The room Merlin had walked in was obviously not designed for this purpose. It looked like someone had chosen the most bare and purposeful room they could find and someone else had tried to make it seem less intimidating. The walls were dirty white and faded and the floor had seen its best days at least ten years ago. One of the walls looked like black glass and Merlin was quite sure that it was see-through from the other side. He wondered if there was someone behind it and if there was, he hoped Gwaine was there. He was disappointed that he hadn't seen him yet. The table was obviously designed so it wouldn't break if someone decided to throw it against a wall and so that the one who tried, would need an enormous amount of power to even lift it. Still there were dents and scratch all over the surface and Merlin would have felt himself like a criminal if the chair he was supposed to sit in hadn't been changed to an armchair. A blue armchair to be precise. The lawyers were also sitting on armchairs and none of the chairs looked the same. It kind of looked silly.
When Merlin had sat down and looked at the lawyers the first time, he had no doubt which was which. They were roughly at the same age, thin and they both had short, greyish hair, but that was where the similarities ended. The other looked stern but fair and somehow soft while the other looked like he had no mercy in him and Merlin felt fear rise inside him when he looked at his eyes so he averted his gaze and looked at Finna who didn't seem impressed at all. There was a strong suspicion creeping in Merlin's mind who was responsible of the comfortable chairs.
Leon placed himself to a chair in the left corner a bit behind Merlin and Finna to the opposite side. Merlin wished he could look at them instead of these two strangers, but he had no choice at the moment. He was very much aware of the camera in front of him and he hoped it wasn't still on.
It took awhile when the man who was there to be his legal help, Iseldir, told him why they were here, what would happen and who they all were. He then asked Merlin to tell the truth and only the truth and informed him that the recording would start now. Merlin tried to look like he had nothing to hide. Like he was ready for this and he was relaxed because of that, but the truth was that he wanted to hide everything and go to hide under the table. He tried to remind himself that there was more at stake than his shame, that he really had stuff he needed to keep hidden. That he had things he needed to protect.
Merlin had expected to first tell all that had happened and he had prepared himself to reveal some of the most embarrassing things he could think of, but as soon as the camera was on, even before Merlin could get worried of the fact that Uther would see this all at least in the court, Aredian talked.
"So… last summer, july eleventh to be precise, the security company your family has hired got an alarm from your home. After that the back door was opened with no marks or forced entry, was that you who opened the door?" was the first question and Merlin had to think. He didn't even blink while keeping his eyes on Aredian's, but his mind was giving him blank. Last summer… that felt so far away. He hadn't opened any doors causing an alarm had he? He was about to say that it hadn't been him, but in the middle he remembered. That one time he had followed Arthur when he had slipped out in the middle of the night to practice his techniques. It had been last summer, around that time, right? "Yes. But-"
"So you admit you let someone in?" Aredian didn't let him finish his sentence. "Yes…" Merlin tried waiting for a chance to tell the rest, but Aredian just wrote something to a notebook he had in front of him and said with finality in his voice "No further questions."
Merlin blinked few times. He wasn't sure what he had done wrong, but clearly there was something. He felt like he had given information he wasn't supposed to give, but he had only said what was true so what had happened? He was almost there to try to explain himself when Aredian spoke again "What kind of relationship you have with mr. Mayhawk?"
Merlin had to blink at that. "Who…?" Aredian looked at him with a mock pity. "Gwaine Mayhawk, I believe you are familiar with his given name?" Merlin continued blinking. There were so many feelings inside of him and quite many of them were panicking over Gwaine's name being mentioned, but on top of them all was 'Gwaine Mayhawk… have I never really asked his surname?' It felt surreal, but kind of funny at the same time. Merlin decided that he would have to control his sarcasm too and he got a little more serious.
"He is one of the officers who came to take me away from Uther's house." He said still calculating what he was supposed to say and what not. "I believe he owns the shop you used your money every wednesday you were caught skipping class last spring and from the security camera footage I can tell you have visited there… twice a week for at least two months? very punctually, may I add." Aredian was looking at him in the eyes in a way that Merlin found hard to look at and turn his gaze away at the same time. He couldn't say no to that. He had used his card after all so they must know. It felt like Aredian knew everything at the moment.
"Yes… I did visit there." He hoped with all of his heart that Gwaine wouldn't get in trouble because of this. "Is there any particular reason you visited there?" Aredian continued and Merlin tried to think desperately what to say to that. That he liked Gwaine? Or because he made good sandwiches and he had been constantly hungry? Or that he had promised not to buy alcohol from anywhere else?
"Umm… it was near?" he tried and he knew he had been a bit sarcastic and tried to stomp that tone from his voice down as well as he could. "And that was the reason you tried to hide that? I'll cut the chase here, were you sexually involved with 'Gwaine'?" Aredian continued causing Merlin's breath hitch. There was some heat rising to his cheeks, but there was just one answer "No."
"Why do I find it hard to believe." That wasn't even a question, Aredian didn't believe him for a second and Merlin was himself starting to doubt if he had been truthful at all. He had tried to lie from where he knew Gwaine, but he hadn't been like that with Gwaine at all, but how he could say that without seeming like a liar now?
Aredian again wrote something to his papers and then, almost like asking for weather, he asked "You are homosexual, is that correct?" and Merlin's time stopped. He could see everything in slow motion but he wasn't sure if it was the world or his brain that had slowed down. "I-" he didn't know how to continue and it seemed Aredian was not interested anyway and before he had a chance to continue, Aredian continued "I see you paid about exactly same amount of money until you stopped visiting during school hours, you almost never missed a week, how do you explain this?"
"I-" Merlin didn't even remember if he had paid the same sum every week or not and he had no idea what there was to 'explain' in that. Luckily Iseldir came to his rescue. "I do not see how this is relevant to this meeting. To me it seems that you have no real questions so you are attempting on bullying my client."
And there was again connection to the world. Yes, Aderian was bullying him. Somehow that sounded right. The feeling that this man in front of him knew everything, well, if he did know everything, he should have no doubt what Uther had done, so why he was asking questions about opening doors and visiting a shop? This was a witch hunt for someone needed to be guilty and it couldn't be the one who paid for Aredian.
"I would very much see it relevant if an officer who made the arrest of my client has a sexual relationship with the supposed victim." Aredian didn't even bat an eyelash, but when Iseldir started to sprout some terms Merlin was not familiar of, it gave him time to collect himself. His brain came with a question 'what does this man know?' and when he managed to find the answer 'what Uther knows' Merlin started to breath calmly again. As strong as Aredian came, he didn't know more than the police and Uther knew. He couldn't know what he was feeling nor about Arthur. Merlin glanced at Finna who looked at him with compassion and encouragement and the most important of all, with the same eyes Gwen had looked at him when she had told Merlin she was aware of him being a homosexual. He then glanced at Leon who looked kind and slightly disturbed of the situation. Merlin looked at the camera again. This either wasn't about the details, it was about his feelings and if they were recorded, so be it. He could do this.
