A/N: Sorry, this took longer than the previous chapter, but it's finally done! Again, the hugest thanks to everyone who reviewed/followed/favorited! :)

You're all great supporters and you make me write faster. I hope you'll like this chapter, I had a hard time writing it somehow… Anyway, on we go :D

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. Do I have to write that every time?

CHAPTER 3: SMILING ANGEL

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Merlin stared lazily at the blue sky. He was currently lying on a meadow at the campus. He still had an hour or so time before he would meet with Arthur and Gwaine at the library. Today was a sunny day and only a few clouds which looked like sheep covered the sky. Merlin sighed and looked around. There were many other students outside enjoying the good weather. There was no way he could spread his wings like this, what if he was seen, and Merlin started to doubt whether he would ever got to enjoy the feeling of air rushing through his hair or his wings cutting through the clouds again…

With longing glimmering in his eyes he directed his gaze one more time at the clouds, a nostalgic smile found its way onto his face.

Usually, he would challenge Will to a race through the sky, they would have their fun and would end up drenching wet because of flying through the clouds. They would come back totally exhausted and his mother would scold him for getting their house wet. But then she would cook them something, a smile on her face.

Merlin's smile vanished instead it was replaced by a sad look. Oh, he was so so homesick right now… How could he ever manage to remain on the ground when his home was the sky? It was just unnatural. Merlin wondered whether every guardian angel had these thoughts. Probably.

With yet another sigh, Merlin looked at his watch. 3:55…. Oh damn, he would be late! (Again, punctuality didn't work with him.)

Merlin stood up, grabbed his bag and was running back into the building in the matter of a few seconds. He raced down the hallways, urgently hoping he was heading into the right direction. When Merlin turned around a corner, he instantly slowed down and grinned at the scene in front of him. There was Gwaine leaning at the wall and obviously flirting with some girl. The girl started to giggle and blushed furiously; Merlin really didn't want to know what Gwaine had just whispered into her ear.

"I guess that means he won't come to the library anytime soon, huh?" Merlin mumbled as he continued walking down the hallway. After a few more corners and stairways (really, just how big was this college?!) Merlin was finally reaching his destination: the library. A quick glance at his watch told him, that it was only five past four, so he wasn't too late.

As Merlin entered the library, he was greeted by thousands of books. Every genre had its own section with shelves filled until below the ceiling with books.

After he had looked around in awe, Merlin's eyes searched for Arthur. He finally found him, being hidden behind a pile of books. "Ah, there you are." Arthur greeted him and gestured to a chair for Merlin to sit down. "Now we just have to wait for Gwaine" Arthur said with an annoyed look at his watch.

"Actually" Merlin began after he had sat down next to Arthur "I don't think he will show up here anytime soon." Merlin saw how Arthur raised his eyebrow so he added "I just saw him flirting with some girl and… he seemed occupied" Arthur rolled his stormy eyes and sighed. "I shouldn't be surprised… Well, then it will just be the two of us for now, huh?"

Merlin couldn't suppress a slight smile. "So, what's going to be our topic for the presentation?" he asked eyeing the books in front of them.

Arthur just shrugged "I don't know, maybe the figure of speech and an interpretation? Or maybe a psychological analysis of the characters?" he suggested.

Merlin groaned and his shoulders slumped down. "That sounds so horribly, utterly, endlessly, indescribably boring!" he complained. "Can't we do something, you know, more fun?"

Arthur just shook his head "And what would you suggest, Merlin?" Merlin's face fell even after he had thought about the question a few seconds more "I just realized something…" he whispered. "Everything about this stupid book is just so bloody boring! It doesn't even make sense!"

Arthur just had to chuckle at the pouting boy in front of him and Merlin frowned. "What's so funny?" he demanded.

After a while, Arthur managed to stop his laughter. He stared at Merlin for a moment, blue eyes meeting each other. After a while, Arthur too started to frown. "Actually…I don't know…I just thought, well…You somehow made me laugh…" he said yet not knowing what he actually wanted to say.

Merlin looked at his protégé, a startled look on his face. What was he saying, he didn't know? How could one not know why they were laughing? Merlin broke his gaze away from Arthur's eyes and instead directed it at one of the books. "Anyway, I think a psychological analysis would be better..." he mumbled trying to break the awkward silence.

