Inevitable Reality (3/3)

[solarbaby614]

 

 

Title: Inevitable Reality (3/3)
Author: solarbaby614

oOoOoOoOoOo

Merlin frowned as Nimueh dragged him down the hallway. He wondered momentarily why he was allowing her to do this.

Whatever it was that she wanted to show him was clearly important enough that she’d show up at the high school and drag him off so he figured he might as well go along with it. She seemed to know where she was going, navigating the hallways with practiced ease.

Laughter caught his attention as they turned a corner and he froze. Nimueh was smirking from the corner of his eye.

Pain shot through him as he watched the scene. Nimueh’s hand rested on his shoulder but he shrugged it off, disbelieving. Sophia leaned up and kissed Arthur again, smiling at him. He smiled back.

That smile faded as Arthur turned and caught sight of Merlin standing there, his face turning pale. “Merlin…” He slipped out of Sophia’s grasp.

Merlin turned and bolted.

Arthur cursed and gave chase, ignoring Sophia’s cries of indignation that followed.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Arthur caught up with Merlin as he headed past the attendance office. Grabbing his shoulder, Arthur spun Merlin around, only to have him yank himself out of Arthur’s grasp and back up against the wall. “Merlin…” It hurt to see Merlin flinch away from him like that.

“Arthur, just… don’t.” Merlin shook his head and curled up into himself.

“No, you have to understand. You need to understand. My father would kill me if he found out that I’m with you.”

Merlin looked like he wanted nothing more than to disappear right then and there. He wrapped his arms around himself and glared.

“But it’s just for appearances. Please, Merlin. Just give this a chance,” he begged.

For a second it looked like Merlin was going to give in. He shifted slightly, like he was going to move forward. Then he stopped. “No. I can’t.”

“What?”

“I can’t do this. I can’t be anyone’s dirty little secret. I refuse to.” With that Merlin spun around and headed for the door.

“Merlin! Wait!”

Eyes flashed gold and Arthur found himself bouncing off an invisible wall. Stunned, he stared at patch of apparently empty space he’d just collided with. He reached out and his hand hit something solid. The air in front of him rippled, almost like water, but when he pressed harder it solidified.

Merlin stared back at him, hand held out, blue eyes still tinged with gold.

Of course, Arthur remembered, Merlin was a druid for a reason.

Then, like the first time they had met, Merlin was gone.

oOoOoOoOoOo

It was about a week and a half before Arthur saw Merlin again. The weather seemed to be mirroring his mood. It was miserable outside, raining off and on and constantly cloudy. Heavy winds bent trees and toppled over trashcans.

Merlin was practically invisible at school. The only way Arthur even knew that he was coming at all was the fact that Morgana mentioned an experiment they were working on in the lab a few times.

Not that Arthur had really tried to talk to her about Merlin after the first couple of days. All he had received for his efforts was a disgusted look and a cool attitude for the rest of the day. Even Gwen had detached herself from Lance’s side and he had seen little more of her than he had Merlin.

Lancelot pouted for two days before stealing Arthur’s fries one day during lunch on Wednesday and calling him a cock-blocker. He was the first person Arthur could even mention Merlin’s name to without getting a glare in return. “You screwed up big time,” was all Lance said, probably tired of listening to Arthur’s whining, and he left it at that.

Trust his best friend to point out the obvious.

He went to Merlin’s house a few times only to have his mother tell him that the boy wasn’t there. But with the barely concealed guilt in Hunith’s eyes and the way Mordred hung around in the background, just staring at him with those piercing eyes, Arthur had a feeling he was being lied to. He even thought he had seen a familiar head of dark hair disappearing behind a pair of swishing curtains from a second story window as he left one day.

It was actually kind of anti-climatic when he finally did run into Merlin. Having him smack head first into Arthur, head buried in a large textbook, sending the both of them sprawling to the ground, wasn’t exactly how he imagined it happen. And Arthur had imagined it, not that he would admit it out loud. All of those encounters were dramatic, loud confrontations that usually ended up with Merlin pinned to the wall, helpless under Arthur’s ministrations.

Of course Merlin had proved that he wasn’t exactly helpless.

That was all Arthur could think about as stared at Merlin, who was looking at him with something akin to panic in his eyes. Arthur knew that look. It was the look of a cornered animal, one that wanted more than nothing than to flee.

