To the Start

by Taylor98

Summary:

Merlin doesn't accept Arthur's death and forces time to rewind
This is updated veeeery slowly like once every other month. i'm sorry TT

Notes:

This will be a short story around 3 or four chapters with no more than 3000 words in all honesty. So don't expect a lot

Chapter 1

Arthur woke with a sharp pain beneath his eyelids. 

Everything is so bright, is this what Heaven is? He's dead right, Merlin was holding him. 

Merlin had magic. It all made sense now. MerlinMerlinMerlin. MERLIN! Where had that idiot gone to now? 

Arthur opened his eyes to the familiar sight of his canopy. His fingers brushed soft material. 

Why was he in his chambers?

Heaven was...Camelot? Or was it Hell?
Arthur got up from his bed and brought his fingers to where he had been dealt the mortal wound. Nothing. Arthur got dressed because yes he can dress himself but he has Merlin to do that for him. He always has his Merlin. Arthur pushed that to the back of his mind, no point in thinking about things that wouldn't happen. Not in this lifetime. He opened his door and walked through the hallway until he saw someone he vaguely recognized. Was that his manservant before Merlin? Max? Merkel? Morris? Yes, Morris. But why did he have a confused face? 

"My Lord?" The servant bowed his head slightly. "If I may ask, why are you up so early? I'm only now coming to wake you." 

"Ah, Morris." Morris lifted his head in surprise. "I merely felt lively this morn-why on Earth would you be waking me up? What happened to Merlin?"

The servants eyebrows only furrowed in obvious confusion, "I am your manservant my Lord, who else would be waking you? And I don't believe we have a servant called Merlin my Lord."

Now it was not only Morris that was confused.

Arthur hastened his walk into a sprint to the Physicians chambers. Merlin would be there like usual, complaining about him as usual. Morris was just playing a prank on him. Knocking on the heavy wooden door, Arthur burst into the room only to see Gaius inspecting some kind of herb.

"Ah, Gaius. You wouldn't happen to know where Merlin is do you? It's just he needs to be serving me. I haven't had breakfast yet you see." 

" No Sire, I don't know of a Merl-well the only Merlin I know is the one in Ealdor. But I don't see why you should know of him."

Arthur's confusion only grew, why would Gaius try to make a fool out of him? "Er-I'm afraid I had too much wine last night. What was the date again, I don't quite remember it." 

"It is the start of the third week of July. The twenty-fifth year of Uther's reign of course."

Ten and a half years ago. 

Chapter 2

Arthur was in a council meeting, simply looking over everyone. Mostly everyone looked the same as they did...will in ten years. His father however, looked the same as always. Although that could be blamed on him dying in only a few years. He didn't know what to feel about his father. On one hand, he was his father. On the other, Merlin would be at risk the moment he arrived at Camelot. And he did say goodbye to Uther twice already, how hard could it be to do it a third time? 

"Arthur," a sharp voice rang out, "Are you paying any attention, this is not how the future King should be behaving." 

" Sorry My Lord," His voice was pure politeness with no real emotion. Merlin would know in an instance what to do about this time travel thing. "I apologize, I was simply lost in thought."

"Well, don't make that mistake again."

---

Arthur knew he had to gain the trust of his citizens once again. The only way he knew how to, without compromising his father, was helping the servants. Merlin would be proud at how fast he came up with the idea. 

But what to do? Helping the servants was the obvious choice but how? Maybe helping to wash clothes or carry things would do the trick. Perhaps asking them not to tell the King that the Prince had been doing the work of lesser people.

---

Arthur didn't understand how the servants completed this work every day. Sure he had retained the muscles and strength from before but he was tired. And he had trained everyday for ten years. The scrubbing left his hands red and raw, the pain left him satisfied with his work. It meant he was doing something for his people. 

The air in the castle had changed. It was less tense, less suffocating. Arthur hadn't realized it before but under Uther's reign, no one felt comfortable enough in the castle to show their personalities. They were mere servants in the eyes of the king. It was weird thinking like that. Arthur was so used to being referred to as the king. When people talked of the king he had to catch himself from speaking as he had gotten used to. There were many times when a maid servant would say they needed to change the king's sheets while Arthur helped carry the basket and respond with a denial of such a request. 

He couldn't wait for Merlin.

Only...a week left? He didn't know but it felt right. Merlin would look so young, his eyes bright with full lips curved in the always present smile. Well, present before Morgana turned to magic and became corrupted from it. No, not from the magic. Fear. 

