There are actually two Elena's in the story. Previously I named one of the social workers Elena. So she remains in this and I have two Elenas. Social worker Elena and demanding child Elena. Sorry if I confuse people!
May 2011
Arthur let himself into the house, he had promised to be back early so he could keep Elena occupied and let Merlin have some peace, and get some sleep. It wasn't as if the little girl kept him awake, but dealing with her emotionally had been wearing on Merlin. He had taken so much of the responsibility, because he had somehow managed to get the little girl to believe him. Arthur had gained enough of her trust, but Merlin was the one she would always turn to.
However, as he arrived she came running out into the hallway, and Arthur braced to catch her if she stumbled. Thankfully she just landed against his legs, clinging onto his trousers, as she looked up at him he noticed her nose running again. It never seemed to stop, even though she never acted as if she was suffering from a cold.
"Come and look!" she ordered him in her piping voice.
"Okay," Arthur said, putting down his briefcase. Elena kept one hand firmly latched onto his trousers, tugging to keep him moving and Arthur had to shuffle along with her to make sure he didn't accidentally kick her as she dragged him into the kitchen. Arthur skidded to a halt as he saw Gwaine lounging at the kitchen table, drinking a beer and looking very comfortable. Merlin stood by the oven, cooking, and looking a little wary, possibly not entirely sure of Arthur's reaction at finding Gwaine there.
"Arthur! The bane of my life!" Gwaine exclaimed delightedly.
Arthur didn't get a chance to respond, Elena continued to tug, dragging him over to the breakfast bar. She clambered up onto the little footstool that Merlin had found from somewhere, which helped her reach the counters, so she could stand and help him when he cooked, or reach the bathroom sink when she needed to. As she steadied herself both her hands reached out, grasping the little mushroom shaped nightlight that Arthur had bought in the hope of helping her with her night-time insecurity.
"Look!" Elena exclaimed flicking the switch. As the bulb flashed on it projected little blue stars across the kitchen, the entire nightlight glowing blue. Gwaine grinned, looking very pleased with himself. Elena turned the nightlight off and then turned it on again. She turned her head to stare up at Arthur.
"Are you looking?" she demanded. Arthur reached out to pet her slightly scruffy blonde hair.
"Yes, it's very nice, well done Gwaine," Arthur said. Gwaine grinned at him, raising his beer.
"You may call me a genius."
"Fine, you're a genius," Arthur conceded.
"I said he could stay for dinner," Merlin added, he blinked owlishly as the steam from the nearby pan billowed into his face as he lifted the lid.
"Looking!" Elena ordered Arthur.
"I am," Arthur said, paying attention as she turned the light off and on again. She beamed up at him and Arthur decided he wasn't irritated by Gwaine staying for dinner, he could at least help entertain Elena while Merlin grabbed a much needed nap. Although it appeared that Gwaine had already done some groundwork by fixing up the nightlight.
"How did you do it?" Arthur asked, not turning his gaze to Gwaine as he asked the question. Instead he obediently paid attention to Elena as she turned the light off and on again, looking at the blue stars before glancing up at Arthur to ensure he continued to pay attention.
"Not a blue bulb, I couldn't find one of them for love nor money," Gwaine announced. "But I did find a sheet of blue light filter, so I opened it up and attached it in where I could. It will no doubt degrade over time but in theory by that point it might not be necessary." He watched Elena with amusement as she turned the light on and off, watching the blue stars as they appeared and disappeared.
"We'll see, thank you anyway."
"I aim to please," Gwaine said, grinning from ear to ear, turning to look at Merlin. "And that smells great. You don't let Arthur cook I take it?"
"Not a chance," Merlin said, looking into the hallway as the door clicked again. Elena heard the same thing, she turned off the light, stepped down and pushed past Arthur.
