Chapter 13: Unexpected presents
The day was bright and the sun hit Merlin's face. He was in the outskirts of the Castle grounds, a bit too far away if Arthur knew. He found this spot where there was a clearing in the trees. Their thick branches disentangled and created space for the light of the sun. The trees created a barrier so no-one would be able to see him and he could still enjoy the sunlight but that wasn't even the best part. His secret place was placed on not too steep hill and Merlin could lie down so that he could watch as the sun sets. He stayed for a long time there, lying in the sun.
He has been doing that for the last week since he discovered his secret place. He had been lying that much in the sun, so by the end of the day his cheeks would catch colour. Arthur, of course, noticed that and couldn't help but comment. Merlin smiled remembering the conversation.
He always came back from his walks before Arthur woke up. He was sitting on the bed, on his heels looking down at Arthur's face as he woke up. He grunted, as always and made a great effort to open his eyes. When he did, he looked at Merlin who was looking oddly at him. Then slowly and steadily a smile was formed.
"Your cheeks got burned." He laughed in a low hum.
"Really?" His hands caressed his cheeks in defence.
"Your baby skin can't take the sun." He teased. "Maybe you are a vampire."
"Is it really that bad?" He was about to stand up to take a look in the mirror when Arthur tackled him down on the bed. His body weight overpowering Merlin.
He sniffled down Merlin's throat and then up his jaws till he found his lips. He gave him a quick yet firm kiss.
"You smell of sunlight." He said amazed.
Merlin stayed still for a moment, letting Arthur sniff his way up his cheeks and down the hollow of his throat where he nuzzled. He was still a bit dumbfounded of what he just said. "Does that mean I'm still allowed to wander around all day in the sun?" He smiled that genuine smiled of his, lighting his whole face up.
Arthur considered his question for a moment. "No, I still prefer your pasty white skin." He went down to attack his face with kisses.
"You say that because you want to keep me caged." He said in between kisses.
"Merlin." Arthur said a bit dangerously. "Shut up, I'm hungry." And with that he was undoing his trousers and Merlin's.
"This isn't fair..." he said woozily while Arthur kissed him away, "...you always order me around." He wasn't really complaining.
"Yes, but you never listen."
It was just that once though that the sun showed that much on his skin. His magic normally washed it away within minutes so no-one would notice. Besides, the weather wasn't always that sunny. It was raining the next day of Arthur and Uther's discussion... fight.
So seeing that the weather did not allow him to walk outside he decided to start his studies earlier. He stretched up arching his back and sat on the floor, his choice of book on the short table in front of the couch. He studied for a long time while Arthur slept the day. He never noticed when he woke up and silently sat next to him, watching him as he made notes on a parchment next to him and mumbled unearthly words of magic. Arthur's eyes fell on Merlin's ivory spine and couldn't help but trace his skin there.
Merlin jumped in surprise.
"God, you scared me!" He exhaled and put a hand on his chest.
Arthur chuckled. "Why is it that you are always up earlier than me?"
"Uh, I need less sleep than you." Merlin's face became sad all of a sudden. He looked up in Arthur's eyes and decided not to hide anything anymore. "And I still have nightmares."
He looked at him sympathetically. "About Moraguse?"
"About... everyone." He said averting his gaze, looking down at his hands. He had not long confessed to Arthur the many times he and his sister got captured and tortured. They seemed to be getting into trouble every century. Arthur took Merlin's hands in his, tracing his shackle scars with his thumb. They have become white and embedded in his skin.
"Will they ever leave?"
"It takes about half a century but my magic seems to have healed every scar even if it was this bad. Of course that only lasts long enough before I get new ones." He smiled sadly.
Arthur remained silence for a long moment. He looked away trying to hide his embarrassment. "My father wants me to lock you up in a place where no-one can see you, he thinks that you being my Half is threatening my existence." He said truthfully and then looked straight into Merlin's eyes. He cupped one of his cheeks. "I want you to know that whatever happens, I will never, ever do that to you."
He took Arthur's hand in his. "I know that." He smiled. "Is that why you were so upset yesterday? Because he threatened to put me in a dungeon?"