Merlin would not be as strong as he had been after years of service to him. But that simply added the trusting air always surrounding him. Arthur wanted to hug him. Feel narrow shoulders encompassed by his own, he wanted to see Merlin's face. To kis-no. He couldn't think like that, it would ruin their friendship. A friendship that had not yet started. In fact, it was not guaranteed. How had he not accounted for that? What if Merlin never came to Camelot? He wouldn't be able to bear it. 

No. Merlin said they were destined for each other. Two sides of the same coin he said.

---

Today was the day. The day Merlin would come to Camelot and become part of the royal household, this time though, Merlin was going to become the Physicians assistant and not the prince's manservants. After all, it was a higher position. He was going to talk to him and start a friendship that would hopefully be similar to that from Before. That was how he had been referring to the time before he jumped through the years. 

They would become Merlin and Arthur once again. Bantering, arguing, and saving each other's lives. Providing humor and entertainment to the citizens of Camelot. Although it would take some time for the commoners to get used to seeing their prince treated in such a way. Maybe they would welcome it, welcome the change of pace. See how much the prince differed from his father. 

The only problem he had was that there was an execution taking place. The son of a vengeful mother. He didn't want to see the flaky, burning skin peel from the corpse in small chunks. He would rather help with the laundry, so that was what he was going to do.

"Arthur, do not forget the execution at midday." Uther said. " And the banquet with Lady Helena. "

"Of course Father."

Lady Helena, she was the first to attack him with magic. And Merlin became his manservant, would that still happen? It would, after all, so what if traveled back in time. It didn't erase the mistakes and failures made by the King. He only hoped that Merlin was still willing to save him.

In the meantime, he was willing to continue the methodical and relaxing process of laundry. 

---

It was time for Lady Helena to start her famous singing and Arthur was absolutely dreading it. He couldn't ignore the fact that he was going to have a near death experience after his death. He needed to find Merlin but no matter where he looked, he couldn't see those ridiculous ears. Then he thought of Gwen, he hadn't thought of her much since he died and that made him feel guilt settle in his stomach. Or it was nervousness from not being able to confirm his continued living. 

Where was Merlin! 

His mind trailed back to why he thought I'd Gwen. Perhaps Merlin was with her, gossiping or whatever servants do in their free time. He wasn't sure what was going on in the castle, by the time he had come to the age where he had to be aware of his citizens, he had a servant that gossiped like an old lady by his side at all times. The amount of things that has no value to the decisions that were made on the daily. Although, it was quite entertaining how one of the kitchen maids was pregnant and a stable boy was around her constantly. He even made sure to know their names. Rowan and Beth. He wasn't sure where they were now, he had more important things to worry about. Like making sure to slowly take over the duties of the king, he wasn't nearly as good as he used to be with Merlin there to advise him but he had the knowledge of what he had implemented previously. He just needed to write up a draft for the repelling of the magic ban, then Merlin would edit it. 

He was supposed to spend a half hour dressing respectfully, he sent the servant-Alan-away once his clothes had been laid out onto the bed, he couldn't get used to the silent, respectful service given to him. He needed banter, insults, and the knowledge they would go to the end of the world for each other. 

By the time he had reached the banquet hall, the feast was just about to start. When Arthur had taken his seat, Uther started with an opening speech. He talked about the twenty years of the purge and how they would be celebrating it with Lady Helena. Arthur couldn't help but find it amusing that there was a magic user employed by Uther. Although Lady Helena was not really herself that night, she was more like an old lady with rightful anger. 

When the singing started, Arthur felt himself grow tired and weary. He saw the dagger coming for him but before he could move out of the way-something he couldn't even do-Arthur heard the chandelier crashing down and then felt a body tumbling into him, pushing him out of the way. 
Merlin. 
Now he would once again be friends with the insolent boy. 
Arthur looked up at Merlin's face which was void of any emotion save for forced politeness. Arthur knew that face was painful for him to make.  He wanted Merlin to look at him, recognize him. But there was no indication of anything. It was so unlike Merlin that Arthur became worried.

What was wrong? Merlin wears his heart on his sleeve and an insolent grin on his face. There was no reas-right. He had magic, and he was in front of a magic hating King. No wonder. 

