Arthur parked the car and hoisted Merlin out. As Arthur put him down Merlin ambled over to Gwaine, sliding his hand into Gwaine's. It made Gwaine jump and he looked down into Merlin's concerned blue eyes. He gave Merlin's hand a light squeeze.
"I'm all right Merlin."
Merlin shuffled closer, leaning against him. Arthur turned and dropped a hand onto Merlin's head. Merlin smiled up at them both.
"Come on then," Arthur announced, leading the way.
"I think that's them in the beer garden," Gwaine mused as they approached the pub.
"Okay, let's go this way," Arthur said.
"It's the long way round, and misses the bar," Gwaine said irritably, not wanting to walk and more than likely wanting a stiff drink after seeing his mother. Arthur however knew one stiff drink might lead to another, plus, he had something else he wanted to add.
"I want to ask you something."
"What?" Gwaine asked with suspicion. Arthur looked down at Merlin and smiled in reassurance before he looked back to Gwaine. Gwaine saw Merlin smile back then he turned his eyes on Gwaine with interest, as if he knew what Arthur might ask.
"What your mum said made me think. Do you think it's possible for people to have magic and not realise it? That they would be good at something, so randomly maybe, and be doing something deeper than on the surface. Like what she said about Balinor, that he could have brought that plant back to life. I mean, he just always seems to know what to do."
Gwaine frowned. "Like a subconscious thing?"
Both of them stopped walking as they reached the gate to the beer garden. They were not in sight of the others. Merlin paused between them looking from one to the other, as if he was profoundly interested in the conversation.
"Yeah, I suppose."
"Well, people used to say that, they had 'magic'. But people stopped using it, as if they are afraid to say it. I know it didn't always mean anything but what if it did. There's no shame in it Arthur, you know that." Gwaine looked down at smiled at Merlin. "Doesn't he, Little Guy? I like that," Gwaine said, looking back up at Arthur. "What Percival calls him."
Arthur felt Merlin's weight lean a little more heavily on him but he smiled at Gwaine, then he brought up Teddylot to hide himself.
"So you don't think that would be weird?"
"No, people are naturally good at things. It might be that they are just naturally good. People that work at stuff get good as well, that could be a magic in itself, the time and effort you put into something. Let's face it, Lancelot isn't great at writing, but he's good now 'cos he worked at getting over his dyslexia."
"I don't think you 'get over it', Arthur said.
"You know what I mean. Hard work could be magic. Maybe you could do that, the effort all builds up to cause the magic. Deep thoughts for a Sunday lunch. What's up with you?"
"Nothing, just... idle thoughts."
Gwaine gave him a knowing look and then glancing down winked at Merlin.
"Yeah, right." He turned on his heel and ambled into the beer garden, leading Merlin as he did so.
"Buenos dias amigos!"
The group waiting in the beer garden were treated to the sight of Arthur and Gwaine swinging their arms to lift Merlin into the air, with Teddylot securely tucked under Arthur's other arm.
Uther looked at Gwaine disapprovingly. "That's means 'good morning', Buenos Tardes would be more appropriate."
Gwaine snorted and as Merlin's dropped they lifted him, swinging him closer to the table.
"Doesn't sound as good," Gwaine announced.
Merlin giggled as he jumped and the two men obligingly swung him upwards. Merlin's feet flailed in the air and then dropped with a thud a short distance away from the table. Merlin beamed.
"Hello," Balinor, being nearest to Merlin, said. Having reacquired Teddylot Merlin waved one of his arms. Then he scurried round to sit in the seat next to Arthur, with Morgana on the other side. Gwaine slid into the gap between Hunith and Uther.
"Everything all right?" Uther asked looking at Gwaine.
"Fine," Gwaine said, as he always did. There had never been any other answer to that question. He had no desire to talk about his feelings on the subject of his mother and the struggle he had to come to terms with her illness.
"We've all decided what to order, we're just waiting for you."
Arthur took the pub menu, casting his eyes over it, mainly lingering on the section of children's meals for Merlin. He turned the menu so Merlin could look at it.
"What would you like Merlin? Fish fingers? Sausages? Burger?"
Arthur started to run through the options, Merlin listening and reading the words on the menu as Arthur pointed to them. As Arthur got to the end he looked down at Merlin, who stared up at him with wide eyes.
"What are you having, Arthur?" Balinor asked, realising Merlin was waiting to see what Arthur would have before deciding himself. Arthur scanned the menu again.
"I could have the roast I suppose but probably my usual, the gourmet burger," Arthur said, guessing the same thing. Merlin pouted again and then pointed.
"You want a burger?"
Merlin nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, I think I will too. Extra cheese on mine," Arthur added. As Balinor glanced at Merlin the little boy shook his head.
"No extra cheese for Merlin."