"He asked me to do it. Honestly, the man thinks he can just order me around like I am a four year old child! I'm his son for god's sake!"
Merlin turned to his book continuing his search. "Well if that's all he said, I don't see why you get so upset!"
Arthur looked at him surprised by his reaction. "Why are you taking this so well? You should have been furious with him, afraid at least!"
"Arthur, I have been threatened many times to be thrown in dungeons, have me chained and kill my sister. Your father actually asked you to do it. If I compare him to everyone else that imprisoned me he sounds like a gentleman." He said with a serious facade.
The man looked at him bewildered and found himself oddly calmer than before. He thought, Yeah when you put it like that he isn't that bad, but then again Uther was Uther and he still saw Merlin as a threat. He might not be that cruel but he still was the father he knew he was. He would let Merlin be in his imaginary world of his perception of Uther. Eventually, though and very soon they would meet.
"Idiot!" He called him. Merlin smiled.
...
Merlin walked with Morgana around the Castle, her hand was curled around his arm as they walked through the corridors. That was when she threw the news at her brother's face and Merlin asked the weirdest and most unorthodox question.
"Vampires can get married?"
"Well, not really married. It's more like a promise that we will be each other's life companions forever." She explained the way Leon told her.
"Forever is a long time." Merlin told her.
"Well no-one knows what will happen and you are the one to talk! You and Arthur are practically tied to one another for eternity."
"That's different..." He argued.
"Are you opposed to, me getting married to Leon?" She asked worriedly. She stopped walking and turned to look at Merlin.
"No! No, I am not." He reassured her. "Do you love him that much then?"
"Yes, very much." She told him earnestly.
He smiled. "Then you have my approval."
She smiled, her face glowing with joy. "Thank you." They continued walking. "He will still want to ask you though."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes!" He let out an exasperated sigh.
"So, how are things going between you and Arthur lately?"
"He has been too worried lately." He informed.
"How so?"
"His father doesn't seem to approve of me."
They did not foresee who would walk in front of them next. They both stayed frozen in place as Uther came to a halt, obviously surprised by their unexpected appearances. He didn't expect to find anyone on his walk around the Castle.
"My Lord!" Morgana managed to utter and then they both bowed awkwardly.
"And who might you be?" He asked politely.
"Morgana. I haven't been here long."
"Yes, Arthur informed me of your presence here. How nice of you to join our Coven. I was wondering when I would get a chance to talk to you." He looked at the strange, young human next to her and ordered. "Is this your human?"
Morgana looked horrified. "N-No. He is my... friend."
"Leave us." He commanded.
Merlin seemed to have frozen in place not quite understanding what was happening. Uther gave him a glare and he quickly slipped away.
"Yes, of course."
He quickly walked away and gave a quick look behind him making sure Morgana was alright.
...
There were many other guests who came over for Arthur's millennia celebration, from all over England. Arthur was of course in the Common Room to welcome them. Merlin found him surrounded by a crowd of people seeing how busy he was he decided to go back to their room and occupied himself with his studies. He made a ton of side notes that he intended to read again after he finished it.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in!" He said without lifting his head up from the papers.
"What are you doing here?" Merlin lifted his head to see a very confused Uther.
Merlin stood up abruptly. "My Lord! I am sorry, I didn't know it was you by the door."
"What are you doing in my son's room?" He asked again.
He was shocked. "I'm Merlin." Uther's face was changed from confusion to something Merlin wasn't sure what it was. "Please, take a sit." Merlin gestured at the couch opposite him.
Uther was a bit insulted to be offered a seat in his own Castle but said nothing and sat by the same time the other man did. Merlin looked down to his hands.
"What were you studying there?" He looked suspiciously at the books.
"Magic." Merlin said honestly. "Healing magic." He specified.
"Hm." He considered. "Do you stay in this room with Arthur?"
"Yes." Merlin said cautiously.
There was an awkward silence between them for a long while. Merlin was looking around the room, nowhere in particular.
"Arthur shouldn't be long. He was just greeting some of his guests."
