A/N: So… First of all: HUGE thanks to everyone who reviewed followed and favored :) You really are awesome and deserve the next chapter. Well, here it is :D As usual I'm sorry for any mistakes and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter like you enjoyed the last one. It's even longer! On we go! :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. Still.
CHAPTER 2: EFFORTING ANGEL
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-GUARDIAN ANGEL-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Arthur woke up in pain, every part of his body seemed to ache, his stomach most of all.
He groaned and turned over looking at his phone on the nightstand. It was barely six o'clock! Way too early for Arthur's liking but he couldn't possibly go back to sleep now; his whole body felt like it was on fire.
He really should have visited Gaius after his fight yesterday… Oh well, he could still do that now. Gaius usually awoke very early in the morning and Arthur still had enough time before breakfast would start.
After he showered and dressed, he made his way to the room where Gaius would tend to his patients, he always was there in case someone was injured.
As he walked through the hallways, Arthur suddenly heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Arthur, mate! Hell must have crushed your bed if you're up so early."
Arthur turned around in annoyance, his eyebrows twitching. "Good Morning, Gwaine." he said cooler than intended and instantly received a heavy slap on his shoulder.
"Morning, princess" came the reply and Gwaine slung an arm around Arthur's shoulder, a big grin on his face. "Now, tell me, what drove you to wake up before breakfast?"
Arthur just rolled his eyes and pushed Gwaine's arm away. "Is it really that strange for me to get up before breakfast?!" Gwaine just grinned at him and nodded, so Arthur added "I just have some things to take care of at Gaius'" and rubbed the back of his head as he started to continue walking down the hallway.
Gwaine kept up with him and eyed him curiously. "What do you mean 'things to take care of'? Are you sick? Come on, princess, you can tell me!" he said and continued to grin.
Arthur really didn't know how he could even consider someone like Gwaine his friend. He was just so annoying all the time, calling him stupid names.
Arthur sighed again and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Alright, alright. I just wanted to get some painkillers, so stop asking."
Gwaine started to chuckle and Arthur looked away, a small pout on his lips.
"For what would Princess Arthur the invincible need painkillers? Maybe you have your pe-"Gwaine felt an elbow hit his side and he instantly shut his mouth.
Arthur glared at his friend with a stony look on his face. "Would you please stop calling me that?! Just so you know, I got in a fight yesterday and it didn't go off to my favor" he explained.
"Sorry, no need to get so pissed." Gwaine said apologetically. Arthur knew he didn't mean it. "Who did you fight with?"
"Just some of Morgana's followers. They were really unfair, three against one!"
Gwaine gritted his teeth in anger "Those bastards, again?! They really are too dumb to know when to stop! I should pay them a visit…" he growled.
Arthur gave him a warning look. "Don't do anything rush, we can't need trouble now. Remember, the big fencing tournament is in less than a month" Arthur said urgently, a calming hand resting on Gwaine's shoulder.
Gwaine suddenly stopped in his tracks, eyes growing wide. "Less than a month?! You serious? Man, I've totally lost track of time…" he mumbled staggered.
Arthur chuckled, his mood somehow lightened. Maybe that's why he called Gwaine a friend, he always managed to cheer him up.
"Don't worry, we still have more than enough time to practice, at least when you ever show up at training" he said reassuringly and smiled.
Gwaine chuckled and gave an apologetic smile. Again. This time it seemed like he meant it. "I promise I'll be there. See you later then, mate." he said while entering another hallway, leaving Arthur alone on his way to Gaius.
When Arthur entered the room of the college physician, he saw the old man drinking tea and reading the newspaper.
"Good morning, Arthur." He said without looking up. Just how did he do that? "You're up quite early, aren't you? What can I do for you?"
Was it really that surprising that he was up early?! Sure it was really rare but still! Wasn't he allowed to get up early?!
Arthur hesitated for a moment. He knew Gaius wouldn't approve of the fact that he had ended up in a fight. Again.
"I, uh, just need some painkillers, if you don't mind" he said, putting on an innocent smile. He knew this wouldn't work, but at least he should try.
