Disclaimer: Thanks for reading and liking this story. I love this one so much. As usual, I own nothing related to BBC'sMerlin or any of the songs that the OC may use. We are coming to the end soon, though. I'm hoping that you enjoy it.

Merlin was back in Gaius' chambers, spending time with him like they had told him to do. Well, actually, if there had been a fly on the wall then they would see that Merlin was getting beat with a book half the time as he told Gaius about where he had been and what he had done.

While that was going on, Arthur and Laya were sitting in her room, trying to figure out how to punish Merlin for not telling them where he was and if he was okay.

"Make him resume his usual duties about the castle?" Arthur asked, sitting on the bed, watching as Laya paced.

"No. If we did that we'd never see him again." She said. "Even if we made him walk between us at all times, he would still find somehow to vanish on us."

"True, he IS Merlin." Arthur said, huffing.

"We could make him tell us about where he was and what he learned." She said.

"But is that really a punishment?" The king replied, grabbing at one of his pillows.

"For him it would be." Laya replied, stopping to look at Merlin. "Especially if he didn't like the answers he got."

Arthur nodded. Merlin did have a knack for lying to him about certain things. "How would we know if he's telling the truth?"

"Gaius has some books. Maybe one of them might have a truth serum." She said, "I can ask him tonight while you and Merlin catch up."

"What makes you think he'll want to catch up with me?" He asked, "I'm debating on letting him into my chambers until we can get him to tell the truth."

"Okay, we both know that isn't going to happen." She giggled, putting her hands on her hips.

"I...I...Yeah, you're probably right." He said, hanging his head bashfully. "I really missed him."

"Yeah, me too." She said. "When he gets here, I'll go have tea with Gaius then be back for bed." She said, sitting next to him. "Unless, you guys get naked...then just leave a glove on the door or something."

He nodded. "I doubt that's going to happen."

"Never assume something." Laya replied, knowingly.

About an hour later, Merlin came back, looking tired.

"Gaius did a number on you, huh?" She asked, rubbing his back as he flopped onto their bed.

"So...many...questions..." His reply came out muffled.

Laya giggled and ran her fingers through his hair a bit. "Well, you might have heard us but we couldn't hear you...we were worried."

"I know," He said, turning his head towards her. "Gaius told me. I'm sorry. I should've made the connection two way so that I could let you know that I was at least alive."

"That would have been nice." Laya said, laying next to him. "Roll over a bit."

He did and she snuggled under his arm. "Arthur is doing something with the knights, take a nap with me."

"Alright, let's just lay properly on the bed first." He said, dragging them so that they were laying with their heads on the pillows. He tucked the blanket around them and pulled her closer. "Ugh. I've missed sleeping in a bed."

"I bet." She smiled, yawning. "Get some decent sleep."

"Sleep tight." he said, kissing her hair, before closing his eyes.

Arthur came back a bit later and found the two of them cuddled in their bed, both asleep still. He smiled and brushed Laya's hair away from her face and kissing Merlin's cheek before climbing into the bed behind Laya, pulling them both close to him, watching them both to sleep.

It was the most at ease he had felt in months, watching them both. Laya was always with him so he knew that she was safe. But when Merlin was gone...his anxiety had been on high alert, half of him believing that Merlin was safe but the other half of him hoping that he wouldn't get a letter or even someone returning his body to Camelot. Knowing Merlin, he went with something that showed he was part of the royal staff.

He pulled them closer and buried his face in Laya's hair, exhaling gently. Merlin heard it and stirred. "Arthur?"

"Yeah, it's me. You both looked so comfortable that I had to join in." He said with a smirk.

Merlin smiled sleepily. "I missed this. The three of us taking a nap together."

"So did we. We cuddled with each other." Arthur said, "It was easier for us to sleep that way."

"I'm glad that you guys had each other." Merlin said. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing." Arthur said. "You heard everything, remember?"

"Right. But it's different seeing it than hearing it." He said, shifting to his elbow so he could see Arthur properly.

