This year will only be two chapters long, not the usual three. Again, sorry for the long pause between chapters.

…

…

August 2004

The clink of the ceramic cup as it was set on the tabletop seemed like fate's bell. Arthur felt stupid for thinking so, since nothing truly life altering had occurred. It was just a simple statement. It was just-

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Merlin tapped his fingers against his cup, the one that had sounded like a bell. They were sitting in the Classic Café enjoying a free afternoon together. Or they had been. Merlin lifted his eyes from where they were staring at his tea to focus solely on Arthur.

"I got a job," he repeated. "At the mart near my house."

Arthur shook his head. "But I thought you already had a job with the school; a teacher's assistant or something like that."

Merlin nodded. "Yea. I do. But I needed a second job."

"Merlin," Arthur began, and Merlin knew exactly what he was going to say. "If you need money, I can help you out. I am the son of one of the richest guys in the country, you know."

A soft sigh slipped through Merlin's lips. He was happy that Arthur would offer, but this wasn't something Arthur could help with. "Thank you, Arthur, but I can't let you help me on this one."

"Why not?"

"Because I need to do this myself, or it won't hold the same meaning," Merlin answered mysteriously.

Arthur considered asking about what that meant, but he figured Merlin wouldn't answer anyway. Merlin was up to something, and Arthur would just have to be patient to learn what it was. He nodded, accepting what his boyfriend told him.

"Arthur," Merlin began quietly, his fingers again drumming against the side of his tea. "With this new job…I won't have as much free time."

Arthur nodded resignedly. "We won't see each other as much outside of school." Merlin lowered his head and his eyes to his cup.

A few moments of thin silence later, Merlin looked up again and smiled. "We still have our school encounters to look forward to, and I'll be off most Wednesday afternoons."

Arthur smiled as well. "Alright. Sounds like a date."

"Yes it does."

The small bell above the door chimed, admitting another customer to this small café. There were already a few people at the other tables, but the shop was relatively empty and quiet so the chime sounded loud and clear. A petite woman, probably nineteen or twenty years old, entered the café. She wore an elegant business suit but still managed to look like the girl next door, her shoulder length black hair cascading in beautiful curls. Merlin glanced up at the door at the sound of the chime and lost his breath.

Merlin put his right hand on his temple, his left hand gripping his tea cup tightly. "Merlin?" Arthur asked, but his voice was far away.

Blood. The park on a clear dark night; not a cloud in the sky. Why did this happen? The gun smoking. Little girl with big tears. Mommy. Daddy. Blood. Why? Fast money. Big money. Short will. Long family. Jealousy. Hatred. Why her? Why just her? Greed. Greed. Greed. Glimmering hallway. Marble floors. Portraits on the wall. Banquet under crystal chandelier. Don't drink the wine. Don't drink the wine. Poison. Dead body on the floor.

"Merlin?"

Merlin's eyes snapped into focus and he looked at Arthur. "Sorry. I'll be right back," he murmured, nodding towards the girl at the register.

Arthur followed his gaze and a look a realization crossed his face. "That bad?"

Merlin nodded and, releasing his death grip on the cup, stood from the table and headed for the girl. She finished paying for her to-go coffee and turned to leave. Merlin made sure he was in her sight and she'd noticed him before he fully approached her.

"Ma'am," he greeted with a short bow of his head. She inclined hers in return, looking worried. "Don't worry. I don't want anything from you except a bit of your time. I need to warn you."

"Warn me?" the young woman asked cautiously. "Of what?"

Merlin nodded toward the door and the girl continued on her way outside, Merlin in front of her not behind her. Once they were outside, Merlin walked alongside her. "Your life is in danger." The woman stopped walking for a moment before continuing. "No," Merlin preempted her. "Not me. You're uncle Henig. You're having a grand dinner party tonight at the house you inherited from your parents when they died. He's bringing a perfectly aged wine, but the glass he'll hand to you is laced with poison." The woman gasped but Merlin kept going. "If you drink it, you'll be dead before anyone can call an ambulance. So please, don't accept anything he offers you."

The woman stopped walking completely and turned to face Merlin. "How do you know this?" she asked in a small voice.

Merlin shook his head. "I have a special skill," he said carefully but fluidly. "I try to use this skill to help other people, and right now….I want to help you. You're young. You're beautiful. You have a lot left to do in your life. Don't let it end tonight. Don't drink the wine," he implored.

The woman watched him silently for several long moments. Merlin knew the moment she believed him and he let out a relieved sigh. He felt her surprise at his relief before she'd said anything. "Ok," she agreed anyway, hiding it. "Henig is a greedy man and I wouldn't put it past him. Thank you, whoever you are."

