A/N: Thank you all so much for your comments, subscriptions, and for sticking with me for the past two weeks, it's really what keeps me going.
Arthur held Merlin close. Together, they watched as Hunith drifted out onto the lake. Merlin turned his head and buried it into Arthur's chest, his hands gripping and stretching his royal clothing.
"I miss her already." Merlin cried.
"I know, I know." Arthur comforted. He ran his fingers through Merlin's black hair and pulled him close. Twilight fell upon the land and the fall leaves began to stir up in the wind, Arthur felt Merlin pull him closer, trying to escape the chill.
It was another hour before Merlin turned his gaze to the lake and with a flash of gold set the boat set aflame. The black pillar of smoke carrying Hunith's spirit to the afterlife.
Gwen knew the route she was taking wasn't the fastest way to get back to the Knight's headquarters, but she didn't care. She needed time—time to think, to heal.
Morgana had been quite the company, only talking when Gwen spoke, and not constantly saying "I'm sorry" or, "He's in a better place," like any other sodding git probably would have. Gwen had forgotten just how comforting Morgana's presence was; in her absence, she had become accommodated to mediocrity.
As the road continued to stretch out before her, Gwen's mind drifted off to a rougher place, somewhere she hadn't visited in a long time. She tried to toss those thoughts from her mind but Morgana's scent was filling the air, and the memories continued to flood back until she couldn't take it anymore.
"I never forgave you."
It was quick, and it was blunt. Morgana almost felt her neck break from the whiplash and her stomach sank into the chair. She couldn't bear to face Gwen. Her eyes continued to nonchalantly gaze out of the window while, deep inside, she wanted to cry. She could feel the heat on her neck as Gwen turned to face her, slowing down on the back road she had taken.
"I-I couldn't forgive you, for not keeping me in the loop. I was your partner, you know, and just—I know why you did it, I just don't understand why you couldn't... trust me," Gwen confessed, having now brought the car to a complete stop.
Morgana finally built up the courage and turned her head, meeting Gwen's gaze. "I didn't want to hurt you," she said hoarsely, a lump forming in her throat. "Didn't you read what Morgause wrote? I was so afraid that she was going to... I dunno... kill you." Morgana's make-up began to run down her face, followed by her tears, and Gwen nodded, crying a bit herself. The other woman put the car back into gear and accelerated down the road.
"We've talked about this before, Gwen, why bring it up now?"
In all honestly, Gwen didn't know why she was bringing it up again but she still felt alone, and she still felt betrayed, like Morgana's actions had happened only yesterday.
"I am, though," Gwen started, ignoring Morgana's previous statement. "I'm glad that you're here with me, now."
Morgana smiled at the statement and reached over, giving Gwen a reassuring rub on her shoulder. She left her hand there just a second too long.
The night before was a blur. Merlin felt the pain in his arse and the soreness that rang through his taut muscles. He stretched and groaned along the bed until he came to the realization that Arthur wasn't there beside him. He sat up, still in a daze, and dumbly called out his name. No response. Odd, Merlin thought. He got out of bed and went downstairs, where the smell of eggs and bacon lingered in the air.
Merlin entered the kitchen to see Arthur cooking breakfast, wearing nothing but an apron. Merlin smiled to himself and slowly walked up to Arthur, wrapping his arms around his waist and grinding his pelvis against his arse. Arthur turned his head just enough to give Merlin a kiss and then resumed making food. Merlin looked into the pan to see a bunch of odd ingredients being fried and stirred.
"I didn't know you could cook," Merlin said, astonished. Whatever Arthur was making, it smelled heavenly.
"A trick I learned from my mother," Arthur admitted. He tossed a few more spices into the pan and then turned the heat off, giving Merlin a proud look. He stole a quick kiss before stirring the contents once more.
Arthur reached up into a cupboard and took two large white plates, set them on the counter, and filled each with a rather generous helping, and then handed one to Merlin. Merlin gave him a smile and then sat down, not at the other side of the table, but right next to Arthur, who smiled back at him. Merlin took his fork and then a bite.
"Oh... my... God," Merlin said between chews. "This is amazing!"
Arthur grinned at him and took a bite himself, closing his eyes and letting his mouth marinate in the taste, even he was impressed at his own cooking. "Not as good as you taste," Arthur replied slyly. Merlin choked a little on his food, and Arthur snickered. Merlin gave him a playful shove.
"Shut it," Merlin said, taking another bite of his food. He tossed a giddy smile Arthur's way.
