Danger Magnet

by Bohdyna

It took one first disaster to make Merlin and Arthur meet and separate. How many disasters will it take to reunite them and make them stay? Overcoming challenges, hurt seeking comfort and secrets revealed... A journey of two souls meant to be together...can they really be together?

3. part III

Healing

"Good morning Merlin" Sophia greeted as Merlin stomped pass her desk. Merlin didn't reply, he continued on his way heading for Arthur's door.

Arthur didn't look up from his computer when he heard someone banged into his office. He knew who it was. No other person would bang into his office without knocking, except Merlin.

"Arthur you need to stop this madness" Merlin barked once he got to Arthur's desk. He stood with his hands folded over his chest glaring daggers at Arthur who was still typing at his keyboard with his eyes glued on the desktop.

Arthur's office was just like the rest, they were all wide spaces, enclosed with walls of glass, transparent only on the inside. Camelot was located underground off a skyscraper, separated and unknown to the rest part of the world. Every office was brightly illuminated. On the wall behind Arthur was a hung a framed picture of the crown queen of England, on the left was another framed picture of the first founders of Camelot, and a calendar opened to month of June with some dates circled with a red marker. Files were neatly arranged on one side of Arthur's desk. At the far end on the office was a huge shelf filled with files and cartoons libelled with the names of their contents, and on the other part of the shelf was a tiny wardrobe where Arthur had previously hung his suit.

"Arthur..." Merlin called in a voice clearly depicted with anger which finally made Arthur to give Merlin the

"what do you want?" look.

"You need to stop shutting me out on important matters." Merlin wasn't sure if 'important matters' was the right way to put it, but he was sure Arthur knew what he was talking about. "Your father is okay with me working here, but you seem to use me only so your purposes, and you don't care about what I think or what I want. You don't want me in important cases, I don't go on special operations instead you make stamp thousands of files all day, that suppose to be Sophia's job. Everyone should stop being pampering me and being worried over nothing. I sometimes think what's the purpose of being here anyway if I can't use my intelligence to do anything. Maybe I should find something else to do when I get my master degree, something that can give me a meaning and purpose" Merlin said in a rush, breathing heavily.

Arthur chuckled. "Merlin don't be an idiot" He said softly

"Then you should stop being an arrogant clotpole!" Merlin spat. His face was burning red out of anger. And was of all Arthur was being so irritating.

" Clotpole? Does that word even exist?" Arthur asked faking a thoughtful expression.

"Better add it to your vocabulary Arthur Pendragon, that's the adjective that best describe you at the moment" Merlin snared. He knew Arthur was teasing him.

Arthur raised his eyebrows in amusement. Merlin was seriously angry. If Merlin called your name and your surname, he was furious and maybe it wasn't safe to joke with him.

"Okay, okay... But why do we have to talk about this now?"

"I don't think there is a better place or time to talk about this" Merlin retorted aggressively.

"Christ! Merlin what has gotten into you?"

Merlin remained silent. He'd love to hit Arthur on the head with one of those files on his table.

Arthur signed. Merlin eyes followed him as he strolled round is desk and positioned himself directly in front of Merlin, slightly rest backward on this desk with his hands stretched to support him. He stood up and walk over to Merlin. Merlin had always refused to where suit which was their dress code. Merlin was wearing denim jeans trousers, a green t-shirt and his dark framed glassed, a strand of wavy black hair hung on his forehead, he looked younger than his age. His beauty was ethereal. Arthur strand at those crystal blue eyes he had fallen far since the first time he saw them.

Arthur signed heavily. "Look, Merlin, you've passed through a lot, and these past weeks have been really crazy for you. You're just getting better, and I don't want to stress you out. And then you have to study too for your master degree. I know you're good in solving difficult puzzles, and we need your help. But one fact still remains, you can't go on field. You weren't trained like we were, and you can't even use a pistol." Arthur explained as if he was talking to a young child. Merlin had had terrible nightmares, panic attacks had been quite frequent too. Freya was allowed to stay behind to help Merlin, Arthur had done most of the helping though and will also stayed few days before going back to Ireland. Seeing Merlin in such a broken state hadn't been fun. This started to get better when Merlin started seeing a psychologist till he was finally able to sleep without his medication.

Merlin stared at Arthur. With his anger already calming down, he suddenly felt powerless, his. It was always like this. Being angry for stupid reasons was the side effect of the medicines he had to take for his monthly sickness, having to pee blood for 4 to 5 days, and sometimes six days, wasn't any fun. He had always thought he would die of anaemia, he just could explain how someone could live having to lose such about of blood monthly. He knew girls do menstruate, but he wasn't a girl. His mother had told him it was a rare sickness, thankfully not deadly, yet with no cure but researchers are still working on it. Hunith had warned him not to do any research of his own because they were secured information. Merlin had even tried to get something out of Gaius who was a member of the scientist working on the research, but Gaius only confirmed what his mother had previously told him. Merlin signed tiredly, he pulled one of the visitors' chair and sat on it. Not even the knights knew about his 'sickness'. How would he explain it to them. " Guys, I have an incurable sickness in which I have to pee blood for four to five days every month, and I could die of stomach pain if I don't take my medicines". There's actually no need to tell them, it won't change anything for them to know or not, it would only be another source of worries.

"Merlin are you okay?" Arthur asked when he notice change in Merlin's mood.

"Yeah... I'm fine" Merlin murmured.

"I'm sorry. I must be... tired a bit"

"Well, Maybe you should start thinking what to cook for dinner. Don't forget you asked us to come over to your flat." Arthur said as he worked back to his chair. Merlin looked at Arthur in confusion. His eye widened. Today was Friday.

"Yeah right, I almost forgot"

It's been a tradition for them to spend every Friday evening together. Each of them takes turn to choose the activity of the evening.

"I definitely need to leave by three. I need to do shopping and all" Merlin said.

"Of course" Arthur replied "But first I need to show something. Follow me"

They stood on front of an elevator Merlin has never used before, but he has always watched the lights going in and do out when there is an operation. He watched Arthur placed his thumb in one of the round space where there would normally be a tab of numbers.

"Only those with their finger prints registered can use it" Arthur explained.

Yeah, I Figured it out. Merlin mentally replied.

Within few seconds, if was as if the elevator didn't move a inch, the door opened and Merlin for himself in a long and wide corridor.

"Welcome to our Base Merlin. We are another few feet below the earth"

What?! How the hell was this created? Merlin was amazed.

The first room was adorned with different electronic devices "Here is where all our operations are controlled, data's and information are dug and so on" Arthur explained. Opposite was the room used as weapon deposit. "Here speaks for itself"

"What the..." Merlin was surprise when he entered the next room. "Is this a kind of museum?"

Arthur chucked. "Well, you could call it like that, except it's not opened to everyone. Here we keep important gems from various operations."

Merlin recognised some on the items from various operations the knights had worked on, but one in particular caught his attention because he was involved. That weapon had almost cost his life and that of his family.

"Merlin come on" Arthur noticed has stopped having fun. " There are more things to see"

"Yeah..." Merlin replied and silently followed Arthur. He shouldn't be worried about the past. A lot of mistakes have been made, some are yet so be made, but the real crime is making the same mistake twice. The past is a lesson from which ones learns to how best to live the present.

At few minutes past three, Merlin waved goodbye at the group. He walked the short kilometres to where his black and grey mini country was parked among many other cars in the parking lot. Alator, Merlin's bodyguard, stood behind his motorcycle, patiently waiting.

Alator was like a shadow to Merlin. Everywhere Merlin was, Alator was there. Uther had made it clear to him that Merlin had to stay safe. At first, Merlin had thought Alator was one of those annoying type, but he turned out to be wrong. Alator was in his late 30s, married to a lovely young woman with whom he had a daughter who is now about 3 years old, he loved football, and he knew quite a lot about computers, he had probably gained more knowledge from listening to Merlin's rantings. They've become really good friends.

"You finished early today" Alator said already mounting his bike.

Merlin nodded. He explained to Alator how he'd forgotten to plan for the Friday evening, and that he was going home in time to prepare.

Merlin had thought about what to prepare throughout the drive home. He decided on a cottage pie. He mentally searched his fridge for ingredients, he decided to stop at the Supermarket to get the missing ones

First date

Merlin and Alator took the lift to Merlin's three bedroom flat on the third floor. Merlin opened the door, and Alator entered carrying the shopping bag. "Thank you Alator" Merlin said as he closed the door behind them. The living room was a large open space connected to the kitchen. Freya was curled up in a fatal position on the single sofa read one of her novels. That was rare because she was mostly busy with her socials.

"You're back" Freya jumped down, and followed Merlin to the kitchen. "Hi, Alator" She greeted Alator who replied with a warm smile. "Hello Miss. Freya"

"Merlin don't tell me you guys are having Friday evening here" Freya said with her eyes already glowing in excitement. Merlin hummed in reply as he brought his purchases out, and placed them on the kitchen table. Freya squealed. She claimed she'd been thinking of something to do for her Youtube channel, and now she had got an idea.

"Can you please don't tell your fans where you live" Merlin doubt Freya heard him because she was already half way to her room.

Freya's blogs had started booming since her first interview with the knights. They were famous models. She's gained more followers on different social networks, and made few friends in the neighbourhood and at school. Her schedule is always occupied.

Merlin had started cleaning the bowls and pots he used for cooking when he remembered he's got only fruit juice in the fridge. They guys won't go through the evening without a beer. He'd asked Alator to go home since the knights were coming. Alator accepted to go home only because Merlin had promised not to go out alone. Merlin dried his hands on his red apron before picking up his phone, and called Lancelot to help him get few cartoons of beers. The knights could drink but not get drunk, they have to be always sober and prepared to handle emergencies.

Few minutes to 7, everything except the table and the beer were ready. The doorbell rang. He opened the door and was surprised to see Arthur standing with a smirk on his face. He was holding two cartoons of beer in each hand. He was expecting Lance though. "How did you get here on time from Avalon and why are you the one carrying the beers?" Merlin asked

"I didn't go home. I stayed at Lance's. His parking the car downstairs." Arthur replied

"Oh, okay. Is Morgana coming" Merlin asked

"Merlin will you let me in before you start interrogating me" Arthur laughed.

"Oh, sorry" Merlin replied, blushing to the tips of his ear. He was about to close the door when Lancelot appeared on the corridor, holding two other cartons of beer too.

"Thanks Lance, but I think the beers are too much. I'm hiding some, especially away from that drunkard Gwaine" Merlin said. Arthur and Lance laughed.

The rest of the group finally arrived. They ate dinner with Freya being her cute self taking photos and videos on the background. After dinner, they settled for a Sherlock marathon. Merlin absentmindedly curled himself up in Gwaine outstretched arm, while Arthur would throw deadly glances at Gwaine. They hardly followed the film because they were submersed in their own conversation commenting the performances of Benedict Cumberbacth.

At few minutes pass 3 am, empty bottles of beer lay on the floor. Freya and Mordred were long gone to bed. Sherlock was half way through season two, but nobody was ready to continue. Gwen and Morgana, who was now three months pregnant, and had started showing a bit, took Merlin's room, while Mithian, Lamia and Eira, who had been absent due to the new film she was featured in, took the guest room. The divan was pushed to make space in the living room, and a large futon, that could curtain all the boys, was spread on the floor. Merlin took his place in between Arthur and Lancelot.

"Merlin?" Arthur called quietly few minutes later.

Merlin hummed in reply.

"Would you... erm ..."

Silence

"Arthur would you what?" Merlin shouted a whisper. He turned to face Arthur trying to scan his face in the dark.

Here he was. It's now or never. Arthur thought. Morgana had bullied him throughout the evening calling him all sort of names. "You better ask him out. I never thought you were this lame" Morgana had told him. Arthur thought he had had enough. He was going to do it. He was going to ask Merlin out. Geezer! He's being daydreaming about the day he would finally ask him out. Arthur cleared his throat.

"Would you like to go out with me... like a date or something like that?" Arthur asked and this time he couldn't masked his nervousness.

