Pairing: Merlin/Arthur.
Warnings: Nothing more than The Gates of Avalon. And Merlin and Arthur being fluffly~~
Our Past
Chapter 7: The Gates of Avalon
" Alright, alright, I will talk! My next story is about Sophia."
Arthur groaned. He remembered how he almost eloped with this girl, and honestly, he still wondered why he even considered it-or how his memories were elusive.
Seeing Arthur's frown and his thoughtful look, Merlin decided to spare him some thinking. "She had enchanted you." He smiled faintly as Arthur glanced down at him, surprised. "You didn't realize after all this time?" He asked, amused, as he pressed closer to Arthur's side.
Arthur blushed slightly. "I didn't really think about it, and I never truly wondered up until now."
Merlin nodded. "Well as you might remember, the day started with us on a hunt."
Arthur smirked. "Yes, I remember how you were completely unsubtle." Then, the king frowned. "Wait... You can be subtle if you want, with your magic..."
Merlin flushed. "Well, it is true that I did make noise often on purpose, but... I am clumsy. And I didn't know much about hunting at that time!" He cleared his throat. "So, we were hunting, and then we heard a woman scream."
Arthur sighed. "And we rushed to help. It isn't supposed to be bad thing..."
Merlin smiled fondly. "It isn't a bad thing. We can't know if the person we help will be an enemy; and it is better to help than do nothing."
Arthur grinned fondly and kissed Merlin's cheek. "That's my Merlin." He gazed lovingly into Merlin's eyes as the ocean blue eyes raised to meet his with a certain shyness. It amazed Arthur, how Merlin could be so... innocent from simple praises. It warmed his heart to realize it was Arthur himself who had this effect on Merlin.
Merlin, for his part, raised himself a bit to plan a firm kiss on Arthur's lips; enjoying the small sound of surprise. The warlock had seen how his lover had started thinking, and it had been amusing, surprising him like this. Then, he let his head fell back on Arthur's chest and started talking again.
"So, we went to help. You fought, and I discreetly used magic when the first bandit got up again. I made a branch fall on him."
Arthur quirked his lips upward in a small smile. "Ah... The stroke of luck."
Merlin grinned. "Yeah." Then his mood soured a bit. "You were under Sophia's charm right away, and it wasn't an enchantment then."
Arthur smirked, but his softening eyes betrayed the small warmth Merlin's obvious unhappiness-and even jealousy-brought to the king. "She might have caught my eyes this day, but she never held my heart."
Merlin smiled again. "You were too good for her." He affirmed, refusing to blush at his praise of Arthur. It was true in a sense; she had needed a spell to make Arthur seemingly in love with her. "We brought them to Camelot, and your father welcomed them. And Sophia still played being charming." Merlin grumbled. Then he sighed, admitting honestly. "Though, at that time I didn't know what she planned, and all I saw was you and her being attracted. It was cute..."
Arthur blinked, pleasantly surprised. "So, it made you happy?" He guessed.
Merlin nodded. "We were friends already, though I can't say for sure if I felt something for you back then. All I wanted was for you to be happy, and I saw you happy when you court her."
Arthur hummed, his heart swelling. "I'm just glad it didn't go far. I'm happy now, more than with anyone else."
Merlin smiled up at Arthur, his eyes gentle and full of love. He had always wanted the best for Arthur, and even when he had realized he felt more than friendship, Merlin had still wanted Arthur happy-even if he hadn't thought he could be the one to make him happy. Hope for mutual feeling had arisen as Arthur and he had grown closer after Morgana's betrayal was revealed; and now... Now Merlin felt glad to be able to love Arthur fully, and be loved in return.
"Me too, Arthur." Then, Merlin started his tale again. "It was kind of funny you know, how you went from 'put her next room' to 'put her far away' with a single of mine."
Arthur blushed slightly. "Oh, shut up."
Merlin smirked. "That's what you said too back then." He received a small hit on his butt for that, making him squeak. He glared up at Arthur, pouting slightly.
Arthur just kissed him softly, nipping at his bottom lips. "Go on, love."
Merlin stuck out his tongue for good measure before actually continuing. "In the end, you asked her to be put in the room next to yours." He paused a bit, recalling how cute he had found his master this day. It had been why he had wanted to help him court Sophia; to see this slightly vulnerable Arthur. "You should know... The first time Morgana saw Sophia, I was here, and Morgana asked me who she was. She seemed worried, and she affirmed Sophia couldn't stay here."
