Fic (Arthur/Merlin): Of Lions and Dragons, Pt 3/3
Title: Of Lions and Dragons
Author: heavenlyxbodies
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin with a huge helping of awesome!Morgana (and supportive!Leon)
Rating: NC17
Spoilers: through S2 definitely, S3 shouldn’t be, S4 none
Feedback: Makes me happy, just play nice
Disclaimer(s) can be found here
Beta: phnx_reader any remaining errors are on me.
Warnings/Squicks: schmangst
Summary: An ancient prophecy warns of a union of might and magic that will destroy a kingdom, but will it destroy Arthur and Merlin first.
*********
“Morgana!” Arthur growled. “Where is my useless manservant?”
“He’s your servant, Arthur,” she replied calmly.
“Yes, but it seems he’s been in your service more than mine of late.”
A playful smile tugged at her lips. “Arthur, you have barely seen Merlin in weeks and when you do you send him away.”
“He is still my servant.”
“Whatever, Arthur, but don’t come claiming I have taken him, when you so obviously no longer want him.” Angry fire burnt in her eyes and she knew her words stung, but she couldn’t help the heat she felt. She knew this stupidity was hurting Arthur as much as Merlin, but Arthur should have been the one going off to disprove the prophecy, not Merlin; Arthur was the warrior, he was the one who should be fighting for the one he loved.
Pain flickered over Arthur’s face. “You don’t know anything about Merlin and I,” he growled deeply.
“I know enough,” she said, more calmly.
Arthur’s chest was heaving as if he’d been fighting a battle rather than arguing with his almost sister.
“You are a fool, Arthur Pendragon, but Merlin loves you- no matter how hard you push him away, nor why. He still believes in you with all his heart.”
Arthur turned away from Morgana’s words, wanting to walk away from them and their truths, but he couldn’t, just as he couldn’t simply send Merlin away, remove him from his service, from the castle, from Camelot. He needed to know Merlin was safe, and he knew Merlin wouldn’t just leave if he was told to, so Arthur kept him as close as he dared, yet somehow he’d disappeared. “Three days.” He spoke softly. “He’s been gone for three days. I had hoped he was hiding here, avoiding me, but none of the other servants have seen him, neither has Gaius. He’s just… gone.”
Morgana’s heart ached for the two men. She placed a loving hand on Arthur’s shoulder, she knew how hard these small revelations were for him.
“I never thought he’d just leave. I always thought he’d at least tell me.” He pulled Morgana’s hand closer and squeezed it.
Morgana swallowed, not certain how much to give away. Merlin was her friend, but Arthur was in such pain. “I don’t believe Merlin would leave without good reason. I’m sure he’ll return. You mean too much to him.”
Arthur turned to look at her, “I wished I could believe that.”
“Believe it, Arthur.”
“You know where he is.” It was a statement.
“I know he left for your sake, both your sakes, and he will come back.”
The pain in Arthur’s eyes was enough to bring down the kingdom. “Morgana, please, I need to know.”
“Why, Arthur? Will you go after him, bring him back here just to continue to push him away, to make the rest of us watch as you slowly kill the two of you? I can’t, Arthur. When Merlin returns it will end, one way or the other, and I have to have faith that it will end well.” She smiled and kissed Arthur’s cheek. “I’m always here, Arthur. Despite everything I say about you, you are still like a brother to me.”
Arthur pulled Morgana into a tight embrace. “Tell me he’s safe.”
“He’s Merlin.”
Arthur barked a laugh through the tears in his eyes then kissed Morgana’s hair. “Thank you.”
He left Morgana’s chambers only slightly less concerned, at least he now knew someone knew where Merlin had gone, and if the infuriating man wasn’t back in three days then he’d push Morgana further. He’d gotten her to at least agree to that. He didn’t like the decision, but he doubted he had another course to follow.
******
Three days had never passed so slowly in all of eternity, Arthur was convinced of it. Three days he had to think and stew and question. The first day he was still angry with Morgana; that she knew where Merlin was, yet refused to tell him. Then he was mad at Merlin for going off so recklessly- alone, without him.
By the second day, he’d realized how stupid it was to think that, considering why the idiot had gone without him- he, Arthur, was an ass. Why would Merlin have come to him, he was the reason Merlin had left to begin with. He’d also given up pretending that every fibre in his being told him that Merlin was right, that they were right. Every moment seemed to accentuate Merlin’s absence. It had been bad enough when he’d been the one pushing Merlin away, but even then he knew the man was nearby, somewhere in the castle or perhaps running errands for Gaius. Now, though. Merlin wasn’t in the castle, wasn’t picking herbs in the forests outside. Arthur had no idea where his servant was. Though sometimes at night he thought he could feel Merlin close, but he knew that was merely the undercurrent of the bond they shared. Merlin had long ago stopped seeking him out that way and he hadn’t searched for his lover in even longer. He’d wake up shivering, wondering if he should try to reach for Merlin, but the fear of what he might find was too much.
When the third day finally arrived Arthur was ready to break out of his skin. He was actually relieved when he was interrupted during his breakfast by Morgana welcoming herself into his chambers. His eyes flicked over her casually resisting the urge to start demanding Merlin’s whereabouts from her.
Morgana sat down across the table from him, “I don’t know where he is.”
Arthur almost choked on the slice of pork he was chewing. Coughing, “What!? You said you knew where he was going.”
“I know what he’s looking for, but I don’t know where exactly he was going,” she explained.
“You let him go off on his own, not knowing where he was going?”
Arthur’s tone worried her, she’d expected him to be upset and angry, but he sounded frustrated and a little scared. “Arthur, I’m sure he’s fine,” she tried to comfort.
“He’s not fine. He’s Merlin, that’s about as far from fine as you can get,” he snapped, standing and pacing. “You’ve got to know something, Morgana.”
“Arthur, calm down, it’s not going to do any good going off like this.”
He walked over to the window looking over the courtyard and drew in several deep breaths, “I know. I know. You’re right, I just… I had hoped to be able to do something.”
“All I know is he was looking for the stones of Rúnviðr, they are supposed to hold the original prophecy that started this nonsense.”
“He knew about the prophecy?”
Morgana nodded. “You were already pulling away from him and he knew you wouldn’t risk Camelot for a possibility. He kept researching it though and found these stones. I told him to tell you.” She huffed, “Neither of you are very good at listening to me.”
“Morgana,” he begged.
“I’m sorry, Arthur, I just…” sighing. “He spoke to the dragon; he told him where to find them. Merlin left the next day.”
Arthur’s head snapped up at the mention of the dragon. “He went to the dragon?” An almost maniacal smile broke out on his face. “Kilgharrah knows where he is then.” He grabbed Morgana and kissed her cheek. “I must see Gaius.”
“Arthur, wait!” she called after the man all but running for the physician’s chambers.
---
“Can you do it?” Arthur asked, hope in his eyes for the first time in weeks.
“You want me to summon the Great Dragon? Here?” Gaius repeated slowly, eyebrow arched as if it was asking its own question.
“It doesn’t matter where; I just need to talk to him.”
“Arthur, you do realize this is the same beast that killed half your men and was laying siege to Camelot.”
Arthur nodded once, “Yes, I do. But he knows where Merlin is,” he continued as if that explained everything, and in a way it did.
“Arthur,” Gaius shook his head, “even if I knew how to summon him there’s no guarantee he’d come, I am no dragonlord.”
“Can we go to him?” Morgana asked from her seat on the bench next to Gaius.
“To him,” Gaius laughed then stopped, cocking his head. “Actually…” He stood to go examine a shelf of books. Pulling one out he flipped through to a page of intricately sketched crags and cliffs. He set the tome on the table between them. “It’s all rather vague, but if he’s anywhere he’s here.”
Morgana and Arthur shared a look.
---------
Between the three of them and some very confused looks from Geoffrey, they pieced together what they thought was a map to the desolate mountain range that had once been home of dragons before the Purge. And Arthur was currently scaling one of those crags. Just as he reached the plateau he heard a rumbling, deep like it was coming from the earth itself.
Uncurling himself from his perch, Kilgharrah turned a sleepy eye on the intruder. “To what do I owe this pleasure, young Pendragon?”
“Where is Merlin?” Arthur demanded, nonplused.
Laughing deeply, “Why would I tell you, Arthur Pendragon? What concern is it of yours? You threw him away like some toy you grew tired of. Perhaps the young warlock is better off without you, able to fulfill his destiny without your distraction.”
Arthur glared at the huge beast, the very creature that had attempted to destroy everything and everyone he held dear only months ago; the only creature who could help him find Merlin. He knew he couldn’t command the answer from the beast, any more than he could command the winds- he huffed at the thought that his bumbling Merlin could do just that. “I need him to come back to Camelot,” Arthur admitted.
“That is no concern of mine. And if that is the only reason you wish to find Merlin then I would you leave here, now, before my patience runs thin.” He flapped his huge wings as if reminding the prince of the kind of power he was challenging.
The prince sagged, “I need him to come back to Camelot,” he tried again, giving away more than he wanted to the beast.
Kilgharrah raised a brow, and lowered his head to eye the prince. “Now that, young Pendragon, might be worth something.”
Arthur closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath before opening them again to stare into one enormous amber eye, “Please.”
“Well, well,” the dragon laughed. “A Pendragon asking me for assistance; how can I refuse?”
It took everything he had not to rage at the overgrown lizard mocking him.
“Calm yourself, your warlock has travelled to the Mountains of Bleyn. Hidden in their depths lies the root of his quest.”
“The Mountains of Bleyn are more than a week’s ride from Camelot. He cannot possibly have travelled that far.”
“Ah, again, young Pendragon, you are rash in your thinking. There are other ways for such a powerful warlock and dragonlord to travel, much faster ways.”
Arthur’s shoulders slumped, how could he hope to reach Merlin if he’d used magical means.
“I should never have doubted,” he whispered to himself.
“If we all dwelt on what we should have done, life would not go forward for any of us.”
Arthur had to chuckle at the dragon’s words, feeling their truth sharply at the moment. He watched the animal curiously for a few moments.
“What is it, young Pendragon? You have something to say.” Normally he wouldn’t bother himself with a human’s thoughts, but this was Arthur Pendragon and he knew better than anyone or anything the young man’s potential.
“Can you help me get to him?” his voice was surprisingly steady, but he needed the dragon’s help and he was not above asking for it. He wanted to laugh at that; before Merlin, he would never have considered accepting anyone’s help, let alone ask for it.
Kilgharrah smiled, “You continue to surprise me. No small feat. What is it you think I can do for you?”
“Take me to him,” Arthur stated as clearly and calmly as if he was assigning patrols.
Kilgharrah roared with laughter echoing off the craggy rocks in this inhospitable terrain. “You are bold, Pendragon.”
Arthur folded his arms across his chest waiting for the dragon’s answer.
Sighing, “Very well, but know this- I do this for the good of one of my kind, not for the sake of yours.”