Gaius finally put down his newspaper and looked up at Arthur with a skeptic look on his face and his eyebrow rising higher than any other eyebrow in the world ever could.
"I see. Why do you need it?" he demanded but in a gentle tone.
Arthur avoided Gaius' eyes and rubbed his neck. "Well, uh, I actually…kind of got into another fight" When he saw the look in Gaius' eyes he hastily added "But it's nothing serious just some scratches and, well …some bruises too.."
Arthur stared at the floor; he didn't want to see the look of disappointment in the old man's eyes. He always was so terribly ashamed whenever Gaius would catch him do something wrong; he respected the man very much, he had always been a friend of his father and Arthur knew him for many years.
He heard Gaius sigh and then felt two gentle hands on his shoulders. Arthur looked up and saw directly into Gaius eyes, concern glimmering in them and something like amusement too. "Oh Arthur, you really need o learn how to take care of yourself…"
"I know…" Arthur mumbled. Gaius chuckled and then turned around to his cupboard with the medicaments stored on it. "Don't worry, Arthur, someday you will meet a person that keeps you tamed."
Arthur instantly had to think of Gwen and a little blush appeared on his cheeks, hopefully Gaius hadn't seen… The old man handed him a glass of water and a few pills. "Just try to net seek trouble." He reminded him while refilling his teacup.
Arthur swallowed the pills and gulped down the water with a disgusted look on his face. How come that all of Gaius medicaments tasted so horrible?! Seriously, what were they made of? Arthur didn't really want to know…. "Anyway, thanks for your help Gaius" he said and made his way to the door.
"Could you wait a second, Arthur? I need you to give this to your father the next time you see him." Gaius said and fumbled a letter out of his pocket.
"It's important, don't forget it" he said, an admonishing look on his old face. "Of course" Arthur replied with a smile and took the letter out of Gaius hands. "Good bye then, Gaius" he said as he left the room, leaving a skeptic looking Gaius behind. Arthur really had to make sure not to forget this, because if he did, he'd receive a lecture from Gaius and his father. This surely couldn't be considered fun. And that letter seemed to be something really important.
Arthur looked down at the piece of paper in his hand; it was addressed to his father… But the sender was unknown… He had a strange feeling as Arthur shoved the letter into his bag and made his way to the cafeteria; he could almost hear his stomach growl. It was time for breakfast now, he would deliver this ominous letter later…He should tend to it as soon as possible or otherwise his curiosity would take overhand…
And that was a thing which only led to trouble every single time in his life.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-GUARDIAN ANGEL-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
The sun was already shining when Merlin awoke. A quick glance at his clock told him that it was half past seven already and he needed to hurry up a little if he wanted to get breakfast anytime soon. With an unhappy groan, Merlin managed to sit up in his bed and rubbed his tired eyes with the back of his hand.
Seriously, why did he have to get up so bloody early?! He wasn't used to this and Merlin doubted he would ever be. It was just against his nature to stand up this early. Still half asleep, Merlin somehow managed to get himself out of bed and into his bathroom. It took him way too long to shower and get dressed but at least the cold water had helped him to get rid of his sleepiness.
Merlin left his room with a confident smile on his lips and made his way to the cafeteria; he didn't think he had ever felt this hungry before; it was just like he hadn't eaten in ages!
As he walked down the hallway, he started to hum a melody he had often heard when he had been still a little boy and it somehow made him feel homesick. He wondered what all his friends were doing at this time… Merlin couldn't suppress a sigh as he ran a hand through his raven hair, as if to wash the sorrow away.
After what felt like ten minutes of walking down the same seemingly endless hallway Merlin slowed down and eventually just stood there looking around.
"Oh great, now I'm totally lost…" he mumbled annoyed and turned around again, trying to decide where to go. Why was this college just so damn huge?! How could anyone ever manage to find his way through those stupid hallways?! Merlin sighed in defeat and walked back to where he had come from; his apparently blue eyes darting around looking for some sort of sign, which he was sure didn't exist.
