Chapter 4

The weekend went pretty smoothly. Several calls from all my friends. Morgana, Gwen, and Elyan all dropped by to check on me on Saturday. I assumed Lance had told Gwen about Vivian because she brought me chocolates and profusely apologized for it. Sunday went by without a hitch, too. Gaius and I spent the day together. We went grocery shopping and watched a movie together at his place before he dropped me back off.

I know it seems pointless to share this with you, but I wanted to explain how completely convinced I was that the whole ordeal was over and done with. It should've been. The prime alpha should be long gone by now. I'd never have to see his face again and, after everything, that should make me happy.

It shouldn't make me cry. Err I mean want to cry. I didn't cry. Honestly.

Anyways, come Monday, I was both devastatingly heartbroken and relieved. Still, I was ready to buck up and carry on like I always do. Nothing else I could do anyway. Not like I had a way to contact him, tell him everything and ask him to come back to me. Not that I'd ever do that anyway. Or wanted to do that.

It's the whole guide thing that's making me feel this way. I don't even know him, so strictly speaking, missing him or wanting him as badly as I did wasn't normal, and believe me when I say I wanted him, I mean I truly wanted him. I wanted him in ways that I didn't even know you could want someone. I wanted to crawl into his arms, burrow myself in his chest and never leave. I wanted to spend lazy Sundays with him. Learn all his smiles and all his moods and all his everything. I wanted to hear his voice. I'd spent part of the weekend trying to come up with how he'd sound in my head, but nothing seemed right. A part of me knew, however he sounded, I would love it. I would love everything about him.

All these thoughts were rolling through my mind while I was on my bus headed to school. Well, actually, all these thoughts had been on my mind all weekend. I wish I'd taken more time to study his face, his features. Just a glance was all I had. Just a glance of the most stunning person I'd ever met in my life. And a name. Arthur Pendragon. That was all I had.

That was all I was ever going to get.

I honestly believed that the entire weekend. Even when I stepped off the bus and walked to the stairs everyone and I met at before school. Every fiber of my being believed that I wouldn't see him.

Right up to the point I rounded the corner and saw him there. Standing next to Lance and talking to all of my closest friends. WHAT. THE. HELL?

My breath caught at the sight of him again and I almost, ALMOST convinced myself that running up to him and wrapping my arms around him would be a perfectly acceptable course of action to take. Obviously, I was losing my mind and it was most clearly his fault. I almost turned back around, but Gwaine spotted me and left the group to come towards me.

"What're you standing around here for?" Gwaine asked.

"Uh nothing I guess. Who's that?" I said breathlessly.

Gwaine grinned and looked back, "That's the prime alpha sentinel Arthur Pendragon, of course."

"Of course," I mumbled. I knew I'd been right when I'd guess he was the one, but still had some slight hope that maybe I was simply a lunatic or delusional. Either one or both worked. "What's he doing here? Thought he was leaving after the dance."

"Oh right," Gwaine nodded, "You'd gone already, but around 8 that night, he announced he would be coming to school here for at least a month. He wanted to take break from all the traveling and liked it here."

"Oh," I said, "No one mentioned anything to me."

"Well I thought you knew," he answered, "But thinking on it now, I don't think I ever discussed the dance with you, what with you getting sick and all, I hadn't wanted to throw in your face how much fun I had. Dunno why everyone else didn't mention it though."

"Probably for similar reasons, though, I am surprised Lance didn't tell me or Gwen. They usually tell me everything," I cringed, "Even when I really don't want to know."

Gwaine laughed, "I don't want to know," he said waving his hands, "Well come on. Lance has been itching to introduce you. He thinks you two well get on really well."

Looking down, I followed Gwaine towards him, "What did Gwen say I could call him? Sentinel Pendragon?"

"Arthur is fine," the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard responded, "You're Merlin, right? I've heard so much about you, I feel like I know you already."

I looked up to find him grinning at me. I was momentarily overwhelmed by him before I mentally slapped myself out of my stupor and gave Lance a suspicious look, "Don't believe everything you hear."

Lance laughed at me, "I only said good things I swear."

"Now that I definitely don't believe," I looked at Gwen, "What's he up to?"

She grinned at me, "Actually, this time, he really isn't up to anything. Surprising, I know."