Arthur couldn't help but take notice to Merlin's body. The way his neck was ridged and taut, the way his chest was skinny but still slightly muscular, the small pink nipples on his chest, the light trail of dark hair that went from his belly down to his—
"Well, good morning."
Arthur and Merlin turned around in horror as they saw Gaius standing behind them eating a biscuit, both of them forgetting that Gaius was still in the house, let alone that both were butt naked. Arthur quickly got up and turned around, leaving the apron cover him and Merlin placed his hands on his crotch and stood up, hiding behind Arthur.
"Well, this is awkwardly unpleasant," Gaius said. "I believe it is best to wait until you are absolutely sure that no one is in the house before gallivanting around naked. However, I have come to inform you that I am leaving now, and will call you when I land. I would ask for a hug Merlin, but I think that would be out of the question right now."
A horn honked outside and Gaius turned to the door, and Merlin and Arthur gave each other quick, embarrassed nods.
After a loud slam echoed through the halls, Gaius was gone. Merlin dropped his hands and Arthur no longer stood so tense, and then they both broke out in laughter.
The rest of the day was just as much of a blur as the night before. They had the entire house to themselves; Richard had rang saying that he would be a few days late as he had a very luxurious dinner party to attend to and he would be back as soon as he could. Merlin took this as a sign of good warning. Today was just for them.
Richard walked along the hospital bed that Hunith laid in. Uther and Ygraine were back at the hotel, waiting for him to return.
She had a stroke. She's in a coma right now, we don't know what will happen but we'll keep you updated as soon as we know more.
Richard sat down beside his love and pulled a gem from his pocket. He placed it to Hunith's face and a white wispy smoke began to pour from her mouth, nose, eyes, and it filled the gem, changing it from a clear crystal to a dark smoky white. He watched as the monitors began to beep rapidly, signaling distress, which was followed by a team of doctors rushing in, trying to save her. They escorted him out, telling him that they were doing everything that can.
Richard watched through the blinds as his wife flat lined. He held the crystal up to his eye and inspected it carefully, watching her soul bounce off the crystal walls.
This will teach that boy not to play with fire.
As dusk fell, Merlin dimmed the lights to the living room. He resumed his place at Arthur's side as they watched a film something or another about some really hot guy and some really hot chick being abducted by aliens in the middle of nowhere in some desert in America, but Merlin couldn't concentrate, not with Arthur beside him being—well, Arthur.
Merlin started with a hand on Arthur's thigh, before slowly working his way to his boxers and sliding his hand up one of the leg openings, and then he began to fondle Arthur. Arthur did his best not to give Merlin a response, but when he started getting hard, Merlin took the cue and dropped his face into Arthur's lap.
The noises Merlin was making should be illegal, Arthur thought. He ran one hand through Merlin's hair and the other clutched the couch as Merlin worked on him, tossing his head back and hissing through his teeth occasionally. Merlin pulled his head up and planted a kiss on Arthur, before readjusting and sitting on Arthur's lap, their erections pressed against each other. Arthur wrapped his arms around Merlin and pulled him as close as he could be, perfectly flat against each other. Merlin arched his back and began to grind against Arthur, twisting his hips with each thrust.
Arthur moved quickly, got up and tossed Merlin down on the couch, kissing along Merlin's—
A small thump echoed through the house.
Merlin and Arthur both sat up quickly and turned towards the noise. The glass windows on the living room had a full view of the yard, but neither one could see anything. The few lights outside did nothing to dispel the darkness, so Merlin's eyes turned to a shade of gold as he tried to extend his magic outwards, to feel who was there.
"Maybe just an animal? Yeah?" Arthur asked, still staring out the window, but Merlin knew better; his magic had made contact.
"No," Merlin replied, his voice trembling and scared. "I can feel people… There are at least twenty of them. Shit!" Merlin got up and grabbed Arthur's hand, pulling him towards the hall way that lead back to the master bedroom, but an opaque red wall formed in front of them, blocking their path. It crackled with energy.
"Well now, children," a voice said. "What a nice surprise to see you here."
Arthur and Merlin turned to the door to the room, to find—
The man from the cave. The boy was at his side, and at least ten Drinkers behind him. He was twirling a knife in his hand, nonchalantly tossing it in the air and catching it, the blade making whipping sounds as it spun and sliced the air.
As Merlin stared him down, Arthur tried to stand in front of Merlin, to protect him from anything that could come their way.
"I never had a chance to introduce myself," the man said. He took a long lick along his blade, and it sliced his tongue. Blood dripped to the floor. "My name is Mordred."