No spoilers. Fem!Merlin/Arthur. Future AU. Rated T for language.


Prologue - End and Beginning:

Starting at the end of the twenty-first century, the devastating effects of pollutants in the air, water, and earth began to show pernicious effects. The climate began oscillating dramatically and the frequency of natural disasters increased. Chemicals such as Chlorofluorocarbons broke down the Ozone layer, exposing the populace to harmful Ultra-Violet radiation and creating a Greenhouse Effect. Within a century, all of the polar ice melted, raising the sea level by over 200 feet. People living in coastal areas began moving to higher ground, as their homes were flooded. The government built arks to help house the population.

In 2179, The Catastrophe occurred. Nuclear reactors were abandoned and inundated with water. Radiation was released in large amounts into the water and atmosphere. That, coupled with insufficient food, drinking water, and sanitation, led to the disaster that would, in total, kill off 62% of the world's population. When the world was at its lowest point, Brutus Dardanian set it back on track. He recreated a monarchy system that has been in place ever since…

"Arthur, are you even listening?" Merlin snapped.

He lifted his head off the desk to fix Merlin with a scornful look. "Of course I have, Merlin."

"Good, my lord." She set down the history book she had been reading from. "Then summarize the last chapter for me."

"Fine. So the twenty-first century people were assholes who didn't care about the planet so the weather went all wonky. Then all their explosive shit went kaboom so they went to live on these boats and all. Then that Brutus dude comes along and starts the Great Salvation, which saves all the poor little people. Blah blah whatever. So then he marries and has kids who had kids until, me, the bravest and handsomest prince ever was born. The end." Arthur smirked at Merlin smugly.

"Right. And what was the name of the piece of legislature that decided who got to live on the boats and what the rules would be?"

Arthur's face pinched. "Ugh. Huh. I know this. Don't tell me. Um. Okay, does it start with an 'F'?"

"Arthur."

"Fine, I don't know."

"The Articles of Nauticals which was later added to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Camelot. C'mon Arthur, you got to remember this stuff."

He sighed. "I know, I know."

"Kay. And can you tell me what the Articles said?"

"It says that only the rich, intelligent, and the powerful can live on the Arks. Social Darwinism and all that. Everyone else will be left to fend for themselves on the remaining islands. The Mariners that are living on the ship must listen to the King and his officials and abide by the laws that they have set," Arthur recited dutifully.

Merlin rewarded him with a smile. "Good. Now we can take a break."

"Thank God. You are one hard governess, M."

"Yeah. And you hired me so you're not allowed to complain."

"I could always fire you."

"As if you would."

The prince silently agreed. Arthur knew that no matter how terrible of a tutor Merlin was, he would never fire her. She was his closest friend and confidant, Arthur was pretty sure he couldn't live without Merlin. Anyways, Merlin was an excellent teacher. She was able to connect with him and make him understand in a way that nobody else had been able to accomplish. Pre-Merlin, Arthur had gone through about a tutor a week, firing them the instant they got on his nerves. Morris hadn't even lasted a day. Finally his father had put his foot down and demanded if Arthur didn't find a teacher for himself, Uther would appoint one and it would be final. Arthur had taken one look at Aredian and knew he needed to get a tutor, and fast.

He had been on his way to interview a man named Cedric for the job when his yacht was destroyed in a freak hurricane.

Arthur found himself in the ice-cold, heaving waves with no idea how he got there. He vaguely remembered the captain's frantic yelling and mast-snapping gales. Arthur looked right and left, turning himself in tight little circles until he was dizzy. There was no one in sight. Rain beat down on him and fierce gusts of wind made the waves dance higher and higher. The rough, churning ocean shoved him around like a rag doll.

Arthur searched for the crewmembers that had been with him. A head, an arm, anything. There was nothing. The waves must have pushed them away, or they were… No. Arthur wasn't going to think about it. They were probably half way to shore by now. They couldn't be…dead. Arthur was regretting being a brat to the sailors. What he wouldn't give to see one of their leathery, suntanned faces. Even that annoying one who spat disgusting gobs of tobacco all the time.

It was getting harder and harder to keep his head above the surface. His entire lower body had gone numb a while ago. It was all he could do to keep his exhausted body moving. Front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke, doggy-paddle. Arthur forced his limbs to comply with his mind. He'd lived on the sea his whole life. He was basically born swimming. The sailors had taught him from a young age to respect the sea but never to fear it. For the ocean was fickle and its depths were boundless. They were always at its mercy. Arthur had given drowning only a passing thought. But it was all too real now. All he could think of was the immense body of water with no one around. No one to even find his body when his energy gave out and he died.

He saw something bobbing in the distance and Arthur called up all his remaining strength to swim towards it. The process took a while, with his nearly useless arms weakly slapping at the water. And for all that effort, Arthur was disappointed to find it wasn't a fellow survivor. It was a slab of wood inscribed with the name S.S. Mermaid I, the name of his yacht. Arthur gladly grasped on to it, letting the plank take on some of his weight. Somewhere off in the distance, Arthur belatedly registered a bright light that seared into his crusty eyelids. He wondered if this was death, this feelingless floating sensation. As curious as he was, the prince couldn't help himself as his eyelids grew heavier and heavier…


The title sucks I know, if anyone can think of a better one, let me know and I'll change it.

Tell me what you think so far!