Merlin stared menacingly at Leon, who avoided his gaze. Leon swallowed, "Well, the situation was dire. And Merlin always said you would return in Albion's time of need. So, naturally … after the atomic bomb dropped … we felt pretty certain you would come back." He made to sip his tea and frowned to find it empty.

"We went to the lake and waited for you. We waited for ten days, but you never came. And after that I …" Leon looked away, ashamed, "I was sure you would never come back."

Merlin sneered, "You called me crazy. Said I had lied to you and tricked you. That I'd made the whole thing up! That the prophecy was my wild, crazy imagination! That I was just a crazy old man who couldn't cope with my king's death, so I'd made up a fantasy of the Once and Future King to cope! You blamed me for dragging you into it! For wasting your time!"

Leon spoke, "It felt like the right moment. I was so sure he would come back, but when he didn't … I couldn't …"

Merlin roared over him, "You said he was dead! Truly dead! You said his body had sunk to the bottom and the fish had eaten him long ago and that Excalibur had rusted away to nothing! You said the magic at Avalon was a myth! That I'd created the whole thing to absolve myself of the guilt of failing my destiny and letting Arthur Pendragon die! Well here's your proof Leon!" Merlin pointed to Arthur, "So go ahead and call me a crazy, 'pathological liar'. I don't care! You can spend the rest of eternity alone! I have my other half again, and I don't care if you rot!"

Arthur could see quite clearly that this was the time to intervene. He took hold of Merlin's shoulders and forced him to look at him. "Merlin, it's all right. Look at me. I'm here, I'm alive. It doesn't matter what was said before. None of it matters, because I did come back. You're not crazy, you're not a liar, and my death was never your fault. You did not betray your destiny. Your destiny betrayed you."

There were tears behind Merlin's eyes and Arthur could tell he wanted to argue. Arthur pulled him into a bruising kiss that left no room for arguments or doubts. When he released Merlin, he looked deep into the warlock's eyes. "I'm the king, so I have the final say. It doesn't matter. Let it go."

Merlin blinked the tears away and his voice came out quiet, "Fine."

Leon cleared his throat awkwardly. Arthur had practically forgotten the former knight's presence and now realized that he'd just passionately snogged his former manservant in front of him.

Arthur looked over at a somewhat embarrassed, but clearly happy Leon.

Leon smirked, "Poetry?"

Merlin brought his hand to his forehead, "Shut up, Leon."

Leon just laughed good naturedly, "I'm happy for you. I know how much you mean to each other. You belong together. Two halves of a whole." There was something melancholy about the way Leon said that. Arthur couldn't help but wonder for the second time that day, had something more happened between them?

Merlin got up and began clearing away the tea things. Leon started, "Now then, sire. Why have you come back?"

Merlin froze. Arthur was confused, "…why?"

"You were supposed to return in Albion's time of need. As dicey as the political situation is, I can't think of anything that would warrant your return."

Arthur hesitated, "I … I don't know?" He looked at Merlin, who stood wringing his hands, "Merlin?"

Merlin looked up startled, "I don't know."

Leon didn't buy it, "Merlin …"

Merlin retorted angrily, "Before you ask, I am not lying!" He looked down again at his hands, "I just don't think we should go looking for trouble is all."

Arthur smirked, "That's a surprise. You always used to go looking for trouble."

"Yeah well, then I got old. Nothing ruins your taste for adventure like age."

Arthur chuckled. Leon shook his head, "We need to be prepared. You have returned for a reason, sire, and it's important that we find out what it is. Better that we take the offensive than wait for our enemies to make themselves known."

Arthur felt an uncomfortable sinking feeling in his stomach. He didn't want to fight. He just wanted to live. He was done with war; he wanted no part in it. Surely, he had given enough for Albion? Why couldn't he be left alone with the chance to start over with his other half? Why had destiny chosen them and not some other pair of fools?

Merlin seemed to agree with Arthur's thoughts, "Arthur shouldn't have to worry about that right now. He needs more time to adjust to this world. It's not a simple thing, he needs time."

Leon looked at Arthur and seemed to see something unexpected. He nodded, "I see."

An unwelcome thought invaded Arthur's mind; that Leon saw weakness in him. What kind of warrior recoiled from war? What kind of coward was he to hide away inside for weeks? To cry and scream and destroy couches and coffee tables. Leon was right, Arthur's return was foretold. He had been called forth to do something important, but all he wanted to do was to crawl back into Merlin's unnaturally soft bed and hide under the covers.

Leon continued, "Very well. You must help Arthur prepare to face the challenges ahead and I will begin the search for our enemies." Leon stood and went to kneel before Arthur, "I cannot tell you what a great honor it is to serve you again, my liege. I will not fail you, sire." Leon stood, and turned towards Merlin, "Thank you for the tea. It was perfect, as always."

Merlin stood with his arms crossed, but a gentle smile graced his features, "Flattery will get you nowhere, Leon. I much prefer my bribes paid out to me in acorns."

Leon and Merlin both laughed heartily, and Arthur was confused because it really wasn't that funny.

Leon spoke mirthfully, "Would you accept a silk dress instead, my lord?"

Merlin responded through a grin, "Only if it's purple!"

Leon and Merlin laughed even harder and Arthur felt like he was being left out of something. Merlin led Leon from the kitchen and to the front door.

Arthur could hear one last snippet of conversation from where he sat in the kitchen.

Merlin spoke, "Here, let me give you my number so you can reach us."

Leon spoke, "I've already got your number. I'm keeping tabs on you, remember?"

Merlin spoke, "That's still creepy."

Leon spoke, "That's rich coming from you."

Merlin, "Oh, shut up."

Arthur heard the front door close and Merlin walked back into the kitchen a moment later. "Is everything alright, Arthur?"

Arthur hesitated, "Am I really going to have to fight again?"

Merlin placed a comforting hand on his king's shoulder, "I don't know."