"Gwaine… makes the best sandwiches. He made me a vegetarian sandwich every week. I paid some extra for that. Yes, I am homosexual, but I don't like old men like him. I li-like boys of my own age." Merlin said just slightly trembling voice even if it felt like something was trying to crawl out through his throat.
The lawyers again concentrated on him rather than each others. Merlin was quite sure they had met before this case for it normally took more than few sentences to start arguing like that. A very nasty suspicion that Aredian had seen him buying beer from the footage he had mentioned made fear crawl its way back to Merlin's chest, but when Aredian didn't comment on that, Merlin realised that Gwaine had almost every time handed him a plastic bag with beer and sandwich so it shouldn't be seen in the camera. This deduction made him relax further. Telling truth where he could and changing details where he had to, this he knew how to do. He would just have to concentrate on what this man knew and what not.
"From the footage I watched, I could see you went to some back room with him twice, how is that a normal customer service?" Aredian continued and now Merlin could see the agony on Iseldir's face too. Maybe he could like this man a little.
"I felt faint and he gave me a chair to sit on." Merlin answered trying to find anything wrong in his answer. "Faint you say… did that have anything to do with your habit of cutting yourself?" Aredian continued with smooth tone and Merlin automatically took hold of his thigh. This seemed to be a mistake because Aredian immediately wrote something on his papers. Merlin tried to think, but he had cut himself the last time before Gwaine had taken him to the back room. "No… I felt faint because-"
"Of your bulimia, I presume." Aredian didn't let him continue, but he was right. In a way, Merlin had been vomiting, but bulimia? Merlin was just barely familiar with the concept and he didn't feel himself as someone who deliberately vomited, but where was the line? He wasn't sure. "No! I vomited…" He started, but while he tried to think of what to say, Aredian was already speaking again. "Because of 'psychological trauma' as the medical examination states?"
Merlin hated that explanation for he felt utterly weak hearing it said like that and he couldn't help but think how Freya must have thought that and written it down, but it was closest to the truth so he said in a quiet voice "yes." Aredian made some notes again and Merlin was rapidly starting to hate that habit. "I see… I have here..." Aredian said and placed an official looking document in front of Merlin "a written interview from the maid that cleaned your room that states that there were some traces of vomit and even blood especially in your bathroom quite often. May I ask you how often did you vomit?"
Humiliated, Merlin felt humiliated, but the question was simple enough at least "Every time after he- Uther came to my room." He managed to say. Iseldir nodded at him understanding what he meant and asked him to tell more specifically what he meant and Merlin did. He kind of liked Iseldir's style now, he didn't show pity but he wasn't intimidating either. Now he could actually find it better that he didn't have to see Finna's no doubt compassionate face all the time.
"Like a clock work then, your trauma that is!" Aredian commented the second Merlin stopped talking and he again felt he had made a mistake with something he had said. This man did nothing to change the world view Uther had hammered in Merlin's head and he could almost hear Uther whispering in his ear how this was all in vain, nobody would believe him after all. He was almost ready to ask if he could not do this after all when Iseldir shot quite a dirty look at Aredian and started to ask questions of what had happened. After Aredian's questions those were so much easier to answer.
Merlin talked what felt like forever and he felt dirty to the core admitting what had happened, stupid and naive for telling why he had never told anyone and what he had done to keep everything secret and worst of all Aredian made him doubt himself in every chance he got. His questions made Merlin's head spin and he had to constantly remind himself of what he knew, what Aredian knew, what had really happened and why. Was he telling the truth? How did it sound like? Was he exaggerating? Was he forgetting something? Did he want it after all? Had it been someone else after all? It was close to madness and Merlin felt like he had felt long ago, like he wasn't sure what was real and what was not. It was such a fragile balance he was with trying to feel like he wasn't the one at fault and when Aredian kept sounding so confident and sure and looking at him like he was just making this up, Merlin found himself confused.
At times he felt his past strangling him and his fear get better of him and at those times Finna was there, suggesting a break and handing him a glass of water or a cup of cocoa. Merlin had no idea where it had appeared from, but the overly sweet taste of milk powder and cocoa mixed in with hot water could have been drinkable life itself. Merlin decided that wherever Finna would ever ask to company him, he would not hesitate to say yes.
"What I still don't understand, is why a shopkeeper who made you…" Aredian searched something from his notes "'vegetarian sandwiches' was suddenly making an arrest." To that Merlin had no answer. He had guessed that it had something to do with Gwaine's father, but he didn't know, not really so he just replied "I don't know." Aredian looked at him from under his brows and was about to ask something else when Iseldir cut in "That is not the matter here. All the officers are employed and legally qualified and if you have more questions on the theme, this is not the place for that. Mr. Mayhawk is not a close relative and we have a clear testimony from Merlin already that he did not have a romantical relationship with him, so he is not void in this case."
Merlin wasn't sure why, but that sentence somehow made him more confident. So his words did matter after all. Maybe not to Aredian, but he wasn't alone against him after all.
After that came the discussion about the photos. It was by far the hardest thing Merlin had come across today. They were all printed in A4 size and even if it wasn't all, just few of them, they were like a hit in the gut. Merlin had looked at Leon and Finna when they were first mentioned and he could tell neither of them were surprised. So they had both seen them. Merlin had felt like crying when he had realised this.
Iseldir kept asking him what he could remember had happened at the nights the photos had been taken and to Merlin it was like he was again in the same place and time of them each while he kept talking. With each of them he could feel himself dragged around, being cuffed, being stroked and violated, hit and choked. But the fear, was not there. While it all felt so real and there, it also felt very distant. Merlin knew it was only a bit over week he had been raped the last time, but after that his world had turned upside down so many times it could have been a year. He could hear his own voice from somewhere far away and he didn't have to think what he was saying anymore, with those pictures in front of him, they could have been video recordings and it wouldn't have made much difference to Merlin.
Aredian didn't talk much during this, Merlin later came to a conclusion that he didn't have anything to say to those for he didn't want to draw any more attention to them that they already would have, but he kept making very clear what he thought about Merlin's explanations with his facial expression and Merlin was sure he would say something in the court. That was when he realised that everyone in the court were going to see this. Not just hear, but see. Uther would see this and his mother… would she go? That thought finally made some tears roll from his eyes in the middle of his sentence and as soon as he had finished, Finna was there, offering him a napkin and a new glass of water.
