Chapter Text
Nine Years Later, March 19th 2036:
Merlin stood in the kitchen of The King's Keep watching Marcus work while he occasionally stole chips from the fryer basket. He no longer worked for the restaurant as a server; instead, he managed the building itself along with payroll and other behind-the-scenes work, all of which he could do from home. But he chose to spend time in the restaurant, unable to bear the silence at home.
With Arthur working the A&E as a charge nurse and Mordred living and doing his specialty training in Cardiff, the house was dead quiet. The past years had been relatively quiet as well. The gods had maintained their promised and forced silence, giving the family freedom to pursue their lives.
Leon and Lancelot had gotten married two years ago and had been traveling the world. Gwaine was currently in Canada running one of Merlin's Spring and Summer camps for kids from struggling families. The youth programme actually paid parents to send their kids there. Kids would learn life skills, wilderness education, and more.
Paul and Alix were, well, where they were. Wrongfully placed, but stuck for the time being. Their kids, Alliah, now 20, Parker, now 16, and Terrence, now 18, lived with Marcus and Liz, occasionally staying with Arthur and himself.
Marcus had married Liz. The second he realized she was immortal as well, he proposed, leaving no one to win the bets that had been made on his reaction. Four years ago Liz had given birth to a set of twins, a son and a daughter, Mithian and Balin, and the following year another daughter, Andrea. Marcus often, jokingly, complained about being completely outnumbered.
Nimueh was still in hiding, not that he worried too much about her. His only concern was what would happen when she showed up again. One thing was for sure, he would make her answer for her desertion back on February 28th 2027 just before the war against Chaos. She would also answer for her crimes that followed in the years after.
"Ems, quit nicking the product," Marcus scolded, working through his kitchen prep with easy efficiency. "If you're going to hang about in my kitchen, you can throw on an apron and help."
Merlin tossed another chip into his mouth. "I'm just taste-testing the product I bought. And you don't want me on the line. I'll burn the food... on purpose."
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Then what are you here for? And don't give me that quiet house excuse again."
"Mordred's ST3 year finishes in a few weeks," Merlin answered. "Said he was coming back home for a few months while he sorts out what's next."
"I heard," Marcus said. "I take it you want to shut down and hold a private celebration?"
"Yes, but I want to run something past you first," Merlin admitted."Well, given the fact that your heart rate just jumped to 87, whatever it is has turned you into a proper nervous wreck," Marcus commented, checking the temperature on his line. "So what's running through that head of yours?"
"I want to offer him immortality," Merlin stated.
Marcus momentarily stopped working and stared at Merlin, before returning to the dish he was prepping. "You're daft. He's 26. The offer comes when he hits 35."
Merlin shook his head. "I have successfully lived in this town for almost 15 years without being rumbled. You and Arthur have managed a decade. Liz has been here for over 20. Six years is usually the maximum for younger-looking immortals. There's something about this town that keeps us under the radar. As long as he comes back here regularly, he can live and travel without having to bin his identity every few years. He just has to carry a different ID when he's out of town."
Marcus paused again, realizing his best friend was right. "Any idea why?"
Merlin shrugged as he swiped another chip. "Best guess is because this used to be Camelot. Camelot is one of the original power sources for magic. And we've all seen the changes happening around us. Something is coming. His time to claim the throne is approaching. Making him immortal now is the rational decision."
Marcus nodded, conceding to the warlock's logic. "Have you talked to Arthur about this yet?"
"Last night and he's completely on board," Merlin confirmed. "I'm setting out tomorrow to track down the elements. Enough for three bracelets."
"Three?" Marcus asked.
"I'm asking Gwaine and Sam," Merlin replied. "Should have asked Gwaine years ago, but after everything calmed down, he set out to do his own thing. As for Sam, they are Mordred's soulmate—it would be cruel to give him immortality and leave his future spouse to grow old and die."
"Fair enough," Marcus said as he picked up the plate he was working on and took it to the pass. "Alliah, Table 30, order's up! After you've dropped that off, head for the breakroom to help Parks with his Maths."
"Got it, Uncle Marcus," Alliah said as she took the plate.
He turned back to face Merlin. "Your heart is still racing, mate. What else is up?"
Merlin shook his head. "Just stressing over asking him, to be honest. I remember how gutted he was when I wouldn't give it to him when he was 16. Now there's a chance he might just reject it."
"Kid was sick, terrified, and fresh out the hell of the Other World's Prison system when he first asked. He was scared stiff of being abandoned or worse, sent back to the torture," Marcus reminded him. "The deal you struck with him eased his mind and taught him patience."
"I also told him we had to get him properly healthy first," Merlin pointed out.
"And he is," Marcus stated. "He's as healthy and as active as any of us could have hoped for. You and I both have seen him move in that chair—the kid's unstoppable. And thanks to a bit of magical and medicated assistance, he's mastered every hospital placement thrown at him. He hasn't had a collapse in nearly three years. He's not going to reject the bracelet. So stop stressing and quit eating the bloody product."
