p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"After James' miraculous vomiting disaster, Merlin had been faced with the traumatic struggle of getting Arthur back home. It wasn't late or anything, as they had arrived quite early, but Eden had assured him that the "popular crowd" would be here in an hour or so, and they didn't want to be there when they did. Merlin had glanced at Eden when she said this, ready to ask her to explain, however the worried look on her face was enough to convince him and shut his mouth. It was all very confusing./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"The fact that the soon had to depart had sparked a lot of relentless complaining in both Arthur and their newly found friends, and they all moaned (excluding Eden of course) and begged them to stay. Arthur had said to merlin "Justa few more minutes..." and Merlin had sighed and said yes. Half an hour later, he was still sat on the same chair, pulled away from the big group, and was frowning out of the window, watching the cars streak past./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Eden was fighting another battle with James, as he was the most likely to throw up. She was begging him to stop drinking for a while so his stomach could settle a bit and she could drive him home without the fear of him spewing sick over everyone in the car. She had told him, that if he even burped in her apparently shiny new vehicle, then he would be thrown out into the woods and forced to live a with the squirrels. James said he didn't mind, and that made Merlin chuckle./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"When Merlin had had enough, the conversation had gone spiralling out of control. They were now talking about how Eden would be a hummingbird if she was an animal, and Eden herself ignored them and looked uncomfortable as her eyes kept flicking towards the door. Merlin watched her, his brow furrowing in confusion, and leaned back to the window and looked outside. The street was empty. Eden looked at him and he raised an eyebrow. She shook her head slightly, worry etched onto her impish features and Merlin shifted in his chair to face her. He opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but she swiftly bit her lip and mouthed emI'll /ememtell /ememyou /ememlater/emem. /emMerlin nodded, his mouth set in a grim line. It disturbed him to think what would make Eden squirm like she did./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Switching his mind back to the task at hand, Merlin turned to Arthur. "Arthur," he said with a voice of extreme calm, "I think we need to go now." br /"Shut up, Merlin. I am," he paused dramatically and held up a swaying finger, "the King."br /"I see." grimaced Merlin and threw a dismayed look at Eden as James and Nate snorted. Sam giggled and ruffled Eden's hair, who glared and shook her off. Sam frowned as if scolded. Eden scowled and checked her /"Wassup with you?" asked /"Nothing, I'm just tired and want to go home before it gets too busy."br /"Aw, why?"br /"Because I'm tired and want to go home before it gets too busy." repeated Eden, looking annoyed as she folded her /"Ookay then." muttered Sam, turning away from her friend and leaping back into the conversation gladly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Merlin stared blankly around the bar, and at his new friends. It was strange to be among people (especially nice people) after spending years in a self induced solitary confinement. It was also still weird to see Arthur again, of course. He seemed to be okay, or at least coping with it. Of course he had the tell-tale signs of exhaustion; dark circles around his eyes, drooping shoulders and too frequent yawning, but despite that he seemed...okay. Maybe too okay. That could just be the alcohol, but something seemed off. He emwas /emArthur. He was still the same arrogant, pompous, irritating, degrading, teasing toad that Merlin knew, but he couldn't deny to himself that something was different about the King, and it might not be something good/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Lost in his thoughts, Merlin didn't notice the door opening. However he did notice the screech of Eden's chair as she stood up and disappeared into the bathroom. Merlin frowned and looked up. Just coming through the door were what Merlin assumed was the "popular crowd" that Eden has mentioned earlier. There were four of them, all male except one...girl who was dressed in an outfit made of an unusual material. It was very shiny and very tight, and it showed off what little she had. Two of the males were dressed casually in hoodies and jeans, with expensive trainers and pointless sunglasses hanging from their pockets. Both of them were fairly short, the one in the middle was taller than them, but Arthur and Merlin would of easily towered over all three of them. One of the boys in the hoodies had the girl