Disclaimer: Thank you for subscribing or commenting on this story. I'm glad that you all are liking the story that I came up with one night. As usual, I only own the basic plot and the Ocs. I own nothing related to BBCs Merlin. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. The song is called "Santa Fe" from the 1992 version of the movie Newsies.

After an hour or so, Laya opened the door to Merlin's room and saw Arthur asleep on the cot, Merlin's neckerchief clutched in his hands. She climbed into the cot with him and snuggled close, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Now, you know why he was upset." She whispered, falling asleep herself.

Hours later, Gaius came back and found the door to Merlin's room open and part of him thought his adopted son had come back finally. But he knew better. Merlin had come to him and spoke to him privately before he left. It would be another week or so until he came back. He poked his head into the room and saw Laya and Arthur sleeping. He smiled and watched them. He could never have wished for better companions for Merlin. Merlin had told him that Laya had taught him a song that they would use to try and find each other in the future. Not that Gaius believed that but he thought it was nice that they did. He went about his business and decided to let them sleep a while longer.

Barely an hour later, Laya came out of the room. She rubbed at her eyes and mumbled. "Hello, Uncle."

"Hello, little Phoenix. Did you have a nice rest?" He said, as if speaking to a small child. He knew better then to talk too loudly or too much before she had drank some tea.

She nodded and took the hot drink that he gave to her. "Arthur needed to listen, so I locked him in there and talked then when I went to check on him later, I realized I was tired and laid down, myself." She explained. "He should be waking up soon."

Gaius nodded and they idly talked until the prince woke up. He stumbled out of Merlin's room, sitting himself next to Laya.

"Tea, sire?"Gaius asked.

"Hmm? Yes, Gaius. Thank you." He said, smiling at the older man.

"Do you feel better now?" Laya asked. "More rested?"

"More rested? Yes. Better? No. Now I feel like an ass."

"I know. I'm sorry. I just needed you to know how he felt and I couldn't think of another way." Laya said, keeping her eyes on her tea.

"It's alright." He said, patting her back. "I needed to hear it."

She nodded as Gaius came back with the cup for Arthur. He took it and thanked Gaius gain.

"Uncle?" Laya asked, tilting her head to the side. "Did Merlin mention anything else to you before he left?"

Young eyes met older ones. "He did. Mainly that he would be back and to keep an eye out. I cannot recall when."

"Oh." She said, sipping her tea, not wanting to press anymore. She didn't want to press. He was in the same boat that they were.

Arthur watched the interaction and saw that the older man's eyes looked sad. "You know, my father is gone as well, gone to visit someone."

Laya and Gaius looked up at him. "It's been awhile since you and I have shared a meal in here, together. Wouldn't you agree Gaius?" Arthur said, smiling.

"Indeed it has." The old man said with a smile of his own.

"I'll tell the cooks that we are having dinner in here tonight then." Laya smiled and ran off.

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Dinner was nice and quiet. Laya giggled as they told her stories of Arthur as a child and some stories of Arthur and Merlin's adventures. Before they were about to leave the old man for the night, Arthur decided to catch her off guard. She had briefly discussed this topic with Merlin but they usually don't talk about it.

"In your time...are we remembered?" He asked.

Laya froze for a moment before smiling before smiling sadly. "You are. But not how you'd think."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, in my time...everything about King Arthur and Merlin is well...mostly fiction." She said, slowly.

"Fiction..."

Laya nodded. "Please, understand. Here, magic is owtlawed...where I come magic is fake, found in imagery or sounds. The magic Merlin does doesn't exist in my world outside of fantasy stories or those who believe in it. Everything was either fabricated or passed down from word of mouth. That being said, in my time: Merlin is an old man and you are a small boy, aged between ten and thirteen." She gazed at him "They believe that there was a man loosely based off of you and one of Merlin but that's about it."

"So, what you're saying...in a sense, to your world..all of this is fake."Arthur said, slowly.

"They can't pin an 'Arthur Pendragon' in history, no." Laya explained.

He nodded. "Well, you can't help stupidity."

She giggled and nodded. "I told Merlin that I would write a book on both of you when I get back. I'd tell the truth."

"I give you permission for that." Arthur said, straightening his back as if he made a life altering decision for her."

"Well, no offense, sire but I don't need it." She replied, leaning her chin onto her hand, smiling cheekily.

"True," He replied. "But you have it anyway."

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They both headed back to Arthur's room after bidding goodnight to the older man. When Arthur closed the door. "Teach me another song from your time."

"Which kind?"

"Kind?" He asked.

"Right. Not used to different kinds of music. Um...hurt...romance..."

"One of your favorites." He said.

"Oh...hmmm...wait, I know one."

"So that's what they call a family

Mother, Father, daughter, son

Guess that everythin'

You heard about

is true.

She moved towards the window, looking up at the moon.

So you ain't got any family

Well, who said you needed one?

Ain't you glad that no one's waitin' up

for you.

When I dream,

on my own..

I'm alone but I ain't lonely.

For a dreamer,

night's the only time of day

When the city's finally sleeping

All my thoughts begin to stray

And I'm on a train that's bound for

Santa Fe.

She kept her eyes trained out the window, thinking of her past with her father and how much she missed her mother and brother.

And I'm free,

like the wind.

Like I'm gonna live forever.

It's a feelin' time can never take away!

All I need's a few more dollars

And I'm outta here stay

Dreams come true,

yes they do

in Santa Fe.

Before Laya could sing the rest of song Arthur wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "This can be your Santa Fe."

"It already is. I just wish my mother was alive to see it. My brother would even enjoy it here."

"You haven't mentioned him awhile. I was hoping that you still remembered him." Arthur said, smirking.

"I could never forget my big brother." She said with a smile. "He's everything to me. Just like you and Merlin..." She trailed off with a sad smile.

"He'll be back with us soon."

"I know. But it still doesn't stop us from missing him." She said. "Come on, let's go to sleep."