Author's note: 21 reviews! Oh My God! That's a record. I never got this much review for any of my chapters. And now the story has 400+ reviews. Thank you so much to all of you. I appreciate every one of them. I never would've been able to make it this far without your support. But with a heavy heart, I have to give you the news that this story is going on a semi-hiatus again for indefinite time. I am going to Medical College in a few days and I'll get busy with my studies. My holiday is over. I'll update in every fifteen days if I get enough time. But don't worry. I am not abandoning this story. I am going to finish it no matter what it takes provided that I don't die.

I will post a teaser chapter tomorrow as a parting gift and it might give you some ideas about what will happen in the near future to Merlin and Arthur.

Enough talking. On with the story. I don't own Merlin or Dark Souls.

Chapter 35

Old Friends and New Plans

[ Four days later ]

" Guinevere! " Arthur exclaimed loudly in joy and ecstasy. He was standing on one of the balcony of the White Gold Tower facing the Royal Garden. Yesterday, word had reached to Arcaenia from Saul's fortress that the Camelotian entourage had left the fortress for the capital.

Half an hour ago, Arthur was given the news that his countrymen had entered the outer city. So, he was waiting for them and at last he had seen the faces he was longing to see for more than a week. After giving the yell of joy, he began to run down through the stairs of the tower and in no time, he found himself standing before her at the entrance of the tower. His queen.

She jumped down from the horse and before they knew anything, their lips met each other 's. They didn't know for how long they had been like that. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. The only thing that mattered to one of them was the knowledge that the other one was safe.

Finally, they let go. Someone whistled. Arthur looked over Guinevere's shoulder and saw it was Gwaine. Arthur gave a smirk at him whose one hand was intertwined with his newlywed wife, Eira Telvani while his other hand was holding Prince Aren's hand who was looking at Arthur with a look that Arthur could easily interpret as ' You're gross, Father. '

Arthur let go off Guinevere's hand, when his eyes met Aren's. He almost ran to his son and upon reaching, lifted him up on the air. Aren squealed and laughed in delight and to Arthur, it was the sweetest sound on earth.

He kissed his son on his cheek and Aren reciprocated it.

" I was worried, father. " Aren said. His voice was filled with relief and joy.

Arthur gave Aren a reassuring smile in return. " Hey, you had no reason to worry. You know your father can't be taken down by some puny soldiers. " His tousled his son's hair and Aren began to giggle.

But then suddenly Aren stopped laughing and looked at his father as if he had remembered something. " But Uncle Merlin beaten you. I heard it. You lost in the duel, didn't you? "

Arthur's ears became red hearing this. He didn't know what to say. He always boasted that he was the best swordsman in Albion, yet he had lost to Merlin. Granted he had cheated, but a defeat was a defeat. There was no arguing in that.

To Arthur's relief, it was the queens of Elmet who saved him from further embarrassment.

Queen Freya Ambrosius and Queen-Mother Hunith Ignotus arrived there with an entire group of Royal guards on their heel just at that moment.

" Aunt Freya! Granny! " Aren jumped from his father's lap and ran towards the queens. Freya lowered herself to Aren's level and hugged him.

" Welcome back, Little Prince. How's your journey? " Freya asked after releasing him from the embrace.

" It was not bad. Just boring. I wanted to ride with mom. But she said I'm still too young. So, I was on the wagon and doing nothing. " Aren said while giving a pout.

" Your mother is right, dear. You're still too young to ride a horse. " Hunith said who was standing beside Freya.

Aren looked at Hunith with sharp eyes. " Oh yeah? You think I am small? You're wrong, old lady. "

Some of the Elmetian Royal Guard heaved a sigh and murmured, " Here we go again. "

" Now wait just a minute. Who're you calling old? I'm only in my fifties. Even if I am old, at least I am not a little prince. " Huntih said putting emphasis on the word ' little '.

" I am not little. " This time Aren almost screamed.

" Oh! You are. " Hunith said in a teasing tone.

" Am not. " Aren protested.

" No, you are. It's true you're little. "

" Is not. "

" Is. "

" Is not. "

" Is. "

" Is not. "

" Is not. "

" Is. "

" Gotcha. You've admitted it. " Hunith said flashing a smile of victory.

It took Aren several seconds to realize what happened. When he did realize...

" You cheated. It's not fair. " Aren sounded furious but at the same time it seemed his voice was shaking.

But Aren wasn't able to say anything else as suddenly Hunith raised him from the ground and began to tickle on his side.

The prince of Camelot broke out into a fit of laughter and soon almost everyone present there began to laugh.

Arthur couldn't fathom what was happening. A moment ago, his son was bickering with the Ignotus Royal and now both of them were laughing. What was happening actually?

