Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.


Chapter 16 – The Call of Destiny


Gina and Miranda were nearing the end of their first year of uni and they couldn't be happier. After the last two years of studying for their A-Levels the two best friends had hoped for a bit of a reprieve, though none had come, much to their dismay, and both were looking forward to a summer of lounging around and going on roadtrips to parts of the UK they had always wanted to visit, interspersed with a bit of part-time work; they couldn't rely on mum and dad for everything after all. Gina, who had been named Ginevra at birth, had adopted her nickname as early as kindergarten, firm even then in her belief that some parents should not be allowed to name their children, had met Miranda in that same kindergarten class and the two had been inseparable ever since. They had followed each other through primary and secondary school, and even sixth form, before attending Oxford together, having given in to the pressure their parents put on them enough to lead them to choose one of the top academic schools in Britain, though not their field of study. Both of their fathers were lawyers, partners even as of over a decade ago, having met through their children, and had wanted their daughters to follow them into law. Miranda, however, loved history, specifically the Arthurian legends, and her dream was to further the understanding of the legends and uncover the actual history of them, particularly those regarding the wizard Merlin. Gina too did not fancy herself a lawyer, though her chosen career would not entirely forget the law as she adored children and wanted to help those in need.

Leaving their last class of the week, Gina and Miranda headed towards the nearest Starbucks for coffee in preparation of another late night in the library. They left the shop laughing, enjoying their brief break away from lectures and books, when someone knocked into Gina, sending her sprawling on the ground.

"I'm so sorry are you alright?" A deep, masculine voice asked.

"Yeah…I think so." She replied, accepting his hand up. The moment their hands touched to two gasped as a flash of something, they weren't quite sure what, went through them.

"I really must apologize." He said again when their eyes met. Gina's heart immediately skipped a beat. He had to be the handsomest man she'd ever seen, with a tall, fit physique, dirty blonde hair and blue eyes that she found herself getting lost in.

"I-it's alright. No harm done." She forced herself to say. "Can't say the same for my coffee though." She tried to joke, having heard the sincere upset in the man's voice when he knocked her over. The man looked down and saw her coffee spilt all over floor.

"I'm sorry, allow me to replace it for you."

"Oh, no, really it's alright-"

"I insist." He smiled and Gina could not find it in her to say no so she nodded, watching as he turned to run into the shop, only to stop and turn back around. "I should probably have asked what you were drinking." He said sheepishly and Gina laughed along with him.

"If it's one of those non-fat, soy latte things with ridiculously long names you might want to go with him or we'll be here all day as he tries to remember." Another voice said. Gina turned and only then became aware that they weren't alone and in fact eight other men stood around, all dressed in identical uniforms. Gina turned to face the one who'd knocked her over and saw that he too was dressed in the same uniform, though unlike the others he had an armband that read "captain." The others sniggered at their friend's comment, though the one before her rolled his eyes.

"Oh, no, nothing fancy like that, just plain coffee, cream no sugar." She said and he nodded before heading off.

"So you're footballers." Miranda said, making Gina aware that she too was still there.

"What gave it away?" The same one who'd teased his friend asked with a smile and wink in Miranda's direction.

"The big mouth and oh so witty remarks." She retorted, drawing a round of laughter from the man's friends. He opened his mouth to reply but received an elbow in the gut to shut him up.

"Enough out of you, Logan." One of them said as he stepped forward. "I'm Leo." He said before motioning to each of the others in turn. "These are my mates, Pierce, Glen, Gavin, Taylor, Ben, Dominic, and of course, Logan."

"I'm Miranda, this is my friend Gina..." She trailed off as she looked to her friend whose eyes were glued to the door of Starbucks. "Who clearly has far more pressing matters on her mind at the moment." She finished with a smirk. The men didn't miss the implication and sniggered when Gina still gave no reaction, too preoccupied with watching for the ninth member of their group. Finally he made an appearance and anyone who looked could see Gina's face light up.

"Thanks." She said shyly as he handed her the coffee.

"And this, ladies, is our fearless leader, Aric." Said Pierce.

"Aric…" Gina repeated, still not taking her eyes off him.

"And this is Ginevra." Miranda introduced when her friend didn't do it herself. Gina shot the other girl a glare and Miranda tried to hide her smile that the use of her full name was the only thing to get a rise out of her.

"Gina, will do." She directed to Aric.

"Gina…" Aric said, similarly not taking his eyes off her. Their friends watched the two of them for a few moments, sharing looks themselves before Gavin decided to break things up.

"Oi! Oh fearless leader, we've got practice, or have you forgotten?"