Arthur looked away just as Merlin turned his head his way. He made sure to keep his gaze on his father, giving no sign of interest to the boy. Merlin was still so young, too young to be carrying the his future burden. How old was he anyway? Eighteen? He himself was only twenty. He'd find out later.

Arthur glanced a slight movement from the corner of his eye. Merlin's shockingly blue eyes flitted onto him, observing, cataloguing his every movement with desperation.

Arthur took a shallow breath and motioned with a twitch of his eyebrow. Merlin responded with a raised eyebrow and a slight nod. 

Chapter 3: Discontinued

Summary:

soo i'm not continuing this there's some stuff going on in life and i just don't have the energy for this but you are more than welcome to continue this work just ask permission first in the comments and credit me when you start writing it. i'm so sorry that i discontinued i know how sad i got when i started a fic and it stopped, so sorry 😭😭😭😭😭

Merlin watched as Arthur slowly drew his last breath, his skin pale and clammy. Arthur's hair lay flat on his head and his eyes were open. Merlin couldn't help but stare into them, they were no longer a Sapphire blue. Gone were the twinkles of mischievous, instead all that was left was a pale lifeless void. 

Merlin couldn't bear it. He needed to do something. Anything. 

His magic buzzed beneath his skin, willing him to let it be in control. It would make everything right. He let his magic flow through him. His clothes fell apart from the power but he hardly noticed, his focus was solely on his King. 

Merlin watched as Arthur slowly fizzled away, he felt his magic wrap around him. Keeping him in the same shape as he was, preserved.

When Arthur was a mere sparkle of light, Merlin felt his magic bubble around him. He knew it needed a break but he refused. He needed to be with Arthur. 

The next thing he knew was a quiet darkness. 

 

Merlin heard the bird chirp a mere second before the sound of several more distinctly different tweets. His eyes flashed open and he took in the scene. 

His 'bed' was no more than a layer of hay. The light trickled through a broken down window with large cracks. And singing. His mother's singing. 

He sprung up and stumbled into the kitchen area where he saw humming and swaying left and right. It was hard to tell if she was dancing or preparing food for the day. 

Merlin knew it would work. He could now prepare for the future alongside Arthur. He just needed to know how much longer there was until he would leave for Camelot. 

"Ma, I feel sick." Merlin didn't like lying to her but what could he say? I've travelled from the future but I don't know when I am now? No, he would like his mother to stay alive. "I-I don't, my head's so heavy." 

"Uh-well what do you remember hun." 

"Mmhm. W-What year was it again," Merlin wanted to slap himself for stuttering. Although, he supposed it made it more convincing. 

"Oh. It's the thirtieth year of Cenred's rule. Would you like some water?" 

"No thank you ma." 

Merlin looked outside, Winter. Half a year left. 

Plenty of time to advance his magic. Especially since Arthur knew now. 

 

---

 

Merlin groaned when he both heard and felt his back cracking while he got up. He had just finished his day of work, making sure their already few animals were warm and able to survive a few cold nights.

Every night, when his mother fell asleep, he would leave to the forest to practice his magic. 

Merlin sneaker through the small hut, using the shadows as coverage. A skill he learnt from actually being a servant, it was very handy whenever he got a funny feeling. Merlin opened the door with a click of the hatch. He would use magic but his mother had grown a sixth sense for when he used it and it was too risky for that. Merlin needed this practice, he felt his magic's capabilities fizzing under his skin. His present body wasn't used to the sudden influx of magic, he knew it would take time before he got to his previous power. Merlin's body Before bad been defined after a decade of manual labour, and while he still did that labour just on a farm, it was not nearly as capable as before. Especially since he wasn't running all over for Arthur. 

Merlin's magic warned him out if his thoughts. He had nearer the woods and needed to pay attention now. 

Slowly he let his magic out, but by bit. Controlling it. Reeling it back in, giving it to the earth and repeating that same procees until his fingernails ached. Then he made a snap decision, it was time to start making life once again. He forced himself from creating butterflies and flowers for the fear that he would go overboard and fabricate an imitation of Arthur. 

Just one month left, Merlin thought, Then you can see Arthur again.

 

---

 

The end of the month came quickly, Merlin had been practicing every night. Creation, destruction, light, all the different aspects of magic. He had finally mastered them all. He would have mastered them Before but there had been no place for him to learn and grow. Only a small room. A room he hoped he'd still get. 

