Disclaimer: Hiya! Happy holidays and whatnot. Sorry that it's been awhile. I hope you enjoy this later chapter. There's a bit of a time jump here, so yeah. As usual, I only own the OC and nothing else.

Days turned into weeks without any sign of getting closer to her figuring out her way home. She trying not to let it get to her, but it was. Arthur and Merlin were busy going on different missions and the knights would go with them or sneak off behind them, watching in silence. Not that she saw any of this first hand, they would tell her about them when they got back.

Something she did to consume her time was wonder about what she was missing in her time. How much time had actually passed? Had it been the same amount of time that passed here; had it been more? What were her friends doing? Were they getting ready for the school concert? Would she be able to graduate or will she have to redo the year and not graduate with them?

Merlin had noticed the change in her demeanor and he was unsure of what to do. "I just...I dunno what to do, Gaius." He said, his head falling onto the wooden table.

"Well, why not try and see if she wants to do something?" Gaius said, "You always come back from a quest with Arthur and tell her about it but you never think to ask her if she wants to come along."

"You think that might be it?" he asked, raising his head up. "She might be lonely?"

"No," Gaius said, setting some tea down for them. "I think she is missing her time. But I feel like it might help keep her mind busy if she had something to do other then run basic errands for me."

"I can ask Arthur if he thinks we should take her somewhere. Maybe ride out to Ealdor and see my mother." he said, sipping his tea.

"That might be good." Gaius said, "Maybe also it could help clear her mind to figure out how to get home."

"She tried to talk to the dragon about it, but according to her, he's being an 'oversized cock gobbler." He said with a snicker. "She thought she had it figured out but not yet."

"Maybe a trip away might calm her mind...and her mouth."

Later...

"Arthur," Merlin said, sitting on the Prince's bed. They had become closer since the ball and they were slowly being more open with each other. "I was wondering for you opinion on something."

"Well, if you are overly thinking, that can not be good." Arthur teased, sitting next to him. "But do tell me, what are you thinking?"

"Well, have you noticed that Laya's been...I dunno...off, lately." he asked, shrugging a bit.

"Off?" he asked, "Off how?"

"Like...that she used to sing every day just wandering about but now she's walking silently with her head down. I watched her walk into a statue the other night and then she apologized to it." Merlin said, mimicking her walking into it.

"That is off for her." Arthur replied. "So what were you wondering about then?"

"Gaius suggested that we take her out of Camelot for a few days to clear her mind. I was thinking maybe we ride out to Ealdor and visit mum." Merlin said, "He suggested that it might help her figure out how to get back to her time." He whispered the last part.

"It has been awhile since you were home," Arthur said, slowly taking Merlin's hand. "Myself as well. We should do it."

"Really? We can take her to my home?" he asked, slightly excited.

"I agree with Gaius." Arthur said. "Getting out of the castle and off the grounds might be good for her."

Merlin smiled widely and tackled the Prince to the bed, holding him tightly.

Arthur squirmed for a moment, pretending to be annoyed with the wizard's antics.

"Mer-lin!" he gasped out. "You idiot servant, get off."

"Your idiot servant, though." Merlin said, leaning on his elbow to smile at his prince.

"Yes, mine. If I ever seeing you serve another, I'll cut your head off." Arthur warned.

"I've told you, sire. I am happy to serve you till the day I die." He replied, ducking his head.

Arthur made sure the door was bolted before pulling Merlin back into his arms and holding him; Merlin's face tucked into his neck. This had become his favorite position to have Merlin in. When they were like this he could feel the wizard's heartbeat, feel the softness of his hair.

During the fay they continued on as they had before but at night when their evenings were their own, they laid like this.

"You know, relationships like ours back home...it's...we wouldn't have to hide." Merlin stuttered, his face turning pink.

"Have you had a relationship like this before?" Arthur asked softly.

"Growing up, there wasn't much to do. So we would dare each other to kiss and such." Merlin shrugged. "Sometimes it was boys, other times it was girls."

"Which did you prefer?" One of the prince's hands had found it's way through Merlin's dark brown hair, gently carding through it.