Arthur frowned in puzzlement. "Why would she..?"
"I wondered too. I asked if she was alright, and she just put back a smile and answered yes. I learned later that she had dreamed of Sophia drowning you."
Arthur winced. "Did it... happen?"
Merlin looked up. "Almost. But let's keep things in order." Arthur nodded. "Gaius told me later that Morgana had come to him. She told him she had another dream, where you were under water, drowning; and there was a woman standing over you, watching you die, and that she was here, in Camelot. Gaius told her mind played tricks, but she replied she had the dream before the woman came."
Arthur made a small, "Oh." Then he added, "Sophia." And then, he frowned. "Gaius knew about her visions?"
Merlin nodded. "He had hoped they were only dreams, though he had always feared it wasn't the case. He tried to protect her by not telling her, and by making draughts that kept some of them at bay. But in the end the visions became too powerful to be contained."
Arthur sighed. "Do you think it would have been better if she had known what was happening to her?"
Merlin's whole face saddened. "Maybe. We will never know. But I wish... I could have helped her."
Arthur tightened his arms around Merlin's body, kissing his hairs with affection. "You always ever did what you thought right."
Merlin snuggled to Arthur, finding relief in Arthur's gentleness. He had never known it would feel so good, receiving Arthur's love and comfort.
"Gaius told Morgana she must be mistaken, but she knew what she had seen, and said so." Merlin continued. "Gaius reassured her that they were just dreams, though he still kept in mind that Morgana had seen Sophia kill you. He still told her to not bother Uther with her dream. He said there was no need to worry him, but..."
"It was because he feared my father would realize what her dream meant."
Merlin nodded. "Anyway, the day after, you took out Sophia for a ride. And of course, I couldn't resist to you when said I'll be your friend for life if I covered for you."
Arthur winced. "I do regret it you know... It must not have been pleasant."
Merlin smiled gently. "It wasn't, but you're forgiven."
Arthur grinned and tightened his embrace for a second. "Just out of curiosity, what was the excuse you used?"
"I said you hadn't been sure of your orders and asked me to check if you were riding out, and that I forgot."
Arthur couldn't stop the chuckle. "No wonder he thought you had a mental affliction."
Merlin smiled faintly. "It was a good cover. Though it tended to make me end up in the stock, with your father."
Arthur had the decency to look sorry. "You know... Now that you told me I had been enchanted, I remember... Once we were close to the river, she asked to me wait. I remember her talking, but not what-and at the time I didn't wonder again. She was interrupted by a guard releasing a bolt on us-probably thinking we were bandits. Do you think she had started enchanting me?"
Merlin muttered, "Yeah, probably." The warlock didn't like the idea of Arthur being enchanted, no matter how long ago it was. Especially when it was a love spell.
Arthur noticed, and it made him smile. "Is it me, or you are very much protective of me?"
"Of course I am." Merlin replied fiercely. Then flushed as he noticed the pleased smile on Arthur's face.
"Oh, and she also reacted a bit... badly when I touched her walking staff. Is there a reason?"
"It was a magical staff, that's why."
"Oh. Of course."
Merlin chuckled before taking up the rest of the tale. "Gaius, of course, noticed when I came back with fruits juice." He commented dryly. "He asked me what I had done this time, and I said nothing, that it wasn't my fault. I told him you wanted to get out of patrol and I covered for you and took the blame. He asked if you were prepared to let me do this, and I replied it had been your idea. He wondered why, and I replied Sophia. I told him you were besotted." Merlin frowned. "Though you told me she started enchanting you in the forest... Maybe she had on her a natural enchantment. I wouldn't be surprise, with her being-"
Arthur raised his eyebrows as Merlin snapped his mouth shut. "Yes?"
Merlin smirked. "That is for later."
Arthur groaned.
"Anyway, Gaius seemed suspicious of you being besotted when you two had only just met; though I didn't question it at that time. Gaius told me later that he went to Aulfric's room and saw his staff. He saw the weird writings on it, but Aulfric arrived before he could analyze it much. Aulfric was angry, and his eyes glowed red."
Arthur shuddered. "Oh, I remembered Morgana commenting I liked Sophia. I told her she made it sound as if it was a bad thing, but she said not necessarily-she just had never seen me fall for someone so quickly." He paused, a bit embarrassed. "I told her it was okay to admit it if she was jealous."
