the lost prince

four

It was just before sunset when the group finally made it to the secret entrence to the Koteel Mountains.

Merlin took them to the entrence. Before Samuel could step forward to tell Merlin the password to enter, Merlin took a breath, and removed his necklace. He walked to the door, and pressed his stone seal to a dip in the rock. Immediately, the entire rock face began to glow, and the door rumbled open, the rocks morphing and changing.

Magic must have some kind of call, Arthur thought, as the door opened and a man and woman were running through the mountains catacombs to meet Merlin.

Merlin grinned and ran to meet them as the rest of the group went through the door, Leon and Arthur going in last.

When Arthur stepped in through the door, which shut behind him, he saw a girl running towards Merlin, dark hair flying behind her, and tackle Merlin in a hug. They tumbled to the ground, and Arthur couldn't help but smile as he watched the girl kiss Merlin almost ravenously, and he could see tears falling down both their faces.

Arthur's gaze shifted to the man next to the girl, who must have been Jade, enthusiastically clapping Gwaine and the other on the back, a small crown resting upon his dark head. He looked like Merlin did, when he first arrived in Camelot. This must be Merlin's brother. What had his name been? Arthur couldn't remember for the life of him.

Merlin stood up, looking slightly dazed, almost as if he was in a dream. He turned to his brother, and his grin grew even wider.

Merlin embraced his brother in an aggressive hug, and the boy was grinning back as they broke their embrace.

"Nankeen, you've grown!" Merlin said, placing his hands on the boy - Nankeen's shoulders.

"Yes, you have as well, brother." Nankeen said, and the pair grinned at each other.

Jade walked over to the group of knights and Arthur, and smiled at them, embracing Gwaine in a hug and kissing him on the cheek, whispering something in Gwaine's ear that made him chuckle.

"And who might these two warriors be?" Jade asked, her voice soft, but clearly commanding.

Gwaine laughed, wrapping an arm around Jade's shoulders. "These men are of Camelot, where Merlin and I were hiding. This is King Arthur Pendragon and his first knight, Sir Leon. Merlin was Arthur's servant when we were in Camelot."

This caused Jade to chuckle, laughter bubbling from her chest. "Oh my, Merlin would be a truly awful servant. I can't imagine, King Arthur, Merlin must have been a nightmare! He tried to make me dinner once, I'll tell you about it later, he made a right fool of himself, it was hilarious,-"

She was cut off by Merlin sauntering over, wrapping his arms around Jade's middle.

"I was a damn good servant, and everyone here knows it." He said with a grin, pressing a kiss into Jade's neck.

Arthur scoffed, which made everyone laugh. Jade stuck out her hand, clasping her's with Arthur's. "It was a true pleasure to meet you, King Arthur, Sir Leon." She turned to Arthur. "Thank you for keeping him in one piece. It is greatly appreciated."

Arthur laughed, sharing a glance with Leon. "It was no trouble, Milady. And you can just call me Arthur."

"Then I'm Jade to you, Arthur. Now, I think I'd like to spend some time alone with Merlin, if you don't mind-"

"Don't you think I should start forming battle plan's, love-"

She glared at him. "You've had a long day, sweetheart. We all have. I think it can wait until morning." He slowly nodded, and Gwaine let out a low whistle.

"I-I'll meet you all in Nankeen's chamber's tomorrow, I think I have to be going now," He grinned as Jade drug him down the hall, presumably to her quarters.

Nankeen took a breath. "Well, Lady Jade is right. I'm sure you all are tired. I apologize, we don't have any quarters left, but we do have a private space where you may lay your bedrolls for the night." Prince Nankeen looked truly sorry, and he cleared his throat as he led the knights into a private chamber.

"Thank you, all of you, for protecting my brother. He needs you, I can see that clearly." He gave Arthur a sight bow, and exited quietly.

Arthur sighed, looking at the men around him. A week ago he'd hardly known them, but now - it felt like they'd known eachother for years.

When Arthur closed his eyes that night, he thought maybe there was hope for Camelot and Aurelia after all.

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