Uther still looked at him with that evil look in his eyes as if he would kill him any minute. "Good, because I wanted to talk to you about-"
The door just then opened with Arthur coming in. Merlin sighed in relief as rescue came. He looked at the scene with a frown.
"Father? Merlin." He said as he walked to sit next to Arthur. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes! Yes! Everything is alright! Why wouldn't it be?" Merlin mumbled nervously.
Arthur looked at his father carefully as if he was trying to make sure nothing bad happened. "Father this is-"
"I know who he is..." He interrupted. "I actually came here to talk to you about him."
"Should I leave?" Merlin asked out of courtesy.
"No!" Arthur yelled.
"Yes!" Uther said simultaneously.
Arthur looked at his father's struggle to even look at Merlin. "Please. Whatever there is to be said, let's just get this over with, shall we?"
"Very well, then." He said. "I am not going to lie to you that I am not pleased with this situation. You are unwilling to see the disgrace this situation brings. Our name has been respected for many centuries as it should be and you are willing to ruin this for a human." He said as calmly as he could.
Arthur sighed in despair. "We have been over this before. Whatever you say will not make me change my mind."
"I see..." Uther understood. "It seems that I and my concerns are of little matter to you."
Arthur shook his head. "It isn't like that father." He sighed finding this conversation much too difficult. You know how this situation works. You have met people that are each other's Halves. I am not doing this because of a whim. I want to be with Merlin and he wants to be with me. We want to be with each other out of choice."
Merlin turned to look at Arthur and back to Uther, there was a moment of constant exchanging of looks.
Uther sucked a breath and tried to contain himself before saying, "Very well, then. I still do not like this. Will you at least agree to have his transformation as soon as possible?"
"What transformation?" Merlin asked panicked.
"As a vampire of course."
Merlin looked at Arthur in shock, expecting him to say something. "There won't be any transformation."
"What!?"
"I won't turn him." Arthur said.
"You do realise that he is human and will eventually die."
"I'm immortal." Merlin announced. "Because of my magic I am immortal." He explained.
Uther was completely confused. His eyebrows were brought together as he thought of the matter. "Nevertheless, it would be wise to turn you to a vampire. The human body is far too fragile. You will be putting both of you in danger."
Merlin looked at Uther seriously. "No, I will not become a vampire. My magic is more important to me than power."
Uther was furious. "You will become a vampire even if I make you myself!" he said almost threatening.
Merlin looked at him straight in the eyes with a most serious face again and uttered his next words very slowly. "I will not become a vampire."
"And I will not have a sorcerer in my castle!" he yelled.
Merlin threw his back, back at the sofa and crossed his arms. Arthur looked more concerned than ever, he didn't know what to say. Uther was at his limits.
"Is this what it is then? Your hate of magic?" Merlin asked.
"Merlin..." Arthur warned.
"You are too young to know the misery magic brings! It will corrupt your soul!"
"Father, please..." Arthur tried to calm the situation.
"Magic isn't evil! People are!" Merlin shouted.
"Magic can only destroy!" he accused.
Then he said it. He shouldn't have but he said it. "Is this what you think of yourself then? Being a creature of magic?"
Uther was in shock and it took him a long minute before he talked. "What did you say?"
"I've heard that vampires were made of magic. That someone cursed the first human to be a vampire because of his hate for magic. It only makes sense now that I have met you."
"Merlin." Arthur said in a low voice as if warning him to take this any further.
Uther's eyes went wide. "There is only one person that knows that story."
Merlin had a pained expression on. "She is dead." He said. "I killed her." He whispered.
He stood up and left the room, in terrible need of air.
...
Merlin returned not much later in the room, after he calmed down. He hoped that Uther was not there still and opened the door. He peeked in and saw Arthur pacing up and down waiting for him. He closed the door behind him and Arthur turned to him. His face looked worried.
"I'm sorry." He apologised and moved forward.
Arthur smiled at him. Merlin couldn't understand why.
"I don't like killing people." He said his voice shaken. "Please don't think I'm evil. I would never use magic against anyone without reason."
Arthur ruffled his thick black hair. "Idiot! I don't think you are evil!"
"I'm sorry for making things worse."
"Actually, I think you just made it better." Arthur said amused.