Arthur rubbed the back of his neck and also averted his eyes "Sure, why not…"

They both grabbed some books and started reading, sometimes making a note or two. But Merlin couldn't quite concentrate, there still was this uncomfortable silence lying over them like some sort of curse. This time, it was Arthur who broke it. "Say, why did you come to the CPC in the first place? Got some special reason?"

Merlin' eyes grew wide for a second before he narrowed them. Damn, he had to think up a lie as fast as he could. He both was happy and sad that it was easy for him to lie. "Oh, you know, I've gotten a scholarship. I went to a really run-down college in Wales before I came here. Imagine, their library consisted of ten shelves! Only ten!" he lied like he was trained to with a smile on his face. It made his heart ache. "I'm really happy to be here though, even if I'm a little homesick sometimes" At least that was true. Merlin hated lying, but he understood why it was important for all guardian angels to do so. Humanity would probably hunt them down and throw them into some weird laboratory if they ever found out.

Arthur just looked at Merlin with a strange look in his eyes that Merlin couldn't read. It kind of made him nervous, like being judged.

Just when Arthur was about to open his mouth again, Gwaine came rushing into the library. "Sorry, I'm late" he managed to say with a short breath, he had obviously been running the way here. "I totally lost track of time…"

Merlin and Arthur just started to chuckle after they had exchanged a look. Gwaine raised his eyebrow and just looked back and forth between the two guys sitting in front of him, laughing in union. "What're you giggling 'bout?"

They stopped and Arthur started to frown. "First of all: We are not giggling. Second: You're an hour too late. Seriously, a whole hour! And third: Merlin saw what you were…occupied with." Arthur looked over to Merlin and they both broke out in laughter again.

Gwaine just grinned. "Well, no use denying it then" he said as he sat down next to Merlin. "So…What's our topic then?"

"We decided for a character analysis" Merlin explained and let out a bored sigh.

"Whose stupid idea was that?! That's the most boring thing we could do!" Gwaine exclaimed and banged his head against the table.

"Just what is wrong with you?!" Merlin's protégé scolded "That's a really good idea if you ask me!"

"It was princess's suggestion, huh?"

"Of course"

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Two hours later, Gwaine clapped his book shut and tossed it onto the growing pile. "It's time for supper" he complained, accompanied by a growl of his stomach.

Arthur just gave a slight smile and started to put away the books. "I think we've done enough for today, we deserve our food." He turned around and looked Merlin over. Suddenly, Arthur narrowed his eyes. "You really need to eat." Merlin just gave him a startled "Huh?"

Arthur sighed and rested his hands on his hips. "I said, you need to eat, Merlin. You're just too skinny!" Really, what was with this guy, he looked like the slightest wind would blow him away. This couldn't possibly be healthy. Arthur watched as a smile formed on Merlin's lips.

"Oh Arthur, you just say that because you're-"Merlin was interrupted midsentence by Arthur's shouting.

"I'm not fat! Idiot!" His face was slightly red and he was obviously huffing. He really wasn't fat, why did everyone think that?!

Arthur didn't want to look at Merlin, so he turned around, staring at the wall while he heard a muffled laugh from Gwaine. Suddenly, Arthur felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned around. Blue eyes met and he felt like he had a déjà vu. It was just like today morning, he thought. It was the same touch and those were the same eyes.

"I wanted to say concerned… 'You just say that because you're concerned for my health.'" Merlin explained with a warm smile on his face, his azure eyes shining.

The smile of an angel… Arthur thought. He blushed a little at his stupidity. "Sorry, Merlin. For shouting at you…" he mumbled slightly ashamed and looked at the ground. He didn't want to meet those eyes, they were too deep and ways to wise for someone like Merlin. It was as if they belonged to someone else…

"Don't worry, let's just go eat something." he heard Merlin saying and smiled at him. He followed the raven haired boy and they left a baffled Gwaine behind.

Just what the hell had this new guy done to Arthur?! Arthur had apologized! He had been so cautious and not like the boisterous and arrogant princess he had been this morning. Arthur only knew this guy for 24 hours and yet he behaved so differently around him. It was like Merlin had a good influence, but in just one day was ridiculous! They knew like nothing about him and yet it was like he had always been part of Arthur's live. The only other person that affected him like that was Gwen, but at least he knew her for some time. This Merlin guy really had something strange about him, something untouchable…

Gwaine just smiled to himself as he followed the two guys in front of him.

They were walking next to each other and it seemed natural, as if this was the way it should be.