hanging off his arm, like an accessory. To Merlin's bewilderment, she didn't seem to mind. The taller one was wearing a plain blue shirt, and his hair was sticking up in every direction. He didn't look very intelligent./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"They strode over, the men smiling like they owned the place while the girl giggled. Sam and Nate cut of the conversation, both of them with a look in their eyes that was almost protective. James and Arthur sat there, staring at the group coming towards them. Sam looked annoyed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"The boys pulled up chairs with a grin and set them around the table, squeezing into spaces between Merlin and the others that were way too small to be comfortable. The boys sat down, falling into the seats casually. The taller boy's eyes flickered towards Edens empty chair. The girl in the tight dress frowned slightly as she realised that she couldn't sit next to her...whatever her was, and she walked over to Eden's empty chair. The boy that had the girl hanging of his arm cleared his throat, and the girl looked over, smiling. She walked back towards him as if she had been summoned and she lifted her body over to sit on his lap. It looked very awkward but the not seemed to be pleased. The girl giggled and kissed the boy hard on the mouth, and everyone looked away./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Sam was first to break the tense /"What are you doing here Dent?" she said. The slur from the alcohol she had consumed was still there, but their was a sharpness to her tone that made Merlin think she wasn't as drunk as she'd been /"I'm here to see you guys. You're always here at this time."br /"Eden doesn't want to see you again, Dent. I think she made that clear when she said if you ever came near to her again she'd kick you so hard between the legs that your genitals would come out of your mouth."br /That was so Eden. Merlin would of smiled if the atmosphere at their table wasn't so tense. The boy called Dent looked at Sam as if she was something /"Maybe she's changed her mind. She was infatuated with me."br /"emWas/embeing the relevant word here."br /"You don't know her every thought."br /"But yet I know that she's stubborn. I also know that you should probably be wearing a crotch guard right now."br /Dent sighed "Let me remind you again , emSamantha/emem," /emhe spat her name, "That Eden is capable to fight her own battles."br /"Let me then."said Eden, who appeared behind Dent soundlessly, like a short but extremely angry ghost./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Dent leapt up and faced Eden, a wicked smile on his face. "Hey honey." he /"Not allowed." said Eden, "I dont want you to beg or grovel or plead. You disgust me." br /That's a bit harsh, Merlin thought, his eyes scanned the table. Nate and Sam looked furious, and James looked angry but confused to why he was angry. Merlin's eyes met with Arthur's and Arthur shrugged and raised his eyebrows. emIt's /ememabout /ememto /ememget /ememfun /emhe /Dent put on the show of being wounded. "Eden, please," he began loudly, as if he wanted the whole bar to hear. Eden held up her hand and he fell silent, Merlin saw Arthur /"Let's take this outside, shall we?" she said, obviously not wanting to be /Dent's wicked grin was back and he nodded "But of course." he /Eden went to walk out and Sam stood up, glowering. br /"I'll be fine." was all Eden said before she walked out. Dent followed. Dent's friend went and stood by the door like bodyguards./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Sam collapsed into a chair, and sighed deeply. Not one for subtlety, Arthur said; "What was that about?"br /Nate was the one that answered. "Dent is...something else. He's just...wicked. He is manipulative. Vicious even. He did something to Eden that we, or emyou/em" he looked at Arthur and Merlin, "Never mention."br /"Why? What could be so bad?" asked Merlin. It wasn't in his intentions to be rude, he was only curious, but something in their eyes made Merlin feel as if he'd said something /Sam and Nate were silent. Even James had a look of seriousness on his face. They really weren't playing around. br /"It's not our place to say. If Eden wants you to know, she'll tell you," Sam spoke up, and swallowed, "But don't go pestering her about it, okay? It took her ages to recover and anything could...set her off again. I'm shocked she could even face him again, never mind talk to him. I want to kill him myself."br /"But-"br /"Look, I like you guys. Your fun and you seem like decent people. I know that we were the ones who invited you over, not the other way around, but it's not our decision to tell you about it. Eden is my best friend and I-"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"A shout echoed from outside, cutting Sam off. The entire table spun around, and Nate swore underneath his