AN: Uh Hi... I'm so sorry for the um *cough* delay. I know I have said that numerous times over the last couple of chapters and I would like to thank you all so much for sticking with me and your kind encouragements. I would like to announce that I now have someone to hound me about updating more frequently and I still have no intentions of discontinuing this story.

The historical pair were both escorted into a blacked out, unmarked car, closely followed by the Avengers themselves.

"So, um, where exactly are we going?" Merlin asked the stern looking red headed woman sat opposite him, only to receive a sharp jab to his ribs from Arthur who was sat to his right.

Merlin turned towards the ex-king and cried, "Ow! What was that for? It was a genuine question!"

"Because you're an idiot Merlin. If it wasn't for you we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place!"

"My fault! How is this my fault!?" Was Merlin's outraged reply.

"Because if you didn't have the urge to trip over your own two feet every two seconds you wouldn't have reopened you're wound that you so carelessly got in battle."

"I was helping!" Merlin said throwing his hands up in the air in pure frustration.

"God, they sound just like an old married couple." Clint stated from his corner of the car. All eyes turned towards the archer, who just shrugged in reply. "What? They do."

Merlin huffed, frowning as he crossed his arms over his chest, like a pouting child.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Stop being such a girl's petticoat, Merlin."

Natasha had already called ahead to headquarters regarding the group's current situation and a recovery team was waiting for them when they stepped out of the car. After a short flight in a Quinjet, the odd group had arrived at the Hellicarrier and the Prince and the Warlock were quickly greeted with a small swarm of armed soldiers, all of which had their loaded guns pointed at the pair, ready to fire.

Merlin quickly took a protective step in front of Arthur, arms slightly raised and defensive spells on the tip of his tongue. Arthur's hand subconsciously drifted towards Excalibur that, he had wisely decided to take with him and was now strapped to his belt.

All hell looked like it might have broken out if it wasn't for Steve who stepped forward and said in what Tony would dub his Captain America Voice, "Stand down. They're not here to cause any trouble." The guns lowed slightly but still stayed drawn, "Sorry Captain, it's protocol. They've got to have armed escorts to the debriefing."

Steve reluctantly allowed the guards to step forward and restrain both Merlin and Arthur with a bitter look on his face. He looked like he stepped in dog poop or ate something sour. After all, Merlin was still his friend and he was still a good guy, wasn't he?

Was Marlin, or should he say Merlin still his friend? After all, he had lied to him about who he was, was everything else a lie too?

Arthur nodded telling Merlin that he thought it was in their best interests to follow out the 'request' and started to follow the agents, but Merlin didn't move. He was more worried about the situation's outcome than the ex-king was. After all, he was the one with more to lose; what with his magic and only just getting Arthur back after a thousand years or so.

A gentle but strong hand was placed on Merlin's shoulder and he turned to see Steve stood behind him with a reassuring smile on his face. Merlin nodded in understanding, knowing Steve would defend them if they needed and followed Arthur and the guards.

They arrived at a pair of huge, double, steel doors the agents pushed the doors open and gestured the group inside closing the doors heavily behind them.

The room had a metal interior with a large glass window along one side. In the middle of the room sat an oversized, round, steel table and at the top of the table stood an intimidating man.

The man was dressed in a long, black trench coat that reached his ankles. His hands were clasped behind his back and an eyepatch rested upon one of his eyes. A perfect look of intimidation on his face.

"Right ladies, get your asses seated we have a lot to talk about."

As the man said this an image of Merlin with his eyes flashing golden during the battle of Manhattan popped up on the wall in front of them.

Merlin gulped, this was going to take a lot of explaining.

"What I want to know is why he," Nick Furry asked sternly pointing to the expressionless Merlin.

"Has some voodo shit like our resident God of Crazy." For a few beats, it appeared that Merlin nor Arthur would answer the question posed to them.

"Well, actually our magi are nothing alike" Merlin stated. Nick simply raised one eyebrow, his demeanor screaming unimpressed.

"Well, you see my magic is linked to the Earth. Everything must have a balance in life; when the sun sets the moon comes to take its place. When the weather has been too hot and dry, a downpour of rain comes to quench the land's thirst and for each death, there is a new life. Balance is essential within the Old Religion and that's where my magic comes from. We followed rules, and it shaped the way we lived. From what I understand; Loki's Magic is similar, but it has a different source and therefore his magi rules are different?" Merlin turned and asked the last part to Thor, who had a thoughtful look on his face.

"Aye, our magic has similar principles, but the lifestyle is different. On Asgard magic is seen as a women's art something mostly used in the themes of aid rather than used in battle. I am not well versed in the ways of magic on our realm so I cannot give you more."

Just as Thor finished his brief explanation of Asgardian magic Loki passed the large glass window of the conference room. As Loki was marched passed the window, he slowly turned to look at the assembled group, connecting his hazy blue eyes to Merlin's vibrant pair and smirking. That's when Merlin's whole body snapped to attention.