"Well, Gwaine and Laya have been spending more time together. They usually go out for picnics or to the tavern once or twice a week."

"I'm glad...I'm just gonna feel bad for them both when we have to send her home." Merlin said, looking down at them.

"You figured out how to..didn't you?" Arthur asked softly.

He nodded, stroking her hair. "Yeah...yeah I did. I found who the Dragon sent me to see...and I learned that I was right. There is no other way."

"You mean..."

Merlin nodded. "Yeah..."

Arthur got out of the bed and got onto Merlin's side, climbing back in behind him. "Come here."

Merlin rolled over and buried his face into Arthur's chest, wrapping his arms tight around him, breathing in Arthur's natural scent.

"I'm so scared, Arthur." He said, sniffling. "I don't want to mess it up. What if I kill her in her world too?"

"Hush. Don't talk like that, Merlin." He said softly. "That won't happen. You're the best warlock I know."

"I'm the only warlock you know." He huffed out.

"Still the best." Arthur said, running his fingers through Merlin's hair.

"Why are you doing Laya's thing?" He asked.

"What? This?" He said, still doing it. "She did it to me when I really missed you. I liked it, it was comforting."

"That's true." He said. "Arthur..."

"Yes?" He paused a bit in running his fingers through the raven locks.

"I really missed you." Merlin said, looking up into the young prince's eyes.

"I missed you too." He said before leaning down and connecting their lips.

Merlin exhaled through his nose, pulling the blond closer to him.

"And that's when I leave." Laya chimed in, climbing out of the bed, smirking when they jumped apart. "You're both like family to me at this point and I don't wanna see this."

"Sorry, Laya." Arthur said, ducking his head.

"No you're not." She teased. "Have fun you two. I'm going to go talk to Gaius."

"Alright. By the way, we don't need that thing anymore." Arthur said.

"Need what?" Merlin said.

"Well, we half thought that you were going to not tell us about the results of your quest, but you told me already so we don't need to look for something that'll make you tell the truth." Arthur said.

"He wouldn't have it anyway." Merlin said. "I hid it after Laya got here because I felt like she would use it on Gwaine."

"Gwaine and I are sleeping together at this point. Why would I have wanted a truth serum?" She asked, hand on the door handle.

"In case he stood you up." Merlin said,with a shrug.

"Merl...if Gwaine ever stood me up and it wasn't because Arthur needed him...he wouldn't be standing. Either because I broke his legs or one of the knights did it for me." She said slowly.

"Okay, true." The two men agreed as she turned to leave.

"Oh, and Gaius went to bed already, so you can go see Gwaine instead." Merlin said. "If he's off tonight, that is."

"He is." Arthur said. "He should be down at the tavern or in his quarters."

Laya smiled. "Thanks guys." She blew them a kiss and bounced out the door.

"Now, where were we?" Arthur asked, looking down at Merlin.

"Hmmm.I think here." He rolled on top of Arthur, pinning him to the bed, and kissing him again.

They pulled apart when oxygen became necessary, panting slightly against each others lips. "What now?" Arthur asked, looking

Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the candles in the room blew out except for the ones on either side of Arthur's bed, leaving the room dimly lit around them. Arthur exhaled audibly, not realizing that he had been holding his breath.

"Seems like for someone who was so scared of magic, it does something to increase your heart rate, sire." Merlin teased.

"You do something to my heart rate, you tease." He said, eyes tracing Merlin's jawline. "Not just your magic."

"Oh? Do tell."

"You think I don't notice the way you look at me when you think that my father isn't looking?" Arthur asked.

"No, but I was hoping that you would notice." Merlin said. "I love the thrill of knowing that I could get caught."

"He would kill you." Arthur said.

"That's what makes it thrilling, sire." He said. "Just like how you just felt when I used my magic to blow out the candles."

He gasped a bit. "What else can you do with your magic right now?"

"Let me show you." He said, smirking, his eyes flashing again. Their clothes vanished.

"That was easier then the usual way to do it." He said, kissing Merlin's neck. "Tonight, you're all mine, warlock."

"As you wish, sire."