"Oh, Arthur!" Merlin chuckled.
"Quiet, you. I know I should have listen a bit more to her. She warned me she just wanted to protect me, that Sophia wasn't what she seems. She told me she had a dream." Arthur sighed. "I hadn't the best reaction... I laughed, thinking she was making it up. Of course, she didn't like it."
Merlin bit his lip; both amused at Arthur's embarrassment, and a bit embarrassed himself for his lover. And, under all that, he felt sad for Morgana. He could see it in his king's eyes too, how the blond felt bad for having laughed at Morgana's face.
"I could believe it when I saw you dressed." Merlin started, taking the tale away from Arthur and his embarrassment. "I couldn't believe that you wanted me to cover again, but when you said it had gone well the day before, I couldn't resist again. And I ended up in the stock again."
Arthur smirked, remembering how Merlin had assured he could lie without ending in said stock again. Then he frowned. "You know, it is while we were in the forest that my memories got blurry. I recall... her talking; and then all is a fog."
"We can safely guess it was then she finished enchanting you. As for me, I came back to Gaius all covered in juice. As I told him, one would think the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while, but, oh, no!"
Arthur snorted, then snapped his mouth shut as Merlin growled slightly at him.
"Gaius proceeds to comment you weren't at the knighting ceremony, and I replied you wanted to make the most of your time left with Sophia. Then Gaius told me I shouldn't have helped you, that he feared Sophia wasn't all that she seemed."
"Ah... Now is the time you and him realize there is danger and have to act?"
Merlin chuckled. "You can say that. He asked me what I knew of seers; and I replied I didn't know much, just that they were supposed to be able to see the future. Gaius said it is an innate ability, those who have it are born this way."
"But not like you, right?" Arthur suddenly asked.
Merlin nodded. "I'm not only one born with magic, but I'm the only one who could control it since my first breathes. Anyway, Gaius told me some seers didn't even know they were seeing the future, and that it came in their dreams."
"Morgana."
"Exactly; though he didn't tell me yet. I asked what it got to do with Sophia. He revealed that Morgana had a dream with Sophia inside it, the night before she arrived in Camelot. He admitted then that he had been watching Morgana since she was very young. He tried to persuade himself otherwise, but some of the things she dreamed came to pass. He kept it a secret from your father of course. The gift of prophecy is too close to magic."
"Of course..." Arthur muttered, both sad and angry.
Merlin soothed his King by kissing his jaws. It was becoming one of his favourite things to do. Once Arthur's sky blue eyes glanced down at him with fondness, Merlin talked again. "I asked if he thought Morgana was a seer, he said he feared so. He told me Morgana dreamed of Sophia killing you. Or well, in fact what looked like it."
At Arthur's questioning eyes, Merlin explained, "Morgana is one of the best seers. Most of what she dreamed happened. But anyone seeing the future has to be careful when interpreting it. It isn't always as it seems. For example, Morgana saw you drowning, but she didn't you dead."
Arthur blinked. "Are you saying I did drown?" Then he frowned. "You speak as if you know..."
"You did." Merlin said, shivering. "I saved you, obviously." Then he glanced away. "I might have seen the future once or twice-with help." He shook his head as Arthur opened his mouth. "Not now."
"Alright." Arthur sighed; though at least he knew he would hear about it at some point.
"I asked if maybe it had just been a dream, maybe the woman Morgana saw had just looked like Sophia. Gaius said it was what he had hoped; but if course things weren't that easy. He told me how Aulfric caught him in Sophia's room and how his eyes turned red. I asked who they were; and he said he wasn't worried about who they were, but what they wanted with you."
Arthur shuddered.
"During the night, I followed Aulfric. He went to lake Avalon."
"The same lake I met my parents earlier?" Arthur asked.
"Yes; it is the gates to Avalon." Merlin smiled. "I kind of know its guardian."
Arthur furrowed his brow in puzzlement, then widened his eyes in understanding. "You are the one who let my parents come and see me?"
Merlin nodded with a gentle smile. "I felt like you needed them."
Arthur just stared, speechless. He felt tears gather in his eyes. The gift of seeing his parents had already touched him so much; but to know Merlin had been behind that, and not just some random event?
Merlin squeaked as Arthur suddenly rolled onto him, pressing Merlin's body on the rug with his own body. Arthur burrowed his nose into Merlin's neck, leaving butterfly kisses on the pale throat. A moan escaped Merlin's mouth, followed by a cry as he felt Arthur's nipping at his neck. His magic surged inside him, making him tremble. He felt sensitive suddenly, each of Arthur's touches enhanced.
