Noticing their encounter in the tree earlier that afternoon, Vivian retreated back to her room after her confrontation with Excalibur. That night she lay there, thinking of what Arthur and Merlin have exactly been up to in the time that she had known Arthur, and before her acquaintances with the Pendragon's. No wonder they've been so friendly during the last few days, and that must be where Arthur takes his trips out to back home, and who Arthur texts all the time. That must be the fella who occasionally is over at the house, chilling with Arthur and Morgana. Eww gross! Vivian hesitated and thoughts sprung to her mind, that the man she's supposed to marry is doing it with another man. How long have Arthur and Merlin been an item?
Morning came along soon enough, and each morning, the post would arrive just after breakfast, usually before the scouts and guides would set out to do any tasks. As for this morning, they all had the first hour off, leaving them to decide what to do with themselves. Aglain walked into the room that Lance's patrol were sharing, with Merlin, Arthur, Lance and Gwaine in there. "Merlin, there's two letters for you."
Merlin jumped off from his bed, careful not to knock over Excalibur, and took the post in hand. Reading the print on the front, one had come from Afghanistan, and knew exactly who that was from. The other was from Ealdor, which meant from his mother. Hunith mentioned before they left for Torquay that she wouldn't write unless something important had come up, and therefore having a letter in hand, meant something important had arisen. Both were equally important, but knowing that his father's was more important, as letters came rarely, he saved that one till last, opening his mother's first. Opening the letter and beginning to read the first few sentences, Merlin's face dropped from a jolly young fella to a tearful, broken man.
Merlin shed a few tears, and collected the letters. Jumping off the bed again. Merlin shoved past Arthur and Lancelot, and headed straight for the door, both asking the same question. "Merlin? What's wrong?"
"Leave me alone!" was Merlin's only reply, choking the words out with effort. Arthur was going to go after Merlin, but Lancelot held him back, telling the blond to give him time to read the letters and calm down a little.
Merlin returned to the tree that Arthur and himself were sitting at the day beforehand, only sitting under it for shade, as Merlin read the letter from Hunith. This is how it went:
Dear Merlin,
I know I mentioned before you left for Torquay that I'd not write to you unless something important came up. Hearing the news from a letter that came this morning from Afghanistan reporting on your father's status, I needed to immediately let you know. You phoned me to say that there were no telephones and it was hard to get a signal, so I wrote instead, sending this 1st class, making sure you knew the news A.S.A.P.
Inside you'll see the letter I recieved this morning, which by the time you'll get it, it will be nearly the weekend again. I'd of waited, but I couldn't. The letter is to say that your father was killed in action from a road-side bomb on Monday 2nd July 2012. I know this is hard for you to take in, especially since you are away on a scouts trip, and I expect you to arrive home early from this, unless it has arrived the day before you're bound to leave. I hope Arthur and all the other scouts will give you the support you need. He's been good to you so far and if he doesn't already know about dad, which is likely because you never mention it to anyone, then open up to him. He'll understand because I've never met his mother, and neither have you, so maybe he's in the same boat.
Stay well my son.
Mum x
Inside with his mum's letter was the official document stating Balinor's death, which Merlin clutched and cried. Next was Balinor's final letter, which Merlin took extra care to read, letting each word burn into his soul.
21st June 2012
Dearest Merlin,
I apologise for my lack of writing and keeping in contact. I try and write whenever I get the time, to both you and mum. It's hard trying to make friends here, I suppose it's much easier at college, and I heard you have moved to a new scout group. The patrol leader better give you maximum respect or I'll come and kick his arse for you. That would make you laugh. It's weird waking up every morning to sand, and not the lush green, rainy days of Ealdor. We did discover one thing though, the leader of your scout group is one you should avoid, that Uther Pendragon. He's got something up his sleeve that endangers not only you, but other sorcerers out there. You might be able to find out for me what is going on, and then hopefully somehow your magic will be restored.
I'm to ask for leave to come and see you at some point during the summer, probably towards September, just before you head into your second year, and then it's university picking time, or, whichever branch you'd like to enrol yourself in. All I know is whatever you do, you'll do good. Make sure mother is well, and say hello to Will and Elena for me, as well as the Smith's. Ah, it's hard to think of things to write when there is such corruption here. My advice to you Merlin is, do not, under any circumstances, join the armed forces. Get yourself a partner, a career, and have a family.
Anyway, keep your studies up and stay safe, and earn them badges for me. I know of your last one, well done son!
Love as always,
Dad x
Merlin spilled the tears as they blotted into the paper beneath him. Arthur left the room a short while later and joined Merlin at the tree, leaning against the trunk next to a weeping Merlin. Arthur stretched out his arms, offering to cradle Merlin. Instead of shuffling across, Merlin wedged himself on top of Arthur, as if he were a small child coming crying to their parent. Merlin sank into the small space provided for comfort, allowing his head to sink into the crook of Arthur's neck, as Arthur began to rub small circles into his back, and mutter under's one breath soothing words.
Relaxing into the warmth, Merlin found the courage to speak up. "It's my dad, he's dead! Was killed in a road-side bomb in Afghanistan. Hadn't seen him in over two years. He was going to ask for leave and come and see me for a short while. I told him about you."
Arthur listened to Merlin's story and offered conversation where it was needed. "What did he say?"
"Mentioned that you're to give me the full respect or he'll come and kick your arse."