breath. Outside, Dent had Eden's wrist in his vice-like grip, she was pulling her arm and yelling at him, but Dent just smiled widely and stood there, completely calm. Nobody else in the bar seemed to notice. Sam leapt up and so did Nate. James also got up but he swayed, and almost fell back down again. Arthur got up, frowning and looking angry. Sam and Nate started purposefully towards the door, but both of them were ever so slightly swaying. They were all still drunk, Merlin noted. But they were surprisingly good at hiding it. James and Arthur staggered behind Sam and Nate. Merlin got up and sighed internally. He'd been in enough taverns with Arthur to know where this was going. Merlin ran a hand through his hair and causally followed. Dent's "friends" (and their human accessory) were blocking the doorway. They refused to let Sam and Nate pass, and they both looked like they wanted to kill someone. Arthur and James caught up to them, and began to confront them. Merlin could tell from the way they were standing that they were having a whispered argument. Sam looked angry and frustrated. Arthur tried to walk past, but one of Den't bodyguards (bodyguard one?) stopped him by shoving him back. Arthur turned and raised his eyebrows at Bodyguard one and grinned sarcastically. Merlin was about to shout out, to tell them not to, but Arthur was already wearing his "I am going to win this" facade. Merlin groaned as Arthur swung the punch. It collided with bodyguard one's jaw, snapping his head back and sending him stumbling. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily as he tried to remain conscious. Bodyguard two rushed forwards. He looked furious. James cheered and Sam looked uncomfortable as if she didn't want it to happen, but she still used the opportunity and stormed outside. James followed, and gave a soft kick to bodyguard one's shin as he passed. He looked proud. The other went /br /Merlin, who had been trying to keep his distance, sighed and walked towards the bar's door. Bodyguard one seemed to have recovered, and he could sense that they were about to block his way. Merlin had his head down and his hand in pockets. He smiled. As he approached, he allowed the world around him to slow down. Voices quietened and his steps slowed. He glanced up beneath his eyelashes and saw them shifting ever so slightly shifting their weight to ready themselves to intercept him. Merlin felt the heat beneath his eyes grow. He looked down and used his magic feel their movements. Just as number one's hand began to move, Merlin sent out a soft pulse of magic with his eyes, and the familiar burning feeling began to fade. He created a soft wall between them and him, and it was so thin and delicate that they would not even be able to feel it, they would just feel like their limbs were momentarily to heavy to lift. Merlin sped up the world again and walked past smoothly. It was so easy. The whole thing had only last for two /br /Outside, night had really fallen and the light from the sign of the bar cast shadows across his friends faces. Eden had been released and looked as if she was going to cry. Sam had her arm around her and was trying to make her keep her distance. Dent was grinning widely as his friends walked out, and he looked as if he'd accomplished something. Arthur came to stand by Merlin. Eden removed Sam's hand from her shoulder and walked forwards slowly, as if calculating her next move. Her steps were light and she said nothing. She reached Dent and faced him, her jaw set. Dent /"What darling?" he /"A promise is a promise." Eden murmured simply...and then her foot shot out and she kicked Dent between the legs with all the strength she had. Dent fell to his knees and yelled, clutching his crotch. Everyone froze except Eden, who spun around and began to walk away. Bodyguard two reached for her and she danced out of the way, her face a mask of rage. br /"Don't you touch me." she spat and sun on her heel. Bodyguard two grabbed her shoulder. Merlin winced. All hell was about to break /Nate ran forward and pulled number two off her, shoving him into the wall. Number two pushed himself off the wall and threw a punch. It missed his face but managed to catch his shoulder, and Nate went stumbled. James yelled out. The girl who was formerly hanging off his arm, hurried away into he darkness. Number two went to hit Nate again and James intervened, rushing forwards and slinging his fist into his face. It didn't do anything whatsoever, but Merlin supposed it was a nice gesture. Nate moved to stand next to James and went to hit number two, but he just ducked out of the way. None of them could really fight, but the bodyguards had strength on their side, both Nate and James weren't very muscular. Absorbed in his thoughts, Merlin sense the fist of number one coming towards him until it was to late. He felt the change in the air, and only just managed to turn his head slightly so