Chapter four

Merlin looked up towards the tower. Tourists still passed up there, each man and woman unaware of the momentous reunion which took place no more than a few yards from where they walked and took photographs of the area. Their attention was still firm on the Glastonbury Tor. It was the main reason why they were here.

When a cloud passed the sun the mist and gloom returned to the place. Merlin preferred it to be this way when he was here. It allowed for the place to get shrouded in calm quietness. He disliked coming here in the height of summer, when the area was crowded by eager tourists and pilgrims looking for signs of the past they were never intended to see. Well, at least not when he had anything to say about it.

Maybe this was the last time he had to come here. Now that Arthur was back into his life there was no reason to remember the past. Even so he knew he had to go back there one final time to answer all the questions his friends asked. One more time, then they could look forward to the future. Merlin didn't want to know how long the two people he cared for most in the world would be around for this time. All he knew was that he would cherish each and every moment they had together… starting today.

Merlin turned his attention back to the enigmatic Captain. "Centuries ago I was promised that this day would come. It has been foretold in time as a certainty, a moment always meant to happen. Arthur and Gwaine are none of your anomalies. They belong here as much as you and I do."

Had he imagined the flicker of denial in Jack's bright blue eyes? Merlin looked at him and he saw in the corner of his eyes that the one called Ianto shrugged, as if to say that he should go along with it. Narrowing his eyes Merlin let his magic flow unseen. Something about Jack had felt off to him from the moment he stepped out of that black jeep. Then slowly understanding dawned in his mind. His darkest and oldest side of magic had provided him with the answers.

"You and I… we are from a distant time, but somehow we travelled the slow path to get to here. We are a fixed point in time, always forced to stay alive and watch others walk in and out of our lives. It doesn't matter when we are we from. All that matters is that we are here today. Our paths have crossed once, maybe they will cross again. Right now though we need to walk our own way to stay true to ourselves."

The insight of Merlin stunned Jack to the core. No one on Earth had ever confronted him with his true self in this way before. Some had felt that he was older than he looked, but that was all. Even Gwen who unravelled him from the day they had met had needed months to figure out what he was. Now here was a man he had only known for a few moments in his long life… and he pierced right through his self imposed front as if it was nothing. It was more than a little discomforting, but a part of Jack felt relieved that he wasn't the only one to live forever.

Immortality; people always said they wanted it. They wanted to be young forever and to live throughout time. Jack knew from experience though that it was highly overrated. To be unable to grow old together with a lover, or to always have to say goodbye to those you cared for… it sucked. There was no other word for it. However he had learned to live with it. Gwen and Ianto had given him many reasons to live for each day. It had brought them here to come across the beauty of the impossible.

Jack looked at Ianto. His lover's eyes sparkled with joy and wonder. It was as if a young boy met his hero. For all of his outward nonchalance it seemed Ianto truly believed in the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Where Jack was once amused by it he now saw it through different eyes. How many people could say that they met a legend? Ianto could, Gwen could… it was just fantastic to be here with them.

Normally Jack tended to put people back who came too close. However it was clear to him that Merlin meant no disrespect. He even bowed his head as if to say he was sorry for being so forward. The man may have lived through centuries of time, but he clearly hadn't lost the ways of the past. They were woven into every fibre of his being, just like the 51st century was still ingrained in Jack.

Jack nodded to the three time travellers. "There is a lot of time for you to catch up with. It seems to me that Merlin here can help you find your way. If ever any of you need help, no matter what kind, stop by in Cardiff. We know who you are and can find you, where ever you are in the city. Ianto makes the best coffee in the world, so if ever you need a strong brew… drop us a line."

He winked to Gwaine at the end as a way to make light of the situation with a flirt. It was rewarding when the once knight leered at him with a just as suggestive smile. It was even more rewarding to see Gwen and Arthur roll their eyes at his antics, while Ianto and Merlin just smiled their amusement at Gwaine's typical reaction.

"Make it a large tankard of mead and I am your man." Clearly Gwaine never had drunk Ianto's amazing coffee…

Together with the others Arthur walked up the hill. At the bottom of the tower he hesitated to walk on. To be alive in this strange new world was daunting. Arthur knew he stood right in the spot that once was Avalon. If Merlin had been quicker, or if he hadn't let go of his life so soon… would he have been able to see Guinevere again? It was so easy to wonder about the past, so easy for his heart to want to go back there.