As if in his question's answer, someone spoke from his side. " Don't be too shocked. Queen-Mother had developed a certain odd sense of humour when your son began to come here. She just love teasing him. " It was someone called Ray ( or Roy? ) had said said that.

Huh?

That's it?

Hunith was teasing with Aren?

It's really odd. Arthur hadn't thought that Hunith was that kind of women. Arthur knew her even before she was queen. She always not only struck as a kind woman to him but also a woman of serious attitude. He had never seen her joking for once.

' Humans change. It's in their nature. After all, I've seen Morgana changing before my own eyes. ' Arthur thought to himself.

" It's good to see you again, Your Highness. " Hunith said while chuckling.

" It's good to be back. " Aren said with a cheery voice.

" Where is Rey, Granny? " Aren asked. He sounded so giddy. It looked like he had completely forgotten that he was shouting with the queen mother only a moment ago.

" Last time I checked, he was playing with Armin and Anne near the garden of Reman. Why don't you go check on them? " Freya said with a chuckle.

" Put me down, granny. "

" Down you go, then. " Aren looked once at Arthur and Guinevere and said , " I'll talk later, mom. See you later, dad. I need to see them first. " Then he went off running and soon he was out of both of the Camelotian Royals' sight. A Royal guard went with Aren as his escort.

" Your son is one ball of energy. Isn't he, your grace? " Arthur was so caught off-guard that he failed to notice that Freya was talking with him. Thankfully, Guinevere answered the question.

" That he is. " After giving a pause, she spoke up again. " You must be Queen Freya. It's an honor to meet you, your grace. Aren speaks so fondly of you. "

She looked at Hunith and flashing a smile, she said, " It's so good to see you again, your grace. "

" Please call us by our names, Gwen. You're no stranger to us. Merlin always speaks so highly of you. And we've known each other for a long time. You're a part of our family just like Aren is. " Hunith said with a soft smile on her face.

' They are so open towards Guinevere. But they always try to avoid me. I guess the reason is obvious. ' Arthur thought grimly.

" Now enough talking. I'm sure you're all tired because of your journey and you want to catch up with your king. So, I suggest you all go and rest. The guest chambers have been prepared. All necessary arrangements have been made for your convenience. We Elmetians welcome you in our city. " Freya said and then looked towards a Druid leader and said, " Councilor Aachen, please escort our guests to their chambers. "

" My pleasure, Freya. " The Druid said and beckoned the Camelotians to follow him.

" Wait, Where's Merlin? " Guinevere asked and suddenly Arthur realized that indeed the king of Elmet was not there.

" I'm afraid he's visiting Sen's Fortress near our northern border. He'll return today at afternoon. Don't worry. We'll inform you when he returns. " Freya said with a poker face. It might be Arthur's imagination but for some reason, Freya sounded a little grim than before.

Both Arthur and Guinevere nodded and they entered the tower with the Elmetians while following Aachen to the guest chambers.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

" Have you talked to him? " That's the first thing Guinevere said to him when they were left alone by their host in their private guest chamber.

" Yes, I did. " He was in no mood to recall the memories of that confrontation but he didn't want to hide it from his wife. Still, he wasn't sure what he should do.

" And? " Guinevere gave Arthur a questioning look. " What did he say? "

Arthur clenched his fists. He was trying hard not to shake. But...

But the things Merlin had said to him were right. He was a horrible friend. He was feeling guilty beyond measure since then. And he couldn't even share his feelings with anyone. Because then he would be despised. Even Guinevere would hate him. What Merlin had said had opened his eyes.

He had understood just what a rotten person he was. There's no doubt that Guinevere would be able to see that too if he told her what Merlin had told him.

" Arthur. " Guinevere's soft voice rang in his ears. And suddenly he could feel the touch of a gentle hand on his left shoulder. His back was turned against her. He didn't want to face her. Then again, sooner or later, he would have to do it.

" Arthur, talk to me. What did he say? You will not ignore me. Arthur! " Guinevere was shaking his shoulders by now. A battle was raging inside him. Should he tell her? Or should he not?

Finally, he made his decision when his wife said , " In the name of our son and our kingdom, I, Guinevere Pendragon, queen of Camelot command you to talk to me. "

Arthur looked back at her wife instantly. Awe and astonishment was evident in his eyes. He always wondered when his wife had become this much bold.

When she had been a servant, she had been a timid girl. After their marriage, Guinevere began to change. She began to become bold, shrewd and if sometimes needed, cold hearted.

Her boldness increased a thousand fold when Aren was born. Arthur could see that she was always protective of their son. One time, an assassin had tried to kill Aren but he hadn't got the chance to strike. Guinevere had stabbed him with a dagger from behind and kept stabbing him again and again and again. When she had finished doing it, the assassin's face had become unrecognizable. From that day, Arthur learnt one thing.

