A Righteous Return - AU - Locked to seaweed_writes

[ihadabadday]

Once Upon a Time in a kingdom far away and filled with magic and dragons, there was a King and his Wizard. Together they did great things, bringing peace to the world and to its people. They were the best of friends, as close as any two men could be. Until one day the King was gravely injured defending his Wizard...

He gasped as the arrow struck his shoulder. Just between the gap in his armor. Too low to be anything but fatal. He knew that. But he was the King of England. He wielded Excalibur. He would not go down with out a fight. Of course /he/ would call him foolish for this. For defending him in this way. He was a sorcerer, a wizard, after all.

His knees gave out as the blood loss started to affect him. He barely noticed as strong arms came around him.

"It's okay." He assured the man, "You'll be okay. If... I'll return." He coughed a bit, feeling the pain. But it was all okay. His friend. His Wizard was alive. He pressed Excalibur into the man's hands.

"Return this to the Lady of the Lake. Please. It needs to be safe." He knew what would happen if it was in the wrong hands.

He didn't have much time. He knew that. He reached up and touched his Wizard's face. "Find me again." He managed before he closed his eyes, arm falling limply to his side.

The King of the Brits, of England, was gone.

---

John shot up in bed, gasping for breath. He pressed a hand to his face and took a deep breath. Another nightmare. So many had piled up over the years. Loosing Arthur, the two Great Wars. Even recent events were enough to make him frightened. He got out of bed and walked over to the window. After opening the blinds, he stared out at the blinking lights. Albion had changed so much in recent time. Just the past hundred years alone. He let out a sigh.

There had been one time in all these years the had started to feel Arthur return. During the second Great War... The need for him was great then than it had been years earlier during the first. He pressed a fist to the window and sighed. "Arthur, we need you..." There was the unspoken, I need you. It was always unspoken. He had never dared tell the King. He couldn't, not when he had a Queen that adored him so and who he adored in return.

He let out a long held breath and looked back out to the night sky. He didn't need this flatshare, but it was convenient to be around people again.

---

He had been living with Sherlock Holmes for three months now. Just long enough to know he could stand the man, but not long enough to really know how he felt about the man. Other than... Okay.

John had left Sherlock lying on the couch when he went off to work. The A&E. He loved working in emergency medicine. He could help people and keep an eye out for Arthur and the Knights.

Of course, this was the day when a psych patient broke out and started to wave a scalpel at everyone. John stepped in front of a nurse only to get stabbed in the neck. He put his hand up to press against the wound, trembling. Oh, shock. He slowly sunk to the ground as he heard his coworkers starting to swarm.

And it was about fifteen minutes later that Sherlock's mobile started going off.

Comments

[seaweed_writes]

In this case, going to bed actually just meant going to bed.

The rest of the meal was mostly a companionable silence. Sherlock made a couple of smartarse comments about the documentary that had still been playing even though they hadn't been watching it.

Sherlock finished first, and he sat quietly while waiting for John to finish. When he was done, he took the plates in and washed them off, then went into the bedroom and threw the soiled dressing gown in the hamper. He walked naked into the loo and started the shower, stepping in and sighing happily at the hot water hitting his sore muscles.

"Ahhhh."

[ihadabadday]

John finished his food and then cleaned up the living room. He stashed the leftovers in the refrigerator and turned off the film.

He went into their room and stripped off his clothes. He placed them in the hamper and went to join Sherlock in the shower.

Wrapping his arms around the man's waist, he pressed himself against him. Not sexually, just wanting to be close to the man.

[seaweed_writes]

It was rather distracting to have John in the shower, of course he would never refuse John sharing a shower, or a bed, or anything else.

There was some kissing, and a little soft groping, but nothing overly sexual, more exploratory. They took turns washing each other. Sherlock groaned when John massaged the shampoo into his hair, his hair and scalp had always been quite sensitive, for better or worse.

When they were done, Sherlock toweled off John, taking his time to get very part of him, then let John towel him. He took his hand and led him back into the bedroom, giving him another kiss as they started to settle under the covers.

[ihadabadday]

John had left the flat in the middle of the night, once he was certain that Sherlock was out. He was walking down the street, a wool coat pulled close around him. He was following a sense of something.

A knight perhaps.

Or something more.

Perhaps the dragon? He hoped it wasn't Morgana. But he had to do this without Sherlock.

