World of Shadow (part one)
Title: World of Shadow
Word Count: 3554
Rating: R (violence and Merlin tends to swear, a lot)
Disclaimer: Owned by Shine, BBC, with a nod to Tolkien Estates. Please don’t sue me, I’m only playing!
Warnings/spoilers: none in this bit
Summary: Merlin and Arthur get tangled in the world of the supernatural.
Back story called World within Worlds (with all the links) can be found here http://welshinnit.livejournal.com/2011/04/12/
1.
Gawain woke up with a start. Where was he? It took a few seconds for him to realise that he was on a brown leather sofa with large cushions instead of pillows, in a spacious living room artfully littered with an eclectic but stylish collection of furniture. Then he remembered the previous night at The Green Dragon Inn and Morgana’s birthday. Thankfully, being a lupine, he rarely suffered from hangovers, which was just as well; he had a reputation (deserved?) for liking his drink. He sensed someone’s presence in the room and cautiously peered over the back of his makeshift bed and saw him, the one they called Celimdol.
The guy was staring at some picture filled with stars. Gawain drank in his profile. He was dressed only in black jeans that was low on the hips and hugged his legs. His lean and muscled torso made the lupine’s crotch twitch and his long, black hair spilled passed his shoulders. With the grace of a dancer the youth (man? It was hard to pin down his age) turned towards him and smiled. Gawain’s heart sped up a little.
“Mae govannen Lord_” the guy shook his head in self admonishment. The lupine noticed that his ears were slightly pointed. A genetic mutation or was it cosmetic surgery? Gawain wondered what new fad kids would think of next in the big city. “I mean, good morning Gawain. I must remember Merlin’s and Gwen’s instructions about formal speech in London.”
“I, erm.” Great, he must think I’m an idiot! “Hi.”
The guy blushed. Gawain had the urge to rush over and kiss his cheeks, his mouth, his chest, his abs and continue down to the bulge between his _ “I have watched Morgana use the contraption she calls the coffee machine twice now and I think I know the ins and outs of it. Would you like some? It produces a fulsome taste.”
Gawain closed his eyes and fought for control. Then he realised he was naked under the duvet. “Er, I have no clothes on?”
Celimdol laughed a musical laugh that Gawain found adorable. “You lost somewhat at what Merlin called the now-the-JD-bottle-is-empty-we-should-spin-it game.”
Gawain groaned and closed his eyes again. When he opened them the guy was still smiling if a bit unsure of himself, as if he had made some mistake. The lupine rushed to make amends. “Yeah, coffee will be great. Essential thing to start the morning, a coffee that is.” Shit, why am I acting like this? I know Gran said I’d meet my true love and all that, but him? Gawain so wanted to be straight, just to prove his Gran’s suspicions wrong if anything else.
“My Lord_” the beautiful youth shook his head again and smiled nervously. “Gawain, I have noticed that you give me much attention and I thank you for it. However, I gave my heart recently to another and it was kindly rejected. Perhaps we could be friends for some time and then see how things develop? I...” the nervous smile again. “I like you.”
Shit! “Look, I like you too, I mean, who wouldn’t? You’re a nice guy and easy on the eye.” Shit, where is this going you idiot? “I mean, I’m not gay.”
“You are not happy? Why so?” The look of concern Celimdol gave him made the lupine feel like a bastard, but he had to sort this out somehow.
“No, I am happy, I think. Look, I have…I mean I had a full on drive her into the mattress girlfriend back home. I’m not into guys. Erm, sorry?” Gawain felt the lie in his heart and he felt like a shit.
The man’s face fell for a brief moment but a smile quickly came to his lips, a smile that did not reach his eyes. “I apologise for the misunderstanding and for embarrassing you. It will not happen again. I…I will work the magic to produce some cups of coffee.” Before Gawain could say anything else, the guy was through a door. It closed behind him.
It was then that Arthur came down the stairs. He had bloodshot eyes, his hair was tousled and he wore only white CKs. Shit! Shit! Shit! I’m straight, I really am.
The blonde smirked at the lupine. “You dog...er…I’m not being racist there. Still, you were some entertainment last night.”
“Fuck, what did I do?”
The blonde’s smirk started to irritate. “Well, after we span the bottle we started flipping a coin for truth or dare,” oh fuck, “and when you lost at that as well Morgana demanded you kiss Celimdol, for starters. We had to prise you two apart!”
