The Camelot Chronicles: The Dragon's Call
WARNING:Guys, this doesn't have much to do with Merlin. This story is just based on Merlin.
Prologue
The legends that you have probably read state that Arthur died at the hands of Mordred. Well, what if I told you that he lived and the line of the Pendragons continued? If you don't believe it, then stop reading. Turn around and walk away right now. Because whatever I say, I mean it. And when I say Arthur lived, I mean every word. Now in order to further understand my point, let's go back to the beginning.
Merlin paddled with all his might towards the midnight-black island. A dark structure stood, looming above Merlin. It was in the middle of the lake of Avalon, much to Merlin's frustration. He grew tired but he pushed himself. He couldn't falter. Not now. Arthur lay on his back in the boat, white as a sheet. His heart wasn't beating. He wasn't breathing. He was dead. "No, he can't be," Merlin thought. "I won't accept it." Call him stupid, barmy, anything. Merlin didn't care. He couldn't let go. Arthur was his best friend. He couldn't leave him. Merlin kept rowing towards the island. Tears streamed down his face. "Please let it not be too late." He already used magic to push the boat but he needed to go faster. "Come on, come on." Suddenly, the boat lurched forward and sped to the island. The current was pushing them along. Merlin smiled. Freya was trying to help him. The boat pushed on until finally, he reached the shore. Merlin grabbed Arthur and gripped him hard. He then proceded to run through the entrance to the middle of the structure. A black marble slab stood in the centre. Merlin placed Arthur on the slab and looked at him. He wanted Arthur to wake up so badly, but he didn't. Merlin turned and called,"Hello? Is anyone here?" No answer. Merlin started to get anxious. "Hello?" "Welcome, young warlock." Merlin spun around. The walls were lined with torches containing blue fire. Standing at the marble slab, surrounding Arthur, people wearing blue cloaks stood, solemn looks on their faces. They were quite short, almost as short as children, except they looked like adults. In the middle of them all, a beautiful young,tall lady stood. She possesed fair skin and golden hair. She was youthful but looked wise, a quality Merlin wished he possesed. The lady he was staring at spoke. "I doubt you know who we are." "I don't." "Well, hardly anyone comes here. I assume you have come to ask for the salvation of your king." "Yes." "Then we shall grant it. You ought to stand back." Wait, that's it? You don't demand anything?" "You underestimate us. Stand back." Merlin obeyed. Anything for his friend. The sorceress faced Arthur. A young girl, or at least Merlin thought she was, brought a bowl containing more of the blue fire. The sorceress scooped up part of it and held it in her hand as the others held hands and chanted. She held it aloft, high above her head. Merlin could just glimpse the fire. Then Merlin gasped. Something was moving in the fire! Merlin looked closer and realised he was seeing moving pictures in the fire, like in the Crystal of Neotid. Merlin stared at the pictures. He saw Morgana! She was gasping for life. Merlin had stabbed her. Then, the image changed. Morgana was still in the palace playing Uther's loving ward. but she wasn't. Merlin could see the malice in her eyes. Merlin felt sad, disappointed. He sometimes had that feeling when he thought of Morgana. The image changed once more. Merlin felt like crying. This time, the fire showed Morgana when she still was good, when she was Merlin's friend. Merlin's heart sagged. Where did that Morgana go? All this hapened in a split second and Merlin felt happy when it ended. Now Merlin understood why the sorceress didn't ask for anything. She planned to use Morgana's life as payment. Merlin smiled at the sorceress's wisdom. She chanted a few words and and with all the strength she coluld muster, she drove the fire into Arthur, right at the wound that had cost him his life. As fire and flesh met, a huge explosion of blue light erupted from the circle. Merlin shielded his eyes from the burning light. Then the light receded and Merlin looked up. The sorceress was holding something in her hand. Merlin's heart stopped. It was the shard of metal that came from Mordred's sword. A rush of memories then flooded Merlin. He saw a gigantic leech sticking to his face, draining his power. He saw himself as an old man shooting lightning bolts at Morgana's army, then again, young this time, stabbing Morgana. He saw Arthur lying in his arms, genuinely thanking him for the first time only to die the next second. He remembered the pain and sorrow when he saw Arthur's lifeless body. A tear ran down Merlin's cheek. He wiped it away and started towards the sorceress. She turned around and said,"It is done." Merlin looked at Arthur. Nothing. Merlin's heart crumbled to pieces. His last hope was wasted. He bent down to cry freely. He looked up so he'd forever remember his favourite clotpot's face. Arthur's eyes were twitching. Merlin leaned closer to make sure. Yes, they were. With new hope, Merlin put his ear on Arthur's chest. There was a pulse. Merlin's heart ran a relay race, did a somersault and did a happy dance. Merlin called softly to his best friend. "Arthur." Arthur's eyes fluttered open. Merlin couldn't remember the last time he felt this happy. Arthur groaned and whispered something. Merlin leaned closer to hear. "Well, if it isn't the idiot who saved my life." Merlin chuckled. Some things never change. Melrin reached forward and hugged Arthur. The others smiled happily. The young girl put away the fire and clapped her hands. Even the sorceress smiled. Merlin let go of Arthur and smiled. Arthur smiled back. The sorceress spoke,"Well done, young warlock. Welcome back, young prince." Merlin said,"Thank you for everything." "You have succeded today, young warlock. And Camelot will know peace for a while, but you must beware. The enemy will arise once more and in that horrific hour, you must be brave." Arthur spoke weakly, "I don't understand. Morgana was killed." "So you think." Both Merlin and Arthur loked confused. "I understand you must be confused." Merlin and Arthur stared blankly. "Fear not. All will be revealed when the time comes." "Is there a chance? Is there a chance where all of us live?" Merlin didn't want any more surprises. The sorceress merely smiled. "The prophecy stated that Arthur would die, yet against all odds he lived. There's always a chance, Merlin. You only have to be brave enough to see it, a quality you do not seem to lack." Merlin smiled at the compliment. "However, this time it's not about you. Another warrior will come and that warrior is the one to vanquish the darkness. But she will need help." Merlin and Arthur smiled. "We'll gladly give it to her" said Arthur. The sorceress smiled. Suddenly, she started to glow. The others also were bathed in a sky-blue light. They started to fade as the glow got stronger. As they dissapeared, a voice echoed across the room. The sorceress said, "Good luck."Then , total silence. Merlin turned to Arthur. "I'm hungry." "Me too." Arthur slid off the marble slab. And together they walked side by side. They both worried about the sorceress's warning. Who is this warrior? When would she come? They pondered these questions ,then heard their tummies rumbling and focused on what they were going to eat when they got home. Though they were right to wonder. A warrior would come, but not until many, many, many years later.