Other World:
"He knows something is coming," Kilgharrah stated as he watched the warlock steal another chip before leaving the restaurant.
"Do we know what's coming?" Drew asked looking up at the dragon.
Kilgharrah shook his head. "No. The gods have not communed since Morgana forced their collective hand to save the Druid boy nine years ago. Nor have they interfered as far as I am aware. The shift is older than the gods and will force a reunion. Sir Lancelot's sight will be required. Sir Leon must fight this time. The remaining mortals must chose immortality or all will be lost."
Drew sighed. "One of these days Kilgharrah you're going to have to stop being a mystic prick and give me a straight answer."
"It is a losing battle Drew," Gaius warned with a faint smile. "I have spent centuries attempting to change him."
"And I even longer," Balinor quipped. "Despite my title of Dragonlord, I am subjected to the same mystic prophecy."
April 7th 2036:
Mordred leaned forward in his chair, opened the front door to his parents' home, and wheeled himself in, closing the door behind him. He removed his backpack from the back of his chair and set it near the steps.
"That you, Arthur?" Merlin asked from the living room, not seeing who had just come in. "Cause you need to shower and get changed before Mordred gets home."
Mordred smirked as he wheeled himself into the living room. "I'm not Pops."
Merlin dropped the book he was reading as he stood up from the sofa and approached his son. "You weren't supposed to arrive until tonight."
Mordred locked his chair in place as he pulled out his cane and stood up, taking a few steps to close the distance and pull his father into a hug. "Caught an earlier train to surprise you."
Merlin embraced his son. "Good to see you, kid."
Mordred pulled back and stepped back to sit in his chair. "Not a kid anymore."
Merlin smirked. "You're my kid, no matter how old you get. Is Sam with you?"
"Nah, they'll be here tomorrow," Mordred replied as he unlocked his chair and moved further into the living room. "A business client held them up for three hours over a typo that wasn't even their fault, making them miss the train. Which is a good thing, really. I want to run something past you before they get here."
Merlin raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Oh? What exactly are you planning, Dr Smith?"
Mordred smiled as he reached into his coat pocket and handed a small box over to Merlin. "It's not as extravagant as the one Pops had made for you when he proposed in Florida back in '26, but it is special."
Merlin took the box and opened it, pulling out the engagement ring. It was a simple silver band with a shark-shaped ruby in the centre, surrounded by a series of micro-sapphires and diamonds. "Mordred, it's beautiful. Where did you get it?"
"I asked Pops if he still had that Florida jeweler bloke's contact information and got in touch with him," Mordred answered. "I plan on asking them when they get here."
"So what do you need from me?" Merlin asked, handing the ring back.
Mordred pocketed the ring again as he leaned back in his chair. "You and Pops are the closest thing they have to actual parents. So, a blessing, I guess."
"Son, if you think you need my blessing to propose to Sam, you're dense," Merlin joked. "Only person you have to ask is them, and we both know they'll say yes. They have had your heart since you were both 16. I remember having to take your mobile away repeatedly after your appendectomy just so you would rest, and that was before I'd even met them. You two weren't even dating yet."
"Still would be nice, though," Mordred admitted. "Traditional."
Merlin let out a soft chuckle. "Fine, you have my blessing. Just don't ask Arthur for his, because he will tell everyone your plan. Bloke can't keep a secret to save his life."
"Speaking of saving lives, I know what I'm going to do now that my specialty training is up," Mordred said, shifting the topic.
Merlin sat down on the sofa next to his son. "Surgery? ITU?"
Mordred shook his head. "Emergency Medicine. There's this Trauma One teaching hospital in America that I think would be perfect for me."
"America?" Merlin repeated.
Mordred nodded. "It's located in this city called Pittsburgh. And I've looked into it; getting my credentials transferred won't be difficult with the Open Door policy law President Harris just passed to end the medical staff shortage. Pay is good and I'll easily be accommodated. Also, being a foreign doctor grants me free housing and a generous monthly stipend for food and necessities."
"Now, this is not me putting you down, I just want to be sure of something," Merlin stated before voicing his question. "Are you sure you can handle a Trauma One hospital? Those are some of the most stressful hospitals to work in and lead to many burning out in a matter of months, if not a few years."
"I can handle it, Dad," Mordred reassured him. "And if it's the distance that's worrying you, I'll come back twice a year and submit to whatever coddling you feel is necessary."
"Distance does worry me," Merlin admitted with a small nod. "But not for the reason you're thinking."
"What other reason would there be?" Mordred wondered.
"It's come to my attention that immortals can pass undetected in this town," Merlin said. "Arthur, Marcus, Liz, and myself have all managed to live here for years past our detection window, and when we leave the town, we can maintain our identities without much hassle. We still have to live here, or at the very least return regularly, to maintain whatever protection this town gives us."
