Just finished watching the last episode of Merlin EVER. So many emotions...
I can't even deal with it, just thinking about it makes me sad. All of those funny moments and happy days even the sad ones, like nothing could compare to the sadness of this episode. All of those thousands of years he's been waiting...GAH! I can't go on.
Alright I'll stop now before I start rambling, well...I already ahve.
So anyways the fanfiction is about Merlin waiting for Arthur to return from the Lake of Avalon. Sorry if I spelled some things wrong, I didn't have the time to make correction because I'm uploading this while in a rush to go somewhere. Next time I'll make the corrections though.
Anyways, enjoy yourselves and Merry Christmas!
The warning bells rung again, awaking the sleeping queen. She awoke but was not startled at all. Since her husband's death, nothing had seemed to startle her. Guinevere arose from her bed and was greeted by Sir Leon and him. Merlin.
"Milady another attack," Sir Leon says but his voice lacks emotions, as if the attacks had happened many times now.
"Another one," Guinevere sighs as she toys with her hair which is in a braid.
"Shall I take care of it your majesty?" Merlin asks, in his usual helping tone.
"No thank you Merlin we are quite alright. Allow the knights to take care of it, perhaps you could speak with me for a while."
The warning bells have stopped now and Sir Leon bows, leaving the two to speak.
"Have I done anything wrong Gwen?" Merlin muses.
"No," Guinevere smiles. "Never. You are my dearest friend Merlin, you know that right?"
"Of course."
"You should get some rest then. Please, you help me too much."
"I made him a promise many years ago," Merlin speaks softly, his tone changing.
Guinevere's face twists in grief. It still hurts to speak of him,to speak of Arthur.
"Yes I suppose you did," she attempts a smile. "But even so I want you to rest Merlin. You have been so helpful to me since his death."
Merlin and Gwen look at each other. Brown eyes meeting blue. For a moment, two people share a distant memory. A longing of the past long forgotten to many but not to them. A past of Arthur Pendragon, the greatest king Camelot has ever known. As well as a great husband and friend.
"Arthur has always loved you Guinevere. And he will return one day, I promise you that," Merlin assures her, now by her side instead of being across the room from her.
Silently, Guinevere allows herself to sob and it's the first time in a long time she has broken down her walls she has ever so built up since her husband's death.
"H-how do you know he w-will return M-Merlin?" Guinevere cries. "How?"
"He is the once and future King and he is destined to save Albion. He has saved us in so many ways Gwen."
"As have you," she says in a weak tone.
"Arthur is the one to save us all. One day he shall Gwen. One day he will save us."
With that reassurance Guinevere sleeps as Merlin watches over her. He promised Arthur even before the years of his death that he would take care of Guinevere. It was a promise that he would keep as long as the Queen was alive, and as long as Llacheu was alive.
xXxXx
3 years ago...
"Merlin!" a familiar voice called out from the court yard.
Merlin looks up to see a beautiful Guinevere running to him with her red dress flowing behind her and her hair, tousled and unruly which gives Merlin the impression that she had not slept for days. Still, she is beautiful as ever.
Guinevere runs up to Merlin and hugs him, a warm friendly hug, then looks disappointed when she pulls away.
"Where is he?" she asks, completely bewildered. "Where's Arthur?"
Percival appears from behind Merlin and gives a sympathetic look to his Queen. "Milady," he speaks quietly almost as if he is afraid that he would hurt her with his words.
Guinevere looks to Percival's horse and sees a body on it. Chain mail, red cloak, Camelot's crest. "Arthur!" she cried out and runs to his horse, turning the body over. But it is not Arthur, but rather Sir Gwaine. She gasps and looks horrified at the knight and the warlock, which she realized on her own a few days ago.
"He is dead!" she cries. Guinevere then scans the area. "W-where is Arthur?"
Merlin walks up to her and cautiously takes her by the hand and leads her towards the steps that enters into the palace. Once they are away from Percival she bombards him with questions.
"Where is Arthur? Is he okay? How is he? Is Morgana dead? What happen to Gwain? Tell me Merlin!" she sobs.
"Gwen..."
"No," she breathes.
The look on Merlin's face is unbearable. It is the look of a man who had lost everything.
"I tried Gwen. I tried so hard." Merlin is sobbing silently now too, and guards walks past the two looking worried but do not disturb them both.
Merlin fishes something out of his pocket. "I don't know if it was right of me to take this from him, but I think he'd want you to have it even if he didn't give me the order to give it to you," Merlin says in a soft, hushed, tone.
