The Warlock and the Dragonlord

Let's have our two friends meet more officially (and more friendly) this time around, how about it? About a year has passed from the last chapter, so they will be about 13 and 14.
...
Arthur moved slowly down the street, fingering the strap on his backpack, eyebrows furrowed. He was trying to think about the homework that he had to finish tonight, a problem that was still giving him difficulties. However, he couldn't pull his mind away from Morgana's recent letter. She told him about a boy in the Hufflepuff house that she was starting to fancy.

Arthur was the younger brother by a few years, but he wished he could visit the school to make sure this other kid was worthy of his sister.

He scoffed at the thought. Morgana was the fiercest girl — lady — he knew. She would have no problem kicking someone to the curb that didn't do her right, and she could tell a good guy from a bad. But still, it was the thought that counted, right? He didn't care that she could take care of herself. He just wished he could be a little more a part of her life, even in such a small way as being a protective (even if younger) brother.

Not going to happen, he reprimanded himself, shutting down the thoughts again.

Morgana was truly growing into a beautiful, and very smart lady. If Arthur didn't know her so well, and she wasn't his sister, he'd be terrified of her.

…

Actually, he was still slightly terrified anyway, but only because he knew that if she put her mind to something, nothing could stand in her way.

Her recent desire was to drag Arthur out of his isolation (books upon books that he read for school, and occasional enjoyment) to make new friends. Last summer she'd coerced him along with her around the town, trying to help him make new friends. She'd even had him come with her to some of her wizard-friend's houses. He appreciated that she cared for him, and that she wanted him in her life as much as he wished he could be in hers, but he knew it could never be. These people would never care for him. Not like his sister did. One, he was just the younger brother, and two, even though they obviously didn't try to, he could tell that most of them weren't quite comfortable with a 'muggle' as a friend. They studied entirely different things in school, and while Arthur wouldn't mind sitting through their stories and learning about their studies, they didn't seem to want to take the time.

So he felt like a dumb tag-along younger brother that he was, who only got invited out of pity. Wasn't what he'd call an enjoyable time.

So first summer of operation 'trying to get Arthur out of his shell' was a bit of a flop, but she was stubborn.

The problem, though, was that she was only there for the summer. It wasn't enough time to pull him from his self-isolation. She didn't see him during the school year when she might have had a better chance due to the sheer amount of people he had to be around everyday, but also where he focused solely on getting good grades to make his father proud. She didn't see how overworked he was. He didn't have time for friends, and people at his school were more likely to call him names for being such a goody-two-shoes and nerd.

That information was something he had refused to tell her, and he'd never told his father either. Uther wouldn't care to do anything about it, and Morgana wouldn't be able to when she was at her own distant school, so there was no point in making her worried. At least Arthur was physically big enough to stay out of any physical bullying, and the fact that he played rugby and knew how to slam someone to the ground probably helped with that. Good thing, because he couldn't risk getting injured in any way that would put him out of the game.

He'd already drafted part of his next letter to Morgana. There was not much to say, but he could at least tell her how he got a 98 on his last test. She'd be proud of him, but in the next line she'd tell him to leave the books behind and go celebrate with friends. Which was kind of funny coming from a Ravenclaw.

She knew their father had high expectations from him, she'd been there for some of the conversations, and she tried to get their father to relax on his stance, and to get Arthur to not listen to everything his father said. However, she didn't know to what extent it went to.

Arthur shivered as the wind suddenly picked up, brisk in the snow that was falling. He wore layers of winter clothing, and was extremely grateful for such. He picked up his pace a bit, ready to get out of the cold, and back to writing a letter to Morgana — then maybe he could think enough to finish up his homework.

But not a minute later, he felt a jerk on the back of his backpack, hauling him backward into an alley, then he was tossed to the ground. He let out a startled yelp as he landed, looking up immediately to see four boys standing above him.

Collin, Andrew, Pete, and Valiant.

Valiant grinned down at him, predatory. "Well heya there Arthur. Fancy meeting you here."

Arthur's fingers twitched. "Hey, Valiant." He tried to keep his tone neutral.

"Have you finished your homework for Maths yet?"

"No," Arthur said, for once honest. He knew that the kid would just try to take his homework to get his answers, he'd done it before, and Arthur had to call up the teacher to ask for another assignment because he'd lost his papers. Luckily he'd always been able to turn it in time, even if it took a few all-nighters.

