AN: Is that...no it can't be...but yes, yes it is! 3rd installment of my Merlin trilogy- a year later. I know I suck. So sorry, but your support and messaging me has done wonderful things in kicking my butt down into my seat so I can type away. I love you all so very much!

Consequences: Merlin and Arthur are finally together, but they weren't the only ones waiting for that to happen. When a prophecy is fulfilled it tends to have a ripple effect. Can they stand together as the realm of magic crashes into the world they live? Merthur. Plot and Smut.

Plot (*hiss*boo*boo plot*). Don't worry you get smut too.

Plot and Smut.

I just posted the first chapter so read there or here or everywhere. Though probably not at work...I won't judge.

Rated M for the obvious.

Enjoy!

Where we left off...

"Merlin." A voice rang out in Merlin's mind causing him to stop halfway down the corridor, quickly snapping his head back and checking around...but he already knew it was pointless.

"Merlin." Again the voice called out for him and he grimaced. He knew that voice anywhere.

And he had been in such a good mood.

"Merlin."

That was the voice of the Great Dragon. That was never a good thing.

"Young warlock." Kilgharrah greeted as soon as his torch light entered the cavern, already waiting for him perched on his rock across from the entrance. "You do not look happy to see me."

It was true. Merlin wasn't really happy to see him as he leaned against the wall and pouted. "Forgive me but I'm really rather tired. Is there any way we could do this tomorrow…or after supper?"

"I called you for a purpose."

"Right." He sighed and tried to stand up straighter, something rather exhausting for him at the moment. An entire hunting trip passed and he was longing for his bed. Not that they were hunting but still…tired. "And that purpose is….?"

"Arthur."

"Yes, what a surprise. What about him?"

The dragon ignored his sarcasm easily and leaned further towards the sorcerer, the rock beneath him crunching with his weight and echoing in his prison, as he prepared to explain the gravity of the situation to the young boy. "Your fate has always been destined. It appears you have come to certain milestones much quicker than expected. "

"What do you mean?"

"When the two halves bond together on the bed of Fjörgyn under the light of the hidden moon and the hidden dawn, the call shall be made and the primal dusk will crawl from below for the approaching battle with the great being."

Merlin stared with an open mouth, feeling completely dumfounded. It wasn't exactly a new feeling for these cryptic conversations. "That um…that doesn't sound very…I don't think I understand."

"You and Arthur are destined for greatness. Greatness which cannot be achieved without the other."

"Right. Arthur will unite the lands and I will help him. I know that. I don't understand any of the rest. What does it mean?"

"Not all prophecies are written. Many were created in a time before such tools."

A lot of the time he wished the dragon would just give him an answer to the questions he asked but he knew by now how to go about the conversation. "A prophecy?" He took the time to groan and mutter to himself, "Because I don't get enough of those", before brushing back his annoyance from an empty stomach and focusing on what the dragon actually said. He would not have called him without good reason. "So two halves -well that's me and Arthur since it's never not. Bond together –whatever that means –on the bed…bed of...under …"

He wasn't quite sure what Fjörgyn meant but the mention of doing something under a moon and dawn had him flashing back to the hunting trip pretty quickly. But there was no way it was referencing…that kind of bonding…no. But that is exactly when the Great Dragon called. A bed of Fjörgyn? It was rather suggestive. How could he not?

His head snapped up and his face started to heat up hotter than the flames in his hand as the sound of the dragon's laughter started to bounce out quietly over the stones and reach his ears, only getting progressively louder.

"Oh no. No. No! How did you- what are- how- how could you possibly- I don't- what?!"

"It seems your feelings for the young prince have changed since we first met."

"But I- I still don't- How-"

The dragon sobered enough to say, "The call has been made Merlin."

"What call?! I didn't call! Neither of us called!" He was allowed to sound this defensive as great yellow eyes zoned in on his heated face and he could see his flustered reflection in their pupils. "Not that we were doing anything. We weren't doing anything! Not on the bed of Fjörgyn. On any bed. Actually. So-"

"Merlin."