What felt like only a few days ago he had learned who Merlin really was; a sorcerer. His friend had magic and he used it for no one else but him, Arthur. All the advice he listened to, all the moments they had each other's back and all the conversations they had led them to here. Arthur shook his head at his doubts. Merlin was right. There was no sense in dwelling on the past. He could never have it back, because he had been 'sleeping' for too long. What awaited him was a world filled with possibilities.

Arthur knew he didn't have to face it all alone. Gwaine still defended his honour with passion, something he had seen happen from up close when he grabbed Excalibur off him to confront Ianto in his name.

Out of nowhere Arthur remembered a small man, standing on the bridge which led into the Perilous Lands. He claimed Arthur, who he called Courage, needed Strength and Magic at his side to succeed. Looking back he now knew the dwarf referred to Merlin as Magic, which could only mean that Gwaine was Strength. The three of them had always worked together in ways they couldn't do so with others. Maybe that was why destiny pulled them back here today? Regardless of what it intended Arthur decided that together they would face the morrow head on and see where it would lead them to.

Having made up his mind Arthur walked on. Without a word of protest Merlin and Gwaine followed him, while the Torchwood three stayed back. In the corner of his eyes Arthur saw that Jack had ordered his friends to wait. Merlin had pulled it off; they would walk off into the 21st century together.

Merlin smiled to Arthur and then Gwaine as they walked down the paved path towards the small town below. Glastonbury or Avalon, no matter what it was called it was a place he would never forget again. Here his life with Arthur had ended for a first time, but it was also here that his second chance with destiny began.

There was a lot he needed to take care off. New identities, passports, bank accounts, jobs, and a place to live… the list of chores was endless. So far Arthur was only back for a few moments, but nothing had changed. Here Merlin was with a list of chores as long as his arms and he knew he'd do them gladly and for as long as he could. In this time and age there were no servants, but all the same Merlin welcomed back his old job.

He looked back one final time. The Torchwood three still stood at the base of the tower. Eyes filled with curiosity and one pair even with admiration followed their progress. How long would they wait until they came down? Would they be able to give them all the space they needed? Merlin wasn't so sure. Though he believed Jack was a man of his word he also saw in the man's eyes and actions that he loved a good mystery.

For a moment Merlin debated with himself which action he should take to ensure that they were not followed. Then, coming to his best option, he placed himself in the middle of his two friends. "Trust me…" His quiet command was followed by him taking Arthur's right hand in his left and Gwaine's left hand in his right. He then allowed for his magic to flow and with bright golden eyes he took them away from Glastonbury…

Jack stood close to Ianto and Gwen at the base of the tower. The view was fantastic, but he only had eyes for the three men of legend walking away together. He couldn't help but wonder where they would go next and how they would fare. To face a challenge this tough the three had to stay together to pull it off.

"To think they have lost everything; family, friends and loved ones. Camelot has long since fallen. It must be such a tough thing to face. To live on in a world they can barely recognise… I can't even…" A tear rolled from Gwen's eyes and Jack pulled her close to him with his left arm. He kissed the crown of her head.

"They have each other, Gwen. The bond between these men is unlike any I have ever seen, and believe me I have seen a lot." Jack grinned at his own expense. "Someone I once met told me that friendship is the foundation of the world."

Jack had barely spoken when to his astonishment the three men walking downwards faded out of existence. Stunned he tapped on the buttons of his wrist band. It didn't register a thing out of order. For all it knew the three men were still there. Yet Jack's eyes told him a different thing.

"Did you see that?!" Gwen's voice was filled with disbelief.

Stood to his left Ianto laughed. "The myths were right. Merlin is a sorcerer. That is just…" Jack laughed along and finished the sentence. "Bloody Torchwood?" At that Gwen joined in the laughter. They sure had seen the strangest things, but even Jack knew this was the best mystery to witness of them all. He was glad they came here. For some reason his heart felt lighter and he saw in the eyes of his two best friends they felt the same.

"Friendship… so it is us against the world again?" Ianto asked. Jack nodded and Gwen did the same. Arm in arm the three walked down the paved path. Not even the wet drops of the drizzling rain could temper their moods. They had not forgotten their fallen friends, but if anything today had reminded them to keep a close hold of what they still had. Together they could face dealing with aliens again.

Just moments later the tires of the black jeep screeched on the asphalt. Off it drove again, away from Glastonbury and back to rainy Cardiff. For all its faults the city had become home to Jack. It offered a comfort to him unlike any other place in this age ever could.

Author note:

Thanks to everyone who's left me reviews and comments. Glad you've enjoyed the journey so far. My project will continue with "TWT Parts 2-4: In the valley we walk".