Stepping back and away from her, Merlin shrugged. "Just a guy," he said before turning and walking back down the sidewalk to the café. He knew she watched him until he was back inside, and then she went on her way. He plopped back down across from Arthur with a smile.

"I'll guess it was a success then," Arthur ventured with a grin.

Merlin nodded. "Yep. Freya Donnelly will live to see another day."

Arthur nearly spat out his tea. "What?" he gasped.

Again, Merlin nodded. "You're right. That Freya Donnelly. Orphaned daughter of Andrew Donnelly the multimillionaire who owned half of Camelot. Her extended family is upset that he left everything to his daughter, so they keep trying to kill her off."

"Whoa," Arthur let out. "Glad my dad's still around, then."

"And that you don't have extended family trying to steal your livelihood from you every other weekend," Merlin answered easily, in a good mood from his success. He tilted his head toward the door. "She'll be around again soon, in a few days or so."

Arthur gave a crooked smile. "Another believer?" he joked.

Merlin laughed but didn't say anything else on the matter. Arthur wasn't asking about his job anymore, and that's all he wanted. After all, what good was a surprise if everyone knew about it?

…

…

"I'll miss you this Christmas."

Arthur glanced both ways down the hall, checking for his father or sister. He didn't need to, really, because Merlin only called when he was sure no one would overhear. Arthur then shut his bedroom door and retreated to his bed. "I think I'll miss you more."

"I could argue the point, but let's just say we'll both miss each other," Merlin compromised.

Arthur held the phone to his ear with his right hand, his left splayed across his chest as he watched the ceiling. "Just thinking about it, I feel like you've already been gone for weeks."

Merlin laughed and it made Arthur's heart flutter in his chest. "I know what you mean," he agreed. "But we'll make up for it with New Year's."

"And your birthday," Arthur reminded him.

"Yea." Merlin probably nodded, but over the phone Arthur couldn't tell. "I'm taking Freya home with me."

Arthur nearly dropped his phone. He rolled onto his side with a frown. He opened his mouth to ask 'Why?' but Merlin beat him to the punch.

"Because she hasn't had a real family type Christmas since she was twelve, and she needs a break from all her relatives trying to steal her livelihood," Merlin explained.

Arthur ran that over in his head a bit. It was true. He'd met Freya a few times since Merlin helped her in the café. She was sweet, but it seemed like every other day Merlin was calling to warn her about some plot or another. Freya was one hundred percent a believer in Merlin's gift – apparently she'd poured her wine on the potted plant near the table they were eating at and the plant died within the hour, and everything he'd warned her about since had been true as well. However, while she was happy to hang around Merlin at any time, Freya had a mini panic attack whenever Arthur walked behind her or out of her view. Her nerves were always on edge.

Merlin was right.

He sighed. "Alright," he agreed, since he knew that's why Merlin had brought it up. Merlin probably already knew that Arthur would say yes, which was why it was a statement and not a question, but he'd 'asked' anyway out of courtesy. "You're right." A sudden thought hit him and Arthur snorted. "Will's gonna love her," he joked.

Arthur could hear the smile in Merlin's voice. "Oh yea. I should start selling tickets now," Merlin agreed, also joking. "It's going to be quite the show."

…

…

Merlin stepped off the train with confidence in his step. He held his bag in his right hand while his left was holding the hand of a beautiful young lady. She had her hair pulled back in an adorable ponytail, but some of it was falling around her face in a cute and fashionable way. In her free hand was her own bag. Merlin smiled at her and the uncertain look on her face vanished as she smiled back.

"Mother," he said calmly, but the smile bled into his voice. Freya lifted an eyebrow and Merlin turned to look forward again. "Hi, mom!" he called to the aging woman approaching them. He released Freya's hand so he could wrap his left arm around Hunith's shoulders.

"Oh, Merlin!" Hunith greeted jovially in return. "It's been so long!"

"Two months," he said, pulling back. Merlin motioned to Freya beside him. "Mom, this is Freya."

Hunith's face lit up once more as she turned her eyes to Freya. Freya flinched a little, not sure how the woman was about to react. Then, Hunith had her arms around Freya in a warm hug. It wasn't too tight and Freya found herself relaxing.

"It's so nice to know that Merlin is making new friends," Hunith said as she pulled back. "And such gorgeous ones too." She threw Merlin a teasing smile. "You're not thinking of cheating on Arthur, are you, Merlin?" she joked.

Merlin smiled; something simple and sincere. "No," he assured her softly. "We should go though," he began, his tone normal again. "Will'll be over to the house about dinner time and I'd like to have Freya settled in before he arrives."

Hunith gave a mildly sorrowful smile. "That boy," she said quietly. "If only his father were still alive….maybe he wouldn't be so angry all the time."