that he didn't get a shattered nose. The fist slammed into the face and Merlin fell over not to gracefully, gasping in pain. Merlin groaned and leaned against the wall, vaguely aware of what was going on around him. Arthur shouted and number one and pulled him away from Merlin. He faced him off and waited for him to attack. Number one went for another punch but Arthur was in full battle mode and he shifted to the balls of his feet and darted to the side. Number ones knuckles skimmed the was behind him and number one grunted. Arthur moved around number one's body and cracked an elbow into his back, sending him forwards into the wall where his legs tried to support himself. Arthur kicked the back of his knee and it collapsed him into the wall where his head smacked into the surface. He groaned and didn't try to get up. Arthur grabbed Merlin's arm and pulled him up. Merlin smiled /"My hero." he said, grinning. Arthur rolled his /"What would you do without me?" he replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Arthur moved onto number two, who was still "fighting" Nate and James. He saw Arthur coming and readied himself, his eyes on his friend moaning on the ground. Arthur smiled and tilted his head. Number two ran at Arthur head on, his fists ready to fly. Arthur met him in the middle and sent his fist into his chin, which drove him back. Number two threw a strong punch but Arthur caught it and twisted his arm around behind him. Number two cried out. Arthur spun and took number two with him, releasing him when they faced the wall. Number two staggered forwards and Arthur took the opurtunity to kick him up the backside. Growling beneath his breath, number two charged at Arthur again, and with a look of almost boredom, Arthur swung his fist into his face and he didn't get /br /Eden, Sam, James and Nate has their mouths open, staring in disbelief. Merlin rolled his eyes and smiled at them. Dent, who seemed to have recovered a bit, came out of nowhere behind Arthur and went to grab him. Merlin panicked, feeling old reflexes some back, and his eyes flared. Instinctively, he sent out a wave of power, and the invisible force struck Dent like a truck and catapulted him to the ground. He too didn't get /br /"What the hell was that?!" cried out Eden, her eyes widening in /"What was what?" Merlin said, feigning /"Dent..." began Eden,br /"He totally just flew backwards..!" said Sam,br /"Like he was thrown or something!" said /"You guys must be seeing things," said Arthur, his gaze flickering to Merlin, "He came up behind me and I tripped him and pushed him."br /"Right..." said Sam. She sounded /"You guys must be more drunk than you're letting on!" Merlin joked, hoping to lighten the /"But..." Eden began but hesitated, bemused. "Oh whatever." she said, glancing at Merlin. Merlin looked back, raising his eyebrows. She shook her head slightly and /"Dude!" cried James, moving to stand by Arthur, "That was so badass!"br /"Ummm..." said Arthur. He was confused by the word, Merlin /"Yeah!" said Nate, "That was like something off a kung fu movie!"br /"Right." Arthur said /"That was cool." said Sam /"Thank you." said Arthur, who was beginning to soak up the praise. Merlin groaned /"Anyway..." said Eden, "I think we'll be off now."br /"Oh okay." said Merlin,br /"What do we do about them?" Eden asked, indicating the unconscious bodies slumped against the /"Leave them I guess." suggested /"It seems a little...wrong, doesn't it?"br /"Would you rather take them with you?" inquired /Eden shook her head and smiled. "Let's leave them."br /The others /"You guys wanna ride?" asked /"No!" Arthur said /"Thank you. No thank you." said /Sam grinned, "Okay then."br /"Do you guys want my number so you can call us about Stoneport?" asked /"Wha-" began /"Yes, please" said Merlin, cutting Arthur /"You guys forget already?" grinned /"No," smiled Merlin, "Arthur's just slow on the uptake."br /The others laughed and Arthur shoved him playfully. Eden wrote down her number on a reciept and passed it to Merlin. Arthur looked at it /"Well we'll be seeing you." said Sam, /"Yep."br /They all exchanged goodbyes and Eden, Sam, James and Nate headed off towards their car. Arthur and Merlin headed off home. It was quiet for a while, but Arthur decided to /"Why did you use magic?" he asked. Merlin frowned, glad of the darkness which was hiding his expressions. He considered his /"It was instinct mostly. Back...then...I was used to defending you and I guess those old reflexes came back. Dent ran up behind you and you weren't expecting it. My mind screamed emdanger/em and I reacted."br /Arthur said /"Sorry..." murmured Merlin, rubbing his hands together /"Don't apologize. I'm just wondering how many times you had to do that."br /"Do what?"br /"Use you magic to save my neck."br /Merlin hesitated and thought before responding. "More times than you could ever know. I told you before that I only use my gifts