When albion needs it most

Chapter 15

Chapter Text

You're the Voice, John Farnham because again, it wouldn't be a Merthur fanfic without this song.

Merlin led the way back to his flat. As they arrived at the threshold, he realized the door was wide open. Had they locked the door? He turned to Arthur with a hesitant look on his face. Immediately, the King became defensive. He placed himself on the other side of the open door, ready to jump in. With a free hand, he waved some instructions to Merlin. As if the warlock knew what he was talking about? After all the horrible hunting trips they had done in Camelot, the blonde should know by now that the warlock was useless when it came to interpreting strategically signals.

Arthur did not stop for Merlin's confusing though, with a mouthed countdown he entered the flat in a rush. Merlin followed, sticking to the King like his shadow. He froze when he saw the intruder in his living room. Robert was sitting on the sofa with his feet placed upon the coffee table. "You're back," he exclaimed as he noticed their presence.

"What are you doing in my flat," the warlock retorted angrily.

"The door was open, I came in. I'm sorry. I could wait back at my place. I needed to know if you had succeeded. Today your destiny unfolded and I had to hear what had happened first hand."

"You are going to have to be a lot clearer if you want to justify the reasons behind your break in," the King threated, slightly irritated with the lack of answer

"I told you I knew what Albion needed most, the true reason behind Arthur's return. I knew about your future, and today it has become your past." The modern knight's answer intrigued the sorcerer. He failed to understand how they had saved Albion.

"Go on," he ordered.

"The reason Arthur returned was for you Merlin. You are what Albion needs most. Ever since you were born, you did everything in your power to help the people around you. Even after Camelot, even after Arthur, you used your magic to help people, to heal them when they needed, to show them the way in times of confusion, and to shed light on dark days. Throughout plagues, wars, and genocides, you always gave your best to help the people around you. You, you're magic, everything you ever did, helped build the country that we now know." Merlin shook his head in disbelief, refusing to acknowledge it.

"For centuries, you were what Albion needed most for you were there every time it needed help. And then things changed. You lost hope, gave up on the world, and stopped using your magic for the benefit of the people. You were broken and that caused this world great pain. That is why Arthur came back, not for some horrible war, or disastrous catastrophe. He is here to help the one who brought the most help to this land. He rose again because you needed it most," Robert explained.

Merlin blinked his eyes in disbelief. He wasn't that important, really. If he had known that all it took for Arthur to come back to him he would have had broken down a lot earlier in his life.

Some parts of him were glad to hear the news. It was pretentious of him, but he enjoyed knowing that Arthur had come back for him, only him. He had always been jealous of the destiny of Albion, knowing that the blonde would never leave the Kingdom behind. He turned towards his lover, taking in all the news he had just heard with eyes filled with happy tears.

"Oh don't be such a girl Merlin," Arthur insulted, obviously uncomfortable.

"Me being a girl," the warlock protested. "You are the one who rose from the dead for me. You're being a girl. Your faith is a girl"

Annoyed, the King shoved the sorcerer's shoulder, pushing him slightly. But he did not fail to grab his hand and help him stay steady on his feet. His thumb drew circles on the outer part of his hand, tenderly grazing the skin.