“Merlin…” he began, but Merlin just shook his head, backing away.

“I have to go.”

“Wait!”

But Merlin just shot past him and out the door, right into the downpour.

oOoOoOoOoOo

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!” Merlin tossed his backpack against the brick wall, ignoring it as it fell to the ground.

This wasn’t him. Merlin was many things but a coward wasn’t one of them. He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it even more disarrayed than normal. Why the hell he had thought even trying to be in any sort of relationship with Arthur was a good idea he didn’t know. Knights were all the same.

Anger bubbled up in him. All this was Arthur’s fault. The self-centered, arrogant prick. A strange tingling sensation began to build up in his arms, but he was too incensed to pay much attention to it. Instead he gave the backpack a firm kick, sending it skittering halfway down the stairs. The sensation reached his fingers and he realized just too late what it was. By then it was too late.

Every window around him abruptly shattered, spraying him with glass that did nothing more than bounce harmlessly off of him.

“Damn it,” he muttered again.

He bit his bottom lip, wondering if he should stay around and try to explain the mess or take off. It wasn’t unheard of that random magical accidents happened. Still, something like this would cause more attention than he wanted.

Mind made up, Merlin took off down the stairs, grabbing his backpack on the way down, and headed for the parking lot before someone caught him.

Enthusiastic clapping from behind him made him freeze. It would be just his luck if someone caught him.

He spun around to find Nimueh standing there, a pleased smirk on her face. “Now that was impressive, Emrys.”

“What do you want?”

She pretended to look hurt. “Now, now, all I wanted to do was make sure that you were all right. I heard that you had gotten into a fight with that… Knight of yours.”

“I doubt that.” Somehow he wouldn’t put it past her to come just to gloat. “But as you can see, I’m fine.”

“Yes, I can see.” The grin she gave him couldn’t be called anything more than lecherous. “Well it’s all for the best anyways. He was just getting in the way of your destiny.”

“Destiny,” he muttered. The word made him snort.

“You have a great destiny ahead of you Emrys. You just need someone with you who will help you reach your true potential.”

“Someone like you, you mean?”

She just smiled.

Merlin just shook his head. “Now you sound like the bloody school councilor. I’ll tell you the same thing I told her. Screw destiny.” He watched as the knowing smile fell from her face. “And I don’t need any help. From you or from Arthur or from anyone.”

He turned on his heel and took off for his car, ignoring her calling his name after him.

oOoOoOoOoOo

If he hadn’t been digging through his backpack for a missing set of notes, Merlin probably would have completely missed the phone call. It was the light flickering that caught his attention-- he must have forgotten to turn up the volume again.

Gwen’s picture appeared on the screen.

“Please tell me that you know where my poli-sci notes are,” Merlin answered as he flipped the phone open.

There was silence from the other end of the line before a different female voice spoke from the other end of the line. “Merlin?”

“Morgana?” Why would she be calling from Gwen’s phone when he knew for a fact she had one for herself? A very nice, very expensive one that probably cost more than his computer.

He became very aware of sniffling from the other end of the line. “What’s wrong?”

“I-- Arthur--.”

Merlin was immediately worried. “Is something wrong with Arthur?”

Her voice caught. “It’s Nimueh. She has him. I saw it, Merlin. She’s gonna…”

He didn’t have to hear her finish the sentence. “Where?”

“Gaius’ office.”

“I’ll be right there. I--- Damn it! Mom has my car!”

“Please! You have to--.” Her voice cut off as he heard another female talk to her from the other end of the phone. It was a different voice that spoke next. “I called Lance to come get us. We’ll come get you.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Flipping the phone closed, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the stairs. Pausing at the bottom, he ran back up and snatched up the magic book he kept safe under his bed.

Merlin had the feeling he was going to need all the help he could get.

oOoOoOoOoOo

The front door to the office was wide open when the car skidded to a stop. They had probably broken more than a few traffic laws trying to get there but none of them thought twice. Morgana was still pale and looking slightly stunned, but had refused to stay behind.

Merlin was the first one out of the car, running through the doorway with the others right behind him. He tried to insist that they stay behind. Merlin knew just how powerful Nimueh really was and how crazy she could be. They were in danger just by following him but they ignored it.

The offices looked deserted and undisturbed. All of the front rooms were empty when they searched. It was Gwen who had caught sight of the slumped and pale figure at the end of the hall.