I narrowed my eyes at her and then looked at Morgana, "Is she in on it?"

Morgana just giggled, "No, I heard Gwen threaten him earlier to be extra nice to you since you were sick and the Vivian thing."

I flinched at the name, "I still feel terrible about just leaving like that."

Gwaine slapped my shoulder, "It's alright, mate, Nimueh explained you were in a bad way. Vivian understood."

I sighed, "I hope so. Definitely don't need to get two girls mad at me within a weeks' time."

"Two girls?" Arthur broke in, "Who was the first?"

"Nimueh," Lance answered, "Turned her down for the dance and then went with someone else."

"Ahh," Arthur arched his brows, "Lance didn't mention you were popular with the girls."

"Oh I am," I boasted, "So popular, you know? Gotta beat them off me with a stick even."

Arthur chuckled and I swear that for a second my heart stopped, "That so?"

"Oh yes," I nodded, "Mordred can attest to that, can't you, Mordred? He's known me the longest."

"Mhm," Mordred nodded, "He's had so many girlfriends I've lost count. Let's see there was Nimueh and," he trailed off.

"And Nimueh," Gwen chipped in.

"Yes, let's not forget about Nimueh," Elyan added, "There was someone else too."

"You mean Nimueh?" I added, turning back to look at Arthur, who was readily watching me, "Really can't forget about her, you know?"

Arthur laughed, "That's such a long list. No wonder poor Mordred can't keep track."

"Right?" I agreed, "Honestly, that poor sap really needs to stop worrying about my love life."

"Well someone has to," Mordred countered, "Otherwise, you'd never get out."

"I'll leave you to it then," I responded, "Seeing as Gwen's not allowed to anymore," I looked at her, "I did tell you your matchmaking privileges have been revoked, didn't I?"

"Don't worry," Lance slapped his own chest, "I took care of that for you. Repeatedly."

"I said I was sorry," Gwen said exasperated, "I didn't know."

"Sure, you didn't," Morgana remarked sarcastically getting up and wrapping her arms around me, "I'd never do that to you, if you'd let me fix you up."

"Morgana, I've met your friends," I looked at her pointedly, "They scare me and they are all wizards. How often do we ever see a wizard and a mute date, hmm?"

"Yes, but you're Gaius's nephew," she answered, "If ever there was an exception, it's you and my friends are not scary."

"Morgana your friends are scary," I argued, "You just don't see it because you're as scary as them."

She let me go, "I'm not scary."

"You only say that 'cause you've never seen you angry," I rebutted, "I, on the other hand, have, and believe me Morgana, you are very scary when your angry. What would I do if I angered one of your friends? Stand around while one of them turns me into a frog or something? That, in no way, sounds like fun."

Morgana gave me a crooked smile, and wrapped her arms around mine again, "I guess I can see your point. Am I that scary when I'm mad?"

"More than you will ever know, love," Mordred answered.

"My friends are very nice," she leaned her head on my shoulder, "They wouldn't turn you into anything."

I kissed Morgana's forehead, "If I promise to get to know some of them better, will you let me off the hook?"

"Only if you keep your mind open to dating one of them," she said looking up at me.

"Deal," I grinned and she smiled back at me. Morgana was one of a kind. Gentle and endlessly loyal, but if you betrayed her it was basically the same thing as a death wish. She was also shy in a way, didn't trust too many people, but when she did trust you it was a wondrous thing really. I was lucky that she thought she could trust me. Grateful to have her as a friend.

I looked back up to find Arthur intensely staring at me. I bristled under his gaze and started to look down at myself to see if maybe I had something on my shirt or something. Then half way through I stopped and checked my shields. Barricade up and strong as ever, no toothpaste or anything on my shirt, why was he staring?

"You're something else, aren't you, Merlin?" he asked, voice full of wonderment.

I tensed even more, "I'm not entirely sure how to take that."

"Sorry," Arthur answered, grinning and scratching his head, "It's just that, the way Lance described you, I thought he was embellishing a little, but it really is true."

I opened my mouth to ask what was true, but the bell rang. I frowned. I really didn't want to leave Arthur, so when Morgana started pulling me towards the building, I hesitated before I followed.

