Chapter Text
Arthur didn’t so much as rise from the lake, but stumble and pass out. Merlin, knelt desperately by the side of the water, caught him in his arms and took him back to his flat, tugging him into his car and fastening the seatbelt over the unconscious body.
It wasn’t exactly how he’d planned Arthur’s return – he’d spent centuries envisioning a grand and dramatic rise from the shimmering water, where Arthur would be in full armour, smiling as he always used to, and then he’d sweep Merlin off his feet and there would be a kiss or two. And yes, Merlin did have a lot of spare time, why do you ask?
Anyway, his years of solitude aside, Merlin was really hoping for something a little more heartfelt and romantic. Instead, he got a heavy lump taking up his bed while he slept on the floor for the first time since he was a child in Ealdor.
He didn’t get much sleep, although he didn’t know if that was because of the floor, or because of the ancient medieval king sleeping next to him. Perhaps it was Arthur, he mused as he stroked his golden hair and caressed his sleeping face.
Morning came as it always did, with sunlight and the early dawn chorus. Merlin heard none of it, thanks to the king waking up and immediately panicking and beginning to yell.
“Merlin!” he screamed as he brandished his sword at the light switch. “Merlin!”
“I’m here, Arthur.” Merlin said as he walked over, taking the sword from Arthur’s grasp and switching on the light.
Arthur snapped his head up to look at the lamp as it illuminated the room. “Magic!” he breathed. Then he stopped. Then he turned to look at Merlin. “You have magic.”
“Yes.” Merlin said. “I suppose I do.”
“So is this your doing? The magical light?”
“Arthur, that’s the light switch. And a bulb.”
“Stop talking in your sorcerer language.”
Merlin sighed. This was going to take a while.