chapter9

Merlin watched from across the water as the bunnies all had Arthur too busy to noticed the sun leaving. Merlin wiggled his feet under the water as he waited desperately. The moon would be up soon and Arthur...

Arthur! He was getting up.

"No." Merlin whispered. He couldn't let Arthur leave. The swan quickly swam up to the prince. But when Merlin was a few feet away, he stopped when he saw Arthur put his hand on his sword.

Arthur saw the Black Swan swim up to him and got worried for a moment. Until he took a good look at it. The swan, it was beautiful. Arthur had never seen a black swan with blue eyes.

Hell, he'd never seen a black swan period. The feathers were shiny and smoothed back.

Arthur removed his hand from his sword when he saw Morgana hop up to the swan. Arthurs brows lightly narrowed.

"Weird." He whispered. He watched as the swan lowered it's head towards the bunny.

XOXOXOXO

"Merlin?" Morgana bounced happily. "The suns gone."

Merlin nodded. "I know." He glanced at Arthur. "I think he wants to leave already."

Morgana looked at the sky. "Give the moon a few more minutes."

Merlin looked up at the sky too. "Come on. Come on. Come on." He sighed and shook his head. "This isn't going to work." He shut his eyes.

"Yes it is." Nim said, hoping beside Morgana.

The swan brought his head down and sobbed.

"Don't cry, Merlin. The moon would be up soon, I promise." Emily said next, hoping beside Nim.

Merlin looked up. "No. He's leaving!"

The bunnies turned to see Arthur walking. Morgana turned back to Merlin. "Merlin, it's there! Go!"

The black Swan turned and saw where the moon was rising and shining on the lake. He turned back to Morgana. "Stop him." Then he turned back and began swimming towards the moons reflection.

"Don't worry! I got him!" Emily hopped towards the leaving prince.

Only the bunny was stopped when she bumped into a boot. The bunny rolled a little then stared up at Arthur.

Arthur glanced down at the bunny before his gaze turned back to the golden light on the lake that had caught his attention. The princes brows lightly narrowed. He pulled his sword out as he made his way over.

The prince stopped about half way when he saw the golden light was shining around the Black Swan.

"Knew there was something off about that bird." Arthur muttered to himself. Then his eyes widen.

He saw the Swan changing.

It's long neck shortening, it's black feathers changing to a way lighter color. Silky skin.

Was that a hand?

Arthurs eyes widen as the golden light slowly faded. The princes sword dropped to the ground.

XOXOXOXO

Merlin opened his eyes. He moved his fingers. Anything to know this was real.

His eyes trailed up. "Hi, Arthur."

The blond princes mouth stood slightly open. "Merlin?" He breathed.

Merlin nodded. "It's me."

Arthur did the only thing that came to mind. He ran into the water and up to the Merlin then threw his arms around the younger prince.

Merlin couldn't help but sob into Arthurs chest.

Arthur pulled back a little and grabbed Merlins face in both his hands. He shook his head, before bringing their lips together in a soft kiss. He pulled back and dried Merlins falling tears with his thumbs.

"I was so worried." He whispered. "I thought you were gone forever."

Merlin forced a smile. "No. I've always been here."

"Why? Why didn't you come back home?"

"I-"

"Merlin?"

The boys head snapped towards the voice. He shook his head. Not now! He couldn't come now! It was too soon.

"Merlin, what is it?" Arthur asked.

Merlin turned back to Arthur. "Cenred."

"Who?" Arthur asked confused.

Merlin grabbed onto Arthurs hand and walked him back towards the entrance to the lake.

"He's the reason I can't leave the lake."

Arthur stopped Merlin from pulling him. "I'm not running from this man. Let him come and i'll-"

Merlin shook his head. "He has magic, Arthur. It's how he turned me."

"Then come with me." Arthur pulled the younger princes hand.

"I wish I could. But no matter where I am, when the moon leaves the lake i'll turn back into a swan."

Arthur inhaled deep. "There has to be a way to break his spell."

Merlin nodded. "There is. I have to find true love."

Arthur stared. "I love you."

Merlin smiled. "I know. But it's not enough."

"Merlin!"

The boys eyes widen.

"How? How do I do it, Merlin?" Arthur asked.

"Prove you love me and me only. It won't be true if it can't be seen." Merlin gulped and glanced behind him to make sure Cenred wasn't coming.

"I got it."

Merlin turned back to Arthur.

The prince smiled. "Come to the castle tomorrow night. I'll prove my love in front of my father. No matter what he says I won't change my mind."

Merlin eyes watered at the thought of Arthur risking everything he had for their love, and he smiled. He nodded. "I'll be there."

Arthur was about to turn but instead ran back to Merlin and brought their lips together again in a quick kiss. "I do love you." He whispered as he brought his hand to Merlins and slipped something into it.

Merlin nodded.

"MERLIN!"

"I'm here!" Merlin smiled one last time at Arthur. "Go." He whispered.

Arthur nodded, then turned and left.

"What are you doing here, love?"

Merlin turned and saw Cenred. "I-I w-was..."

Cenred raised an eyebrow. "I thought I heard you talking to someone."

Merlin shook his head. "Just my friends." He pointed on the ground next him where the three bunnies stood.

"Really? I thought you'd be talking to Prince Arthur... since he was here."

Morgana turned to the other two bunnies with a worried look in her eye.

Merlin stared at Cenred.

Cenred glared. "He's planning to break my spell." He growled. "That won't do." The man walked up to Merlin, who took a step back. Cenred reached out and grabbed the boys hand. He put the hand palm up, then forced it open.

Merlin stared down at the round crystal with a golden dragon, Arthurs family seal in his palm.

Cenred pulled the necklace out of Merlins hand.

"N-no!" Merlin reached out but froze when Cenred glared.

"Arthur Pendragon will not be breaking my spell anytime soon."

Merlins brows narrowed. "You can't stop us. No matter what, he'll prove he loves me."

Cenred smiled darkly. "Yes, he will. But it won't be you if proves his love for."

Merlins brows narrowed more. "He won't love anybody else."

"He will once his eyes decive him." Cenred held up the family seal.

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