*********
The mountains of Bleyn loomed in front of Merlin, their huge peaks silhouetted against the dark sky. Merlin set up camp at the base of the mountains, he’d ridden for six solid days, barely stopping for rest; he wouldn’t have been able to sleep much anyway. He doubted he’d sleep tonight, either, despite his exhaustion; tomorrow he’d begin his assault on the mountains. Kilgharrah had said the mountain would tell him where to go; he sighed wondering what that would mean, hoping the ground wouldn’t open up and swallow him.
Merlin felt it as he picked his way through a narrow pass along the first ridge of the mountains, a pull so strong it scared him. Still, he let it guide him over two more crests to the base of a low peak. Halfway up its face there was a small cave entrance, power radiated from the darkness within and his magic seemed to tap into it and sizzle beneath his skin; he wondered if this was what Arthur felt when he let his magic seep into him. Arthur… gods he missed him. It hurt less knowing he couldn’t see him because he wasn’t there, rather than because Arthur was keeping them apart, but it still hurt. He tried not to think about what might happen if this quest of his proved the prophecies true, he doubted he’d ever leave these caves. His macabre thoughts took him several feet further into the cave, until its opening was no more than a pinprick in the distance and a flame he didn’t remember conjuring danced merrily in front of him. Carefully, he began to pick his way through the caves.
---------
Arthur couldn’t believe what he was doing, climbing up the comb of the Great Dragon, trusting the beast not to throw him off miles above the ground, and trusting him to take him to Merlin and not some magic no man’s land, but Merlin was worth it, worth the risk. The irony of that was not lost on Arthur.
“Hold tight, young Pendragon,” Kilgharrah warned as he launched himself off the crag he’d been sitting on.
The trip was cold, but fast, what would have taken his horse in full stride days took a matter of hours.
“This is as far as I go. There is great power within these walls; power even I would not cross. I wish you luck, young Pendragon.” The dragon stretched his neck and beat his wings in agitation. “Your destiny may hang in the balance.”
“Wait!” Arthur called as the dragon turned to leave. “How will I find him?”
The dragon chuckled, “You have the means, Pendragon, if you will but use them.”
He watched the dragon fly away, leaving him alone and confused in this ominous place.
---------
Merlin had no idea how long he’d been walking, the flame above him continuing to flicker brightly no matter how tired and broken his concentration was. For the first time in days he was tired, exhausted to the bone, he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and dream of lying in Arthur’s arms, safe and loved, but he had to find the stones- the driving need was almost as strong as the power in these caves. The caverns were getting more and more obstructed the deeper he went, stone protruding from the ground and walls making the straightest line a maze of earth to be navigated. At times it seemed that the caves were changing as he walked, trying to find increasingly intricate and dangerous ways of slowing his journey. He stumbled as he walked, banging knees and elbows against sometimes sharp stone, but the stones… Shakily, Merlin felt along the walls, trying to avoid the largest of the obstacles. It worked for a while, until the slope of the cave suddenly dropped into a near 45 degree angle sending him skidding along the rocky floor several feet. When he finally stopped his entire body hurt, he could feel little cuts and gouges everywhere, not to mention the bruises, at least bruises he was used to. Groaning, he rolled to the side looking for his pack; he’d made sure to bring some of the salves and herbs Gaius used on Arthur’s lesser injuries, so he could treat some of his larger more bloody hurts. Locating his bag, he drug himself into a sitting position and began to tend his wounds.
It didn’t take Merlin long to clean himself up, assuring that he wasn’t going to bleed to death just yet; however, once he’d finished he was even more exhausted, his body was numb, his vision wobbly, and his stomach growled. Realizing he wasn’t going to win this battle, he rummaged around in his pack for the dried meat he’d brought and the last of the dried fruits Morgana had procured for him. He wriggled a bit to settle into the curve of the wall, tucking his bag up behind him for what little cushion it could provide. His sleep-deprived mind could hear Arthur teasing him about being all bones and no padding. The giggle that tried to escape turned to a sob as the months seemed to fall in on him as real as a cave-in. Mechanically, he nibbled on the meat until he began to doze.
---------
Arthur climbed until the moonless night grew too dark to see in, up to one summit and down the other side. The air in these mountains was cold and lonely; he didn’t like to think about Merlin out here on his own. It was hard enough to think about all the times he’d forced Merlin away in the past weeks leaving him alone in the castle. He found a shallow outcropping to give him some small shelter and lit a fire, hoping he could convince his body that he needed sleep.
---
He was cold, but there was a soft winding warmth slipping around him. It was Merlin; he’d know that feeling anywhere, he doubted he’d ever forget that feeling no matter how hard he tried to push Merlin away. He let himself ease into it; it was only a dream, he could allow himself this tiny respite. He could allow himself to remember. Just as he was relaxing completely into the lost feeling it was torn from him. It felt like getting burnt in reverse, one moment he was filled with warmth, the next a jolting cold. He jerked awake, “Merlin,” he gasped.
At least now he thought he knew what the dragon had meant, if only he could keep the bond open enough on his own to find Merlin. He tried to relax, reminding himself that Merlin was close, that all he had to do was find him. Dawn was peeking over the mountain tops giving him just enough light to travel by, he debated whether to continue along the craggy track he was following, the closest thing to a path he’d been able to find, or to attempt to reach his wayward manservant. Trying to focus on Merlin and only Merlin, not how badly he’d screwed up, or the fact that they wouldn’t be here or at least they’d be here together if he hadn’t been such an ass. Without Merlin he was lost, miserable. And not just here and now, but in his life.
---------
Merlin shot up, eyes wide like a trapped animal and gasping for air. Mentally shaking himself, he stood. Arthur couldn’t be here, there was no time and even if he was, he wouldn’t be using the bond. His head spun lightly, probably from the shock and getting up too quickly. Sitting back down, he checked his scrapes and the nastier gash on his arm to make sure nothing was becoming infected- the wounds looking much less bloody and unnaturally healthy. He chuckled ruefully, wondering if the caves could mend broken hearts as easily as it was healing his arm. Keeping a handful of the dried fruit out to have as he continued through the caves, he repacked his bag. He would find the stones before he slept again.
---------
Arthur had spent the morning trying to find Merlin using the bond they shared, but it was getting him nowhere. He’d spent too long pushing Merlin out to find him so easily. Reluctantly, he gathered himself and set off along the path towards the next ridge hoping that somehow he’d find another way to track Merlin.
By mid-afternoon he’d picked his way to what looked like a thin crevice between the rocks. He could see light on the other side. He looked around for any other way to cross this ridge to the next. A good two hundred feet above him was a path, thin but passable, and the gods only knew how much farther it would be until it actually crested the mountain and led back down the other side. He gaged the small opening, weighing the possibility of safely passing through with the amount of time it would save. Merlin was all he could think about; a silent mantra that had been pushing him through these past days- the same mantra that had guided him through the last two years. With no further thought he made his decision. He stripped his pauldron, gorget, and other plate leaving them concealed at the mouth of the crevice and began to ease himself through the narrow passage. After a couple of tight spots, moments of shoddy footing, and more time than he ever wanted to spend in such a tight location ever again, he emerged onto a relatively flat, almost welcoming, outcrop. Taking a huge, relieved gulp of air, he let out a rich laugh; he’d made it and he was only feet above the pathway, he wouldn’t even have to climb- there were what could’ve been stairs connecting the two places, with any luck he could be over the next ridge by nightfall.
---
A lattice work of vines and roots marked the path he needed to take, a tricky climb at the best of times; Arthur tried not to think about Merlin trying to climb these treacherous ropes. He closed his eyes and pushed the disturbing images from his mind as the wind whipped around him as he climbed, almost as if it was pulling at him, trying to stop what little headway he was making. It made no sense; he could see the vegetation a few feet above him was still and motionless, yet all around him leaves and mountain grass were blowing in miniature whirlwinds. He battled a few feet further when a sudden shock thrummed across his senses. He took a moment to steady himself on a short ledge as the sensation settled around him with the strangest sense of familiarity. It was like Merlin and being touched by his magic- the memory made Arthur smile. He closed his eyes and let the warm feeling sink in; it wasn’t simply ‘like’ Merlin, it was Merlin. When he opened his eyes the cave entrance seemed to glare back at him. Something that sounded a bit too close to hysterical laughter bubbled up from Arthur’s throat. He closed his eyes again. ‘Come on, Pendragon, you rode on the back of a dragon to find your warlock lover, who’s trying to disprove a prophecy that says the two of you will destroy your kingdom; a magically appearing cave mouth should not be any surprise,’ he chided himself. Taking a calming breath Arthur pushed into the cave.
Inside the cave was dark and his entire body tingled with what he knew was magic. A pale light shone a few feet in front of him. Carefully he drew his sword, he may have magic in him, but that didn’t outweigh a lifetime of training and instinct, and moved toward the light. As he had known it would, it moved as he approached leading him deeper into the cave.
---------
Merlin thought he was losing his mind, he felt like the caves were toying with him, sending him retracing steps he knew he’d taken, sometimes hours, sometimes minutes before. At one point he was sure he passed not ten feet from the mouth of the cave, or where there had been a mouth the day before. He knew there had to be a way, a spell, something. The third time he came to the place he’d bedded down the night before, he stopped. The caves were obviously magical, probably designed to protect the very stones he was trying to find.
“Typical,” he heaved a sigh and tossed his pack on the ground. He fell back against the cave wall, “There has to be something I’m missing.” Looking down from underneath his eyelids, catching on his sharp cheekbones, “I don’t suppose you have any ideas, do you?” he asked a particularly obstinate looking rock formation. He waited for two beats, “Thought not,” he groaned and slid down the wall.
He’d tried several spells and simply willing the path to continue. A couple times he thought he was making progress, the walls of the cave becoming smooth with gentle ripples like sands in the wake of a tide almost as if the pulsing throb of the magic here had worn them with its power, but then he’d find himself back at some place he’d already been. His eyes caught the flame floating above him, “You’re no help either,” he griped.
------
Up ahead Arthur thought he heard noises; he stilled himself, straining to identify the sounds. His heart thudded in his chest as words began to filter down to him, it was Merlin, but he seemed to be talking to someone. Quietly, he eased towards Merlin’s voice. The light that had been accompanying him seeming to fade as he went, he crouched down listening.
“If you’re going to keep me here the least you could do is make sure I don’t starve to death; there’s only so far I can make this go,” he told the rock, flapping his last strip of dried meat at it. “I know you don’t want me dead,” he said, taking a bite off the meat, “you wouldn’t have helped with my arm if you did.” He rested his arms on his knees, eyeing the stone suspiciously. “So what is it you want?”
Arthur was ready to pounce; whoever Merlin was talking to seemed to be holding him prisoner. He peered around the rock and tried to hold back his laughter. He stood. Moving out of his hiding place Arthur leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, listening to Merlin’s one-sided conversation. “I always knew you were a little off, Merlin, but I never took you for the type to have a conversation with a rock.”
Merlin jumped, turning to see if the voice was real or if he really had been in this cave too long. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of Arthur, relaxed and looking perfect as ever. Finally he snickered, “I talk to you, don’t I.”
Arthur had the good sense to look affronted. “I’ll have you know I am a great conversationalist.”
