his answer. "No."

She had gotten her answer yet she still wanted to know more.

"Why not? Surely a man as good looking as you could have any woman he desired."

He smirked back at her. "Growing up in a brothel gives a man an altered perception of sex and love. Too many times did I have to dispose of men who thought sex made them powerful. Before I was king, I had no intentions of settling down and meeting you. Since then, I've had to try to wrap my mind around potentially losing the only thing I care about, which is you."

"Wow, you really know how to charm a girl." Lucy deflected. She was a little stunned by his words, she wasn't expecting him to be so reserved, especially with how close and intimate he has been with her.

"I won't lie to you Lucy. If you want to know me I will tell you everything there is to know. But first, tell me what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know very well what I mean, what did Merlin have to say?"

"Ugh." She sighed. "He told me some really interesting news."

"Like what?"

"He is my grandfather."

"Oh."

"The world makes a whole lot more sense doesn't it?" She asked with a knowing smirk.

"It does." He said, then suddenly snapped his head to her. "What would that mean for our child?"

"They would have the strongest bloodline known to any mage or man. They could wield the sword and probably access untapped potential within the sword, not to mention the ability to walk amongst peoples dreams and see glimpses of the future." Lucy replied. She has silently been thinking about it in the back of her mind since the words had slipped out of Merlin's mouth. She had suddenly understood how her mother felt, not knowing what would become of your children's future or even worse, knowing too much.

"That sounds, intense." Arthur replied also still shocked by the revelation.

"Yeah," Lucy nodded in agreement.

"Well on the brightside, its a good reason to stave off baby making until we are truly ready for the responsibility." He tried to ease some of the growing tension in the room.

"I couldn't agree more." She nodded. He responded by pulling her into a hug as they cuddled on the bed and continued talking.

"What else did Merlin say?" He asked, and they spent the rest of the night just talking.

Author's note:

1500 words and I can't even say I'm happy with it. Although I can at least say that they starting to progress as couple before, you know, they get split up...

Anyways, Halloween is coming! What is everyone dressing up as? I might go out, but otherwise I will probably be at home watching my favorite halloween movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas! I absolutely love Jack the Pumpkin King!

As always please vote and comment!

-Surviving (10/22)