Chapter 1: The High Council

Arthur Pendragon opened his cerulean eyes to a world of white. The constant pain in his side was numb, but the weakness was still there. He got up, slowly, putting all his strength in the action.

"About time you woke up, mmh? I would have thought you were dead... Well, maybe you are, I'm not sure yet."

The blond king turned his head towards the voice, finding blue eyes staring back at him. "Merlin?"

"Hey," the younger man answered calmly.

"Are we dead?" Arthur asked, confused.

Merlin shook his head. "Not yet."

The Once and Future King wanted to know more. "You were not wounded. Why are you here?"

"I wasn't wounded, you're right. We are between the world of the living and the world of the dead. We are in the middle of existence itself."

Arthur tilted his head to the side. "Why? What happened?"

The warlock was about to answer but was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"He wanted a second chance, dear brother. The King's life is too important to be lost. Right, Emrys?"

The black haired man turned to face the speaker. "Yes, that's right. Hello, Morgana. Fancy seeing you here."

"Morgana...? What are you doing here?" the king asked, surprise clear in his wide eyes.

"Your friend here killed me, remember? That sword... Extremely painful, if I had to admit to it. Pity I couldn't kill that knight... Gwaine, was it? The big one arrived too soon... Anyway, I'm here to lead you two to the High Council. Apparently, they gave you a second chance, Emrys. Now it's up to you to make the right use of it."

Merlin chuckled. "I'll do my best."

The witch rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you will. Are you ready?"

The warlock snorted. "Ready as I'll ever be. Arthur?"

The king gulped a few times before nodding. "Let's go."

The three started to walk in the pure white until they arrived at a door. The witch opened it, allowing the two men to see the darkness that was about to swallow them.

"How can you be so calm?" the king asked to his friend nervously.

"It's useless to be nervous. I had a second chance, I'm not going to waste it because I'm 'such a girl' and I can't keep my emotions in check. I'm not allowed to be nervous."

The other man stayed quiet as they entered the tunnel, their shoes the only source of sound. They arrived in a big cave, with an enormous dark river in it.

There was a boat with an old man."If you want my service, you need to pay me," he said.

The witch walked to the man, giving him three coins. "You should really care less about money, Kharon." The elder didn't answer, waiting for them to go on the boat.

"Is it safe?" asked Arthur, approaching the boat suspiciously.

"Why shouldn't it be?" replied the warlock, amused.

"It certainly doesn't seem stable. Or do you think that an old wooden boat can sustain the weight of four persons, you idiot?" Arthur explained, crossing his arms.

"I'm sure it can, you stupid prat. After all, this boat crossed the Styx for centuries. I've never heard of someone falling in the river. Don't worry. And try to be a man, for God's sake! I'm the one who's supposed to be the girl!" Merlin replied, throwing his hands in the air.

"So you finally admit it! You are a girl, after all," the king continued, with a smug smile on his lips.

"I'm not a girl, Arthuryenne."

"You are, Merlynn."

"No."

"Yes."

"Will you two stop? Or do I have to levitate you?" snapped the witch.

The two blushed furiously and smiled sheepishly, getting on the boat. It had been so easy to fall back in their old banter, even in that godforsaken place.

When they arrived on the other side of the river, they found three doors.

On the right door was written 'Life and Light', while 'Death and Darkness' was on the left one. "Why doesn't the central door have a name?" Merlin asked.

Morgana smirked. "Because that's the path that will lead us to the High Council. The path between life and death, between light and darkness. The path between destiny and doom."

(12-25-12)

I couldn't let Gwaine die. I love him too much. I cried like a baby when he died. So... Percival, 'the big one', arrived in time and saved Gwaine. How? Well, use your imagination!

(06-12-13)

EDIT: Ok, so, if you've read the unedited version, you'll notice that this chapter is just half of it. I've cut it because I wanted to write every chapter more or less with the same length.

Thanks to my two betas: Cordelia Rose and Box of Frogs.

Lots of love,

-MildeAmasoj ❤