for you, Arthur, and I meant it."br /They were silent before the rest of the journey. And when they reached Merlin's cottage, they simply bid each other goodnight with a smile, and went straight to bed. Both of them were asleep in minutes, and both of them dreamed of the past./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"The fact that the soon had to depart had sparked a lot of relentless complaining in both Arthur and their newly found friends, and they all moaned (excluding Eden of course) and begged them to stay. Arthur had said to merlin "Justa few more minutes..." and Merlin had sighed and said yes. Half an hour later, he was still sat on the same chair, pulled away from the big group, and was frowning out of the window, watching the cars streak past./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Eden was fighting another battle with James, as he was the most likely to throw up. She was begging him to stop drinking for a while so his stomach could settle a bit and she could drive him home without the fear of him spewing sick over everyone in the car. She had told him, that if he even burped in her apparently shiny new vehicle, then he would be thrown out into the woods and forced to live a with the squirrels. James said he didn't mind, and that made Merlin chuckle./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"When Merlin had had enough, the conversation had gone spiralling out of control. They were now talking about how Eden would be a hummingbird if she was an animal, and Eden herself ignored them and looked uncomfortable as her eyes kept flicking towards the door. Merlin watched her, his brow furrowing in confusion, and leaned back to the window and looked outside. The street was empty. Eden looked at him and he raised an eyebrow. She shook her head slightly, worry etched onto her impish features and Merlin shifted in his chair to face her. He opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but she swiftly bit her lip and mouthed emI'll /ememtell /ememyou /ememlater/emem. /emMerlin nodded, his mouth set in a grim line. It disturbed him to think what would make Eden squirm like she did./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Switching his mind back to the task at hand, Merlin turned to Arthur. "Arthur," he said with a voice of extreme calm, "I think we need to go now." br /"Shut up, Merlin. I am," he paused dramatically and held up a swaying finger, "the King."br /"I see." grimaced Merlin and threw a dismayed look at Eden as James and Nate snorted. Sam giggled and ruffled Eden's hair, who glared and shook her off. Sam frowned as if scolded. Eden scowled and checked her /"Wassup with you?" asked /"Nothing, I'm just tired and want to go home before it gets too busy."br /"Aw, why?"br /"Because I'm tired and want to go home before it gets too busy." repeated Eden, looking annoyed as she folded her /"Ookay then." muttered Sam, turning away from her friend and leaping back into the conversation gladly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Merlin stared blankly around the bar, and at his new friends. It was strange to be among people (especially nice people) after spending years in a self induced solitary confinement. It was also still weird to see Arthur again, of course. He seemed to be okay, or at least coping with it. Of course he had the tell-tale signs of exhaustion; dark circles around his eyes, drooping shoulders and too frequent yawning, but despite that he seemed...okay. Maybe too okay. That could just be the alcohol, but something seemed off. He emwas /emArthur. He was still the same arrogant, pompous, irritating, degrading, teasing toad that Merlin knew, but he couldn't deny to himself that something was different about the King, and it might not be something good/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Lost in his thoughts, Merlin didn't notice the door opening. However he did notice the screech of Eden's chair as she stood up and disappeared into the bathroom. Merlin frowned and looked up. Just coming through the door were what Merlin assumed was the "popular crowd" that Eden has mentioned earlier. There were four of them, all male except one...girl who was dressed in an outfit made of an unusual material. It was very shiny and very tight, and it showed off what little she had. Two of the males were dressed casually in hoodies and jeans, with expensive trainers and pointless sunglasses hanging from their pockets. Both of them were fairly short, the one in the middle was taller than them, but Arthur and Merlin would of easily towered over all three of them. One of the boys in the hoodies had the girl hanging off his arm, like an accessory. To Merlin's bewilderment, she didn't seem to mind. The taller one was wearing a plain blue shirt, and his hair was sticking up in every direction. He didn't look very intelligent./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"They