"You lot go on." He said. "I'm going to see Gina to wherever she's going."

"It's alright, you should get to practice." She said. "We're just going to the library, not far at all." She pointed to the building off to their left which indeed wasn't very far away.

"Now what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't see a lady to the door?" He responded with a smile, making a show of offering Gina his arm.

"A normal one?" Gina answered with a laugh, though took his offered arm anyways and allowing him to lead her towards her destination. Not to be outdone, Logan too offered his arm to Miranda who scoffed and took Leo's arm instead, much to the amusement of the group. The walk was no more than two minutes and upon arriving at the steps Miranda and the boys were forced to watch the drawn out goodbye.

"Alright, that's enough." Ben stated, coming forward and placing his hands firmly on Aric's shoulders, intent on pulling him away. "We really do have to get to practice.

"Wait!" Aric cried, shoving Ben off him and turning back to Gina. "May I see you again?"

"Oh…handsome, manners and proper grammar. He's a keeper." Miranda muttered, causing those nearest to her to stifle a laugh.

"I'd like that." Gina said shyly and Aric's face broke out into a smile.

"Great! Uh…tomorrow? We have a game at 2pm. You could come if you want, and we could go to dinner after? Or skip the game if football's not your thing." He added hastily.

"No, I like football well enough."

"Come on Aric!" His friends called from several feet away as they'd started to leave.

"Guess I'll see you there then." Aric said as he went to join his friends. "I look forward to it!"

"Me too!" Gina said and stayed rooted to the spot as he walked away.

"So…when's the wedding?" Miranda brought her friend back to reality.

"Oh shut up."

oo00oo00oo

The following day Gina spent an inordinate amount of time getting ready. Miranda had abandoned their dorm room mid morning in favour of not watching her best friend try on every piece of clothing she owned, only to return just after lunch to find that that is exactly what Gina did.

"Bloody hell Gina! It looks like a tornado hit in here!"

"I can't find anything to wear!" The other girl complained.

"You have the equivalent of two full wardrobes on the floor at the moment and you're trying to tell me you have nothing to wear to a football match?"

"Don't mock me, Miranda, not today of all days."

" 'Today of all days?' " She parroted. "You're really hung up on this guy aren't you?"

"I think he could be the one." Miranda began to laugh but stopped herself when she saw that her friend was entirely serious.

"But you just met him yesterday!"

"So?"

"So you know nothing about this guy besides that he's the captain of the uni football team! How could he possibly be 'the one?' "

"I don't know, alright?" Gina snapped. "Mum said she just knew that dad was the one when she first met him. That there was this spark and that was it for her. I always thought she was a bit crazy, and talking after years of loving dad…but I felt that spark yesterday when Aric held my hand."

"I'll admit that there was an instant attraction between the two of you, but we're not just talking about an attraction here, are we?" Gina shook her head and flopped down onto her bed. Miranda could see that whatever her friend was feeling it was affecting her badly and so decided to try a new tactic.

"Hey, cheer up." She said, coming to sit beside Gina and wrapping an arm around her. "You were blissfully happy this morning, what happened to that?"

"You've just reminded me that I'm bloody insane is what." She muttered. "You're right, all I know about Aric is that he plays football…and that he looks amazing in his kit." She couldn't help but add. "How can I feel so strongly about someone I know nothing about? It is, without a doubt, insane!"

"I don't know why you're feeling so strongly about him, Gina. But you are, so don't let what I say, or what anyone else says, snuff that feeling out. I just don't want to see you hurt because you rushed into this with blinders on."

"I know. And I promise, I won't be stupid about this. But I have your support right?" This was the question she desperately needed answered. Since kindergarten she and Miranda had been practically sisters. They had supported each other through everything and Gina didn't think she could do this without her support this time too.

"Of course you do! You've been stuck with me since kindergarten, that's not going to change just because you're now certifiably insane."

"Haha." Gina deadpanned.

"Just make sure that Aric knows if he hurts you he'll answer to me, alright?"

"Same with you and any guy you meet."

"Good. Now we've got that sorted," Miranda stood and searched the clothes strewn floor, eventually finding what she was looking for. "You're going to put this on, I'm going to do your hair and makeup, and then we're going to this game. Gotta get a good seat so he sees you in the stands, don't we?"

oo00oo00oo

Gina excitedly joined the crowd in the stands; her and Miranda snagging relatively good seats not far up and close to the benches that would house Oxford's team. When said team ran out onto the field it was all Gina could do to shut Miranda up when Aric immediately turned towards the stands his face brightening as he waved enthusiastically when he spotted her. Gina waved back, but so did about every other girl in the vicinity, as well as a few boys.

