Chapter 2. A Concerning Dream

Both of the Royals were waken up early by a certain young prince. Merlin quietly entered the room, and climbed onto the bed. Positioning himself on his knees, Merlin started to bounce up and down. "Wake up! Wake up!"

Gwen opened her eyes and stretched her arms. "Good morning Merlin."

Merlin crawled between his two parents in the bed. Gwen kissed his raven black hair. "Daddy's still sleeping. You should wake him up." Merlin's face lit up at the task.

Arthur was turned on his side away from Gwen. Merlin got back on his knees and shook his father's shoulder. Arthur groaned into his pillow. "It's too early Merlin. Go back to sleep."

"Wake up lazy daisy"

At that, Arthur sat right up. Merlin almost falling on top of his mother because of the sudden movement. Arthur was stole a quick glance at Gwen. She was surprised as well.

"Merlin?" Arthur questioned.

"Yes?"

"Where did you hear that phrase?"

"Uncle Gwaine told it to me." Arthur wasn't sure whether to be relived or disappointed. If Merlin was starting to remember something of his past life… Arthur didn't want to finish that thought. Although why his first memory would be lazy daisy, Arthur had no clue.

Merlin watched his father. He didn't know why he reacted that way. He thought lazy daisy was funny. Merlin wondered how Uncle Gwaine came up with the most bizarre things.

"Common daddy! Let's go, let's go!" Merlin said bouncing on the bed again.

"Alright Merlin."

What seemed like an eternity Merlin, they were finally ready to leave. Merlin wanted to leave sooner, although Gwen made him eat breakfast. Wolfing down the food, Gwen said they could go. The courtyard was busy with servants filling out their daily chores. Gwaine, Percival, and Leon stood next to their horses wearing brilliant red capes. Two servants stood next to Arthur's and Gwen's horses. The two royals appeared on the front steps. Merlin ran up to his uncles, Percival, the gentle giant, picked up the prince with complete ease. Hoisting him onto his shoulders. Merlin laughed with delight. Gwen held Arthur's arm as he escorted her down the steps. Arthur and Gwen watched as Percival spun Merlin around.

When the couple approached the knights, Percival lowered Merlin. The knights quickly mounted their horses. Merlin was impatient to leave. Arthur placed him on top of his own horse, as he got on behind. Promising Gwen not to go too fast. The horse's hooves echoed off the cobblestones as they rode out of the citadel.

The sun rose higher as the company was well on their way to Lake Avalon. At first, Arthur was against the idea Gwen had brought up. She had wanted to see the lake again. Saying they all needed time to get away. With a lot of persuasion, Gwen had managed to convince them. Leaving Camelot in Iseldir's capable hands for a few days. They were finally going.

After a few hours of riding, Arthur saw the glistening waters of the lake. Pained memories came upon him. Remembering when he laid his best friend in the boat. He heard the song the elves sang for Merlin. There were also good memories too. He remembered Merlin marrying Freya here. Arthur felt guilty for not thinking about her sooner. He didn't know if she was still tied to Avalon, or if she was able to go with Merlin wherever he went after death.

When the company got to the lake's shore, Arthur stopped his horse. First helping Merlin down before helping Gwen. Who didn't really need assistance, both she and Arthur knew that, but it was still a gentlemen act to do.

Gwen sat at a pot making dinner for everyone. She didn't mind at all even though she was the queen. On the contrary, she had actually missed cooking. Ever since she became queen, the servants were the ones to make the meals for her. Of course it took a while to get used to, but cooking again for her family brought her back a few years. Gwen watched as the grown men took to a game of sparing. With her permission, she allowed Merlin to join in. Leon search for decent sized sticks to use instead of swords. Arthur was giving Merlin instructions of basic swordplay. Showing him how to parry, and defend against a certain stroke. Gwen watched with pride at how wonderful Arthur was with being a father. She had known Merlin grew up without a father in his last life, and she was so glad he was born to them. Gwen called when dinner was ready. Without the need to call twice, they quickly gathered around the stew as she poured out bowls for them.

Arthur had a dream that night. He stood in a large stone courtyard. It was perhaps the size of Camelot's throne room. Gray walls stood tall. The room looked cold, dark and empty. Like no one has been there for years. Nothing stood out but a stone table in the middle of the room. Arthur didn't know why, but the place felt familiar to him. Then, Arthur saw an older looking Merlin, he looked to be in his early teens. Next to him, stood Morgana. Arthur's heart began to race. She was just as he remembered her beautiful, but dangerous. They stood face to face, seeming to be talking to each other. Although Arthur couldn't hear what was being said. He wanted to warn Merlin to be careful; but no sound came out.

Suddenly, Morgana's eyes turned to rage. She flung out her hand, and Merlin flew hard on the top of the table. Arthur reached for Excalibur, only to find the sword missing from its usual place. Weaponless, Arthur tried to run to Merlin. His legs felt heavy, it felt like he was running underwater. Arthur watched helplessly as he saw Morgana pull out a gleaming, silver dagger. She raised it above her head. Merlin was still trapped against her magic, though it didn't look like he was trying to struggle out of it. Like, he was letting her do this to him. Arthur reached his arm out towards them. Still too far away to do anything to save the man that was now his son. He watched as Morgana brought down the deadly dagger. Before it could find its mark, Arthur cried out, "No!"