"Er, excuse me?" Merlin heard a female voice behind him and instantly spun around. He was face to face with a pretty girl with warm brown eyes and dark brown curly hair. "You look kind of lost" she explained and smiled a shy smile at him. Merlin automatically had to smile back at her as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"I am, actually. Could you please show me the way to the cafeteria? I'm literally starving." he explained when his stomach made a traitorous sound.
The girl just chuckled and started to walk down a staircase Merlin hadn't even noticed before. "Are you new here?"
Merlin just nodded and tried to remember the way they were going. He couldn't rely on some bypassing girl every day, which would be kind of embarrassing.
Merlin felt that the girl directed her warm eyes at him and he slightly turned his head around. "I'm Merlin, by the way" he said and amusement sparkled in his eyes when he saw the blush that crept onto the girl's face. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Merlin. I totally forgot to introduce myself…My name's Gwen…" she stumbled while tugging at a curl of hers.
Merlin just gave a light chuckle as they continued their way through the college (Merlin had already forgotten the first half of the way; what was that about remembering the way for once?) "Pleased to meet you, Gwen." Merlin said with a constant smile on his face. Gwen just made his heart feel lighter, as if he didn't have anything to worry about. She also gave him something like confidence, even though he just met her. Merlin had the feeling they would get along just perfect.
"Likewise" she replied when they entered a big hall that seemed to be the cafeteria. "So, here we are. The cafeteria." Gwen said and smiled to Merlin who looked around with awe. "This thing's huge!" he exclaimed with his eyes wide open. Seriously there were like over two thousand students sitting at the tables, Merlin had never seen anything like that. "Say, Gwen, just how big is this college exactly?"
Gwen chuckled while she guided Merlin to the food bank. "You applied for the CPC without even knowing what it's like? You sure are a bit strange, Merlin." Merlin tilted his head slightly and started to pile up some food on his tray. "Uh, well, thank you, I guess"
Gwen blushed again and looked at Merlin with apologetic eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry Merlin, I didn't mean it like that…I just wanted to say, uh…You're a bit…extraordinary! Yeah, that's what I meant!" she stuttered and avoided Merlin's eyes. Said just laughed a bit and rewarded the brunette with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Gwen. It's alright; I know exactly what you mean. And well, I guess you could say I'm far from ordinary."
Gwen relaxed a little and looked around. "You don't mind sitting with me and my friends, do you?" she asked and pointed to a table where a bunch of guys was sitting at. Merlin recognized a certain blond and smiled to himself.
"Oh, I don't mind at all."
They walked over to the table and sat down next to a huge guy with a sleeveless shirt. "Good morning, everyone." Gwen greeted the bunch with a soft smile on her lips and Merlin wondered whether it was just his imagination, but…it seemed like Arthur blushed a little; just a tiny bit but enough for him to notice. A grin found its way onto Merlin's features and he barely managed to turn his chuckle into some sort of cough. Suddenly, all eyes were on him.
"Uh…Hi there." he just said and rubbed the back of his neck suddenly becoming somewhat shy. Merlin wasn't a person to seek attention; he preferred to stay unnoticed than being pushed into the spotlight.
"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot... This is-" "Merlin!" Gwen was interrupted by Arthur's shouting. It really had taken him long to recognize Merlin though…He was a little bit disappointed. Oh well, he shouldn't expect too much of a dollop-head "Oh, so you already know each other?" Gwen asked startled by Arthur's sudden outburst. "Yeah, kind of. I met him on my way to the dorms yesterday" Arthur explained and his sky blue eyes rested on Merlin.
"And you were too lazy to help me carrying my suitcase" Merlin pointed out and smirked at Arthur. The guy next to Arthur started to chuckle. "I knew you were rough, princess, but I never thought you were as arrogant as to not help a mate. I'm utterly disappointed." he said and shook his head in false disapproval.
"Shut up, Gwaine" Arthur growled. Gwen chuckled (really, Arthur had to stop blushing; this time Merlin was sure he'd seen it) "So, you know Arthur already and this guy here" she pointed to the one Arthur had just referred to "is Gwaine. This over there is my brother Elyan" this time her finger was directed at the man opposite of Arthur "and Leon" a guy with curly hair that sat next to Elyan "and there's also Percy" this time she pointed at the huge guy who gave Merlin a shy smile "and last but not least" Gwen hesitated and she averted her eyes to the ground "Lance…" The guy Gwen was currently pointing at would sure be considered handsome so Merlin could understand Gwen's affection… But there seemed to be more going on than he could see… Oh, that was getting interesting pretty soon.
