Chapter Two

Emrys Manor, 1989

"Here we go again!"

Merlin blinked at his reflection in his bedroom mirror, trying to get used to the improved eyesight and the odd sensation of being genuinely young again, rather than casting a spell to achieve the aim.

Each time the circle closed, Merlin continued to age, and then remained an old man until it reopened. During that time, it often felt as if his life were on hold, despite his regular attempts to find interesting tasks to occupy himself, and his old house tended to be remain unchanged too. It was only now, looking around his bedroom with his young eyes, that Merlin realised just how out-of-date and shabby the place really was.

"An old man's room," he decided with a shake of the head. "So, where are we now? Late twentieth century. What would a young man in his early twenties have in such a place?"

And, with a number of casual spells, Merlin quickly changed the set-up to something rather more suitable; a newer bed, sparser decorations and a table by the window for reading. He then went over to his wardrobe, pulled aside the clothes he'd been wearing as old Emrys and hunted for his most recent young man's outfits.

"You can never go wrong with jeans," he muttered to himself, taking out a dark, grey pair. Then he took one look at the wildly flared legs and shook his head. "That will never do," he decided. "Young people wear them a lot tighter nowadays."

He held a hand out towards the jeans and mumbled a spell until the fit became snugger. "Shirt...?" He looked out at the heavy rain outside. "... with a hood." He put on a blue one and carelessly tied a piece of red cloth around his neck. "What?" he asked the reflection in the mirror. "I've got to have a personal style, haven't I? Whatever the fashion of the day is. I'll get some better stuff when I'm in Bristol."

Of course he'd still been out and about in the world and kept abreast of things generally, but somehow it always did feel like a rediscovery during these early days of a new Circle and it was amazing how many details he missed when he looked like the old man he really was. More than that though, these days of detailed record keeping meant Merlin would need to spend large amounts of time researching and making sure all his own identity documents were up-to-date and able to pass the most detailed of inspection. Computers, he'd discovered, were both a blessing and a curse; a great tool for him personally, but also the greatest threat to his anonymity.

And, on the way to the city, he might as well drop into the Crystal Cave and attempt to discover which member of the Round Table had been born first this time around. Not that there was any real rush, as numerous reincarnations had taught him to play the slow game. It was usual for the births to be spread out over decades and Arthur was always one of the last souls to be reborn. That meant he'd have plenty of time to find out where everyone was and guess what their likely roles would be this time around.

Emrys Mansion, Gloucestershire

June 2059

Arthur caught the train to Bristol and was met at the station exit by a man holding two name boards who was waiting to drive him and one other guest to their destination. His new travelling companion was a curly-haired, bearded man a few years older than himself and a little taller too. Arthur was above the average height and so, as a rule, was not used to having the disadvantage of height.

"My name's Leonard," the tall man said. "Len, if you like."

"Archie," he responded, holding out a hand which the other man took in a firm shake.

"You seem familiar," Leon said.

Arthur sighed, used to people vaguely recognising him from tabloid newspapers and televised public functions. "Yeah, I get that a lot. Do you also have a job on the Emrys project too?"

"Yes, I was most fortunate," Leon replied modestly.

Arthur just nodded, doubting very much that luck had come into it. 'Only the best and the brightest,' they'd said at his interview and, despite graduating at the top of his class at University, he'd known that the job was not a certainty, even for him. He had to admit that he was looking forward to working on such an exciting and important project with others who were the very best in their field.

The mansion was even more remote than it had appeared on the maps. The car had left the main road a long time ago and was now winding down narrow country lanes that all looked exactly the same.

"I didn't think there was anywhere so unpopulated left in the south of England," Leon said. "Especially not with all the flooding in recent decades."

"Me neither, and this land all seems dry for the most part too, although I suppose we have had a fairly dry spring this year."

"Relatively speaking," Leon agreed. "Oh, it looks like we've finally arrived."

The car drove up through two tall pillars which seemed to be taking the place of gate posts, although there was no sign of a barrier now. Arthur craned his neck around to attempt to see out of the car window.

"I could swear those were huge statues," he said. "Very worn though, so the shape wasn't clear, but they seemed to be human shaped."

"This place is exceptionally old I hear, and still fully, privately owned. Anyone who's into architectural history is going to get a rare treat this weekend. Impressive gardens here too, apparently."

"That does sound interesting," Arthur replied. "I mean, I'm hardly an expert, but I do find old buildings fascinating."

"Yes," Leon agreed with a nod, his gaze now on the grand house they were now approaching. "Talking of which..."

