The Truth of a Legend

Chapter 1

It's like you're screaming,

And no-one can hear.

You almost feel ashamed,

That someone can be that important.

That without them,

You feel like nothing.

You feel hopeless,

Like nothing can save you.

And when it's over,

And it's gone.

You almost wish you can have the bad stuff back,

Just so you can have the good as well.

.:Arthur:.

Thunder rumbled angrily at him, the deep throaty sound, resonating within his body and making his bones quake in fear. Why was it angry? What had he done to make the sky so angry at him? The questions chased themselves around his mind while the answers danced just out of reach. He felt sluggish, like he was trying to drag his limbs through water. He tried to shake off the blackness, to open his eyes to the world and ask the sky why. What he could do to appease it. But then the lightning answered, its light blazing through the sky and setting his world aflame.

Now he was burning, the flames licking up his body and searing his skin. His heart thudded painfully against his chest, almost as if it was trying to break free. He wanted to scream and thrash and fight, to flee the feeling coursing through him.

"Arthur"

The voice made his whole body still, ears probing to find the source of the voice. But his eyes found it before his ears. A pair of golden eyes stared back at him from through the flames, pinning Arthur with his gaze.

"It's going to be alright" the voice echoed. "It's going to be alright."

Arthur snapped awake. His body was quivering beneath the blankets, sweat rolling down his shoulder blades and breath coming out in short panting gasps.

He let out a groan that turned into a sigh as his head fell into waiting hands. The feeling of helplessness would fade, as it did every morning. But for the first few minutes of waking, Arthur felt the weight of everything pressed down on his shoulders and it was all he could do to breathe through it.

"It's going to be alright"

He scoffed at the phrase. When had it ever been alright?

Something warm and wet nudging against his hand brought Arthur's head up and a smile to tug at the corners of his mouth.

"Morning Boy" he said, giving the Springer Spaniel a pat on the head.

Thunder rumbled now distantly.

"How'd you get in here?"

The flames died down to embers.

Boy's warm brown eyes gazed up at him innocently as his tail began to thump against the post of Arthur's bed.

Golden eyes faded back into the darkness.

"Come on then" Arthur said, flinging his covers off of him. Boy bounded off the bed, tail wagging and a happy bark resounding around the room. The blonde gave a laugh, before hurrying over to the wardrobe and grabbed the first hoodie and tracksuit bottoms he could find.

Boy continued to bound around the room as Arthur tried unsuccessfully to dress. Brushing against his legs briefly the dog would give another insistent bark before pouncing over towards the door but only to return to Arthur's side a second later.

"Boy, calm down. I'll get dressed quicker if you weren't getting in the way." Arthur laughed.

Finally managing to fit his head through the correct hole and not the one allotted for his arm, Arthur grinned at Boy. The Springer was now sitting still, but his whole body trembled with excitement.

"Come on then."

Boy leapt to his feet, turning to the door and giving an insistent whine.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming."

Heaving one last sigh, Arthur left his room, closing the door softly behind him as he walked out to face the day.

It has to be alright.

Scenery flashed passed him as he drove his muscles harder and faster than was probably wise. Boy ran beside him, his face looking like a picture of pure bliss. Occasionally the dog would scare up a pheasant or give chase to a rabbit and Arthur wouldn't see him again for five minutes or so. But he always returned to his side, tongue lolling out and what Arthur thought of as his happy grin on his face.

The dog always seemed to have endless energy, keeping pace with him even at some of the harsher paces he set, when he just felt the need to run and run, until nothing was left except the burn of his muscles.

Today was one of those days. The tarmac past beneath him in a blur and he didn't even acknowledge the townspeople, out walking their own dogs or just out for a morning stroll. Instead he focused on keeping his breathing as even as possible, on the ache in his ankles every time they hit against the harsh terrain, and on the pounding of his heart. Every beat, every breath, every pain told him he was alive. That he was still here, awake and healthy and just alive.

Yet he shouldn't have been. He should be just dust on the wind or food for the earth.

Arthur forced his legs to go faster.

Everyone had gone.

His breath came out in ragged gasps.

He was the only one left.

An elderly couple looked shocked as he raced past.

Merlin.

Arthur slammed into the front door, hands splayed against the wood as he heaved into his lungs as much air as he could. Boy gave a worried whine, nudging his nose against his Master's hand.

Forcing his breathing to calm, Arthur tried to bring himself together. It wouldn't be good for anyone to see him like this.

"Sorry Boy" he finally muttered when he felt a bit more in control. He gave the canine a shaky smile, before opening his door.

"Ah Arthur, you're back. Sorry I missed you this morning"

George's face popped around a door wearing a relieved expression.

Arthur smiled at the ageing man. "Sorry George. I felt the weather was going to turn, so I decided to go out for my run early"

George gave a disapproving sound but otherwise let the comment slide as he looked at the sun beaming in through the window.

"Well anyway, I've set up breakfast in the East parlour"

Arthur's stomach gave a sound of approval. George smirked as Arthur's cheeks coloured slightly. Boy gave a bark, obviously thinking it had gone too long without getting any attention.

"Thank-you. I'll be down after I've had a shower." Arthur's own smirk grew. "In the mean time, I think Boy here would appreciate some breakfast and maybe a bath"

Geogre's smile slipped off of his face and he turned to glare at the blonde. Boy wagged his tail happily, spraying the walls with mud and water.

