The Knight and the Sorcerer

It was rare that Jenkins found himself missing the man who had caused him many problems but even Merlin, because he would always be Merlin to Jenkins, seemed like a fond memory. Oh he hadn't died. In fact, Merlin was still very much alive and kicking. He just spent most of his time gallivanting about, hitting on people and amusing himself with mortal inventions. The man had been a nightmare in blue and black but he'd been a fun nightmare. Jenkins knew exactly why he was feeling so sentimental. The Librarians, whether intentionally or not, reminded him of Arthur and his Knights. Flynn was obviously Arthur. There was no debate about it. Smart, wise, battle wary, strangely attached to his sword. Eve could easily be Guinevere, or at least Guinevere as she could have been without that horrible affair business. He had long since realised, Moriarty was her Lancelot, only with a touch more evil and lot more charisma. She had chosen Flynn. She had made the right choice. Jake had been a little harder to place because Jenkins was honestly worried he'd be a Lancelot. Now he seemed like a Tristan, doomed to love someone he couldn't be with, or maybe Kay, with his sharp tongue and wit, or maybe Dinadin, the wittiest and often brightest. Of course Jake was much smarter than Kay so Jenkins lent more towards Tristan and Dinadin. Cassandra was interesting to decipher. Maybe once she would have been Merlin, but she wasn't like him at all. She fell somewhere in the Lady of the Lake spectrum. Although with her ability to charm anyone in a mile radius was definitely more of a Gawain quality. Jenkins did worry that she lent more to Nimue than Elaine sometimes. He'd never met either but the stories of Nimue made him shiver. And Cassandra's interactions with the Ladies of the Lake made a compelling argument. And then there was Ezekiel. By the thief's exterior he had worried he was another Agravain or even a Mordred. No, that had quickly been disproven. Though the thief may claim he would leave, would claim to be self-preserving, he never did. He complained, he stole and he made himself sound awesome. Jenkins was startled to see how alike they were. Merlin and Ezekiel. It was as if they had been cut from the same mischievous, crafty cloth. Ezekiel may not have the magic, although his seeming semi-resistance to it made that questionable, but he'd adapted quickly. Just like Merlin, who adapted to everything but also elected to be a dick about it. Then there was the mystery around them. Merlin had never been forth coming about his life before Uther, Arthur and the Knights. From what little they'd all garnered, he'd been around a long time and not all of it had been fun and games. Ezekiel was the same, they all knew little of his life before the Library and from what little they knew it wasn't happy. Jenkins knew that some people hid their pasts out of shame but with men like Ezekiel and Merlin, it was out of sorrow. Then of course there was the mischief, both had the smirk. The one that just screamed trouble. The pranks the two of them could play. On a side note, Jenkins noted to never let Merlin meet Ezekiel. And then there was the thievery. Time to ruin everyone's conceptions about Merlin. The man was stone cold broke all the time and often nicked things for fun. You don't really get paid for being a Sorcerer. Some foolish idea that they get money via magic. But there was one big difference between Ezekiel and Merlin. And something that Jenkins envied. Ezekiel was free to do as he pleased. Jenkins had had his destiny thrust on him. Merlin was tied to the very world he walked, sworn to defend it to death. Ezekiel may have a responsibility to the Library but the Library asked little. It was his choice if he went on a mission. Merlin and Jenkins were bound by fate, cursed by destiny, to protect and serve. To fight and die. Running was not an option and Jenkins often wondered if he was trying to live through the Librarians.

"My my Jenkins. Are you getting sentimental on me?" A voice asked. Jenkins almost dropped the artefact he was examining. The one that had started his musings, the Ring of Dispel. It had been Merlin's tip that led to it.

"Merlin." Jenkins greeted sharply.

"Oh don't be like that." Merlin pouted. "I led you to that thing. No need to be so harsh."

"I suppose the years of hell you put us all through should be forgotten." Jenkins said as Merlin shrugged helplessly. "I will not however, forgive the harm you brought on the Librarians."

"Harm?" Merlin asked with a quirked eyebrow. "I didn't think it would be painful to remove."

"Dulaque was there." Jenkins snapped. Merlin's eyebrows rose. "He enchanted us somehow and it caused a lot of trouble for me and Ezekiel."

"Ezekiel?" Merlin asked.

"Our resident thief. Ezekiel Jones." Jenkins replied impatiently. "Did you know Dulaque was there?"

"Honestly?" Merlin asked. Jenkins nodded. "No I didn't. I haven't seen him in a while. But aside from that. Ezekiel Jones. Early twenties. Australian. Looks like he may be from Korea. That Ezekiel Jones?"

"Yes." Jenkins said, now suspicious. "Do you know him?"

"Hmm?" Merlin hummed as he picked up a rare book and started examining it. No doubt trying to work out its value.

"Do you know Ezekiel?" Jenkins persisted.

"Oh Ezekiel. Yes, I know him." Merlin was about to say something else but then he frowned and shook his head. "Asking him about his good Uncle Emmy. See what he tells you."

"Emmy?"

"Well Emrys is a bit difficult for some reason. And you know I always preferred Emrys." Merlin said, fondly stroking the cover of the book.

"You've always been Merlin to me." Jenkins said.

"Yes." Merlin pulled a face. "I blame Uther for that and Ector. If they hadn't kept calling me that I'd still be Emrys."

"I see you haven't changed." Jenkins commented dryly.

"Why would I want to change?" Merlin asked, scandalised. "I like who I am."

"You say you know Ezekiel. Does he make you feel envious of him?" Jenkins asked before Merlin could go off on a rant.

"Why would I be envious?" Merlin asked softly.

"Because he's free." Jenkins said. "We're bound by our destinies to live and die a certain way. He doesn't seem to be."

"Galahad." Merlin said softly and Jenkins knew it was important. "You think he has no destiny? We all have a destiny. A part to play. Some, I'll admit are more flexible than others but we are all trapped with a fate we cannot escape. Ezekiel is no exception. But unlike us, who have lived many years and wish our time would just end in peace, he is young and innocent. They all are Galahad. Just like you were once. Let them have their lives while they can. Before their fate consumes them." Jenkins stared.

"You see a tragedy coming, don't you." He said. Merlin sighed.

"I always see a tragedy coming. But Jenkins. This one will hurt. This one will leave you in pain. Not just them. You as well. And when this tragedy occurs, you will see me again. I am sorry my old friend. I hope you can forgive me."

"What?" Jenkins asked but Merlin had disappeared into the bookshelves. Jenkins mind turned back to the Librarians. What was he going to lose now?