There was a purpose to the rest of the prophecy. He could feel embarrassed about everything else later. Why would that even be a part of it anyway? A prophecy that required...that. Right, back to the point. "But I didn't make any sort of call."

"You would not yet be aware of the call sent forward. The eye of a storm has its advantages and disadvantages. In the days of old, a messenger would have provided you with this clarity. I am now that messenger."

"Um…Thanks. I think."

"You and I come from a very powerful magic. One intertwined with the Earth and her offspring. That magic was created out of both the good and the bad. One cannot survive without the other and both come in equal measure, though there is one magic more powerful than any other."

"And that is…"

"Love, Merlin. There are many types and all are powerful. You are yet young, unable to understand your full potential. To complete a prophecy such as you did with a magic that surges through the Earth itself… you needed great power to assist you. It was foretold."

"Right." Everything was foretold with him. Apparently even his developing feelings towards the crowned prince. It made him wonder how much privacy he actually had when people knew more about him than he did. Not that the Great Dragon was a person. Right, back to the point again. "Well who did I call on? You said primal dusk will crawl from below. What does that mean?"

"The creation of magic involved both good and evil. The creators knew they must both exist but the dark too easily bled into the light with no release. Visions came of the damage it would cause so they contained this magic in a being and locked that being in the center of the Earth herself so she could watch over it. For all mothers love their children and she would be no different. Naturally some evil escaped into the world but good was allowed to roam free and it touched all it could. The struggle is as old as time itself though the balance is often thrown."

"I thought magic wasn't good or evil? It depends on how you use it."

"That is true. The good and evil I speak of already existed as it always had and always will. In the creation of magic they were simply ingredients. It is up to the user to sort through the dark and light that exists in their magic. As you have seen."

"So I have both dark and light magic?"

"You have the capacity for both as anyone else, though you were a being created of light, Emrys." Merlin's body flinched and his gaze snapped up at the use of his Druid name. "The primal dusk is a being created of darkness."

"What will it do when it crawls out of the earth?"

"Chaos. Destruction. These are the things it feeds on. You and Arthur are destined to create a world of peace. It would wish to destroy that possibility and you along with it."

"In the battle?"

"Correct, young warlock."

All of these prophecies and things foretold and visions and magic and destiny and all other things out of his control were really getting out of hand. This sounded almost too ridiculous to deal with when he was so tired. He and Arthur 'bonded' under the moon and dawn and that meant he called up a giant ball of evil? On top of that it was for a battle between that ball and he and Arthur?

Alright that made sense. It seemed the entire world was prepared to make an attempt on Arthur's life. This shouldn't have been such a shock. Still, this seemed massive. Far too massive for something done out of innocence or love or whatever. It was a mistake! A happy one but still a mistake.

"But that doesn't make sense. We're not ready. Arthur is still prince. Uther still lives. Why would it come now?"

"Because you called."

"I didn't mean to!"

"You would not have been able to call if you were not ready."

"So how much time do we have? Where will it come?"

"The prophecy does not tell all."

"How am I supposed to tell him about this?"

"That is up to you to decide."

"Great."

"Take heed. You can only return the balance with Arthur's aid. You and Arthur share a bond that creates the great being. Any weakness in your bond will be exploited and you will fail. If you do fail, the world will be thrown into constant chaos and Albion will never be created."

As was always the consequence of his failing -Albion never being created.

He ran a hand over his face in an attempt to make sure he was not dreaming this conversation. "I'm not ready for this."

"The magic of the old religion believes you are. Remember, none of us can choose our destiny and none of us can escape it. Arthur and yourself included."

"Yeah I remember."

"One cannot survive without the other." The dragon spread its wings and pushed off his rock, his chain dangling from his leg, as he flew up and called back to the boy. "I wish you luck."