But this time, Arthur really hadn't finished. There were a few problems he was stuck on, and his sister's letter had distracted him.

Collin snorted unbelievably. "You're always done."

"I'm not this time," Arthur muttered mulishly, pushing into more of a sitting position.

"Give us your bag." Valiant held out a hand.

"No." Arthur shook his head, trying to get to his feet quickly as he felt the snow start to seep to his pants.

Before he could get to his feet, Valiant kicked him back into the snow. He gasped as snow went up his sleeve this time.

The kicks weren't entirely a surprise, but he wasn't fully expecting it. Maybe one or two, but the fact that they kept raining down on him had him curling up. As he was kicked, he amused himself with the thought that the bullying had suddenly turned more physical after just thinking himself lucky that it hadn't been so before.

Against four, there wasn't really a point in trying to get up or defend, and there hadn't been many people on the streets. He figured they'd get bored eventually, but he just hoped they didn't take off with his backpack.

"Hey!" He heard a yell, which nearly surprised him more than the initial grab had. He opened his eyes to see a young boy standing in the alleyway. Arthur tried sitting up as the worry for one random kid trying to help overwhelmed him.

"Beat it, kid." Collin took a step closer.

"Come closer to me or him and I'll scream. I see a police officer just down by the cafe, and he'll come in a heartbeat, I'm sure." The kid stood straight, and if Arthur didn't see the slight furrow in his brows, he wouldn't have even thought the kid was scared at all.

As the kid shifted slightly, Arthur blinked in surprise. He recognized the kid. It was the same one he'd run into about a year ago, near these same streets. The kid didn't look much bigger, except maybe slightly taller. He was still skinny, and his clothes were in even worse shape than the year before.

Arthur worked his way up to his feet, knowing that if it came to a fight, the boy wouldn't stand a chance.

Valiant smirked, stepping closer to speak, but Arthur accidentally kicking some trash — a can — startled all gazes over to him. Valiant decided against the other kid and sneered at Arthur.

"How about you hand over my homework now?"

Arthur shook his head. "Go back to cry to your mummy, Valiant," he snapped, knowing it was stupid, but mostly trying to keep their attention on him and not the other kid. "We all know that's all you're good at. I heard coach got an earful from your mom because you couldn't even—"

He saw it coming, and though he started to pull back slightly, it still hit his cheek and tossed him back further on his unsteady feet. He prepared as the four surrounded him again. This time he'd have to fight to keep them away from the other kid.

But when Arthur looked back to tell the other boy to leave, or to make sure he was okay, or something, he immediately froze in shock. The kid raised his hand in a sweeping path, his eyes turning a bright gold, and the four in front of Arthur went flying to the side, tumbling into each other and falling.

Arthur's jaw was agape, he knew it, though he wasn't sure how to fix it. The boys would be able to tell something was off, having all fallen over, but at the moment they were busy cursing and trying to get off one another.

But Merlin caught his eyes, panic in his eyes, and he ran.

Arthur hadn't run after him last time. This time, he did.

Idiot. Idiot. Merlin mentally cursed himself as he ran. He could hear footsteps behind him, so he ducked into an alley, determined to lose the tail.

Of course his first time noticeably doing magic in years, and it had to have been in front of five different boys, one of which had actually seen the whole thing.

Stupid protective instincts. He was always told his worry for people and animals would be what got him in trouble. It had been mostly a joke, but now it was entirely true.

Okay, maybe only partly a joke. He had always had a hard time controlling his magic when it came to helping cute animals.

He darted into another alley. Whichever kid was behind him wasn't giving up. Probably the one being kicked, since he was the one who saw it all and wasn't trying to get detangled from the others.

For just being kicked a million times, the other teen sure had stamina. Merlin could be fast, but he definitely was more of a sprinter instead of long distance.

"Wait!" He heard the near whispered shout behind him, getting closer. "Why aren't you at the magic school? Shouldn't you be there now? I thought you weren't allowed to do magic outside of school."

By the beginning of the second question, Merlin had stopped suddenly, eyes wide. The kid didn't even seem alarmed that he'd had magic.

A trick? Merlin turned back to the boy but took a step back before he could get too close. Luckily the kid stopped, slightly raising his hands, nonthreatening.

Merlin worked his jaw a few moments, trying to find words.

