Chapter 9

Possibilities

They talked for most of the day. Merlin told Arthur of everything he had missed. Leon's wedding to a noble woman. Percival's wedding to a kind young widow. Gwen's reign as Queen regent. The battles, victories and loses - both on the field and not. Gwaine's death. Camelot's fall.

Then there was Merlin's adventures afterwards. He skipped over a lot but Merlin didn't leave what the important stuff. Arthur understood that Merlin had been lonely all these years and he took comfort in that.

Of course, there was a lot of banter as the day wore on.

"No, Merlin! You can't be telling me that you - of all people - led a rebellion against Margaret Thatcher... what was she again?"

Merlin sighed in exasperation, "A Prime Minister, Kings and Queens don't rule anymore. And it wasn't a rebellion, it was a riot. I think you've lost your touch all those years in that Lake, Arthur,"

"I lost my touch? You're the old man here, Merlin!"

"True," Merlin nodded, "But at least I'm not a prat,"

"Merlin?"

"You're going to tell me to shut up, aren't you?"

"Yep,"

Merlin couldn't remember the last time he had felt this happy. His chest felt like it was going to burst. This was just perfect. They were sitting outside, Merlin leaning against Aithusa's foreleg as usual (she was half in the Lake - half out. The trees and other vegetation covering her from the road) and Arthur nearby - leaning against a tree. He hadn't quite perked up the courage to approach Aithusa closer than that. Although he wouldn't admit to being a bit intimidated by her.

The Lake lapped at the shingle beach, the sun beat down through the trees and warmed the stones. Aithusa had long since fallen asleep in the warmth with her head curled towards Merlin over her forelegs.

But the dark foreboding part of Merlin's mind told him that this was only the quiet before the storm.

The conversation dwindled as they found less to talk about. In the end, they were happy to sit in each other's presence. Enjoying the sun and the company.

Merlin's gaze drifted over to the lake. Becoming transfixed by the flowing movement of the water. It rolled, tumbled, weaved and merged. The wind sending it up and dropping it again.

Then slowly, he got this idea. Crazy idea. stupid. Ridiculous.

But... then again. Completely sane and prehaps the best idea he's had in years.

He shifted to a different position against Aithusa's foreleg and turned away from the water. He looked directly at Arthur. His eyes were glazed over and he was sitting completely still like a statue. Merlin studied him.

He was alive. Not a shade. Whole and un-wounded. Breathing.

Maybe...

Merlin shook away the thought. No, it wouldn't work.

His eyes traveled up Aithusa's nose, along her jaw, over her closed eye-lids and reached the sharp spikes on the top of her head.

"You love her, don't you?"

Merlin snapped round to see Arthur looking at him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, Merlin, you -" he pointed to Merlin's chest, "- love that dragon as if she were human,"

"Well, yes. Of course," Merlin frowned, "We're kin, as a Dragonlord, I have control over her. Also, we live in each other's mind a lot so I suppose we're one and the same,"

"What?" Arthur guffawed, "You read minds Merlin?" but his tone didn't have that usual tone of disbelief just curiosity.

Yes, I can. Merlin directed his thoughts into Arthur's head. Who jumped dramatically.

Merlin laughed, then Arthur was laughing with him.

They bickered for a while longer before lapsing into a comfortable silence once again.

Merlin's attention wandered back to the Lake. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea...

Arthur couldn't remember everything that had happened in that Lake. To him, it felt like he had only been in there for a few minutes. Like he had just woken from a dream.

For Merlin, though, that was a different story. Arthur still couldn't quite believe that Merlin had lived this long. If it had been him, he would have gone insane long ago. All the things he's done. It's unbelievable.

Yet, so Merlin.

Arthur had to be a little bit jealous of the places he's been. Rome, Paris, The East and this place called Arm-er-ay-ka. Or was it Ame-ray-ka? Am... well, sounds like a good place to go. He even told him of these things called Do-noughts. There was this cheeky look in his eye has he spoke of them. Arthur was sure he had glanced down at his waistline a few times.

Arthur glanced at the lanky man now. He was watching the waves in the lake. His eyes were glazed as if he didn't even see them. As if he was looking through the water. Which is ridiculous because water is see-through. But there was something else.

Arthur shook his head. No, it was Merlin. There was always something else about him.

Arthur's gaze shifted to the dragon his friend was leaning against. He had to admit that the creature was magnificent. It no longer resembles that scrawny beast that had attacked them when it was Morgana's pet.

