Hey, guys! Qwerty here! I just recently finished Merlin, and was devastated by the ending. I mean, they're just gonna stop there?! So, I'm "continuing" the series. This has probably been done before, but whatever.

Let me explain how this is gonna work. Each chapter will be like an "episode." There will be a 'The adventure continues' thing at the bottom of the chapter, which will be a peek into the next chapter. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Enjoy!

Season 6, Episode 1

The False King

Gwen stared out the window, her heart heavy. Each day that passed, the chance of Arthur returning seemed to dwindle even lower. She trusted Merlin, of course she did, but some part of her still whispered he's just one man. Arthur is gone. You'll never see him again.

An urgent knock on the door to her chambers interrupted Gwen's train of thought.

"Come in," she called. Sir Leon entered the moment the words left her mouth, looking like he'd run all the way to her chambers.

"Your Majesty," he gasped. "It's… Merlin… he's back…" That was all Gwen needed to hear. Gathering her skirts up slightly so she could move faster, she raced through the castle. Reaching the entrance to the castle, she froze suddenly, racked with fear.

What if he brings bad news? What if Arthur is… she shook her head, determined not to even finish the thought. Arthur would be all right. He had to be. Taking a deep breath, she exited the castle and scanned the open courtyard for Merlin and her husband.

The first was easy to find. Still seated on his horse, Merlin looked like he'd aged ten years. His eyes were unfocused and bloodshot, and he stared at the stony ground intently, not meeting Gwen's eyes.

Arthur was nowhere to be seen. Gwen felt panic flood her as she scanned the courtyard again, but the result was the same.

"Merlin," Gwen managed, trying to keep her voice even. "Where is Arthur?" Her voice cracked on her husband's name, and Merlin finally meet her eye.

"I tried everything, Gwen. I'm so sorry," he managed, his voice hoarse.

"No," the queen gasped, falling to her knees. "No," she repeated. "Arthur can't be dead. He can't be!" At her words, Merlin averted his gaze, as if her reaction was physically hurting him.

Behind Gwen, the knights stood shocked, stunned and staring at Merlin with disbelief. Arthur was gone? But Arthur always made it. He was… Arthur. He couldn't just be gone. Gaius proved to be the only one with a clear head at the moment, pushing past the knights and helping Merlin of his horse.

"You need to rest," he told Merlin, his tone of voice not leaving any room for argument. As Merlin followed Gaius back in to the castle, Gwen felt her last bit of hope leave with him.

Merlin woke up with a jolt, sweaty and tangled in his bed sheets. The nightmare flashed through his mind- the sword meeting Arthur's side, Arthur collapsing on the shore of the lake. Arthur's last words, Thank you.

I didn't deserve your thanks, Merlin thought to himself miserably. I failed. I failed you, and I failed Camelot.

"Merlin?" Called Gaius from through Merlin's bedroom door. "Get up and come help me."

"Coming," Merlin forced himself to call back. Some part of him was relieved that Gaius had chores for him to do. It would keep him busy, and stop his mind from wandering back to Arthur.

Walking out, he sat down and moved his breakfast around, pretending to eat. Unfortunately, Gaius noticed.

"Merlin," he scolded. "You must eat."

"I'm not hungry," Merlin mumbled. Gaius sighed and sat down across from him and handed him a small vial.

"Here. Drink it," he told him.

"What is it?"

"A potion to help ease your grief. It will help you think clearly until you… recover," Gaius explained. Reluctantly, Merlin took the potion.

Taking a small sip, he immediately spit it out.

"That stuff is disgusting!" He cried, pushing the vial away from him. "Ugh!"

"Merlin," Gaius chided. "You must drink it."

"But it taste like horse dung!"

"Merlin. Drink." Still grumbling, Merlin took another sip, grimacing at the taste. Swallowing it forcefully, he looked back to the half-empty vial.

"I don't have to drink all of it, do I?" He asked, dismayed.