“Yeah, as long as talking involves a sword.”
“Mmm hmm,” he purred, moving in on Merlin. He stopped when their chests were almost touching; raising a hand he traced the line of Merlin’s cheekbone letting his knuckles caress the skin beneath. “I’m sorry. I guess I haven’t been a big one for talking lately.”
Merlin let out a shaky sigh, “I was ready to talk, all you had to do was listen.”
Arthur nodded, resting his forehead against Merlin’s. He stayed like that soaking up Merlin’s presence for the longest time. “I missed you.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t,” he chuckled sadly, his breath teasing at Merlin’s lips. “Everything felt so wrong, everything… inside.”
“Like some integral piece of you was being eaten away…” he whispered back.
Someone made a desperate almost pained noise, then lips were touching, hungry and soft, rampant desire flimsily hidden by careful, no less meaningful, questions. Arthur’s fingers slipped into Merlin’s hair, holding him as tightly as Merlin’s own hands clutched at him.
“Gods, Merlin,” he pulled back just enough to see Merlin’s eyes, the beautiful night blue he’d missed so much. “If I ever… do whatever it takes, please. I can’t do this again.”
“I thought I was,” Merlin chuckled softly.
“Next time make me listen,” Arthur corrected. He stroked his cheek just below his eye. “Do you know how many nights I’d sit and watch the sky just so I could see a glimpse of this colour?” He kissed each eyelid then his mouth, craving the sweetness he’d missed, languidly tasting every bit of him.
“Arthur,” Merlin’s fingers pulled at Arthur’s back, trying to claw through the heavy links of his chain mail. His magic, stronger here in this place, poured from his fingertips and seeped into Arthur’s skin.
Tendrils of heat flowed over him, cocooning him in warmth. “Merlin,” he panted, mind reaching out, begging to find his lover and the assurity and safety he knew was there.
A push against his mind, strong, but hesitant as if afraid of rejection, had Merlin gasping, tightening his hold on Arthur even as he reached back and opened himself.
The flood of power came like a rush of rapids, beautiful, powerful, and frightening. They held onto each other kissing and touching. Somehow Arthur’s hauberk landed on the cave floor with Merlin’s long fingers pushing determinedly under his gambeson, Arthur’s own fingers flirting with Merlin’s belt, tossing it on the pile with his jacket.
Soon they were on their knees, nothing but skin and air between them. The ground was soft, softer than stone ever should be. Merlin had the fleeting thought that it felt like the soft summer moss that grew on the edge of the woods near his mother’s house. He sent a silent thank you to whatever controlled the cave’s power. Arthur gently pushed Merlin to the ground kissing down his neck and across his collar bone, sliding down to tease a nipple with his sharp right tooth, nipping it lightly before he moved further, lapping at the line of his ribs, along his hip until his nose was buried in the thick curls nestling Merlin’s attentive cock.
Merlin could feel the spark of Arthur’s tongue as it travelled, the magic tingling down his spine. “Oh gods, Arthur.”
“I know, I feel it, too. It feels… wonderful,” he nuzzled at Merlin’s cock, running his tongue up the sensitive underside, and around the swollen head. “Wonderful,” he murmured, again, suckling at Merlin’s flesh.
Merlin grit his teeth, trying to keep the magic at bay; his hand snuck down to tangle in Arthur’s hair trying to ground himself.
Strong hands settled on Merlin’s hips, holding him in place as Arthur’s mouth slid down his cock, teasingly swiping his tongue as he went. Gods, Arthur didn’t think he’d tasted anything as heavenly in his life, except maybe for Merlin’s mouth- the thought made him hum and Merlin buck.
Arthur worked his flesh sliding up and down, twisting his tongue around the head, and applying a hint of teeth on that spot, just over halfway down on the right, that made Merlin moan deep in his throat and Arthur swallow hard. The intensity multiplied over and over as it rattled through the magic between them.
“Arthur,” Merlin whimpered in a tone Arthur knew all too well.
Arthur looked up and held Merlin’s eyes, a shout of “do it” echoing through their bond.
Merlin’s eyes widened as the strength of the command reverberated. “ARTHUR,” he shouted back in answer and triumph as he came hard in his lover’s mouth and down his throat.
Greedily Arthur took every drop, gently licking and sucking Merlin clean.
Merlin pulled Arthur up; he needed to see him to taste him, to know. Merlin’s kiss was bruising and hungry. He could feel Arthur’s untended cock rubbing along his ass. “Please,” he begged, the “in me” travelling along their connection.
Lowering his head to Merlin’s, Arthur panted out a sob.
Slicking his fingers as best he could, he slid his hand down to play at Merlin’s opening. Gently working the tight muscle until it let him in; first one finger, then two, and finally, a third. He’d missed this. Not just having Merlin literally at his fingertips and making the most wonderful noises with every touch inside him, but having Merlin there to touch, to feel, to talk to, to know he was there with just a thought or feeling.
Merlin scratched at Arthur’s back breaking through his thoughts, when Arthur met his gaze a soft, “Me, too,” fell from Merlin’s lips.
Arthur surged up to kiss his lover, removing his fingers to a shallow whimper. “Shhh, I’m coming back,” he murmured against his lips. True to his word, Arthur pushed up Merlin’s leg and began to slide inside, carefully, as if Merlin were the most exquisite and fragile piece of artistry in the world. Merlin wasn’t fragile, far from it, but this, what they had, was exquisite. He could feel Merlin’s magic humming around him, urging him closer, deeper inside, seeking the physical connection they’d gone too long without.
Merlin’s vision was beginning to blur, the hum of his magic and the magic shared between them amplified by the caves’ own power almost too much for him to control. He was afraid, he had Arthur in his arms and his magic was trying to overwhelm both of them, but it needed it, he needed it, and Arthur was so willing as if he needed it, too. “Arthur, I…”
Arthur hummed against the kiss bruised flesh of Merlin’s neck, sending shivers through his body. “Let it go…” He gently thrust deeper into Merlin’s body, an overwhelming sense of home filling him.
Let it go… Merlin wondered if Arthur had any idea what he was asking. Yes, he’d let Arthur feel his magic, he did so regularly, but this was so much different, it was ancient, having built slowly over the years, centuries, and now trying to flow through them.
“Merlin,” Arthur whispered, and Merlin could almost hear the smirk in his voice, “I can hear you, now, let it go.”
Arthur’s voice was melodical, both the spoken and the internal, and hearing both at once sent shivers through him. Merlin took in a shaky breath. “Look at me.”
Arthur drug his lips slowly up Merlin’s neck and across his cheek, until he was looking directly into the eyes he loved so much.
Arthur’s eyes on him calmed him, their shimmering blue depths promising him everything would be alright, reminding him how much he was loved. He nodded once. His eyes swirled gold and stayed that way as the magic ran through them like a current of energy. He knew Arthur felt it just as he did with every thrust, every drop of blood racing in their veins, every moan swallowed by mouths and skin; it was all filled with power, power that spoke of life and death and belonging.
They were lost in themselves, each feeling the other more intensely and purely than ever before. They moved together clinging to each other, letting their minds bleed together just as their bodies were. Neither wanted it to end, and, in truth, it seemed to last for an eternity as if their bodies wouldn’t allow it to. Eventually their passion won out, overloading their bodies with pleasure and their spirits with love and the knowledge that they belonged. There were no words just the fractured dance of bodies and mouths as Merlin’s body spasmed and Arthur’s hips jerked, filling him with hot come claiming him once again as his.
Though he would deny it, tears pricked at the edges of Arthur’s vision as he greedily absorbed every sound and quiver Merlin allowed him as they came down from their high. He had Merlin, he had the one thing that meant more to him than his life or his kingdom, without Merlin there could be no Camelot, he understood this now- prophecies be damned. Nothing could make this evil.
---
When he awoke, Merlin’s thin blanket was pulled over them providing more warmth than it should have, but Arthur didn’t question. Instead, he nuzzled into the dark hair resting on his chest.
“Mmm,” Merlin hummed contently.
“At the risk of being a bigger girl than you,” he kissed the top of Merlin’s head, “I love you.”
Merlin wriggled until he could look up at Arthur, eyes wide and searching.
“What?”
Merlin smiled and shook his head thoughtfully, reaching up he ran his knuckles over Arthur’s cheek softly, “Nothing.”
“Go back to sleep,” he said then kissed Merlin’s palm.
Settling back down, a bit more on top of Arthur than he was before, Merlin obeyed. He knew they should be finding the stones and getting out of these twisting and changing caverns, but right now, he didn’t care- Arthur was more important.
---------
Lazily Merlin began to wake, a familiar ache in his bones and warmth in his mind. He smiled as he rolled over; his magic was singing, it sounded like the hum of the breeze in the autumn trees and the gentle rush of waves on the shore and the sound of Arthur’s voice when he whispered things he thought Merlin couldn’t hear. It only did that when Arthur was there, especially loud on mornings like this. He sometimes wondered how Arthur couldn’t hear it; this morning it seemed louder than ever. He stretched and sat up, looking for his absent lover. “Arthur?” The blond was nowhere to be seen; his mail still lay with the rest of Merlin’s clothes, so Merlin hoped hadn’t gone far. Eager to finish their quest, Merlin dressed quickly. He was pulling on his boots when Arthur appeared from around a curve in the caves a few feet away.
“Good, you’re up!” He all but bounced, vibrating with energy. “Come on, you’ve got to see this,” he said and disappeared around the corner.
Merlin rolled his eyes and smiled, “Good to see this hasn’t made you any less of a prat.”
“Merlin!” he called. “Get a move on!”
“Coming, Sire,” he shouted back as he got to his feet and went after him.
Around the corner Arthur smiled at the false honourary, never so happy to hear such insolence.
“Wait, Arthur, our things-”
“Leave them, they’ll be there when we get back.”
“Arthur, these caves, they change.”
“I found my way back without a problem.”
Merlin caught up with the prince easily enough, falling into step with him. “I don’t recognize these caves,” he said, running his hand over the cave walls, noticing they were worn with those same gentle ripples that always foretold the caves returning him to some familiar, already travelled cavern.
The prince merely offered one of his toothy smiles, the kind Merlin liked to kiss from his face when he was being particularly patronizing. “Come on,” he said, quickening his pace playfully.
“What’s so important?”
“Our future.”
“Arthur?” he asked, not quite daring to hope.
Several twists and turns later, Arthur came to a halt. He took a deep breath and held it, waiting for Merlin’s reaction to what he’d found.
Laughter. Bubbling, nearing on hysterical laughter.
“Merlin?” Arthur asked hesitantly. He was beginning to worry he’d interpreted his find wrong.
Merlin fell to his knees, reaching out to touch the intricately carved stone. “You found them.” He turned to look into his lover’s nervous eyes, still fighting back his laughter, “You found them.”
Hearing the words made Arthur’s head spin and his heart thump loudly, he crouched down beside Merlin. “What do they say?” he asked reverently. “Merlin, what do they say?” his voice trembled, but it didn’t matter, not anymore.