Morgana and I had the first two classes together, but both teachers were strict and we never had many chances to really talk. Today, I found myself glad for the reprieve. I needed to think. He said he was staying for a month. An entire month. How was I supposed to hide for an entire month from the one person all of my instincts told me I had to run to?

What was I going to do? Just a few minutes with him and it's a battle to stop myself from running to him and telling him everything. I couldn't tell him. The whole point of me hiding it was so that I didn't have to be latched on to someone for my entire life and he's the prime yet? I hardly knew what a bond to regular sentinel would take, but a bond to him? That couldn't happen.

I needed to do something, figure something out. There was no way I could pull this off. Fuck. What was I going to do now?

Over and over, all of my thoughts raced through my head and still I had no solution. No solution short of packing my things and leaving.

Which I really might have to do.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was exhausted. I didn't go to meet my friends, instead, I found a place to hide and called my aunt Claurice.

"Merlin? Is everything alright?"

"I can't do this anymore, aunty," I answered quickly, "Neither of them have called in a month. An entire month. This is ridiculous. What am I supposed to do?"

"Oh Merlin. This is why I said you should've never left," she answered.

"I know, I know, but I thought if I came with them, I would be able to get to know them, you know? Plus, I love uncle Gaius," I sighed, "I just thought it would be good, you know? But it's been years and I'm lucky if they even call me much less spend any time with me."

"Well you could always move in with your uncle or come back," aunt Claurice answered, "We've missed you and we'd take you back in a heartbeat. You know that, don't you?"

I stayed silent for a while, "Could I really come back?"

"Of course," she responded readily.

"How soon?"

"Your uncle and I could have everything ready within a week. Are you sure about this, Merlin?"

A week. Could I last a week? I was going to have to have to. "Yeah, aunty, I'm sure. Thank you."

"Ok. I'll call your uncle and start setting everything up, alright?"

"Ok, I love you, aunty."

"I love you too, hun."

I hung up and took a deep breath. Trying to stop myself from crying. A week. A week and my entire life would be over. All the friends I had would be gone. All because of a stupid fucking sentinel. I took a shuddering breath and stood up. If these were going to be my last few days with them, then I was going to spend it with them.

I took a few steps before an alarm started going off and an announcement came on the speaker, "ALL STUDENTS MUST REPORT TO THE NEAREST BUILDING. ALL STUDENTS MUST REPORT TO THE NEAREST BUILDING AVAILABLE. DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON. SENTINELS AND GUIDES PLEASE FOLLOW ALL GUIDELINES FOR CODE 3211. WIZARDS PLEASE FOLLOW ALL GUIDELINES FOR CODE 1601. THIS IS NOT A DRILL."

I walked out of my hiding spot near the school shed and watched as all the students around me went into chaos. All the sentinels and guides were lining up near the center of the school with their teachers. The wizards too. Everyone else was running into the buildings like their lives depended on it. I started carefully making my way towards the guides before I felt someone brush my shields, I turned around scanning the area and I felt them. I couldn't see where they were, but I knew they were there.

Our entire school was surrounded by sentinels and guides. We were surrounded and I couldn't even see them. What the fuck was going on? I turned around and started sprinting towards the center of the school where I saw Arthur, Gwen, Lance, Gwaine and Elyan all lined up.

I stopped in front of Gwen, "Why is our school surrounded?"

Gwen looked at me in surprise, "You know the codes?"

"Some," I answered, "What's going on?"

"We don't know," Arthur answered, "You need to leave. You need to go inside. This doesn't concern you."

"Fuck you," I answered, "Something's going on and my friends-no, my family are all lined up outside most likely to face it and you think this doesn't concern me? Fuck you."

Arthur looked at me in surprise, I'm guessing most people didn't speak to him like that, but there was no way I was abandoning him and all my friends to face something I could help them with.

Arthur sighed and shook his head, "I understand where you're coming from, but you're untrained and you're a mute. You'd just get in the way, if a fight does happen, you could get your friends hurt or worse because they'll feel the need to protect you."

I scowled at him, but before I could mutter a response Lance added, "I hate to say it, but he's right, Merlin. I wouldn't be able to sit by and watch you get hurt, but trying to watch over you and everyone else might be a bit much."