Freya glanced between Merlin and his mom, her confusion growing by the moment. She felt so out of place here. She didn't know anyone or anything. In fact, she was amazed she was trusting Merlin so much. After all, she'd only met him two months ago and she'd only really talked to him a few times. What did she really know about him? She'd never doubted his sincerity before, but…

Merlin glanced over and gave her a reassuring smile. Freya felt her nerves loosen and the knots around her heart come undone. Merlin was Merlin; helpful, caring, kind, sincere Merlin.

Hunith insisted on carrying Freya's bag. Merlin whispered that Freya shouldn't even bother attempting to argue. And they all piled into Hunith's old car to go 'home'.

…

…

Hunith's house had a guest room. It was a rarely used room that doubled as a storage room. But Hunith didn't have much to store, so it was still quite open and relatively clean. She'd specially organized her stuff and given the room a good washing when she heard Merlin was bringing a friend for the holidays, that wasn't Arthur. Arthur had never used the guest room. From the beginning, he'd always stayed in Merlin's room.

Freya wasn't the same. Merlin had told Hunith in advanced how to behave around Freya. He told her that Freya was jumpy and that she should keep in front of the younger woman at all times. However, he also told her that since Hunith was a woman, Freya wouldn't mind so much if she slipped up. Will, however, would be another story. Other than that, Merlin had assured his mother that her usual kind demeanor was just what Freya needed.

Hunith handed over Freya's suitcase to Merlin once they were home, and Merlin carried it to the guest room. He set it on the bed, on top of the starry bedsheets. "You'll be staying in this room," he announced unnecessarily. "Mom's gone to make dinner. And Will'll be around soon." He tilted his head at her. "He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember….Except in the past few years, when we've been a bit more at odds. It's gotten better though, and soon he'll be just like he always was."

Freya nodded. "Is he handsome too?" she asked, remembering Hunith's words from the station.

Merlin smiled. "Not so much as you or Arthur, but yea."

Freya looked away from Merlin to her suitcase on the bed. She ran her fingers along the edge of the fancy leather bindings. All the while, Merlin watched her with unguarded eyes and waited. "So when your mother asked…if you were cheating on Arthur…," Freya began in a quiet, almost timid voice, "Was she speaking as a friend, or something more?" As she finished her question, she lifted her eyes to Merlin's. It was something that always struck her about Merlin. When they were together, whenever she looked at him, he looked at her. He never hid from her.

"Something more," Merlin admitted without shame. "At school, he's my biggest bully. Otherwise, he's my boyfriend of almost three years."

He kept his stance languid, even as he felt the agitation rise up in Freya. "Bully? You're dating him, and yet he bullies you around others?" she asked incredulously. "He sounds like a coward of a man."

"I don't blame you," Merlin began softly, catching Freya off guard. "Only my uncle, my mother, and Will know about our arrangement, and they don't really understand it either. You see….You are an orphan, Freya. By all legal means, you can do whatever you wish with the life you have." Freya flinched as the conversation turned to her. "I have a loving family that supports me in everything I do." She relaxed. "Arthur is not so lucky. He is the son of Uther Pendragon, the head of all police and security in Camelot, the second richest person in the city." He gave Freya a look that clearly pointed out who the richest was. "His father doesn't just disapprove of homosexuals. He abhors them," he emphasized. "If he learned of Arthur's preference, he'd disown him. Arthur would lose his ticket into Camelot University. His father would go so far as to blacklist Arthur's name from any reputable college in the country. He'd lose his glorious future. And his father would say it was because he was gay that he couldn't make it."

It took Freya a moment or two to speak. "You….You've seen this?"

Merlin shook his head. "I've only ever seen one future, Freya. I saw Arthur's. Everything else is a deep rooted feeling; a hint at what could be if the future changes or doesn't change." He lowered his eyes for a moment before reaching Freya's gaze again. "I know it's hard for you to understand my feelings, but…Arthur is everything to me. He is kind and understanding, so unlike his father. Right now, he's just a kid. We all are. But soon he'll be a man; a man with the world at his feet and in his heart. It isn't a question of being straight or gay for me. Arthur is my destiny; my heart and soul. I'll love him forever."

Freya's emotions tumbled inside of her like a dryer full of mismatched clothes. She didn't focus on any of them for more than an instant and then she was on to the next. While she attempted to untangle her feelings, the silence stretched on between them. Merlin didn't move. He knew if he did that Freya would stop her sorting, and then this whole conversation would be a dark spot in their relationship.

Her toiling ended an instant before the front door opened and Will's voice carried throughout the house. "Yo, Merlin! I know you're here, now come say hi!"

Freya blinked heavily, as if waking from a dream. Merlin nodded toward the door in silence and made his way back to the hall. At the door, Freya's voice stopped him. "Merlin…," she trailed off uncertainly. A light blush stained her cheeks.