Merlin’s elegant fingers reached out and traced the carvings in the ancient stone. He choked back a sound that could’ve been a laugh or a sob and began to read, “A generation shall pass from birth to manhood before the dragon and lion shall befriend each other. But beware- the dragon and lion shall bring upheaval and unrest to the kingdom-”
Arthur tensed sucking in a sharp breath, his hands fisting against his knees as his heart began to sink. He wouldn’t push Merlin away again. He couldn’t. He wondered if Camelot could survive without an heir, if his father would allow Morgana to succeed him. Arthur’s mind raced with possibilities and questions, but Merlin kept reading.
“-the ways of magic a destructive force when coupled with unfettered power, unless mitigated by each other, for the dragon and the lion are together, equals. Warlock and warrior, two halves of a great destiny,” Merlin’s voice cracked with another short almost hysterical laugh. “Under their rule the lands shall know prosperity and fertility as never before,” he broke down crying and laughing, Arthur’s bark of laughter following close behind.
He felt Arthur’s hand on his shoulder a second before he fell on him cackling into his neck. Merlin kissed his head and put his arms around him, before letting his weight topple them to the ground.
They rolled around on the ground laughing and holding onto each other, kisses raining down amidst their laughter.
Arthur hovered above Merlin when they finally stopped, letting themselves calm down. “I love you,” he said almost dazed.
“I know,” Merlin smiled up at him, running a hand through his blond hair. “I think the caves know, too.”
“Hmm, wha?” he asked, distractedly nuzzling his warlock’s neck.
“The caves. I think they know. I’ve been wandering these caves for the last two days, always winding up back in the same places.” He made a little keening noise when Arthur bit his neck.
Arthur chuckled. “That should tell you something about going off on your own.”
“Shut up,” he teased.
“Now, Merlin, is that anyway to speak to your Prince?”
“Of course not, Sire,” Merlin replied cheekily, “forgive me.”
Arthur laughed, as eager as he’d once been to never hear that word again, he had never been so happy to hear it said with such impertinence. “Uh-uh, you’re not getting off that easily.”
“Mmm, can it wait until we get home?”
“I suppose, if it must, but don’t expect me to forget about this.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Sire.” Merlin smiled wishing there was a way to get back to Camelot tonight.
******
“How did you convince your father to let you come after me?”
“I didn’t,” Arthur stated simply.
Merlin grabbed Arthur’s arm to turn him. “Arthur, are you mad? You of all people know how he gets when you disappear.”
The blond rolled his eyes. “I know, Merlin. He is my father after all.” He turned back down the cavern he thought would lead them out of the caves. “I told him I was going on a deep patrol. Leon and some of the others are waiting along Camelot’s northern border.”
“Won’t word still get back to Uther?”
Arthur chuckled, smiling. “It seems we have more friends among my knights than we realize.”
Merlin’s brow furrowed.
Arthur’s smile broadened as he felt Merlin’s confusion tease at his mind. “My men were all too eager to volunteer or so Leon tells me,” he explained.
“They know a great man when they see one,” Merlin told him. “Won’t they have been waiting for over a week already? Surely they can’t keep it from Uther that long.”
“Over a week?” he tossed a look back at Merlin as if he was insane. “It’s only been four days.”
Merlin stopped in his tracks. “How did you get here so fast? I know I wasn’t trapped in theses caves that long.”
Arthur smirked, “How would you know? You were the one stuck in here.”
Merlin glared at the back of Arthur’s head, knowing his displeasure would push at his senses.
Chuckling. “Same as you, idiot, the dragon.”
Merlin’s eyes widened. “Kilgharrah!? Wha- How’d you convince him to do that?”
Arthur huffed, at this rate they were never getting out of here. Arms steadfastly across his chest, he faced Merlin, “I asked. He said you…,” he shook his head. “He didn’t bring you here, did he?”
Merlin shook his head.
“Blasted dragon, does he ever tell the truth?”
Merlin shrugged, “Sometimes, but it’s usually hidden in double meanings and innuendo.”
Sighing, “At least he brought me to you.”
Merlin groaned, “Don’t remind me; I’ll actually have to thank him for that.”
“What do you give a dragon as a thank you?” he asked, chuckling, as he started out of the caves once more.
Escaping the caves had been remarkably easy; none of the twists and turns and restarts of Merlin’s journey presented themselves causing the young sorcerer to reconsider whether or not the caves truly had been trying to kill him. The more rational part of his mind insisted that they were only waiting for Arthur to arrive, which probably should have unnerved him more than it did. Almost playfully he and Arthur made the trek back down the steep hillside and over to the crevice Arthur had eased through two nights before.
Merlin looked suspiciously at the small opening, “How did you even find that?”
Arthur shrugged, even as the words ‘desperation’ and ‘magic’ popped into his brain.
Peering through the passage, “How?” Merlin asked incredulously, pointing from the crevice to Arthur and waving his hand up and down indicating the prince’s whole body.
“I’m not as fat as some people would have me believe,” he said swaggering up to the entrance. “Ladies first,” he bowed in deference to Merlin.
The young man glared, but took the invitation.
“I hate you,” Merlin complained a few minutes later as he tried to wiggle his way through the narrow space.
“You know you love a challenge,” Arthur smirked back.
“Yes, but putting up with you is challenge enough for anyone,” he quipped.
“Like I said, you love a challenge.” His self-satisfied tone firmly in place.
As Merlin pulled himself out of the crack, he rolled his eyes. “Prat.”
Arthur squeezed through after him, startling him with a quick kiss before looking for his discarded armour where he’d left it on the other side of the passageway.
That night they sat in front of a warming fire, Merlin leaning comfortably against Arthur’s chest as he made the sputtering embers dance in the shapes of their sigils curling and entwining around one another.
Arthur rested his cheek on Merlin’s head, “Is that how you see us?”
“Sometimes.”
He turned his head to get a better look at Merlin. “Sometimes?”
The warlock chuckled. “Yes, sometimes.”
“What about the other times?” Arthur asked curious.
“I don’t like to think about the other times,” he admitted quietly. “The other times you hate me, what I am.”
Tensing, Arthur tightened his hold on Merlin. He reached out along their bond, almost violently, to make sure Merlin was there, and could feel everything he was thinking. He wouldn’t have Merlin thinking he hated him, any part of him, not after what had happened; he needed Merlin to know. When he spoke, his voice was rough and powerful, “I have never hated you, not even these last weeks. I could never hate you.”
Silently, Merlin pulled Arthur’s arms around him and melted into him physically and mentally. His magic twining with Arthur as he drifted off to sleep.
***
The sun was just starting to set when they finally reached the foot of the mountains.
“We should be able to reach the clearing where I left my horse before we lose the light,” Merlin offered.
“There has got to be a faster way. I don’t suppose you could ask that lizard of yours to take us back to Camelot or my men?”
“He’s not my lizard, Arthur. He’s a dragon, a large fire breathing dragon, not a horse.”
The prince snickered. “I can honestly say, Merlin, that it never crossed my mind to put a saddle on that beast.”
“I should hope not,” an indignant voice boomed as they approached the clearing.
Merlin tried to cover his laugh when Arthur jumped.
A large eye peered at them through a gap in the trees. “I take it you found what you were looking for, young warlock.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Kilgharrah eyed Arthur. “Much as it pains me, the Pendragon is right. The longer he is away from Camelot the more Uther will begin to suspect.”
“Oh,” uncertainty in Arthur’s voice, “thank you?” He darted a questioning look at Merlin.
“He’s not going to eat you, Arthur,” Merlin promised.
“I didn’t say I thought he would!”
Kilgharrah snorted. “Humans,” he muttered, stretching his long neck.
“Come on, before you offend him.” Merlin tugged Arthur into the clearing where the dragon was curled up.
“He tries to destroy Camelot, almost kills us both, and I need to worry about offending him,” Arthur complained.
“Yes, because it was your father who had him chained in a cave for most of your natural life,” Merlin chastized as he pulled Arthur toward the dragon, Kilgharrah cackling all the while.
*********
The clatter of hooves echoed through the courtyard in the early morning hours. Camelot was still asleep; her earliest risers only just beginning to stir.
Arthur and his accompanying knights led their horses to the stables. Before he had even dismounted, Leon had taken the reins of Arthur’s mount.
“I’ll see the horses get attended to, Sire,” he informed him, making it sound like the knight was giving the Prince an order.
It occurred to Arthur that some of his household were spending entirely too much time with his manservant. It also occurred to him that the best way to alleviate this was to see to it that Merlin had no reason to leave his company, and preferably his chambers for the immediate future. “Thank you, Leon.” He clapped the knight’s shoulder, capturing his full attention. “I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Sire,” he nodded and smiled at Merlin, “it will be enough to see you yourself again. We have all missed the leader that we know and follow.”
Arthur smiled reticently, shaking Leon’s shoulder affectionately- a silent thank you. “And you,” he turned to Merlin, grabbing his arm and all but dragging him into the castle.
******
Arthur’s bed was soft and warm and there was no way he was getting out of it until at least noon and no way he was letting Merlin out of it either, which was why the incessant hammering on his door was about to drive him mad. “Go away!” he growled at the door.
“Let me answer. It could be important. It could be your father.”
Arthur shuddered, if there was one person he did not want to see right now it was his father. He nuzzled Merlin’s neck. “Leon’s taking care of my father, letting him know this patrol took a great deal out of me.”
“Oh it did, did it?”
“Mmm-hmm, and it’s going to take at least a day before I’m feeling up to training or attending council.” He kissed Merlin’s neck, biting at the flesh then burying his head against Merlin’s shoulder. “Though I will have to speak to him before the day’s out. But that is not now, so,” he raised his voice yelling towards the door, “whoever it is can GO AWAY!”
“Arthur, I know you’re in there,” Morgana yelled.
“I should’ve known it was that vixen,” he said, smiling despite himself. “Father would never come himself and there’s only one servant who would dare to knock so loudly and relentlessly, and thankfully, he is in my bed.”
“Arthur,” she said more quietly as her cheek pressed to the heavy oak door. “I overheard Leon speaking with Uther. He said you needed to rest from the patrol. You never need to rest from patrol. I… Are you alright? And Merlin? Is he with you?” She knew, despite what he told her, that if things went badly Merlin was not likely to return.
Merlin touched Arthur’s arm lightly, eyes imploring him to humour her.
Arthur huffed, but kissed Merlin’s cheek. “It’s a good thing I love you.”
“Give me a moment,” Arthur called to the shut door as he climbed out of bed.
“Here,” he said tossing one of his nightshirts at Merlin, taking out a soft pair of trousers for himself.
With an air of mock exasperation he opened the door. “I can assure you, Morgana, both Merlin and I are fine. Or would be if we could be left in peace.”
Morgana peered around Arthur and the half closed door, trying to locate Merlin.
“Hi.” Merlin gave a small wave to his friend.
Smiling knowingly, “I’ll leave you to it then,” she said.
“Thank you,” Arthur snapped, closing the door firmly.
Behind him Merlin chuckled. “She’s going to be impossible now.”
“She’s always impossible,” Arthur corrected, crawling up the bed towards Merlin. “Now then, what are you doing in my shirt?” he said smirking, right before he pounced.