"Mordred! Come and look!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
August 2011
Arthur spent some time helping clear up after the party. Merlin headed off to put Elena to bed, now the little girl could happily sleep on her own, if she had the nightlight. It also gave time for Merlin to get ready. Arthur wasn't sure what that actually entailed but he got the feeling he would find out later.
As he and his father finally closed up for the night Arthur still lingered, his armour starting to irritate him a little, but he had to keep it on for the purposes of the promise. Then with a rose between his teeth he sulked his way down the corridor. He was almost to their bedroom when there came the sound of footsteps padding down the corridor. Arthur froze, not that he could actually hide himself. He didn't move as Mordred wandered past him, glass of milk in his hand. The boy hardly looked at Arthur as he ambled past, going to his own room.
"Night," Mordred said before disappearing into the room, as if Arthur skulking down a corridor late at night was the most normal thing in the world. Arthur huffed, and went a few more steps and then froze again as there was a clattering of heels behind him and he heard Morgana's giggling.
"I told you, quick Gwen!"
Arthur stayed still against the wall while a tipsy Morgana and Gwen ran into the corridor to photograph him. Arthur groaned through the rose stem and stayed still. He closed his eyes as they clicked their cameras, avoiding the flash. This was a good a gauntlet as any to get to Merlin.
"What is going on?" Uther asked, appearing from what appeared to be nowhere.
"Arthur's on a promise," Morgana giggled.
Hunith appeared from the doorway opposite the one Arthur was aiming for.
"Will you be quiet or you will wake Elena, and leave Arthur alone."
"If nothing else at least he isn't climbing up the side of the house," Uther announced. "With emerald coloured silk knickers on show," he added very pointedly to Morgana.
The door to Arthur and Merlin's room opened wide enough for a pillow to appear and be lobbed out into the hallway.
"Go away and stop ruining my ambiance!" Merlin voice announced, not raising because he was aware of Elena opposite, sharing a room with his mother so she wouldn't worry about being on her own. Merlin clicked the door shut with force, not slamming it, again with no intention of waking Elena. Hunith looked around and stepped back, carefully closing the door. Uther glared at Morgana and Gwen.
"As far as I am aware Arthur and Merlin have not had that much quality time together, so you have your photograph, now go away."
Gwen had the decency to look guilty. Morgana looked martyred. Uther looked at Arthur, still against the wall with the rose in his mouth.
"There is something to be said about clambering up the wall to the window. Goodnight son."
Arthur just waited, praying for it to end, until everyone had gone.
"For fucks sake!" he snarled through the rose and carried on to the bedroom, reaching out for the handle and slowly opening it. He stayed still for a few seconds, wanting to give Merlin enough time to get back as he wanted to be, before he slipped through the door and closed it behind him, giving a sigh of relief. He dropped his head back against the door and took a heavy breath, before lowering his head and nearly spitting out the rose at what he saw.
Uther never threw anything of sentimental value away. Arthur looked at his old dragon costume, now adorning a fluffy teddy bear he had won at a fairground stall years ago. The picture of him in his underpants and top half of his costume lay on the nightstand. Earlier that night Uther had found them both and handed them to Merlin without a word.
The dragon teddy sat on the chest at the end of the bed, acting as a guard for Merlin who lay sprawled out on the bed. Arthur clenched his teeth around the rose stem as he looked at Merlin. He was naked, carefully covered by the quilted bedspread and surrounded by rose petals. They were strewn across the bed, around the floor and the room had been lit by a few of the electric candles that Uther used for the ball.
"Oh my God," Arthur groaned.
Merlin's pale skin seemed to glow in the flickering lights. He had placed the patchwork cover over his groin and strategically flipped it over his right hip. But that was the only cover Merlin had. A long line of flesh ran from his outspread left arm, down his shoulder and torso to hip and Merlin exposed his leg from pelvis downwards. Arthur made sure he stayed very, very, still; to look at the sight he was given, before taking even the merest step forward. He couldn't stop looking. This magnificent creature had been given to him, and wanted him. Merlin lay there for his pleasure for him to take. Arthur could have been quite driven to his knees by that fact.
