Prologue
He had it all. Lots of money, good looks, and a hot physique the girls couldn't resist. Or maybe that was the money. Either way he hadn't cared. He was having a good time and his life was just peachy. He lived it to the fullest. He had been the Captain of the high school football team. The most popular guy in school. He'd received dux at the completion of high school and went to the best College in the country. He was 23 years of age. Having finished his degree two years ago. He'd been working in his father's firm ever since. The high flying entrepreneur. The apple of his father's eye.
He had a beautiful girlfriend. Long legged, sapphire blue eyes and long blonde hair that felt like silk to touch.
He was the envy of his friends.
Then it was all gone in a blink of an eye.
One rainy night, a terrible storm. He'd never seen the truck swerve onto his side of the road till it was too late. The last thing he remembered was the sound of screeching brakes, the smell of burning sulphur assailing his nostrils and then the twisting metal. So much twisting metal. Pain hit his whole body, hot prongs of burning pain. He was screaming as the metal crushed his body, and then welcomed the darkness that claimed him.
He was dead. His body floating in a lake. The water was soothing against his burning flesh. A woman held him in her arms. Her long brown hair floating across his chest. It reminded him of the days when he'd been a small boy, his mother holding him in her arms, comforting him. Before she had been taken from him.
Rest Arthur. Your time will come soon.
He allowed her to lead him into the cocoon of warmth and peace the water offered him. This is where he belonged now. He had been here before. He had always been here … and such a long time.
Arthur … no! Arthur!
The voice was pleading, laced with desperation and so much pain. Always the pain.
Arthur! Come on. Arthur!
That voice, so compelling, so heart breaking sad in its grief. A face flashed briefly before him. So brief, that he only caught the bluest, saddest eyes he'd ever seen. A word formed on his lips. Just one word. He struggled to voice it but he had to. He had to say it. It was impervious that he knew.
"M-M … lin."
Unbelievable pain exploded through his body. He felt his chest heave and gasped in a lungful of air.
It felt like he was on fire. He longed for the sanctuary the lake had offered him.
"No. No. No."
His own voice sounded gargled in his ears. Not like him. This wasn't him. He wanted to be dead. The pain. The excruciating pain. He started screaming. Tears streamed down his face.
"Sedate him!" someone yelled. "Now!"
His body started to convulse.
"He's going into shock."
A siren was wailing in his ears. People rushed about, panicked looks upon their faces.
Merlin! Merlin! Where are you? I need you.
The shaking subsided. Everything blurred before him and his eyes drifted shut. A numbness took hold and he slowly sank back into the darkness.
He remembered nothing more.
Across the other side of town a young man tossed and turned in his sleep. The tortured voice calling him, echoing through his mind; Merlin … Merlin … where are you? I need you.
He sat up suddenly, startled. His eyes wide with fear. Heart beating erratically in his chest. He ran a hand through his now tangled, sweat drenched hair. How his hand shook terribly.
But it was just a dream.
He wasn't Merlin.
He drew in a deep breath of air and lay back down. Feeling cold. The dream had disturbed him in more ways than one. He shivered pulling the doona snugly around his thin shoulders. His face felt damp. Raising a hand he wiped his eyes, only to find them wet with tears.
This was crazy.
He let out a mirthless laugh. "I'm losing it." It was now official.
But the tears continued along with the deep ache in his heart.
I've lost him … he's my friend … Arthur! No! Arthur!
He rubbed his chest. Squeezed his eyes shut.
He didn't even know an Arthur.
This was ridiculous. It was just some stupid dream.
By the morning he wouldn't even remember it.
.
.
A/N: This idea came to me late the other night. I also felt like writing a little Arthur/Gwen romance story. And Merlin. There is no Arthur without Merlin by his side. This isn't going to be a long epic story. I haven't forgotten my other story. It's just that the fanfic site has been rather difficult of late and I decided to do my own thing.
It really is about what the title says, 'Restoration'. In this case restoration of love and friendship in Arthur's life. It'll probably be around five chapters, give or take one or two, depending on how the story progresses. Gwen doesn't feature in this prologue but she is a main character within the story.
If you would like me to continue please let me know. I love and appreciate reviews!