--Previous--
.
Author: heavenlyxbodies
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin with a huge helping of awesome!Morgana (and supportive!Leon)
Rating: NC17
Spoilers: through S2 definitely, S3 shouldn’t be, S4 none
Feedback: Makes me happy, just play nice
Disclaimer(s) can be found here
Beta: phnx_reader any remaining errors are on me.
Warnings/Squicks: schmangst
Summary: An ancient prophecy warns of a union of might and magic that will destroy a kingdom, but will it destroy Arthur and Merlin first.
*********
“Morgana!” Arthur growled. “Where is my useless manservant?”
“He’s your servant, Arthur,” she replied calmly.
“Yes, but it seems he’s been in your service more than mine of late.”
A playful smile tugged at her lips. “Arthur, you have barely seen Merlin in weeks and when you do you send him away.”
“He is still my servant.”
“Whatever, Arthur, but don’t come claiming I have taken him, when you so obviously no longer want him.” Angry fire burnt in her eyes and she knew her words stung, but she couldn’t help the heat she felt. She knew this stupidity was hurting Arthur as much as Merlin, but Arthur should have been the one going off to disprove the prophecy, not Merlin; Arthur was the warrior, he was the one who should be fighting for the one he loved.
Pain flickered over Arthur’s face. “You don’t know anything about Merlin and I,” he growled deeply.
“I know enough,” she said, more calmly.
Arthur’s chest was heaving as if he’d been fighting a battle rather than arguing with his almost sister.
“You are a fool, Arthur Pendragon, but Merlin loves you- no matter how hard you push him away, nor why. He still believes in you with all his heart.”
Arthur turned away from Morgana’s words, wanting to walk away from them and their truths, but he couldn’t, just as he couldn’t simply send Merlin away, remove him from his service, from the castle, from Camelot. He needed to know Merlin was safe, and he knew Merlin wouldn’t just leave if he was told to, so Arthur kept him as close as he dared, yet somehow he’d disappeared. “Three days.” He spoke softly. “He’s been gone for three days. I had hoped he was hiding here, avoiding me, but none of the other servants have seen him, neither has Gaius. He’s just… gone.”
Morgana’s heart ached for the two men. She placed a loving hand on Arthur’s shoulder, she knew how hard these small revelations were for him.
“I never thought he’d just leave. I always thought he’d at least tell me.” He pulled Morgana’s hand closer and squeezed it.
Morgana swallowed, not certain how much to give away. Merlin was her friend, but Arthur was in such pain. “I don’t believe Merlin would leave without good reason. I’m sure he’ll return. You mean too much to him.”
Arthur turned to look at her, “I wished I could believe that.”
“Believe it, Arthur.”
“You know where he is.” It was a statement.
“I know he left for your sake, both your sakes, and he will come back.”
The pain in Arthur’s eyes was enough to bring down the kingdom. “Morgana, please, I need to know.”
“Why, Arthur? Will you go after him, bring him back here just to continue to push him away, to make the rest of us watch as you slowly kill the two of you? I can’t, Arthur. When Merlin returns it will end, one way or the other, and I have to have faith that it will end well.” She smiled and kissed Arthur’s cheek. “I’m always here, Arthur. Despite everything I say about you, you are still like a brother to me.”
Arthur pulled Morgana into a tight embrace. “Tell me he’s safe.”
“He’s Merlin.”
Arthur barked a laugh through the tears in his eyes then kissed Morgana’s hair. “Thank you.”
He left Morgana’s chambers only slightly less concerned, at least he now knew someone knew where Merlin had gone, and if the infuriating man wasn’t back in three days then he’d push Morgana further. He’d gotten her to at least agree to that. He didn’t like the decision, but he doubted he had another course to follow.
******
Three days had never passed so slowly in all of eternity, Arthur was convinced of it. Three days he had to think and stew and question. The first day he was still angry with Morgana; that she knew where Merlin was, yet refused to tell him. Then he was mad at Merlin for going off so recklessly- alone, without him.
By the second day, he’d realized how stupid it was to think that, considering why the idiot had gone without him- he, Arthur, was an ass. Why would Merlin have come to him, he was the reason Merlin had left to begin with. He’d also given up pretending that every fibre in his being told him that Merlin was right, that they were right. Every moment seemed to accentuate Merlin’s absence. It had been bad enough when he’d been the one pushing Merlin away, but even then he knew the man was nearby, somewhere in the castle or perhaps running errands for Gaius. Now, though. Merlin wasn’t in the castle, wasn’t picking herbs in the forests outside. Arthur had no idea where his servant was. Though sometimes at night he thought he could feel Merlin close, but he knew that was merely the undercurrent of the bond they shared. Merlin had long ago stopped seeking him out that way and he hadn’t searched for his lover in even longer. He’d wake up shivering, wondering if he should try to reach for Merlin, but the fear of what he might find was too much.
When the third day finally arrived Arthur was ready to break out of his skin. He was actually relieved when he was interrupted during his breakfast by Morgana welcoming herself into his chambers. His eyes flicked over her casually resisting the urge to start demanding Merlin’s whereabouts from her.
Morgana sat down across the table from him, “I don’t know where he is.”
Arthur almost choked on the slice of pork he was chewing. Coughing, “What!? You said you knew where he was going.”
“I know what he’s looking for, but I don’t know where exactly he was going,” she explained.
“You let him go off on his own, not knowing where he was going?”
Arthur’s tone worried her, she’d expected him to be upset and angry, but he sounded frustrated and a little scared. “Arthur, I’m sure he’s fine,” she tried to comfort.
“He’s not fine. He’s Merlin, that’s about as far from fine as you can get,” he snapped, standing and pacing. “You’ve got to know something, Morgana.”
“Arthur, calm down, it’s not going to do any good going off like this.”
He walked over to the window looking over the courtyard and drew in several deep breaths, “I know. I know. You’re right, I just… I had hoped to be able to do something.”
“All I know is he was looking for the stones of Rúnviðr, they are supposed to hold the original prophecy that started this nonsense.”
“He knew about the prophecy?”
Morgana nodded. “You were already pulling away from him and he knew you wouldn’t risk Camelot for a possibility. He kept researching it though and found these stones. I told him to tell you.” She huffed, “Neither of you are very good at listening to me.”
“Morgana,” he begged.
“I’m sorry, Arthur, I just…” sighing. “He spoke to the dragon; he told him where to find them. Merlin left the next day.”
Arthur’s head snapped up at the mention of the dragon. “He went to the dragon?” An almost maniacal smile broke out on his face. “Kilgharrah knows where he is then.” He grabbed Morgana and kissed her cheek. “I must see Gaius.”
“Arthur, wait!” she called after the man all but running for the physician’s chambers.
---
“Can you do it?” Arthur asked, hope in his eyes for the first time in weeks.
“You want me to summon the Great Dragon? Here?” Gaius repeated slowly, eyebrow arched as if it was asking its own question.
“It doesn’t matter where; I just need to talk to him.”
“Arthur, you do realize this is the same beast that killed half your men and was laying siege to Camelot.”
Arthur nodded once, “Yes, I do. But he knows where Merlin is,” he continued as if that explained everything, and in a way it did.
“Arthur,” Gaius shook his head, “even if I knew how to summon him there’s no guarantee he’d come, I am no dragonlord.”
“Can we go to him?” Morgana asked from her seat on the bench next to Gaius.
“To him,” Gaius laughed then stopped, cocking his head. “Actually…” He stood to go examine a shelf of books. Pulling one out he flipped through to a page of intricately sketched crags and cliffs. He set the tome on the table between them. “It’s all rather vague, but if he’s anywhere he’s here.”
Morgana and Arthur shared a look.
---------
Between the three of them and some very confused looks from Geoffrey, they pieced together what they thought was a map to the desolate mountain range that had once been home of dragons before the Purge. And Arthur was currently scaling one of those crags. Just as he reached the plateau he heard a rumbling, deep like it was coming from the earth itself.
Uncurling himself from his perch, Kilgharrah turned a sleepy eye on the intruder. “To what do I owe this pleasure, young Pendragon?”
“Where is Merlin?” Arthur demanded, nonplused.
Laughing deeply, “Why would I tell you, Arthur Pendragon? What concern is it of yours? You threw him away like some toy you grew tired of. Perhaps the young warlock is better off without you, able to fulfill his destiny without your distraction.”
Arthur glared at the huge beast, the very creature that had attempted to destroy everything and everyone he held dear only months ago; the only creature who could help him find Merlin. He knew he couldn’t command the answer from the beast, any more than he could command the winds- he huffed at the thought that his bumbling Merlin could do just that. “I need him to come back to Camelot,” Arthur admitted.
“That is no concern of mine. And if that is the only reason you wish to find Merlin then I would you leave here, now, before my patience runs thin.” He flapped his huge wings as if reminding the prince of the kind of power he was challenging.
The prince sagged, “I need him to come back to Camelot,” he tried again, giving away more than he wanted to the beast.
Kilgharrah raised a brow, and lowered his head to eye the prince. “Now that, young Pendragon, might be worth something.”
Arthur closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath before opening them again to stare into one enormous amber eye, “Please.”
“Well, well,” the dragon laughed. “A Pendragon asking me for assistance; how can I refuse?”
It took everything he had not to rage at the overgrown lizard mocking him.
“Calm yourself, your warlock has travelled to the Mountains of Bleyn. Hidden in their depths lies the root of his quest.”
“The Mountains of Bleyn are more than a week’s ride from Camelot. He cannot possibly have travelled that far.”
“Ah, again, young Pendragon, you are rash in your thinking. There are other ways for such a powerful warlock and dragonlord to travel, much faster ways.”
Arthur’s shoulders slumped, how could he hope to reach Merlin if he’d used magical means.
“I should never have doubted,” he whispered to himself.
“If we all dwelt on what we should have done, life would not go forward for any of us.”
Arthur had to chuckle at the dragon’s words, feeling their truth sharply at the moment. He watched the animal curiously for a few moments.
“What is it, young Pendragon? You have something to say.” Normally he wouldn’t bother himself with a human’s thoughts, but this was Arthur Pendragon and he knew better than anyone or anything the young man’s potential.
“Can you help me get to him?” his voice was surprisingly steady, but he needed the dragon’s help and he was not above asking for it. He wanted to laugh at that; before Merlin, he would never have considered accepting anyone’s help, let alone ask for it.
Kilgharrah smiled, “You continue to surprise me. No small feat. What is it you think I can do for you?”
“Take me to him,” Arthur stated as clearly and calmly as if he was assigning patrols.
Kilgharrah roared with laughter echoing off the craggy rocks in this inhospitable terrain. “You are bold, Pendragon.”
Arthur folded his arms across his chest waiting for the dragon’s answer.
Sighing, “Very well, but know this- I do this for the good of one of my kind, not for the sake of yours.”