Fuck shit fuck. “Just the alcohol, you know?”
Arthur shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever man. I need water.” The blonde went through the kitchen door and Gawain took the moment to find his jeans and he pulled them on. He was half way buttoning up his shirt when a bundle of duvets stirred in the corner near the telly (a new one and a present from Arthur) and a brown haired man poked his head out. He squinted at the light coming through the curtained windows.
“Hey, you going so soon? There’s usually a greasy breakfast at a café near here then hair of the dog.”
“Will, yeah? Just getting dressed.”
“Cool, don’t make such a racket while doing it, arsehole. And when you kiss me? Don’t use tongues.” Muttering the words “fucking slut” the guy went back under the duvets.
Arthur came through the door, a look of annoyance on his face. “Merlin!” he shouted. Merlin, dressed in a white shirt too big for him rushed down the stairs.
“What the fuck now?” The one that Bedwyr had been instructed by Nimueh to kill about a week ago winced, as if his own voice was enough to split his head open.
“See to Celimdol in the kitchen.”
The art student gave Gawain a hard stare and did as he was told. Arthur, a glass of water in his hand walked around the sofa and stood within inches of the lupine. “The kid is quieter than usual, which is saying something. I think he’s holding back tears in there. I don’t know what you’ve done, but then I don’t really care. You’re leaving, now.”
Gawain held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Look, I didn’t mean anything_”
“Don’t give a shit mate. Go.” Arthur kicked at the pile of duvets and Will poked his head up once more.
“What?”
“This shit has upset Celimdol.”
Will was up in a moment, already fully clothed, and rushed towards the kitchen. Before he entered he turned and smirked triumphantly towards Gawain. “You heard the capitalist suppresser of the working class. Piss off!” He entered the kitchen.
Gawain was at a loss of what to say. He was supposed to protect these people, Bedwyr had said so. Now he was being ousted from their group? Also, he liked the guy they called Celimdol. The mere sight of him made the lupine protective as if he was part of his pack. Shit, I’m fucking straight!
He stared into Arthur’s face and knew that, today, there was no room for manoeuvre. “Tell him.” What? “Just tell him I’m sorry.”
Arthur let out a breath that seemed to release all the anger out of him. “Just go. Call again in, I don’t know, a few days from now. Just don’t bring you’re shit with you. I want Merlin and especially Celimdol, to have a normal life, if that’s possible.”
Gawain nodded, not knowing what to say. He put on his shoes and walked out of the room and down the hall to the front door. There he turned and saw Arthur standing, a glass of water still in his hand.
“Tell him I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“I will. Just go.”
Gawain nodded once more, not knowing what else to say and opened the door.
The bullet just missed his head and embedded itself in the wall behind him. Instinctively he grabbed at the wrist that held it and gave a savage twist. His assailant, with a cry of pain, let it go. With the other hand he brought out a silver spike and went to strike the lupine in the heart. That too was wrenched from his grasp and Gawain knocked the rangy looking man out cold.
Arthur groaned. “You better bring yourself and him inside before the neighbours notice anything and call the police. So much for a normal life.”
With a strange sense of relief that he would not be leaving the house soon, Gawain hauled his attacker into the hall and closed the door.
* * *
Merlin opened one eye and instantly regretted it. His head felt as if twenty dwarfs were hammering away at anvils while whistling a disgustingly happy tune. He felt his hair being stroked and he closed his eye and snuggled into the muscled comforter he called Arthur.
“Come on sleepy head, time to get up and before you ask, it’s eight o’clock.”
“Fuck! Let me die in peace and resurrect me at about two, or maybe three. In the afternoon.”
Merlin knew the blonde grinned, even without opening his eyes to make sure. Prat. He felt Arthur’s lips kiss his own and the art student smiled into it.
“I love you, idiot,” whispered the blonde. It was becoming their morning ritual and Merlin relished it.
“Ditto, fucking prat.”
Arthur laughed. “Do you know how much you owe the swear jar?”
“Don’t fucking care,” Merlin mumbled as he snuggled closer. He opened his eyes and stared into his lover’s blue ones. He suddenly changed tack as his mind started to get into gear. “Everything’s cool, isn’t it? I don’t want to jinx it or anything, but things are cool at the moment. There’s us for a start. Morgana will find the heart she is to bond with I’m sure and Gwen and Lance seem to be okay. Even Celimdol’s got an admirer. Gawain’s cool isn’t he? Despite all that we’ve been through in Middle Earth we all seem to be okay, don’t we?”