With that gesture Merlin felt like he was done with this all. His mother was going to see this and she had trusted him when he had told his story to her and she had remained on his side regardless of the things Merlin felt were his fault and he sure as hell wouldn't let someone who worked for Uther make her doubt if she had made a mistake by buying them a new house, taking Merlin and Arthur, oh God Arthur, out of that man's house. Would Arthur go to the court? The fear gripped Merlin's guts and he had to put the glass down before it fell from his shaky hand.
"I… hated those photos. Uther took them at times and he told me he would show them to my mother and tell her what I had done with him. That she would believe him over me and that she would hate me because of what I was and what I had done and I was stupid enough to believe that. I never wanted any of that and most of it hurt, badly. I have never done anything like that with anyone else, but Uther Pendragon and I don't care what you think happened as long as I never have to go back to that house." With every word Merlin's voice became surer and even if it was quiet, he could feel himself a bit powerful. Maybe a bit brave, like Gwaine had called him earlier today. He kept his eyes on Aredian the whole time. He wouldn't be afraid of him anymore. He actually never had been, it was Uther who was behind Aredian's motives and it was Uther he was afraid of. And Uther… wasn't the whole world. As much as he had seemed like that to Merlin, he wasn't. Not anymore.
Aredian just scoffed and didn't look impressed, but to Merlin he had taken a step forward and how Aredian reacted to it held only a little bit significance to him.
The last questions circled around the night Arthur had found out about him and the day the police came. When the session finally ended, Merlin wasn't sure if it all had taken an hour or five. It turned out to be three and a half and Merlin had no trouble believing that was the case. When he saw Iseldir turn off the video camera and give it to Leon who placed it carefully to a suitcase made for it, Merlin could just stare and hope he would never be filmed in his life again.
It took at least fifteen minutes before Iseldir had shaken his hand and reassured him he would take care of the rest and told Merlin that he could call him anytime if he still had anything he wanted to tell him. By that time Aredian was already gone and Merlin had remembered that he had legs he could stand on. It was nice that Iseldir seemed to hold his word in such high value, but Merlin was sure he wouldn't contact him. Every question and answer from today was spinning in his head without control or direction and trying to think if he had left something unsaid… not a chance.
Merlin tried to walk out of the room after Leon, but his legs shook and before he could blink, Finna was there. She linked their arms and started to walk out and Merlin had no choice but to follow. He appreciated the gesture, this way he didn't feel like he was being held by hand like a little child or being fussed over like someone who was fragile, but like he was escorting the older woman. It could have been worse.
Getting out of the room didn't help much, but the much more fresher air did. The hall was deserted. It did look a bit odd, but it made sense, it was over seven o'clock after all. Merlin was quite sure Finna had asked if he wanted something to drink and maybe he had even answered to that because suddenly there was a paper cup filled with cheap tea in front of him. "Thanks…" Merlin murmured and attempted on drinking the beverage, but it was too hot so he just ended up burning his tongue.
He was just coming to a conclusion that he was tired and the one thing he had promised for himself would be to get to sleep as soon as he got home when Gwaine opened a door next to the room the interview had been held. Gwaine was looking around like checking if the coast was clear. He soon stepped out a wide smile plastered on his face and followed by Percy. Merlin could see a glimpse of a glass wall before the door closed and behind that the room he had been, just like he had guessed. In a way Merlin felt that he should have felt uncomfortable by this, but actually he was very happy to see Gwaine. He was just about to ask if he had made any trouble for his friend, but Gwaine didn't give him an opportunity for it.
"Well done Merlin, well done! Nice touch calling me old by the way." Gwaine said and winked at Merlin. Percy just nodded and didn't come as close as Gwaine who was currently standing next to a very speechless Merlin and placing his arm around Merlin's shoulders. He was clearly in good spirits and Merlin could just stare at him trying to form a sensible sentence while keeping his eyes on Percy's big and quite intimidating form all while trying to keep the tea in his hand from spilling.
"I'm going to take Merlin home, I'm going to the shop anyway, I'll return the car tomorrow." Was the part Merlin could make sense of before he found himself from the elevator with Gwaine and Finna. "Merlin dear, how are you feeling?" Finna asked as soon as the doors had closed and Merlin could just blink again. He wasn't too sure what was happening around him at the moment.
"Uh, fine?" He didn't know yet. Finna nodded and told him he could call to her any time and that she would come to visit in couple of days and asked if Merlin wanted her to come now "Just to see you home is fine, if you need some company." She told him and Merlin actually managed to smile at her, but he declined of the offer, he wanted to talk to Gwaine a bit.
They walked together as far as Finna's car and Merlin waved at her before following Gwaine to the police car they had come with. "I'm sorry I told about the shop! I-" He started as soon as the doors closed, but Gwaine just smiled at him amused and cut his speech before at turned to rambling "Of course you did! That's how we met and you were asked to tell the truth. No worries and no harm done. Besides the Adder was just trying to shake you up. He knows there is no way to win, but he has tried to make this case void and what not, but you don't need to worry about that, let us take care of the rest will you. You did great and I'm proud of you."
It took a while, but a smile broke to Merlin's features and he felt the feeling he had felt once today. That maybe he was a little bit brave and now, he had survived what he had been dreading and actually, it hadn't been that bad. It was over now. "I really did call you old…Mr. Mayhawk." merlin finally said and chuckled at Gwaine when he made a comically desperate look and acted offended "You make me sound like my father! But I have to admit… a good one, oh the look on the Adder's face was totally worth it!"
Gwaine started the car and Merlin felt sleepy, but he had just snuggled himself into a more comfortable position when Gwaine stopped the car. In front of the same pub they and eaten last week just two blocks down the street. "Fancy a beer?" Gwaine asked and Merlin thought for two seconds if he wanted to go to sleep now or if he could hold on for a while, but he did want to talk with Gwaine, so why not? So in they went.
The pub felt warm to Merlin who only had good associations for it and when Gwaine disappeared for awhile only to bring two large beers for them, Merlin felt he loved this place. They didn't talk about the interview nor about the court and Merlin was thankful of that. After couple of sips Merlin asked something he had wondered before. Why Gwaine didn't want to be a police.
Gwaine scratched his head maybe thinking what was the situation now. "I thought my old man only wanted me to follow his footsteps and I rebelled against that. Now, I don't know, I have my shop and I'm happy." Merlin trusted Gwaine on this, but somehow he felt that there was more to it. Something that Gwaine didn't know even himself at the moment and Merlin hoped they could talk about this again. Unknown to him, Gwaine was feeling the same.
