Merlin stood by the window, staring at Gwaine with wide eyes.
Gwaine hadn't moved an inch and never looked away from Merlin.
Merlin could feel his heart beat rising. He tilted his head a bit, not sure of what to say. On one hand, he wanted to yell Gwaine's name and hug him, but on the other hand he wasn't even sure Gwaine would remember who he was. And if Gwaine didn't remember who he was, then seeing him magically appear in his chambers wouldn't be the smartest thing.
Surely, Gwaine saw his magic. The room was filled with smoke. Good job, Emrys, he thought to himself, you screwed things up before it even started.
Gwaine crossed his arms across his chest and finally spoke up. "If you are smoking in my room, it is very rude not to invite."
"What?" Merlin asked, not sure he heard right.
Gwaine starting laughing, "I am only jesting. You must be the help I asked for then, took you long enough." He joked.
"What?" Merlin questioned again, very confused.
Gwaine walked over to the big bed and took a seat. He was fully aware of being in nothing but a towel and he had noticed Merlin fidgeting in front of him. For some odd reason, he enjoyed the nervousness the younger man was showing. "Got any alcohol down there?" He wondered, his eyes not leaving Merlin.
Merlin looked at Gwaine before letting his eyes move away, "Um… I… I'll check." He stuttered, turning around to head for the door.
"Wait…" He heard Gwaine call out. He opened the door and turned around to look at Gwaine.
"Yes, sir?"
"You never told me your name."
Merlin moved his gaze into Gwaine's eyes and slowly replied. "Merlin."
Gwaine had not remembered him. Merlin felt his chest tighten in sadness. If Gwaine did not know him, that meant Arthur wouldn't recognize him at all. He was hoping that just maybe with all them together, they would also know who he was.
Letting out a shaky breath, he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
He was startled by a very familiar voice behind him. "Merlin!"
He turned around and looked at the face he had been waiting for the longest to see. His heart sped up like never before and he felt emotions he hadn't felt for centuries. Arthur, his Arthur, the Once and Future King, was standing in front of him, yelling his name.
"A-Arthur…" Merlin could barely mutter. "Y-you remember me…"
"What?" Arthur interjected. "Of course I remember you, you idiot. Just because you disappeared some days ago to do only god knows what, does not mean I forgot who my servant is…" He shook his head, crossed, "Where on earth have you been?"
"What?" Merlin was dumbfounded. Nothing was going as planned and nothing made sense.
"Are you drunk?" Arthur narrowed his eyes as the question left his mouth. "You were with Gwaine… you met Gwaine…" He concluded, groaning. He did, after all, see Merlin walking out of Gwaine's room. "Go… sober up… party will start soon and I need my servant there." He looked at Merlin as he passed by him, shaking his head. "Worst servant ever." And with that, he left.
Merlin just stood there for a moment unable to make a sound. There were so many emotions swirling inside of him. Nothing could have prepared him for this moment of seeing Arthur for the first time. What? He pondered the only word he'd been saying very often. There were no other words to describe what he was feeling at the moment.
He turned his head towards the direction Arthur had walked out as he finally regained his nerves. "People don't change, do they." He spoke out loud to himself as he headed after Arthur.
Merlin walked down the corridors, looking around the massive and more modern castle. I don't understand why Gwaine did not remember me but Arthur did. And how could Arthur believe he hadn't seen me for just a few days rather than years? All thoughts and questions were interrupted by Percival.
"Arthur says you're drunk." Percival was laughing. "Also, that you have been at pubs the last few days."
Merlin rolled his eyes but smiled at Percival. He decided he was going to take advantage of this situation and actually enjoy seeing his old friends back. He was going to enjoy every moment of it. "Percival." He bowed his head, "Would you kindly tell me what am I doing here?"
Percival chuckled, "You are here to serve prince Arthur." He moved his arm over Merlin's shoulder, perfectly believing the smaller man was drunk.
"Yes… that is the truth." Merlin nodded, "But… how?"
"Well… that's really between you and Arthur." Percival teased.
"Percival…" Merlin looked up at him, "How long have I been working for Arthur."
"Two weeks over a month." Percival replied without question the silly question.