Arthur wrapped an arm around him and all of a sudden the world seemed safe. “Hey there. Everything’s cool. We survived and I think we’re all better for it. What brought this on?”
Merlin struggled to get his thoughts together and to calm his inexplicable panic. “It’s just that I’ve hadn’t had one of those dreams yet, since we’ve come back, and I feel as if I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I want to get back to normal. Go to uni, love you, and hang out with my friends and all. And I want Celimdol to be happy. He’s been through enough shit.”
His lover stroked his hair again and sighed. “I know,” he whispered, “I know.” Arthur then shifted his weight, kissed Merlin on the forehead and got out of bed. Merlin admired his peachy bum as his lover pulled on a fresh pair of boxers.
“Just going to get some water and some toast. You want anything?”
Merlin closed his eyes again and shook his head carefully. “Just you back here soon.”
He could hear the smile in the answer. “I won’t be long.”
When the door had been quietly closed, Merlin inched his way over to the warm spot that Arthur had left behind. Yeah, things are cool.
A few minutes later Merlin heard his lover shout, at the top of his voice, “Merlin!”
It was one of those cries that meant trouble. With a groan at the pain in his head he got out of bed and put Arthur’s shirt over his naked frame and semi-rushed down the stairs. “What the fuck now?” he said in annoyance and pain.
“See to Celimdol in the kitchen.”
Merlin stared at Gawain. What has that fuck done now? he asked himself and went through the door. He saw the elf staring at two large cups of coffee. “Hey man, you okay?” He picked up a cup and sipped at it. It was a latte and it tasted pretty good.
Celimdol sat down at the large table and took the other coffee with him. He shot a small smile in Merlin’s direction. “My own foolishness, my own eagerness has embarrassed Morgana’s guest. I will have to apologise to her.”
“Fuck Morgana! Er, don’t tell her I said that. What happened?”
The young elf smiled again and sipped at the remaining cup. “Gawain politely told me that he has a deep interest in women. I feel like a fool for slightly opening my heart to him.”
“Bullshit! Fucking bullshit!” Merlin stopped the swearing when he saw the elf’s cheeks slightly colour. “I’m gay_”
“It is good to know you are happy.”
“_and I’ve got gaydar spilling out of my nipples. No way he’s fucking straight. And he definitely got the hots for you. He must have issues or something. He’ll come round and if he doesn’t, fuck him. Don’t beat yourself up about it.” Merlin sat opposite Celimdol and wrapped his hands around the cup. Spring had definitely arrived in the middle of March, but it was still a bit chilly. “And you make a fucking good cup of coffee. We’ll have to find you a job in Starbucks or something so I can get a discount.”
The elf laughed and Merlin was glad. He wanted to have a few choice words with Gawain, but knowing his lover, the lupine was already leaving. The words would have to wait for another day.
Will came in and sat next to Celimdol. He put his arm around his shoulder and gave him a half hug. “You okay mate? You can do better than him. I’m here for you.”
Celimdol stuttered his thanks as Merlin rolled his eyes heavenwards. His best mate Will was as tenacious as a dwarf when he met a beautiful man or woman and was rarely successful (the success he had had with Morgana was a surprising one off and short lived). “I’ll go see what’s keeping Arthur.”
Will gave Merlin a wink that only he could see. “You do that mate. I’ll look after Cel here for you.”
Merlin sighed and went to look for his lover.
It was then that he heard a car backfiring. Or a shot.
* * *
Morgana was applying make up when she heard the bang. The man on the bed stirred and lifted his head.
“What was that?” he asked.
She looked at him coolly in the mirror and wracked her brain for his name. With a relief it quickly came to her. “Cenred, I think it was a car backfiring, but I’m about to find out for sure. Then I must be away. Things to do. I’m sure you can find your own way out.”
Cenred smiled and brushed his hand through his short, dark hair. Morgana remembered the first time she had spotted him at her party; it was a rarity for a man to pull off wearing leather jeans and he was such a man. He seemed to ooze sex and he certainly knew what he was doing in bed. She wondered if he was the one that the Lady of the Lake back in Middle Earth meant about weaving her heart to another. Morgana brushed that thought aside. She never rushed into anything.
“Will I see you again?”
She smiled. “Maybe. Leave your number on a notepad downstairs. Now I really have to go.” She got up and left her bedroom, not really caring if he was about to say anything else.
