PART 3

Merlin watched them as he served the evening meal at the King's table. They looked at each other with longing when they thought no one was looking. The thing that the Prince and the serving girl didn't realize was that everyone saw. The only one who seemed to not notice was the one person that would be their biggest obstacle, the King. How could Uther not see what was so obvious to the rest of us? Merlin filled the cups once more. Thankfully the meal would be over soon. All that could be hoped for was that the King stayed oblivious to what was right in front of him.
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Merlin watched Arthur from the kitchen as he flipped through the channels. Arthur has been in a strange mood since he came back from seeing Gwen at the pub two days ago.

"What's wrong with you Arthur?" Merlin had a feeling it had to do with Gwen. "Call her. I'm sure she would love to go out with you again." He came into the lounge carrying two cups of tea.

"What?" Arthur looked annoyed with him. That's just it. Would she want to see me again?

"Call Gwen and ask her out." Merlin handed him a hot cup of tea. "It's been two days. Call her.' I'm going to have to enchant him, I just know it.

"Merlin, have you ever wondered if we have lived before? I mean like a reincarnation thing. Remember at University how everyone thought it was hilarious that we were 'Arthur and Merlin,' Now, I meet a girl named Guinevere. This is all too unsettling. She seems so familiar to me." Arthur looked at him, curiously.

"Yes, it does seem very coincidental, doesn't it?" Merlin looked at the cup in his hands. Oh no. It's time for the talk again. It happens every time about now but this time it's different. They found Gwen.

"What is it? Tell me." Arthur looked at him suspiciously. Merlin is hiding something from me.

"Arthur, just call Gwen." Merlin turned to walk back to the kitchen. I can't do this now.

"I knew her name before she told me. I feel so connected to her. I feel so… I don't know." Arthur sits his tea on the table in front of him. "Merlin, she's my wife isn't she? It's not a coincidence. We have all lived before, haven't we?" Arthur said quietly. "Last night I dreamt of a battle. I was wearing chainmail and armor. She was there on a cold stone floor crying. Merlin, say I'm imagining the whole thing. Just say something"

Merlin froze where he stood. Usually he would have to explain it to Arthur. He's never figured it out for himself before. Merlin turned and faced him. "Yes Arthur. We have. Everyone has. This may sound totally mental but I cast a spell as you took your dying breath to reunite the three of us again. You and I have had other lives. This is the first time we found Gwen. I look for her every time but I have never found her before now." Merlin sat down on the sofa next to him.

"You're right, this all sounds quite mental. For some reason I believe you. Does she know?" Arthur stared at the cup in his hands. She's my wife, my Guinevere.

Merlin sighed. "I don't think she remembers anything. Well not like you are now. I have the feeling that this is the first time she has returned. I looked for her everywhere and I thought I had found her when Morgana died. I thought I saw her when we were in casualty that night." It was only a glimpse but …

"Merlin, she's a nurse." Arthur looked at him. "Are you telling me that we could have already been together?" We could already be married or at least dating.

"I don't know. All I know is that I cast a spell and when you kiss her, you both will remember everything of the life you had in Camelot." Merlin shook his head.

"You're telling me that I am actually King Arthur. Gwen is the Queen reincarnated. I know you have 'abilities' but is it really magic?" Arthur put his head in his hands then looked up at Merlin.

"Yes, Arthur, it is magic. I have it every life." Merlin sighed. "It seems to be who I am." That sounds mental for sure.

"You better be right about this Merlin." Arthur looked at him incredulously. This is mental.

"What are you going to do put me in the stocks? Been there, done that." He usually wants to kill me about now. He was always angry after they have this talk.

Arthur looked at him. Merlin was serious. I wish I could put him the stocks now. He could believe that Merlin had been in the stocks before, many times.

Arthur took out his mobile and called Gwen.