Merlin reminded himself that he was too curious and that it surely wasn't his job to worry about the love trials of humans he only met minutes ago…But he had the strange feeling that it was important although he really couldn't understand how it could be… Suddenly Arthur's voice freed him from his musings.
"Say, Merlin, got any lectures this morning?" Merlin looked at his protégé confusion hiding in his eyes. Why was Arthur asking this…? Was he trying to start a conversation? But why would he?
"Uh, yeah, it actually starts in about five minutes…" He realized staring at his watch. What was it with him and punctuality? It just never worked out.
"Does anyone of you know where…" Merlin took a glance at his schedule "…room 287 is?" he asked looking around expectantly.
"Hey, that's where we're heading next too." The guy called Gwaine said and grinned at Merlin. "You want me to show you the way?"
Merlin smiled happily at Gwaine. "That would really be nice; I doubt I could find the way on my own." Arthur smirked at Merlin and his stormy blue eyes glinted with amusement. "Really, Merlin, how come that doesn't surprise me?" He mocked and Merlin noticed that Arthur pronounced his name in a certain way that made a smile tug at his lips. It felt to him like Arthur made his name into something special, which actually was true since he wouldn't be here without someone to protect. Merlin really had to control his emotions, he was already thinking about serious things again and it seemed to him like Arthur had noticed, judging by the look in his protégé's eyes. Merlin stared into them and again there was an intensity that could only be found between a guardian angel and his protégé. Merlin was kind of relieved that he was given a reason to look away from Arthur's piercing eyes.
"We should go now, otherwise we'll be late" the guy named Leon said and rose from his chair. Everyone followed his example and soon the group of seven guys and one girl made their through the hallways. After a while their ways parted; Percy, Elyan and Leon went into room 235 for a mathematic lecture and Merlin followed Gwen, Arthur, Gwaine and Lance into room 287 where a surely boring literature lecture awaited them.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-GUARDIAN ANGEL-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Merlin was bored. Horribly, utterly bored. He was sure he had never been so bored in his entire life, not even during the hour-long speeches of Kilgarrah (although that was kind of comparable). The professor that was currently talking was a middle aged man with an unshaven face and tired grey eyes; he really seemed like he needed some free time.
After a few more minutes Merlin tried really really hard not to fall asleep, that wouldn't exactly be helpful especially on his first day here.
Merlin cast a quick glance over to Arthur and Gwaine who were sitting in the row before him; Gwaine seemed to be texting someone and Arthur…well, he was trying not to stare at Gwen and miserably failed. Gwen on the other hand was sitting next to Lance playing with her hair and talking casually to him.
Merlin looked at Arthur with sad eyes, he knew what Arthur must feel like and he decided to try and cheer him up later.
Suddenly the professor stopped talking and everyone else started with it. Merlin looked around confused, not getting what he was supposed to do. He decided to just ask the guy sitting next to him. "Say, what was your name again…?" The boy just gave him a disapproving look and slightly shook his head. "I'm Geoffrey for the tenth time" he said coolly. "What can I do for you now?" Merlin just rewarded this so called Geoffrey (seriously, that was a name one could easily forget, right?) with a sheepish smile. "Say, Geoffrey, what are we supposed to do now, exactly?"
The guy in front of him just rolled his eyes and Merlin couldn't suppress his grin. This guy was so serious it was almost funny.
"Well, Merlin, we are to do presentations about the third act of the drama we're currently reading. In groups of two that is."
Merlin smiled a warm smile at Geoffrey and his eyes lit up. "Thank you, I'd be lost without your help" he exclaimed happily and smirked smugly when he saw that he had managed a smile to appear on the serious guy's face. That's what you call holy angel power. (Of course not, that's just what Merlin calls it.)
