Chapter 26

Merlin had become sick of Arthur's moping, pouty state. If he wasn't making Merlin's life unbearable, he was being just as much a prat to everyone and anyone. The warlock finally squared his shoulders and decided to interrupt one of Arthur's early morning rants with words of his own. Words that he hoped would help make up the King's mind on what was important in his life.

"Either you distance yourself from Aggravaine," Merlin stated firmly, "or you risk losing your family. To me that seems a very clear choice." He paused in putting away Arthur's freshly laundered clothing. He paused and removed a plastic ID tag that had remained attached to one of the Queen's uniform tops. How did this make it into his clothes? he wondered. "Huh. Wonder if she had to get a new ID tag, yet."

It worked. Merlin's offhand comment had served to stop the King in his tracks. Arthur muttered in an agitated manner, "Give me that." Merlin surrendered the micro-chipped door pass, suppressing a smile.

Arthur stood stalk still for a long time, his thumb tracing the bumps and ridges of this futuristic key and identification piece. What an era, where metal keys were becoming obsolete…He spoke quietly, emotion making it harder for the words to be heard. "You think she's gone back to work?"

Merlin shrugged, now setting out the King's armor for polishing. Since the exit of the Queen, Arthur had ordered Merlin to do this sort of work in his presence. It was Merlin's thought that the stubborn King was lonely beyond comprehension. "It's been two weeks, Arthur, and not a word from you. You are both too stubborn for either of you to give in before the other. Why wouldn't Kelly set herself into a familiar, comfortable place?" He smiled in spite of himself. "She's probably scaring the crap out of a handful of new interns." Arthur shot him an offended glare. "What? She is welcome among the senior staff. That Dr. Stephen…whatshisname—He was fond of her, praised her work constantly, didn't he? Why wouldn't he snap her up amongst the ranks?"

Arthur nodded slowly, blowing out a puff of air. He froze and lifted his cerulean gaze to his servant and friend. "With each passing day," he said softly, "I am losing my wife and daughters…I have to do something." He flipped the badge over again and again as thoughts tumbled through his foggy brain. He thought about it, and he made his decision. He turned sharply to look at his servant head-on. "Merlin, open the portal. I'll be taking my Uncle for a little trip. We'll see you in Gaius' chambers in thirty minutes." He paused and added, "Be sure to lay out appropriate attire so Aggravaine doesn't stick out too badly. I will alert the Council that this morning's meeting is cancelled."

Merlin's grin intensified. "Yes, Sire. I'll get right on it."

Quickly Arthur moved to his wardrobe and pulled out the hanger that contained his own twenty-first century attire. As he disappeared behind the dressing screen, he heard his bedroom door open and shut softly and Merlin's quiet footsteps as he left Arthur's chambers.

Merlin could see reconciliation on the horizon! He practically did a happy dance all the way down the corridor in his excitement. And then the thought of an ignorant Aggravaine travelling with Arthur in 2012, well, that made the Warlock snicker. What would the crotchety old Lord do upon seeing the technological advances of that era? Merlin remembered how lost he and Arthur had been, and Gwaine as well—though the knight had feigned ease with being in such an odd place.

~.~.~

Aggravaine shrugged uncomfortably in the black button-down shirt, tugging absently at the rough denim fabric on his legs. And his feet were another story! How did one wear such rigid things on their feet and not be in pain for the duration of the day? His face wore a near permanent frown at all of this strangeness.

He followed his nephew down the corridor to Gaius' chambers. Why Arthur wanted him to be present for a discussion with that irreverent, bossy little woman that everyone adamantly proclaimed their Queen, he just couldn't fathom.

Arthur stood in front of the mirror. Merlin had graciously activated the thing moments ago, and he stood by dutifully, hands behind his back as he supervised this crossing. The swirling pools of gold appeared before his eyes. He watched the various views that passed by, like a television show stuck on replay. One of these would allow him to be closer to his wife… He saw a busy hospital corridor, and then another quiet little room….Each of these places bore a recent fingerprint of his wife's whereabouts. Merlin had performed an incantation to place a kind of 'tracker' on the woman. All were linked by the common thread of his wife having been there within a certain amount of time.

"S-Sire, what is that?" Aggravaine squinted at the passing scenes of a very strange world. "Rather, where is that?" He had dabbled in magic before, he knew what sorcery looked like, but he also knew that the King of Camelot had not, nor would he ever, embrace the dark arts. Then, why did his nephew scan the settings with practiced ease?

Arthur kept watching, and he gripped his Uncle's arm. "When that office appears again, Uncle, we shall step through. The available connection points are cycling through…" He chanced a look over at his very pale looking uncle. "Relax, Aggravaine. It is a bit odd the first trip through, but we all get used to the effects of time travel eventually." With that he yanked on his Uncle's t-shirt. He couldn't help the smirk on his face, the resulting satisfaction of his Uncle taking his direction for the first time in ages-without the man's neverending running commentary.

Aggravaine barely had time to register the words. "T-Time travel?" He got no response and felt his feet leave the wooden floor with his nephew's insistent pull. In moments he was in among that swirling inferno, crying out soundlessly and literally disassembling!

No, it wasn't as easy as Kelly made it look, and the effects always took a moment to dissipate with Arthur's experience in portal travel. Arthur set foot onto the soft carpet and nearly toppled over when Aggravaine fell against him. Arthur grasped the edge of a sofa beside the receiving portal and managed to swing himself down on top of the soft fabric. Aggravaine hadn't been so lucky, instead crashing to the floor.

Aggravaine looked positively green. Arthur wondered if his uncle just might vomit from the strain of his first portal experience. The old man was sprawled across the floor, his head just shy of an oak end table's legs.

Standing, Arthur heaved a breath of relief. "There," he breathed. "That wasn't so bad, was it, Uncle?" He straightened and glanced all about.

~.~.~

A/N:

I couldn't keep you waiting. We need an Aggravaine/Kelly confrontation, and a groveling Arthur! That should make for a wonderful Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends! I don't know who else shares our day, but if I've missed anyone….PLEASE FORGIVE ME! PLEASE! ;D

OOH! I watched the first part of Arthur's Bane last night, and MAAAAAN, I missed watching my favorite guys in all their bantering glory! SUCH a good episode, but I can see what one of you said about the 'alien' scene. I thought that was a bit over the top…I loved Gwen's character, how strong she's become. But I'm not sure she would have had the strength so soon to sentence the servant to death…Hmm…Food for thought...

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Kisses, hugs to all, and many, many THANK YOUs to everyone who favorited, followed, and especially to those who left me a review! That's why I write. I love to read your comments. Not flames, but certainly critique and suggestions for future arcs, one-shots…You know what I mean, right?

Happy Thanksgiving, guys! Or…Happy Turkey, Ham and all-you-can-eat-without-exploding Day! :D