"And that was all he told you?" Gaius asked Merlin.

He had given in and slept after coming back from the dragon. Actually he had tried to sleep but first chanted that prophecy to himself about a thousand times so he would remember all the dragon said. But he brought it to Gaius' attention right away the next day. This wasn't something he could deal with himself and he hoped now that Gaius knew about his talks with the dragon he would be able to figure it out with him.

"Yes. That's it."

"What does it mean bond? How did you and Arthur bond? It sounds like a ritual."

"Um…" He could feel his face heating up again so he shrugged a bit too enthusiastically and bit out a far too big smile. "I don't know. I'm sure that doesn't matter."

"Every bit matters." Gaius raised a brow at the boy's attitude but decided to simply move on with his thoughts as they continued to eat their breakfast. "It sounds as though you have a great challenge ahead of you."

"That's what worries me." He scrunched up his nose, trying for a countless time to make sense of the being described. "Primal dusk. It doesn't sound like much more than a shadow but I have a feeling it will be something more."

"Yes. I don't like the sound of that either. "

"But what if I'm not ready? I didn't know about the prophecy. Arthur doesn't know about anything. How could we possibly fight something this big without him finding out? I mean, I'm not ready. Look at what just happened when I used my magic. I cannot do that again. Not to you, not to anyone."

Gaius frowned when Merlin chucked his food back to his bowl, his worry preventing him from taking another bite. He had seen this boy take on too much to have such little confidence. Though, he did agree the scale of this prophecy surpassed anything he had faced before.

"You have faced many foes in the past and you have learned from that. You and Arthur are destined to work together and, that being said, you will. You already have, many times, whether he was aware of that or not." He reached across the table and shook the boy's arm, trying at least to get him to look up from his feet. "I have confidence that you will figure this out."

"I wish I shared that confidence."

"You'll be fine." He smiled and gestured towards his food, staring sternly until Merlin started eating again. "In the meantime, see if you can sweep up this room for me."

Merlin smiled to his food. It was always save Arthur, save Albion, and clean up. That was his job description.

"Merlin!"

"Sorry."

It had been weeks since Merlin's talk with the dragon. Nothing had happened and he hadn't been called back down for another chat so he simply lived his life like normal. Practicing his magic in secret –now extra vigilant and cautious-, helping Gaius in his shop, reading books to help him understand what the Great Dragon said, and helping out his prat of a prince with everything that was asked of him. Oh and some things that weren't asked. Things that Merlin actually enjoyed a lot even if the sneaking around sill made him more stressed on top of his worry about the primal dark being crawling up from the center of the earth. He could handle it though. Most days…

"I asked you, no I told you to clean this shirt for me at least five times!" Arthur was on a rampage, holding up one of his shirts and shoving it in Merlin's face. "And what is this? Go on. What is it?"

"A stain."

"A stain! And it was your job to get it out and now I have nothing to wear. Five times! Do you just not listen when I talk to you? Are you deaf? What is wrong with you? You idiot!"

Merlin looked down at the floor so he could roll his eyes undetected and mumble under his breath, "Love you too sire."

Arthur stopped pacing right away, spinning and facing his servant. "What was that?"

"Nothing." He smiled but it was terribly fake.

"No. Come on." Arthur chucked the shirt away and turned back with hands on his hips. "What?"

"Nothing," Arthur kept giving him squinty eyes so he spoke through his teeth adding on, "-you prat."

Arthur's anger fell away instantly and a smile broke out on his face. Why they ever thought using idiot and prat as ways of expressing love was a good idea, he would never know. It was hard to tell when they meant one or the other sometimes.

"Alright." He clasped Merlin's shoulder and shook his head, already forgiving Merlin for not listening. He had been rather distracted ever since the hunting trip and Arthur could only guess it had something to do with their new arrangement, something he was still getting used to. He could understand. "I'm sorry. You know I just don't like these kinds of events."