When she got half way down the stairs, she saw Arthur and Gawain about to lift an unconscious stranger. The man was tall and lean and needed a shave and shower. He wore frayed jeans, a black tee and a trench coat. Despite his homeless outfit, he was cute in a way, even with the trickle of blood that seeped from a split lower lip. She raised an eyebrow.
Arthur raised his own. “After Gawain upset Celimdol I asked him to leave. This smelly guy then attacked your leaving guest with silver.”
Morgana sighed. When were Arthur and Merlin going to realize that the elf could look after himself? She took command. It was her house after all. “Take him into the study. I’ll make sure that Will and Cenred leave pronto.”
Her step-brother narrowed his eyes. “So that’s his name. He still here?”
She smiled her most predatory one that she knew annoyed Arthur immensely. “And we had a really good time after you all went to bed.”
Arthur screwed his eyes shut and made a face. “Thanks for the image. He opened his eyes again and was all serious. “Lance and Gwen?”
Lance had taken his lover home by cab when Gawain had started to lose his clothes. “We’ll involve them if we have to. Let them have a few days of normality.”
“Erm,” said Gawain. “He’s a heavy guy.”
Her brother shrugged his shoulders and then picked up the stranger’s legs. They carried him a few steps down the hallway as Merlin poked his head around the living room door. He looked at his lover, glared at Gawain, gave a passing glance at the cute stranger and then looked at Morgana as she came all the way down the stairs. “I’ll keep Will in the kitchen and then tell him to go when it’s all clear.”
“Good boy. I’ll get rid of my shag for the night.” She smiled when Merlin gave a grimace and disappeared. She sighed and went back up to her bedroom. She was an expert at getting rid of unwanted men at short notice.
* * *
Cenred walked down the street towards the tube station with a spring in his step. Last night had been very pleasurable, despite it being business. His mobile rang as he knew it would eventually.
“Morgause,” he said cheerfully, “it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.”
He felt the impatience that the blonde beauty seemed to radiate down the ‘phone and his smile broadened.
“You have succeeded?”
“Let’s just say that I ended up in Morgana’s bed with a promise of more to come. It was easy.”
“Spare me the details. Remember to take it slow. I just want regular reports of what they are up to.”
Cenred thought of the subjects that he and his company, Engerd Security, were spying on and he lost his smile. “I don’t come cheap, especially when it comes to Uther’s brats.” He hated the man, Camelot Industries and all that they stood for; success, power and wealth. He changed tack before she could answer. “Who are you working for this time? A tech mage of your power is worth a lot of money to the right person.”
“None of your business, Cenred dear. I will ring back in a few days. I expect some progress.” She cut the connection.
Cenred pocketed the mobile he specifically used when dealing with his ex lover and fished out another. One could not be too careful when dealing with a tech mage. One of his men answered with a crisp “Yes sir.”
“Send a specialised squad down from Birmingham to my temporary base here. We have a lupine and a possible mage connection.” He stopped the call without waiting for an answer.
This job was going to be a pleasure and an easy one. The smile came back to Cenred’s lips.
* * *
Marcus studied the letter before him. It was in flowing script on ivory parchment. He scanned passed the niceties and got to the main part; a complaint about incursions in the business of Birmingham. The Committee of Bloodlines thought that certain activities were breaching the accord signed forty years ago. His brow creased in concern. “Simon,” a command spoken without raising his voice.
His child of nearly one hundred years entered the richly furnished office. “Sire?”
Marcus studied his assistant for a few brief seconds. Dawn was fast approaching and the tiredness was evident in the face of the captain recruited during the First World War.
“Inform our agents in Birmingham to retreat from their actions until further notice. As you know, I have leaders or their representatives from all over Europe coming here soon. I will not have that northern rabble mar the proceedings.”
“As you wish, my sire.” Simon took in a breath that he did not need to. “I have a small matter for your attention.” With a nod from Marcus, the child continued. “Our agents in the city that are tracking one of the lone hunters say that he shadows a lupine at a house in Chelsea. A small matter, but I will keep you informed of developments should they be worthy. A preliminary report will be on your desk by 8 o’clock tomorrow.”
“Good. You may now retire for the day.”
When Simon had left, Marcus got to his feet and went through a side door to his bed chambers. He headed straight to his resting place and, as he composed himself for his sleep, he had a feeling that this small matter would prove very important indeed. The King of London was very rarely wrong.