"This is the most non romantic way you could ever ask someone out" Merlin's voice was low but audible. He was shocked and excited all together. He couldn't believe Arthur finally asked him out.

"Shut up, Idiot" Arthur said. "So I'm still waiting for you answer, would you?" Arthur anxiously asked again. It felt as if his heart was going to rip out of his chest.

"You mean if I ignore the fact that you called me an idiot? My answer is Yes" Merlin said smiling widely. He was excited. He was having his first ever date with Arthur Pendragon. Was is a good thing though? This wasn't time to doubt. He was attracted to Arthur. There's nothing wrong in giving it a try, right?.

"Great, next Saturday, I'll pick you up at 7 pm. Goodnight Merlin." Arthur said, and few minutes later he was fast asleep with a smile stamped on his face.

Merlin had stayed awake thinking about the upcoming date with Arthur Pendragon. He was going to die of anxiety before that day. Oh God. His heart was breathing so fast.

"...but I don't anything to wear" Merlin groaned to Will. They were video chatting. Merlin hadn't expected Saturday to arrive so fast. It was already few minutes past five, Arthur would be there in less than two hours, and he was not yet ready. Freya was out enjoying her summer with some her friend at the pool, while Alator sat patiently in the living room listening to Merlin's complaints.

" Shut up Merlin, and stop behaving like a girl" Will laughed. "Show me what you have in that wardrobe of yours"

Merlin turned the phone to his wardrobe that was filled with clothes. Will told him there were too much clothes, and that was why he was finding it difficult to choose something to wear. Will's thinking was correct, but that wasn't helping

"Why don't you call up one of the girls." Will suggested.

"Erm, that might be a good idea. Thank you, thank you, I'll gist you everything later." Merlin ended the video call without waiting for Will's reply, and called Gwen who promised to be there before six. "Just take your bath and wait for me" Gwent said before ending the call.

Few minutes passed six, the doorbell rang. Merlin ran to the door and flung it open to reveal Gwen holding a shopping bag.

"You went shopping?" Merlin asked in surprise.

Gwen ignored Merlin's question, and let herself in. "Hello Alator" She greeted as they walked to Merlin's room.

She pulled out a loose light pink v-necked t-shirt , a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a black leather belt and a pair of white sneakers. Gwen looked at him from head to toe, and nodded in satisfaction, and mentally congratulated herself for her good job.

"I think you're ready. Have fun, and I want to know everything that happens" Gwen said.

Merlin laughed. "Thanks Gwen. It just a date, nothing is going to happen". What could happen? Will Arthur kiss him? Was is okay to kiss on first date? Ah geez, what am I evergreen thinking about.

Arthur arrived at 7 sharp, dressed in a complete suit, looking stunning as always.

"Where are you taking me to?" Merlin asked looking out of the car window. He could see Alator riding behind them through the rear view mirror.

"Somewhere special... were we won't meet many crazy fans, possibly" Arthur replied.

The restaurant was splendid. The illuminations made it look like a modern royal palace. Arthur had booked for a private area.

"Do you like it?" Arthur asked Merlin once they got seated.

Merlin looked at Arthur grinning widely. "Of course, I love it... It's beautiful"

"Oh my god..." They heard someone says beside them. Arthur Pendragon" The waiter squealed.

"No" Arthur groaned under his breath.

"I'll be Your Waiter tonight, but can I have your autograph, please?" She said already shoving a pen in Arthur hands, and placed a sheet of paper.

Merlin watched the scene in amusement. This is not the first time he had to witnessed such scene. Arthur turned bright red in embarassment.

"Can you not tell anyone I'm here... At least before I leave. Please?" Arthur wasn't sure if she could keep her mouth shot for so long. .

They ate, drank and talked freely about everything and anything. They were both supplied about how their conversation was flowing freely. They talked about their family. Merlin told Arthur about the vow of purity and his childhood memories he made with Will. Arthur in turn explained his first meeting with Gwaine and the return others, and finally confessed how his relationship with Nimueh ended.

"At least she didn't kill you" Merlin commented.

"You have a part of you that has to be kept secret be then you're are a very famous model. Aren't things more complicated? Merlin asked.

"Actually being famous is quite useful for us. Especially when we go undercover." Arthur explained. "The last undercover operation I did was in Russia. I had to enter a secret drug dealing company. I had to play it cool. I was just a rich and famous model in search of new experience. I was able to get all information needed without much difficulties."

"Cool but scary" Merlin commented. "I mean your cover could break and your life would definitely be at risk"

Arthur laughed. "Merlin, we are the Knight and we've been trained for all these kind of things." Arthur's eyes fall on the 'purity vow ring' Merlin was wearing. Is Hunith a puritan or something. Why would she make her son take such a vow?. So, that means Merlin is a virgin. Arthur shook his head to clear the crazy thoughts that were starting to invade his mind.

After eating, they went for a walk. They walked side by side along the beach. Arthur loved watching Merlin throw is head back laughing to his jokes.

Arthur took Merlin home. They climb the lift and walked in silence till they got to Merlin's door. Alator was long gone, he wanted to give the young lovers some privacy. Merlin stood staring down at his shoes, not knowing what to say or do.

"Thank you Arthur for today." Merlin finally murmured.

Arthur chuckled softly. " Thank you for coming. Will there be a next time?"

Merlin shoot his head up to look at Arthur who was grinning down at him.

"Oh... erm.. Yes, I mean okay" Merlin stammered. "I should go inside" Merlin said not knowing what else to do. It's better he go in before the situation gets weirder.

"Yeah, Goodnight Merlin" Arthur kissed Merlin on the cheek and waited until he went inside.

There was going to be a next time.

Merlin woke up to someone shaking him.

"Merlin, Merlin, you have to see this" Freya whispered.

Merlin groaned. "It's too early to talk about your blog" He said pushing his face in the pillow.

"No, it's about you and Arthur" Freya whispered impatiently.

Merlin shoot his head up giving Freya a questioning look. "Me and Arthur?"

Freya sat next to Merlin and scrolled through the photos on her phone; Merlin and Arthur at the restaurant staring at each other, Arthur wiping Merlin's lips with his thumb, Merlin and Arthur walking at the beach...

"Oh my god" Merlin breathed. He looked around the room unsure of what to do. Someone must have followed them. Images of Valiant came to his mind. He felt the room spinning. Merlin saw Freya's mouth moving but he couldn't hear what she was saying. He staggered out of the bed, passed through the living room and went to the balcony. He look down but couldn't see anything. He closed his eyes tight, and opened them again. There were some people standing outside the main entrance to the building where his flat was. They were holding cameras and Microphones, they could be paparazzi. Where they here for him? Or they thought Arthur was still living there. Thousands of thoughts were passing through his brain. Valiant could have sent someone to follow him. He went back inside.

"Merlin are you okay? You need to calm down" Freya dropped her phone, and helped her brother to the sofa

"Yes... I'm fine. Where's Alator?" Merlin voice was low, Freya had to put her ear close to listen carefully.

"Alator? Today is Sunday remember? You asked him not to come on Sundays" Freya sat next to him. "I called Arthur, he will soon be here "

Merlin nodded. He ran his hands through his hair, and curled himself up on the sofa.

Few miutes later they heard the doorbell.

"I'll get it " Freya made to stand up, but Merlin held grabbed her arm and held her down.

"No" Merlin said shaking his head furiously.

"Why not? He could be Arthur" Freya made to stand up again. But Merlin held her down.

"It takes about 30 minutes to get here from Avalon, and I don't think it's even up to fifteen minutes ago you called him" Merlin croaked out.

"Fine, let me just see who it is"

The doorbell rang again.

Merlin watched as Freya went, and piped through the small hole.

Freya released the breath she didn't know she had been holding. "Oh my gosh, It's Lance" She laughed as she opened the door.

Lancelot entered breathing heavily.

"Good morning Lancelot Du Lac" Freya greeted politely.

"Hello Freya" Lancelot replied walking into the living room. Merlin met him half way, and fell into him sobbing violently. Both of them sank to the ground. "Christ! What's going on? There are paparazzi outside, and Merlin is hyperventilation in my arms." Lancelot listened to Freya's explanation as he carried Merlin who had stopped crying few seconds ago to his room, and gently laid him on the bed. Merlin was still snivelling and shaking slightly. Lancelot cuddled Merlin on the bed, running his hands through Merlin's hair. He had done this few other times when Merlin panic attacks where still frequent. He wondered what Merlin might have thought about the photos Freya had shown him. They were just pictures taken by some of Arthur's fans.

"Has he eaten?" Lancelot asked Freya who was seated at the edge of the bed staring at her brother.

"No" She whispered.

"Merlin will you like to eat something?" Lancelot whispered to Merlin. Merlin shook his head to say no. "Maybe some tea? Or just milk?... or fruit juice" Lancelot tried suggesting.

"No, not hungry" Merlin croaked out. "Just stay"

"Okay. I'm not going anywhere." Lancelot kissed Merlin's forehead. "Arthur will soon be here" He whispered.

They all have grown protective of Merlin. The boy had suffered so much. They've seen him broken, and they've managed to put the pieces back together. Merlin was just getting better, those photos must have triggered him. They were just stupid photos taken by some crazy fans of Arthur. Arthur should have warned Merlin.

The doorbell rang several times in a role before Freya got the door. "Thank god you're here"

"Hi Freya. Where... where is he?" Arthur's breath was rough, and he was clearly worried.

" In his room, with Lancelot. He won't eat anything" Freya signed

Arthur hurried towards Merlin's room. "gods! thank you Lance for answering my call. Is he okay? Do we need to take him to the hospital?" Arthur bent to get a better look at Merlin.

"No, I'm fine" Merlin whispered. "I was just... just... maybe..." Merlin's voice died out

"He's just a bit shaken. I'll leave you to it" Lancelot said. He stood up from the bed, and Arthur quickly occupied the space pulling Merlin closer.

"What happened? Why are there paparazzi? I've called the police" Arthur asked running his hands gently in Merlin's' hair. Freya repeated her explanation, and showed him the pictures. Freya knew she was going to be repeating the story many other times.

"Freya, come on, let go get them something to eat" Lancelot said to Freya.

Arthur waited for them to leave the room, and then turned his attention to Merlin. "What happened?" He whispered

"I ... I thought he sent someone to follow us. I thought he was following me" Merlin started sobbing.

"No Merlin. Valiant can't get to you. He is locked away. Those photos were taken probably by the lady waiter. Didn't you read the headline. It says Has Arthur Pendragon found a new boyfriend?" Arthur signed. "Let see if you've got some tissues in here..." Arthur said as he opened Merlin drawer. He froze when he saw the content. White packs of medicines, all the same. He slowly picked up a pack, and read the name. "Merlin, what is this?" He asked bring the pack to Merlin's view. Arthur felt Merlin tensed, and then pulled himself to a sitting position.

"They are... my erm... my medicines" Merlin stammered.

"You stopped your medication long ago Merlin" Arthur said softly. He didn't know what to think. Arthur prayed it wasn't what he thought.

Merlin started sobbing. "Arthur can we not talk about this right now" .

"Shhh, Okay" Arthur pulled Merlin closer. "It's okay. we'll talk about it later"

"Tea is ready" Freya called.

"Where are we going?" Merlin asked

Arthur had decided to take Merlin out that evening. Staying in the room all day won't do any good.

Arthur glanced at Merlin, curled up in a fatal position on the passenger's seat. He was just too tiny. Gods, Merlin was cute. "Merlin you Idiot. I'm driving and you are distracting me" Arthur groaned

"What did I do?" Merlin confused.

"Can you seat like a normal human being"

"Whatever, you're worse than my grandmother" Merlin grumbled and sat upright. "Have you been sending my regards to Dolores? Are biscuits are delicious"

"Why don't you come yourself?" Arthur smirked.

Merlin scoffed but he was grinning "To that labyrinth castle of yours?"

"It's Victorian, Idiot" Arthur bit his inner lip to prevent himself from smiling.

" Can I use the lift though?" Merlin asked

Arthur gave him a questioning look. "What are you talking about. How did you know there is a lift?"

