Part 11

"Where are you taking me?" Arthur asked as Merlin led him down a well-worn trail through the greenery of the forest.

"To the lake, but we're taking the scenic route," Merlin replied.

Arthur had been wearing modern clothes lately, mostly clothes of Merlin's, who felt they looked much better on Arthur anyway. Today Arthur was wearing a red plaid shirt which hugged his body in all the right places. Arthur caught him staring.

"What is it?" Arthur asked, looking down at himself self-consciously. "Is this shirt okay?"

Merlin moved closer to Arthur, now looking only at his face. He reached for both of Arthur's hands. "You look...incredible."

Arthur's cheeks turned pink and he couldn't hide his grin.

Arthur wished that there was no battle ahead of them. He was not ashamed to admit that he was afraid. The last time he faced a battle, he was killed. He was confident though that he would survive this time. He had to. He had to stay with Merlin because they could actually be together now. They could be much freer in this life and Arthur was determined to spend it with Merlin. He also felt a great responsibility to the sorcerers of Albion. His father persecuted their kind so harshly that, even though that was many ages ago, Arthur felt he owed it to today's sorcerers to help them in their fight.

Merlin's hands felt wonderful in his own, like they belonged there.

"It's amazing, you know," Arthur spoke.

"What is?" Merlin asked softly.

Arthur inched closer, rubbing Merlin's nose with his own.

"That we can be like this," Arthur said, "You know, together."

"Yes, finally," Merlin smiled. "I've waited so long for this."

"I waited for you too," Arthur smiled, "I'd always wait for you. What you did for me, I'd have done the same for you, Merlin. You know that don't you?"

"I was afraid, you know, before. That you didn't feel the same way about me. But I hoped," Merlin told him.

"I tried to hide it for so long," Arthur said, "I think it was mostly myself I was trying to convince that I wasn't in love with you. There were just too many obstacles and barriers in our way."

"But we can be free now," Merlin concluded. He found Arthur's lips with his own, their hands still interlocked. The kiss was long, slow, and sweet, both boys beaming with euphoria.

Arthur broke the kiss reluctantly. "You know, as much as I really, really, love this," he said, "shouldn't we be training? Willie's informant said the sorcerer hunters would be coming to battle any day now."

"I told everyone to take a day," Merlin explained, "We've all spent our days doing nothing but training lately. I wanted everyone to have a day they can spend with their families or doing whatever they want to do. It may be the last leisure day some of them ever see."

* * *

The two held hands as they walked the rest of the way to the lake. When they reached its edge, a small wooden boat fit for two was waiting for them on the shore. Arthur turned to Merlin and smiled.

"Are you taking me out on a romantic boat ride?" Arthur smiled.

"I might just be," Merlin smiled back. He guided Arthur into the boat, "After you, sire."

"Mmm I love it when you address me that way," Arthur grinned mischievously.

"What about when I call you clotpole?"

Arthur laughed. It had always been Merlin that made him laugh more than anyone else.

They didn't need oars to steer the boat as Merlin used his magic to propel them out onto the open water. The sun would be setting soon, and Merlin was taking in the view of Arthur. His golden hair glowed in the light of dusk and his crystal eyes shined like the sun.

"Stop staring, you're making me blush," Arthur laughed.

"Sorry," Merlin smiled back, "It's just...I went so long without seeing you...I mean, I could see the image of you clearly in my mind, and in my dreams every night. But...seeing you here in the flesh after all that time, it's just...a miracle," Merlin finished with a tightness in his throat.

"Merlin," Arthur said clearly, "I'm sorry that you were lonely all those years. I mean I know you had companions but I know...I know it must have been so hard for you. If I had been in your place, I couldn't have lived without you all those years."

"I love you so much Arthur, and thank you for understanding," Merlin said quietly.

Arthur reached out and held the sides of Merlin's face. "Merlin, I love you, too. More than I've ever loved anyone."

Arthurs hands slid back to rest on the back of Merlin's neck, his fingers toying with Merlin's thick, dark hair. Arthur gently pulled him forward for another slow kiss.

* * *

Ellie and Gwaine sat across from each other in the dimly-lit flat with two glasses of wine sitting on the table in front of them.

"How old are you again?" Gwaine asked.

"A lady never reveals her age," Ellie replied slyly as she took a sip of her wine. "A couple hundred years," she revealed nonchalantly.

"Mmm an older woman," Gwaine hummed, "Sexy."

"Shut up," she laughed.

"So you've been Merlin's companion all these years?"

She nodded. "Merlin and I, we've become each other's family. I'd do anything for him."

"So would I," Gwaine smiled, but with seriousness. "It's quite admirable of you to be so loyal and reliable."

"I've heard many stories about you and your loyalty as well," she smiled at him. "Although, I must say, Merlin never mentioned how attractive you are."

Gwaine raised his eyebrows, "He didn't? Well, I guess he only goes for blonde kings."

They laughed and sipped more wine.

"Wait, were you hitting on me just then?" Gwaine asked with a grin.

"Hm, was I?" she asked aloofly.

"Oh yes, you were," he peered at her. She smiled.

"Well...well you're...extremely attractive as well," he fumbled, suddenly nervous.

Ellie looked at him questioningly. "Whoa, super-confident Gwaine, what's that in your aura? Is that...are you...nervous?" she smiled.

"I...I just..."

"Oh, you're not accustomed to a woman hitting on you, instead of the other way around, right?" her eyes shined.

"That must be it," he smiled back at her, "Or it could be because you are the most captivatingly beautiful, loyal, and gifted woman I've ever met."

"Wow," she raised her brows, "that's a great line, Sir Gwaine."

"It's not a line," he laughed. "Honestly though, everything you've done...and the measure of your talents...you're incredible."

"That may be the wine talking but thank you Gwaine, that means a lot to me," she smiled.

* * *

The sun was inching its way to the horizon, creating a mesmerizing glow on the water. Merlin and Arthur had been whispering sweet nothings to each other and periodically stealing kisses in the midst of enjoying the view of the sunset. Then, something started moving in the water.

"What is that?" Arthur asked.

It looked as though something was rising to the surface. Merlin cast a revealing charm to make whatever it was show itself. All at once, something long and silver came shooting out of the lake. It seemed to know right where it was going as it glided gracefully into Arthur's quickly outstretched hand. He held it for a moment, staring at it in awe.

"It's..."

"Excalibur," Merlin finished.