Remember Me

Chapter ΙV

The lake wasn't like it had been a thousand years ago, Arthur quickly noted. The lake he remembered was sapphire blue. The sun and moonlight had glint against it, making it appear like fairies were dancing upon its lovely surface. It had been a place where you could lose yourself to its beauty. Now it was a place with a hideous and disgusting appearance. Trash decorated the once blue waters and No swimming signs surrounding it like spikes surrounding a barricade. It looked like humanity had stripped it of everything it had once been. Arthur almost wanted to be ill. This was what his father had wanted. A world without magic and look how it turned out. Yes, buildings of amazing height and beauty towered into the clouds and giant metal birds flew through the sky, but at what cost? Where were the forests and the wild horses? Where were the beautiful flowering fields where children had played? This place was just a cold metal world compared to the one that had lived a thousand years ago. Sadly, Arthur had to admit that this was his fault as well. When he had taken the crown did he un-ban sorcery? No, he didn't do a thing for it. This world was technically just as much of his fault as it was his father's.

"Merlin, are you sure that magic still reigns in this place?" Arthur asked, helping Merlin to the edge of the water. His friend could still barely stand on his own and just the thought of Merlin using so much energy made him worry. Merlin obviously wasn't strong enough to send out a spell to help slowly return everyone's memories, but there was no stopping the warlock. As usual, he was stubborn and stuck with what his mind was set on. A rough cough burst from Merlin's lips and his fists clenched into Arthur's shirt.

"This…place holds magic left by those buried there. Lancelot's and my beloved Freya's pure souls still rest here, polluting the water with the magic of what was left of them when their bodies were set out here." Arthur frowned. Beloved Freya? Who was she? Was she someone Merlin had met long after Arthur's death? He opened his mouth to ask, but he stopped himself when he saw Merlin's blue eyes staring out into the water. They looked so lost and empty that he silently wondered if this really was his Merlin. Was this the manservant who had called him a clot and joked about his weight? Was this the friend Arthur had grown to love and see as his own brother? Was this the warlock he had chosen to trust and believe in? He wasn't sure anymore. This Merlin looked so lost and maybe asking was not the right thing at the moment. Clearing his throat he gained back Merlin's attention and the warlock smiled at him. Arthur's heart sank further at the sight of the smile. It still wasn't his Merlin's smile. It was old and worn, lacking the cockiness that was carved so perfectly into it. Swallowing, Arthur ruffled Merlin's hair and squeezed his friend's shoulder gently.

"Be careful, you idiot," he whispered silently. Merlin's smile widened a bit more, revealing a hint of the old Merlin from a thousand years ago. Relief bubbled through his body and soul at the familiar sight. Maybe his Merlin was still in there after all. With a nod Merlin took a step into the water. Arthur took a few steps back as Merlin shuffled through the freezing polluted water, strange words leaving his lips with every step. The words seemed to echo loudly throughout the area, billowing up to the sky like smoke. Thunder rumbled in the sky and strange dark purple clouds surrounded the area like it was answering back to Merlin's words. The water turned and bubbled around Merlin like some stew, lifting up into the air with grace. Arthur watched as Merlin raised his now shaking hands to the sky, summoning his powers and the magic left in this new world forth. Bright golden light left Merlin's finger tips, flowing into the sky. A wave of gold flashed through the sky, causing the lightning to blast brighter. Then, just as suddenly as it began the storm subsided, leaving Merlin standing waist high in the polluted water. Arthur stumbled on his feet lightly, hooting and cheering with joy at the power he had just witnessed. "Merlin, that was amazing!" Arthur shouted from the bank of the lake excitedly. Merlin didn't seem to answer. He just stood there in the water. Arthur's face fell then. His eyes scanned his friend carefully, waiting for the idiot to turn and beam at him with that stupid smile, but Merlin just stood there. Something was again very wrong. "Merlin?!" Arthur shouted out again. This time Merlin did react. He slowly turned around, revealing his face. His complexion was stark white and the gold in his eyes had faded, along with the blue. They were just a dead grey color now.

"Arthur…" Merlin's lips moaned. Everything seemed to move in slow motion then. Merlin's eyes finally dimmed further into the dead grey color that had been creeping up on his usually vibrant eyes and his legs buckled. A pained expression passed through Merlin's face then before he fell face first into the scummy water. Arthur's eyes widened and he splashed into the water, pulling Merlin's head above water. Arthur carried Merlin to shore and dropped to his knees, scanning Merlin's clammy skin.

"Merlin, wake up!" Arthur cried out, shaking his friend. Merlin only lay limp in his arms, dead to the world. Arthur blinked back the terrified tears streaming down his cheeks and dribbling down his chin. No, not yet! Not now! This can't happen now! Arthur sniffled loudly, pressing his hands on either side of Merlin's face. "Please…" he pleaded. There was still nothing. Arthur's fingers detected a soft pulse, but it was fading. Correction, it was fading fast! There was no way he could save or help Merlin like he had in the past when the idiot smacked his head during a hunt or fell from his horse. He looked around the suburban area, watching as people drove past on the road and others started turning off the lights to their houses. None of them seemed to notice the two strange men sitting in the forbidden area locked up with rattling chains and locks. Arthur glanced over Merlin again, heart thumping in panic. There was only one thing Arthur could do to help Merlin. "Help!" he cried out, voice cracking as the tears flew faster from his eyes. "SOMBODY, PLEASE! HELP!"


Oh, poor Arthur and Merlin. It never gets any easier for those two now does it?