strode over, the men smiling like they owned the place while the girl giggled. Sam and Nate cut of the conversation, both of them with a look in their eyes that was almost protective. James and Arthur sat there, staring at the group coming towards them. Sam looked annoyed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"The boys pulled up chairs with a grin and set them around the table, squeezing into spaces between Merlin and the others that were way too small to be comfortable. The boys sat down, falling into the seats casually. The taller boy's eyes flickered towards Edens empty chair. The girl in the tight dress frowned slightly as she realised that she couldn't sit next to her...whatever her was, and she walked over to Eden's empty chair. The boy that had the girl hanging of his arm cleared his throat, and the girl looked over, smiling. She walked back towards him as if she had been summoned and she lifted her body over to sit on his lap. It looked very awkward but the not seemed to be pleased. The girl giggled and kissed the boy hard on the mouth, and everyone looked away./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Sam was first to break the tense /"What are you doing here Dent?" she said. The slur from the alcohol she had consumed was still there, but their was a sharpness to her tone that made Merlin think she wasn't as drunk as she'd been /"I'm here to see you guys. You're always here at this time."br /"Eden doesn't want to see you again, Dent. I think she made that clear when she said if you ever came near to her again she'd kick you so hard between the legs that your genitals would come out of your mouth."br /That was so Eden. Merlin would of smiled if the atmosphere at their table wasn't so tense. The boy called Dent looked at Sam as if she was something /"Maybe she's changed her mind. She was infatuated with me."br /"emWas/embeing the relevant word here."br /"You don't know her every thought."br /"But yet I know that she's stubborn. I also know that you should probably be wearing a crotch guard right now."br /Dent sighed "Let me remind you again , emSamantha/emem," /emhe spat her name, "That Eden is capable to fight her own battles."br /"Let me then."said Eden, who appeared behind Dent soundlessly, like a short but extremely angry ghost./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Dent leapt up and faced Eden, a wicked smile on his face. "Hey honey." he /"Not allowed." said Eden, "I dont want you to beg or grovel or plead. You disgust me." br /That's a bit harsh, Merlin thought, his eyes scanned the table. Nate and Sam looked furious, and James looked angry but confused to why he was angry. Merlin's eyes met with Arthur's and Arthur shrugged and raised his eyebrows. emIt's /ememabout /ememto /ememget /ememfun /emhe /Dent put on the show of being wounded. "Eden, please," he began loudly, as if he wanted the whole bar to hear. Eden held up her hand and he fell silent, Merlin saw Arthur /"Let's take this outside, shall we?" she said, obviously not wanting to be /Dent's wicked grin was back and he nodded "But of course." he /Eden went to walk out and Sam stood up, glowering. br /"I'll be fine." was all Eden said before she walked out. Dent followed. Dent's friend went and stood by the door like bodyguards./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Sam collapsed into a chair, and sighed deeply. Not one for subtlety, Arthur said; "What was that about?"br /Nate was the one that answered. "Dent is...something else. He's just...wicked. He is manipulative. Vicious even. He did something to Eden that we, or emyou/em" he looked at Arthur and Merlin, "Never mention."br /"Why? What could be so bad?" asked Merlin. It wasn't in his intentions to be rude, he was only curious, but something in their eyes made Merlin feel as if he'd said something /Sam and Nate were silent. Even James had a look of seriousness on his face. They really weren't playing around. br /"It's not our place to say. If Eden wants you to know, she'll tell you," Sam spoke up, and swallowed, "But don't go pestering her about it, okay? It took her ages to recover and anything could...set her off again. I'm shocked she could even face him again, never mind talk to him. I want to kill him myself."br /"But-"br /"Look, I like you guys. Your fun and you seem like decent people. I know that we were the ones who invited you over, not the other way around, but it's not our decision to tell you about it. Eden is my best friend and I-"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"A shout echoed from outside, cutting Sam off. The entire table spun around, and Nate swore underneath his breath. Outside, Dent had Eden's wrist in his vice-like grip, she was pulling her arm and yelling at him, but Dent just smiled widely and stood there, completely calm. Nobody else in the bar seemed to notice. Sam leapt up and so did Nate. James also got up but he swayed, and almost