Merlin beamed again, looking around curiously. He seemed to have lost his fear of being in new places, especially if he was surrounded by the people he knew. They had made the effort to get him out and about, although, previously they had chosen places a little further out, with less chance of people recognising them. However, they had always regularly come out to lunch at the pub and most of the locals had probably accepted their seclusion since Merlin's arrival, while they focussed on the little boy. Uther didn't think this was a time to shy away, especially since several of the locals had been at the party the previous night. They had all seen Merlin, some of them watching him curiously for some of the time, and all they could really see was a little boy.
But coming here, the day after the party, was a tradition, and Uther thought he should stick to it. Although he was careful around the village, he was known, and they did feel a level of protectiveness towards him, and the Pendragon family, ever since they had lorded over the lands around them. Things had changed since those medieval times but Uther always thought to set an example and didn't want anyone to think he was changing that. So there they sat with Merlin in their midst and not a single resident enjoying the same sunny day saw anything other than a family day out. Merlin fitted in with them, he was part of the family, Uther thought to himself. That poor, terrified, little boy had faded away and in it's place there was a child growing in confidence as he started to understand the world around him. For a while he could feel safe, until the wider world stuck it's claws in. Uther had prepared his son, and his adopted daughter for that, and he would do the same for Merlin.
As if realising his thoughts Merlin looked from Arthur to him, beaming as he confirmed just how happy and safe he felt. He looked around at the rest of them, seeming to be so pleased, but again Merlin's gaze returned to Arthur.
"So, we have the order, I'll go and add those, you wants drinks?" Uther said, rising to his feet.
"Yes, please," Gwaine said, standing up at the same time. With a curt nod Uther agreed to let Gwaine follow along, understanding the need for Gwaine to let off some steam, but it would be tightly controlled.
"Pint for me. Juice for Merlin?" Arthur looked down at Merlin for confirmation. Merlin nodded again, then he looked around at the beer garden, peering at the nearby flowers and then his eyes drifted further away, staring at the climbing frame on the edge of the garden. Children were swarming over the ladders and ropes, several of them screaming in delight as they went down the slide. Merlin watched them, a slight frown on his face as they laughed and giggled amongst themselves. Merlin slowly turned his head to look up at Arthur.
"Do you want to go and play later, after lunch?"
Merlin's wide eyes drifted back to the scene, and uncertainty crossed Merlin's features, but he stared so longingly at the scene. He had probably not seen children playing together before, and had perhaps never joined in.
"We'll do that. I'll come with you."
Again Merlin's gaze drifted, a slight frown on his face as he watched. There was something in his eyes that caused all of them to pause and watch. For the most part, Uther had evaded the truth of what had happened to Merlin, but now and again the rest of the family worked out what he might have avoided saying. All of them wondered, had Merlin ever been allowed to interact with other children. Arthur, and Hunith to some extent, thought of those two days Merlin had gone to school. At that moment they both looked up and glanced at each other and Arthur acknowledged, they probably had the same thought. Merlin had never interacted with anyone of his age, even they had only put him in that position for that short space of time.
They had made a mistake with that. These children, the village children, would be kinder. They would be curious, over a newcomer in their midst but their parents knew the Pendragons, many of the children had come and played in the pool at the house, as Uther ran sessions in the summer, plus he opened up the tennis courts and the grounds. In a week or so the summer holidays would start and they would be expecting that. The children always enjoyed themselves, and Merlin, Uther hoped, would be able to join in.
Arthur decided it would be good to let Merlin interact. Or at least have a little play. Reaching out he ruffled Merlin's hair affectionately.
"Burger first, then play."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Merlin looking increasingly apprehensive as Arthur led him over to the play area. Gwaine trailed behind them eating an ice cream sundae. As they reached the outside edge Merlin hesitated staring at the children as they ran around, yelling at each other and jumping exuberantly. Their behaviour was something which Merlin had never exhibited, and presumably at the care home he had never done so.
"You don't have to Merlin," Arthur said. He didn't want to force him. Maybe just looking at would be good for Merlin. They stood there for several minutes, Gwaine standing on Merlin's other side eating ice cream noisily, Arthur glared at him, Gwaine as usual looked unrepentant. A tug on his hand distracted him as Merlin inched forward, one hand reaching up to take hold of the railings that circled around the play area. Merlin chewed on his lower lip, watching children as they clambered up and went down the slide. Merlin's eyes also settled on the woman who reached out to catch a little girl as she went down the slide.
Arthur did nothing, instead he followed Merlin as he inched his way around the fencing and tentatively eased his way through the gate. He stared about looking nervous but awestruck. A boy, a little smaller than Merlin slid off the nearest bit of equipment, a cow seat on a spring that rocked back and forth. Merlin eased towards it, looking it over carefully, and then glancing up at Arthur.
"Come on then," Arthur said. "Have a go."
He didn't know if it was too young for Merlin. Most of the toys he liked at the moment were for children younger than Merlin. He had probably never played on things like this either so Arthur didn't see the problem. He didn't care what anyone else made of it. Quite tentatively Merlin clambered on, he didn't release Arthur's hand, which made the procedure slightly difficult, but Arthur didn't try to free himself. In the end Merlin made it onto the seat, shifting about tentatively, his eyes widening as it started to rock, his free hand grabbed for the handle and his hand tightened on Arthur's. Crouching down Arthur let Merlin settle and then work out how to make it rock.
