Summary: Over 1500 years have passed since Arthur's death and Merlin has lived through it all. Now here it is the year 2015 aand Arthur and the others return. Can they handle the changes in their new era and the changes in the happy-go-lucky boy they used to know?
Pairings: Merthur; Percival/Gwaine; Lancelot/Gwen;
Warnings: OOC!ness; Drug abuse; Alcohol Abuse; Thoughts of suicide; Suicide attempt: POSSIBLE TRIGGERS; Mentions of torture and non-con; Dark, but not Evil! Merlin: Morgana is reborn a good guy; POSSIBLE SPOILERS; AU
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or the songs sang in this fic…no matter how much I wish I did…
Chapter One
Sometimes he wondered what they would think of him if they saw him now.
Sometimes the thought was fleeting, brought on by a picture or a phrase that reminded him of them and days long since passed. Other times it was all he could think about. It was all encompassing and left him feeling both ashamed of himself and yearning to forget. The latter usually ended with him going out to a bar or getting high, anything to stop the pain, the loneliness, and waking up in bed with one stranger or another.
In the years after Camelot's fall, he had tried to hold out hope that Arthur would return, that soon, so soon, he would no longer be alone, but when catastrophe after catastrophe struck the earth and centuries passed with no sign, he began to give up hope. Now, a millennia and a half later, he had all but given up on his king's return. Still it didn't stop him from wondering whether or not his master would approve of the man he'd become in his absence.
He snorted.
Probably not.
With a sigh, the warlock shoved the dark thoughts from his mind and focusing on the present. He had to get ready for work and he couldn't be late.
The past was gone and there was no use sitting around reminiscing and worrying about the opinions of the dead.
The time has come for King and His council
Magic has suffered long enough the prophecy has been fulfilled
The Protector has shattered
The Time has come for the King and His Council
To Protect the Broken Protector
As Dusk sets on the seventh month and Dawn breaks on the eighth
The Two Sides shall be rejoined
And the coin shall become whole
Kilgharrah smiled sadly as the new prophecy revealed itself in his mind, sharing a relieved look with Aithusa.
For centuries they had awaited the return of the Once and Future king, watching as their lord and brother's hope dwindled with each passing year. They watched as the warlock began to destroy himself, falling into a downward spiral of drugs and sex just to escape reality. They watched as his depression worsened and comforted him whenever his wish for the end became too much for him to bear.
Now the wait was over, the King would be returning. He would be able to save their lord from himself and heal his shattered heart. Soon all would be well!
"We must tell Merlin." Aithusa said hesitantly. "He isn't going to take it well if we don't."
The Great Dragon nodded and sighed. "He has waited for centuries. He will not take it well regardless. He has long since given up on the return of his soulmate."
The younger dragon frowned. "Maybe this will give him hope again."
"Or maybe it will break him."
Arthur…was returning?
After 1500 years of waiting and longing, his master was finally coming back to him.
Why? Why now?
Why after he had given up hope? After he had finally moved on from that silly dream?!
His hands trembled violently, and his breathing quickened, his eyes burning with tears he refused to let fall.
August.
He just had to wait until August.
One month.
A slightly hysterical laugh left his lips and he gripped the missive tighter.
One month and he'd be whole.
One more month of waiting.
He should be happy. He should be relieved that after all this time, all these wasted prayers, Arthur was returning.
So why did he feel so hollow?
"Arthur Pendragon, The time has come for you to return to the realm of the living."
Return to the realm of the living? He was alive…wasn't he?
"You are not."
How was that even possible? He had to be alive, he had to protect his kingdom! He had to save them, to save Gwen, and- and Merlin.
Merlin, who had magic, who was a sorcerer yet still meant more to him than even his own wife. Merlin, who had cried over him…as he died…
He truly was dead.
Memories flooded his mind and his heart clenched as he remembered the devastation on his manservant's face and the broken sobs that had ripped themselves from the younger man's throat. He remembered finding out that Merlin had magic and watching as the raven tried desperately to heal him.
He remembered it all.
The voice spoke, its tone soft almost regretful.
You must return now. Time has gone on since your death and Magic has not coped well. You shall be what heals him and he shall heal you.
Magic.
It was talking about Merlin. He could only imagine how his friend had coped with his death and he prayed that the sorcerer hadn't done anything stupid. Everyone in Camelot knew that Merlin was almost fanatically devoted to his king. To lose him so tragically…Arthur dreaded to think about how Merlin had responded.
"Will I return alone?"
He asked the voice.
"Your council shall follow. Now, Awaken Arthur Pendragon."
It commanded and a bright light flashed before his eyes and he knew no more…
TBC…
A/N: So I was listening to Five Finger Death Punch's song Remember everything and this happened… What do you think should I continue?