fell back down again. Arthur got up, frowning and looking angry. Sam and Nate started purposefully towards the door, but both of them were ever so slightly swaying. They were all still drunk, Merlin noted. But they were surprisingly good at hiding it. James and Arthur staggered behind Sam and Nate. Merlin got up and sighed internally. He'd been in enough taverns with Arthur to know where this was going. Merlin ran a hand through his hair and causally followed. Dent's "friends" (and their human accessory) were blocking the doorway. They refused to let Sam and Nate pass, and they both looked like they wanted to kill someone. Arthur and James caught up to them, and began to confront them. Merlin could tell from the way they were standing that they were having a whispered argument. Sam looked angry and frustrated. Arthur tried to walk past, but one of Den't bodyguards (bodyguard one?) stopped him by shoving him back. Arthur turned and raised his eyebrows at Bodyguard one and grinned sarcastically. Merlin was about to shout out, to tell them not to, but Arthur was already wearing his "I am going to win this" facade. Merlin groaned as Arthur swung the punch. It collided with bodyguard one's jaw, snapping his head back and sending him stumbling. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily as he tried to remain conscious. Bodyguard two rushed forwards. He looked furious. James cheered and Sam looked uncomfortable as if she didn't want it to happen, but she still used the opportunity and stormed outside. James followed, and gave a soft kick to bodyguard one's shin as he passed. He looked proud. The other went /br /Merlin, who had been trying to keep his distance, sighed and walked towards the bar's door. Bodyguard one seemed to have recovered, and he could sense that they were about to block his way. Merlin had his head down and his hand in pockets. He smiled. As he approached, he allowed the world around him to slow down. Voices quietened and his steps slowed. He glanced up beneath his eyelashes and saw them shifting ever so slightly shifting their weight to ready themselves to intercept him. Merlin felt the heat beneath his eyes grow. He looked down and used his magic feel their movements. Just as number one's hand began to move, Merlin sent out a soft pulse of magic with his eyes, and the familiar burning feeling began to fade. He created a soft wall between them and him, and it was so thin and delicate that they would not even be able to feel it, they would just feel like their limbs were momentarily to heavy to lift. Merlin sped up the world again and walked past smoothly. It was so easy. The whole thing had only last for two /br /Outside, night had really fallen and the light from the sign of the bar cast shadows across his friends faces. Eden had been released and looked as if she was going to cry. Sam had her arm around her and was trying to make her keep her distance. Dent was grinning widely as his friends walked out, and he looked as if he'd accomplished something. Arthur came to stand by Merlin. Eden removed Sam's hand from her shoulder and walked forwards slowly, as if calculating her next move. Her steps were light and she said nothing. She reached Dent and faced him, her jaw set. Dent /"What darling?" he /"A promise is a promise." Eden murmured simply...and then her foot shot out and she kicked Dent between the legs with all the strength she had. Dent fell to his knees and yelled, clutching his crotch. Everyone froze except Eden, who spun around and began to walk away. Bodyguard two reached for her and she danced out of the way, her face a mask of rage. br /"Don't you touch me." she spat and sun on her heel. Bodyguard two grabbed her shoulder. Merlin winced. All hell was about to break /Nate ran forward and pulled number two off her, shoving him into the wall. Number two pushed himself off the wall and threw a punch. It missed his face but managed to catch his shoulder, and Nate went stumbled. James yelled out. The girl who was formerly hanging off his arm, hurried away into he darkness. Number two went to hit Nate again and James intervened, rushing forwards and slinging his fist into his face. It didn't do anything whatsoever, but Merlin supposed it was a nice gesture. Nate moved to stand next to James and went to hit number two, but he just ducked out of the way. None of them could really fight, but the bodyguards had strength on their side, both Nate and James weren't very muscular. Absorbed in his thoughts, Merlin sense the fist of number one coming towards him until it was to late. He felt the change in the air, and only just managed to turn his head slightly so that he didn't get a shattered nose. The fist slammed into the face and Merlin fell over not to gracefully, gasping in pain. Merlin groaned and leaned against the wall, vaguely aware of what was going on around him. Arthur shouted and number one and pulled him away from Merlin. He