"I didn't really have one." he replied, eyes sliding shut. "Kisses are always nice but when there is no affection behind them..." He shrugged again.

"Affection..." Arthur mused. "I think you've been around Laya too long. You have even picked up her manner of speaking."

"Have not," he said. "Prat."

"But, Merlin, you have avoided my question..." Arthur said, "About having a relationship like this one?"

"Um. Yeah, one or two. But they were...I thought I was...I mean, that I had some sort of feelings for them that were more then that of friends." Merlin said, looking up at Arthur again. "But in the end, they did not feel the same."

"They didn't?" Arthur asked, confused. "Why not?"

"They wanted a bed warmer." he said, sitting up. "Then, of course, the magic didn't help any."

"What does your magic have to do with it?" Arthur sat up, looking at Merlin.

"Well, if you have it, it means death, still." Merlin said. "I've been breaking the law since I was born. They all threatened to bring me to you and turn me in."

Arthur wrapped his arms around him. "They weren't worthy enough for you."

"Neither are you," Merlin chuckled. "But thank you."

"I have never had a relationship like this." Arthur said, lost in his thoughts. "So I have no clue where or how to move forward."

"Well, there are many things." Merlin said, pink gracing his cheeks once again.

"You look cute when you blush." Arthur whispered, eyes flickering between Merlin's eyes and lips. "I feel-"

Merlin cut him off with a kiss. "You ramble too much, sire." He smiled.

Arthur sat shocked.

"Sire?" Merlin asked, trying to bring him back to reality.

Arthur cleared his throat. "Yes?"

"You alright?" he asked, concerned. "Should I get you some water?"

"Water, yes." Arthur replied, blinking.

Smirking, Merlin got up and poured him a goblet of water. He crossed the room, back to the bed.

SPLASH!

Arthur jumped up, sputtering, water dripping from his blond locks. "Mer-lin!"

Merlin stood there, laughing into his hand at the image before him of the now sopping wet prince. "Welcome back, sire! How was it in the clouds?"

"I'll show you the clouds!" Arthur yanked the wet shirt from his back and threw it at Merlin before taking off chasing him around the room.

They ran around giggling madly before Arthur cornered Merlin behind the changing divider. "Truce!" Merlin said, still smiling and slightly out of breath.

''Truce." Arthur breathed, keeping Merlin pinned. "What should your punishment be?"

"I leave that to you, sire." Merlin smirked, licking his lips. "But bear in mind, I have to talk to Laya in the morning about our trip to Ealdor."

"You've spent every night with me." Arthur said, watching him. She must miss you."

"She has been with Gwaine every night." Merlin said, shifting a bit. "They have gotten about as close as we have."

"You think he is violating her as we speak?" Arthur teased.

"No, I have a charm in her room that cannot be removed that will alert me if he tries." Merlin replied in a serious tone.

Arthur ducked his head and chuckled. "You know she is not really your cousin, right?"

"She keeps saying something to me, a quote from her time." Merlin said. "Family does not end in blood."

"Well, she is a smart woman." Arthur said. "She did push us into moving our feelings into motion."

Merlin smiled. "Which proves she might be related to me after all."

"Or me." Arthur retorted, smirking.

"Oh, are you smart now?"he teased. "When did that begin?"

"I have my moments." Arthur replied, leaning forward more.

"Name one." Merlin replied, wrapping his arms around Arthur's neck.

Arthur didn't reply, instead he leaned all the way towards Merlin and pressed their lips together once again.

Laya and Gwaine

Gwaine laid on the cot that was provided to him as he continued being Laya's personal guard, watching her pace back and forth. "You are making me dizzy, love."

"You are always dizzy." She replied, her hand tossing her hair. "Blame that on your alcohol intake, not my pacing."

"Run the dragon's riddle by me again." He said.

"If I can't understand it sober, what makes you think your drink addled brain can?" she snapped. She stopped her pacing and took a breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap."

"You are frustrated." Gwaine replied, rubbing a hand over his eyes.

"I know." she sighed. "I mean, I grew up reading about Camelot and being here is a dream come true...but I miss my home."