Sensing how Merlin's arousal rose from his kisses, Arthur smiled. He raised his head, happy tears still blurring his vision. "Thank you Merlin, for what you did today."
Merlin just stared back into Arthur's loving eyes, unable to stop the kind smile that formed. He raised his hand; caressing lightly Arthur's cheek with such tenderness the blond closed his eyes in bliss. "Anything for you, my king. I love you."
Arthur kissed Merlin's wrist, feeling his pulse with his lips. "And I love you." He placed his head on Merlin's chest, wrapping his arms around his torso. Merlin, in turn, wrapped his own around Arthur's chest, kissing his hairs.
Staying like that, Merlin continued talking, his voice lowering to a soft whisper. "Aulfric yelled he sought an audience with the Sidhe elders, then chanted in a language I didn't know; and magic rippled in the area. The lake turned a soft blue; and small forms of light flew out of it. They were fast, so I slowed down time for my eyes."
"Didn't they notice?" Arthur wondered softly.
Merlin smiled against the blond hairs. "No. I didn't strictly slowed down time, like the first time I saved you. In a sense, what I should say is that I enabled myself to see faster. It was wonderful, you know. There were small blue fairies; and I did catch a glimpse of something inside the lake. I didn't see much, but I understand now I caught a glimpse of Avalon."
Arthur raised his eyes a bit, watching Merlin with awe.
"Aulfric plead for a chance to win passage back at Avalon and a life of immortality. One of the fairies came in front of him and told him his punishment for killing another Sidhe was a mortal body and a mortal life."
"Sidhe?"
"Basically, the fairies. They are a kin that lives in Avalon. Anyway, the Sidhe said Aulfric couldn't return in Avalon. He begged that the crime was his, not his daughter. The Sidhe answered that the gates would stay closed to his daughter unless they offered the soul of a mortal prince."
"I can see where this is heading..."
Merlin chuckled. "Yeah, as you might have guessed, he promised your soul in exchange of an immortal life for Sophia. The Sidhes left, and I had to hide behind the tree because Aulfric turned."
"Close call." Arthur mumbled unhappily.
"Yeah. Though I left without trouble and went straight to talk to Gaius. He is the one who told me I saw Avalon. Gaius was kind of... awed, I think. He asked what it looked like. I asked if it mattered, because they were going to sacrifice you; and we didn't know who they were. Gaius said we did now. He searched about the writings of Aulfric's staff; and found it was an ancient script. He guessed they were Sidhe."
"You mean, Aulfric and Sophia too?"
Merlin nodded. "Gaius said they were master of enchantment; and this was the moment we guessed you were enchanted. We were confirmed the day after. You requested an audience with you father to ask permission to marry Sophia."
Arthur winced. "I do recall faintly asking that. It didn't go well with my father, right?"
"Well, at first he just laughed. He thought you were joking. But you confirmed your intention, and he said you met only two days before. You said again you two were in love. And you said you were going to marry her, without care of what he thought about it."
Arthur winced again.
"Your father said he thought you came to ask for permission. And you replied it was just out of courtesy. Your father called the guards to prevent you two from leaving. He said you forgot whose court you were in, and you replied he wouldn't stop you. He called for Sophia and Aulfric's arrest; and said to inform the executioner would be needed the morning after."
"He really took it bad..." Arthur sighed. "I know I was enchanted, but I can't believe..."
"That he would just kill someone because you loved them?"
Arthur nodded. "He almost did it again with Gwen. I never understood why he rebelled to me being in love."
Merlin smiled sadly. "He seemed to believe marriage wasn't about love."
Arthur looked at Merlin intensively and said, "But it is."
Merlin just blushed, and started his take again. "You said he couldn't do this, and he answered that he could; and that he would if you didn't show him some respect. You didn't say anything, which I think meant you were backing down. He asked for them to be released; and told you that you had your whole life ahead of you. That Sophia might your first love, but she wouldn't be the only one; and to enjoy yourself while you could."
Arthur looked a bit surprised. "I wouldn't have thought he could say things like that..."
Merlin shrugged. "Your father did love you; he thought doing the good thing for you."
