The Once and Future King

A Walk Around Cambridge

I wake up the next morning completely disoriented. One would think after all the time I've spent moving around that's I would be used to waking up in different and sometimes strange places. That's not the case. Then, I remember that I've moved to Cambridge. I get up and stretch. It's nice not to have had a nightmare. I actually got a decent nights sleep. I glance at my phone. It's nine am. That's not bad. I slept a lot yesterday between the plane ride and because of the stupid jet lag I had to go to bed when I got off the plane. I think today I will take a walk. I need to learn the town. I haven't been here in so long. I came here for a little while after Arthur died. Then, I left the British Isles and I haven't been back since. I need to reacquaint myself with it. I take a shower and get dressed. I grab my wallet and key to my apartment and head out.
It's nice out, as it is near the end of July. The air is warm; birds are chirping; everything looks beautiful. The grass is so green. The tree are tall. I walk down some streets and cars pass by often. There are shops I glance at as I pass by. The town is nice. It will be nice to live here for a while. Then, I see a real estate shop. I decide I might as well start searching for my own apartment.
A door bell jingles over head. A woman looks up from a computer screen. "Hullo. Hw may I help you today?" she asked.
I sit down in front of her desk on one of the chairs. "I just moved here. I'm staying at an apartment for the teachers at University of Cambridge, but I want my own place. I don't want to stay at a place with all the other teachers. I want to be out in the city more and not stay on campus."
The woman nods. "I understand that. Are you looking for a house or an apartment?"
"An apartment."
She nods. "Would you be interested in looking at any available options or today, or would you like to set up an appointment for another time?"
"Why don't we do another time?"
The woman nods. "Okay, I'm going to need some information. Name... Phone number..." She asks for a series or things that I answer. "Well, it wonderful to meet you, Merlin. I will see you on Monday."
I shake her hand and head out the door. I look at my phone. It's three o'clock. Damn. And I'm hungry too. Well, it looks like I'll have to find a place to eat. I walk around for a little longer before I find a pub. Inside there are televisions showing sports, pool tables where men and some women play and plenty of people. I sit down at the bar.
"What can I get for ya?" the bar tender asks.
I give him my order or a burger, fries, and a beer. He cards me and I hold up my ID, proving I am old enough to drink. The age requirements are different here, but still applicable. Suddenly, a barrage of kids burst through the door.
"Karl!" One of the them calls to the bar tender. The bar tender rolls his eyes. "I'll be out with your food after I deal with these boys here." He turns to face the boys. "What da ya boys want?" he asks.
The boy that had called for the bar tender looks up from whatever they boys are joking about. I can feel myself starting at him in complete shock. He looks almost identical to Arthur. He still has his golden hair, his beautifully tanned skin and muscles from hours of hard training in the sun, and stunning blue eyes. I almost call out to him, but then, I remember, this is not Camelot. This is not a tavern where we could gets drinks like before. Arthur is dead. He is not coming back. How could I possibly tank that this boy is Arthur?
The bar tender comes back with a my mug of beer. "Sorry 'bout that. Bunch of boy from the University."
I nod, taking a swig of beer. "No trouble."
"You new around here?" He asks
I nod. "Is it that obvious?"
He nods, wiping down his bar. "The giveaway is the accent."
I nod. "I used to live around here when I was a kid. Moved away around high school."
The bar tender nods. "Good to be back, then, is it?"
I nod, for once, actually it did feel good to be back. It feels good to be here after so long.
"Must've felt like an eternity," the man says reading my face.
"You have no idea," I say, taking another swig of beer. I think back to the last time I was at a tavern in Camelot. Okay, not the last time, the last time when Arthur was still alive. I was at the tavern a lot after Arthur died. I don't want to remember that misery. I remember the time I was there're and Arthur came barging him. 'Merlin!' he bellowed. I could tell he was furious to find me here. Because if Gaius, that's where he thought I always was.
I giggled, maybe a little bit tipsy, and walked over to him, drink still in hand. 'Yes, your highness?' I asked. The fact that I could control my tongue from calling him by his name around others still surprises me. 'You're coming with me,' he growls. He takes my drink, sets it down, and tosses coins to the innkeeper. He drags me through the streets of Camelot to his chambers.
'Why is that whenever I need you you're in the tavern!' He exclaimed.
I shrugged. 'Don't know, Arthur.' I remember how I had felt about him, but how bottled up the feelings were. I never actually got drunk enough at e taverns to do anything stupid, but I'm sure tonight was different. I had drank way too much and Arthur had me in his room. If something didn't happen, I would've been surprised.
'Pease, Merlin, I'm begging you, not to go to the damned tavern anymore.'
'Why?' I was inching closer to him. I think he noticed. I saw him become slightly more uncomfortable.
Before he could answer, my hands were on him, moving up his chest. He was frozen, in complete shock. 'M-Merlin, wha-what are you doing?'
I snapped back into reality, the drunkenness disappearing. I looked down at my feet, ashamed. 'I... I'm sorry, sire.'
The bar tender places my food in front of me. "There ya go," he says.
I nod to him. "Thanks."
I eat my food then leave the pub, my gaze lingering on the boy that looked way too much like Arthur for comfort. I stopped tag the market on the way home to stock up on some food. Luckily, it wasn't too far from the campus apartments.
After I check out, I hang the lighter bags on my arms and carry the heavier ones in my hands. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be to carry this much food home. I finally make it, somehow managing to unlock the door without putting any bags down. I stumble into the apartment and drop the bags on hyena kitchen floor. I begin the process of putting food away and find there are glasses and plates and the like in the cabinets around the kitchen. I sigh in relief. At least I won't have to get those until I get my own place. I eat a late dinner, fairly small, due to my ridiculously late lunch. I take a shower and fall into a dead sleep.

Sorry for the short chapter, it will get moving, promise. See ya soon! Cheers! -Tarra