Merlin looked baffled for a moment, the seat idly moving as he looked around at everything else. Several children swarmed over the climbing frame and played on the swings. One little boy clambered over the small assault course area with a small dark haired girl in tow before they hurtled off towards the climbing frame. Merlin watched it all with wide eyes before turning his attention back to what he was doing. He put a bit more effort into the movement and gave a giggle. Arthur smiled, still holding Merlin's hand, as he rocked back and forth.
After a little while Merlin seemed to tire of that, he shuffled off and ambled towards the assault course made of various wooden obstacles. He settled for carefully climbing onto a wooden beam, balancing carefully, until they heard the yelp of shock.
Merlin's head whipped round and his reaction was instantaneous, running on instinct. The girl halted in mid air as Merlin's eyes flashed gold. The little boy sensed the world around him slow down, as his mind's eye activated, every action easy to consider. Reaching out Merlin caught the dark haired girl, so she hung suspended, half a metre above the ground, her arms flailing in panic, until she realised her odd position.
Arthur felt the tension in Merlin's hand as he clung on. Watching carefully he could see the strain on Merlin's face as he exerted his power. The children and parents froze with shock, and Arthur felt Merlin's sway as he wavered on his feet. Gwaine dived forward, reaching down to loop his arm around the girl's waist. She gave a little gasp of shock.
"It's all right," Gwaine said to her, and then raised his voice. "I've got her Merlin."
He felt the sudden increase in pressure as Merlin released his mental hold. He sagged down and Arthur grabbed him around the waist to steady him and lift him off the wooden beam, placing him down on the floor. Gwaine took the girl's weight, controlling her drop and swinging her to set her down on her feet.
"Freya!"
Gwaine let her go and stepped back to allow the girl's mother to run forward. Freya looked undisturbed, holding her arms out as if testing her balance. The woman crouched down in front of her; a little boy, slightly older, ran along behind her, looking apprehensive.
"Are you all right, Freya?"
"I floated Mummy!"
The mother turned to the boy.
"What was she doing up there?"
"Will dared me," Freya piped up.
The woman glared at the little boy, who bit down on his lip.
"No harm done," Gwaine announced amiably. "Thanks to Merlin."
Wobbling a little, and leaning against Arthur, Merlin shuffled forward, with Arthur in tow. Merlin peered around, feeling acutely aware of the people watching.
"Everything all right?" Arthur asked.
"I floated," Freya repeated. Her mother looked up at Arthur.
"Merlin," he said in explanation. "He has magic, he stopped her falling and hurting herself."
Freya's mother looked at him nervously. Gwaine scraped the last of the ice cream out of his sundae glass and offered it to Merlin.
"Come on, that will perk you up."
Merlin obligingly opened his mouth.
"Magic?" Freya's mother asked.
"Yes," Arthur said.
"Cor... what like superpowers?" Will asked peering up at Arthur from under his dark blond fringe, wrinkling in nose in confusion.
"I suppose," Arthur said.
"Are you all right Freya?" her mother asked again.
"Yes," Freya said absently far more interested in Merlin.
"No more climbing, I told you. You shouldn't have listened to your brother. What if Merlin hadn't been there to help?"
Arthur smirked to himself. Freya's eyes widened. Will inched his way around his mother, also staring at Merlin with wide eyes.
"Can you do that all the time?" Will demanded. Merlin shook his head, turning his face to hide himself in Arthur's leg. Arthur petted his head.
"No," he told Will. "It makes Merlin tired if he does too much."
Will appeared to ponder this for a moment.
"We can pretend instead," he announced reaching out to take Merlin's free hand and tug him away from Arthur. Merlin hesitated, his hand tightening on Arthur's for a moment.
"I'm not sure I should let you, young man."
Will turned to his mother in horror. "But I want to play with Merlin!"
The wail caused Merlin to turn his head, and look at his hand, grasped in Will's, with mild surprise.
"I want to too!" Freya said shuffling away from her mother and over to Will and Merlin. Will tugged on Merlin's hand.
"Come on, we can play superheroes."
"Me too!" Freya said finally evading her mother.
"But you're a girl!" Will said.
"What's that got to do with it?" Gwaine said. "There's Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Catwoman..."
"I want to be Catwoman," Freya announced.
Arthur gave Merlin's hand a reassuring squeeze and he smiled down at a baffled and frightened looking Merlin. Merlin's gaze moved from Arthur to Will as the boy gave another pull, looking confused.
"Go on, you go and play," Arthur said.
"And you play nicely," Will's mother ordered him sternly.
"I will. Come on Merlin."
Still looking uncertain Merlin allowed himself to be pulled away from Arthur. He gave the blond man a slightly anxious look, and Arthur gave him a reassuring smile, before Will gave another insistent pull. Freya dashed up to them and grabbed Merlin's other hand and both children pulled Merlin away across the play area.