Merlin dragged Arthur to the lake as Arthur sought his next inhale of air. Water splashed around both men while Merlin pulled Arthur farther out into the lake. Arthur breathing slowly eased into a calmer panting as the lake did its magic. After a few long moments, Arthur spoke up.
"Merlin, I think we can swim to land now. I'm not dying anymore."
Merlin hoisted Arthur's shirt of chainmail, spun Arthur around in the water, and hugged him tightly clutching at Arthur's damp shoulder.
"Are you sure?" Merlin let go of the King to inspect him. He noted that the King's face was no longer deathly pallor.
"Yes, I am quite alright. Just getting really, really cold right now," Arthur chattered beneath his chainmail.
"Oh, right. Of course, let's go." They swam side by side to the beach of the lake. Both were soaking wet as they stood facing each other.
"So could you... I don't know... Dry us off? With your Magic, I mean." Arthur stuttered waving his hand between him and Merlin as a way of explanation as his wet hair clung to his forehead.
Merlin only nodded, his eyes sparkled gold, and the weight of their clothing shifted as it became less clingy on their cold bodies.
"So now that I am no longer dying and we are dry, what is our plan on getting back to Camelot?" Arthur seemed to be at a loss of authority as life returned to him. The blonde man stumbled slightly as Merlin walked over to the tree line.
"I suggest that we stay here tonight. You should rest, while I go find wood for a fire."
"We don't have any food though. I should hunt then rest." Arthur commented after much thought.
"Yes, that idea works except that the only weapon you have is your sword." Merlin retorted.
Arthur furrowed his brows, "What are you thinking then? That you can hunt?"
"Well, yes. Magic," Merlin waved his hand at the seemingly obvious answer.
"Right, right. And I just plop down and wait for you here?"
Merlin nodded, "Otherwise you could come and carry the wood."
Arthur involuntarily sat down where he stood, "I guess I'll just stay here," he said with a groan. Merlin stepped towards him worried, but the King waved him off. "I'm fine. I think the Magic saved my life, but it also sapped my strength." Merlin watched him for moment until Arthur commanded, "Go, Merlin! Hurry back with a decent bird or buck!"
Merlin trotted off into the forest. He first decided to find some dry branches to make a fire. After a couple trips back and forth to where Arthur sat, Merlin finally stacked the wood and magically ignited the fire with a glow of his eyes. "There now you can right up to it, while I go find something to eat."
As Merlin made his way back into the forest, he heard Arthur mumble a thanks and something about making sure that the animal was dead and dressed before bringing it back to camp. Merlin shook his head, if only Arthur knew just how talented he was with his Magic.
Soon Merlin came quietly upon a doe. She was of decent size and seemed to be alone. Merlin focused on the deer and thrusted his Magic into her. While his Magic quietly seeped into the animal, Merlin could see the anatomy of the deer. The pumping of its heart and inhalation of each breathe it made. He carefully whirled his rivulet of Magic towards the heart, spun the rivulet around it, and wrung the life out of the doe. The animal collapsed onto the forest floor. Merlin leaped from his hiding place and ran towards the fallen creature. His Magic was still coiled within the doe's body. He used his Magic to dismantle the deer. He separated the meat from the body and elevated the meat whilst burying the rest of the doe. He pushed the deer meat alongside him in the air as he trotted back to the camp.
The fire was still roaring when he came upon it and Arthur. Merlin used his magic to slice up the meat into chunks that were easier to cook over the fire. Soon the meat was ready and both men were scarfing down the meat. All of the meat was cooked, but most of it was to be saved for the journey back to Camelot. Without the horses, the trip back to Camelot became a much longer journey.
Both men were soon quite full and ready for sleep. Unfortunately because of the Dragon ride they had taken to get to Avalon, their supplies were all gone. No sleeping packs or anything. Merlin took watch as Arthur drifted off to sleep. Merlin stayed the whole night thinking about how lucky he was to have Arthur still at his side.
The next morning came too soon for both of the men. The near-death healing at Avalon still took a toil on Arthur. He was able to walk, but tired too easily to make a few day's trek back to Camelot. They had stopped every once in a while. Merlin kept a sharp eye on his friend and King. Out in the wilderness without the threat of Morgana trailing their every move, the men were serene as they walked side by side. Arthur and Merlin's friendship matured into a brotherhood. They treated each other like equals, rather than king and manservant. Talk was easier as the days grew, drawing them closer and closer to Camelot.
"Merlin?"
"Yes, Arthur?"
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand? I mean everything had escalated into this mess?"
Merlin was silent for a moment, "I didn't want to put myself between you and your father. Also every time I was psyching myself up to tell you, I'd think of the fact that I did lie to you for so many years. Selfishly I didn't want to lose my friendship with you."
"How many times did you save me, then?"
"More than I can count. Which category would you like? Parties in which you or your father hosted? Your meals? Any adventure or quest with which you dragged me along? The tournaments?"
Arthur stopped walking and Merlin looked back at him as the King murmured looking at his hands "That many times, huh?"
As Merlin and Arthur reached the gates of Camelot, they both felt the strain upon the kingdom relax and became at peace with the world once more.
Soon Magic will be legal again and the Old Religion welcomed within the kingdom, Arthur thought. Merlin will be among his own kind as well as by my side as Court Sorcerer.
The pair drew quite a crowd as they climbed through the different classes of crowds within the city. Soldiers ran ahead to tell their Queen that the King was yet alive and ascending towards the citadel. Arthur and Merlin walked alongside of each other as they turned the corner into the courtyard, where the Queen stood, nearly bouncing on her heels in happiness all while weeping of delight at the sight of her husband and best friend. The remaining Knights stood beside her, smiling, but as still as statues. The Queen's hands covered her face in joy as she couldn't hold herself back and ran to her husband and friend. Arms extended and entwined as the King and Queen of Camelot enveloped into a sweet embrace.
The Knights came around to Merlin as the royals took their time. Tender, strong hugs from the Knights as they welcomed Merlin back to Camelot. The company of Knights made Merlin feel more at home, but there was only one person at Camelot who Merlin truly feel at home. Gaius. Merlin scanned the company only to feel a small tap on his shoulder.
"Merlin, my boy! You've succeeded!" Gaius spun Merlin on his heels to wrap him up in a fatherly hug.
Merlin only smiled, but a thought crossed his mind. He turned around to look across the company, searching for another face, an abnormally absent one given the circumstances.
"Where's Gwaine?"