"You just confirmed it. How can't there be a lift in such a house? I can imagine the house transforming into a special kind of protected coven with advance security system when danger comes"

Arthur chuckled looking at Merlin incredibly "Well, your thinking is correct. At least you've learnt something from that Sherlock Holmes TV series you always watch?"

"You know I love him" Merlin made a dreaming expression

"I'll let him know." Arthur said

"Don't tease me, I know you won't."

Arthur laughed. "We've arrived"

"Wow" Merlin exclaimed when they got out of the car. He stated at tall castellated in front of him. It's called the Isle of the blessed. He's heard a lot of legend about the castellated, the most famous one is the fact that the castellated was dedicated to goddess and human sacrifices where made.

"This is the Isle of the blessed." Arthur said "My high school got its name from this place"

"I've dreamed of entering this place. Nobody is here. How did you even pass through the gate?" Merlin asked. He looked around to see if there were other people.

"It's always close on Sunday, I'm a Pendragon and I've got a pass. Come on. Let's go in. To get to the top, we need to climb a lot of steps, it's safe 'cause it was recently renovated" Arthur said and offered his hand to Merlin. Merlin stared at Arthur's outstretched hand for few seconds, he blushed to the tips of his ears and shyly placed his hand in Arthur's.

"The view from here is so beautiful" Merlin exclaimed ones they got to the top of the building. He took out his phone to take few pictures.

"You can see the whole of Albion from here" Arthur said with his hands opened wide. "I do come here when I want to clear my head"

"Do always come alone or do you bring all your girlfriends here?"

The questioned startled Arthur. "No" Arthur replied without looking at Merlin. "All my past relationships have been sexual. Except one. "

"She must have been very special" Merlin was dying to know who the person was. He tried remembering Arthur's ex girlfriends. They were mostly famous people.

"Yes, he was. I brought him here once." Arthur turned to face Merlin

"Him?" Merlin's voice was weak. What was Arthur talking about? Merlin tried remembering if Freya had told him anything of Arthur having a boyfriend.

Arthur smiled sadly. "He's name was George. I cared a lot about him. Our first year of the university was splendid. But our relationship had to be secret. He didn't was to be the talk of the public. Only the knights knew then" Arthur chuckled. "Our parents later found out. Pendragon has got a lot of enemies and George family was one of them. He left with his family" Arthur had been devastated the night George told him he was leaving. George had made Arthur promised not to contact him, and they had spend their last night in this very place. "We were 18 then. Do you know why this one was different?"

"Why" Merlin asked. Please don't tell me you're still in love with him. This was the first time he saw Arthur emotionally moved.

"Because... He looked so much like you. You were younger then, but... the resemblance was there. I couldn't get you out of my head from the first time I saw you, not even when I was with George. And then there was the problem with Cenred, Nimueh, Valiant. I'm sorry you have to also suffer the public pressure because of me."

"Arthur" Merlin placed his hand on Arthur's arm. "I handled Valiant. I can handle your fans, I know it won't be easy but I can..." He pulled Arthur for a hug.

"Can I kiss you, Merlin?" Arthur whispered to Merlin's ear.. He felt Merlin tensed.

"I don't think the vow of purity forbids that, but I... I've never kissed someone..." Merlin pulled away from the hug to look at Arthur's face. "What if I don't mmph..." Merlin didn't finish he phrase before Arthur's dried lips caught Merlin's soft ones in a kiss.

Even though there were no lighten candles or roses, with Arthur Merlin had his first kiss and it was perfect.

"About those pills" Merlin whispered once they broke the kiss. He was flushed, he could feel his face burning.

"You don't have to..."

"You need to know Arthur" Merlin interrupted. "I have a mutation or something". Merlin explained everything to Arthur how Hunith had explained it to him.

"Are you telling me you are having period like girls? Cause all those times I've been calling you a girl, I was only joking" Arthur said. He was confused.

"No!... but it's just , I mean it's similar... I'm not a girl, I'm 100 percent a man..." Merlin covered his face with both hands in embarrassment.

Arthur pulled Merlin's from his face. "You very brave Merlin" He said still holding Marlins hands in his. "You carry such burden with a smile on your face..."

"It's not a burden, I'm already used to it." Merlin said.

"Can I kiss you?"

"You don't have to ask" Merlin blushed when he realised why he said.

Arthur kissed him.

Merlin wished the moment never ends.

"Freya..." Merlin gently shook her. "Freya are you awake?" Merlin called quietly.

Freya slowly blinked her eyes open, and rolled to her back. "You're back. How do you feel now?"

"I'm fine" Merlin climbed on the bed and laid back next to Freya.

Tonight had been wonderful with Arthur at the Isle of the blessed. Arthur was right, going out had helped Merlin clear his head a bit and he seemed to know what he wants, at least for now.

"Freya, I'm supposed to be the one to take care of you. But it's seems the other way round." Merlin laid on his side to face Freya. "I'm so sorry. I'm okay now. And I'm going to make it up to you and be the perfect big brother"

"Oh come on. You do everything in this house. You're doing perfectly well taking care of me, there are brothers worse than you are, and I love you" Freya smiled. "Now tell me, How did it go with Arthur Pendragon?"

Merlin blushed. He rolled on his back, and stared at the ceiling. "He kissed me" Merlin whispered dreamingly

"What?!" Freya pulled herself up to a sitting position. " Details, How was it?"

Merlin chuckled. He was still trying to process what he had felt. They were just bunch of strange feelings in his stomach. Is that what they call 'having butterflies in ones stomach?' "I can confirm that butterflies really exist in our stomach, and kissing Arthur apparently awoke mine" Merlin blushed. He's been talking strange. Was that another effect of being kissed?

"Oh my god, Merlin you are in love" Freya squealed.

"Oh shut up" Merlin smiled. Was he really in love. Was a kiss enough to determine that?

"Oh, Have you seen your twitter or Instagram profiles ?" Freya asked

Merlin looked at her questioningly. "I don't remember having those"

Freya laughed. "Well, you do. I opened them for you. And I've installed all the apps on your phone. In just a day, you've gained thousands of followers, and you have the celeb distinctive. You are famous Merlin"

"That explains why my phone wouldn't stop vibrating, I had to mute it." Merlin said.

"You don't have to worry. I'll be your manager" Freya assured him.

"Then I'm doomed." Merlin said jokingly. "What are you even posting on those socials?"

"Oh...Erm...let's see... on your Instagram posted a photo of you and me eating ice-cream and on your twitter I wrote 'Hello, it's Merlin Ermrys here'... you should go check then out yourself. You've got a Facebook page too."

"Oh God" Merlin breathed. "Don't you think it's too much?"

"Merlin you can't spend all your life studying. You're followers aver been sending lots of messages. They need confirmation if you're Arthur's boyfriend..."

"Tell me you didn't post anything about us being boyfriends" Merlin voice has suddenly become serious. He wasn't scare of people knowing that he was dating Arthur, but it's not yet official, is it?

"Of course I didn't. It's no not my story to tell... so when are you going to tell everyone?" Freya asked

"Dunno, nothing is official yet" Merlin replied.

" Can I have a private interview were both of you will tell the public about you relationship, because I'm sure Ellen DeGeneres will be thinking to interview you guys, I just can't let her take this opportu..."

"No" Merlin cut in.

"What? Of course you will, you owe me and I'm sure Arthur will agree" Freya said.

She was right. Why does Arthur always say yes to her. Merlin groaned. "Fine! But you're still a meanie" Merlin murmured

"Dumbass" Freya retorted .

It ended with a pillow fight.

Four months later, Freya got the interview she had been longing for. Ellen DeGeneres was first to interview Arthur though. This made Freya furious. To make it up to her, Arthur promised to kiss Merlin during Freya's interview. The video went viral and the kiss between one of the most famous models and Merlin became the talk of the Internet for weeks, it even made it to the news headlines.

Arthur's plans

A lot has happened in the past few months. Morgana had a baby girl. They all went to Ealdor for Christmas. Merlin and Will had enjoyed taking the guest to tour round Ealdor and embarrassing each other with childhood stories.

February was fast approaching and everyone except Merlin knew why Arthur was anxious. Back in Ealdor, Arthur had spent most of his time watching Merlin. His smile was perfect, and his laugh was so humorous. He would never get tired of listening to Merlin. Even watching Merlin eat had turned him on, he had to excuse himself to the toilet. He realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him. It might be too soon to ask his hands in marriage, but better too soon than too late, right?, and his been in love with the boy all his life. A day before they left Ealdor, Arthur had asked for Hunith and Balinor approval.

Hunith had felt horrified though, she knew Merlin had to live his life. She had considered telling Merlin about the real nature of his mutation, but seeing Merlin laughing with his friends, Hunith couldn't bring herself to say anything. Merlin has past through a lot, and to see him laugh was so pleasant. How could destroy that happiness with such a troublesome news?. But was she doing the right thing keeping it a secret from Merlin. What if it gets too late? If she should tell Arthur, it might come a source of problem between them, and she can't afford to make Merlin sad. "Do what you think is right" Balinor had told her. What was she going to do?

"You'll be fine." Morgana repeated for the hundredth time. She felt relieved when her baby finally fell asleep. Listening to both Arthur's complaints and her baby whinning had been unbearable.

"What if he says no" Arthur asked. He's been pacing about Morganas sitting room. Since he arrived, too agitated to sit.

"First of all sit down. Your shoes are making noise, my baby is sleeping and I'm 101 percent sure that Merlin will say yes"

Arthur reluctantly sat down but continues waggling his feet.

" I feel like I've known him all his life. But it feels like I'm missing something. It's not really important though, I just want to be with him. I never thought proposing would be so difficult." He groaned

"I know you've stalked the poor boy all his life taming him with does dogs of yours, and now you're worried if you have the right information about him." Morgana said. She new about Arthur little secret. For the past years Arthur had made two bodyguards follow Merlin. He had always justified his actions saying that Merlin was too careless and the bodyguards were just to make sure he didn't get himself in serious trouble. "Look." She cleared she throat. Arthur knew Morgana does that when she's about to give a talk that would convince anybody, she was a lawyer after all, and a very good one for that matter. "It's normal to be nervous, and of course you should be. You're about to ask someone something that will determine the course of their entire life. Hell yeah you should nervous. And you're also lucky because this person wants to be with you. He loves you, I know it, you can see it in the way he smiles at you, and he do blush every time I caught him staring. And of course marriage is a very important step to take, but you'll be there for each other, and you will always him under your winds, it'll be much easier to protect him, that's what you want right? So, you've got the ring, you'll take him to the restaurant as planned. Only that everybody will be there ready and set, and then you'll propose, he'll say yes. He won't suspect anything before hand, it'll seem like a normal valentine day to him. You'll see, everything will turn out Perfect"

"Do you think I'm the right guy?" Arthur asked. He wasn't expecting sweet words though.

"That's up to you. You're a pain in the ass most of the time just like now. But I think you can take care of Merlin. I hope you can. Merlin is a fragile being, he needs someone strong enough to hold him, he needs to feel secure. Do you think you can do that for him?"

Even if Arthur can't find the right words to explain how he feels, Morgana would always understand. During boring meetings, especially the ones with their father, they would hold a long conversation of their own using body language. He can't keep secret away from Morgana, to his own damnation. She's got that aurea that would make you want to confess all your sins. Arthur would never admit it to her face, but he's always felt comfortable talking to Morgana. And now he felt positive about his proposal to Merlin.

" It's not okay to keep all those thoughts to yourself" Morgana's voice brought Arthur back to the reality. " Get this proposal done and let me start organizing the wedding since I'm on maternity leave."

" Jesus Christ, you're already thinking of wedding, are you planning to organise my whole life after that too?" Arthur said with a fake annoying tone. Morgana was right though, after a proposal, there'll be the wedding, and then he could start his own family. Family, with Merlin. The idea of starting a new family with Merlin is exciting. Will they have babies? What would they go for, surrogate or adoption? He's ok with whatever as far as Merlin will be there with him.

The proposal

In few minutes Arthur will be arriving. It's 4:35 pm. Arthur booked a restaurant at 5 o'clock. Merlin wondered why so early. In winter, 5 o'clock is already night, that could be a reason.