Word Count: 3554
Rating: R (violence and Merlin tends to swear, a lot)
Disclaimer: Owned by Shine, BBC, with a nod to Tolkien Estates. Please don’t sue me, I’m only playing!
Warnings/spoilers: none in this bit
Summary: Merlin and Arthur get tangled in the world of the supernatural.
Back story called World within Worlds (with all the links) can be found here http://welshinnit.livejournal.com/2011/04/12/
1.
Gawain woke up with a start. Where was he? It took a few seconds for him to realise that he was on a brown leather sofa with large cushions instead of pillows, in a spacious living room artfully littered with an eclectic but stylish collection of furniture. Then he remembered the previous night at The Green Dragon Inn and Morgana’s birthday. Thankfully, being a lupine, he rarely suffered from hangovers, which was just as well; he had a reputation (deserved?) for liking his drink. He sensed someone’s presence in the room and cautiously peered over the back of his makeshift bed and saw him, the one they called Celimdol.
The guy was staring at some picture filled with stars. Gawain drank in his profile. He was dressed only in black jeans that was low on the hips and hugged his legs. His lean and muscled torso made the lupine’s crotch twitch and his long, black hair spilled passed his shoulders. With the grace of a dancer the youth (man? It was hard to pin down his age) turned towards him and smiled. Gawain’s heart sped up a little.
“Mae govannen Lord_” the guy shook his head in self admonishment. The lupine noticed that his ears were slightly pointed. A genetic mutation or was it cosmetic surgery? Gawain wondered what new fad kids would think of next in the big city. “I mean, good morning Gawain. I must remember Merlin’s and Gwen’s instructions about formal speech in London.”
“I, erm.” Great, he must think I’m an idiot! “Hi.”
The guy blushed. Gawain had the urge to rush over and kiss his cheeks, his mouth, his chest, his abs and continue down to the bulge between his _ “I have watched Morgana use the contraption she calls the coffee machine twice now and I think I know the ins and outs of it. Would you like some? It produces a fulsome taste.”
Gawain closed his eyes and fought for control. Then he realised he was naked under the duvet. “Er, I have no clothes on?”
Celimdol laughed a musical laugh that Gawain found adorable. “You lost somewhat at what Merlin called the now-the-JD-bottle-is-empty-we-should-spin-it game.”
Gawain groaned and closed his eyes again. When he opened them the guy was still smiling if a bit unsure of himself, as if he had made some mistake. The lupine rushed to make amends. “Yeah, coffee will be great. Essential thing to start the morning, a coffee that is.” Shit, why am I acting like this? I know Gran said I’d meet my true love and all that, but him? Gawain so wanted to be straight, just to prove his Gran’s suspicions wrong if anything else.
“My Lord_” the beautiful youth shook his head again and smiled nervously. “Gawain, I have noticed that you give me much attention and I thank you for it. However, I gave my heart recently to another and it was kindly rejected. Perhaps we could be friends for some time and then see how things develop? I...” the nervous smile again. “I like you.”
Shit! “Look, I like you too, I mean, who wouldn’t? You’re a nice guy and easy on the eye.” Shit, where is this going you idiot? “I mean, I’m not gay.”
“You are not happy? Why so?” The look of concern Celimdol gave him made the lupine feel like a bastard, but he had to sort this out somehow.
“No, I am happy, I think. Look, I have…I mean I had a full on drive her into the mattress girlfriend back home. I’m not into guys. Erm, sorry?” Gawain felt the lie in his heart and he felt like a shit.
The man’s face fell for a brief moment but a smile quickly came to his lips, a smile that did not reach his eyes. “I apologise for the misunderstanding and for embarrassing you. It will not happen again. I…I will work the magic to produce some cups of coffee.” Before Gawain could say anything else, the guy was through a door. It closed behind him.
It was then that Arthur came down the stairs. He had bloodshot eyes, his hair was tousled and he wore only white CKs. Shit! Shit! Shit! I’m straight, I really am.
The blonde smirked at the lupine. “You dog...er…I’m not being racist there. Still, you were some entertainment last night.”
“Fuck, what did I do?”
The blonde’s smirk started to irritate. “Well, after we span the bottle we started flipping a coin for truth or dare,” oh fuck, “and when you lost at that as well Morgana demanded you kiss Celimdol, for starters. We had to prise you two apart!”
Fuck shit fuck. “Just the alcohol, you know?”
