A/N: I think that this could be the sequel to my other Merlin fic, "I'm Not A Thief", but it can stand alone as well.
I thought this up while listening to Champagne Supernova by Oasis. If you've ever heard the song you'll definitely know what line I picked up on after reading this.
Please review, whether it's about the story or just to tell me what you thought of the Season Two finale (or whether you think there's going to be a third season).
In My Dreams
-she never dies-
Arthur walked slowly down the hall, an increasingly irritating ringing sound in his right ear. Everything from that direction—every small clatter or clunk—sounded like it was being heard underwater.
He had tried everything: shaking his head, pounding on the opposite ear, even cleaning out his ear with the cloth napkin from breakfast Merlin had neglected to take away. Nothing worked.
He'd had nightmares last night, too. Oh, they had stopped for a while, sure, but now they were back.
They had changed, though. The first night of their return, they had stripped away the false sense of security Arthur had had those few peaceful months. Then, when Arthur was left shivering under his covers waiting for the onslaught of horrible images and screaming voices, they had mocked him.
These nightmares were unlike the nightmares of his childhood. They were unlike the ones he'd had a few months back, before these ones had started.
No, the new nightmares—dreams, really—were not scary. They were harsh, and loud, and cruel, but they were not as terrifying as they had been before.
In these dreams, there was nothing. At least, it started out that way. Everything that surrounded Arthur was white and clean, and from a distance there was the ringing that he heard in his ears now. It started soft, sure, but then it grew louder, and louder, until it became unbearable.
And through this ringing Arthur knew someone was trying to speak to him, but he couldn't hear it. He knew who was trying to contact him, too.
Because in these dreams, she was alive. Arthur could feel the warmth as her arms held him, like he imagined they had when he was young, and the security returned for just a small while.
Then, like a sudden and spiteful avalanche, the white enveloped the both of them, and Arthur knew his mother was screaming. But she was still alive.
And then they were separated, of course. But she was still alive.
And then Arthur would wake up.
And she was gone.
Arthur paused in the middle of the hallway. What he hated most about these dreams was the fact that his mother was not alive, and she was not waiting for him when he woke up. It made it so much harder to get through the day knowing that.
Arthur stood still for a while, completely unaware of the servants and knights who buzzed past him. Until one of them ran into him.
"Ouch!" Arthur said, holding his head for a second before dragging himself off the floor.
"Oh, Arthur, I'm really sorry. I was actually just going to your chambers to get the armor you wanted me to polish, and I guess I got a little distracted, and I… I really am sorry!" Merlin looked up at him with wide eyes.
"I-Its fine, Merlin. Just, go get the armor or whatever." Arthur looked at the floor in a dazed state for a second, waiting for the blasted ringing to come back.
It didn't.
"Are you alright, Arthur? You look a little… peaky?" Merlin asked hesitantly.
"I'm fine, Merlin. Thanks."
Arthur brushed past him gruffly, still rubbing his temple.
He was a little hesitant to admit it to himself, but…
He had been telling the truth. He did feel better.
That night, the dream lasted longer. He had more time to spend with his mother. The ringing was gone, and they could have a conversation like two normal people.
And when it came time to wake up, Arthur didn't loathe the coming day.
He looked forward to it.