The event was a celebration for Morgana on her birthday. It wasn't as big a celebration as Arthur's or the King's but it was still an enjoyable event with guests and entertainers and food.

"That's a lie and we both know it." Merlin smiled up coyly as Arthur turned back to his dresser and started throwing every article he had out of it. He rolled his eyes at the sight, knowing he would have to clean it all up later. "You like these events when they're for you."

Arthur apparently didn't hear his ramblings from inside the cupboard. "I am not going if I am stuck wearing a shirt with a great big stain on it." He threw whatever shirt he had around the door and straight into Merlin's face.

"That's more like it." He caught the shirt and chucked it with the others, blinking and picking up the one closest to him and holding it out. "Why don't you wear the blue one? It's the same shirt just in a different color."

"I don't like that one."

"Why not?" He sneaked up behind Arthur and held it to his front from behind adding, "It brings out your eyes."

Arthur chuckled darkly and turned in his arms so Merlin could hold it up properly against his front. "Should I be worried about you wanting to do my hair and makeup?"

"Haha. Just wear it."

"Are you telling me what to do again?"

Merlin smirked at his playful tone and stepped in closer, spreading his hands against Arthur's chest and dropping his voice to a seductive whisper. "It'll be worth it if you do."

"Will it?"

"I can show you." Merlin gestured towards the bed with his eyes and the energy starting in his body quickly matched in Arthur's as his eyes blew wide and his brows set.

"Lock the door."

Merlin was quick to obey, throwing the shirt over the cupboard door and jogging to the door of the room. He didn't even go to lock it with his hands, he just let his eyes flash gold and ran back to the bed Arthur was climbing on as fast as he could, joining him from the other side as Arthur was taking his boots off as fast as he could.

"We don't have much time." Arthur reminded him even though he was already quickly kicking off his own shoes.

"Better leave clothes on then." Merlin shot him a kinky wink and sucked in a breath when Arthur's tongue darted out to lick his lip.

They both climb on the bed fast, still messy from that morning. Arthur suddenly grabbed Merlin's face while he was still trying to mess with the ties on his boots, only managing to get one off before stumbling forward and meeting his prince's mouth. They clashed together fast and fell onto the pillows without even making their mouths meet properly.

As soon as they were down Merlin forgot about his boot and Arthur just pulled him close, moving his mouth as quick as he could to keep pace. Their hearts pounded fast and their breaths caught as they pulled their hips together.

Arthur grabbed at Merlin's waist first, pulling his head up to double check the door. Merlin pushed his head under his lifted neck and snuck in a bite, sure not to leave any visible marks that would become a topic of conversation at the feast. Arthur sucked in an audible breath between his teeth when he felt Merlin start to suck in his skin and felt his tongue circle forward against his stubble causing his hands to grip a little tighter and bring him just a little closer.

Merlin was first to roll his hips up and both moaned as a tremor pulsed out from their cores and made their toes curl with excitement. Arthur tipped his head back and nudged Merlin's lips back into his own as his thumbs tucked under Merlin's trousers and pulled them down to his knees, sure to graze a hand against his member on the way back up.

"Oil." Arthur muttered, more commanded, against Merlin's mouth and he was happy to spin on his side and reach over to the night stand where he opened the drawer and pulled the jar out. They were really starting to run low on the stuff.

Arthur came up behind him and started to suck on his ear, a hand running over the front of his shirt and slipping to the bare skin, following the patch of hair leading down from his belly button as he wrapped a hand around his cock, pulling with quick short tugs that had Merlin rutting into his back. Merlin gripped the only thing in his hands as Arthur continued, glancing at the door when he could manage to open his eyes just to double check. The thrill of getting caught never really left with them.