It is Arthur's wedding ring. She is sure now that he is gone and starts crying uncontrollably as Merlin reaches out to her and holds her in his arms, the best he can do for the crying Queen.
5 days later...
A proper burial is held for Sir Gwaine. It is sad and bittersweet for everyone. Gwen makes sure that his burial is treated with respect and even royal if possible.
"I do believe he is one of the most loyal men I had known," Merlin speaks to Gauis. "Just like Arthur and even Lancelot."
"I am glad you have returned home Merlin," Gauis says.
"Yes but I must also return to the Lake of Avalon."
"You would make such a journey?" Gauis asks, completely bewildered at his decision.
"I would not go back forever. I will stay in Camelot as well but I must also check up on Arthur."
"But Arthur is dead!" Gauis speaks as if Merlin is a mad man.
"I know that Gauis, but Arthur is the once of future king of Camelot. He is bound to return to us one day."
"Well I hope so," Gauis says silently.
Suddenly, without warning Guinevere who was standing a few feet away from Merlin and Gauis, faints. Sir Leon is already at her side as well as Percival. Gauis takes her away but assures them all that she is struck with grief. Little did they know that there is much more than just grief.
xXxXx
"How is she? How is Gwen?" Merlin asks. Lately his day has been filled with mourning of the loss of Arthur and checking up on Guinevere. That is the only thing he can seem to do these days.
"Fine actually. She is recovering well."
"From her illness sure but she can never recover from the loss. I can't blame her," Merlin sighs. He had been going back and forth to the Lake of Avalon, searching for any sign that Arthur had returned to them, but none. The great king was still gone, sleeping until the day would come that he would arise. Hopefully that day would come soon.
"It is not just that," Gauis says slowly.
"What is it then?" Merlin asks, curious as to what happen to Guinevere.
"It seems as if our queen is expecting..."
"Expecting?"
Suddenly realization strikes Merlin. His eyes widen and Gauis smiles, the first time since he found out Arthur had died. A small flicker of hope swells deep inside Merlin. A child, born of Arthur and Guinevere. Perhaps a child that could finally bring happiness to Camelot once again. No, maybe not happiness. Merlin didn't think that even the mere child could bring back all of the happiness in such a short notice. Maybe in a few years, but not now. But the child would bring hope. And at the moment, hope was what Camelot needed.
Present day...
"Your majesty," Sir Percival entered the Queen's chambers. It is early morning and Guinevere is writing some documents while eating her breakfast which Merlin has so kindly prepared for her even though she tells him all the time not to do so.
"Ah, Sir Percival," Guinevere managed to smile. "How are you?"
"Fine, thank you," Percival grinned.
"And your wife, Sir Percival? How is she?"
"Arietta is doing great. She's given me my second son."
"Oh how wonderful!" Guinevere smiled.
"What's wonderful?" Merlin asks. He had been tidying Arthur's clothes, which was something he was used to doing every single day. Merlin told Gwen that he was keeping his clothes clean until he came back. This gave Gwen the tiniest glimpse of hope. Everyday when she watched Merlin prepare Arthur's clothes and clean his armor, then put his things back in his wardrobe, it gave her a sense of nostalgia but it also gave her hope for Arthur's return, whenever it may be.
"Percival has another son," Guinevere smiles.
"Oh wow!" Merlin grins. "Congratulations Percival!"
"What is his name?" Guinevere asks.
"Gwaine."
All three of them stopped their conversation as silence over comes them all. Gwaine's death had an uneasy effect on them as well as Arthur's. A brave knight, lost to Morgana's hand. His own bravery and strength used against him.
"I am sure," Guinevere speaks up first, "that the boy is well taken care of?"
"Yes. Arietta never leaves him alone."
"Good. I can already tell he is going to be a brave warrior. He is his father's son and he has the name of a great knight," Guinevere gives Percival a warm smile.
"I know he will be a great knight as well," Percival returns the smile. "Anyways your majesty I just wanted to let you know that Queen Annis is planning to visit us soon. I got word from her earlier today." Percival hands Guinevere a letter from the queen.
"Why thank you Percival. Tell Leon that I would like some quarters prepared for her and any guests she brings along with her. I want them to feel welcomed."
"Yes your majesty." Percival bows and is on his way.
As he leaves Guinevere continues to watch Merlin tidy Arthur's clothing. She smiles fondly at memories of the two fighting in the morning, then Arthur scolding Merlin when she'd wake up to their fighting. Memories now, that seemed so long ago.
