Merlin: The Great King Shall Rise Again (fanfiction)

The Beginning

(A/N: My chapters from my previous upload were deleted, so I'm having to do them all again. I'm sorry if there are mistakes and it appears I don't care about the quality, I'm just really peeved off right now. I freaking loved those chapters, they were possibly my best work yet. Thank god I had written the first chapter on paper first. The rest..I'll have to do all over again...Enough of my ramblings! I hope you enjoy!)

The dull water rippled slightly against the cold winters wind. The silence was peaceful, broken only by the soft splash of small stones being tossed into the tranquil water. The cool liquid rippled up on to the shore, splashing around the feet of a young man.

His short black hair was sodden from an earlier downpour, which -had it been any normal person- would have frozen him to the bone. His clothes too were soaked, consisting of just a pair of jeans and a casual t-shirt.

The man stared into the cold water, his mind wandering back to memories of his past. Just one memory stood out, like it did every time he visited that place. The death of one of his most dear friends.

Trying to ignore the haunting memory, he tossed yet another stone into the lake, only this time it skimmed across the surface several times before sinking.

The man sat silently, staring into the water, his concentration broken only by a distant splash, and a big gasp of air. He did not bother to glance over, as it was probably just one of the local school children playing around in the water, like they did most days. Their parents wouldn't be happy knowing they were out in the rain. Although he had said it was children playing nearby, he heard no childish giggling or splashing.

He continued staring into the depths for a while, before he caught a glimpse of gold. Probably just a fish, but he couldn't help but be reminded of the sword he had given his friend. Excalibur, it had been named.

To his right, he heard footsteps approaching him, but still did not glance over. That was until a shadow fell over him.

Annoyed that the person found it fine to interrupt him, he turned and snapped at them. "Do you min-?"

He quickly smacked a hand over his mouth when he realised who it was. He still looked the same, with dazzling blue eyes, his fair hair - which was now soaked. Water trickled from his chain-mail and armour, down to his belt, which held a sword - THE sword. He couldn't believe this day would come so soon.

"Hello Merlin."