"Of course" George said through gritted teeth, eyeing the dog with narrowed eyes.

Arthur merely chuckled before heading off up the stairs.

.:Merlin:.

"Jennifer!" Merlin shouted as he ran towards the quickly disappearing dark haired head. The Glasgow crowds swarmed around him, intent on their mission of getting to their destination as quickly as possible, be it the next shop or just home.

"Jen!" he called again and pushed past a group of giggling teenaged girls, before he lost sight of his friend completely in the crowds. He was rewarded for his efforts when the girl ahead of him paused briefly, swivelling her head to look around.

He frantically waved his arm to try and grab her attention, as he slowed to a walk. Jennifer's eyes spotted him, lighting up before she too pushed her way through the crowd towards him.

"Merlin what are you doing here?" she said surprised when she finally reached him.

Panting slightly, Merlin smiled at her, gesturing with his hands for her to wait while he caught his breath. A small smile tugged at the dark skinned girl's lips at the sight of her friend, breathing heavily.

"You know Merlin, you really should go to the gym more often" she commented amusement glinting in her eyes.

Merlin glared at her, now feeling like he could talk normally again. "As if I have time for that" he scoffed thinking of his workload especially with what had just happened. "I actually have some good news, got time for a coffee?"

"As long as you're paying" Jen said already turning to head towards the centre where she knew there was a Costa shop.

Merlin fell into step beside her. "Why should I pay, when I have all those student loans to pay off?" he teased. "Surely the one with her own business, should be the one to cough up"

Jen scowled. "Struggling, just opened business" she corrected.

"Oh come now, soon you'll have the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Kylie queuing to get one of your gowns"

"Really Merlin, Kylie? What have you been listening to these past 22 years?"

"Ummm" Merlin felt his cheeks begin to colour. "You know, stuff"

Jen scoffed again, but this time covering up a laugh. "Stuff, really. Never heard of them" she grinned up at him. "Ah Merlin, never change. You're adorable in your uniqueness"

More colour rose to his cheeks but thankfully he was saved from replying as they entered the coffee shop.

"You go find a table, I'll order us the coffee" he said. "Cappuccino right?"

Jennifer gave him a small nod, already beginning to meander her way through the squashy armchairs and footstalls that littered the floor.

The shop was busy, as it always was on a sunny Saturday. As he ordered the two coffees, he took a look around at the shoppers and families out. It never ceased to amaze him that even if it was freezing outside, if the sun was out the Scots seemed to always take this as an opportunity to wear as little clothing as possible. Their were many pasty white legs on show today despite it only being February.

Shaking his head, he grabbed the drinks and made his way through the shop to find Jen.

He found her easily enough, sitting down on one of the tables seated outside in Enoch square looking at the many people passing by her.

Placing the drinks down on the table, Jennifer quickly turned her attention onto him. "So what gossip have you got for me?"

Merlin beamed at his friend. "I've got a job"

Jennifer's eyes went wide, her mouth opening slightly in shock. "Merlin! You didn't" a grin spread across her face, until her face adopted a more mortified expression. "I mean, not… not that I didn't think that you would, of course, I knew that you would, but Merlin. That's brilliant"

Merlin grinned at her throughout the mumbling ramble. She never changed. "Thanks" he said then smirked. "I think"

Jennifer playfully slapped his arm. "I mean it, well done. Where is it?"

Merlin's grin slipped a bit. "Well, I know it wasn't what I exactly planned to do with my life. But it's good pay and I would be contributing to the world and it's here in Glasgow so I wouldn't have to leave any of my old life behind." Now it was Merlin's turn to ramble.

"Merlin" Jen scolded lightly. "What is it?"

Merlin sighed. "It's with APD industries"

Jen gasped. "Merlin, you lucky…"

Merlin couldn't help but grin. APD was one of the world's biggest companies, employing people all around the world and leaders in all the latest technology and medical advances. But they also had a reputation of being brutal, doing whatever they could to stay no.1 in the world.

"So what is your job?" Jen asked, now over her shock.

Merlin gave another shy smile. "Well again I know its not what I dreamed of doing when in university, you know, helping people solve murders and catch the killers with my awesome forensic skills, but like I said the money is good and I will be helping people."

"Merlin, just spit it out already will you" Jen said trying not to let out an exasperated sigh.

"It's in the medical department, and I'll just be doing research and probably be the lab rat to begin with. But you never know it may lead to bigger things. They say APD is the world leader in research against cancer." he finished in a rush, hoping his friend would approve.

Jen gave him cheerful smile and Merlin felt the tension leaving his shoulders that he hadn't even knew had been there.

"I'm happy for you Merlin. You'll be great" she said laying a hand on his arm. Merlin gave her a warm smile in return. "Thanks Jen"

TBC...

A/N

Thanks to everyone who favourited and alerted this story, it means a lot that people are giving this a chance. A special shout out to Tagrea who reviewed as well. Thank you so much.

Chapters should get longer as I get into the swing of the fic I just wanted to set up the modern setting.

Notes - Jennifer is a modern variation of Genevieve.

Arthur is staying on the Isle of Arran, which is about an hour's ferry ride mainland Scotland and then a short train ride to Glasgow.

APD industries is completely made up, thumbs up to any one can guess what it stands for (hint, it really is not very original.) Sorry of there are any companies out there called this. It is not in any way affiliated with any of them.

Starting words are taken from the start of Rihanna's music video for We Found Love.