Before that, there was something he had to do. With great care Arthur drew his sword. The edges had been carefully blunted so he could carry it safely but it would work well enough against the dragon he had to face. Arthur put the point of the sword under the teddy bear's chin, making the dragon headdress wobble.
"Another time." Arthur drawled his voice still muffled by the rose. He lifted the teddy and moved it to the floor, putting the dragon out of the way. He placed the sword against a nearby cabinet and put his knees on the end of the bed. Then dropping down he crawled upwards.
Merlin didn't react. He could have been the most brilliant actor, because he never flickered or faltered during the moments they played these silly games. Merlin did like them to be perfect, and he didn't move, not one millimetre, as Arthur crawled up the bed, dipping his hips so that the edges of his chain mail brushed against Merlin's skin. He wouldn't rouse until the correct moment.
When Prince Charming gave his kiss.
Arthur smirked, dropping his head to drop the rose onto the pillow by Merlin's head and moving across brushed his lips against Merlin's. He gave a tiny reaction and then stayed still. Arthur went in again, increasing the pressure a little. Merlin gave a light response but went still again after a few seconds. Arthur pulled back and decided to change tactics.
He ran his gloved hand around to the back of Merlin's head, lifting his head before he brought his lips down and kissed Merlin hard. Merlin opened his mouth, meeting Arthur's tongue with his own. He responded to Arthur's grappling hand by lifting one leg and wrapping it around Arthur. They ground themselves together until Merlin moaned.
"We need to lose that bloody armour!"
"Yeah, unbuckle me here and there and then drag me out of the chain mail, then we are good to go."
"Oh, so that is how women in those days remained frustrated virgins. Get it off Arthur!"
"And why no woman ever objected to a being given a damn good ravishing," Arthur said, determined to comply.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
May 2011
Arthur stirred as he felt something burrowing into the duvet. He turned and looked down at a shock of tangled blonde hair.
"Elena?"
"Want to. Where's Merlin?"
"Sleeping, come on, you clamber in and don't wake him."
Arthur got out of the bed to let her snuggle into the warmth he had left. Elena turned.
"And light."
"I'll get it," Arthur said. The night light had to go everywhere. Anyone that came to the house dutifully admired it and from it Elena seemed happier to stay in her own room. Still there were nights when she woke, and needed Merlin's presence. Although, Arthur reflected, she had never simply come to find him before. She normally sat in her own room and screamed for him. Going into Elena's room he unplugged the light and brought it back. Elena sat up in the middle of the bed waiting for him. Next to her Merlin still slept, he had suffered enough broken nights. She watched intently as Arthur unplugged the bedside lamp and set up the nightlight, turning it on and sending blue stars over the ceiling, and the little lamp glowed with a blue hue.
"Better?" Arthur asked sliding back into bed, so she was wedged between them. She wriggled down in the bed.
"Yes. Can I have a story?" she asked, lisping her words as she often did when she was tired. Merlin stirred, rolling over, mumbling something intelligible. Reaching over Arthur gently rubbed his hand on the back of Merlin's neck, moving up over his head, and across to his cheek, stroking him gently and knowing it would sooth Merlin back to sleep. Merlin settled, burying his face into the pillow. Elena watched carefully, looking up at Arthur.
"What sort of story?" Arthur asked. Since he was awake he might as well deliver it, and let Merlin sleep. Elena snuggled deeper into the bed, closer to Merlin. Merlin automatically moved to accommodate her, but Arthur's careful ministrations ensured that Merlin carried on sleeping.
"About a princess."
"Okay," Arthur said. "Once upon a time there was a princess, and she was the most beautiful princess in all the kingdoms of the world."
"What was her name?" Elena asked.
She did make story telling a rather hard task, as there were endless questions from her as they went along. Arthur, entirely used to this, didn't hesitate as he answered.