*********
The mountains of Bleyn loomed in front of Merlin, their huge peaks silhouetted against the dark sky. Merlin set up camp at the base of the mountains, he’d ridden for six solid days, barely stopping for rest; he wouldn’t have been able to sleep much anyway. He doubted he’d sleep tonight, either, despite his exhaustion; tomorrow he’d begin his assault on the mountains. Kilgharrah had said the mountain would tell him where to go; he sighed wondering what that would mean, hoping the ground wouldn’t open up and swallow him.
Merlin felt it as he picked his way through a narrow pass along the first ridge of the mountains, a pull so strong it scared him. Still, he let it guide him over two more crests to the base of a low peak. Halfway up its face there was a small cave entrance, power radiated from the darkness within and his magic seemed to tap into it and sizzle beneath his skin; he wondered if this was what Arthur felt when he let his magic seep into him. Arthur… gods he missed him. It hurt less knowing he couldn’t see him because he wasn’t there, rather than because Arthur was keeping them apart, but it still hurt. He tried not to think about what might happen if this quest of his proved the prophecies true, he doubted he’d ever leave these caves. His macabre thoughts took him several feet further into the cave, until its opening was no more than a pinprick in the distance and a flame he didn’t remember conjuring danced merrily in front of him. Carefully, he began to pick his way through the caves.
---------
Arthur couldn’t believe what he was doing, climbing up the comb of the Great Dragon, trusting the beast not to throw him off miles above the ground, and trusting him to take him to Merlin and not some magic no man’s land, but Merlin was worth it, worth the risk. The irony of that was not lost on Arthur.
“Hold tight, young Pendragon,” Kilgharrah warned as he launched himself off the crag he’d been sitting on.
The trip was cold, but fast, what would have taken his horse in full stride days took a matter of hours.
“This is as far as I go. There is great power within these walls; power even I would not cross. I wish you luck, young Pendragon.” The dragon stretched his neck and beat his wings in agitation. “Your destiny may hang in the balance.”
“Wait!” Arthur called as the dragon turned to leave. “How will I find him?”
The dragon chuckled, “You have the means, Pendragon, if you will but use them.”
He watched the dragon fly away, leaving him alone and confused in this ominous place.
---------
Merlin had no idea how long he’d been walking, the flame above him continuing to flicker brightly no matter how tired and broken his concentration was. For the first time in days he was tired, exhausted to the bone, he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and dream of lying in Arthur’s arms, safe and loved, but he had to find the stones- the driving need was almost as strong as the power in these caves. The caverns were getting more and more obstructed the deeper he went, stone protruding from the ground and walls making the straightest line a maze of earth to be navigated. At times it seemed that the caves were changing as he walked, trying to find increasingly intricate and dangerous ways of slowing his journey. He stumbled as he walked, banging knees and elbows against sometimes sharp stone, but the stones… Shakily, Merlin felt along the walls, trying to avoid the largest of the obstacles. It worked for a while, until the slope of the cave suddenly dropped into a near 45 degree angle sending him skidding along the rocky floor several feet. When he finally stopped his entire body hurt, he could feel little cuts and gouges everywhere, not to mention the bruises, at least bruises he was used to. Groaning, he rolled to the side looking for his pack; he’d made sure to bring some of the salves and herbs Gaius used on Arthur’s lesser injuries, so he could treat some of his larger more bloody hurts. Locating his bag, he drug himself into a sitting position and began to tend his wounds.
It didn’t take Merlin long to clean himself up, assuring that he wasn’t going to bleed to death just yet; however, once he’d finished he was even more exhausted, his body was numb, his vision wobbly, and his stomach growled. Realizing he wasn’t going to win this battle, he rummaged around in his pack for the dried meat he’d brought and the last of the dried fruits Morgana had procured for him. He wriggled a bit to settle into the curve of the wall, tucking his bag up behind him for what little cushion it could provide. His sleep-deprived mind could hear Arthur teasing him about being all bones and no padding. The giggle that tried to escape turned to a sob as the months seemed to fall in on him as real as a cave-in. Mechanically, he nibbled on the meat until he began to doze.
---------
Arthur climbed until the moonless night grew too dark to see in, up to one summit and down the other side. The air in these mountains was cold and lonely; he didn’t like to think about Merlin out here on his own. It was hard enough to think about all the times he’d forced Merlin away in the past weeks leaving him alone in the castle. He found a shallow outcropping to give him some small shelter and lit a fire, hoping he could convince his body that he needed sleep.
---
He was cold, but there was a soft winding warmth slipping around him. It was Merlin; he’d know that feeling anywhere, he doubted he’d ever forget that feeling no matter how hard he tried to push Merlin away. He let himself ease into it; it was only a dream, he could allow himself this tiny respite. He could allow himself to remember. Just as he was relaxing completely into the lost feeling it was torn from him. It felt like getting burnt in reverse, one moment he was filled with warmth, the next a jolting cold. He jerked awake, “Merlin,” he gasped.
At least now he thought he knew what the dragon had meant, if only he could keep the bond open enough on his own to find Merlin. He tried to relax, reminding himself that Merlin was close, that all he had to do was find him. Dawn was peeking over the mountain tops giving him just enough light to travel by, he debated whether to continue along the craggy track he was following, the closest thing to a path he’d been able to find, or to attempt to reach his wayward manservant. Trying to focus on Merlin and only Merlin, not how badly he’d screwed up, or the fact that they wouldn’t be here or at least they’d be here together if he hadn’t been such an ass. Without Merlin he was lost, miserable. And not just here and now, but in his life.
---------
Merlin shot up, eyes wide like a trapped animal and gasping for air. Mentally shaking himself, he stood. Arthur couldn’t be here, there was no time and even if he was, he wouldn’t be using the bond. His head spun lightly, probably from the shock and getting up too quickly. Sitting back down, he checked his scrapes and the nastier gash on his arm to make sure nothing was becoming infected- the wounds looking much less bloody and unnaturally healthy. He chuckled ruefully, wondering if the caves could mend broken hearts as easily as it was healing his arm. Keeping a handful of the dried fruit out to have as he continued through the caves, he repacked his bag. He would find the stones before he slept again.
---------
Arthur had spent the morning trying to find Merlin using the bond they shared, but it was getting him nowhere. He’d spent too long pushing Merlin out to find him so easily. Reluctantly, he gathered himself and set off along the path towards the next ridge hoping that somehow he’d find another way to track Merlin.
By mid-afternoon he’d picked his way to what looked like a thin crevice between the rocks. He could see light on the other side. He looked around for any other way to cross this ridge to the next. A good two hundred feet above him was a path, thin but passable, and the gods only knew how much farther it would be until it actually crested the mountain and led back down the other side. He gaged the small opening, weighing the possibility of safely passing through with the amount of time it would save. Merlin was all he could think about; a silent mantra that had been pushing him through these past days- the same mantra that had guided him through the last two years. With no further thought he made his decision. He stripped his pauldron, gorget, and other plate leaving them concealed at the mouth of the crevice and began to ease himself through the narrow passage. After a couple of tight spots, moments of shoddy footing, and more time than he ever wanted to spend in such a tight location ever again, he emerged onto a relatively flat, almost welcoming, outcrop. Taking a huge, relieved gulp of air, he let out a rich laugh; he’d made it and he was only feet above the pathway, he wouldn’t even have to climb- there were what could’ve been stairs connecting the two places, with any luck he could be over the next ridge by nightfall.
---
A lattice work of vines and roots marked the path he needed to take, a tricky climb at the best of times; Arthur tried not to think about Merlin trying to climb these treacherous ropes. He closed his eyes and pushed the disturbing images from his mind as the wind whipped around him as he climbed, almost as if it was pulling at him, trying to stop what little headway he was making. It made no sense; he could see the vegetation a few feet above him was still and motionless, yet all around him leaves and mountain grass were blowing in miniature whirlwinds. He battled a few feet further when a sudden shock thrummed across his senses. He took a moment to steady himself on a short ledge as the sensation settled around him with the strangest sense of familiarity. It was like Merlin and being touched by his magic- the memory made Arthur smile. He closed his eyes and let the warm feeling sink in; it wasn’t simply ‘like’ Merlin, it was Merlin. When he opened his eyes the cave entrance seemed to glare back at him. Something that sounded a bit too close to hysterical laughter bubbled up from Arthur’s throat. He closed his eyes again. ‘Come on, Pendragon, you rode on the back of a dragon to find your warlock lover, who’s trying to disprove a prophecy that says the two of you will destroy your kingdom; a magically appearing cave mouth should not be any surprise,’ he chided himself. Taking a calming breath Arthur pushed into the cave.
Inside the cave was dark and his entire body tingled with what he knew was magic. A pale light shone a few feet in front of him. Carefully he drew his sword, he may have magic in him, but that didn’t outweigh a lifetime of training and instinct, and moved toward the light. As he had known it would, it moved as he approached leading him deeper into the cave.
---------
Merlin thought he was losing his mind, he felt like the caves were toying with him, sending him retracing steps he knew he’d taken, sometimes hours, sometimes minutes before. At one point he was sure he passed not ten feet from the mouth of the cave, or where there had been a mouth the day before. He knew there had to be a way, a spell, something. The third time he came to the place he’d bedded down the night before, he stopped. The caves were obviously magical, probably designed to protect the very stones he was trying to find.
“Typical,” he heaved a sigh and tossed his pack on the ground. He fell back against the cave wall, “There has to be something I’m missing.” Looking down from underneath his eyelids, catching on his sharp cheekbones, “I don’t suppose you have any ideas, do you?” he asked a particularly obstinate looking rock formation. He waited for two beats, “Thought not,” he groaned and slid down the wall.
He’d tried several spells and simply willing the path to continue. A couple times he thought he was making progress, the walls of the cave becoming smooth with gentle ripples like sands in the wake of a tide almost as if the pulsing throb of the magic here had worn them with its power, but then he’d find himself back at some place he’d already been. His eyes caught the flame floating above him, “You’re no help either,” he griped.
------
Up ahead Arthur thought he heard noises; he stilled himself, straining to identify the sounds. His heart thudded in his chest as words began to filter down to him, it was Merlin, but he seemed to be talking to someone. Quietly, he eased towards Merlin’s voice. The light that had been accompanying him seeming to fade as he went, he crouched down listening.
“If you’re going to keep me here the least you could do is make sure I don’t starve to death; there’s only so far I can make this go,” he told the rock, flapping his last strip of dried meat at it. “I know you don’t want me dead,” he said, taking a bite off the meat, “you wouldn’t have helped with my arm if you did.” He rested his arms on his knees, eyeing the stone suspiciously. “So what is it you want?”
Arthur was ready to pounce; whoever Merlin was talking to seemed to be holding him prisoner. He peered around the rock and tried to hold back his laughter. He stood. Moving out of his hiding place Arthur leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, listening to Merlin’s one-sided conversation. “I always knew you were a little off, Merlin, but I never took you for the type to have a conversation with a rock.”
Merlin jumped, turning to see if the voice was real or if he really had been in this cave too long. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of Arthur, relaxed and looking perfect as ever. Finally he snickered, “I talk to you, don’t I.”
Arthur had the good sense to look affronted. “I’ll have you know I am a great conversationalist.”
“Yeah, as long as talking involves a sword.”