"School?" His voice ended up quieter than he had expected.

"Yeah, you know, Hogwarts?"

Merlin shook his head. He'd never heard of a school called Hogwarts.

"Magic school?" Merlin repeated, a little more incredulous.

"Well, yeah." The kid looked uncomfortable. "Look, my sister goes there. Everyone knows that school." He paused a moment, then shook his head. "I mean, not everyone, only wizards and witches and their family really know about it. Magic being true isn't really common knowledge, as I'm sure you know."

Merlin nearly scoffed, would have if his brain hadn't been whirling. Know? I'm starting to think I know absolutely nothing. Actually, maybe starting isn't even the right word. He never really knew anything about magic other than the fact that he could do it.

"You… you know other… magic-users?" he asked tentatively. His hands fidgeted by his side, messing with the hem of his shirt, and not quite able to meet his eyes.

"Yeah, my sister." Something in his voice seemed to soften at Merlin's obvious tension. "She and all her friends — I met them this last summer. She's been going to school since I was eight."

"And she—" Merlin cut himself off.

"She what?"

"She… she's learning about magic? And no one is… hurting her? Or keeping her locked away?"

The kid stepped closer, putting a hand on Merlin's arm. Surprisingly, Merlin didn't even flinch, instead the warmth of his hand gave him a soothing sense. He wondered if the other kid felt it too, since his hand tightened a little more.

"No!" His voice sounded horrified, then he looked around, as though trying to spot anyone listening. "No, she's been happy there. I see her every summer and holidays when she comes home." He seemed to hesitate a moment, then he squeezed his arm. "We should go somewhere to talk more. Maybe to my house? I'll probably be alone there. My dad usually works late."

Merlin hesitated. He really shouldn't. He'd just met the kid, and his only other experience with him had nearly had him crying about a year ago. Gaius would worry if he came home too late, and Merlin didn't know if he could actually trust this kid.

Merlin met his gaze finally, seeing the slightly wide eyes — hope, or maybe excitement? Something — and then he tentatively nodded, somehow knowing that he could trust him. Or at least, he really wanted to.

"Great. I'm Arthur." He held out his hand.

"Merlin." Tone still soft, he carefully extended his hand to the boy, eyes still assessing the kid and the alley.

Arthur smiled at him, a reassuring and kind smile. A lot better than the year before when they'd crashed into each other.

As though Arthur had the same thought, his smile suddenly faded and he rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey, sorry about, you know, last year." Red spots appeared on his cheeks, slightly blotchy. "I was a… well, a prat. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It had been my fault. I was having a stressful day."

Merlin shrugged. "It's okay." He lowered his head, only looking up at Arthur through his eyelashes.

Arthur didn't pursue the topic anymore, just gestured to the alley behind him. "Come on, lets go to my house. We can talk."

Merlin nodded. Though he was still nervous, he was more than ready to actually get some information about magic.

Arthur walked quickly, only once looking over to make sure Merlin was staying up with him. It was a good thing Merlin had long legs because the other kid could set a grueling pace otherwise.

They didn't talk much on the way to Arthur's home. Which was probably good because Merlin was already nervous, and if he said much, he probably would have booked it the other direction.

Luckily Arthur didn't live far, but Merlin was surprised to see him go into one of the hotels nearby. Merlin found his eyebrows furrowing in surprise, so Arthur explained in the otherwise empty elevator.

"My dad is a huge sponsor for this hotel, helped pay to get it started and all. They have him in a live-in suite up at the top. I've lived here since I was about nine." Arthur shrugged and slid his card key in, and though Merlin found it pretty amazing, he realized that Arthur didn't. There was an undercurrent of sadness or something in his eyes and tone.

The door opened and Merlin found himself gaping. The place was huge! The window in the large family room took up the entire wall, and the view was incredible. Forgetting to be nervous, Merlin bounded toward the wall of glass and practically pressed his face and palms on it, staring out. "Wow." The word was said under his breath, trying to see as much as he can.

Arthur chuckled behind him. "It's just a view."

"It's so incredible," Merlin told him, not daring to look away. The sun was heading down over the mountains in the distance, and he wished he could be there to see the sun set. "It's amazing you get to see this everyday."

Arthur didn't answer right away. "Well, I mean, you get used to it," he finally uttered.