Merlin grimaced. "What do you mean?"
"You are the first person I ever saw that made Uther Pendragon go speechless."
This was way too funny and Merlin laughed Arthur mimicking him.
That day when they lay on the bed and analysed the situation, it came to a point where Arthur wanted the truth once more. So he asked and Merlin replied. He told him of a woman named Nimueh and how she started the vampire curse. She never told him any names, that bit he figured out himself just recently. She only told him of a man's hatred to magic and how she cursed him to be a creature of magic. Seeing how her own plan backfired she wanted to fix this. Nimueh threatened to kill his sister and that was the end of her.
"Your sister seems to get you in trouble all the time." Arthur commented, in a low sleepy voice.
"I get her into trouble most of the time." Merlin rolled on his back looking at the ceiling. "I'm not a usual case Arthur." He started. "Sorcerers are humans, some may have lived longer than others but none has been immortal. A creature that is immortal has to pay something in return. Vampires for example get burned in the sunlight. Many people, sorcerers, seers and other magical beings have told me that I'm the most powerful warlock in the world. My magic is almost flawless." Arthur scoffed and Merlin smiled. "I know it sounds arrogant but it's true. My magic very powerful. The only weakness I do have is my sister. She is an easy target, so people use her to get to me. Most people I met wanted me dead. They feel threatened as if I'm a monster." His smile fell, his lips went to a straight line.
"It's not your fault." He told him.
"Morgana tells me the same thing but it is my fault."
Arthur had no soothing words for him because deep down he knew what Merlin meant.
"Do you want me to be a vampire?" Merlin asked him, looking him with those blue, expecting eyes. Arthur looked in his pleading eyes, his pained expression of desperation for his answer.
Arthur answered truthfully to his question. "I don't want you to change. I want you to always be you."
...
The night of Arthur's millennia started annoyingly happy for him. Merlin was already awake with his widest smile on when he woke up. He teased him or rather, informed him of how old and ancient he was. He gave him the present he promised him, which was um, him. But also promised him of another present. The vampire of course, accepted the first present gladly, more than gladly and then pressured Merlin to tell him what his other present was. He only replied with saying that he should have patience and wait until after his celebration.
"Why are you not dressed yet?" Arthur yelled from the bedroom.
Merlin's nose was in a book. His brows drawn together, his eyes serious and focused. "I can not make sense of a damn thing in this book." He looked at the word from a different angle. "It makes it very hard to read this. Who the hell wrote it?" The book was abruptly taken from his view, his eyes still following it.
"Stop reading! Get dressed! This is an order!"
Merlin opened his mouth to say something but was cut off.
"Merlin..." He warned. "Now."
Merlin got up without a word and went on to dress. He heard Arthur as he talked from the other room.
"Why are studying this much lately?"
"Can't tell you!" Merlin told him.
"It looks very old..." Arthur remarked eyeing at its leather cover and the rough, yellow pages.
Merlin came in view and saw Arthur as he caressed its cover and the letters on it. He wore his black trousers and was currently tucking the edges of his shirt in it. The collar was up almost reaching his ears.
"It is. Be careful with it." He asked from him. "It is actually the one Morgause wanted."
Arthur's head turned to him only to see Merlin disappear again to wear his vest and jacket. Then it came to him. "Wait! How is it you have it?"
Merlin reappeared again and he had that look on his face and Arthur knew he wouldn't like this. "I went back to get it."
"You reckless idiot! Why would you go back there?" Arthur yelled.
"There wasn't anyone there! I was careful."
Arthur sighed, he didn't like this reckless side of Merlin. "Why is it so important?" He looked back to the book.
"Let's go! Your guests are waiting!" He took the book at of his hand, set it on the table and grabbed his arm, leading him out of the door.
It was the first time Merlin saw this many vampires gathered in the same room. The gathering, because it was a gathering since you can't really call it a birthday party, was different from what he thought it would be. Truth be told, he expected crystal glasses filled with the most exotic and intoxicating blood there was but no, that wasn't the case. It was just a castle full of vampires and humans presenting their presents to Arthur and congratulating him on his millennia. There was wine for the humans however, which he didn't drink. The presents were exciting to watch at first, but after a few hours even Arthur got bored and Merlin of course noticed. Sure Arthur liked getting presents but some were all the same and consequently of no use to him.