"By the way, don't tell Percy, he will skin me alive if he finds out." Gwaine said pointing at the beer and changing the subject. Merlin smiled at Gwaine and took a sip from his beer. He had grown to like the taste and the tab cold beer… it was just a different species compared to the beer Merlin had drunk in his closet, warm and from a can. "What's it with you and Percy anyway?" Merlin asked. He felt that he could now.
"Ah, We met in the police academy and we immediately hated each others." Merlin looked at Gwaine, who had already drank half of his beer, in wonder. "We were kind of the opposites in everything, but in one assignment we found out that we had a very similar sense of humour and soon we were roommates and soon after I couldn't think of anyone else being my best friend. He is my best friend to this day." Merlin listened keeping his eyes on Gwaine. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting but somehow he wasn't satisfied with Gwaine's explanation.
"Why you have his number in the first speed dial?" He asked Gwaine glanced at him amused "Because I call him most often. For anyone else I would answer vaguely to make them think that there was something more in between us, but there seriously is not. Sorry to tell you Merlin, but I'm straight and Percy is not interested in either way. He finds dating in all a messy business and it's a mystery to him why anyone would willingly get physical." Gwaine winked at Merlin who felt ashamed that he had pressed the subject. He had felt overly eager to find something he was in Gwaine and now he regretted saying anything. He should have known that, he had known Gwaine was straight so why had he even asked?
"I sometimes make fun of Percy because I know he can take it, but seriously speaking, we are just good friends." Gwaine took a sip from his beer. "Sorry…" Merlin mumbled. Gwaine laughed quite loudly surprising Merlin. "Nothing to be sorry about. As I said, usually I don't speak this seriously, there is just something about you, Merlin, I like."
Gwaine drank the rest of his beer with one long sip and motioned the bartender to get him another one. Merlin's shame evaporated and instead he felt happy. "I like you too…" He said a bit shyly but smiling. Gwaine laughed a little and clicked his new glass with Merlin's barely started one. "Don't let Arthur hear that." He said jokingly and winked at Merlin again who blushed a little.
"Hey! Weren't you supposed to drive me home?" He asked when Gwaine started his second beer. "We'll take a cab." Merlin looked at him not convinced "And weren't you supposed to go back to your shop?" He continued. "Yes…" Gwaine answered now a bit more unsure voice. "And drive to the station tomorrow?" Merlin continued trying to give Gwaine the same look Gaius used on him when he wanted to know the truth. "Damn it Merlin, when did you go all Percy on me?!" Merlin smirked at Gwaine's tone and Gwaine rolled his eyes "Oh, just perfect. Now I don't only have Percy as my mother, but you can be my nagging little sister or something…" Merlin was about to comment when he heard calm but deep voice from behind him "I have no son who takes minors to drink during their working hours." Merlin jumped at least half a meter up from this sudden sound. They both turned around to see Percy who apparently could walk surprisingly quietly for his size.
Gwaine looked a bit sheepish "I was just…". Percy looked stoic as ever and Merlin had no idea what he was thinking, but Gwaine seemed to understand just fine "He did a great job you know? I just wanted to… alright you win. What?! I already said you won, now sit down for a second." Percy sat down sighing not feeling like he had won at all. Merlin was still intimidated by his size and he was happy when Percy didn't sit next to him but opposite from Gwaine who asked in a whiny tone "And how did you find us anyway?" This time Percy answered out loud "I hate to inform you, but you are not even slightly unpredictable." Gwaine laughed at this loudly and even Merlin had to smile. He kind of started to see why these two were friends.
After Percy came in, Merlin didn't dare to drink his beer anymore and in the end Gwaine finished his half drunk beer. Merlin was also shy and it was up to Gwaine to hold some conversation flowing but he didn't seem to mind. It was interesting how even if Gwaine seemed to enjoy Percy's quietness and fill the caps with talking, he didn't seem to just enjoy listening his own voice. It seemed more like they were actually having a conversation. Percy just didn't have to say that much for Gwaine to understand and he also found quite a good ways to translate 'Percy' to Merlin who would have found it hilarious if he wasn't so tense. When Gwaine had finished Merlin's beer, he was about to call a cab but Percy stopped him "I'm not going to let you to take Merlin to his mother while drunk. I'll drive."
It took just minutes to drop Gwaine to his shop, but from there on it wasn't so smooth. Gwaine had tried to give Percy direction, but he wasn't too sure how to drive from his shop to Merlin's house. "I would just walk across the park, the last time I drove there I think I drove half of the streets in this area…" He said. He would have come with them, but in front of his shop there were already four people waiting for Gwaine to show up.
It wasn't that bad, Merlin tried to tell himself. He was seated to the back seat that was not behind Percy's back. That was a must because Percy didn't fit in this small car very well. His head almost hit the ceiling and he had to adjust his seat as far as it moved but his legs still looked far from comfortable. Sitting behind him would have been unnecessary uncomfortable for anyone and Merlin wouldn't sit in the front seat if he could avoid that. But as neither of them spoke, Merlin started to feel that maybe he had offended Percy when he had not taken Gwaine's place in the front when Percy had asked him if he wanted to. He was uneasy yes, but he didn't want to offend Gwaine's best friend.
Still when Percy glanced at him, Merlin flinched and stilled. The car was turning to a suffocating and too small all of a sudden and the sense of being trapped was very much present. Percy noticed Merlin's distress, of course he did. He was also fairly sure of the reasons. He was quite used to that people felt intimidated by his size, especially in narrow spaces and Merlin was a victim of heavy abuse. Abuse that had often taken place in a car.
Lighting the mood was not one of his fortes, but he tried anyway "I want you to know that anything Gwaine has told you about me, is false." Merlin blinked at him and moved his gaze from Percy's very large hands to the back of his head and then to the rear view mirror. He could see Percy's eyes from that. "He told me that you are a good friend…" That said Merlin could actually see an expression in Percy's face (or in the part he could see of it). He looked honestly surprised. "He actually talked you seriously?" He asked and Merlin felt a bit irritated. Like Percy thought that he was too insignificant to be told the truth. Percy saw a frown in Merlin's face from the mirror and he tried to save the situation "It's not often that he's serious… I know he values you, but I guess you must really mean quite a lot to him."
Merlin thought of Percy's words. He found himself relaxing a bit. "He values you too…" Merlin said back and Percy actually laughed. "He better value all the hardship I have had because of him." Merlin smiled and noticed that he hadn't been scared for a while. He again focused on Percy's hands, they frightened him the most. Percy didn't miss that and he sighed. "I'm really not that scary you know… " Merlin blushed. He really hadn't meant to hurt Gwaine's friends feelings.