[seaweed_writes]

A flap of wings, and the dragon landed in the abandoned alleyway. He shifted himself into his human form, and then lifted the veil of invisibility. He had felt the presence of Arthur in London, but it had taken him a few weeks to find him in this large city. He had known about and had been watching over Merlin, without Merlin's knowledge for many years now. It had been tough to use magic stronger than Merlin's so that he wouldn't be detected, but so far it had worked.

But something was coming and now was the time to let down the disguise

He walked out of the alleyway, a couple of blocks from where Merlin was walking, and walked in a pattern to intercept John.

The watcher was even more ancient than Merlin, and had been guarding and watching over the man in the guise of Mike Stamford since Merlin came back from Afghanistan. It was time to reveal his full form.

"Oi, John! fancy seeing you here!" Mike said, for now still using his shielding magic to cover his true form. He would drop it soon enough.

[ihadabadday]

There it was again. That tingle of magic that had been coming over him since he had returned from Afghanistan. He had come out to follow it, to figure out who this was.

He paused when he saw Mike Stamford come across him. Odd.

"Mike. How good to see you..." He said with an arched eyebrow. In the middle of the night? Odd.

[seaweed_writes]

"Had to get away from the wife and kids. My youngest is teething." He smiled and spoke in his thick accent. He could read the look on Merlin's face. He hadn't gotten this old without being able to read people well, probably even better than the great Sherlock Holmes, but of course no one could ever know that.

"I know an all night cafe. Wanna join me for a coffee? My treat!" The owner of the bar was another immortal dragon, and there was a back room where they could speak in perfect privacy. A sound spell kept anyone at all from hearing what was going on. That was the reason it was open both day and night, it catered to the very few old and immortal beings who needed to congregate from time to time.

And they made a very good latte, to boot.

[ihadabadday]

John was quiet for a moment and then nodded. "Sure. Why not. I sometimes need places to go to escape Sherlock." He laughed.

He walked with Mike to the cafe, mind racing. There was something going on in London. He hated it. He hated the idea of not knowing. He wanted to protect Sherlock and London.

He sighed and rubbed his face as he followed Mike.

[seaweed_writes]

"Ah, is he at his mad experiments again? Still borrowing toes from poor Molly Hooper?" The ancient one knew about Molly as well, but best play that close to the vest for now.

They made some small talk until they reached the cafe. The owner looked like a typical middle aged Londoner, a bit stocky around the middle, and a retreating widow's peak of hair. But he was using the same magic to cover who he really was.

His eyes went slightly wide when he saw Mike walk in with John. He knew who John REALLY was, and realized what was most likely about to happen.

:"Ah, Mike. Yer usual table?" The man asked in a rather thick Cockney accent.

"Yes please. Thanks, Sean. And two large lattes, please." The two drinks were served up a few moments later, then Mike led them to what looked like the door to a closet. Sean had a spell on it that only he or the other immortals could open it. It also worked as a safe room if needed.

Mike opened the door to a small room with a few tables and chairs some shelves with provisions, including food and toiletries on it, and another door in the back.

"Take a seat, please. We have some things to talk about." Mike closed the door (which magically sealed behind him) and then sat down.

[ihadabadday]

"Who are you?" He asked, feeling the magic in the air.

"Are you just wearing my friend's skin?" He asked coldly.

John had his hand behind his back, gathering a spell in it.

He didn't trust a lot of people and he had trusted Mike Stamford. If this wasn't Mike and just someone wearing his face, he was going to bring this place down around their heads.

[seaweed_writes]

"I'm Mike Stamford, your old Bart's buddy!" He said, not afraid in the least. He could of course tell that Merlin was working on a spell, but he knew he could counter if, if he couldn't explain fast enough.

"I can assure you that I am not wearing anyone's skin but my own." Well, it wasn't a total lie. He had been Mike Stamford for many, many years now, he wasn't imitating anyone, but he wasn't showing his TRUE skin, either.

"You know, I could ask the same of you, Merlin the Magician." He said, still as Mike, though the accent was dropping slightly.

"Ic i becnāwe hwa unc fristmearc." He said, in old English.

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"I'm Mike Stamford, your old Bart's buddy!" He said, not afraid in the least. He could of course tell that Merlin was working on a spell, but he knew he could counter if, if he couldn't explain fast enough.

