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It has been so long Since Merlin has seen his husband. His husband is far from home. Far from him. Far from their son. And now the council members are pushing him to choose a new husband. He has told them that he would as soon as he finishes writing his spell book. However what they don’t know is that as soon as night comes he erases it all. He would rather lie than ever even think of choosing anyone other than Arthur. He had promised Arthur to not tell any more lies. But he would rather lie than ever let any of those greedy bastards think they could take Arthur's crown.
A storm so strong he’s sure that if it had come any closer it would have wiped out all of Camelot. He’s sure it was a sign. That things were going to change. That finally he could see his husband again. He just had to buy him some time. He had to prepare. Make a challenge he’s sure no one can beat but Arthur. He’s sure he has just the right thing.
They were getting restless. Demanding he chose.
“ time is fleet,” they said “it’s running out.”
They wanted him to choose? He would choose. He would choose the one who could beat his challenge.
“Whoever can take out my husband's old sword out of the rock and cut through ten sheets of metal cleanly will be the new king, sit down on the throne and rule with me as their king. Swing when you know you are ready because I would rather die than grow old without the best of you.”
He never thought this would be something he would have to do. This situation was completely absurd. He should be able to live his life alone with his son waiting for Arthur without having to remarry. But he would wait. For Arthur, for love he would do anything.
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“Screw this competition we’ve been here for hours none of us can take out the sword, we don’t have the power.”
“Screw this damn challenge, no more delays can’t you guys see we’re being played?”
“This is how they hold us down while the throne gets colder.”
“While we slowly age. while the boy gets bolder.”
“Where the hell is our pride and our rage?”
One of them gets an idea. A stupid, idiotic, evil, idea.
“The prince is not around. I heard he’s on a diplomatic mission and today he came back to town. So we should gather at the beaches and wait till he arrives. Then when he docks his ship, we can breach it.”
“Then let's go now” one of them responds.
They keep planning. Plan how they will break his pride, his trust, his faith, and his bones. They’ll cut him down into pieces and throw him down into the ocean. No one would know. No one but them and the ocean. Not only that. No because clearly that wouldn’t be enough. They plan to break into Merlin's chambers and take him. Share him.
“Channel the fire inside your soul,” he said. As if he was encouraging them before a battle and not an unfair fight and crime.
he couldn’t say anymore. Not when an arrow was logged into his throat.
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“I have suffered for twenty years. From the wrath of gods and monsters to the screams of comrades slain. And now after all that i come back and find my castle desecrated. Worst of all, I hear you dare touch my husband and hurt my boy. I have had enough.” Arthur says. He’s angry. Infuriated that they had the audacity to even think of doing these things.
It’s night. It's hard to see without any torches. Both things make it all the more easier for Arthur. The men are scared. They should be. Because not a single one will make it out alive. They'll die in the darkness.
“Somewhere in the shadows lurks an agile deadly foe.”
“We have the advantage, we’ve the numbers and the might.” one of them says with confidence.
“No, you don’t understand it. This man plans for every fight.”
There are screams rippling through the castle. Echoing off the walls it's hard to tell wear there coming from.
“Where is he?” he says looking around. As if he could see in the dark all of a sudden.
“Keep your head down, he’s aiming for the torches.”
They look for any kind of weapon. They can’t find any. Of course not. Arthur isn’t an idiot. They could have overpowered him if they did. But not now cause he took them before they even realized they were even being attacked.
“Our weapons, they’re missing.”
“We’re empty handed, up against an archer. Our only chance is to strike him in the darkness. We know these halls, the odds can be tilted.”
“You don’t think I know my own palace? I built it.”
He kills them all. He has cornered a few. they start to beg.
“Old king, our leader is dead. You’ve destroyed the serpent’s head. Now the rest of us are no longer a threat. Forgive us instead so that no more blood will be shed. Let’s have open arms instead.”
These god damned men will say anything to save their own skin. But he has long since learned that is the way of mankind. It will not make him any more forgiving.
“Damn, he’s more cunning than I assumed while we were busy plotting he hid our weapons in this room.”
“I find it hard to believe that the sharpest of kings left his armory unlocked.” he had every right to be suspicious.
“So what? Now that we have armed ourselves let's make that bastard rot.”
It was a trap. Obviously.
“Behind you!”
He drops dead.
“Throw down those weapons and I assure you’ll be spared.” Mordred said.
“After seeing what the king will do we wouldn’t dare.”