“Dr. Gaius!”

In a second, both he and Morgana were kneeling beside him. Gwen and Lance hovered nervously nearby, glancing around as if they expected Nimueh to pop out at any moment.

“Uncle Gaius?” he asked, hoping against hope that Gaius was okay. Morgana reached over and felt for a pulse.

“He’s alive.”

There was a groan in response and eyes blinked up at them. “Of course I’m alive,” Gaius mumbled. “It’ll take more than her to take me out.” He tried to sit up, only succeeding in slumping against the wall. Merlin reached over to help him. “I’m too old.”

“Where’s Arthur?” asked Morgana.

Another groan answered her and Gaius’ eyes fluttered closed. For one long moment Merlin was scared that his uncle was gone. His eyes struggled open again. He waved his arm down towards the back of the office. “Exam Room 7.”

Merlin nodded, standing and turning to the other two. “Can you guys get him outside?”

“Yeah,” Lance replied while Gwen nodded beside him. Morgana backed away as Lance wrapped an arm around Gaius and hauled him to his feet, almost falling over when the older man lurched forward. Gwen was on his other side, helping to catch him before they crashed. “We got it,” grunted Lance.

“Right.” Merlin let out a breath and exchanged a look with Morgana. “Let’s go.”

Exam Room 7 was at the end of the hallway, unused for anything other than storage. The door sat askew, knocked off its hinges.

The two pushed through and froze at the sight. Uther was lying off to the side, a sickly looking pool of blood around him. His chest was rising and falling in shallow breath-- he was still alive. Nimueh had Arthur magically pinned to the wall, choking as he grasped to tear away the hand at his throat that wasn’t there.

Immediately Merlin’s hand shot out and his eyes flashed gold as he hissed words under his breath. Nimueh flew back, bouncing off an x-ray machine and crashing to the floor, unconscious. Arthur slid to the floor, gasping.

Merlin crossed the floor and knelt beside Arthur, who was looking stunned, as Morgana ran to her father’s side.

Arthur blinked, reaching out to brush a hand against his temple. “You’re eyes are gold.”

“Yeah, they do that sometimes.”

“It’s kinda hot.”

Merlin let out a laugh. “Come on. Let’s get you and your father out of here.”

“Dad?” Arthur asked, confused. Then his eyes widened as he remember what exactly happened. “Dad!” He looked frantically around the room, before his gaze landing where Morgana was struggling with the unconscious man.

“He’s still breathing,” Morgana called as they ran across the room.

With Morgana and Merlin’s help they managed to drag Uther towards the door, turning slightly green and blanching as his foot scraped through the edge of the blood.

Merlin felt himself get yanked backwards, losing his grip on Uther and sending the other two stumbling into the hallway.

He gasped as the door magically righted itself and slammed shut.

“You should have stayed away.”

Nimueh was standing behind him, arm held out, looking annoyed but strangely unruffled.

“Why are you doing this?”

“It’s your destiny, Emrys. I refuse to let you jeopardize that.”

“By killing me?!” he exclaimed.

She snorted. “I’m not going to kill you. But I am going to stop you from stopping me. I’ll finish the Pendragons off once and for all.”

He scrambled back, hitting the now solid door. “Nimueh, no!”

“You’ll thank me for this.”

“You’re insane!”

The air around them crackled with her power. It danced across his skin and he could feel his own beginning to rise in response. Why the hell did he leave the magic book in the car?

Nimueh held out her hand towards him as it began to glow. She couldn’t do this. He never thought this would be something she’d be capable of. She was going to kill Arthur.

No.

“No!”

His own hands shot out as he felt all the pent up magic he usually kept a tight lid on escape him. Magic collided with magic and there was a bang, massively loud. The next thing he knew he was flying off his feet. There was a shriek, and his world went black.

oOoOoOoOoOo

There was a blindingly bright light in his eyes as Merlin woke back up. A moan escaped him as he tried to turn away from the source. The movement sent pain through every part of his body. He whimpered and flinched.

“Merlin?”

The tired, familiar voice sounded hopeful. He struggled to open his eyes, wincing against the light. A familiar pair of blue eyes stared back. “Arthur?” his own voice was scratchy. “Where am I?”

Arthur reached down and brushed a hand through his hair. Merlin couldn’t help but lean into the touch, hearing the blonde give a soft laugh in response. “Camelot General.”