"Merlin," Guinevere speaks softly.
"Yes?" Merlin peaks up at her from Arthur's armor.
"I would like to cancel all of my plans today."
"Okay," Merlin says a bit confused. "You can do whatever you'd like after all you are the Queen regent."
"I would like you to take me to the Lake of Avalon. With Llacheu if that is alright with you."
"W-what?"
"It has been so long since I've been there and I think it would be well if I brought Llacheu to his father's final resting place."
"Of course your majesty," Merlin recovers himself.
"Just Gwen," she smiles. "I've been your friend longer than I've been your queen Merlin. Just Gwen is fine."
"Sorry," Merlin says sheepishly. "I'm used to it I guess. Besides you've never been 'just Gwen', you've never been ordinary. You're special Guinevere after all that is why Arthur married you."
"Yes I always wondered why he chose me out of all the pretty princesses he could have married."
"Well choosing you was one of the best decisions he made in his life, I know that."
"Thank you Merlin," Guinevere says sincerely. "Please gather a group of knights to accompany us on our journey."
"As you wish," Merlin says as he walks off to gather the knights.
xXxXx
"Merlin," a soft voice speaks.
Merlin stirs in his sleep and wakes up to see blue eyes staring intently at him.
"Arthur?" he says groggily.
"Who else?" Arthur rolls his eyes.
"What do you want?" Merlin hisses. "It's late and I'm trying to sleep!" Merlin groans as he rolls over and shuts his eyes again. It's just a dream, he thinks. Again...
"I heard you took my son to see my resting place today."
Merlin opens his eyes and turns back to look at Arthur who is standing at the side of his bed.
"Yes I did."
"I know you did idiot."
"Don't be so rude!" Merlin defends himself. "After all I've saved you on more than one occasion."
"Obviously," Arthur sighs. "Now, tell me about my son."
Merlin sits up and smiles sadly at the ghost of his former friend. A month after Arthur's death Merlin had been getting these dreams that Arthur would come to him and talk to him about whatever there was to speak of. He asked Gauis about it and Gauis told him that it is common for warlocks or those with magic to see people who have departed or away for a while. It's not actually Arthur himself but it's his spirit. It's a way for both of them to communicate while Arthur is gone, awaiting the day he will rise.
"Llacheu is perfect in every way. He trains with Percival's eldest son Tristan usually on normal days."
"How nice. I trust they get along well," Arthur says as he sit on the edge of Merlin's bed.
"They do actually."
"Now when are you going to settle down and have children? I want Llacheu to have more friends."
"Slow down," Merlin rolls his eyes. "I'm not in a rush, besides haven't you heard? I'm immortal."
"Yes I have."
"You have?"
"When you're dead you seem to know these things. A never ending book of knowledge you could call it."
"Don't say that," Merlin grits his teeth.
"Say what?" Arthur asks, completely bewildered as to what he did wrong.
"Dead."
"Oh. I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you upset."
"You're not dead Arthur. You're just...sleeping or something I don't know," Merlin says, frustrated.
"I know and I'm sorry. I didn't mean it you know. I want to be there, things are finally perfect. The Golden Age of Camelot I guess."
"It's not perfect. You aren't there, Llacheu needs a father, Gwaine and Elyan are gone, and Guinevere mourns for you every day."
Arthur's expression cools. "Guinevere...h-how is she?"
"She's the perfect queen regent. You couldn't have chosen a better successor to the throne Arthur."
"I know," Arthur is silent for a while. The thought of his beautiful wife sitting all alone on their throne made him upset. "And I wish I could have loved her more. I know that in the last few days of my life I had been so preoccupied with the battle against Morgana. I never stopped and though about my life with her, with my precious Guinevere..."
"Arthur..."
"What?" Arthur sniffles.
"Don't cry."
"I'm not crying!" Arthur retorts. "Well maybe just a little bit..."
"I thought you were the brave, masculine one?" Merlin teases him.
"Oh shut up!" Arthur's lips twitch into a smile again.
"Hey! You never gave me that two day break. I'm still waiting you know, everyday I've still been doing your work. Taking care of Guinevere as I promised you, and your son as well as doing things for the benefit of Camelot. Fighting off bad guys, what's new? It seems as if I'm still doing your work even if you're not here..."
"Don't worry," Arthur grins. "When I'm back I'll give you a break."
Then, once again, he is gone and Merlin is left alone to dwell on his thoughts.