faced him off and waited for him to attack. Number one went for another punch but Arthur was in full battle mode and he shifted to the balls of his feet and darted to the side. Number ones knuckles skimmed the was behind him and number one grunted. Arthur moved around number one's body and cracked an elbow into his back, sending him forwards into the wall where his legs tried to support himself. Arthur kicked the back of his knee and it collapsed him into the wall where his head smacked into the surface. He groaned and didn't try to get up. Arthur grabbed Merlin's arm and pulled him up. Merlin smiled /"My hero." he said, grinning. Arthur rolled his /"What would you do without me?" he replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Arthur moved onto number two, who was still "fighting" Nate and James. He saw Arthur coming and readied himself, his eyes on his friend moaning on the ground. Arthur smiled and tilted his head. Number two ran at Arthur head on, his fists ready to fly. Arthur met him in the middle and sent his fist into his chin, which drove him back. Number two threw a strong punch but Arthur caught it and twisted his arm around behind him. Number two cried out. Arthur spun and took number two with him, releasing him when they faced the wall. Number two staggered forwards and Arthur took the opurtunity to kick him up the backside. Growling beneath his breath, number two charged at Arthur again, and with a look of almost boredom, Arthur swung his fist into his face and he didn't get /br /Eden, Sam, James and Nate has their mouths open, staring in disbelief. Merlin rolled his eyes and smiled at them. Dent, who seemed to have recovered a bit, came out of nowhere behind Arthur and went to grab him. Merlin panicked, feeling old reflexes some back, and his eyes flared. Instinctively, he sent out a wave of power, and the invisible force struck Dent like a truck and catapulted him to the ground. He too didn't get /br /"What the hell was that?!" cried out Eden, her eyes widening in /"What was what?" Merlin said, feigning /"Dent..." began Eden,br /"He totally just flew backwards..!" said Sam,br /"Like he was thrown or something!" said /"You guys must be seeing things," said Arthur, his gaze flickering to Merlin, "He came up behind me and I tripped him and pushed him."br /"Right..." said Sam. She sounded /"You guys must be more drunk than you're letting on!" Merlin joked, hoping to lighten the /"But..." Eden began but hesitated, bemused. "Oh whatever." she said, glancing at Merlin. Merlin looked back, raising his eyebrows. She shook her head slightly and /"Dude!" cried James, moving to stand by Arthur, "That was so badass!"br /"Ummm..." said Arthur. He was confused by the word, Merlin /"Yeah!" said Nate, "That was like something off a kung fu movie!"br /"Right." Arthur said /"That was cool." said Sam /"Thank you." said Arthur, who was beginning to soak up the praise. Merlin groaned /"Anyway..." said Eden, "I think we'll be off now."br /"Oh okay." said Merlin,br /"What do we do about them?" Eden asked, indicating the unconscious bodies slumped against the /"Leave them I guess." suggested /"It seems a little...wrong, doesn't it?"br /"Would you rather take them with you?" inquired /Eden shook her head and smiled. "Let's leave them."br /The others /"You guys wanna ride?" asked /"No!" Arthur said /"Thank you. No thank you." said /Sam grinned, "Okay then."br /"Do you guys want my number so you can call us about Stoneport?" asked /"Wha-" began /"Yes, please" said Merlin, cutting Arthur /"You guys forget already?" grinned /"No," smiled Merlin, "Arthur's just slow on the uptake."br /The others laughed and Arthur shoved him playfully. Eden wrote down her number on a reciept and passed it to Merlin. Arthur looked at it /"Well we'll be seeing you." said Sam, /"Yep."br /They all exchanged goodbyes and Eden, Sam, James and Nate headed off towards their car. Arthur and Merlin headed off home. It was quiet for a while, but Arthur decided to /"Why did you use magic?" he asked. Merlin frowned, glad of the darkness which was hiding his expressions. He considered his /"It was instinct mostly. Back...then...I was used to defending you and I guess those old reflexes came back. Dent ran up behind you and you weren't expecting it. My mind screamed emdanger/em and I reacted."br /Arthur said /"Sorry..." murmured Merlin, rubbing his hands together /"Don't apologize. I'm just wondering how many times you had to do that."br /"Do what?"br /"Use you magic to save my neck."br /Merlin hesitated and thought before responding. "More times than you could ever know. I told you before that I only use my gifts for you, Arthur, and I meant it."br /They were silent before the rest of the journey. And when they reached Merlin's cottage, they simply bid each other goodnight with a smile, and went straight to bed. Both of them were asleep in minutes, and both of them dreamed of the past./p