"I'll protect him," Morgana said from behind me, "If they're too weak to protect you, Merlin, then I'll be more than happy to. You can come with me. I know if our positions were reversed I wouldn't be able to stand idly by while everyone else walked into danger."

I turned around and hugged Morgana, "Thank you, I'll do my best not to get in your way."

She returned the hug, "Come on." I followed Morgana to her place in line, upon seeing me Mordred threw his arm around my shoulder, "Was wondering when you'd show up."

I grinned at him, "Don't worry, I knew you'd be trembling in fear if I didn't show my face."

"You know it," he hummed in agreement, "Can't face anything without you holding my hand."

"That's what I'm here for."

The students were all instructed to break up in four groups. Each group would go in a direction and stand ground, until a- whoever was surrounding the school came near us or attacked and/or b- our back up arrived and we weren't needed anymore. My group with Morgana was heading towards the east of the school. I stayed closely behind her, continuously scanning the area and trying to make sure they weren't approaching. Whoever they were was unknown. Which made it hard to know what they wanted or what their intentions were.

We all took cover in precaution and waited. No one had any idea as to why any of this was happening.

It was only a short time later, when I felt them coming. Not from all directions, just the south. The direction Lance and Arthur were headed in. And if Lance was there, Gwen wasn't far behind. "Morgana," I whispered, "I have to go."

She frowned, "What?"

"I have to go to the south end of the school," I answered.

"Merlin, I can't protect you if you're not with me."

"I don't need anyone to protect me," I scoffed, "Seriously, I'll stay out of trouble."

"Why do you need to go?"

"Because they are coming from that way."

She turned to me, "How would you know that?"

"I just do," I leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek, "I'll be ok, so you make sure you stay ok, deal?"

Morgana sighed but relented, "Deal. See you later," she promised.

I snuck my way towards the south of the school and saw Arthur and a man talking in the field, I snuck toward where I saw Lance, he arched a brow at me and I frowned and pointed to my ear.

He whispered in my ear, "He's trying to figure out what they want. Apparently, they're looking for a rogue guide."

"A rogue guide? In our school?" I whispered back, "Since when do we have rogue guides at all?"

"I know," he shrugged, "Very strange."

"They're asking for permission to search the entire school, but Arthur is telling them that they'd have to go through the proper protocols, otherwise, they're invading our territory and putting our guides in danger, and we have every right to defend ourselves if they don't stop."

"Ah," I sensed it, a whole lot of them. I prayed and hoped they were our back up. I wanted to tell Lance, but there was no way I could tell him without giving myself away.

I took a peek and saw Arthur raise his head and smile, I crouched back down, "He's smiling," I whispered.

"He just said we got our back up," Lance sighed in relief, "Looks like this will be over without incident."

I sighed in relief, "That's good."

"Yeah, they have them surrounded now," Lance nodded, "They're backing down. They'll face steep penalties for this."

"I would assume so," I frowned, "I can't help but wonder, though, why would they go through all this trouble for just one rogue guide?"

Lance eyes widened, like he hadn't realized that might've been an important point, "Maybe the guide is promised to a sentinel?"

"But if they were promised to each other, what reason could the guide have in leaving? Guides don't leave their sentinels."

"I," he trailed off for a moment, "I don't know. It doesn't make sense."

"No, and if they were looking for a rogue guide, then why would they even need to come into the school? They could just show the authorities a picture and proof and they'd be able to find them," I furrowed my brow, "How did they manage to get all these people here anyway? They can't be from our country. How'd they pull that off?"

"I don't know, by boat maybe? For all we know, they all have tourist visas or something," he shrugged.

"And if a guide was hiding in Albion," I continued, "Why would they hide in our high school? What or who are they really looking for? Why would a guide in this day and age hide? And considering the protection laws we have, if a guide asks for refuge we legally have to provide it. They wouldn't need to hide once they're in Albion."

"Unless the guide was hiding something," Arthur answered, I looked up to see him standing over us, "Interesting conversation you two our having here."

"What would anyone have to hide so badly that they'd leave their own country and come and hide in our high school for?"

"That's all going to be looked in to by the proper authorities," Arthur sighed, "In order to keep any fighting at bay, I agreed to have all the mutes at school tested," he grimaced, "Everyone has to go back to class for now."