"No," Gaius reassured him, taking the potion back. "I'll give the rest to Gwen."

Merlin nodded, feeling the potion take effect immediately. The throbbing pain that seemed to fill his chest faded to a dull ache, and his nightmare receded to the back of his mind. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than it had been.

"Better now?" Gaius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Merlin admitted.

"Good. Now eat, Merlin," he ordered, not unkindly. This time, Merlin obeyed, managing to eat half his porridge, even if it seemed to stick in his throat a bit when he swallowed.

"Merlin! Gaius!" Cried a new voice as the door was flung wide open. It was Sir Leon, his eyes bright with excitement. "The king is back!"

"What?" Merlin asked, confused. "Arthur? But-"

"He's alive, he's alive!" Leon cried joyfully. "Merlin, whatever you did, it worked! Why didn't you tell us he was ok?" Without waiting for an answer, Leon turned, heading back for the door, crying one last "The King lives!" over his shoulder before disappearing from view.

Gaius turned to Merlin, one eyebrow raised questioningly.

"Merlin?" He asked. "How did you do it? I thought Arthur was dead," he said slowly. Not unhappily, just warily.

"He was," Merlin said, stunned. "I didn't do anything." Joy suddenly bubbled up in his chest as the news sunk in.

"Arthur is alive. Arthur is alive!" He cried joyfully, jumping up. He was so excited, he didn't notice the look of horror spreading over Gaius's face.

"Merlin, no! You mustn't-" He began, but Merlin was already gone, off to find his king.

Merlin didn't bother to knock. Throwing the doors open, he rushed into Arthur's chamber, stopping short at what he saw.

Gwen was standing next to a tall man with blonde hair, the King's crown on his head, and a sword strung through the belt at his side. Gwen was holding his hand, her face wet with tears of joy.

"Arthur?" He asked hesitantly.

"Ah, Merlin," Arthur said, looking over to him. "My manservant."

And Merlin knew that this wasn't the real Arthur. It wasn't just what he said that was so un-Arthur like, it was his eyes. They were cold and calculating, not the warm eyes of his friend.

"Arthur," he replied, frozen. The ache in his chest grew as he stared at this look-alike, because he knew it wasn't Arthur, and he wanted him to be so badly.

But Merlin couldn't be fooled. He knew Arthur when he saw him. And this wasn't him.

"You're back," Merlin forced himself to say. Luckily, Gaius walked in at that very moment.

"Merlin," he said, slightly irritated. Then his gaze found not-Arthur. "Sire," he said looking surprised. "You've returned."

"I have," not-Arthur said, smiling. Gwen, however, was studying Merlin carefully.

"Are you ok, Merlin?" She asked, concerned. "You're very pale."

"Shock, I'm sure," Gaius lied smoothly. "Come on, Merlin. You have chores to do." Either Gaius didn't see the problem, or he was just a better actor than Merlin thought.

Merlin followed him out of the room, glad from the excuse to escape the look-alike.

"Gaius," he croaked. "That wasn't Arthur."

"No, it wasn't," the physician agreed, frowning. "I feared this would happen."

"That someone would impersonate Arthur?"

"Yes. Camelot is kingless, Merlin, and plenty of people would see a chance to take advantage of that."

"But he looks just like him," Merlin protested weakly.

"Magic, most likely," Gaius reasoned.

"How can I stop him?" Merlin asked fiercely.

"I don't know," Gaius admitted. "I'm afraid only the return of the real Arthur could unveil him now."

The Adventure continues…

"Please!" Merlin begged, staring at the old woman desperately. "Please, tell me! It's important." The woman sighed, resigned.

"Very well," the woman said. "You wish to know who he really is and why he's in your Kingdom, yes? Fine. I'll tell you. But I fear you will not like the answer."

Please don't kill me! The real Arthur emerges… eventually. I know it was short, but I'll try to update soon! Until next time!