"I can assure you that I am not wearing anyone's skin but my own." Well, it wasn't a total lie. He had been Mike Stamford for many, many years now, he wasn't imitating anyone, but he wasn't showing his TRUE skin, either.

"You know, I could ask the same of you, Merlin the Magician." He said, still as Mike, though the accent was dropping slightly.

"Ic i becnāwe hwa unc fristmearc." He said, in old English. <I know who you are.>


He made sure the entire time that he smiled, and showed that he was no threat, as he spoke, he continued to sip on his latte.

[ihadabadday]

The spell faded and.... And... He sat down and stared at Mike.

"You have fucking got to be kidding me."

John rubbed a hand over his face, shoulders trembling with barely contained laughter. After a moment he looked up.

"Ered?" He asked.

[seaweed_writes]

Mike.. Ered laughed, and immediately dropped his stealth spell, though he still kept the body of Mike Stamford. There was no room to show his true form in this small room.

He clapped John on the back and put his latte to the side for the moment. "I knew you'd get it eventually." He went back to his normal speech, a more old, northern English lilt, though a bit of Stamford still showed through, he'd had to keep that accent for so long, that it was hard to just totally drop.

"Truly, I have been Mike Stamford this entire time. It was a good way to watch over you from a short distance." His smile faded a bit. "I apologize that I have not made myself known before, but for many years, there was no reason to. Now, there is. I know that you found Arthur, and Galahad, and that you are on the search for the others. I am not allowed to truly assist, I am only a watcher, but I can try to help in small ways, as I can."

[ihadabadday]

"I don't know what's coming Ered." He said after a moment, "I don't know... And it terrifies me. I can't tell if it's something new or Morgana. Or..."

"You think after all these years, I would have an answer." John laughed and then got up. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath.

The blonde sighed and looked at Mike. Ered. His friend.

"I don't know what to do."

There were times when he would go to the dragon when he wasn't sure.

[seaweed_writes]

Ered sighed. He was a Watcher. He was not allowed to say what he knew. He could help steer him in the right direction, but he could not interfere, lest he suffer the wrath of the Ones above him.

He would not survive.

"You are on the right path, my friend." He said simply. "It is a good plan, to try to find the Knights. As they come to you, more will be revealed." He paused and took a sip of his drink, then moved his head around and shifted his shoulders.

Oh, how he desperately needed to fly again. He'd been able to take flight for a few minutes to find Arthur, but that had only scratched the surface of his need. He wanted to feel the wind in his scaled and around his wings.

After a moment, he settled back down again.

"Arthur, this will not be easy, and I cannot guarantee that all of your Knights will survive, but a grave danger is coming, and you will ll be needed." He sighed. "I'm sorry, that is all I can say about that." He knew he was skirting the laws saying as much as he did, but he would be punished, he knew, he hadn't said too much.

[ihadabadday]

John sighed. "Why can't they just be at peace? Why can't they be allowed to live their lives? Why must this cycle perpetuate over and over?"

"Why can't I die? Why are the Old Ones doing this to us? Why? No one believes in the old ways any longer. Everyone believes that Arthur and his Knights are myths. Thay I'm a myth!"

"What if I just took Arthur and fucked off somewhere not England? What would the Old Ones do then?"

John was trembling as he sunk down into a chair, dropping his head into his hands. Oh God he was tired.

[seaweed_writes]

Erad frowned. He hated to see his old friend like this, but he couldn't give him the answer that he seeked.

"I am sorry, old friend. I wish I could say. But you must find the answer of which you seek. I cannot reveal that which I know." He knew the past, the present, and the future, at least the future as it was now. It was constantly in flux. Little changes could drastically change what he saw when he Looked.

And with Arthur and the knights awakening, he knew that the future was in chaos until this was settled, so there was no need to Look again now. Besides, it drained his energy to Look, and he was very vulnerable afterwards, so he had to be frugal about when he used it.

"Merlin." Ered looked deathly serious now. " I know you care for the man. But I worry that you will let your feelings get in the way of what must be done. I am happy that you have found someone who loves and cares for you as much as you love and care for them. But you must put your feelings aside and not them rule your heart or your head. You will need both for the coming battle."

[ihadabadday]

"I know." He said after a moment, "You've never been able to."

John rubbed his face, shoulders dropping. It was probably a mistaken admitting how he felt about Sherlock. Arthur. "I should... I should change his memories of loving me. It will make everything easier. It will allow him to do what he needs to do without those pesky emotions getting in the way."

