Operation Neckerchief

Chapter One -

Summary: AU Arthur and ‘the knights’ work for MI5. When his boyfriend is kidnapped by a group of terrorists led by Cenred and Morgause will Arthur be allowed to save him?

WARNING: Contains violence and quite main character deaths.

The seatbelt sings flashed on. Merlin glanced towards his friends and co air hostesses Gwen and Freya, who were standing together down the other end of the plane.

He made his way slowly towards them, telling passengers calmly to sit down and not worry as they’re only experiencing turbulence.

As he reached the front of the plane, he noticed the concerned looks on his friends’ faces.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking between the two girls.

“Nothing really, it’s just we weren’t expecting turbulence.” Gwen replied quickly, eyes darting around the cabin.

“So?” Merlin was confused, his friends were usually calm in these sorts of situations, it happened all the time.

“It doesn’t feel right, think about it.” Gwen was obviously nervous but tried not to show it.

“The plane is flying fine, why would the captain put the signs on if there isn’t a problem and not tell us?” Freya added, also beginning to panic.

He narrowed his eyes, coming to the conclusion that the girls might be right, trying his best to calm them down.

“I’m sure it’s nothing, I’ll go check if it makes you feel better.” Merlin soothed as he walked towards the door separating the cabin from the cockpit.

As he reached the door it was flung open knocking him backwards, clumsily tripping over, he fell onto the floor by Gwen and Freya. Getting to his feet he saw a black hand gun inches away from his face, gripped tightly in a gloved hand. Merlin started to panic inching backwards to place himself between the masked gun man and his friends.

More men came out from the cockpit and started to walk down the aisle, lining up guns pointed towards the passengers. All the masked men began to fire causing Merlin, Freya and Gwen to cover their ears and duck unable to watch the massacre unfold before them.

The three friends were pulled to their feet, a blindfold roughly shoved across their eyes. Two more gun shots sounded, screams echoing through the cabin. He struggled against his captors to no avail, tears welling up in his eyes as he realised he was now alone.

One thought crossed his mind, this definitely had something to do with Arthur. Blind panic rose through his body as realisation hit him, the world went black, his body limp.

..................................................................................................................................................................

Arthur strolled into his office after dropping Merlin off at the airport. His mates were already there, gathered around Lance.

“Come on then, give us the details. We know what you got up to last night!” Percy mocked, winking.

“Shut up. Gentlemen don’t kiss and tell.” Lance grinned.

“Good job you’re not a gentleman then!” Gwaine laughed at his own wit.

“What’s all this then?” Arthur joked punching Lance playfully in the arm.

“Someone had a date with a certain air hostess he has been obsessing over for the past year.” Leon explained as Arthur sat down across from him.

“Finally grew some balls to ask Gwen out then? I’m glad for you mate.” Arthur laughed, genuinely happy for his friend.  “Maybe he’ll stop going on about her now.”

“You’re kidding right? This is going to make it worse. He’s had a stupid grin on his face all morning; he’s like a lovesick teenager. Anyway, you have to tell us the details!” Gwaine leaned forward winking.

“Hey! Come on guys, that is my sister remember!” Elyan growled, pretending to be angry.

At that moment, Gaius pushed the door open from his office walking towards the men looking sombre.

“Arthur, Elyan, can I speak to you for a moment? In private.”

“What’s up?” Percy asked his grin fading to a frown, it was unlike Gaius to be so secretive.

“It’s regarding Guinevere and Merlin? It’s urgent.” 

Elyan tuned to face Lance who’s face had drained of all colour.

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it infront of all of us.” Arthur said through gritted teeth, heart pounding as he struggled to maintain his composure.

“The plane that Merlin and Gwen were on this morning has lost contact, we know it has been hijacked and they want Merlin.” Gaius paused, fearful of continuing. “We also know they had guns and we fear the worst.”

“How the fuck can this happen?” Arthur shouted standing up clenching his fists by his sides.

“We think they had inside assistance including the pilot.”  Gaius responded looking gravely toward Arthur.

“Shit. Why the hell would they want Merlin? He’s an air hostess!”

“Our compuer’s were hacked a few months ago. At the time we didn’t think anything was taken, but now it appears your identity has been compromised.”

Gwaine put a reassuring hand on Arthur’s arm “Arthur, I’m sure he’ll be...”

Arthur interrupted him growling “It’s my fucking fault.”

Kicking his chair out of the way Arthur pushed over the nearest desk in his rage as he fled the room, tears threatening to blind his vision.

Gaius turned back to the other men.

“As far as we know, there is no reason for them to hurt Gwen. They are after Merlin and want information from him only, we don’t think they have any reason to connect her to you lot.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Leon, who had known Arthur for the longest, stood up and made to follow him, but was stopped when a comforting arm from Percy rested on his shoulder.

“Give him some time to cool off. “

Leon nodded, looking at the floor. “He blames himself.” Leon muttered.

Percy squeezed his shoulder; “He has no reason to, and once he’s calmed down he’ll realise that.”

They glanced towards Elyan, who was sitting perfectly still, no emotion crossing his face, his eyes glazed over as he struggled to process what he’d been told.

Tears streamed down Lance’s face, and Gwaine pulled him into a one armed hug.