"I know… I just- I don't know…" He tried, but it felt like he had used so many words today that his brains couldn't tell him what word was supposed to come with the other anymore. Percy didn't mind, he had listened the whole interview and he was tired just from that. He didn't want to know how tired Merlin was. "It's alright. You have been very brave today and I know cars mustn't be the most comforting environment for you… " He had just tried to comfort Merlin, but Merlin's face fell.
"You know about… that?" He asked and Percy could see he had paled. "Yes… I'm in the team after all and I was listening to your interview." Percy was sure there were at least hundred things he could have said that would have been more comforting, but the honest reply was the only one he could come up with right now. "Of course you are… " Merlin shook his head like he was thinking he had been stupid and then rubbed his eyes. He really did look exhausted.
Percy was just about to tell him to get some rest when they would get home (if they would get home, Percy had once again driven to a one way street that didn't allow them to turn where he had wanted to turn) when Merlin surprised him by continuing "You have seen the photos too." It wasn't that much of a question, but the tone Merlin referred to the photos made Percy remember how much Merlin loathed those. To him, the photos had been the best evidence and a way to nail Uther Pendragon, but now he was forced to remember how personal they actually were. It didn't matter how those who had seen them, were all professionals who didn't care about who was in the pictures (save Gwaine), just what was in the pictures. To him the pictures were an object, but to Merlin… he had momentarily forgotten what they were for Merlin. 'I guess this is one of the reasons Gwaine is such a good officer, he never forgets…' Percy thought while trying to think what to say to Merlin.
"Yes… we in the team, the chief, Freya, both lawyers and the judge who will sit in the court have seen them. Finna and Tilly know they exist and what is in them in general." He tried sticking with facts, he himself had always felt a bit better if he knew what was happening around him. When Percy had to slow to a traffic light, he turned his head slowly to see Merlin just in time to see him wipe some tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. Percy knew better than try to reach for Merlin to comfort him like Gwaine did all the time, so he just took out a packet of napkins from his pocket and handed them towards Merlin over his shoulder, careful not to move his hand further than he had to, but even if the movement wasn't fast and Percy didn't reach any closer to Merlin than it was possible for him to in this sardine tin they called a car, Merlin still flinched visibly and made himself smaller against the window on his side. Percy kept his hand still while driving on and soon Merlin returned to his original position and took the napkins from Percy's hand, careful not to touch it.
"Sorry…" Merlin said quietly. He was embarrassed of his reaction but Percy didn't mind and he told as much to Merlin "It's alright. I understand that I'm not the most comforting person to be stuck in this type of car… Although in my profession that's mostly somewhat useful quality." Merlin made an attempt to smile a little and he did feel better. He decided that when Percy was talking he wasn't that scary.
Soon they drove to a road Merlin knew and he was able to give some instructions to Percy who smiled at him gratefully. He asked if Merlin could drive and Merlin managed to tell him no, but how he had taught to Arthur had given him some insight. It was nice, but Merlin had this anxious feeling and a need to know more. He had liked it very much when Percy had given him straight answers, so he started to ask some details of what would happen in the court. Percy was very willing to answer to those questions and soon he was sure that details did indeed calm Merlin down, so he told him very openly whatever he asked until they reached Merlin's home. Merlin even asked if he could come to the court and when Percy answered that he could, he felt some of his anxiousness ease even if he knew he would in no way come and he told Percy as much. He also learned that the photos they would use were going to be censored in a way that Merlin's face wouldn't show and that for some reason felt very important to Merlin.
Arthur flung the front door open the moment Percy drew to the street. Merlin rolled his eyes at that but was secretly happy. Arthur had been waiting for him. Percy on the other hand was happy to stand up for a moment. Arthur came to greet him like they had known for ages instead of just meeting briefly last week. while Merlin slowly exited the car Hunith also came out. She asked where Gwaine was and Percy made up some very official sounding excuse Merlin knew false. The tiredness was again catching up on him and when his mother came to hug him, Merlin told them all that he was a bit tired and excused himself to go to shower and to sleep early. Hunith asked him if he had eaten anything after lunch and Merlin remembered that he hadn't, just the cocoa and the beer and he mumbled that he hadn't while trying to breath to any direction but to his mother's face. Hunith asked if he could stay awake until he had eaten something, but Merlin really wanted to sleep even if just a little while and he asked if he could take one hour nap and eat then. Hunith told him he could. She wasn't overly excited to let her son to sleep just before night for she didn't want to let him ruin the routine she had tried to entablish, but Merlin did look like he would kneel over and fall asleep on their front yard if he didn't go now.
Merlin told Percy good night and extended his hand towards him. Percy took it and shook it briefly. He knew what that gesture meant for Merlin and he smiled at him a bit fondly, maybe even a bit proud? This Merlin kid, he was very easy to like wasn't he?
Arthur came upstairs after he had chatted a bit with Percy who had told him to take care of Merlin. He liked Percy and how he had kind of trusted Merlin to him, made him feel proud and calm. Merlin had just finished brushing his teeth to get rid of the beer in his breath. He had changed to pyjama already and his hair was dripping water from an extremely quick shower.
"You will get a pneumonia if you sleep like that…" Arthur said and took a towel to dry Merlin's hair a bit. He was happy when Merlin didn't protest, just let him ruffle his hair with a towel. "I would have dried it if you had given me one more minute…" he grumbled nor the less. Arthur just smiled at him. It was so nice when Merlin was normal like this, not flinchy or trying to apologise for it, but he was tired, Arthur would have seen it even without Merlin letting himself lean on Arthur's shoulder while Arthur dried from behind Merlin's ears.
"How was it?" He asked gently. Merlin just shrugged his shoulders, his forehead still on Arthur's shoulder. "I'm alright." He said and Arthur left it at that. Merlin had closed his eyes and Arthur was quite sure he didn't want Merlin to fall asleep while standing. He guided Merlin to their bed and offered to tuck him in. "I'm not a child you know?" He mumbled his eyes already closed but he was still happy to be spoiled like this. Arthur gave him a kiss to his forehead before returning downstairs and Merlin slept immediately. He was tired to the bone and with the last of last night's and today's stress left his body, he fell into the bliss of a dreamless sleep.
It took everything Hunith and Arthur got to wake Merlin up to eat after hour and a half he had fallen asleep and get him downstairs. If Hunith had been worried Merlin would ruin his night's sleep, she wasn't anymore. Actually she wasn't sure if he would wake up tomorrow at all even if he went to sleep right after eating.