Don't mess with Guinevere.

She might look like a daffodil but she was as deadly as a viper.

Now that she had taken the name of their son and their kingdom, Arthur knew that he had no choice but to tell everything to her. He looked at her eyes and there was fire burning inside them. He gulped down. There was only once in his life that he had seen such fire in those gentle brown eyes. The last time he had seen it had been before the execution of Gaius. That time, for some reason, he had yielded to Guinevere's determination.

This was the second time. He yielded and talked.

He told her about everything. About what Merlin had told to him. Guinevere didn't interrupt him once. When he was finished, he looked at Guinevere and she was looking at him with a poker face.

" He hates me, Guinevere. I've lost him. I've lost my best friend. I've lost him forever. " Saying this, he lowered his head. Sharing didn't make him feel better like he thought it would. Rather he felt much more horrible and broken.

" Idiot. " Arthur's head shot up when he heard his wife saying that.

" What? " He asked in confusion.

" You're an idiot. " Guinevere said it again.

" What do you mean? " Arthur frowned. He really had no idea what Guinevere was thinking.

" What I mean is that Merlin doesn't hate you. He made it clear in what he had said to you. " The queen said in a scolding voice.

Arthur's eyes widened hearing this. " Of course he hates me. He made it clear when he talked to me. "

" Did he say it? "

" What? "

" Did he say that ' I hate you ' ? "

" No. He said I don't trust you. "

" Then WHY IN GOD'S NAME YOU THINK THAT MERLIN HATES YOU? " Guinevere yelled.

Arthur took a step back. His wife was fuming with rage and now he didn't want to get on her bad side.

" I... I... " Arthur stuttered for words. But they never came. He was now realizing what his wife meant. He really was an idiot. Merlin never told him that he had hated him and yet he had jumped into conclusion. A ray of hope began to glow inside him. Maybe he could still salvage their friendship.

She came near him and put her hands on both shoulders. " And he has given you a very important clue. "

" Clue? "

" Yes. He said, ' I now have far better friends than you. ' That's the clue. " Guinevere said with resolution in her voice.

" How can that be a clue? " Arthur asked. He couldn't understand where his wife was going with it.

" Think, Arthur. He doesn't need your friendship because now he has better friends. If you show him that you can also be a good friend to him. As good as his current friends . Then he will trust you again. You can become friends again. All you have given him was your words.

But in this world, words mean nothing, Arthur. Action does. So don't lose hope. Keep trying. I'm sure you'll succeed. You and Merlin are meant to be friends. Don't let some obstacles stand between you. Burn them to the ground. Reach out and grab your friend. That's all I can say, Arthur. The rest is up to you. "

Arthur didn't know he was holding his breath until Guinevere finished speaking.

Thousand thoughts began to whirl inside his mind. She was right. She told the truth. Merlin didn't trust him but Merlin didn't hate him also. He needed to become a better friend. He needed to show his sincerity . He needed to burn the obstacles between their friendship. He would burn them to the ground.

He came near his queen and held her tightly. " What would I do without you, Guinevere? "

" You would be lost without me. " She said with a soft chuckle.

" Completely and utterly. " Arthur brought his lips near her and soon they met. They lost each other in them and everything else around them dissolved. For now, they were inside their world. A world where only Arthur and Guinevere existed.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

They were all waiting at the foreign chamber for Merlin. He had just returned from Sen's Fortress and were expected to join them soon. The entire Camelotian entourage was in the chamber with the queens and the Elder Councilors were also present. The Camelotian Royals were sitting beside Freya who was sitting on a throne at the right side of Golden throne while Queen-Mother Hunith was sitting at the left side of it.

Gilli was standing at the side of Queen Hunith while Roy was standing at the side of Queen Freya fully clad in Royal Guard's armour. Three huge banners of the Ignotus Pegasus, Ambrosius Phoenix and Linorien Griffin were hanging behind the three thrones. The room was completely silence despite the huge number of people present there. Finally, someone broke the silence.

" How long will it take to Merlin come here? " A bearded knight whose name Gilli didn't know said in an exasperating tone.

Queen Freya answered the question. " He is getting ready and refreshing himself. He'll be here in a minute. "

" Maybe he just tripped on thin air like that time when we went on hunting or when we were going on Annis' land. "

Then, the knight began telling tales of how Merlin was such a clumsy and late person. Never in right time for any occasion. Gill's hands were shaking in anger. He clutched the pommel of his long sword tightly.

How dare he? How dare he insulted his king? And these were the friends Merlin had when he was in Camelot?

Gilli didn't understand why even Merlin bothered to stay with for this long. They were not worthy of being Merlin's friend. He looked at the king of Camelot and saw that he was looking at his knight with disapproval. ' At least he has some decency in him to look like that. ' Gilli thought.