Merlin stood in front of the huge mirror in his bedroom. He can't remember how long he's been staring at the mirror. He wasn't wearing his glasses instead he had lens. He wasn't confident without his glasses but Morganas words were as holy as the scriptures. "You don't need to wear your glasses" She told him. His blue shirt was slightly opened exposing his pale chest. Arthur has told him several times that blue was the perfect colour for him because "...it matches your eyes". The edged of the shirt is hidden inside a pair of black trousers, tight enough to make his butt bigger than normal, a fancy black leather belt snaked itself round Merlin's tiny waist and a pint of black slip-on shoes to finish. He mentally thank Morgana and Gwen for the hundredth time. They'd took him out for shopping and helped him with the outfit. They hurried away after helping Merlin to get dressed, giving excuses Merlin can't quiet remember and Freya had also found an excuse to tag herself along wishing him good luck. What would he need the good luck for? It's just a date like many others Arthur had taken him, except it was February 14th designed as a special day for lovers. He'd suggested they spend the day doing nothing but Arthur had other plans. He absent-mindedly stroke they ring his mother had given him for the so called "purity vow", for whatever reasons he couldn't explain and thank God he's got a very understanding boyfriend. Arthur had never really bothered him about sex or something like that. They've made out, few blow jobs, and a lot of kissing, nothing more. Arthur is a good kisser, even if Merlin hasn't got other lips to compare. He blushed thinking about the first time they kissed. The sound of the door bell almost made him jumped out of his skin.

Arthur has arrived.

"He could have used the key for Christ sake, just have to be dramatic" Merlin thought. He glanced at the mirror for the last time, took a long deep breath as if gathering all the courage in the air and finally went to open the door. Arthur was standing with a banquet of flowers, gorgeous as ever. He was wearing a complete suite, a pale black shirt and a blue tie that matched Merlin's shirt. Morgana and Gwen done a great job at picking the outfit, Merlin could almost see their finger print. Arthur's hair seems more golden which made him look like a demigod. If they were in the era of Kings and queens, Arthur would have been a prince.

Arthur nervously cleared his throat. "Merlin is beautiful" He thought. He dragged his eyes from Merlin's exposed chest to his face. He wasn't wearing his glasses, that was rare. Arthur is sure he has lens on. Merlin's eyes were as bright as ever. Of course he was blushing, God, Merlin was the cutest thing he had ever seen. How could anything so innocent possibly exist and the most wonderful part is that he can have him all for himself.

" I guess the flowers are for me" Merlin broke the silence that was stretching way too long.

" Your beauty is enchanting" Arthur smiled as he handed the banquet to Merlin.

" Shut up. Wait a second, let me put these in a vase" Merlin replied with a smile and hurried away. He noticed his hands were shaking as he placed the flowers in the vase. God, why was he so nervous. It's full winter, and it probably going to snow, but at that moment he was feeling hot all over. He carried the vase with the flowers neatly arranged in it back to the living room, placed it on the glass table and slowly walked back to Arthur who was patiently waiting near the half closed door.

" I'm ready"

The journey to the restaurant was comfortably silent. It wasn't tense or awkward, it was pleasantly quiet with the two lovers stealing glances from each other every now and then.

Merlin stood dumbstruck staring at the wooden structure in front of him. The famous Castle of Fyrien, one of the most famous and beautiful restaurants in Albion. It had a very heart warming antique look. It's got a romantic atmosphere lighted with beautiful candle like chandeliers. It was located in the inner most part of Albion, far away from the noisy city. Merlin had only seen the restaurant on magazines and had always wanted to go. He was sure Arthur did a lot of research and this was one of his desires only Will knew about.

Arthur was fully satisfied of the look on Merlin's and mentally thanked Will for suggesting this place.

To Merlin's surprise, there were no other couples except for himself and Arthur. It's Valentine's day, and a place like that was supposed to be flowing with couples."Don't tell me this guy booked the whole place". He thought. They were welcomed by a waitress with a big smile on her face, and brought to a table Merlin noticed was having a different form of candle and slightly bigger than the others. The tables were arranged in a funny way, leaving a space like a corridor leading to their's.

Arthur opened the cold wine that was on the table, Tìr-mór, the only wine Merlin would gladly drink, and poured a glass for each.

Merlin noticed Arthur's hands were shaking, strange. Arthur was never nervous, he had always been able to mask his emotions. What made today different?.

Arthur noticed Merlin had put on the expression of someone totally lost in thoughts. "Merlin, are you okay? Do you like this place"

Merlin face was magically lighten with a wide smile. " I love it. I've always wanted to come here" and who knows how much you spent to book such a prestigious place he thought. Arthur had clearly told him, no, seriously warned him not to worry about ghe money he spent on him because "Merlin you're too precious and you worth more than anything in this world" Arthur had told him. Merlin remembered those words perfectly. His smile grew wider that he could feel his chin were starting to hurt.

Arthur chuckled. Merlin was intriguingly strange, naive and yet highly intelligent. He is mostly absorb in his own world of thoughts but when he starts talking, he never shut up. Always joyful but quick to tears. He's very clumsy, Arthur had always wondered how come he hadn't broken any bone up till then.

Merlin hasn't noticed anything suspicious yet, good, everything was going as planned. The first step was to leave Merlin alone.

"I need to use the restroom" Arthur stood, walked over to Merlin and kissed him on the chin. " I'll be right to back" he whispered in Merlin's ear.

Merlin tensed and couldn't voiced out a reply. The closeness was sudden. He watched Arthur silently vanished through the door that probably leads to the restroom. He released his breath he didn't know he had been holding. Just a few seconds later, Ed Sheeran song, Perfect, echoed the hall. Merlin looked around in search of anything at all. Well, he saw the least expected. Gwaine and Mithian came out of another door, with there hands locked in each others, walking down the fake corridor towards Merlin. As they got closer, Merlin noticed Gwaine was holding a single rose on the other hand while Mithian was holding a small basket filled with petals of flowers. Gwaine handed the rose to Merlin without saying a word, just smiling, Mithian was smiling too. They move few steps backward and stood facing each other leaving enough space in between them. Merlin was seated dumbstruck. He didn't have time to think when he saw another couple coming out. Gwen, who was holding a basket but with orange petals and Lancelot holding a red rose as Gwaine. He gave it to Merlin and took his position close to Gwaine, Gwen stood on the other side near Mithian. Everything was happening so fast. Merlin still had no clue what was going on, he had no time process. What was going on? The roses in his hands kept increasing as more people came. He wiped his tears with his free hand. He didn't know when or why he started crying nor when he stood from his seat. He sobbed harder when he saw his parents walking down the corridor now formed with human wall. "Marry you" was now playing and the ladies with basket started throwing petals on the floor. Merlin was in pool of tears, he could hardly see Arthur walking down the corridor.

Arthur finally arrived in front of Merlin who was trembling on his feet finding it difficult to breath. Arthur took the roses from him and handed it to the nearest person who turned out to be Gwaine. He took both Merlin's hands in his went down on one knee. When Arthur finally raised his head, Merlin froze, he could hear his heart drumming and was scared he might faint at any moment.

Merlin thought he wasn't seeing clearly because Arthur couldn't be possibly crying.

Merlin had never seen Arthur cry and so were many others in the room.

Arthur was crying, for him.

The music finally stopped playing, there were about twenty people present, but the hall was deadly silent.

Arthur looked into Merlin's eyes and held made sure he held the gaze throughout.

His voice came out, to his surprise, firm and steady. " Merlin, we were so young the first time we meant, since then you've been the centre of my thoughts, you became my reason to live because I've already decided to make you mine. If there were other words to describe how beautiful you are, I would find it. You've got the kindest heart, the purest mind and the most gentle soul. These past years have been crazy; there have been disasters and most of the time I wasn't there to protect you. Here I am today vowing to you that whatever catastrophe it is, I will always be by your side, you will have my back and I yours. I want to live through thick and thin with you and share our happiness. I'm not perfect, but for you Merlin I want to be the right one. I want journey through this life with you. I love you, I desire you and I need you. So Merlin..." Arthur paused, stretched out his hands towards Modred without taking his eyes off Merlin. Modred placed a black ring box on Arthur's palm. " ...will you marry me?" He breathed out as he opened the small box that exposed a silver ring and a crystal blue diamond on it.

Merlin was a crying mess, he didn't trust himself to open his mouth so he nodded in reply. Arthur gently slipped the ring on Merlin's middle finger. He stood up pulled Merlin for a soft kiss. "All of me" started playing.

The rest of the night was spent crying, eating and congratulating the newly engaged.

And for Hunith, it wasn't yet the right time to tell Merlin. When would be the right time? And how will Merlin react? What if it became too late?

5 months later. (the wedding)

Arthur and Merlin's engagement went viral, Freya's handwork, and everything from then on has surprisingly been peaceful. The knights of the round table haven't been engaged in any dangerous mission. Merlin had gotten his master degree and had started self defence training. "Start with protecting yourself then you can start protecting others" Arthur had told him.

The knights had organised a bachelor party for Arhur and Merlin.

The wedding arrived in a blink. The women in both families had organised everything. The ceremony was held on the beach and the party was held at the in a modern castle called The Crystal Cave. Arthur was wearing a black tux while Merlin had a white one. After the rice shower, the newly wed entered the limousine that drove them home.

While the party was going on, far away in the shadow, there was someone watching, with an evil smile, someone who would loved to see everything go in flames and burn to aches.

The wedding night

Merlin pushed opened the door to the room that he would be sharing with Arthur from that night on. Arthur was still in the living room downstairs with the knights. Merlin has got about hour or so to himself. The room was lighten with candles placed in various parts. The huge four-poster bed was dressed in white and covered in roses. He tried picturing himself and Arthur on it but was disrupted by a knock on the door. He was sure it wasn't Arthur, who could it be?. He opened the door, and there was Hunith standing.

"Mum!" Merlin pulled her in for a huge and started crying. If you should ask Merlin why he was crying, he wouldn't know. Was he sad? Happy? Or just overwhelmed by everything?

"Shush, it's okay baby" Hunith couldn't hold back her tears either. " Come on, let's get you refreshed"

Merlin entered into the bath Hunith had prepared. The coolness of the water and every other ointment in it were relaxing. Hunith gently scrub his back. The last time she bath Merlin was when he had his first experience with the monthly bleeding. She had received a call from the school informing her that her son had been rushed to the hospital. The night they got home, she drew a bath for him. This would be the last time though.

"Mum haven't you got anything to tell me? " Merlin asked.

Hunith froze for few seconds, thousand of thoughts were passing through her head.

"Something like , "Merlin make sure you sleep on time", "don't get in trouble", "be a good boy" Merlin suggested.

Hunith chuckled "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself" She said.

" I will, I promise".

There something else Hunith would like to say, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Merlin wore the shirt hanging in the bathroom with a note saying "Merlin, wear this and make sure you button up", clearly written in Morgana's handwriting.

" I should go now. I'll see you tomorrow before you leave for your honeymoon" Hunith said and went for the door.

"Mum" Merlin walked to Hunith and took her hand "I don't need this anymore" He said and placed the purity vow ring on her palm. Hunith pulled him for a quick huge and hurried away.

Once again Merlin was left alone. Anytime soon Arthur would be arriving. He stood in front of the huge mirror in Arthur's room, no, their room. Merlin was sure the shirt he was wearing belonged to Arthur, it was long enough to cover half of his laps. He stared at his reflection, he was young, just 21 years old and married to none other than Arthur Pendragon, known as a famous model to the public, but actually plays hero in secret. What has he got that had made Arthur fall for him? He stared at the golden wedding ring on his finger, the physical evidence that he was now a Pendragon, "Merlin Emrys Pendragon", every couple in the Pendragon family has got one of that ring. In his, Arthur had inscribed "you're mine", "that possessive prat" Merlin thought. He stared at the ring thinking of where he could attach kilgharrah, Gwaine had called it "The magic ball tracker". He's been working endlessly trying to upgrade it to a better level, like making communication possible and linking it to multiple devices.