Hunith didn't want to frighten her son so she tried to wake him up first gently calling him, then a bit louder and setting his alarm to ring. Finally Arthur came up to see what was taking so long and he wasn't so patient (he was hungry and also tired). Hunith could just watch when Arthur just walked next to Merlin and shook him while practically yelling "Merlin! You lazy idiot, wake up! You promised you would come to eat…" Merlin mumbled something incoherent and curled deeper inside his blanket. "No mumbling! Up!" Merlin sat up looking still asleep. Hunith took it from there and made him move to downstairs. She gave up on the idea of making Merlin change clothes though.
After he had eaten, Merlin went back to sleep. Arthur helped Hunith to tidy up while grumbling something about how Merlin would do it tomorrow. After few minutes Hunith had to ask Arthur "How did you know how to wake Merlin up? I didn't dare to be too loud…or touch him." Arthur thought for a moment. "I have had to wake him up so many times that I know that is the only way to wake him when he is sleeping like that. I guess he's used to it…" Hunith nodded deep in thought.
"But I wouldn't take his blanket off… I think that would frighten him… And if he looks scared it's best to step away, it helps him remember where he is I guess…" Arthur continued. He hadn't thought about this too much but it made sense now that he was. Even if he hadn't known it at the times but Arthur had witnessed Merlin wake up many times after nights he had been up and seen him get frightened thinking the one waking him up was Uther… Arthur remembered all the times when Merlin had looked at him afraid and how he had seemed to normalise when Arthur had stepped back or when Merlin had slept like a dead not waking to his alarm. Like just now, he must have been emotionally drained and slept poorly at night because of Arthur's father. It made Arthur sad to notice all these things now. Why had he been so thick… Yeah Merlin had done a good job at hiding his problems, but there had been many times that Arthur had seen glimpses of the fear Merlin was hiding inside of him and other things that should have been noticed and Arthur found more and more of those things from his mind every day. It felt horrible.
"You know so much about Merlin… I'm glad that he has you." Hunith told him smiling only a bit sadly. Arthur blushed a bit. 'No…I'm the one happy having him.' He thought but said nothing, just nodded. Hunith smiled and told him he could go now, she could take care of the rest. Arthur thanked her and told he would go upstairs to get his jogging clothes. That would help him sleep earlier and keep him occupied just for a while.
Merlin was sleeping soundly on their bed and Arthur smiled at the way Merlin was sleeping on his side, in his cocoon, facing the centre of the bed like he was waiting Arthur to join him. He looked so calm and cute this way. Arthur stroked his hair softly for a while before sighing and going to change in their closet. He didn't want to go anymore, he just wanted to curl up besides Merlin, but it was better if he went. He would come back and he could cuddle Merlin then. If he had luck Merlin might even wake up briefly to give him a good night kiss…
With the energy Arthur got from that thought, he changed and exited the house quickly and started to run. He had already found a nice routine for his jogging and he had also located the nearest football field from the park. It wasn't big but good enough to take Merlin there someday to play a little. As he ran, Arthur's mind wandered back to Merlin and to the court. His father would be there… He was sure Merlin had already decided that he wouldn't go and he hadn't asked about it from Arthur, so Arthur was quite sure Merlin was sure he wasn't going either. But Arthur started to feel that he had to. He had to see Uther and see this end. If he didn't face it head on, he felt that he couldn't get closure to this and he would wonder for a long time what had happened. Hearing from someone else wouldn't be enough.
As he ran on, he started to feel that even being present wouldn't be enough for him. He had already told everything he knew to the police, but to him, it felt like he had done the easy option. He had mentally prepared himself to stand in the court already and getting a free ticket out hadn't given him much comfort. He had been ready to tell his father's face what he thought about him, on who's side he was. He had already closed the door of his and his father's relationship, but he felt, that he had to do it so his father would know it too. That was the right thing to do and it would give him the peace of mind he desperately needed. To stand tall against his father, to show he had his own strength and to give everything he got for the relationship he had with Merlin now. Not for revenge or because he was angry, but to really let the truth to be known as he had it seen for he was sure that whatever evidence they had, no-one could know better than him how Merlin had looked like, screaming in the middle of the night or scrubbing his skin in overly warm shower to get rid of Uther's smell or waking up with fear in his eyes.
Arthur quickened his pace and turned sharply to the direction of Gwaine's shop. He would tell him now and Hunith when he got home.
Gwaine's shop was packed. He was trying to serve as many customers as he could at the same time and Arthur could see from his movements that Gwaine really knew his shop inside out and his customers too for he called most of them by name. He must showed a very odd expression because when Gwaine noticed him, he laughed. "Don't look so surprised Arthur, I am known to work on occasion!" He seemed to be in good spirits and full of energy. Arthur hadn't seem him this happy safe the first time they saw in this shop and he was fairly sure it was because of how Merlin's interview had gone. That realisation made some tension fall from his shoulders he hadn't realised he had still been carrying. So Merlin really was alright…
"I wouldn't if the only time I have seen you here wouldn't have been you lying on the floor." He shot back and stepped aside when some of the customers left. He now had a free path to the counter.
"I just came to tell you that I'll be there on saturday." He said when he had reached Gwaine. It took a moment for Gwaine to understand, but when he did, Arthur could tell they were on the same wavelength. He didn't have to explain his reasons nor would Gwaine ask him if he was sure. What Arthur couldn't see at the time was the respect towards him, that woke up in Gwaine just then and there. The kind of respect he felt very rarely. The kind that would not dim with time. He could look forward of seeing Arthur stand in the court now.
"I'll let the rest know tomorrow. You will have to be early, I'll call you for the details tomorrow." Gwaine just told him while giving someone a plastic bag and taking their money. Arthur nodded at him and turned to leave with a quick good bye. He had said what he wanted to say and he didn't want to be in the way nor get any extra attention from the customers. He took the shortest way home so he could talk with Hunith.
Hunith wasn't the most thrilled of Arthur's decision, but she could see that this was important to Arthur and he didn't seem emotional, but calm and very determined so Hunith could just tell him that it was his decision and that she was proud of him. She was worried, but it was her job while Arthur would do what he felt was right.
