Yay, inspiration struck and I've finally finished this chapter!

Firstly, before reading this, I have several apologies to make-I'm sorry if I'm rushing things. I never was patient when it came to writing, and I hope you'll forgive me for that after reading this chapter. :/ [The title of the chapter might have given you a clue...] Secondly, I'm sorry if Violet appears to be a Mary-Sue or something of a sort. Before anyone can ask, Violet is NOT a self-insert and if she IS acting like a Mary-Sue, PLEASE PM me about it because I don't want her to be one.

On that note, read on!

Chapter Four. A Surprise

"Merlin, is there a particular reason for you to be sitting there?"

Merlin froze, feeling as though his heart had just accelerated to lightning speed and his mind becoming temporarily blank. He knew that voice. Only one person said his name like that. Only one person had this particular voice.

"Merlin, I'm talking to you. Aren't you going to answer me?" The voice continued and Merlin stood up. He turned around and his eyes widened considerably. If his heart was beating fast before, it was absolutely pounding now.

Arthur Pendragon was leaning casually against a tree as though nothing had ever happened. The ugly wound from Camlann had all but disappeared, and he looked healthier and Merlin had ever seen him. His eyes were the same bright blue that shone with compassion and nobility, but the same hint of mischief was still there.

It really was Arthur.

The King of Camelot had returned.

"Art'ur." Merlin couldn't even say Arthur's name properly. He was having trouble forming his words. Tears were beginning to form in his eyes and he couldn't breathe.

"Don't just stand there, Merlin." Arthur grinned. He outstretched his hands and chuckled under his breath. "Do you really think that's a proper way for you to greet your king?"

Merlin didn't say anything. He stumbled forward, his steps uneven and jerky. There wasn't anything else in the world—it was just Arthur standing less than three feet away from him.

"Oof!" Arthur grunted as Merlin wrapped his arms around him. However, it wasn't long before Arthur was returning the hug. "Nice to see you, too, Merlin."

•◊•

Merlin's eyes opened and he found himself on the couch in his flat. For a minute, he lay there, confused and bewildered over his surroundings.

Where was Arthur? Wasn't he outside only a few moments ago? What was going on?

Suddenly, reality crashed back down and Merlin's breath caught itself in his throat. He wasn't outside. Nothing had happened.

And most of all, Arthur wasn't here.

Merlin heaved in a couple of slow breaths and sat up. He stared out the window and could see the lake clearly. Merlin closed his eyes, remembering and savoring the words that Freya had written to him.

Arthur's time is coming much sooner than you realize.

How soon? What was Freya's definition of 'soon'? Merlin had lived a long time—for all he knew, 'soon' might mean another thousand years or so.

He couldn't wait that long.

Merlin stood up and though he was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, decided to walk back outside. He shoved on his shoes and hurried out of the flat. Merlin was beginning to head to the lake when he spotted someone sitting at the shore.

The warlock frowned and jogged towards the lake. He quickly came to a halt and then frowned. He could almost hear someone speaking to the lake.

Merlin frowned and crept a bit closer, careful not to make a sound.

"So, um…you don't know me, I don't think." The person was saying to the waters.

Violet.

Merlin stared, puzzled, but remained silent.

"I'm uh, Violet and yes, I'm speaking to a lake and yes, I know that I'm speaking to a lake. Or a person in a lake. Or something like that." Violet took a deep breath and she crossed her legs. "Ugh, I'm talking to you—some dead guy named Arthur. You're Merlin's friend."

"I'm also Merlin's friend. Um, sort of." Violet added hastily. "To be honest, I think he doesn't see me as a friend, but that's all good." She shrugged.

"I've listened to him speaking to you, you know." She muttered. "And I don't know why he does it, but I know that you're dead and he really wants you back. And he's probably going to go after a sorcerer or something to bring you back."

Merlin closed his eyes and couldn't help but to smirk. Go after a sorcerer…what a funny idea. He reopened his eyes and crept closer.

"Magic's outlawed here," Violet continued. "Mainly because people are scared of it and they think that it's only used for evil."

She shook her head. "But that's not really why I'm here—I don't know how long you've been dead for, but I think you were gone for some time. I mean, Merlin acts like it. You were really close to him, weren't you?"

Violet played with her hands. "I don't even know if you're real or not—you could be a figment of Merlin's imagination for all I know." She let out a small laugh, but it only lasted for several seconds before she returned to her solemn state.

"But if you are real and if you are listening to me, please come back." Violet blinked, as though surprised by her own request. "Merlin acts like I'm a stranger and he doesn't really come out that often unless it's to talk to you." She gestured at the lake. "And he's lonely." Violet paused. "People don't like being lonely," she added softly and stood up.

Merlin didn't bother moving or hiding when the girl turned around.

"Whoa!" Violet gasped and took a quick step back once seeing the warlock. Her face paled and she stared at him with wide eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"What? The lake is open for the public," Merlin gestured around the space. "Aren't I allowed to come here?"

Violet twisted her fingers together and stammered, "No, I mean…gosh, how long have you been standing there?"

Merlin shrugged. "For some time," he smiled. He couldn't help it—the parallels were too similar. Just the other day, Merlin had been in Violet's position.

The girl crossed her arms. "You were eavesdropping?" She asked slowly.

Merlin shrugged casually.

"Oh, come on!" Violet huffed, giving the warlock a small shove with her hands.

Merlin blinked in surprise and asked, "What was that?"

Violet bit her lip. "Um…" She shook her head. "It's just not very nice for you to sneak up on people like that."

"You're one to talk," Merlin retorted. "You're always sneaking around, following people…"

The girl rolled her eyes. "That's different! It's called getting to know someone."

"Really? Strangely enough, there's another word for your actions." Merlin grinned.

"And what's that?"

The warlock bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. "Stalker," he said and ducked nimbly as Violet's arm came flying towards his head.

"I am not a stalker!" She said crossly.

Merlin smirked. "Yes, you are!" He bolted away as Violet started to run after him.

"At least I'm not a lunatic! I don't talk to a lake all the time!" She yelled, a teasing note in her voice.

"Oh, come on, you're growing attached to that lake, too!" Merlin shouted with a laugh.

Violet rolled her eyes and then flopped onto the grass. She crossed her arms beneath her head and Merlin walked down to her.

"So…how long have you been talking to Arthur? In the lake, I mean." Violet said.

Merlin shrugged. "I'm not sure," he replied. Well, actually, that was a lie—he had a fairly good idea about how long he's been talking to Arthur through the lake, but he wasn't quite sure how Violet would react if he said he's been talking to Arthur for more than a thousand years…

Violet didn't press on for a real answer. She simply shrugged and clasped her hands in front of her.

Merlin brushed some blades of grass off his jeans and was about to stand up when someone grabbed his shoulders from behind.

The warlock let out a cry of surprise and whirled around to look at the intruder. "Who do you—" His question died in his throat and something that resembled a sob came out of Merlin.

Violet frowned and she looked at the warlock. "Merlin?" She asked, nudging him cautiously. "What's wrong?"

Merlin didn't acknowledge his neighbor.

A pair of blue eyes were staring at Merlin's, and a familiar smile was greeting him.

"Hello, Merlin."

A/N: *facepalms* I DID say that I sort of rushed things...but I was dying for him to return! I really was! IT WAS KILLING ME INSIDE!

Please review, give feedback, just don't leave any flames. :) Thank you for all the support-this is my first multi-chapter Merlin fic so I'm still very cautious about approaching the fandom. :P