"Would you look at how popular he is?" Miranda said.

"Popular doesn't even begin to describe it." One of the girls in front of them, who had been one of the ones to wave, said in return as she turned around to face them. "Aric Pellinore has been the most sought after man at the entire school since he started here. And it's only gotten worse now he's in his final year, captain of the football team, and having filled out that uniform quite well to boot. His friends aren't at all far behind him in desirability either." She added with a little wave. Miranda and Gina turned their attention to the field where they saw Logan looking in their direction and winking, though whether it was at them or the girl in front of them they couldn't entirely tell.

"That one's a real tosser isn't he?" Miranda asked rolling her eyes.

"Logan? Bit of a player, that one. Not that anyone complains."

"No, of course not." Miranda's sarcasm was quite evident, though still lost on the girl.

"What about Aric?" Gina couldn't help but ask. "Does he play around?"

"Are you kidding?" The girl laughed, turning to face them once more, looking quite gobsmacked until she actually got a good look at them. "Ah, you're firsties aren't you?" She asked, referring to their year in school as if that explained everything, which apparently it did. "You wouldn't have been here long enough to know then." She said when they nodded. "Aric has dated a grand total of one girl since he's been here. They started going out in our first semester, but he broke it off over the break last year, said it just wasn't working out. Poor Amber was heartbroken, naturally. To the best of anyone's knowledge he hasn't even gone on a date since, which is just as well, Amber's sworn to get him back."

"She here today?" Miranda asked.

"Of course." The girl scoffed, as if that was the stupidest question ever. "She's the blonde in the front row there, behind the bench." Gina and Miranda looked down and saw a stunningly beautiful woman who had her eyes locked on Aric. "I tell you, I'd hate to be in the shoes of any girl who gets in Amber's way. Every girl may wish to date Aric but they all know he's Amber's man, and she can be right piece of work sometimes."

"Jealous type? Her looks having made her terribly popular and so she uses it to lord it over everyone?" Miranda's own eyes were now narrowed and locked on Amber.

"Definitely. It's why no one's seriously gone after Aric. Anyone who even gets close to him gets a right set down when Amber finds out. But that's alright, Logan's nearly as good." The game started and the girl turned her attention fully to the field.

"She's talking about them like pieces of meat!" Gina hissed. "As if Aric belongs to this Amber and his friends are only second choices."

"It's not right I know, but let them talk how they want, it's no different than how men talk about us." Miranda brushed off Gina's comments. "I'm more concerned about Amber. If what that girl says is true then Amber could try to hurt you when she finds out about your date with Aric tonight. You know I'd have to off her if she hurt even one hair on your head."

"You are far too overprotective of me, Miranda."

"You're my sister in all but blood Gina, of course I'm protective."

"And you're the same to me but you don't see me threatening everyone within a ten mile radius of you."

"That's because you're far too sweet and innocent, dear. You wouldn't hurt a fly, not even to defend yourself, and so I must do it for you."

" 'Sweet and innocent?' " Gina raised an eyebrow at her friend. " 'Wouldn't hurt a fly?' Really?"

"You are sweet and innocent, Gina, don't try and deny it. But I will amend that you normally wouldn't hurt a fly. I know that if anyone hurt me or someone else you loved that they'd wish they hadn't once you're through with them, I think third year proved that." It was true of course. A boy in their third year class had decided to pick on Miranda and Gina had been enraged when she'd found out; the boy had never lived down getting beaten up by a girl, and no one had bothered Miranda again. "But you don't pre-emptively strike. Your sweetness and innocence makes you see the best in people, which is one of the things I love best about you," She hastily added. "But it means you don't see possible attacks until they've happened."

"That's not really a bad thing." Gina grumbled.

"No, it's not. But it means I have to see those attacks for you. And this is one that could see the gloves coming off." They were interrupted as the crowd cheered, announcing that Oxford had scored. They cheered alongside the rest and Gina smiled when Aric turned and winked at her; completely oblivious that Amber had seen him wink at someone other than her and had turned to try and figure out who, her eyes finally landing on Gina and lingering uncertainly. The game started up again and Gina lost herself in the game, cheering and booing along with the crowd, until suddenly the image before her changed. Where seconds ago Gina saw Aric intercept the ball and begin to dodge the other team on the way to the net, she now saw a sword in Aric's hand, a brilliant red cape with a golden dragon sigil flapping behind him as he wielded the sword expertly, cutting through the oncoming opponents. The vision lasted for no more than a moment but it was enough to cause her to reach out and grasp Miranda's shoulder to steady herself.