"Elena."
She beamed at him.
"Now there was an evil witch, who was jealous because Princess Elena was so pretty and loved by everyone."
"What was her name?"
It always ended up being very tempting, and Morgana's name sat on the tip of Arthur's tongue for a moment.
"Vivian," Arthur said. It wouldn't hurt to use that name. Morgana would certainly agree with that. She had locked horns with the nightclub's bar manager on more than one occasion.
"Now, the evil witch Vivian hatched a cunning plan, to get Princess Elena out of the way..."
Arthur carried on going telling the story of Sleeping Beauty talking in a low soothing tone until Elena's eyes closed and her breathing levelled out, making little snuffling sounds as she breathed in. Arthur transferred his hand to Elena's hair, gently smoothing it down as best he could, although it usually resisted all attempts to be tamed. After a few moments there came a mumbled voice from the far side of the bed.
"You tell quite a good story. I'd like more dragons though."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
May 2011
Mrs Bartle didn't recognise the car as it pulled into a parking space, however she immediately recognised the tall, dark-haired man who clambered out of the driver's side. She had been more than a little surprised when Merlin said he would be attending the review meeting. Arthur had gone away to a conference with his father, and Merlin felt entirely confident that he could handle the meeting. The review often ended with the foster parents saying they couldn't handle Elena, and Arthur had already called the social worker to tell her that they were entirely happy to continue to foster Elena.
From the vantage point in the conference room she watched as Merlin got Elena out of the back of the car and then rummaged for something else. During that Elena clung to him to his legs a limpet, hanging onto him. Merlin had not as yet worked out Arthur's technique of carrying Elena while he did things. Plus Arthur happened to be much stronger than Merlin, and he was not about to give social services a bad impression by dropping her by accident.
Once he was sorted, leaving what he wanted on the top of the car he picked her up, gathered everything up and made his way into the building.
By the time he reached the second floor he had put Elena down. She came charging into the office, looking around at the familiar scene, lifting her nose and sniffing almost as if she was taking in the scent to reassure herself of where she was. Merlin wiped her nose just in case and then the little girl spied the worker who, quite coincidentally, shared her name and went charging over, holding something in her hands, which she slammed onto her namesake's desk.
"Look!" Elena announce, turning the switch. The nightlight did nothing and she pouted up at Merlin in consternation.
"You have to plug it in first Princess," Merlin informed her. "I'm sure Elena won't mind if you borrow a socket."
Social worker Elena reached over and unplugged her printer. It started to whir as it powered down.
"Oh, shut up!" she told it before turning to Merlin. "That will serve it right, it has been telling me it's been offline all morning, but it seems quite happy to print the test page."
"Watch when you turn it back on, it might decide to print everything you have asked for, in triplicate," Merlin said. "There, now it's plugged in you can show her now."
"Look!" the little girl ordered turning on the light, making the nightlight glow blue. Looking up she frowned.
"It's too bright to see the stars, Princess," Merlin told her.
"They're blue!" Elena announced loudly. "Look!" she demanded of a passing secretary. Elena turned the nightlight off and on again.
"Gwaine made it blue!"
"He did," Merlin agreed. "Are you going to stay with Elena while I talk to Mrs Bartle?"
The little girl looked up at him. "And tell them it will be a long holiday. Arthur said!"
"I know. You stay here, I'll be back in a bit. I'm sure there are a lot of people that want to see your nightlight."
Merlin raised his eyebrows at the social worker who smiled and reached for her phone.
"I'll ring round."
Merlin nodded and headed over to the office where Mrs Bartle waited.
"Mr Emrys."
"Mrs Bartle."
"Mr Pendragon called to say he couldn't attend."
"Yes," Merlin nodded, allowing the woman to lead him into the room, where two other people waited, staring at him intently. Merlin took a deep breath and composed himself. He could do this. They had already proven themselves. They would keep Elena.