"What's that got to do with me?" Mordred asked. "I'm still mortal. I've got nine years left."
"About that," Merlin said as he stood up and walked over to the fireplace. He grabbed a box off the mantelpiece and walked back over to Mordred. "Things are changing again. Us immortals have felt the shift. Something is coming. We're not sure when, but we are agreed that within the next few years you will likely be claiming your title as King of the Druids. To do that, it's time to give you what I promised you when you were 16."
Merlin handed the box to Mordred. "The same rules I gave Lancelot and Marcus apply to you, Sam, and Gwaine. You are immortal for as long as you believe you are serving a purpose greater than yourself. When you are done, I will remove the bracelet and you resume aging until you die a natural death. The bracelet cannot be destroyed or removed by any outside force."
Mordred took the box and opened it, looking at the bracelet. He looked back up at his father. "You mentioned Sam and Gwaine. Why?"
"Sam is your soulmate, it would be cruel not to ask them," Merlin answered as he sat back down. "And Gwaine is a knight. My asking him is a touch overdue."
"Can I talk to Sam about it first?" Mordred asked. "I want us to do it together."
Merlin nodded. "Sure, son. This is not something to be rushed."
At that moment, the front door opened and closed. "Merlin, love, I require either cuddles, sex, or a sword to give myself a lobotomy. Or all three in no particular order."
"Gross," Mordred telepathically quipped to Merlin. "No one wants to hear their parents talk about sex."
"Sounds like he had a rough day." Merlin smirked as he stood back up and walked over to the hallway. He pulled Arthur in for a quick kiss. "My dear, I don't think you need any of those things. The cure to all your problems is currently in the living room."
"Did you finally get us a dog?" Arthur asked. "Maybe a cat? Hell, I'll even take a goldfish at this point."
"No. No pets," Merlin smiled. "This is better than getting you a pet." He took hold of his husband's hand and pulled him toward the living room. "Come now."
"Merlin, I'm too tired for your riddl--" Arthur began to complain until he saw his son. "Mordred‽ When did you get here?"
"About ten minutes ago," Mordred answered as he wheeled himself over to his fathers. "Caught an early train."
He braked his chair, grabbed his cane, and stood up to embrace Arthur, who returned the hug, feeling the stress of his day vanish. "Your dad was right, you being here is the cure to all my problems."
The former king pulled back. "Now let me look at you. Taking your meds? Eating right? Blood pressure and heart rate good? What about your stress levels? No collapses you haven't told us about yet? Surely you're tired from your trip."
Mordred looked over at Merlin as he sat back down. "I stand corrected; he's the coddler, not you."
"Our son has been home for ten minutes and you haven't checked him over yet?" Arthur chided, glancing at his husband.
Merlin laughed. "No, we were talking."
"Besides, I'm fine, Pops," Mordred reassured him. "I'm a little tired, but it's a normal amount. I'll lie down in a bit. Right now I just want to enjoy being home."
Arthur sighed, relenting. "Fine. I'll call Marcus and let him know you're home."
"I was actually thinking we surprise him," Mordred suggested. "Head to the restaurant for supper later."
"Only if you rest first," Arthur agreed.
Mordred rolled his eyes amd smirked. "Fine. Bedroom how I left it?"
"Aside from cleaning up the mess you left last time you were home, yes it's the same," Merlin answered.
"You can't blame me for that," Mordred defended. "It's not my fault Pip and Parks decided my room was the perfect place for science experiments."
"Well don't keep beakers and test tubes in your room and they won't use your room," Merlin teasingly countered.
30 minutes later:
Once Mordred headed to his bedroom down the hall, Arthur sat down next Merlin on the sofa, wrapping his arm around his husband's waist while resting his head on his shoulder. "Our boy is home."
"He is," Merlin agreed. "He has changed so much since he visited last. His confidence has grown. Last time he was having trouble deciding where to go. Now he does."
"Where's he going?" Arthur wondered.
"He wants to go to a hospital in a America," Merlin answered. "Specifically a Trauma One located in Pittsburgh. He's done his research and knows he'll be safe there. He'll come home twice a year."
"Can he if he's immortal?" Arthur asked, closing his eyes.
"He can," Merlin assured. "He only needs a couple weeks at home to maintain the protection filter. But he hasn't accepted yet. He wants to talk to Sam first. And they should be here tomorrow. Sam will agree, I'm sure of it. Those two are meant to be together. Sam is destined to help him unite the Druids."
"And what about Gwaine?" Arthur probed, feeling the pull of sleep after a long 17 hour shift.
"His plane should be landing later tonight, I'll ask when I pick him up," Merlin answered.
"Good," Arthur murmured as he fell asleep on Merlin's shoulder.