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"You have to eat up" Arthur demanded and pushed the plate over to Merlin. The raven haired just groaned and pushed it away again. "But I'm full"he complained. Gwaine just chuckled and patted Merlin on the shoulder. "You don't have to eat it, one fat guy is enough"

Arthur just pushed the plate over to Merlin again. "Oh, shut up, Gwaine."

Gwaine just grinned and slung an arm around Arthur's shoulder. "So, when is practice this week? I know you handed out a schedule…But, let's say I lost it" Arthur just chuckled, not being surprised in the slightest, but appreciating the interest that Gwaine showed. "It's on Thursday, 5 o'clock. Make sure you come"

"What kind of practice?" Merlin asked curiously while Arthur wrote down the date and time on a piece of paper. "Oh yeah, you don't know. Arthur and I are in the fencing team" Gwaine explained grinning. "And in addition he's the captain" he pointed at Arthur who just smirked, his pride being evident on his face. Merlin inwardly rolled his eyes. Such a prat.

"Oh, that sounds interesting" he admitted. Gwaine laughed and patted Merlin on the back. "It sure is. Hey, why don't you come too?" he offered to a stunned Merlin. "Really? Can I?" he asked doubting. "Gwaine, I don't think he's…" Arthur looked Merlin over "…suited for being a fencer."

Merlin just gave a fake pout, but then smiled one of his always bright smiles. "Don't worry, I would prefer to watch you doing the fencing." Arthur didn't look Merlin in the eyes but he could see a smile tug at his protégé's lips. "Then it's alright I guess" he mumbled and handed Gwaine the previously written on paper.

The brunet tugged it into his pocket and a wide grin started to spread on his face.

"Say, princess, you've got any plans for tonight?" Arthur sighed annoyed and rolled his eyes. "Don't even think about it Gwaine. I'm not going out with you again." He remembered his last hangover all too well.

Gwaine looked at the blond with big eyes. "Please, Arthur! I already asked everyone! Come on, you need some fun, mate!"

Before Arthur could even answer, Gwaine turned over to Merlin. "You can come too, Merlin. I promise it will be fun." Merlin saw how Arthur violently shook his head behind Gwaine's back and he had to suppress a chuckle. "Sorry, Gwaine, but I've still got a lot of things to do, you know, paper stuff and such." It hurt Merlin too see Gwaine's disappointed expression, but he soon grinned again and nodded. "I totally understand that, mate. Then it will only be the two of us, eh?" He said cheerfully and started to drag Arthur away, ignoring his protests. "See you later, Merlin!" Gwaine exclaimed as he dragged Arthur out of the cafeteria. "But Gwaine, I don't want to!" Merlin heard Arthur shout even after he was out of sight.

I slight frown appeared on Merlin's face. He had a strange feeling about this. Something was going to happen, he was sure about it. Maybe he just should've agreed to accompany them? Merlin sighed and put his still full plate away. Well, there was nothing he could do about it now. Of course he could follow his protégé, just in case… What if he got attacked? Or had an accident? Or got lost? How could Arthur even survive without him?

Merlin inwardly scolded himself, he was just being paranoid. Arthur could surely take care of himself.

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"Why am I here, again?" Arthur asked bored as he stared into the bottom of his glass filled with ale. He waited some time for a response, but when he didn't hear anything he turned his head around to where Gwaine had been sitting. Man, were did this idiot go off to now? Arthur's eyes searched the bar they were currently sitting in. It was filled with people in their age, mostly students. Arthur even saw some faces he recognized from the CPC.

His gaze landed on a certain brunet…who was snogging with some girl. "Oh, come on! First, you drag me all the way here and then you just leave me sitting alone being too occupied with snogging! That's enough, I'm leaving." He exclaimed, doubting that Gwaine would even hear him. With a sigh, Arthur heaved himself up from his chair and headed towards the exit. It ended like this way too often.

A few minutes later, Arthur walked down a small alley that led to the CPC. It was the same alley where he had gotten attacked yesterday; it somehow felt like that had been ages ago already.

As Arthur was just about to round the corner, he bumped into someone. Someone really big. And bulky. Uh-oh. Arthur could still feel the wounds of his last battle and he already shielded himself for another. He took a deep breath and slowly looked up into the face of the guy that had insulted him yesterday.

How could it only have been yesterday? It felt like long ago somehow.

"Oh, look who we've got here! If it isn't the little Pendragon" the bulk slurred with a smirk on his face, his eyes glinting.