Otherwise, he thought, He'd have to sleep in the antechamber. Next to an adorable Arthu-ignoring that train if thought, he thought back to the journey to Camelot. A long perilous treck to his home. He knew that he shouldn't be thinking about using magic but he groaned at the thought of that much walking. A teleportation spell that he created would do the trick.

"Ewch â fi i Camelot, fy hud annwyl," he breathed. And in his head he repeated them. 

Ewch â fi i Camelot, fy hud annwyl Ewch â fi i Camelot, fy hud annwyl. Take me to Camelot, my dear magic.

He knew he was being transported, but there was no physical indication of such a thing. No sparkles, no fizzures, not even any light. Merlin simply knew the spell had worked. 

The light reached his eyes before they were open. The sun's rays hit Merlin's face, casting a golden shadow upon him. He breathed in, smelling the familiar scent of the forest. A combination of earthy smell, wood, and herbs. He smelled floral, sweet plants. Plants he knew he would have to gather for Gaius. 

Merlin opened his eyes to the sight of overgrown bushes and trees near a well used path. He walked for a minute and paused. There, several more minutes away, was Camelot. 

There, several more minutes away, was Arthur. 

 

---

 

Camelot was as busy as he remembered, commoners moving with their own objectives in mind, travellers like how he was Before exploring and touring the great kingdom. 

Merlin made his way to the castle with only one current goal in his mind, become the Physician apprentice. He knew be had surprised his mother by asking to go to Camelot. She was worried, after all, what kind of mother would she be if she didn't want to send her only son to a place that would rejoice in killing him. He explained to her though, he told her he felt something calling to him. Destiny he said. And the fact that Gaius would be there, he could teach him to control his magic. After some convincing Merlin got his mother to send a letter asking to take on Merlin as his apprentice and after a week they got his approval. He had said goodbye to Will, they lost touch a bit. Merlin was too concerned with Arthur, and he knew Will would lash out if he had known that Merlin would be travelling to Camelot. A bunch of pretentious nobles and commoners that think themselves better than us villagers is what he would have said. Will wasn't wrong but he wouldn't understand about Arthur. 

Merlin continued into the Physicians chambers and paused outside the door to knock. 

Knock. Knock. 

"Come in." 

Merlin pushed open the door and let the familiar feeling wash over him. 

A mix of different herbs and flowers overwhelmed his nose. Calendula, Chamomile, Hibiscus, Tumeric, Ginger, and other smells tickled all his senses. He could see them. Understand them. He knew their very making. 

"Uh I-I'm Merlin...Hunith's son? I'm to become your apprentice," 

"Oh..yes! Come in, come in. I thought you were arriving on Wednes-that's it is Wednesday, " Gaius fumbled with his words, seemingly confused, "Your room is not yet cleared, it'll be done by the evening. In the meantime, go pick some flowers. Here, a list. Can you read?"

Gaius hadn't changed a bit. Or was it he wouldn't change at all? 

"Well? Can you?" 

"Huh? O-Oh yes I can read. Here, I'll take it now. See you."

He wouldn't tell Gaius. Credibility and all that. He would tell Arthur instead. 

Arthur. 

How had Arthur held up. He must have been confused. He'd give an explanation soon, after the feast? Arthur would be in danger during the feast, what better way to introduce oneself than through near-death experiences? 

Gathering his thoughts, he walked at a leisurely pace down the wide hallway when he heard a well known humming from a certain future Queen. 

Gwen's sweet and melodious hums drew Merlin to her. They didn't have the same experiences, no harmful magic had been used against her or her family yet, but they could still be great friends. 

Merlin knew he was walking lightly, a habit from all his years of experiences. Making sure to be concealed and not heard had become second nature to him, a skin to which he would conceal himself with. He started walking heavier, hoping to arouse awareness from Gwen but with no luck. Merlin would have to make a fool of himself to gain her attention. 

It wasn't too hard to do, a small shift in his balance had done it and he fell onto her. Merlin made sure to land on the floor instead of Gwen, this meant Gwen was lying on top of him. It made him flustered, after all, she had been with Arthur and while he wished it was himself in Gwen's place, he knew it was not a possibility that he could entertain. 

"Oh! My lady-" Merlin bowed- "I apologize for bumping into you, here, I'll pick these up for you." 

Merlin gave her what he hoped was an innocent grin. He crouched down to gather the spilt...flowers? Ah, Gwen would be giving them to Morgana. This was around the time her headaches got worse wasn't it? He would have to worry about that soon. Not now though, now was Gwen. 