I stood up and stretched, "Will they go in alphabetical order? Cause if so, I won't have that long of a wait."

"I wouldn't be surprised if they did," he nodded.

"Then we'll be able to go home or what?"

"Everyone's parents have to pick them up after they're done, but yeah," he answered.

I froze, "Parents? Does it have to be parents?"

"Or guardians, we want to speak to them directly, try to answer any questions that they'll have," Arthur eyed me carefully.

"So my uncle can pick me up?" I asked.

"Don't see why not," he shrugged.

I nodded, "Guess I better call Gaius," Gwen came over to us then and hugged me, then Lance. Within a few minutes everyone ended up here and I knew I should say something.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you guys. I know it's not the best moment, but I'm starting to run out of time."

Gwen and Lance both turned to me a frowned, "What's going on, Merlin?"

I stared at the floor, "I'm going to be moving soon."

Lance snorted, "You're so dramatic, Merlin. If you needed some help moving, you could just ask. You finally moving in with Gaius?"

My eyes got watery and I shook my head, staying quiet.

"No," Morgana whispered, "You mean, to where?"

"London, with my aunt and uncle."

"When?" Gwen broke in.

My voice broke as I spoke, "By the end of a week."

"You're moving?" Arthur added, "But we just met? How could you be moving?" he sounded extremely disappointed. Which was strange. I mean if Arthur could tell I was his guide then why wouldn't he confront me with it? Then again, maybe he couldn't tell, but part of him still knew.

"Oh Merlin, why would you keep this from us?" Lance asked, "Why are you always keeping so much to yourself? You always, always do this."

"You know I don't like burdening-"

"You are not a burden!" he yelled at me, "Fuck, Merlin! What the hell? Why wouldn't you tell me? How long have you known?"

"Not long," I frowned, "Not long at all. I," I swallowed hard, "I really wish I didn't have to go, Lance."

"Then don't!" he yelled, "Move in with me! My parent's will take you in, they love you. Come on, mate, you can't be serious about this."

"It's already been decided," I answered, "It's for the best."

"Who's best?" he grabbed my shoulders, "Certainly not yours. You said it yourself, Merlin, we're your family! You can't just leave!"

I pulled away from him and stepped back, squaring my shoulders, "What do you want me to do about it, Lance? What the hell else can I do? If you only knew what staying here for me really meant, you'd never ask me to stay!"

"What is that supposed to even mean, Merlin?!" he exclaimed, "What? More secrets!? Fucking bloody surprise coming from you, huh?! Everything's a secret with you! Heaven forbid you share anything with the people who love you, huh!?"

"I can't help it!" I yelled back, "Everyone is always fucking worried about me! How am I supposed to feel ok adding even more on to that?! Oh no, my parents haven't called! Oh Merlin is always alone at home! Oh Merlin's parents don't even bother to make sure he's fucking bloody alive! Merlin this and Merlin that! And the problems just keep adding up! They never end for Merlin! No matter what I do all I make people do is worry about me! I'm sick of it! I moved here so things could be better and I spend all of my free time by a bloody phone that never rings! I lied ok! It's been over a month! It's been over two! I don't even know if they're fucking alive at this point and I can't take it anymore!"

Lance went silent at my speech.

"Oh Merlin," I heard Gwen whisper. I started shaking, "We worry because we love you, not because we have to."

"Merlin," Morgana said, reaching out to me and turning me to her, "Please really think about this."

Morgan looked grief stricken, but I couldn't go back on my decision. Not with Arthur here. The longer I stay around him, the more I'll want to give in. I was sure eventually I'd need to leave here anyway. The sooner the better, I guess.

"Aunty and I agree," I whispered, "This isn't working for me anymore. A new environment would probably be good for me anyway. I've thought hard about this, Morgana, I really think it's for the best."

"Merlin!" I turned to see professor Aglain coming my way, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be inside, heading to class," he paused looking at the rest of us, "All of you should be heading back, too. Quit standing around here and head back to class, all of you."

I stepped away from Morgana, blinking back the tears, "I have to go call, Gaius, so he knows to come pick me up," I said hoarsely and began walking away.

My best friend, my family, and my second half. Was I really gonna be able to leave them all behind?

Author's note: Baah, I had this written a while ago, but I was having computer problems. All good now though :) Enjoy!