Arthur shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever man. I need water.” The blonde went through the kitchen door and Gawain took the moment to find his jeans and he pulled them on. He was half way buttoning up his shirt when a bundle of duvets stirred in the corner near the telly (a new one and a present from Arthur) and a brown haired man poked his head out. He squinted at the light coming through the curtained windows.
“Hey, you going so soon? There’s usually a greasy breakfast at a café near here then hair of the dog.”
“Will, yeah? Just getting dressed.”
“Cool, don’t make such a racket while doing it, arsehole. And when you kiss me? Don’t use tongues.” Muttering the words “fucking slut” the guy went back under the duvets.
Arthur came through the door, a look of annoyance on his face. “Merlin!” he shouted. Merlin, dressed in a white shirt too big for him rushed down the stairs.
“What the fuck now?” The one that Bedwyr had been instructed by Nimueh to kill about a week ago winced, as if his own voice was enough to split his head open.
“See to Celimdol in the kitchen.”
The art student gave Gawain a hard stare and did as he was told. Arthur, a glass of water in his hand walked around the sofa and stood within inches of the lupine. “The kid is quieter than usual, which is saying something. I think he’s holding back tears in there. I don’t know what you’ve done, but then I don’t really care. You’re leaving, now.”
Gawain held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Look, I didn’t mean anything_”
“Don’t give a shit mate. Go.” Arthur kicked at the pile of duvets and Will poked his head up once more.
“What?”
“This shit has upset Celimdol.”
Will was up in a moment, already fully clothed, and rushed towards the kitchen. Before he entered he turned and smirked triumphantly towards Gawain. “You heard the capitalist suppresser of the working class. Piss off!” He entered the kitchen.
Gawain was at a loss of what to say. He was supposed to protect these people, Bedwyr had said so. Now he was being ousted from their group? Also, he liked the guy they called Celimdol. The mere sight of him made the lupine protective as if he was part of his pack. Shit, I’m fucking straight!
He stared into Arthur’s face and knew that, today, there was no room for manoeuvre. “Tell him.” What? “Just tell him I’m sorry.”
Arthur let out a breath that seemed to release all the anger out of him. “Just go. Call again in, I don’t know, a few days from now. Just don’t bring you’re shit with you. I want Merlin and especially Celimdol, to have a normal life, if that’s possible.”
Gawain nodded, not knowing what to say. He put on his shoes and walked out of the room and down the hall to the front door. There he turned and saw Arthur standing, a glass of water still in his hand.
“Tell him I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“I will. Just go.”
Gawain nodded once more, not knowing what else to say and opened the door.
The bullet just missed his head and embedded itself in the wall behind him. Instinctively he grabbed at the wrist that held it and gave a savage twist. His assailant, with a cry of pain, let it go. With the other hand he brought out a silver spike and went to strike the lupine in the heart. That too was wrenched from his grasp and Gawain knocked the rangy looking man out cold.
Arthur groaned. “You better bring yourself and him inside before the neighbours notice anything and call the police. So much for a normal life.”
With a strange sense of relief that he would not be leaving the house soon, Gawain hauled his attacker into the hall and closed the door.
* * *
Merlin opened one eye and instantly regretted it. His head felt as if twenty dwarfs were hammering away at anvils while whistling a disgustingly happy tune. He felt his hair being stroked and he closed his eye and snuggled into the muscled comforter he called Arthur.
“Come on sleepy head, time to get up and before you ask, it’s eight o’clock.”
“Fuck! Let me die in peace and resurrect me at about two, or maybe three. In the afternoon.”
Merlin knew the blonde grinned, even without opening his eyes to make sure. Prat. He felt Arthur’s lips kiss his own and the art student smiled into it.
“I love you, idiot,” whispered the blonde. It was becoming their morning ritual and Merlin relished it.
“Ditto, fucking prat.”
Arthur laughed. “Do you know how much you owe the swear jar?”
“Don’t fucking care,” Merlin mumbled as he snuggled closer. He opened his eyes and stared into his lover’s blue ones. He suddenly changed tack as his mind started to get into gear. “Everything’s cool, isn’t it? I don’t want to jinx it or anything, but things are cool at the moment. There’s us for a start. Morgana will find the heart she is to bond with I’m sure and Gwen and Lance seem to be okay. Even Celimdol’s got an admirer. Gawain’s cool isn’t he? Despite all that we’ve been through in Middle Earth we all seem to be okay, don’t we?”