They pulled up on the main drive in front of the impressive looking building, and their driver casually waved the pair towards the house before going to the boot to collect their bags. Another man met them at the front door before leading them through a large entrance hall and up the stairs to their rooms for the weekend. Arthur didn't see their host or the other guests on his way up, but guessed most had arrived already by the numerous, casual sounds he could hear as they made their way through the house; a running shower to one side, some music on the other. However, it was still only late afternoon and they were now able to relax for a while before getting ready for the evening's party.

The building was very impressive and reeked of history as Leon had guessed, with ancient stone or wood panelled walls covered with numerous paintings, and beautiful old furniture in every room and corridor. A large, impressive staircase with the most exquisitely carved wooden bannisters lead them up to the first floor, and the room Arthur was shown to was a decent size, despite its general age and expected beamed ceilings. Fortunately, there was only one place in his room where he needed to duck his head, with the proportions here much better than he'd encountered in similar-aged buildings elsewhere.

After a shower and a change of clothes, Arthur watched a little television and then made his way downstairs for the evening, curious as to what he would find and who he would meet.

~o~0~o~

The social room Arthur was shown too looked to be in an especially old part of the building. It was a huge open hall, with large ancient wooden pillars and beams on the ceilings which were dark with age and smoke.

"It's amazing," he whispered as he gazed upwards.

"Yes, an old medieval banqueting Hall," Leon said, coming up to him. "Impressive, isn't it?"

"It really is." Arthur looked around then. "Do you know anyone here?"

"A few people. I'll introduce you." Leon waved at another tall guy, this one very much broader than himself. "This is Peter, he's going to be working on the computer side of the project. Peter, this is Archie."

"Computers?" Arthur asked sceptically as he looked up at him. "Really? I'd have thought you'd actually be building the thing."

Percival grinned at his comment. "Na, I just spend a lot of time at the gym. Seeing how little exercise I get at work normally."

"Fair enough, but you'll not get much of a chance here, I suppose."

"Are you kidding? There's a gym here in this house. And a swimming pool."

"Really?"

"Yes and also over where we'll be working," Leon added.

"Near the University or at it?" Arthur asked.

"I gather there's a building and accommodation being build especially for this project, which will be gifted back to the University afterwards," Percival replied. "Look, the room's filling up now, isn't it? Are we just to mingle and get to know each other that way, or is there going to be a host?"

"Guy's coming, isn't he?" Leon asked. "I mean this project is his and Emrys' baby, and they're the ones who helped get the team together."

"Yes, I think he's going to be here." Arthur looked around a bit more and smiled. "And nice to see there are plenty of ladies on the team."

"True." Leon agreed also noting the group of three girls talking seriously near the main window. "And we're all quite a young team apart from the two founders. I feel quite old compared to everyone else here."

"Old?"

"Well, I'm thirty but, by the look of it, most here are younger."

"Is it just the team here this weekend, or are any of the politicians coming?" Percival asked.

"God, I hope not," Arthur mumbled under his breath and then, louder. "The Prime Minister isn't. I know that for certain."

"What about the opposition leader, that Natalie woman?" Leon asked. "She's on Guy's side, isn't she?"

"I believe she's very keen on the project, yes," Arthur answered carefully. He was now becoming distracted by the little group of ladies who were now getting their drinks topped up. Well, one lady in particular, to be honest. He was seriously debating going over and introducing himself but didn't want to appear too keen.

Percival and Leon were now deep in conversation about the house and this Hall in particular and Arthur was only half listening – still distracted by the pretty brunette and trying not to stare too obviously – when he suddenly became aware of someone standing close to his shoulder.

"Hello."

The quiet voice quickly caught his attention and he turned around to be confronted by a pair of blue eyes rather closer than he expected, on a young man who was about his height but very much slimmer.

"Hi," he replied, taking a small step back to preserve his personal space. "Ah, I'm Archie."

"Hello, Archie. My name's Martin."

Arthur looked at the dark haired man in front of him wearing a blue shirt and an odd red scarf around his neck and frowned, trying to come to terms with the nagging feeling of familiarity. "Do I know you?"

"Not 'know' as such, but I suppose you might recognise me," Merlin replied calmly. "I went to Imperial College too."

"So, you recognise me?"

He nodded. "You are very noticeable."

"I am?" Merlin's cheeks and ears quickly turned pink and Arthur smiled smugly, quite certain from his reaction that the young man fancied him. "Good to know," he continued with a cheeky grin.

Merlin coloured even more and turned away, looking around the room at the others. "Met everyone yet?" he asked.

"No, just the two tall ones, Len and Peter."

