Once and Future

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I died.

That's the first thought in Arthur's mind, but it fades just as quickly as it comes.

He sucks in a deep harsh breath. Almost choking on what feels like the first clean air he's had in ages, he opens his eyes to stare up at the star-filled night sky above him.

A sudden panic rises in him as he realizes he has no idea what's happened.

The last thing he remembers is...

Merlin!

Merlin, was with him, wasn't he? He's sure he must have been.. Arthur rarely ever found himself without Merlin, but then where is he?

Where's Guinevere?

Where's everyone??

Where's Camelot???

That's when he remembers who he is. He can't afford to panic, the king doesn't get to have the luxury of being afraid in times like this.

He's got to find Merlin. He's got to get back to Camelot, to Guinevere. His heart wrenches as he thinks of his beloved wife waiting somewhere, waiting for him to come home to her. She must be worried sick by now.

Pushing his fears to the back of his mind, Arthur wills himself to stand on shaky legs, which feel heavier as though he hasn't walked in days, and takes in his surroundings.

He finds himself on the shore of a lake that he doesn't recognize, and he seems to be at a clearing in the middle of a forest somewhere. It's difficult to tell with the only light coming from the moon and a tiny flickering in the woods, but there doesn't seem to be anyone else around.

This doesn't make any sense..

How did he get here? What happened at the battle?

The battle! Against Morgana..and Mordred...

Mordred...

Arthur looks down at his hands in grim sadness as he remembers what he had done..what he had had to do...

Poor Mordred..just a scared young boy whose grief Morgana had taken advantage of and warped him into someone unrecognizable..

All these memories of Mordred bring another with them, the memory of what had happened only moments before Arthur had taken Mordred's life..

Mordred had wounded him.

Arthur remembers now. He was wounded, pretty badly if he remembers correctly..

But if that's the case, then how is he here?

Perhaps Merlin found a way to save him after all.

Arthur takes in his surroundings and decides that all he can do is go with his gut. And his gut is telling him that the small flicker of light he sees coming from the forest is probably his best option...or his worst..

But what other choice does he have?

He slowly but surely makes his way towards the light, shivering in his soaking wet clothes as the brisk wind blows through him.

Making his way through the forest, he realizes that the light is coming from a small cottage. Hopefully he can seek shelter there for the night, or at least get some directions back to the citadel.

He knocks on the door and waits patiently for someone to answer. Suddenly, the door swings open, and he is met with the face he would know anywhere, that of his dearest friend.

"Merlin! Thank God!" Arthur exclaims, feeling elated and exhaling a massive sigh of relief. He moves to hug his friend before remembering himself. "I mean, thank God you're here, I almost did my own work," he says callously.

But the second the words leave his mouth and he's on the verge of crossing the threshold, Merlin shuts the door in his face.