Arthur hummed, shifting a bit. Merlin smiled and rolled slightly, smirking when he heard Arthur letting out a sound very close to a squeak in his surprise. They end up face to face, both on their side. Arthur glared when he saw Merlin's smirk, and urged him to continue.
"I went after you, when you left the throne room. I found you in armour and packing. You told me to get out; though of course I stayed. I told you the king had been harsh."
Arthur smiled fondly. "Trying to cheer me up?"
Merlin flushed. "Well yes."
Arthur noticed Merlin didn't talk again. "Merlin... Why have you stopped?"
Merlin glanced down. Arthur shifted closer, pressing their chest together as he wrapped his arm around Merlin's waist. Both had their head lying on the rug; and Arthur kissed Merlin's nose. Merlin wrinkled his nose and smiled faintly.
"I just... You were enchanted and..."
Arthur's eyes saddened a bit. "Did I say something?" Merlin nodded after some hesitation. "Tell me, Merlin. How many times will I have to ask you to share everything?" He said fondly.
Merlin looked back into his eyes with a small smile. "You first said you didn't need sympathy, especially from me. I told you your father had a point; and you said you ordered me to get out. I started telling you I knew you thought you were in love with Sophia; and you asked who I were to tell you what you thought. I replied I was your friend."
Arthur fumed against what his past self already said, but Merlin's unconscious pained eyes warned him the worst was to come. "What did I say then?"
"You said... No, that I was your servant."
This broke Arthur's heart. Even then, Arthur saw Merlin as his friend. He could see it had hurt Merlin, despite Arthur being enchanted. And it hurt Arthur too. The king leaned in, brushing his lips to Merlin's with tenderness. Merlin eagerly reacted, catching Arthur's top lips with his. The kiss was apology, and reassurance both. A last moment before putting in the past this sad memory of their past.
When they parted, Merlin smiled at Arthur before tucking his head beneath Arthur's chin. Arthur rolled on his back, and Merlin followed-both finding themselves in the position they had settled on for most of the tale now.
After listening to Arthur's heart for a bit, Merlin talked anew. "I didn't let it stop me; I told you that you didn't know what you were doing. I told you that you were enchanted. Of course, Aulfric and Sophia chose that moment to come inside. Sophia told you that she had warned you people would want to keep you two apart."
Arthur wrinkled his nose in distaste. "What did I say?" He wanted to know what his enchanted self was like, but above all; he wanted to know if he had said hurtful things again."
"You just smiled you knew and that you wouldn't let it happen. I warned you not to listen to her, that she was controlling you. She told you that you could elope together, get away from Camelot and the people. I changed tactics and told Aulfric I saw him. I told you they planned to sacrifice you. Aulfric scoffed and asked you if you let your servant talk to your guest this way."
Arthur muttered, "Of course, especially when said guests deserved it."
Merlin smirked slightly. "Good to know I can chomp off the head of anyone who look you the wrong way."
Arthur chuckled. "Just don't scare them to death." He teased lightly; somehow convinced Merlin could scare anyone if he wanted to.
Merlin hummed and then continued his tale. "I told Aulfric I knew what they were going to do because I followed him to the lake and heard everything. I asked you to believe me then."
Arthur winced. "I guess it didn't go well?"
Merlin turned thoughtful. "Actually... I think... Yes, you weren't answering, hesitating. I believe... that you did hear me through the enchantment. I don't know if it was my magic subconsciously acting or our bond, but you were listening to me."
Arthur was surprised; however it soon turned to a pleased smirk. "Well, it seems like we always had a strong soul bond, love."
Merlin blushed slightly, glancing down as he smiled with small delight. "I believe so too." He whispered reverently. He looked up again as Arthur urged him up, and let out a small noise as his King kissed his nose.
"So, what did happen?" Arthur asked.
Merlin settled back comfortably on his chest. "Sophia said not to listen to me. She wanted to go, to leave this night. I told you she was going to kill you; that she planned to sacrifice you for a life of immortality and that if you went with her you would die. It was quite obvious you were confused and fighting back the enchantment. You said it didn't make sense because you were in love. Though it felt like you questioned it yourself. I told you they were magical beings; and I told you to look at the writings on their staff." Merlin sighed. "That's when I did a mistake."
Arthur raised an eyebrow in question.
"I went to grab for Aulfric's staff, but it angered him and his eyes glowed red. I told you to look at his eyes, to see. What I didn't realize until you turned toward me with red eyes is that he was strengthening the enchantment."
Arthur winced.