"What are you contemplating?"

Merlin almost jumped out of his skin " Jesus Arthur could you kn..." He froze when he saw Arthur standing in front of him wearing nothing expect a small tight boxers.

"It's not good to just stare, you can touch too" Arthur smiled as he closed the gap between them and snaked his hand around Merlin's tiny waist.

"Shut up prat" Merlin replied and tried but failed to get away from Arthur's grasp.

"You smell nice" Arthur said kissing down Merlin's neck.

" You smell like..." Merlin gasped as he felt Arthur teeth on his neck. There would be a huge love bite tomorrow.

"Like what?" Arthur asked and continued what he was doing

" like wine, sweat and that your blue de chanel perfume" Merlin gasped out. He wrapped his hands around Arthur's neck to support himself.

"Then let me go and get cleaned up"

"No!" Merlin tightened his grip. " I like it, your smell..." God what was he saying. His heart was beating faster, and his legs might give way if Arthur should leave him. He could stay in Arthur's embrace for eternity.

" Okay" Arthur cupped Merlin's face with both hands.

He noticed Merlin was shaking. Arthur was calm instead. The inexperienced one there was Merlin, and he needs someone who knew what they where doing and to assure him that everything would be fine. He kissed Merlin softly.

" You'll be fine" He whispered against Merlin's lips.

Arthur pressed play on the stereo that has been lying silently and a tone Merlin couldn't recognised, but it was a very warm tone, started playing. He stood still and watched as Arthur hands started working on the buttons of his shirt. Hiding how nervous he was away from Arthur's was quite impossible. Arthur could definitely feel his heart racing. Arthur undid the last button, and the shirt slowly dropped to the ground. Now Merlin was plainly naked. Arthur took a step backward to get a full view.

"God you're beautiful" Arthur breathed.

" Shut up" Merlin said and covered his face with both hands. He thought he was going to faint, he was embarrassed to the bone. Arthur had seen him naked many times, but this time was somehow different. Arthur pulled his hands and held them down in one grip and lifted Merlin's head so he could look at his eyes.

" I'm serious, you're beautiful"

Silence.

They held their gaze.

The music kept playing from the stereo.

Arthur finally carried Merlin in a bridal style and placed him on the bed. He took off his boxers and climbed over Merlin. He kissed Merlin deeply exploring every inch of Merlin's mouth with his tongue. Arthur blindly went for the tube on beside the bed.

Merlin flinched when he felt a cold substance and within few seconds Arthur finger entered him. He broke the kiss gasping for air.

"Arthur..." he whimpered

"Sorry" Arthur murmured and captured Merlin's lips in his while he kept on thrusting in Merlin with his finger.

Few minutes later, with three fingers thrusting in him, Merlin was gasping and trembling beneath Arthur.

"You're ready" Arthur said and stopped thrusting with his fingers. "Now I'm going to come in, I need you to breath and relax" He said and entwined his fingers with Merlin's. He kissed Merlin softly. "Sorry" He murmured for the hundredth time and with just one thrust he buried himself entirely in Merlin he who couldn't helped but scream out in pain. Tears rushed to his eyes, he let out a short sob, it felt as if he was being torn apart. Arthur waited patiently still for Merlin to feel a bit comfortable. Merlin was way too tight and tensed, moving would be difficult. He kissed Merlin until he felt him relax. "I'm going to move now, can I?" Arthur murmured.

Merlin took a shaking breath. "Y...yeah. slow. P...please..."

Arthur groaned when he felt Merlin tightened.

"Merlin, I'm so sorry but I don't think I can hold back..."

The next morning...

Merlin woke up to Arthur kissing him. He tried stretching but froze when a sharp pain shot through his spine.

" Good morning Emrys Pendragon" Arthur greeted in his thick morning voice. "You okay?"

Merlin slowly open his eyes and was meant with Arthur's. Memories of last night came rushing in. He blushed and tried to turn away. Wrong move. He gasped put in pain, every part of him hurt. He closed his eyes shut and waited for the pain to reside.

Arthur wrapped his hand around him. "You're sore. Sorry" He said as he kissed Merlin's forehead down to his neck. " You shouldn't move to fast"

Merlin tried saying something but couldn't find his voice. Great! What happened to his voice?. "My voice..." He croaked

Arthur chuckled. "You were quite a screamer".

Merlin blushed to the tips of his ears.

"Whose fault do you think it is?" He murmured.

He hid his face on Arthur's chest. If embarrassed could kill, he would be dead by then.

Merlin was happy. He's started a new life, a new family. Arthur had told him he wanted children but only when he would be ready. Was he ready? No, he wasn't. Caring for another being wasn't a joke. He's got too much to learn. He was still too young. But what about Arthur? Arthur wasn't getting any younger. The Pendragons have supportive. Even Uther accepted their relationship. But after marriage, the family expect a baby. That's normal. But was it the same for a same sex couple? Would they go for Surrogate or adoption? Making decisions girl himself was difficult, now he has to make for more than one person.

Merlin signed deeply.

"Merlin are you okay?" Arthur sounded a bit worried.

" Yeah..." Merlin replied. His voice wasn't fully recovered. "Can we stay in bed all day?"

" I wish, but we can't. There are bunch of wolves waiting downstairs for gift opening, and our flight leaves at 7 pm"

"Can't you do the gift opening alone. I can't climb those stairs" Merlin complained. He snuggled closer to Arthur.

" No, we have to do it together. It a family tradition. Don't worry, I'll carry you and we can use the lift"

Merlin groaned in reply.

" You'll have a whole week of honeymoon to do whatever you like" Arthur said. He'd decided to take him to Venice, one of the most cities in Italy, to spend their honeymoon.

Prison

"He" pick up the receiver staring through the glass at the person on the other side.

" Updates?"

The visitor cleared his throat. "They got married few days ago. Now they are out of town, you know, honeymoon and shit like that"

"He" didn't seem interested though. " In two months I'll be out of here. I want him as my welcoming trophy. Understood?" He didn't wait for reply before putting down the receiver.

The visitor left. He had everything planned out already.

1 month, 3 weeks 4 days

"Our man is no more on the highway. He entered London street. Knights C is closer, after 800m go left. Knights A and B, continue on that road, you should be able to block him at the end if he does change course." Merlin said into his receiver.

Knights of the round table had received and urgent call about a kidnapper with two hostages. A 12 years old girl and her 4 years old sister. The kidnapper had shot their mother who was now in a critical condition. The Special Forces assigned to the case lost control and that lead to the shooting. The kidnapper was able to get a car and now on the run with the victims two kids.

Merlin had been able to track down the car using the satellite and connecting to the security cameras in the area. It was a critical situation. The Knights were chasing with three cars. Arthur and Lancelot Knights A, Gwaine and Pecival Knights B, Elyan and Mithian Knights C. Merlin and Gwen were left in the base.

" Gwen found anything yet?" Arthur asked. His breathing was heavy.

" They've just sent some information about our man. Name Alvarr Balck, Age 27, white, was hospitalised in a psychiatric hospital till the age of 19, reasons are not stated" Gwen read out.

What was his mental condition , Merlin thought. It's a fundamental information. " Gwen, is the name of the hospital written?" He asked without taking off his eyes from the computer screen.

"Erm...there" She read out the name.

Merlin typed few times on the keyboard. " Gwen I've just send you a file"

Gwen clicked on the file and was shocked. " Merlin did you just hacked the hospital account?"

" What's this guy mental condition?" He asked instead. Lives were in danger, and they were kids. He would do anything to protect those kids.

" He's stopped moving" Merlin noticed " Knights C he's still yours"

" Knights, our guy suffered from severe schizophrenia, and he is an hater of women. Knights C should back off" Gwen informed.

The kidnapper got out of the car, grab the older girl and pulled her with a gun on her head. "I'll shoot if you come nearer" He warned the agents.

Lancelot had found a hidden spot. He had the guy under gunpoint and would shoot if anything should go wrong. Arthur was good at negotiating. Elyan and Mithian took notes of the situation typing down the procedures used. Pecival and Gwaine prepared themselves to get the kids when they received the signal.

Arthur can't remember how he was able to talked the guy out, but he succeeded, the kids were fine, the kidnapper had been had over to the police and their job was done. They immediately left the scene before the arrival of the press. They've been nicknamed "The Black heroes", because they always dress in black with their faces covered and nobody knew their real identity.

They went back to Camelot.

"Good job guys" Gwen greeted.

Merlin hugged Arthur. "Thank God you guys are safe"

This wasn't the most dangerous operation they've been in , but it was still dangerous though.

Sophie brought a crate of beer. Percival distributed a bottle to each. As they opened their bottles, the smell hit Merlin hard. He covered his mouth with both hands and rushed to the nearest restroom, crushed down on the toilet and emptied his stomach of whatever he had eaten for breakfast. Arthur who had immediately followed him was now rubbing his back holding a cup of water in the other hand. This has been going on for about a month or so. Arthur had been waking up every morning to an empty bed only to find Merlin throwing up in the toilet.

He handed the cup of water to Merlin and then flushed the WC.

Merlin felt dizzy. He'd been feeling strange for the past few weeks. His stomach would churn painfully, he'd been hyper sensitive to smell and always felt nauseous. He'd thought it was dew to his monthly sickness, but he hasn't peed blood for a long time. He hasn't told anybody yet, well that except Arthur who have asked him several times to go see a doctor. Merlin had assured Arthur he would be fine, he needed to take his medicine regularly. But nothing seemed to have changed, in fact it's worsen.

Merlin placed his head on Arthur's shoulder focusing on his breathing. Arthur wrapped his arm around him. He was sure Merlin had put on some weight, at least that's a good thing.

" Merlin you definitely need to see a doctor. I'll drag you there if need be" Arthur said.

"Umh..." Merlin murmured in reply. " It's already Friday. I'll book an appointment for Monday"

"You need to go home and rest for today. You did a great job"

They heard a knock at the door. " Arthur, is everything okay with Merlin?" Gwaine asked

" Yeah, he seems to have calm down" Arthur replied. "Get his guard to take him home"

Merlin was sitting at the back seat of the car, slowly drifting away. Alator was assigned to some other duty he didn't know about and now he has a new bodyguard. What was his name again? Great! He can't even remember the name of the person that suppose to be protecting him. He was a very quiet man like Alator. Merlin haven't had time to run a personal background check on him. He should be worried since Uther approved double of him, right?. He mentally promised to do a background check when he got home. The man had been his bodyguard for few days and he seemed nice.

Merlin finally abandoned himself to the long calling sleep.

The man looked at the rear view mirror and smiled. He never thought his plans would have been eased.

Who are you?

Merlin tried rolling into a comfortable position, he couldn't. His hands and leg where restrained. Was he dreaming? He slowly blinked his eyes opened. The room was pitch black. His hands and legs were tied, and the bed was definitely not his and Arthur's, in addition to the horrific situation, he was wearing nothing except a pair of boxers. He has had lot of nightmare similar to this, but he would always wake up after sometime. And he hadn't been having nightmares for a long time. This one though seemed a never ending nightmare. No, this wasn't a dream.

It's real!

What was going on? He remembered feeling sick, Arthur had ask him to go home. He was in the car, his new bodyguard was driving him home. That was the last thing he remembered. Did something happen? Where they attacked? Where was he? Was his bodyguard okay? Merlin knew the situation wasn't pleasant.

Fear crept in. His breathing became heavier.

Calm down, he told himself, he is still alive, there is still hope.

"Arthur..." He called. Maybe calling for Arthur wasn't a good idea and why call for Arthur? What if his kidnappers where there. Is there even any possibility that Arthur could here? How long has he been missing? "missing" Merlin thought. He was missing! Have the knights already started looking for him? What time was it? Was he going to die? He hasn't even called his parents that day, what about Freya? Will? His thoughts were interrupted when he heard foot steps. He wasn't wearing his glasses but his eyes have adjusted in the dark and he could see a door few paces away in front of him. The footsteps were getting nearer. That could be his kidnapper

Merlin panicked.