"N-no problem, Merlin. I'm glad I could help." Geoffrey said trying to suppress a smile and turned around to talk to some girl.
Merlin looked around and tried to decide with whom he should hold the presentation. His eyes instantly landed on a certain blond and he smiled. That was kind of an opportunity to get to know Arthur better, Merlin reminded himself. In order to protect Arthur he had to become acquainted with his protégé and he would have to spend every free minute with him in case there was need for protection. He could always just follow Arthur around, but Merlin wasn't found of the idea, it would seem like he was some sort of stalker. So, his first step was: Ask Arthur whether he wants to be your partner for the presentation.
…
"Uh….No." came the reply Merlin had anxiously been waiting for. He instantly felt great disappointment and looked at Arthur with big eyes. "Why not?" he asked urgently. Arthur suddenly felt uncomfortable and avoided Merlin's piercing blue eyes. "It's just… I usually do these kind of things with one of my many friends…and not some stranger."
Merlin's a little too big ears suddenly went red with anger. Why was this guy such a prat?! Couldn't he have gotten another protégé? Oh no, he just had to get the king of prats! Merlin had really wanted to try but now he had to find another way to approach Arthur. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to anytime soon…
He could almost hear Kilgarrah's scolding voice in his head. Yeah, yeah, destiny whatever.
"Oh, come on, Merlin, don't be such a girl, I'm sure someone will be your partner" Arthur said teasingly and Merlin just realized that there was no one left to ask…besides Gwaine who was obviously sleeping. A smirk arose on his features and Merlin poked Gwaine into the back.
"What…? Huh, Merlin? What's up mate?" He asked sleepily while rubbing his eyes.
"Would you be my partner for the presentations? Please? Arthur rejected me and there's no one left to ask…" Merlin said with big eyes and an innocent smile on his lips. Gwaine just grinned back and patted Merlin on the shoulder. "Sure, mate. How could I say no?"
Arthur's previous smirk disappeared and instead a disbelieving look took over his face. "Whaaaat?!" he exclaimed shocked "But Gwaine, I thought we would team up, you know, like always!" Gwaine just shook his head in a mocking manner. "Too late, princess."
Arthur's face went slightly red and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. With a pout on his lips he turned around and…well, he kind of began sulking.
"Is he really that arrogant?" Merlin asked staring at his protégé's back.
"Sure, he's the princess afterall."
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-GUARDIAN ANGEL-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Arthur was angry. At Merlin for asking Gwaine and at Gwaine for accepting. And maybe, just maybe a tiny bit at himself, for being so arrogant as to reject Merlin.
Merlin…this guy really was an idiot but still…He always was so easy going and cheerful, he had been yesterday, he had been at breakfast and he had been now. It made Arthur feel like he himself was arrogant and it made him feel insensible… Okay, he probably was a bit, just a bit but that didn't mean that this Merlin (Oh, he really loved that name. Ugh…Thought deleted.) could just take Gwaine away from him! But he had offered to be Arthur's partner first and he, well he had rejected him. Man, he wish he hadn't, now he had to do everything alone…
Suddenly Arthur felt a warm hand resting on his shoulder. He slowly turned around and stared directly into Merlin's azure eyes. "Come on, Arthur, I'm sure we can do it in a threesome. Besides, I doubt Gwaine will do anything productive" the raven haired said and smiled a gentle smile at Arthur (While Gwaine was back to sleep). He suddenly felt his previous thoughts leaving his head and Arthur just had to smile back at Merlin. Man, just what was this about him? Always smiling, always bright.
"Thanks, Merlin. I owe you one." he said and tried to keep the happiness out of his voice. "We'll meet at four in the library, you okay with that?"
The guy in front of him just nodded and drove a pale hand through his hair.
"I'll be there, Arthur."
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-GUARDIAN ANGEL-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
A/N: So, that's it. It was kind of a filler chapter but I had to introduce some important characters and make the foundation for Merlin and Arthur's friendship :) Next chapter will contain some action and there will be Morgana's first appearance! Look forward to it :D It would be really nice if you left a review, they are always much appreciated. Until in a few days, have a good time :)
by DarkChain