He smiled at her. "I know." Relief flooded through her.

She didn't quite understand everything, but she was willing to try. She wouldn't hold it against Arthur, and she could never hold it against Merlin. At the very least she understood how strongly Merlin felt for Arthur. And she accepted them.

…

…

"Hey, Merlin," Morgana greeted as she slid into her seat next to Merlin's. Her eyes slid up and down him once before she said, "Is that a new jacket?"

Merlin couldn't help the smile that lifted his lips. He was wearing a blue jacket with white stripes down the arms. It was soft and warm; better than any jacket Merlin had ever owned. "Yea." He shook his head before Morgana could ask where he'd bought it. She could tell it was an expensive jacket. "It was a gift from a very rich friend."

"Ah," Morgana let out with a sly look. It was like she was saying 'I get it. A 'friend.' Riiiight.' She set her right elbow on the desk and propped her head up with it while she gazed at him with eyes that seemed to look into his soul; even when they didn't. "How did Ms. Friend like Ealdor, by the way?"

Another smile curled Merlin's lips, for a myriad of reasons. Morgana had taken the bait and believed Freya had bought him the jacket. But he also smiled at the memory of Christmas.

"You would've loved it," he commented lightly. "Freya loved Ealdor. She said it was like being in a fairytale, because she's never been in a small town before, you know? But," he laughed under his breath, "Will was not happy."

Morgana frowned. "Why not?"

A shrug. "He thought Freya was my girlfriend at first, and that pissed him off. He got over it when mom and I assured him we were just friends. Then he got mad because Freya kept freaking out whenever he moved." That smile on his face grew until he was grinning like a strange Cheshire cat. "I couldn't really blame her though. Everything he does is sort of done violently. It was really amusing to watch though."

"I can imagine," Morgana agreed with a quaint smile. It dimmed a bit as she leaned back in her chair. The classroom was slowly filling with students and already the jocks in the room had gathered together to discuss their mindless sports. "My Christmas wasn't so glorious," Morgana said wistfully.

Merlin shook his head. "Come on. The beaches are practically empty this time of year. And your dad was just upset that you've been out so much lately."

Morgana was hardly surprised Merlin knew about the family trip or the argument she'd had with Uther. "The older I get, the less he understands me," she sighed.

"I think that happens with everyone," Merlin assured her.

Morgana smirked and poked him in the nose. "Except you, psychic boy."

Merlin lifted his right hand to bat her playful fingers away just as Gwen walked in. Her eyes widened and she rushed over, grabbing Merlin's hand. "Merlin!" she cried jovially.

Several other students stopped talking and looked up at the trio in the front of the room. After a moment in which none of them even moved, let alone speak, the rest o the class moved on and kept talking. It was the period right before lunch and everyone was antsy, so they wanted to have their own conversations, not listen to someone else talk.

"What?" Morgana asked once they weren't the center of attention anymore. "What's the matter, Gwen?"

Gwen practically shoved Merlin's right hand in Morgana's face. "This," she said, sounding just as happy as before but much quieter.

On Merlin's right ring finger was a familiar type of ring. Morgana had seen girls wearing this type of ring before, and lots of movies and books used it to. A claddagh. The heart was facing inward toward Merlin's body. Now what did that mean again? She always got them confused.

"Merlin," Gwen addressed her friend swiftly and seriously, "When did you get in a relationship?"

Morgana's hands flew up to cover her mouth. "Merlin?" she asked from behind her fingers.

Merlin blushed. "It means someone has captured my heart," he explained. "Does it have to mean romantically? Not that it couldn't be romantic, but you two have my heart as well. And Matt."

"So…you don't have a girlfriend?" Gwen asked, sounding put out.

With a faintly apologetic smile, Merlin shook his head. "No. Sorry, Gwen."

Still holding Merlin's hand, Gwen shook it up and down. "Oh! You got me so excited," she chastised. "I thought you'd finally found someone."

Merlin shook his head again. "You've got good eyesight, Gwen. Maybe you should be the detective instead of Morgana," he said in a good-natured way.

Morgana's mouth dropped open and she lightly smacked Merlin on the right shoulder as Gwen released his hand. "Merlin," she gasped indignantly.

Merlin laughed, but inwardly he was glad. From the moment he'd put on the ring this morning, he knew people would talk. But now that Morgana and Gwen had Merlin's 'I love my friends' story, no one would think anything of it. And Merlin could wear Arthur's gift proudly. He touched it gently where it rested on his right ring finger, but resisted the urge to caress it.

"Because you're part Irish on your father's side," Arthur had said.

The fact that Arthur remembered that little detail made Merlin happier than he could imagine.

…

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tbc…

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I will endeavor to post sooner this time!