"Did you just say Pendragon?" Arthur heard a female voice say and he instantly narrowed his eyes. "Morgana" he whispered, bitterness evident in his voice.

A girl with long black hair and pale skin came around the corner, followed by a bunch of guys. A smirk was resting on her lips, her cold eyes eying him closely.

"Well, long time no see, dear brother" she said and rested her hands on her hips. "I would really love to have a little chat with you" she stepped up to him and leaned closer "But unfortunately, I have to prepare some things for the tournament. I heard you'll participate as well?" she asked, an unspoken threat filling the air between them with crackling tension.

Arthur held up his head, so he could look down on his little sister. "You're well informed. And I'm planning on winning it" he said confidently, he knew he was able to do it. No, he wasn't just arrogant, he trusted in his abilities and in those of his team mates. They were the best fencers the CPC had ever seen, after all.

Morgana just laughed at this statement, a cold, humorless laugh. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, if I were you. I'm not going to make it easy for you."

Arthur just snorted and crossed his arms in front of his chest "I don't doubt that" he said matter of factly.

"Well, I must leave you now, brother." Morgana slurred, a smirk again taking over her features. "I'll leave him to you" She just turned around and walked away, leaving Arthur behind with the bunch of bulks.

He gulped. That wouldn't be fun.

"Let's rough him up a bit" the biggest guy suggested. A mumble of agreement was heard in the rows. Slowly, they approached Arthur like a cat the mouse.

Arthur instantly swapped into fighting move. His brain stopped thinking and his instincts took over. Dodging a punch. Dashing out of the way when someone came too close. Blocking a kick. Again dodging a punch. As soon as possible getting back up after being thrown to the ground. Kicking someone into the gut. Ignoring the pain. Sending the fist towards a jaw. He continued like this and managed to fight off two of the five guys. They were lying on the ground now, trying to get out of the crowd of fists and boots. Then suddenly something happened, he didn't see coming. Someone hit him with an unknown objected over the head and Arthur felt a pain like someone was splitting his skull into two halves.

He gasped in pain and his vision began to swim before his eyes. In that moment his face met the hard ground and Arthur lost hold of his senses.

The last thing he noticed, before he was passing out, was someone screaming his name. "Arthur! Arthur where are- Oh no, Arthur! Hey you! Stop that! Arthur, can you hear me? Arthur? Arthur! You! What did you do to him?!"

Arthur recognized this voice. It was Merlin's. He sounded so angry and concerned. Concerned for him… But he didn't even know him; they only met two days ago.

Then why was Merlin so worried about him?

That was the last thing Arthur thought about before his world went totally black.

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Merlin worried. He didn't know why, maybe it was his instinct, maybe it was his connection to his protégé or maybe it was the little part of his brain that told him, why would someone need a guardian angel if they didn't need protection?

So he made his way to the dorms, worry clearly written on his face. Yeah, he knew worrying wouldn't do any good; it would only cloud his mind.

He worried nevertheless.

"You know what they say" he heard a female voice behind his back. "Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles; it takes away today's peace"

Merlin turned around and wasn't surprised when he faced Gwen; a warm smile present on her lips.

"So you noticed?" he asked although he already knew the answer. "Of course I did. What occupies your mind?"

"Well" Merlin sighed "I don't know, exactly. I just have…a funny feeling about Arthur going out tonight" Merlin looked out of the window, the sun was already setting.

He heard a slight chuckle coming from Gwen. "You're so nice, Merlin. You only met Arthur yesterday but you already care for him like a brother."

Merlin avoided her eyes as a tiny blush appeared in his face. He looked up as he heard the change of Gwen's voice when she continued to speak.

"I think your concern might not be unreasonable. Arthur gets into fights a lot these days" Merlin felt like his inwards cramped. His protégé got into fights? How could he still be standing here! He should instantly hurry after him, make sure he's alright. Merlin decided he would go searching for Arthur as soon as he could, but he had to gather some information beforehand.

"Fights?" he asked Gwen "Who does he fight with?"

She hesitated and took in a deep breath. Merlin had the feeling, that a long story was about to be told.

"I guess you know that the headmaster, Uther Pendragon, is Arthur's father?" She started and when Merlin nodded continued "Well, Arthur's mother has died shortly after she had given birth to him." A sad look crossed Merlin's face. He knew what it was like to grow up with just one parent; he had never met his father…

"Well, apparently Uther had an affair with another woman at that time. Like this, Arthur's half-sister Morgana was born." Merlin was slightly shocked. His protégé had a sister?