He'd been kidnapped before. The first was Arthur, but turned out he was only protecting him. The second time had been terrible, and now this.

He pulled both hands and legs to get free, he could feel the restraints biting through his flesh. He ignored the pain and continued trying to get free.

The person was getting closer.

He noticed the footsteps have stopped at the door.

Merlin stopped trying to get and water for the door to open. His heart was drumming.

Silence.

Feel seconds passed. Why is the person not coming in? Merlin thought

"Arthur..." He called and waited for an answer, or anything at all.

He heard keys tangling. The person inserted the key and in the dark Merlin heard the sound of the door unlocking. His heart beat echoed in his ears. His whole body was trembling.

The door opened. A figure was standing. The room behind him was slightly illuminated. Merlin couldn't see his face though. The stranger entered and shut the door.

Merlin found himself tied to a bed post, half naked, in the dark, with a stranger. If it were a nightmare, he would love to wake up now. Sweat ran down his forehead as his kidnapper walked closer to the bed.

The man clicked on the switch above the bed, and darkness was swallowed in the artifical light. Merlin had shut his eyes because of the sudden illumination, he slowly opened them. Eyes meant with those of the man standing next to him.

Merlin eyes widened when he saw his bodyguard.

"Mr Borden?". Merlin said. He didn't have his glasses, maybe he wasn't seeing clearly.

Julius Borden smiled at him. "Yes, Mr . Pendragon"

Merlin felt relieved. It was really Mr Borden. Merlin noticed he was bleeding. Did he get into fight because of him?.

"How do you feel?" Julius asked without making any move to untie Merlin.

" I'm not feeling well Mr Borden. Can you please untie me. Why am I even tied up in the first place? And face is hurt" Merlin started feeling unease when Julius didn't move.

"I'm sorry Merlin, I can't do that." Julius replied and smiled darkly at Merlin.

Merlin eyes widened. Fear crept in a double fold than before. What?! This is bad

" You're not going to start screaming, right? 'Cause I'll be forced to tape your mouth shut." Julius quickly added in a stern voice

Merlin shook his head furiously. "N...no" He stammered.

"Good boy"

Merlin jolted when he had a Phone vibrating. It was Mr Borden's. The man turned his attention to his phone.

The room feel into an unpleasant silence while Merlin struggled with his own thoughts. Turns out the person that is supposed to be protecting him is actually his kidnapper. Who was he working for?. Is he a serial killer or something?. Everyone knew Mr Borden was the last person to see him. He will be the prime suspect. He can't escape.

Merlin groaned tiredly. His eyes were beginning to hurt, and his mouth was dry.

Merlin wasn't sure if his life was important at this point but there should be no harm asking for some water. "Erm... Mr Borden... can I have some water?"

Julius glanced at him, dip his phone in his back pocket and left through the room with out saying a word.

Merlin watched him vanish through the door. Mr Borden was probably going to get him water. He looked around the room, there were no windows, not that he has got the strength to escape, he was still feeling sick. He could feel his eyes starting to hurt more. Those are the consequence of staying without his glasses for too long. Right! His glasses! Where were they? He could active kilgharrah, and the knight would find him easily. He had on his ring too, but it seemed Mr Borden took everything off. Is it possible he knew about kilgharrah?. There was nothing in the room except a small wardrobe at the other end of the room. His belongings could be in there.

The door opened and Julius entered holding a glass cup of water. He closed the door , walked to the bed side where Merlin was lying still and sat beside him.

" You might have to raise you head up a bit so you won't choke while you drink" Julie's said.

Merlin did as told whole Julius helped him with the water.

" Thanks" Merlin murmured.

Julius stood up without replying and made to get out of the room.

" Wait" Merlin called " Your... your face. What happened?" Seriously Merlin, you should be worried about yourself.

Julius stood still with his back turned against Merlin. " Seriously? Are you really worried about me? What are going to do? Treat my wound?" His voice got higher and there was a tint of anger.

Great Merlin, you've succeeded in making him angry.

Julius abruptly turned around and sat down on the bed, he lean in closely enough that Merlin could feel his breath on his face.

" You're the one in danger. You should be worried about yourself." He smirked deviously and leaned away. " You really want to know how I got these bruises?" He asked staring at the glass cup in his hand. " Here you go. Right now you're missing. We were attacked on our way home by a group of people with there face covered. They knocked me out. When I woke up you weren't there. That's the story I told the knights and they a currently looking for you. You've been missing for about 5 hours now. The knights will never stop looking, your husband will hunt down who ever hurt you, except they are looking for you in the wrong place." Julius chucked as if he was having fun. " I can't believe the Pendragon had been fooled by me. You Merlin, you're still alive only because he wants you alive. You better behave because nobody can save you, not even your beloved husband." He said and left the room jamming the door behind him.

Merlin had stopped listening at the time Julius said "he wants you alive" He? Turns out Mr Borden was working for someone? Who was it? Merlin thought every possible place where he might have gone wrong, from the hacking of the Pendragon document till now, who has he offended? Different companies from different countries had offered him a job due to his abilities, but he had kindly refused. Could it be one of them that want him to seriously work in their company? Would they go this extent to get what they want?. Even if Merlin didn't know who "he" was, he has the feeling it would be a dreadful meeting. If only he could active his kilgharrah, the knight would find him in no time. Merlin was exhausted, his head was pounding, his eyes felt heavy and he could barely keep them open. He had survived in many other situation, but was he going to survive this time? Is there a way out? Will he see his parents again, Freya, the knights, Will,...Arthur, will he be able to give Arthur the family he desired? Thoughts laid upon thoughts, the dreadful feelings were increasing. This was the end. His end. At least his family would be at peace. They wouldn't have to worry about him because he wouldn't be there to cause any more trouble, they will be safe from danger with him gone. Come to think of it, all he had ever done was to attract danger. Silent tears ran down Merlin's eyes. He was tired. Tired of everything. He wanted everything to stop.

Merlin involuntarily drifted off into another deep sleep.

A mission to save Merlin

"40 minutes has passed" Elyan said into the receiver. " he's been checking his watch. He must be expecting someone".

Elyan was sitting in a pub, few seats away from their target, pretending to be reading a newspaper with a cap covering half of his face.

Arthur and the rest were in one of there equipped car packed few miles away. Each of them working on their laptop. They've been awake all night, since Merlin has been missing. None of them seemed fatigued though. They were worried but determined to find Merlin.

" Guys I've sent the result to every one" Gwen informed

They all typed opened the file and scanned the information in front of them.

" It seems our man has been pretty busy in the prison" Percival commented.

"He's made and received lots of calls from that place just yesterday" Mithian noted

"That bastard..." Gwaine snared

" Maybe that's the person he is waiting for. Could be the person is being released today. But he hasn't made or received any call since he left Camelot this morning" Lancelot said.

Arthur remained silent. He knew his intuition was right. Julius Borden is their suspect. He didn't believe Julius made up story. He decided to run a background check on him after Merlin went missing. The only information about him were the ones registered in the military. Julius was an ex soldier how had served in Afghanistan. There was no information about his family or anything important. Arthur felt something was wrong. They called Julius back this morning for an interrogation. But Arthur's plan was to place a kilgharrah on his phone and get some information. They let him off after asking few questions. Since then they've been following him. Julius Borden hasn't made any suspicious move, but the information on his phone is a good reason to suspect him.

God Merlin, you better be okay.

" Guys, it's 10: 30 am, our guy just left the pub" They heard Elyan say through the receiver. Gwaine jumped on the drivers seat and turned on the car.

" What the hell! He just stole a red ford" Elyan said. " He's driving out of the car park"

" OK, Elyan , we'll pick you up in front of the pub" Arthur said. "Gwaine is kilgharrah working fine?"

" Yes, the bastard is currently on the Thamesmead highway. We'll get Elyan and then go after him" Gwaine replied

Merlin wasn't there, but his creation was there to help save him. You better be alright you good for nothing genius. Arthur was worried. None of them have slept, and he had barely eaten anything. Worst of all, Merlin was sick, he had been sick for almost two months or so, he would only get worse in this situation.

15 minutes later.

" He's phone is ringing" Mithian said. They all kept silent and listened.

Kilgharrah can record voice and video it environment. They had connected it to each of their laptop. There was nothing to see though because Julius Borden hand was covering kilgharrah. But they could clearly hear the conversation.

"I'm will be waiting outside" came a thick voice from the other end.

"I'm on my way" Julius replied.

The conversation ended.

" He just turned in western way*" Gwaine said

(*western way is were Her majesty prison Belmarsh is located in London.)

" The prison is 2km away" Percival added " And we are 400 m behind him"

"We should keep our distance" Lancelot suggested "As much as I'd loved to see him go down, we still don't know where they are keeping Merlin"

Gwaine packed the car few miles away from the prison while Julius Borden met with mysterious guy. Kilgharrah was showing a black screen.

"He probably have his phone in his pocket" Elyan said

" At least he carried the phone along, hearing their conversation is okay. He could say were he is keeping Merlin, in that case we'll make sure we get there first." Arthur knew he was being to optimistic. He wished things could go a lot easier. Any mistake could cost Merlin's life.

"Hey Man" They heard Julius Borden greeted the mysterious guy.

" Where is he?" The voice was cold and still.

" Can you be a little bit lively. You just got out of prison. Anyway your princess is safe and sound" Julius replied

"he" Arthur thought. They were referring to Merlin. He would made them pay dearly for hurting Merlin, his Merlin.

"Guys, they are moving. They are taking us to Merlin" Gwaine said as he start up the car.

The group equipped themselves with weapons and put on their helmets. They were all flowing with adrenalin.

"We still don't know who the other guy is. We don't know how many they are." Arthur said.

The return of Valiant

"Amata?" Gwaine said " The place seems like a jungle."

"Somewhere in this jungle Merlin is being held captive" Percival said.

They were getting closer.

Gwaine stopped the car. They watched as Julius went a little further and then drove into a clearing.

The place was deadly silent with trees and bushes and not a single life.

They got out and walked cautiously closer to where Julius had driven into. They hid behind some bushes. Arthur took out a telescope. He couldn't believe who the other guy was when he saw him through the high tech binoculars

"Valiant..." He said under his breath. That son of a bitch.

"What? Let me see"

They passed the telescope around.

Arthur took back the telescope. Julius and Valiant had already gone into the small building. "There are three guys outside. Mithian , Elyan and Percival they are yours. Gwaine Lancelot and I are going inside. Gwen stay in the car , call for an ambulance and back up. Give them the necessary information" Arthur silently gave out his orders

Merlin can't really say how long his been tied up in that room. His hands and legs were starting to feel numb. Was he alone? It's a good thing Julius didn't turn off the light.

Moments later, he heard voices coming from behind the door. His eyes widened in terror. He was going to meet who hired Julius. He held his breath as the door clicked open. Julius appeared first and then...

Valiant?!

Merlin felt his entire body went numb.

Is he dreaming?

Is Valiant actually staring him?

But he was supposed to be locked up in the prison!

Merlin's stomach churned violently causing a stabbing pain below his abdomen. He felt something liquid coming out of him. He was sure he hadn't peed himself because the substance was coming out of his anus. A wave of nausea hit him. He focused on not throwing up, at least that will distract him from thinking about the pain in his abdomen that would probably take him to his grave before Valiant did.

"Leave us" Valiant said to Julius who left with a evil smirk on his face and closed the door.

Valiant worked slowly to the bed.

Merlin was beyond terrorised. He couldn't move a inch.

"Surprise to see me, Merlin?" Valiant smiled. He sat on the bed, on the spot once occupied by Julius. "I was released in time for good conduct. I've turned a new leaf"

Merlin didn't bug not even when Valiant caressed his face and rubbed his thumb over his lips.

"You've become more beautiful Merlin" Valiant smiled dropped when he saw the love bite on Merlin's neck. "That bastard did this right? Don't worry, I'm going to leave so any marks that you'll forget about him"

Merlin watched as Valiant suddenly left the room.