"But… no… I haven't…" Merlin disagreed, shaking his head. "This does not make sense…"
Percival laughed softly, walking Merlin down the hall to a room. "Just… sleep it off for a bit before Arthur starts looking for you."
"Where… who's room is this?"
"Yours." Percival simply said, gently pushing Merlin through the doors. "Rest."
"Oh Merlin." Merlin heard a voice as his bedroom door opened up, "I brought you my remedy to cure hangovers, my lad."
"Gaius!" Merlin exclaimed when he saw his mentor whom he had never assumed he'd see again. With one quick motion, he ran up to Gaius and hugged him dearly.
"Whoa…" Gaius laughed as he hugged the skinny man back. "You act as if you haven't seen me for a long time… although you did disappear for a few nights." He pulled back and looked at the younger man. "And just where have you been?"
"I'm not hungover, Gaius, I am feeling perfectly fine." The smile on Merlin's face was bigger than he could ever remember himself smiling.
"Right." Gaius chuckled, handing him the concoction.
"No, really." Merlin insisted, taking the small vile anyway. "It's just… Oh, Gaius, it is great to see you!" He couldn't hide his excited, "Every… everything is just… wrong? No, that's not the right word… everything is just… right? Well, I wouldn't be sure that they are completely right either…"
"Merlin…"
"Everything seems out of order... no, I do not think that is correct either. I just don't know how to explain or describe what is happening to me."
"Merlin…"
"I woke up and could feel the amazing power all around me… oh, Gaius, I haven't felt that in a long time…"
"Shh! Merlin!" Gaius exclaimed, "Slow down… calm down…" He lowered his voice, "And do not speak of… you know…" He lowered his voice even more as he whispered, "Powers and magic."
"B-but Gaius… you don't understand…"
"You think it's a threat? Seems like threats have been picking up the..."
"No." Merlin interrupted and took a moment to think about his next words. "Gaius… how long have you known me?"
Gaius moved his hand over Merlin's forehead, "What kind of question is that? Are you feeling ill? Here, sit down." He gently guided Merlin to the bed.
"No, I told you, I am perfectly fine…" Despite his argument, he took a seat on the bed to humor his father figure. "Gaius, please, just tell me."
"Since the first day you came here, Merlin." Gaius took a seat next to Merlin, "How about you head over to my quarters and let me have a proper look?"
Merlin shook his head, "I am okay." He reiterated.
"Right… and that is why you do not know how long we have known each other…"
Merlin sighed, looking at Gaius. "About a month and a half? See, I do know." He mentally thanked Percival for answering his question earlier.
"Merlin, maybe you should really stop drinking…"
"Gaius! I was not drinking, I promise."
"And just maybe…. Don't you ever just disappear on me like that!"
Merlin wasn't quick enough to move from Gaius's hand as he hit him behind his head. "Oi!" He cried in surprised and started laughing. He had truly missed the aggressive love he received from his loved ones.
Merlin nervously stood in front of a door which he assumed it was Arthur's bedroom's since that was what one of the servant had told him.
"I told him not to make me his servant next lifetime…" Merlin muttered to himself, shaking his head as he opened the door and walked in.
Arthur was by his window, looking out at the view when he heard the door open. "Merlin." He said, without even looking back. No one other than his idiotic servant would dare just barging in the prince's room without knocking.
"Arthur." Merlin replied with a smile as he closed the door and put him hands behind his back. He bowed his head a bit, never losing the smile.
Arthur turned around and looked at Merlin and couldn't help but smile at his friend…err… servant.
"I hope you are well rested and ready to serve me… since you took your vacation without telling me."
"I was born to serve you, Arthur… apparently."
"Right." Arthur snorted as he headed over to his wardrobe.
Merlin walked over to Arthur and opened the wardrobe door for him. "What would you like to wear, your highness?"
"I can dress myself, Merlin." Arthur rolled his eyes but still let Merlin take over.
Merlin couldn't help himself but snort at that comment in the same manner Arthur had done so previously. "Right."
Arthur glared at him playfully, "One day, we will have lesson on how to speak and act towards your better."
Merlin laughed at that as he chose Arthur's outfit. "I already know how to speak properly to a royal arse, thank you very much." I've had years of practice.