“I don’t want to hurt you but trust me, I've come prepared.” Mordred responded. He held up his sword. Ready to fight.
“Ha! Your very presence has doomed the king. We don’t fight fair.” they mocked.
They call the rest in and arm themselves. They're too many for him to fight. They’ll use him to threaten his father. They believe themselves smart. That they have a chance. That this will make Arthur spare them and not enrage him further. They threaten Mordred's well being. The one holding him is ran through.
“Me-Mer-” he doesn’t even get to finish.
“Mercy? Mercy?” he chuckles.” my mercy has long since drowned. It died to get me home. And as long as you’re around my family’s fate is left alone. You plotted to kill my son, you plotted to rape my husband. All of you are going to die.” he keeps going but now not only is he speaking to them but to everything that has kept him from home, “you’ve filled my heart with hate. All of you, who have done me wrong. This will be your fate.” he slices the person closest to him.
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“Father? Is it really you?” Mordred spoke “all my life, I'd died to meet you. For years I've dreamt of how I would greet you but now that you’re here I can't find the words. I can’t help but wonder what you must have gone through. If we’re like each other, if I have your strength in me. If you’d love me like your own.”
“Oh my son, look how much you’ve grown. You're my joy. Once I held you in my arms.” he sighed “oh how time has flown. Used to say I'd make the storm clouds cry for you. Used to say I'd capture wind and sky for you. Prepared to die for you.” he chuckled a little. Those were his biggest foes, the storm clouds and the wind, on his journey back home.
“I can't help but wonder what your world has been, and the things you had to suffer, and the strength you have within.” he smiled “ all I've ever wanted was to reunite with my own and finally after twenty years of wandering I'm finally home.” he held his arms open and Mordred ran into them. After twenty years he could finally hug his father. He held on tight as if Arthur would be taken away again if he let go.
Arthur pulled away a little and reluctantly Mordred loosened his grip.
“Go, tell Merlin I'm home, I'll be there in a moment.”
He nodded. He ran eager to tell his father that his other father is home.
“Show yourself, I know you’re watching me.”
Morgana steps out.
“You were never one for hellos.”
“I can’t help but wonder what this world could be if we all held each other with a bit more empathy. I can't help but feel I led you astray. What if there’s a world where we don’t have to live this way?” she says. Her voice is filled with regret and hope.
“If that world exists, it is far away from here. It’s one I'll have to miss. You will live forever so you can make it be. But I've got one endeavor, there’s a boy I have to see.”
She nods and smiles disappearing back into the shadows. Footsteps approach.
“Father? He’s waiting for you.” his son smiled back at him. His son. Gods he’s so happy.
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He’s nervous to see him. He does not doubt that Merlin will tell him he should have listened to him about going without him. About going at all. He just hopes that Merlin will at least will be happy.
“Merlin.” he takes a deep breath and opens the door.
“Is it you? Have my prayers been answered? Is it you standing there, or am I dreaming once more?” He steps closer, “you look different, your eyes look tired. Your frame is lighter, your smile is torn. Is it really you, my love?”
Arthur shakes his head.
“I am not the man you fell in love with, the man you once adored. I am not your kind and gentle husband. Would you fall in love with me again if you knew all the things I have done?”
“What kind of thing?” Merlin asks.
“Left a trail of blood on every island, I traded friends like objects, hurt more lives than I care to count. But all of it was to bring me back to you." He looked Merlin in the eyes so would you love me again after all the things I have done?”
If this man was Arthur then he would love him again. It would be hypocritical of him not to. After all the things he had done to ensure Arthur would stay alive. He had to make sure it was Arthur so he could answer truthfully.
“If that's true, could you do me a favor? Just something that will bring me some peace. See that wedding bed? Could you break it to pieces and set it on fire?”
“How could you say that? I built that bed with my blood and sweat. I carved into it all of our adventures together. A symbol of our love so strong.” he said in a sad voice.
“Do you realize what you have asked me to do?” his voice a little louder this time, “to break it is to say that our love is fleeting.”
“only my husband knew that. So I guess that makes him you.” Merlin says, throwing his arms around Arthur's neck.
“Merlin.” His voice is breathy and eyes watery.
“I will fall in love with you over and over again. I don’t care how, where, or when. No matter how long it’s been, you are mine. Don’t tell me you’re not the same person. You will always be my husband and I will wait however long I have to to see you again.” he promises.
“I love you” Arthur says
“I love you too” merlin says