Merlin isn't surprised when he sits down on the bench next to him. The park isn't too far from the school after all. A lot of students and staff pass on their way to and from school every day. He's seen a few familiar faces hurrying by. A few former druids. Some towns people from Camelot. Most of them never acknowledge the old man sitting on the bench and why would they? They're too busy with their own lives. A few wave. Some smile. One even bowed but none of them stop to talk. Until now.
They sit in silence. One at either end of the bench. Neither one looking at the other. It's not an awkward silence but one of understanding. Merlin had seen him pass dozens of times before but it wasn't until now that he realized the man next to him remembered the past. Remembered the time he spent in Camelot. Remembered his time as a knight under his brother-in-law's leadership. Remembered his sister when she was a servant as well as when she became queen. Remembered the good of what happened but more importantly remembered the bad. The things that lead up to the fall of their home though he wasn't around to witness the death of their king. No. He had been gone from their world before that happened.
"She's happy you know." Over course Merlin isn't the one to break the silence. He never is. His new companion doesn't have to say who 'she' is. There is only one woman that connects the two. Merlin had heard she was back. Had seen her a few times even but she never acknowledged his presence. Never responded like she knew who he was. Maybe she did. Maybe seeing him was just too painful for her. Or maybe she just wanted to move on from that time. She deserved happiness after everything they put her through. Morgana. Uther. Arthur. Even him. Even Merlin.
"She's my sister in this lifetime just like the last. I wasn't the best sibling to her. Took off for a long time after our mother died and the memories of before started to come back. I thought it was for the best. I don't know if she remembers. Never asked. If she does she hides it well. I came back after learning I was an uncle. Lancelot treats her well." Lancelot. The part of the love triangle that never should have been. A triangle requires three people though. Something that can't be during this time. Not when one of them still hasn't risen. Though Merlin thought Gwen should be with Arthur like before deep down he knows Lancelot is good for her. He is what she needs right now. Not just because he's here but because he offered her stability. Children. Love. But most importantly he gave her happiness.
"He still isn't back is he?" Merlin feels a hand on his shoulder. Without realizing it his friend had moved closer to him. Their sides gently touched. It was a comfort he didn't know he needed after all this time. "He will. Hopefully soon. You're loyal even after all this time. And also brave. Braver than anyone wanted to admit." They go quiet again and after a few minutes he feels the man leave.
They meet up like this every few weeks. Neither one wanting to break the silence with talk of the past. With talk of things that occurred that was beyond their control. It doesn't last long. It's maybe a year or so before he stops coming around. Merlin doesn't even see him walking to school anymore. He isn't surprised. An adventurous spirit like his never stays in one place forever.