Merlin, all the while Arthur was busy, flashing his smile, was talking to people around. Gaius, informed him of how his physical and medical studies turned to the research of how to make vampire immune to silver among other topics. Now, Merlin was interested and truly was happy that Gaius was excitedly talking about it but the man had a habit of getting too much into these things. Gaius, of course, noticed so he changed the subject telling him that he said a good word for him to Uther. He also mentioned that he was rather upset about the situation, something that Merlin already knew.
Then Lancelot and Gwen came by asking about Uther and his stance towards him and the warlock informed them. Lancelot tried to cheer him up a bit by throwing a joke of how lucky he was that Uther had Merlin to bother himself with. Gwen of course nudged his side asking him to be nice but Merlin laughed.
Morgana and Leon seemed to approach him with an interesting intentional look on his face. He knew what was coming.
"Good evening Merlin." Leon started with an awkward smile.
"Good evening." He replied with a small nod of acknowledgement. Morgana was smiling viciously by her escort's uneasiness. She actually found it lovable, though.
"I-I'm sure Morgana informed you of our plans." He attempted nervously.
"Yes, she has." He spoke very politely, trying to make him more comfortable but damn, was this man awfully nervous for his years!
"Would you honour me by giving me your sister's hand?" His expression was expecting and almost pained.
"You seem to make her happy, more happy than I have ever seen her before." He looked at her smiling at him. "That is what matters most to me, for her to be happy."
"I do not wish anything less for her."
Merlin formed a mild smile as he spoke. "Then you have my permission."
"Thank you!" Leon said in happiness and looked at Morgana with excitement.
Their conversation and smiles of happiness were cut abruptly when Uther jumped in the group.
"Good news?" he asked casually.
Leon quickly replied as he had a better sort of connection with him. "Very good news my Lord. We shall inform you very soon of them!"
"I do hope so." He said, his face still with that casual look. He turned to Merlin. "Merlin?" Merlin seemed to unnecessarily notice that this was the first time he called him with his name. "Might I have a word?"
He swallowed. "Of course my Lord." He calmly said.
They walked past the left crowd of guests and Morgana and Leon who gave them a worrying look as they left. Merlin realised how well Uther knew the castle since he walked through corridors and into a door that led to a room he has never seen before. He called himself stupid because he remembered that this used to be his home. Still is, judging by how comfortable he felt in this office. He guessed that this was his working place, still kept for his own use.
He offered him a sit gesturing at an armchair. Merlin was silent. He didn't know what to say.
"Don't be alarmed, I do not wish to harm you in any way."
Merlin felt a bit less, very little, tensed. "I wish to apologize for yesterday. It was not my place to talk about things that do not involve me."
Uther seemed surprised by Merlin's attitude. "Thank you but I'm very sure I said some hurtful things myself." He did not apologize however, he was Uther Pendragon and Merlin was lucky enough to get this close to an apology. There was an awkward silence again for a brief moment. "Gaius tells me he knows you and... trusts you. He also told me he met you around the 8th century." Merlin realized where he was getting at.
"Yes, that is true."
"How old are you?" He asked in all curiosity.
"Older than anyone here other than Arthur."
He drew his eyebrows together. "Older than the Lady Morgana?"
Merlin smiled. "Morgana is my younger sister."
That surprised the shit out of Uther. "I see." He was in deep thought. The warlock realized that Uther was trying to find his good aspects, something to hold on. "In your... magical community, are you in a... high position?"
Merlin never liked to mention this if he didn't have to. Arthur was the only one that recently found out the extent of his power but Uther needed this kind of persuasion.
"I am considered very powerful my Lord, as others have told me before." He was looking at him with an earnest truthful look in his eyes. "I know that there are many sorcerers who have shown you only the dark side of magic. I assure you I am not one of those people. I care about Arthur and if I wanted any harm to him or you or any of your people, I would already have done it. I will not betray his trust even if my very existence is threatened. Never."