He got up and looked at Ered. "I know you can only watch and guide gently. I know some of the Knights may not live. Especially those who have no experience in this lifetime with danger."

[seaweed_writes]

The "You've never been able to" comment stung a little, but only because it it hit closer to home that Ered wanted it to.

He would never force Merlin to do anything about Arthur, even if their feelings could jeopardize the entire operation. He had loved and lost before. It was a pain that he never wanted to feel again. And yet, he had married, and now had a child. It was like he was forcing himself to remember. She was a human, and so was the child of his loins. They would get old, and they would die, and he would lose them as well.

Ered shook those thoughts away. He had to take his own advice and put away feelings for the moment.

"I cannot tell you what to do about the way you feel about Arthur. It is a conclusion that you must come to yourself." He watched Merlin stand up and tracked him as he paced and talked.

"I can tell you that there are knights who you are close to, and you will feel pain, and you will feel loss. It is something that you have to compartmentalize for yourself. Even if you do decide to change Arthur's feelings, you must change your own as well, ans that cannot be done with any spell or cantrip."

[ihadabadday]

"Don't underestimate me Ered. I learned a long time ago how to strip away emotions. I had to, after I lost Arthur the first time. I know the rest of the dragons were distracted by other things. But I... I..."

Jonh's shoulders dropped. He looked his infinite years for a moment, looking so weary, so exhausted.

"I... I hate that I can't protect him. I hate that I must send all of them into war."

[seaweed_writes]

Ered shook his head, slowly, sadly. He got up from the chair and put his hand on John's shoulder. It was much heaver than a human hand should have been, because he dropped the detection spell, though not the shape spell.

"I saw how you mourned for Arthur. You had feelings for him, and you were never able to articulate them to him before he died. I can tell you this now, for this is a time long past. He loved you too, Merlin, your first Arthur, the way that this Arthur does as well."

He took a deep breath and sighed, it sounded a bit like a rumble of thunder, or the deep, sad bellow of a dragon- a creature also thought lost to the myths and legends of time.

"You are a protector, Merlin the Great. It is in your very soul. But you cannot protect everyone, and you cannot protect alone. You must remember this. This may save your life."

[ihadabadday]

"I don't want them to go through this. I don't want them to be hurt. I want them to be happy and live their lives." John looked up.

"Ered... Thank you."

He rose to his feet and touched the dragon's hand.

"You have been a good friend and guide all these years. I hope that this isn't our last meeting."

John turned to go to the door.

[seaweed_writes]

"I understand, and you are a better person than many because you care so much. As much as that particular characteristic of caring for others so much can hurt, it can also ultimately help you in your quest as well."

He was quite for a moment, as he put the spell to hide his magic from others back on again. He went to the door and oped it for John. Of course he knew whether or not it would be their last meeting, but he didn't respond to that comment one way or the other.

"Be well, Merlin the Great. Even if you do not see me, I will be there, watching over you I wish you the best for you and your Arthur." He nodded, walked through the door, and disappeared. If anyone other than John felt a great whoosh of air at the entrance to the cafe, they would have called it no more than just a brief bit of wind as the invisible dragon took flight again.

[ihadabadday]

John returned to the flat and didn't join Sherlock in bed. Instead he went upstairs to his old room and knelt down in front of a trunk. He whispered a spell, with his hand pressed over the lock. Hearing it release, John pulled back and opened it. Inside were books and scrolls from the days of Camelot. Things he thought he may need and used a preservation spell on the items...

He dug until he found the scroll he was looking for. It was more accurate than his other spell. It would pinpoint exactly where the other Knights were. He had to find them. He had to awaken them.

[seaweed_writes]

Sometime, in the middle of the night, Sherlock awoke. He could tell that the bed was empty beside him. It was cool, so he had been gone for a long time, he knew.

He tried to go back to sleep, knowing that John was not going to go out and do something rash without him. But he just couldn't.

He got up, used the look, and pulled a dressing gown over his naked body, tying it it tight. John was not in the living room, so Sherlock went part of the way up the stairs, consciously avoiding the creaking third step. He saw the light under John's old bedroom window, and he felt the tingle of what he now knew was magic emanating from under the door, it was like a warm blanket swirling in the air.

John was busy, Sherlock knew, so he went back down the stairs, and opened up his laptop to wait. He knew he wouldn't get any more sleep tonight.