“Mmm hmm,” he purred, moving in on Merlin. He stopped when their chests were almost touching; raising a hand he traced the line of Merlin’s cheekbone letting his knuckles caress the skin beneath. “I’m sorry. I guess I haven’t been a big one for talking lately.”
Merlin let out a shaky sigh, “I was ready to talk, all you had to do was listen.”
Arthur nodded, resting his forehead against Merlin’s. He stayed like that soaking up Merlin’s presence for the longest time. “I missed you.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t,” he chuckled sadly, his breath teasing at Merlin’s lips. “Everything felt so wrong, everything… inside.”
“Like some integral piece of you was being eaten away…” he whispered back.
Someone made a desperate almost pained noise, then lips were touching, hungry and soft, rampant desire flimsily hidden by careful, no less meaningful, questions. Arthur’s fingers slipped into Merlin’s hair, holding him as tightly as Merlin’s own hands clutched at him.
“Gods, Merlin,” he pulled back just enough to see Merlin’s eyes, the beautiful night blue he’d missed so much. “If I ever… do whatever it takes, please. I can’t do this again.”
“I thought I was,” Merlin chuckled softly.
“Next time make me listen,” Arthur corrected. He stroked his cheek just below his eye. “Do you know how many nights I’d sit and watch the sky just so I could see a glimpse of this colour?” He kissed each eyelid then his mouth, craving the sweetness he’d missed, languidly tasting every bit of him.
“Arthur,” Merlin’s fingers pulled at Arthur’s back, trying to claw through the heavy links of his chain mail. His magic, stronger here in this place, poured from his fingertips and seeped into Arthur’s skin.
Tendrils of heat flowed over him, cocooning him in warmth. “Merlin,” he panted, mind reaching out, begging to find his lover and the assurity and safety he knew was there.
A push against his mind, strong, but hesitant as if afraid of rejection, had Merlin gasping, tightening his hold on Arthur even as he reached back and opened himself.
The flood of power came like a rush of rapids, beautiful, powerful, and frightening. They held onto each other kissing and touching. Somehow Arthur’s hauberk landed on the cave floor with Merlin’s long fingers pushing determinedly under his gambeson, Arthur’s own fingers flirting with Merlin’s belt, tossing it on the pile with his jacket.
Soon they were on their knees, nothing but skin and air between them. The ground was soft, softer than stone ever should be. Merlin had the fleeting thought that it felt like the soft summer moss that grew on the edge of the woods near his mother’s house. He sent a silent thank you to whatever controlled the cave’s power. Arthur gently pushed Merlin to the ground kissing down his neck and across his collar bone, sliding down to tease a nipple with his sharp right tooth, nipping it lightly before he moved further, lapping at the line of his ribs, along his hip until his nose was buried in the thick curls nestling Merlin’s attentive cock.
Merlin could feel the spark of Arthur’s tongue as it travelled, the magic tingling down his spine. “Oh gods, Arthur.”
“I know, I feel it, too. It feels… wonderful,” he nuzzled at Merlin’s cock, running his tongue up the sensitive underside, and around the swollen head. “Wonderful,” he murmured, again, suckling at Merlin’s flesh.
Merlin grit his teeth, trying to keep the magic at bay; his hand snuck down to tangle in Arthur’s hair trying to ground himself.
Strong hands settled on Merlin’s hips, holding him in place as Arthur’s mouth slid down his cock, teasingly swiping his tongue as he went. Gods, Arthur didn’t think he’d tasted anything as heavenly in his life, except maybe for Merlin’s mouth- the thought made him hum and Merlin buck.
Arthur worked his flesh sliding up and down, twisting his tongue around the head, and applying a hint of teeth on that spot, just over halfway down on the right, that made Merlin moan deep in his throat and Arthur swallow hard. The intensity multiplied over and over as it rattled through the magic between them.
“Arthur,” Merlin whimpered in a tone Arthur knew all too well.
Arthur looked up and held Merlin’s eyes, a shout of “do it” echoing through their bond.
Merlin’s eyes widened as the strength of the command reverberated. “ARTHUR,” he shouted back in answer and triumph as he came hard in his lover’s mouth and down his throat.
Greedily Arthur took every drop, gently licking and sucking Merlin clean.
Merlin pulled Arthur up; he needed to see him to taste him, to know. Merlin’s kiss was bruising and hungry. He could feel Arthur’s untended cock rubbing along his ass. “Please,” he begged, the “in me” travelling along their connection.
Lowering his head to Merlin’s, Arthur panted out a sob.
Slicking his fingers as best he could, he slid his hand down to play at Merlin’s opening. Gently working the tight muscle until it let him in; first one finger, then two, and finally, a third. He’d missed this. Not just having Merlin literally at his fingertips and making the most wonderful noises with every touch inside him, but having Merlin there to touch, to feel, to talk to, to know he was there with just a thought or feeling.
Merlin scratched at Arthur’s back breaking through his thoughts, when Arthur met his gaze a soft, “Me, too,” fell from Merlin’s lips.
Arthur surged up to kiss his lover, removing his fingers to a shallow whimper. “Shhh, I’m coming back,” he murmured against his lips. True to his word, Arthur pushed up Merlin’s leg and began to slide inside, carefully, as if Merlin were the most exquisite and fragile piece of artistry in the world. Merlin wasn’t fragile, far from it, but this, what they had, was exquisite. He could feel Merlin’s magic humming around him, urging him closer, deeper inside, seeking the physical connection they’d gone too long without.
Merlin’s vision was beginning to blur, the hum of his magic and the magic shared between them amplified by the caves’ own power almost too much for him to control. He was afraid, he had Arthur in his arms and his magic was trying to overwhelm both of them, but it needed it, he needed it, and Arthur was so willing as if he needed it, too. “Arthur, I…”
Arthur hummed against the kiss bruised flesh of Merlin’s neck, sending shivers through his body. “Let it go…” He gently thrust deeper into Merlin’s body, an overwhelming sense of home filling him.
Let it go… Merlin wondered if Arthur had any idea what he was asking. Yes, he’d let Arthur feel his magic, he did so regularly, but this was so much different, it was ancient, having built slowly over the years, centuries, and now trying to flow through them.
“Merlin,” Arthur whispered, and Merlin could almost hear the smirk in his voice, “I can hear you, now, let it go.”
Arthur’s voice was melodical, both the spoken and the internal, and hearing both at once sent shivers through him. Merlin took in a shaky breath. “Look at me.”
Arthur drug his lips slowly up Merlin’s neck and across his cheek, until he was looking directly into the eyes he loved so much.
Arthur’s eyes on him calmed him, their shimmering blue depths promising him everything would be alright, reminding him how much he was loved. He nodded once. His eyes swirled gold and stayed that way as the magic ran through them like a current of energy. He knew Arthur felt it just as he did with every thrust, every drop of blood racing in their veins, every moan swallowed by mouths and skin; it was all filled with power, power that spoke of life and death and belonging.
They were lost in themselves, each feeling the other more intensely and purely than ever before. They moved together clinging to each other, letting their minds bleed together just as their bodies were. Neither wanted it to end, and, in truth, it seemed to last for an eternity as if their bodies wouldn’t allow it to. Eventually their passion won out, overloading their bodies with pleasure and their spirits with love and the knowledge that they belonged. There were no words just the fractured dance of bodies and mouths as Merlin’s body spasmed and Arthur’s hips jerked, filling him with hot come claiming him once again as his.
Though he would deny it, tears pricked at the edges of Arthur’s vision as he greedily absorbed every sound and quiver Merlin allowed him as they came down from their high. He had Merlin, he had the one thing that meant more to him than his life or his kingdom, without Merlin there could be no Camelot, he understood this now- prophecies be damned. Nothing could make this evil.
---
When he awoke, Merlin’s thin blanket was pulled over them providing more warmth than it should have, but Arthur didn’t question. Instead, he nuzzled into the dark hair resting on his chest.
“Mmm,” Merlin hummed contently.
“At the risk of being a bigger girl than you,” he kissed the top of Merlin’s head, “I love you.”
Merlin wriggled until he could look up at Arthur, eyes wide and searching.
“What?”
Merlin smiled and shook his head thoughtfully, reaching up he ran his knuckles over Arthur’s cheek softly, “Nothing.”
“Go back to sleep,” he said then kissed Merlin’s palm.
Settling back down, a bit more on top of Arthur than he was before, Merlin obeyed. He knew they should be finding the stones and getting out of these twisting and changing caverns, but right now, he didn’t care- Arthur was more important.
---------
Lazily Merlin began to wake, a familiar ache in his bones and warmth in his mind. He smiled as he rolled over; his magic was singing, it sounded like the hum of the breeze in the autumn trees and the gentle rush of waves on the shore and the sound of Arthur’s voice when he whispered things he thought Merlin couldn’t hear. It only did that when Arthur was there, especially loud on mornings like this. He sometimes wondered how Arthur couldn’t hear it; this morning it seemed louder than ever. He stretched and sat up, looking for his absent lover. “Arthur?” The blond was nowhere to be seen; his mail still lay with the rest of Merlin’s clothes, so Merlin hoped hadn’t gone far. Eager to finish their quest, Merlin dressed quickly. He was pulling on his boots when Arthur appeared from around a curve in the caves a few feet away.
“Good, you’re up!” He all but bounced, vibrating with energy. “Come on, you’ve got to see this,” he said and disappeared around the corner.
Merlin rolled his eyes and smiled, “Good to see this hasn’t made you any less of a prat.”
“Merlin!” he called. “Get a move on!”
“Coming, Sire,” he shouted back as he got to his feet and went after him.
Around the corner Arthur smiled at the false honourary, never so happy to hear such insolence.
“Wait, Arthur, our things-”
“Leave them, they’ll be there when we get back.”
“Arthur, these caves, they change.”
“I found my way back without a problem.”
Merlin caught up with the prince easily enough, falling into step with him. “I don’t recognize these caves,” he said, running his hand over the cave walls, noticing they were worn with those same gentle ripples that always foretold the caves returning him to some familiar, already travelled cavern.
The prince merely offered one of his toothy smiles, the kind Merlin liked to kiss from his face when he was being particularly patronizing. “Come on,” he said, quickening his pace playfully.
“What’s so important?”
“Our future.”
“Arthur?” he asked, not quite daring to hope.
Several twists and turns later, Arthur came to a halt. He took a deep breath and held it, waiting for Merlin’s reaction to what he’d found.
Laughter. Bubbling, nearing on hysterical laughter.
“Merlin?” Arthur asked hesitantly. He was beginning to worry he’d interpreted his find wrong.
Merlin fell to his knees, reaching out to touch the intricately carved stone. “You found them.” He turned to look into his lover’s nervous eyes, still fighting back his laughter, “You found them.”
Hearing the words made Arthur’s head spin and his heart thump loudly, he crouched down beside Merlin. “What do they say?” he asked reverently. “Merlin, what do they say?” his voice trembled, but it didn’t matter, not anymore.