Merlin felt tears running down his face. Why was he crying? Because of the pain in his abdomen? Maybe because of the nausea he was desperately trying to suppress? Or because he was totally helpless? People pray for their dreams to come true, but they forgot nightmares are also dreams. And now his worst nightmare is right before him. Reality has always played jokes on him, but this one is not fun at all.

Valiant entered holding a double edged dagger.

Merlin sucked on his breath. This was his dead end, and there seemed to be no way out. Valiant was going to kill him!

He still couldn't move, it felt as if he was frozen cold to the bed. He had no strength to even struggle, he was going to die anyway.

Valiant climbed on the bed and sat across Merlin. He was in a kneeling position so that he wasn't completely sitting on the man below him.

Merlin could only watched as the dagger moved closer to his face. Valiant was going to torture his to death... He shut his eyes closed waiting for the pain, He was going to die probably with his throat slit open. But instead of pain, he felt the tension in his hands released. He let them fall sluggishly to his side.

" I'm cutting off this ropes because I trust you won't make a scene" Valiant said. He cut off the restraints on both legs and place the dagger at the edge of the bed.

Merlin released his breath. He was relieved. Death is one of those things you can never be prepared for.

"Don't worry Merlin, I won't kill you, not now, you have to satisfy me first"

Merlin felt disgusted. So Valiant was going to violate him. He prefer dying than to remain conscious while Valiant rape him.

Merlin tensed and clench the bed with both hands as Valiant licked and sucked his nipples. He can't take this. The assault was too much for him to bare. The pain in his abdomen has increased. The nauseous feelings has been replaced by an atrocious sensation as his body was trying to regret those intruding feelings caused by Valiant dirty acts. Merlin closed his eyes shut and bit hard on his lower lip till the skin broke. Though he was screaming inside, sadly nobody could hear him.

" Don't do that" Valiant said and grabbed Merlin's face, holding it firm in place. " I'm the only one that can cause you pain now" He said as he linked off the crimson liquid off Merlin's lip. He was about to turn it into a full kiss when he heard a loud blast coming from behind the door.

Merlin flipped his eyes opened in shock, but flinched when he meant Valiant dark terrifying gaze. No doubt, Valiant was angry, and that wasn't a good sign.

" Fuck" Valiant cursed. " Your husband has already found us. God he didn't even give me time to breath that son of a bitch". He got off for the bed and dragged Merlin up by his hair.

Merlin screamed out in pain, he felt dizzy due to the sudden movement. He was tired and weak that he thought he would faint, but the tiniest hope that behind that door there's Arthur was keeping him conscious. His eyes feel on the bed, he froze when he saw blood stain on it. He was bleeding?

" It seems you're already bleeding to death" Valiant said. He point a gun on Merlin head. " Now stay still if you don't want me to blow up you head"

Merlin could feel the liquid running down his legs. At least he would see Arthur before he dies.

They waited for the door to open...

"Go get Merlin, we'll keep watch" Percival said. The three target had been knocked out and restrained.

Arthur nodded in reply, and signalled for the other two to follow.

The house was a small bungalow. There could be at least three to four rooms. If Arthur calculation is right, then they would just have to pick a door each. There was no time. Valiant was in there somewhere with Merlin. Arthur's heart was drumming and the looks on Gwaine and Lancelot face showed they were as worried as Arthur.

The main entrance wasn't locked. Good. "You guys feel very safe here, bastards" Arthur thought.

They entered and faced another door, it was locked.

Arthur counted to three and signalled for Gwaine to kick the door down. Lancelot and Arthur rushed in, there was a guy watching the TV, he didn't have time to react before Lancelot knocked him out unconscious and restrained him. Just then, another door opened, Julius stood frozen. Even if he couldn't see their faces, he knew who they were already. He made to close back the door, but Arthur was already there in front of him followed by Gwaine and Lancelot.

Arthur landed a blow on Julius hard enough to throw him on he floor but leaving him conscious. Gwaine held him down and restrained him.

" Where is Merlin?" Arthur asked, he voice was tainted in anger.

" Fuck you Pendragon" Was Julius reply to which he received a kick from Gwaine.

"The window..." Lancelot said and pulled the dark curtains that was preventing the light.

That was when they saw the door.

"Gwaine, knock him out a take him outside with the others" Arthur ordered. "Make sure back ups and ambulances are here. Valiant must have called for backup himself, no car is allowed to enter that road, kill them if needed"

Gwaine nodded "Understood" and dragged out an unconscious Julius.

Arthur and Lancelot were left to break the last door. In there was Merlin and a very aggressive Valiant, things could turn out pretty ugly.

The door flew open with a single kick from Lancelot. They stopped on their tracks, their guns tightly held in both hands. They were breathing heavily. Opposite them, at the other side of the room was Merlin, behind him was Valiant holding him by his neck and pointing a gun to his head.

Arthur eyes meant Merlin's. He could read any sign of life, Merlin had already given up. He felt his muscles tensed, he was going to kill that bastard.

"Stay right where you are" Valiant shouted. "I'm going shoot him even if it cost me my life, I'm sure you don't want Merlin to die Arthur Pendragon"

"Calm down Va..." Arthur started

" Shut the Fuck up, and drop your weapons and kick them over, Both of you."

Arthur signalled for Lancelot to comply. They did as were told. Arthur's eyes didn't leave Merlin for once.

When Merlin saw Arthur and Lance, he felt a slight of hopefulness, but they weren't completely out of danger. Valiant had called for back up. He was happy though, he got to see Arthur even though he can't really say anything to him. What could he say in a situation like this? It was all his fault, he was the source of all this trouble, even if he were to be saved this time, would the battle be over? He felt tears running down his face. Crap! Why was he crying? He watched as Lance and Arthur kicked their guns over. In front of Merlin were two guns and a dagger. What was he thinking to do? He learned many technic on how to break free from someone's but was he strong enough to do that now? He remembered his combat trainer telling him "You might be small Merlin, but you've got a very strong will that can make you do unexpected things". But right now what was his will? Arthur's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

" We could solve things other way round" Arthur was saying.

Yes, to live, that was his will. Build a family with Arthur, make lots of memories with his family and friends.

" Look Valiant..." Arthur said and took a step forward.

"I said don't move..." Valiant shouted

That was when it happened.

It happened so fast.

Valiant point the gun at Arthur and released a shot.

Merlin didn't know what happened to his body but it felt as if he wasn't in control. The next think he saw was Valiant lying beneath him coughing out blood. A dagger was buried in his chest and Merlin hands were still holding it. Everything felt so slow but fast at the same time. He could hear someone calling his name but the voice was too far. He felt he was being carried. Now someone was shaking him. Who? He looked up and was met with Arthur's eyes. He was saying something. Merlin tried to focus on what Arthur was saying.

"Merlin, Merlin, stay with baby please."

"Merlin can you hear me. Keep your eyes open"

"Oh My God please stay with me"

"The bed is covered in blood" Merlin heard Lance say.

"He's bleeding, from where?"

"Bring them out. Ambulance is here." Some else shouted.

" Stop shouting, I can hear you" Merlin thought but he couldn't voiced anything out. He was very tired, he needed to sleep just for few minutes.

"No no no... Merlin open your eyes goddammit" Arthur cried.

He carried Merlin and ran all the way to the ambulance. He was meant by two paramedics carrying a bed. Merlin was laid on the bed.

" We need someone who can give valid information" One of them said as they pushed the bed in the ambulance. Arthur jumped in. " Who are your sir?"

" His husband" He replied shortly never taking his eyes off Merlin who was now having a neck brace on, rounded by two very busy paramedics.

The war is not yet over

About ten minutes has passed since they arrived at the hospital. They've change into normal cloths to keep their cover. Now they are just normal famous models being guarded by the police in the waiting hall. Arthur has been pacing up and down the room. Gwaine was standing at the window staring into space. Lancelot and Gwen occupied one of the sofa in the room. Mithian took a single sofa. Elyan had gone to give some reports to the Elders, he should be arriving anytime soon. Percival was sitting on the floor with his head raised to the ceiling. An officer was standing still at the door, there are others standing outside too. They were all immersed in the own thoughts.

Arthur stopped pacing. He rested his back on the wall, closed his eyes and his thoughts took him back to what had happened in that room with Valiant.

Valiant shot him, he fell to the ground, but he had bulletproof on so he was protected, but what Merlin did next was quite terrifying. Immediately after the shot, it was as if Merlin's power had awaken and gone berserk. Merlin back headed Valiant who screamed out in pain, before he could react Merlin had gone for the dagger and without hesitation he stabbed Valiant right through the chest. Arthur's eyes snapped open. How was Merlin going to feel? Will he even remember? If it turns out that Merlin couldn't remember, was Arthur willing to tell him what happened. God, he shouldn't worring about that now, they should hope Merlin wakes up and if possible with his memories. Elyan entered.

"How did it go?" Arthur asked.

Elyan explained in details how his meeting with the Elders had gone.

Meanwhile...

"Oh my God" The doctor said in shock staring at the monitors. The two nurses in the room with him had the same shocked expression.

" What... It's not... but how can...he is a man..." One of the nurse stammered.

" I need to make a call" The doctor said and left the room.

Arthur felt his phone vibrating. The caller was Gaius. Probably calling to know about Merlin's current situation. They all knew about what was going on. Will, Balinor and Hunith will be arriving in the UK soon. He swiped on the accept arrow.

" Hello Gaius"

"Put me on speaker" Gaius said.

Arthur did as told and signalled for the rest to come nearer.

"You need to get Merlin out of there..." Gaius voice was thick and serious. Arthur knew it was an order, an order to be carried out be asking any question. So he listened. " he is not safe. Uther have sent some trusted officers to take into custody the doctors and nurses assigned to Merlin. Merlin's parent are here, we'll be waiting for you all at Arthur's house."

" Yes sir" They replied simultaneously.

" This is Science Academy, how may I help?"

" I'm a doctor , and I have some important information to give"

" Officer, we need to get Merlin out of here, can you prepare two cars for us. We don't need a driver. Gwaine and Lance will drive" Arthur said to the Police officer in the room with them. He nodded and left the room followed by Gwaine and Lance.

They entered the room where Merlin was sleeping peacefully one the bed. He looked paler than usual in the light blue hospital gown.

" You can't be in here" One of the nurses said.

"Actually we need to get him out of here" Arthur replied.

Both nurses were taken out of the room by Gwen and Mithian.

Elyan held the IV while Arthur carried Merlin. They gently walked to the car where Lance and Gwaine were waiting. Elyan and Arthur took a car with Merlin while Percival, Gwen and Mithian entered the other and they drove off. Merlin looked stabilised. Arthur could feel his heart rising and falling and that was enough to know he was still alive. He was so young and innocent, yet he's passed through hell. Arthur knew nothing good was coming, Gaius voice didn't sound excited.

Secret Revealed

Merlin groaned softly and slowly blinked his eyes opened. He was very thirsty.

" wa...water..." He Mumbles

Freya who had her head resting on the bed jolted up.

"Merlin, you're awake finally" Freya said. " water right, here" She helped him with some water and then helped him with his glasses.

Within a few minutes he was surrounded by familiar faces smiling at him

" What's going on?" He crocked out. He voice was raw but other than that he was feeling fine. "A family meeting I wasn't aware of?". The room was filled with people. What was going on? Was he dying?

"Merlin baby are you okay?" Hunith asked holding Merlin's hand in hers.

"Yeah... was everybody here to say their last time goodbyes? Sadly you guys have to support me for some time" Merlin smiled weakly. He was happy. The last thing he remembered was being at the point of death. Valiant was there, something happened but he just couldn't remember vividly. His memories were fragmented.

Arthur smiled at Merlin's weak attempt to make a joke. That was Merlin for you, always trying to make people happy despite his condition. They've been waiting for him to wake up for about three hours and they've managed to set up a room with a monitor and some IV stands under Gaius strict supervision. They were all still in shock mode from what Gaius had told them. Gaius had explained to them Merlin's condition, the fact that Merlin might be pregnant was confirmed by the tiny dot they saw on the screen earlier and they couldn't miss the soft and steady heartbeat of the zygote growing inside Merlin. That useless Doctor had found out and informed the Science Academy. Luckily Gaius was one of them so he was able to talk to them, nobody knows what they've decided to do yet. Arthur was never going to allow them to make Merlin a subject of experiment. They were all scared of how Merlin would react... keeping such a secret away from him for so long...