It was very hard for Uther to accept a sorcerer in his house, let alone trust him. This would take time and Uther was willing to take this step.
"I believe you Merlin." was what he said with great effort and struggle.
There weren't many words after that. They both returned to the rest of the people. Arthur seemed a bit uneasy when he saw them together entering the common room again. He walked his way past the people to reach Arthur. He told him of what just happened and the vampire stayed completely stunned. He wasn't expecting it and neither was Merlin.
His father gave him one of his oldest swords which he ordered to be fixed for use. Arthur loved it but he didn't like it as much as his second gift. The gift of acceptance. He thanked him for it but Uther knew what else there was behind his voice and that was gratefulness.
It was then that Uther understood how much the sorcerer Merlin meant to him.
...
Arthur and Merlin walked out of the castle after the crowd retired for the day. Arthur was a bit reluctant to go out at that time since dawn was nigh but Merlin insisted anyway.
"You do realise that I am a vampire?"
"I have noticed." He earned an elbow in his ribs. "Ow! That's unfair."
"Unfair is dragging your Half out of the castle and get him burned."
"Why are you complaining this much?" He sighed. "This has to do with your present."
"Did it have to be outside?" Arthur asked. "At nearly dawn?"
Merlin stopped walking. "Arthur!" he said and the blonde looked at him expectantly. "Please shut up or I will change my mind about giving you this present." He looked a bit worried.
"Alright." He agreed.
They walked for a short while through the trees and reached Merlin's secret place where he used to spend a lot of time by himself.
"You know..." He eventually talked. "You never asked me what was in the book Morgause wanted."
"Merlin..." Arthur said very calm. "This isn't funny. I cannot stay here for conversation."
Merlin smiled at him and looked at the sun that started to rise behind him. The effect started to show on Arthur as he turned uncomfortable. He approached him and cupped a hand around his neck.
"Do you trust me?" He asked him with beautiful blue eyes.
"Yes." He whispered.
"Try not to think about anything. Clear your mind." He told him as he untucked Arthur's shirt and then placed his hand over his skin at the small of his back. "Let the magic flow in you."
The sun was rising higher, morning was coming closer and closer and Arthur was a bit nervous. But he fully trusted Merlin however reckless he may be. He whispered a spell in his ear. His breath as he spoke tickled the shell of his ear. His palms felt warm almost hot against his skin as the magic was drained in his body. The spell was long and powerful as he uttered its words. Arthur felt weird and squeezed his eyes shut as the sun hit his back. He wasn't sure what was happening, he only felt Merlin and the warmth of the sun. Everything else was lost around him.
The whole sensation stopped and for a brief moment he thought he was dead but he felt Merlin still holding him. Then, he heard his voice.
"Open your eyes." He whispered and he did. He fluttered his eyelids rapidly as an unfamiliar light hit his eyes. He then realised how tightly he was holding Merlin's jacket in his fists and loosened his grip.
Merlin removed his hand from behind his neck and then held his hand tightly. "Don't let go of my hand. If you lose contact with me the spell will break."
Arthur turned around and brought his free hand up again to shield his eyes from the strong light of the sun. He looked amazed at the sunrise that illuminated the castle.
"Merlin... How?" He turned to look at him not fully realising what was going on.
"This is my present to you." He told him. "Morgause wanted the book for this, so that she could walk in the sun again, without getting burned. She was quite disappointed when she realised that this couldn't happen by simply mixing some herbs. She needed magic, pure magic. And she wanted me to keep it secret so that no-one else could have it. I figured the spell a while ago and thought that well... I could show you the sun again."
Arthur was smiling. He looked at the sun again and couldn't believe that he forgot such a sight.
He kissed Merlin deeply and passionately trying to imprint his gratitude in him. He couldn't be any happier. Then he hugged him close. "Thank you Merlin. I knew I would like your present but this is beyond imagination."
They laid down on the grass and watched the sunlight the whole day. Merlin realised how lucky he was to have found this place. He was so happy that he could share its beauty with Arthur. They did nothing else other than talk and laugh and kiss the day away.
A/N- I think this chapter sums everything up. But, we are not finished yet. Epilogue coming up!