The Return of Arthur

Chapter 5

"When did Arthur fall?" Wendy asked over a steaming Winnie the Pooh mug.

Merlin glanced up from the letter - still no luck with the damn tracking spell. The young looking warlock had just barely opened with mouth when Kilgharrah replied, "The year was four hundred and thirty seven." with his usual, annoying certainty.

The raven haired boy smiled mischievously as he shook his head. "Thirty eight." Kilgharrah looked surprised but allowed Merlin to continue without interruption. "I was sent off to Gaius in the late summer of four hundred and twenty six - I was fourteen then. Arthur," He paused a moment, "He fell when I was twenty three. I served him for nine years before..." The boy trailed off.

The sudden silence and rush of sadness that overtook Wendy's employer - if you could even call him that - startled her. "Well that least you got those nine great years right?" She laughed nervously, "I bet you guys were best friends an I'm sure you did everything together. You would've been almost like-"

"One person." Merlin finished. "Someone told me that once, it was a very long time ago."

"Wendy, may I have a word with you in the kitchen?"

"When Merlin?" Merlin's eyes glaze over, he'd lost himself to his memories.

"Gaius, my mentor. I'd just became Arthur's servant." His voice caught, but he continued on as though he hadn't heard. "I told him I couldn't save someone who hated me." Arthur hated Merlin? I thought they were as close as brothers. "Gaius said we were two sides of the same coin. About that Gaius was correct."

"Emrys," Kilgharrah said, in a soft was that was almost endearing. "Emrys don't do this to yourself."

Wendy was inexplicably jealous. Why should it matter? I don't even know him. But just in case, Wendy took a mental half step away from the yellow eyed man.

"He was wrong, Gaius was so wrong!" Merlin cried, pulling Wendy out of her jealous fog. "I couldn't save him Kilgharrah." He was gasping for air now; Wendy recognized it as an anxiety attack.

"Merlin," Wendy pushed Kilgharrah out of the way, "lt'll be alright." She awkwardly half hugged, half sat on Merlin - though the only person who seemed to care was Kilgharrah.

"No," Merlin howled, "He was wrong. I couldn't save Arthur. I can't save the people I love." He shook her by the shoulders with a surprising amount of force, "Guinevere, I can't save you, you must leave!" Wendy froze and turned back to Kilgharrah for support. He was gone. Disgruntled, Wendy chose to disregard what he'd said, and to comfort Merlin instead.

"He'll come back. We will bring him back." Merlin sat blubbering, ignoring Wendy. "Listen to me." She knew what she was doing. Charlotte - Lottie for short - her younger sister, used to get anxiety attacks.

"Wendy, I can't -"

"You can. From what I've gathered, you are the most powerful sorcerer to walk the earth." He was looking at her now, hearing her. "You've defeated many foes. Arthur's death was propheced. He is the once and future king. He. Will. Return." Wendy grabbed his by the face with both hands. "He will return because of you."

The storm in Merlin's eyes dissipated. He was okay. Calm.

Wendy was still holding Merlin's face when Kilgharrah entered from the kitchen. He was holding a plate of biscuits.

Wendy held her breath as she clambered off of Merlin and the couch. "I was - We were just -" He placed the plate calmly on the coffee table and returned to the kitchen with his heart in his throat.

Kilgharrah was filling the kettle from the tap when Wendy broke the silence in the kitchen. "Kilgharrah."

"Would you like some tea?" He kept his back to her, his back is rigid, she aimlessly noted.

She began again. "Kilgharrah -"

"Pekoe or earl grey?"

[SORRY FOLKS, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE STORY AND KILGHARRAH AND WENDY AND WHATNOT AND I REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY I'D FINISHED THIS CHAPTER AND I FELT THAT I'D WRITTEN IT TOO QUICKLY AND THEREFORE IT LACKED QUALITY SO I'M JUST TWEAKING THE END OF THIS CHAPTER, NO PLOT CHANGES, JUST SOME LITTLE THINGS. - VAL. P.S. ILL TAKE DOWN THIS NOTE IN A FEW DAYS, I JUST DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO BE CONFUSED AS TO WHY I WAS UPDATING A RANDOM CHAPTER. THANKS. ENJOY YOUR DAY :). ]

"Kilgharrah!" Wendy snapped.

He turned to face her, tea bags in hand. "What?" He spat, sounding more vicious and angrier than she'd ever heard him be.

"We should", she finished lamely, "talk."

"About?" He didn't sound angry now, but annoyance flared through his yellow eyes.

Wendy fidgeted, "You seem upset with me."

Kilgharrah took a step towards her, and another, until he was so close that she could smell him. Earthy, with hints of vanilla... And leather?

 "Wendy," Kilgharrah sighed, "Your love life and your choices have no effect on my life." She felt tears welling in her eyes.

She heard the words, "Good, I was just making sure you were alright." tumble from her mouth but the words were just that, only words. Of course, what were you thinking Wendy? You barely know this guy. He doesn't fancy you and you don't fancy him. You couldn't fancy him. He's not even from the same world as you. It's just lust. 

Satisfied, he turned away, "Besides, just like Arthur, my death has been predestined."

"What?" Wendy felt as though she was underwater and she was being constricted from all sides. Lust or not, you'll care when he dies. She tried to shake away the thought.

Kilgharrah nodded calmly. There was something revealing in his eyes. A spark, something, but it faded no sooner than it appeared. "And the great dragon Kilgharrah, ancient beast, kin to the Mighty Emrys, will fall. He will be struck down by the sword of Anhora at the hand of that which is tender and kind and a holds special place in his old heart. In his death the great kingdom will rise once and for all, and peace will be restored to the lands."

Kilgharrah turned the mug over in his hands, "If all goes to plan, I will be buried in three weeks time." He smiled sadly, looking at Wendy for the first time since followed him into the kitchen. He recognized deep sadness in her eyes, but made no move to comfort her.

Wendy fiddled with her shirt, "Will it be as Arthur rises?"

"As I understand, it'll be afterwards, when Morgana is defeated." He sighed. "My death will ensure the safety of the kingdom."

"That sounds like a load of crap," He looked up at her in surprise and his eyes followed her retreating figure as she stormed out of the kitchen. 

He turned Wendy's childish Winnie the Pooh mug over and over in his hands as an uneasiness crept from the darkest corners and into his heart. It very well could be Wendy; tender and soft. But if I don't care for her then it simply cannot be her. He smiled at his result. Yes, Wendy was tender and soft, but Kilgharrah did not love her, and therefore she could not be the one to fulfill the prophecy.Kilgharrah heard the soft voice inside, love is an ancient magick, it is not one that you may repress without consequences, and decided that perhaps for the time being denial would be best.