"Move away from him everybody." Gaius said. "He needs fresh air"

They all move away taking different position in the room except Hunith who had her chair placed beside Merlin's bed.

Bunch of pillows were position behind Merlin to help him sit up.

"Would you like something to eat?" Hunith asked.

"The only thing I can eat without throwing up are the crackers Dolores have been giving me" Merlin replied and yawned making his eyes watery. He took off his glasses to clean the tears and then put them back on.

"Dolores has gone to get some coffee. I'll go meet her in the kitchen and get the Crackers." Gwen offered. " Is that all?"

" Yes, thanks Gwen." Merlin replied weakly. He wasn't really hungry but he hasn't eaten anything for as long as he could remember.

Gwen left the room and closed the door behind her.

Nobody said anything.

The silence wasn't comforting. There were the knights, His father and Uther were in a deed conversation at the end of the room, Morgana was holding a sleeping Morgause and Modred was strangely sitting quietly close to Leon who was also emerged in his own thoughts, his mother who was sitting beside him was clearly nervous, Will and Freya were also talking. And Arthur. Arthur was...standing, his back turned against Merlin, staring out of the window. And then Merlin remembered, Arthur and someone else, "was it Lancelot?", had entered that room. What happened after? What happened to Valiant ...? "why can't I remember? Did I hit my head? But I'm not feeling pain?" Arthur looked distant. Merlin has always thought there was a substance separating a person from another, a very transparent nylon like substance, so transparent that you could clearly see the person but it filters a lot of emotions, and nothing could break it, not even love. That's probably why it's difficult to understand how people feels sometimes, no matter what bound they share. At that moment Merlin felt a lot of things were being filtered away from him, everyone had that look on their faces that seemed they knew something.

Arthur had been staring out through the window. All he was thinking about was Merlin. Merlin had always been the centre of his thoughts. But right now he was scared, scared of what Merlin might do if he found out...

" Arthur..." Merlin called.

Arthur snapped out of his thought when he had Merlin's voice. He turned and smile bright at Merlin. "I see you have my time now" He said as he worked closer to Merlin.

" Are you okay?" Merlin asked.

Arthur froze. "did he remembe?" He quickly composed himself , sat down on the bed beside Merlin and took Merlin's hand in his.

" I should be asking you that?" Arthur said and kissed Merlin's hand.

Merlin turned crimson. "I'm fine. You saved me. I couldn't do anything..." Merlin fell silent. He was going to cry if he should continue talking.

"You don't have to worry. You actually helped us finding you, thanks to your kilgharrah. You helped indirectly." Arthur assured him.

" I can't remember what happened. Where is Va..."

"You don't have to worry about that" Arthur cut in. Arthur was relieved. Merlin didn't remember. Was that a good thing though? "you stabbed Valiant and you are pregnant"These are information that could destroy Merlin. One would be enough. The most important one. Hunith had taken the responsibility to tell him that. They just have to wait.

The door opening attracted everyone's attention. Gwen entered holding a pack of crackers, Dolores followed carrying a tray with filled coffee cups.

Few minutes later, they were all done with silently sipping their coffee and Merlin had surprisingly eaten all his crackers. Nobody had said anything except Freya who was updating him about the progress on his socials. He had gained more followers in the past two days and there had been a lot of "get well soon wishes".

"Merlin darling do you need something else?" Hunith asked. She was terrified. Everybody in the room were waiting for her to start talking. Which was the right way to start this conversation though?

"I'm fine" Merlin replied " It's just that everybody are here and nobody is saying anything, not to me. Why is everybody here? Clearly I'm not dying so...?

" Merlin your .mother need to tell you something." That was the first time Merlin heard his father's voice. "Please listen. Do you want us to leave?"

" no, it's fine everyone should stay."

Merlin nodded and turned his attention to his mum. Hunith eyes were already lucid. "This must be bad" Merlin thought. He wasn't scared though. He's passed through a lot, what could possibly be worse?

Hunith picked up the brown file that has been lying of the floor. She brought out loads of documents and gave them to Merlin.

"You can start reading through them. They contain information about you that you didn't know." Hunith started. "Merlin, these information are going to turn your whole life around. Merlin you..." She paused. All eyes were on them. They room was filled with different drumming hearts.

"...you have the ability to get pregnant. Your morning sickness is not a sickness, it's just a normal menstruation. Everything you have to know are written in those essay documents. Gaius have been working hard, and your life is not at risk like that of the first men. Merlin baby..." Hunith was sobbing.

Merlin was scanning through thee papers. His hands was furiously shaking. His vision was becoming blurry and all he could read were the words

"pregnant"

"pregnancy"

"pregnant"

"pregnancy"

Hunith took his hand in his. "Merlin please listen to me. This is a secret that wasn't suppose to be, at least not to you. I was so selfish, I wanted you to have a normal life, and I was scared to lose you to 'those people'. But I was wrong, Merlin, you had every right to know, I'm so sorry baby, I'm so..." Hunith sobbed.

Merlin pulled his hand away from Hunith grasp. Betrayal was boldly written on his face. The whole situation was sadly funny. He felt like crying and laughing at the same time. Just a while ago, he had thought nothing could be worse. Merlin raised his head to look at the faces of everyone in the room. Why did they have that painful expression? He was the one in the mess there. Merlin suddenly felt embarrassed. He stared at his hands, that way he won't be able to see anybody's face. No doubt they were all staring at him. Why? Was he really a freak? Will this nightmare ever end? Nightmare... Valiant. Merlin remembered. He remembered stabbing Valiant, he remembered Valiant coughing out blood, there had been a lot of blood, he was covered in it, he remembered Arthur calling his name, he remembered wanting to sleep. Did he kill Valiant? He killed someone and he wasn't feeling anything. This made him what? A monster?

"I want to be alone" Merlin suddenly said.

Slowly and without protest the crowd started leaving.

"Will, stay"

Will stood frozen on spot. Arthur felt he had been stabbed on his heart. Merlin's chose Will over him. He knew they were childhood friends but still it hurts. Okay, this wasn't the right time to get jealous. Arthur left the room last and closed the door behind him.

Will stood still , he didn't know if he was allowed to move any closer. Merlin had his back turned at him He's consoled Merlin in many occasions, but this one was different. Will had always knew Merlin could get pregnant. Hunith had told him to take good care of Merlin. He was one of those who has betrayed Merlin.

"You remember those times..." Merlin started. "...when I'll do something really bad. I'll come crying to you, telling you that I was a bad person and that I was a monster. But you would cup my faces and stare into my eyes. You know I was always embarrassed because I'm sure I was always blushing every time you do that. I'll ask you why were you looking at me, you'll tell me I'm looking for any trace of you being a monster. After few seconds, you'll say No, you're not a monster. You're the cutest thing I've ever seen and your eyes are the purest of all, now stopped crying and tell me what happened. Will those are the words who always tell me, and they've always made me feel better. Will, I'm neither a man nor a woman, I can get pregnant! and you must have heard that I killed Valiant. Can you seriously look into my eyes now and say those words to me?" Merlin said and turned to face Will. He was in a pool of tears.

Will hurried over to the bed and pulled Merlin in for a hug and allowed him to cry for few seconds. He took off Merlin glasses and cupped his face. He looked deeply into Merlin's eyes. Those crystal blue balls where as bright as ever and all they ever show was love.

" Merlin..." Will was calm, his voice was steady and warm. " You're not a monster. You're are the cutest thing I've ever seen and your eyes are the purest of all. Valiant is not in a good condition but he's not dead, and none of these are your fault. Now Merlin, you're pregnant, tell me what you feel"

That was it. Will always know the right things to say to calm him. Will's voice has always brought warmth to his heart. Merlin felt he was blessed. Blessed with the best of friends, a wonderful family and a caring husband. Maybe, just maybe, the baby, his ba... he was having a baby...

" I don't know Will, I don't know what to feel" Merlin sobbed out.

" Shhhhh, it's okay. You're not alone in this Merlin"

They both fell asleep.

They all released their breath.

"It went better than expected." Gwaine said.

They were all standing around the computer placed on the table from where they had witnessed and listened to the conversation between Will and Merlin.

"Arthur don't worry, I'm sure they are just friends" Gwaine smirked.

If staring could kill, Gwaine would be long dead.

Everyone turned to look at Arthur.

"Oh my gosh, Arthur you're jealous" Morgana said.

" Don't mock me, I'm human, and the man I love is sleeping in the arms of another man" Arthur complained.

Everyone one in the room burst out laughing. This was good, the tension wasn't as thick as before. They all have to be strong for Merlin.

The next morning

"Good morning Will, you're finally awake." Merlin greeted.

" Yeah, I was pretty tired." Will smiled. He climbed down the bed and stretched. Merlin watched him yawned and couldn't help himself but also yawned.

"You've been awake for long?" Will asked

"Yes, I was able to read all the documents"

" You want breakfast?" Will asked.

"This monitor is use to see the baby right?" Merlin asked.

" Yes" Will replied. They used it yesterday.

" Ask Arthur to bring my breakfast and Gaius should come along"

Few minutes later, Gaius entered , Arthur followed carrying a tray with a pack of crackers, a cup of milk, a bottle of water and a empty glass cup.

"Good morning Merlin. How are you feeling?" Gaius greeted and walked over to the bed.

" I'm fine Gaius. I want to see this thing growing inside me" Merlin replied without paying attention to Arthur who was sitting next to him on the bed, he wasn't ready to face him, not yet.

Gaius glanced at Arthur in surprise. "Okay, Merlin. I'm going to rub this on your stomach , it's a bit cold" He moved the transducer around Merlin's abdomen.

Merlin blindly reached for Arthur's hand. Arthur noticed and entwined their fingers.

"Here..." Gaius point at the screen "...is your baby". Gaius moved the transducer and the room was filled with two distinctive heartbeats. " Your baby heartbeat is the lower one"

Silently tears feel down Merlin's eyes. Everything was real after all. He finally turned to Arthur who was also crying.

"Arthur clean the gel off his stomach" Gaius said before leaving the room. Arthur did as told and deactivated the kilgharrah on Merlin's glasses.

"Can I kiss you?" Arthur asked.

Merlin nodded without looking at him. Arthur cupped his face. Merlin shivered. Arthur's touch always does that to him. It's been too long since he felt this warmth. He closed his eyes as Arthur's lips met his in a soft kiss. He has missed Arthur so much, his smell, his touch, his voice, his eyes. Tears ran down Merlin's eyes. Arthur broke the kiss.

"Why are you crying?" Arthur asked.

"Are they going to take me away?"

Arthur knew who "they" were. " No. I wouldn't have allowed it." Arthur relied and wiped Merlin's tears with his thumb. "Gaius and my father were able to talk to them, the government accepted too. They will assist you just like a normal pregnant... person. They'll also give you medications that could help with the vomiting. You don't have to worry. I love you and this baby. We are going to build a family together and I'll always be by your side. Everyone will always be there for you Merlin."

"Are you mad at me?" Merlin suddenly asked.

Arthur frowned. "No, I mean, I was yesterday when you made everybody leave the room except for Will. But now I'm not mad, I'm happy and I love you"

Merlin tried but failed to stop himself from laughing out loud.

Arthur was confused and amazed at the same time. He can't remember the last time he heard Merlin laughed wholeheartedly. "Why are you laughing?"

Merlin composed himself. "I love you too" He said still smiling. "Kiss me" He ordered Arthur who joyfully complied.

" This would definitely be a joke for another time" Merlin thought "I can't believe Arthur is jealous of Will."

"I am pregnant. The science academy are not going to take me as an experiment. I am going to have a baby with Arthur." Merlin thought.

When Merlin heard the heartbeat of his baby, he felt all his anger leaving him. He felt he could be happy. He needs to be strong to be able to protect his baby...

The End

Sorry for the mistakes

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Watch out for possible one-shots