"That is why we want to help." He said, "Now, give us the riddle."

"You will fall asleep surrounded by those who care about you and wake up with the one who worries most." she recited. "This is bullshit! I'm normally good with riddles. Except this one and one other."

"Which one was that?" Gwaine asked.

"I open at the close." She sighed. "It's from a book tat came out when I was younger. It meant that the lock would open when the main character died."

"That sounds sad." He said, brows furrowed.

"Yeah, but it had a happy ending." She replied, smiling. "My friend Gerry, he hated the ending, but got over it."

"Maybe friendship has a part in this riddle." Gwaine said after a moment of silence.

"That's what I was thinking." She said, sitting on her bed. "I know the last part. I'll wake up with my brother, who worries about me more then anyone ever could. But 'sleep' could mean one of two possible options."

"Sleeping at night..." Gwaine started.

"Or death." she replied, "Or rather, death in this time."

"You'll die in our time and wake up in your own." Gwaine said, "But around who? Everyone here likes you."

"I don't know." she rubbed at her eyes.

"My guess is Merlin and Arthur." Gwaine replied. "While we are friends, you and I, my feelings run deeper then friendship."

"I know." she said, smiling, moving to his cot. "Ugh, this thing is lumpy. My bed is more comfortable."

"Of course it is." Gwaine teased. "I am a lowly knight, you are the Royal Songbird." He sat up, smirking. "Sing something for me."

"A song from my time?" she asked. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "A song that makes you happy."

She thought for a moment before nodding.

"Hands touch.

Eyes meet.

Sudden silence.

Sudden heat.

Hearts leap in a giddy whirl.

He could be that boy,

but I'm not that girl."

She got up and moved towards the window. The world seemed to stop around them and she could swear that her voice carried throughout the castle. To her, this was a song of hope. Hope that one day, the person you loved would notice you and not the pretty girl who didn't care.

"Don't dream too far.

Don't lose sight of who you are.

Don't remember that rush of joy.

He could be that boy.

I'm not that girl.

It was odd. This song that gave her joy was also sad. Everyday you would look at that person and wonder why it would never work, as others had told you, and wonder why it would never be you that they were looking at. Then there was that moment when they would look at you and your heart would leap and pound in your chest, but it was never you. You were their friend and that was it.

"Every so often we long to steal

to the land of what-might-have-been

but that doesn't soften the ache we feel

when reality sets back in."

Then it happened. For the briefest of moments they were yours and it was everything you dreamed it would be...but then it ended with you looking and feeling like an idiot.

"Blithe smile,

lithe limb.

She who's winsome...

she wins him.

Gold hair with a gentle curl.

That's the girl he chose

and Heaven knows

I'm not that girl."

He used you to get to your friend. She was everything you weren't and in that moment...you give up. You felt like crap; he made you feel like crap.

She turned to Gwaine, sighing.

"Don't wish.

Don't start.

Wishing only wounds the heart."

You move on, you meet new people. You learn to smile and to laugh once again. You become comfortable in your own skin. You learn that all the reasons you looked at that one person for so long is for the same reasons that someone else looked at you. You will always have insecurities. It was a part of life that you had to deal with.

"I wasn't born for

the rose and

the pearl."

She gestured to herself and the ways she was different from Morgana and Gwen. She wasn't skinny. Her skin wasn't fair and her hair was so thick that it was a pain in the ass. But there was something about her that they didn't have. Something that made her special. Gwaine had joined her by the window by the time she was finishing the song.

"There's a girl I know...

He loves her so...

I'm not

that girl."

"That was beautiful." Gwaine said, taking her hands in his own. "But you are wrong. You are that girl." He cupped her cheek and closed the distance between them, lightly placing his lips upon hers. She found herself wrapping her arms around his waist. If you had asked her before if she would find herself in this position with the knight she would laugh and call the person an idiot. But right now...it was right. It was familiar.

"GWAINE!" Merlin's voice echoed through her rooms as the door swung open and bounced off the door. "GET AWAY-" He cut off as the two jumped apart.

"DAMMIT, MERLIN!"Laya screamed.