I've written plenty of fanfiction before but this is my first Merlin fic. I was rewatching Merlin when I thought about what would happen when Arthur was to return. And I just had to do this. But I don't do it alone. All the writing is mine but one of my dearest friends is helping me creating the plot lines and some of the characters as well.

By her recommendation, a version of myself will be in it, but she won't appear till chapter two. Also, this can kind of be considered a crossover but not entirely. Tom Hopper who played the amazing Sir Percival was also a one episode character in Doctor Who and it was decided that he will be joining the plot later on. I've got something in mind for it.

Be warned, this is going to be a long one. I plan on making it at least 50 chapters long with plenty of feels. It's going to include Arthur, Merlin, and others going on different adventures in the 21st century as well as little snippets here and there of Merlin during his long wait for Arthur's return.

Anyway, even of this long explanation, here's the first chapter!

A/N: I have edited this chapter since the original publish and a few things may have been changed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin at all.

Also I've added little thoughts in italics, meaning that's what they thought word for word in their head.

2014. At least 1600 years had passed since the battle at Camlann. And Merlin lived through them all. Assisting every king and queen in any way that he could, even if they wouldn't listen to him. Merlin was a changed man as he sat in the grass, looking towards Avalon. Over the years, he'd learned to change his appearance as he wished from old to young with ease. As he felt in his heart that today was the day for his friend to return, he looked as he did all those years ago. The only change was attire.

A black t-shirt underneath a black leather jacket, with matching jeans and boots. Though he appeared young, his eyes showed the many years he'd lived. After two more hours, his wait was finally over. Ten feet in front of him, a glimmer of armor appeared and Arthur could be seen lying on his back. It looked as if time had not touched the king. The hole in his chainmail where Mordred had struck was still there, but the fatal wound was gone.

Though unconscious, Arthur breathed slowly as Merlin ran towards his friend. The bag he was carrying landed with a soft thud as he knelt beside Arthur's sleeping form, waiting for him to wake. A breeze kicked up that bit at Merlin's skin, making him shiver in his jacket lightly. The king stirred, his eyes fluttering open.

"Merlin?"

"Welcome back, Arthur."

Arthur slowly regained consciousness. Though he didn't expect to. Nor did he expect to no longer be in Merlin's arms. He could feel that he was lying flat on the ground. When did that happen? Another difference was his fatal wound. He couldn't feel any pain as he breathed like he had just moments before. Or at least what he thought had been moments. Had Merlin done it then? Did they make it to the lake in time? A cool breeze pulled him further into consciousness and he stirred, slowly opening his eyes. The first thing he saw was Merlin staring at him with a smile. Though his hair was a little longer and he was in all black. When did he find time to change? And why into something so ridiculous?

"Merlin?" Merlin smiled wider at him in response.

"Welcome back, Arthur." Once again, Arthur looked over his friend's appearance.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Arthur asked, sitting up to get a proper look at him. Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Clothes." You know that's not what I meant you idiot. "Speaking of which…" Merlin grab a bag, or what Arthur assumed was a bag but not one he'd ever seen before and started to go through it, pulling out a pair of blue trousers that looked to be the same sort of material as Merlin's. But blue instead of black. "We need to change yours. Can't be walking around dressed like that." Arthur looked at his chainmail, not understanding. He almost always wore chainmail, what was wrong with that?

"And why the hell not?"

"We don't need everyone asking where the Renaissance Fair is." Merlin commented with a smirk. But Arthur just blinked a few times, thinking he must have misheard him. He had no idea what a Renaissance Fair was.

"The…what?"

"Nothing." Merlin let out a small chuckle as he laid out the strange clothes on the grass. Arthur watched him for several moments. Something was off. He could tell. There was something Merlin was clearly not telling him. His hand went to the hole in his armor, mindlessly touching the nonexistent wound.

"What happened?" Merlin shifted slightly. "The last thing I remember…I was dying." Arthur tried and failed to catch Merlin's gaze. "Did you-"

"No." Merlin interrupted him and Arthur paused. "You…erm…" He was clearly reluctant to continue, but Arthur held his stare, determined to find out what Merlin wasn't telling him. Finally, Merlin gave a small sigh. "You died. About 1600 years ago." Arthur tensed, his heart nearly stopping in his chest and he sat up straighter. An invasion of emotions and thoughts flooded through his head. Over a thousand years. Oh gods. How? He felt a hand firmly grip his shoulder. "Arthur?"

"I…..ex-explain." he muttered, looking up at Merlin.

Taking a few breaths, Merlin looked down. "You didn't make it. You died and I laid your body to rest in Avalon. But I was told you would come back. When Albion needed you most. I'd have thought it'd be during the 1900's but….guess that wasn't the worst. It's 2014." He let that sink in for a moment before looking up at Arthur. "As far as I know, it's just you and me. I've been here the whole time waiting for you but…." Merlin bit his lower lip, the rest coming out in a small whisper. "Camelot's gone. And so is everyone else. It's all gone."