Merlin’s elegant fingers reached out and traced the carvings in the ancient stone. He choked back a sound that could’ve been a laugh or a sob and began to read, “A generation shall pass from birth to manhood before the dragon and lion shall befriend each other. But beware- the dragon and lion shall bring upheaval and unrest to the kingdom-”
Arthur tensed sucking in a sharp breath, his hands fisting against his knees as his heart began to sink. He wouldn’t push Merlin away again. He couldn’t. He wondered if Camelot could survive without an heir, if his father would allow Morgana to succeed him. Arthur’s mind raced with possibilities and questions, but Merlin kept reading.
“-the ways of magic a destructive force when coupled with unfettered power, unless mitigated by each other, for the dragon and the lion are together, equals. Warlock and warrior, two halves of a great destiny,” Merlin’s voice cracked with another short almost hysterical laugh. “Under their rule the lands shall know prosperity and fertility as never before,” he broke down crying and laughing, Arthur’s bark of laughter following close behind.
He felt Arthur’s hand on his shoulder a second before he fell on him cackling into his neck. Merlin kissed his head and put his arms around him, before letting his weight topple them to the ground.
They rolled around on the ground laughing and holding onto each other, kisses raining down amidst their laughter.
Arthur hovered above Merlin when they finally stopped, letting themselves calm down. “I love you,” he said almost dazed.
“I know,” Merlin smiled up at him, running a hand through his blond hair. “I think the caves know, too.”
“Hmm, wha?” he asked, distractedly nuzzling his warlock’s neck.
“The caves. I think they know. I’ve been wandering these caves for the last two days, always winding up back in the same places.” He made a little keening noise when Arthur bit his neck.
Arthur chuckled. “That should tell you something about going off on your own.”
“Shut up,” he teased.
“Now, Merlin, is that anyway to speak to your Prince?”
“Of course not, Sire,” Merlin replied cheekily, “forgive me.”
Arthur laughed, as eager as he’d once been to never hear that word again, he had never been so happy to hear it said with such impertinence. “Uh-uh, you’re not getting off that easily.”
“Mmm, can it wait until we get home?”
“I suppose, if it must, but don’t expect me to forget about this.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Sire.” Merlin smiled wishing there was a way to get back to Camelot tonight.
******
“How did you convince your father to let you come after me?”
“I didn’t,” Arthur stated simply.
Merlin grabbed Arthur’s arm to turn him. “Arthur, are you mad? You of all people know how he gets when you disappear.”
The blond rolled his eyes. “I know, Merlin. He is my father after all.” He turned back down the cavern he thought would lead them out of the caves. “I told him I was going on a deep patrol. Leon and some of the others are waiting along Camelot’s northern border.”
“Won’t word still get back to Uther?”
Arthur chuckled, smiling. “It seems we have more friends among my knights than we realize.”
Merlin’s brow furrowed.
Arthur’s smile broadened as he felt Merlin’s confusion tease at his mind. “My men were all too eager to volunteer or so Leon tells me,” he explained.
“They know a great man when they see one,” Merlin told him. “Won’t they have been waiting for over a week already? Surely they can’t keep it from Uther that long.”
“Over a week?” he tossed a look back at Merlin as if he was insane. “It’s only been four days.”
Merlin stopped in his tracks. “How did you get here so fast? I know I wasn’t trapped in theses caves that long.”
Arthur smirked, “How would you know? You were the one stuck in here.”
Merlin glared at the back of Arthur’s head, knowing his displeasure would push at his senses.
Chuckling. “Same as you, idiot, the dragon.”
Merlin’s eyes widened. “Kilgharrah!? Wha- How’d you convince him to do that?”
Arthur huffed, at this rate they were never getting out of here. Arms steadfastly across his chest, he faced Merlin, “I asked. He said you…,” he shook his head. “He didn’t bring you here, did he?”
Merlin shook his head.
“Blasted dragon, does he ever tell the truth?”
Merlin shrugged, “Sometimes, but it’s usually hidden in double meanings and innuendo.”
Sighing, “At least he brought me to you.”
Merlin groaned, “Don’t remind me; I’ll actually have to thank him for that.”
“What do you give a dragon as a thank you?” he asked, chuckling, as he started out of the caves once more.
Escaping the caves had been remarkably easy; none of the twists and turns and restarts of Merlin’s journey presented themselves causing the young sorcerer to reconsider whether or not the caves truly had been trying to kill him. The more rational part of his mind insisted that they were only waiting for Arthur to arrive, which probably should have unnerved him more than it did. Almost playfully he and Arthur made the trek back down the steep hillside and over to the crevice Arthur had eased through two nights before.
Merlin looked suspiciously at the small opening, “How did you even find that?”
Arthur shrugged, even as the words ‘desperation’ and ‘magic’ popped into his brain.
Peering through the passage, “How?” Merlin asked incredulously, pointing from the crevice to Arthur and waving his hand up and down indicating the prince’s whole body.
“I’m not as fat as some people would have me believe,” he said swaggering up to the entrance. “Ladies first,” he bowed in deference to Merlin.
The young man glared, but took the invitation.
“I hate you,” Merlin complained a few minutes later as he tried to wiggle his way through the narrow space.
“You know you love a challenge,” Arthur smirked back.
“Yes, but putting up with you is challenge enough for anyone,” he quipped.
“Like I said, you love a challenge.” His self-satisfied tone firmly in place.
As Merlin pulled himself out of the crack, he rolled his eyes. “Prat.”
Arthur squeezed through after him, startling him with a quick kiss before looking for his discarded armour where he’d left it on the other side of the passageway.
That night they sat in front of a warming fire, Merlin leaning comfortably against Arthur’s chest as he made the sputtering embers dance in the shapes of their sigils curling and entwining around one another.
Arthur rested his cheek on Merlin’s head, “Is that how you see us?”
“Sometimes.”
He turned his head to get a better look at Merlin. “Sometimes?”
The warlock chuckled. “Yes, sometimes.”
“What about the other times?” Arthur asked curious.
“I don’t like to think about the other times,” he admitted quietly. “The other times you hate me, what I am.”
Tensing, Arthur tightened his hold on Merlin. He reached out along their bond, almost violently, to make sure Merlin was there, and could feel everything he was thinking. He wouldn’t have Merlin thinking he hated him, any part of him, not after what had happened; he needed Merlin to know. When he spoke, his voice was rough and powerful, “I have never hated you, not even these last weeks. I could never hate you.”
Silently, Merlin pulled Arthur’s arms around him and melted into him physically and mentally. His magic twining with Arthur as he drifted off to sleep.
***
The sun was just starting to set when they finally reached the foot of the mountains.
“We should be able to reach the clearing where I left my horse before we lose the light,” Merlin offered.
“There has got to be a faster way. I don’t suppose you could ask that lizard of yours to take us back to Camelot or my men?”
“He’s not my lizard, Arthur. He’s a dragon, a large fire breathing dragon, not a horse.”
The prince snickered. “I can honestly say, Merlin, that it never crossed my mind to put a saddle on that beast.”
“I should hope not,” an indignant voice boomed as they approached the clearing.
Merlin tried to cover his laugh when Arthur jumped.
A large eye peered at them through a gap in the trees. “I take it you found what you were looking for, young warlock.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Kilgharrah eyed Arthur. “Much as it pains me, the Pendragon is right. The longer he is away from Camelot the more Uther will begin to suspect.”
“Oh,” uncertainty in Arthur’s voice, “thank you?” He darted a questioning look at Merlin.
“He’s not going to eat you, Arthur,” Merlin promised.
“I didn’t say I thought he would!”
Kilgharrah snorted. “Humans,” he muttered, stretching his long neck.
“Come on, before you offend him.” Merlin tugged Arthur into the clearing where the dragon was curled up.
“He tries to destroy Camelot, almost kills us both, and I need to worry about offending him,” Arthur complained.
“Yes, because it was your father who had him chained in a cave for most of your natural life,” Merlin chastized as he pulled Arthur toward the dragon, Kilgharrah cackling all the while.
*********
The clatter of hooves echoed through the courtyard in the early morning hours. Camelot was still asleep; her earliest risers only just beginning to stir.
Arthur and his accompanying knights led their horses to the stables. Before he had even dismounted, Leon had taken the reins of Arthur’s mount.
“I’ll see the horses get attended to, Sire,” he informed him, making it sound like the knight was giving the Prince an order.
It occurred to Arthur that some of his household were spending entirely too much time with his manservant. It also occurred to him that the best way to alleviate this was to see to it that Merlin had no reason to leave his company, and preferably his chambers for the immediate future. “Thank you, Leon.” He clapped the knight’s shoulder, capturing his full attention. “I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Sire,” he nodded and smiled at Merlin, “it will be enough to see you yourself again. We have all missed the leader that we know and follow.”
Arthur smiled reticently, shaking Leon’s shoulder affectionately- a silent thank you. “And you,” he turned to Merlin, grabbing his arm and all but dragging him into the castle.
******
Arthur’s bed was soft and warm and there was no way he was getting out of it until at least noon and no way he was letting Merlin out of it either, which was why the incessant hammering on his door was about to drive him mad. “Go away!” he growled at the door.
“Let me answer. It could be important. It could be your father.”
Arthur shuddered, if there was one person he did not want to see right now it was his father. He nuzzled Merlin’s neck. “Leon’s taking care of my father, letting him know this patrol took a great deal out of me.”
“Oh it did, did it?”
“Mmm-hmm, and it’s going to take at least a day before I’m feeling up to training or attending council.” He kissed Merlin’s neck, biting at the flesh then burying his head against Merlin’s shoulder. “Though I will have to speak to him before the day’s out. But that is not now, so,” he raised his voice yelling towards the door, “whoever it is can GO AWAY!”
“Arthur, I know you’re in there,” Morgana yelled.
“I should’ve known it was that vixen,” he said, smiling despite himself. “Father would never come himself and there’s only one servant who would dare to knock so loudly and relentlessly, and thankfully, he is in my bed.”
“Arthur,” she said more quietly as her cheek pressed to the heavy oak door. “I overheard Leon speaking with Uther. He said you needed to rest from the patrol. You never need to rest from patrol. I… Are you alright? And Merlin? Is he with you?” She knew, despite what he told her, that if things went badly Merlin was not likely to return.
Merlin touched Arthur’s arm lightly, eyes imploring him to humour her.
Arthur huffed, but kissed Merlin’s cheek. “It’s a good thing I love you.”
“Give me a moment,” Arthur called to the shut door as he climbed out of bed.
“Here,” he said tossing one of his nightshirts at Merlin, taking out a soft pair of trousers for himself.
With an air of mock exasperation he opened the door. “I can assure you, Morgana, both Merlin and I are fine. Or would be if we could be left in peace.”
Morgana peered around Arthur and the half closed door, trying to locate Merlin.
“Hi.” Merlin gave a small wave to his friend.
Smiling knowingly, “I’ll leave you to it then,” she said.
“Thank you,” Arthur snapped, closing the door firmly.
Behind him Merlin chuckled. “She’s going to be impossible now.”
“She’s always impossible,” Arthur corrected, crawling up the bed towards Merlin. “Now then, what are you doing in my shirt?” he said smirking, right before he pounced.
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