Then the knight said at the end of his long and boring tale. " In the end, Merlin maybe a klutz but he's the best friend I've ever got. I am grateful for his friendship. "

Gilli's grip on his sword loosened. Maybe the Camelotians were not as bad as he was thinking. He looked around and saw that Roy was looking at him. The black haired man mouthed, " How long? " Gilli just shrugged. Truth be told, he was getting a little bored. Just how long would they have to wait?

As if to answer his question, the gigantic stone door of the chamber opened and in came the king of Elmet clad in his newly made white dragon scale ( which Aithusa gave to Merlin on his twenty seventh birthday ) armour set ( forged by Wayrest ). The goldend phoenix of Ambrosius Insignia was looking bright as ever on the armour. The royal black cloak of Elmet made Merlin look like much more kingly and authoritative.

Gilli straightened himself and began to speak aloud. " Behold,, his magical majesty, Merlin Ignotus Ambrosius. King of Elmet. Leader of the Druids, Cathas and the Northern Mages. Archmage of the Pelegius Academy. Priest of the order of the Catha. Guardian of the magical people, protector of the magical realm of Perilous Woods and unofficial High King of Northern Realm.

All hail the king of magic. " Gilli said the last words loudly.

All the Royal Guards who were standing at the two sides of the path to the Golden Throne straightened up, slammed their right fist over their heart and yelled in unison.

" All hail the king of magic. "

Merlin walked straight towards the golden throne. But before sitting on the throne, he looked at the place where the Camelotians were sitting. He beamed a smile at them and said, " We welcome you, my friends. I hope your journey was without trouble. "

" Yes. Thank you, err... " Gilli could sense that the queen of Camelot couldn't decide what she should call Merlin.

" Call me, Merlin. There's no need for title. My friends never use them. " Saying this, Merlin looked towards Gilli.

" But what the hell, Gilli? I told you not to use those titles. Magical Majesty? Really? And stop calling me High King. Just how many new titles will you invent for me? "

" I don't know. But I like to announce you that way. I find it quite entertaining. And you're not going to stop me from doing that. "

" Argh. Suit yourself. " Merlin raised his hands in defeat and sat on the throne.

" Now we've some important things to discuss. But first things first. Where's my nephew? " Merlin said in his business like voice.

The bearded knight snorted and said, " Your nephew is playing outside with your son, who is, I have to say extremely adorable. But still, no ' How are you, Gwaine? ' You're hurting my feelings. "

Arthur Pendragon rolled his eyes and Merlin chuckled. " Sorry, sorry. My bad, Gwaine. I didn't want to hurt your feelings or any other's. You're alright, Gwaine? Percival? Elyan? Sir Geoffrey? "

All of them gave an affirmative answer.

" Wait a minute. Where's Leon and Gaius? " Merlin asked.

" Leon is acting as regent and Gaius can't take the stress of such long journey in this age. So, he's in Camelot. " The queen of Camelot said.

" Awwww. Our mistress of Restoration was waiting for him so eagerly. Shame he hasn't been able to make it here. " Gilli said in a teasing tone.

Many of the occupants of the room began to chuckle. Merlin once leaked the information that Alice had been engaged with Gaius and the younger people of Elmet didn't let any chance to tease her on that matter escape.

Alice was pink in embarrassment. Finally, Merlin intervened.

" Alright. Enough talk. Let's get on to business. " Gilli could sense a hint of disappoint in his voice.

Then the official talking started. It didn't take very long to reach in an agreement as the alliance treaty had already been planned out. Arthur Pendragon agreed to secede the isle of Men to Merlin in exchange of an alliance with the northern kingdoms.

It seemed that the Camelotian people were not unhappy with the arrangement. The Camelotian queen looked very pleased and Arthur looked relieved.

Finally, the talks came to an end and Merlin said, " May this alliance bring upon the downfall of our enemy. We're grateful for your co-operation. "

Both of the kings stood up and shook hands.

After that, Merlin looked at the Camelotian queen and said, " We'll talk more later, Gwen. For now, I have some issues to discuss with my men. Please make yourself at home. " Looking at the gathered councilors, he said, " The session is dismissed. All except my miltary advisors leave. "

Queen Guinevere gave a dry smile and left with her people along with her king after giving a nod towards the Elmetian Royals. Soon, most of the councilors left and only the military advisors of the king remained. Gilli was one of them.

He approached the king and said, " So, Merlin. What does you want us to tell? "

" I have a plan to bring down Amata once and for all. "

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So, what's Merlin's big plan? Any ideas? Reviews are always welcome. Please drop me a line, will you? I'll see you tomorrow.

Happy reading and have a good day.

Adios.

- Assassin of Syria