Chapter 1 – Memories

Destiny, the words that haunted my life for more than thousand years. My destiny was to protect the once and future king, the king of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon.

From the moment I met him to the moment I lost him, I thought he was an arrogant prat. However time has made me realise how much I have missed him. How much losing my best friend has taken its toll.

His last words in the back of my mind since he collapsed dying in my arms.

"I wanted to say…Something I've never said to you before…Thank you"

All because I couldn't kill the man destined to bring about his downfall. I was too weak, to naïve to see the bad in people. Arthur's suffering, Camelot's suffering, Gwen's…Suffering…All because of me…However…

Arthur. I am still waiting…I'll wait for you forever, I miss you old friend…

My eyes shot open as if I jumped at a gunshot, something didn't feel right.

My head hurt as if someone had smacked me with a mace in the back of the head.
Arthur…My mind brought back the memories of helping Arthur train for those horrid tournaments which never made any sense to me. Arthur always said how it was all fun and games, He didn't have to help deal with the injured or dead. I remember how much my back and arms hurt it felt like I had been strung up for days, and the pounding headache that followed.
I sighed, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. I just wish there was something I could have done. If I hadn't of let Morgana corner me and trap me, I could have got there in time.

As I settled down trying to control the tears that threatened to spill…

"No man is worth your tears" I heard Arthurs voice say in the back of my mind. Arthur you Clotpole…

..I raised my hand to my forehead, my brow was hot and covered in a thin layer of sweat. Did I have a bad dream? I couldn't remember or maybe I was simply getting sick.

I sat up from my comfy memory foam Mattress looking around my room.
The books and magical trinkets hiding the modern attire. I missed Gaius' chambers and the cheerful yet concerned look of my old mentor.
His smile, that weird eyebrow thing he did that seemed to over time rub off on me. It only seemed like yesterday, however it wasn't. One thousand four hundred and ninety-five years without him. I still remember the day I met him…Him falling, me saving him, the questions.

"Who are you?" Gaius asked me tilting his head, with confusion spread across his face,

I remember handing him the letter from my mother.

"I don't have my glasses!" Well how was i suppose to know? Sure he might have been on the old side but i didn't know he needed glasses.

"I'm Merlin"

"Hunith's son!"

"Yes!"

"But you're not supposed to be here till Wednesday"

I remember how bad I felt for correcting him on what day of the week it was, as he still wore confusion on his face "It is…Wednesday..."

I swung my legs over the edge of my double wooden bed as I ran my hand through my short black hair. I stood up slowly like all those years ago as if I was trying not to wake Gaius.
I walked slowly towards my bedroom door as I slowly slid it open and walked towards the kitchen in front of me. I stopped suddenly and looked towards the window, I thought I saw a shadow of the most majestic creature I had ever seen in my life in the corner of my eye, the great dragon Kilgharrah. But all I saw was what was always there, a road sign and another apartment building.

'Merlin, you are growing paranoid, seeing things' I thought to myself shaking my head. I walked quickly to the kitchen, pulling the cupboard door open, I picked up a glass carefully, my hand shaking from my eyes playing tricks. I grabbed my right hand with my left trying to stop myself. 'Stop it Merlin, pull yourself together' I felt my cheek become wet as a tear dribbled down my left cheek.

'Arthur…I need you, please' I thought to myself hoping that Arthur could hear my thoughts where ever in Avalon he was. I felt my eyelids slipping shut as another tear fell like a knight in battle. My legs giving way, I felt myself hit the floor, as I was engulfed by darkness.