"You alright?" Her friend asked, concerned.

"Yeah…yeah I'm alright. Just a little dizzy for a moment." She smiled and forced her attention back to the game. It didn't last long though. While the vision didn't return, she couldn't shake the image, nor the feeling that she had seen it before. Gina watched the game with half focused eyes as Oxford scored again then the opposing team scored twice, making it a tie. The players grew fiercer as the game began to draw to a close and neither team was ahead. There had been a few hard hits, a couple men on both sides going down, while the ones that hit them earned yellow cards. That was nothing, however, to the next hit to take place that saw Aric fall to the ground. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone waited to see if he would get back up; he didn't. His friends and the team medic rushed to his side, shouting if he was alright and it was enough for Gina who, without realizing it, began making her way out of the stands towards the field.

"Gina?" Miranda asked after her friend, following her and trying to bring her back to their seats.

"Aric!" Gina shouted, not hearing her friend. The silence of the crowd, however, allowed her to be heard clearly and it drew the attention of Leo, who came to her side as she reached the bottom of the stands.

"He's alright, Gina he's alright." He insisted. Leo had spent the last twenty-four hours hearing nothing out of his friend's mouth that was not about this woman. He had never known his friend to be like this before, and knew that he had deep feelings for her, even if he knew nothing about her.

"No. No he's not getting up…he's bleeding!" She cried, seeing the red stained cloth as the medic shifted.

"He'll be fine, I promise."

"No, let me go to him, he needs me!" Leo looked to Miranda, wondering what the hell was going on and how Gina could be acting like it was the love of her life that was injured when she'd only known Aric one day. Miranda had no answer for him, however, and simple shook her head, her worried eyes on Gina, who continued to scream Aric's name. As she watched Aric be rolled onto his back and the medic tend him another vision hit her fast and hard, one of Aric in the red cape with the sword in a battle of some sort, though this time it was he who was cut down, falling onto his back as blood seeped from his wound. Again Gina felt she had seen this before and this time something else flashed through her mind: a name.

"Arthur!" Her cry was deafening though it was nothing compared to the burst of light that surrounded her. Leo and Miranda, as well as everyone on the field and in the stands, shielded their eyes. When the light died down the crowd looked towards the source but did not see the same woman, or at least she was no longer dressed the same. Instead of the knee length grey skirt and pink blouse, the woman stood before them in a long purple gown that was over an underdress of golden brocade with delicate white lace sleeves. However, it was not her dress that drew the most attention, but rather the golden crown atop her head. Silence reigned as she slowly made her way onto the field, dropping to her knees before Aric. The medic, who moments before had been fussing over him, moved out of the way, too much in shock by what he was witnessing to do anything else. Everyone watched as the woman lifted Aric's head and placed it onto her lap, lovingly running her hand over his hair.

"Arthur, my love, please come back to me. You cannot leave me again, not now, not ever again. Please, Arthur, I love you…with all my heart." She murmured as she leaned down and kissed him. The same light shone, this time covering Aric, and all looked to see what appeared when the light died. The woman did not care what he looked like, she was only focused on the blue eyes that began to flutter open. It took a moment for them to focus but when they did he smiled softly.

"Guinevere." He murmured. Gwen smiled, tears shining in her eyes though she never broke eye contact as Arthur sat up, cupping her cheek lovingly for a moment before standing and offering her his hands. She accepted his aid to stand and neither hesitated to bring their lips together once again. When they parted they drank in the sight of the other, seeing not the students they had been but a moment ago, but The High King and Queen they had once been; Arthur's clothes having changed as well, his cape with the Pendragon sigil gracing his shoulders while his own crown sat atop his head. It was then that the confusion began to set in as they thought back to what had happened and why they were now here, though it was short lived.

"Your Majesties." A voice spoke and the two looked over to see Leo, Pierce, Logan, Ben, Glen, Taylor, Gavin and Dominic, or rather to see the Knights of the Round Table. With their monarchs' attention on them, the eight men drew their swords and stuck them straight into the ground, holding the hilt with both hands as they knelt before their King and Queen.

"Sire, My Queen," It was Sir Leon who spoke. "We are overjoyed to see you once more and wish to renew our pledge to you."

"Sir Leon and I offer our services once more as your First Knights, and Knights of the Round Table." Sir Percival continued. "We promise and swear to uphold the Knight's Code, to deliver justice and seek peace in your name, to always be honest and true, and to uphold the laws of Britain. We give our lives unto your service."

"And I!" Said Sir Lancelot, the others following suit.