After shower and stretching, Arthur crawled next to Merlin who was still facing the centre. Soon Merlin moved in his sleep and rid himself of some of the blanket. Arthur was making the bed hot. Arthur smiled at that. He slipped his hand under Merlin pillow and the other to Merlin's shoulder blade. Merlin flinched a little and his eyes fluttered open. Arthur didn't move because Merlin didn't look like he had taken a fright, but he wasn't smiling anymore. "It's just me…" He said hoping to see Merlin relax again, but Merlin didn't look comfortable "I know… it's just, can you move your hand? It hurts a bit…"
Arthur moved his hand like it Merlin had burned it. He had completely forgotten the cut in Merlin's shoulder. "Sorry! I-" He said but Merlin just shook his head a bit and relaxed to Arthur's chest. "No, it's almost healed. You can put your hand on my waist if you want…" Merlin again sounded sleepy and his eyes closed again. Arthur breathed in relief and put his arm hesitantly on Merlin's waist. He was a bit nervous, but he liked the contact very much. He remembered Gaius' advice and decided to tell Merlin how he felt. "It's nice, being with you like this. I like it when you let me touch you…" Merlin opened his eyes a bit surprised and then blushed "Um, I like it too…" he said a bit hesitantly and Arthur kissed his nose. His heart danced with joy of hearing Merlin tell him that and he understood what Gaius had meant when he had said it's important to tell how he felt. It felt good and eased anxiousness.
In the morning Arthur woke up refreshed and ready for the new day. His arm was still under Merlin's pillow and it had no feeling in it but Arthur didn't mind. He hugged Merlin and woke him up with a kiss. Merlin blinked at him but didn't shy away and Arthur couldn't remember when he had felt so content with the world.
A/N ... that was a pain to write. I'm talking about Aredian. I have to rewrite quite a large portion of this story because I made some changes before and after and in the middle and... yeah. So, lots of writing new stuff for me, which is fun, but also time consuming. That's why this chapter was supposed to be a bit shorter but in the end I couldn't cut it in the middle so I'm now writing this while eating stupidly late breakfast, I hope you don't mind too much.
By the way, I read a part of the last chapter from story preview and I noticed that there was this one sentence that made zero sense because there were few words missing. I was like 'huh? I'm sure I wrote those words there' and I checked from the original document and the words were there. Then I checked the Googledoc I had copy-pasted it and the words were there also, but not in my docmanager in ff... Anyone have any idea how there can be some random words from the middle be lost while copy-pasteing? Because I don't. I dodn't have time at the moment to proof read this all again right now, so if anyone notices that there is a part where it appears words are missing, please tell me and I'll check if I can find them from somewhere. Thank you!
...edit. I just got what had happened. I had missed a space after a dot and ff sensors everything it thinks is a link, so the words around the dot had wanished. I will correct that when I find that sentence again...
Then to this chapter. I dug from Wikipedia that Gwaine's (Gawaine's) name might be originated to Welsh word Gwalchmei which might mean 'hawk of may' so I got the surname from that... I tried to search if it was an actual surname and I found some web pages that kind of told me that there are some with that name, but it's extremely rare, but how reliable is the internet? I don't know, but I used it anyway. It just sounded cool...
Again a huge thank you for those who reviewed, I can tell you that I was very tempted to just turn Netfix on and forget the whole writing many times, but then I saw a new review and I just had to keep writing a little bit longer. I'm quite tired at the moment for I'm stuck at work most of the time and you really lighten my day and because of you I have something to wait for me when I open my computer with my work's wifi after changing from one set of working clothes to another ones. Only few weeks and I can go to school to rest... Anyway, Hope to see you again!
Chibi . warlock :D Great that you liked that line, that is how I feel most of the time when I have to teach 13-16 years olds... In the show Gaius was a bit grumpy at the start so I thought it would fit him :) A trial process is never pleasant and I feel very bad for making Merlin go through with it and so does Gwaine and the others, but that is just the way it is. Even a child has the right and the obligation to speak for themselves. For good and bad, lets see how it all plays out in the end :)
PlayWithFire18 Oh my, what a compliment! Thank you so much :) Ans also thank you for the fav and follow, you made my day! I was on a break actually when I opened my computer just to check my email and those notifications really made me happy. I'm happy to be your highlight because you are mine too :)
mersan123 Hi! For me Gaius in the show felt like he was the solid moral ground for Merlin. He could always go to him and well, he lived with him, to remember that his magic was not wrong and that he was doing the right thing (the dragon wasn't very helpful with that...) and so I wanted to bring him in this story with similar purpose. Arthur and Merlin both have found him as someone wiser and reliable and they both can feel that if he says that they are not doing anything wrng, he means it. Hunith will like him, but I'm sure you understand better than me even how she felt when she got a text from Arthur that he is going to meet someone she had no idea who he was and then to hear from Merlin that this man was actually his friend and much, much older than them... She will want to meet him herself. And for Gaius... I once had these ex-students of mine who wanted to visit my home and I was like 'sure, next saturday alright?' and like half an hour later I realised that I would have to contact their parents. I was very nervous and I'm sure I underlined far too much that I was a teacher and still working in their ex-school and not really a suspicious character... Not best of my moments in life. Merlin sure has taken some serious steps towards that light, but as you said, the road is long and this whole legal process is not helping, but he has some very good support around him so lets continue towards that light :)
Angel Dove1 I feel your pain and share it. There is just so much in this world that needs to be made better. Near and far and sometimes I think that it's all too much. How can there be so many people even, those who have everything they need and more to survive and live happy and free life who still choose to hurt others and do things for just their own benefit when they know they are wrong? I will never understand really. But I'm now over of the times I only thought why these things were so horrible. I can't erase war or hunger or famine, but I'm trying to listen, care, help and raise awareness on the things near me. I hope that will be enough on my part and make the difference for at least someone. For those reasons too, I'm so very happy that there are people who like my story. So happy to jear your comments on Gaius' and Arthur's conversation, I really enjoyed writing it :) Writing this story is kind of very, extremely personal, every adwise and reaction I kind of have to think what kind of reactions and advises are out ther and then select those that I think suit the characters and in many cases, are good ones. So hearing that Gaius' advises were good, it also feels that I was able to give a good advise and is that a good feeling? Yes, yes it is. (and yes, I have seen Zootopia) Hunith is trying her hardest not to turn into that overbearing creature who sees monsters in every corner. In this kind of situation it's trully a risk, great that you noticed that posibility :) She will still want to see 'this Gaius' though... It makes me hapy every time you tell me how you have connected with the characters and this story, my favourite review maybe ever was when you told me how you told me how you
Skypeoplephoenix732 Thanks :) being teenager was the worst part of my life and frankly, whatever happened, the core of everything was always the stupid teenage problems looming behind every corner... The insecurity, the need to be a child and an adult at the same time, the way you are lonely in a crowd for the first time... I'll second Gaius, the best thing in getting older is that I don't have to be a teenager again. Finding the middle ground is lways like a pendulum. Too little, too much, again too little... but he will find it in time and he is also a teenager, talking about intimate things is always awkward as hell, so let's see how honest he can get in mids of all this other stuff going on... Hope you didnät feel too much like strangling one lawyer while you are preparing to your big concert, I hope it went well! (was it already, or is it still coming?) Hope to see you in the world of living sometime soon ;)
thejammysod Ah, holidays... I hope you have a good one :) I so understand the internet... I was late because of the same reason so no worries :) The conversation between Gaius and Arthur sure was needed and they all got to take steps forward in the last chapter, well, Aredian did try his best to sabotage that in Merlin's part, but well, there are too many people on Merlin side letting it show so very sarcastically good luck for that. Middle ground for the win! Pity it's just a hard thing to find, I could use some middle grounds in my life myself... But your wish will be granted, Arthur and many others will help Merlin to find that and Merlin will help Arthur to find his middle ground too :) Have a nice holiday and see you again!