His eyes smacked shut again when Arthur let him go and fumbled behind his back, only moments later realizing he had pushed his trousers down as well and the heat he felt before was nothing compared to the erection pulsing against his exposed lower back. Arthur groaned as he pulled Merlin in with his arm, pushing up against the bare of his back and nuzzling his mouth into the boy's hair, his breath hot and panting against his head.

Merlin wordlessly passed the jar of oil back and pushed his trousers down a bit more, kicking off his other boot, when he felt Arthur pull back from him.

"Will you be okay if I just-"

"Yes, yes." He was still open from that morning's fun. They were really bad at keeping their hands to themselves. Especially on days where Arthur had no training to occupy his morning. "Just do it."

"Needy."

Merlin rolled his eyes and quickly flipped around stealing the jar back and closing it before putting it back in its place and closing the drawer. When he pushed back again he felt his body jump as a slippery hand grazed his middle and a slippery cock grazed his entrance. Without needing to ask Arthur started to push in. He slid in easy and that had them both gasping for air as their mouths opened in pleasure. Merlin was trying to pace his body, gripping onto the bed and Arthur's arm, as Arthur was losing his grip on Merlin's middle and pushing up slowly.

They both looked at the door at the same time when they thought they heard a knock, shock jumping through their bodies and an audible gasp escaping from each of their mouths. Apparently it was just someone passing because there was no other noise. They waited a few more moments, just laying there with Arthur inside Merlin and no sure way of a logical explanation, before looking at each other and nodding in silent agreement. They needed to go faster.

Arthur pushed in and Merlin ground down at the same time until they couldn't push any more, part of it having to do with the lack of mobility in Merlin's clothing still trapping his legs together. That didn't stop them from picking up the pace as Arthur thrust back and in again making Merlin have to turn his mouth into the other boy's arm so he could stop his moans from escaping him.

The pace only got faster from there until Arthur was plowing into him and Merlin was meeting him with every rock. It felt so wrong to have so many layers on. Merlin couldn't open up as much as he wanted and Arthur was missing that one special spot because of it and they could both feel their shirts riding up and scratching their bodies with every move, their skin only just touching but not nearly enough. It felt wrong but it felt so good.

Merlin left some good red teeth marks in Arthur's bicep before checking the door a final time and lowering his hand to his own cock, refusing to let himself last much longer. Arthur gritted his teeth having no place to latch down on Merlin with his shirt on and his grunting came out louder and louder as his body started to quake. Merlin couldn't stop the moans now and Arthur had to smash a hand over his mouth just to keep him from screaming out, making his body bend back oddly and oh god he just hit that spot and his hand was moving so fast against his member and he felt the pleasure roll out in tidal waves as he came over the bed. Arthur pulled down on Merlin harder, his head bumping into his shoulder, his arm getting tired from holding his mouth closed. Still just one more thrust, two more, and Merlin's body closing around him was just too much. He was too hot and too tight and he exploded a few seconds later, a final moan leaving him and floating right into Merlin's ear as his body collapsed in the sudden full body sensation.

They only took a few moments to catch their breath before Arthur lifted his hand from his mouth and patted his arse with the other, pulling slow until he was out completely, falling onto his back. Merlin was up quick, ignoring the part of him that felt rather sticky now, and pulled up his trousers.

"So the blue one it is." Merlin smiled as he tossed the shirt over Arthur's still exposed body. He just groaned and ignored it, letting it cover his face. "Arthur-"

"Can't I just sleep?" His voice sounded both muffled and pathetic from under the fabric. "Just for a little bit?"

"No." Merlin chuckled and took pity on him, leaning over his body to fix up his clothes. Arthur just lay there and let him pull up his trousers and pull off his shirt, flopping back onto the bed with no intention of helping him put the blue one on. "Come on Arthur."

Arthur ignored him and instead of reaching for the shirt he reached for Merlin, "Come here you idiot." He pulled both of them down into a hug and refused to let go when the boy started to struggle, only holding him closer and using his head as a pillow as he laughed and gave in, snuggling up to his prince's side.