Merlin finally looked at him, aghast. "You get used to it? You miss this beauty? What's the point of having a view if not to enjoy it?"

Arthur looked uncomfortable. "It's just the city."

Merlin chuckled and shook his head. "Spoiled prat." But he said the word more fondly this time and looked back at the window. "It's not just the city, though even that by itself is amazing. It's everything combined. The city, the sky, the sun, the mountains. Even knowing that there are people down among the streets."

Arthur didn't say anything at all this time, but joined Merlin at the window. He stared out with him for several long minutes, then turned to Merlin.

"Should we talk?" Arthur finally asked.

Merlin deflated and looked away, his nerves returning. "Right."

Arthur arched an eyebrow at him. "Come on then. We can go to my room."

Merlin followed him, but even as he entered the big room, he chose not to comment on anything more, even though it took a lot not to stare around. He mostly failed at not doing so, but he brought his gaze back to Arthur as they both sat on the couch in there. The room was crazy clean, which was surprising. What teenage boy had such a clean room? Merlin didn't even have very much stuff, but what he had still made more of a mess than this room.

Arthur turned to the side on the couch, lifting a leg up onto it and settling back against the armrest. Merlin gulped and, slipping his shoes off, pulled his feet onto the couch so he could hug his legs.

"Have you seriously never met anyone else with magic?" Arthur asked.

Meekly, Merlin shook his head. "No. Not that I know of anyway." He paused a moment. "Well, not officially. A couple years ago, some people… wizards maybe, attacked my town. We fled, but they definitely used magic." He frowned, feeling his eyes go distant in memory. "I just… the only magic I've seen outside myself was evil. What if… What if I'm just evil?"

"You're not evil," Arthur said firmly, leaning forward. "You're not. My sister isn't evil, at least not mostly." He chuckled, enough so that Merlin softly smiled with him. "Magic isn't evil. It's just a tool."

"But a tool for what?" Merlin asked, desperate, hands digging into his legs.

"Anything." Arthur shrugged. "I mean, Merlin, you protected me with it today. Morgana says she's learning how to use it for lots of things, even boiling water, or for making light."

"But I can't do any of that. At least not on purpose."

"But you said you haven't been to school," Arthur told him. "You haven't had people teaching you yet."

"How did you know about this school? Are your parents magic? How do I get in?"

Arthur shook his head. "That's what I don't understand. When you turn eleven, if you have magic, you're supposed to get a letter from the school to have you come. Why didn't you get a letter? Even if you were moving or something, somehow the school knows where you are." He looked as though he was talking more to himself. He came back and finished answering. "My parents aren't magic, but my sister is. We didn't know about magic until she got a letter, but we think that she'd been exhibiting some signs before, we just didn't realize it. You see, she would always get these really realistic dreams, that sometimes seemed to show future events."

Merlin furrowed his eyebrows and Arthur continued. "Your eyes went gold," he stated. "Does that always happen?"

Nodding hesitantly, Merlin tried to force himself to relax his tight grip.

Arthur nodded slowly. "Hmm… well, I haven't actually seen my sister using magic or anything, but… she never mentioned anything about eyes changing colors. I'll have to ask her. Maybe I can ask her about if there has ever been anyone who didn't receive an invitation but still had magic. She could ask her teachers."

Merlin's head shot up. "Don't tell her about me, please," he begged.

"Don't you want to go to school to learn?"

"I…" Merlin bit his lip, close to tears. "I don't know Arthur. Please, just don't tell anybody. My mom said nobody can know or I— I'll get experimented on or—or something. Please, you're one of two or three people in the world that knows about me. I can't… I can't…"

"All right, calm down." Arthur shot forward, grabbing his arms and meeting his frantic gaze. Until that moment, Merlin hadn't realized how ragged his breathing had gotten.

He immediately tried slowing his breath, taking deep ones. His magic, which had started to swirl in him, suddenly settling with Arthur's touch. If Merlin was honest, this was the first time he'd really been able to feel his magic like this. It seemed so powerful, yet suddenly more controlled than it ever has been. It almost seemed to extend out, branches of magic reaching toward the other kid; like one might tentatively prod a cute kitten to see how it reacted.

Before Merlin could pull back — and truly, did he want to? he'd never felt so strangely safe in another presence — his magic reached out to Arthur. It was strange to feel it, because it wasn't like he could actually see the magic, but he somehow felt as though he was watching it unfold.