Merlin nodded. "I can introduce you to a couple of others, if you like?"

"Yes?"

"Yeah. What about Jennifer, have you met her yet?"

"Ah, which one is she?"

"The one you've been constantly sneaking glances at since I first arrived."

Arthur glared at the young man who was now smirking back at him, surprised at such casual banter from someone who'd appeared so self conscious just a minute before. However, before such an introduction could happen, another young man came over with a broad grin, confidently introducing himself as Gavin, before launching into an enthusiastic conversation about the party and his specific role in the project.

"Ah, and here's Guy," Gwaine said a few minutes later. "I wondered where he'd got to."

"Ah good. It looks as if everyone's arrived now," Gaius said as he entered the room. "Well, all but one."

"Yes, where is Lord Emrys?" one of the other ladies asked.

"I'm afraid he won't be joining us this evening," Gaius replied. "Although I'm sure you'll all get a chance to talk to him at some point this weekend."

"I wonder why he's not coming," Gwaine whispered as an aside.

"He's a bit of a recluse, isn't he?" Merlin replied. "Probably too many people here for his liking."

"That may well be the case," Arthur said. "But, I hear he went to London for a number of meetings so he can't be that afraid of crowds."

"Hmm, probably not much choice if he wanted the government's support," Merlin said.

"I suppose not."

"Who... is... that?" Gwaine's voice had taken on a very different tone and Arthur saw both he and Merlin staring at the doorway with their mouths open.

He turned towards the door to see who had got their attention and groaned. "Oh no, what 's she doing here?" he complained.

"You know her?" Gwaine asked.

"I can't believe Guy actually asked her along. What was he thinking?"

She was dressed to be noticed. If it was possible for his half-sister to ever not be noticed. Her dress was bright red and both short and low cut. She noticed Arthur and her smile turned even more wicked as she walked slowly towards him; hips and long, dark hair swaying.

"What are you doing here, Moira?" he asked as she approached.

"I go by the name of Morgan now, Archie, as you well know," she replied haughtily, with a slur in her voice that made him suspect that she'd been mixing her pills again. She then looked at his companions, her gaze passing over the handsome Gwaine and falling instead in the rather less conventional features of the slimmer man.

"This is my half-sister Moira who, as she says, has decided that her given name's not good enough for her."

"Shut it, Archie-"

"Right, fine... Morgan, this is Gavin and..."

"-Merlin?" she interrupted, her gaze suddenly much more focused and rather surprised. "I know you, don't I? You're like me."

The young man gaped at her.

"His name is Martin," Arthur replied, rolling his eyes. "And so far he seems pretty sane, so I can't say I see any comparison."

Morgana wasn't paying him any attention though, her focus still entirely on Merlin.

"You are like me, aren't you?" she pushed.

"Perhaps," he answered carefully, head tipped to one side. "How did you recognise me?"

"I'm..." She paused, suddenly frowning as she considered this. "I'm not sure I just... felt that we'd met somewhere before."

"And I'm Gavin," the other man repeated, apparently not used to being ignored by attractive young ladies.

"Hi," she replied without looking at him, her attention still fully on the slimmer man. She smiled seductively then, reaching out to grab his wrist. "Let's go and grab a drink, Martin."

"I think you'll find that you're wasting your time with this one, sister dear," Arthur said with a smirk. "Why don't you go and play with someone else."

She looked Merlin up and down very slowly and, to his surprise, the young man turned just as pink as he had when Arthur had appraised him earlier.

"Now then, Archie reckons he has an eye for when girls and boys fancy him," Morgana said. "But I'd say you're definitely interested in me too, am I right?"

"Are we really going to have this conversation?" Merlin said, looking around self-consciously.

"What do such things matter nowadays," Gwaine said. "Call it idle curiosity. Gay, Bi or Straight?"

"And what is it with all these labels?" Merlin continued, now apparently a bit cross. "Who I do or don't like is my own business."

"So, I don't get my drink?" Morgana asked with a pout.

"Perhaps." He looked at her more closely. "Seeing we're all being so personal here, perhaps I should ask what other stimulants you're on before I hand you any alcohol?"

"Ha!" Arthur said, more than a little impressed that Merlin had worked it out so quickly. Since having met him, Morgana had sobered up considerably.

"I'll have a rum and cola," she replied as she pulled Merlin over towards the small bar area.

"With just as little cola as possible, I expect," Arthur commented with a grin at Gwaine as the pair moved away.

The other man shook his head sadly as he watched the pair walk away. "The poor boy doesn't stand a chance," he decided.

~o~0~o~