"Prat." He stayed and let Arthur close his eyes for a few moments before deciding to talk again, half only to make sure he was still awake. "Can I say something without you laughing?"

"Perhaps." Arthur sighed onto his head, rubbing his mouth against his temple and putting his chin back on top. "But I make no promises."

"I don't want to be there tonight." He sighed again, starting to run a hand over Arthur's chest and watching the goosebumps that trailed his finger. "When they start dancing, all the people throwing themselves at you while I fill your glass."

"You know you have nothing to worry about." Arthur wrapped his hand around him tighter, running a hand over the back of his shirt, still sticking to his skin from the sweat of the quick session they just had together.

"I just wish for things I can't have sometimes." He actually wished for that a lot of the time. There were a lot of things he wished he could have that he knew wouldn't happen. At least not any time soon. "Maybe one day."

"I'll tell you what." Arthur dipped back into the pillows and waited for Merlin to catch his eyes. "I promise you one dance."

"You're joking."

"Well not at the dance. You'd be executed for sure. I'll just owe you."

"Owe me?"

"One dance."

"That settles it. You are so a girl."

"You are the one that wants to dance with me!"

"I never said that. You just thought it. Therefore, girl."

Arthur had him flipped on his back -his arms pinned to the side- in a flash. Already they could both feel the hormones kicking back in with thoughts of where this could lead – though knowing it couldn't – popping into their minds. "If I had time you would be begging for your life right now."

"But you don't so you better put on that shirt." Merlin gestured towards the shirt stuck between their bodies, making another gesture towards his arm. "It'll cover up that mark real nice."

"Merlin." Arthur groaned and he laughed as he pecked him on the head and rolled over, Merlin only getting one last look before Arthur's bare skin was covered in blue.

The celebration went well enough. There were only a few awkward moments shared when Merlin or Arthur would make a joke about wrestling, bringing up old memories and new blushes. It was only after Arthur was tucked away in bed, a few stolen kisses given, that Merlin's happiness turned to concern.

It was part of his duties to help clean the mess from the party and that was where he overheard one of the many straggling guests say something that caught his attention.

"I haven't seen anything like it."

"And where did you say this was?"

"Far from here my friend." Merlin didn't recognize the man talking or his friend but it was their hushed and rushed whispers that had him listening in. "I cannot find a way to put it in words. Such creatures have never existed to my knowledge."

"What was its likeness?"

"It slithered from the ground like a snake but it had no such form. It appeared to be made of rock though I've never seen a rock like this."

"Living rock?"

"There's more. It grew in size and shifted into the largest fox I've ever seen. It had no face, no eyes, though I could feel it looking at me."

"What did you do?"

"I ran! Or I tell you I would not be sitting here today. I warned the people but when we came back for it, it was gone with no trail. They called me crazy, they did. Laughed at me for my age. But I know what I saw."

"I believe you."

"It wasn't only the sight that had me running. It was the feel. Looking at this creature…it was like every bad memory I have ever had, every pain I've ever suffered, was brought to the forefront of my mind. Never have I felt such pain and anger as I have looking at that creature. A part of me hopes I did make it up. I wish for no one to encounter it ever again. It felt like pure darkness."

Uh-oh. Merlin left the room wide-eyed and headed straight back for his chambers. The primal dusk shall crawl from below for the approaching battle with the great being. It sounded like a certain prophecy was coming true. It could have been coincidence, maybe this man really was insane and just saying something about darkness was by accident, but it didn't feel that way in his gut. He knew something was wrong and he needed to look it up in his books and talk to Gaius because it sounded like that thing was crawling up to fight with the great being.

Only that great being wasn't exactly ready yet. Or part of it wasn't. They were two halves and one half didn't know a thing about it. Or all the secrets the other half had. That creature did not sound good and to have to go up against it meant surely it would be a challenge to keep it that way.

Things were about to get really complicated.