Arthur wrapped an arm around him and all of a sudden the world seemed safe. “Hey there. Everything’s cool. We survived and I think we’re all better for it. What brought this on?”
Merlin struggled to get his thoughts together and to calm his inexplicable panic. “It’s just that I’ve hadn’t had one of those dreams yet, since we’ve come back, and I feel as if I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I want to get back to normal. Go to uni, love you, and hang out with my friends and all. And I want Celimdol to be happy. He’s been through enough shit.”
His lover stroked his hair again and sighed. “I know,” he whispered, “I know.” Arthur then shifted his weight, kissed Merlin on the forehead and got out of bed. Merlin admired his peachy bum as his lover pulled on a fresh pair of boxers.
“Just going to get some water and some toast. You want anything?”
Merlin closed his eyes again and shook his head carefully. “Just you back here soon.”
He could hear the smile in the answer. “I won’t be long.”
When the door had been quietly closed, Merlin inched his way over to the warm spot that Arthur had left behind. Yeah, things are cool.
A few minutes later Merlin heard his lover shout, at the top of his voice, “Merlin!”
It was one of those cries that meant trouble. With a groan at the pain in his head he got out of bed and put Arthur’s shirt over his naked frame and semi-rushed down the stairs. “What the fuck now?” he said in annoyance and pain.
“See to Celimdol in the kitchen.”
Merlin stared at Gawain. What has that fuck done now? he asked himself and went through the door. He saw the elf staring at two large cups of coffee. “Hey man, you okay?” He picked up a cup and sipped at it. It was a latte and it tasted pretty good.
Celimdol sat down at the large table and took the other coffee with him. He shot a small smile in Merlin’s direction. “My own foolishness, my own eagerness has embarrassed Morgana’s guest. I will have to apologise to her.”
“Fuck Morgana! Er, don’t tell her I said that. What happened?”
The young elf smiled again and sipped at the remaining cup. “Gawain politely told me that he has a deep interest in women. I feel like a fool for slightly opening my heart to him.”
“Bullshit! Fucking bullshit!” Merlin stopped the swearing when he saw the elf’s cheeks slightly colour. “I’m gay_”
“It is good to know you are happy.”
“_and I’ve got gaydar spilling out of my nipples. No way he’s fucking straight. And he definitely got the hots for you. He must have issues or something. He’ll come round and if he doesn’t, fuck him. Don’t beat yourself up about it.” Merlin sat opposite Celimdol and wrapped his hands around the cup. Spring had definitely arrived in the middle of March, but it was still a bit chilly. “And you make a fucking good cup of coffee. We’ll have to find you a job in Starbucks or something so I can get a discount.”
The elf laughed and Merlin was glad. He wanted to have a few choice words with Gawain, but knowing his lover, the lupine was already leaving. The words would have to wait for another day.
Will came in and sat next to Celimdol. He put his arm around his shoulder and gave him a half hug. “You okay mate? You can do better than him. I’m here for you.”
Celimdol stuttered his thanks as Merlin rolled his eyes heavenwards. His best mate Will was as tenacious as a dwarf when he met a beautiful man or woman and was rarely successful (the success he had had with Morgana was a surprising one off and short lived). “I’ll go see what’s keeping Arthur.”
Will gave Merlin a wink that only he could see. “You do that mate. I’ll look after Cel here for you.”
Merlin sighed and went to look for his lover.
It was then that he heard a car backfiring. Or a shot.
* * *
Morgana was applying make up when she heard the bang. The man on the bed stirred and lifted his head.
“What was that?” he asked.
She looked at him coolly in the mirror and wracked her brain for his name. With a relief it quickly came to her. “Cenred, I think it was a car backfiring, but I’m about to find out for sure. Then I must be away. Things to do. I’m sure you can find your own way out.”
Cenred smiled and brushed his hand through his short, dark hair. Morgana remembered the first time she had spotted him at her party; it was a rarity for a man to pull off wearing leather jeans and he was such a man. He seemed to ooze sex and he certainly knew what he was doing in bed. She wondered if he was the one that the Lady of the Lake back in Middle Earth meant about weaving her heart to another. Morgana brushed that thought aside. She never rushed into anything.
“Will I see you again?”
She smiled. “Maybe. Leave your number on a notepad downstairs. Now I really have to go.” She got up and left her bedroom, not really caring if he was about to say anything else.