"And I!"

"And I!"

"And I!"

"And I!"

"And I!" Their proclamation was heard by everyone in the crowd, the silence so deafening you could hear a pin drop.

"Rise, Knights of the Round Table." Arthur spoke in his most kingly voice, though it did not last long. When all their swords had been sheathed once more, Arthur and Gwen both broke out into smiles and greeted their friends.

"Gwen?" This time it was a feminine voice that spoke once the greetings were over, though they quickly started up once more.

"Mithian!" Gwen cried, rushing to her friend, the two practically falling into each other's arms. They recognized Gina and Miranda in each other, though it was The High Queen and the former Princess of Nemeth that stood before them. Once the new round of greetings were over, the group turned their attention to the matter at hand.

"What is happening? Why are we here?" Arthur asked the tough questions. They were aware of the crowd that was beginning to murmur behind them though ignored them for now, needing answers themselves before they could give any to others.

"You are The Once and Future King and Queen, Sire." Spoke Sir Tristan. "It was foretold that you would rise again when the land was in need."

"But how, and why, is it in need?"

"So, you've finally returned have you?" Yet another voice spoke, such interruptions apparently becoming common. The group turned as one to see an old man with long white hair and a beard, wearing bright red robes and holding a crooked wooden staff standing before them.

"And who are you?" Arthur asked cautiously, his tone not lost on his Knights who shifted into a protective stance in front of the three royals.

"I have waited almost two thousand years for you two to rise again, Arthur and Guinevere Pendragon!" He snapped. "You hurt me deeply by not remembering me."

"So sorry if my memory is a bit off after not being myself for what has apparently been two thousand years." Arthur snapped back sarcastically.

"Hah!" The man cackled. "You haven't changed, Arthur." His voice softened and gained an affectionate tone.

"Who are you?!" The King asked again.

"Perhaps this will help!" The old man raised his staff and what the group recognized as could only be magic left it and washed over him, though it wasn't an old man who stood before them when the magic died. A strangled cry left Mithian as she launched herself forward, slamming into the now young man and all but fusing her lips to his.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said through her tears when she finally pulled apart. "I just…" She couldn't finish, too overwhelmed as she looked into the eyes of her husband for the first time in two thousand years.

"Mithian…" He murmured, bringing his hand up to cup her cheek, needing to feel that she was real.

"I'm sorry, Merlin, I just…it's been so long and…of course I understand if you've found someone else-"

"Mithian, darling, stop." He cut off her rambling, knowing that every worst-case scenario was going through her head and that her caring nature would ensure she said whatever she thought would make him happy, even if it hurt her in the process. "There is no one else, there has never been anyone else." He insisted as he held her close. "My destiny as Emrys may have had me waiting for The Once and Future King and Queen, but my heart has been waiting for you." Mithian couldn't help but laugh.

"A fine sentiment, my love, but you are still so full of it." Husband and wife took each other in for another moment before leaning in for another kiss, one that did not appear to be ending anytime soon.

"Merlin!" Arthur snapped in his usual manner when they lingered too long for his liking. It was Merlin's turn to laugh as they broke apart, for he'd waited so long to hear that again. "My apologies, My Lady," Arthur directed to Mithian, deliberately leaving Merlin out of it. "Like you I would like nothing than to spend time alone with my spouse," Gwen smacked him in embarrassment though could not deny she agreed with him. "So I must apologize for interrupting you." He continued as if nothing had happened. "However, there is a reason we have risen again here and now and your husband, and my Lord Mage, seems to be the only one with the answers."


A/N - And there you have it, the beginning of the "rise again" half of this fic. We will be jumping back and forth between them being their present day selves and past day selves. You will be able to tell the switch by the change in names.

Also while I have tried to use British terminology and slang given the characters are British and the story is set in Britain, I am in fact Canadian. Things like calling it football instead of soccer is easy, but I may have failed at using terms like tosser. If anyone British is reading this and thinking "oh dear god please just stop!" tell me, and I will. I promise I'm not trying to butcher British English.

For reference in case anyone gets confused about who is who with their present day names:
Aric = Arthur
Gina (Ginevra) = Guinevere
Miranda = Mithian
Leo (Leonardo) = Leon
Pierce = Percival
Logan = Lancelot
Glen = Galahad
Taylor = Tristan
Gavin = Gwaine
Ben (Benjamin) = Bors
Dominic = Dagonet
Merlin is, of course, the same having lived all these years and not being reincarnated. I kept the same first letter of their names to try and make it a bit easier. As other people pop up I'll add more lists then as needed.