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Glass shattered in the Men’s bathroom, scattering the floor with shards of glittering glass as Arthur tried to destroy his reflection, hating himself.

Leaning over a sink, Arthur bowed his head. He refused to let tears escape his eyes, breathing heavily. He remembered when he’d first started dating Merlin, and how he had promised him that his job wouldn’t affect him.

Arthur looks around at all his closest friends, squished together as they sit at a round table in the far corner of a bustling restaurant. He is very conscious of Merlin’s lithe frame pressed against him, their legs and arms touching. Arthur makes a crap joke, everyone ignoring him apart from Merlin, who throws his head back and roars with laughter.

Arthur grins at Merlin “You don’t have to laugh. It was terrible.”

“No, seriously, I found it funny” Merlin’s eyes find Arthur’s and the rest of their company is forgotten.

Arthur rests a hand on Merlin’s thigh, nervously, hoping he won’t be rejected, but Merlin smiles warmly, glancing down at his hand. He rests his head momentarily on Arthur’s shoulder, which isn’t missed by Freya, sitting opposite them, who grins to herself and leaves them be.

Later on in the evening, Arthur gives Merlin a lift home. Pulling up outside Merlin’s apartment Arthur looks over at his friend.

Merlin unbuckles his seatbelt, thanking Arthur for the lift and leans over to give him a chaste kiss. Arthur puts a hand in Merlin’s hair and pulls him closer to deepen the kiss. After a few minutes, Arthur pulls back, resting his forehead against Merlin’s.

“What’s wrong?” Merlin breathes “Don’t you want this?”

Merlin tries to pull away, feeling rejected but Arthur’s fingers resting in his hair prevent him from moving.

He mutters “no.”

They stay like that for a moment, before Merlin mutters; “Is it your job?” his breath ghosting across Arthur’s lips.

Arthur nods. “I don’t want to put you in danger.”

Merlin smiles, his eyes crinkling. “I don’t care.” He presses his lips against Arthurs. “I know what I’m getting myself into, I’m not a child.”

Arthur allows his arm to slip from the back of Merlin’s head, leaning back into the seat and throws his head back, knowing he is about to give in.

As if to compromise, Arthur leans forward, looking Merlin straight in the eye and says;

“I promise-“He swallows. “-To never allow any harm to come to you.”

Arthur looked back up at the shattered mirror, a new determination flaring inside him. He strode straight past his friends without glancing towards them, his mind focused, straight into Gaius’ office.

As the door closed behind him, Gaius looks up unable to read the expression on Arthurs face, years of training meant he could hide his emotions well.

“You need to ring the Home Secretary.” Arthur demanded.

“I fear it won’t help at all but I’ll give it a go for Merlins sake.” Gaius picked up the phone from his desk.

“Why not?” Arthurs jaw clenched for a second as he lost his composure slightly while Gaius dialled the number.

“It’s nothing to do with national security; it was just a passenger plane.”

He didn’t listen as Gaius spoke on the phone, too many emotions and scenarios flying through his mind.  He jolted back to the present as Gaius slammed the phone down.

“I’m sorry Arthur, it’s as I feared.”

“How many times have I risked my life for this country, and they can do nothing for me. Damn it.” He slammed his fist onto the desk next to Gaius. “I guess I’ll just have to save him myself, I can’t just stand by and watch him die.”

“I expected nothing less and I’ll assist you in any way possible” Gaius smiled proudly at him, Arthur was like a son to him.

Arthur’s friends heard raised voices behind the door to Gaius’ office, shortly followed by both walking out, a calm and determined looked on their faces.

Motioning for them to follow him, Arthur led them to a conference room, where they all sat at a round table, following and sitting down last.

Arthur stood and looked around at his closest friends, taking a deep breath.

“If you don’t want to do this, I fully understand and will think nothing less of you, however I ask that you all keep this between us since it will be illegal and very dangerous.” No one dared to interrupt as Arthur continued. “We don’t have much to go on, because the government have point blank refused to help, or even acknowledge there is a problem, but Gaius will be doing everything he can to help. Merlin and Gwen are two of our closest friends and I for one cannot bear to even think about any harm coming to them.”

Gwaine said firmly; “You don’t even have to ask, mate. Of course we’re with you” There was a murmur of agreement and a collective nod.

Arthur looked at Gwaine and inclined his head, showing how much it meant to him.

“Thank you. You all have unique skills which are vital for any operation, Gwaine you’re the bravest man I’ve ever met. Nobody is as loyal as you, Leon. Elyan, you are a skilled agent and your expertise will be crucial. Lance, I know how much this means to you so I know you will be dedicated and Percy, you’re a muscle mountain- I’ll know you’ve got my back.”

Gwaine grinned “We’ll need code names, of course. How about ‘King’ Arthur?”

They all felt the mood lighten as Arthur grinned his approval.

Percy stood, “Since I’m a ‘muscle mountain’ how about ‘Brawn’?”

Elyan stood and added “I’ll be ‘Moxie’.”

Lance joined them, “I’m ‘Canny’.”

Leon stood up, “I think- I’ll be ‘True-blue’.”

They all turned to look at Gwaine, who stood and said; “I’m ‘Spunk’”

Everyone laughed and Gwaine pretended to look outraged; “I’m disgusted. You lot have such filthy minds.” He grinned “It means ‘brave’!”