Arthur's eyes went wide a saucers, shock coloring his features, his blue eyes getting a slight tint of gold to them as well, as the magic seemed to dance along his skin, before some of it sunk in. If possible, Arthur's eyes got wider, but no fear colored his features. Instead it was an awe, but he did stiffen at the sensation.

It was as though Merlin could… read Arthur's mind. Almost. Like vague thoughts or sensations. The wonder of the moment, the bitterness he kept locked inside about not having his own magic, the disappointment knowing he'd never measure up to his father. He wished for his mother vaguely, missed Morgana fiercely, and his loneliness was even greater than Merlin's own. Merlin felt the pain along Arthur's arms, and knew immediately what they were and why. He couldn't even blame the other boy for it, Merlin himself had thought to do the same at times, and if it weren't for the fact that Gaius was a healer and would have noticed immediately if something was wrong with him, he might have. Arthur didn't have anyone to care other than a sister who was far from home.

Merlin felt a sudden grim determination wash over him, even as he sensed Arthur going through Merlin's own feelings. It should have felt daunting, and in a way it did, but Merlin only felt that same determination in his new friend's mind as Arthur realized the fear that Merlin had about anyone finding out about him or not being able to control his magic, the sense of loss and guilt over his mother, the gratitude toward his uncle… And Arthur didn't even get nervous about the amount of power he felt from Merlin's magic.

No. Their magic. The magic seemed to have claimed Arthur for it's own as well.

The moment was abruptly ruined by the sound of a voice from the other room. "Arthur!"

Arthur startled, nearly falling off the couch, and the magic suddenly surged back, mostly, into Merlin. Arthur's eyes were wide as he stared first at Merlin, then around the room in a panic and it took Merlin a long moment to realize it was panic about his dad and not about what just transpired.

"That's my father, Uther," he muttered distantly to Merlin, scrambling.

Arthur grabbed his backpack, pulling out papers, then plopped back in front of Merlin and handed some to him. Confused, Merlin just took it and stared at him, feeling the magic settle again inside, but some of it having stayed with Arthur.

"Yeah, father?" Arthur finally called back.

It was a long moment before Uther was at the door. "Oh." The man startled at seeing Merlin, who sat criss-crossed on the couch facing Arthur, then stared at Arthur, whose face was slightly flushed. "I didn't realize you had a friend over. Don't you have homework?"

"Uh yeah, of course." Arthur stuttered. "Merlin, uh… he needed some help. I'm just tutoring him, you know."

"Tutoring him." Uther scanned Merlin lazily, obviously noticing how… well, unkempt would be a nice way of putting it. Merlin felt his own face heat as he realized exactly what the man thought of him. "Why would you do that? You should be focusing on your own school."

"I'm, uh, finished with my homework." Arthur shrugged, trying for nonchalance. Merlin could tell it was faked, but it didn't appear Uther even knew his son well enough to know the fib. "I was talking to my teacher. She said that showing how willing I am to tutor someone would look good if I try to get into any school, or… you know, try to get a scholarship or something…" Arthur trailed off. Merlin watched them, astounded that Uther just nodded at his son.

"Well then, you may carry on. Just order a pizza or something for tonight. I have a late meeting. Just came home to change."

"Of course," Arthur agreed.

Uther left them alone, and immediately Arthur sagged, putting his hand to his forehead. Merlin put a hand on his wrist and held until Arthur relaxed.

"Sorry about that," Arthur murmured. "Didn't realize he'd be here, and…" He looked more awkward. "Sorry, for… you know," He waved his hand between them. "My feelings, and… I don't know what just happened."

Merlin snorted a laugh. "I don't either," Merlin agreed. "My magic seems to have a mind of its own, I swear. But… it seemed to like you." He stared at Arthur a moment before looking at his lap. "Maybe… maybe we could be friends?" He chewed on his lip after he asked. Without the magic being so connected, he was suddenly nervous. Why would Arthur want to be friends with him? He'd seen how Merlin had nothing — was nothing.

"I'd like that, Merlin." Arthur's voice was soft, a little uncertainty in his own voice. "Can you stay for pizza?"

Merlin looked at the window, then the clock. "Maybe, but I'd have to leave after. I'll have to go home, or my uncle will be worried."

"No problem. I'll just order the pizza then."