A/N: hey guys I am really excited about writing this fanfiction. I have never attempted a Merlin fanfic before so this should prove interesting. I came up with this idea but then I thought it was a bit like the Lord of the Rings (I'll leave it for you guys to decide whether or not it is) so bear with me. Enjoy and review please! :)
"Emris! Emris," called a distant voice, a dreamy voice, the voice of an angel. Merlin opened his eyes and found himself lying on his back in a woodland forest. He sat up and looked around him. It was dark but Merlin could make out shapes of trees and fallen logs. He was in a forest, one he had seen before; a place he recognised but knew not where from.
A small creature fluttered metres from him. The creature looked like a human but had a golden aura about it and had small butterfly-like wings. A fairy, Merlin thought. He had seen one before, a long time ago when Arthur was in danger…
He drifted off in thought for a second but another cry of "Emris!" from the creature jolted him back to his senses.
"Why am I here? Who are you?" Merlin asked the creature.
"I am Ashes. I am here to tell you about a forthcoming that will test your abilities. Test them like they have never been tested before. Mysterious things are happening. An enemy is rising Emris and the one who will vanquish this foe will rise once more. He will rise from the ashes of death," spoke the creature.
"What like a phoenix? But who is this one who will vanquish the enemy? Who is the enemy?" Merlin stuttered, "All is well in Camelot. "
"But looks can be deceiving Emris," the fairy raised her voice growing taller slightly. She continued, "Now listen closely and hear these words
"The one who will rise will rule once more,
The one who has been gone for years of four,
The one who will help reveal the ring,
Was the one whom you used to call king."
The creature finished the riddle and Merlin's eyes grew round.
"Arthur! You mean Arthur!" he cried.
The creature inclined her head.
"So you are saying that he is back? ...Arthur's back?" Merlin asked, "but I still don't know who this foe is spirit."
"This is where I leave you Emris. I have given you all the help that I can perhaps too much," the spirit replied looking forlorn.
"But do not despair," the spirit said gazing up at Merlin, "we will meet again. But maybe not when you expect it."
The fairy vanished from sight and the forest around Merlin began to dissolve into darkness. Merlin could he nothing. Suddenly he lurched forward as though being pulled out of the empty abyss that once was a forest…
Merlin woke up covered in sweat on the floor beside his bed. Gaius was stood over him.
"Merlin are you alright?" he asked hauling Merlin to his feet.
"Arthur," Merlin gasped clinging to Gaius, "Arthur has risen."
(A/N: so there is the first chapter, sorry it's short the next one will be longer, I hope you enjoyed it!)