Arthur hesitantly chuckled, knowing that he'd done his job well. "What rank was he?"
"Captain. He was also a dragonlord."
"What was his name? And what is a dragonlord?"
"His name was Balinor. A dragonlord is the commanding chief, I suppose you could call it, to all dragon's of the land."
Arthur's head jolted in surprise and hopen and eyed Merlin. "Dragon's exist?"
"Yes. They're brilliant advisors, although their riddles are hard to solve at first."
Merlin calmed down in the cradle of Arthur as he gently rocked him, planting small kisses on his forehead, cheek and lips. "I know what it's like."
"Your mother?"
"Yeah, lost her when I was a kid. I don't remember much though, I was only five. Morgana was four and Morgause was twelve."
"Who is Morgause?"
"She's my elder sister. She lives in London now, where she's married and has kids. Got married to a man named Cenred. I haven't seen her in a few years; her and dad don't get on, and because he threatened to shake-up her marriage, she moved before he had the chance."
"What was her name?"
"Ygraine. Are there other dragonlords?"
"Nope. He was the last one. It might be possible it gets passed on to me, but I'd be surprised."
Enjoying each other's company, knowing that they weren't just a couple, but they were soulmates too. Someone who you could confide in when you're lost. Someone who you trust and love, and are inseparable, Uther stomped his way towards the pair, which by the looks of things, he's been searching for the pair for a short while. "I'm calling every scout to come down to the base unit, and what do I find. Two skiving scouts! Both of you, get your arses moving now! And what excuse do you have this time?"
Arthur was angry, and Merlin sobbed a few more tears, still recovering from the ultimate shock. "Merlin's had a letter from his mother. His dad is dead through a bomb in Afghanistan, and I think he needs some time to settle."
"Is this true Emrys?" Merlin handed over the letter from his mother, as well as the official document to declare his father's death. Uther noticed the name of Merlin's father, with almost a foul taste in his mouth afterwards. Uther handed back the documents to Merlin, then turned back to his son. "Arthur, it doesn't mean you get the day off."
"I'd like Arthur to stay with me. We can stay back in our room, we won't be any trouble."
"Fair enough. Do you require anything else?"
"Yes. Some peace and quiet from the remainder of the group, other than from Will, Elena and Gwen. They all knew my dad so they are allowed to visit. Other than that, I wish of none else to communicate until I feel ready to do so."
"Very well. I'll let the leaders know." Uther turned in the direction he came, and Arthur pulled himself up, sweeping Merlin up into his arms. "Come on you. Let's get you back."
Merlin grabbed the letters from up off the floor, and clinged on to Arthur. "Okay, don't strangle me Merlin."
"Sorry," Merlin huffed as he returned to the warmth of Arthur's neck, kissing the soft sport just below his jaw. "Thank you."
"It's alright." Arthur carried Merlin back to the rooms, and gently planted Merlin on the bed and opened the window slightly for air, dropping to the bedside soon after. Merlin budged over a little so that Arthur could just about squeeze on the other end, as the beds were much narrower than their own. Arthur shifted onto his side to prevent falling off the bed, Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's back and pulled him in, shifting a little, so that Arthur was underneath Merlin, Merlin resting on Arthur. "I have more information. Please don't retort the information though."
Arthur was going to launch off the bed, and then thought if he were to accidentally hit Merlin in the face, which would lead to more sorrow, as well as guilt. Arthur settled back down a little, using one elbow to lean on. "I won't, but what is it?"
"Dad mentioned in the letter, hold on..." Merlin reached for his letter from dad, and showed Arthur, pointing to the correct line, Arthur reading Balinor's words out aloud. "... the leader of your scout group is one you should avoid, that Uther Pendragon. He's got something up his sleeve that endangers not only you, but other sorcerers out there." Arthur re-read the words, trying to allow the information to sink in."
"Merlin, is your father accusing my father of being associated with evil affiliations?
"Arthur. My dad was a good man. He's been against your dad for many years, he'd known him for so long. Uther was always obsessed with magic, but the death of your mother caused him to find magic evil, and wanted to relinquish it. Dad tried to keep me protected for years, but from what I can gather, your dad might be reason for my powers to dwindle to a minimum."
"I believe you Merlin. You'd never tell a lie."
"How do you I'm not making this up?"
"I just know... I trust in myself to believe in you, and I do, and I know deep down that your magic is to be used for good, and that you will use your powers wisely." Merlin's eyes, even though he'd been advised not to, flashed gold, and a dragon appeared, before fading away in a matter of seconds. Arthur, grinning like a loon, was fascinated, and gasped at the sight. "How?"
"I don't know. I've been able to do magic since birth. I'm not normal! I'm different and sometimes I wished to be normal! Because it's driving me up the wall and for once I want to be myself!"
"Your right, you're not normal. You're one of a kind. You're special Merlin, and gifted, and one day, you'll get your magic back. You're a wonder, and you'll do anything to protect the people you love."
Arthur raised his free arm and gently slid them up Merlin's back, where they reached his neck, fingers curling near the jaw, drawing patterns across Merlin's milky skin. "I love you Merlin," Arthur enunicated through the kiss. "Just one more day Arthur and we're home. One more day until we can do this properly, well maybe more than a day, we'll see how things go." Merlin leaned down to an almost tearful Arthur, and kissed him, a way of saying thank you for being there when he's at his most vulnerable.