When she got half way down the stairs, she saw Arthur and Gawain about to lift an unconscious stranger. The man was tall and lean and needed a shave and shower. He wore frayed jeans, a black tee and a trench coat. Despite his homeless outfit, he was cute in a way, even with the trickle of blood that seeped from a split lower lip. She raised an eyebrow.
Arthur raised his own. “After Gawain upset Celimdol I asked him to leave. This smelly guy then attacked your leaving guest with silver.”
Morgana sighed. When were Arthur and Merlin going to realize that the elf could look after himself? She took command. It was her house after all. “Take him into the study. I’ll make sure that Will and Cenred leave pronto.”
Her step-brother narrowed his eyes. “So that’s his name. He still here?”
She smiled her most predatory one that she knew annoyed Arthur immensely. “And we had a really good time after you all went to bed.”
Arthur screwed his eyes shut and made a face. “Thanks for the image. He opened his eyes again and was all serious. “Lance and Gwen?”
Lance had taken his lover home by cab when Gawain had started to lose his clothes. “We’ll involve them if we have to. Let them have a few days of normality.”
“Erm,” said Gawain. “He’s a heavy guy.”
Her brother shrugged his shoulders and then picked up the stranger’s legs. They carried him a few steps down the hallway as Merlin poked his head around the living room door. He looked at his lover, glared at Gawain, gave a passing glance at the cute stranger and then looked at Morgana as she came all the way down the stairs. “I’ll keep Will in the kitchen and then tell him to go when it’s all clear.”
“Good boy. I’ll get rid of my shag for the night.” She smiled when Merlin gave a grimace and disappeared. She sighed and went back up to her bedroom. She was an expert at getting rid of unwanted men at short notice.
* * *
Cenred walked down the street towards the tube station with a spring in his step. Last night had been very pleasurable, despite it being business. His mobile rang as he knew it would eventually.
“Morgause,” he said cheerfully, “it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.”
He felt the impatience that the blonde beauty seemed to radiate down the ‘phone and his smile broadened.
“You have succeeded?”
“Let’s just say that I ended up in Morgana’s bed with a promise of more to come. It was easy.”
“Spare me the details. Remember to take it slow. I just want regular reports of what they are up to.”
Cenred thought of the subjects that he and his company, Engerd Security, were spying on and he lost his smile. “I don’t come cheap, especially when it comes to Uther’s brats.” He hated the man, Camelot Industries and all that they stood for; success, power and wealth. He changed tack before she could answer. “Who are you working for this time? A tech mage of your power is worth a lot of money to the right person.”
“None of your business, Cenred dear. I will ring back in a few days. I expect some progress.” She cut the connection.
Cenred pocketed the mobile he specifically used when dealing with his ex lover and fished out another. One could not be too careful when dealing with a tech mage. One of his men answered with a crisp “Yes sir.”
“Send a specialised squad down from Birmingham to my temporary base here. We have a lupine and a possible mage connection.” He stopped the call without waiting for an answer.
This job was going to be a pleasure and an easy one. The smile came back to Cenred’s lips.
* * *
Marcus studied the letter before him. It was in flowing script on ivory parchment. He scanned passed the niceties and got to the main part; a complaint about incursions in the business of Birmingham. The Committee of Bloodlines thought that certain activities were breaching the accord signed forty years ago. His brow creased in concern. “Simon,” a command spoken without raising his voice.
His child of nearly one hundred years entered the richly furnished office. “Sire?”
Marcus studied his assistant for a few brief seconds. Dawn was fast approaching and the tiredness was evident in the face of the captain recruited during the First World War.
“Inform our agents in Birmingham to retreat from their actions until further notice. As you know, I have leaders or their representatives from all over Europe coming here soon. I will not have that northern rabble mar the proceedings.”
“As you wish, my sire.” Simon took in a breath that he did not need to. “I have a small matter for your attention.” With a nod from Marcus, the child continued. “Our agents in the city that are tracking one of the lone hunters say that he shadows a lupine at a house in Chelsea. A small matter, but I will keep you informed of developments should they be worthy. A preliminary report will be on your desk by 8 o’clock tomorrow.”
“Good. You may now retire for the day.”
When Simon had left, Marcus got to his feet and went through a side door to his bed chambers. He headed straight to his resting place and, as he composed himself for his sleep, he had a feeling that this small matter would prove very important indeed. The King of London was very rarely wrong.