"When they were still little children, Arthur and Morgana really loved each other, how it should be between brother and sister. But when Morgana found out that she was only his half-sister, she started to hate Uther. The hatred in her heart grew on and on with every word Uther said and eventually happened to affect her relationship with Arthur. Some years ago, she decided to leave the Pendragon family and is currently living with her half-sister Morgause and goes to the Regional Common College, the RCC. There's a great rivalry between her and Arthur now, some say she even tried to kill him once." Merlin gasped in shock.

She had tried to kill Arthur?! Who in their right mind would do something like this to their own brother, even if it just was a half-brother?!

Merlin clenched his teeth. He understood now why Arthur needed a guardian angel; he was in grave danger whenever he left the campus! Merlin felt his emotions going wild and he really had to keep himself together. Whatever this Morgana was like, whatever reasons she might have, he knew he could never forgive her for trying to hurt his protégé.

Gwen must have seen the look in his eyes, because she looked at him awkwardly. "That's probably just a rumor Merlin… Well, anyway, Morgana has a bunch of guys that always follows her around. They keep on attacking Arthur…" She looked sad as she continued. "He's always hurt. When his injuries are finally healed after a fight, he instantly gets new ones…"

That was too much. Merlin's vision went red with anger. How dared they to hurt his protégé?! He had to protect Arthur. Now. Always. Merlin swore to himself that he would never leave Arthur's side again. It would be uncomfortable at times and there surely would be many questions but he couldn't bring himself to care.

"Sorry, Gwen. I have to go now." He brought out between clenched teeth. As he walked, almost ran, away, Merlin felt how his hands balled into fists, his fingernails digging into his palm, leaving traces behind.

A few minutes later, he was running through town, highly concentrating on his senses. He didn't know how, but he was somehow drawn to a dark alley.

That didn't feel good, the alley had the aura of misfortune; Arthur probably walked straight into it. As Merlin was about to cross the empty street, he saw a girl with hair as black as his own leaving the alley. Her cold eyes glinted mischievously and a smirk was resting on her lips.

Morgana… Merlin had never met her before, but he knew for sure who he was looking at. He was really tempted to follow her, but Arthur was his first priority. He would always be.

Merlin was about to round the corner "Arthur! Arthur where are-"Merlin stopped midsentence as he saw Arthur lying on the ground, surrounded by huge guys who were laughing at him and kicking him in the sides. No. They should stop. He couldn't watch this.

"Oh no, Arthur! Hey you! Stop that! Arthur, can you hear me? Arthur? Arthur! You! What did you do to him?!" He shouted at them angrily, his voice being low and dangerous. They just turned around surprised and started to laugh as they saw him. He didn't hear their laughs, he didn't hear their insults.

Everything he heard was the blood rushing through his head, everything he saw was Arthur lying unconscious on the ground, everything he felt was pure, ultimate rage, fury, anger, and concern.

Merlin felt like his blood started burning, his back suddenly started itching. He knew he was losing control, he knew he was overreacting but he just didn't care. He didn't even care that they would see his wings, they wouldn't remember anyway and no one would believe them if they talked about it.

He was suddenly getting hot, as if every cell in his body was burning; Merlin even felt the blue contacts in his eyes melting away. His eyes shone a bright gold and he was amused to see the fear in the bulks' eyes. That's right; everyone who hurt Arthur should learn to stay away from him.

Merlin felt sharp pain in his back and he couldn't suppress a smile when his wings broke through. He felt complete again, he had really missed it.

With a tearing sound, his huge white wings unfolded on his back. His shirt was ruined now, but he wasn't stupid. (Even if Arthur begged to differ.)

He was always having extra contacts and an extra shirt in his bag, just for the case.

Merlin looked up into the faces of the bulks, a huge grin on his face. They were speechless, eyes as wide as plates, shaking and pale. If they were smarter than they looked, they would be running by now. Merlin wasn't fond of using violence, he would try to scare them away first.

"I'm going to do what I exist for. I'm going to protect Arthur" he whispered and gathered all his strength.

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A/N: So, here the chapter ends, kind of cliffhangerly, I hope you liked it :) The next chapter contains: awesome angel power, some fencing and a meeting with Gaius' eyebrow! Look forward to it :D

I would greatly appreciate a review of any kind or a follow/favorite :) Until next time~

by DarkChain