It was bigger for one. Almost as big as that dragon he had thought he had killed. Actually, Merlin had just told him that he hadn't killed it but Merlin had banished it.

He really should stop being surprised.

But after ten years of knowing a clumsy manservant it was hard to shake off.

Merlin had changed, though. He no-longer had that bouncy gait in his step. It was still there but less somehow. He had the air of an old man despite being young in appearance. He stood straighter, with more confidence. His eyes had this strange knowing look, like he knew everything about what you were trying to tell him. Then there was his actual frame, he wasn't so scrawny anymore. But built thicker. Not like a one of his Knights, but close enough.

He had said that he walked a lot through the years and then there was the fact that magic was considered myth now. He can't use it to protect himself anymore. So he must fight like anyone else.

It wasn't right. This was Merlin.

Arthur glanced at him again. Then took a double take. Merlin was muttering something. His eye's were a magnificent gold and he was shaking.

Arthur was up and running before he knew he meant to. He collapsed to his knees next to the man and grabbed a shoulder. "Merlin? Merlin!" He shook him to get his attention but something was wrong. Merlin couldn't hear him.

Merlin started to shake more aggressively. But his eyes remained gold and he kept muttering.

Arthur looked around frantically, although he didn't know what he was looking for. He caught a glimpse of blue and focused on the vivid blue eye of Aithusa. "Help! He's... I don't know!"

Aithusa lifted her head and studied Merlin, "What are you doing, my friend?" Then to Arthur she said, "You should leave him, any break in the spell might kill him,"

Arthur snapped his hand back as if Merlin shoulder had burnt it, suddenly terrified, "What? Do you know...?"

Aithusa just looked at him sadly.

Arthur looked back at Merlin, worry etched into his face. He felt useless.

The muttering increased and Arthur tried to make out what he was saying. He leaned in close and listened.

"...oferþearfa... ælíf cwide... betæhte... swice... dægrædléoma... éadhréðig"

That must be the Old Religion, Arthur thought. But he was saying more... something about...

Arthur's jaw dropped. "Merlin? You're not... are you?"

No response. A blue glow spread from his hands and a ball of light formed there.

Arthur sat back on his heels and watched.

The ball of light drifted away and into the water of the Lake, disappearing into it's depths. Aithusa chuckled next to him and Arthur glanced at her. Her eyes held no amusement however. She was scared for Merlin.

Splash!

Arthur tore his gaze away from Aithusa's deep blue eye and looked to the Lake.

Then he was running. Splashing into the water and gathering up the woman who had surfaced there.

"Gwen!"

He was laughing in joy and surprise. They made it to the shore and stood in each others arms. Gwen was crying, confused. But he held her tight, kissed her and told her it was alright.

Arthur looked over to Merlin to thank him but froze.

He was still muttering, his eyes still blazed.

Gwen sniffed and looked at Merlin too. "Is he alright? He said that I should go first,"

"Did he?"

"It's nice to see you again, Atihusa,"

"And me you, Gwen. Long time, no see," Aithusa smiled warmly at her, then refocused her attention on Merlin.

Arthur blinked in surprise at that. Then he remembered that Gwen would have known her before she died. He looked down at Gwen's smooth, young face and smiled. She was back.

Splash!

"Oi! Merlin! You... oh I can't even be mad at you,"

"Gwaine! Welcome back!"

"Yeah, yeah," Gwained waded in, he wouldn't meet Arthur's gaze.

Arthur gripped his shoulder and said quietly, "I know, Gwaine. I don't blame you. Not even I would have withstood that torture for long,"

Gwaine smiled at him thankfully and looked about to speak before there was another - splash!

Percival was next. Then Leon. And finally - to Gwen's delight - Elyan.

Arthur looked expectantly at Merlin then. That had to be it.

It was, Merlin's eyes faded to their usual blue even as he watched. Everyone edged towards him - Gwaine was grinning widely at the dragon.

Merlin's head rolled back and he blinked rapidly. He spotted the faces watching him and half-smiled.

Then his eyes rolled back into his head and his body went limp.

AN: Now, tell me. Were you expecting that?

I wasn't expecting that! I mean... huh?

As soon as I realised I was going to do this (two paragraphs in) I had to stop and write the start of next chapter before this weird idea for it left me. In fact, I've finished the next chapter so you'll see it tomorrow!

Anyway! Please review! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin!

Marmar:

"Well thought out"...? Yes, I started with a plan but... I kinda turned right instead of going straight towards the goal. *Shrugs* I am still going to the goal just not the way I wanted to. :D Thanks for reviewing!