"I realized I was kind of cornered, so I tried for a run. But Aulfric pointed his staff at me and chanted in the Sidhe language. A bolt of energy hit me and threw me against the wall."
"What?" Arthur shrieked. "Did it hurt you a lot?"
"Well..." Merlin blushed sheepishly. "I believe my magic actually saved me. I think it was a fatal blow. But I just ended up unconscious."
Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Was it what you mean when you said your magic protected you?"
Merlin nodded. "It is one of the times it protected me."
The king, hearing this, wondered how many time his lover had faced danger and almost didn't come out victorious. Honestly, Arthur didn't like it.
"I was awakened by Gaius. He told me later Morgana had seen you leave with Sophia and Aulfric; and she had rushed to tell Gaius. He asked her if she trusted him, and he told her he would take care of it. He found me in your chambers. He helped me get up, though all I was thinking of was to go after you." Merlin giggled. "And that I was wondering what was the buzzing noise."
Arthur laughed despite the climax of the story coming to a close.
"Gaius told me I couldn't go in this state, and that I owed to my powers I survived. I told him you would die if I didn't go. He couldn't very well stop me after that. He just asked me to be careful." Merlin smiled with embarrassment. "I do think I went first for the window."
"Oh, only you, Merlin. Only you."
Merlin chuckled. "So, I chased after Aulfric and Sophia, rushing at the lake Avalon. I knew you three would be there. When I arrived, Aulfric was chanting, and Sophia was watching you as you were drowning." He recalled with a shiver.
Arthur tightened his grip. "Morgana's vision." He realized.
"Yes. From what I know, when Morgana or I saw the future, it always came to pass. Though, it wasn't always as we thought. Like with Sophia, Morgana saw you drowning with Sophia above you, but nothing showed you dying. It was only her that assumed."
Arthur nodded in understanding; curious to hear when Merlin had seen the future-but knowing it wasn't a tale for now.
"My blood ran cold at the sight, and I used a spell to call Sophia's staff toward me. Then I used it to... disintegrate Aulfric. And then Sophia."
Arthur whistled. "They got you angry?"
"Kind of. I was angry, but above all I knew I had only a few minutes to save you. I didn't hesitate to get into the lake of search for you." Merlin shuddered. "It was one of the worst minute of my life, I couldn't find you right away. Though in the end I caught you and brought you up."
Arthur could understand the feeling. He still remembered how he had felt when Merlin had been hit with the Dorocha. He pushed Merlin closer to kiss his cheek. "You saved me in the end." His lips turned upward in a smile. "And you and Gaius made me believe you hit me with a lump of wood!"
Merlin laughed, remembering Arthur's face during this conversation. "We were only too happy you didn't want anyone to know!"
Arthur growled. "Admit it, you and Gaius said this to make sure I didn't want anyone to know."
Merlin smiled too sweetly. "Of course not my Lord! Beside, you avenge yourself by making me lie to the king again!" He glowered.
Arthur coughed, knowing he was guilty of that. "At least it created the idea you had a mental affliction; which helped you in the past, from what I came to understand."
Merlin pouted. "Yeah alright; but it wasn't nice getting pelted with fruits again! And potatoes, Arthur. Potatoes!"
Arthur chortled in mirth at that, gaining a slap on the arm from Merlin. The warlock grumbled slightly, before ending his tale. "Morgana came during the evening, saying she had troubled nights. She told us you said to her what 'actually' happened. I felt a bit sad to lie to her too; but Gaius said she couldn't find out the truth. I asked why not, as she helped save you. He said that if your father found out, things would never be the same again. It had to stay a secret."
Arthur sighed. "He was probably right, but for some reason... I'm not sure he would have executed her on spot."
"Honestly, I don't think so too." Merlin recalled how Uther had asked of Gaius to heal Morgana with magic; but it wasn't a tale for now. Then he added, "I asked if she was life me, if she could use magic. Gaius answered no one was like me."
For some reason, Arthur felt like it hadn't helped too much Merlin at that time to hear that; to know you were alone even in the magical world. Arthur swore that no matter what, he would make sure Merlin realized he was never alone, and that he had his rightful place at Arthur's side-and in Arthur's heart.
"I asked if she had the gift; and Gaius said that for her sake, he hoped not." Merlin sighed sadly. "We know how that turned to be..."
Arthur sighed as well and nodded. Then he smiled faintly. "Tell me about the next story?"
To be continued...