"Thank you...?" 

"Merlin my lady." 

"Thank you Merlin," Gwen giggled slightly, "But there's no reason to address me as a lady. I'm merely the serving maid to the King's ward."

" Well, to me it doesn't matter," Merlin said confidently, "If I see a lady, I'll address her as such. After all, you are definitely pretty enough."

Gwen rolled her eyes with a smile. "Anyway, where are you off to? Do you need some help, I've nothing to do for the rest of the afternoon," 

Merlin's chest started pumping and his magic tingled. Blood rushed to his ear making it hard to hear but he knew what was going to happen. 

Merlin jutted his arms out and Gwen crumpled into them. Her skin was flushed, her eyes glazed over. Merlin didn't know the exact reason why she had fainted but he understood what had happened. He knew that she had experienced heatstroke-like symptoms: dizziness, and fainting, flushed and red skin. Merlin couldn't think of a reason why she had those symptoms, it wasn't hot out nor was there much sun. He didn't think much further, focused on getting her to the safety of Gaius so that the remedies would come from a professional, not from someone who relied on their instincts and magic.

 

---

 

It seemed the reason why Gwen had fainted was that she had overheated. Too much time in the forge was the conclusion. A conclusion that Merlin fully believed, it was something that she would definitely do. Gwen was someone who worked hard and if she could lighten her father's workload then she would do it.

 

 

 

Chapter 4

Summary:

III'MMM BAAAAACCCCCCKKKKK!!!!!

It seemed the reason why Gwen had fainted was that she had overheated. Too much time in the forge was the conclusion. A conclusion that Merlin fully believed, it was something that she would definitely do. Gwen was someone who worked hard and if she could lighten her father's workload then she would do it. He'd seen the full extent to which she'd go for those she cared about, this life and the last. But he wouldn't allow that now, he promised himself. He'd take care of everything for her and those she cared for. 

When Gwen awoke, she immediately went to the door. 

"My lady! Gwen you shouldn't be up yet, at least for a day," Merlin spoke quietly yet firmly and Gwen couldn't help but obey. "It was like a knight, someone who was used to commanding people," Gwen thought. 

Gwen was right. Merlin had grown used to using his voice to command the knights of Camelot, when Arthur wasn't fit to lead, it often fell to Merlin to take command. There was one time where the knights of the round table were out on a hunt and a wolf had bit and scratched Arthur to the point of him being unable to stand up without support. Merlin had automatically steppe dup, and the knights effortlessly adapted to his commands. When Arthur had heard of it, he naturally didn't believe it until Leon spoke. Then he listened albeit unbelievingly, but he still appointed me as the official unofficial royal adviser despite Merlin already doing everything that position demands and more.

"Ah-sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that." Merlin put one of his hand behind his neck and chuckled nervously.

Gwen smiled, "Oh no," she assured, "It's fine. You're the Physician's assistance so I suppose it could be considered the Doctors Orders."

Merlin chuckled. 

Notes:

I'll probably update on every or every other Friday until I have exams to worry about.
Chapters will probably be only this long but there might be multiple on one day. And I know I said I would only be doing like 3 or 4 chapters but it might be closer to 20 or 30 with how short the chapters are.
Also I know how annoying short chapters are so I'm sorry 😣😣😣😣

Chapter 5

"Anyway," Merlin said, "you need plenty of rest and-"

The door slammed open with a bang. "Enough of that my dear boy," Gaius berated, "I am the physician here, but that was sound advice so...Gwen was it? If you won't listen to an old man then listen to your friend over here."

Gwen giggled, "of course."

When Gwen trailed out the door Gaius looked at Merlin. "My boy, you have magic don't you."

"Wha-"

"Do not try to deny it, I can sense it. Just as I know you can sense mine."

Merlin hadn't been able to sense Gaius' magic but now that he thought of it, there was...something oozing out of him. It wasn't visible at all but he could feel it, just as he knew that the sun was yellow and the grass was often green and Arthur's favourite flowers were white lillies. Like his mothers. Gaius' magic felt like herbs and the tangy smell of the tinctures he makes.

"I suppose there's-there's no hiding it. I need to ask you some questions, do you know of the prophecy of the Once and Future King?"

 

Chapter 6

Merlin could see the shock on Gaius' face, "I...know of it yes." Gaius narrowed his eyes, "How do you?. If I'm not mistaken your mother is Hunnith and she's as stubborn as I feel you are so there's absolutely no way she would have risked letting you go somewhere where you would have learned of this prophecy."

