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Knock.
Knock. Knock.
The door continued to sound, but Merlin, having only just begun his much needed vacation, couldn’t be bothered with opening it. He sat, relaxed, a glass of tequila in hand, on one of the loveseats he came across during the late Victorian era, a gift from the Queen. A fascinating one she was. Nothing like Gwen– no stop. Ugh . This vacation was specifically requested by his therapist for him to forget about his long gone friends. Not that he could ever really forget–nor ignore–his past. They follow him into his dreams every night.
But still. Merlin had been waiting for some time off for a while now. Between preparing for Arthur’s return, protecting the balance from those pesky modern wizards, and his day job as a professor Merlin had been working himself to the bone.
That’s why Shery requested he take some time off. Shery, being the magical therapist he made specifically to keep himself from going insane over the millennia he’s been alive. Merlin couldn’t see a real therapist; they’d lock him up within the first 10 minutes.
Besides, mental health hadn’t been taken care of until the past couple decades and Merlin had needed help for far longer. He was lucky to have Shery; Goddess knew he would never think to take a break himself.
But now that the idea had been implemented, Merlin was going to damn well enjoy it.
“Sir? Mr. Emry sir?”
“Hmm?” Merlin said, eyes closed with sliced cucumber on them.
“There are people at the door sir. They say they’re looking for a Merlin.”
“Who is it?”
“They say they are from Camelot sir.” Herbert, his butler, barley contained an unbelieving chuckle.
Shit. Shery’s gonna be pissed.
“Uh, tell them no one’s home.”
“We know you’re in there Merlin!” Someone, who sounded suspiciously like Morgana, shouted from outside the door.
Shit.
“Let them in, Herbert,” Merlin said, waving his hand in the front door’s general direction, but not getting up from where he reclined.
“Of course sir.”
Merlin heard multiple sets of footsteps enter into the living room, though no clunks of armor. He wondered where they managed to find modern clothing. A throat to his left cleared. Merlin took the cucumbers from his eyes and popped them into his mouth. He opened his eyes while crunching on his snack, before scanning the faces before him.
Arthur, The King he had been waiting a thousand years for. Some faces he wasn't expecting too. Gwen, his one and only Queen. Lancelot, the first of his friends to find out about his magic. Gwaine, his favorite drunkard. Leon the most loyal of the knights of Camelot. Percival, the friendly giant. Elyan, the noble outlaw. And Morgana. Merlin was a bit freaked out at seeing Morgana alive and well again, but there was something different about her. Like the darkness that surrounded her soul had faded.
Though they look like his friends, he could see signs that they are also different now. Their clothing is modern. The girls' makeup and hairstyles look different. It’s like he’s been thrown into an alternate universe. Though that hasn’t happened since the incident in 1432.
“Hmm. You all look strangely familiar with modern times.” Merlin squinted at their T-Shirts and blue jeans. “How long have you all been here exactly?”
“Around 18 years, give or take a couple of months,” Arthur answered nonchalantly.
“Huh.” Merlin paused. “How’d you find me?”
“Tracking spell,” Morgana answered.
“Interesting. Well thanks for checking in on me. I'm quite alright. However, I am enjoying some much needed off time currently. So I'm going to have to ask you all to vacate as of now. I'll find you all in a week or two, when I'm done processing everything. Toodeloo.” Merlin waved them all away and placed two new cucumbers on his eyes.
“Merlin,” came the commanding voice of his King.
“Ugh, fine,” Merlin huffed, removing the cucumbers from his eyes with a quick wave of his hand. He swung his legs off the couch and hauled himself up.
“You’re clearly doing well for yourself Merlin.” Gwaine stepped forward and clapped Merlin on the back. “Born into a rich family were you?” He chuckled.
Morgana sighed and crossed her arms. “I never told them. It's your business.” He guessed she means she hasn’t told them that he is immortal and did not reincarnate as it seems they all had. This will be an interesting conversation.
“Right. Well, unfortunately, I’ve only been born once. I don’t think being born again would agree much with me to be honest.” Merlin began gesturing around at the house. “All of this is my own. Gathered from here and there throughout the centuries. You know how it is.”
The faces his friends made said they do not know how it is.
“What do you mean you’ve only been born once?” Gwen asked worriedly.
“Yeah mate, what do you mean?” Gwaine added.
“I’m Magic incarnate. As long as the Earth lives, so shall I,” Merlin said simply, shrugging his shoulders. He saw as Arthur lowered his head in thought.
“Wait, you mean you’ve been alone all this time?” Lancelot asked in the voice he uses when he's worried for him.
“Well that makes it sound bad. I Haven't been alone per say. I’ve had friends. Like Timmy in 1926. He was a great fella.”
“Merlin. That was a hundred years ago.” Leon pointed out.
“Oh. Well yeah, I guess it was.” Merlin bit his lip. “Uh…well, I always have Shery!” Merlin grinned.
“You mean your made-up therapist sir?”
“Herbert?! Ignore him; he exaggerates. When did you even get back, I can never hear you?” Merlin asked, bewildered.
“Just in time, it seems sir. You need your friends; I’m glad you are all here. I shall take my leave. Sir.” He finished with a small bow towards Merlin.
“Let me get this straight,” Arthur finally spoke up, “You made yourself a fake friend and that's all the company you’ve had for the last hundred years at least?”
“Well, yeah kinda,” he said, shrugging again.
“Oh, Merlin.” Gwen strode forward and wrapped her arms around him, Gwaine and Lancelot following suit.
“I’m fine guys really. It hasn’t been that bad.”
“That is a lie and you know it.”
“Oh come on! Not you too Shery!” Merlin broke away from the group hug.
“I’m sorry Merlin, but she’s right,” Morgana started. “No one can remain sane after being alone for so long. I should know.”
Merlin huffed, but didn’t deny anything. Not now that Shery was here.
“This turned into an intervention real quick,” he muttered.
“It's because we all care about you.” Arthur moved forward and put a hand on Merlin's shoulder. “You won’t be alone any longer, old friend.” He smiled and held his arms open. Merlin fell into them immediately. Who’s he kidding? He’s been waiting a hundred lifetimes for this.
Shery smiled. He’ll be just fine, she thought as she faded away.
Fin