Insanereviewer Ha! So you are going to be a teacher too! Good luck with that! For what agecorp are you going to teach? I mostly stayed with children from six to twelve. Interesting you don't read the chapter titles, I always read them first and think why the chapter was named that way, with books and tv-shows too, but I guess people vary with that too. Great that you imagined that Merlin getting annoyed whith Arthur being everywhere the way I intended, that maybe means I was able to write it after all :) If you could guess what happened in the last Harry Potter and not what is going to happen in my story... wow, I'm speachless. I feel like dancing a little :D But to be fair, this is realistic story and all the clues we have are Arthur's and Merlin's guesses. Merlin hasn't even seen Morgana and Arthur hasn't seen her in over five years either. If we had Uther's pov we could maybe have some knowledge of at least where and what she was doing, but no. As entablished before, no. Glad that you think it was a good choice too :) And I second your opinion on italics, I can adjust myself to your capital-lettered words now, but at first I was like 'why is she suddenly yelling?' (is it she? have no idea, just asumed. In finnish language we only have one word for she and he, but in english I have to pick, how starnge in thse kind of situations...). For Merlin to sit down and think his feeling through was really remarcable, and so soon too! It has only been a week since Uther was arested and all... I wouldn't be that optimistic with someone in real life, but I wanted to kind of make his healing ideal, to remind how much one has to work to get better. It's easyer to just saty depressed, but it takes real effort to get better. Also I took that trait from the show, Merlin was always very sure of himself what ever the society around him did and said. Even Arthur who was his sole life purpose... That needs so much from anyone. So I whatced few episodes and when ever someone said 'magic' I thought 'homosexual' and that was tha basis on Merlin's character in this story. Even after all this, he has this real inteligence and strenght to always stay true to himself. I wish more people had that. What can I say about Gwaine? I love him too! The lying on the floor bit was kind of something that wrote itself a long time ago, Gwaine is so very much relaxed character but he works (especialy now) very long days, so if he has no customers, why not have a pillow and lie down? Behind the counter ther are also some very convenient sheves for comics, snacks and court papers. Perfect. Oh I'm so happy that you liked that line! I think we all would benefit of hearing that from someone close to us at times... Arthur's and Merlin's relationship, as innocent we know it is, would bring some complications... At least Aredian would have an early Christmas with that... And Arthur couldn't be a witness then if it was known that they were involved, I think. I'm not totaly sure how that works with minors. Yep, Cretin did the all losing Arthur by himself, even without the abuse he would have never accepted Arthur dating a man and Arthur would have picked his own side in that scenario too (which would have been to stay with Merlin and make his own choises as we saw fave chapter ago). These two are good at being blunt with each others and I think that is what makes them such a good pair ;) Ah, so good to hear that you liked the conversation between Arthur and Gaius, I chose to let Arthur tell him for many reasons, one of them being that Arthur really needed to get out for a while and talk with someone else that Hunith or Merlin. As said in the chapter too, Arthur is used to listening orders and it's familiar and so very much relaxing for him to have someone he can listen to and ask for advise. Need not to say that Gaius is much better coise for that role than the Cretin (I'm so going to use that! Cretin, briliant!). That Hunith knows about Gaius is awesome, now she doesnät have to be the adult 24/7 for both of them and she can also have someone she can talk to (eventually, that wasnät a spoiler, right?) while not having to remain in the supporting role all the time. With all this going on Merlin had kind of forgotten that he hadn't mentioned Gaius, but yep, good thing that it was explained now. And really, being open and saying stuff like 'you are beautiful' easily is so important in any relationship, I think. It just makes both sure of where they are standing and especially in Merlin's case he will learn to see when Arthur looks at him with love and admiration and eventually he doesn't have to fear that Arthur sees him as something dirty. The rest of the world may be harder, but the rest of the world can wait a bit. I'll join you in wanting to strangle a certain lawyer, I feel unclean for writing that crap.
Kao Hi! Great to hear! Yeah, Gaius was able to help Arthur a lot, Hunith is doing fine, but she can't do everything alone and talking about wanting to be close to Merlin and sexuality and stuff with his boyfriend's mother... I'm happy I'll never have to do that. And you said it so well, about Arthur's situation and Gaius and Merlin and all, there might be some break downs coming, but you will just have to keep reading to find out ;) I quess that usually they would have wanted arthur anyway, but for the reasons you listed, Gwaine asked (pleaded) not to make Arthur do that now that they have enough evidence as it is. As you said, Uther wa a rolemodel, father, and adamant authority for Arthur. Again, very interesting to hear about Canadian laws, he some court cases can be labeled as 'secret' for some amount of years, for example ten years before anyone (other than authorities of course) can see the records. I'm sorry to say that the links don't show here in ff, if you can write them again with some spaces around dots or something, it would be interesting to read and dodn't worry, I would do the same if it was my field, links are actually very good becase then I dodn't have to do the search that would take hours and hours from me because I have no idea from where to search those kind of cases :) Ah, your answer to my question about if Arthur would have to see his father was very throughout. I loved it, thank you so much! Yes, Arthur will turn 18 before next summer and it is almost september... That is so nice to hear, that in real life children are heard like that. I hope you could enjoy abit of this chapter even if seriously I didn't have time to research for that as much aas I would have liked. If you have more links for me, I'll be happy to read them through :)
GuestChacha Nothing at all! So nice to hear you liked Gwaine, he is one of my favourites (in the show too). Also many thanks for your kind words :) I wouldn't worry so much about the amount of words, but it takes ma about two hours to go through 1000 words, so the longer the chapter is, the more chance there is that updating will be late... We are actually getting near of seeing Morgana, so hang on!
Guest You are so right, Merlin really need to open up and trust those near him and he has made a trememdous progres in that :) we will see Gaius again in... next chapter and we are actually quite near of seeing Morgana, I hope you enjoy that part when we get there!