Merlin's eye twitched and he nodded, "I guess you know my mother well. See...I just know and feel and sense my part in the prophecy. I am Emrys and Arthur is the Once and Future King. One half of that title has been done, it is time for the second. The Future King will come."

Notes:

I might do another one in maybe four or five hours

Chapter 7

Notes:

I lied...it took idek how long TT
also this is a goddamn timeskip bc i can't be bothered reading what I wrote before so i'll be skipping to what happened when merlin saved arthur

The sun peeked through the drawn curtains, casting a soft light across the room and gently landing on two young men. Arthur sat at his desk, Merlin across from him. They exchanged a silent glance before Merlin leaned back in his wooden chair, raising an eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"So... I succeeded. Good," Merlin said with a satisfied tone.

Arthur rolled his eyes, clearly confused. "What? What did you do?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "And... how? Seriously, I'm pretty sure reversing time is impressive even for those with magic."

Arthur leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and burying his face in his hands. "Well?" he prompted, waiting for Merlin’s explanation.

Merlin cleared his throat, his cheeks turning pink. "I am the most powerful, remember?"

Arthur paused, considering Merlin's words. After a moment of silence, he shrugged nonchalantly. "Not really," he muttered.

Chapter 8

"What? What do you mean not really?!" Merlin exclaimed incredulously. "I told you! I'm the most powerful sorcerer to ever live."

He was treated to a funny look, like a chicken eating a sour cabbage. "Merlin, the most you would be able to do are the chores that I'm sure you haven't done since you've come here."

Merlin stared at Arthur with an expression that would make the Uther of all people burst out laughing. The confusion and bewilderment on his face was fitting for a position as the court jester which was evident by the continuous manly giggles that Arthur was letting out through tiny gaps in his hand. Merlin sighed and brushed the dusting of soil off his tunics. Frankly, he had no time for Arthur at the moment. He would come see him when he had calmed down.

"Well," Merlin huffed, "If that is all, please allow me to excuse myself."  He said while not letting Arthur respond. 

He walked slowly, knowing that Arthur would be out in a moment. Calling his name in a way that really was not befitting of a noble. Merlin sighed again, "Not that the way he calls me is how I want him to sound when calling my name." 

Notes:

I have no words....just- if there's anyone still reading this, I'm so so so sorry for it taking so long and i hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me 😔🥺

Chapter 9

Summary:

I weirdly feel motivated
MY HOLIDAYS ARE COMING UP SO U MIGHT BE GETTING SOME MORE UPDATES :)

Notes:

for anyone hating how small the chapters are...I'll be combing them into 3 chapters (at the moment - there will be more as I add on to the small plot) during the next couple of days. so if you could hold off on reading this until then and read it tomorrow (11 sept 25)
unless you're fine with the small chapters
I'm rambling aren't I? T_T

Merlin walked quickly out of Arthur’s chambers, determined, for once, to let Arthur come to him. He had spent years running after the prat, covering for him, fixing every mess. Just this once, Arthur could be the one to seek him out.

“Merlin!”

The shout echoed through the corridor. He froze, heart lurching. Who was that? Don’t tell me it’s that cursed dragon. The last thing he needed was another riddle about destiny.

“Merlin!”

The voice came again, brittle this time, weighed down by the creak of old bones. Gaius.

Of course.

Merlin’s shoulders slumped. He really didn’t want to do work—not now, not ever if he was honest—but Gaius always had that expectant look in his eye. The one that said if you're not cleaning the leech tank then go and do the rounds for me.

Merlin rubbed the back of his neck and considered pretending he hadn’t heard. Maybe he could vanish, he had magic after all. The kitchens smelled of fresh bread, and there was always Gwen, kind enough to slip him a smile or even a pastry if he managed to make himself look pitiful enough. Anything was better than being sent to scrub that stupid tank or watch another old noble complain about the taste of Gaius' concoctions. Go complain to the one who actually makes them.

Still, Gaius’s voice carried with that peculiar mix of knowingness and authority. Impossible to ignore. The kind that had followed Merlin since the day he stumbled, wide-eyed and hopeless, into Camelot.

He sighed. Running from destiny was useless. He’d already tried that, and destiny had dragged him by the ear straight back. Evident by the time travel, not that he wanted to leave anymore.