A frown touched Merlin’s face. “Hospital?” Arthur nodded. “Gaius? Your father?”

“Gaius was fine. A few broken ribs. Dad… it was touch and go with him for a while. But he woke up yesterday and already wants to go home.” Arthur’s fingers gently brushed across Merlin’s scalp before trailing down the side of his face, lingering on a bandaged temple.

“Nimueh?”

“Cops took her away. Whatever it was that you two did destroyed half on Gaius’ offices. She’ll be in psychic ward for a long time.”

“Hm…” Merlin leaned back against the pillows. “You okay?”

“Me?” Arthur let out a laugh. “I’m fine. You, however… You’ve been unconscious for three days now.”

Merlin looked incredulous, before breaking out into a grin. “You were worried about me.”

“Of course I was worried! They couldn’t tell me when you would wake up or even if you would!” Arthur wrapped his hand around Merlin’s. His fingers ran across his palm, tracing strange patterns. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t,” replied Merlin.

Arthur looked like he was going to say something but he got up instead. As he began to pull away Merlin tightened his grip on the hand. Arthur sent him a reassuring grin. “I’m just going to get your mother. Her and Mordred have been worried sick.”

Merlin groaned and let his head drop back, already imagining the lecture he was going to get.

Arthur leaned down and brushed his lips against Merlin’s, resting their foreheads together as he gently pulled away.

“We’ll work this out. I promise.”

Merlin was going to hold him to that.

oOoOoOoOoOo

His mother was understandably upset but was just happy that he was okay for the moment. There hadn’t been a lecture yet but he was sure it would come when he was better. Mordred just seemed disappointed that there wasn’t a cast because ‘that would have been completely awesome’.

Gaius came by to visit him a few times, along with Gwen and Lance. Uther was released the next day and much to Merlin’s surprise the man dropped by his room before he left, Arthur by his side, grinning.

“Hello, Mr. Pendragon. Hey, Arthur.”

Hunith spun around, ready to introduce herself. Then she froze when she caught sight of the figure, immediately recognizing him even after all this time. “Uther?”

“Hello, Hunith.” Uther shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “It’s been a while.”

Her face softened, obviously taking in his distress. “Yes, it has.” She moved forward and to both of boys’ surprise she wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

After a surprised hesitation, he returned the gesture.

Merlin exchanged a look with Arthur. “Am I the only one who feels like they’ve missed something?”

“Nope,” Arthur said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Mordred just popped his bubblegum.

oOoOoOoOoOo

The changes were obvious when he returned to school. Where knights had once gone out of their way to pick on him, even with Arthur around, they now avoided him like the plague. Teachers were looking at him with something akin to fear and other druids with looked with reverence. What happened with Nimueh had gotten around school faster than he had been afraid of.

The druids that had once looked at him with disgust for refusing to use his powers now seemed to think he was some sort of savior. They seemed to have more faith in Nimueh’s ranting about destiny than he did.

But he just shook it off and ignored them all.

This seemed to offend the other druids, who sudden wanted to be around Merlin, but the knights seemed happier with this arrangement.

Reactions like this had been what he was afraid of. This was why he had gone out of his way to hide just how powerful he was.

His own powers seemed more out of control lately, he noted with annoyance as the double doors flung open before he even touched them. That got him more than one stare as he headed out into the sunshine.

There was still other students milling in the parking lot but one caught his attention.

Arthur just grinned at him and waved as he approached.

“You’re sitting on my car,” Merlin noted absently.

Rolling his eyes, Arthur slid off. There was a moment of silence between them, as Merlin gripped his book tighter and Arthur just shifted uncomfortably. “Oh, hell,” he muttered, before grabbing Merlin by the arm and tugging him forward.

Arthur’s lips captured his own in a sweet, chaste kiss. Merlin leaned forward, wanting to deepen it, only to have Arthur pull back, the prat. He licked his lips and glanced up at him.

Arthur just smiled at the slightly befuddled look on his druid’s face. “Come on. I’ll let you drive me home.” A quick kiss, then Arthur slid around to the passenger side of the car.

Merlin just stood there for a moment, staring at Arthur, who looked back, amused.

“You with me?”

Yes, Merlin thought to himself as he grinned, getting into the driver’s seat. Arthur immediately started bitching about Merlin’s choice of music, but he just reached over and turned the radio up.

He certainly was.