Arthur's breath hitched in his throat. Everyone was gone. Suppose it made sense, over a thousand years and all but it didn't matter to Arthur. Merlin had time to adjust but for him, they were alive just minutes ago. He knew he'd never see Guinevere again, but because he was dying. But now he's alive and she isn't.

He had to blink tears away before he remembered all that Merlin had said.

"You…you've been waiting for over a thousand years? Right here?" Merlin again rolled his eyes.

"Well no. Not right here. But in general, yes. Been helping where I can. It…hasn't been easy."

"Meaning?"

"Nothing. It can wait. Let's get you changed and we can ride to my place and talk." Merlin helped Arthur up and helped him changed as the king was more than confused about modern clothes and didn't know what a zipper was. Once finished, he was wearing regular jeans, a gray t-shirt, and a red hoodie that zipped up. "There. Now you look normal." Merlin commented as he shouldered the bag and picked up the discarded armor and chainmail.

"Personally I think I look ridiculous. Now where are the horses?" Arthur asked, fussing with the strings on the hoodie. Merlin gave him a confused look for a moment.

"Oh, right. Horses…yeah. This way." He started walking off as Arthur followed. Parked down the road was a blue Honda CR-V. But to Arthur it looked like a big blue metal…thing. Arthur paused as Merlin pulled keys from his pocket and pressed a button which made the thing beep, and tossed the armor in the back. Merlin looked back at Arthur and smiled. "Come on."

Hesitantly, the King walked up to the car. "It's no horse, but it's faster. It's called a car. Get in front." Merlin informed him as something sounded off, coming from Merlin's pocket. "Oh, hold on. Gotta take this." Arthur slowly sat in the passenger seat, watching his friend as he took out the loud object and talked into it. "Hello? Yeah, everything's fine. Already took care of it. About that, I've got some news. I'll tell you when I get back. Yeah. Alright, see you then." Merlin put the thing away and got into the seat next to him that had a wheel.

Arthur simply looked at him, not quite sure what was going on. Merlin smiled and clicked on a long bit of material that looked to hold him to the seat, slowly, so Arthur could do the same. After a little help with the buckling part, Arthur too had his chest belt thing on and preceded to clear his throat, looking at Merlin pointedly. It was clear that the King was waiting for an explanation for Merlin having a conversation with an odd device. "Oh, sorry. That was my apprentice…"

Merlin pulled the object back out and showed it to Arthur. "It's called a phone. It's not magic, but it's a form of…communication. I just dial-sorry press the numbers to call someone and I can talk to them with it." After a moment Arthur nodded, somewhat understanding before giving his friend a quizzical look.

"Apprentice? You're teaching someone how to….use magic?" he asked, watching Merlin carefully.

"Yes. And she's really good. She's just….you'll find out." Merlin commented. Arthur was about to respond when a something flew overhead, low enough to shake the car lightly. Jumping in his seat and looking out the window, Arthur's eyes widened dramatically. It was giant and metal.

"Merlin! What is that great metal beast?!"

"What?" Merlin paused as he hardly noticed the disturbance of the giant monster above them and looked out at what Arthur was pointing at. "Oh. Oh yeah. Dangerous that is. It can eat hundreds of people at a time." he teased, causing Arthur to look at him with a horrified expression. After a silent moment, Merlin broke out laughing. "Oh, come off it! I'm only joking. It's harmless. Not even a beast. It's an airplane. It's another form of transport. Like this car."

"Wait. Hold on. Are you telling me there's people inside that thing?!" Merlin nodded and started the car, the sound of which made Arthur jump again. "Damn it, Merlin! A little warning next time! I nearly died of fright!"

"Wow. You're really going to love the 21st Century." Merlin noted sarcastically. It took almost an hour or so for Arthur to calm down and get used to the feeling of riding in the car and the other cars around them on the road. By that time, they'd reached the southern outer limits of what Merlin said was London. Trading the countryside for the busy city. Arthur quickly became occupied by looking out the window, taking in all the unfamiliar sites. Tall metal buildings with way too much glass in his opinion. People crossing marked streets when a light changed color, the cars doing the same.

Eventually, he settled to leaning back in the seat as he watched the cars driving next to them and the people along the city streets. "What happened, Merlin?"

"To Camelot? Or to everything?" Arthur thought about that for a moment.

"Both…I guess."

Merlin took a second before answering. "Eventually, Camelot fell to Saxons. Few hundred years after you died. There's been plagues and wars across Europe. The discovery of the New World, Salem witch trials, revolutions, two world wars. All the while inventions have grown. In one century alone, we advanced from horses to trains, to cars and planes. Phones, television. And a lot of….other things….." Merlin drifted off, not continuing.

Arthur watched him for several moments and gave a small sigh. It was clear that his friend had been through a lot, even if he wouldn't outright say it. Which he never did. And it was obvious that he wasn't going to continue with what he was saying so Arthur decided to change the subject. "So….this apprentice of yours. What's her name?"

There you go! Not much, but I thought it was good. Next chapter will be uploaded ASAP once I finish and edit it. Please leave a review telling me what you think! I'll also take recommendations and suggestions on things!